Atlus Online Announces MMORPG Neo Steam

Atlus is well-known for great Japanese RPG games like the Shin Megami Tensei series, but their new focus on uniting their community has led to the creation of a new online division and web portal. The first title announced under this division is the free-to-play MMORPG, Neo Steam: The Shattered Continent. While another MMORPG, Shin Megami Tensei: Imagine, has previously been released in conjunction with Aeria Games & Entertainment and currently in open beta, Neo Steam is the first title to be primarily handled by Atlus and looks to possibly be a true competitor in the genre.

Neo Steam is one of the few free MMOs to try and provide a high-quality alternative to World of Warcraft. It is set to feature full 3D graphics, a steampunk-inspired theme and story, extensive customization, a pet system, and robust PVP combat between rivaling nations, the technological Rogwel and the magical Elerd. I have tried other free MMOs, but this one sounds most promising. Most games tend to play it safe with typical fantasy trappings, but steampunk has rarely been touched. If Neo Steam can pull off a game with a similar polish and gameplay feature set as WoW, then it could be enough to lure others to at least try it. With many subscription-based competitors such as Warhammer Online and Age of Conan failing to dethrone Blizzard's juggernaut, free-to-play MMOs may become the new trend in North America.

No official release date has been announced, but you can currently pre-register for beta access at the link below.

Source: Atlus Online

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The Beatles: Rock Band Official Details

The collaboration between Harmonix, MTV Games, and Apple Corps. to produce a Beatles game was announced last October with very few details except that it wasn't going to be apart of the Rock Band franchise. Instead, it was going to be a unique experience and journey through the many phases of their famed career. The game is still going to provide that experience, but instead will now feature Rock Band branding and a better idea of how gameplay will specifically work. The Beatles: Rock Band looks to still use core Rock Band mechanics but build upon that for a more varied and band-specific title.

I am glad the game at least has a more defined gameplay system. I was worried about how the game would interact with other games in the RB franchise, although there still isn't any word yet about DLC and song importing interoperability. I just hope they do more than what Guitar Hero has done for Aerosmith and Metallica, although the latter does seem to provide a good metal experience. I'm hoping for a true story mode or something that is more than Rock Band with a setlist of Beatles songs. Given by how strongly the developers and even Sir Paul McCartney has been promoting the game, I have a little more confidence that it will turn out better than expected.

The Beatles: Rock Band will officially launch on September 9, 2009 on all major consoles. There will be a Limited Edition Premium bundle on sale for $250, featuring instruments modeled after ones used by The Beatles. Standalone guitars will also sell for $100 and individual game discs for $60. No word yet about standalone drums, mics, or a separate bass guitar.

Source: Official Site and Joystiq

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From PaRappa to Rock Band: A Music Game Journey

The music/rhythm genre has always been one of my favorites. While some gamers really got into first-person shooters, real-time strategy games, or sports games like Madden, I was a big supporter of the music/rhythm genre since it was still considered niche. Ars Technica features a great overview of where music games started and what the future possibly holds. Way before Guitar Hero and Rock Band, there were some great titles that were seen in both America and Japan.

Although Ars cites Dance Aerobics on the NES as one of the first music games, the one that I and many others remember is the incredible PaRappa the Rapper on the original PlayStation, seen above. First released in 1996, creator Masaya Matsuura helped pioneer the genre and started the huge explosion in Japan that saw hugely influential titles like Dance Dance Revolution, beatmania, GuitarFreaks, DrumMania, and many others. Since Harmonix opened up the genre in America, you can see how those titles had a hand in creating the upcoming Scratch: The Ultimate DJ and mainstream hits like Guitar Hero and Rock Band. But PaRappa proved that the genre could be just as fun with a standard controller. Niche titles like Gitaroo Man, Rez, and Space Channel 5 helped shape the genre in the US, but it wasn't until Harmonix came along that things really took off.

