With the summer doldrums already starting to take effect (and it’s not even summer yet, dammit!), Microsoft has today announced plans to bring two Japanese-developed Xbox 360 titles to North America for releases this summer, including Project Sylpheed and Vampire Rain.
Developed by Game Arts and Seta Corporation, Project Sylpheed is a 3D remake of the classic scrolling shooter Silpheed previously released in Japan by Square Enix. In typical Square Enix form, the game features an epic storyline with over 50 minutes of spectacular CG animation sequences and gorgeous graphics. Combine the high production values with intense 3D space combat and Microsoft should have a winner on its hands.
On the somewhat odd game front, Vampire Rain is a hybrid-style title from developer Artoon that brings together elements of stealth action, survival horror and shooters, putting players in the role of a black-ops unit tasked with eliminating a race of supernatural beings (or vampires) known as the Nightwalkers. Xbox Live play for up to eight players will also be supported in some form. Sounds interesting, but I’ve seen some video footage and the game looks like it could be nothing more than an extreme Splinter Cell knock-off, with the whole survival horror stuff thrown in to give it a sense of originality. Hopefully it turns out to be more than that.