Thanks to a trailer we have a definitive date on Final Fantasy IV: The After Years. The direct sequel to Final Fantasy IV will come out on WiiWare on June 1st. This should keep Final Fantasy fans busy during E3.

The trailer shows familiar foes like a palette swap of Octomamm called Octo-Kraken in The After Years and Luca, King Giott’s daughter who is allied with Rydia. Luca uses her Calco and Brena dolls to attack and has Cid’s Peep command.

Wait a second… “experience the captivating sequel in nine episodic tales”… is Square Enix going to sell Final Fantasy IV: The After Years in episodes?

Twelve chapters were released in Japan on mobile phones. That number includes a prologue, semifinal, and final episode. Some of these like the prologue, Kain’s, and Ceodore’s chapters appear to be bunched together in the US release.

http://www.siliconera.com/2009/05/15...s-out-in-june/ ...

Newly released today:



Sacred 2: Fallen Angel is an Action RPG with a rich story that takes place in a giant, open-ended and seamless world. This world contains hundreds of dungeons, treacherous opponents and a variety of challenging quests.

Intelligent enemies, steadily adapting in number and difficulty based on player progress, challenge in heroic single- and multiplayer battles.

Sacred 2: Fallen Angel provides numerous unique items that can be gathered in this mystical world.

A deep reward system further enables advancements of character, individual attributes and character-specific fighting styles, each designed to keep players returning to the world of Sacred 2: Fallen Angel to discover what is around the next bend.

Drop-in styled cooperative multiplayer gameplay ensures players will enjoy the game alone or seamlessly with friends at any time.




Five unique multiplayer modes round out the experience and offer a refreshing, first-class gaming experience in Sacred 2: Fallen Angel.

Sacred 2: Fallen Angel is available on multiple platforms:

Xbox360™
Sacred 2: Fallen Angel ASIA US$ 49.90
Sacred 2: Fallen Angel US US$ 64.90

PlayStation3™
Sacred 2: Fallen Angel ASIA US$ 49.90
Sacred 2: Fallen Angel US US$ 64.90

PC Games
Sacred 2: Fallen Angel (Chinese Version) (DVD-ROM) ASIA US$ 39.90

The US versions will be arriving on May 18th (Next Monday) and is available now as a preorder.

http://www.play-asia.com/SOap-23-83-...-21g-84-n.html ...

Newly released today:



Sacred 2: Fallen Angel is an Action RPG with a rich story that takes place in a giant, open-ended and seamless world. This world contains hundreds of dungeons, treacherous opponents and a variety of challenging quests.

Intelligent enemies, steadily adapting in number and difficulty based on player progress, challenge in heroic single- and multiplayer battles.

Sacred 2: Fallen Angel provides numerous unique items that can be gathered in this mystical world.

A deep reward system further enables advancements of character, individual attributes and character-specific fighting styles, each designed to keep players returning to the world of Sacred 2: Fallen Angel to discover what is around the next bend.

Drop-in styled cooperative multiplayer gameplay ensures players will enjoy the game alone or seamlessly with friends at any time.




Five unique multiplayer modes round out the experience and offer a refreshing, first-class gaming experience in Sacred 2: Fallen Angel.

Sacred 2: Fallen Angel is available on multiple platforms:

Xbox360™
Sacred 2: Fallen Angel ASIA US$ 49.90
Sacred 2: Fallen Angel US US$ 64.90

PlayStation3™
Sacred 2: Fallen Angel ASIA US$ 49.90
Sacred 2: Fallen Angel US US$ 64.90

PC Games
Sacred 2: Fallen Angel (Chinese Version) (DVD-ROM) ASIA US$ 39.90

The US versions will be arriving on May 18th (Next Monday) and is available now as a preorder.

http://www.play-asia.com/SOap-23-83-...-21g-84-n.html ...

Newly released today:



features
Experience epic WWII combat from multiple perspectives as you jump between dozens of units, playing as a pilot, a gunner, a submarine captain or even a carrier fleet commander
Every battle takes place simultaneously in the air, on the sea and beneath the waves. Movement of your fleet and the individual efforts of any one vehicle is critical to success
Huge multi-unit online battles with up to 8 players controlling over 100 units
Cutting-edge graphics bring the Pacific ocean and island chains alive with lush real-world environments, dynamic weather effects and incredibly detailed vehicles and weaponry
Each warship, plane and submarine is authentically designed. The more players know about each units profile, capabilities and weaknesses the better they will fight
Features 11 epic campaign missions, 12 bonus challenge missions, naval training academy and an immersive storyline

description
Prepare for a totally new combat experience as you fight massive air, sea and undersea battles in WWII's Pacific theatre in direct command of multiple warships, planes and submarines in this epic solo and online tactical action game.

