PS3 Fanboy

We thought we'd heard the last of Fatal Inertia after problems with the Unreal Engine 3 forced it to be delayed indefinitely for the PS3. Though it was originally pegged as a PS3 exclusive an Xbox 360 version was released to a fairly mediocre reception. It was assumed that that would be the last of the futuristic racing game, but we were wrong. A new entry has appeared on the ESRB website for Fatal Inertia EX for the PS3.

We guess the fact that the name has been updated (notice the extra "EX") that this will be an improved version of the game that shipped on the 360. Even so, we're not interested. Koei are insane if they think that this game is going to be able to compete with WipEout HD. Too little too late, Koei. Save yourself the effort and nip this in the bud right now. We don't want it.

[Via Joystiq]

[Update: Koei issued a statement regarding this rumor and said it was blatantly false. Oh well, not like a lot of us were really losing sleep, right?]

Say what you will about Koei, but their upcoming futuristic racing title Fatal Inertia has been running laps for a long time -- first as a PS3 exclusive, then multiplatform, then canceled for PS3, then canceled altogether (a brief, easily squashed rumor), now back on track for both the 360 and PS3. Not only is the title back on track, but Fatal Inertia is hitting the PS Store tomorrow (or perhaps Thursday if the scheduled updates up to now mean anything at all)! All you'll need is a European account and downloading will be pretty easy. Once you check it out, you can finally complain about how the game does or doesn't hold up to our standards with the 360 folk, who've had a demo for a few days.

[Thanks, DolphGB!]

This game really hasn't had much said about it for a long while, so we thought we'd upload two of the latest videos for everyone. The graphics are pretty nice -- we like how the water reacts to the hovering vehicles. What's really interesting though, is the soundtrack. It's very chill, almost Explosions in the Sky when they go off on some of the more positive-sounding guitar jams. Haven't heard of the band? Then get your research on! If you like racers, this one appears as standard as they come: race around the track, get battered by other racer's weaponry, repeat. It's a tried and true formula, so we'll wait and see what features pop up to make it different from the rest. To check out the other video, hit the continued link.

Koei simply can't make up their mind with Fatal Inertia. It was originally slated as a PS3 launch title, but was scrapped and moved onto the 360 shortly thereafter. Recently, however, at the PlayStation Premiere event, the game was showcased as a PS3 title once more, alongside Koei's other title: Dynasty Warriors 6. We're pretty confused at this point and haven't received word on any sort of release date other than the 360's tentative September release. This futuristic hover pod racer game has been, well, hovering for a while and we'd like a little concrete news on its plans. Koei?

We'll cut to the chase here -- the following are the releases planned by Koei for the UK audience in 2007. They've got titles for pretty much every console, including their entry into the Wii market. List, sha-bam!

• Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner - Raidou Kuzunoha vs The Soulless Army (PS2, April 27)
  
• G1 Jockey Wii (Wii, June)
  
• Dynasty Warriors: Fighters Battle DS (DS, Q3)
  
• Orochi Warriors (PS2 and X360, October)
  
• Bladestorm: The Hundred Years War (PS3 and X360, Q3)
  
• Prey The Stars (DS, Q3)
  
• Fatal Inertia (PS3 and X360, Q3)

Not only is SMT:DS-RKvTSA one of the craziest, longest, most aggravating titles to say (especially when someone asks "hey, what're you playing?"), it's coming out pretty late for you guys. If you're an Atlus fan, snatch it up because they only produced about seven copies here in the US. Otherwise, don't worry about it. Bladestorm and Fatal Inertia seem to be pushed back again, into the third quarter. Hmm. Perhaps they're perfecting the AI of the groups of people we'll undoubtedly slice through in the former?

This news is coming straight from Koei's mouth and into your eyes as you read this post (eww). Again, we're continuing our strand of European-centric news as these release dates relate to Europe, but can probably be understood to entail North America as well. Summer of 2007 will see the release of both BLADESTORM and Fatal Inertia. Not sure why Koei has the caps lock on for the first title.

Just in case you were wondering, Fatal Inertia is a futuristic racing game (not unlike F-Zero), except with a multitude of weaponry to assist in taking out the competition (not unlike Mario Kart). It should be pretty fun and we've got to hand it to Koei for finally stepping out of the "giant historical war" genre. Speaking of giant historical wars, BLADESTORM steps away from the Warring States period in China and focuses more on the 14th century war concerning succession to the French throne. The war would come to be known as the Hundred Years War -- the subtitle to the game. Even though it's a familiar road for Koei, perhaps the next-gen systems can provide more options, characters, maybe some actual AI, as well as plenty of on-screen peons to annihilate. Look for these games in the Summer!

Every Nintendo console since SNES comes with a new iteration of its high-speed racer, F-Zero. Sony may have their answer to the "hovering cars racing at dangerously high speeds" game niche in Fatal Inertia. While the game itself isn't new or "this just in", we do have some new screens for you to look at. It's hard to tell how the graphics really look since the blur on the ground is so intense (can't see texture all too well, etc), it's pretty amazing just how much these hovering heaps of badass can reflect. Initially, we thought this was camouflaged, but no... it's just reflecting a ton of trees and such. Plus some bright lights! Is this a game that'll put up a fight with F-Zero and other such games? Maybe. We'll keep you posted. Just remember: this inertia will be fatal.