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November 23, 2022

Animal Shelter Simulator, a unique game where you run a shelter for cats and dogs, will be released for Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S on November 25th. The player takes care of pets and looks for the best homes for them. The gameplay includes plenty of additional content as well, including shelter expansion and photo shoots. The game has been released on PC and was received positively by gamers. In Q1 2023, Animal Shelter Simulator will also be released on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch.

Animal Shelter Simulator was developed by Games Incubator, a Polish studio. It was first released on PC in March this year. Currently, positive reviews make up 84% of all (nearly 1,200) reviews on Steam. Ultimate Games S.A. is in charge of producing and releasing the game for Xbox One. The backward compatibility feature ensures that the game is also playable on Xbox Series X|S.

In Animal Shelter Simulator, the player runs and manages a cat and dog shelter. The main objective is to take care of the pets and find the best homes for them. While interacting with the four-legged cuties, the player can play with them, feed them, and treat them. According to the game developers, each pet has its individual traits while specific indicators track its condition and mood.

“We aimed to fully capture the operation of a shelter, keeping in mind the ideal balance between simulation and fun. This approach and an adequate variety of gameplay make Animal Shelter Simulator a great game for both younger and older animal lovers,” says Games Incubator’s CEO, Marek Parzyński.

Gameplay is enhanced by a whole array of additional features. The player can organize photo shoots for the pets while also dealing with their finances. Construction mode is also a major part of Animal Shelter Simulator. It allows the player to arrange the space and expand the shelter with veterinary clinics, additional buildings with pens, and more.

“After its successful release on PC, this unique simulator is now coming to Xbox. More importantly, versions for other consoles, including PS4, PS5, and Nintendo Switch, are also being developed. We plan to release Animal Shelter Simulator on these platforms as early as the first months of 2023,” announced theCOO of Ultimate Games S.A., Rafał Jelonek.

Animal Shelter Simulator – main features:

run and manage an animal shelter;
make your four-legged friends happy;
cats and dogs;
care, play, and take photos;
grow and expand the shelter.

The release date for Xbox One is set for November 25th, 2022. Animal Shelter Simulator will also hit PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch in Q1 2023.

Animal Shelter Simulator – Trailer (Xbox):

Animal Shelter Simulator (Microsoft Store):

https://www.xbox.com/games/store/animal-shelter-simulator/9p1v3ztgv75f

Animal Shelter Simulator (Steam):

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1239320/Animal_Shelter/

Basic information:

title: Animal Shelter Simulator

genre: simulation, family, casual, adventure, indie

developer: Games Incubator, Ultimate Games S.A.

publisher: Ultimate Games S.A.

languages: English, German, Spanish, French, Italian, Polish, Japanese, Korean, Brazilian Portuguese, Russian, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Turkish

number of players: 1

File size: 1.04 GB

Release date: 11.25.2022 (Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S), 03.23.2022 (PC – Steam), Q1 2023 (Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5)

Marvel’s Spider-Man Miles Morales Gameplay

Philip Federico

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November 22, 2022

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Marvel’s Spider-Man Miles Morales Gameplay

This gameplay of Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales has a bit of everything. We start by exploring Harlem and looking for hidden tape recorders. Then we are off to swing all over the city, prevent some crimes and wrap it up with a tense boss fight.

After the events of Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered, teenage Miles Morales is adjusting to his new home while following in the footsteps of his mentor, Peter Parker, as a new Spider-Man. When a fierce power struggle threatens to destroy his home, Miles must take up the mantle of Spider-Man and own it

Marvel’s Spider-Man Miles Morales
Developer: Insomniac Games, Nixxes Software
Publisher: PlayStation PC LLC
Website: https://www.playstation.com/en-us/games/marvels-spider-man-remastered/
Platform: Windows
Release Date: 19 Nov, 2022
Price: $49.99 USD

Available now on Steam – https://store.steampowered.com/app/1817190/Marvels_SpiderMan_Miles_Morales/

Summary:

Recommended – “Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales is an improvement over the previous game on almost every front. Strong enough to stand on its own, with a shorter but more focused narrative.”

Check out our Review for Marvel’s Spider-Man Miles Morales here!

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Ultimate rematch at World of Tanks ANZ Premier League Season Five Final!

