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CRISIS CORE –FINAL FANTASY VII– REUNION LAUNCH TRAILER IS OUT NOW

Nintendo Switch Digital Pre-Orders are Now Live

LONDON (Nov. 29, 2022) SQUARE ENIX® today revealed the launch trailer for CRISIS CORE™ –FINAL FANTASY® VII– REUNION is out now. The launch trailer shows the most comprehensive look at the game yet and is a must-watch for all FINAL FANTASY VII fans.

View the CRISIS CORE –FINAL FANTASY VII– REUNION Launch Trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65lCz22aopY&feature=youtu.be

Further, digital pre-orders are now live for CRISIS CORE –FINAL FANTASY VII– REUNION on all platforms, including the Nintendo Switch system. Those who pre-order the digital version will receive the SOLDIER Materia Set. This set will make three materia including Dark Fire, Dark Thunder, and Dark Blizzard available early in the game. These materia allow the use of attack spells that inflict “Poison” and “Silence” status ailments in addition to their respective elemental damage. The Digital Deluxe Edition of CRISIS CORE –FINAL FANTASY VII– REUNION is also available and features a mini soundtrack showcasing the game’s powerful music and a digital art book filled with gorgeous illustrations in addition to the full game.

The story of CRISIS CORE –FINAL FANTASY VII– REUNION begins seven years before the events of FINAL FANTASY VII and follows Zack Fair, a young Shinra SOLDIER operative. As his adventure unfolds, he discovers the dark secrets of Shinra’s experiments and the monsters they create.

15 years after the release of the PlayStation®Portable exclusive original game, CRISIS CORE –FINAL FANTASY VII– REUNION features a complete HD graphics overhaul, newly arranged soundtrack, fully voiced dialogue in English and Japanese, and an updated combat system.

CRISIS CORE –FINAL FANTASY VII– REUNION launches on PlayStation®5 (PS5™) console, PlayStation®4 (PS4™) console, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One consoles, Nintendo Switch™ system, and PC on December 13, 2022.  

The game can be pre-ordered here: https://ffvii.square-enix-games.com/games/crisis-core

Additionally, Zack’s high-quality action figure, otherwise only available as part of the game’s Japanese Collector’s Edition, is exclusively available at the Square Enix Store. CRISIS CORE –FINAL FANTASY VII– REUNION PLAY ARTS KAI Action Figure – ZACK FAIR SOLDIER 2nd CLASS can be pre-ordered here: https://sqex.link/szo8

About FINAL FANTASY VII
First released in 1997 on the PlayStation® computer entertainment system, FINAL FANTASY VII is celebrating its 25th Anniversary in 2022. The game is universally regarded as a hallmark title of the RPG genre. The original title received high praise for its epic storyline, unique characters, and movie sequences that utilized the most cutting-edge technology of the time. Since then, the game has sold over 13.9 million copies worldwide and continues to receive widespread acclaim from critics and fans around the world. The popular game has even expanded into spin-offs, films, and merchandise.

The first game of the FINAL FANTASY VII remake trilogy project, FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE released in 2020 has been praised by both players and critics across the globe, earning more than 20 perfect scores from media, and was selected as a PlayStation® “Editor’s Choice” pick. The game also became the highest-selling digital release on the PlayStation® platform in SQUARE ENIX’s history, exceeding more than five million shipments and digital sales worldwide since its release. FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH, the second game in the trilogy is now in development for the PlayStation®5.

About Square, Ltd.
Square Enix, Ltd. develops, publishes, distributes and licenses SQUARE ENIX® and TAITO® branded entertainment content in Europe and other PAL territories as part of the Square Enix group of companies. The Square Enix group of companies boasts a valuable portfolio of intellectual property including: FINAL FANTASY®, which has sold over 173 million units worldwide; DRAGON QUEST®, which has sold over 85 million units worldwide; and the legendary SPACE INVADERS®. Square Enix Ltd. is a London-based, wholly owned subsidiary of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd.

More information on Square Enix, Ltd. can be found at https://square-enix-games.com

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CRISIS CORE –FINAL FANTASY VII– REUNION © 2007, 2008, 2022 SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD. All Rights Reserved. CHARACTER DESIGN: TETSUYA NOMURA

CROSSFIRE: LEGION RELEASE DATE CONFIRMED: 8 DECEMBER 2022

Game Launches With A Free Weekender 8-11 December

Sydney, Australia – 29th November, 2022: CROSSFIRE: LEGION, the fast-paced action-packed Real-Time Strategy game will be coming out of Early Access and into stores on 8December 2022.

