Joystiq

Catacombs: a canned shooter from Square Enix and Nier dev Cavia

Alexander Sliwinski — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 18:30:00 EST

Nier developer Cavia was working on a team-based shooter RPG, entitled Catacombs, for Square Enix before the studio was dissolved a couple years ago. Siliconera has a wealth of information about the canceled game from an inside source, who was working on the project before its reported demise.

Catacombs sounds like it was a mix of team-based shooters like Left 4 Dead, mixed with the loot-whoring of Borderlands, and Diablo's randomly generated maps. Players would have guns, spells and magic rings to level up as they attempted to reach the elevator on each floor and escape to the surface.

According to the source, Square Enix planned to reveal the game at last year's E3, but that clearly never happened. The source claims Catacombs was far along and playable, but is unsure whether Square Enix will complete the title.

Catacombs: a canned shooter from Square Enix and Nier dev Cavia originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 30 Apr 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Nier developer Cavia dissolved into parent company

JC Fletcher — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 17:38:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Cavia - developer of games like Nier, Drakengard, and the Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles series - used to be a subsidiary of parent company AQ Interactive. Now, according to Siliconera's translation of a 4Gamer interview with director Trao Yokoo, the company has been dissolved, with its staff absorbed into AQ Interactive.

Current plans for the team are as yet unannounced, so we don't know if the former Cavia will continue making games for third parties. Officially, however, its last game was Nier, which is kind of an unfortunate note on which to leave.

Report: Nier developer Cavia dissolved into parent company originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 12 Jul 2010 17:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Play as the 'other' Nier in this week's DLC, 'The World of Recycled Vessel'

JC Fletcher — Tue, 11 May 2010 05:30:00 EST

New DLC for Nier, expected to be available tomorrow, adds 15 new stages, new costumes for Kaine, Emil, and Nier, and new Shades, as part of a new time-traveling scenario. Perhaps more importantly, it also enables players to control the young version of Nier from the Japan-only, PS3-only Nier Replicant, effectively removing the single difference between the two versions.

The character model change is included as a bonus in the "World of Recycled Vessel" pack, whose main component is a world unlocked by a hidden diary, in which Nier and his companions find themselves in a "dreamscape" that combines the past and present of the game.

Square Enix didn't announce pricing for North America, but the price in Europe, where the release date is May 12, is €6.99 or 560.

Gallery: Nier: The World of Recycled Vessel DLC

Play as the 'other' Nier in this week's DLC, 'The World of Recycled Vessel' originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 11 May 2010 05:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hook, Line and Stinker: My failed Nier review

Justin McElroy — Mon, 03 May 2010 18:24:00 EST

I played four long hours of Nier with the full intention of completing a review of the game. But after reaching the point you see in the video above, I, in my capacity as reviews editor, decided that it was inadvisable to continue with that plan. I have a beloved wife and cat that depend on my continued sanity and a TV that I can't currently afford to replace, should I be prompted to put it through my living room window.

What I played of Nier up to this point had some nice touches, like solid music and voice acting, but the game felt a generation or two behind what I'd hope for in an open-world action-RPG, specifically in terms of graphics and mission design. Also, the design team was seemingly in dire need of staff members in possession of human souls.

You know, so, just something to remember for Nier 2: Souls.

Protip: There's another beach that's not the beach right next to the old dude that gives you the fishing pole. I ended up trying that spot and catching the fish. But by then, the damage was done, and my spirit had been broken, sadly.

Hook, Line and Stinker: My failed Nier review originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 03 May 2010 18:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nier sold far more than anything else in Japan last week

JC Fletcher — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 22:00:00 EST

Japan may be as confused by Square Enix's Nier as we are -- but it would appear that PS3 owners are answering their questions about the action RPG title firsthand, by purchasing it. The PS3 version, Nier Replicant, is the best-selling title for the week of April 19.25, with 60,000 units sold, according to Gpara's early estimate of Media Create sales rankings.

Nier Gestalt, the version released for Xbox 360 (and also the version released on both consoles in North America) didn't perform quite as well, coming in at number 11 -- possibly due to the older, more gruff main character, but probably due to the fact that it's on Xbox 360. There's no mention of how many copies were sold, but it's fewer than the 12,000 with which Pokemon Ranger: Path of Light achieved the number ten position.

To see how games that aren't Nier performed, check the list after the break.

[Via Kotaku]

Continue reading Nier sold far more than anything else in Japan last week

Nier sold far more than anything else in Japan last week originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 29 Apr 2010 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nier makes everyone feel better

JC Fletcher — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 16:00:00 EST

Ostensibly, this trailer is intended to introduce the traveling companions accompanying the title character of Square Enix's Nier. But, to us, it reveals just how sensitive Nier himself is. He isn't just good for glowering, yelling about his daughter, and fighting, as this trailer reveals. He is also willing to provide words of encouragement to his ally, Kaine -- who returns the favor elsewhere in the trailer by totally kicking Nier in the face to save him from a giant creature.

