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Damn the Damsel in Distress to Save the World in Slay the Princess Oct. 20

“Please don’t.” – Princess

TORONTO, CANADA – Sept. 6, 2023 – Slay the Princess, the fully-voiced surreal horror visual novel developed by Black Tabby Games (Scarlet Hollow), tempts fate, fortune, and feelings Friday, October 20, 2023 on Steam for PC, Mac, Linux, and Steam Deck, as revealed today at Fear Fest.

“The more I tell you about her, the more difficult your task is going to be. The Princess poses an existential threat to the entire world, and she will do and say whatever it takes to get out of that cabin. So focus up, stop asking so many questions, and slay her before it’s too late.”

Does this mysterious narrator (voiced by Jonathan Sims from The Magnus Archives) speak true? Mysteries lurk between his words, and he’s definitely not divulging the whole story. Walk into the cabin, pick up the blade, and decide the truth for yourself. Or don’t even go to the cabin! Maybe say “to heck with this” and just leave. No matter how it ends, somehow you keep finding yourself outside the same cabin, with the same command… but the princess (voiced by Nichole Goodnight), she’s not the same as she was the last time…right?

Facilitate fate in an evolving drama drenched in monochromatic hand-penciled art from Ignatz-winning graphic novelist Abby Howard (The Crossroads at MidnightThe Last Halloween). Experience déjà vu like never before in a branching meta-narrative that unfolds its story in warped, hilarious, and unpredictable ways. Slay or be slain (or find a third option?) as each loop contorts to reflect each decision, forming a story with new twists and turns each playthrough. Begin the quest anew, joined by new personalities attempting to guide your actions.

Endure the princess’ attempts at escaping her shackles. Hold fast in the face of her emotional manipulation…unless she’s telling the truth? Maybe she is a monster, maybe she did kill you that one time…or a few times, actually, but how does the narrator know this will save the world? What even is this world and what power does the narrator hold over it? Question everything. Or don’t. Just slay the princess and everything will be fiiiine. Probably.

“It starts out simple,” says Tony Howard-Arias, Lead Writer at Black Tabby Games. “And, ultimately, it stays simple — the premise never changes. You’re here to slay the Princess, and you need to slay her to save the entire world. But trust is a fragile thing, and the context around the goal changes dramatically the more decisions you make and the more you develop your relationship with the characters and the world. We’re really excited to see how everyone navigates these surreal gray waters.”

Slay the Princess launches on PC, Mac, Linux, and Steam Deck Friday, October 20, 2023 on Steam for $17.99 with a 10% launch discount, and bundled discount with Black Tabby Games’ Early Access title Scarlet Hollow. For more information on Slay the Princess, check out the official website, follow developer Black Tabby Games on Twitter and Tumblr, and join the official Discord and Reddit.

About Black Tabby Games

Black Tabby Games is an award-winning indie studio composed of Abby Howard (Ignatz-winning graphic novelist) and Tony Howard-Arias. Their combined penchant for powerfully interactive storytelling forms a consistently unforgettable duo of horror and humor as seen in 2021’s award-winning Scarlet Hollow.

NETMARBLE CELEBRATES THE GRAND LAUNCH OF SEVEN KNIGHTS IDLE ADVENTURE ON IOS AND ANDROID DEVICES

LOS ANGELES, CA – September 6, 2023 – Netmarble, a leading developer and publisher of high-quality mobile games, announced its brand new game, Seven Knights Idle Adventure, has launched globally (except some countries like China and Vietnam) on Android and iOS platforms following a successful Early Access period.

Based on their flagship franchise and the successor to the original Seven Knights game, Seven Knights: Idle Adventurehas been reimagined as an idle RPG, Developed with low capacity and low specification devices in mind with a guiding principle of easy playability, players will experience an expanded storyline with previously untold episodes of the original Seven Knights heroes. Collect and nurture returning fan-favorites who have been reborn as cute SD characters.

