Ryu Hayabusa is back for another round.

I never got the chance to play Ninja Gaiden II for the 360 but I have played the original Ninja Gaiden Sigma. Having gotten a chance to demo the game over at the Tecmo booth at E3, I must say that Sigma 2 builds on the gameplay mechanics established in Sigma while maintaining some of the newer additions in the original Ninja Gaiden II.

There have been reports that Sigma 2 has toned down the gore and violence that was present in Ninja Gaiden II. However, according to Aileen Viray, Public Relations/Marketing Specialist for Tecmo Games, the demo build of the game had to be toned down. However, the full version of the game will retain the gore and violence of the original.

Speaking of gore, the game allows players to dismember enemies in battle, slowing them down and even killing them through decapitation. During the demo, I faced a monster whose arm and head I had chopped off…and he still continued coming after me. As standard of Ninja Gaiden, the game is difficult and relentless, so you have to constantly keep an eye on your health meter and healing items.

Players will control Ayane for the first time in the series.

A new addition to Sigma 2 is the inclusion of Ayane (of Dead or Alive fame) and Momiji (from Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword for the Nintendo DS) in addition to Rachel from Ninja Gaiden Sigma. The demo build on display featured Ayane as the playable character, given that most players are familiar with main character Ryu Hayabusa already. Known for her speed in the DOA series, Ayane moves swiftly and smoothly throughout the game environment. Combos can be chained together with a combination of standard and power attacks, projectiles (Ayane uses her standard Kunai), and Ninpo attacks, which can be powered up by shaking the SIXAXIS controller. Blocking and Dodging is an essential part of the game and you’ll be glad you’re able to do so when you’re being flanked by enemy ninjas on all sides.

Despite the difficulty, the game flows smoothly with combos feeling fairly intuitive. Using the SIXAXIS to power up Ninpo attacks seems a bit silly at first, but once you’ve done it a few times, it works well if you have the space to do so. The environments and character models are stunning and the game itself is shaping up to be a good one.

Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 will be released for the PS3 this Fall.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Wizard of the Coast released a Press Release yesterday for the XBLA exclusive game, Magic: The Gathering – Duels of the Planeswalkers. Here’s what they had to say after the break.

New and Existing Magic Players Will Rule on Xbox LIVE® Arcade

Wizards of the Coast Launches Duels of the Planeswalkers for Xbox LIVE Arcade

June 3, 2009, Renton, Wash. — Wizards of the Coast today announced that Magic: The Gathering – Duels of the Planeswalkers, an extension of the worldwide Magic: The Gathering franchise for Xbox LIVE Arcade, will be available June 17, 2009.

“We’re thrilled to introduce the Magic game experience to the Xbox LIVE community,” said Greg Leeds, President of Wizards of the Coast. “Duels of the Planeswalkers will allow both new and experienced players to develop and test their skills in the ultimate battle of wits.”

In June, fans can challenge game developers and famous Magic: The Gathering trading card game players in a Duels of the Planeswalkers tournament through Microsoft’s online Game with Fame and Game with Developer events. Game with Fame will take place June 20 and Game with Developer will follow on June 27.

Developed by Stainless Games, Ltd., Duels of the Planeswalkers, rated T-Teen, lets players simulate the Magic: The Gathering trading card game through lush interactive 3-D environments. The arcade-style game takes players on a journey through a vast Multiverse of unique worlds where they are deemed Planeswalkers, powerful mages who battle others for glory, knowledge and conquest.

Players can choose to battle against the computer or compete online against real-life opponents using Microsoft’s Xbox LIVE Arcade. With numerous game play scenarios, including multiplayer game mode, Duels of the Planeswalkers offers an unrivaled depth in which each game is different from the last.  Wizards of the Coast is supporting this release with an exclusive promotional card, which includes brand new artwork, making Duels of the Planeswalkers a game that both new and existing Magic players will enjoy.

