Kiefer Sutherland Voices Snake In Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain. Pre-E3 2013 Konami Trailer, Videos. David Hayter Comments

Now just look at that…

David Hayter is Snake no longer! Enter 24’s Kiefer Sutherland, who will now provide the voice of Snake from Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain and forward into the future! Could you think of any better replacement?!

This was confirmed at the Konami Pre-E3 Press Conference, and creator Hideo Kojimi goes into detail on what it was like working with Kiefer, where he sees the franchise heading, what he thinks about the new technology available and coming soon, and how a new watermark and threshold has been reached in videogames with the next generation.

Sadly, it seems that David Hayter was not even told that he’d no longer be reprising his role as Snake, and he was somewhat hurt and bewildered by the decision. He says it was NOT up to him, but to Kojima himself, and that if it was up to David, he’d play Snake forever. He says it makes him a bit ill to hear a new voice coming out of Snake, but that he’ll get over it and move on. He enjoyed the ride immensely, and considers it a great blessing that he got to work for so long on the Metal Gear franchise. He says he is not lacking in employment, and wishes everyone well for the new game and the future.

Hayter further elaborates with his thoughts in this extended video.

Here are further details on Metal Gear Solid 5 from Kojima himself.

Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain will be released later this year or in 2014 for Xbox 360 and PS3.

Are you excited about this development or pissed? It’s a bold and drastic move to replace David with Keifer, yet somehow I think it was a good decision. I personally had grown tired of Snake’s voice, and I think he lost a lot of his luster. Just my person opinion, I still think he sounded best in the original Metal Gear Solid, where his voice was so iconic. But I digress. It will be interesting to see whether or not this decision effects sales of the game. I think it will still be a huge hit for Konami either way, and is MAJOR proof that the current gen consoles are anything but dead yet.

 

Konami E3 2013 Full Press Conference Video

Watch Konami’s full Pre-E3 2013 Press Conference video right here!

The first bullets in the E3 2013 landslide have already been fired by Konami, who discussed and showed off 30 minutes of hit games from their upcoming major catalog, including Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, Pro Evolution Soccer 2014 and Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2.

Enjoy!

 

Final Fantasy IV 2008 3D Remake Launches For Android (Google Play)

Beautiful!

2008’s Final Fantasy IV 3D Remake (originally released for DS) is out now for Android devices on the Google Play App Store for $16.

If you missed out on this absolute gem of a remake, now is a great time to hop in and play it on your cellphone or tablet. This version will cost $16 and is compatible with Android 2.3 and after. There are no new features, but there doesn’t need to be! The game is great as is.

The 2008 polygonal 3D remake of Final Fantasy IV set the standard for role-playing games with its diverse cast of characters, deep plot and real-time Active Time Battle (ATB) system. Players will now be able to relive this seminal title in the Final Fantasy series and enjoy the best role-playing game experience available on mobile devices.

Key features of Final Fantasy IV for Anroid:
* Witness the dramatic and thrilling story of this mythical game world brought to life through astounding 3D graphics, gorgeous CG cutscenes and top-notch voice acting.
* Create a versatile party using the all-new Augment System – a dynamic system that allows the player to assign special abilities to characters.
* Dive into the first RPG to incorporate the innovative Active Time Battle system, now further enhanced and refined for mobile devices.
* Listen to a beautifully remixed score by world-renowned composer Nobuo Uematsu that breathes new life into some of the most beloved Final Fantasy themes.

STORY
Four elemental Crystals, each possessing awesome power, lie scattered throughout the realm. However, men are quick to covet things which offer such strength, and they are easily corrupted by the might which they possess…

Seduced by the promised power of the Crystals, the kingdom of Baron begins employing unprovoked force to seize them from peaceful nations. The dark knight Cecil – Lord Captain of Baron’s elite force, the Red Wings – is ordered by his king to obtain the Crystals, but soon begins to question the monarch’s motives. Stricken with grief at his own actions, yet burdened by his loyalty to his country and his personal sense of honor, Cecil at last decides to turn from the path of darkness and destruction.

Enraged, the king accuses him of disloyalty, strips Cecil of his command, and sends him off to slay a mysterious beast that lurks in the nearby Valley of Mist. Cecil embarks on a fateful journey that will bring trials, betrayals, friendship, loss and self-discovery. Can Cecil open his eyes and become the man of honor that he must be?

