Hmm, so many FPS-related news at the start of the week. Hot on the heels of the release of Running Man (see previous post), is the release of Archetype for the iPhone/iPod touch. The full-featured FPS is now available in the App Store for just USD 2.99, and while the new press release didn’t reveal anything that wasn’t covered in the previous one, it at least does mention where to download the game, over here: http://www.itunes.com/app/archetype

Still unconvinced over a full-featured FPS on the iPhone? Check out the trailer below, and early commenters mention that it eliminates Eliminate+.

I’m like a play-in-browser game convert and it’s not the casual games kind of thing. It started off with Quake Live, a  browser based version of the popular Quake III Arena. I then logged in the hours on Lord of Ultima (currently ranked 6249 in World 4), and I still do. And it looks like the wave of interesting play-in-browser games is set to continue with the addition of Zero Point Software’s Interstellar Marines: Running Man.

In Running Man players take part of a select group of Special Forces secretly being trained as first line of defense against other sentient species. Deep inside an underground military facility and under the supervision of Drill-Sergeant Barry, players will engage in a series of grueling training programs and fight high-tech Combat Training Robots specially designed for fast paced close quarter combat training.

“In our previous slice, Bullseye, players were confined to a small military shooting range filled with simple cardboard targets. This time players will experience complete freedom of movement and they will need to move fast to survive the waves of charging Training Robots. At the same time Running Man sets a series of events in motion, that eventually will lead to the revelation of the back story of the Interstellar Marines trilogy”, says Kim Haar Jørgensen, Game Director, Zero Point Software.

About Interstellar Marines:

Interstellar Marines is a trilogy of games, an AAA first person shooter experienced in a realistic and unpredictable future where first contact with another sentient species is slowly becoming reality. The games balances the military realism and cooperative action from tactical shooters with the character development and narrative depth of Role Playing Games.

What really sets Interstellar Marines apart from other AAA titles is the players involvement in the creation. With Interstellar Marines the players isn’t just playing the games – They have the ability to improve the games as well. By joining the community on InterstellarMarines.com players can provide feedback on everything from level design to difficulty level, or maybe even get a speaking role in the games.

“We scan the forums for feedback every day and the games is already filled with small tweaks and changes based on the feedback from the community. Our weapon reload is a small example of this; the entire animation was remade because a community member pointed out that holding the finger on the trigger during reloads was unrealistic”, says Kim Haar Jørgensen.

About AAA Indie:

Interstellar Marines is developed and published independently without the financial support and restrictions from any of the big publishers. During development a number of playable slices will be released online for everybody to try in a limited free version and only available on InterstellarMarines.com.

Players can completely unlock a given slice by purchasing a $5 Support Medal. Players signing up for the $25 Frontline account get complete access to all current and future slices as well as a digital copy of the first game in the trilogy, when it is released on PC and Mac. Finally players can go full circle and purchase the limited edition $39 Spearhead account (only 75.000 available) which besides all the Frontliner benefits secures members with all three games in the trilogy at a very attractive price.

You can check out the game over here: InterstellarMarines.com

Not too long ago I reviewed an iPhone game, a turn-based puzzler titled Theseus (click here). It was quite good, and provided quite a good work out for the mind as the player would have to figure out how to get out of the maze with the legendary Minotaur on his tail. All this was done using a minimalistic art design which was pretty interesting and eye-catching at the same time. Now, the same developer, Jason Fieldman (http://theseus.fieldman.org/) has come up with an updated version of the game, titled Theseus HD, for the iPad.

Theseus HD is a high-definition makeover of the iPhone hit Theseus, with acompletely new graphics engine and new, exclusive levels. In Theseus HD players take on the role of Theseus, attempting to navigate the Labyrinths of Crete while eluding capture by the Minotaur. The Minotaur is twice as fast as Theseus, but follows strict rules that can  be used in the player’ favor.

Theseus HD features all of the original dungeons, a brand new visual tutorial, new exclusive levels, a new orchestral sound track, and all of the gameplay features that made theiPhone version a success. Theseus HD is endorsed by, and created in collaboration with the original puzzle designerRobert Abbott (http://www.logicmazes.com).

You can download Theseus HD over here: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/theseus-hd/id379184697?mt=8

I’ve just checked out the trailer for Villain’s upcoming online multiplayer FPS game for the iPhone, titled Archetype, and it looked totally awesome, kinda like Quake III Arena and Unreal Tournament 2003. Check out the press release below, and make sure to catch the trailer as well:

San Francisco, CA – July 1, 2010 – Villain, an independent producer and publisher of portable game titles, announced today Archetype™, a new and intense online multiplayer first-person shooter game developed exclusively for iPhone and iPod touch. A full-featured online FPS, Archetype brings a new breed of mobile mayhem to the iPhone and iPod touch platforms with multiplayer FPS deathmatches with teams, experience points, and player ranks. Archetype is scheduled for a worldwide release via iTunes in early July for just US$2.99.