Featuring over 135 Seven Knights heroes, 25 pets, and 182 hero costumes, players can look forward to a variety of features and modes, including:

  • Main Field Exploration: Players can explore territories while raising their favorite Seven Knights heroes. These territories are composed of stages which are cleared by summoning a boss after defeating a certain number of enemies within a stage. As players progress through each stage, they can enjoy the story through cutscenes and portrait conversations that reveal details which expand on relationships from the Seven Knights lore.
  • 10v10 PVP Arena: A desynchronized PVP mode where players can battle other players’ heroes and earn points based on wins and losses of the match. Numbers of rewards can be obtained based on the points earned.
  • Dungeon Delves: Obtain in-game currency by exploring special dungeon challenges with their team. These challenges include Gold Dungeon, Hero EXP Dungeon, Knight’s Token Dungeon, Relic Shard Dungeon, and Pet EXP Dungeon..
  • Conquest Request: A system where players can obtain rewards for defeating a challenging group of monsters that’s been summoned. Upon clearing, players will acquire Dice to power up their heroes and unlock their full potential
  • Infinite Tower: With a total of 300 floors, this is the ultimate challenge for players. Various rewards can be acquired for defeating enemies on each floor.
  • Missions: Numerous content will be released with Daily, Weekly and Continuous missions.

While the unique-grade hero Evan and 7,777 rubies will be given to kick start the idle adventure, numbers of events are prepared for the fans around the globe to celebrate the launch:

  • Grand Launch Special 1,777 Draws Check-In Event[1]  
  • After logging in for 7 days in a row, players can obtain 1,777 Summon Hero Tickets.
  • People of Terra Carnival Event (9/6~9/20)[2][3]
    • Users can obtain Carnival Tickets by participating in the event and exchange them for the “Legend Hero Mirage”
  • New Knight’s Order Check In (Ongoing)[4]
    • 10,000 Rubies will be awarded on the first day of check in, a Seven Knights Summon Ticket will be given on the 3rd day, with 3x Legend Summon Ticket given on the 14th day

As an official continuation of Seven Knights, a game enjoyed by 60 million players globally, Seven Knights Idle Adventure will be an exciting addition for fans looking to learn more and interact with their favorite heroes with a low time investment.

For more information on Seven Knights Idle Adventure, please be sure to stay tuned to the official brand website for future updates. The game will introduce many more heroes and modes in the coming months.

About Netmarble Corporation

Established in Korea in 2000, Netmarble Corporation is a leading developer and publisher of top-grossing mobile games worldwide. Through powerful franchises and collaborations with acclaimed IP holders, Netmarble strives to elevate the gaming experience and entertain audiences globally. As a parent company of Kabam and SpinX Games, and a major shareholder of Jam City and HYBE (formerly Big Hit Entertainment), Netmarble’s diverse portfolio includes Lineage 2: Revolution, MARVEL Future Fight, Ni no Kuni: Cross Worlds, The King of Fighters ALLSTAR, The Seven Deadly Sins: Grand Cross, and forthcoming PC games like Paragon: The Overprime.

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Baldur’s Gate 3 Out Now on PlayStation 5

GHENT, Belgium Sept. 6, 2023 – One month after Baldur’s Gate 3’s release on PC to a 96 rating on Metacritic and an “Overwhelmingly Positive” 95% user review score on Steam, Larian Studios has launched the next-generation Dungeons & Dragons RPG on PlayStation 5.

Watch the PS5 Launch Trailer, Narrated by the Forgotten Realms’ Own Shadowheart:

PlayStation 5 Features

In a post on the PlayStation Blog this week, Larian Studios posed an important question: “How exactly do you translate an uncompromising RPG to a controller without it feeling like eating a wet hotdog?”

The answer: Baldur’s Gate 3 has been built for the PS5 from day one, and much work has gone into delivering the game’s complexities in just a few buttons and triggers. Using the PlayStation 5 DualSense Controller, access to actions, spells, long rests and items becomes a matter of muscle memory.

The full post on the PS Blog goes into more detail about features like Lightbar reactivity and various controller scheme options.

Cross-Saves

Baldur’s Gate 3 features cross-save compatibility between platforms – including PC and PS5 – allowing players to carry their progress with them wherever they go. Accessing cross-saves requires players to log into a Larian account, but no PS Plus subscription or additional purchase is required.

