Joystiq

Vanquish, Mega Man Maverick Hunter X free on PlayStation Plus this week

JC Fletcher — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 13:04:00 EST

Just in time for the release of Platinum Games' latest, PlayStation Plus offers ... a completely different Platinum game for free. Vanquish is free for PlayStation Plus members on PS3 starting tomorrow. Dust 514's Starter Pack is also free for Plus.

Meanwhile, Vita gets its own free sci-fi action shooter: Mega Man Maverick Hunter X, the PSP remake of Mega Man X. Not at all related to sci-fi shooting, or free, are discounts on both the PS3 and Vita versions of Urban Trial Freestyle, a very familiar-looking bike game.

Vanquish, Mega Man Maverick Hunter X free on PlayStation Plus this week originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 18 Feb 2013 13:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Vanquish conquers PSN November 6

Sinan Kubba — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 09:00:00 EST

Madcap shooter Vanquish is sliding its way onto PlayStation Network in next week's update. As revealed in this week's PlayStation Blogcast, Platinum Games' 2010 helping of robot-armored carnage will be available as a PS3 download on November 6. The podcast didn't disclose a price, but for reference it's currently on Xbox Live Marketplace at $19.99.

Also confirmed for PSN next week is Portal 2, as indicated by yesterday's news about the Move-based In Motion DLC. The full game is coming with built-in Move support, which also arrives as a patch for retail copies.

Vanquish conquers PSN November 6 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 02 Nov 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GameFly's 'Under $20' sale has too many good values

Ben Gilbert — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 06:00:00 EST

LA Noire for $19.99? Dead Space 2 for $12.99? Vanquish for just $9.99? If watching broadcast news wasn't enough to convince you that the US economy is down in the dumps, GameFly's impressive "Under $20" sale is here to hammer the point home.

Everything from the aforementioned trio of titles to Disney Epic Mickey (and many more) are currently available from GameFly's insane sale, all being offered with free shipping. The discounts expire on October 24, so we'd suggest you get on that -- if you're not too busy zipping around Gotham, of course.

GameFly's 'Under $20' sale has too many good values originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 19 Oct 2011 06:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Vanquish slides to just $14 at Newegg

JC Fletcher — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 16:40:00 EST

For just $14 you can be running around in a fancy suit of robot armor, blasting away at soldiers and robots. Well, not you physically -- we're not sure we'd trust a $14 suit of robo-armor, ourselves -- but you, controlling Sam Gideon in the Xbox 360 version of Vanquish.

Newegg is offering the game for just $13.99, plus free shipping, to anyone interested in learning how to do the electric(ally assisted) slide, and firing entirely too much heavy weaponry into bosses' glowing weak points.

Vanquish slides to just $14 at Newegg originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 31 Aug 2011 16:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sega earnings suffer from Yakuza delay, 'sluggish' Western game sales

JC Fletcher — Fri, 13 May 2011 14:00:00 EST

Sega Sammy's consumer game division -- a.k.a. Sega games -- brought in ¥89.55 billion ($1.1 billion) in sales over the last fiscal year (ending March 31), down 26.5 percent from the previous year. Operating income declined even more sharply to ¥2 billion ($24.8 million), down 68.9 percent. While the previous fiscal year saw major success from Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games, this latest 2010-11 fiscal year was an off-year for the two Olympians, who were in training for their next competition.

Sonic's less sporting pastime, Sonic Colors, was the bestseller in Sega's lineup, moving 2.18 million copies worldwide. It was followed by ... Iron Man 2, which sold 1.54 million. Vanquish, which everyone without Stark Industries stock would agree is the better robot-suit game, only managed about half of that achievement at 830,000 units sold. Shogun 2: Total War and Phantasy Star Portable 2 Infinity (which only came out in Japan) rounded out Sega's "major" lineup with 600,000 and 370,000 copies sold, respectively.

Sega said that sales were slow in North America and Europe due to "the adverse market condition," noting "sluggish personal consumption" in those regions (which ... didn't seem to be an issue for everybody). Additionally, Sega's big Japanese release, Yakuza: Of the End, was delayed out of the fiscal year as a result of the Tohoku earthquake in March, further reducing the company's bottom line.