For the first time experience the true intensity of large scale aerial and naval combat in a unique mix of direct action and tactical play. Directly control dozens of highly detailed warships, aircraft and submarines in a 'free-control' environment as you design and execute the best plans of attack. Command the colossal firepower of a fully armed battleship, engage the enemy in fierce dogfights through flak-infested skies, or utilise the silent attack of your submarine to unleash deadly torpedo attacks on unsuspecting enemies.

Battlestations: Midway follows the story of naval recruit Henry Walker, whose first assignment as a gunner at Pearl Harbor is the starting point of an incredible career at the heart of the US Pacific Fleet in 1942, in what was to become one of the most inspirational military campaigns in history.

http://www.play-asia.com/SOap-23-83-...j-70-36cu.html ...

Heres the full list:

2010: The Year We Make Contact (~Roy Scheider, John Lithgow, ...) JPN US$ 52.90
3 Mo' Divas (~3 Mo' Divas) US US$ 29.99
8 Mile [Limited Edition] (~Eminem, Kim Basinger, ...) JPN US$ 51.90
Action Hero Collection (The Day After Tomorrow / I, Robot / The Terminator) (~Ian Holm, Jake Gyllenhaal, ...) US US$ 69.99
Big (~Tom Hanks, Elizabeth Perkins, ...) US US$ 34.99
Black Sheep (~Gary Busey, David Spade, ...) US US$ 29.99
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation - Season One (~William Petersen, Marg Helgenberger, ...) US US$ 109.99
Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story (~Rip Torn, Ben Stiller, ...) US US$ 29.99
Dr. Dolittle 5 (~Kyla Pratt) HK US$ 28.90
Fargo (~Peter Stormare, William H. Macy, ...) US US$ 29.99
Force 10 from Navarone (~Alan Badel, Robert Shaw, ...) US US$ 29.99
Funny Guy Collection (Napoleon Dynamite / Office Space / Young Frankenstein) (~Cloris Leachman, Teri Garr, ...) US US$ 69.99
Handel: Semele (~Cecilia Bartoli, Liliana Nikiteanu, ...) US US$ 32.97
Jock Collection (~Dennis Hopper, Gene Hackman, ...) US US$ 69.99
King Kong [Limited Edition] (~Naomi Watts, Jack Black, ...) JPN US$ 51.90
License To Kill (~Jr. Pedro Armendariz, Priscilla Barnes, ...) US US$ 34.99
Lions For Lambs (~Robert Redford, Meryl Streep) HK US$ 28.90
Living Landscapes: Earthscapes - Flowers & Gardens US US$ 14.97
Major League (~Tom Berenger, Charlie Sheen, ...) US US$ 29.99
Man With The Golden Gun (~Roger Moore, Britt Ekland, ...) US US$ 34.99
Nico / Above the Law (~Steven Seagal, Sharon Stone, ...) JPN US$ 52.90
North America's National Parks US US$ 24.97
Over Ireland US US$ 19.99
Passengers (~Andre Braugher, Clea Du Vall, ...) US US$ 39.95
Personal Effects (~Michelle Pfeiffer, Ashton Kutcher, ...) US US$ 29.98
Plague Town (~David Lombard, Lindsay Goranson, ...) US US$ 29.98
Possession (~Sarah Michelle Gellar, Lee Pace) US US$ 29.99
Red Dragon [Limited Edition] (~Anthony Hopkins, Edward Norton, ...) JPN US$ 51.90
Return to Forever: Returns - Live at Montreux (~Return to Forever) US US$ 24.97
Rogue Assassin (~Jet Li, Jason Statham) HK US$ 27.90
S. Darko: A Donnie Darko Tale (~Elizabeth Berkley, Daveigh Chase, ...) US US$ 29.99
Seth Macfarlane's Cavalcade Of Cartoon Comedy (~Seth MacFarlane) US US$ 24.99
Sin City (~Jessica Alba, Bruce Willis, ...) HK US$ 27.90
Star Trek: Motion Picture Trilogy (~William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, ...) US US$ 61.90
Star Trek: Original Motion Picture Collection (The Motion Picture / The Wrath of Kahn / The Search for Spock / The Voyage Home / The Final Frontier / The Undiscovered Country) (~William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, ...) US US$ 133.33
Star Trek: The Original Series - Season 1 (~William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, ...) US US$ 103.17
Taken (~Famke Janssen, Liam Neeson, ...) US US$ 39.99
Taking Lives Director's Cut Special Edition (~Angelina Jolie, Ethan Hawke, ...) JPN US$ 52.90
Tango & Cash (~Sylvester Stallone, Kurt Russell, ...) JPN US$ 52.90
The Assassin Point Of No Return (~Bridget Fonda, Gabriel Byrne, ...) JPN US$ 52.90
The Good, the Bad & The Ugly (~Eli Wallach, Clint Eastwood, ...) US US$ 29.99
The Grudge (~Jason Behr, Clea Duvall, ...) US US$ 28.95
The Meerkats JPN US$ 51.90
The Wedding Singer Special Edition JPN US$ 52.90
There's Something About Mary (~Cameron Diaz, Matt Dillon, ...) US US$ 34.99
To Live And Die In LA (~William L. Petersen, Willem Dafoe) HK US$ 28.90
Top Gun [Special Edition] (~Tom Cruise, Kelly McGillis) HK US$ 28.90
Underworld Trilogy (~Kate Beckinsale, Scott Speedman, ...) US US$ 92.95
Underworld: Rise Of The Lycans (~Rhona Mitra, Michael Sheen) US US$ 39.95
Van Helsing [Limited Edition] (~Hugh Jackman, Kate Beckinsale) JPN US$ 51.90
War Hero Collection (Behind Enemy Lines / Patton / Rescue Dawn) (~Owen Wilson, Karl Malden, ...) US US$ 69.99
Wayne's World (~Mike Myers, Dana Carvey, ...) US US$ 29.99
Wayne's World 2 (~Mike Myers, Dana Carvey, ...) US US$ 29.99
Without a Paddle (~Seth Green, Dax Shepard, ...) US US$ 29.99

