Guitar Hero 80's, Half Life 2 Orange... and Kingdom Hearts?

[Disgustipated]

Coming via Gametab/1UP is information about Guitar Hero 80's, the renaming of Half Life 2: Episode 2 for consoles, and a Kingdom Hearts II re-release. (http://www.gametab.com/news/785896/)

In the latest issue of Electronic Gaming Monthly, the crew's revealed some interesting bits about what we can expect from 2007 but haven't heard about yet. For one, Red Octane's apparently working on Guitar Hero: '80s Edition for PlayStation 2. Nope, nothing mentioned about Xbox 360, but wouldn't it be cool if that became downloadable content for the game? Sounds good to us, but the PS2 version's listed as a spring release and while it hasn't been announced yet, EGM says "trust us, it's coming."

Additionally, the Half-Life 2: Episode 2 bundle to feature the original game, its first two episodic installments, Team Fortress 2 and Portal appears to have been renamed the far less confusing Half-Life 2: Orange. Given Half-Life's last appearance on consoles was the late-blooming Half-Life 2 on Xbox, the name shuffle makes sense; anybody out of the loop wouldn't know what Episode 2 means. Chances are the PC version will retain its original title.

Midway also debuted two shooters in the issue: Blacksite: Area 51 (technically, this appeared in the pages of PSM a few months ago, but apparently no one noticed) and a new World War II shooter entitled Hour of Victory, listed only as Xbox 360 for now, but we'd imagine more platforms will be added eventually. Hour of Victory's hook is the ability to play different soldier types -- aggressive guy, covert ops guy, etc.

And for the Square Enix fans, look forward to Kingdom Hearts II: Final Mix, previously thought to be a Japan-only upgrade, to arrive here in the fall, complete with the Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories 3D remake. That's one hell of an "extra."

A 3D remake of Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories? That's worth buying Kingdom Hearts II again... considering I traded in my old copy for $35. Guitar Hero 80's sounds delicious too, especially if it comes to Xbox 360.

[Rirath]

I never did get around playing more than 2 hours into KH2, even though I wanted to at least try to like it. KH1 was good in theory, so-so (...ranging to bad) in execution. I believe KH2 is better, but... well, here's perhaps reason to wait til fall!

As for HL2, I'm far more excited about Portal than I am Episode 2, honestly.

[Disgustipated]

I never did get around playing more than 2 hours into KH2, even though I wanted to at least try to like it. KH1 was good in theory, so-so (...ranging to bad) in execution. I believe KH2 is better, but... well, here's perhaps reason to wait til fall!

As for HL2, I'm far more excited about Portal than I am Episode 2, honestly.

Portal looks hella good to me too, but Episode 2 will definitely be fantastic.

And what interests me most is the KH: Chain of Memories remake. I've got the original for GBA... how will the 3D remake work? Will it use KH2's engine and drop the card battling aspect? Or will it be COM, just in 3D? Very interesting.

[Nate Graves]

Guitar Hero already has a mix of songs from different eras. I'm not sure how I would feel about an 80s-only game...not the idea itself, but the fact that it could mean a 60s GH, a 70s GH, etc...

I'm not saying I wouldn't pick it (I sure as hell would!), but a lot would depend on content. How would it stack up versus the other two in terms of track listing and longevity?

[Gedd]

"Guitar Hero '80's edition"

Mark one copy sold already.

[Sandman]

Kingdom Hearts II: Final Mix finally coming to the States.....I knew I was waiting on buying KHII for some reason.

[outontheporch]

the 80's sucked

[51|RandoM]

Just put TFC:The Cel-shaded Years(yeah, I went there)on Steam, by itself, immediately, please.

Don't make your loyal PC fanbase wait for you to cram all that shit onto one disc for a console. Don't make us wait for Ep2(lots of us don't care about Ep2), don't make us wait for Portal(nice gimmick, but old after an hour or two).

Just give us our Team Fortress fix, and do so right now, dammit. :p

[Ph00p]

More new Guitar Hero songs! FUCK YEA! Jesus I gotta get a 360 and the 360 version, then I'll be able to d/l some songs at least(hopefully)

[Vaginasaurus]

KH: Chain of Memories is not worth a repurchase. That game was godawful, and inconsequential to the storyline. Chain of Memories ending: "LOL, YOU WILL FORGET EVERYTHING, SO IT'S LIKE IT NEVER HAPPENED!"

