The Weekly Release

[bapenguin]

Nothing solid this week really. Summer is winding down though, and in 6 weeks the floodgates will begin to open for good games.

Oh...right...and SNAKES ON A PLANE!

Monday
Civil Air Patrol: Search & Rescue (PC (http://www.gametab.com/pc/civil.air.patrol.search.&.rescue/5587/))
DarkStar One (PC (http://www.gametab.com/pc/darkstar.one/5586/))

Tuesday
Deep Labyrinth (DS (http://www.gametab.com/ds/deep.labyrinth/5569/))
Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII (PS2 (http://www.gametab.com/ps2/dirge.of.cerberus.final.fantasy.vii/4432/))
Freedom Wings (DS (http://www.gametab.com/ds/freedom.wings/5568/))
Konductra (DS (http://www.gametab.com/ds/konductra/5583/))
Ninety-Nine Nights (XBOX360 (http://www.gametab.com/xbox360/ninety-nine.nights/4154/))
Payout Poker & Casino (PSP (http://www.gametab.com/psp/payout.poker.&.casino/5594/))
Super Monkey Ball Adventure (PSP (http://www.gametab.com/psp/super.monkey.ball.adventure/5515/))
World Racing 2 (PC (http://www.gametab.com/pc/world.racing.2/5584/), XBOX (http://www.gametab.com/xbox/world.racing.2/5585/))
Xyanide (XBOX (http://www.gametab.com/xbox/xyanide/4267/))

Thursday
F.E.A.R. Combat (PC (http://www.gametab.com/pc/fear.combat/5588/))
Victoria: Revolutions (PC (http://www.gametab.com/pc/victoria.revolutions/5589/))

DVD
Scary Movie 4 (http://www.imdb.com/rg/REC_NEW_RELEASE//title/tt0362120/)
Apocalypse Now: Two Disc Special Collectors Edition (http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?link_code=ur2&tag=happyapplefar-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&location=%2Fgp%2Fproduct%2FB000FSME1A%3Fn%3D130)
Rome: Season 1 (http://www.imdb.com/rg/REC_SPECIAL_OR_BOX//title/tt0384766/)
I'll Always Know What You Did Last Summer (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FSME9M/sr=8-6/qid=1155568023/ref=sr_1_6/002-1650046-0375247?ie=UTF8) -- Evil Avatar Pick of the Weak!

Theater
The Illusionist (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0443543/)
Snakes on a Plane (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0417148/)
Accepted (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0384793/)
Material Girls (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0433412/)

[pheriannath]

As shallow and silly as it is, I will probably pick up N3 for those times when I have 15-20 mins to kill and feel like wading through armies of enemies.

Of course, I'll have to be pried off of Dead Rising in order to play it...

[AspectVoid]

I'm really interested in Dark Star 1. Its been a long time since a good space combat game came out, and if it gets decent reviews, then I'm almost assured to pick it up. And, like Pheriannath, I'm rather shallow and will probably pick up N3 at some point.

[King Drewsky]

What's the XBLA title for this week?

[Kelegacy]

Too bad Dirge of Cerberus is supposed to suck badly. If Square is going to expand the FF7 universe, don't do it half-assed.

[Frogleg Special]

When's the second season of Rome coming out?

[NoName]

Deep Labyrinth looks like it might be good, though there's no review for it yet. There is a hands on preview here (http://ds.ign.com/articles/715/715295p1.html). It seems to be a mix between Oblivion and Spirited Away. A first person RPG on the DS sounds fun, assuming the controls don't stink :).

[bapenguin]

What's the XBLA title for this week?

Nobody knows yet. My guess is there isn't one...instead they'll announce the list for the next 4 or something.

[sflufan]

When's the second season of Rome coming out?

Summer 2007 supposedly.

Guess I'll have to keep watching the Season 1 DVDs until then :D

[flinxz]

I kinda liked the Darkstar One demo and see myself picking it up as soon as it is in the 48 hour madness sale. (3 weeks is my guess)

[Spigot]

Too bad Dirge of Cerberus is supposed to suck badly. If Square is going to expand the FF7 universe, don't do it half-assed.
Yeah. I'd just rather they left it as it is and concentrate on taking less than 8 years to make the next distinct FF game.

It's sad that this is the first time a FF related game is coming out and I'm not even mildly interested. Well, I'll rent it, but that's about as daring as I'm willing to be.

[Nim]

How could you overlook Season 8 of the Simpsons (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FO0AME/ref=amb_link_1526432_10/104-0373292-5448749?n=130)?!?!

[makkura]

lumines live is the game on xbla this week.