Additional Platforms

Baldur’s Gate 3 is expected to come to Xbox Series X|S later this year and will feature split-screen co-op on Xbox Series X, as well as cross-saves between PC, PS5 and Xbox.

An official Mac release is currently planned for late September.

Hotfix #5

A hotfix released alongside Baldur’s Gate 3 on PS5 addresses PS5-specific issues and fixes a bug that blocked access to some of Minthara’s lines of dialogue. Read the attached patch notes for details.

About Baldur’s Gate 3

Baldur’s Gate 3 is the critically acclaimed next-generation RPG from the creators of Divinity: Original Sin 2, set in the world of Dungeons & Dragons and providing a level of breadth and depth unprecedented in a modern RPG.

More than twenty years after the release of Baldur’s Gate 2, it’s finally time to return to the Forgotten Realms. Your choices shape this tale of fellowship and betrayal, sacrifice and survival, and the lure of absolute power.

Choose from 12 classes and 11 races from the D&D Player’s Handbook and forge an identity of your own design, or play as an Origin hero with a hand-crafted background – like the Dark Urge, a fully customizable Origin character with its own unique mechanics and blood-soaked story. Whoever you choose to be, adventure, loot, battle and romance your way across the Forgotten Realms and beyond.

Gather your party and take the adventure online as a party of up to four. Caught in a conflict between devils, deities, and sinister otherworldly forces, together you will determine the fate of the Forgotten Realms.

More information on Baldur’s Gate 3 is available on the official website. You can stay up to date with the latest Larian Studios news via Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and the official Discord server.

About Larian Studios

Larian Studios is an independent RPG developer founded in 1996 in Ghent, Belgium. Over 400 people work between worldwide studios in Ghent, Quebec, Dublin, Guildford, Malaysia and Barcelona. Larian is best known for the Divinity universe, which they introduced to the world with Divine Divinity in 2002.

In 2014, Larian launched Divinity: Original Sin, a classic CRPG that won over 150 awards and nominations. The company released its critically acclaimed sequel Divinity: Original Sin 2 on Sept. 14, 2017, followed by the Definitive Edition in August 2018 for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One to a 93 Metacritic rating. The Nintendo Switch version released in September 2019 featuring cross-save progression between Nintendo Switch and Steam. Divinity: Original Sin 2 won a BAFTA for Best Multiplayer Game. On Aug. 3, 2023, Larian Studios released Baldur’s Gate 3 on PC.

“PHRENAPATES SHOWDOWN” USHERS IN THE END OF AN ERA IN NEXON’S BLUE ARCHIVE

“PHRENAPATES SHOWDOWN” USHERS IN THE END OF AN ERA IN NEXON’S BLUE ARCHIVE

Highlights:

  • Students set out on a journey to defeat the Allied Operation boss, Phrenapates
  • A new Millennium Science School student, Koyuki, joins the class
  • Blue Archive reached 1st place on the Korea Apple App Store’s top-grossing list for a second time in a row

SEOUL – Sept. 6, 2023 – As the sun sets on the sprawling city of Kivotos, popular mobile RPG Blue Archive is offering closure to players’ time in the captivating world with one last epic battle: Main Story Part 1 Final Episode’s fourth story, “Phrenapates Showdown.”

From NEXON Korea Corp., Blue Archive has players step into the shoes of Sensei, an advisor for the Federal Investigation Club, Schale, shortly after the disastrous disappearance of the General Student Council president. As anarchy takes over, it’s up to Sensei to mobilize the eccentric students of the academy city of Kivotos and take matters into their own hands. Defined by its dynamic, strategic combat, and charismatic cast of characters, Blue Archive offers players a blend of tactical planning and real-time action with a light-hearted, emotional center.

In the final chapter of Blue Archive’s story, available until Tuesday, Sept. 19, Sensei embarks on a heartfelt quest to reunite with their fellow students after a long and emotional journey to save Kivotos from a threat that has plagued its safety since the game’s inception. Players can bear witness to the culmination of Blue Archive’s central narrative that has been intricately woven since 2021 and can also defeat the boss of the Allied Operation, Phrenapates, to earn Pyroxenes, Secret Tech Notes and Recruitment Tickets.