I’ve still yet to play through the enhanced original version from Final Fantasy IV Advance, much less this 3D remake. But it’s great that the game is available in all kinds of forms now, from the iOS and Android versions to versions for the PSP, WiiWare and elsewhere. I for one am glad to see so many gaming classics easily available legitimately for so many devices, so kudos to Square Enix for bringing this gem out for Android. Boo for them charging $15 for it! It’s still worth it, but I think it should be cheaper.

 

Thief 2014 New E3 2013 Trailer. Coming To XboxOne, PS4, PC

Absolutely awesome.

Thief 2014, the reboot of the series by Eidos-Montreal, the developers behind the critically acclaimed, best-selling Deus Ex: Human Revolution, revealed an all-new trailer for the new Thief from E3 2013.

“Stealing is my way of life; it sets me free in the night.
Every rivet and stitch lets me find what I desire.
The cloth that hides me, the tools that arm me…
All lead to that priceless moment.”

Some steal to survive; Garrett survives to steal…

Thief will be released for XboxOne, PS4 and PC in 2014, as one of the first major AAA next-gen titles. It will likely be playable at E3 2013 when the show kicks off two days from now!

I never got to play the Thief games, as I was always a console gamer and not a PC gamer… So can’t wait to see how this new game holds up. I have very high expectations considering how awesome Deus Ex: Human Revolution was. You can’t reboot a game any better than Eidos Montreal did with that game, so if they can 1up it that’d be a huge feat.

 

Satan vs Dracula in Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2 New Trailer

Can’t wait for this!

Satan vs Dracula?! Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2 doesn’t release until next year (2014), but we have another sweet trailer to whet our appetites!

*SPOILER ALERT* Set to launch this winter, Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2 picks up where the first game left off, with a resurrected Dracula left weakened by his ordeal and yearning for release from his immortal bonds. Besieged from all sides, Dracula is also threatened by Satan, who has returned to walk the Earth in a quest to bring about the apocalypse as an act of final revenge for his defeat.

A weakened Dracula must regain his lost powers in order to make a pact with Death to defeat the Devil and gain eternal rest. However, the famed Belmont clan is also intent on slaying the Vampire and unlocking the truth behind their mysterious ancestry. The fight between good and evil comes to a dramatic close, as Dracula faces his nemesis in Satan and the Belmonts’ unyielding quest for revenge. *END SPOILER*

Players will be able to experience Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2’s unique blend of action and adventure for the first time at Konami’s booth (#2401, South Hall) at E3 2013 (Electronic Entertainment Expo). Set in a modern day world, fans of the series can play as Dracula and sample a key part of the shocking conclusion to the Lords of Shadow saga.

Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2 will be available this winter for PS3, Xbox 360 and PC.

So. Freakin’. Awesome. I can’t wait for this game, although I really gotta get to playing the first game! :D

 

Dues Ex: The Fall Announced. New Tablet Mobile Game In Spin-Off Series. Picks Up After Icarus Effect Book (iTunes, Android)

A look at Deus Ex: The Fall in action.

Deus Ex: The Fall for iTunes, Android and other tablet and mobile devices has been announced, as an all-new spin-off in the acclaimed series that picks up right where the Deus Ex: The Icarus Effect book left off! Players will step into the shoes of Ben Saxon for Deus Ex: The Fall in a game that plays just like the console/PC Dues Ex: Human Revolution game. It will cost $7 when it hits this Summer 2013.

This new game will include never-before-seen characters from the book, and is being developed by Square Enix Mobile in Europe, alongside the original Eidos-Monstreal team that worked on the console & PC Deus Ex: Human Revolution game, and mobile-specialty developer N-Fusion.

Dues Ex: The Fall is set in 2027, a golden era for science, technology and human augmentation, but also a time of great social divide and global conspiracy. Powerful corporations have seized control from governments and command the drug supply needed by augmented humans to survive. In this chaos Ben Saxon, a former British SAS Mercenary who underwent physical augmentation, is desperate for the truth behind the drug conspiracy. Betrayed by his private military employers, the Tyrants, not only is his own life at risk, but for all augmented humans, time is running out…

“We’re really excited to continue the Deus Ex series on mobile and start a new journey”, said Jean-François Dugas, Executive Game Director at Eidos-Montreal. “The team has done an incredible job creating a whole new story and controls for intuitive touch screen gameplay, whilst staying true to the Deus Ex universe. Players can expect exploration, action, hacking, stealth, social enhancers, player choice and consequence- the full Deus Ex experience.”

“Smart devices are central to Square Enix’s platform strategy and we approach it with the same attention as our boxed and digital releases. Deus Ex: The Fall is going to be testament to our commitment in delivering high quality entertainment on mobile and tablet devices,” said Antony Douglas, General Manager of Square Enix Mobile.

