Namco Bandai returns with yet another Naruto announcement this month, this time revealing the sequel to Uzumaki Chronicles, their latest Naruto ninja combat game for the PlayStation 2. Appropriately titled Naruto: Uzumaki Chronicles 2, the new chapter is set to be released on the same console in late-summer 2007, promising to bring "an exciting new storyline, multi-player battles, and an additional array of playable characters".

The story in Uzumaki Chronicles 2 will of course follow Naruto, as he faces different challenges to defend the Hidden Leaf Village and surrounding villages from the evil force trying to dominate it. An ancient organization, which was thought to have been disbanded, is alive and in search of orbs to resurrect a mechanical terror. It's now up to Naruto and all of the Hidden Leaf Genin to join forces with those of the Hidden Sand Village to stop this menace.

Some screenshots showing the game's action (and adventure) can already be seen in our gallery, and for those of you yearning for more details about the gameplay features... well, here they are:

- New Original Adventure - Explore the Naruto world with a brand new story line that can only be experienced through Naruto: Uzumaki Chronicles 2

- Multiplayer Co-op and Vs Battles - During the game, a second player is able to join in on the action for a simultaneous two-player adventure! Or, fight head-to-head with a friend and battle it out for the title of Hokage.

- Multiple Modes of Play - Additional gameplay modes further enhance the Naruto experience:

- Story Mode - Play alone or with a friend and traverse a lush, 3-D anime-style world in which Naruto and his friends work together to unravel the mystery of the Shirogane Clan and their nefarious army of "puppet walkers." Hone your skills to become the ultimate warrior and unlock a secret chapter of the story.

- Mission Mode - Take on a series of challenging side missions.

- Survival Mode - Test your skills to become the ultimate warrior and unlock a secret mission.

- Multiple Playable Characters - Choose your favorite ninja, including Naruto, Shikamaru, Rock Lee, Kakashi, Guy, Sasuke, or Choji, to complete story-driven missions and intense challenges.

- Character Customization - Prove yourself in battle and earn money to create the ultimate warrior using Chips and Plates that can customize your character's speed, strength, stamina and even special moves.

- Lethal Attacks and Weapons - Harness the power of Rasengan, Lightning Blade, Sand Coffin, and other moves, straight from the series!

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Beautiful Katamari Damacy Confirmed For PS3, Xbox 360

One by one, the rumours stirred one month ago by some photos posted on Xboxic are being confirmed by Namco Bandai. Ace Combat 6 was announced for the Xbox 360 soon afterwards (story), and although we're still waiting to hear about that Warhammer: Mark of Chaos rumoured on the '360, we're now certain that the Katamari Damacy franchise is indeed coming to the Xbox 360. And the PlayStation 3! All this thanks to Japanese magazine Famitsu, via IGN.

Those who loved Katamari Damacy on the PS2 (which may very well mean everyone who played it), or any of its follow-ups, will be glad to know that the next-gen sequel - titled Beautiful Katamari Damacy - will retain the general look of previous entries, while at the same time making everything... well, BIGGER!

"The move to the new platforms makes possible improvements to the technical areas of the game", writes IGN. "Stages are larger and include more junk to add to your growing katamari. One screen in Famitsu shows a katamari rising above 7,000 kilometers, on its way to the 10,000 km mark (yes, it nearly covers the entire Earth at this point).

(...) Also returning from previous Katamari games is the use of singing in the background music. All the performers in the Japanese version will be new to the Katamari universe, but Morikawa (ed - they probably mean Jun Moriwaki, game director) promised that players would be able to recognize the names."

Beautiful Katamari Damacy will also feature online play on the PS3 and Xbox 360, but we'll have to wait some more to get detailed information about this aspect. From what Famitsu speculates, we can expect both co-operative and competitive play, though. So far, the game is only about 50% complete, so there's no release date set yet. You can read IGN's story for a bit more info on the control scheme and what other platforms have the best - and worst - chances of getting a Katamari Damacy game in the future.

UPDATE: Playsyde has some great quality scans of the Famitsu article.

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The Race Driver series took an interesting turn today, when Codemasters announced the first entry for Nintendo's DS handheld, called Race Driver: Create & Race. As if that alone wasn't interesting enough, they say the game will be radically different from previous titles in the series, by allowing players to create their own circuits with a full track construction kit. So if the pre-made circuits aren't good enough for you, you'll be free to layout as many twists and turns as you see fit, and even race on them in multiplayer.