Introduced in 1993, Magic: The Gathering is the first and most widely played trading card game. With more than 10,000 different cards available, Magic offers an unrivaled depth of game play with several choices and customizations available for its players.

For additional information on Duels of the Planeswalkers, please visit: www.duelsoftheplaneswalkers.com
About Wizards of the Coast
Wizards of the Coast LLC, a subsidiary of Hasbro, Inc. (NYSE:HAS), is the leader in entertaining the lifestyle gamer. The company holds an exclusive patent on trading card games (TCGs) and their method of play and produces the premier trading card game, Magic: The Gathering®, among many other trading card games and family card and board games. Wizards is also a leading publisher of roleplaying games, such as Dungeons & Dragons®, and publisher of fantasy series fiction with numerous New York Times best-sellers. For more information, visit the Wizards of the Coast Web site at www.wizards.com.

About Stainless Games

Stainless Games is a privately owned company based on the South Coast of the UK. Although best known for the creation of the multi-million selling Carmageddon franchise, the company has most recently become recognized as one of the world’s leading companies in the burgeoning Console Download market. For more information visit the Stainless Games website at www.stainlessgames.com.
Wizards of the Coast, Magic: The Gathering, Duels of the Planeswalkers, Magic and Dungeons & Dragons are trademarks of Wizards of the Coast LLC in the U.S.A. and other countries. ©2009 Wizards.

Update: Trailer now posted

MGS Arcade is metal gear for arcade coin-ops.

It’s no secret that I have an issue with the casual gaming scene. But at the same time, that doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy a few casual games here and there. I’ve always been a fan of the Rock Band series and, being a Beatles fan, I couldn’t help being pretty excited for The Beatles: Rock Band.

First of all, Harmonix has proven that they know what they’re doing when it comes to music games, with 2 Guitar Hero (and an expansion) and 2 Rock Band games under their belts. Unfortunately, you’re not going to find anything utterly revolutionary here, as there’s only so much you can do to improve upon the formula without completely rebuilding it from the ground up. However, don’t expect just a simple, Beatles-themed Rock Band update with better graphics. While it is true that there aren’t many new things here, one welcome addition to the game is the inclusion of up to six players thanks to the new 3-part harmony system, something that was common in most Beatles performance, allowing more players to take part at once.

More about the game, after the break.

A team from Harmonix spoke about the game and demonstrated a few songs, like "I Saw Her Standing There" before letting us try the game ourselves.

According to the Harmonix team that was on site, the game will have all 45 songs available from the start, meaning that those players who want to jump into the action without having to go through the career mode have everything available right from the get-go. However, the career mode itself takes players on a journey of The Beatles’ history, starting with their early start in the Cavern Club to Budokon, Shea Stadium, and Abbey Road Studios. Sessions in the Abbey Road Studios, which players will get to play through, are not played in front of a live crowd, instead showcase the new “Dreamscapes,” which evoke the genre-busting spirit and their stylistic transformation over the course of their career.

Speaking of which, the visuals in the game are really well done, especially the character models for The Beatles themselves, along with their facial expressions. In addition, the game will feature more directed cuts, where the band members will interact with each other along with desperate fans trying to rush the stage, only to be thwarted by security.

Getting my hands on the game, I was immediately stuck on the drums, which I will admit I suck at. Previous Rock Band games always had me playing either guitar, bass, and vocals and I never played the game long enough to get past medium on the drums. Still, knowing it would be horrible on hard, I gave it a try on Medium. It was fun, but definitely a challenge for me as an inexperienced Rock Band drummer.

The Gretsch Duo Jet controller, based on George Harrison's guitar.

So, when I got the chance, I got up on guitar and set it Expert. It was definitely a challenge for me, but my Rock Band experience definitely allowed me to get an 80 percent plus rating on the songs we played, as well as trying the vocals while I did so. Gotta say, doing so while on guitar is not an easy feat. Overall, the difficulty was adequate, challenging but still accessible. If you think that Beatles songs are going to be easy to get through, 1) How dare you and 2) Think again.

