Joystiq

The 3rd Birthday review: New year's Eve

David Wolinsky — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 16:00:00 EST

Despite what many game developers believe, people don't actually get amnesia all that often. Just because it's been 11 years since Parasite Eve 2 doesn't mean the series' following has completely forgotten about the two titles narratively linked to, and preceding, The 3rd Birthday.

So here's the warning for PE die-hards: This isn't Parasite Eve 3 and makes no attempts to be that. No, this is a whole new animal, an unusual but workable "tactical-action RPG" unfolding as linear missions carried out by the returning Aya Brea.

Gallery: The 3rd Birthday (Gamescom 2010)

Continue reading The 3rd Birthday review: New year's Eve

The 3rd Birthday review: New year's Eve originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 07 Apr 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

European PSN releases for March 30

Griffin McElroy — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 11:15:00 EST

PSP owners rarely get the sweeter end of the deal in these European PSN updates, but this week they've pulled in a pretty sweet haul. Sure, the PS3 still gets Chime Super Deluxe, Ghostbusters: Sanctum of Slime, Swarm and Moon Diver -- but PSP owners get The 3rd Birthday, Aedis Eclipse: Generation of Chaos and all the deals. Check out the full list after the jump!

Choose your platform to view the corresponding release list:

(Note: Continue past the break to view both release lists.)

Continue reading European PSN releases for March 30

European PSN releases for March 30 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 30 Mar 2011 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

ESRB rates Parasite Eve for PS3 and PSP

JC Fletcher — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 17:00:00 EST

It looks like the North American PSOne Classics selection will get a little closer to catching up to the Japanese store soon -- and in the category that really counts: vintage Square RPGs. An ESRB rating has popped up for a PlayStation 3 and PSP release of Parasite Eve.

Square Enix hasn't said when the action RPG will be available; however, the mitochondria in our brains are telling us that we can likely expect it around the March 29 release of The 3rd Birthday on PSP. It was released about a month in advance of that PSP game in Japan.

[Thanks, Brian]

ESRB rates Parasite Eve for PS3 and PSP originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 25 Feb 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

The 3rd Birthday celebrated April 1 in UK, English launch trailer

Alexander Sliwinski — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 08:00:00 EST

Square Enix announced today that The 3rd Birthday will come crying and cold into the world of UK retail on April 1, no joke. The company also reiterated the game will be available in a "Twisted Edition" for the region. For those in North America, the due date will be a few days earlier on March 29.

The publisher also released the English version of the Japanese trailer that you may remember from late last year. It's still depressing in Englishl; see for yourself after the break.

Continue reading The 3rd Birthday celebrated April 1 in UK, English launch trailer

The 3rd Birthday celebrated April 1 in UK, English launch trailer originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 25 Feb 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Square Enix celebrates The 3rd Birthday in Europe with 'Twisted' edition

JC Fletcher — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 04:15:00 EST

Aya Brea's grand return to the world of video games, The 3rd Birthday, is being marked in Europe by the release of a special "Twisted" edition. Available this spring, the Twisted Edition includes a UMD copy of the game, along with a 48-page "CTI Confidential" art book, two "deluxe" lithographs, and a code to unlock an Aya Brea costume for Lightning in the Dissidia sequel.

The image of the pack released by Square Enix suggests that no one part of this bundle isn't covered with pictures of Aya Brea.

Continue reading Square Enix celebrates The 3rd Birthday in Europe with 'Twisted' edition

Square Enix celebrates The 3rd Birthday in Europe with 'Twisted' edition originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 02 Feb 2011 04:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

The 3rd Birthday will be observed March 29 in North America

Randy Nelson — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 16:14:00 EST

We were expecting an evite or maybe one of those crazy JibJab animations, but instead Square Enix just issued a press release announcing that The 3rd Birthday, the PSP-exclusive installment of the Parasite Eve series, will hit North American store shelves on March 29. The title, which was originally under development for mobile phones, will retail for $30. This is a UMD-only release with no plans for a downloadable PSN version at present. We can only imagine that Square Enix is prepping a game card version for Sony's "NGP" platform.

