Trailer: Star Ocean: The Last Hope explores Europe on 24th April

One of the bigger Square-Enix franchises, Star Ocean, finds a new platform and a release date for Europe as The Last Hope was given a release date of 24th April 2009. The series, making it's first appearance on the XBox 360, focuses on battling within an arena in real-time while exploring new worlds. Have a look below for a trailer taken from the Tokyo Game Show last year.

Update: It seems the release date isn't quite as solid as expected. Square-Enix just announced that the game will be released in Europe in Spring 2009.

Source: Gamekyo

Trailer: Infinite Undiscovery release trailer

A trailer for the latest XBox 360 RPG was released soon after the press release was given out. Have a gander at this exceptionally promising game, due on 2nd September in the US (unconfirmed reports saying worldwide release)

Infinite Undiscovery given release date, confirmed worldwide launch

News on the XBox 360 exclusive RPG by Square-Enix and Tri-Ace has been thin on the ground lately, but the game suddenly exploded onto the gaming news with a release date. The press release states that the RPG will be shipping in the US on the 2nd September 2008. However, the mention of a "simultaneous release" in the press release suggests that the game will be launched worldwide, including in Europe, on the same day (though it will likely be on the Friday of the same week - confirmed - Europe get this game on 5th September).

The RPG is dependant on the discoveries you make in the game. Any discovery made in the game will be immediately reflected in the game world and as a group of enemies are encountered, separate tactics are needed to dispatch them.

Source: Joystiq (stating global release), Kotaku (press release)

Platinum Games (Seeds? Clover Studios?) developers announce 4 games with Sega

Some of the developers from the now-deceased Clover Studios have signed up to Sega to release 4 games. Shinji Mikami, Hideki Kamiya and Atsushi Inaba have previously been responsible for Resident Evil, Devil May Cry, and Okami respectively. Three games were put in the spotlight, with the 4th game currently under wraps.

First of all is Bayonetta, which has been described as a stylish action game for the PS3 and XBox360. Then there is Infinite Line for the DS which is an RPG set in space, allowing you to customise and control up to 150 spaceships. Finally, there is MADWORLD for the Wii which is a game which boasts a black & white graphical style and over-the-top violence.

All 3 games will be released in 2009.

Source: Kotaku

Galactrix shown at GDC 08

Galactrix has finally come out of the shadows with some limited details of the game being shown at the Game Developer's Conference 2008. The game, which now boasts the Puzzle Quest moniker to become Puzzle Quest: Galactrix, is going to be similar to surprise hit Puzzle Quest, but the game will now be played on a hexagonal board in a sci-fi setting. Also, the state of gravity in the game (blocks falling to the bottom of the board) has been revamped to expand on the sci-fi theme and gravity will come in different directions, meaning that the blocks may not necessarily fall downwards like in the original Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords. No confirmed release date has been given but the game has been announced for the DS, PC and XBox360.

Source: Gamespot

Trailer: Lost Odyssey

How this game slipped my radar, I don't know. One thing is for sure though. It looks superb. This trailer from the Tokyo Game Show shows some stunning moves that should appeal to most RPG veterans.

The game will be out in Europe at the end of the month.

Beautiful Katamari rolling towards Europe

It's taken a long time in coming, but the third full game from the Katamari series will be rolling up European XBox360's in February. For those who don't know, the katamari games are all based on one objective. To roll up as much stuff as possible with a very sticky ball. Cars, planes, buildings, people, UFO's, continents, planets. Yep, you can roll them all up in a bid to make as large a katamari as possible!

Source: Kotaku

The hidden game guide 2008

It's that time of year. Stockings are filled, presents are opened, special nativity plays are run and it's freezing cold. So, what better time than now to look at the games you should be looking at next year! Here are some of the "less famous" games that you can look forward to next year!

