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GATHER ON THE GO: FINAL FANTASY XIV ONLINE ANNOUNCES NEW APP, ‘GO’ (GATHERING OUTDOORS)

Philip Federico
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GATHER ON THE GO: FINAL FANTASY XIV ONLINE ANNOUNCES NEW APP, ‘GO’ (GATHERING OUTDOORS)

New technology transforms real-world locations into gathering nodes and players’ smartphones into harvesting tools

1st April 2018 – Players of the critically-acclaimed FINAL FANTASY® XIV Online have a whole new challenge to look forward to with today’s announcement of the FINAL FANTASY XIV Online GO app.

GO, an abbreviation of Gathering Outdoors, quite literally adds a whole new dimension to the FINAL FANTASY XIV Online experience by allowing players to go outside and harvest natural resources from Eorzea™ in the real world. These can then be used to craft items and gear in-game.

“It’s about freedom”, says Haimirich Fischer, VP of Innovation at SQUARE ENIX®, “We wanted to empower over 10 million players to be able to gather wherever they want, whenever they want, without the restriction of their PC or consoles. By bridging the digital and physical worlds, FINAL FANTASY XIV Online GO creates that freedom and fosters social interaction between the members of our amazing community.”

By downloading the app, players will benefit from the combination of Square Enix’s cutting-edge software and their smartphone’s own geo-location capabilities, as they are notified about harvesting nodes and natural resources in their area. When they get close enough to the node they tap their screen for a chance to harvest the resource, exactly like they would in-game.

Alongside the app, a unique accessory will be available for use in conjunction with players’ smartphones called the FINAL FANTASY XIV Online GO Harvesting Stick.

The Harvesting Stick turns a player’s smartphone into a miner’s hammer, botanist’s axe or fisher’s rod, allowing them to swing their phone in the real world like they would in-game to harvest resources. The Harvesting Stick also boosts a player’s harvesting success rate to 100%.

When speaking about FINAL FANTASY XIV Online GO and the Harvesting Stick, Adalberta Gardner, Lead Designer at Amajina Apps said, “This is the most immersive MMORPG experience for players of all levels and a must-have accessory for every gathering enthusiast.”

For more information about FINAL FANTASY XIV Online GO, and to see the app in action, please visit www.finalfantasyxivonlinego.com

The official trailer for the new app can be viewed here:  https://youtu.be/drq5ER6MHAM

The FINAL FANTASY XIV Online Free Trial allows new players to join the millions of adventurers in the realm of Eorzea. The free trial allows anyone to access all available content up to level 35 (including PvP content), create up to eight playable characters, and experience the different playable races, classes, and jobs with no restrictions on playtime. New players who wish to experience the free trial may register here: http://sqex.to/FFXIV_FreeTrial.

All editions of FINAL FANTASY XIV Online, including the FINAL FANTASY XIV: Stormblood expansion, may be purchased through the Square Enix Online Store here: http://sqex.to/FFXIVStore

 Related Links:
Official FINAL FANTASY® XIV Online GO site: www.finalfantasyxivonlinego.com
Official Stormblood Site: http://eu.finalfantasyxiv.com/stormblood/
Free Trial Site: http://freetrial.finalfantasyxiv.com/
The Lodestone®: http://eu.finalfantasyxiv.com/
Official Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FinalFantasyXIV/
Official Twitter: @FF_XIV_EN
Official Instagram: @ffxiv

About Square Enix Ltd.
Square Enix Ltd. develops, publishes, distributes and licenses SQUARE ENIX®, EIDOS® and TAITO® branded entertainment content in Europe and other PAL territories as part of the Square Enix group of companies. Square Enix Ltd. also has a global network of leading development studios such as Crystal Dynamics®, and Eidos Montréal. The Square Enix group of companies boasts a valuable portfolio of intellectual property including: FINAL FANTASY®, which has sold over 130 million units worldwide; DRAGON QUEST®, which has sold over 71 million units worldwide; TOMB RAIDER®, which has sold over 58 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 http://eu.square-enix.com/en

The Return of Roseanne

Dustin Spencer
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The Return of Roseanne

Sorry if you were expecting a misleading, sensationalized headline that would pull you in more, but there is a reason for that and we will touch up on it in a moment. First, we need to go back a bit. Thirty years ago, ABC introduced audiences across the country to Roseanne, a sitcom focusing on a blue collar family living in Lanford, Illinois – right in the center of the United States. Roseanne followed Roseanne and Dan Conner as they raised their three children in a low budget world. While the premise of the sitcom had been done before, we had never seen a female lead in such a strong position on television. For the first time, the husband was simply the chipper spouse, and the wife was the lead, holding down the ship and doing everything necessary for general survival in a society that simply favored those with a larger bankroll.