Launch will bring a full suite of gameplay modes, a raft of features, new units and commanders as well as the final act of the campaign.

The game will also launch with a ‘Free Weekend’ so players can discover the game for themselves on 8-11 December.

And if you haven’t seen it yet, check out the latest trailer:

Here’s the full list of everything and everything going into the final version:

  • Campaign Act IV added
  • Operation Northside Coop mode added
  • New Game Mode Brawl
  • New Skirmish Map: Labyrinth (3v3)
  • New PayLoad Map: Tongren Facility (3v3)   
  • 12 new units, 4 for each faction:
  • 3 additional commanders:
    • Warden (Global Risk)
    • Stalker (Black List)
    • Cipher (New Horizon)
  • A.I. creation for Battle Lines, Payload, Brawl and Standard Game modes

CROSSFIRE: LEGION has grown hugely since entering early access in May this year. This period has proved immensely valuable, working closely with the passions and expertise of RTS communities taught us what today’s fans of classic RTS want to see, they moulded the game.

For example, our original meta-progression system – involving soft currency to unlock units and commanders in a confusingly presented “store” – was immediately removed due to players fears we might introduce micro-transactions for gameplay-affecting items. It also broke the immediacy of the classic RTS experience, whereby the whole army toolbox is accessible from the start.

We listened to the community, ditching the progression system, doubling down on adding content, adding balance tweaks etc. The game has come a long way with now plenty of game modes, maps, units – and a map-making tool – all of which we offers the generous content and feel of classic RTS of yore.

Rightly, a massive thanks goes to those who have stuck with us for the early access ride. Your patience and support has been rewarded. By way of thanks and so that you can play with your friends who have been patiently waiting by the side-line, we will launch with a Free Weekend!

Final Contents: 

  • Total units: 66 
  • Total commanders: 9 
  • Modes and maps
  • PvP and PvE Classic, 5 maps: Predator (3vs3), Mountainside(1vs1), Typhoon(2v2), Frostbite (1v1), Labyrinth (3v3) 
  • PvP and PvE Payload mode, 7 maps: Tongren Facility (3v3), Snowbase (2v2), Refinery (3v3), Badland (2v2), Blacksite (3v3), Domination(3v3), Railyard (2v2) 
  • Co-op Defense v AI mode, Operation Thunderstrike
  • Co-op Attack vs AI mode, Operation Northside 
  • Arcade Mode: Brawl, Battle Lines
  • Campaign Acts I – IV, 15 missions in total
  • Map Maker with Steam Workshop

For more details and a look at the units and commanders, check out today’s DevBlog: https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1072190/view/3516777336832234743

About Prime Matter

Headquartered in Munich, Germany, Prime Matter the premium gaming label dedicated to delivering a range of diverse and immersive games from amazing gaming development talent all around the globe.
Working across projects of all styles, scopes and sizes, single-player, co-op to live ops, from producing to publishing, from ambitious teams taking their first step that need full support without compromising their dream to larger established successful studios searching that next step in the global market and building of brands.
Prime Matter looks to lead through creativity, expression and passion, with games that will grip and enchant with enthralling story-telling, winning an audience with its incredible moments and larger-than-life experiences. Prime Matter is a proud member of the Koch Media Group.

About Smilegate 

Smilegate is a global gaming company that owns global game IPs, including the world’s No.1 online FPS game ‘CROSSFIRE’, blockbuster hack & slash MMORPG ‘Lost Ark’, and mobile turn-based RPG ‘Epic Seven.’ With roots in game development, Smilegate now also provides game publishing and investment business and is expanding as a global company with regional offices in the US, China, Southeast Asia and Europe. Its flagship IP, ‘CROSSFIRE,’ is one of the largest and most successful franchises in gaming history, with more than 670 million registered users to date and over 8 million concurrent players globally.  

THE SETTLERS: NEW ALLIES WILL LAUNCH ON PC ON FEBRUARY 17th 2023

Explore new land, meet new factions, and expand your community in The Settlers®: New Allies, also in development on consoles.

SYDNEY November 29, 2022 — Today, Ubisoft® reveals that The Settlers®: New Allies will launch on Windows PC on February 17th, 2023 and is available for pre-order now on Windows PC via the Ubisoft Store and the Epic Games Store. The game is also in development for Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo SwitchTM .