If you like Rock Band and you love The Beatles, The Beatles: Rock Band is definitely something to look into. Unfortunately, you can’t trade in your Rock Band 2 and transfer the DLC content to the game like was possible from the jump from Rock Band to Rock Band 2. This game was built from the ground up, rather than being just a simple expansion. It’s a stand-alone game with it’s own line-up of DLC albums planned, including Abbey Road which will be released online around the time of the game’s release.

If you tend to avoid Rock Band but love The Beatles, I would say check the game out anyway. The game will take you on an interactive journey of the Beatles career, and with Yoko Ono-Lennon, Olivia Harrison, and surviving Beatles members Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr giving input in the game’s creation, you can expect a genuine experience. Featuring never before heard audio clips from their recording sessions, it’s definitely worth checking out.

However, if Rock Band is not your thing and you just don’t find The Beatles appealing, this may be a game you should skip.

And with that, I leave you with the trailer for The Beatles: Rock Band.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Muy chingon, huh?

Every year, I follow the news, hoping to hear announcements about my favorite gaming platforms. I was disappointed to hear that E3 had restructured into a smaller, less extravagant event known as the E3 Media and Business Summit. But now, the E3 I came to know and love is back, maybe not in full force, but, given what I’ve heard about the last two years, it definitely seems like a step up.

I admit it. I look awkward when playing Rock Band.

While it was unfortunate I wasn’t able to make it to the Nintendo Press Conference with Jamie and Nelson, my day started down at the MTV booth, where a team from Harmonix discussed and demonstrated the upcoming The Beatles: Rock Band before letting everyone loose to try the game for themselves. Personally, as a Beatles fan, I enjoyed it. I’m not good at the drums but I wound up getting stuck on them during my first playthrough. However, I eventually made my way to guitar and bass, as well as taking advantage of the three-part harmony and laying down some vocals while strumming away.

Next, I headed off to Disney Interactive for my 1:00 tour. Unfortunately, when I got there, they couldn’t find my name on the list. I had them check for Jamie, just in case she was the one listed, but they couldn’t find her either. Thankfully, the Associate Manager of Public Relations, Sunny Ing, offered to give me a booth tour anyway. Turns out both Jamie’s name and mine were on the list but she didn’t see it. They had a few good offerings, such as Spectrobes Origins for the Wii and Split/Second for the Xbox 360 and PS3. I also got a chance to play Toy Story Mania, a party game for the Wii based on the Toy Story franchise and a theme park attraction by the same name. It was fun, but not my thing. After a rather long demo for the game G-Force, based on the upcoming Disney movie of the same name, I headed out, having spent an hour and a half there (that G-Force demo was long).

After a well needed break, I met up with Jamie and Nelson, where we discussed Jamie’s interview with Fatal1ty for a while. Heading off for my scheduled appointment with Tecmo, I was introduced to Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 and even got a chance to play it before we moved onto Undead Knights for the PSP and Quantum for PS3. All in all, Tecmo’s booth this year seemed very Sony oriented. Before heading off to check out Lego: Rock Band, I took one last look at Tecmo’s amazing Booth Babes, cosplaying as Sigma 2 characters. Awesome.

Finally, heading down to the Into The Pixel booth at the Concourse Hall, where the Geeks and I got to chill out, have a few drinks, and check out the Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen game in an online team deathmatch. By chance, Nelson ran into Revenge of the Fallen star, Tyrese Gibson, who we got a chance to interview before calling it a day and heading back to our hotel.

After unwinding a bit and doing a bit of blogging, we headed over to The Conga Room for Digital LA. We got a chance to unwind, got to listen to some great music by 8-bit Weapon, shmooze with other E3 goers, and enjoy some well-needed alcohol.

Everybody's unwinding after a long day.

Day 1 has come to an end and we’ve got two more days here at E3.  Tomorrow, we cover the Konami Press Conference. I won’t lie, guys. I am quite excited.

Yay?