Metal Gear Solid: Ground Zeroes announced, gameplay demo released

During PAX 2012 and Metal Gear Solid's 25th anniversary celebration, Hideo Kojima and Konami has finally revealed the next game in the Metal Gear Solid franchise. Metal Gear Solid: Ground Zeroes is the first game running on Hideo's new FOX game engine that he's been working on for years. Together with announcing the game, they released a demo that pretty much serves as both a tech demo to showcase the new engine and a gameplay teaser to Ground Zeroes. The game looks amazing, check it out below.

When exactly does it take place? I can't be sure at the moment since there's not much information, but it's obviously after Snake Eater.  In a post by Gematsu, Hideo Kojima confirms this is a "prologue" to Metal Gear Solid 5. The demo was running on a PC. At the very end of the video, you see logo for Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 hinting it will be on these platforms, but no official word on what platform the game will be on. Ground Zeroes could also be placed as a next-gen game.

Below is another video if the demo that was shot off-cam during the reveal at PAX. It has extended gameplay revealing that there will be vehicles in the game and it will be open world. Around 9:30 is where the player-controlled gameplay starts and shows Snake using a jeep and also calling in helicopter support.

I'm excited to find out more about Ground Zeroes, as well as Hideo Kojima's FOX engine which is said to be use for other franchises in the future.

Square Enix announces Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII

The new game in the Final Fantasy XIII franchise is Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII. It was announced at this year's PAX Prime in Seattle, and also in Final Fantasy's 25th celebrations in Shibuya, Tokyo. Lightning, who was absent all throughout  the second game, has the spotlight once again for her final battle. 

The details are a bit scarce at the moment but VG247 reports that there will be more customization with Lightning. There will be a variety of costumes and weapons for the pink-haired heroine. These weapons and costumes, or I guess armor if you will, will also customize her abilities. More mobility for Lightning was also mentioned, giving her the ability to hang off ledges, hide, and take cover. The game will be set on Navus Partus, a set of islands chained together with a monorail used to travel from island to island. Exploration will again be one of the game's main focus and will have tons of NPC to interact with. There will also be a day and night cycle in Lightning Returns.

In a post by IGN, They reveal that Lightning is the only playable character in the third game. With her battling monsters solo, players will have more control over Lightning's movements and attacks. A block system will also be included to make gameplay more active. Lightning Returns is also set hundreds of years after Final Fantasy XII-2.

And last but not the least, a change that, for me, doesn't fit well in a Final Fantasy game - When you start the game, a doomsday clock starts and you only have 13 days until the end of the world. Time is definitely against you and you will have to spend your time wisely. traveling via monorail from island to island will kill time on the doomsday clock, so does certain skills. They haven't gone into detail about this doomsday clock, but this is a big change from what we're used to.

This is the last game for the Final Fantasy XIII saga, Lightning's final battle. Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII is due for a 2013 release on Playstation 3 and Xbox 360.

Any thoughts?

Torchlight 2 release date confirmed

Runic Games has officially given Torchlight 2 a release date. The point and click action RPG will be out on September 20, 2012, that's roughly three weeks from now!

The announcement was made in Runic Games'  forums informing their community first on the release date.

The post also mentions that the news will be properly announced to the public sometime tomorrow.

Excited for Torchlight 2? With the game priced at only $20, I might just give this game a chance.

You can pre-purchase the game on Steam, pre-purchasing Torchlight 2 will grant you a free copy of the first game.

You get to play 'house' in Skyrim soon

Bethesda announced the second DLC for the Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. After slaying some dragons and exploring dungeons, it's time to unwind by coming home to your very own home that you built yourself. Building your dream fantasy home is now possible in the Hearthfire DLC, and if you've always wanted a virtual child in a fantasy world, you can adopt a child if that's your thing. Check the trailer below.

It's great that Bethesda is expanding the crafting system. Building and customizing your own house looks great. You can create a small cottage all the way up to a huge house equipped with an armory, alchemy, and pretty much everything a dragonborn needs. , but I have no idea why child adoption was included. Was that really demanded by the community?

As usual, Hearthfire hits Xbox Live first on September 4 for 400 MS points. No word when this will be release on Playstation 3 and PC.

Raiden joins Playstation All-Stars Battle Royale

Here's another character joining Playstation All-Stars Battle Royale. Raiden from the upcoming action slasher Metal Gear Solid: Revengeance is now confirmed. Trailer for Raiden has hit the when and he's looks like a pretty strong contender. Check out Raiden doing some juggles below.

Raiden is a close-ranged fighter who is capable of building tremendous amounts of AP with various combos and juggles. He uses a special chain-attack system that lets him branch off into different combo attacks depending on the string of attacks input by the player. He has plenty of ways to both start and end combos, whether they be on the ground or in mid-air. Raiden can also defend against attackers attempting to interrupt his combos from behind with reverse stabs and parries, which is useful in a four-player free-for-all.

It's going to be a bit awkward to play characters like the new Dante and Raiden from Revengeance when their game hasn't even come out yet.

To find out more, check out this link about this crossover fighting game.

Playstation All-Stars Battle Royale will be released on November 20, 2012 for Playstation 3.