via Eurogamer


Clever Internet men have hunted down box artwork for the upcoming Nintendo DS version of Assassin's Creed, subtitled Altair's Chronicles, and an examination of the wordses and pictures sheds some light on how it will all work.

Apparently it tells the story of what happens to Altair prior to the events in the console Xbox 360 and PS3 versions already on the market, but the shots and feature details also suggest that it will be trying to deliver something to fit the other game's sense of scale.

For a start, it's all done up in a 3D rendered world, with fancy-looking graphics that allow Altair to perform the sorts of acrobatic moves he does on the big-boy consoles, including sword-fighting, stealth assassinations and combo attacks, with plenty of weapons at his disposal.

The game will also draw on the stylus for use in interrogating informers and pickpocketing, although specific mechanisms are left somewhat to the imagination by the screenshot to which the caption declaring as much is appended.

These are of course things Altair got up to on the consoles, where he had to track down nine evildoers in the cities of Jerusalem, Acre and Damascus as his mentor Al Mualim pranced around his castle at Masyaf throwing pigeons out the window.

It was a largely enjoyable game that we felt was badly let down by lots of repetition and a pretty silly storyline, but it's worth pointing out that we still felt compelled to go back and play it again. (In fact, second time round I did absolutely all of the side missions - it wasn't worth it.) Check in with our 360/PS3 review if you somehow missed all the fuss.

Ubisoft reps weren't around to tell us when exactly Assassin's Creed: Altair's Chronicles will be released, but nothing is real and everything is permitted so as soon as we hear back we'll let you know. ...

via Eurogamer


Clever Internet men have hunted down box artwork for the upcoming Nintendo DS version of Assassin's Creed, subtitled Altair's Chronicles, and an examination of the wordses and pictures sheds some light on how it will all work.

Apparently it tells the story of what happens to Altair prior to the events in the console Xbox 360 and PS3 versions already on the market, but the shots and feature details also suggest that it will be trying to deliver something to fit the other game's sense of scale.

For a start, it's all done up in a 3D rendered world, with fancy-looking graphics that allow Altair to perform the sorts of acrobatic moves he does on the big-boy consoles, including sword-fighting, stealth assassinations and combo attacks, with plenty of weapons at his disposal.

The game will also draw on the stylus for use in interrogating informers and pickpocketing, although specific mechanisms are left somewhat to the imagination by the screenshot to which the caption declaring as much is appended.

These are of course things Altair got up to on the consoles, where he had to track down nine evildoers in the cities of Jerusalem, Acre and Damascus as his mentor Al Mualim pranced around his castle at Masyaf throwing pigeons out the window.

It was a largely enjoyable game that we felt was badly let down by lots of repetition and a pretty silly storyline, but it's worth pointing out that we still felt compelled to go back and play it again. (In fact, second time round I did absolutely all of the side missions - it wasn't worth it.) Check in with our 360/PS3 review if you somehow missed all the fuss.

Ubisoft reps weren't around to tell us when exactly Assassin's Creed: Altair's Chronicles will be released, but nothing is real and everything is permitted so as soon as we hear back we'll let you know. ...

via Computer and Videom Games


Two new TV spots for Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games on the DS have arrived straight from Japan this morning, which should cause even the most jaded cynic to smile a little bit.

The infectious enthusiasm of the commentator certainly plays a part, but the videos reveal a vibrant and bold game that should be perfect to dip in and out of on train journey's and bus rides.

The only worry is whether the more active interactions like clapping will be mandatory. We're still getting over the looks we received when we tried to blow out candles in WarioWare Touched! on a crowded morning commuter train.

Not to mention the logistical nightmare of clapping whilst holding on to a DS.


Videos here ...

via Computer and Videom Games


Two new TV spots for Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games on the DS have arrived straight from Japan this morning, which should cause even the most jaded cynic to smile a little bit.

The infectious enthusiasm of the commentator certainly plays a part, but the videos reveal a vibrant and bold game that should be perfect to dip in and out of on train journey's and bus rides.

The only worry is whether the more active interactions like clapping will be mandatory. We're still getting over the looks we received when we tried to blow out candles in WarioWare Touched! on a crowded morning commuter train.

Not to mention the logistical nightmare of clapping whilst holding on to a DS.


Videos here ...

via Eurogamer


After Harvest Moon gave last week's Virtual Console update an air of warmth and happiness, StarTropics for the NES (500 Wii Points - GBP 3.50 / EUR 5.00) arrives this Friday, 11th January aiming to maintain the high.

The US-developed, narrative-driven top-down action-adventure sees players hunting down their missing uncle on foot and in a submarine. It sounds quite enchanting, but is 50 years old so probably isn't.

And then it's back to earth with a bang in SEGA's latest 16-bit, 800-Wii-Pointer (GBP 6.00 / EUR 8.00), Alien Storm, which is a side-scrolling action-adventure game where you fight aliens. It sounds a bit like Golden Axe, and you can play as people called Garth, Scooter or Karen, who was apparently absent in the Master System version. Thanks, Wikipedia. ...

via Gizmodo


Adding more gasoline to the whole format war bonfire, Sony Pictures Television has announced that they will start distributing movies online using the DivX format. The files wil play in DivX Certified devices, including the recently updated PlayStation 3 as well as the updated Xbox 360. This, and not Blu-ray vs HD DVD, is the true battle for the future of movie distribution. Discs are so le tired. ...

via Computer and Video Games


Football Manager 2008 will emerge from the console dugout on March 28 for Xbox 360.

Sports Interactive's football management series is no stranger to Microsoft's console, having already graced it twice. This new version will be fully updated for the new season, including transfers being made in the mid-season transfer window.

The developer explains that the 360 version boasts the same feature set as the already-available Football Manager 2008 on PC. However, the console iteration has seen online play revamped "permitting you to challenge friends to one-on-one matches and even host tournaments."


Screenshots ...

The situation of console sales last week in Japan are below as thus:


Nintendo DS Lite: 266,568
Playstation Portable: 218,234
Nintendo Wii: 207,797
Playstation 3: 64,183
Playstation 2: 32,010
Xbox 360: 9,763


The DS lite tops the list as usual while the PSP trails just behind it, beating the Wii by about 11,000. Lagging beind is the PS3, PS2 and Xbox 360, faring the worst out of all on the list. No sign of Game Boy Micro, Game Boy Advance SP/Original, Nintendo Gamecube or the original Xbox. ...

via Computer and Video Games


It's not a bad update this week for PSN shoppers, but if you were looking out for Sony's stylish bullet-dodger, Riff: Everyday Shooter, you'll be disappointed.

Instead, you'll find two new PS1 games: N20 (puzzle) and Hardcore 4x4 (racing), each costing the usual £3.49, the new Motorstorm map pack and a bunch of other trailers and videos for Devil May Cry 4.

Riff is due out this month, so get those fingers crossed for next week. And, you should drool with envy while watching us playing the game in these sweet videos.

Oh, and the full PSN update list is below:


PSN Store

Game

• N2O - £3.49
• Hardcore 4X4 - £3.49

Packs

• Double track pack (MotorStorm) - £3.49
• Pigly (Folklore) - Free

Video

• PixelJunk Monsters Trailer - Free
• DMC4 TGS Trailer 2 - Free

Wallpapers

• Devil May Cry 4 Wallpaper 1 - Free
• Devil May Cry 4 Wallpaper 2 - Free
• Devil May Cry 4 Wallpaper 3 - Free
• Devil May Cry 4 Wallpaper 4 - Free

PC store

Game

• N2O - £3.49
• Hardcore 4X4 - £3.49

...