170°

Enslaved To Use Heavenly Sword's Combat Engine

Now that Ninja Theory's next game is multiplatform, 360 owner's will be able to enjoy the same quality of gameplay done in Heavenly Sword on the Xbox 360. Heavenly Sword graphically, and technologically out does some of gaming's best action adventures titles to this day. The voice acting, and realistic facial animations found in Heavenly Sword are still unmatched.

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thegameheadz.com
Nitrowolf25398d ago

i loved heavenly sword such an awesome game just to short, i will check enslaved out when it comes out

WildArmed5398d ago

I loved HS too..
but hated the fact that Ninja Theory kept bitching about the sale, they didn't even appreciate the 1mil sales they got.. just kept whining how no1 bought the game..
I lost alot of respect for the dev. group bcoz of that; enough so that it pains me just to look at Enslaved.

Trebius5398d ago

just came out at a bad time. Expensive console and not many great games available like right now kept people away from ps3s, this gem of a game just had bad timing.

As far as enslaved goes, it looks almost exactly the same as HS, I personally think it looks a little worse, and so do some websites that have done comparisons and whatnot. But it's not a huge difference at all. Considering HS is over 3 years old, it just goes to show how ahead of the curve the game was graphics wise.

The character animations (especially facial) were absolutely breathtaking in HS, as well as the musical scores and voice acting, hopefully NT were able to use the same techniques and not have to adapt to the DvD limitations.

A Cupcake for Gabe5398d ago

1.6 mil

No hype, no trophies, no support.

Ninja Theory should STFU. HS is a great game.

ChineseDemocracy5398d ago

Yea it really pisses me off when they bash the sh*t out of their own game. I bought it early on in the PS3's life cycle and to this very day I think it's a great game. Combat is very fluid, the graphics are great (compared to the modern standard), even the story is pretty good!

Let it go Ninja Theory.

WetN00dle695398d ago

HS was an amazing title hands down!

RememberThe3575398d ago

It was the first game I bought. It was also before I really got into following games online. I would just read Game Informer every month and that was how I stayed informer. But once I started going online and finding videogame website I started hearing about how Ninja Theory was bashing it's own game along with Sony. I just felt wrong. It was like since they didn't make the money they wanted they weren't proud of what they had done. It seemed shallow and greedy. They are a talented group, but professional or even respectable? I'm not so sure.

I can't wait for Enslaved though. I looks great.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 5398d ago
Jaces5398d ago

Just bringing up Heavenly Sword makes me want a sequel really bad. Wish they would stop complaining about the poor sales, it was a great game! Just make it longer and with the install base for PS3's being 10x larger than a couple years ago I'm sure it'll sell tons better than before.

Anyway I'm pretty excited for Enslaved.

Immortal3215398d ago

in a completely different game, is so wrong.

vgcgames5398d ago

it will for sure be a sleeper hit.

ULTIMATE_REVENGE5398d ago

I have genuinely always thought that Heavenly Sword looked very poor for a launch PS3 title.

I personally think that Ninja Theory are rubbish at making games.

dc15398d ago

Genuinely???
Your comments leave me empty (specifically when considering that you used the 'genuinely' .. I don’t have the strength in my fingers to respond.

- Respectfully

Godmars2905398d ago

Well then, its a good thing NT recycled much of its mechanics into Enslaved, isn't it?

Bitching about HS all the way...

WildArmed5398d ago (Edited 5398d ago )

HS looked very poor?? ...
Did you even try opening your eyes during the cutscenes w/ King Bohan?
He is probably the most detailed villian i have seen this gen.. (voice acting and facial expressions were TOP NOTCH.. not to mention graphics).

Btw, I do not like Ninja Theory (for all their bitching that they did about sales sales sales, even thought they sold 1mil).. but I do respect HS very much. Too bad Ninja Theory hated it soo much for no apparent reason.