In this build-up real-time strategy game, players will settle onto a new land, build their communities, meet new factions, and choose to welcome them as allies or enemies in order to protect and defend their new settlement. Players can enjoy The Settlers®: New Allies in one of three game modes:

  • Single-player campaign: As the Elari are forced to flee its homeland, they must settle on new and unknown territories. These new Settlers will have to face many challenges on their journey, from the raiding of ruthless bandits to the discovery of the new culture of these lands.
  • Hardcore Mode: As players will be able to play new scenarios, a wide range of modifiers and conditions will make the AI an even more challenging opponent. Adaptability is key in this new mode that will put the best players to the test, alone or with friends.
  • Skirmish: Players will be able to experience Solo vs. AI, co-op vs. AI or PvP featuring up to eight players on the 12 maps available at launch.

Developed by Ubisoft Düsseldorf, players can expect a fresh take on the popular The Settlers series, built from the ground up using Ubisoft’s proprietary Snowdrop Engine.

At release, The Settlers®: New Allies will be available in two editions:

  • Standard Edition: Base game
  • Deluxe Edition: Base game, deluxe pack (in-game digital content and digital artbook and soundtrack and Explorer pack (in-game digital content)

Coinciding with today’s news the team will also start streaming The Settlers®: New Allies to cover a series of topics around the different modes, the lore, and much more! Join for the first live stream on: December 1, 2022, 10AM – 11 AM ET / 4 PM – 5 PM CET on twitch.tv/Ubisoft   This first stream will feature the Skirmish mode with our Creative Director Christian Hagedorn.

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About Düsseldorf

Ubisoft Düsseldorf is home to several teams dedicated to deliver AAA excellence and innovation across a wide portfolio of games and technologies. The studio is leading the development of beloved Ubisoft games like The Settlers and the innovative VR escape room experience Prince of Persia: The Dagger of Time. As renowned co-developers within the Ubisoft group, Ubisoft Düsseldorf contributes to high profile projects such as Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege, Assassin’s Creed VR for the Oculus Platform and Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora. The studio also supports platforms and technologies for the Ubisoft group including Ubisoft Connect. Ubisoft Düsseldorf is part of the Ubisoft Blue Byte studio network. More information at https://duesseldorf.ubisoft.com.

About Ubisoft

Ubisoft is a creator of worlds, committed to enriching players’ lives with original and memorable entertainment experiences. Ubisoft’s global teams create and develop a deep and diverse portfolio of games, featuring brands such as Assassin’s Creed®, Brawlhalla®, For Honor®, Far Cry®, Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon®, Just Dance®, Rabbids®, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six®, The Crew®, Tom Clancy’s The Division® and Watch Dogs®. Through Ubisoft Connect, players can enjoy an ecosystem of services to enhance their gaming experience, get rewards and connect with friends across platforms. With Ubisoft+, the subscription service, they can access a growing catalog of more than 100 Ubisoft games and DLC. For the 2020–21 fiscal year, Ubisoft generated net bookings of €2,241 million. To learn more, please visit: www.ubisoftgroup.com.

Evil West Gameplay

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Hunting vampires and other creatures of the night never gets old. Evil West takes this concept to the next level by introducing a steampunk version of a historical period of the United States as background.

In this hour-long demonstration of Evil West, we tackle the games’ first few stages culminating in a battle against the first high-born vampire.

A dark menace consumes the Old West. In solo or coop, fight with style in visceral, explosive combat against bloodthirsty monstrosities. Eradicate the vampiric hordes with your lightning-fueled gauntlet and become a Wild West Superhero.

Evil West
Developer: Flying Wild Hog
Publisher: Focus Entertainment
Website: https://www.focus-entmt.com/en/games/evil-west
Platform: Windows
Release Date: 21 Nov, 2022
Price: $49.99 USD

Available now on Steam – https://store.steampowered.com/app/1065310/Evil_West/

Summary:

Recommended – “Evil West is an action game that features very unique concepts. Its combat system is innovative and fun, but its lethargic pacing holds it back from achieving greatness.”

Check out our Review for Evil West here!

Check out all the latest in the world of video games, anime, and entertainment at Capsule Computers:

Website: https://www.capsulecomputers.com.au/
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Arnold Schwarzenegger and Milla Jovovich hit the screen for the first time in World of Tanks

This December, Hollywood heavyweights Milla and Arnold, will guide players in missions across the World of Tanks Franchise’ Holiday Ops campaigns

Monday 28th November — For the first time in history, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Milla Jovovich will team up together on screen! This December, the Hollywood celebrities will be guiding players in Holiday Ops, across the World of Tanks’ franchise on PC, mobile and console. The festive season is sure to heat up in World of Tanks PC, World of Tanks Blitz and World of Tanks Modern Armor!

