If you believe Capcom's upcoming Bionic Commando (in 3D!) is going to be a one of those pick up and play, easy to master kind of games, we ask, what on Earth gave you that impression? Seriously, flinging your body around the jungle Spider-man style is no easy task and even Capcom admits that it's "going to be tough".
Talking with GameVideos.com, Bionic Commando producer Ben Judd agrees that "the second you use the swing mechanic it is both very innovative and cool because of that, but it's also going to be something that requires a little more time to adapt to." Though the learning curve will not go unrewarded as Judd goes on to say "I still believe that once you master it, you're going to feel like the ultimate badass and you're going to really like that part of it. But it's just going to take more patience ..."
Don't worry Mr. Judd, we'll give the game the time it needs to get the hang of the controls before we praise or disgrace its gaming existence. All because we care. Watch the full interview above to learn more about Bionic Commando's controls, locations and what goodies are unlocked when gamers own both it and its XBLA cousin Bionic Commando Rearmed.
Joystiq managed to get some serious play time with Capcom's upcoming remake of Bionic Commando (cleverly titled Bionic Commando). We're sure there are important details we should be discussing, but let's get one thing straight. The swinging is fun. According to Joystiq, it's damned fun. There really isn't much more you need to know about the game, but we still suggest you read Joystiq's full impressions of the game. You run along. We're going to sit here and bask in the relief for a while.
We hope you're sitting own. The anticipated XBLA title, Bionic Commando Rearmed, has been delayed from its original May release. According to a classified communique found on the Bionic Commando blog, the game is complete but still requires some bug fixing, certification process before it's ready for release.
No word on a new release for the title, which still plans to hit the Xbox 360, PC and PS3 simultaneously.
Our friends at Joystiq has spared you the hassle of having to click through the entire retro text message found on the site which you can find after the break.
The official Bionic Commandowebsite has revealed that Bionic Commando Rearmed -- that's the XBLA version -- has received an M rating from the ESRB. The rating was announced via a nifty communicator dialogue reminiscent of the original game (you can see a capture of it above). So, why would a game with no blood and extremely tame violence get an M rating? If you've ever played the original and completed it, we'll give you three guesses. Yes, the reason is that Bionic Commando Rearmed features a recreation of the climactic scene from the original game. You know the one. If by chance you don't know the one, you can find a video after the break (it occurs at 0:10). Be warned, it's spoilerific. And sploderific.
Simon Viklund, creative director at GRIN -- the studio behind both Bionic Commando Rearmed and the upcoming next-gen remake -- has announced on the team's blog that Bionic Commando Rearmed is "approaching completion." According to Viklund, the game will enter the approval process (which presumably includes Microsoft certification) "within weeks." The project is currently undergoing the final steps of development, with GRIN adding the last layer of polish and making sure the game performs properly. No other details are given regarding the game, though Viklund does note that GRIN has a "passion for the old gaming heritage" and that the team is already considering future projects centered around older games. Dare we hope for an HD remake of Mega Man? Ghouls and Ghosts perhaps?
Oh Bionic Commando, you're the series everyone wanted to see return and now we're all a little skeptical. We think you could be great, but we'd like to play you to find out for sure. Well, according to project producer Dan Thronström we can play you! We just need to be hired by Capcom between now and the time you release.
On Thronström's IGN developer blog he writes that Bionic Commando is now internally playable in Alpha form. Trying to quiet fears that the series has shifted too heavily from its source material Thronström writes, "I can promise all the fans out there that they won't be disappointed with the result," later adding, "I am personally impressed with how much fun the game is to play now." We have confidence in a team that works on something with this much passion. Also, it helps that even if it doesn't meet our expectations Bionic Commando Rearmed looks 12-kinds of awesome.
Following the announcement of Bionic Commando Rearmed for Xbox Live Arcade, we jumped -- or should we say swung -- at the opportunity to pry more information out of Capcom. Thus, we cornered Ben Judd, Capcom Japan's Producer in charge of the Bionic Commando brand (must have been an easy job for the last 20 years or so) and shot him some questions. We cover a range of topics from the difficulties of making an old game relevant again to the unfortunate business that is offline only co-op. Find the interview after the jump.
The announcement of Bionic Commando Rearmed for Xbox Live Arcade served as the most intriguing bit of news this week for many gamers. As such, we're happy to bring you a set of new screenshots from the game. You may peruse them in the gallery below. Sure, we'd like some more details on the game -- like when we can get our sweaty little meat hooks on it -- but we'll have to settle for the moment. We've also embedded a non-IGN version of the announcement trailer after the break.
