MGO Expands With “GENE”: An Analysis
by Geoff Haugan on July 15, 2008 at 10:03 am
The recent additions of Team Sneaking and Headshot Only modes to Metal Gear Online is just the beginning, since the first of the expected expansion packs is only a few days away. Let’s talk about what’s included, how it indicates some promising MGO evolution and why maybe the price (if it can’t be free) isn’t as bad as it could be. Read more…
The Real Yakuza 3 On The Way
by Geoff Haugan on July 2, 2008 at 4:26 pm
It appears that the recently released (in Japan) Ryu ga Gotoku Kenzan! is a side story to the Ryu ga Gotoku series, known as Yakuza in North America. The true third part in the series is on its way— and sooner than you’d think.
Ryu ga Gotoku was a gamble. It was expensive and attempted to recreate a real-life locale authentically. It was a decent hit in Japan, but when it came to North America touting an expensive voice cast it failed to capture much attention from gamers. Read more…
The New Metal Gear Online and What I Miss About Subsistence
by Geoff Haugan on July 1, 2008 at 8:55 pm
As I began to play the new Metal Gear Online the other day, I found myself frustrated. I began to write down some things that have changed since Subsistence and that are bugging me. As I played more I found myself adapting and finding options to better handle the frustrating situations, but there are a few things that I think bear discussion. Read more…
New GTA4 Patch for PS3 and 360
by Geoff Haugan on June 23, 2008 at 5:00 pm
Rockstar has released a patch for both the PS3 and 360 versions of Grand Theft Auto IV today, addressing specific issues on each platform and in the game’s multiplayer modes. The full list of changes is as follows. Read more…
Final Fantasy Versus XIII Still A Ways Off
by Geoff Haugan on June 18, 2008 at 6:18 pm
Announcing games extremely early has always seemed unnecessary and a bit torturous for fans. When multiple Final Fantasy XIII titles were announced at E3 2006 gamers were understandably excited, but two years later little more is known about the games.
A recent issue of Famitsu reports that the wait looks set to continue for quite awhile.
At E3 2006 Square Enix surprised fans and gamers by announcing Final Fantasy XIII hot on the heels of Final Fantasy XII’s release. What’s more, it wasn’t just Final Fantasy XIII that was on the way, but also Final Fantasy Versus XIII and Final Fantasy Agito XIII.
While various trailers have surfaced and Agito was revealed as a mobile title, we’ve heard little more about the projects. Now, Famitsu has revealed that the majority of the Final Fantasy Versus XIII team has been pulled off the title and reassigned to Final Fantasy XIII itself. Agito XIII is also said to still be in early production and story development. Read more…
Vehicles to Play a Big Role in New Banjo Kazooie
by Geoff Haugan on May 14, 2008 at 1:35 pm
It looks like Rare is interested in shaking up the Banjo formula with the next game in the franchise for the Xbox 360. Titled Banjo Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts, vehicle creation and component collection will play big roles. Read more…
Fable 2 Shaping Up
by Geoff Haugan on May 13, 2008 at 4:32 pm
With Microsoft’s Gamers’ Day at hand, embargos are lifting and information is seeping out. Fable 2 is one of the bigger titles recently shown to the press and we’ve got some interesting new details for you on one of Microsoft’s biggest games of this year. Read more…
More MGS4 Bundles for Japan
by Geoff Haugan on May 2, 2008 at 5:28 pm
Sony wants you to buy a PlayStation 3 for Metal Gear Solid 4, so they’re trying to make it as easy as possible. Aside from the bundles already announced in Japan and North America, Sony is adding three more to tempt Japanese gamers. Come see the pretty colors! Read more…
Canadian Prices on PlayStation Store Adjusted
by Geoff Haugan on May 1, 2008 at 10:05 pm
For some time now, the gap between the US and Canadian dollar has been fairly small, with the two being more or less equivalent—the Canadian dollar at times even on top. Hardware and software prices have generally shifted to match this fact in the last year, but the PS Store was slow to change. Not anymore. Read more…