Slated for release in summer 2007, Race Driver: Create & Race is currently in development at the British studio Firebrand Games, self-proclaimed "specialists in handheld driving games" (no, we never heard of them, either). Some of its raw features include 32 real-world circuits - from Silverstone and the Nûrburgring to Bathurst - and 25 officially licensed race cars, including the Koenig GT, the AMG Mercedes C Klasse DTM, and the Chevrolet Silverado Truck.

Some screenshots are now available locally, and here's a bit more about the game's track editor, and its promising multiplayer functionality:

"Using the Nintendo DS stylus, the game's track editor lets players select and place race track elements, such as hairpin corners, long straights and chicanes, to design unique circuits. Once all the pieces are placed to perfection, players can take to their track and experience exactly what it's like in aggressive multiple car races.

Making use of the Nintendo DS Wi-Fi connection capabilities, players can challenge others to races on the game's official tracks as well as the circuits of their creation. Race Driver: Create & Race also enables up to four players to go head-to-head in races gamesharing from only one cartridge. Further championships and cars can be unlocked from the World Tour Mode and then raced in realtime online and ad hoc multiplayer modes."

As tradition would have it, the game will have slightly different titles throughout the world, according to the most popular touring car championships in each region. For instance, in Germany it will be called DTM Race Driver: Create & Race, and V8 Supercars 3: Create & Race in Australia, while the rest of the world will mostly refer to it as Race Driver: Create & Race (no more Pro / ToCA prefixes, it seems).

It sure wouldn't hurt to include a track editor in the series' future PC / PS3 / Xbox 360 iterations.

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So it didn't come out in 2005, like supposed to, and it even missed the entire 2006 by a long shot. But after years of underpaid development over at Chaos Concept, UFO: Extraterrestrials was finally proclaimed "Gold" today by its publisher Tri Synergy, and the final version is now prepared to launch on May 1. The game will first be made available for digital download from Matrix Games (.com) at that time, and a boxed version is set to follow in stores during the second week of May.

In celebration of this wondrous moment (as in, it's a wonder they actually finished it), Tri Synergy presents us with a new batch of screenshots and the game's opening cinematic that you can download / stream here on Playfuls. Sure, it lacks a whole lot of production value, but that's to be expected from an indie dev team. What counts here is the gameplay, and from this point of view UFO: Extraterrestrials closely resembles the classic UFO: Enemy Unknown (X-COM: UFO Defense). Let's just hope that it retains the same quality, as well.

Again, for those of you who haven't been following this game, here's what it's all about:

"Set on the distant planet Esperanza in 2025, the player is thrust into the tough position of leading the defense of this isolated planet against a never-ending assault of hostile alien invaders. UFO: Extraterrestrials will please tactical and strategy fans alike all while including an immersive sci-fi setting. When waging war against the enemy on the ground, advanced artificial intelligence will challenge the player's tactical mettle while fully destructible environments will grant unprecedented free form of gameplay. There's no one correct way to approach any tactical situation! Take all this and couple it with weapon and technology advancement at the player's home base that allow for new and improved weapons, armor, vehicles and more to be developed, and UFO: Extraterrestrials will provide gamers with addicting gameplay that always leaves them coming back for more!"

That said, we're still waiting for Irrational to make our X-COM dreams come true...

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Worms: Open Warfare 2 To Explode On The PSP And DS

Duck and cover, it's those crazy worms again! The chaps from Team17 are meticulously preparing another portable annelid invasion this year, with the follow-up to last year's Worms: Open Warfare. The new game, Worms: Open Warfare 2 (duh), will be published once again by THQ, and in today's communique they target the summer of 2007 as the tentative release timeframe. Like before, the sequel is headed for the PlayStation Portable and Nintendo DS, as well as wireless handsets.

"Players will be able to challenge others from all over the world via multiplayer battles using a wireless connection as they command their worms through clashes that take place in famous battles of the past, as well as fictional fights of the future. Battles include the Spanish Armada conquest in "Pirates!", the frontlines of real war in "World War II" and laser shooting spaceships in "Space War!", among others.

Worms: Open Warfare 2 builds upon the success of last year's Worms: Open Warfare. In addition to the classic Deathmatch mode, the game also includes robust new single and multiplayer modes such as Rope Race, Fort, Puzzle and Campaign modes that challenge players to use new strategies and teamwork to defeat their enemies. The new Firing Range allows gamers to test their weapons skills, including 11 new weapons like the Bunker Buster and Buffalo of Lies as well as classics such as the Super Sheep, Concrete Donkey and the Holy Hand Grenade. Gamers that take the battle online will be able to demonstrate their Worms combat prowess with daily updated stats and leaderboards on the official Worms website. Players will also enjoy the new, in-depth customization options including custom landscape and team flag editors in addition to modified hats, tombstones and victory dances for their worm teams."