“Phrenapates Showdown” introduces the grand finale with features including:

  • Powerful Students, Koyuki and Shiroko – Two highly anticipated new students are making their grand debuts at the end of a long journey. Koyuki is a Mystic-type Striker from Millennium Science School with an EX move that deals damage to enemies in a circular area by throwing a bomb made of bullets, electricity or fire. Shiroko is an Explosion-type Striker from Abydos High School who uses her EX Skill to deal powerful damage to a single enemy proportional to her ATK.
  • New Event Content – In addition to the new students, Nexon introduced the “Restoration Project D.U. Shiratori City” event. By completing tasks, players can help rebuild the city, earn Credit Points, Artifacts and other rewards. Players can also trade the event currency for all kinds of rewards at the Event Shop.

Adding to the excitement that comes with the end of Blue Archive’s Main Story, Blue Archive reached Korea Apple App Store’s top-grossing list twice during the Final Episode thanks to its excellent immersion and spectacular visuals.

For more information about Blue Archive’s Main Story update, “Phrenapates Showdown,” players can visit the official Blue Archive communities.

  • Blue Archive Special Webpage: [LINK]

About NEXON Co., Ltd.

Founded in 1994, NEXON Co., Ltd. (Nexon) (3659.TO) is a company engaged in the production, development and operation of online games and Virtual Worlds. First listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange in December 2011, Nexon was placed on JPX400 in 2015 and added to the Nikkei Stock Index 300 in 2017. In 2020, Nexon was added to the Nikkei 225. Nexon currently has more than 50 live games in more than 190 countries on PC, console, and mobile. Major game franchises include MapleStory, KartRider and Dungeon&Fighter. In 2021, Nexon completed the acquisition of Embark Studios AB, a company based in Stockholm, Sweden, developing multiple projects for global release.

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Philosophical puzzle adventure Molly Medusa out now on PC

A classic retro-style game that bends gravity in 3D

Göteborg, Sweden – September 6, 2023 – Molly Medusa: Queen of Spit is now up and available for PC players on Steam! Solo developed by Neckbolt aka Niklas Hallin and published by Burning Planet Digital, Molly Medusa takes you to an adventure of the cursed sculptor’s apprentice in the world of interesting acquaintances, mystical temples, and labyrinths that are physically impossible.

“My name is Niklas, and my solo-developed indie game Molly Medusa is finally coming to Steam. Like my previous game (Yono and the Celestial Elephants), it’s a wholesome adventure with focus on puzzles and level design, but this time it’s in third-person 3D, and everything and everyone turns to stone! It’s solo-developed and personal, with puzzle-dungeons, twisting gravity, bosses to petrify, and a sense of adventure and sailing!” tells Niklas Hallin.

In Greek mythology, Medusa is generally described as a human female with a head full of snakes instead of hair and eyes that turned those looking at her into stone. That’s our Molly!

Molly Medusa: Queen of Spit is now available at a discounted release price on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2407400/Molly_Medusa_Queen_of_Spit/

Check out the latest trailer of Molly Medusa:

Game features

  • Use your Medusa Curse to turn anything living into stone.
  • Explore massive temples with interconnected passages and mind-boggling level design.
  • Walk on walls! Gravity is local, and any surface can be a floor.
  • Find powerful items to aid you in your journey. All items are used for puzzles, combat and boss fights.
  • Sail across the Sands of Solitude for extra secrets, treasures and upgrades.
  • Choose from two camera options: classic or free.
  • Featuring a hard-rocking heavy metal soundtrack by Burning Planet.