In the Holiday Ops cinematic trailer, Arnie and Milla are undertaking the most important mission yet – to save the holidays for Arthur and his son Mikey. Join them on a magical Holiday Express train that will take them to the heart of the Holiday Village, in World of Tanks.

“I have played the hero in video game-based movies, but this is the first time ever I, myself, have had been put into an actual game, and I am ready for action!”, Milla Jovovich, Holiday Ops ambassador/action star. “Another first for me is that I am co-starring with the legendary Arnold Schwarzenegger. With him at my side, we will be guiding players to a magical Holiday Village and handing out special gifts to the players in World of Tanks.”

“Last year I had an incredible experience with World of Tanks and when I was asked to return, I immediately replied ‘I´ll be back’. I knew this year’s event was really going to be special and I was right. I am honoured to star alongside the amazing Milla Jovovich, in our first time working together. The Holiday Ops rewards and challenges are even better this time, and I get to combine two of my favourite things; the holidays and tanks!”, added Arnold Schwarzenegger, Holiday Ops ambassador/action star/tank owner.

Tankers will first encounter the blockbuster duo in the garage, where they will assign challenges and quests. When players conquer these tasks, they will receive Arnie and Milla customization items like tank skins, themed emblems, inscriptions, decals, and commanders. Milla and Arnold’s voiceovers will be featured in World of Tanks PC and console.

Christopher Chung, World of Tanks Franchise Director, said it’s an honour to have Arnold and Milla gracing the screens together for the first time in history, in World of Tanks.

“Like many of our millions of players around the world, I have watched movies starring Arnie and Milla separately, over the decades. It’s truly a dream come true to partner with both global stars in our first-ever franchise-wide holiday celebration. There will be something special for our players on whichever platform they enjoy World of Tanks,” said Christopher.

The holiday events begin on December 1st and run through January 9th, 2023. Each game’s version has their own set of dates and holiday offerings, custom fit to for that platform’s gameplay.

World of Tanks PC

December 1st – January 9th, 2023

Tankers will face a series of missions and quests to receive exclusive Arnie and Milla customizations and the chance to have both Holiday Ops action stars as tank commanders! Holiday Ops 2023 will feature a special event currency called Resources. And all festive activities will be based on collecting and investing these resources.

World of Tanks Modern Armor

December 13th – January 2nd, 2023

Players can join ‘Team Arnold’ or Team Milla’ in the upcoming season and take part in the Holiday Ops event and hunts. They can earn rewards by working toward their team’s objective; earning points to redeem Holiday Ops customizations and content.

World of Tanks Blitz

December 17th – December 27th, 2022

In World of Tanks Blitz, a full calendar of Holiday Ops activities is available. Log into the game to automatically receive a gift: Arnold and Milla avatars and in-game bonuses. Win battles to earn Arnold and Milla-themed rewards like camouflages, collectible items, and best of all – a profile of Arnold.

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About Wargaming

Wargaming is an award-winning online game developer and publisher headquartered in Nicosia, Cyprus. Operating since 1998, Wargaming has grown to become one of the leaders in the gaming industry with 16 offices around the world, including studios in Chicago, Prague, Shanghai, Tokyo, Vilnius and Belgrade. Millions of players enjoy Wargaming’s titles across all major gaming platforms. Our flagship products include the free-to-play hits World of Tanks, World of Warships and World of Tanks Blitz.

Official website: wargaming.com

About Arnold Schwarzenegger

Arnold Schwarzenegger is known all over the globe for his many accomplishments: world champion bodybuilder, successful businessman, environmentalist, philanthropist, best-selling author, California’s 38th Governor, and, of course, Hollywood action hero. A star of numerous blockbusters, his iconic film roles include The Terminator (The Terminator franchise), Dutch (Predator), John Matrix (Commando) and Trench (The Expendables).

Official website: schwarzenegger.com

About Milla Jovovich

Milla Jovovich is a world-famous actress, beloved female action hero, recording artist, top model and public figure. As a model she has appeared in ad campaigns for luxury brands such as Prada, Calvin Klein, Chanel, Dior and Armani. Milla was also a spokesperson for L’Oreal Paris for sixteen years and over the course of her illustrious career worked with famed photographers and  has graced the covers of over 100 Fashion publications  including Vogue and Elle Magazines. In her acting career Milla shot to international fame with her breakout role as LeeLoo in The Fifth Element. Milla also broke a record playing the iconic Alice in six consecutive films in the Blockbuster Resident Evil  film franchise, which became the highest-grossing film series to be based on video games. For many years Milla Jovovich has been an advocate for a number of causes.

