Substance TV

Hey guys, wanted to wish all of you a Happy Halloween. Since this is Substance TV, I’ve carved up a very special pumpkin. May the warm of the Substance TV mini logo warm your hearts this Halloween. Now begone and get some candy!

Substance TV is back and better than ever baby! First of all, let me tell you there are a lot of changes starting with this “volume”.

No longer will Substance TV be known as “episodes”. Instead they will be known as “volumes” to greater reflect what we see Substance TV as. Each volume will focus on one game, unlike previous episodes which covered three games. This will allow us to cover each game with even more detail and care. As a bonus we can get each volume out quicker on a monthly basis.

We’re also putting a stronger emphasis on the history, designers, composers, and everything related to the game. We see Substance TV as a companion piece to each game we cover. Something that will be entertaining, informative, and hopefully you’ll leave with a bit of information you didn’t know before.

In volume 1 we take a look at Zone of the Enders: The Second Runner. So without further ado, enjoy. (For a high quality download of this volume, click here or go to the download page.)

BTW: What do you guys think of the new format and volume? Let us know by posting in the comments below.

Do I really need to tell you how much I love Cave? No, not an underground hollow with access from the ground surface or from the sea, often found in limestone areas and on rocky coastlines. I’m speaking of the marvelous game developer.

If you weren’t convinced to import the region free versions of either Mushihimesama Futari ver. 1.5 or ESPGaluda II, I can understand. They were a bit pricey. If you weren’t convinced to buy the American release of Deathsmiles, I can almost understand. Even though it was on store shelves, $50 was still a hard pill to swallow for some. If you’re not convinced to buy the upcoming Gwuange, you plain suck. It’s coming stateside as DLC for only $10!

Gwuange is a vertically scrolling shump developed by Cave set during the Muromachi period of Japan. It’s certainly got an old oriental feel to it. Best yet, it’s a crazy fun game. Just look for yourself.

This marks the first time Guwange has been playable on a home console (I don’t think MAME technically counts). I was a little worried this wouldn’t be getting a U.S. release, but Cave is smarter then I gave them credit for.

Look out for it November 10th for just 800 MS point ($10). That ten bucks not only gets you the standard arcade mode, but also two new modes: An Xbox 360 mode for the shmup handicapped with autofire, and the “Blue Mode”, a super OMG pull your eyebrows out mode.

So summed up, $10 on the 10th of November in the year ‘10 for a perfect 10 of a game.

About a month ago we looked at the wonderful and explodey beauty that is Vanquish(for those who don’t love us, you can read our demo impression article here). We did very much heart the demo and it only left us wanting more. The boys over at Platinum Games have heard our internal cries for more killin’ as they’ve released a new demo for Vanquish titled “Challenge Mode”.

It’s much different from the first demo. Think of Gears of War’s “Horde mode” where wave after wave of enemies come at you. I won’t lie, this new mode is tough. It took me several attempts before I even beat it. Don’t expect it to hold your hand. If you haven’t played the first demo, I strongly suggest you play it before you proceed to “Challenge Mode” as it will give you a better grip on the basic controls and play mechanics. There are also a greater variety of weapons and enemies in this. I especially enjoyed the new rocket launcher and disk blade weapons (which can cut off enemy’s body parts!), and those new big enemies with the spiked hammers are not to be trifled with.

Now I know you’re saying to yourself, “How do I download this fine awesome new demo?”. A very good question. Read the rest of this epic article! »