[Sandman]

KH: Chain of Memories is not worth a repurchase. That game was godawful, and inconsequential to the storyline. Chain of Memories ending: "LOL, YOU WILL FORGET EVERYTHING, SO IT'S LIKE IT NEVER HAPPENED!"

So it's like Smallville most weeks then?

[Disgustipated]

KH: Chain of Memories is not worth a repurchase. That game was godawful, and inconsequential to the storyline. Chain of Memories ending: "LOL, YOU WILL FORGET EVERYTHING, SO IT'S LIKE IT NEVER HAPPENED!"

I love your username.

But I'm sure all the KH starved fanboys would love COM in 3D. I'd at least try it. If KH2: Final Mix is $20, that is.

[Sensei-X]

There's no mention anywhere outside of EGM of the KH2:Final Mix coming to the US. Until I see confirmation I'm skeptical. Square has done so many of these and it seems strange they would choose now to bring one of them over, just as Sony is pushing to replace PS2 with PS3. Sure you can play it on PS3, but from what I've seen there's plenty of people who dismiss the old gen games as soon as they get their next console.

[Draft]

Not a very descriptive name for the HL2:E2...

[mister_slim]

I guess I'll have to get an internet connection in time for Team Fortress 2. I loved the original, and the new look melts my black heart.

[morose]

Guitar Hero already has a mix of songs from different eras. I'm not sure how I would feel about an 80s-only game...not the idea itself, but the fact that it could mean a 60s GH, a 70s GH, etc...

I'm not saying I wouldn't pick it (I sure as hell would!), but a lot would depend on content. How would it stack up versus the other two in terms of track listing and longevity?
Who knows what it will actually have for tracks... but with possibilities from bands like Metallica, Aerosmith, Motley Crue, and Guns n' Roses just to name a few... I'm excited about the possibilities. Just those bands represent a fair amount of variety in actual tracks even if they are all hard rock.

[saneman]

As for HL2, I'm far more excited about Portal than I am Episode 2, honestly.

Same. HL2 bores the hell out of me, and as exciting as TF2 looks I'm just not that in to online shooters anymore. Poor computer, high lag, and all that. But I'll snap up the whole package just for Portal.

[KingGorilla]

I will masturbate to portals, just let me get that out of the way right now.

[Wasson_]

80's sucked? No, not really. I will say that it definitely not the greatest...

Think of all the "kick-ass" metal they could put on that bad boy. A few pop songs would be great too, surprisingly, I would wish they put Turning Japanese on it. They better put some fucking Maiden on it though...it'd just be retarded if they didn't.

Hl2 doesn't need news anymore, I'll come in a nice easy package of awesomeness and that's all that needs to be said.

[Wyrm]

The guys making those Guitar Hero games are doing something right, because they've had me bought and sold ever since I first plugged in the very first one. I will buy every game they put out, because people, the honest to god truth is that there is little on the planet more fun than Guitar Hero. Sell me 80s (which would kick a shit ton of ass by the way), 70s, 60s, hell, put blues and jazz on there. Shit, make a version for country music (I hate country music) and I will still snatch that mother up so fast it will melt your face off. Then, with my playing, I really will melt your face off.

[Majster Wichajster]

Here's hoping that the KH2: Final Mix news is not only true, but it will also be released in Europe. I liked Chain of Memories (shut up) and coupled with KH2 it should make for a good purchase.

[yojimbo]

yes, gimme more Guitar Hero... though I'm not quite as edgy for it since I discovered Frets on Fire for the PC. You can use your guitar controller from GH as well if you have a PS2 to PC convertor. Nowhere near the quality of GH but it's moddable and you can download or make your own songs.

I must admit to owning both Kingdom Hearts and never ever playing them. Or taking them out of the box.

[dirtbag]

"Guitar Hero '80's edition"

Mark one copy sold already.

Make that 2.

Those of us who grew up in the '80s are probably more apt to appreciate this game, but who wouldn't want to thrash out to your favorite hair-metal and pop songs from the TRUE golden age of music? :D