Official website: http://www.millaj.com/

Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales Review

Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales

Developer: Insomniac Games, Nixxes Software
Publisher: Playstation PC
Platforms: PlayStation 4PlayStation 5PC (Reviewed)
Release Date: 18 Nov 2022
Price: $49.99 USD – Available Here $94.95 AUD – Available Here

Overview

Do you know what is one rare thematic subgenre of games? Christmas games. Needless to say, they’re best played just around December. Occasionally, various live service games will have winter updates with Christmas-themed minigames but that’s just barely scratching the surface of the potential. But, since it is almost Christmas I bring you some great gifts.

What if I told you that there is a sequel to the acclaimed Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered game set around Christmas, with improved gameplay mechanics, new skills, new enemies, a new story, and so on. Grab yourself a cup of hot chocolate, wrap yourself in a cozy blanket and let me tell you a story (of a great game).

Story

While Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales is its own thing, it is also a direct continuation of the story from the previous game so you would be missing out on a lot if you just jump straight into this one. For all of you that played the previous game, you will remember that near the end Miles also gets bitten by a genetically modified spider. This gives him a new set of powers (more on that later) and Peter Parker is also there to act as a mentor to Miles although you’ll be left on your own later in the game.

The story of this game is far more focused with a smaller roster of characters, villains, and enemies but that’s far from a bad thing. A lot of the story is centered on the identity of this “new Spider-Man”. Does Miles consider himself just a second Spider-Man or something else entirely? Aside from that, there is also a matter of him dealing with his dad’s recent passing, reconnecting with a former childhood friend, taking down some new antagonists and who knows what else.

Gameplay

As I said, this Spidey has a few new tricks up his sleeve. The most notable one is bioelectricity; electrically charged punches and kicks that enable him to stun the enemies and deal more damage. Then there is Venom Punch (great for passing through a defense of harder enemies), Venom Jump (lifts all enemies up and interrupts their attacks), and Mega Venom Blast (a super powerful blast that covers a large area and instantly KOs most of the enemies). Then we have some new gadgets as well such as Holo Decoys and Gravity Well.

As for the core gameplay, I feel like the swinging is more refined and fluid now. There is a noticeable smoothness in Miles’ movements as well as apparent clumsiness in his web swinging. You can tell he is enjoying his new superhero status while also not being completely comfortable with it. Another great improvement here is how the side activities are structured. Early on, you’ll get access to the FNSM app (short for Friendly Neighbourhood Spider-Man) where you can find all the available activities there such as side missions and crime waypoints. There’s no need anymore to mindlessly swing around Harlem waiting for that one specific criminal activity to appear (so you can do all the challenges within it), now you can just select it instantly and the waypoint will guide you there.

Visuals

Now let’s talk about another selling point of the game. The setting. As you already know, in Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales you will have pretty much the same map from Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered but win some minor (yet noticeable) tweaks. It’s all covered with a thick layer of snow this time. As you progress through the campaign the weather often changes from bright winter mornings to heavy snowstorms and windy nights. Another change that you can spot early on is that the whole map is far more colorful and vibrant this time. Way more graffiti on buildings this time as well as Christmas ornaments.

Audio

If you were mildly bothered by J Jonah Jameson’s frequent podcasts in the previous game, I have some good news and bad news this time. The bad news is that he’s also in this game with his ever-present hatred for everything Spider-Man related. The good news is we also have a new character that will keep you company during your web swinging and her name is Danika Hart. She hosts a podcast series named The Danikast where she discusses recent topics in New York, which can be listened to during free roam. In her podcasts, Danika is positive towards Spider-Man, spreading the good news about his work around the city. Her podcast character later even seeps into the story, as she will later investigate the Underground faction (led by one of the main antagonists of the game). Interestingly enough, her research leads her to work with Miles Morales, unaware that he is Spider-Man.

Overall

To sum it up, Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales of an improved product. The developers didn’t fall into a trap of making more content just for the sake of padding out the length. This is a shorter game than its predecessor but with a tighter and more focused story. There is just enough side content to not overstay its welcome and optimization is miles ahead (heh) compared to the one in Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered. No slowdowns at all, gameplay choppiness, crashes, etc.

All in all, it is one of those rare Christmas games with the bonus of being an engaging game on its own, regardless of its setting.

Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.