Press Releases

Philip Federico

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November 21, 2022

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November 21^st, 2022 — The World of Tanks ANZ Premier League, Season Five Grand Finals, will see the ultimate rematch, with the South Sydney Skorpions facing off the North Sydney Sentinels for the second year in a row. The Skorpions will be hungry for the win and to take the crown off the reigning champions, the Sentinels, on Saturday 26^th November at Fortress Melbourne.

After 11 weeks of competitive gameplay and 138 battles, North Sydney Sentinels will be looking to defend their crown. A consistent, indomitable force in ANZPL, the Sentinels have won three seasons of the four to date and will be looking to clinch their fourth Grand Final victory.

Despite dominating the regular season, the South Sydney Skorpions have struggled to become triumphant against the North Sydney Sentinels. Heading into their second Grand Finals, the team will no doubt be arming up for a tactical win.

Jake Truman, World of Tanks Associate Producer, said this year’s Grand Finals will now feature a ‘best of 9’ format, which means the Skorpions and Sentinels, will need to take five victories and spread their diversity across the map.

“Tension is high between the formidable opponents, as they head into their second Grand Finals together. The North Sydney Sentinels will be playing strategically to keep their crown, while the South Sydney Skorpions will be giving it their all to topple the Sentinels once and for all,” said Jake.

This year’s winners will be awarded with the majority of the AUD$25,000 cash prize, as well as a set of HyperX peripherals – a HyperX Cloud Core Wireless Headset, and the HyperX Fury Mousemat alongside the HyperX Pulsefire Haste Mouse.

Tickets are available now for those who want to see the Grand Finals live in action at Fortress Melbourne. Entry is fee and for the paid ticket selection, $10 will be donated from every ticket to Movember. To book your ticket now, visit https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/world-of-tanks-season-5-anzpl-grand-final-tickets-448882167647

For those who want to watch the action from the comfort of their home, the Grand Finals will be streamed on Twitch https://www.twitch.tv/worldoftanksanz

The World of Tanks ANZ Premier League (ANZPL) is a 5v5 competitive World of Tanks mode, featuring state-based teams, a double round robin group stage, a grassroots league in the ANZBL, and an offline LAN final to determine the best team across Australia and New Zealand.

For more information on World of Tanks, the World of Tanks ANZ Premier League or to download World of Tanks for free, visit www.worldoftanks.asia

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Sonic Frontiers Review

Dustin Spencer

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November 21, 2022

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Sonic Frontiers

Developer: Sonic Team
Publisher: Sega
Platforms: Switch (Reviewed), Xbox One, Playstation 4, PC, Playstation 5, Xbox Series X|S
Release Date: Available Now
Price: $59.99 – Available Here

Overview

Sonic is without a doubt one of the mainstay franchises within the industry. The blue mascot for Sega launched over thirty years ago and continues to have massive popularity around the world – despite having several road bumps along the way. Sonic Frontiers looks to put our hero back on track. Tapping into some new open world mechanics mixed with the speed we all know him for, can Sonic Frontiers live up to the hype, or is it yet another pothole for this passionate fanbase? Let’s find out.

Story

Sonic has never had it easy when trying to put together a meaningful lore in a 3D setting. Sonic Frontiers doesn’t do a great job of fixing that. The premise follows Sonic and company tracking disturbances within the chaos emeralds. After some kidnappings and minor rescues occur, with Doctor Eggman spun in, you basically have the setup for a odd, if not confusing plot that tries to push new faces into the franchise without much making sense from a franchise standpoint. Sure, the story technically is fine, but it doesn’t really try to make itself accessible enough to be memorable. There is also a very serious tone to the plot, which makes it feel a bit campier than it needs to be. That said, I didn’t hate what Sonic Team did here, but I think Frontiers would be a better game if it would try to capture a lighter tone and tell a story that feels more structured with the blue blur that we all know and love. Simplicity works well with Sonic, and that isn’t exactly what is offered within this title.

Gameplay

While the story is a bit messy, the gameplay within Sonic Frontiers is mostly great. As you would expect, there are two different elements at work here. One is an open world, which allows players to zoom around freely and explore five Starfall Islands as you see fit. The other are dubbed “Cyber Space” levels, condensing the action into much more traditional Sonic fare. The open world is great. Littered with platforms, puzzles, and familiar springs and things, these areas feel spectacular to fly through. Sonic can zoom around enemies and create cyclones to get an edge or solve puzzles, and there are plenty of secrets and things to do littered throughout the land.

