Sony Gamescom press conference on NOW

6pm GMT - live blog here

NGamer on Xenoblade:

"Now that we can actually understand the game, it seems we may have underestimated just how fantastic Xenoblade really is. Not only is it one of the best-looking things on Wii, it also has layer upon layer of customisation, and a battle engine that offers countless possibilities while remaining wholly accessible. The high-quality mechanics are wrapped up in a story that would make a rather excellent anime"

http://www.gamespot.com/events/gamescom2011/story.html?sid=6329108&tag=topstory;more

Gamespots take on it ...

This one is up to date the euro gamer is stalled...

_Bear said:

Sony still does not get it, I don't care about fucking facebook or twitter on my Vita I want games games and more games. What a crock of shit.

I really hate facebook and twitter. I really hate how they've become checklists with some games, systems or bloody phones too. Even with Kinect and advertising!

_Bear said:

Still it's on Wii how good could it be?

Really, really good. I'm suprised.

Ubisofts PS Vita games

- Michael Jackson : The Experience

- Asphalt

- Rayman Origins

- Assassin's Creed

- Lumines

- Dungeon Hunter

_Bear said:

Yeah it looks better than I suspected, might be a reason to keep Wii beyond Zelda. Vita just shifted from a must have to wait and see. I like the way it looks and the controls and graphics,  so far unimpressed with the games really.

Wait and see is a healthy approach for all consoles, not just the Vita. Why rush?

P.S. Xenoblade is not coming in North America. Unless Reggie changes his mind.

_Bear said:

Yeah it looks better than I suspected, might be a reason to keep Wii beyond Zelda.

It's not coming out in America.

Another review:

N-Europe reviews Xenoblade

"The home-console JRPG has been treated shamefully poorly this generation. It is unfair that this fact may go some way in dampening the quickly-building consensus that Xenoblade Chronicles is by some way the best title that the genre has produced for years. But make no mistake; we have something special on our hands here. Not only is it easily the most exciting original IP to release on Wii, it is that brand new, quality, hardcore Nintendo title that her fans have been screaming out for since the dawn of the console. You will be exploring, collecting and side-questing for months to come. Then in years to come, once the dust has settled, Xenoblade Chronicles might just be whispered on the lips of Nintendo gamers in the same unparalleled regard as Tales of Symphonia, The World Ends With You and Chrono Trigger. Take up the Monado; it’s time to go and discover a whole new world."

"Monolith provides the biggest and most ambitious game on Wii by a long-shot. Xenoblade Chronicles reignites the JRPG and adventure genres in one classy swoop; that this grandiose spectacle is under the banner of Nintendo is the cherry on top."

10/10

_Bear said:

Vita just shifted from a must have to wait and see.

It was the Skype thing right? Damned Skype, Facecook and Nitter.

My PSP's screen is borked but there are still some games I want to play, some that I already own (Peace Walker, Ys Seven, stuff) and others which I don't yet have (Final Fantasy Type-0 for one), which had me even more conflicted over choosing between the 3DS and Vita. With this little thing I can have a 3DS and still be able to play those PSP games for less than the price of a Vita so, if the latter doesn't get a library that interests me before I decide on which handheld to go for it might be a good option. The lack of WiFi is weird though, does it really save them enough money to be worth the reduced interest? Of course I won't be interested at all either if it can't even load PSN bought games or something else stupid like that but surely they wouldn't go that far. No WiFi is a weird, weird decision either way. Vita is backwards compatible, but it doesn't have a UMD drive.

Fuck yeah Europeans, thank you NOE:

Xenoblade Chronicles:soundtrack offer

Nintendo UK said:

16th August 2011 – With the launch of Xenoblade Chronicles for Wii just a few days away, fans of the epic RPG have plenty to get excited about as Nintendo launches new Let’s Play episodes on the game’s YouTube Channel, and Club Nintendo members who register the game can look forward to downloading the official soundtrack.


Anyone eager to explore more of the expansive world of Xenoblade Chronicles will be glad to find out that new episodes in the Let’s Play series are launching on the Xenoblade Chronicles YouTube Channel this week. Episode 3 takes viewers deep into the Ether Mine to explore the empowering benefits of crafting gems from ether crystals, while Episode 4 will show how the player’s efforts in helping to rebuild the ruined Colony 6 can have significant impact on the way the game develops, later this week.

Club Nintendo members are also in for a treat, as those who register their copy of the game before 30th September will for a limited time be able to download the game’s official soundtrack from the Treasures section of their Club Nintendo account. One of the Iwata Asks interviews about Xenoblade Chronicles provides an in-depth look into the creation of the game’s soundtrack, with plenty of audio clips to get into the mood.


As the game’s launch date of 19th August approaches, the wait for Xenoblade Chronicles is nearly over, and fans of engrossing adventure games will soon have the chance to immerse themselves in everything this epic RPG for Wii has to offer.

Agnates said:

It's a really great soundtrack too from what we've heard.

Definetly, from what I've heard on the videos. I would prefer a free CD with boxart and all but hell I'll take this freebie any day of the week too.

EDIT:

Steelo, Escape Plan Vita looks a little like Machinarium.

WTH is this crap?

PlayStation 3D display coming to Europe


"Accessible" 3D gaming for €499

Remember that Playstation 3DTV they showed at E3?

499.00 EUR = 439.75 GBP = $711.03 USD

I thought it would sub £300 for sure.

It comes with two pairs of glasses but it's only 24 inches. I would prefer one pair of glasses and a significant price cut.