Roseanne was able to not only get hard-working mothers to watch every week, but also show kids that they were not alone in the struggle of simply growing up. It was a show that taught us important lessons such as acceptance, understanding, and most of all – perseverance. Personally, as someone who grew up in a similar financial situation, I think this little show made it feel normal for myself to see these situations unfold on television. You know, kids trying alcohol, parents using foul language, drugs, sex, and so on? That thing called reality. Never had it felt more real, and that is what made Roseanne special. No matter how complicated or shitty the Conner family had it, they still managed to make us laugh, cry, and stand silent as we related to their joy and pain. As I have said before in prior pieces about Roseanne, it was smart television that could appeal to the lowest common denominator without sacrificing its intelligence. There really is no other way to put it in my eyes.

Fast forward nearly thirty years later and we hear rumblings of a reboot. I immediately was extremely against it. I know, it is just a sitcom, blah blah. After seeing Fuller House lean on its past and Girl Meets World literally shove past characters in just for an audible hurrah however, I did not want this show touched touched. I do not care what anyone thinks, Roseanne had one of the most eloquent and meaningful endings in television history. I spoke about it here in the past, and I will always defend it. Erasing that to bring Dan back from the dead and push this ensemble back onto television just did not seem like a good idea. I finally started to accept the idea of it all like most of the audience, and then I found out that not only is Dan back, but Roseanne – the same damn woman who had the first same-sex kiss on screen in a primetime sitcom, the same woman who redefined the television mother with her wit and vulgarity, was now a Trump supporter.

I do not hide it. I am a liberal, or at least left leaning on most issues. I dislike Donald Trump, I dislike his decisions, dishonesty, and lack of intellect, and I dislike every single thing he stands for, including the whole pop culture persona we knew years before, when he was just a mogul who had a catchphrase. To see someone who ended their sitcom with such a strong statement about self-worth now sell out to such simple ideals hurt my own image of her, until I actually saw Roseanne speak about why she made the decision. Without pulling up the quote, she stated that she did this to show that we can absolutely disagree with our family members and still love them. That we can have different views and stand behind them, and still gather around like we always did before and laugh. I kind of got silent after that, and got a bit excited. That is the Roseanne I knew. The one I grew up watching. Despite the fact that I do not agree with her real life persona on Twitter (which while still very much Roseanne, has definitely been confusing to follow with some of the out-there theories and ramblings), I still felt connected to her writing style and wit that she so boldly applied long ago.

So then the show premieres, I wait to watch it a day later as I utilize a streaming service, and I see terrible reviews.

“WHY YOU SHOULD NOT WATCH ROSEANNE”, or “I LAUGHED AT ROSEANNE BUT I WILL NOT BE TUNING IT AGAIN”. I also see articles like “TRUMP’S AMERICA WELCOMES ROSEANNE BACK” and “MAKING TELEVISION GREAT AGAIN!”

I sighed a bit. I mean, this was expected as half of the promotion for this reboot was laced in political chatter. I also see a screenshot of Jackie in a “Nasty Woman” tank top with a vagina hat. I remember just staring at the screen when I saw that, and questioning if I was going to tune in at all. I mean, if I want to see such strong political fighting, I can just go to Facebook. From early perception, it was like Roseanne was inserting all of her current views into her character and poking fun at the side she did not favor at the sake of her family’s expense. Honestly, it looked stupid and made me cringe a bit, but I finally sat down and gave it a chance – and it was wonderful.


The reboot of Roseanne literally handles the end of the original show with quick finesse, adding simplistic explanations for all of the “but how” statements, and manages to feel like we, as the audience are just watching a brand new episode. It literally feels as if the show never left the air, and that is something I have never seen a reboot accomplish so fast. The set is the same (although a bit brighter), the characters are the same (yet more aged and worn), but the charm is there. That strong message of both independence and togetherness still keeps this sitcom centered, while introducing us to new characters that do nothing but add new material for us to chew on all of these years later. The first episode in the one hour premiere does focus a lot on politics. This must have been the screener that the press received and exploded over, as Jackie and Roseanne start the reboot at odds, holding past grudges because of the 2016 election. With that however we learn that Roseanne is mainly just stubborn, unable to speak for her choices as she made her decision out of disgust for the opposite candidate, and Jackie seems to have taken to the left simply to rebel against her sister. You can translate it any other way, but that is how I saw it, and it worked.


Those overtones just complimented the same exact chemistry we had seen in the past with Roseanne and Jackie, and if you focused on the political messages too hard, you were not getting any of the entertainment that the family as a whole expel throughout. My own side that I voted with has painted Roseanne out to be some sort of new age, Trump-supporting Nazi sympathizer, and has now dug up random quotes and controversies in order to attempt to bury her successful return because they are suddenly upset that this large figure is poking fun of them. On the other side, those who fall right are acting like Roseanne is suddenly a goddess for conservatives, painting her as this right-wing woman who stands up to those nasty liberals. For my friends on the left, if you watched the past show and not just clips on Buzzfeed, you will know that while her character made a choice in the election – her values are mostly still intact and are visible in plain sight, inside and beyond her own character. Based off the first two episodes, her same ideals, intelligence, and wit are coated with her crazy and loud exterior and continue to be the very fabric that makes Roseanne such a fascinating and relatable character.

