Full-Scale Sequel to Metal Gear Solid 3 – Features New Game System and Original Story by Hideo Kojima

El Segundo, Calif. – June 2, 2009 – Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc., announced the launch of Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker, on the PSP (PlayStationPortable) system. Developed by legendary Hideo Kojima – the mastermind behind the most successful video game tactical-espionage series of all time – this latest PSP installment picks up where Metal Gear Solid3 for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system leaves off as players take control of the famed Naked Snake. Taking place in 1974, Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker features original game design, story and scenario by Hideo Kojima. Scheduled to launch in 2010, the game takes the series in an exciting new direction with its incredible visuals and its unique new game system designed specifically with the PSP in mind. Additionally, download and hardware bundle will be available.

“With Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker, Kojima Productions has once again pushed the limits of the PSP system, by creating a groundbreaking sequel to Metal Gear Solid 3,” said Anthony Crouts, Vice President of Marketing for Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. “Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker lets players take the action and excitement of a console game to the PSP system.”

Mother Base, AI Weapons, and Multi-Player Elements Revealed as
METAL GEAR SOLID: PEACE WALKER Heads to PSP this May

Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc., has confirmed that its forthcoming METAL GEAR SOLID: PEACE WALKER title for PSP (PlayStation Portable) will be available on UMD format on May 25th, 2010. The next official chapter in the story of Naked Snake (a.k.a. Big Boss), METAL GEAR SOLID: PEACE WALKER is a stunning stealth-action title, set shortly after the events of METAL GEAR SOLID 3: SNAKE EATER, and drops the user into a 70s Cold War scenario. As interest continues to grow in this stunning new title from series creator Hideo Kojima, he and his Tokyo-based Kojima Productions team have also revealed several key new elements to be found in the game.

The first major reveal is the Mother Base offshore plant, which acts as a hub for items and personnel collected within the game. During the course of METAL GEAR SOLID: PEACE WALKER, users can recruit felled adversaries and transport them to the Mother Base sea rig by using the Fulton Recovery System. Recruited soldiers each have unique attributes that allow them to support Snake and other characters in a variety of ways. By gathering more staff, players will be able to expand Mother Base and gain access to new functions. Mother Base also acts as a development area for Snake, where collated information can be used to create and also upgrade all-new armaments .

METAL GEAR SOLID: PEACE WALKER also introduces new AI Weapons – giant unmanned behemoths that Snake must overcome to complete his mission. These include hover, airborne, and tank-style vehicles. Each AI Weapon can speak and even sing during battle using VOCALOID technology, hinting at a surprising level of intelligence.

Finally, Kojima Productions has also confirmed the PSP game will boast extensive multi-player elements, allowing four-player co-operative missions, and a stunning three-against-three battle royale, wherein six players can form teams and engage in huge linked battles via the Sony handheld’s Ad Hoc capabilities. Further details will be released shortly, with Kojima Productions looking to the ever-popular METAL GEAR ONLINE for inspiration.

METAL GEAR SOLID: PEACE WALKER adds a wealth of new elements to the popular stealth series, with players giving CPR to felled colleagues, battling huge boss adversaries and enjoying another twisting plot that will surprise and thrill in equal measure. The story continues in May…

Patapon
Sony Computer Entertainment
PSP
Single player
“E” for Everyone
Rating: 8 out of 10.

When Sony first showed me Patapon in December, I didn’t know what to make of it. Firstly, it’s rhythmic, and I love rhythmic games. It’s a side scroller, not a plus in my book. But it is cute, very cute. If you’re not a lover of cute, then maybe you’ll find the art interesting – it was designed by the popular French graphic artist, Rolito and the 2D art involves catchy abstract shapes, and colorful environments.
The principle of game play is that you have to lead the Patapons through a series of epic battles against opposing armies and gigantic monsters. You control the Patapons by pushing buttons that make drumbeats and send commands like march, attack, and defend. There are six different drumbeats that are combinations of X, O, box, and triangle. For example, circle, circle, box, circle might mean charge. You have to push the buttons in time to the background music, which is also in time to the action. If you chain a bunch of commands together, then you unlock a special mode where your attacks do more damage.

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