Patapon - PSP - Early 2008

Okami - Wii - 2008

Odin Sphere - PS2 - First half 2008

Everybody's Golf 5 - PS3 - First half 2008

Zack & Wiki - Wii - January 2008

Little Big Planet - PS3 - Late 2008

The World Ends With You - DS - Spring 2008

Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings - DS - February 2008

Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker - DS - First half 2008

Echochrome - PS3/PSP - 2008

Also, we hope to hear more about:

ICO 3 - PS3 - 2009
Final Fantasy XIII - PS3 - 2009/2010
White Knight Story - PS3 - 2010
Steambot Chronicles 2 - PS3 - 2009
Galactrix - No known formats - 2008/2009
Nobi Nobi Boy - PS3 - 2009
Operation: Darkness - XBox360 - 2009
Valkyrie of the Battlefield - PS3 - 2009
The Last Remnant - PS3/XBox360 - 2009/2010
Infinite Undiscovery - XBox360 - 2009/2010

Trailer: Operation: Darkness

Here's a trailer for one of the 2 XBox360 RPG's I mentioned. If I'm perfectly honest, it looks pretty good. Keep an eye on it!

Gaming news in brief

Been away for a while but I'm back and now ready for a quick catch up!

Atlus announces localisation for 2 RPG's for the XBox360

Dragoneer's Aria approaches Europe

Zack & Wiki delayed to February 2008

Disgaea: Afternoon of Darkness for Europe in December (maybe 7th)!

PS3's Nobi Nobi Boy shown at GameCity

Source: Eurogamer

Trailer: Infinite Undiscovery (TGS 2007)

Two of the RPG giants, (Square-Enix and Tri-Ace) in Japan collaborate in a new project, exclusive to the XBox360. This is the first trailer (note, I thought had a slight sound issue during the video so it's not my problem!)

Blue Dragon to hit the DS?!

One of Microsoft's exclusive saviours from Japan might be slipping. A magazine has revealed that Blue Dragon could be heading to the Nintendo DS. This news has only just come in so it is not known whether this is true or not.

Source: IGN

Trailer: The Last Remnant (TGS 2007)

Yes, another trailer. This time from Square-Enix. The Last Remnant is to be released on the XBox360 and PS3.

Eternal Sonata official for PS3

After wranglings, hype, rumour, put-ups, take-downs and repetition of the highest order, Namco's worst ever kept secret was finally confirmed a few days ago as Eternal Sonata (Trusty Bell in Japan) was confirmed for the PS3. It all started with an ESRB listing for the PS3 for Eternal Sonata, which was taken down quickly. Then, the listing appeared on Namco's website, then taken down again.

The final twist was to come though as just days later, the game was found in the latest edition of Famitsu, which Namco apparently gave the go-ahead to publish. Famitsu also reports on 2 new playable characters for the PS3 version, though this is unconfirmed.

Source: Eurogamer

A week behind again...

Oops again! However, at least there's a ton of news to catch up on :-)

First of all, it was E3 last week. Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony all had decent showings. Highlights for each of them include Microsoft showing Viva Pinata Animals for the 360 and Viva Pinata for the XBox360, Nintendo showing a new set of Wii peripherals, including a Wii Fit board and Sony, showing a new PSP and Echochrome.

Echochrome is a game that will confuse just as much as poor Crush did on the PSP. You turn the camera around to solve puzzles in a world of black and white. For example, if you want to get past a gap, you move the camera so a part of the scenery covers the gap!

Sony gave us some more news today though at their Playstation Premier event. Announced at the show were Nobi Nobi Boy (from the creator of Katamari Damacy), Disgaea 3 and Loco Roco for the PS3!

Trailer: The Last Remnant

The first trailer from Square-Enix's multi-platform RPG, The Last Remnant, coming to PS3 and XBox360. Enjoy!

Square-Enix's Last Remnant

Square-Enix have announced that a new RPG called "The Last Remnant" will be spread across the next-gen consoles though it's not currently known whether the Nintendo Wii has anything to do with this.

More details courtesy of Kotaku.