Echochrome Available Today
by Geoff Haugan on May 1, 2008 at 9:28 pm
Today’s PlayStation Store update includes the release of both the PS3 and PSP versions of Echochrome. If you’ve been awaiting this charming and mysterious little title, that’s probably all you need to know, but the versions differ slightly, so check out the details. Read more…
PS3 Users Have To Wait Longer For Home
by Geoff Haugan on April 23, 2008 at 1:47 am
Home was revealed some time ago now, but the vast majority of users haven’t been able to experience the ambitious virtual environment yet. Those eagerly awaiting the opportunity will have to wait a bit longer still, says Sony. Read more…
Register Now for Metal Gear Online Beta (North America Only)
by Geoff Haugan on April 15, 2008 at 3:00 pm
Anyone who is interested in the Metal Gear Online beta, isn’t a lucky European, or hasn’t yet been able to secure a download code via pre-order, should be happy to hear Konami is offering a chance to register for a code online. Move fast while you have the chance! Read more…
MGS4 Final Box Art Revealed, Limited Edition Hardware Coming to North America
by Geoff Haugan on April 10, 2008 at 6:41 pm
In a mega-post today, Konami has revealed further details about the numerous Metal Gear Solid 4 software and hardware packages—including box art for both the standard and limited editions of MGS4 and the standard edition PS3 hardware bundle. Why call it a standard edition hardware bundle? Well, because there’s going to be a not-so-standard one too. Kojima, you torture us. Read more…
Metal Gear Online Makes Drastic Changes to Sneaking Mission
by Geoff Haugan on April 3, 2008 at 4:11 pm
The unique and enjoyable Sneaking Mission mode that debuted with Metal Gear Solid: Subsistence is returning in the new Metal Gear Online, due out with MGS4 on June 12th. Kojima Productions has taken the unique and enjoyable mode and revamped it, making some extensive changes to improve it further. Read more…
Sony Ships Dualshock 3 Early
by Geoff Haugan on April 3, 2008 at 3:07 am
Dualshock 3 controllers are now shipping to major retailers for the PlayStation 3 console. Announced back in February for North America, the DS3 should be in stores by next week—ahead of its original April 15th date. Check out what titles will support rumble for its return. Read more…
Playstation Store Redesigned: No Mouse Pointer, Dynamic Changes
by Geoff Haugan on April 1, 2008 at 1:53 pm
Over the next couple of weeks things will function as usual on the PlayStation Store, but no new downloads will be made available as Sony is in the middle of updating the store’s interface. Read more…
XBLA Rejected Cave Shooters
by Geoff Haugan on March 29, 2008 at 12:22 am
At the beginning of the month I was puzzled why 5pb, in bringing Cave shooters Ketsui and DoDonPachi Dai Ou Jou Black Label to the Xbox 360 in Japan, would choose retail as their distribution medium when digital download seems so much more fitting. As it turns out, they were given no choice… by Microsoft. Read more…
GTA 4: Everyone’s A Rat
by Geoff Haugan on March 29, 2008 at 12:01 am 
A fourth (and fantastic looking!) GTA IV trailer is now available if you aren’t already begging for its release April 29th, and Rockstar has announced a new online social club for Xbox Live and PSN that will track all kinds of usage data surrounding the game– plus more in the future. Read more…
Famitsu DVD Features Resident Evil 5
by Geoff Haugan on March 26, 2008 at 1:52 pm
Japan’s Famitsu magazine carries within it some long-awaited Resident Evil 5 info this week. Could this be the first indication of the title’s big reveal? Read more…
MGS4 Limited Edition Info
by Geoff Haugan on March 25, 2008 at 5:06 pm
EB Games is now accepting pre-orders for a limited edition of Metal Gear Solid 4. Separate from the pre-order bonuses already announced for the game, the LE will have even more extra stuff for the discerning fan. Read more…











