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Syberia II ventures onto Xbox

Rejected by SCEA, Microids' adventure sequel sets off to explore Microsoft's console.
Today, French-Canadian developer Microids announced that it had shipped Syberia II for the Xbox. Available on the PC since March, the game is also available for the PlayStation 2 in Europe. However, due to the adventure genre's lukewarm popularity stateside, the game was reportedly not approved by Sony Computer Entertainment America for a US release.

Unsurprisingly, Microids president Emmanuel Olivier disagrees with that assessment. "Playing this PC favourite adventure game on a console is a completely new experience, he said. "The adventure genre is gaining steam in the Xbox console market and, without any doubt, will attract a larger audience."

Published by XS Games, Syberia II follows the same plotline as its PC cousin. As outlined in GameSpot's review of that edition, the game once again follows heroine and one-time lawyer Kate Walker as she explores "four expansive and enchanting imaginary lands set across Europe in rich and realistically detailed 3D environments," according to Microids. The game is rated "T" for Teen and retails for $19.99.

http://www.gamespot.com/news/2004/10/12/news_6110387.html


WTF? Hey SCEA, how about you let gamers decide which games they want to play!

 

[belgurdo]

When it comes to sloppy seconds there's no power greater than X

 

[jarrod]

SCEA actually revoked DreamCatcher/The Adventure Company's PS2 license over some dispute. This was their game originally iirc, so it's likely 'tainted'.

 

[Mr_Furious]

Here we go again?

 

[B E N K E]

It hasn't moved as it's already out for Xbox in Europe...

 

[Renegade]

Why is SCEA being a licensing Nazi all of a sudden? This makes me wish for a quick dethroning sooner.

 

[Doom_Bringer]

SCEA actually revoked DreamCatcher/The Adventure Company's PS2 license over some dispute. This was their game originally iirc, so it's likely 'tainted'.

?

 

[sonycowboy]

Unsurprisingly, Microids president Emmanuel Olivier disagrees with that assessment.

Oh no! Don't piss off Emmanuel Olivier! DOOM!!! DOOM!!

JK, I agree that SCEA is a little questionable with what gets approved and what doesn't. But, given that it's not a 2D retro game, it's probably complete crap.

 

[segasonic]

Oh no! Don't piss off Emmanuel Olivier! DOOM!!! DOOM!!

JK, I agree that SCEA is a little questionable with what gets approved and what doesn't. But, given that it's not a 2D retro game, it's probably complete crap.

http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages4/562371.asp


79% average, based on 26 reviews

hardly crap...

 

[WarPig]

This isn't an anti-2D or anti-adventure thing, it's presumably an anti-completely-untouched-old-PC-game-port thing. Kinda like the Soul Hackers beef.

DFS.

 

[sonycowboy]

http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages4/562371.asp


79% average, based on 26 reviews

hardly crap...

Yeah, because PC games and their ports are exactly the same...

 

[pilonv1]

Both games are quite enjoyable adventure games, and better than the majority of third party shit on either systems.

 

[segasonic]

you're in full damage control mode now, sonycowboy

what else to judge the quality of the game on?

 

[Ninja Scooter]

IBSSX

 

[segasonic]

This isn't an anti-2D or anti-adventure thing, it's presumably an anti-completely-untouched-old-PC-game-port thing. DFS.

I must have missed that, when Half-Life, Deus Ex and Max Payne were ported (=butchered) on PS2

 

[Mr_Furious]

Why is SCEA being a licensing Nazi all of a sudden?

All of a sudden?

what else to judge the quality of the game on?

Xbox port?

 

[jarrod]

This isn't an anti-2D or anti-adventure thing, it's presumably an anti-completely-untouched-old-PC-game-port thing. Kinda like the Soul Hackers beef.

DFS.

But they're only charging $19.99. What's the harm on old ports if they're discounted?

 

[segasonic]

Xbox port?

the one that was just shipped?

 

[Mr_Furious]

the one that was just shipped?

Yes, it's in stores

 

[segasonic]

 

[Gantz]

Not enough money hats plain and simple.

 

[segasonic]

If this is an old-pc-port-thing, then why was Broken Sword 3 not published on PS2 in North America? All versions were finished at the same time, but the PS2 version was only released in Europe.

 

[=W=]

Syberia 2? You mean the game that should have been the second half of Syberia 1?

/bitterness at non-ending

 

[Lord Error]

SCEA actually revoked DreamCatcher/The Adventure Company's PS2 license over some dispute. This was their game originally iirc, so it's likely 'tainted'.

What he said. I'd love to know what went wrong there.

