Most Recent: Retro
Sega and Atlus announced their E3 2017 lineup
Sega originally acquired Atlus in 2013, but the two companies continued to operate separately in the years that followed. But they’ve been growing closer in 2017, and this year’s E3 Expo marks the first time that Sega and Atlus are presenting a joint booth to the industry.
As you might expect, the Sega half of the booth will be anchored by Sonic the Hedgehog… more specifically, this Summer’s Sonic Mania and this Fall’s Sonic Forces. Both games will share space with two upcoming Yakuza games (Yakuza 6: The Song of Life and Yakuza Kiwami), as well as Total War: Warhammer II and a bevy of Atlus-branded RPGs.
“We’re really pleased to see Yakuza and Sonic back on the biggest stage for video games, and having the first public hands-on for Total War: Warhammer II underlines a really strong showing from Sega and Atlus this year,” said John Clark, the Senior Vice President for Sega Europe. “We look forward to welcoming trade visitors but we’re especially looking forward to having the public come and see our line-up this year, it’s great for E3 and it’s great for publishers. We’re confident there’s something for everyone on the Sega stands this year.”
The 2017 E3 Expo opens its doors this Tuesday, June 13, and you can find Atlus and Sega’s full lineup after the break. (more…)
Nintendo Download: Cars 3 Driven To Win, Shantae Half-Genie Hero, Shock Troopers 2nd Squad, more
Three new additions to the Nintendo eShop will make the Switch an even more family-friendly destination this week…
Beginning this Tuesday, June 13, Switch owners will be able to put the pedal to the medal in Cars 3: Driven To Win. Based on the upcoming Pixar film, Cars 3: Driven To Win is a collaboration between WB Games and Disney, and includes six different driving modes. Cars 3: Driven To Win will also be available for the Wii U.
If you’re looking for something to download today, WayForward has re-released their side-scrolling platformer, Shantae: Half-Genie Hero, for the Switch. Players will need to use all their skills to save Sequin Land from the “bodacious buccaneer” Risky Boots… including the ever-popular Belly Dance!
Finally today, Hamster Corporation is back with another NeoGeo re-release on the Switch. This time, the publishing company has made Shock Troopers: 2nd Squad available to download through the Nintendo eShop.
You can learn more about all of these games after the break. (more…)
Atlus will release Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey Redux for 3DS in Early 2018
Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey was originally released for the DS in 2010, but Atlus Japan announced during their “Spring Broadcast 2017” that the RPG would also be coming to the 3DS. Today, Atlus USA confirmed the game will make its North American debut in Early 2018 as Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey Redux:
A spatial distortion full of demons appeared in Antarctica, threatening to engulf the Earth in Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey. The United Nations responded by tasking a team of highly advanced specialists with piercing the anomaly and figuring out how to stop it from the source. Well, get ready to don your Demonica once again in this new expanded port: Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey Redux. Expect new story content, additional endings, a new dungeon to explore, and more in the return of this sci-fi tinged SMT adventure.
Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey Redux will include the original Japanese voices, as well as brand new illustrations, updated visuals, UI tweaks, extra story content, and more:
Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey Redux Features
- A Stranger Journey Back – In Strange Journey Redux, you play as a brave United Nations soldier investigating a spatial anomaly called the Schwarzwelt–a dome of dark energy that threatens to consume the world. Inside, you’ll find it home to a nightmare mirror of our own Earth, populated with demons dying to meet you. The game touts brand new illustrations by Masayuki Doi, updated visuals, UI tweaks, and more to make this journey back into the Schwarzwelt… even stranger.
- Additional Story Content and a Brand New Character – You won’t be retreading the same nightmarish path as before because a brand-new character named Alex will play a major role in how the story unfolds. Much about her is a mystery, but there is one thing you know for sure: she’s got a bone to pick with you. Joining her are new demons you might recognize from other SMT entries, new endings, and a new dungeon to die in–I mean, discover.
- A True Shin Megami Tensei Adventure – With its twisted demonic sci-fi story, addictive demon-collecting fun, and multiple narrative paths to explore, Strange Journey Redux is an essential Atlus JRPG adventure that can’t be missed!
The first trailer for Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey Redux can be found after the break. (more…)
Radiant Historia: Perfect Chronology will be released in North America in Early 2018
Atlus has confirmed that Radiant Historia: Perfect Chronology will be released in North America in Early 2018. Radiant Historia was originally released for the DS in 2011, and Perfect Chronology will bring the turn-based RPG to the 3DS in an expanded form.