@below
Thanks,
I'm glad to see you have similar feelings for HS. +bubbles 2 u sir

HS was my introduction to next game action games.. and it took my breathe away ^_^
Honestly I never held the game being short against it.. the gem really got lost in the crowd.
I remember getting this game on b'day in 07..
Out of all the games I got on my b'day, I couldn't take the disc out of my ps3 until I was done w/ my 3rd playthrough.

Trebius5398d ago

That game really welcomed me to the next generation of gaming. It might've been a little short, but considering it's a PS3 1st gen title I understand the architecture might've been a bit much to handle for early developers.

They did an excellent job nontheless.

niceguywii605398d ago

You're saying that because the devs are working on a multi platform game in which the PS3 version suffers from screen tearing.

RememberThe3575398d ago

If they launch a PS3 version with screen tearing, I will loss all respect for them. I don't care how good the game is, if they can't do on the PS3 what they did three years ago, they are going backwards. Hopefully those issue will be addressed before launch.

jetlian5398d ago

people seem to think HS is the same as this. Once again this game has better textures than HS. Add to that this game has bigger worlds and climbing.

If you think its easy to have hundreds of handholds to grab your crazy. This game is a more technical game period. All you do is see it similar without taking everything into account

dredgewalker5398d ago

What? I still find HS better looking than Bayonetta and I ain't joking.

Pootangpie5398d ago (Edited 5398d ago )

MGS4 Resistance 2 Crack in time Heavy rain,LBP KZ2 and many more now I know why you idiots duped into thinking the PS3 is some kind of supercomputer

dredgewalker5398d ago

You must be new or another troll with lots of accounts. Read my comment history before making assumptions on me being a fanboy. Oh and of course a PS3 exclusive would look good on the PS3 simply because the programmers have only one format to concentrate all their efforts on. Where did I state in my short response that the PS3 is a supercomputer? Nevermind, I sense a lack of common sense and intelligence in you so it's not worth my time trying to explain things to a troll.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 5398d ago
MGRogue20175398d ago (Edited 5398d ago )

... Suh-weet. :P

DarthMoose5398d ago

This games looks like its gonna be great, really excited for it, it really seems to be under the radar to alotta people, give it a chance people, at least rent it.

Show all comments (48)
80°

Empowering Creators and Players With Muse, a Generative AI Model for Gameplay

"Introducing Muse, a new kind of generative AI model that lets you play and create. From developer ideation to one day supporting game preservation, Muse holds potential to unlock new possibilities." so says Microsoft

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news.xbox.com
Abriael126d ago

Absolutely slimy to use game preservation as a thinly-veiled excuse to continue peddling generative AI garbage. 😡

Eonjay125d ago (Edited 125d ago )

MUSE
Massive Unmitigated Suspension for Employees.

Lets get this straight. When they say its to asisst creators, they mean assist executive managment. Tell me this, if companies stop paying real people to do real work, who is going to be able to buy anyone else's AI generated products in the first place?

Abriael125d ago

You're definitely preaching to the choir. If you read my own version of the news (it's in the alt sources), it's one of the few times I took the fuc*ing gloves on. I was pissed all day after reading this crap.

Jingsing126d ago (Edited 126d ago )

Microsoft's latest push into mediocrity and billions wasted. I do wonder if Microsoft will eventually meet the same fate as Intel.

staticall126d ago

They need to replace Xbox execs with generative AI. It'll do less damage than Phil and the gang for sure

> a first of its kind generative AI model trained on Ninja Theory’s multiplayer battle arena game, Bleeding Edge
Yikes
This is a "Coming soon" from their gaming copilot thingy they're so proud of https://www.youtube.com/wat...
Dunno, feels and looks awful to me

And they didn't explain how they're planning to preserve older games, just some world salad
> To imagine that beloved games lost to time and hardware advancement could one day be played on any screen with Xbox is an exciting possibility for us
This doesn't explain anything. How can they run the older games without hardware it's tied to? Magic?

Whole article actually feels like a world salad galore. Did they use AI to write this?

P. S.: Calling it «Muse» is disgusting.

jznrpg118d ago (Edited 118d ago )

At Xbox we shit on our employees and our customers. Now who is going to buy this nearly no effort game?