The Worms: Open Warfare 2 website is already online, waiting to reveal o handful of screenshots, wallpapers and an embedded trailer, packed full of explosive battles.

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For some time now, the French devs from Hydravision Entertainment have been working on a sequel to Obscure, their survival-(not-so-)horror game from 2004, and recently they finally managed to sign with a publisher. We say "finally" because it's never easy to get the support of a big company with an adventure game, especially when you only have a mediocre game to base your continuation on... as is the case with Obscure. Which is probably why they didn't sign with a big company, but as it turns out this week, they had to settle for Playlogic instead.

The sequel, simply called Obscure II, will be published on a slightly different platforms trio (from the original PC-PS2-Xbox). The PC and PlayStation 2 versions of Obscure II should be released in Q3 2007, and there will also be a Wii version, following in Q4 2007. But for now, enjoy the screenshots... if you can.

In the sequel, players will be taken two years after the gruesome events of the first game. The survivors have gone on to college and try to return to their normal lives. After the discovery of a beautiful but strange plant on school campus, events take a turn for the worse. Soon, the college students have to battle for survival once again.

Players of Obscure II can choose their character and one AI controlled sidekick. In total there are six playable characters that can be switched at various points during the game, each with their own unique abilities. Due to the game's unique co-op feature, friends can join at any time to team up and attempt surviving together (ed. - aw, how romantic). There are many available weapons to keep the monsters that hunt you at bay, but your most important ally may very well be the light - "because you never know what's lurking in the shadows", they reason.

Well, there would better not be boredom lurking (again) in the shadows, because the only weapon we have against that is the "Uninstall" button.

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The first Sonic Rush for the Nintendo DS was anything but a rushed game, and we're expecting an even more polished title from SEGA, when they release the sequel later this year. Titled Sonic Rush Adventure, the new game is currently in development at SEGA Studios, who have plenty of time to make another great portable platformer until autumn 2007, when the finished product is supposed to spin into retail.

Sonic Rush Adventure will utilise both screens of the Nintendo DS to navigate the high seas in search of pirate treasure, delivering Sonic's classic high-speed 2D gameplay in "the ultimate Sonic handheld experience", they say. Fans of the speed-freak hedgehog can look forward to an all-new frantic adventure, complete with dizzying dives, near vertical curves, brain twisting loops and... well, this:

"Players will set off from Windmill Village as Sonic and blast their way through seven action-packed and widely diverse levels. Sonic Rush Adventure will make full use of the DS Download Play feature and Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, which enables gamers to compete with friends in wireless racing and mission-based battles.

Guide Sonic through numerous action stages in the fast and furious single player mode, whilst collecting valuable items and materials that enable Sonic and Tails to track down the villainous pirates. With a fleet of up to five ships, including a submarine, water bike and hovercraft, Sonic Rush Adventure uses the Touch Screen technology in exciting new ways. Use the Nintendo DS Stylus to help control vessels as they race across the ocean gathering rings, performing tricks, and torching pirate boats, whilst engaging in fierce ship-to-ship battles. At the end of each level, epic 3D boss battles spanning both screens will test gamers skills to result in an ultimate showdown with the evil boss character, Captain Whisker.

Sonic Rush Adventure allows players to bounce, fly, swing, ride and run through grand environments of lush forests, an ominous ghost ship, snow covered mountains, pirate villages and a vast underwater sea cave. Along the way there will be a variety of enemy characters to battle against including robots, skeleton warriors, pterodactyls, and a robotic triceratops."

There be screenshots, too, mates!

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Capcom Gets MotoGP Rights For PlayStation Consoles

As if it weren't fragmented enough between several publishers already, the MotoGP franchise now has a new co-owner, after Capcom announced that it has secured the rights to publish MotoGP games for the PlayStation consoles (ed. - with emphasis on the plural). Previously, Namco were the ones responsible for perpetuating the series on the PS2 and PSP, while THQ were handling the PC, Xbox and Xbox 360 versions. So it looks like Namco Bandai may be out of the race for now, unless they have any plans for the Wii or DS.