First announced by Atlus Japan back in March as part of their “Spring Broadcast 2017,” Perfect Chronology will feature enhanced graphics and sound, as well as new story content, and additional difficulty options:
Radiant Historia: Perfect Chronology Features
- An Enhanced Retelling of the Original – You’ll once again take the reins of Alistel operative Stocke as he unlocks the power of the White Chronicle relic and gains the ability to travel between two alternate timelines. With his newfound powers, Stocke will need to right the wrongs of the past in order to prevent the total annihilation of the world. This time though, things are a bit different. Redesigned character art, new character voice-overs, a brand-new opening animation by A-1 Pictures, new theme song, event illustrations, five new tracks from original composer Yoko Shimomura, and additional difficulty settings will enhance the experience in this fresh take of a beloved story.
- Exhilarating New Story Content – Stocke will now encounter a mysterious new character named Nemesia who will teach him more about his world’s history and unlock a third timeline to explore the ripple effect of some of his actions with episodic “what-if” scenarios. If you’re a Radiant Historia purist who simply wants to play through the original game’s story, we have you covered! Perfect Chronology offers two different modes: Append and Perfect. Append mode allows you to beat the original game before having the option to start a NewGame+ with the added content, while Perfect mode lets you play through the game with the inclusion of the third timeline from the beginning.
- A Classic That Can’t Be Missed – Even though there’s an abundance of expanded content to delve into, the heart and soul of Radiant Historia remains the same. If you missed out on the original game in 2011, the upcoming port is the perfect chance to play a modern classic. With an exciting positioning-based battle system, memorable characters, and thrilling time-travel mechanics, Radiant Historia: Perfect Chronology is an essential for JRPG fans.
The first teaser trailer for Radiant Historia: Perfect Chronology has been embedded above.
Atlus will release Etrian Odyssey V: Beyond the Myth in North America in Fall 2017
Atlus has announced plans to release Etrian Odyssey V: Beyond the Myth in North America this Fall. The dungeon-crawling RPG for the 3DS was originally released in Japan last year. According to Atlus, Etrian Odyssey V’s North American debut will be fully voiced in English, and offer fans a bevy of new features:
Etrian Odyssey V: Beyond the Myth Features
- A Choose-Your-Own-Odyssey Feel – Starting with the creation of your party to exploring the uncharted labyrinth of the Yggdrasil Tree, Beyond the Myth is all about choosing how your own adventure unfolds. Test your survival skills by wisely navigating the winding floors of Yggdrasil, using shrewd tactics when battling gruesome beasts, making the right decisions during various “scenarios,” and more. To meet these challenges, the home base city of Iorys is ready for all your buying/selling, recruiting, and information-gathering needs!
- Gameplay Fit for a True Pathfinder – It wouldn’t be an Etrian Odyssey game without the life-or-death need to map your progress. For those new to the series, the bottom screen of the 3DS displays a top-down, tile-based map that must be filled out while dungeon crawling. Players can use the map to mark the locations of treasures, doors, enemies, environmental obstructions, and more. Expect the unexpected at every turn–and then make a note on the map so it’s not so unexpected next time!
- Epic Turn-based Battles – There’s a reason why no one has ever reached the top of Yggdrasil. Dangerous creatures and utterly terrifying FOEs–high-level mini-bosses, for you newcomers–roam the labyrinth on every floor, so prepare to test your mettle with challenging turn-based battles. Proper planning is a must and balancing strong party composition is absolutely crucial for success. You’ll need the right team to unleash Union Attacks and level the playing field!
- Expanded Character Creation and Customization – With four unique races, 10 distinct classes, more customization options than any previous game in the franchise, and a streamlined skill tree/class advancement, you can shape a party to whatever your heart desires.
- A Magical Art Style and Score – Longtime series illustrator Yuji Himukai and renowned composer Yuzo Koshiro return to add their signature magic to the art and music in the game.
The first trailer for Etrian Odyssey V: Beyond the Myth has been embedded above.
Wipeout Omega Collection, Perception, Elder Scrolls Online Morrowind, more added to PS Store this week
The PlayStation Store is racing for the future with this week’s update…
First up is the Wipeout: Omega Collection, a new PS4 compilation featuring the last two games in the series. The futuristic racing franchise may have faded away in 2012, but Sony is hoping that fans will want to replay Wipeout HD, its Fury expansion, and Wipeout 2048 one more time with enhanced graphics and sound.
Also available to download this week is a different kind of racing game from Codemasters. The publisher has relaunched its off-road racing series with Dirt 4 for the PS4. Including more than 50 vehicles and an almost unlimited number of routes, Dirt 4 will keep fans busy for quite a while. And speaking of dedicated fans, Bethesda is returning to the island of Vvardenfell for new adventures in The Elder Scrolls Online: Morrowind for the PS4.
