Last year I would have said tha Gamescom was set to overtake E3 as the industry’s premiere show. It’s international nature should automatically bump it up. With a somewhat lackluster showing at E3, many expected Gamescom to be the coming out party for next-gen consoles. Unfortunately, it’s been happening this week and there really isn’t anything spectacular. The press conferences are basically just showing new looks at what we’ve already seen, and Sony has merely given details on long-awaited updates for the Vita. [Zombietron’s got the full story, but the big news is PSOne Classics are, at long last, coming to Vita proper.]
EA’s presentation basically gave nothing but trailers. I’m not going to post a ton of video here just for the sake of it. Here’s the list, should be easy enough to find those that interest you:
- Medal of Honor: Warfighter
- Battlefield 3: Premium Edition
- Dead Space 3 (also confirmed for February 5, 2013)
- Need for Speed: Most Wanted
- Crysis 3
- Army of Two: The Devil’s Cartel
I mentioned the Special Edition of Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed a few issues ago but we didn’t have much detail. The previously mentioned Outrun track, Metal Sonic (with kart and mods), and exclusive stickers will be included for everyone who poreorders prior to the release on November 20th. None of that’s actually new, but SEGA has seen fit to include some promo art this time.
Also confirmed from prior reports, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater HD will be getting expanded content ($5) that includes levels from the franchise’s third game. For my money, that was the best in the series. The “revert” move is also being reintroduced with this DLC, but it will only function on the additional tracks.
343 has elaborated on their plans for Halo 4. Key to extending your online play are “specializations.” These unique perks essentially allow you to train your character beyond the level 50 cap with unique mods, weapons, and armor. The Limited Edition has also been detailed. It includes the 90 minute live action series, free access to the war games map packs, six bonus specializations, and additional digital content through XBox Live. The War Games map packs will also be available as a separate, “season pass” type purchase. This will save you about 15% compared with buying the three map sets individually. The release date is still set for November 6, 2012.
Konami has confirmed the release date for Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance, February 21, 2013. They’ve also confirmed the demo will be available on the Zone of the Enders HD Collection. Sound familiar?
There is, unfortunately, no extra news from High Moon about the upcoming Deadpool video game. There is, however, a concept screen. And I’ll take any excuse to include an awesome picture of Deadpool. Is that a Wolverine doll in his hand?
That “Leviathan” DLC for Mass Effect 3 we’ve been hearing about? August 28th, $9.99 (800 MSP). That is all.
Two more characters were announced for Dead or Alive 5. Eliot, Xing Yi Quan student, and Brad Wong, Drunken Master, will be included with the retail release on September 25, 2012.
Eurocom and Activision have included two more cinematic inspirations for 007 Legends, Die Another Day and License to Kill. Look for characters from those two films, including Agent Jinx, Gustav Graves, Pam Bouvier, and Fran Sanchez.
This is going to take some space, but we have the full 40 track listing from Just Dance 4. I think these games are hilarious, but I usually just get frustrated at my complete failure to grasp even the basics of video game dancing. Most of these songs are terrible, but there’s some Elvis. And plenty of stuff you’ll want to get your friends playing just so you can balckmail them with the video:
- Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes – “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life”
- Las Ketchup – “Asereje (The Ketchup Song)”
- Justin Bieber feat. Nicki Minaj – “Beauty and a Beat”
- Panjabi MC – “Beware Of The Boys (Mundian To Bach Ke)”
- Carly Rae Jepsen – “Call Me Maybe”
- Boys Town Gang – “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You”
- Emma – “Cercavo Amore”
- Army of Lovers – “Crucified”
- Stefanie Heinzmann – “Diggin’ in the Dirt”
- Rihanna – “Disturbia”
- Dancing Bros – “Everybody Needs Somebody To Love”
- Flo Rida – “Good Feeling”
- Blu Cantrell – “Hit ‘Em Up Style (Oops!)”
- A.K.A – “Hot For Me”
- The Blackout Allstars – “I Like It”
- They Might Be Giants – “Istanbul”
- Elvis Presley – “Jailhouse Rock”
- Ricky Martin – “Livin’ la Vida Loca”
- Selena Gomez and the Scene – “Love You Like A Love Song”
- Bunny Beatz – “Make The Party (Don’t Stop)”
- Nelly Furtado – “Maneater”
- Sergio Mendes & The Black Eyed Peas – “Mas Que Nada”
- Maroon 5 ft. Christina Aguilera – “Moves Like Jagger”
- Alexandra Stan – “Mr. Saxobeat”
- Rick Astley – “Never Gonna Give You Up”
- Marina and The Diamonds – “Oh No!”
- Jennifer Lopez feat. Pitbull – “On The Floor”
- The Girly Team – “Oops!… I Dit It Again”
- The B-52’s – “Rock Lobster”
- Skrillex – “Rock N’ Roll (Will Take You To The Mountain)”
- Kat DeLuna feat. Busta Rhymes – “Run The Show”
- Anja – “Crazy Little Thing”
- P!nk – “So What”
- Sammy – “Some Catchin’ Up To Do”
- Nicki Minaj – “Super Bass”
- Stevie Wonder – “Superstition”
- Europe – “The Final Countdown”
- Halloween Thrills – “Time Warp”
- 2 Unlimited – “Tribal Dance”
- Hit The Electro Beat – “We No Speak Americano”
- One Direction – “What Makes You Beautiful”
- Will Smith – “Wild Wild West”
- Barry White – “You’re The First, The Last, My Everything”
Something you’ve probably suspected has now been confirmed by Sony. All those DLC costumes you’ve been accruing for LittleBigPlanet over the years will be good franchise-wide. This means anything you’ve already purchased, or will purchase in the future, will not only be good on your current LBP titles, but it will also work in the upcoming LittleBigPlanet Vita (9/25/12) and LittleBigPlanet Karting (11/6/12). Not a bad deal, and good ecnourageent for anyone who’s been on the fence about picking up any of the new titles.
I’m certain I’ve missed some of the latest announcements, but I’m not exactly in Cologne, Germany for the event. In fact, I’m on my way to Moab, Utah for an uncle’s wedding. Looks like I’ll be running around the red rocks instead of gaming this weekend, so make sure you all pick up the slack for me. And check back on Tuesday for what should be a great final round up of anything new coming from Cologne.