Download to PSP

Perhaps you've heard so much about Pipemania within the last few days that you're just ready to go under the kitchen sink and take the plumbing apart in anticipation. Well, okay, maybe not that far. But, hey, if you've been wanting more, then we've got it. Here's an exclusive trailer just for our dear readers' eyes.

The three minute trailer shows you how the game is played and also drops a bit of the title's back story. Yes, back story, because puzzle games can have them, too. You'll probably want to hear all about those cowboy plumbers ... wait, what? Cowboy plumbers?

If you've read our hands-on with Pipemania last week, you may have noticed that we had information regarding an exact price and date for the game. While the release date of September 30 was dead on accurate, we were apparently communicated with the wrong pricing.

Chalk it up to a common case of store clerk labeling snafu, mixing up those price tags. Instead of paying $40, you can expect Pipemania to go on sale at $19.99 next month. We're actually quite glad to hear that the numbers were a mistake.

Ah, we're back in business. We're no longer manufacturing misery with our weekly dosage of gloomful "no new releases." This week, we actually have games, and look, we technically beat out Asia, too. Here are the releases for the week:

NA Games:

• N+
• Tiger Woods 09

EU Games:

• Tiger Woods 09

Asian Games:

• Fate/Tiger Colosseum Upper [Megamori Box]
• Yuusha no Kuse ni Namaikida (PSP the Best)

About a week ago, we brought word of a new turn-based strategy game called Mytran Wars. Back then, we didn't know what the game looked like and our speculations regarding the look and feel of the game could've reached the stars. However, there is absolutely no need to stargaze and wonder any longer because we've got some fresh screenshots right here. It looks like the game will utilize a bit of 3D cel-shading. You can see the rest of the screens in our gallery.

Laying down pipes is a tough job. It's not only for overweight guys with a problem keeping their butt cracks covered up, it's a job for puzzle lovers and thinkers, too. Don't agree? Well, if so, that's because you haven't played Pipemania yet. We've put in some time with the pipe-centric puzzler, playing up the DS version which, while having a different interface than the PSP, will have the exact same core gameplay and game modes.

The main objective of the game is to build pipes and keep fluid called "Flooze" from flooding the game grid. There are two designated squares which will represent 1) the beginning where the Flooze will flow from, and 2) the end where the Flooze needs to be brought to. To bridge these two points together, you'll have to make good use of a prearranged line of differently shaped pipe pieces. You'll only be able to use pipes in a fixed sequential order; however, you'll be able to view the next few pieces in line to plan ahead. This sort of preset arrangement maintains a consistent difficulty, providing balance to the progressive difficulty of the game as more gameplay elements and stricter time pressure appear.

We're mostly used to seeing an amalgamation of different cut scenes in our Dissidia: Final Fantasy trailers; however, this time we're treated to over two minutes of pure gameplay. The battle you'll be witnessing is between Final Fantasy III light and dark reps, Onion Kid and The Cloud of Darkness.

One thing this blogger particularly took notice of was the short pause for the Onion Kid during his break status; he does a class change and then has to choose an ability from a drop down menu. It's interesting to see that while the game is a fast and fluid fisticuff, the developers could still incorporate some of the traditional turn-based Final Fantasy elements into the game. Are you not grasping that thought fully? Well, you will once you see the trailer.

It's a pretty solid content update for this week. It's much better than what we're used to, that's certain for sure. Lap it up folks; grab what you want. Here's the full list:

Playable Content

• Jeanne d'Arc Full Game ($22.99)

Video

• Jeanne d'Arc Trailer (free)
• Ratchet & Clank Future: Quest for Booty Trailer (free)
• Yggdra Union Trailer (free)

Wallpapers and Themes

• 2x Hot Shots Golf: OT2 Wallpaper (free)
  
• 3x Yggdra Union Wallpaper (free)
  

Back at E3, Star Ocean: First Departure and Star Ocean: Second Evolution were both announced for North America. Since then, our European readers may have wondered if the titles would see release across the Atlantic. Luckily, Star Ocean actually will be crossing ... an ocean into Europe and releasing this October. However, only First Departure has been announced with a wide open October date. North Americans should still look out for October 21, 2008 for SO1 both titles and January 6, 2009 for SO2.

A reader of Capcom Unity, Capcom's official blog, posed a bold question to the crew during the blog's "Ask Capcom weekly roundup." He wanted to know why Capcom had 'forsaken the PSP.' He got the idea after listening to a silly rumor made by a friend and then further worried having seen Capcom's minimalist PSP release schedule. In response, Capcom strong arm Christian Svensson had this to say: "Absolutely 100% false ... We're still making new PSP games. We may be the most successful PSP publisher in the world with Monster Hunter Portable 2nd and 2ndG. It'd be a difficult decision to defend stopping development when we have such success on the platform."

