New Katamari Forever Trailer! [Playstation Blog]

The first trailer for the recently announced The Munchables further entrenches the game's inherent similarities to titles like Katamari Damacy, The Maw and Nintendo's Kirby series. That's quite possibly a good thing for Wii owners wanting something more the pap most third party publishers are offering now.

What's potentially bad about the trailer is the 2D visuals on display are a little more pleasing. But we'll withhold judgment before going Wii Remote and nunchuk-on with the thing.

You see some cultural differences come to the surface with this, too. For example, a lot of Japanese people attain a feeling of security via creation, or making themselves look nice, or saving money. Not that Americans or Europeans aren't like that, but Americans may be more likely to take a more "destructive" process toward feeling safe.

I think a lot of that is because the things that you "fear" can be very different between nations — not real, palpable fear, but more the lack of feeling at ease with yourself.

Something you don't like very much; something that stresses you out — another word for "stress", really. And since sources of stress can be different between Americans and Japanese, it follows that the methods both populations take to relax would be different, too.

Obviously we're painting with very broad brush strokes here, but I do believe there is a hint of truth in what he says. (Keyword: "Hint".) Do check out the full interview. It's great.


Game Design Psychology [Gamasutra via Dtoid]

Dated, Demo, Bundle [Famitsu]

Let's all cross our fingers that Soulcalibur Legends will continue the proud tradition of Namco Bandai fighters spinning off to third person adventures as established by the flawless Death By Degrees. There's a press release that treats this more seriously down there.

Namco Bandai's Soulcalibur LegendsTM Slashes its way to Gold

World Renowned Franchise Set to Make Exclusive Debut on the Nintendo WiiTM

SANTA CLARA, Calif., (November 1, 2007) - Souls are burning with anticipation as NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc., announced today that Soulcalibur Legends™ has gone gold for the Nintendo Wii™. Exclusive to the innovative console, Soulcalibur Legends reinvents the unparalleled weapon-based fighting franchise and immerses players into a third person action adventure game. Making evolutionary strides in the series, the Wii's intuitive controls will be the weapon of choice that provides an unmatched gameplay experience complete with various modes of play, a unique combat system and classic roster of Soulcalibur characters.

Set between the events of Soul Blade and Soulcalibur, Legends follows the exploits of Siegfried and other familiar characters from the series as they find themselves on a quest for the ultimate power. Weapons and warriors will clash as they endure to unify the pieces of the Soul Edge sword, the very element which leads to Siegfried's inevitable possession by the cursed blade.

In Soulcalibur Legends, use the Wii Remote and Nunchuk to master orchestrated attacks to crush scores of enemies or large bosses. Battle through more than 10 diverse stages and environments in the single player Quest Mode; rising through the ranking system to earn the honored titles of Knight or Soldier. Players can deliver a one-two punch by switching between their character and an ally for more versatility in any given situation. Gamers can also put their skills to the test in a split-screen Co-op Mode, compete against a friend to defeat the most fearsome enemies in Competitive Mode, or spar in Versus Mode to determine the true Wii weapon master.

Soulcalibur Legends is rated "T" for teen by the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB) and will be released on November 20. For more information on Soulcalibur Legends, please visit www.namcobandaigames.com

The Japanese Amusement Machine Manufacturers' Association (JAMMA) expo is throwing down in Japan right now in the Makuhari Messe, the same location that will house next week's Tokyo Game Show. The GameVideos gang is on the show floor securing silent clips of games like Tekken 6 in eye-popping obscure-o-vision. How's it look? Like Tekken with a new coat of paint. Surely, the intricacies of controlling a boxing kangaroo or rotund lumberjack will present themselves when we finally get our hands on it. For now, enjoy the graphical prowess of Namco Bandai.

Hopefully, this news doesn't come as too much of a shock for Namco Bandai themselves who were "not aware" of the PS3 version of the game just a few months ago and that portable defibrillators are on hand at the publisher's HQ.

Eternal Sonata also on PlayStation 3 [Jeux-France]

Clerical error or something far more sinister?! It's hard to think "sinister" when one is discussing an RPG occuring in the mind of a dying Polish composer or rolling things up with a katamari, so we'll remain simply skeptical of the listings. Maybe we will know more after our trip to Tokyo next week.

Thanks to our tipsters for the heads up.

As we reported earlier today, Time Crisis 4 is coming to the PS3. Unfortunately, there won't be online battle mode, but new missions will be available for download. Above, that's Time Crisis director Takashi Satsukawa showing off the new GunCon. But since standard light guns work on standard CRT televisions, how will this work on HDTVs? A GameWatch piece (since taken down) explains how it will work. Chris Kolher at Game|Life translates:

For the GunCon 3, you place two markers on the left and right sides of your TV screen. A camera inside the muzzle of the gun detects the position of the markers, and thus you can use it regardless of your monitor [type]. There are six buttons on the device and two analog sticks. One of them is placed on a "sub-grip" that you hold with your left hand, and another is on the barrel of the gun.

Light Gun Interview [IT Media]