In announcing the release date, the publisher also confirmed the casting of two well-known TV names for the main characters' English voice overs. The game's star, Aya Brea, is voiced by Yvonne Strahovski (Sarah on Chuck) while Jensen Ackles (Dean Winchester on Supernatural) plays Kyle Madigan. The cast of Jersey Shore was evidently too busy at the gym, doing laundry and tanning to participate.

Continue reading The 3rd Birthday will be observed March 29 in North America

The 3rd Birthday will be observed March 29 in North America originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 01 Feb 2011 16:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Unlocking The 3rd Birthday's hidden Lightning costume is a chore

Griffin McElroy — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 00:30:00 EST

A costume modeled after Final Fantasy XIII's surly heroine, Lightning, is hidden in fellow Square Enix offering The 3rd Birthday. To unlock it, all players have to do is sign up for the game's official members site after completing the game -- or, if you're a madman, by beating the game 30 times.

Continue reading Unlocking The 3rd Birthday's hidden Lightning costume is a chore

Unlocking The 3rd Birthday's hidden Lightning costume is a chore originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 08 Jan 2011 00:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

The 3rd Birthday debuts at sixth on Japanese charts, Monster Hunter still king

Griffin McElroy — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 22:00:00 EST

Whether it's due to its significant lack of collectible monsters, or the considerable length of time since the last installment in the Parasite Eve franchise, Square Enix's The 3rd Birthday didn't have the strong debut showing on the Japanese sales charts to which the publisher is likely accustomed. The game placed sixth on the weekly Media Create rankings, pulling in 140,000 during its first week on Japanese store shelves.

The game was buried under continuing top-sellers Monster Hunter Portable 3rd, which placed first with 404,000 units sold, and Pokémon Black and White, whose 165,000 units sold pushed the twin titles dangerously close to the five million mark. That's a whole lot of monochromatic monsters.

The 3rd Birthday debuts at sixth on Japanese charts, Monster Hunter still king originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 30 Dec 2010 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

The 3rd Birthday trailer is a bummer

JC Fletcher — Sat, 18 Dec 2010 03:00:00 EST

No matter how much awesome J-rock this trailer for The 3rd Birthday has, there's no way we can see it as anything but super depressing. We don't know exactly what the problem is ... oh, maybe it's that opening shot of a bloody woman in a wedding dress asking who she is. Yeah, that's probably it.

Continue reading The 3rd Birthday trailer is a bummer

The 3rd Birthday trailer is a bummer originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 18 Dec 2010 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Square Enix working on a Final Fantasy trading card game (not Triple Triad, sadly)

Griffin McElroy — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 22:00:00 EST

Square Enix has already proven itself entirely capable of creating compelling collectible card games within the virtual worlds of its Final Fantasy franchise -- in fact, occasionally, those mini-games became more engrossing than the adventures which surrounded them. That's why we can't wait to see what Square and CCG manufacturer Hobby Japan can do with the recently announced Final Fantasy Trading Card Game when it launches February 25, 2011.

Potential players can start bolstering their collections by picking up the Japanese version of The 3rd Birthday, which will include a promotional card. Though a handful of samples have been revealed (pictured above), the actual rules of the game haven't been detailed. We're going to assume that you have to play it over and over and over again until you're strong enough to win. Also, playing summon cards will take three to six minutes, depending on the strength of said summon. Also, Chocobos have gots to be up in the mix.

Square Enix working on a Final Fantasy trading card game (not Triple Triad, sadly) originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 30 Nov 2010 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

The 3rd Birthday TGS trailer speaks our language

Griffin McElroy — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 23:15:00 EST

You may have a bit of trouble picking up on the particulars of this finally released TGS trailer for The 3rd Birthday, thanks to its Japanese voice dub. However, an equal portion of the video is also created using the universal language: Violence, inflicted onto and by gigantic, horrifying monsters.