While it is reassuring to hear Capcom stomp out such an unwarranted rumor, we're sure most of you are still wondering what sort of games Capcom must be working on. Truth be told, there isn't too much known at the moment; Fate/Tiger Colosseum Upper is the only Capcom PSP game announced for release in the remainder of the year. That's a Japan-only title. Then we're brought to Devil May Cry PSP, which as of right now is still only a rumor. Since Capcom haven't officially said what these "new PSP games" are, then we'll pose a question upon our readers. What do you think Capcom might be working on?

[Via Pocket Gamer]

There is nothing really new this week. There's just a handful of old games getting bargain bin pricing and a whole lot of empty space. This must not be very exciting to read about week in and week out ... writing about it isn't any peachier. Here's this week's (non)releases:

NA Games

• no new releases

EU Games

• No new releases

Asian Games:

• Burnout Dominator (EA Best Hits)
• Fate/Tiger Colosseum (Best Price!)

Perhaps instead of writing words and sentences to convey that we're not getting any games for the entirety of the week, we should just write a single ellipses and be done with it.

[Image: TBF]

Listen up folks, another new game has been announced. This time it's a turn-based strategy game called Mytran Wars. It's exclusive to the PSP and is a creation of Budapest-based devs, Stormregion. These guys are the makers of PC games such as: Rush for Berlin, S.W.I.N.E., and Codename: Panzers. They really love their war games, huh?

Mytran Wars is a stark contrast from Stormregion's other works, primarily because the setting is in space and not their usual choice of WWII or the Cold War era. As for the actual story, the long-short of it goes: It's the 23rd century, and humans and aliens are at war over resources.

The game will feature a multiplayer mode. No other details were mentioned after that. So a price and date will remain in the far reaches of space for now.

[Via press release]

Hey, did you know? Those new blue slims are now out in the wild. We had previously said we were going to pick one up and that's exactly what we did. In fact, we've already opened up the box, scoped out all the goodies, and started playing with our new toy. Want to see what's inside the box with us? Then check out our unboxing gallery by clicking on the link below.

Click here to head over to our unboxing gallery!

This week is all about Madden ... even in Asia. Can you believe it? They're getting Madden NFL 09, but not sharing Memories Off. Seriously, we didn't think the people of Asia (and Europe for that matter) liked American football. Even the Canadians do not 'get' the sport. Well, whatever, they can get it if they want to; we'll be too busy unboxing our blue PSPs to take any notice. Yeah, those sexy blue slims will be out Tuesday, and this blogger will be picking one up for himself.

NA Games:

• Madden NFL 09 PSP Entertainment Pack - Blue
• Madden NFL 09
• PSP NFL Custom Cases

EU Games:

• Hellboy: The Science of Evil
• Madden NFL 09

Asian Games:

• Crazy Taxi: Double Punch
• Madden NFL 09
• Memories Off Sorekara (Limited Edition)
• Omoide ni Kawaru-Kun: Memories Off (Limited Edition)

We've recently had the chance to catch producer Ben Wilkins and Empire Interactive's Director of project management P.J. Snavely for a little Q&A session on their latest multiplat puzzle game, Pipe Mania. The game is a remake of the classic 1989 title with a legion of new game modes and gameplay features. Wilkins told us that this new Pipe Mania will keep the classic core gameplay and will emphasize on building on top of that by adding more content.

Speaking of adding more, the game is set to have 250-300 levels -- about three times more than the original. Levels are not randomized; they're all preset. Expect to see some classic levels. World mode (story mode) is the game's main course, taking players to themed areas like: sewers, railroads, a toy factory, and even the almighty internet. Arcade mode is described as a "never-ending series of puzzles" and the PSP's versus mode involves competitive head-to-head matches via "remote" (which we're assuming means infrastructure play). Wilkins noted that the PSP was the best fit for multiplayer, but was also the most difficult to work with in regards to the interface. The Wii, DS, and PC versions all have that original point-n-click interface, but the PSP and PS2 don't. You'll have to be "slightly less cavalier with your moves" said Wilkins.

Lastly, the duo made mention that a PSP demo will be available soon on the PS Store. That should come in good time as Pipe Mania is due out in North America by mid-September. Oddly enough, a price for the title is "still being determined."

Last year, an interesting travel guide known as Talkman Travel hit Japan. It was a sort of interactive, game-like pocket guide for the PSP and it helped wayward travelers find their way through foreign lands. Now, seemingly out of nowhere, Talkman Travel will release this week on the PSN, but with a more localized flavor.

By "more localized," we mean international destinations that are more likely to be visited by North American travelers and not actual North American destinations. Tokyo, Paris, and Rome will all be available. With pictures, maps, and linguistic skills help, Talkman Travel seems like a handy tool to have around. City guides can be downloaded separately tomorrow, August 7 for $5.99 each.