Overall, however, Sega Sammy about doubled its net profits from the previous year to ¥41.51 billion (roughly $513 million) on the strength of its pachislot and pachinko business.

Sega earnings suffer from Yakuza delay, 'sluggish' Western game sales originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 13 May 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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XBL Games on Demand adds Vanquish, DiRT 2, more

Richard Mitchell — Thu, 12 May 2011 22:30:00 EST

Xbox Live's Games on Demand service gains several new games today. Most notable among the four titles is probably Vanquish, which can be had for a steep $40. DiRT 2 is also available for $30, while either Velvet Assassin or Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising can be had for $20.

Continue reading XBL Games on Demand adds Vanquish, DiRT 2, more

XBL Games on Demand adds Vanquish, DiRT 2, more originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 12 May 2011 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Vanquish your need for Vanquish for $30

Griffin McElroy — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 18:30:00 EST

Whether you realize it or not, you need more acrobatic, robot-suited DARPA agents in your life. Thanks to Amazon, you can now fill that void with new levels of cheapness -- you can now purchase Sega's sliding-centric shooter Vanquish for a cool, crisp, thirty-dollar bill.

Continue reading Vanquish your need for Vanquish for $30

Vanquish your need for Vanquish for $30 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 08 Mar 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sega Sammy posts profitable third quarter, Vanquish moves 820K

Ben Gilbert — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 17:00:00 EST

Sega Sammy's financial results for the nine months ending December 31, 2010 showed marked upswings in overall sales and profit for the company. While the majority of money came through its pachinko and amusement arm, game publishing saw ¥67.4 billion ($826 million) in revenue and ¥2.8 billion ($34.3 million) in profit -- both notable increases since the company's last check-in.

Hidden among the many, many financial numbers was news that Platinum Games' fourth effort, Vanquish, had sold 820,000 copies since its release in late October, while Sonic Colors had moved a whopping 1,850,000 by the end of 2010. That's alotta hedgehog! The majority of the company's overall sales took place in Europe (owing to sales of Football Manager 2011), with the US following closely behind and Japan in a distant third.

Sega Sammy posts profitable third quarter, Vanquish moves 820K originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 04 Feb 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Best of the Rest: Randy's picks of 2010

Randy Nelson — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 10:00:00 EST

Super Mario Galaxy 2
This is my personal favorite game of 2010 for many reasons, all of which you can read in the review I wrote back in May. In a nutshell: It's the best Mario game ever -- in my opinion, but I've been told I'm not alone -- and can pretty much claim the title of best-ever platformer while it's at it. The experience is magical, the design is masterful and if there were one game I could be stranded on a desert island with ... well, this is it.

Continue reading Best of the Rest: Randy's picks of 2010

Best of the Rest: Randy's picks of 2010 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 02 Jan 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Best of the Rest: Ludwig's picks of 2010

Ludwig Kietzmann — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 16:00:00 EST

Vanquish
Shinji Mikami is still playing the game of Telephone he started in 2005. With Resident Evil 4, he revitalized Capcom's stagnant survival-horror franchise by turning it into a strictly paced shooter, where standing your ground (you couldn't move and shoot at the same time, remember?) was the only way to advance. The idea made it all the way across the ocean -- mostly intact -- and eventually found its way into Epic's Gears of War.

The Mikami-led team at Platinum Games, in turn, heard all the bits about military meatheads and enemies that can be demolished without remorse, but the part about lumbering man-tanks got garbled. Instead, we get a protagonist that can slide across the battlefield in the blink of an eye.

At its nuclear-powered core, Vanquish still honors Resident Evil 4's balance of risk and reward. It's an exceptionally hectic shooter where rocketing in and out of critical engagements is key -- but if your suit overheats, you're slow again. And then you're dead.

Even Gears of War's train level comes back a little warped. Now there are two trains, and one of them is upside-down.

Continue reading Best of the Rest: Ludwig's picks of 2010

Best of the Rest: Ludwig's picks of 2010 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 01 Jan 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Vanquish's original concept included remote pilots

JC Fletcher — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 19:00:00 EST

In his final post on the Vanquish development blog, Shinji Mikami describes an early concept for Vanquish that was less "big action movie" and more anime. Instead of cigar-chompin' soldier Sam Gideon inside the suit, the original concept had the suit as a robot, remotely controlled by three different pilots. This was even before the robodog idea.