“Archetype delivers an amazingly visceral and satisfying experience rooted in its ‘no holds barred’ online deathmatches,” said Dane Baker, Lead Producer at Villain. “Our game brings key elements from online console first person shooters to the iPhone and iPod touch for ‘iPwnage-style’ fun with no gimmicks or strings attached.”

Players join the battle starting as a lowly cadet immersed in battle with team-based deathmatches and earn higher ranks to advance as they build a reputation, earn experience points, and win medals, including each match’s “MVP” medal. Up to ten players can fight at one time —two to five players per team battling across five different levels. The game will launch with six unique weapon types ranging from rapid-fire guns, devastating missile launchers, brutal melee axe and two distinct grenade types including a “split-strike” grenade that splits in two every time it bounces, dealing even wider damage. Players wreck havoc using the game’s precise dual joystick-style controls, bringing the best aspects of console FPS to iPhone and iPod touch.

Further enhancing the robust set of FPS features and melee experience in Archetype will be the player rank-based team matchmaking, buddy lists, and radar-based enemy tracking. Archetype’s portable iPwnage offers a console experience on the go, either over Wi-Fi, 3G, or even Edge. Furthermore, Archetype will be fully compatible with iPhone 4 “Retina Display” technology when it launches so players receive the best view of the action on any device.

Archetype is developed by San Francisco-based MunkyFun, Inc., veterans of LucasArts and creators of Shift and Ivory Tiles for iPhone, and published by Villain. Archetype will deliver an intense, high quality console FPS-type experience scaled to fit the popular iPhone and iPod touch platforms. For more information visit: http://www.madebyvillain.com/archetype/.

I managed to catch Prince of Persia on the big screen a week ago. It was a pretty good movie, but it was a little weird to see Middle Eastern stereotypes speak with American and British accents. What caught my eye though wasn’t the movie but Nike’s full-length Write the Future advertisement featuring the likes of Wayne Rooney (England), Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast), Cannavaro (Italy), Frank Ribery (France), Ronaldinho (Brazil) and Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal).

Guess what? All of them no longer feature in the on-going World Cup in South Africa with Ronaldinho suffering the indignity of not being called up to the Brazilian squad. Hehe. At least the trailer is good for laughs. I liked the Rooney goes nuts part along with Homer Simpson opening the door to see Ronal-DOH!!

Talking about football, I’ve got three footie games from three different companies sitting in my iPhone. Earlier I purchased EA Sport’s FIFA World Cup 2010 and Gameloft’s Real Soccer 2010 for 99 cents each and the latest title which came in thanks to a promo code is Konami’s Pro Evolution Soccer 2010.

FIFA World Cup 2010 is probably the most polished of the bunch, with great graphics, somewhat OK commentary and context-sensitive buttons (instead of the normal A and B buttons, you get buttons with titles such as slide, shoot, pass, etc). The game is not without flaws though, the character models for the fans in the stadium stands look really eerie. Gameloft and Konami’s offerings suffer from a lack of licensing. My favourite EPL team is known as London instead of Arsenal, and Manchester United and Manchester City are relegated to Man Red and Man Blue respectively. Fortunately both games retain the player names.

For a casual player like me, I much prefer EA’s title and unless it’s a sale, I find it hard to recommend the other two. While I’m sure the PES’ gameplay might be different (Pro Evolution Soccer boasts True Flow, whatever it is, and focuses on Champions League action), the game looks like it cribbed the graphics from it’s 3 or 4 year old Nintendo DS predecessor. That’s not satisfactory in my books.

So what about you? Which football game do you prefer and which country do you think will win the World Cup? My money is on Argentina.

One piece of news arrived in my mailbox today and it brought a smile to my face. The much anticipated Star Wars game for the iPhone, Star Wars: Battle for Hoth has been dated and it’s scheduled for release this 15th of July with a price tag of USD 2.99.

For those who are unfamiliar with this upcoming title, Battle for Hoth is a tower defense game. The game sees the player taking the role of commander of the Rebel forces trying to stop Imperial forces from reaching the main shield generators before the evacuation of Hoth is complete. As the game progresses new units for both the Rebel forces and the Imperial attackers
are introduced. Stay tuned to Nineoverten.com for the full review!

I can’t help but feel that I’ve played this game before even though it was the first time I was playing BACIS on my iPhone. It must have been the gameplay, the often flogged puzzle whereby you have to lead something, in this case a bacteria, through a maze to some point, in this case, the appropriate sink which matches the colour of the bacteria. And of course, there’s a catch whereby if the bacteria is led off the maze, it’s game over.

In other words, it’s like Pac-Man meeting a game of GO or something. In any case, if there’s any form of redeeming quality in BACIS it has to be the graphics. Those little critters (read: bacteria) are well drawn and animated, and who would have thought the bathroom tiles that make up the maze would look so icky and gorgeous at the same time.