Star Ocean: The Divine Force Review

Star Ocean: The Divine Force

Developer: tri-Ace
Publisher: Square Enix
Platforms: Xbox Series X (Reviewed), Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, PC
Release Date: Available Now
Price: $59.99 USD – Available Here $99.95 AUD – Available Here

Overview

Those familiar with the Star Ocean series have grown accustomed to waiting for a new entry as this tri-Ace developed series generally takes around six years between releases but after the previous game arrived back in 2016 many wondered if we would even see another Star Ocean game. Luckily, this unique take on the JRPG genre that blends fantasy and sci-fi has managed to continue and almost right on schedule tri-Ace and Square Enix have released Star Ocean: The Divine Force. By taking numerous steps forward in some ways while letting a few other elements lag a bit behind, Star Ocean: The Divine Force manages to deliver in a pleasing way sure to satisfy fans of the series.

Story

Ray Lawrence, the captain of the logistics ship Ydas and transporting a mysterious device known as D.U.M.A. finds himself crash landing on an underdeveloped planet by the name of Aster IV. Two residents of this planet, one of whom is Princess Laeticia from the Kingdom of Aucerius, happen to witness his escape pod coming in for a landing. Living on a world still relying on swords and magic for survival against monsters, Laeticia travels to the escape pod only to be shocked when Ray appears from within and utilizes technology far beyond anything she can comprehend. 

With the fate of some of his crew still unknown, Ray agrees to travel with Laeticia who in turn reveals that she is on a special mission to try and prevent her kingdom from falling into a massive war. To go much further this would begin to reveal a bit too much about the plot but it must be said that although Star Ocean: The Divine Force starts on a smaller scale than one would expect for the series it quickly escalates to the galactic dangers and unique interactions that come from mixing medieval and sci-fi that fans have come to expect. The title also implements a feature not found in the series since Star Ocean: The Second Story by telling the storyline from two separate perspectives. 

When beginning the game players will have the choice of selecting either Ray or Laeticia as their main character and although the core storyline will remain the same regardless of who the player chooses as their main character, it will affect a number of things. Not only will players watch a slightly different introduction to the characters but the game will also present a number of different routes that split the party and have certain events happen to each group. Players will still be able to hear a bit about what happened to the other characters but they will be only hearing it second-hand once they get back together. It is also worth noting that there are specific route exclusive characters that will only join the party depending on this choice. It is a bit unfortunate that while the game isn’t exceedingly long for a JRPG, there is no way to actually see what happens on these other routes or see how different interactions play out without simply starting from the very beginning of the game from scratch. While this does work well for replayability, the fact that there is no New Game+ is a very strange choice considering the title pushes for players to play through at least twice if they want to see everything on offer.

With the core storyline telling a solid gripping tale with great storytelling methods found only within the Star Ocean series it is a nice bonus that the cast of characters is handled well. Sure, they are fairly stereotypical for a JRPG at times but even then most of the cast does see some satisfying development throughout the story. This is helped by the return of Private Actions that players can trigger while traveling around towns. These Private Actions not only give players a great look at the personalities of the cast but also provide some unique interactions between the group as players learn more about them and see that, although they may be a bit trope-filled on the surface, that there is depth to most of the cast.

Gameplay

As players travel through the world in Star Ocean: The Divine Force they will encounter a wide array of enemies and every one of these foes will be fought instantly on the map with players being able to jump in quickly to catch a foe by surprise or simply approaching an enemy and beginning a battle. All fights take place in real time with the player’s party acting on their own while their chosen character can make use of three face buttons to unleash skills that they have assigned to said buttons in various combo chains. Every action in a fight takes AP (action points) with stronger attacks requiring more AP and while players are encouraged to keep the pressure on enemies with combo attacks, AP only regenerates once players disengage from an enemy and take a brief pause.

Should players wish they can change the character that they are controlling in a fight at the press of a button and there is the option to pause combat and use an item, swap targets, or even take a brief look at the battlefield which can be quite useful in some longer encounters or boss battles, especially when many foes have multiple points on their body that can be targeted to deal extra damage. Perhaps one of the strongest abilities that players can use in a fight involves the D.U.M.A. robot companion that players will meet shortly after starting the game. When used in combat, the party member that players are controlling will be incredibly quick, allowing them to close the gap on enemies and strike at them fast or even target them from the side for a “Blindside” blow that deals a lot of damage and can stun foes that aren’t immediately killed. Using D.U.M.A. makes for an exhilarating experience when on offense but also has a number of uses for defense as it can also be used to shield party members and reduce any damage they take as well as provide party wide buffs at the cost of not being active for the controlled fighter.