About Burning Planet

Molly Medusa’s heavy metal soundtrack is provided by Burning Planet. What began as “Burning Planet Music” in 2015, a music production company for games, has now expanded into an in-your-face, punk driven game publisher – “Burning Planet Digital”. As a publisher, we approach an indie game as if it was a band. Website: www.burningplanet.se 

SOEDESCO acquires development studio: Kyodai

SOEDESCO and Kyodai continue focussing on Truck Driver

Rotterdam, The Netherlands – 06 September 2023 – SOEDESCO announces the acquisition of 100% of the shares of Bulgarian independent development studio Kyodai. This acquisition will give SOEDESCO access to Kyodai’s impressive development resources and talent, strengthening its content pipeline. Kyodai will be maintaining its ability to develop projects with creativity and ambition.

Based in Sofia, Bulgaria and with over ten employees, Kyodai, known for its first game ‘ELEA’, is centered around innovative and high-quality gameplay experiences. Currently, the team is focused on the development of the highly anticipated Truck Driver: The American Dream, expanding the Truck Driver IP. 

“We’ve had a strong partnership with Kyodai since 2017 and I couldn’t be more thrilled to officially welcome them to the SOEDESCO family,” said Soedesh Chauthi, founder and CEO of SOEDESCO. “This is the next step in our strategy to expand the development capacity of SOEDESCO as we continue to operate on a worldwide scale. Kyodai is filled with many talented and creative people. We understand how vital creative integrity is to the studio and we look forward to supporting them as they continue to grow.” 

“In SOEDESCO, we have discovered a partner that wholeheartedly supports our mission and is dedicated to propelling our vision of crafting impactful entertainment experiences. This commitment to creative independence resonates deeply with Kyodai’s core values,” stated Todor Todorov and Ivaylo Koralsky, the Co-CEOs and Founders of Kyodai. “Our dedication to fostering a collaborative and conducive working environment remains unwavering, as we strive to produce captivating and pioneering games.”

SOEDESCO is an independent video game developer, publisher and distributor founded in 2002 by Soedesh Chauthi with its headquarters in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, and offices in Madrid, Spain & Pilsen, Czech Republic. We deliver creative content across multiple genres and platforms for a worldwide audience in physical and digital formats. 

Our portfolio consists of titles such as Albatroz, Petit Island, Garden Witch Life, Guns and Spurs 2, and Perennial Order, as well as original SOEDESCO IPs Truck Driver®, Orange Season, DESOLATIUM, Adam’s Venture®, Real Farm, and Dollhouse. 

More information about SOEDESCO® and their products can be found on the company’s website.

MMORPG Dragon Raja Continues to Expand its Diverse Content 3 years after launch

New Phantom Tracking PvP mode adds social deduction elements!

New York City, New York, September 6th, 2023 – Popular cross-platform MMORPG Dragon Raja has today launched its new 14th class Yasai, along with a new PVP mode, Phantom Tracking as part of a major new update, three years since launch. Leveraged by Unreal Engine 4 to create stunning graphics and an immersive open world, Dragon Raja has accumulated over 30 million downloads worldwide and maintained high ratings since its launch in 2020. During these three years, the Dragon Raja team has constantly been adding new classes, maps, PVPVE modes, and events to keep players engaged in this next-generation open-world cross-platform MMORPG.

Dragon Raja is now available on PC with Google Play Games.

14th Class Yasai joins the Dragon Raja family

The game’s latest update introduces an all new 14th class with the Japanese ninja-inspired Yasai, adding a thrilling new dimension to combat. With its unique fighting style and weapons, such as a massive folding fan and Kunai, players can expect fresh and exciting content that reflects the game’s diverse cultural references.

Introducing new PVP Mode, Phantom Tracking

The newly added PvP mode, Phantom Tracking, allows players to select between two camps: pursuers and pretenders. The pursuers aim to find and capture as many pretenders as possible within the time limit. The pretenders, on the other hand, interact with special objects to transform and disguise themselves, making it challenging for the pursuers to identify them. This exciting new PvP mode adds a fresh and exciting social deduction twist to Dragon Raja’s exciting combat.

Brand-new content to continue long after 3 years 

Dragon Raja has continued to provide players with fresh game content. Every three months, players can expect a major update that includes new gameplay and maps. Additionally, there are monthly limited-time events and small gameplay updates to keep players engaged. Even veteran players are sure to find new and exciting content to explore within the game. As Dragon Raja enters its third year, the development team continues to innovate on the original gameplay, introducing diversified and interactive PvP gameplay to provide players with new challenges.

