Showing posts with label Konami. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Konami. Show all posts

Monday, 17 March 2014

NEWS: EU Nintendo eShop Update - March 17 2014

Nintendo has detailed this week's eShop update throughout European territories.


Whilst this week's update is nothing to brag about, it does give players the chance to experience one of Shigeru Miyamoto's not so well known NES title; Devil World. For a full list of updates, including prices, see below.

New Releases

Pure Chess
Wii U / 3DS
£4.99 / €5.99

Castlevania
Wii U
£3.49 / €4.99

Devil World
3DS
£3.59 / €3.99

NEWS: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami

Castlevania producer has decided to leave Konami in search of more creative freedom.


Koji Igarashi, famously known for his works within the Castlevania franchise, has decided to disband from the company as he wants to start his own small studio in order to achieve a sense of freedom in making other video-games.

Igarashi has sent out a letter describing why he has made the decision to leave Konami:

"I've decided to break out on my own to have the freedom to make the kind of games I really want to make - the same kind I think fans of my past games want as well."

"Leaving Konami was a big decision, and not one I took lightly - I've spent my entire career there, made many friends, and had a lot of great opportunities - but I hope all the gamers and fans who have supported me in the past will join me in being excited about what comes next. Wish me luck!"

Notable works of Igarashi include Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow, Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin, among others. His last day working for Konami was March 15.

Thursday, 6 March 2014

NEWS: Hideo Kojima Discusses Dark Themes Throughout Metal Gear Solid V

Kojima has spoken out on the sensitive themes throughout Ground Zeroes and The Phantom Pain.


Speaking with Gamespot, series creator Hideo Kojima has highlighted his thoughts on how it's important for video-games to include dark themes and questionable subjects.

His first point is how the gaming industry can increase their cultural relevance, saying:

"If we don't cross that line, if we don't make attempts to express what we really want to express, games will only be games."

"I didn't want to stay away from these things that could be conisdered sensitive. If we don't go that far, games will never be considered as culture."

Kojima then goes on to discuss how the characters from hit TV show Breaking Bad go that extra mile to convey their message, and how this had influenced his way of thinking:

"In Breaking Bad, I also see that these guys are trying to to the limit; trying to take it as far as they can to try to get their message across. For us as well. In games we have to got the limit; we want to stay within this limit of how far pushing the boundaries of conveying our message. We look around and we don't see too many games like this; that is unfortunate."

And last but not least, Kojima highlights one of the themes we can expect in Metal Gear Solid V; that of revenge and various criticisms himself and possibly the rest of Konami might receive by including controversial content:

"One of the main topics of Metal Gear Solid V is this chain of revenge. That is something that I really didn't want to step back from, I really didn't want to go around it."

"I know that I will probably face a lot of critcism because of it but I really wanted to portray that accurately."

Whilst Kojima believes Metal Gear Solid V is going to go all-out with its content and themes, he finishes off by saying:

"I don't think neccessarily that all games have to go this far; in our case we have a strong message that we want to convey."

Ground Zeroes is to hit shelves first in North America on March 18, then Japan and Europe on March 20 - The Phantom Pain is to release after with no date confirmed as of yet. It was recently announced the price of Ground Zeroes is to be reduced - read more HERE.

Wednesday, 5 March 2014

REVIEW: Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance

Whilst taking a departure from the core values of most Metal Gear games, Revengeance is an interesting take on the Raiden character.


Developer: Platinum Games | Publisher: Konami| Genre: Action

PlayStation 3 | Xbox 360 | Windows PC

Offering a generally fun overall experience, Rising stands on its own as an action game with some extremely corny one-liners.

Taking place after the events of Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (MGS4), a lot has changed - 'The Patriots' are no more due to numerous Private Military Companies (PMC's) destroying the specialist organisation. Now, the world is riddled with PMC groups who have created cyborg technology capable of manufacturing soldiers equipped with superhuman abilities, including Raiden himself.

Raiden is now working for a PMC group known as Maverick Securities consisting of various specialists in certain fields such as military and computer technology. Whilst some PMC's are trying to bring good to the world, many are doing the exact opposite - this is where Desperado Enterprises comes in, who's mission it is to encourage war so they can take advantage of its various rewards including money and further evolution of technology.

Raiden is hired to protect the African Prime Minister N'mani - who wishes to see the world at peace, specifically Africa, this doesn't go down very well with Desperado Enterprises, who eventually ambush Raiden and N'mani. This is essentially where the game starts - you're put in control of Raiden once again who is hell-bent on hunting down the attacker, however this as you will find out, is not the biggest problem Raiden faces by any means.

Right from the start, you're put straight into the action, which is quickly followed by a tutorial if you wish to go over any of the gameplay mechanics - this is advised as whilst this game might seem like a straight up action game, more tactics are involved than initially meets the eye. One of the first abilities you'll come across is the option to utilize Raiden's 'Ninja Run', which is an effective way of dodging enemy bullets and overcoming physical obstacles - ultimately this is a lazy way of maneuvering the landscapes as you won't be required to do anything except hold down a single button.