Finally this week, PS4 players will get the chance to download the Diablo-like Victor Vran and Perception, a first-person narrative adventure created by a team of developers who previously worked on BioShock and Dead Space. Telltale will also launch Guardians of the Galaxy – Episode 2: Under Pressure, the newest episode in their Marvel adaptation.
You can learn more about all of these games (and nearly a dozen other new releases) after the break. (more…)
Natsume will bring several Harvest Moon and River City games to E3 2017
Natsume has announced their lineup of games for this year’s E3 Expo, and fans of Harvest Moon and River City Ransom should be very happy with what they have to announce. During next week’s industry showcase, the publisher plans to fully unveil Harvest Moon: Light of Hope (which is coming to the PC, PS4, and Switch), River City: Knights of Justice, River City: Rival Showdown, and more:
Natsume’s E3 2017 Lineup
Harvest Moon: Light of Hope (PC, PS4, Switch)
In Harvest Moon: Light of Hope, players begin the game as they set out looking for a fresh start and new surroundings. During their voyage, their ship is hit by a monsoon and goes down. As they drift into a small harbor town, now in a shambles from the storm, it will be up to the player to help rebuild the town and save the lighthouse…but it won’t be easy! Nevertheless, with some hard work growing crops, tending livestock, and gathering materials for repairs, players will be able to make new friends, start a family, revive the lighthouse, and save the town!Wild Guns Reloaded (PC)
In Wild Guns Reloaded, Annie has tracked down the famed bounty hunter Clint to get revenge on the Kid Gang. With eight stages, each with three zones, there’s plenty of bad robots to blast away. With a true arcade game feel, Wild Guns was the first sci-fi western to arrive on home consoles, and to this day, there really isn’t any other game like Wild Guns!River City: Knights of Justice (3DS)
River City: Knights of Justice (known in Japan as Nekketsu Mahou Monogatari), is scheduled to launch as a 3DS eShop exclusive this Summer. Kunio and his friends go medieval in this unique entry to the River City series, as they are transformed into heroes and villains that would be home in any RPG! Players will use swords, staves, and even magic to bring peace back to Riverandia!River City: Rival Showdown (3DS)
River City: Rival Showdown (known in Japan as Downtown Nekketsu Monogatari SP), will launch this Fall for the Nintendo 3DS. One night, Kunio is attacked by two mysterious individuals. On top of that, Riki’s girlfriend has disappeared, and it’s up to Kunio to find out the truth! Kunio has just 3 days to unravel the mystery, and he’ll need your help to take down all who stand in his way! Take on some familiar faces from the River City games and meet new ones in this fast-paced beat-’em-up RPG.Harvest Moon 20th Anniversary
Natsume’s European publishing partner, Rising Star Games, will be showing titles in the booth as well, including Harvest Moon: Lil’ Farmers (Android, iOS) and the European version of Harvest Moon: Skytree Village. As part of the year-long 20th anniversary celebration, Natsume has also unveiled a re-release of Harvest Moon: A Wonderful Life – Special Edition and Harvest Moon: Save the Homeland for the PlayStation 4, both of which will be available to play at the show.
The 2017 E3 Expo kicks off on Tuesday, July 13.
Nintendo announces Pokken Tournament DX for Switch, as well as Pokemon UltraSun/UltraMoon and Gold/Silver for 3DS
Nintendo hosted a special Pokemon Direct livestream this morning, and they revealed that three games from the massive franchise will be re-released in new editions (and on new platforms) this Fall.
First up, Pokken Tournament will make the leap to the Nintendo on September 22 as Pokken Tournament DX. The expanded re-release will include five new Pokemon (Darkrai, Scizor, Empoleon, Croagunk, and Decidueye), as well as 3v3 Team Battles, Daily Challenges, and Friends-only Group Matches.
Also on September 22, Nintendo will add Pokemon Gold and Silver to the Virtual Console section of the 3DS eShop. Originally released for the Game Boy Color in 2000, Pokemon Gold and Silver introduced the Johto region and the franchise’s internal clock.
Finally, Nintendo announced plans to re-release Pokemon Sun and Moon on the 3DS as Pokemon UltraSun and UltraMoon. The expanded RPG will launch on November 17, and include an alternate storyline and new Pokemon not seen in Sun and Moon.
Sadly, the heavily-rumored Pokemon Stars was not announced for the Nintendo Switch… perhaps it’ll be included in Nintendo’s E3 2017 festivities. But the consolemaker did promise that we’ll hear more about Pokken Tournament DX, Pokemon UltraSun and UltraMoon, and Pokemon Gold and Silver next week during the industry’s annual showcase.