"The robot would change forms according to the pilot in charge," Mikami explained, "as each pilot had been specially trained in areas such as shooting, melee, or hover and snipe." The idea "died a quick death," but Mikami noted that he still likes it, and that ideas are "never out of bounds," sometimes appearing in sequels or other new game designs. "I don't know what I will be making next, but considering how fickle I am, it will probably end up being a game completely different from Vanquish." At the very least, he knows it'll be a triple-A game for THQ.

Vanquish's original concept included remote pilots originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 13 Dec 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Civilization 5, Vanquish and more struck by Amazon Lightning sales today

Griffin McElroy — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 10:36:00 EST

We know we're entering that time of year where you're not technically supposed to buy games for yourself but, rather, for your fellow man. Still, the upcoming wave of Amazon Lightning Deals is making it hard for us to not treat ourselves to a few discounted gems. In fact, Amazon's made it all the more difficult by accidentally revealing the identities and prices of all the offers therein, those monsters:

8:15 AM PST: Write your own epic story each time you play -- Civilization 5 (PC) for $29.99
10:15 AM PST: Suit up in this sci-fi shooter -- Vanquish (X360 or PS3) for $44.99
10:15 AM PST: The premier device in handheld gaming -- Nintendo DSi XL (Midnight Blue) for $139
1:15 PM PST: Customize your spy in this RPG/Shooter -- Alpha Protocol (X360 or PS3) for $29.99
4:15 PM PST: Don't forget to put your hands up -- Rollercoaster Tycoon 3 Platinum (PC) for $14.99

Civilization 5, Vanquish and more struck by Amazon Lightning sales today originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 22 Nov 2010 10:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PSN Tuesday: God of War bonanza

Alexander Sliwinski — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 00:45:00 EST

Kratos is committing bloody vengeance all over this week's PSN update. The God of War Collection is available for download on PS3 and God of War: Ghost of Sparta is ready for handheld brutality on PSP.

If you're a PlayStation Plus member you also get a "full game trial" of God of War 1 and 2, which you can test drive for an hour apiece. Also, Trophies and game progress will roll over if you purchase the game after taking the blades out for a spin. While you're taking advantage of your membership, you should also check out the Vanquish trial.

There's plenty of more stuff in this update, so head on past the break for all the details.

Note: In addition to this week's update being really behind schedule, Sony is telling PSN users that, while all of the content is now live, it's not actually appearing in the PlayStation Store interface. You'll need to use the PS Store search function to find the new additions until the problem is addressed.

Choose your platform to view the corresponding release list:

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

Continue reading PSN Tuesday: God of War bonanza

PSN Tuesday: God of War bonanza originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 03 Nov 2010 00:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sega 'reasonably encouraged' by day-one Vanquish sales

JC Fletcher — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 11:30:00 EST

Sega West president Mike Hayes wouldn't disclose specific Vanquish sales numbers to IGN, but he did offer some hesitant praise for the shooter's sales. "It's been in the marketplace for two days," Hayes said. "We've seen the day one numbers and we're reasonably encouraged, but I think we need to see the rest of week one and probably week two just to see how it's going to play out." He also noted that the new IP faces tough competition from established franchises (like Fallout: New Vegas, which launched the same day).

"Reasonably encouraged" from a game company executive is reasonably troubling for our estimation of Vanquish's fortunes. We tend to expect publishers to overhype their games' success. If "reasonably encouraged" is Sega's spin, that's not great news for fans of Shinji Mikami's unique brand of smoking, shooting action. Though, of course, that's better than "disappointed," "humiliated," or "driven out of business."

Sega 'reasonably encouraged' by day-one Vanquish sales originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 26 Oct 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Platinum Games aims to build and keep new IPs in the future

Ludwig Kietzmann — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 19:30:00 EST

This week's launch of Vanquish not only portends the imminent demise of thousands of robots, but represents the final shot in Sega's four-game publishing deal with Platinum Games. Speaking to Develop, Platinum's executive director, Atsushi Inaba, reflected on the agreement -- encompassing Bayonetta, Madworld, Infinite Space and Vanquish -- and the incentives offered by Sega.

