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'Heavy Rain Chronicles' DLC, Collector's Edition announced

by JC Fletcher { Dec 18th 2009 at 12:15PM }

Quantic Dream's Heavy Rain just got heavier, both in content and in physical package size. Sony has detailed the first of the DLC releases that we confirmed earlier this week, called Heavy Rain Chronicles. The first DLC episode is an expanded version of the "bonus" taxidermist scene shown in 2008 and will be available "after the launch of Heavy Rain early next year" for an unannounced price. More downloadable episodes will be revealed later.

Sony Europe has also announced a Collector's Edition of the game (for Europe), which will include access to the expanded Taxidermist episode day-and-date with the retail release. The limited-edition box will include the DLC episode, along with a downloadable soundtrack and XMB theme, plus a cool "rain-effect" slipcase (pictured above). Sony didn't note a date for the Collector's Edition, so we'll just stick to our best guess: February 26.

While there's no announcement about a Collector's Edition for North America, according to PlayStation Blog, if you pre-order the standard edition, you will gain early access to the first "Chronicle" (or DLC episode). As in Europe, the DLC will be available for non-pre-orderers at an unspecified post-launch date, though the North American episodes have been priced at $4.99 each.

Gallery: Heavy Rain (12/14)

Source – Introducing Heavy Rain Chronicles + The Special Edition Box [PlayStation.Blog.Europe]
Source – Pre-order Heavy Rain and Get The Heavy Rain Chronicles [PlayStation.Blog]

Vagrant Story finally coming to PSN in Europe

by Richard Mitchell { Dec 17th 2009 at 6:45PM }

While most people recognize Square Enix as the company that gave us the Final Fantasy series, there are some who remember the company differently. Some remember Square as the benevolent force that gave Vagrant Story to the world back in the PSOne era. A truly unique action RPG, Vagrant Story brought together a great story and a one of a kind battle system. As such, many gamers (including Joystiq editors) have been slavering for the game to hit PSN. Japan received it earlier this year and now it looks like Europe is next in line.

Square Enix has announced that Vagrant Story will hit the PSN in PAL territories starting December 22. The game will be sold for €5.99, an absolute pittance. Let's hope the North American release isn't far behind. Considering the bizarre gaps between regional PSN releases though, we're not holding our breath.

God of War 'Ultimate Trilogy Edition' coming to Europe

by Andrew Yoon { Dec 17th 2009 at 3:30PM }

Dear Europe,

We're really sorry you weren't able to get God of War Collection this year. But we wanted to let you know that it's not you, it's us. Yeah, you really wanted it, but we thought you would want EyePet instead! To make up for the delay, we're making you an Ultimate Trilogy Edition of God of War III. Not only will it include a fancy box and a copy of God of War III, but it will also include God of War Collection, so you can have all three games in one garish box. We're also throwing in an art book and postcards, along with a lot of digital extras that America is also receiving. Does this make you feel better, baby?

Love,
Sony Computer Entertainment Europe

Splinter Cell: Conviction Collector's Edition revealed for the rest of the world [update]

by JC Fletcher { Dec 14th 2009 at 3:20PM }

Click with conviction to see larger images Paying more for a fancier version of Splinter Cell: Conviction is no longer an exclusively North American privilege. Ubisoft just announced a Collector's Edition of the stealth sequel for "all" European, Middle Eastern, Asian, and Pacific territories -- and it comes with different stuff than the North American version!

The rest of the world's Collector's Edition will include the usual steel-book case and soundtrack, and also the distinguished-looking Sam Fisher statue seen above, frozen forever in the act of almost stepping on his night vision goggles. The pack also includes in-game bonuses like an Infiltration Mode, a special "Shadow Armor" skin, and "early access" to the SC300, SR2 and MP5 weapons.

Head into our gallery to see images of both the Xbox 360 and PC sets.

Update: See the new weapons and the other bonuses in a video after the break.

Gallery: Splinter Cell: Conviction Collector's Edition

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Europe getting Dante's Inferno 'Death Edition,' includes playable Isaac Clarke

by Griffin McElroy { Dec 13th 2009 at 1:00AM }

In an inspiring attempt to try and take even more gratuitous liberties with the works of Dante Alighieri, Visceral Games has announced a Europe-only special edition bundle of its upcoming Hell-based action title, Dante's Inferno. The "Death Edition" bundle comes with a copy of the poem, some making-of documentaries, and an art book. However, its greatest bonus is a new skin for the game's scythe-wielding protagonist: The slot-helmeted outfit of Dead Space's hero, Isaac Clarke. Check out the full costume after the jump.