Capcom already announced its plans to publish the next iteration - MotoGP '07 (working title) - this autumn, although not for the PlayStation 3 as we might have expected, but for the PS2. In the meantime, THQ also has a MotoGP '07 game lined up for launch on the PC and Xbox 360 later this year. Whether it's the same basic game, or a completely different variant, it remains to be seen, since Capcom made absolutely no mention in this regard. The only comments they made in the communique are as follows:

"MotoGP is the most exciting motor sport on the planet and we are really thrilled to be partnering with them. This project clearly demonstrates Capcom's intent to broaden its portfolio to include both original and licensed IP, work with the best developer talent and brands from across the globe to create new exciting gaming experiences. MotoGP is a multi-million unit selling franchise on PlayStation formats and we look forward to taking it to the next level", said Mark Beaumont, executive vice president, officer and head of Capcom consumer software publishing in the Americas and Europe.

And to think that, just yesterday, THQ boss Brian Farrell told GI.biz that his company is turning away from cross-platform titles. Instead, they'll make sure to tailor each game specifically for each market, so that players will get the best out of their console. Hmm... didn't we hear that somewhere before?

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Guitar Hero III Will Be Heavy Online, Also Coming To DS In 2008

It's been a busy year so far for both RedOctane and Harmonix, full of announcements, rumours, lawsuits and what not. Earlier this month, Guitar Hero II was finally released on the Xbox 360, hot on the heels of Harmonix' announcement of a new music game called Rock Band - headed for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in holiday 2007. But while the latter will evolve the concept by allowing players to form virtual bands (using drum, bass guitar, lead guitar and microphone peripherals), RedOctane remains dedicated to Guitar Hero's one-man-show idea.

"I would say that the beauty of Guitar Hero is its simplicity and its elegance, and when we think about adding other musical instruments in there, that's going to make the experience a lot of fun, but it can also make the game a little bit more complex," RedOctane president and co-founder Kai Huang told Eurogamer in an interview published today.

Huang also said they are evaluating other types of instrument-based games, as well, and a "Drum Hero" game may soon become a reality. But until they make any such announcement, Gamasutra has word from RedOctane's representatives (speaking at an event in London) that the upcoming Guitar Hero III will be focused on online play - both co-op and competitive - and it will also feature more downloadable music.

This latest sequel has been known to be in development at Neversoft (makers of Tony Hawk's skating games), for the PS2, PS3, Xbox 360 and Wii consoles. However, a portable version for the Nintendo DS is now also confirmed, and it could be out in early 2008. All the other console versions of Guitar Hero III are planned for release at the end of 2007. And, while we're at it, Activision also signed a deal with developer Hands-On Mobile recently, to bring the Guitar Heroes franchise to mobile phones.

It may look like Neversoft, RedOctane and Activision have everything set up for a sure succcess. And in the end they may get it. It's just that they might have to share it with the series' original creators from Harmonix, who have since left the building and are now working with Electronic Arts and MTV on the forementioned Rock Band game. Sounds like this winter's gonna rock!

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The tasty bits of info about Grand Theft Auto IV we got to taste last week were just the beginning. In fact, it now looks like some of the things announced in Game Informer's preview may not have been entirely true, and that Rockstar could be playing with our over-hyped heads. Although the sources are no longer official, this time around, a user from the GameFAQs forums claims to have leared straight from within Rockstar all sorts of interesting things, which he didn't shy away from sharing with the rest of the world.

Assuming the information is correct, some of the things revealed could be considered as spoilers, so we'll only take a small part of what he had to say about the game's story:

"- The main character is NOT Nikko Bellic, and there ARE aircraft in the game!

- Nikko Bellic is being used as a Mcguffin device to keep the real Main Character out of the spotlight, The real main character is Roman Petronov, Nikkos cousin who invites him to live in Liberty after Nikko has a HUGE falling out with a paramilitary/Mafioso hybrid wing back in ESTONIA.
- You WILL play the prologue missions as Nikko, to give you a hint of the new controllers (...)

- Regarding the aicraft, there are THREE helicopters in the game, all respawn, One police cruiser, one for the Liberty Tree News paper which also became WILC, a news CHANNEL, and one thats owned by a person youl be working with for most of the game.

- Bikes are OUT, but SIX motorcycle types are in.

- C-11 will be a HUGE enemy in the game.

- The Russian and Italian Mafias are at war and youl get to do missions for both.

- Maibatsu has become a major player in Liberty City, and Monstrositys are the norm in upper-middle class areas.

- And finally, You WILL be mugged/Jacked/Jumped/Begged for money/held-up/car jacked AND possibly ignitiated into THREE different gangs, where you will be able to climb the ranks, through their own set of missions.

In a later post, the same guy returns with even more (technical) details about the game, which should give you a better taste of the game, if you're still drooling for more.

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