Valkyria Chronicles: In-depth, hands-on preview
Posted by Graham. Filed under Europe, G, News, Preview, Sony PlayStation 3. Tagged with Hands on, Valkyria Chronicles.
We were fortunate enough to get our hands on the Japanese version of the soon-to-be-released Valkyria Chronicles a while back, but since it didn’t have English subtitles, you can imagine the difficulty we had trying to understand anything going on.
Fortunately for us, and for you, Sega of Europe recently invited us to come to their offices for an extended gaming session of the English version.
Rather than focus too much on the gameplay aspects, which we have covered previously, and you can find out on any of the Japanese reviews, we are going to delve into some of the finer aspects of the game.
Sonic Unleashed featured in this months ONM
Posted by Graham. Filed under Europe, G, Multi-platform, News, Nintendo Wii, Sonic. Tagged with Sonic Unleashed, Werehog.
This months Official Nintendo Magazine (UK) will feature exclusive screens and content on the Wii version of Sonic Unleashed.Â
We may have seen plenty of screens and videos for Sonic Unleashed now, but what we haven’t seen is much of the Wii game.
Sega has been a tad more secretive about the Wii version of Sonic Unleashed, only showing off the Xbox 360 version at events over the last few months. But that’s most likely because the 360 version looks much better; to quote Dwight Schrute (from the US Office):
“First rule in road-side beet sales, put the most attractive beets on top”
So for anyone who is thinking of buying the Wii version of Sonic Unleashed, over the Xbox 360 and PS3 game, will want to take a good look at ONM this month.
Also featured in the magazine are Sonic Chronicles and Samba De Amigo. So it should be quite a good read, Sega-wise.
[Source: ONM]
[Image from ONM]
[Special Thanks: Diogo]
Samba De Amigo now in stores
Posted by Graham. Filed under Europe, G, News, Nintendo Wii, North America, Retro. Tagged with Dreamcast, Gearbox, Samba De Amigo.
Yes, it’s Friday the 26th of September, and Samba De Amigo has now been released in stores across Europe, which means that the game is now available in the United States as well. I also thought it was out in Japan today too, but looking at Play Asia, they only have the U.S. version listed…. Oh well.
So, what does this mean? It means that you should all go out and buy a copy!
It is your duty as a Sega Nerd to make sure that a fun, unique game gets a fair go. Yeah, it may not he quite the same appeal as the Dreamcast original, with the cool maracas to swing about, but seeing as not enough people bought the original, we are lucky that Sega is giving us a second chance.
So we should go and buy the Wii version, grab some friends, start shaking our asses to some funky beats, get a little sweaty, take a group shower and then all go and play some Samba!!
Check after the break for some half decent deals and where to buy Samba De Amigo for the Wii or Dreamcast.
Rambo arcade game coming to Europe
Posted by George. Filed under Arcade, Europe, George. Tagged with Rambo.
Its good to see that the Rambo arcade game is getting a release in both Europe and Japan. But the American hero isn’t hitting the United States!? Come on Sega!
In the game you will play through the first three movies and wield an awesome machine gun that will feature recoil feedback.
Start practicing your Sylvester Stallone impressions because combat starts this winter.
[Source Intergameronline]
[Image Electricityandlust]
Review: Yakuza 2
Posted by Graham. Filed under Europe, G, Review, Sony PlayStation 2. Tagged with Yakuza, Yakuza 2.
The original Yakuza received a fair bit of praise for its gritty fighting and intense storyline, but never really made it as a household name among non-Sega fans, which is no doubt why Sega took so long to release the game outside of Japan.
But now one of the most brutal franchises on the PS2 has finally made its way to Western shores, but is it any good?
ASA adopts the “better late than never” approach to banning Condemned 2 adverts
Posted by Graham. Filed under Europe, G, Microsoft Xbox 360, News, Sony PlayStation 3. Tagged with Condemned 2, Monolith.
The Advertising Standards Authority has banned two Condemned 2 adverts shown in the UK. After receiving a whopping nine complaints, (woo hoo!) the authority has ruled that the adverts for Condemned 2 could not be broadcast again in their current form.
“[The commercials] contained scenes of graphic and brutal violence, which, although computer-generated, were realistic in appearance”, said the ASA. “Both adverts showed a man punching another on the floor and blood splattering on the screen as a man was beaten with a club,”
“We considered viewers were likely to find those scenes offensive and distressing, and to see then as condoning real violence and cruelty.”
Sonic and the Black Knight art contest - important update
Posted by Graham. Filed under Europe, G, News, Nintendo Wii, Sonic. Tagged with art, Contest, Sonic and the Black Knight.
Sega Europe has posted an important update on its blog about some complications with the European entries to the Sonic and the Black Knight art competition.
Anyone from Europe/Australia who has submitted their art into the contest, or would like to do so, should read this!
Creative Assembly talks more on Empire’s naval battles
Posted by Graham. Filed under Europe, G, Interviews, News, PC, Video. Tagged with Creative Assembly, Empire: Total War, Gamereactor, GC 2008.
Leipzig may have been a little while ago now, but Gamereactor has recently posted up an interview with Kieran Brigden, Community Manager for The Creative Assembly, from the show.
Kieran talks a fair bit about the new naval battle system in their upcoming game, Empire: Total War, and what different factors players will need to take into account when commanding their ships about.
It sounds like weather will play a big part in the naval battles, and players will get to experience very different types of seas as they fight in different locations across the world - mentioned was the Caribbean (sunny, calm winds)Â and also the North Sea (wet, wild and strong winds).
One other cool thing mentioned was the fire effects, which sound awesome. The more I see this game, the more I want it.
[Source: Gamereactor]
Sports Interactive announces Football Manager 2009
Posted by Graham. Filed under Europe, G, News, PC, Sony PSP, Video. Tagged with Football Manager, Sports Interactive.
Yesterday evening Sports Interactive announced the latest edition to the best selling PC franchise, Football Manager 2009.
The announcement came in the form of two Youtube videos. The first (shown above) has very little actual gameplay footage or information, but is more of a mini documentary on Sports Interactive and the Football Manager series. While not an essential watch, it is actually quite interesting.
Football Manager 2009 is being released on PC and Mac, with the PSP also recieving a stripped down version - Football Manager Handheld 2009. No main console versions announced (yet).
Check out after the break for the second (gameplay) video and more information.
Sonic and the Black Knight art contest comes to the UK and Aus
Posted by Graham. Filed under Europe, G, News, Nintendo Wii, Sonic. Tagged with art, Contest, Sonic and the Black Knight.
Just a quick news update. The Sonic and the Black Knight art contest which we reported on the other day is now open to UK and Australian residents. Other European countries will have to wait, and no news whether the contest will hit Japan and other Asian countries.