Pre-ordering Vanquish from GameStop will grant access to a set of three exclusive weapons: the Boost Machine Gun, the Anti-Armor Pistol, and the Laser Cannon. If, for some reason, you're not entirely sold on the idea of free extra stuff with your game, you can see all three weapons in action after the break.
Though we can't imagine what would dissuade you. Even the staunchest GameStop detractor must agree that Vanquish plus Laser Cannon is a much more attractive proposition than Vanquish minus Laser Cannon.
It's almost time to start honing your rocket-sliding skills. Sega has announced that a playable demo of its over-the-top Platinum Games and Shinji Mikami developed shooter Vanquish will arrive on the Xbox Live Marketplace and PSN Store on Tuesday, August 31. Europe will get the demo a day later on September 1, with Australian gamers getting their hands on it Thursday, September 2. Famitsu reports (via Siliconera) that Japan will also receive the demo on the 2nd.
The "Vanquish Official Demo: Velocity Attack," as Sega calls the demo, will comprise the section of the game we played at E3 -- a space station interior with bipedal "Walker" mechs to commandeer and an enormous spider-like robot boss to defeat in incredibly stylish ways. (You know, the usual stuff: by grabbing the monstrosity's missile out of the air, turning it around and throwing it back like a giant lance.)
#demo
Vanquish, the futuristic Russia-vs.-America shooter coming from Sega and Platinum Games, will get a demo on both the PS3 and Xbox 360 on Sept. 2. More »
Sega's Vanquish is really fast, really pretty and, judging by this video, out-gruff-speaks every Metal Gear Solid game combined. The main character is a not-very-gruff-looking DARPA "researcher," but even his voice sounds like he gargles nails. Hear (and see) what we mean after the break.
#clips
Do you like your action heroes gravel-voiced from chain-smoking, battle-worn and gruff? Do you dream of shooting rebellious Russian robots in space? Platinum Games Vanquish, even without its robo-dog, might be your cup of tea. More »
Vanquish wasn't always the story of one man fighting alone (in an amazing suit of robotic armor). Platinum Games considered pairing him with a feminine android who could combine with Sam's suit and be used as a weapon, and even a robot dog.
#platinumgames
Vanquish, Platinum Games' high-speed futuristic shooter for Sega, left some fascinating concepts on the cutting room floor. One notable deletion was protagonist Sam's best friend—a robot dog that launched missiles, provided mobile cover and more. More »
Vanquish is following in the stiletto-heel footsteps of Platinum's last action game, Bayonetta, in a couple of interesting ways. First, the Shinji Mikami-designed shooter is being outfitted with an optional "Casual Auto" difficulty level, much like Bayonetta's "Easy Automatic" mode, designed to allow even those new to action games have a good time.
"Once you get your target on the enemy, the rest is easy as pie," Mikami said in the blog post announcing the mode. "I'm sure saying it that way makes it sound totally uninteresting, but when you actually give it a shot, the tempo it gives the game play will make you jump up and say, 'Woohoo!'" That's the other way in which Vanquish echoes Bayonetta: exclamations. It's "Woohoo!" from the player, versus "Wuhhh!!" from Bayonetta. "You know ... 'Wuhhh!!'"
Vanquish also includes an unlockable "God Hard" difficulty. "I think our fans will get where this one is going," Mikami teased. We suspect apocalyptic beatdowns are to be found within this mode.
#platinumgames
Bayonetta and MadWorld developer Platinum Games is making it easier to enjoy the high-speed, third-person, run and gun thrills of its shooter Vanquish. Feel like letting the game do much of the work for you? "Casual Auto" is for you. More »
In a recent developer blog at the Platinum Games website, director Shinji Mikami discussed the changes Vanquish has undergone during development. In the beginning, said Mikami, Vanquish was "an open battlefield type of game, where the goal was to move around crushing enemy positions." As development progressed, however, it became clear that an open environment hurt the game. The reason, according to Mikami, was an increased level of "visual density." There were so many things happening on screen -- special effects, loads of enemies, etc. -- that it was hard for players to focus on the objective.
"In an environment where we were doing whatever we pleased," noted Mikami, "it became pretty obvious that there was no good way of keeping your eye on the prize - the enemies you are targeting." As such, a more linear style of play helps keep players focused. Furthermore, Mikami also notes that the staple enemy, a robot called a Gorgie, was changed from white to red in order to make it stand out from the predominantly gray background.
If Vanquish turns out to be anything like Platinum's most recent action-fest, Bayonetta, then helping players focus on killing baddies is probably a good decision.