Expanding on his ways with a sword in Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty (MGS2), Raiden is now equipped with a high-frequency blade that has the ability to slice through practically anyone and anything that gets in its way. Raiden can enter a trance-like state, in which you are able to slash through enemies at an extremely rapid pace, making for massive damage and long combos - this is a great way of disposing the more difficult enemies and looks visually awesome as splatters of blood shower the environment around you.

Occasionally you'll have the chance to explore the game's very minor stealth elements, which consist of sneaking up behind enemies and taking them down in a quick series of attacks - this is something you should explore as it saves a lot time, making for a better rank at the end of battles and/or chapters. You will be given a rank based on various aspects including damage taken, time spent, the amount of combos and so forth - this often encourages replaying a certain chapter, especially if you're into getting the best possible outcomes, it's also a good opportunity to claim bragging rights if you manage to get an S rank throughout the entire game.

Enemies range from some pretty simple cyborgs who don't put up much of a challenge at all, more of practice in preparation for the enemies further on in the game, including Metal Gear's themselves - boss fights have a strange learning curve as some of the earlier fights are often more difficult than the later ones. Either way, most boss encounters are both enjoyable to play out and visually striking as most villains are throughout the entire Metal Gear franchise. review1

Whilst Rising is a massive departure from the stealth espionage elements seen throughout the Metal Gear franchise, it shouldn't put gamers off too much - as an action game, it does its job very well offering some over the top sequences, including jumping on moving missiles and taking down a helicopter. If you're a veteran of the series, Rising could come as a shock due to the sheer amount of difference, but once you've seen past that, you'll have a generally good time plowing through enemies, accompanied with a healthy amount of challenging gameplay.

7/10

Tuesday, 25 February 2014

NEWS: Price Reduced For MGS V: Ground Zeroes

Physical releases of the game has had price drops applied ahead of its release next month.



The physical release of the game had originally been priced up at £39.99 / $39.99 / €39.99 on both the PS4 and Xbox One, the same price as the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions. Now, all copies will cost £29.99 / $29.99 / €29.99, whilst the digital download is still priced at £19.99 / $19.99 / €19.99.

Ground Zeroes is the prologue The Phantom Pain, offering players an insight into the narrative between both events - in other MGS V news, Konami has revealed exclusive benefits of purchasing Ground Zeroes during its first phase of release, read more HERE.

Ground Zeroes will release March 18, with the PS3 and PS4 versions containing an exclusive Déjà Vu mission, featuring the classic Solid Snake from the 1998 PlayStation release. Xbox 360 and Xbox One players are to have access to another exclusive mission titled Jamais Vu, this time the cyborg ninja Raiden is to be the center of attention.

NEWS: Exclusive DLC Available For MGS V: The Phantom Pain

Konami has detailed various advantages of purchasing Ground 
Zeroes earlier rather than later.


A press release from Konami has given players reasons to purchase the upcoming Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes during its initial release.

An exclusive DLC which promises "players with additional resources for a Mother Base area", meaning upon eventually starting Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, will award you extra staff to give you the upper hand when heading into The Phantom Pain.

Those who want to take part in these specific benefits must purchase Ground Zeroes during its first batch of release and also for a "limited period of time for the digital version."

Ground Zeroes is to hit shelves March 18 and acts as a short prequel to The Phantom Pain - both will be available on PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, and Xbox One.

Tuesday, 10 December 2013

NEWS: Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes - Box Art Revealed

Both the PS3 and Xbox 360 box arts have been revealed today for the highly anticipated MGS V prequel.


With Konami's recent announcement that the game will release March 18, they have also revealed the official box arts, showing off a up close image of Big Boss himself. It's safe to assume the PS4 and Xbox One versions of the game will share the same covers. Check them out below.



MGS V: Ground Zeroes will give players an insight into the events prior to The Phantom Pain, and will offer new styles of gameplay, whilst maintaining a healthy balance of stealth, action, and espionage.

Sunday, 17 November 2013

PREVIEW: Metal Gear Solid V Ground Zeroes - New Gameplay Footage

A lengthy video has been released, showing off what players can expect in the prologue game; MGS V Ground Zeroes.



Footage taken directly from the PS4 version of the game has been shown off recently, demonstrating various features in the game. As well as the main narrative, players can choose from various side missions via the 'Side Ops' option on the menu screen - one of those missions can be seen in the video.

It's pointed out that side missions can take place at the same locations used during the main game, allowing for different styles of gameplay and different objectives. The particular mission shown is set at the Naval Prison Facility in Cuba,  the same base we saw in the TGS 2013 demonstration.

Big Boss must meet with an undercover agent who holds a cassette tape containing classified information, first he needs to actually locate this agent - the player decides to stay in the truck whilst periodically looking over the top to mark enemies he may see, decreasing possible future encounters.

By marking these particular enemies on the map, this lets players tactically decide which route would be best - whether it be to avoid detection or other reasons they may have. The gun's reticle can sometimes turn white, meaning the player is out of that weapon's target range, which means you'll have to align your reticle in accordance to the bullet's travel distance i.e. aiming just above an enemy's head so the bullet 'drops' during the shot, making for a clean take-out.