In a bit of a surprising twist on leveling up, rather than simply growing stronger by gaining levels characters will instead gain SP for every level they gain. These points can, in-turn, be used to unlock various blocks on every characters’ unique skill tree. These unlocks range from simply increasing various stats for a character to unlocking new moves that can be used in combat. This allows for players to build characters in a manner that they prefer, choosing to focus entirely on only a few stats or being a jack-of-all-trades if they so please.

When not fighting players will be exploring large open areas of the world and it is here that D.U.M.A. can also serve as a helpful tool. The machine can work as something similar to a jetpack allowing players to boost their characters up to previously unreachable areas, making every environment even larger than it already is as players are encouraged to explore every nook and cranny to try and find upgrade crystals for D.U.M.A. and more. Unfortunately a lot of these large areas are well… large for the sake of it rather than actually enjoyable to explore. Many feature either incredibly simple designs or lack noticeable landmarks making them feel like a chore to explore even when the areas themselves may look gorgeous on the surface. 

It is also worth noting that while players will have the ability to craft and forge various items in the game, doing so is not required for the most part until players start to delve into the challenging post-game content. Unfortunately crafting places players into one of the worst parts of Star Ocean: The Divine Force, the menu system. Not only are the menus in the game incredibly bland looking, they also happen to feature perhaps the smallest text that has been offered in a video game in over a decade. Where most titles are offering accessibility options that increase text size, Star Ocean: The Divine Force’s text in menu and even subtitles makes even the glitched text from the original release of Dead Rising look normal by comparison. This drags down anything having to deal with the game’s user interface and actually can cause some eye strain even on the largest televisions.

Visuals & Audio

Star Ocean: The Divine Force is a rather odd looking game at times as it features some gorgeous looking environments that lack a certain level of detail that make them feel empty when exploring them and while monster designs and combat animations are wonderful to look at, the actual character models for the characters leave a lot to be desired. Despite emotional scenes happening around them, the doll-like designs of the characters’ faces simply don’t match up at all, which is a fairly big disappointment during a number of scenes.

This release of Star Ocean: The Divine Force offers players the option to play either using the English dub or the Japanese voice track featuring English subtitles. As mentioned before, thanks to the game’s text being laughably small, playing in English is almost required as a result but thankfully the English cast has handled their characters incredibly well with some solid voice acting all around, even during exploration where characters will talk to each other from time to time to keep things interesting. The soundtrack features a great collection of music with a number of outstanding tracks that kick in during battles and it must be said that the game also features a rather surprising choice for opening music.

Overall

Star Ocean: The Divine Force takes advantage of its strong storytelling and unique scenarios to tell an engrossing tale that Star Ocean fans will love, especially since it is filled with an enjoyable cast of characters and some fast paced combat that allows for plenty of player customization. Unfortunately these improvements and enhancements come with the drawback of some odd looking character designs, an often bland looking world, and the worst user interface in years.

Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.

How to Play Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales in Co-Op

Hah, I got you with a clickbait title, didn’t I?

To be fair, while there is no official (or working way) to play Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales in co-op on PC, there is a way to have a cute sidekick with you and I’m not talking about mods. It will especially make your New Game + run far more amusing.

I’m talking about one specific costume that you can unlock in Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales. It’s called the Bodega Cat Suit. Why is this one so interesting? Well, most of the other unlockable outfits are just for show but this one gives you a live cat sidekick. The cat is always keeping you company on your back in a convenient backpack and it also comes with a cute Spider-Man face mask (we have to protect her identity, after all). However, she will also occasionally help Miles during takedowns, cheer on him during fights (especially after), and often meow as you swing around Harlem.

So now comes the obvious question: how to unlock this fabled suit? Well, I have some good news and some bad news for you. The good news is that the unlock path isn’t hard at all. You just need to finish the Cat’s Pyjamas side mission, visit Teo Bodega afterward and the suit is yours. The bad news is that you can only do that after you finished the whole campaign and the Cat’s Pyjamas side mission is only available after you finished the Looters side mission early on in the game (right after you get access to the FNSM app). That’s why I said it is best usable in New Game+ since you get it pretty much after the end of the game.

But check out the video above to see why it is definitely worth all that effort.

BANDAI NAMCO ANNOUNCES INAUGURAL GYAAR INDIE GAME CONTEST

Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc. and Bandai Namco Studio Inc. are announcing the first GYAAR Studio Indie Game Contest, held by Bandai Namco Studios’ indie game label, “GYAAR Studio,” for indie game creators outside the company.

