The Tokyo Game Show ended on Sunday. What used to be the key event in the global videogames calendar has been eclipsed entirely by E3 over recent years, a symptom of the industry's general shift in focus from Japan to the West. However, this was, by all accounts a very strong show, with plenty of interesting debuts as well as a few favourites from E3 2005 showing up in more tangible form.
Anyway, here are ten key titles from the event. Oh and the image above comes from Loco Roco...
Tourist Trophy: Real Riding Simulator (Polyphony Digital, PS2) The creator of Gran Turismo applies its stern philosophy of painstaking realism to motorbikes. Expect a vast array of real models, all boasting authentic handling - although surely this will be a more challenging endeavour with two- rather than four-wheeled machines.
Phantasy Star Universe (Sega, PS2 and PC) The latest in Sega's RPG series wowed the crowds at E3 earlier this year and performed pretty strongly at TGS too. Provides both a substantial single player adventure and a separate team-based multiplayer quest. Plot, movies and screens here.
Every Extra Extend (Q Entertainment, PSP) Tetsuya Mizuguchi's studio follows up offbeat treasures Lumines and Meteos with this musical shoot-'em-up, based around cult shareware title Every Extend. The action involves causing chain reactions with your strictly rationed ammo in order to wipe-out multiple objects. Here's the official site.
Ninety-Nine Nights (Q Entertainment, Xbox 360) Another one from Mizuguchi and co., this time teaming up with Phantagram to produce an epic fantasy battle simulator – like Dynasty Warriors but with 2,000 enemies on screen at any one time. Go here for the official website complete with haunting music.
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (PS3) Everyone's gone mad for the riveting TGS trailer, which shows tense first- and third-person action in a breathtakingly detailed urban warzone. Allegedly this will be the last in the series to be helmed by MGS creator Hideo Kojima. Looks like he's going out with a bang. Which is ironic for a stealth game…
Loco Roco (SCEJ, PSP) This incredibly cute little title from Sony's Japan studio puts you in control of a blob of viscous glop as it makes its way through a cartoon world. Interestingly, you control the game via the shoulder buttons which are employed to tilt the landscape. Those who feared PSP would be all about cool shooters and edgy driving games can breathe a sigh of relief. Comparisons with Katamari Damacy have been made in hushed tones. You can download a movie of the game, as well as SCEJ's other forthcoming PSP titles here.
MY MY Katamari (Namco, PSP) On the subject of Katamari Damacy, a handheld version of the much-loved PS2 title was showcased at TGS. In this curiously topical adventure, you must collect items in order to rebuild a small island flattened by a tsunami. Two interesting snippets have emerged from the game show coverage. First, certain graphical elements will change depending on the season in which you're playing (switch it on in the spring for example, and you get blossom floating from the trees). Secondly, there'll be a Wi-Fi two-player mode.
Ridge Racer 6 (Namco, Xbox 360) Confirmed at the Microsoft games summit in July, this latest iteration of the urban racer series features head-to-head racing over Xbox Live using a worldwide matching system to pair up similarly-skilled drivers. Will also boast downloadable content. Apparently, handling is classic Ridge – i.e. whiplash cornering and a veritable contempt for realism.
Dead Rising (Capcom, Xbox 360) This zombie adventure from Onimusha producer Keiji Inafune seems to draw heavily from Romero's Dawn of the Dead. Well, it's set in a mall, anyway. You play Frank West a 'grizzled freelance photographer' (is there any other kind?) who visits a small town to cover a major scoop only to find the place filled with zombies – well, I'm no photo journalist, but that's a pretty good story in itself isn't it?
Project Rub 2: Where Do Babies Come From? (DS) The second title in Sega's highly stylised dating series follows the compelling formula of the original - you attempt a series of mini-challenges in order to seduce the ladies. Avoiding crocodiles, running up an escalator and applying bandages are among your teeny quests. As for that subtitle – do you think the question is answered at the end of the came? Go here for piccies.