[GunnyMo]

Man, why is the DS the puzzle game handheld? Why doesn't Nintendo just buy the rights to the Rubix Cube? It should take so long for a Nintendo system (2 years) to get more than a handful of RPGs.

[GunnyMo]

How could you overlook Season 8 of the Simpsons (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FO0AME/ref=amb_link_1526432_10/104-0373292-5448749?n=130)?!?!

Uhhh, because the Simpsons turned to crap right about that time. :)

[jpublic]

Man, how am I supposed to know if FF7: Dirge is worth buying? Bloody reviews are all either 7/10 or 3/10. Bloody game journalists.

[agentgray]

Xbox Live release schedule via ars technica via Official Xbox Magazine:

http://arstechnica.com/journals/thumbs.ars/2006/8/7/4901



August 9: Pac Man

August 16: Texas Hold 'em

August 23: Time Pilot

August 30: Scramble

September 6: Lumines Live!

[Pinku!]

Deep Labyrinth looks like it might be good, though there's no review for it yet. There is a hands on preview here (http://ds.ign.com/articles/715/715295p1.html). It seems to be a mix between Oblivion and Spirited Away. A first person RPG on the DS sounds fun, assuming the controls don't stink :).

I'm really, really hoping Deep Labyrinth is good, but yeah the controls will definitely make or break this title since so much of it is dependent on the touch screen. The gameplay videos were enough to awe me though...

I've got it preordered, but luckily I'll have the chance to borrow it before buying it, thanks to EB/Gamestop employee check-out. :D

[Lon Lon Rabbit]

Man, how am I supposed to know if FF7: Dirge is worth buying? Bloody reviews are all either 7/10 or 3/10. Bloody game journalists.

What do you want out of it?

I've got the Japanese version and I just could not get into it, and I think I'm pretty tolerant with my games. It's got a bunch of very fancy high production value FMVs, long cutscenes interrupting gameplay every 5 minutes, and really, REALLY horrid controls. Looking at movelists and things you'd assume Vincent would end up like Dante, but everything is just so slow paced and... slidey. Everything just feels innacurate.

However, if you're enough of a square/FF7 fan that all you're really after is some character exposition and flashy cutscenes/FMVs then it might be worth your time, so long as you go into it knowing that you're playing it for those elements, and not the below average action/rpg hybrid that it is.

[jpublic]

Gah. Wow, that sounds lame. I was hoping for a Parasite Eve 2-style adventure, not something like that.

Oh well, Darkstar One is out today, and if the full game is at least as good as the demo, it's going to be a gem.

[fitbabits]

Nothing for me this week as I'll likely be paying for some hefty medical bills! :(

[Kefkataran]

Xbox Live release schedule via ars technica via Official Xbox Magazine:

According to Microsoft this list is still "rumors and speculation". We'll see.

Edit: How could you forget I'll Always Know What You Did Last Summer? No, don't worry -- I'll add it for you.

[51|RandoM]

Snipped this from the Dark Star One front page:

"DARKSTAR ONE - DVD Routine & Game Sync Issue

Dear Community

DarkStar One enjoyed a successful international launch over the weekend, with strong sales across countries including the UK, America and Australia.

However, alongside this success we are aware of a specific issue which gamers may experience when running DarkStar One. On certain systems there is an error which prevents the disc checking routine and the game working seamlessly together. The main symptom of this is a typical framerate of 10-20fps. While the bug affects only a very small percentage of systems, we acknowledge that this is not acceptable, and we offer our sincere apologies to customers experiencing this problem.

Fixing this problem for the community is now our highest priority.

We are currently working on and testing a Beta patch intended for public release on Tuesday 15th August.

Thank you to everyone who has sent us feedback, both by email and through the DarkStar One forums. We genuinely appreciate the patience, understanding and support shown by the community throughout the DarkStar One project.

With kind regards

Ascaron Entertainment

"

EDIT: Found a review too: http://gamernode.com/PC/Games/DarkStar_One_3444/Review_1169/index.html

[bapenguin]

Nothing for me this week as I'll likely be paying for some hefty medical bills! :(

How's the leg?

[SexualChoc]

Snakes! Snakes! Snakes!

Seeing as how the other thing (Dirge) hasn't got a UK release date yet, I will have to be contempt with just the movie.

[fitbabits]

How's the leg?
It's now LEGS! I have the same thing on my right calf now - I couldn't sleep all night due to the pain. It felt like someone was roasting me with a blowtorch or something. :(

I'm about to post some more pictures on the bite me thread.

[zangster]

That Xyanide looks kind of sharp.