Continue reading The 3rd Birthday TGS trailer speaks our language

The 3rd Birthday TGS trailer speaks our language originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 30 Sep 2010 23:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Square Enix producer thinking about Before Crisis: Final Fantasy VII on 3DS

JC Fletcher — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 17:45:00 EST

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

The mobile game Before Crisis: Final Fantasy VII was the first part of the Compilation of Final Fantasy VII to be released in Japan, but never made it to North America. That would almost certainly change if the game were ported to the Nintendo 3DS, something which Square Enix's Hajime Tabata mused about on Twitter.

"If I were to make something for 3DS, I suppose it would be a remake of Before Crisis Final Fantasy VII," he said (translated by Andriasang. "I'd redo the scenario structure and game design for the 3DS. I think I'd like to make an action RPG BCFF7 where a large number of Turks players play simultaneously."

Sounds awesome, right? Well, it's not happening, at least not right now. Tabata lamented that he was already far too busy on The 3rd Birthday, and plans to move to an HD project afterward as a change of pace from all the portable games.

Square Enix producer thinking about Before Crisis: Final Fantasy VII on 3DS originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 30 Sep 2010 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

The 3rd Birthday preview: A reason to cry

Andrew Yoon — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 19:00:00 EST

A good third-person shooter isn't easy pull off on the PSP. The limited number of buttons and lack of a second analog stick mean that only a few games represent the genre well on Sony's handheld -- Syphon Filter and Resistance Retribution both come to mind. Given the limitations of the platform and Square Enix's storied failures with the genre, you'd be right at approaching The 3rd Birthday with some skepticism. Based on what we've played so far, it doesn't seem like developer Hexa Drive is capable of assuaging our concerns.

Parasite Eve fans have waited for a new game in the franchise for over a decade, and The 3rd Birthday has many of the qualities that made the original games so intriguing. Once again, New York is under supernatural attack, and Aya and a squad of soldiers must stop the infestation. Like its predecessors, The 3rd Birthday is all about mood and macabre, grotesque enemies. The presentation is absolutely spot-on, boasting some of the studio's best CG work and impressive real-time graphics. Whilst watching a lengthy cutscene, I couldn't help but think how much it looked and sounded like a true Parasite Eve sequel.

Continue reading The 3rd Birthday preview: A reason to cry

The 3rd Birthday preview: A reason to cry originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 28 Sep 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Square Enix 'making adjustments' to prep Parasite Eve games for PSN

Griffin McElroy — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 15:00:00 EST

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

Last month, the Parasite Eve series' lead character designer Tetsuya Nomura stated that Square Enix would like to get the first two installments of the franchise on the PSOne Classics storefront before the arrival of The 3rd Birthday. Yesterday, director Hajime Tabata confirmed that Square was actively working to get the games on PSN, explaining that the publisher is "making adjustments" to bring Parasite Eve and Parasite Eve 2 to the PlayStation Store.

Tabata also added, "please wait until it has been finalized and formally announced." Please wait to do what, exactly? Get excited about playing Parasite Eve again? There's nothing you can do about that. You're not the boss of us!

Square Enix 'making adjustments' to prep Parasite Eve games for PSN originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 28 Sep 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

The 3rd Birthday to be celebrated on December 22 in Japan

Andrew Yoon — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 00:58:00 EST

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

A new entry in the Parasite Eve franchise has been long coming. The 3rd Birthday -- the first official sequel in the franchise since 1999 -- will be available in Japan at the very end of this year, on December 22nd. A US release is likely to follow some time in 2011. The third-person shooter arrives exclusively for PSP, joining the now-officially-announced Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep Final Mix and Dissidia: Duodecim.

With so many high-profile Square Enix releases coming to PSP so close to each other, the company announced that there will be some kind of cross-promotional DLC across all three games. Specifics weren't mentioned, but you'll be able to unlock special costumes by owning multiple games.

The 3rd Birthday to be celebrated on December 22 in Japan originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 16 Sep 2010 00:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Japan to celebrate The 3rd Birthday winter 2010, rest of the world will 'soon after'

Randy Nelson — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 21:00:00 EST

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

If Square Enix is going to get Parasite Eve and its sequel onto PSN as PSOne Classics before the third game in the series ships, in only has a few months left to do so. The 3rd Birthday producer Yoshinori Kitase has confirmed that his game will release on PSP in Japan "winter this year."

