TGS 2009: Day 2 PS3 and Xbox 360 news roundup – delays, new games and Natal reveal

There really weren’t any big announcements during the second business day of the Tokyo Game Show but publishers did get to show off a lot of new games. There was also disappointing news about game delays as well as information about new titles revealed for the first time.

I reported just about everything to come out the Tokyo Game Show during the first business day previously (read here). It seems publishers are taking day two to show off the many titles set to hit later this year and into next year.

Natal first games – Space Invaders, and Katamari Damacy

During day one of the TGS, Sony showed off some games that use the PS3 motion controller such as Resident Evil 5 and LittleBigPlanet. It looks like it’s Microsoft’s turn to show some new titles to use Natal.

Microsoft demonstrated Space Invaders and Katamari Damacy with Natal integration during the conference. You control the movements in Space Invaders by shifting either to the left or to the right and to shoot you raise both arms up in the air. To roll around in Katamari Damacy, you move your arms left to right to roll in that particular direction.

Alpha Protocol Delay into Summer 2010

Shortly after I dropped Alpha Protocol into my prediction list of ‘Games that will fail this holiday’ the title gets delayed all the way into summer of 2010. I’m sure the delay had very little to do with my article but more to do with Sony’s feedback to the SEGA (leaked meeting notes) indicating that the game needed some more work.

I think this is a smart move as I indicated in my previous article that the game will likely sell poorly due to being overshadowed by Halo 3: ODST and Uncharted 2. I am still definitely looking forward to playing Alpha Protocol.

Crackdown 2 coming along nicely

Microsoft really pushed Crackdown 2 during the TGS, which is complete departure from last years RPG focus. The game is actually coming along nicely and looks near complete state. Its interesting to see Ruffian Games stepping up to take over the development of the sequel to the game created by Realtime Worlds.

Even though Realtime Worlds might have a bit of a grudge over Microsoft’s decision to handoff development of Crackdown 2 to newly formed Ruffian Games – the new studio seems up to the daunting task of following in Realtime World’s footsteps. After all, Ruffian Games was started by two renegade employees of Realtime Worlds.

The new addition of multiplayer looks interesting, but it still has some rough edges that needs to get sorted out. Personally I think Ruffian needs to get rid of auto-aim period, in multiplayer. This is one of the biggest reasons multiplayer on GTA failed. Also, the jump pads may need to be reworked. Apparently, gamers have found it easy to camp at each jump pads and execute a single hit melee kill to helpless landers.

Koei – Dynasty Warriors MMO

Koei has finally done it. The rumor mill has been churning out news of a Dynasty Warriors MMO for quite some time now. It seems like those rumors were indeed true, as Koei recently announced that the studio will be developing the game for the PS3 and PC. The news was extremely well received by the audience at the TGS, which erupted in applause.

I’m curious how this will work as in every Dynasty Warriors game the goal is to kill like a million enemies or something like that. Will you have to kill a million enemies controlled by live players?

Final Fantasy Versus XIII gameplay showing – finally

PS3 exclusive, Final Fantasy Versus XIII has been rumored to be on hold for the time being as Square Enix ramps up development for FFXIII. However, the publisher surprised everyone by showing actual gameplay footage of the game behind closed doors. I’m sure the video will get out somehow; in the mean time gamers will just have to remain a bit more patient.

Toy Soldier looks good; Tower Defense with mix of air and shooter

XBL exclusive game, Toy Soldiers was demonstrated at TGS. The game actually has my interest perked as the game reminds me of PS3’s Valkyria Chronicles (well sort of). Toy Soldiers plays like your average tower defense game except one major difference – you can take control of every action.

Not only do you strategize from an RTS overworld map like Valkyria Chronicles, but you also get to control the grunts doing the work. You can zoom in to take control of a soldier’s action instantly turning the game into a shooter or take control of a plane to attack by air. This title looks to be an interesting game I will be keeping on my radar. Check out gameplay footage below:

Mass Effect 2 – Sexy Subject Zero – gameplay looks good

Bioware unveiled for the first time a new character in the Mass Effect world – Subject Zero. The publisher released a nice video showing off this sexy vixen and her acrobatic killer moves. The footage of Subject Zero in action finally has me convinced that Bioware completely retooled the games action mechanics. No longer does the characters move and shoot like they have pudding in their suits.

Yakuza 4 announced for PS3

SEGA announced the long rumored Yakuza 4 at the TGS recently. This news came off the heel of SEGA’s confirmation that Yakuza 3 will be finally making its way overseas to North America. It would have been nice to get the game before SEGA decided to announce Yakuza 4, but I suppose I can’t complain as the game will be finally coming to the US. I have to say Yakuza 4 looks really good as the character modeling seems vastly superior to Yakuza 3’s. You can judge for yourself below:

That pretty much wraps up everything shown for day two. There might be a few things I might have missed, but I think I covered the highlights. Stay tuned for more gaming news coming off the Tokyo Game Show.

• TGS 2009: Day 1 complete PS3 and Xbox 360 news roundup
• Gamescom 2009: Sony news roundup – PS3 $299 price drop, PSP comics and firmware 3.0
• News roundup: $199 PS3, 250GB Xbox 360, and firmware bricks controller
• Nintendo: “Production delays? We haven’t heard of any Wii production delays”
• Microsoft CEO to reveal 2009 lineup for Xbox 360