[Lekon]

Man, Rome was awesome... bloody too. But I'm definatly going to wait until its on sale at one of the local places, I saw it advetised for 60 bucks. Yeek. It wasn't THAT good.


Really curious about Deep Labrynth now, and Darkstar One, so Ill have to wait on some reviews/word of mouth to see how they are.

Already know I'll buy N3. Yes, Its shallow, near mindless army killing. But very often, when I boot up a game, I want two things. A sword and a major land war.

[Spigot]

It's now LEGS! I have the same thing on my right calf now - I couldn't sleep all night due to the pain. It felt like someone was roasting me with a blowtorch or something. :(

I'm about to post some more pictures on the bite me thread.
Yikes. You sure you didn't wander into some poison ivy or poison oak or fall into a nest of scorpions?

Just cut your legs off and replace them with a couple of tank treads. Those are in style nowadays.

[Zurik]

It's now LEGS! I have the same thing on my right calf now - I couldn't sleep all night due to the pain. It felt like someone was roasting me with a blowtorch or something. :(

I'm about to post some more pictures on the bite me thread.

Well I hope you actually went and got those checked out, its looks serious.

[Sazime]

I'll Always Know What You Did Last Summer -- Evil Avatar Pick of the Weak!
Huh? What does this mean?

[Kefkataran]

It means exactly what it says. ;)

[D_Reaper]

What do you want out of it?

I've got the Japanese version and I just could not get into it, and I think I'm pretty tolerant with my games. It's got a bunch of very fancy high production value FMVs, long cutscenes interrupting gameplay every 5 minutes, and really, REALLY horrid controls. Looking at movelists and things you'd assume Vincent would end up like Dante, but everything is just so slow paced and... slidey. Everything just feels innacurate.

However, if you're enough of a square/FF7 fan that all you're really after is some character exposition and flashy cutscenes/FMVs then it might be worth your time, so long as you go into it knowing that you're playing it for those elements, and not the below average action/rpg hybrid that it is.

But you have to take note that there were a lot of changes made to the game (the N.A. version), such as a double jump, vincent moving faster, and you can now shoot in 3rd person (its not necessary to do that whole over the shoulder thing to shoot enemies).

I think you should rent it first, then if you like it and think its worth a purchase then go ahead and buy it.

[Camel]

Too bad Dirge of Cerberus is supposed to suck badly. If Square is going to expand the FF7 universe, don't do it half-assed.
I personally think Square should just take the time to remake FF7. Stop with the CG movies, stop with the expansions of the franchise, just stop all that and redo the graphics and fix up some of the translation issues (Off course!) and it would fly off the shelves. Seriously, I think Square should stop making new games altogether and just remake all the Final Fantasies. Lord knows they would sell.

[SexualChoc]

I personally think Square should just take the time to remake FF7. Stop with the CG movies, stop with the expansions of the franchise, just stop all that and redo the graphics and fix up some of the translation issues (Off course!) and it would fly off the shelves. Seriously, I think Square should stop making new games altogether and just remake all the Final Fantasies. Lord knows they would sell.

What's population of Japan? As that would pretty much seal it. Shit make an MMO set in FFVII and you've got a winner. A proper MMO, not Before Crisis.

[DeadScreenSky]

That Xyanide looks kind of sharp.
Yeah, I'm planning on picking it up too. I love me some shmups, and you can't really go wrong for $20.

(In a few weeks PS2 gets Red Star and Raiden III, so this is turning out to be a rare good period for shmup fans. Too bad Sony of America didn't allow ESPGALUDA to get released here...)

[laggerific]

No love for the Simpsons Season 8 coming out this week?

[fitbabits]

No love for the Simpsons Season 8 coming out this week?
The Simpsons? Pfft, they're so out of touch with what's really happening in the world. Plus, they're simply not funny any more. I mean, the same joke gets a little boring week after week after month after year after 10 years.

:sarcasm:

[Spigot]

What's population of Japan? As that would pretty much seal it. Shit make an MMO set in FFVII and you've got a winner. A proper MMO, not Before Crisis.
Bah. While I wouldn't mind a remake of FFVII (by far the worst looking of all the FF's as it stands) I'd rather they make a second Vagrant Story game.

It's nice to see a lot of touchs from the Tactics and Vagrant Story team in FFXII though. I think that's probably what has me excited the most about it (besides being the first original singleplayer FF game in ages).

[laggerific]

The Simpsons? Pfft, they're so out of touch with what's really happening in the world. Plus, they're simply not funny any more. I mean, the same joke gets a little boring week after week after month after year after 10 years.

:sarcasm:

And yet the Summer movie makes the list...