"When we created Platinum Games, we of course talked to a lot of publishers, and Sega offered us the most freedom to develop games, he said. "I think the partnership has been great, and I'm really grateful for their support." Inaba considers the exchange, with ownership of four properties going towards creative freedom, a "fair deal." But what happens next? "For the future of our partnership, of course, it's not something that we alone can decide," Inaba said. "Sega has its stance, and we have ours, but if Sega asks us to make something we might take the offer."

Although Platinum has nothing "against the idea of making sequels," Inaba added, the company's long-term goal is to create new IP and retain ownership of it. "So as a studio we would like to do both [new IP and sequels], but the whole point of Platinum Games is to create our own IP, that's what we do."

With Platinum still growing and readjusting its relationship with Sega, the developer's critical acclaim will be compared to its uneven sales performance in any discussion. Selling over a million copies, Bayonetta has undoubtedly been the studio's biggest success thus far. If Sega intends to ask for a sequel, it'll know witch.

[Image: Platinum Games website]

Platinum Games aims to build and keep new IPs in the future originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 22 Oct 2010 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Vanquish review: Smokin'

Randy Nelson — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 13:00:00 EST

You know how we're always saying how great it would be if someone could just make a modern, polygonal version of one of our favorite 2D classics, yet they seldom, if ever, turn out good? Well, Vanquish isn't a rebirth of any existing action franchise, but it is what a younger me dreamed a game like Contra would be like ... in the future. The work of Resident Evil creator Shinji Mikami and Platinum Games (Bayonetta), it brings the classic, run-and-gun feel of games like Konami's classic into the HD era with a plot that doesn't really matter, characters who spout ridiculous one-liners and -- oh yeah -- action that will have you on the edge of your seat from explosive start to thunderous finish.

Gallery: Vanquish

Continue reading Vanquish review: Smokin'

Vanquish review: Smokin' originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 19 Oct 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Suit up for a new Vanquish trailer

Richard Mitchell — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 06:00:00 EST

Another Vanquish trailer has come rocket-sliding out of Platinum Games, this time focusing on the A.R.S. Battle Suit. So what does the suit do? Based on the trailer, it seems to turn gruff, stubbly dudes into engines of slow-motion, robot-exploding death. But how do you go to the bathroom?

Continue reading Suit up for a new Vanquish trailer

Suit up for a new Vanquish trailer originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 15 Oct 2010 06:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Vanquish comes with $20 game coupon at Kmart, $30 off select titles

Griffin McElroy — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 19:20:00 EST

Man, remember that Kmart ad campaign featuring Rosie O' Donnell and Penny Marshall? We wish that was still going on for this deal, only because we'd love to hear the pair squawk about the over-the-top ninja action of Vanquish, which will come with a $20 coupon for future game purchases at Kmart.

Continue reading Vanquish comes with $20 game coupon at Kmart, $30 off select titles

Vanquish comes with $20 game coupon at Kmart, $30 off select titles originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 13 Oct 2010 19:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Just try to follow this Vanquish trailer

Richard Mitchell — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 07:00:00 EST

It's hard to neatly sum up this latest Vanquish trailer. A lot of things happen, and very quickly. There's a transforming gun, lots of robot homicide (robocide?) and a ton of slow-motion explosions. Do you really need any more information than that?

Continue reading Just try to follow this Vanquish trailer

Just try to follow this Vanquish trailer originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 08 Oct 2010 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Platinum Games working on multiplayer game

Richard Mitchell — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 20:00:00 EST

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

Speaking to NowGamer, Platinum Games producer Atsushi Inaba confirmed that the studio is currently working on a new multiplayer project. With Platinum having thus far produced only single-player titles (Bayonetta, Vanquish), Inaba confirmed the multiplayer title saying, "We haven't officially announced it yet, but we have a big multiplayer title that we're working on right now." He then advised that we all keep an eye out for the upcoming announcement (we will!).

