Spotlight
VideoWatch: Seven games that made you look like a complete and utter badass
It's this week's Eurogamer Show.
Digital FoundryVanquish PS3/360 input latency tests
Xbox 360 and PS3 versions' input lag compared.
Digital FoundryFace-Off: Vanquish
Robots in the skies.
Digital FoundryVanquish PS3/360 gameplay performance
Analysis of gameplay segments from both SKUs.
Key events
10th May 2017
4th February 2011
26th October 2010
22nd October 2010
22nd October 2010
22nd October 2010
19th October 2010
19th October 2010
14th October 2010
23rd September 2010
2nd September 2010
25th August 2010
5th August 2010
16th July 2010
7th June 2010
29th January 2010
Xbox Games with Gold for May includes Vanquish, Metal Gear Solid 5
Plus Streets of Rage and more.
Microsoft has unveiled its Xbox Games with Gold line-up for May, and it's a good 'un, headlined by Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain, and Platinum's stupendous Vanquish.
Shinji Mikami's classic cover shooter Vanquish is now backward compatible on Xbox One
As is Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light.
Microsoft has announced that Platinum Games' blistering third-person cover shooter Vanquish is the latest game to receive backward compatibility support on Xbox One, alongside Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light.
Vanquish PC's improved framerate actually increases enemy damage
Good luck getting through God Hard now!
Vanquish on PC is harder than you remember, assuming you've got a good enough kit to bump up its framerate.
Vanquish remains the pinnacle of cover shooters
Sliding into your DIMMs.
Sam Gideon cannot jump. There is surely no graver flaw in the video game multiverse, where the ability to leap is as valuable as one of the five senses, where even the lowliest grunt can manage a hop in a pinch. Still, the loss of one sense usually heightens another and what Vanquish's protagonist lacks in hang-time he amply makes up for in his ground game. Gideon glides across concrete like Michael Phelps skimming an Olympic pool. Sparks fly from those zinging metal knees as he streaks forward to donut a bewildered mecha. In Gideon's world, the term 'bullet time' is no mere poetic flourish. Squeeze an eye down the a gun's sights while sliding and time drawls to the extent that you can swat a fat, dangling rocket clean out of the air. Sam Gideon cannot jump. But by god he can fly.
Digital FoundryPC Vanquish is every bit as good as you would hope
Higher resolutions and an unlocked frame-rate massively improve Platinum's last-gen classic.
Of all the games in Platinum's back catalogue, there was perhaps no other title in need of a re-release more than Vanquish. Even now, Shinji Mikami's take on third-person shooting stands as one of the most nuanced shooters ever made but the basic hardware limits of PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 prevented it from reaching its full potential. Seven years on from its original release, the new PC version of Vanquish frees the title from its technical shackles - and the result is magnificent.
And it's out this month.
After a series of teases, Sega has confirmed Vanquish is coming to PC.
Platinum's much-loved sci-fi shooter comes out on PC via Steam on 25th May.
The PC version features an unlocked framerate, which means if you have the hardware, you can crank the game up from 60fps to 144fps.
VideoWatch: Seven games that made you look like a complete and utter badass
It's this week's Eurogamer Show.
As Eurogamer commenters are very keen to remind me, I don't often look cool. As a result, I'm all the more grateful when a video game makes me feel like I am capable of doing something impressive, however temporarily.
Sega petitioned to release more games on PC
Particularly its Japanese crop.
A petition for Sega to port more games to PC, particularly those made in Japan, is gathering steam, as more than 6000 people sign their name in support.
Total ARS.
"To vanquish without peril is to triumph without glory." Had 17th-century French playwright Pierre Corneille not suffered the misfortune of being born 400 or so years before Vanquish was released, I'm fairly sure he would have admired Shinji Mikami's excellent third-person shooter. Indeed, there's an echo of Corneille's words in the Mikami-directed remake of Resident Evil on GameCube: the more challenging difficulty setting, Mountain Climbing, points out that "beyond the hardships lies accomplishment". It's a maxim that has served one of the medium's best game designers well over his storied career, and particularly so here.
The wait continues for Retro City Rampage on European PSN
Perhaps we should GO on Counter-Strike.
No there's still no sign of Retro City Rampage on the European PlayStation Store, nor Counter-Strike: Global Offensive.
Cliffy B: Japan game devs must not ignore multiplayer
"The fact Vanquish didn't have multiplayer was a crime."
Gear of War creator Cliff Bleszinski has spoken out against Japanese game developers for ignoring multiplayer options.
Resident Evil creator's new game is a survival horror codenamed Zwei
UPDATE: Shinji Mikami releases first art.
UPDATE: Tango Gameworks has released the first piece of art for project Zwei. It's below.
PlatinumGames better sticking to one IP?
"They are an excellent studio," says Sega.