Win cash rewards through new Guild Events!

Dragon Raja warmly welcomes returning players with generous login rewards and community rewards. The Daily Event has become a player favorite, providing players with lucrative rewards. 

The latest community engagement features the highly anticipated Club Odyssey event, a fan-favorite social event that offers opportunities for both solo and guild participants to win cash prizes! Additionally, the Ninja Cosplay Event is another exciting occasion for players looking to express their creativity and love of the new Class through cosplay. Overall, Dragon Raja is dedicated to fostering a vibrant and interactive community, providing players with a variety of events and rewards to keep them engaged and complement the in-game experience.

DIY fan-designing contest for new Yasai class 

Additionally, the development team has recognized and appreciated the players’ enthusiasm for creation, be it through painting or handmade crafts shared on social media. To encourage this creative expression further, the team has initiated an official fan DIY event focused on designing and creating a weapon fan for the new Yasai class. Participants have a chance to receive the Dragon Raja Artbook as a reward, showcasing the game’s commitment to community engagement. 

Download Dragon Raja on iOS, Android, or PC and join the community at Cassell College. With regular updates and a constant stream of thrilling events, there’s always something new to discover!

About Archosaur Games:

Archosaur Games is a game developer of global recognition that has developed popular, world-renowned games such as Dragon Raja, Noah’s Heart and Life Makeover. Archosaur Games has strong publishing and game development capabilities, and is trusted by hundreds of millions of players around the world.

Absolute Drift Physical Premium Edition Confirmed for September Launch on Nintendo Switch

Are you ready to become a drift master?

Madrid, Spain – 6th September 2023. Meridiem Games is pleased to announce that the special physical boxed edition of Absolute Drift will be available on 22nd September for Nintendo Switch. Published by Serenity Forge and developed by Funselektor Labs Inc, Absolute Drift is a stylish racing game that challenges you to become a master in the art of drifting.

Meridiem Games has been commissioned to design, manufacture and distribute Absolute Drift Premium Edition on Nintendo Switch in European specialist stores and will include a special case with exclusive artwork and a special car window sticker.             

Absolute Drift is a driving experience like no other that challenges you to master the art of drifting as you practice your skills in Free-Roam zones and compete in events such as Driftkhana, Drifting and Mountain Drifting. Start as an apprentice and hone your skills to become a drift master in this beautiful, minimalist world. Push yourself to the limit on drift tracks and wild mountain roads as you try to unlock trophies in elite events. Compete against the ghosts of the world’s best players, or refine your skills by beating your high scores.

Test your skills at every turn until you master the art of drifting.

Watch the Absolute Drift Nintendo Switch trailer here 

Features:

  • Drive and customize up to 6 drift cars.
  • 3 Game Modes: Driftkhana, Drifting and Mountain Drifting, with over 30 levels.
  • 5 Free free-driving zones, each with unique themes and levels, from airports and docks to a floating metropolis
  • Online scoreboards, replays and ghost cars. Check out how your friends are doing… or the best in the world!
  • Over 3 hours of electronic and Drum & Bass music courtesy of C41 and Nyte.
  • Full compatibility with Nintendo Joy-Con controllers

Absolute Drift – Premium Edition will launch on September 22nd as a physical boxed version for Nintendo Switch. Pre-orders are available now from European specialist stores. For more information, visit www.meridiem-games.com

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About Meridiem Games

Meridiem Games is an independent video game publisher and distributor for all platforms. The entire Meridiem Games team is focused on meeting the demand of players who are fond of physical editions, titles such as Fahrenheit 15Th Anniversary PS4, KUNAI Day One Edition NSW, Daymare: 1998 Black Edition PS4, Pang Adventures Buster Edition PS4 / NSW, etc.

About Serenity Forge

Based in Boulder, Colorado, video game development and publishing studio Serenity Forge prides themselves on the care and dedication they put into their work, creating meaningful games that challenge the way you think. Firm believers in the artistic, cultural, and educational power of video games, Serenity Forge aims to craft unique interactive experiences to broaden players’ horizons and expand their perspectives.