Inaba also discussed the challenges of creating Vanquish, a new IP that will enter a crowded market of third-person shooters, most of them developed by western companies. He noted that the people at Platinum "enjoy new challenges" and are encouraged by the fact that third-person shooters constitute such a popular genre. This, despite the fact that the genre has struggled to take hold in Japan, which Inaba believes is "very unfortunate because there are so many great games in the genre."

Platinum Games working on multiplayer game originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 06 Oct 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pre-order Vanquish at Play.com, get a free copy of Bayonetta

Ben Gilbert — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 03:00:00 EST

Before all of you start rushing to Play.com to pre-order Vanquish based on the headline above, we should probably point out that the deal applies only to citizens of the United Kingdom. That said, yes, in addition to the Tri-Weapon Pack included with Vanquish pre-orders at Play.com, pre-order customers will also get a free copy of Platinum Games' Bayonetta.

That means, for the same £39.99 ($64) that every other game this holiday costs, Brits can snag two totally bizarro Platinum Games classics. That is, of course, if they can stop playing Just Dance for a few moments.

Pre-order Vanquish at Play.com, get a free copy of Bayonetta originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 01 Oct 2010 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Another Vanquish demo on the way

Richard Mitchell — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 20:30:00 EST

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

1UP reports that a second Vanquish demo will soon be dashing its way to consoles. The announcement was made by director Shinji Mikami and producer Atsushi Inaba during a stage show at TGS. The demo is set to offer a challenge mode, designed to provide a more challenging experience for skilled players. The new demo will arrive in Japan on September 22. We've contacted Sega to see if it will also see release outside of Japan.

Another Vanquish demo on the way originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 17 Sep 2010 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Vanquish trailer reignites the Cold War

Ben Gilbert — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 18:30:00 EST

Alright, alright -- the newest trailer for Platinum Games' Vanquish probably isn't reigniting a near century-long history of hostility between two of our planet's biggest superpowers, but it does play out a bizarre future where just such a reality exists. Also, there are tons of explosions.

Continue reading Vanquish trailer reignites the Cold War

Vanquish trailer reignites the Cold War originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 16 Sep 2010 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Vanquish Limited Edition sliding into UK and French retailers

Ben Gilbert — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 21:30:00 EST

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

Right between our Fallout 3 Vault Boy bobblehead and our BioShock Big Daddy statue is a gaping hole -- a gaping hole approximately three inches wide and seven inches tall. Wouldn't you know it, Sega of Europe just this morning announced a limited edition version of forthcoming Platinum-developed Vanquish with a seven inch tall statue of the game's main character, Sam Gideon.

The LE will be exclusive in the UK to retailer Zavvi (not to be confused with Navi or the Nav'i), whereas Game will carry it in France. The asking price is £54.95 ($85) in the UK, and no price has been listed by Game for the French release.

Update: Sega confirmed to Joystiq that there will be no US release of the Limited Edition.

Vanquish Limited Edition sliding into UK and French retailers originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 14 Sep 2010 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Vanquish story trailer has a good ending

James Ransom-Wiley — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 10:25:00 EST

The United States vs. Russia. That's all you need to know. Now, skip to the good part!

Continue reading Vanquish story trailer has a good ending

Vanquish story trailer has a good ending originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 03 Sep 2010 10:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Vanquish 'SDTV mode' enlarges text, icons, hopes

Richard Mitchell — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 21:00:00 EST

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

In this modern era of high definition gaming, there's a certain set of gamers whose voices beg to be heard. This group wishes desperately to be a part of the new generation of gaming but, too often, they are left behind, forced to squint at tiny text that hasn't been optimized for standard definition televisions. At times the unfortunate condition can get so bad that it renders a game practically unplayable.

This forsaken group, also known as "the majority," has something to look forward to in Vanquish, as the recently released demo reveals an optional "SDTV mode." As the name implies, SDTV mode makes text and icons larger and, blessedly, legible.

Vanquish 'SDTV mode' enlarges text, icons, hopes originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 31 Aug 2010 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Vanquish's pre-order Tri-Weapon Pack highlighted in new trailer

JC Fletcher — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 21:40:00 EST

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

Pre-ordering Vanquish from GameStop will grant access to a set of three exclusive weapons: the Boost Machine Gun, the Anti-Armor Pistol, and the Laser Cannon. If, for some reason, you're not entirely sold on the idea of free extra stuff with your game, you can see all three weapons in action after the break.