 

Castlevania Lords of Shadow Ultimate Edition Announced For PC. Includes New Storyline With Classic Characters, Better Graphics, New Weapons, Skills, Titan Bosses, New Routes And Locations, 60fps, Steam Achievements

Coming to Steam with many enhancements. Awesome.

Castlevania: Lords of Shadow – Ultimate Edition is coming to Steam on PC this Summer 2013 as Konami celebrates the amazing fact that Castlevania: Lords of Shadow (currently avaiable for Xbox 360 and PS3) is the best-selling title in Castlevania franchise history!

More on the game will be shown at E3 2013.

The PC version will feature a number of new additions and enhancements, including the following:

* Enhanced Graphics, Frame Rate, Steam Trophies: Fans will enjoy the original full game plus add-on content Reverie and Resurrection. Additional features include enhanced 1080p High Definition Graphics, solid 60 frames per second (recommended spec), and trophy integration through Steam with Cloud saving.
* New Storyline: Players can immerse themselves into the brand-new Lords of Shadow storyline, meeting classic characters and experiencing tangential side stories.
* New Weapons and Skills: Overcome obstacles using the Combat Cross multi-function weapon and hone platforming skills in this sprawling adventure. Swing across chasms, climb sheer walls, rappel down cliffs, grip and pull away any and all things that get in the way!
* New Titan Battles: Take on behemoth enemies that scale to the size of complete world environments and where special attacks and cunning speed are required for advancement.
* New Exploration: Explore gothic ruins, dark castles, old forest and frozen wastelands. Discover a whole world to investigate with many routes and hidden secret places that contain items to aid Gabriel on his quest.

No word on whether or not Castlevania: Lords of Shadow for Steam will include Controller Support or not. Most Steam games these days do, so hopefully it will.

Castlevania: Lords of Shadow is a dark and vivid new re-imagining of the Castlevania mythology. It is the end of days and ungodly powers isolate the Earth. The World’s alliance with the Heavens has been threatened by a dark and malevolent force – the mysterious Lords of Shadow. Across this shattered land, the souls of the dead wander unable to find peace, whilst creatures of evil wreak chaos and death upon the living.

Gabriel Belmont is a member of the Brotherhood of Light, an elite group of holy knights who protect and defend the innocent against the supernatural. His beloved wife was brutally murdered by the evil forces of darkness and her soul trapped for eternity. Neither living nor dead, she realizes the horrific truth of what is at stake and guides Gabriel to his destiny – and hopefully salvation for the world.

This is awesome news, even if you are already very familiar with the game. With all the new content it will be worth downloading the PC version and replaying through this awesome game again. I still have not played through this game, even though my brother owns the Xbox 360 version and loves it. I definitely need to hop to it!

 

NBA 2K14 Cover Athlete Is Labron James. Release Date Is October 1 2013. Cover Artwork, Details, Trailers (Xbox 360, PS3, XboxOne, PS4)

Awesome cover for Lebron James in NBA 2K14.

NBA 2K14 features Lebron James on the cover and releases on October 1st 2013 for Xbox 360 and PS3. PS4 and XboxOne version will be released later as well. This is the first time the Miami, Florida Heat star has ever appeared on the cover of a videogame! If you can believe it. But where are Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosch? Absent, just like in real life! Hahahaha! BWOOSH!

Ahem.

Pre-Order NBA 2K14 and you can snag the exclusive “King James Bonus Pack DLC”, this gives you an additional 10,000 Virtual Currency to spend, as well as the “Pass to Greatness” mode as additional content, and you’ll unlock the Lebron James Blacktop Mode and Lebron James Signature Skill for the MyPlayer Mode for pre-ordering.

The game will hit on October 4th 2013 internationally.

Here are some more NBA 2K14 videos.

 

State of Decay Open-World Zombie Survival Game Becomes 2nd Fastest Selling Xbox Live Arcade Title After Minecraft (Xbox 360). Coming To PC

Vehicles, base-buliding and zombies!

State of Decay was launched on Xbox Live Arcade for Xbox 360 this week, hitting two days ago, and has already become the 2nd fastest selling XBLA game in history, right behind Minecraft.

The sandbox Zombie Survival Game was developed by “Undead Labs”, as a prelude to an upcoming zombie survival MMO created by World of Warcraft co-creator and ArenaNet founder Jeff Strain. It sold over 250,000 copies in just two days. Compare that to Minecraft, which holds the #1 spot by selling a record-breaking 400,000+ downloads in the first 24-hours on XBLA. The game costs $20 or 1600 Microsoft Points, and is coming soon for PC.