Speaking to VG247, Kitase remarked that "The Japanese version's going to come out in winter this year," adding, "And we've already started localising the game for overseas versions. So we're hoping to release it sometime rather soon after the Japanese release, but we can't specify an exact time." He did, however, confirm that an international release will happen within 2011. Also, Kitase's comment regarding localization having already begun is pretty much in line with the faster turn-around Square-Enix has been targeting for global availability of its games in recent years.

We'll have a more specific -- hopefully international -- release date when it's announced, after which we fully expect GameStop to begin offering party hats and noisemakers as pre-order incentives.

Japan to celebrate The 3rd Birthday winter 2010, rest of the world will 'soon after' originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 25 Aug 2010 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Nomura wants Parasite Eve and its sequel on PSN before 3rd Birthday

Randy Nelson — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 22:40:00 EST

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

Were you thinking that right about now would be a good time to make Parasite Eve and Parasite Eve 2 available via PSN, given the upcoming release of the third game in the series on PSP? Then, dear Reader, you have something in common with series character designer Tetsuya Nomura. He recently tweeted that he wants just that: a digital re-release of the PSOne titles, before The 3rd Birthday -- the game whose success could lead to a PS3 title in the series -- hits Japan.

"Archives versions of the 1st and 2nd [Parasite Eve] are in demand, so I'd like to do something about them before the 3rd is released," reads Nomura's tweet. He's referring to the Japanese PSN equivalent of PSOne Classics, the Game Archives, and we agree: we'd like Nomura to do something about them, too -- only globally, kudasai?

Nomura wants Parasite Eve and its sequel on PSN before 3rd Birthday originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 24 Aug 2010 22:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Kitase: 3rd Birthday success could extend franchise to PS3

David Hinkle — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 20:00:00 EST

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

"The team had a lot of experience and knew a lot about making a game for PSP which is why we chose PSP as the platform for this game," said Square Enix's Yoshinori Kitase during a presentation at Gamescom in regards to The 3rd Birthday. "But if this game turns out to be a success then we'd be looking at extending the franchise into PS3."

Now, Kitase could mean one of two things by that statement: Square Enix could develop an entirely new Parasite Eve game for the PS3; or he could be talking about re-releasing the first two Parasite Eve games as PSOne Classics. Neither are currently available on PSN, so we're inclined to think that's what he's talking about -- especially considering Square Enix has already expressed interest in going down that road.

Kitase: 3rd Birthday success could extend franchise to PS3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 19 Aug 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Wish granted: New The 3rd Birthday media from Gamescom

David Hinkle — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 21:40:00 EST

And you thought nobody was paying attention when you blew out the candles on your birthday cake earlier today. We were watching, little Timmy!

... Okay, so we can't take all of the credit for the new screens and trailer from Square Enix's upcoming spin-off in the Parasite Eve universe, The 3rd Birthday. The new media comes direct from Gamescom 2010 in Germany, but, like, if you want to credit us with making your dreams come true, we're cool with that. In the end, isn't having your wishes fulfilled all that matters?

Gallery: The 3rd Birthday (Gamescom 2010)

Continue reading Wish granted: New The 3rd Birthday media from Gamescom

Wish granted: New The 3rd Birthday media from Gamescom originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 18 Aug 2010 21:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Nomura offers updates on upcoming Square Enix projects

Griffin McElroy — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 14:30:00 EST

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

We're pretty sure you'd need one of those bulletin boards from TV crime dramas -- you know, the ones with pictures of mafioso higher-ups with multicolored strings and push pins connecting them -- in order to keep track of all of Square Enix's upcoming games. The studio's resident star designer, Tetsuya Nomura, recently gave an update on these projects -- a laundry list which includes Final Fantasy Versus and Agito XIII, Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep and Re:Coded, The 3rd Birthday, and "a number of unannounced titles."

