Someone nice has uploaded beta test footage from Armored Core Verdict Day (shown below) and it looks pretty great. The new scan initiation looks cool and the whole game runs smoother too. We’re not sure on the size of the maps but the one in the video looks pretty expansive and varied. Obviously, the music isn’t from the game (in case you were wondering). In addition, Famitsu also has some scant details on “UNAC”; a new AI customisation setup for NPCs on the field. This harks back to the likes of Ranker Mk in Master of Arena and the AI setup in Silent Line. It seems Verdict Day is shaping up quite nicely and we’re really looking forward to its September release.

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We now have the first promo for Super Robot Wars Operation Extend. It shows off the 3D and 2D battle animations nicely, with much of the 2D art indeed being for the characters. That said, some of the 3D animations have some 2D flourishes for good measure and whilst this is re-purposed from the GC line of games the art and animations are all pretty fancy. We’re actually looking forward to this know quite a bit.

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Bandai are deciding to grace us with a new Super Robot Chogokin figure of Shin Getter-1 this August. At 7,140 yen, it’s not exactly cheap but neither is it overly expensive either. Like the other toys in this line, expect a lot of diecast and an overall excellent sculpt and finish. As for the design itself, its gaming heritage is extensive and was originally premiered in Super Robot Wars 4. Admittedly it was work in progress for the manga and then later for an OVA but Shin Getter has been a staple of Super Robot Wars for as long as I can remember. It’s likely we’ll get the other Getter Machines too, with Shin Getter-2 being notable with its influence on the drilltastic Gurren Lagann, with the Getter Rays and subsequent Spiral Energy being also of note too. Whilst this isn’t the first Shin Getter-1 toy, with the Aoshima figures being really quite something, it will be more reasonably priced and slightly less huge.

Not for the first time, but the recently announced Zone of the Enders sequel has been put on hold. The difference here is that this game was publicly announced compared to the previous attempts at a sequel. What’s also interesting about this announcement is that the HD version (which we reviewed) was also brought up. With Hideo Kojima himself apologising pretty profusely to (Japanese) fans at the sub-standard quality of the port. As such it’s been indicated that Konami themselves have taken matters into their own hands and an internally produced patch for the PS3 version, though no news on anything for the 360 release sadly (though this is likely due to the fact that the PS3 version was the best selling one in Japan, so it takes priority). In some sense it seems that the poor sales performance of the HD release is likely one of the causes of the sequel being put on hold.

It seems the beta/trial version of Gundam Breaker will be getting a fair few updates. From fixing the lock-on system, as well as new customisation and multiplayer options. Considering that the game is out next month is interesting as it’s not obvious how much use these changes will be (in terms of feedback loop and implementation) when it’s likely the game is already in certification at Sony. That aside there are new units announced too, with the RX-93 Nu Gundam (shown above) being notable. You can still pre-order the PS3 version of the game here for it’s June 27th release.

Whilst we have lost somewhat all hope for Lost Planet 3, this new trailer has re-ignited a modicum of interest on our part. In so far that this trailer covers the multiplayer aspects of the game, it also reveals that the game will have early vital suits (rather than the huge and fugly “rigs” that we’ve seen thus far). Admittedly you still seem to control these VTs in first person (why Spark, WHY?) but the fact they’re here at all is still a blessing. Especially as from a multiplayer standpoint VTs are more comparable in terms of size to that of human players and that makes it more of a fairer and faster paced fight (read: good). The game is still on track for it’s late August release this year and we will be reviewing it once it’s out.

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Famitsu has a nice update for Super Robot Wars Operation Extend featuring all manner of new units. From the mighty Billbine (shown above) to the RX-79[G]Ez-8 Gundam Ez8. In addition, the piece talks about armour parts that can be equipped to each unit. These are similar sounding to previous parts in the other SRW games. In terms of the blend of 2D and 3D animation in the battle scenes, it seems this is broken down between character cut-ins (2D) and mecha (3D), which isn’t anything overly new (though Banpresto are spinning it that it is). However, the latter 3D models are more stylised in terms of the texturing compared to the previous 3D SRW games. This is obviously a decent improvement but we’d like to see these in action before relaxing entirely, as generally 3D SRW games aren’t exactly very pretty looking normally.

Over at 4Gamer they have a nice piece on a lot of the new parts for Armored Core Verdict Day. Whilst we’ve seen some of these images, there are a lot of new ones. From the Heat Machinegun, which sounds worrying, as well as a plasma missile. The latter having shades of the Kojima missiles from For Answer. Though the beefy physical blade (shown above) does look awfully boss. The September 26th release is still on track and you can pre-order the (Japanese) collector’s edition here.

Following on from our previous post about a forthcoming E-MF-LZ-00X-2 Layzner Mk2 toy, it turns out in fact that we will be likely getting it as a Soul of Chogokin Spec iteration (something we hoped and suspected). On top of that, it seems that demand is high enough for the suitably bling SPT-ZK-53U Zakarl (shown above) to get the same treatment. What’s interesting about this is that fans wanted continuity from the previous, and thoroughly excellent, Soul of Chogokin Spec Layzner. We wholly endorse this request. No word on pricing or release as yet but once we know more we’ll let you know.

The first livestream for Armored Core Verdict Day has been archived and we’ve linked it below. Whilst there’s a noticeable absence of gameplay footage the new weapon switching animations are pretty damn sexy. As for the collector’s edition figure, it does indeed seem that it isn’t a proper Super Robot Chogokin but instead some nasty ABS monstrosity. For the price tag it does seem somewhat cheeky too. Anyway, enjoy the livestream and it’s nice to be seeing some more Armored Core again.

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