The Cyber Space portions are basically polished platforming fare, full of rails and a timer that provides a sense of speed and urgency to finish quickly. Unlike Colors or some later titles in the franchise, these bits feel great as they feature a lot of creative courses. While most are just rails and loops, there is a fine balance within these stages that make for some entertaining and thrilling moments. The open world portion adds in combat, but outside of dashing and bouncing on enemies, nothing really feels like much of a challenge unless you’re facing the flaws within the game itself.

For every bit of brilliance, Sonic Frontiers (at least on the Switch) has some performance challenges that hinder an otherwise fun time. Remember, Sonic is a platformer at heart built on speed. When you are in a rush, lava, water, and other obstacles can pop in out of nowhere and lead to a quick death. The Cyber Space portions do this as well, but due to the large scope of the environment, the open areas see this issue more frequently. This wouldn’t be too much of a problem if boss battles and even mini games were not affected, but after just a few encounters, I started to have to take it slow and play more cautiously to progress in an effective manner. For a Sonic game, that is a problem.

I will give Sonic Team credit. Despite such an odd world to explore, the lack of gimmickry and focus on just Sonic’s overall move set benefits the experience greatly. Upgrades are mostly built around minor nuances such as ring collecting and power-ups, rarely feeling intrusive. The stages and world do the work at providing refreshing ideas, and a lot of great (and not so great) features can be found that really show how fun a Sonic game can be without all the distractions.

Visuals

Sonic Frontiers mostly looks great. The stages are colorful and look fantastic with vivid animations, fitting well with the narrative in play. The Switch version has issues with textures at times, as some areas just seem barren and sparse – even with little details added. Combine that with the generating environments that don’t always seem to finish, and you have a game that feels like it’s struggling to keep up with itself. Sure, the game is still fun to play most of the time, but it feels like this version needed more optimization in order to capture the scope Sonic Team were going for.

Audio

The music is fantastic. I might even say that this is the best soundtrack for a Sonic game since the Dreamcast Adventure titles. Featuring exciting and catchy tracks, this certainly sounds like a Sonic game should, blending rock and orchestral fare to capture some thrill within fantasy themed environments. Voice acting is present and done well enough, with characters capturing their new and familiar roles well to give the story a sense of importance.

Overall

Sonic Frontiers is not perfect and for most Sonic fans, that will be ok. What it is, however, is a bold step in the right direction, with the focus finally returning to our blue hero himself. Past franchises seem to be in this huge hurry to jump into sandbox adventures and the entire genre is starting to get cluttered as a result. Sonic Frontiers barely clears that leap, even if it feels like it wasn’t without a few stumbles along the way. Centered around well-balanced speed and imagination, this new entry is as refreshing as it is enjoyable, and certainly the best attempt at a 3D Sonic title in years.

Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.

Cobra Kai 2 Dojos Rising Gameplay

Claudio Meira

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November 20, 2022

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Check out the first 2 hours of gameplay for Cobra Kai 2.

Cobra Kai 2 ditches the 2.5D brawling of its predecessor for a more open-ended, arena-brawler style. It also features some platforming sections and minigames between all the fighting. The huge emphasis on fanservice is still here; a lot of actors from the Netflix show lend their voices for dozens of dialogues throughout the game.

This game had the potential to be at least enjoyable. But it’s so full of bugs that I had to stop my playthrough. It got to a ´point where I can’t even navigate the menus properly anymore.

Eagle Fang, Cobra Kia, Miyagi-do – Which is your dojo? That choice begins your journey, but then it’s up to you to recruit the most powerful team as you master your fighting style and battle to solidify your dojo’s LEGACY as the All Valley Karate Grand Champion!

Cobra Kai 2 Dojos Rising
Developer: Flux Games
Publisher: GameMill Entertainment
Website: http://www.gamemill.com/
Platform: Windows
Release Date: 9 Nov, 2022
Price: $49.99 USD

Available now on Steam – https://store.steampowered.com/app/1681870/Cobra_Kai_2_Dojos_Rising/

Summary:

Not Recommended – “A fairly fun action game up that is full to the brim with annoying bugs. Fans of the show and beat ’em ups must approach with caution. Everyone else should just stay clear for now.”