About Funselektor Funselektor launched in 2014 when its founder, Dune Casu developed his prototype made at a game jam which would later become Funselektor’s debut title, Absolute Drift in 2015. After the release of his first game and with the drive to apply his passion for rally in a new game, Dune immediately began development on Funselektor’s second title, art of rally while supporting Absolute Drift. It involved collaborators for art and music until 2020 when more developers and producers came on to help finish it and provide post-launch support.

Rhapsody: Marl Kingdom Chronicles Review

Rhapsody: Marl Kingdom Chronicles

Developer: Nippon Ichi Software
Publisher: NIS America
Platforms: Switch (Reviewed), Playstation 5, PC
Release Date: Available Now
Price: $49.99 – Available Here

Overview

Music and video games go together like peanut butter and jelly. Rhapsody is one franchise that represents that ideology perfectly, and is finally available in the west thanks to NIS bringing their compilation Rhapsody: Marl Kingdom Chronicles to the west. With new dubs, these fully translated versions of the second and third games look to bring a new beat to adoring fans, but does it still hold strong notes after two decades? Let’s find out.

Story

There are two tales within this package, both taking place after the events of Rhapsody: A Musical Adventure, but the narratives are pretty easy to follow. To summarize a bit, Rhapsody as a whole is kind of like a Disney Princess RPG of sorts, embodying whimsical yet charming locales to explore as you follow the protagonist’s adventure. The first title featured Cornet, who was out to save a prince. Following up, Rhapsody II: Ballad of the Little Princess features Cornet and Prince Ferdinand’s daughter Kururu as she is looking for love. Yeah, not the most complex of plots, but one that is very different and refreshing from other JRPGs on the market.

Rhapsody III: Memories of Marl Kingdom is more of an anthology, fleshing out more narrative between the first two titles in an anthology format, broken up into six chapters where we revisit characters and moments that present new context to the story overall. I really have never played an RPG like either of these two, as they forgo the dark and sinister big-bad, and instead feature simple and breezy stories that are easy to consume and digest, similarly to that of a Saturday morning cartoon, set in Nippon Ichi’s universe. Sure, some will find it to be too silly and light, but there is absolutely an audience, as despite the lack of depth, there is a lot of lovely and humorous moments within each that many will find quite endearing.

Gameplay

Going into this collection, my biggest suprise was seeing the battle system in Rhapsody II, as like its follow-up, the “tactical grid-based” battle system has been replaced for a more standard turn-based set of mechanics. Sure, its a bit of an adjustment, but it ultimately feels for fitting and streamlined than what the first installment had to offer. While the game still relies on monster catching mechanics for battle with puppets, now the puppets are equipped to a human character. Players have their puppets, which can leveled with the main protagonist, and do battle, gain experience, and grow stronger in order to be victorious in battle. There are also skills that can boost opportunities for major attacks from the humans (known as “Rewards”), offering incentive to utilize the equipped talent, rather than just rely on the standard form of battles with the humans.

Its a fine system that takes little risks in exchange to feel more traditional, but becomes a bit repetitive as the game rolls on due to the lack of variation as a whole. Rhapsody III mostly adapts the same mechanics, but has the player do battle with “leaders” that control puppets. There are also multiple rows due to twelve characters being on the screen at once, with only the front row being controllable. It sounds complicated because it kind of is. The third installment took what worked in Rhapsody II and tries to elevate it, and while its easy to get the hang of things, I found myself leaning into the previous title’s format better as this one is a bit grindy and less fluid due to the new battle mechanics involved.

Other than battles, there are a ton of places to explore, and of course the musical numbers. Sure, battling is fine, but the charm of these titles really is the story, and the gentle – yet engaging world you are involved with can be a lot of fun to poke and prod around in, which for myself was one of the finer features. Despite differences, these two titles come off as simple, yet sometimes tedious entries that have a lot to do, but not a lot of meat for those looking for substance.