http://www.play-asia.com/SOap-23-83-...-21f-84-n.html ...

It looks like SNK is already preparing to outfit King of Fighters XII with DLC. The upcoming fighting game will have additional purchased content available on the Xbox Live Marketplace (as uncovered by Siliconera) and, presumably, on PSN as well. What that content is exactly, we don't know just yet; however, we assume this means more costumes and game modes a la Street Fighter IV. Maybe it means more characters ... like all the ones missing from the roster screen.

In addition to DLC, KoF XII has console-specific online modes. The PS3 version features a "Clan" mode which is not found on the 360 version (check out the image above); however, the 360 version has a "Ranked Match" option while the PS3 version does not. Hmm ... you don't think SNK would charge for these modes as paid DLC now, would it?

http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/16/ki...pecific-modes/ ...

It looks like SNK is already preparing to outfit King of Fighters XII with DLC. The upcoming fighting game will have additional purchased content available on the Xbox Live Marketplace (as uncovered by Siliconera) and, presumably, on PSN as well. What that content is exactly, we don't know just yet; however, we assume this means more costumes and game modes a la Street Fighter IV. Maybe it means more characters ... like all the ones missing from the roster screen.

In addition to DLC, KoF XII has console-specific online modes. The PS3 version features a "Clan" mode which is not found on the 360 version (check out the image above); however, the 360 version has a "Ranked Match" option while the PS3 version does not. Hmm ... you don't think SNK would charge for these modes as paid DLC now, would it?

http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/16/ki...pecific-modes/ ...

The battle for Japanese hardware supremacy has been in a bit of flux for the past few months, with the once dominant Wii giving ground to the PlayStation 3. Not anymore.

Nintendo hardware outsold its Sony (and Microsoft) competition in Japan last week, with the DSi and Wii swapping positions on the Media Create sales chart with the PSP and PS3, respectively. After a good run, it appears that Nintendo enthusiasm may be reemerging.

That return to Japanese buying habit "normalcy" means another hardware tradition: the Xbox 360 shows in last place in weekly sales. And everything is in its right place.

Nintendo DSi - 55,382
PSP - 43,009
Wii - 24,397
PlayStation 3 - 18,483
Nintendo DS Lite - 7,821
PlayStation 2 - 5,137
Xbox 360 - 5,068

http://kotaku.com/5256258/japanese-c...urns-to-normal ...

This is Tell Us Dammit, no, make that TELL US DAMMIT. Here's how it works: We ask a question, you answer it. Simple and no strings attached! This isn't some marketing survey or whatever. It's an emotional investment in you. Yes, we're interested in knowing you, reader person.

You probably know oodles about us - more than you even want to, we're sure. But, hey, we'd like to know about you. That way you won't be some faceless blob - and we might feel a tinge of guilt when we ban ya. Or not, because really we're incapable of human emotion.

So, our question is:

Whether it be via Twitter, the internet or magazines, game companies of late are going BANANAS with announcing announcements. But do like these announcements of announcements or do you think it's bad PR run amuck?

http://kotaku.com/5256921/do-you-act...-announcements ...