News

PS2 R has learned that Namco plans to release its popular light gun game, Time Crisis II, for Sony's PlayStation 2 game console. The game will be debuted at this year's Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles, California in May. It will likely be packaged with an updated USB-compatible version of the GunCon, but details have not been released at this time.

We'll have hands-on impressions of the PS2 version of Time Crisis II at E3, or possibly earlier, and will pass along any information about the game or the PS2 GunCon to you as soon as we are able to. Until then, you can check out the opening movie of the arcade version of the game down in the Media section down below.

Hidden towards the bottom of the company's second quarter fiscal 2001 report, Gregory Fischbach, chief executive officer of Acclaim, revealed that Acclaim had 10 titles in development for PlayStation 2 that will be released this fiscal year.

The titles included All-Star Baseball 2002, which was released last month, plus Crazy Taxi and Fur Fighters, which are due out in the company's third quarter, and Quarter Back Club 2002 and Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX 2, which are slated for a fourth quarter release.

"We are excited about our next generation lineup for the fourth quarter. Dave Mira 1 has achieved sales in excess of 1.2 million units worldwide and has forged a very strong identity and awareness level with consumers. Likewise our Quarterback Club brand shows strong promise as we bring back the proprietary elements and advanced engine design that made its predecessors category leaders. At E3 in May, we will introduce the balance of our portfolio for the calendar year by previewing titles for PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, Xbox video game console from Microsoft, GameCube and Game Boy Advance," Fischbach said.

The Japanese side of Sony's PlayStation.com information and sales site has set the pricing for the new PS2 model that was first revealed yesterday. This model is just the Japanese equivalent of the US PS2, complete with the drive bay for housing the hard disk and Ethernet adapter later this year. The model lacks the bundled DVD-Remote from the previous version.

Pricing for the unit was listed as "Open" by Sony, making gamers everywhere wonder if the PS2 would see a quiet price drop in Japan. The Japanese PlayStation.com website has, in fact, priced the unit at 38,800YEN ($323), around 1,000YEN ($9) less than the previous unit. Of course, the previous unit came bundled with the DVD remote control, at least when purchased through the Online site. This device retails for 3,500YEN ($29). Japanese gamers should expect to pay just slightly more for their purchase in order to obtain the latest model with the remote.

We're unsure if Sony will be initiating a real price drop in the near future, or if retailers will sell the system for less than Sony's Online service. But then again, with the system continuing to sell well, they may not have to for a while.

3DO announced today the shipment of two of the company's premiere franchises for PlayStation 2, High Heat Major League Baseball 2002 and Army Men Air Attack 2. Both titles should be readily available on most retail store shelves beginning on Thursday, March 29, 2001.

Interplay will be shipping out MDK2 Armageddon for the PlayStation 2 today to stores across North America. The game received critical acclaim on the PC platform, and has now arrived in a polished and expanded form on Sony's next generation console.

This edition of the game, which was developed by BioWare, will feature new level designs, along with added difficulty settings and control options. Some online retailers such as EBgames.com will offer a free memory card with each order of the title, while supplies last.

Kain is back. Again. And again. Not content with appearing as the antagonist in the upcoming Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 2 for the PlayStation 2, Kain will make a starring appearance in Legacy of Kain: Blood Omen 2, expected this fall. It's been a century since the events of the first game and suddenly Kain is no longer the cool dark lord he once was in the prime of his evil youth. In a mid-death crisis, Kain must fight off a mysterious character to regain control of the land of Nosgoth.

The third-person perspective 3D action/adventure title will find Kain fighting guys badder than himself, solving puzzles, employing a little stealth, and exploring vast 3D environments. As the game progresses, Kain will gain new dark, vampirish powers to overcome the legions opposing him.

Enjoy the screenshots and expect Legacy of Kain: Blood Omen 2, developed by Crystal Dynamics (Silicon Knights who?) and published by Eidos Interactive, in the fall of 2001.