Audio

This is probably the selling point that instantly boosts the more average mechanics as a whole. I found the dub to be lovely, and something we really do not get to see in remasters. The voice cast does a great job of fitting right into the silly atmosphere, and the songs – yeah the songs are pretty great as well – filled with humor and touching lyrics that are sure to bring a smile to your face. I would have liked to see an attempt at translating the songs as well, but the Japanese audio is still great, so there really isn’t anything negative to say in terms of the soundtrack and audio production for both titles.

Visuals

I enjoy that pixel-art vibe and in many ways, the cool colors and settings for both titles within Marl Kingdom Chronicles look fantastic. Animations are decent, and the towns feature well detailed little touches that do a lot to bring this story to life. I do think this franchise relies a bit too much on resuing assets for battles, such as backdrops, which makes battles feel a little less connected to new areas later on. The overlays also utilize that hollow design we see with most remasters, which is forgivable, but it would have been nice to have menus and display screens treated with a bit more love in a game that almost demands it.

Overall

Rhapsody: Marl Kingdom Chronicles brings us two classics that are fully of personality and charm. Sure, the second may feel more cohesive and enjoyable, but there is certainly a lot to do in either title that will allow players to get lost for long periods of time, simply exploring this world with their volume turned up as they take in the one of a kind atmosphere. Most RPG fans consider Rhapsody to be an “entry level” game, and that is mostly true with the sequels. That said, the battle system here is far more engaging and enjoyable this time around, and the work done to dub and bring these titles here is absolutely appreciated. Whether you’re curious or just an avid fan of following Cornet’s little tale, Rhapsody: Marl Kingdom Chronicles is an enchanting collection that is sure to bring something different to your game library.

Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.

2K Pays Homage to the 50th Anniversary of Hip-Hop with a Global NBA 2K24 Soundtrack

Celebrating the 25th anniversary of the series, NBA 2K delivers a track list featuring artists like Lil Uzi Vert, Larry June & The Alchemist and more while featuring a Def Jam Recordings Partnership in Season 1

2K today unveiled details around the soundtrack coming in NBA® 2K24. Celebrating the 25th anniversary of the iconic NBA 2K series and the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, the soundtrack features genre-defining songs from the past and present, while looking ahead to what lies in store for the future. 

Over the past 25 years, NBA 2K has become an influential platform where basketball and hip-hop culture intersect, creating a place where fans can enjoy the best of both worlds. 2K has partnered with several GRAMMY-award-winning artists including Jay-Z, Travis Scott, J. Cole, and more, becoming the gold standard for soundtracks in video games.

The NBA 2K24 soundtrack pays homage to the hip-hop genre by featuring an extensive track list, composed of prominent producers, lyrical icons, and the next generation of artists. Showcasing Hip-Hop’s diverse collection of melodies and beats, NBA 2K24 features “Just Wanna Rock” by Lil Uzi Vert, “Walk” by Kodak Black, “In Ha Mood” by Ice Spice, “Kobe Bryant” by Lil Wayne, “Bad Habit” by Steve Lacy, “hooligan” by Baby Keem, “90 Proof” by Smino & J. Cole, “Breakfast In Monaco” by Larry June & The Alchemist,”Black” by YoungBoy Never Broke Again, and many more.

This year will also bring forward new, exciting things to keep the soundtrack fresh. Def Jam Recordings will kick off Season 1, adding classic songs like “This DJ (feat. O.G.L.B.)” by Warren G, “Hustlin” by Rick Ross, to current heat such as “GOATED. (feat. Denzel Curry)” by Armani White,  “2 Certified” by Hit-Boy & Avelino, and new never before heard sounds like “My Time” by Haiti Babii , “FOLD” by SwaVay, “Dolla” by Navy Blue, “Crazy” by Connie Diiamond, and “Stand Out” by Jex Nwalor.

NBA 2K24 will be available on on September 8 for PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC platforms. For more information, please visit the NBA 2K24 official website.

Developed by Visual Concepts, NBA 2K24 is rated PG by the Australian Classification Board. 

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Visual Concepts is a 2K studio. 2K is a wholly owned publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO).

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