PlatinumGames makes great games, but they don't sell as many copies as they should - Vanquish hasn't broken one million sales.
Iron Man vindicates SEGA's movie milking
Profits up, despite harsh conditions.
Despite "stagnant personal consumption", "generally weak demand" for video games and the devastating 11th March Japanese earthquake and tsunami, SEGA has managed a magnificent profit.
Platinum: "industry deeply saddens us"
Outlines new vision, Platinum Next.
Bayonetta, MadWorld and Vanquish developer PlatinumGames has outlined its new vision and lamented the decline of originality in video games.
Western Vanquish and FM11 sales "slow"
Both fail to reach one million units sold.
Sales of Platinum Games' Vanquish, Sports Interactive's Football Manager 2011 and Nintendo platforms game Sonic Colours in Europe and North America were "slow", SEGA has said.
In its latest financial report the Japanese company said demand for videogames was "generally weak" in western markets.
Why? Because of "sluggish personal consumption". SEGA sold just under six million game units in Europe, 5.8 million in the US and 1.9 million in Japan and other regions.
Mikami: What Vanquish might have been
Departing director reveals original concept.
Shinji Mikami walks away from PlatinumGames with a revelation - originally, Vanquish was a very different game.
Artwork hints at new Mikami project
Creepy sketches show up on dev blog.
Looking for a clue as to what Shinji Mikami might be up to at Zenimax? Well, look no further than these spooky doodles that popped up on Tango Gameworks' blog.
SEGA encouraged by Vanquish sales
But admits it faces a "challenge".
SEGA's "reasonably encouraged" by sales of PlatinumGames' superb third-person shooter Vanquish, but cautioned that it's too early to judge.
Shinji Mikami's Vanquish went in at 12 in the UK all-formats chart following its release last Friday.
According to a report from SEGA Bits, first day Japanese sales were 56,000.
UK chart: Fallout: New Vegas wins big
Vanquish, DJ Hero 2, MMA miss top 10.
Bethesda's new Fallout game has entered the UK all-formats chart at number one.
Digital FoundryIs Vanquish a four-hour game?
Computer says no.
Platinum Games' Vanquish launched in Europe yesterday to a range of mostly positive reviews, including a glowing 9/10 score from Eurogamer. However, comments from a lukewarm Game Informer write-up stating that Vanquish could be completed in under four hours have raised alarm for many players, along with incredulity from Platinum Games' writer JP Kellams.
Digital FoundryVanquish PS3/360 input latency tests
Xbox 360 and PS3 versions' input lag compared.
Xbox 360 and PS3 versions' input lag compared.
Digital FoundryFace-Off: Vanquish
Robots in the skies.
Xbox 360
PlayStation 3
Digital FoundryVanquish PS3/360 gameplay performance
Analysis of gameplay segments from both SKUs.
Digital FoundryVanquish PS3/360 cut-scene performance
Engine performance tests using like-for-like scenes.
Engine performance tests using like-for-like scenes.
Digital FoundryVanquish: Xbox 360/PS3 Face-Off
Platinum's superb shooter compared on both HD consoles.
Vanquish 720p comparison gallery
Full Face-Off goes live tomorrow.
Full Face-Off goes live tomorrow.
Digital FoundryVanquish Playthrough Time-Lapse
Just how much "game" is there in Platinum's latest?
Just how much "game" is there in Platinum's latest?
VideoVanquish - 15 minutes post demo
Metal Gears of War.
Metal Gears of War.
Mikami's latest ready to shoot.
Overcome.
It's entirely in keeping with Platinum Games' devil-may-care attitude. For years, we've written off Japanese studios when it comes to first- and third-person shooters: always playing catch-up to their American counterparts, never quite delivering. But Shinji Mikami was never going to meekly push his team's debut shooter centre stage with a deferential bow and an apologetic glance, pleading: "Might this be good enough, Yankee-Doodle-sensei?" It's just not the Platinum way.
What is, you ask? Well. You kidnap Master Chief, that icon of contemporary Western shooters, that representative of all that is strong and successful about the white man's videogame and its gun-toting alpha-male hero. You strip him naked and throw him into the alleyway behind your Osaka studio, keeping only his clothes. Why just his clothes? Because you don't need the man. Master Chief himself is just a cipher. It's his armour that holds the iconographic value.
And once you have the armour, this suit that embodies the great American videogame? Well, then, you do what the Japanese do best. You mod the f*** out of it.
Shinji Mikami explains Vanquish demo
Putting the content in context.
PlatinumGames' Shinji Mikami has gone into detail about the content of the Vanquish demo content released so far.
PlatinumGames' Atsushi Inaba talks Vanquish
"We always prioritise gameplay over story."
Platinum doesn't do games by half. From Wii skewer-'em-up MadWorld to the handgun stilettos of Bayonetta, Hideki Kamiya and chums always aim to surprise. Vanquish, the studio's upcoming third-person shooter, is their latest attempt.