Now that we think of it, there's something pretty similar to this cross-promotion in the text of Dante's epic poem:

"I saw multitudes
to every side of me; their howls were loud
while, wheeling weights, they used their chests to push.
They struck against each other; at that point,
this space miner came in and killed them with this big scythe.
Needless to say, it was pretty [expletive deleted] radical."

Source: Console Planet (Google Translate)

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Euro retailers point to Feb. 26 release for Heavy Rain

by David Hinkle { Dec 11th 2009 at 4:15PM }

European retailers have updated their pages for Heavy Rain, predicting the game will fall on European store shelves on February 26. For those of you keeping score at home, Famitsu said the game is releasing to Japan in February as well, lending some credibility to the proposed February 26 release in Europe.

We contacted SCEE -- who gave us the cold shoulder -- but we also sent word to SCEA, who said: "We haven't announced a release date for North America ... but stay tuned as we will have a release date soon."

Source - GAME
Source - Gamestation
Source - Play.com

European Nintendo downloads: Alex Kidd in Shinobi World, Monkey Island

by JC Fletcher { Dec 11th 2009 at 4:00PM }

The sole Virtual Console release this week is a reminder of a very odd time: when Sega thought Alex Kidd was a viable character. The company took an in-progress Shinobi parody game called Shinobi Kid, and then added the Alex Kidd character. Someone at Sega was under the impression that a game would sell better with Alex Kidd in it.

Also available: more Monkey Island, an expansion of one of Rubik's World's games, and Pallurikio, a cute platformer with a slingshot mechanic. And on DSiWare, it's ... a stripped-down version of Hell's Kitchen!

Pallurikio (WiiWare, 1 player, 1,000 Wii Points)
Rubik's Puzzle Galaxy: RUSH (WiiWare, 1-2 players, 600 Wii Points)
Tales of Monkey Island: Chapter 4 (WiiWare, 1 player, 1,000 Wii Points)
Alex Kidd in Shinobi World (Sega Master System, 1 player, 500 Wii Points)
PictureBook Games: The Royal Bluff (DSiWare, 1-4 players, 500 DSi Points)
Hell's Kitchen Vs. (DSiWare, 1-2 players, 800 DSi Points)

Three different Aliens vs. Predator bundles dated in Europe

by JC Fletcher { Dec 10th 2009 at 5:20PM }

Sega, Rebellion, some Aliens, Predators, and even Space Marines are all teaming up in February to get your money. Sega announced that Aliens vs. Predator will be released in Europe on February 19 of next year.

The game will arrive in three versions, each for three different levels of enthusiasm about the FPS. The Standard Edition is for the average gamer looking for a new game. The Survivor Edition comes in the requisite steel case and includes codes for extra multiplayer maps, to be released after the launch date. The Hunter Edition is for the collector who may not even be opening the game, as it includes a facehugger model, a lenticular postcard, and a "Weyland-Yutani sleeve badge."

How do we sign up for the bundle Lance Henriksen's getting -- the one with your own likeness in the game? That one's probably really expensive.

Gallery: Aliens vs. Predator (2010): Packshots [PAL]

European Nintendo downloads: Earthworm Jim 2, holiday games

by JC Fletcher { Dec 4th 2009 at 1:45PM }

This week, the European Wii and DS Shops' halls are decked, with one festive, holiday-themed game each! Happy Holidays: Christmas on WiiWare is, like the Halloween WiiWare release, a program that lets you put together and send e-cards. Yep.

Just Sing! Christmas Songs on DSiWare is pretty much what it sounds like: a karaoke game in which you just sing Christmas songs. Two of them. Just watch the trailer (via GoNintendo) after the break.

Oh, also, Earthworm Jim 2 on Virtual Console. Neat!

Earthworm Jim 2 (Mega Drive, 1 player, 800 Wii Points)
Mahjong (WiiWare, 500 Wii Points)
Happy Holidays: Christmas (WiiWare, 1 player, 500 Wii Points)
Foto Face: The Face Stealer Strikes (DSiWare, 1 player, 800 DSi Points)
A Little Bit of ... Magic Made Fun: Matchmaker (DSiWare, 1 player, 200 DSi Points)
Just Sing! Christmas Songs (DSiWare, 1 player, 200 DSi Points)
myNotebook: Red (DSiWare, 1 player, 200 DSi Points)

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Trademark suggests upcoming European release for Dragon Quest IX

by JC Fletcher { Dec 3rd 2009 at 12:30PM }

While we wait for the real, official announcement we so desperately need to hear from Square Enix, another hint has been dropped about a Western release for Dragon Quest IX.