340°

Unfortunately, Ninja Theory Isn't Actually Safe From Microsoft

Ninja Theory might have games in the pipeline, but that doesn't mean Xbox won't close it for no reason

Read Full Story >>
thegamer.com
rlow1400d ago

Alot of speculation on their part. Ninja Theory has two games that have been green lighted and are in the works. Yes it’s always a possibility they could be closed but no matter how you feel about the Senua games. They do make a quality game. I personally think MS is going lay low for a bit, after the firestorm they experienced last week.

darthv72400d ago

I really hope one of them is a long awaited sequel of heavenly sword or enslaved. Both are good games that deserve a 2nd chance... or at least a reboot.

blackblades400d ago

I'm 100% doubt its heavenly sword for obvious reason and Enslave 99% doubt it.

400d ago
Rynxie400d ago

Santa Monica is a great studio, but I would rather the minds behind the original make it (ninja theory). I never liked sequels that were done by someone else, they are usually never as good as the original.

rlow1399d ago

Enslaved would be awesome. If they did a remaster, then the next game in the series…..one can hope.

Yui_Suzumiya399d ago

Hopefully they'd get Evan Wells back for a sequel to Enslaved. After the original Enslaved he went on to Naughty Dog and did The Last of Us.

neutralgamer1992399d ago

darth

HS IP is owned by sony and enslaved sold so poorly that you want a sequel now? let's say a sequel is made and sells like the first than this studio is for sure shut down. Their next game needs to be a big hit(if there is a next game)

rlow1

that's not how business works, if a studio needs to go it will go whether ot not that will come with negative PR. They just spent 100 billion and now they are in the phase to find out which studios will survive and which needs to go to cut costs. NT let a huge opportunity slip away, they had the backing of MS and the sequel has even less gameplay, that makes zero sense

Chevalier399d ago

How?! Sony owns one IP and Bandai owns the other one

Plague-Doctor27399d ago

Heavenly Sword IP is owned by Sony and Enslaved IP is owned by Namco Bandai

Hellblade was the only IP that Ninja Theory themselves owned when MS acquired them

Sonic1881399d ago

Heavenly Sword or Enslaved didn't sell that well

Cacabunga399d ago

NT completely lost it since dmc, their
last good game to date! And has been a long time since.
An average studio at best, got lured by MS money and forgot to improve

+ Show (7) more repliesLast reply 399d ago
Rynxie400d ago

They make quality games, but they're usually hit or miss. Either they are average, or they are awesome. However, besides heavenly sword and DMC, they aren't big sellers either. Ms is as big of a corporation as it gets. If ninja theory isn't making them money, they will shut them down. Simple as that.

MrDead400d ago

Studio survival no matter who is reliant on MS's quarterly reports, if MS is looking to save money then studios like Ninja Theory are gone as we've seen with Tango and others. MS has their IP's, the devs mean nothing to them but a handy tool to balance the books with layoffs.

DarXyde399d ago

Eh, maybe. Microsoft seems like a phenomenally wealthy company that's (generally) wise with how they handle their finances. What they're not wise with is how they spend social capital. As soon as they get it, they spend it by doing something nefarious. Can't say they're the only ones of course.

Will they get rid of Ninja Theory? No earthly idea. Honestly, I have a hard time even speculating about it because we don't have any details on performance metrics. If I had to guess... And really, this is is a guess... It's just about engagement. It's the only thing that makes sense to me. If you've got a popular mobile game or MTX-heavy multiplayer game, you're safe. King and Activision aren't going anywhere. Even if player count tapers off, MTX keep them in the game as a form of engagement.

But then you've got single player games. I suspect that's a losing battle because single player games, unfortunately don't get long term engagement broadly. So games launching half baked is perhaps a strategy for the studios themselves to get people coming back to their games? It would make some sense, but it doesn't match with studios being surprised at the closures.

