WOOT: Aliens: Infestation rated by ESRB

So it seems Sega has another Aliens themed title coming, this time for the Nintendo DS.

According to Joystiq:

Aliens: Infestation, the long-gestating xenomorph game for the Nintendo DS, has been rated by the ESRB. The classification board describes the teen-rated title as an action game, in which "players run and jump through side-scrolling levels, they use rifles, pistols, flamethrowers, and explosives to kill enemy soldiers and aliens (i.e., 'xenomorphs')."

My first reaction is - This sounds quite a bit like the SNES/Genesis Alien 3 game. I may be in the minority here, but I recall actually really enjoying the Alien 3 game (far more than the movie) back in the day.

With any luck we'll know more about Aliens: Infestation soon!

Current Gaming 5/18/2011

Dragon Quest IX has a firm grip on me. I am kicking myself for not picking this title up when it first came out, as it's REALLY hitting the spot. This is a VERY traditional JRPG through and through.

Oh I did uncover a neat innovation in DQIX after all! It seems to have a local multiplayer mode, where you and up to 3 friends can go off and quest. I've not been able to try out this functionality, but with any luck I'll run into someone with DQIX.

On the other side of things, my favorite "CarPG", Gran Turismo 5 still brings the fun. I am currently slowly chipping away at the normal A-Spec races, which hasn't been too bad now that I've got a really mean grinding setup (A 663hp SKyline and the Expert Turbo race circuit leads to fast and easy money). 2 more races in the Amateur Supercar Nostalgia circuit and I'll have gotten Gold medals in every Amateur race (which will of course lead to a that sweet sweet chime of a PS3 Trophy).

Speaking of Trophies, I managed to unlock a bunch of hidden ones - There are 2 weird photography Trophies that are dead simple to get, but I don't know how anyone would have figured them out on their own. Who opts to photograph the people in the background when you're taking car photos?!

Anyway, I am so glad not to be writing about the PSN being down. There is some maintenance happening as I type this, but it's only for the website - PS3 consoles are not affected.

Current Gaming

So I seem to be back in an RPG phase. I picked up a cheap, used copy of Dragon Quest IX for the DS (playing it on my 3DS of course) yesterday and it is really scratching this itch I've had for a classic JRPG. Currently, I've got about 4.5hrs sunk into it and I can tell you that if you're looking for an innovative JRPG, this is not for you.

DQ9 is a classic turn based RPG, you can choose to attack with weapons, use items or cast spells. Seriously, there isn't anything here that any RPG vet hasn't seen before. This is not a bad thing - it's catering to a specific part of the market, and doing so very well.

DQ9 really shines graphically. It's a fully 3D game that really appears to have pushed the DS' hardware to it's limit. The animation is smooth and fluid, but you will notice it's age after playing some of the current 3DS titles. I do hope a new Dragon Quest title comes to the 3DS - the new hardware could make for a spectacular title.

I've also resumed playing the latest in one of my favorite RPG series - Gran Turismo 5. With the help of a friend, I've managed to get each license test cleared. This has leveled me up, opening up better paying races - which of course has lead to more and better cars. Good times.

'til next time!

Handhelds and the future of gaming

I've had this theory that the current gen handheld game systems were a bit of a testing ground for the then next generation home systems.

I also feel some what vindicated with what we ended up with (Look at the ds and then the wii. Both radical departures from the traditional with the touch then motion controls. With the psp and the ps3 I saw that more as a proving ground for the xmb and various media functionality, not to mention local storage media in addition to the game media. Anyway...). Now it seems Nintendo has teased the Nintendo 3DS - and Nintendo has gone on record as feeling that a Wii HD isn't a big enough innovation to make next gen hardware.

A Wii 3D on the otherhand? Nintendo is flush with cash and crazy enough to try it.

I wonder what Sony has in store for the proper PSP sucsessor? (well, besides a ps3 style hypervisor hah!)