Studio Profile: From Software (Or: It's About Time These Guys Got More Love!)

Here's a brief look at one of my very favorite game developers since 1994 when I first saw Japanese screenshots of King's Field and later, Armored Core. The company has done a wide assortment of games since then, but it wasn't really until Demon's Souls and now, Dark Souls that they're a household name among more gamers. Of course, the terrifyingly difficult Dark Souls will probably garner them more than a few curses from those that hop in unprepared or expecting the game to have a super-easy mode... but I think From wants those players to learn something about they way games used to be made.

Gamescom 2011: Armored Core V Online MP Trailer

It's simply amazing that FromSoftware has kept this long-running mech combat franchise going for longer than some systems have been in existence. I can still remember playing the first game on the original PlayStation and being floored by the game (which was made using a modified King's Field engine from what I recall). ACV looks to be one of the best entries in the franchise with a much stronger focus on online play than in previous entries, improved visuals and as you can see, pretty fast action. I'm hoping there's a solid single player campaign somewhere in the mix that's better structured than in the last installment, but we'll see what happens as the game moves closer to completion.

E3 2011: Armored Core V Trailer

Or: More stuff I like a LOT, Vol. Whatever (I've lost count thanks to too many games in previous volumes)- One of the best mech series on a console is back in action in this new CG trailer. FromSoftware is pretty much at the top of their game, I'd say... now where are the Wii U and PS Vita versions? Give it time, I say...

Namco Bandai's Big Game Announcements Continue (Ridge Racer Fans Burning Out On Forums Worldwide...)

This weeks winner and new champion of cool game announcements (at least for a day or so more), Namco Bandai, continues to shake things up with even more new (and slightly surprising) game announcements. In addition to the one-two punch of Dark Souls and Armored Core V, expect to see Pac-Man & Galaga Dimensions on the 3DS, two all-new separate titles on one 3DS cart. The company is also set to produce a totally new current-gen Ridge Racer that's already been a huge source of controversy amongst some hardcore fans of the franchise. (More on that in a separate posting).

In other 3DS news, the oddly (yet precisely) titled DualPenSports looks to train players in dual stylus wielding in a series of mini-games and sports-based challenges that offer, according to the press release, "a stimulating mental workout and improved hand eye coordination". Sound like a mix of the DS games Brain Training, Left Brain/Right Brain and one of the company's Active Life titles on the Wii, so it should be fun for all.

Namco Bandai has also acquired the rights to publish Power Rangers titles in North America for consoles and handhelds, which means we'll be seeing those characters start popping up on a regular basis in a bunch of slickly produced Power Rangers Samurai games. Given Bandai's long pedigree of generally high quality Mobile Suit Gundam, Naruto, InuYasha and many more franchise titles geared toward younger gamers, I'd say the Power Rangers are in pretty good hands.

Speaking of Gundam... two words: Omega Force. Two more words: Tecmo Koei. Yup, that means we'll also be seeing Dynasty Warriors Gundam 3 (Gundam Musou 3) hit the PS3 and Xbox 360. While some folks hate the Musou franchise for its seemingly simple hack & slash combat, I'm a longtime fan and happy about this news. I'll be running updated info, trailers and screens on these new games as they come in.

Armored Core V Trailer Shows FromSoftware's Power At Full Force

I'd have to say FromSoft's mechs and art direction in this franchise are some of the best I've seen in games and thanks to the endless customization options over the years in the AC series, everyone else who's tricked out a custom mech can probably agree. Anyway, screens are going up this weekend, as I'm poring over them the same way I did the Dark Souls shots. This one's going to be a killer of a game, that's for sure...

Namco Bandai To Publish Dark Souls, Armored Core V (The Plot Thickens...)

“FromSoftware has an excellent pedigree of producing remarkable fan-favorite games that have made a huge impact and invigorated their respective categories,” said Kenji Hisatsune president and CEO, NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. “The two upcoming games will exemplify this heritage while yet again introducing exciting new ways for gamers to experience these genres.”

“Combining the development power of FromSoftware with NAMCO BANDAI Games’ global publishing expertise will greatly benefit our upcoming projects,” said Eiichi Nakajima, studio head, FromSoftware, Inc. “We look forward to a successful partnership and delivering new revolutionary titles for gamers around the world.”

In the words of the great philosophers: Oh hell, yes.