#releasedate
Japan's getting Shinji MIkami's sci-fi third-person shooter Vanquish on October 21? So what! In North America we're getting it a couple of days earlier, with a trio of deadly new weapons available to those who preorder from the right store. More »
The European version of Vanquish is no longer alone in having an official release date. Sega of America announced that Shinji Mikami's new shooter will ship to North American stores on October 19. Just in time for Halloween -- look out for the inevitable trend of homemade, spark-spewing robot suits at this year's parties.
Pre-ordering the game at GameStop will allow you to acquire a pack of three in-game guns: the Boost Machinegun, the Anti Armor Pistol and the Laser Cannon
(the same three being used for a pre-order promotion with the European release). Enjoy glamour shots of these weapons being fired at things and/or people in our gallery.
Platinum Games' first Shinji Mikami-helmed title, Vanquish, will slide, jumpkick, and then pulverize European retail on October 22, according to a press release from Sega Europe. While no release window beyond "winter" has been nailed down for the game's North American debut, Famitsu puts an October 21 date on the game's Japanese arrival (via VG247).
It seems we won't have long to wait before hearing about our own release date, however, as Sega added that it'll be able to talk worldwide dates "shortly." While we wait for that, why not join us in watching this flippy, explosioney trailer for the game, hmm?
Sega also announced European pre-order bonuses for the stylish shooter -- a set of three downloadable guns that will be given away with pre-orders from "selected retailers."
Update: Release date and pre-order info has arrived via press release.
Platinum Games' first Shinji Mikami-helmed title, Vanquish, will apparently slide, jumpkick, and then pulverize European retail this October, according to a Twitter message sent out from Sega's press account this morning. While no release window beyond "winter" has been nailed down for the game's North American debut, Famitsu puts an October 21 date on the game's Japanese arrival (via VG247).
It seems we won't have long to wait before hearing about our own release date, however, as Sega added that it'll be able to talk worldwide dates "shortly." While we wait for that, why not join us in watching this flippy, explosioney trailer for the game, hmm?
#japan
The upcoming action game from the folks that gave the world Bayonetta and MadWorld has a been given a release date in a recent Famitsu magazine article. Would you like to know what it is? Would you? More »
During this year's E3, we had a chance to chat with Shinji Mikami, creative lead on Platinum Games' upcoming boost-em-up Vanquish, about his upcoming game, among other things. For instance, why does the man who created God Hand and Resident Evil believe that so many games are driven by a shooting mechanic? "Purely punching or kicking, for example, that requires a lot more skill and reaction time on the part of the gamer to get the timing right and to sit there and mash the controller forever. And older gamers, adults, don't want to do that. They get tired."
As old men ourselves (mid-20s is old, right?), we're not so sure we agree with Mr. Mikami, but that's okay -- this isn't an interview about us, silly! It's about Shinji Mikami. And his new game. Check out the whole interview just below the fold.
#e3
The makers of Madworld and Bayonetta turn their attention to Gears of War-style, cover-based shooting. Then they step on the accelerator and wind up with Vanquish, a lightning fast action game created by a man who loves to smoke. More »
Vanquish was introduced to us at Sega's pre-E3 event as Shinji Mikami's take on Gears of War, and though I only got to play through one brief battle, that's an apt description. The game combines the frantic over-the-top action that Platinum Games is known for thanks to titles like Bayonetta and MadWorld, and brings it into the setting of a high-tech, cover-based third person shooter. The result, as you can imagine, is pretty satisfying.
The basic scenario is a future with the world's last two superpowers, Russia and the US, fighting on an American space station designed to harness the energy of the sun (after all of the Earth's resources have already been depleted). Sam Gideon is the game's hero, and it's his job to go into the station with US troops and save the day. Fortunately, he's outfitted with a power suit that allows for all sorts of technological and acrobatic wizardry.
#sega
Platinum's Vanquish looks like the anti-Gears of War; a third-person shooter that's all bright colours and fast motion. Oh, and missiles! Lots and lots of missiles. More »
#shinjimikami
In the West, new role-playing games like Mass Effect (and its sequel) have been picking up steam. There has been concern that the popularity of Japanese role-playing games are on the slide in the West. More »
#vanquish
Last Friday, a new trailer for action game Vanquish shot up the internet. The gameplay itself looks like a blast. Definitely excited to see more of this game. What I am not excited about? More »
#sega
Vanquish, the upcoming shooter from Platinum Games and Resident Evil creator Shinji Mikami, sounded like Gears of War on an acid trip. This gameplay trailer only confirms that suspicion. More »
