Press Rewind: TGS 2014, Minecraft and Final Fantasy XV

Alright, maybe the Tokyo Game Show wasn’t as exciting as it seemed on day one – but things like Final Fantasy XV, Bloodborne, and Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain were more than enough to make the event worthwhile. Elsewhere this week, Microsoft confirmed the Minecraft acquisition, while we too dealt with a handful of new criticisms, including a controversial one from Murasaki Baby.

Comments

Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm Revolution – 8/10

Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm Revolution manages to deliver the most thoughtful entry in the series, with subtle tweaks to the formula that affect the combat in a very positive way, even if some pesky imbalances keep it from reaching true Hokage status. Loads of engaging game modes and a huge roster of characters are guaranteed to keep you busy, but once again, it’s the brilliant and intense spectacle of ninja warfare that will keep you totally glued to your controller.

Murasaki Baby – 3/10

Murasaki Baby is a textbook example of style over substance. The game’s twisted fantasy world certainly looks the part, but its tactile puzzles are the real nightmare at times. There are some clever moments here, but they’re undone by atrocious controls. Nobody puts Baby in a corner, but with this evidence, maybe they should.

Other comments

• NHL 15 – 4/10

• Fairy Fencing F – 6/10

• Orochi Warriors 3 Ultimate – 7/10

• Run like ****! – 5/10

• KickBeat: Special Edition – 5/10

Characteristic

Talking Point: Is Japan finally back in the game?

Every year, the Tokyo Game Show causes a dilemma in Maxi Game Towers. As the last high-profile gaming convention on our schedule, we’re bound to cover it, of course, but it’s always a tough thing to prepare for. Regional issues make it difficult for us to, for example, create prediction posts, and the alignment of recent times has made this effort a waste of energy in the first place. This year, however, there is the slightest sign that a bright light is emerging abroad – and we are only a day or so into the event.

Please protect me from PS3 purgatory

I feel like a teenager who’s had their iPhone traded in for a top right now. After several months using mainly the PlayStation 4, I’ve decided to go back to the PlayStation 3 in order to clear some of my backlog, and that’s torture. There’s no doubt that Sony’s previous-generation system housed some amazing games, but once you get used to its successor’s conveniences, it feels like you’re trying to write a song on a guitar that’s missing six. ropes.

Other features

• Out This Week: Murasaki Baby, Disney Infinity 2.0, Naruto

• Interview Traveling through the ashes of the desert with Luc Bernard

• Video: Should you buy Disney Infinity 2.0 for PS4?

• Exclusive: Plan your day around 10 minutes of Desert Ashes gameplay

• Talking Point: What are you going to play this weekend? – Number 39

News

TGS 2014: Final Fantasy XV Gets New Gameplay Trailer Including Large Open Areas And Driving

You read that right, Final Fantasy XV finally has a new trailer fresh out of the Tokyo Game Show. Featuring a typically bland Noctis, the trailer shows off quite a bit, including glimpses of vast and seemingly open environments, combat, and, er, driving.

Minecraft Will Still Exist On PlayStation Platforms Despite Major Microsoft Acquisition

The console wars are about to get very weird, as Xbox boss Phil Spencer has promised that Minecraft will still exist on PlayStation platforms, even though Microsoft’s console maker Mojang has bought today for 2,500 million dollars. Gaming is the core business across all devices,” he said, “and we see great potential to continue to grow the Minecraft community and grow the franchise.” That’s why we plan to continue making Minecraft available on all platforms, including iOS, Android, and PlayStation, in addition to Xbox and PC.”

Target servers go offline as group that brought down PSN strikes again

Here we go again. The infamous group Lizard Squad is apparently taking credit for attacking Destiny’s servers, using DDoS attacks to sever players’ connections to the game.

PS4 Hardware Doesn’t Exist Top of the Line Anymore, Sony Employee Admits

We’re a year or so into the PlayStation 4 generation, and we haven’t really seen what the console can do yet. However, the world of technology never stops advancing, and that means that the system is already technically outdated. It’s a fact that Naughty Dog programmer Cort Stratton, who is a member of the developer’s legendary ICE team, won’t deny it. However, this does not mean that the device will not impress you for many, many years.

What happens when a war photographer puts The Last of Us on PS4?

There are some people who are more familiar with the war than others, and they include TIME photographer Ashley Gilbertson. For many of us, real-world conflict is something we see on the news and in books, but fortunately have never experienced it firsthand. Gilbertson has, having taken photos in Iraq among other places. So how do you feel about “The Last of Us Remastered on the PlayStation 4”?

Other news highlights

• PS4 Exclusive Bloodborne Is So Close We Can Taste The Iron

• TGS 2014: There’s a Rumble in the Jungle in Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain Footage

• TGS 2014: PT’s trailer will have you running through the Silent Hills

• TGS 2014: Go Down the Rabbit Hole of Capcom’s Stupid Pretty PS4 Freebie

• TGS 2014: Some Dragon Quest Heroes gameplay footage appears!

video of the week

TGS 2014: Final Fantasy XV is a real game, and this PS4 tech demo proves it