Square Enix has filed a series of trademarks for the phrase "Sentinels of the Starry Skies" in English, French, Spanish, Italian, and German (search for trademark #008724528 on the EU trademark database to see the English application for yourself). The phrase corresponds closely to the Japanese subtitle of Dragon Quest IX, Hoshizora no Mamorubito ("Defenders of the Starry Sky").

The publisher could be waiting to get its other big RPG out the door before saying anything. It previously noted that if it does localize the DS game (which it will!) it'll be in the next fiscal year, which starts in April.

European PSN releases for November 26

by Alexander Sliwinski { Nov 26th 2009 at 12:00PM }

While Americans prep Thanksgiving dinner, the rest of the world moves on as usual. Today's European PSN update adds all the Fallout 3 DLC, along with Borderlands' "Zombie Island" expansion. For PSP users, two new Minis are available: Blast Off and Dracula -- Undead Awakening (pictured). Now, please pardon us while we go get the stuffing ready.

Choose your platform to view the corresponding release list:

(Note: Continue past the break to view both release lists.)

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Sony replaces faulty Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines download

by Ludwig Kietzmann { Nov 24th 2009 at 5:00PM }

"Yes, there was an issue with the original download," a Sony Europe spokesperson has told Eurogamer. Said issue, which rendered PAL digital copies of Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines dead on arrival, was rectified by replacing the PSP file on the European PlayStation store -- though this came at a cost to those who had already been greeted by the defective copy's never-ending loading screen. According to the spokesperson, "It was pulled from the store and we are issuing replacement codes for those people who purchased the content before 12PM GMT on November 20."

Developed by Griptonite Games, Bloodlines follows the protagonist of 2007's Assassin's Creed, complete with 3D free-running and an Altair native control scheme.

PlayStation Blog: now with more Spanish!

by Ben Gilbert { Nov 23rd 2009 at 2:45PM }

Announced via the European PlayStation Blog, today marks el primer dia of the Spanish language PlayStation Blog. Sony has been expanding its reach of PlayStation-centric blogs from the original US one for months now, first branching into the UK and establishing a European base, then localizing that blog for Italy and Germany, and now Spanish.

The PlayStation Blog in Spanish will focus on Europe-specific events rather than Latin American, and is said to feature localized news in addition to Spanish language versions of the EU blog's posts. The blog's first post introduces us to Mónica Revilla – one half of the team running the site – and, well, there's an adorable picture of a dog. We're not sure of everything Mónica says in her first post, but we sure do like cute doggies.

European Nintendo downloads: Pokemon Rumble, Shootanto, demos

by JC Fletcher { Nov 20th 2009 at 3:45PM }

The WiiWare demo service arrives in Europe today, though a bit light on content compared to other regions. On the upside, both of the demos offered are for games that cost 1,500 Wii Points, which means you could save a pretty large chunk of change if you discover (somehow) that you don't like World of Goo.

In terms of stuff you pay for, Shootanto is going to be totally overshadowed by Pokemon Rumble. DSiWare has a decent selection of games, including something that looks kind of like Defend Your Castle, a few card games, and myNotebook.

Pokemon Rumble (WiiWare, 1-4 players, 1,500 Wii Points)
Shootanto: Evolutionary Mayhem (WiiWare, 1-2 players, 500 Wii Points)
Army Defender (DSiWare, 1 player, 200 DSi Points)
A Little Bit of ... All-Time Classics: Strategy Games (DSiWare, 1 player, 500 DSi Points)
myNotebook: Blue (DSiWare, 1 player, 200 DSi Points)
Uno (DSiWare, 1-6 players, 500 DSi Points)
Demos: Pokemon Rumble, World of Goo (free)

Crystal Bearers dives into Europe February 5

by JC Fletcher { Nov 20th 2009 at 11:45AM }

The good news: no Boxing Day shopping trips are in store for European gamers eager to telekinetically grab Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers. The (relatively) bad news: that's because it's coming out more than a month later. Square Enix announced today that Crystal Bearers will be available in PAL territories on February 5, 2010. As waits for Final Fantasy games go, it doesn't seem that bad.

In fact, with the game being released on a normal day instead of the day after Christmas, maybe someone in Europe will notice its release -- something we suspect may be a problem for a game that has been under the radar for most of its development.