Check out our Review for Cobra Kai 2 Dojos Rising here!

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NETMARBLE REVEALS FINANCIAL EARNINGS FOR THIRD QUARTER OF 2022

Press Releases

Philip Federico

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November 20, 2022

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NETMARBLE REVEALS FINANCIAL EARNINGS FOR THIRD QUARTER OF 2022

LOS ANGELES – NOVEMBER 18, 2022 – Netmarble Corp, a leading developer and publisher of mobile games, reported $547.50 million in revenue and $16.42 million in EBITDA for the third quarter of 2022. Overseas sales accounted for 83% ($456.86 million) of total global sales, and the company reported an operating loss of $30 million, with a net loss of $218.75 million.

“For three consecutive quarters, we’ve been balancing increased costs and rising exchange rates, with delays in new game launches and underperformance of select titles, such as Seven Knights Revolution,” said Young-sig Kown, CEO of Netmarble. “We’re optimistic we can drive improved results and strengthen Netmarble’s competitive edge with the THE KING OF FIGHTERS ARENA and Charlotte’s Table launches in Q4 and participation in global game shows, beginning with Korea’s G-STAR in November, where we will preview an array of upcoming titles, including Solo Leveling: Arise and Arthdal Chronicles, as well as anticipated PC titles Paragon: The Overprime and HypeSquad.”

Netmarble’s Q3 and accumulated 2022 results include:

Between the first and third quarters, Netmarble earned an accumulated $1.57 billion in sales and $69.38 million in EBITDA. The company reported a total net loss of $66.71 million.
North America led revenues (48%) with diversification across other key territories as follows: Korea (17%), Europe (13%), Southeast Asia (9%), Japan (7%),and other regions (6%).
Netmarble’s portfolio showed genre diversification across Casual Games (47% of revenue generated), RPGs (24%), MMORPGs (21%) and other genres (8%).
Top performing titles for the third quarter included: MARVEL Contest of Champions (11%), Ni no Kuni: Cross Worlds(8%), Cash Frenzy (8%), Jackpot World (8%), Lotsa Slots (8%) and The Seven Deadly Sins: Grand Cross (6%).All other games contributed to 51% of the company’s earned revenue.

A breakdown of the total financial earnings is below:

	7/1/22 – 9/30/22 actuals	YoY Changes	QoQ Changes
Total Sales	$547.50 million	+14.4%	+5.1%
EBITDA	$16.42 million	-64.4%	-3.3%
Operating Loss	$30.00 million	–	–
Net Loss	$218.75 million	–	–

For details on Netmarble’s quarterly performance and to listen to the earnings call, please visit the company’s Investor Relations page.

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About Netmarble Corporation

Established in Korea in 2000, Netmarble Corporation is a top developer and publisher pushing the boundaries of the mobile gaming experience with highly innovative games including Seven Knights 2, Ni no Kuni: Cross Worlds, MARVEL Future Revolution, Lineage 2: Revolution, The Seven Deadly Sins: Grand Cross, Blade & Soul Revolution and MARVEL Future Fight. As a parent company of Kabam and SpinX Games, and a major shareholder of Jam City and HYBE (formerly Big Hit Entertainment), Netmarble strives to entertain audiences around the world with a variety of mobile games based on its powerful franchises and collaborations with IP holders worldwide. More information can be found at http://company.netmarble.com

CRUNCHYROLL ANNOUNCES HIME’S QUEST, A LONG-LOST 8-BIT ADVENTURE TO STOP Y2K

Press Releases

Philip Federico

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November 20, 2022

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CRUNCHYROLL ANNOUNCES HIME’S QUEST, A LONG-LOST 8-BIT ADVENTURE TO STOP Y2K

Coming Physically to Nintendo’s GAME BOY COLORfrom Limited Run Games, Pre-orders Open November 18 with Free Browser Version and Downloadable ROM Available Later This Year

Hime’s Quest Pre-Order Here

Culver City, California (Nov. 18, 2022) – Crunchyroll, the premiere anime brand worldwide, is announcing Hime’s Quest… 23 years late.