Season 8 was an excellent season, and is when they are at the top of their game...from here on out it's almost downhill...but Simpsons still can put together some excellent episodes. The final two of Season 15 were incredibly relevant and some of the best of the last few seasons (US vs US and mediamonopoly).

But did I sense sarcasm in that post? Or was that an accident?

Still...season 8 has:

You only move twice: homer thwarts James Bond and Albert Brooks gives one of his finest performances.

Burn Baby Burns: How could anyone not love an episode starring Rodney Dangerfield as Monty's son who just gets no regard...esteem neither.

Mountain of Madness: Homer and Monty snowed in trapped in a cabin in the mountains...homer hallucinates the founding fathers on his side for the battle of the cabin, and Monty hallucinates a kaiser and an army of snowmen. Sweet.

Viaje Misterioso de Nuestro Homer: Some of the finest animation on TV and starring Johnny Cash to boot. Homer trips out on guatamalen insanity peppers and takes a journey to find his soulmate (I know, been done to death...still awesome).

Homer vs. the Eighteenth Amendment: Homer the Beer Baron...homer saves the day when prohibition comes to springfield...turning moes into a speakeasy.

In Marge We Trust: Homer finds a box with his face in a junkyard. And we get to see how it comes to be in a zany japanese soap commercial.

Just a few, but for the most part the entire season is top notch...enjoy these while you can...it starts to go downhill slightly from here.

Season 9 does contain these highlights:

Reality Bites: Marge becomes a realtor, and we are introduced to the loveable computer/house/car/etc... salesman, Gil.

The Joy of Sect: The Simpsons join a cult...or they would if homer had the attention span to get brainwashed.

Simpson Tide: Homer stands trial for eating a donut and joins the navy.

Girly Edition: Homer adopts a helper monkey, mojo. Mojo adopts homer's love of sloth and gluttony.

Season 10 has some classics of its own:

Wizard of Evergreen Terrace: Homer invents the electric hammer, and the tipless chair...only to find out edison has prior art.

Lisa Gets an A: Lisa cheats and homer raises a cute little lobster with tender loving care and plenty of butter.

Sunday Cruddy Sunday: Dolly Parton guests on a perfect Super Bowl Sunday...Marge and Lisa hunt down Vincent Price.

Season 11 comes back with a one two:

Eight Misbehavin: Apu has octuplets...sells them to the zoo.

Grift of the Magi: A toy company buys springfield elementary and only Arnold can save them.

Missionary Impossible: After incurring the wrath of Betty White and Oscar the Grouch, Homer hides far away from home...as a missionary in an island civilization with the locals and wonderful toads to keep him company.

Behind the Laughter: See how the Simpsons have done it all these years.

Season 12 even has some gems in HOMR, Skinner's Sense of Snow, Trilogy of Error, Season 13 has a dancing lawyer in The Sweetest Apu, trippin' Homer, some pigged out booze buddies in Tales from the public domain. Season 14 has one of my alltime favorite sideshow bob episodes, The Great Louse Detective, Skinner attempts to finally woo Edna...and so on and so on.

[Kefkataran]

And yet the Summer movie makes the list...

I added that later as a joke. But I agree that Simpsons should be added. I have a small feeling fitba may be being sarcastic...

[Spigot]

I added that later as a joke. But I agree that Simpsons should be added. I have a small feeling fitba may be being sarcastic...
As evidenced by the Spoilerific *SARCASM* tag he had under his post...

[laggerific]

As evidenced by the Spoilerific *SARCASM* tag he had under his post...


I caught that...somehow I became paranoid I was suddenly too old for the "hipsters" on this board. Man...I'm only in my doubledigits and I feel old.

[Spigot]

I caught that...somehow I became paranoid I was suddenly too old for the "hipsters" on this board. Man...I'm only in my doubledigits and I feel old.
It's ok. When you hit your triple digits then you can be cranky like the Red Names.

[Kefkataran]

Get the fuck off my lawn, Spigot!

[zangster]

Yeah, I'm planning on picking it up too. I love me some shmups, and you can't really go wrong for $20.

(In a few weeks PS2 gets Red Star and Raiden III, so this is turning out to be a rare good period for shmup fans. Too bad Sony of America didn't allow ESPGALUDA to get released here...)
Red Star is finally coming out? Seriously. Damn, I'm going to have to pick it up. Any word on the Xbox versions or should we just count our lucky stars we're getting it at all?

[laggerific]

Raiden III, eh...I still haven't completed Gradius V or RType...but Raiden has always been excellent...but GV and RType were so tight...

[Spigot]

Get the fuck off my lawn, Spigot!
Whatcha gonna do, gramps? Spray me with the hose again? I dare ya!