Though we can't imagine what would dissuade you. Even the staunchest GameStop detractor must agree that Vanquish plus Laser Cannon is a much more attractive proposition than Vanquish minus Laser Cannon.

Continue reading Vanquish's pre-order Tri-Weapon Pack highlighted in new trailer

Vanquish's pre-order Tri-Weapon Pack highlighted in new trailer originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 24 Aug 2010 21:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Vanquish demo coming August 31 to PS3, 360

Randy Nelson — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 13:40:00 EST

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

It's almost time to start honing your rocket-sliding skills. Sega has announced that a playable demo of its over-the-top Platinum Games and Shinji Mikami developed shooter Vanquish will arrive on the Xbox Live Marketplace and PSN Store on Tuesday, August 31. Europe will get the demo a day later on September 1, with Australian gamers getting their hands on it Thursday, September 2. Famitsu reports (via Siliconera) that Japan will also receive the demo on the 2nd.

The "Vanquish Official Demo: Velocity Attack," as Sega calls the demo, will comprise the section of the game we played at E3 -- a space station interior with bipedal "Walker" mechs to commandeer and an enormous spider-like robot boss to defeat in incredibly stylish ways. (You know, the usual stuff: by grabbing the monstrosity's missile out of the air, turning it around and throwing it back like a giant lance.)

Vanquish demo coming August 31 to PS3, 360 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 23 Aug 2010 13:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Vanquish trailer spotlights crazy action, men speaking gruffly

Randy Nelson — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 17:20:00 EST

Sega's Vanquish is really fast, really pretty and, judging by this video, out-gruff-speaks every Metal Gear Solid game combined. The main character is a not-very-gruff-looking DARPA "researcher," but even his voice sounds like he gargles nails. Hear (and see) what we mean after the break.

Continue reading New Vanquish trailer spotlights crazy action, men speaking gruffly

New Vanquish trailer spotlights crazy action, men speaking gruffly originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 06 Aug 2010 17:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Vanquish almost had a robotic canine companion

JC Fletcher — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 20:30:00 EST

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

Vanquish wasn't always the story of one man fighting alone (in an amazing suit of robotic armor). Platinum Games considered pairing him with a feminine android who could combine with Sam's suit and be used as a weapon, and even a robot dog.

Continue reading Vanquish almost had a robotic canine companion

Vanquish almost had a robotic canine companion originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 05 Aug 2010 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Woohoo! Vanquish has 'Casual Auto' and 'God Hard' modes

JC Fletcher — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 14:50:00 EST

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

Vanquish is following in the stiletto-heel footsteps of Platinum's last action game, Bayonetta, in a couple of interesting ways. First, the Shinji Mikami-designed shooter is being outfitted with an optional "Casual Auto" difficulty level, much like Bayonetta's "Easy Automatic" mode, designed to allow even those new to action games have a good time.

"Once you get your target on the enemy, the rest is easy as pie," Mikami said in the blog post announcing the mode. "I'm sure saying it that way makes it sound totally uninteresting, but when you actually give it a shot, the tempo it gives the game play will make you jump up and say, 'Woohoo!'" That's the other way in which Vanquish echoes Bayonetta: exclamations. It's "Woohoo!" from the player, versus "Wuhhh!!" from Bayonetta. "You know ... 'Wuhhh!!'"

Vanquish also includes an unlockable "God Hard" difficulty. "I think our fans will get where this one is going," Mikami teased. We suspect apocalyptic beatdowns are to be found within this mode.

Woohoo! Vanquish has 'Casual Auto' and 'God Hard' modes originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 29 Jul 2010 14:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Increased 'visual density' led to a more linear Vanquish

Richard Mitchell — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 16:00:00 EST

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

In a recent developer blog at the Platinum Games website, director Shinji Mikami discussed the changes Vanquish has undergone during development. In the beginning, said Mikami, Vanquish was "an open battlefield type of game, where the goal was to move around crushing enemy positions." As development progressed, however, it became clear that an open environment hurt the game. The reason, according to Mikami, was an increased level of "visual density." There were so many things happening on screen -- special effects, loads of enemies, etc. -- that it was hard for players to focus on the objective.