Nier even offers sympathy to a weird-looking monster guy who is having a crisis of conscience after a battle. And he'll be able to help you feel better about what's going on in your life on April 27.

Nier makes everyone feel better originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 20 Apr 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nier DLC already in the works

JC Fletcher — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 21:20:00 EST

By the time you've seen every slime creature, creepy blank-faced monster and human-vs-book argument Nier has to offer, developer Cavia will have more ready for you. Square Enix executive producer Yosuke Saito told Xbox.com (translated by Andriasang) that the team began work on DLC immediately after completing the Famitsu-approved action RPG.

Saito also relayed an alarmingly obscure connection between Nier and a previous Cavia game. Evidently, Nier is set after the events of one of Drakengard's optional endings, in which Japan's landmark Tokyo Tower is visible (impaling a dragon!). That's right -- as if Nier wasn't baffling enough, now it's loosely connected to a possible ending from a relatively obscure game.

Nier DLC already in the works originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 16 Apr 2010 21:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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One more Nier trailer to stare at

JC Fletcher — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 01:30:00 EST

We've grown accustomed to not knowing what's going on in Nier trailers -- at least, as accustomed as one can become to incomprehensible imagery. So there are two floating, sentient books now? And ... one of them kills Nier? We guess? At least this trailer's got some visuals.

According to early reports about this week's Famitsu, the magazine's "Cross Review" awarded Nier a score of 10/8/8/8. As translated by 1UP, one reviewer said that " the story is a lot less twisted than you'd expect." Of course, that leaves plenty of room for twistedness. Nier arrives April 27.

One more Nier trailer to stare at originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 15 Apr 2010 01:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Maybe Nier comics will help us understand Nier

JC Fletcher — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 13:40:00 EST

Want to understand what Nier's all about, you know, besides yelling at books? Square Enix is giving us all a chance to study the backstory of Cavia's action RPG, with a Nier comic series produced by DC's Wildstorm Studios. The three-part series will tell three separate, but overlapping, stories in the Nier universe before the game's April 27 release date.

In addition to introducing the main characters -- including Nier himself, his "disease-stricken" daughter, Yonah, a "conflicted" companion in Kaine, and the talking book "with an attitude," Grimoire Weiss -- the comics will reveal what caused the "Black Scrawl" disease and the cataclysmic event that led to the condition of the world (as it is in the game).

The Nier comics will be available on the Nier website, and through the Xbox Live Marketplace and PlayStation Store. See the cover of the first issue after the break.

Continue reading Maybe Nier comics will help us understand Nier

Maybe Nier comics will help us understand Nier originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 17 Mar 2010 13:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nier approaches North America in April

JC Fletcher — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 14:30:00 EST

Did you read the news of Japan's Nier release date with abject jealousy, wishing you had such a clear idea when you'd get to play Cavia's cursing-at-a-book simulation? Seethe no more -- Square Enix announced the North American release date, and it's April 27, only five days after the game arrives in Japan!

Of course, real Nier fans are going to have to import Nier Replicant to get the full story, and that means learning Japanese is also a requirement. But it's a small price to pay to learn more about some shirtless guy who fights giant sinewy oil-monsters to rescue his daughter.

Nier approaches North America in April originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 03 Feb 2010 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Latest Nier trailer takes a page out of Bayonetta's book

David Hinkle — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 15:45:00 EST

And here we thought Bayonetta had cornered the giant black cannibalistic things summoned from the ether market, but the tail-end of this Nier trailer suggests there's some incoming competition in that department. There are other parts of the trailer worth pointing out (or, perhaps, worth pointing at ... and laughing about), too, like how Square Enix proclaims Nier to be "THE NEXT GREAT STORY FROM SQUARE ENIX" or how it begins with another one of those rants. Is every character in Nier going to be so darn self-absorbed?

Latest Nier trailer takes a page out of Bayonetta's book originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 21 Jan 2010 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Resident Evil: The Discount Chronicles

JC Fletcher — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 09:45:00 EST

We're beyond last-minute gift recommendations at this point, so we'll just assume selfish motivations behind any desire to purchase Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles today. The good news is that if you'd like to indulge that selfish desire, it'll only run you $29.77 today.

Amazon knocked about $20 off the price of the Wii rail shooter, which features settings and characters from Resident Evil 2 and Code Veronica, as its Deal of the Day. The game just came out in November! We're tempted to call it a Christmas miracle -- though maybe we'll save that declaration for when something is discounted to $20.