GYAAR Studio was founded in 2021 as an indie game label meant to help foster ace game creators for Bandai Namco Studios’ major global titles by allowing young talent to directly and freely express their creative ideas. This contest will be held to allow an even wider pool of creative talent, one not limited to company employees, to take a turn at bat and have the chance to receive proactive support for their creations. By allowing a variety of games to shine brighter than ever with the proper support, the hope is to further stimulate the video game market.

This contest will select (at most) one Platinum Award winner and seven other prize winners from a pool of game entries, including those in-development, and award a total of up to 100 million JPY in support funding. In addition to the prize funding, game developer Bandai Namco Studios will also offer direct development support, as well as a support program which includes access to the “GYAAR Studio Base” game development center within the Bandai Namco Studios office, publishing support, and IP co-creation support. The Bandai Namco Group aims to make use of its strengths and years of acquired know-how to provide creators with a wide-range of full-fledged support!

For more information onGYAAR Studio Indie Game Contest, please visit: https://indie.bandainamcostudios.com/en/ 

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About Bandai Namco Europe S.A.S.

Bandai Namco Europe S.A.S. is a leading global publisher and developer of entertainment content for platforms including, but not limited to, all major video game consoles and PC.

Bandai Namco Europe is producing intellectual property for a global audience, and is building its reputation with franchises such as LITTLE NIGHTMARES™, PARK BEYOND™, and the upcoming UNKNOWN 9™ Awakening – developed by the recently acquired Reflector Entertainment based in Montreal, QC.

Bandai Namco Europe serves as the Headquarters of Bandai Namco Holdings Inc. for mainland Europe, which is known for creating and publishing many of the Toy & Entertainment industry’s top franchises, including PAC-MAN™, TAMAGOTCHI™, GUNDAM™, TEKKEN™, DARK SOULS™ and the recently released ELDEN RING™.

For more information please visit www.bandainamcoent.eu

Press Release © 2022 BANDAI NAMCO Europe S.A.S.

All other trademarks are properties of their respective owners.

My Time at Sandrock – A Delightful New Adventure 

My Time at Sandrock – A Delightful New Adventure  

Following early access opportunities this spring, Pathea Games is pleased to announce a new update for My Time at Sandrock on 24th November 2022 and 20% OFF during Steam Autumn Sales 

It’s time to say hello to friends, old and new as the second game in the My Time series, My Time at Sandrock is set to launch a brand new update for players on 24th November 2022. An exciting time for the fans of the franchise, with the 3.4.0: Hey Old Pals update, players will be able to unlock an additional 5-10 hours of never seen before content.  

Available on Steam and Epic, with 30+ hours of gameplay already live, the new update introduces another story with more interactable characters, new areas, dungeons and romance stories. There is a whole lot more for fans to experience and get stuck into. With a continued focus on the dangers Sandrock faces, and the threat posed by fan favourite Logan and the Bandits gang, players are encouraged to find out the truth that gangs are attacking the town. 

But that’s not all. Players are sure to reminisce and revisit their love for My Time at Portia as some familiar old faces are set to visit Sandrock. Join Albert and Mint as well as wealthy businessman Musa, as they journey to the town for their next adventure.  

If that wasn’t enough to get fans excited, the update is set to be released alongside 20% OFF for Steam Autumn Sales and Epic running from 22 – 29 November. Supporting the early adopters of the game, players who bought early access will enjoy the benefits of the new updates without any additional purchases of the full release. 

My Time at Sandrock takes place in a wholesome post-apocalyptic world 300 years after the Day of Calamity destroyed most modern technologies. Players can travel to the desert community of Sandrock and take on the role of a fledgling builder and using their trusty toolset to gather resources, construct machines, players can transform their run-down workshop into a well-oiled production facility to save the town from the jaws of economic ruin! 

Speaking about the update Xioyang Yang, Marketing Manager at Pathea Games said, “We hope that this update will not only ignite the memories of Portia builders with new stories but will also allow new builders to see more of what lies beneath the world of My Time. Builders will have more areas to explore, and players will gain a deeper understanding of this desert town.” 

With fans of My Time at Sandrock having experienced early access via the single-player story mode, players have been able to play some of the first act of the game’s story and have access to romance and friendship missions. Since then, the game has experienced many added features and optimized game performance. 

Excited to know more about the update 

For more information on My Time at Sandrock and other titles from Pathea Games, please visit their website and head to the My Time at Sandrock YouTube channel to learn more. 

About Pathea Games  

Pathea Games is a game development studio who previously created My Time at Portia, which sold over 2,800,000 copies worldwide and received awards for “Best Kids and Family Game” at Casual Connect Asia 2019 and “Best Multiplayer Game” at GameDaily Connect Asia 2019