Here is what State of Decay developer Undead Labs had to say about this Achievement:

“We didn’t have a physical copy to load onto shelves, no worldwide multimedia push, no studio reputation with millions of followers. All we had was what we believed was a great game and a great community. And make no mistake, a solid game is not enough, not in 2013. Plenty of great games wither away in obscurity. This train got rolling because you got out and pushed.”

State of Decay is a sandbox zombie survival game that focuses on survival, stealth, evasion, base-building and other features including a survival community, creating distractions, securing resources and quickly moving through the vast open world… All of this takes precedent over actually fighting zombies.

Base building is a big component of the game, and players have the ability to pick a specific location to be their homebase, which they can then fortify against the zombie hordes with various structures to build and place, including Workshops, Medical Bays, Kitchens, Watchtowers, Gardens, Barricades and Sleeping Quarters. Building up your base not only helps you defend against zombies, but also helps other survivors keep alive, allowing them to recover quicker, and gives you access to new tools and structures. You can even build vehicles.

To keep yourself alive, you’ll also have to eat, drink, find shelter, conserve ammo, and construct items out of various materials. Most of these materials will be claimed by grouping with other survivors and raiding local abandoned markets for supplies. Although you can even grow your own food! Besides raiding, you can trade food and resources with other survivors or NPCs, in exchange for equipment you need, food, ammo and the like. You can also rescue other AI survivors and have them join your team. At which point you can give them new commands and have them loot for you, find new base locations, etc. Build your relationship with these NPCs high enough and you can unlock them as playable characters.

There’s a lot more to the game, and it sounds pretty awesome. I wonder though how long it will take for people to get tired of zombies though… I’m already tired of the theme myself.

 

Tekken Revolution Free-to-Play PS3-Exclusive PSN Game Announced. Is It A Card Game Or Fighter?

A free-to-play SOMETHING Tekken game for PSN.

Tekken Revolution is coming exclusively for PlayStation Network on PS3 on Tuesday, June 11th, 2013.

The game was revealed via a GameSpot trailer, and although no actual gameplay footage was shown, we did get to see video of Tekken characters Paul, Bryan, Kazuya and Lars, which means they will be in the game.

What we don’t know is what exactly the game is. Is it a fighting game? Or could it be the Japanese Mobile Game Tekken Card Tournament TCG (Trading Card Game). This is a digital TCG free-to-play competitive card game that has yet to make it to the West.

It makes more sense that Tekken Revolution is the American version of that mobile card game but for a console… We’ll find out soon!

Looks like… Tekken!

Update:
It is indeed a fighting game and not a card game (or so it seems), a fighter in which players are able to level-up their characters (a first for the Tekken series) and increase key attributes including Strength, Endurance and Vigor, as they win matches against the AI in Arcade Mode, or against human opponents in Online Ranked and Player matches. New “Special Arts” and “Critical Arts” moves have been added, and players start the game with a core group of eight iconic Tekken characters, including: King, Paul, Lili, Marshall, Asuka, Steve, Alisa, and Lars. Although more characters can be seen fighting in the footage, such as Jack. Additionally the game seems to have a new graphical outline style similar to what’s been seen before in other recent fighters.

One assumes that more characters unlock after you defeat a certain number of opponents or the like. Also while the game is free-to-play, there is no mention of whether or not players will have to pay microtransactions to unlock certain new items, equipment, clothing, characters, or the like. But the fact that they are saying it’s “free-to-play” is… interesting. Could the aforementioned Card Game be included as part of this package? We’ll have to wait and see.

Here is the official Tekken Revolution Press Release:

Crafted by NAMCO BANDAI Games’ internal TEKKEN development team, TEKKEN REVOLUTION provides fighting game fans and newcomers alike the hard-hitting gameplay of the famed franchise. Choose from an initial cast of eight iconic TEKKEN characters to train and battle against AI opponents in Arcade Mode or take on fearsome human rivals spanning the globe through online Ranked and Player Matches. The game also features new bone-crunching Special Arts and Critical Arts moves designed to help newcomers deliver hard-hitting attacks and advanced players to employ new strategies with their favorite fighters. For the first time in TEKKEN history players will be able to level-up their characters, increasing three key attributes; Strength, Endurance and Vigor, to create a combatant tuned to individual play styles. Develop a defensive tank character with high HP to withstand knockout blows while offense focused players can create a damage-inflicting character with low health but high critical hit rates to devastate opponents with a flurry of attacks.