Gallery: Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles (Wii)

Resident Evil: The Discount Chronicles originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 24 Dec 2009 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nier video is Nier-ly video-free

JC Fletcher — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 18:00:00 EST

We were really hoping this Nier trailer would help answer some of the questions we had about the title. For example, what's up with the two different games? We're getting just one game on PS3 and 360 -- but that game is a 360 exclusive in Japan, with a different Nier game being released on PS3. Why not release both games in the larger North American market? And how will the gameplay be evolved since the E3 demo? Because if there's not some improvement, the number of Nier games may not matter.

It does not answer any of those questions. In fact, we have several more questions after this trailer, which features the voice (but not much else) of the AI partner, Kaine. Questions like "what?"

Nier video is Nier-ly video-free originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 18 Dec 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Resident Evil 2's soy boy returns for Darkside Chronicles

JC Fletcher — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 05:30:00 EST

We should have seen this coming, given that Resident Evil: Darkside Chronicles recounts events from Resident Evil 2, but it never oc-curd to us: Tofu, the character from the hidden "Tofu Survivor" stage in RE2, will return for the Wii-exclusive rail shooter, as confirmed (or con-extra-firmed) in this trailer. But not as a protagonist: in Darkside Chronicles' Tofu Mode, many of the zombies are swapped out for gelatinous, crumbly, flavor-absorbing tofu.

After the break, enjoy a trailer featuring some alternate costumes for the playable characters, all of whom are made of meat, as far as we know.

Gallery: Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles (TGS 2009)

Continue reading Resident Evil 2's soy boy returns for Darkside Chronicles

Resident Evil 2's soy boy returns for Darkside Chronicles originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 14 Nov 2009 05:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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E3 2009: Nier trailer hits the web, official website launches

Ben Gilbert — Sun, 31 May 2009 19:40:00 EST

Square Enix has seemingly jumped the gun on at least some of its E3 news, with the trailer for Nier finding its way online, not to mention the game getting an official website. Hey, there's even gameplay!

The art style looks like a pretty dramatic departure from the Japanese company's usual androgynix, not to mention the vast swathes of blood. Maybe that has something to do with Square's recent fascination with the Western market? That remains to be seen. We'll assuredly see more as the week progresses, though feel free to peruse our gallery of screens below in the meantime.

Gallery: Nier

E3 2009: Nier trailer hits the web, official website launches originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 31 May 2009 19:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kawata: Darkside Chronicles a 'very dark' Resident Evil

Randy Nelson — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 08:00:00 EST

Speaking to attendee's of last night's Resident Evil 5 launch party, Masachika Kawata, producer of the newly announced Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles, shed more light on Capcom's Umbrella Chronicles sequel. Kawata addressed the crowd after screening the first trailer for the game.

"What we're looking to do is go back to a 'very dark' style of Resident Evil," Kawata said. "'Dark' is really a key word for this game. It will be shown in horror, in the storyline, in the emotions that the characters go through." We saw examples of this as Leon Kennedy and Claire Redfield fought side-by-side through a zombie ravaged Racoon City, circa Resident Evil 2.

He also explained that the development team at Cavia is "putting a lot of care, a lot of attention into [improving] how the camera system works in a rail-based shooter." This was evident in what was shown of the game's strong cinematic presentation, which included dramatic point-of-view shots of zombies feasting and the player narrowly escaping death with their partner's help. Kawata wrapped up his stint on stage saying that more information on the game would be revealed later this year, as everyone involved with the franchise is (rightly) focused on today's launch of RE5.

Kawata: Darkside Chronicles a 'very dark' Resident Evil originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 13 Mar 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Grab a hanky, 'Cry On' canceled

Xav de Matos — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: News

The Xbox 360 has no shortage of role-playing games these days but the Western console has just lost a promised Japanese release. On Christmas Day, AQ Interactive revealed Cry On, the action role-playing game from character designer Kimihiko Fujisaka, has been canceled due to, "the current market environment and forecasts for the future."

A joint venture between Cavia and Hironobu Sakaguchi's Mistwalker, Cry On would have been the third title from the famed Japanese creator; Mistwalker previously worked on Blue Dragon and Lost Odyssey. A representative for AQ Interactive told 1UP that the studio "deeply apologize[s] for troubling those who were awaiting its release." No screen shots of the game had ever been released since the game had first been announced in 2005. Down and out for now, but something tells us Sakaguchi isn't hanging up the gloves anytime soon.

