“This game is the reason I joined Ignition three years ago,” said Shane Bettenhausen, the publisher’s director of business development, at a recent demo ofEl Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatronin New York. “I hate games that are [birthed] in a conference room by a focus group and a bunch of people who try to make what they think people want.” El Shaddaican be described as the antithesis of that kind of videogame....

Since its inception in 2005, theGuitar Herofranchise has become one of the biggest names in videogames, in addition to cementing itself as a pop culture phenomenon.Guitar Heroand its main competitor, Harmonix’sRock Band, are fixtures at parties — after all, you’re never too drunk to strap on a plastic guitar or get on the mic. But the recession has put a damper on everything, including sales of videogames — especially ones that come in expensive boxed sets with peripherals....

In creating the Wii-exclusiveReal Heroes: Firefighter, developer Epicenter had a few hurdles to overcome. First, how do you make a compelling experience that’s more than pointing and aiming a hose at burning objects? Konami had taken a stab at it on the PlayStation withFirefighter F.D. 18to mixed results. And Sega’sBrave Firefightersarcade title — complete with a hose light-gun peripheral — was a fun, if relatively shallow, on-rails experience. Second, how would they convince me to want to run into a burning building, in a game or otherwise?...

With a trailer that’s called itself “Evolution of Awesome,” I was expecting a bit more fromPrototype 2‘s marketing department. Instead, we get that Valkyries tune with a slow-motion image of James Heller jumping toward a helicopter. Granted, I very recently sawRise of the Planet of the Apes, so you can’t impress me with any helicopter lunges after I’ve seen a freakin’gorillado it, but still. I know the game’s much more badass than this....

cdv Software is jumping on the pre-order band wagon, announcing GameStop-exclusive Xbox 360 incentives for its upcoming action role-playing game,Divinity II: Ego Draconis. Pre-ordering now through the game’s January 5 launch will get you a special in-game Blood Echelon armor and a weapon. The armor is described as “sturdy as granite and shaped to intimidate,” apparently setting “new standards in the art of war.” The weapon, a Claymore, apparently cleaves armor like it was mere flesh....

Ubisoft’sPrince of Persia: The Sands of Timestands as one my favorite games. At the time of its release, the game’s re-imagined beauty and control was like nothing we had seen. Go back and play it today and it still holds up, a magical journey with crafty platforming and puzzles that set a new bar for the genre. In 2008, Ubisoft completely turned the series on its head with a new game in the series, simply calledPrince of Persia....

While The Vines work diligently on its next album, why not play a handful of its older tracks inRock Band? A five pack of the band’s songs are hitting the Rock Band Store next week, and will be joined by a single track by the UK-based band, Sweet Billy Pilgrim. The Vines Pack 01 Sweet Billy Pilgrim – “Future Perfect Tense” Grab “The Vines Pack 01” for $8.49/680 MS Points, or pick up each track individually (including the Sweet Billy Pilgrim ditty) for $1....

In the same online chat in whichTatsunoko vs. Capcomproducer Ryota Niitsuma spilled the beans about the potential for anotherVersusgame being announced later this year, he spoke out about some of the franchises that didn’t quite make it into the game. We know that Phoenix Wrightwas unfortunately scrapped from the game, citing localization and balance problems. But Niitsuma told SiliconEra today thatSamurai Pizza CatsandSpeed Racerwere also on the docket at one point....

Ever wonder how Metroids got their name? Personally, I’ve always assumed they’re calledMetroids because when they’re sucking on your head, they look like a giant jellyfish helmets, and the “roid” was in there just to sound unnatural. Makes sense, right? As it turns out, I was totally wrong. The word “Metroid” is a combination of the word “android” and “metro”, and in the Japanese metro subway system. “But Jonathan, what do giant flying alien jellyfish that suck the life out you from your skull have to do with androids and the Japanese subway system?...

I’ve not beenespecially kindto thepast fewSouthpeak games, but bless ’em,they still like us, and I have to admit that myhands-on time withSection 8at E3 left me feeling positive. While not the most jawdropping shooter I’ve ever played, it was competent and fun, with a few unique twists and cool little gimmicks. We have new screens of the PS3/360 FPS, where players land anywhere on the game map via a dropship, including but not limited to the vulnerable heads of enemies....

Games have gotten better and better at simulating real life over time, and where boxing games are concerned, a lot of that simulation consists of reproducing the brutality of the sport: the cuts, the bruises, the knockout punches, the spray of sweat and blood after a big blow. EA Sports’Fight Night Championlooks more brutal than any of the boxing games before it — you might have seen the trailer for itsbare-knuckle fightsbefore, but this one focuses on the visible effects of boxing....

Sega has dropped one bombshell of a tease in its announcement of their new squad-based shooter,Binary Domain. There’s a whole mess of combat with a group of three humans that’s pretty stereotypical for the first two-thirds of this video. But then things take a very sharp, awesome turn. I strongly encourage you to watch it before reading any further, lest your enjoyment be spoiled. Binary Domainis the creation of Toshihiro Nagoshi, also responsible for theYakuzaseries, and is being developed by Sega Japan for worldwide release on PS3 and Xbox 360....

We gave you a weekto throw on your worst holiday sweater and share it with Destructoid for one of five copies of the Target Limited editionShawn White Snowboardingfor Xbox 360. While all the entries were sufficiently ugly, the voting made it clear who the winners would be. Most of the editors said that if there was a top spot (and there’s not),Teen IdolandSnotrocketwould have tied for it. I liked both of theirs, butHamsalad‘s sweater and pose was a personal favorite....