Harmonix laid down the groundwork for Guitar Hero with the cult titles, Frequency and Amplitude. The latter shares a very similar interface to current GH/RB games, and will definitely have a hand in shaping the upcoming Rock Band Unplugged for the PSP. Their work on the Karaoke Revolution series became a huge hit way before games like SingStar or Lips came along. And as Rock Band became a culmination of their hard work, they are looking ahead with the Beatles Game set to release later this year.

There are so many great things happening in the genre, and it really is an exciting time at least for me, personally. So many good games are coming down the pipeline with Scratch: The Ultimate DJ and Activision's DJ Hero set to try and emulate beatmania's success. Check the full article at the link below.

Source: Ars Technica

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PSP Set For Big Year With Major Franchises

Sony's little engine that could is possibly set to be the must-have handheld this year. After constant complaints about the lack of good games for the system, Sony announced a truckload of major titles at their Destination PlayStation event today. Hot on the heels of Rock Band Unplugged, the official announcement of LittleBigPlanet for the PSP was confirmed to be in development. No real details have been revealed, though the game is set to include similar gameplay and features with its PS3 counterpart. Interactivity between the two games has not been confirmed.

A new game in the Assassin's Creed franchise is also set to debut on the handheld alongside a new PSP bundle. The original game released on the Xbox 360 and PS3, with a sequel confirmed to be in development. A prequel was released on the DS and ported to Symbian Mobile platforms, with a sequel to this series also in development. No details were released about the new PSP game, but it should be similar to previous titles.

Another PSP bundle set to release this year is the Hannah Montana PSP Entertainment Pack. Obviously aimed at young girls, it includes a lilac-colored PSP, the Hannah Montana music/rhythm game, episodes of the TV series on UMD, and stickers. In support of this new demographic, Ubisoft is also releasing games from their Petz line.

MotorStorm is also finally set to debut on both the PS2 and PSP this year with MotorStorm: Arctic Edge. Developed by BigBig Studios, the ones behind the Pursuit Force games, it will take the series in the new icy terrains of Alaska. Add all that up together, and you get a very impressive list of games for the PSP. Add to that anticipated titles like Dissidia Final Fantasy, Resistance: Retribution, and a remake of Shin Megami Tensei: Persona, and there's now a reason to play games on the PSP again. This may be what the PSP needed in order to get past this slump and achieve its untapped potential.

You can check out the trailer for MotorStorm: Arctic Edge past the break.


Sources: PR Newswire and Joystiq

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Rock Band Unplugged Announced For PSP

Sony is on their way in revitalizing the slumping handheld, and one of the brand new games announced for the PSP is a portable version of the successful Harmonix/EA franchise, entitled Rock Band Unplugged. The game is set to utilize the PSP's Wi-Fi capabilities via a full in-game store for downloadable content in both North America and Europe, though other markets were not mentioned. Primotech has an exclusive on the title with a bevy of new details. Gameplay will be similar to the portable's DJ Max series as well as Harmonix's Frequency/Amplitude games on the PS2, using the Left, Up, Triangle, and Circle buttons for input rather than a peripheral like the Guitar Hero DS games. Like in Amplitude, gameplay will be broken up into phrases, and you will be able to switch between all four instruments via the L and R buttons. However, vocals will utilize button presses rather than physical singing. Perfect phrases will build up a multiplier and Overdrive will be included as well.

The visual style of Rock Band will be maintained, although there will be no multiplayer mode. Artists set to be in the game include Blink 182, Boston, AFI, Kansas, Lit, and The Police. With Backbone Entertainment (Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix, Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo HD Remix) developing the title in conjunction with EA and Harmonix, I have complete faith that the Rock Band experience will be maintained without the plastic instruments. Frequency and Amplitude laid down the original groundwork for the Guitar Hero franchise, and it showed how successful and fun a music/rhythm game can be using a standard controller. I was not very impressed with the DS versions of Guitar Hero, but this looks to have amazing potential.

This game can possibly tap into the huge possibilities of the genre, and I'm glad to see Harmonix return to their roots here. No release date has been confirmed, but it's speculated to hit stores before the end of the year.

Sources: PR Newswire and Primotech

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