Grab a hanky, 'Cry On' canceled originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 27 Dec 2008 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AQ Interactive cans Xbox 360 RPG 'Cry On'

Ludwig Kietzmann — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Microsoft Xbox 360, RPGs

Fans of Blue Dragon's Mistwalker / Artoon dream team may have to hold back some bitter tears following the news that AQ Interactive will hold back the release of Cry On. According to 1UP, the action RPG, meant to be the third of Hironobu Sakaguchi's Xbox efforts, has been canceled due to "the current market environment and forecasts for the future." The company added, "We deeply apologize for troubling those who were awaiting its release."

Whether you consider it a cryin' shame or prefer fans to cry in shame, you can expect Sakaguchi and Friends to unveil more titles in the future. Old habits die hard.

AQ Interactive cans Xbox 360 RPG 'Cry On' originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 26 Dec 2008 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Astley DS-10 just wants to tell you how it's feeling

Eric Caoili — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 23:59:00 EST

Filed under: Fan stuff, Video

The above video proves the old saying -- where there's a will, there's a Rickroll. With the release of Korg's DS-10 synthesizer software in Japan, naturally, someone has composed a track recreating Rick Astley's "Never Gonna Give You Up," the meme that launched a thousand prank Youtube links.

Half of the hilarity is missing with the singer's sunglasses and dance moves absent, just as any rendition of Europe's "Final Countdown" suffers without Gob, but that's what homebrew application RickRollDS is for!

[Via NeoGAF]

Astley DS-10 just wants to tell you how it's feeling originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 27 Jul 2008 23:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Korg DS-10 brings the DS to a new group of nerds

JC Fletcher — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 12:45:00 EST

Filed under: News, Imports

Call your Jam Sessions virtuoso friend (and, we suppose, your Hannah Montana Music Jam drummer). You'll finally be able to start that DS-only Electric Light Orchestra cover band you've been talking about, thanks to AQ Interactive and Korg.

Korg has created a DS version of their MS-10 synthesizer with some features that not even the original has. You can create music via a keyboard interface, a free-form touch-screen panel, or a "matrix" interface (fill in squares to make notes). It's certainly a lot smaller than the real thing, while also providing the authentic "a bunch of knobs and stuff we don't know how to use" experience.

AQ Interactive will release the DS-10 in Japan for 4,800 yen ($47) this July.

[Via Famitsu]

Korg DS-10 brings the DS to a new group of nerds originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 12 Mar 2008 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Capcom adapts hentai into new fighting game

Andrew Yoon — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: News, Imports

Insert Credit is reporting that Capcom is publishing a new fighting game for PSP based on the popular hentai series Fate/stay night. Don't expect giant tentacle monsters and naked girls in the game, though. Although the series has its roots in the eroge visual novel genre, the franchise has become accepted in the mainstream, expanding to a mass-market manga and anime.

The game, titled Fate/Tiger Colosseum, is coming from the not-so-capable hands of Cavia (Bullet Witch for Xbox 360). Without gratuitous nudity, the team must work on some truly compelling gameplay to make this worthwhile.

[Via Kotaku]

Capcom adapts hentai into new fighting game originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 05 Apr 2007 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ding, dong, the Bullet Witch is published

Richard Mitchell — Thu, 10 Aug 2006 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: News

As part of an ongoing initiative to bring us games with "mass market" appeal, Atari has agreed to publish Cavia's Bullet Witch. The agreement was made with AQ Interactive, the game's Japanese publisher. Atari noted that the deal signifies the beginning of an ongoing relationship between the two companies. Nique Fajors, Atari's vice president of sales and marketing said of the deal:

"We are very pleased to announce this partnership with AQ Interactive Inc. and look forward to working with them on Bullet Witch and beyond. To offer an engaging and unique title such as Bullet Witch to kick start our partnership underlines Atari's commitment to bringing interesting and different titles to gamers all over the world."

Good news indeed. Now how about a release date? Oh, and, Atari, there's this other game that could use a US publisher, too. Could you handle that? Yeah, that'd be greeeeat, thanks.

Ding, dong, the Bullet Witch is published originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 10 Aug 2006 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bullet Witch blows things up real good

Richard Mitchell — Sun, 09 Jul 2006 16:30:00 EST

Filed under: News, Downloads

Xboxyde has a new and very long gameplay video from AQ Interactive's Bullet Witch. I'll say one thing: inanimate objects run in fear from the Bullet Witch. At least they would if they weren't inanimate. After the less than impressive E3 video, this one shows a much better looking game with some impressive gunplay and bigger 'splosions. The video is highly reminiscent of Otogi on the original Xbox, which isn't a bad thing at all.

The game will hit Japanese shelves on July 27th. Any would be importers out there?

Bullet Witch blows things up real good originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 09 Jul 2006 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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