I feel the earth move under my feet.

The good folks at NIS America released an early demo of this bizarre new PSP title set for summer release. Most tower defense games focus on killing hordes of nasties. Well in this dungeon defense game (NIS is labeling it a “dungeon management game”) you dig, dig, dig up lots of nasties in order to kill the hero who is trying to capture Overlord Badman. The demo only features a tutorial and three story levels, but for fans of strategy games, this is looking to be a perfect fit for the PSP. It’s incredibly unique with a silly story and a delightfully simple interface.

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The prelude to another year of Bahn Unplugged.

It’s almost hard to believe another E3 is almost here, again. Lately I’ve been so absorbed with Street Fighter IV that the months just seem to fly by. Contrary to what some may believe, I actually do leave the house to work, shop and catch the occasional summer flick (Star Trek ROCKED btw). Some don’t feel this year will be exciting at all, and well – I don’t have much of an opinion. Why? Well because I haven’t been paying close attention actually to anything. I mean sure I know some big hits like Mass Effect 2 and the sequel to Assassin’s Creed will be on display at the show, but unlike previous years — I am sort of out of touch. Should I be admitting that out loud? Probably not, E3 2009 will be just that more enjoyable to here all the banter of facts and tidbits trail off the lips of the booth representatives.

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Mana Khemia 2 leads the pack for 2009.

Lots of goodies from RPG publisher NIS America. Some remakes, some new ones, and one highly anticipated sequel. It’s no surprise that I loved Mana Khemia on the PlayStation 2 and with the recent PSP enhanced version, there’s no excuse for not checking it out. Well NIS America has finally announced the US release of the sequel on the PlayStation 2. I’m also intrigued by Holy Invasion of Privacy, Badman! From the video it appears to be a dungeon defense game. There are lots of other goodies coming too, including two PlayStation 3 titles. Check out the full list. In other news, Puchi Puchi Virus for the Nintendo DS finally released. Check out our review (based on a reviewer copy sent last year).

DLC coming to the PS3 plus more packs on the way.

Bethesda have raised their computer skill beyond a hundred and cracked the code, allowing the downloadable content greatly enjoyed by Xbox 360 and PC players to appear on the Playstation 3 via PSN.   Operation: Anchorage will be released for PS3 in late June, followed by the release of The Pitt and Broken Steel in four to six weeks each.

Plus two new DLC packs coming to all three platforms:
*         Point Lookout – Explore a massive new swampland area filled with new quests and content
*         Mothership Zeta – The aliens have returned, and they’re pissed. Experience an alien abduction first hand and find out if you’re tough enough to survive.

Point Lookout will be available in late June for Xbox 360 and PC. Cost will be 800 points or $9.99.  It’ll be available on PS3 after the first three DLCs have been released.  Mothership Zeta is scheduled for release in late July for Xbox 360 and PC. Cost will be 800 points or $9.99.   It’ll be available on PS3 after Point Lookout.

Fallout 3 Game Add-on Pack #1 includes The Pitt and Operation: Anchorage on a disc and will be available for Xbox 360 and PC on May 26.  The Fallout 3 Game Add-on Pack #2 includes Broken Steel and Point Lookout on a disc and will be available for Xbox 360 and PC in August.  Retail versions of the game add-on packs for PS3 are not possible and the DLC will only be available for download online via PlayStation Network.

A Fallout 3 Game of the Year edition will be available in October. It will include the original game plus all five add-ons for $59.99 for Xbox 360 and PS3, and $49.99 for PC.

And a mystery Croteam title, too.

Once upon a time first person shooters were defined by bodycount.  Doom, Heretic, Descent, Rise of the Triad, and a whole host of also-rans substituted overwhelming enemy counts for AI, primarily due to the technology of the time.  Eventually, though, FPSes became less about arcade blasting and more about tactical or military action, backed up by a heavy online focus.  Every few years, however, Croteam releases a new Serious Sam to remind us what pure, unfiltered ass-kicking is all about.

Four years since the somewhat disappointing Serious Sam 2, Croteam has announced they’re finally getting to work on the fourth game (the first Serious Sam was divided in half) in the series.  They’re in the process of landing a publisher, so no details have been revealed yet, but work has been started and that’s good enough for the moment.  Hopefully the new game will return to the amusingly gruesome style of the original games rather than the forced and unfunny cartoonish style of Serious Sam 2.

Croteam’s update also mentions a second mystery project.  This isn’t the military title Gamecock showed a few screens of at last year’s E3, due to that being canceled when the contract with the  publisher fell apart, but rather an all-new game of some sort.  Details are still a good way off for both titles, but it’s great to see Croteam getting back up to speed.