Crunchyroll mascot Crunchyroll-Hime once went 8-bit on the most beloved gaming handheld of 1999 in an action-adventure to save the world’s electronics from Y2K. One issue, Crunchyroll didn’t exist to release it—our bad! Hime’s Quest for Game Boy Color will be available for a limited time only via pre-order beginning November 18th on the Crunchyroll Store and Limited Run Games in available territories. You can pick between Crunchyroll Orange, exclusive to the Crunchyroll store, or Limited Run Blue, exclusive to LimitedRunGames.com. The window for pre-orders and adventure remains open until December 23rd. For fans without a Game Boy Color, Hime’s Quest will be free-to-play and download on supported browsers later this year.

Ahead of the launch later this year, fans can finally see a glimpse of Crunchyroll-Hime pixelated and in-action in a trailer by gaming comedy troupe Mega64. Fans eager for adventure but feel it’s dangerous to go alone, can join up at the Crunchyroll Booth (#526) at Anime NYC this weekend to play a Hime’s Quest demo.

“Crunchyroll wanted to capture the nostalgia of 90s pop-culture, a shared touchstone for anime fans, and we are thrilled to transport Crunchyroll-Hime to that era in an adventure developed on fan-favorite hardware from that time. Hime is our beloved princess mascot, and we are excited to see her lore expanded in ways that speak to fans’ love for anime and gaming with Hime’s Quest.” said Terry Li, Senior Vice President of Emerging Business, Crunchyroll.”

Here’s what you might have read on the back of the game box circa 1999:

Take control as Crunchyroll-Hime to save the anime club from Y2K in her first-ever video game: Hime’s Quest. Set in 1999, something electric is in the air. A malevolent force has crept into New Crunchy City, wreaking havoc on its technology, and tragically destroying the Anime Club’s precious DVD/VCR combo player. Can you root out the dastardly cretin brazen enough to ruin their meeting?

Adventure through haunted forests, mirage-filled deserts and more in Crunchyroll-Hime’s largest quest yet.

Hack and slash your way through dungeons and face-off against totally buggin fiends in league with Y2K.

Kick-back with Crunchyroll-Hime’s friends in the anime club or pay a visit to spooky manga creator Junji Ito who is currently OBSESSED with spirals.

Some games let you pet the dog, this one lets you *try* to pet the cat. Can you succeed and give Crunchyroll-Hime’s best friend Yuzu a pat on the head?

PLAY IT LOUD! with a chiptune soundtrack by future (time paradox averted) award-winning 8-bit composer and musician Protodome.

About Crunchyroll

Crunchyroll connects anime and manga fans across 200+ countries and territories with the content and experiences they love. In addition to free ad-supported and subscription premium content, Crunchyroll serves the anime community across events, theatrical, games, consumer products, collectibles and manga publishing.

Anime fans have access to one of the largest collections of licensed anime through Crunchyroll and translated in multiple languages for viewers worldwide. Viewers can also access simulcasts — top series available immediately after Japanese broadcast.

The Crunchyroll app is available on over 15 platforms, including all gaming consoles.

Crunchyroll, LLC is an independently operated joint venture between US-based Sony Pictures Entertainment, and Japan’s Aniplex, a subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc., both subsidiaries of Tokyo-based Sony Group.

About Limited Run Games

Limited Run Games is a subsidiary of “Freemode”, an operative group comprised of gaming and entertainment companies owned by Embracer. Limited Run Games is the industry leader in the production and distribution of premium physical video games. Limited Run seeks to celebrate the legacy of gaming through its award-winning collector’s editions. Founded in 2015, they have published over 1,000 physical games, exclusive merch, and collectables. Limited Run is the gold standard in bringing digital games to physical form and now re-releasing retro titles on modern platforms via their proprietary Carbon Engine.

Visit limitedrungames.com for the latest offerings and to learn more about Carbon Engine development. Follow the brand on your social media platform of choice for all LRG-related updates: @limitedrungames.

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Touhou DANMAKU KAGURA: Phantasia Lost Reveals Nintendo Switch Version

Press Releases

Philip Federico

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November 20, 2022

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Touhou DANMAKU KAGURA: Phantasia Lost Reveals Nintendo Switch Version

New content en route for beloved rhythm game saved by Touhou enthusiasts

TOKYO – November 18, 2022 – Touhou DANMAKU KAGURA Phantasia Lost, the rhythm game set in the Touhou Project universe developed by Unknown X, announces a Nintendo Switch version will join the updated and expanded Steam for PC release in 2023.