"In an environment where we were doing whatever we pleased," noted Mikami, "it became pretty obvious that there was no good way of keeping your eye on the prize - the enemies you are targeting." As such, a more linear style of play helps keep players focused. Furthermore, Mikami also notes that the staple enemy, a robot called a Gorgie, was changed from white to red in order to make it stand out from the predominantly gray background.

If Vanquish turns out to be anything like Platinum's most recent action-fest, Bayonetta, then helping players focus on killing baddies is probably a good decision.

Increased 'visual density' led to a more linear Vanquish originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 22 Jul 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sega defeats confusion over Vanquish release date: Oct. 19 in North America

JC Fletcher — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 19:00:00 EST

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

The European version of Vanquish is no longer alone in having an official release date. Sega of America announced that Shinji Mikami's new shooter will ship to North American stores on October 19. Just in time for Halloween -- look out for the inevitable trend of homemade, spark-spewing robot suits at this year's parties.

Pre-ordering the game at GameStop will allow you to acquire a pack of three in-game guns: the Boost Machinegun, the Anti Armor Pistol and the Laser Cannon (the same three being used for a pre-order promotion with the European release). Enjoy glamour shots of these weapons being fired at things and/or people in our gallery.

Gallery: Vanquish (Tri-Weapon Pack pre-order bonus)

Sega defeats confusion over Vanquish release date: Oct. 19 in North America originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 08 Jul 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Vanquish sliding across Europe October 22 [Update: Now with specific date]

Ben Gilbert — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 10:38:00 EST

Platinum Games' first Shinji Mikami-helmed title, Vanquish, will slide, jumpkick, and then pulverize European retail on October 22, according to a press release from Sega Europe. While no release window beyond "winter" has been nailed down for the game's North American debut, Famitsu puts an October 21 date on the game's Japanese arrival (via VG247).

It seems we won't have long to wait before hearing about our own release date, however, as Sega added that it'll be able to talk worldwide dates "shortly." While we wait for that, why not join us in watching this flippy, explosioney trailer for the game, hmm?

Sega also announced European pre-order bonuses for the stylish shooter -- a set of three downloadable guns that will be given away with pre-orders from "selected retailers."

Update: Release date and pre-order info has arrived via press release and been added to this post.

Gallery: Vanquish (Tri-Weapon Pack pre-order bonus)

Vanquish sliding across Europe October 22 [Update: Now with specific date] originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 08 Jul 2010 10:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Interview: Shinji Mikami on Vanquish, evolving game dev locales and ... punching fools

Ben Gilbert — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 17:28:00 EST

During this year's E3, we had a chance to chat with Shinji Mikami, creative lead on Platinum Games' upcoming boost-em-up Vanquish, about his upcoming game, among other things. For instance, why does the man who created God Hand and Resident Evil believe that so many games are driven by a shooting mechanic? "Purely punching or kicking, for example, that requires a lot more skill and reaction time on the part of the gamer to get the timing right and to sit there and mash the controller forever. And older gamers, adults, don't want to do that. They get tired."

As old men ourselves (mid-20s is old, right?), we're not so sure we agree with Mr. Mikami, but that's okay -- this isn't an interview about us, silly! It's about Shinji Mikami. And his new game. Check out the whole interview just below the fold.

Gallery: Vanquish (E3 2010)

Continue reading Interview: Shinji Mikami on Vanquish, evolving game dev locales and ... punching fools

Interview: Shinji Mikami on Vanquish, evolving game dev locales and ... punching fools originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 28 Jun 2010 17:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Preview: Vanquish

Mike Schramm — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 19:15:00 EST

Vanquish was introduced to us at Sega's pre-E3 event as Shinji Mikami's take on Gears of War, and though I only got to play through one brief battle, that's an apt description. The game combines the frantic over-the-top action that Platinum Games is known for thanks to titles like Bayonetta and MadWorld, and brings it into the setting of a high-tech, cover-based third person shooter. The result, as you can imagine, is pretty satisfying.

