Alt-Controls.com

Valkyria Chronicles Demo

Being a fan of turn-based strategy games and also FPS games I anticipate the release of Valkyria Chronicles, which could be described as a combination of both categories. It looks quite pretty using the SEGA’s CANVAS 3D graphics engine. The entire game looks like a watercolor painting in motion.

In the turn-based command mode you have an overview over your units on a map. When you select a unit you switch to the real time first person view. Here you can move around the unit with the left stick and look around with the right stick. Pressing R1 puts you in the target mode, where you can aim with the left stick. This should suit people used to southpaw controls.

Unfortunately there are no alternate game controls available in the demo for Valkyria Chronicles.

The release date is set for the November 14th.

Dead Space

As I suspected, Dead Space, the zero-gravity shooter from EA does not support alternate controls or any customizable options, aside from axis inversion. This should not come as a major surprise considering that EA has historically omitted alternative controls from their games.

Thanks go out to a couple of our readers for throwing the confirmation our way. And sorry to those that were looking forward to this one.

On the positive side, a number of games will be available soon that should support alternate controls including Gears of War 2, Quantum of Solace, and we have already confirmed that COD: World at War delivers the goods.

Southpaws can play the recently released Fracture in the meantime, and Legacy players… well… what can I say, you’re used to having nothing to play. But you can always check out my Legacy game suggestions until something new comes our way.

Call of Duty: World at War MP Beta

Beta trials for the Treyarch’s COD:WaW have started and if you pre-ordered the Xbox 360 version of game from a certain retail giant I don’t personally care for Gamestop/EB Games you should be receiving your beta keys soon or have them already. Yes, there is no PS3 beta…far as I know. A good friend of mine has taken the time to let me know about a few details of the game including controls, MP details, and impressions.

It comes as no surprise to me that Treyarch has again included the standard four control layouts in this title and all control options are said to be “the same as COD4″. Which is good news for all of us. So we should all be able to pick up this game day one.

If you don’t know already Treyarch has opted to stick very close to COD4 formula and is using the Infinity Ward developed game engine. Here is a brief rundown of the details I got in the few minutes I had. Read the rest of this entry »

More RE5 control info plus a pic…and Dark Void

A few days ago I decided to contact Capcom’s Christian Svensson about RE5’s controls. After watching that video that gave us a glimpse at what kind of controls we can expect from Capcom’s next big franchise release. With a little less than 6 months left until the much anticipated March 13, 2009 release date (yes, that’s a Friday) I figured that most plans are finalized and I night get some answers.

When I asked Mr. Sevenson about controls for both sniping and manual aim during normal play he only had a very general statement to make.

“I know for RE5 there are multiple control schemes (at least four) but I’m not sure whether southpaw is one of them. I do know that Dark Void will support southpaw though and have a slew of control options. The issue has been raised before to us and our producers in the US are keen to support them”
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Bungie Announces Halo 3: Recon

Bungie finally revealed their mysterious plans for a new Halo game at this year’s Tokyo Game show.

Halo 3: Recon supposedly takes place during the events just prior to Halo 3, and you won’t be playing as Master Chief. No, instead you’ll assume the role of an Orbital Drop Shock Trooper (who bears a striking resemblance to a certain 7-foot tall Spartan) and the game will require a much more tactical approach. No more running around blasting and melee bashing the shit out of everything, now you’ll actually have to take a stealthier, more cunning approach to the game.

The game is currently looking at a release in Fall of 2009 and I think it will be worth a peak. A new approach after so many years of the same formula is always a good thing, though I may miss playing as the Chief and jumping 20 feet in the air.

A trailer is available in a variety of flavors over @ Bungie.net. You know you can’t resist… go check it out.

Resident Evil 5 video hints at controls

I was doing my morning stroll of blogs and the Capcom Unity site is one of my daily stops. Today I got a nice treat as I saw this video interview with RE5 producer Jun Takeuchi. What was most interesting to me was that, if you look closely, you get and idea of what the controls are going to be like. After the video hit the link for what I see will be issues for many of you.

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What a Shock: No Alt-Controls in BioShock PS3

Not that any one should be overly surprised about this, but the BioShock demo for Playstation 3 does not support alternate controls, much like it’s Xbox 360 counterpart.

You’re able to invert the X and Y axis, but that’s pretty well all you can switch up as far as controls are concerned.

Thanks to Soulwarrior for checking this one out for us.

And by the way, please lend your name to our BioShock 2 controller customization petition if you haven’t done so yet.

Another Letdown (Saints Row 2)

A friend of mine was lucky enough to get Saints Row 2 a few weeks before it comes out. I went over to his joint to check it out and its bad news for all of us. Well as you all probably could have guessed Saints Row 2 doesn’t have any thumbstick customizations whatsoever, just like the 1st one.

It does have the standard x/y-axis inversions and 3 button schemes for on foot and driving controls, but that is it. No legacy, no southpaw, no legacy southpaw once again. It’s time to break out our modded controllers once again.

Very nice game of what I saw though, if you like the GTA sandbox style games that is. Graphics are a fair bit better than the first, and also the character speaks this time round, instead of being a mute while everyone talks to him. You actually can make your character a female this time and have the choice to choose from 3 male and 3 female voices. I love the pommie voice they put in, though it doesn’t seem to suit any character you make under the age of 40.

War World (XBLA)

Alternative Controls Supported:
-None

It’s another great week on XBLA as Megaman 9 sees it’s Xbox release. But perhaps you have already purchased it on WiiWare or the PSN you may want to give War Worlds a try. A third person shooter, ported from a 2005 PC game, War World has you controlling giant mechanized weapons in simple death match, team, and arcade modes.
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No Alt-Controls for Star Wars: Force Unleashed

Well I thought I’d better put up a post seeing I was going to for Duke Nukem, but got beaten by Saky. Sadly the new Star Wars game does not support any alternative thumbstick control options, not even Southpaw.

However you can invert the x and y axis so if you’re a default control player, but like it inverted you are in luck.

Pretty fun game though I might add (with a modded controller that is), and I am very impressed with the graphics. The gameplay does lack a bit I must admit, but still fun none the less.