You might be able to take on Hard mode, but can you handle God Hard? Given that Shinji Mikami says only a “chosen few” can, I’m guessing the odds are stacked against you.
Mikami gave a Vanquish update that listed off the five different modes found in the game. God Hard, which I have to imagine is a reference to God Hand, is the most ridiculous of the bunch and won’t be available on your first run through.
It’s for masochists, so if getting stomped on is your thing, have at it.
Mikami recommends Normal for most but gave a description of the easiest mode, Casual Auto.
“Before we started work on it, I can’t say that I had high hopes; however, once we got it up and running, I was pleasantly surprised to see that I was wrong,” he said. “Once you get your target on the enemy, the rest is easy as pie.”
It sounds like a thrill ride mode where there’s no real threat, but it’s still a hell of a time.
I’ve had my eyes on Vanquish for a while now so it’s good seeing it shape up so nicely.
Platinum left me disappointed with MadWorld, but won me back with Bayonetta so I’ve definitely been looking forward to Vanquish, their project with Resident Evil creator Shinji Mikami. It’s a cover-based shooter at heart with some interesting twists to mix things up.
People like what they see in this new trailer, which surprises me. Aside from some sick looking melee charges, it’s mostly stand affair cover-and-shoot gameplay.
Personally, I find the first trailer much more promising. It paints a better picture of what we can look forward to in Vanquish: a slick third person shooter with all the style and over-the-top action we expect from Platinum.
Aesthetically speaking, it’s refreshing to not see a myriad of brown and greys making up the landscape. I’ll take the sleek, almost Halo-like sci-fi look over the grizzled, hulking space marinelook any day.
Some people are bitching about the look of Vanquish, I happen to think it looks pretty rad. I’ll take the stylish Apple-sponsored whites over the same damn brown and gritty textures of most shooters.
Now that I’ve gotten the defensiveness out of my system, Siliconera has a few new screenshots for your eyes so go check ‘em out.
It’s Platinum developed, so Vanquish has my attention.
Resident Evil creator Shinji Mikami isn’t just busy cranking out Vanquish with Platinum Games, he has also started up his own studio, Tango. Well actually, he plans to start one up post Vanquish.
“Game development is often overseen from a pure business perspective here, which is unique to Japan, and I have the impression that environment tends to prune away young talent,” Mikami said. “I really want to make Tango a company run from a creator’s perspective, one that expands upon new talent.
Sure to make 3D hating gamers uneasy, Mikami would like to make a full 3D game; you know, the glasses wearin’ kind.
“It’s been my goal since the original Resident Evil to be the first in the industry to make a 3D game,” he said. “There needs to be a large 3D television-owning userbase before that can happen, but I always like trying out new things first.”
Rest your fears for now, I imagine it’ll be a while before 3D HDTVs are the industry norm so don’t expect 3D exclusive games just yet.
Unlike many people, I’m OK with the idea even if wearing glasses could get annoying – I just can’t afford the tech right now which is a majorobstacle.
Aside from a live action trailer, we’ve seen nothing of Vanquish, the upcoming collaboration between Shinji Mikami and Platinum.
It’s surprising then that the game is readying up for a winter 2010 release.
Mikami says they’re about 80 percent complete with Vanquish with the game taking form of a shooter mixed with close range combat. The armor, which takes on numerous forms, seen in the trailer will be your weapon, reports Siliconera.
With nothing much to go by, it’s hard to get too excited for Vanquish, but knowing it’s a Mikami and Platinum Studios project and watching the stylish teaser trailer certainly grabs my interest.
I’d expect an early 2011 launch here in North America.
Posted by Justin on February 5th, 2010 | 0 comments
Bayonetta gets to join the lucky bunch of titles that have surpassed one million copies sold. Yes, it’s worldwide and across two platforms, but I don’t think many expected Platinum to get those kind of numbers out of it; I know I didn’t.
Obviously I’m pleased with these numbers considering I enjoyed it immensely.