Thanks to Touhou and Danmaku fans, the Campfire Japanese crowdfunding campaign achieved its 15 million yen goal within 30 minutes, with more than 80 million yen pledged to date. Thanks to this support, Unknown X announced its commitment to a Nintendo Switch version also set to release in 2023.

Additionally, fans will get to enjoy a new theme song by Kishida Kyoudan & THE Akeboshi Rockets x Kayoko Kusano. Unknown X will also add additional supported languages, and an implementation of both the Mitama Card Index and a Music Cover Art Index within the PC and Nintendo Switch versions.

The beat goes on, with the campaign continuing until Monday, January 9, 2023, with additional stretch goals now available. Upcoming goals include a new rhythm-action game mode, and a possible physical release for Nintendo Switch.

Touhou DANMAKU KAGURA Phantasia Lost rose from the ashes of the shutdown of DANMAKU KAGURA on mobile platforms. Tap notes to the beat as they fly down increasingly difficult note charts, with boss fights presenting particularly fiendish challenges for rhythm game fans. Enjoy controls adapted for controller or keyboard setups, with a brand new story mode exclusive to the PC version written by Jin Fujisawa and Wakano Takeda of Story Note Co.

“We’re honored by the fan support to continue DANMAKU KAGURA in this new form on Steam and Nintendo Switch,” said JYUNYA, founder, Unknown X. “We haven’t just seen support from console and PC rhythm and Touhou fans, but also from players of the mobile version that told us this was the first time they ever paid for a game that wasn’t free-to-play!” Unknown X, a group founded by JYUNYA (director of Touhou Genso Wanderer) that helps oversee the Touhou Project with the help of series creator ZUN, will publish the title worldwide. They are doing so in collaboration with Ryu’s Office, who helped with the promotion of Danmaku Kagura on mobile, and will continue to assist with the Steam version of the game.

For more information, please visit the new Touhou DANMAKU KAGURA Phantasia Lost website, wishlist the game on Steam, follow @danmakuJP on Twitter and the official Touhou DANMAKU KAGURA Channel on YouTube.

About Touhou Project

Touhou Project, recognized by the Guinness World Records as the “most prolific fan-made shooter series,” is a collection of games set in the world of Gensokyo and using a recurring cast of familiar characters. Predominantly consisting of vertical shooters, the Touhou Project games are developed by the original creator, one-man studio Team Shanghai Alice.

About Unknown X

Founded by Aquastyle game developer JYUNYA and composed of handpicked members of the DANMAKU KAGURA development team, Unknown X aims to enhance Touhou Project and propulse its recognition in the world. Unknown X’s current name was created by none other than the original Touhou Project creator himself, ZUN.

About Ryu’s Office

Ryu’s Office offers in-depth marketing solutions for smartphone, console, arcade, and PC games in Japan. They are particularly focused on the planning and production of numerous live broadcasts based out of Japan for the gaming industry.

To learn more, visit the official Ryu’s Office website .

Harvestella Review

Travis Bruno

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November 19, 2022

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Harvestella

Developer: Live Wire
Publisher: Square Enix
Platforms: Switch (Reviewed), PC
Release Date: Available Now
Price: $59.99 USD – Available Here $84.95 AUD – Ava ilable Here

Overview

When it comes to farming life sims there are certain series that immediately spring to mind that have been around for decades and when you combine them with fantasy action, there are even more that have combined RPG elements with farming to relatively great success. In recent years many new entries in this once small genre have appeared and now it is time for Square Enix to take a crack at things with Harvestella. Offering a new take on the fantasy farming RPG genre, is Harvestella worth checking out for fans of the genre?

Story

The world of Harvestella is ruled over by four giant crystals that are called “Seaslights” that control the passing of the seasons and, in recent years, have introduced a new dangerous element into the world. Every time that one season comes to an end and before the next one begins, an event known as “Quietus” occurs and kills everything that is caught outside. On one such occasion players find themselves wandering outside during this day of death and falling ill as a result. They awaken with complete amnesia and are helped by the local village and offered a small house on the outskirts of town where players will begin their journey in finding out just what happened to them and the many mysteries of the world beginning with who the stranger is that crash landed inside a crystalline chunk with a futuristic interior.

