I’m getting some conflicting dates, but it looks like Puddle is coming to PSN and XBLA January 31st (the conflict is one source telling me it’s available today).This is a physics based puzzle game first seen at the Independent Games Festival in 2010. Neko Entertainment picked up the title at the festival to develop further and it’s now being published by Konami. The basic concept is to move various liquids around the environment, similar to World of Goo or Mercury. Variety is key here though, as you may be moving rocket fuel through a blueprint, or a sip of water through the human body. This definitely has an awesome look to it and should be worth checking out. It’s a new IP though, so hopefully we’ll see a demo.
The announcement of Resident Evil 6 has everyone perking up. Seriously, this series is so loved that everyone is twitching to get the latest information on the newest release. Recent details on the multiplayer component are yet another reason to keep an eye on this sequel. Two player offline co-op will be included, as well as six player online co-op. There will also be an eight player online component, presumably some sort of competitive modes. I’m mostly intrigued by the couch co-op. I’ve loved that concept since I first got left behind in the waterfall level of Contra. Six player online co-op could be fun too, but I want to know more about the mechanics before I commit to what I presume will be a lengthy campaign.
It’s not much, but any excuse I can find to talk about Mass Effect 3 is definitely getting included in VGQH. One of the new characters being included in the third outing, James Vega, has gotten quite a bit of exposure as we lead up to it’s release on March 6th. What you won’t know by looking at him though, is that he’s being voiced by Freddie Prinze, Jr. Like I said, it’s not much. Prinze, Jr. is most well known for his film career and personal relationship with Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy Summers). This could actually change my enjoyment of the game, because whenever he speaks I’ll consciously know that Buffy hears Vega’s voice when she’s naked.
ESRB ratings leaks have provided steady fodder for VGQH for as long as I’ve been writing it. The latest? Grand Theft Auto III and Vice City were recently rated for release on PS3. This comes after the recent announcement of GTA V, as well as the tenth anniversary iOS release of GTA III. I can’t even begin to guess how many PS2s Rockstar sold with these two games. They’re both classics that should never be forgotten. This reveal does leave me with two questions. First, where is San Andreas? Second, are they coming as PSN releases, or an HD remake? My theory is that the answers to both of those questions are related. If it’s a PSN release, not a an HD remake, San Andreas may simply be too complex as it was so huge and so late in the PS2’s life-cycle. Also, if an HD remake were coming to retail, we probably would have heard about it long before the ESRB rated it. I actually still have the entire trilogy on PS2 discs, as well as the two Stories expansions, but that probably won’t stop me from rebuying them.
In preparation for its release on Valentine’s Day, February 14th, David Jaffe has taken some time to speak about Twisted Metal. Very little of major importance was said, but there are a few things to notice. An online pass will be required and is expected to take the now-familiar form of an included code with a new copy or a $10 transaction via PSN. According to Jaffe, “It wasn’t [his] call. It’s Sony’s game, and they funded it, and [he] respect[s] their decision.” Also rubbing Jaffe the wrong way is the day one patch expected. The “very, very, very small patch” has to do with collision damage. Jaffe has been very public about his dislike for patches, but does see the necessity in some cases. Beyond that initial patch, he says if they “ever touch Twisted Metal again, it’ll be either that it’s successful enough that there’s a big enough community that says ‘hey, we’d really like to get some of these in via patch’, or there are some really heinous bugs.” Finally, there is a demo planned, but details on when or what it will be were not disclosed.
On a somewhat related note, besides the online pass, there will be another code in your Twisted Metal case. This one will be redeemable on May 8th when Light Box Interactive’s Starhawk releases. This code will get you a free Sweet Tooth Outcast skin for Starhawk‘s multiplayer.
If all of that user-generated content hasn’t been enough to keep you playing Little Big Planet 2, their latest expansion may be bringing you back. I no longer have a copy, but I’m considering picking up a used version just to play with the latest Muppets. The premium level kit will run $6 and launches today. Included in the pack are a Rowlf costume, 5 Muppet-themed levels, “Attract O’ Gel” that lets Sackboy walk on walls, a new background, 13 new materials, 49 decorations, 4 objects, 18 audio and music objects, 219 stickers, and 7 additional trophies.
That concludes this week’s early edition of Video Game Quick Hits. There’ve been a bunch of rumors flying around about some possible sequels but I’ve chosen to ignore them for now. I’m actually expecting confirmation on two of them by Friday’s edition, so we’ll just have to wait and see. The biggest rumor probably won’t be confirmed until next month, assuming it’s true. I’ll give you a hint though. It’s the fourth game in the series. Or the sixth. Depends on how you look at it.