According to Andriasang's translation, Nomura explained the dearth of news on Versus XIII was due to a number of hardships which have rendered the company's old developmental tricks "completely inapplicable," but that progress is being made. He couldn't be any more specific than that, due to Square Enix's policy of promoting games in the order they'll be released. In that case, we may not hear more on Versus or Agito for some time -- Nomura explained that some of the company's unannounced games would arrive before the next installment in the Fabula Nova Crystallis franchise.

For more info on the fate of Square Enix's future projects, check out Andriasang's translation of the 3rd Birthday Twitter feed.

Nomura offers updates on upcoming Square Enix projects originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 09 Aug 2010 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Square Enix reports increased fiscal Q1 sales, lists upcoming games

JC Fletcher — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 10:25:00 EST

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

Square Enix's net sales were up 11% year-over-year in its fiscal Q1 (which ended June 10), from ¥29.4 billion ($341.5 million) to ¥32.5 billion ($378.2 million). It's a phenomenon that president Yoichi Wada attributes to the million-plus copies sold of Dragon Quest Monsters Joker 2 in Japan, and continued sales of Final Fantasy XIII and Just Cause 2 in the west.

Operating income jumped 814% in the same period, from ¥594 million ($6.9 million) in Q1 2009 to ¥5.43 billion ($63.14 million). That can be attributed to the fact that Square Enix didn't buy any major publishing companies this year.

The earnings presentation for the quarter (PDF) lists the company's current publishing plans for the near future, including the surefire Wii hit Dragon Quest Monsters Battle Road Victory for Japan only, as well as the Parasite Eve sequel The 3rd Birthday with a "This Winter" date in Japan and a "TBD" date in North America and Europe. The slides also reveal that Square Enix will handle Japanese publishing duties for Call of Duty: Black Ops, like it did for Modern Warfare 2.

Square Enix reports increased fiscal Q1 sales, lists upcoming games originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 06 Aug 2010 10:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

The 3rd Birthday trailer quantum leaps into action

Griffin McElroy — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 11:01:00 EST

We know our dream of playing a video game adaptation of the greatest television show ever will probably never be realized. Still, judging by this trailer for the spiritual successor to the Parasite Eve series, The 3rd Birthday might just be the closest we'll ever get to Quantum Leap: The Game.

Continue reading The 3rd Birthday trailer quantum leaps into action

The 3rd Birthday trailer quantum leaps into action originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 24 Jun 2010 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Direct-feed: FF Agito & 3rd Birthday trailers

Andrew Yoon — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 15:15:00 EST

Filed under: Final Fantasy, Video

It's a Square Enix media explosion! A few days ago, trailers for PS3's Final Fantasy XIII and Versus XIII made their way into the loving arms of the internet. Now, it's the PSP's turn. Check out trailers for these two upcoming PSP-exclusive games: Final Fantasy Agito XIII and The 3rd Birthday, after the break.

Continue reading Direct-feed: FF Agito & 3rd Birthday trailers

Direct-feed: FF Agito & 3rd Birthday trailers originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 15 Dec 2008 15:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep, The 3rd Birthday TGS trailers leaked

Alan Tsang — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 22:00:00 EST

Filed under: Kingdom Hearts

That gorgeous girl above is Aya Brea, the star of the Parasite Eve series of games, in a concept drawing for the latest game in the franchise, The 3rd Birthday . According to Siliconera, the upcoming PSP exclusive (mobile phone version has been scrapped) will be developed by Hexadrive, who was responsible for Rez HD.

What's more, we've got the leaked TGS trailers for Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep and The 3rd Birthday. The Birth by Sleep one is quite the long one, and it begins at about the 2:00 mark -- it includes both cut scenes and gameplay -- most of us haven't seen the game in action, so this is quite a treat. The trailer for The 3rd Birthday, is considerably less exciting, with no gameplay, but keep in mind this is the first trailer. Check them out after the jump.

Source -- Siliconera
Source -- Youtube

[Thanks, dsvw56!]