The 1.1 million it sold still didn’t outperform Sega’s other release Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games, which sold 5.67 million, but it’s become apparent that anything with Mario in the title is going to kill. That it’s developed by Sega and is a part of the Olympics franchise means it’s probably shit and doesn’t deserve it, but try telling the mainstream consumer that.
Either way, Bayonetta is a success and Platinum finally has a well-deserved hit on their hands. Now please show us some gameplay footage of Vanquish.
Posted by Justin on January 29th, 2010 | 0 comments
I may not have had the best things to say about Platinum’s MadWorld, but I always said I saw the potential in it. When the studio released their second title, Bayonetta, they really got it together and unleashed a wicked action game.
So yeah, I’m on board to hype up and get excited about pretty much anything Platinum is working on. They’re now in full stride coming from their transition from Capcom, and damnit if they’re upcoming project Vanquish doesn’t already have my complete attention.
The bummer? Ain’t no gameplay to be found; it’s simply a teaser.
But it’s a collaboration between Shinji Mikami (created Resident Evil) and Atsushi Inaba (former CEO of Clover), and it’s looking to have all the style we come to expect from Platinum.
Judging from the mood of the trailer, I’d expect it to be a sci-fi shooter – I could be way off.
One thing’s for sure, it doesn’t appear that Platinum was too happy with Capcom when it nixed Clover as they continue to steal former bigwigs from the third party giant.
Posted by Justin on January 19th, 2010 | 0 comments
Review based on 360 version. Typically this wouldn’t matter, but the PS3 is said to be an inferior port — please keep this in mind.
Former Capcom developer Clover (now defunct) are on their second release since forming under the Platinum Games name, and like MadWorld, they’ve went for another stylish and extreme take on the action genre with Bayonetta.
The game puts the super sexualized female lead of the same name, Bayonetta, in the filthy and perverted hands of 360 and PS3 gamers.
But Bayonetta is more than just sex appeal, it’s a frantic action game that feels more Devil May Cry than perhaps even modern day Devil May Cry. That should come as no surprise considering the developer’s roots, and the background of director Hideki Kamiya. READ MORE
Posted by Justin on January 16th, 2010 | 5 comments
While the Devil May Cry series has lost favor with fans over the years, the original’s director (Hideki Kamiya) saw fit to make a true next gen version of the series with Platinum Games; only it’s called Bayonetta and features the hyper sexualized Bayonetta, not an angsty white-haired dude with cheesy lines.
Kamiya did good; real good.
It wasn’t just the frantic action that scored big with me though, Platinum also pieced together a soundtrack that synced excellently to the combat on screen. Actually, I admire the bold stance they took, often going with pop songs and even some jazz-influenced tracks from time to time. It was unexpectedly delightful.
For this Musically Inclined I picked my favorite of the bunch, you’d be surprised how well this track goes with slicing up angels.
Posted by Justin on January 11th, 2010 | 2 comments
In trying to slip in an update on break, I thought this a rather fitting one coming fresh off completing Bayonetta. Platinum Games, the dudes behind Bayonetta and MadWorld, chatted a bit about their brutal Wii brawler.
Platinum developer Shigenori Nishikawa said the studio is interested in making a MadWorld 2, despite disappointing sales results.
“I think MadWorld was very well received and was acknowledged for its innovative graphical style and gameplay. We would definitely be interested in making a sequel in the future.”
I’ve criticized MadWorld in the past, but it’s one of those rare titles that I started to question my stance on. There’s a good chance disappointment was inevitable given how hyped (always a bad idea) I was for it.
Coming off the fantastic Bayonetta, it’s hard not to want to give Platinum’s other outing another go. With MadWorld going for $12.99 shipped on New Egg, I’m very, very tempted.
In concluding my MadWorld review, I stated that I’d love to see a sequel; naturally, I still would. It’d give Platinum a chance to right any wrongs in the game because the foundation is certainly strong.
Now the big question is, where does Platinum go with MadWorld? Do they stick to the Wii or look for a new audience with the HD consoles in hopes of actually finding success? I can only imagine the sales of Bayonetta will impact that decision. If Bayonetta pulls in the sales MadWorld was never capable of, the answer is pretty simple.
