The New EpicBattleAxe 1.5

The EpicBattleAxe staff has been working hard to launch the latest version of the site...something we're internally calling "EBA 1.5". This site, which is the current site as of right now, offers a cleaner look, the ability to break down news by platform, and will soon deliver new community features for readers! We're all really excited and hope you check it out!!!

Thanks for supporting us here on Blogger!!!

Second Wave of Mega Man 9 DLC Arrives

Capcom announced today the next set of DLC to debut for their über old-school revival, Mega Man 9. From the press release:

Hard Mode – Dubbed Hero Mode in Japan, this mode enables you to play the entire game on an increased difficulty level with alternate enemy distribution and spawning points. Hard Mode is not compatible with Rankings or Challenges Modes.

Expert Mode – Dubbed Super Hero Mode Japan, this mode represents the apex of Mega Man 9 difficulty settings and is not for the novice Mega Man 9 player. This mode triples the level of difficulty from the default Mega Man 9 game. Expert Mode is not compatible with Rankings or Challenges Modes.

Special Time Attack Stage – This DLC gives you an additional stage for Time Attack Mode, complete with an all new level and Robot Master Boss, "Fake Man." Similar in difficulty to the Willy Stages, players will have a fun time tackling this time sensitive competitive stage. Special Time Attack Stage is not compatible with Challenge Mode.

The new DLC will cost $3.00 in total ($1 each) and is available today, Oct 20th, on WiiWare Channel, following on XBLA Oct 21st, and Thursday, Oct 23 on PSN.

Fable II Live Patch is Complete in Time for Launch

In an announcement on the official developer's blog, Lionhead and Microsoft Game Studios confirmed that the online, multiplayer co-op patch for Fable II will be available the same day Fable II lands on retail shelves.

From the post:

"We are pleased to provide “Fable II” fans around the world with the chance to hop in and out of their friend’s “Fable II” worlds, to meet their heroes, dogs, spouses and experience Albion, together online."

Fable II hits retail tomorrow, Oct 21st.

Epic Battle Cry: Skirmirsh 003 - Things Go Arai

In this week's skirmish we peek under the hood of the latest firmware updates for the PS3 and PSP, repudiate the on again/off again Xbox 360 port of MGS4, get ready to believe Dan Aykroyd's scoop on the Ghostbusters game, and take a fresh look at gaming on Apple's latest Macbook.

The Battle Cry of the week goes to gaming on the iPhone/iPod Touch, lambasting the new IP czar created by the PRO-IP act, and keeping an eye on Bioware's port of Dragon Age to next gen consoles.

Right-click to download or subscribe via iTunes.

Sony Announces Worldwide Delay for Little Big Planet [UPDATED]

I don't know whether to laugh or cry about this one, but after it was confirmed that one of the background tracks from the highly, highly, oh-so-highly anticipated release of the PlayStation 3 exclusive Little Big Planet contained two expressions that can be found in the Qur'an (as in Islam's central holy text) the game is being delayed worldwide.

Rumors persist that the two phrases literally translate to "Every soul shall have the taste of death" and "All that is on earth will perish."

Uh....yeah....not the cute vibe developer Media Molecule was shooting for I'm sure.

Little Big Planet WAS slated for release next week, but Sony is now saying it will announce the new release date "shortly"...crazy.

UPDATE: Well, it doesn't look like the end of the planet, little or otherwise. Sony has announced on the Official Playstation Blog that LBP will now ship to retailers the week of Oct 27th. Giving themselves a five-day window probably means we'll see Sackboy on shelves late that week, but better late than next year.

Soulcalibur IV DLC: Yoda and Vader Arrive on Both Consoles Next Week

If you listen to our official podcast, Epic Battle Cry, you know how many interns die as a result of the console-exclusive DLC wars that wage in our offices. Possibly in response to our pummeling discourse in Skirmish 001, Namco Bandai has announced that formerly console-locked Soulcalibur IV characters Yoda (360) and Darth Vader (PS3) will now be available for both systems on Oct 23.

The DLC will set you back 400 Microsoft Points or $4.99 on the PS Store. And speaking of points vs. money we had our own little duel of the fates on that topic during last week's podcast. Check it out, it won't save the interns but it will make you feel good anyway.

Bioshock PS3 Exclusive DLC Arrives Nov 20

2K Games announced today that their preeminent shooter Bioshock, will see exclusive DLC for Sony's PlayStation 3 land on November 20. The PS3 port of Bioshock already contains an exclusive "Survivor" difficulty mode, but the new content arriving in November has been described as a series of challenge rooms where players beat the clock by using the game's genetically-enhancing plasmids to solve a variety of mini-puzzles.

Bioshock was in the news earlier this week when Community Manager Elizabeth Tobey announced on the 2K Games forums that Bioshock would be patched shortly after launch to address some graphic bugs on the PS3 version. Bioshock for the PS3 drops today in the UK and surfaces in North America on October 21st.

Two New Classes Headed To Warhammer Online

With Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning's popularity at an all time high, EA apparently thought today was a good time to announce two new careers, or classes, for the game.

First up are The Knights of the Blazing Sun who are devoted to the cult of Myrmidia, goddess of warfare and protector of civilization. These frontline combatants specialize in Battlefield Commands, using applied tactical knowledge to outmaneuver their enemies and lead their allies to victory. Sounds saucy.

Next we've got the Dark Elf Black Guard who, on the other hand, care little for tactics or guile. The embodiment of hatred and disdain, they make up the elite of the Witch King’s soldiers. Equipped with the finest armor and sharpest blades, the Black Guard is an indestructible wall of hate against which all foes are crushed....In other words, these guys are nasty,,,

Both new classes will be made available "this winter". Check out the game's official website for the latest.

New Spore Patch Available

EA has announced that a new patch for Spore is now available. The patch, which can be accessed via the EA Download Manager, fixes reported bugs, tunes gameplay, offers an added way of selecting multiple items to delete/ban in Sporepedia and introduces a cool new cube planet style.

The patch is PC only although EA promises a Mac version in the "near future".

Dragon Age Coming To Consoles

This just in...the next installment of Game Informer magazine will apparently deliver word that Bioware's highly-anticipated RPG Dragon Age: Origins will no longer be a PC exclusive. This according to several online outlets including IGN. The reports, which were confirmed by Bioware spokespeople, state that the latest IP from the creators of Mass Effect will hit both the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 late in 2009. No confirmation as to whether that implies a port of the PC game or another chapter in the franchise.

I'm sure more details will surface soon, but the DA to consoles news is all you need to know right now;)