BACIS is one of those run-of-the-mill games that you typically can find on the iPhone these days. The platform’s very responsive capacitive touchscreen makes the game possible as you have to flick those little critters but what other puzzle game hasn’t done this before? If you want to check out some run-of-the-mill puzzle action, give BACIS a try, but I can’t promise it will have you hooked.

The game is now out on App Store for USD 1.99, check it out over here: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/bacis-the-puzzle-game/id376230369?mt=8

Better late than never to take advantage of the 2010 World Cup. Konami has just announced the release of its hugely popular Pro Evolution Soccer series (otherwise known as Winning Eleven) for the iPhone and iPod touch. Already a massive success on home gaming consoles, Pro Evolution Soccer 2010 will feature realistic soccer gameplay designed to set the new standard for on-the-go gaming.

“As the first full Pro Evolution Soccer iPhone title, it was important for us to deliver a rich gaming experience, while at the same time reinvigorating the franchise to suit the handheld platform,” said Joe Morris, Vice President of Mobile Content and Social Networking for Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. “Pro Evolution Soccer 2010 will offer challenging gameplay that tests the skills of all soccer fans.”

Pro Evolution Soccer 2010 will center on stunning 3D visuals that recreate the intensity of match-day action. Players can use a variety of all-new, innovative control interfaces to master their soccer skills and must be on the ball to ensure that slick passing, first-time shots and mazy runs don’t catch them off guard while they try to score the winning goal. Faithfully recreated with existing version in mind, Pro Evolution Soccer 2010 will also features key game modes, including UEFA Champions League™ and UEFA Europa League™ elements.

Pro Evolution Soccer 2010 is now available for $6.99 on the App Store at http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/pes-2010-us/id377098187?mt=8

I just bought Need for Speed: SHIFT for the iPhone and having played and reviewed other games like Split/Second and Fast & Furious Adrenaline, NFS SHIFT still has a gear up over the competition despite being released earlier. Furthermore, the game was on sale alongside other Electronic Arts games such as Command and Conquer Red Alert, FIFA 10 and SimCity at just 99 cents each!

I’ve bought 2 of the other 3 games, with the exception of FIFA 10, since I already bought EA’s FIFA World Cup 2010 when it went on sale during the launch of the actual World Cup 2010 tournament. The current 99 cent sale is still on going but should be ending soon, so check that out over at the App Store.

In any case, today is my last day in Jakarta and I will be flying back later in the evening. iOS 4, here I come!

I really love the fact that TRON Legacy is arriving to theaters by the end of the year. Not only do I like the TRON franchise (I liked the game, TRON 2.0 a lot!), the upcoming movie also features a soundtrack created by my favourite electronica duo, Daft Punk! Come this July 2010, the attendees of Comic-Con International 2010 are in a for a treat.

Returning for an unprecedented third year to the fans and Convention that “started it all,” Walt Disney Pictures is pleased to present a very special, insider look at its upcoming “TRON: Legacy” at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con International Convention. At 11:15 a.m. on Thursday, July 22, 2010, the panel presentation will be held in Hall H of the San Diego Convention Center.

On the dais will be filmmakers and talent from the film, including director Joe Kosinski, producers Sean Bailey and Steven Lisberger as wells as cast members Jeff Bridges, Garrett Hedlund, Olivia Wilde, Michael Sheen and Bruce Boxleitner. The panel discussion, to be moderated by Patton Oswalt, is set to include exclusive glimpses of the film, as well as a Q & A involving all panel participants, along with special surprise guests.

It was at the 2008 Convention that the vision of a 21st century TRON was born. When VFX test footage was shown to a packed hall of incredibly surprised convention attendees, it was met with such an overwhelmingly positive response—becoming the “it” moment of the Convention—that the studio gave the film an enthusiastic green light. In 2009  “TRON: Legacy” returned to Comic-Con with an expanded presence and this year, the filmmakers and cast are back with never before seen visuals and “scoop” for the Convention fans  who have been such an instrumental part of the story of “TRON: Legacy.”

Director Joe Kosinski comments: “When we made the teaser, we envisioned it as a sneak peek at the potential of this project. We set out to stay true to the characters, the vehicles, and the world established in the first film—then show its evolution. When it took off with the fans, we knew we were in the right place. Because they’ve been key to getting this story told, we’re back to keep them involved, and excited to finally present actual footage from the film to the audience that made it all possible.”

To add to the excitement of this extraordinary event, Disney will showcase an interactive TRON booth on the convention floor (located on aisle #3712), giving fans a first look at the all new “TRON: Legacy” inspired merchandise launching this fall. Capturing the action, light, and cool aesthetic style of the film, the display will include toys, electronics, collectibles, apparel, accessories, publishing and the “TRON: Evolution” video game from Disney Interactive Studios. Comic-Con exclusive products will also be on sale. Disney will also reveal exciting new mobile content at the event.