This time around though, Silvia has been promoted from damsel in distress to ass-kicking cheerleaders. At least we presume she’s a cheerleader – the pompoms and boots kind of hint at it. Those boots…in the finest videogame tradition Silvia boasts a different set of skills to Joe. For a start, she can jump higher- hardly, but kind of dull – oh, and a laser gun, definitely not dull. In fact, it makes for a great contrast to Joe’s close range combat skills and , of course, can be powered up using the Slow VFX power – increasing the size and potency of the gun’s projectile and potential for spewey – leaser death.

One element of the original Viewtiful Joe that we didn’t get a chance to fill you in on in our Beta, what with the version we played not actually featuring it, is Joe’s trusty vehicle, the six Machine. It isn’t exactly abused in the original game, hence it gets an extended run in Viewtiful Joe 2, transforming, in true Japanese Tv show tradition, into multiple forms, including a drill, submarine, cannon and racer.

Extra features are all but guaranteed with this Capcom sequel – that ‘TBC’ in the number of players box alludes to the fact that we’ve seen footage featuring both Joe and Silvia on the screen at the same time. Whether this means Viewtiful Joe 2 will support two players, or that it will simply have computer Al control the second character to be seen, Capcom is keeping tight lipped, but expect to hear it here first soon.

Blood will Tell’s Hyakkimaru is completely unlike the average videogame protagonist – with detachable arms that hide vicious shoulder mounted swords, and legs that conceal bazookas, he’s fully equipped to undertake the journey across five varied environment and slay ant hell-beasts he may come across. And slay he will – Sega Wow has included over 100 different monsters, raging from ogres to skeletons to giant deities in an adventure that promises to be an impressive third-person adventure akin to Devil May Cry.

Of course, Hyakkimaru will not be simply limited to the weapons connected to his torso, and a number of weapons still be revealed by the developer can be collected during the adventure – presumably Hyakkimaru’s prosthetic firepower will become less deadly as he unifies his organs and dispenses with the prosthetic replacement, and will need a little added artillery to redress the balance. Another intriguing aspects of Blood will Tell is that is the throughout the course of the game, the vengeful warrior will be accompanied by his young friend Dororo, a thief who can be controlled in areas where Hyakkimaru can no longer progress. Two players will also be able to the companions cooperatively and unravel the mystery together, adding some multiplayer longevity to what is often seen as a single player, narrative-led genre, Blood Will Tell should be one of the most outstanding game of its time