Eventually, the player makes his way to the informant mentioned earlier, but doesn't get all of the information needed as the tape is stashed somewhere in the camp - after getting the location of this stash, a waypoint is placed on the map, enabling players to easily get to desired destinations.

You'll probably notice the weather is actually good - very sunny and calming, however this will prove a nuisance as it will highly increase the visibility of yourself, allowing enemies for easier detection. The game will use certain weather conditions to alter how players navigate certain missions.

And like Peace Walker, players can utilize 'Consecutive Close Quarter Combat', enabling you to take down more than one enemy at time using CQC tactics. Casual players do have the option to turn on 'Reflex Mode', which slows down the time after being spotted by the enemy, allowing for easier gameplay, although it's advised seasoned players turn this option off.

For the sake of the demonstration, the player purposely sets the escape helicopter landing point in a danger zone, showcasing the various challenges you might come across. The nearby Sniper rifle is used to take out a bunch of enemies, but considering how many there are - the player decides to make a run for it using his trusty MRS-4 assault rifle and the numerous obstacles around him to use as cover.

The chopper get's blown down, so escaping the camp that way just went out of the window - however, there are many ways to finish a mission. In this case, the player decides to outrun one of the enemy vehicles and lead it to a cliff-edge, planting C4 on the ground, which ultimately causes the oncoming vehicle to explode and end up in the ocean below.

A vacant vehicle is then taken and used to escape the base to complete the mission, all whilst mowing down groups of enemies. Also note, there will be a health regeneation system in this game, allowing for much more casual gameplay than before.

MGS V Ground Zeroes will be released spring 2014 on the PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, and Xbox One - it was recently announced the PS3/PS4 versions of the game will have access to exclusive content including an extra mission titled 'Déjà Vu', which will take players down memory lane and let you play as 'Classic Snake' from Metal Gear Solid on the PSOne. Check out the gameplay video below.

Friday, 15 November 2013

NEWS: MGS V Ground Zeroes - Classic Snake Available As Playstation Exclusive

The PlayStation versions of MGS V Ground Zeroes will contain exclusive content, allowing players to play as Solid Snake from MGS1.


At the PS4 launch event on Spike TV, Konami revealed exclusive content only available on the PS3/4 versions of the game; Metal Gear Solid V Ground Zeroes. This included a 'Déjà Vu' mission, which according to Hideo Kojima, should leave players questioning if anything has really changed in the last 16 years. 

The video shows a wounded Big Boss taking out various enemies at the enemy base, sneaking around - the usual MGS stuff. It's then we see glimpses of the 'classic' Snake originating from the 1998 phenomenon; Metal Gear Solid.
The Solid Snake character model from MGS1 - feel old yet?

We see classic Snake eventually make his way to a cage which contains a man who highly resembles the Darpa Chief - an iconic character in the series. The blurb on the video talks about how the series "set new standards in videogame storytelling", as well as the limitations of the graphics back when Metal Gear Solid was making its release - "In an age when graphics were limited to blocky pixelated polygons."

Releasing in spring 2014, MGS V Ground Zeroes will officially be the prologue to MGS V The Phantom Pain, also released around the same time.

Monday, 4 November 2013

NEWS: Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes - Spring 2014 Launch

Konami has revealed the highly anticipated MGS5: Ground Zeroes will be available in the spring of 2014.


In the newest blog post from the official Konami website, details have surfaced revealing the game's release date and the initial launch price.

Ground Zeroes is a prologue leading to the events of The Phantom Pain, Konami describe the game as a prologue that "brings all of the hallmarks of the renowned franchise in a concentrated story mode that guides players into the new gameplay mechanics against the backdrop of the expansive Metal Gear Solid universe."

The FOX Engine is being used for both Ground Zeroes and The Phantom Pain - creator the series Hideo Kojima said:

"The advanced capabilities of the FOX Engine are allowing me to express the story of Metal Gear Solid in a new way. As such, Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes has been designed to introduce key elements, while setting up the events of Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain."

The game's retail price has been set at a suggested $29.99, which is around £19 in the UK - however, the digital version will be at a fixed price of $19.99 (approx £12). The game will release nationwide spring 2014, with no specific date revealed, and will be available on PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, and Xbox One.

Thursday, 31 October 2013

NEWS: Castlevania Lords of Shadow 2 - Special Edition Details

A new trailer has been released, showing what's available in the special edition version of the game.


Just 30,000 copies of the special edition will be released in the UK and will be a GAME exclusive, the actual name has been revealed as Dracula's Tomb Premium Edition.

Pre-order bonuses have also been revealed, which will vary depending on where you purchase the game, these include a "Dark Dracula" costume, a "Premium Dracula" costume, or a "Relic Rune Pack", giving players additional in-game items. Nothing was revealed about which stores are offering the bonuses.

The Premium Edition will include the following:
  • Collector's Editing Tomb Box
  • Castlevania Lords of Shadow 2 Game
  • Four Exclusive 10cm Figures (Designed by Neil Googe)
  • Limited Edition Artbook
  • Steelbook

The information was revealed at the end of the newly released trailer, titled 'Dracula's Vengeance', showcasing series favourite Alucard and his involvement with Gabriel. Check it out below.