Continue reading Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep, The 3rd Birthday TGS trailers leaked

Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep, The 3rd Birthday TGS trailers leaked originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 Oct 2008 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

The 3rd Birthday gameplay and story details

Alan Tsang — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: News

When it was a cell phone game, no one knew what it was about. Then it became a PSP game, and still no one knew any details about it. Finally, the project director of The 3rd Birthday, Hajime Tabata, has revealed some facts about the third game in the Parasite Eve franchise. Square is cooperating with another development studio on the game, but he refuses to divulge which studio.

Unlike its predecessors, The 3rd Birthday will be a "true third person shooter," but Tabata notes that it will not the same as Dirge (thank you!) of Cerberus: FFVII. Some sort of wireless gameplay may be implemented, but it was not specified whether it will be infrastructure or ad-hoc.

The game's scenario and design are currently almost complete. Our curvy heroine Aya Brea will utilize an ability called overdrive that allows her to "cross time." This power lets her to fight and eliminate the Twisted, who are the new antagonists of the game. No release date is set, but it sounds like we'll see the game over in Japan some time next year.

The 3rd Birthday gameplay and story details originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 20 Aug 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

PSP software support way down, recovery is likely

Majed Athab — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 21:00:00 EST

Filed under: News, Software

We knew software support for the PSP was relatively dire but this chart says it all. According to Siliconera, who've compiled a comprehensive analysis of publisher support, 2006 was the peak while 2007 saw a huge decline. The top six contributing publishers to the PSP's software library have all taken a considerable dip in scheduled titles, but Siliconera also points out that 2008 is actually starting to curve upward.

Does that mean we're on the cusps of a healthy and steady recovery? Possibly, as games like Dissidia: Final Fantasy and LocoRoco 2 are on the way this year, and future titles like Resistance: Retribution and The 3rd Birthday are also on the way. The report is a very good read; we suggest you check out the whole thing at Siliconera for an in-depth look.

PSP software support way down, recovery is likely originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 05 Aug 2008 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Parasite Eve follow-up moves onto PSP

Griffin McElroy — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 16:30:00 EST

Filed under: Sony PSP, Action, RPGs

It's been eight long years since we've last seen our favorite Mitochondria-battling cop, Aya Brea, in Square's survival horror/RPG hybrid series Parasite Eve. Well, that's not exactly true, we did catch a glimpse of her contemplating eating a bullet sandwich following the announcement that the long awaited next installment in the series would be released exclusively on mobile phones. Luckily, it seems Aya and RPG fans alike have dodged said bullet -- during their DKΣ3713 Private Party event, Square Enix announced that this new chapter in the series will now be making its way to the PSP. It's unclear whether a mobile version of the title is still in development.

Not much is known about the game, titled The 3rd Birthday. A trailer at Squeenix's exclusive shindig didn't have any gameplay or details about the game, though it did show Aya in a wedding dress, aiming a pistol at a shadowy figure standing in the doorway of what we assume is her wedding chapel. A gunfight on your wedding day? Isn't it ironic... don't you think?

Parasite Eve follow-up moves onto PSP originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 02 Aug 2008 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Aya of Parasite Eve celebrates 3rd Birthday on PSP

Majed Athab — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 00:52:00 EST

Filed under: News

We were all a little disappointed to hear that a title like Parasite Eve: The 3rd Birthday was being made for mobile phones way back when it was first announced. The third game in one of the best and most original series Squaresoft ever made (well okay Parasite Eve 2 was admittedly horrible) should not have been brought to such a non-traditional gaming machine. And even though it has taken Square Enix a very long time to finally realize this, the company is actually waking up and doing something about it.

News coming from the Square Enix party unveiled that the game will be heading to the PSP. It is currently unknown if the game is still in development for mobile phones or whether that's been scrapped in place of full-on PSP development. What is known, however, is that the title is scheduled for a 2009 release in Japan. A stateside release is still up in the air, but the fact that it's a PSP game now makes chances much better.

Aya of Parasite Eve celebrates 3rd Birthday on PSP originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 02 Aug 2008 00:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments