Finally, it feels good to be back on a regular work schedule. Unfortunately, today is bit dry when it comes to juicy PlayStation news. But the good news is that early reports are suggesting that Killzone 2 may actually be as good as advertised. Of course, it’s tough to trust a first review, but it’s still a good sign.

• If you’re a fan of Traveller’s Tales LEGO series of games you may be in luck, as rumors are swirling about both Harry Potter and Rock Band themed games in the series.
• Looking for new, old-school theme for your PS3? Check out this hella awesome, unofficial HD Gunstar Heroes wallpaper and icons.
• In somewhat more depressing news, reports are suggesting that Sony will be making major cutbacks next month, which could potentially effect its game division.
• While we still don’t know what it is, Metal Gear Solid mastermind Hideo Kojima has revealed that his next project will have a more “Western” focus.
• The first review of the much anticipated Killzone 2 has been published, with Official US PlayStation magazine giving it a perfect 5/5.

Post from: EveryJoe

Today in PlayStation: January 5, 2008

Back in the olden days when Metal Gear Solid 4 was still gestating, people wondered if maybe the title would see release on the Xbox 360 as well as the Playstation 3. Konami said, “NO, NEVAR,” and slapped its palm on the table, rattling the crystal city of sake cups on its surface. The matter was settled: Metal Gear Solid 4 would remain a Playstation 3 exclusive.

Of course, that was back when Konami was sure the whole world would buy a Playstation 3 cradle for Kojima’s baby. Since that didn’t turn out to be the case, Konami has a small case of the Maaaaaaaybeeeee’s….

Absolutely nothing is official, but it seems as if there’s some unrest in the House of Snake. A Konami PR rep is quoted as saying, “We’re actively looking into a [Metal Gear Solid 4] release for the Xbox 360.” The original Japanese quote can be found here, though obviously I cannot read moon language and am therefore at the mercy of hearsay.

Kojiima hasn’t said anything on the matter, but chances are that he’ll have plenty to say. He’s already spoken out against having Metal Gear Solid 4 on the Xbox 360, claiming that the console is not optimized for Snake’s final adventure (keep in mind that he said he felt limited even by the Playstation 3’s Blu-Ray format).

The Xbox 360 isn’t best pals with Japan, although the console is gaining some ground there. Konami is doubtlessly measuring the trouble versus the benefits of a port–and even if Japan isn’t on its mind, America’s huge Xbox 360 userbase certainly is.

(Image copyright Konami. Source: Wired)

Post from: EveryJoe

Metal Gear Solid 4 Xbox 360 Drama Starts Anew

About a thousand years ago plus a day, I posted a parody “opening” for Metal Gear Solid 4 done in the style of Lupin III. Well, it’s back…in Pog form.

Meaning, of course, that someone has put together a side-by-side comparison of the two openings so that we deprived Americans can appreciate just how well done this parody is.

What’s kind of unsettling is that Lupin III is a budding serial rapist, but his lust still looks far more natural than Snake’s deadpan curiosity. He spies the woman and he smells the woman but he knows not what to do with the woman.

“Delicious woman. For Snake eat?”

Post from: EveryJoe

Lupin Gear Solid Redux

I’m always interested in the events and objects that inspire a creator, which is why I find this article, Five Games That Matter In Hideo Kojima’s Life, so interesting.

(Poof! Now you find it interesting, too.)

The list includes obvious picks like Super Mario Bros–everyone remembers how Snake came to be in Super Smash Bros Brawl–but I am especially pleased to see the inclusion of Another World, known to North Americans as Out Of This World, known to the entire world as “Oh God, this game is psychotic.”

Psychotic, yes. You (as scientist Lester Knight Chaykin) are suddenly left to fend for yourself on an alien planet after a failed experiment and you very much feel abandoned and helpless. Everything wants to eat you, poison you or at least imprison you and none of the hulking grey aliens speak anything close to English. They also seem apathetic and stoic to the point that your hot fleshling bod does not distract them from their militant lifestyle. They don’t much care about learning about you, but they’ll blast you if you sneeze. If any one game ever had a challenge level perfectly suited to its environment, it’s Out of This World.

Hideo Kojima, I applaud your love for stark, ash-strewn alien worlds.

(Image copyright Eric Chahi)

Post from: EveryJoe

Kojima’s Inspirations are from Another World

Have you ever dreamed of rubbing your body up against some aspect of master game designer Hideo Kojima? If you can settle for his signature, you might be in luck.

PS3fanboy.com reports that a gunmetal grey Metal Gear Solid 4 PS3 bundle is up for grabs on eBay, and the sexy system has been tagged by Kojima. It’s all yours for a paltry five thousand zenny.

Shipping is free! If you’re spending that kind of money on the bundle, it may as bloody well be.

PS3fanboy insists that this is a wretched instance of price-gouging. Maybe so, but there’s been worse. Anyone remember the jackass who tried to eBay a Playstation 2 for a million bucks?

I don’t think he got very far, and admittedly neither is this dude.

Check out the auction here.

(Picture source)

Post from: EveryJoe

Kojima’s $5,000 Signature

Happy Metal Gear Solid 4 Day! Or, uh, Happy Snake Solstice, if you prefer? I just made that one up.

Do you get the day off in honour of our hero’s last hurrah? I sure as hell don’t. So here’s a Metal Gear Solid 4 blowout for you word vultures.

At the stroke of midnight on June 12th, the vampires and hags of the world emerged to haunt the night, but quickly retreated into their stony lairs in confusion. Half the world’s population remained awake to buy Metal Gear Solid 4 at the Midnight Launch of their choice. Game writers, bloggers and web techies, after soaking their insides with Red Bull, posted reviews and impressions as soon as the bonging of the Angelus lifted Konami’s embargo. The remainder of the population consisted mostly of meth addicts flying high and joining the celebration in a happy, muddled haze.

The reviews I’ve seen have been pretty consistent with praise and complaints. In short (which MGS 4 is not), the game is full of flawed beauty: Grit, war, blood, death and soldiers having a bit of a pee.

Most gamers put more thought into their review sources than they do into babysitters for their newborn infants. I personally recommend Jeremy Parish’s excellent (and hard earned) review over at 1UP.com.

My opinion also tends to align itself often with GameTrailers’ reviews, so I’ll include that for anyone who thinks that reading is for chumps.

Into the dark, silent night with you, soldier.

(Images copyright Konami)

Post from: EveryJoe

Big Metal Gear Solid 4 Explo-sion

The concluding line of Eurogamer’s review sums up the conflicted three-page analysis thoroughly: “We love you, Snake. Don’t come back.”

Oli Welsh’s review is spoiler-free and contains much praise for Metal Gear Solid 4, but it still burrows deeply into the marrow of the game to diagnose its undeniable problems.

From Eurogamer:

You’re sorry to see Snake go. But should you be? Guns of the Patriots is a frustrating, fractured game that turns Metal Gear Solid’s world upside down several times over, but never changes it. It just burrows deeper into what fans love and detractors hate than ever before, and it will make few converts.

Do you agree? Disagree? Time will certainly tell. For now, read the review to prep yourself for an upcoming event that some will undoubtedly receive like Holy Communion.

If you doubt the validity of Welsh’s gripes, you might be interested to know that Konami has asked reviewers not to reveal the length of Metal Gear Solid 4’s cut scenes—or its install time(s). The latter is a troubling thing to keep out of a review, honestly. Not everyone has gobs of hard drive space to spare, and they might need to make arrangements to meet demand.

Post from: EveryJoe

Eurogamer Reviews Metal Gear Solid 4.

In fact, it’s a combination of Metal Gear Solid and the intro for Lupin III. Fitting combination, really.

I have a bad habit of pronouncing Lupin III’s name like his grandfathers’; that’s what comes of watching Les Exploits d’Arsene Lupin long before Lupin III.

Then again, US anime dubs have a charming habit of ignoring French accents altogether. Hence why we had to put up with “Chawd Blaze” instead of “Chaud” in the Mega Man: Battle Network anime.

Who’s right and who’s wrong in this topsy-turvy world?

Post from: EveryJoe

“Lupin Gear Solid” on MSPaint

It’s always a lot of fun to go through retrospectives and attach your memories to certain bits and pieces. It’s like sitting through home movies that you actually want to watch. “Awww, I was slaughtered there! Right there! I remember it so well. Snake was dead, but damn if that guard dog just wouldn’t let go of his balls.”

Post from: EveryJoe

Metal Gear Retrospective: The Important Part

…Preceded by that Grand Theft Auto IV ad that I am thoroughly tired of watching.

Seriously, though. I’ve gushed over GameTrailer’s retrospectives before. Metal Gear’s is off to a great start with a complete history on the MSX and NES.

Back In The Day™, Konami was pretty shameless about ripping off movies for their box art. As a result, the earliest incarnation of Snake, as Americans know him, is Kyle Reese.

Enjoy le retrospective.

Post from: EveryJoe

Metal Gear Retrospective