All of this to say, we'll just have to wait and see. The simplest explanation with the most streamlined thinking on the matter is just that they're getting rid of studios they see as dead weight in the long run. HFR was quite well received, but I guess it doesn't translate into happy investors because it's critical acclaim and not commercial success exactly. Bethesda isn't going anywhere. Making very long RPGs kind of saves you automatically in terms of engagement.

But on the other side of this, while studios don't close per se, nothing stops them or any other company from just cutting the work force within each studio.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 399d ago
Einhander1972400d ago

It's not for no reason.

The reason is they made two games that were underwhelming (Bleeding Edge) and didn't/aren't going to grow the user base for game pass.

They spent 5-7 years and this was what they produced, it's easy to see how they would be on the short list for termination at this point.

Sciurus_vulgaris400d ago

One thing to point out was that all the recently closed studios were under Bethesda. Before being purchased by MS, Bethesda had a slew of poor or under performing titles (Evil Within 2, Prey (2017), Wolfenstein: The New Colossus, Young Blood, and initially Fallout 76 ). I don’t think, Ghost Wire Tokyo, Deathloop, Redfall and sadly even High-Fi: Rush performed well after the buyout.

Einhander1972400d ago (Edited 400d ago )

I bet this game with a 5-7 year dev cycle being launched directly onto game pass is going to generate less tangible cash profit than any of those games.

I'm sure Microsoft will brag about players or sword swings or some other pointless statistic, but those don't make cash money.

Chevalier399d ago

You do realize it took 3 platforms and like 2 years to sell 1 million for Hellblade 1 right? Added in 3 more platforms and it didn't move much.

Now cut our 4 platforms. How many copies do you think this will sell?! Not just played on Gamepass

Lightning77400d ago (Edited 400d ago )

Apparently Ninja Theory is safe From being closed down https://www.gamespot.com/ar...

Already working on a new game. They are a 80 person team and relatively inexpensive I suppose to any other publisher

Buuuuut.

Yeaah sorry this is MS, I don't believe anything MS says. They have to be joking if they think anyone will believe them besides gullible Xbox fanboys. Once again MS needs to earn my trust back. Just when they earn some trust back, they always seem to destroy it and have to work to get it back. I still think they're getting shut down and canceling whatever game they're making because the game won't sell, again MS fault for not advertising it.. This company man...

FPSRUSSIA400d ago

the article talks about that to i recommend checking it out when you get a chance.

400d ago
outsider1624400d ago

The problem with this game probably not selling will be because of Gamepass. Every comment i see from xbox players are "dude, no need to buy this amazing game, just get it on gamepass"

Will it sell well based on word of mouth? Will they release it on ps5? Will ps players buy this game vs free on gamepass? Time will tell.

JBlaze226399d ago

Look at what happened to Hi Fi Rush.The game was sold on PS5 and didn't sell well.

JBlaze226399d ago

I mean Sony has done worst and no one speaks up about it.

outsider1624399d ago (Edited 399d ago )

Well i dont know about hi fi rush..as i didnt buy it. I mean others are getting it on gamepass..so ill just wait it for psplus. Im guessing others are doing the same..soo..

Sure Sony has done it too..and people are vocal about it. Look at the helldivers fiasco for example..they got called out.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 399d ago
Knightofelemia400d ago

I don't see Microsoft shutting off the lights to Ninja Theory. As a studio they actually have talent and have released some decent games. I love Enslaved maybe a sleeper hit but it's one of my favorites. Only way I see Microsoft shutting off the lights is if Ninja Theory releases games that sink faster then a lead weight. And there are fans of Ninja Theory one thing I would hate to see is Ninja Theory ending up like Bioware. Loosing all their talent and being a former shell of what they use to be.

Elda400d ago

Never say never. Tango Gameswork were just as talented as Ninja Theory & they were shut down.

darthv72399d ago

And they were also under Bethesda... Ninja Theory is not.