Although Harvestella may feature an incredibly generic opening and, unfortunately, does take some time to get rolling, once the story does start building up speed players will find that it has perhaps some of the best storytelling found in the genre. By avoiding the simple trope of being given a farm through inheritance and dropping things there, Harvestella is able to make use of massive amounts of worldbuilding that plays heavily into the various twists and turns that occur throughout the core storyline. In fact, things can often take a far darker tone than one would expect in a game from this genre though that is a bit of a given thanks to the fact that, even as a game with farming in it, Harvestella prompts players to save the world.

Although the game may lack a core set of villagers that players will interact with every day, it makes up for it by offering a more extensive offering similar to what one may expect from a full RPG. As players continue through the game they will travel to multiple towns with each one having a unique set of characters, items to buy, and dungeons to explore. Many of these characters are simple in nature outside of named characters that play a larger role in the story, or as main assistants in a town, or even as party members that will fight alongside the player but that doesn’t mean that they are all one-note villagers. Side-quests in Harvestella often have a simplistic completion requirement such as hunting certain enemies or delivering a set number of items but the story that goes along with most of these side-quests goes a step beyond what one would usually expect. Many of these side-quests even feature continuing storylines that will progress as players complete them, making for some interesting developments.

The various party members that players will be able to bring along with them also come with eventual side-quests that reveal more about their personalities as well as their backstories. It is worth noting that while players can raise their “closeness” levels with party members, unlocking various buffs at the same time, it is not handled the usual way romances are presented in games such as these nor is there any form of real marriage beyond having a chosen partner move in with the player. Named non-party NPCs are especially given plenty of room for growth as well as some great interactions with the player. In fact, a certain unicorn may be one of the best characters in the entire game.

Gameplay

With Harvestella dropping players onto their farm and tasking them with uncovering the mysteries of the world all while trying to prevent its destruction it only makes sense that it tries to find some balance between its farming and action RPG elements. Farming in the game is fairly standard with four seasons lasting thirty days each and players always needing to keep an eye on the clock as time passes through the day. Every action, be it swinging a hoe or a sword takes stamina in some form though players can eat food or drink juice to restore it as well as some health though the game has given players a small limitation of food consumption by having a “fullness” meter that will deplete over time. This works as both a way to passively regain stamina as well as a limitation on how far players can push themselves in a dangerous dungeon as they cannot heal continuously as a result.

As one would expect, players will start with a small plot of land littered with rocks that they must turn into a thriving field by tilling soil, planting seeds, and watering them every day before they are ready for harvest, rinsing and repeating as often as players want to either use their produce as ingredients for dishes, requests, or simply to sell as is. Eventually players will be able to obtain various livestock that they can raise for various things such as milk and eggs as long as they are properly cared for. Unfortunately, it must be said that while the farming mechanics are quite solid in Harvestella, they don’t really stand out in any exceptional way and raising crops always feels simple rather than a fleshed out mechanic compared to other farming games. There is a nice variety to the amount of crops players can raise but not only are many rarely worth it outside of completing certain objectives or tasks but the actual process of improving the farm feels limited thanks to rewards being incredibly specific and offering no way to actually focus on one thing that players may want to improve.

On the other side of things, players will find themselves traveling through fields and dungeons filled with enemies and places to gain various materials. Dungeons in Harvestella are rather massive affairs with a labyrinthine design that fills out a map as players progress through it. Most dungeons are so large that players will need to take multiple days to conquer one even if they are properly equipped as the title offers numerous ways to create shortcuts through a dungeon making return trips easier. Dungeons can also contain special FEAR enemies that are massive foes that are far stronger than anything else in the area, serving as a dangerous obstacle that players will need to avoid the first time they encounter each one, only returning far later and much stronger before even trying to take one down.

Combat takes place in real time and sees the player and their party take part in battles against foes as they are encountered in a field. Each enemy has certain weaknesses that players can target thanks to them having the ability to equip three jobs at a time and swap them on the fly to unleash powerful skills to put down an enemy. The player’s party will act on their own during these fights and it is partially possible to build a party that best fits your playstyle and favorite job, though the classes in the game are not quite balanced the best and often combat is simply too basic to make the most out of what is on offer outside of boss battles. For example, the starting warrior class allows players to take the fight to opponents fairly quickly and can quickly seem to outpace classes that should be stronger but due to their slower nature often don’t feel as rewarding to play as. This is especially true in the case of the Mage class that, while powerful and capable of targeting foes with weakness exploiting spells that attack from a distance, take too long when battling in a party. It is also worth noting that while some character classes eventually gain some defensive abilities, the lack of a dedicated block or dodge for every class is rather shocking.