For the same reason, Broken Sword 3 was not released on the PS2 in the US (Dreamcatcher was the US publisher for the game) I was reading an interview with BS3's director and he said there's still hope... In any case, the Euro version works on the US console with some patching and installing to HDD, so I don't care

 

[cvxfreak]

IGN Message Boards:

Post of the Day: Sly 2: Second Best Sequel
This game truly deserves all of the great scores it's gotten. You're doing yourself a disservice if you don't get this game. I know Katamari Damacy is the current "respect me" game from everyone here, but as fun as that game is, I wouldn't put it in the same league as Sly.
--Sonycowboy

Sonycowboy is teh famous

 

[Mashing]

Ahh, adventure games... this gives me an excuse to say I can't wait for all the awesome adventure games that will come out for the DS. The perfect system besides the PC for games of that nature.

Oh, and why does SCEA even bother denying games... does it really cost them much at all? They're a fucking multibillion dollar corporation and they do shit like that...

 

[Agent X]

Wasn't there a major bug in the Woody Woodpecker game that Dreamcatcher made for PS2, that prevented you from completing one of the early levels in the game?

 

[FightyF]

Ahh, adventure games... this gives me an excuse to say I can't wait for all the awesome adventure games that will come out for the DS. The perfect system besides the PC for games of that nature.

Holy crap, I've never thought of that!

I used to be a DS hater...and I will remain one until I see a handful of adventure games that actually do this.

 

[snapty00]

Crappy or not, old or not, 2D or not, I wish consumers could decide if they want that, not Sony.

 

[Catalyst]

How's the first game, actually? I've seen good reviews for it...and it's actually 1080i from what I hear. Is it worth the $10-$15 pricetag I've been seeing? It's kind of funny how I was thinking about this game today and a thread popped up about it on GAF. Weird.

 

[Mr_Furious]

It's kind of funny how I was thinking about this game today and a thread popped up about it on GAF. Weird.

If that's not a sign, I don't know what it

 

[Kon Tiki]

I still have to finish the first one. :/

 

[Catalyst]

If that's not a sign, I don't know what it

I've been meaing to pick up this game, too. Maybe there's a part in the game, maybe a conversation or some type of sequence that'll have a direct effect on my life and possibly influence the future of mankind?!

 

[seismologist]

This isn't an anti-2D or anti-adventure thing, it's presumably an anti-completely-untouched-old-PC-game-port thing. Kinda like the Soul Hackers beef.

DFS.

Why is Sony being blamed here. When the label says Only on Xbox it usually means Microsoft had their hands in it.

 

[Insertia]

Based on the two reviews the Xbox version recieved so far it has averaged 56%.
More then likely the PC-to-PS2 port didn't meet quality standards and was rejected.

 

[Catalyst]

Why is Sony being blamed here. When the label says Only on Xbox it usually means Microsoft had their hands in it.

Well, Sony did let DRIV3R on the PS2. Then they didn't let Syberia 2. There's something wrong there, buddy.

 

[Mike Works]

Yeah, because PC games and their ports are exactly the same...

hahahaha, is that really the best you can do?

 

[Elios83]

Luckily SCEE does not act the same way as SCEA and Pal gamers can enjoy their PS2 version of Syberia,Broken Sword etc
But honestly I don't understand SCEA's policy.....they approve a lot of trash and they reject really good games because they belong to a genre they believe doesn't appeal to americans? ^_^''..... odd at least.....

 

[Elios83]

By the way:

Syberia1>>Syberia2

 

[Link316]

But honestly I don't understand SCEA's policy.....they approve a lot of trash and they reject really good games because they belong to a genre they believe doesn't appeal to americans? ^_^''..... odd at least.....

XS Games is #1 on Sony's shitlist cause of the Mobile Light Force covers

 

[Mr_Furious]

I've been meaing to pick up this game, too. Maybe there's a part in the game, maybe a conversation or some type of sequence that'll have a direct effect on my life and possibly influence the future of mankind?!

Syberia (II)= Life Changing Experience!

Why is Sony being blamed here. When the label says Only on Xbox it usually means Microsoft had their hands in it.

Not true. Games that get denied on certain consoles may become 'exclusive' by default but that "Only on" is nothing more than a marketing ploy, if it's not 1st party. No money or favors need to exchange hands for that little corner tag.

 

[Elios83]

XS Games is #1 on Sony's shitlist cause of the Mobile Light Force covers

Mobile Light covers?What are they?

 

[Takuan]

How well did Syberia do on the Xbox? I see it on ebgames for 9.99. Syberia 2 is 19.99. I don't imagine the game would've sold very well on the PS2.

 

[Link316]

 

[DarienA]

Mobile Light covers?What are they?

 

[Elios83]

Aahaha that could be a reason to be put on a black list indeed P

 

[Sinatar]

What a misleading thread title.

The game wasn't "moved" to Xbox, its already out on Xbox, the PS2 was getting a port of it, that port was cancelled.

 

[teiresias]

Geez, just buy the damn thing for the PC, it's not like it's a graphically taxing game in the first place. I shudder at the thought of playing this game without a mouse anyway given the sometimes cursor-hunt the thing turns into on occasion.