Profchaos399d ago

I honestly blame starfeild and Microsoft for the closure of arkane and tango it didn't turn a profit like other huge Bethesda games. If it .are fallout 4 money Bethesda would have had the capital to share among the other studios. Microsoft should of also had the ability to step in and save the studio but decided to kill them instead likely because of Bethesda's financial failure with starfield and Microsoft's stupid goal of turning gaming into a subscription that everyone and their grandmas subscribe to

shaenoide400d ago

To be honest for Microsoft (not Microsoft gaming) it's all about making for the 70 billion purchase of AKB. No matter how good the games are. If they don't generate sales or new gamepass subs the studios can be shutted down.

Rynxie400d ago (Edited 400d ago )

Yes, they make decent games, but do they sell? Unfortunately, no. Heavenly sword sold 1.5 million, even when the ps3 had a much lower install base than the 360. However, it's not a ninja theory ip. Enslaved sold poorly. DMC, sold well, but that's also not a ninja theory ip. Hellblade was a hit, but in my opinion, barely. Hellblade 2, unfortunately, might be a flop. There's no bigger corporation than Ms, they are as corporate as they come. If ninja theory isn't making them money, they will get shut down and their ips giving to another studio.

Elda400d ago

It was just announced that MS gave NT the greenlight for its next game. I just hope it's not another Hellblade. https://www.yahoo.com/tech/...

shaenoide400d ago

Tango was working on a new game.

jznrpg399d ago

Xbox - Green light
MS - Red light

Show all comments (49)
250°

Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 launch trailer will send shivers down your spine

Ninja Theory's latest trailer for their highly anticipated narrative action-adventure Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 is absolute cinema.

Reaper22_401d ago

Like I said before, buying Ninja Theory was one of the smartest moves by Microsoft. Games looks incredible.

Rynxie401d ago

Unfortunately, their games aren't big sellers. Will MS shut them down if hellblade 2 sells below expectations?

outsider1624401d ago

If it sells below expectations, then i expect it to come to PS5.

Elda401d ago

The game may be a critical hit & still can get shut down. I highly doubt most XB owners will buy this game including the fact that it's digital only at $50. Most folks that have Gamepass will play the game through the sub service. If the reviews tomorrow are just average to low then that's another problem.

Obscure_Observer401d ago

"Like I said before, buying Ninja Theory was one of the smartest moves by Microsoft. Games looks incredible."

Indeed.

Just a few hours to go

I can´t wait!

z2g401d ago

badass. already installed via gamepass. if its as great as the first one I will pay for the whole game.

glenn1979401d ago

I just don't understand why all the down votes

jwillj2k4401d ago

Here we go again. Is this a game or a choose your own adventure???

purple101401d ago

if you choose left, turn to page 39, if you proceed forward, turn to page 43, to turn right, page 209, you finished the book early,

no but seriously this looks like Microsofts first hit, or should I say, first game of standout quality.

jwillj2k4401d ago

Never questioned the quality. Question is will there be a need for the controller.

anast401d ago

The time machine 'choose your own' were awesome.

Tedakin401d ago

If it's anything like the first game, you will spend a lot of timing walking and solving puzzles, with some fights thrown in.

Elda401d ago

LOL! Didn't send any shivers down my spine but I'll demo it after midnight tonight through Gamepass to see what it's giving.

Obscure_Observer401d ago

After the midnight? I see...

Day one as expected for another game that you said you had zero interest.

Elda401d ago (Edited 401d ago )

Finally making a re-appearance. When the heat was on about XB closing studios you were crickets on all articles. Now that the heat has died down all of a sudden you're here on an XB exclusive article or should I say a timed exclusive...lol!! If you must know I can demo this game at midnight because the University I work at is closed for the summer so I can play video games until my heart's content until the end of August when I go back to work. That's what Gamepass is for, knowing I would not spend $50 on Hellblade 2 because the first one I thought was boring so I'm going to see if this one is still boring or is it interesting by demoing the game.

PhillyDonJawn401d ago

I'm surprised you're interested

Elda401d ago

Why not I have a year subscription to Gamepass, I don't have to spend $50 on a digital only game that I may not like including I'm on a lengthy vacation from work.

rlow1401d ago

It looks amazing, I’m hoping the reviews are solid. You can tell the studio really poured their heart and soul into this one.

Show all comments (34)