During his keynote address, John Schappert, Microsoft’s corporate vice president of LIVE, Software and Studios showcased the best blockbusters Japan has to offer from the most popular genres. Schappert provided an exclusive look at Star Ocean : THE LAST HOPE and THE LAST REMNANT from developer Square Enix. Action-adventure fans were also given a new look at the latest trailer for RESIDENT EVIL 5, slated to launch on Xbox 360 in March 2009.
A New Look at the “Halo” Universe
Microsoft debuted Halo 3: Recon, developed exclusively for Xbox 360 by Bungie. Halo 3: Recon is a new chapter in the Halo saga that lets gamers experience events leading up to the epic story told in Halo 3 through the eyes of a new hero in the Halo universe. The stand-alone expansion, set to release in fall 2009, extends the Halo 3 experience with hours of new campaign excursions and multiplayer gameplay. In addition, attendees were given an all-new glimpse of the Xbox 360 exclusive strategy game Halo Wars from Ensemble Studios. By showing campaign mode for the first time, the live demo provided viewers with a thrilling taste of the revolutionary gameplay and new perspective of the Halo universe. Players will be able to enjoy the full experience when Halo Wars hits retailers in early 2009.
Japanese Developers Gain Worldwide Momentum
Schappert unveiled dramatic new titles from Japan, including NINETY-NINE NIGHTS II produced by Q Entertainment and developed by Feelplus. The title will join the Ninja Gaiden franchise and the just-announced Ninja Blade in the list of Japanese action games. Schappert also pointed out the release of Star Ocean : THE LAST HOPE and THE LAST REMNANT in the new JRPGs to come. Additional Japanese-developed blockbusters debuting this holiday and 2009 include the following:
- THE LAST REMNANT (Square Enix) is a new role-playing game crafted using the finest artistry and technology Square Enix has to offer. Set in a fantasy world, war-torn and scarred by years of conflict, gameplay revolves around mysterious artifacts — Remnants — that possess magic powers. Groundbreaking graphics possible only on Xbox 360 bring the intensity to a whole new level. THE LAST REMNANT is launching worldwide on Nov. 20 and will be available only on Xbox 360.
- NINETY-NINE NIGHTS II (Q Entertainment). Set amid a dramatic, epic backdrop of a warring world, NINETY-NINE NIGHTS II blends strategy and action, allowing players to take control of massive armies to defeat thousands of enemies in massive-scaled battles never before seen on Xbox 360.
- RESIDENT EVIL 5 (Capcom Entertainment Inc.) is promising to revolutionize the series by delivering an unbelievable level of detail, realism and control. New technology developed specifically for the game, as well as incredible changes to both the gameplay and the RESIDENT EVIL world, will make this a must-have game for gamers across the globe.
- Star Ocean: The LAST HOPE (Square Enix) is the long-awaited continuation of the celebrated science fiction and fantasy role-playing game series. Slated for release on Xbox 360 in spring 2009 and published by Square Enix, this prequel set during the aftermath of World War III combines science fiction and fantasy elements spanning multiple planets and the vastness of space itself to recount the origins of the Star Ocean universe. Exhilarating combat expands upon the franchise’s famous real-time battle system, introducing the amazing graphics and visual effects.
Xbox LIVE Arcade Debuts New Lineup
Microsoft announced seven new titles to the already robust lineup of classics and original titles. With the power of Xbox LIVE Arcade, a new generation of gamers can now experience some of the most beloved games of all-time from Japan’s most legendary developers. Classic titles showcased at Tokyo Game Show include the following:
- ARKANOID Live! (TAITO). First appearing in the 1980s as a block-breaking game, the next evolution will now be available on Xbox LIVE Arcade. Gamers can enjoy Arkanoid in high-definition with beautifully choreographed background movies and background music. Arkanoid is loaded with 120 stages and colorful cooperative and versus modes.
- The King of Fighters ’98 Ultimate Match (SNK PLAYMORE). The original “dream match” comes to Xbox LIVE Arcade with new features, characters and game modes. Gamers can face their favorite The King of Fighters characters to determine the ultimate champion.
- Metal Slug 7 (SNK PLAYMORE). Gamers can join Marco, Tarma, Eri, Fiolina, Clark and Ralph as they prepare to take on Modern’s Forces across seven new missions. Metal Slug 7 will also feature new weapons, colossal new bosses, new gameplay modes, and new Slugs to pilot.
- Meteos Wars (Q ENTERTAINMENT). Take a ride through this intergalactic journey where you slide, stack and ignite your blocks to blast away the world‐ending meteors! Only you can stop them from falling and crushing your planet. Master the combo links and power-ups to challenge your friends in intense multiplayer sessions
- R-Type Dimensions (Microsoft) combines the genre-defining coin-op classics R-Type and R-Type II, with a twist. For the first time ever, R-Type Dimensions allows multiplayer co-op play locally or over Xbox LIVE for up to two players. Gamers fight through all 14 Bydo-infested stages in the original 2-D or all-new 3-D graphics, and can swap between the two seamlessly.
- SPACE INVADERS EXTREME (TAITO). Gamers can experience Space Invaders in fully immersive sound and vivid high definition on the next-generation system, with visuals that will excite their senses.
- Tenchu: Shadow Assault (FROMSOFTWARE), the world-famous ninja action game, is now on Xbox LIVE Arcade. Gamers can control their favorite characters as they use a variety of ninja weapons to defeat their enemies and complete their missions. They can use traps in multiplayer mode to kill their friends for massive points.
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