Visuals & Audio

The Square Enix pedigree shines in Harvestella‘s presentation as the art style chosen for the world is absolutely gorgeous. The areas that players travel through are nicely detailed and there is a great fantasy feeling to the world all heightened by the great designs of the monsters that players face off against in a wide variety of dungeons and other locations. While most NPCs are not given character portraits and instead have simple looking 3D models, those that do have character portraits are extensively detailed and given a wide range of expressions and designs to work with. It is a bit unfortunate however that the Switch does appear to limit the game’s graphical fidelity as most parts of the world and 3D models are a bit fuzzy looking at best and the game does suffer from some stuttering during heavy action in fights.

It is worth noting that there is a bit of voice work in Harvestella but it happens only during exploration which is an odd and incredibly limiting choice. The soundtrack on the other hand is quite impressive as it offers a wide range of musical tracks that fit perfectly for the array of tones and areas that players travel through. This includes some great battle themes as well as relaxing tracks that work great when tilling soil on the farm and feeding your Cluffowls.

Overall

Harvestella feels like a solid first entry for a company not entirely familiar with the farming/action RPG genre mix. The title offers perhaps some exceptional storytelling once things finally get going and has some absolutely wonderful characters to interact with but both its farming mechanics are a bit too simple for those who prefer that side of things. Even then, while the combat is more interesting and offers some strategic elements, especially when it comes to diving into Harvestella’s massive dungeons, it too has a number of poorly thought out elements that stop it from really standing out. As such, Harvestella does its best to create an enticing world for players to get lost in all while offering simpler than expected gameplay elements.

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ENJOY YOUR STAY AT THE MURDER HOTEL WITH THE DEVIL IN ME LAUNCHING TODAY

Press Releases

Philip Federico

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November 18, 2022

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Bandai Namco Europe today released The Dark Pictures Anthology season one finale, The Devil in Me, on PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and Steam.

In The Devil in Me, players are invited to a stunning recreation of the World’s Fair Hotel built by American serial killer, H.H. Holmes. They control the crew of Lonnit Entertainment, low-budget documentary creators who are lured to the hotel with the promise of something truly unique, something that might just boost the ratings of their true-crime show. Their fate is in the hands of the players, who will have to make impossible decisions under pressure, while their murderous host watches their every move.

As well as a new story and star-studded cast, the Season One finale comes with an array of new gameplay features. Characters can now climb, jump, crawl and run through exploration areas that are larger and more complex than ever. Players will need to keep their cool to solve puzzles and using the new inventory system and special character tools at the right moment can save their lives!

As with all games in The Dark Pictures Anthology, players can face the horror alone or team up with friends in the multiplayer modes: online with a friend or with up to 5 players in couch mode.

Your room is ready, we do hope you enjoy your stay. Check in and watch The Devil in Me launch trailer

The Dark Pictures Anthology: The Devil in Me is available on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and Steam.

The Dark Pictures Anthology is a series of stand-alone, branching cinematic horror games, designed to present a new terrifying experience on a regular basis. Each game features a brand-new story, setting and new cast of characters.

For more information about The Dark Pictures Anthology: The Devil in Me visit the official webpage and for other titles from Bandai Namco Europe please visit: https://www.bandainamcoent.eu, or follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/BandaiNamcoEU. Join the conversation on Twitter at https://www.twitter.com/BandaiNamcoEU.

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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™.

All other trademarks are properties of their respective owners.

About Supermassive Games

Supermassive Games is a BAFTA-winning game studio, developing innovative storytelling titles. The studio is best known for the critically acclaimed PS4 hit Until Dawn, The Dark Pictures Anthology – a series of stand-alone, horror games – and The Quarry, a teen horror game. Founded in 2008, the studio is now home to over 300 talented individuals working across a range of storytelling titles. In 2022 the studio was acquired by Nordisk Games, part of the Egmont Group, and we look forward to even more exciting times with them alongside us. The studio has received numerous awards, including a BAFTA for Until Dawn and recognition from our trade body TIGA. The studio also works with GamesAid, other charities and educational establishments.