The basic scenario is a future with the world's last two superpowers, Russia and the US, fighting on an American space station designed to harness the energy of the sun (after all of the Earth's resources have already been depleted). Sam Gideon is the game's hero, and it's his job to go into the station with US troops and save the day. Fortunately, he's outfitted with a power suit that allows for all sorts of technological and acrobatic wizardry.

Gallery: Vanquish (E3 2010)

Continue reading Preview: Vanquish

Preview: Vanquish originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 Jun 2010 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Vanquish trailer shoots, explodes, flips and then explodes again

Griffin McElroy — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 21:30:00 EST

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

Based on what we know of the studio's previous offerings, we imagine that somewhere at Platinum Games HQ, there's a keyboard with just five buttons, labeled "Explosion," "Laser," "Ninja Flip," "Giant Robot" and "Overly Dramatic Dialogue." In the case of the most recent trailer for Vanquish, we're pretty sure some Platinum designer, made weary from a long day of toil, fell asleep on said keyboard, filling the trailer with dangerous amounts of these five crucial elements.

You can check out the first look at Vanquish's preposterously fast-paced gunplay just past the jump, though your poor little eyes might have a hard time keeping track of everything. We suggest not questioning where all these bullets are coming from -- just turn your brain off for 101 seconds, and enjoy.

Continue reading New Vanquish trailer shoots, explodes, flips and then explodes again

New Vanquish trailer shoots, explodes, flips and then explodes again originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 05 Jun 2010 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Next Red Faction to be revealed tomorrow on GameTrailers TV

JC Fletcher — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 14:00:00 EST

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

We won't have to wait for E3 to see the first info about the new Red Faction game. GameTrailers TV will reveal a trailer for the upcoming game tomorrow, at 12:20AM Eastern. Destructoid says that the game is called Red Faction: Armageddon, which fits with a trademark registered by THQ recently. In any case, we'll know ... early tomorrow morning!

The episode will also feature new footage of Crysis 2 and Platinum Games' Vanquish, so it's probably worth checking out if you like to see people in futuristic armor shooting things. See the promo after the break.

[Via Destructoid]

Continue reading Next Red Faction to be revealed tomorrow on GameTrailers TV

Next Red Faction to be revealed tomorrow on GameTrailers TV originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 03 Jun 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Vanquish screens show the game's acrobatic side

David Hinkle — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 14:00:00 EST

Click image to slide into our gallery

We're still waiting to see the first gameplay footage of Shinji Mikami's latest, Vanquish, but at least these new screens give us hope that the protagonist super-soldier isn't just some lumbering tank guy. It appears you'll be able to have acrobatic battles with giant mechs. If these pair of screens are any indication, there will be ballet-like air dodging maneuvers you can pull off, which can culminate in driving a giant spike (or is that a huge bullet?) into the thing.

The other new screens Sega sent over depict more of what we've already seen in the first batch of screens: shooting stuff, trying not to get shot by stuff and a bit of both at the same time. Check 'em all out in the gallery below.

Gallery: Vanquish (4/30/2010)

Vanquish screens show the game's acrobatic side originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 30 Apr 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mikami: Vanquish designed with more mainstream appeal than God Hand

JC Fletcher — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 06:00:00 EST

If Platinum Games's Vanquish looks less like the idiosyncratic weirdness we've come to expect from Platinum Games, and more like something targeted at the core games market, well, it is. "We're definitely going for something a little more massmarket that will appeal to a wide audience," producer Shinji Mikami told Edge.

Mikami specifically contrasted Vanquish with God Hand, a PS2 brawler he created at Clover Studio. "I've released a lot of titles before," he said, "and I feel that, perhaps specifically with regard to God Hand, I was given too much freedom to make that game just as I liked. It didn't sell too well." While we understand Mikami's desire for commercial success (like he had with the Resident Evil and Devil May Cry games), we'd suggest that the only people who need to change their decision-making process in response to God Hand are the ones who didn't buy God Hand.

Gallery: Vanquish

Mikami: Vanquish designed with more mainstream appeal than God Hand originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 07 Apr 2010 06:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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