VideoVanquish battlesuit trailer
Suit up!
How to finish your foes.
How to finish your foes.
Bayonetta free with Vanquish pre-order
Play.com exclusive.
If you pre-order upcoming action game Vanquish you'll get Japanese developer PlatinumGames' other game Bayonetta free – but only at Play.com.
Inaba joins East vs. West debate
Says Japan's never heard of Call of Duty.
Atsushi Inaba, the producer on forthcoming Platinum Games shooter Vanquish, has given his take on the difference between Japanese and Western gamers.
VideoVanquish challenge mode gameplay
Trying times.
Second Vanquish demo coming to EU/US
"After the launch of the game."
A second demo of PlatinumGames' Vanguish will be released in Europe and North Amercia, SEGA's confirmed to Eurogamer.
New video from Sega's shooter.
New video from Sega's shooter.
Vanquish Limited Edition has 7" figurine
Zavvi exclusive.
The Limited Edition of PlatinumGames' Vanguish includes a 7" figurine of protagonist Sam Gideon. Have a gander at it below.
Vanquish, R.U.S.E. demos on PS3 now
Store update welcomes Alien Breed, too.
The star attractions this week on the PlayStation Store are Vanquish and R.U.S.E. demos and Team17's Alien Breed: Impact. The latter is offered as a free trial or Ł12 for the full game.
Digital FoundryVanquish demo showdown
Platinum targets PS3 as lead platform.
Platinum Games is on a mission with its upcoming shooter, Vanquish. In the wake of the disappointing reception offered to the third-party PS3 conversion of its last title, Bayonetta, the developer has switched to the Sony platform as its lead console.
Digital FoundryVanquish demo PS3/360 performance analysis
PS3 version boasts zero-tear v-synced gameplay.
Vanquish demo held back on 360
PS3 version "hopefully" this afternoon.
The Xbox 360 demo of PlatinumGames' exciting space shooter Vanquish has been held back until tomorrow.
VideoVanquish demo - first 15 minutes
Rich scampers through Platinum's latest.
Rich scampers through Platinum's latest.
Yabba-DARPA-Doo.
Vanquish, Shinji Mikami's latest blaster, is a textbook study in why videogame maths doesn't always add up. On paper, PlatinumGames' sci-fi epic combines the ring-world setting and gurning bombast of Halo with the cover system from Gears of War, the gruff-protagonist-who-likes-a-crafty-fag from Metal Gear Solid and the sterile plastic-fantastic armour stylings of the secretly brilliant Capcom money bomb PN.0.3.
VideoVanquish tri-weapon pack trailer
Pre-orderers get more.
Play the prologue and fight a boss.
PlatinumGames producer Atsushi Inaba has confirmed a demo for upcoming third-person shooter Vanquish.
VideoVanquish gameplay trailer
Iron men.
VideoVanquish gets a gameplay trailer
Rocket-sliding robot slaughter from Mikami.
SEGA dates Vanquish for Europe
Platinum's Halo beater for October.
SEGA has announced that PlatinumGames shooter Vanquish will be released in the UK on Friday, 22nd October.
Mikami shooter gets firm month.
SEGA has said that PlatinumGames' upcoming cover shooter Vanquish will be released for PS3 and Xbox 360 in October.
Shinji Mikami's cover shooter.
Shinji Mikami's cover shooter.
We were promised jet-slides.
SEGA hasn't done badly out of its four-game deal with Platinum Games, certainly not in terms of variety. We've had a score-chase playground for sadists in MadWorld; Infinite Space gave us a space-RPG for obsessive-compulsives; Bayonetta is an action heroine as gloriously over-the-top and under-dressed you could possibly hope for; and Vanquish, a third-person shooter set on a space station in the grip of a future Cold War, is nothing like any of them.
VideoBrand new Vanquish trailer
Building the tension pre-E3.
Mikami explains setting for Vanquish
"America's a carnivore, Japan's vegetarian."
Shinji Mikami, creator of the Resident Evil series, has explained the thinking behind the setting for his next title.
No multiplayer modes for Vanquish
Shinji Mikami explains the decision.
Platinum Games has confirmed that Vanquish, the new third-person shooter being overseen by Shinji Mikami, won't feature any multiplayer modes.
Platinum seller?
Hello, this is Shinji Mikami here.
Platinum's Vanquish for Japan this winter
Bayonetta dev's next for PS3 and 360.
PlatinumGames' new game Vanquish will be released this winter in Japan. Director Shinji Mikami has also confirmed development for both PS3 and 360.
Halo, is it me you're looking for?
PlatinumGames reveals Vanquish
Bayonetta dev's next looks like Halo.
PlatinumGames, developer of Bayonetta and MadWorld, has revealed its next game - Vanquish.