Major League Baseball Properties is proud to see that SCEA, 3DO, EA, and Acclaim are all actively taking part in the baseball season so fervently. It's a little strange to post a full news story on it today, because each year a steady handful of regular game companies publish their games right around baseball season, but there it is.

"The new game titles released by our licensees deliver an exciting and interactive Major League Baseball experience to fans using a wide variety of home gaming platforms," said Howard Smith, Senior Vice President of Licensing for Major League Baseball Properties. "Each game has its own blend of exciting game play, with great detail and cutting edge graphics, creating an avenue for fans to connect with the game of baseball on a whole new level."

In case you've been under a rug for the last few months, the games Smith is talking about are Acclaim Sports All-Star Baseball 2002, EA Sports' Triple Play Baseball, and 3DO's High Heat Major League Baseball 2002, all on the PlayStation 2. SCEA's MLB 2001 is believed to arrive this spring on PS2, too. Each game has MLB's official license as well as the MLBPA license.

Remember that movie that wasn't quite as good as A Bug's Life? Yah, that's right, Antz. Well, Empire Interactive and Light and Shadow Production has announced Antz Racing for PlayStation 2, Xbox, Game Boy Advance and PC. The game will feature characters from the movie as they race throughout the four seasons.

Says Empire's CEO Ian Higgins, "This is a great coup for us to publish such a major Hollywood property. It also represents a major endorsement of our development and global publishing expertise."

This new sub-brand in the Army Men series brings a twist in the ongoing war between the Green and Tan nations. The game features third person, forward-scrolling, arcade-style shooter action that will have players doing battle on foot and in amphibious assault vehicles. Green Rogue introduces the Green Army's ultimate soldier: The Omega Soldier. Created within the covert labs of G.A.A.R.D (Green Army Advance Research Division), scientists have combined the genetic samples of Sarge and the Bravo Company Commandos to create this bio-engineered warrior. Skilled in various types of weaponry (including rifle, grenade launcher, bazooka and flame thrower), Omega Soldier has a vast arsenal at his disposal.

Special effects bring these weapons to life with realistic explosions, smoke, shadows, water reflections, and more. Gamers will use both of the Dualshock 2 analog sticks to guide the Omega Soldier, allowing the character to move and attack in all directions. The Army Men: Green Rogue game takes players through 16 levels and five head-to-head boss encounters. In addition, a two-player cooperative mode offers an additional challenge, as gamers team up to take on the Tans.

Although UK web site Computer and Videogames reported earlier today that the PS2 version of Half Life would feature online multiplayer, Sierra Studios denies that there was ever such an announcement. Genevieve Ostergard, Senior Public Relations Manager for the publishing house told PS2 REPUBLIC, "We have made no announcements concerning either the multiplayer or online aspects of Half Life for the PS2." When pressed for an official release date for the game, Ostergard replied, "Right now Valve and Gearbox are concentrating on getting the Dreamcast version out."

Dreamworks has announced they are developing two new ps2 games based on the popular Medal of Honor psx game. The first game Medal of Honor Front Line will be a first person shooter, while the second Medal of Honor: Fighter Command will be a combat flight simulator, both will take place during World War II.

For those of you not in the know, Capcom's Resident Evil series is being re-created for the silver screen, and today we're glad to present you with the first shot of Milla Jovovich in full RE gear.

Starring Jovovich (Joan of Arc, The Fifth Element) and Michelle Rodriguez (Girlfight), directed by Paul Anderson (Mortal Kombat), and funded by Impact and Constantin Pictures, the Resident Evil Feature film has begun shooting in Berlin, Germany.

While the movie is based on the Resident Evil story, Anderson's script makes a slight departure. The story revolves around the same special military unit (S.T.A.R.S.) from RE, but a strange supercomputer, called The Red Queen, has been added into the mix. Apparently, The Red Queen has gone out of control and is perhaps connected with a laboratory accident that has, that's right, transformed hundreds of scientists into bloodthirsty zombies. It's up to A team of three (a male character has been added to the cast) to find out the cause and stop it.