Okay, we're just going to come right out and say it: the Bionic Commandoremake for Xbox Live Arcade looks more fun than the upcoming retail remake. That's our opinion, and we're sticking to it (until proven otherwise anyway). Entitled Bionic Commando Rearmed, it's based off of the NES classic and features scads (scads, we say!) of upgrades. First and foremost are the splendid 3D graphics complete with buttery smooth animation. Throw in new weapons (including grenades), new bionic arm abilities, and two player co-op and Capcom has basically created our single greatest childhood dream (yes, we were lonely children). Oh, but wait, there's more. It looks like Rearmed will unlock a new player skin for the retail Bionic Commando. The good news: you can drop the dreadlocks. The bad news: the original Bionic Commando didn't exactly have a great coif either. Hit the "read" link for a preview over at IGN.
It seems the latest issue of Famitsu (according to IGN) has confirmed that a remake of the original Bionic Commando is on its way to Xbox Live Arcade. Entitled Bionic Commando: Master D Revival Plan, the game will feature 3D graphics but retain the classic feel. In other words it sounds like the game will utilize 3D characters and background, but restrict gameplay to 2D, much like the Prince of Persia remake already available on XBLA. The game is also expected to include a co-op mode and will include new areas. There are plans to tie the Xbox Live Arcade remake in with the upcoming retail title as well. Let's hope that doesn't mean Capcom will be soiling our 2D memories with dreadlocks. The remake is scheduled to arrive this spring in Japan.
GameTrailers has posted a three part developer walkthrough of Bionic Commando, giving would be commandos a better idea of what to expect from the game. Perhaps the largest revelation is that Bionic Commando will feature skill based swing mechanics. In other words, you can't simply hold down the swing button and expect your mighty commando to do the aiming for you. Nope, a special reticle for the bionic arm has to be aimed at whatever handily protruding piece of scenery you wish to grapple. The devs feel that the manual aimingsystem is ultimately more satisfying, though they admit that there is some leeway in how accurate players have to be.
Looking decidedly less satisfying at this point is the combat. The demonstrators showed off one weapon (a pretty boring pistol) and some of the ways players can use the claw in combat. Sure, launching your foe in the air and filling him with bullets is great, but its tactical value is a bit suspect, especially considering your completely open to attacks from other enemies as you do so. That said, it's an early build and Capcom promises more weapons and more varied environments to keep things interesting. Let's hope so. Check out the remaining two videos after the break.
Seems like community sites are all the rage these days, and Bionic Commando didn't want to be left out of the party. The Bionic Commando community site is now live and features everything we've come to expect from such things. There's a developer blog, podcast, news, and downloadable goodies like the wallpaper you see above. Strangely absent is a link to any kind of forum. Still, it's got plenty of information for Bionic Commando fans to digest. Hit the "read" link to check it out.
Not too much in the way of interesting content on Xbox Live Marketplace today, though we do have a pair of notable trailers. First up, the debut trailer for Bionic Commandois available now. Granted, there's nothing you haven't seen before, but at least it's hi-def and on your TV now, right? Also available is a trailer for Omega Five, yet another omni-directional shooter for XBLA. This trailer hasn't made it onto the web yet (as far as we can tell), so we've embedded a shaky-cam video from TGS earlier this year. The game looks decent enough, though we're a little miffed that it appears not to include online multiplayer of any sort. The video makes mention of "local co-op" but that's it. And there you have it folks. Go grab these videos if you are so inclined.
We loved the original Bionic Commando. For the time, the claw and swinging dynamics were incredibly innovative. Nowadays, swinging has been done to death, and has arguably been perfected by Spider-Man 2 (it's backwards compatible, try it out). Honestly, in the original, all you could do with the claw was swing, grab power-ups, and mildly annoy enemies. So, what does the newBionic Commando bring to the table? Take a gander at the video embedded above and find out. The new bionic arm can be used to hurl just about anything at enemies, though we're quite partial to random chunks of concrete. If you'd like to get more personal, you can always choke an enemy soldier as you casually blast some other baddies with your stupid normal arm. Or, you can pull something loose from above, letting it fall on hapless villains below.
That's all well and good, but we can't help but feel that Capcom has overlooked a prime gameplay opportunity: long range tickling.
This is when writing about video games gets hard. First, you should understand that we see the original Bionic Commando through the rosiest of rose tinted glasses, so our hopes for the new remake are unrealistically high. With that out of the way, the first actual footage of Bionic Commando has been released by way of the trailer embedded above. We've heard plenty of comments regarding the character design (mostly taking exception to the character's dreadlocks) but we really don't care. What we care about is that beautiful bionic arm, which appears to bee in full swing (ouch). Also high on our geek radar: the orchestral reimagining of the original game's theme song. Oh yes, that takes us back. The trailer also shows brief glimpses at some other features in the game, like sniping and the ability to throw objects with the bionic arm. All in all, the game looks good so far. Except for the "dormant since long" part. Seriously.