For those on the right, did you even watch past the first scene? This show is soaked in acceptance, pride, and all of those things that many of you call sin. Just because your President congratulated Miss Barr, did you seriously think this was for only you? No, it was for everyone. For families, for past fans, for people who want to laugh. If you ask me, Roseanne Barr is sitting back, laughing her ass off because both sides have covered this show with the exact same over-the-top presence that is seen on screen. Can we not see ourselves, now ripping each other to shreds over a reunion arc for a classic television show? Roseanne is right, people are funny – and this writing absolutely captured our current political climate to a tee by doing barely anything, as everyone who has covered or commented on it have lost their damn minds, forgetting this is entertainment and we should just be glad it’s good. It is so ironic, but when you look between the lines, the message is so clear – and I can hear that cackling laugh in my head as such headstrong entities bash heads over something that is allowing us to chuckle at how silly we all are.


Roseanne’s reboot has seven episodes left of her return, and everyone is still invited. Forget about what you heard her say on Twitter or saw her do years ago that was wrong. She is a comedian, and just like Griffin, Godfrey, and just about every other notable comic from the era, she does and will always do controversial things. As a viewer then and now, I still see why this sitcom has such a hold on its audience, as this family is Roseanne’s realistic view from a writer’s standpoint of modern America, and I personally think it is time to stop arguing and enjoy one last, long ride through Lanford. This time though, lets check the baggage at the door.

Attack on Titan 2 Review

Travis Bruno
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Attack on Titan 2 Review

Attack on Titan 2

Developer: Omega Force
Publisher: Koei Tecmo
Platform: PlayStation 4, Xbox One (Reviewed), Windows
Release Date: 14 March 2018
Price: $59.99 USD – Available Here / $99.95 AUD – Available Here

Overview

Some may say that the Attack on Titan craze has severely diminished over the four years it took the franchise to see its second anime season but the plethora of side-stories, spin-offs, and of course the main storyline being continued in the manga, many fans have stuck around and for these fans Koei Tecmo has brought over Attack on Titan 2. Does this second entry from Omega Force warrant a purchase?

Story

The storyline for Attack on Titan takes place in a world where humanity lives behind extremely large walls that serve to protect them from gigantic monstrosities known as Titans. These human-like creatures are known for only one thing, mindlessly eating any human they come across and generally ignoring anything else and while humanity has managed to live in peace for years, this all comes to an end when a colossal Titan smashes through the outermost wall and brings humanity to the brink of extinction once again.

The fall of this bastion of humanity forces humanity to flee further within the limited space of the walls and results in the death of Eren Yeager’s mother as well as the protagonist’s entire family. I say protagonist because unlike the first game, players will instead be taking on the role of an unnamed soldier (that is named by the player) who is called “Our Man” by the narrator. This character serves as a way for players to experience the storyline from the main series through a separate set of eyes that witnesses some events never before shown as well as a chance to bond with characters that Eren generally wouldn’t have interacted with.

For those who have never experienced Attack on Titan the game does a great job of walking you through the whole entry point to the series by covering numerous elements that are explained throughout the first season and this new viewpoint also allows fans of the series to at least experience things through a fresh set of eyes. That being said, the story only continues to the point where Attack on Titan’s second season comes to an end meaning the actual content that takes place after what happens in the first game can be a bit disappointing to some even if the fights on offer here and the major revelations does offer plenty of new lore for those who have only been playing the games or watching the anime so far.

As mentioned before, one thing that players can do in this second game happens to be speaking with numerous named characters throughout both seasons. “Our Man” as they are called can become close friends with a large number of characters by talking with them between missions, selecting various dialogue choices, giving them presents, and fighting alongside them in any battle they appear in. As you grow friendly with these characters you can learn new pieces of their backstory and see various little scenes that fans of the franchise will appreciate especially since some give us a new look at characters often relegated to background status as well as some new information for others who were never given much detail.

Gameplay

The first thing that players will end up doing in the game is create and name their avatar who is called “Our Man” from that point on in the story. The character creation system is quite in-depth as players can create a male or female character of various anime-style designs with a wide array of features to choose from. In fact, players can even choose to dye their clothing different colors to make sure they stand out from the rest of the characters in the game. If you tire of your appearance you can also change it after a certain point in the game’s story mode or any time in the “Another” mode.

After this point players will be run through the gambit of how to operate the game’s “Omni-Directional Gear” known more commonly as ODM that serves as the way players will navigate through most of the game. The control scheme here has changed little from the way it handled in the first game so newcomers are given plenty of time to learn the ropes while returning fans can dust off the cobwebs and get right back to slicing off Titan limbs and attacking their napes.

As before, players will navigate by swinging around using the ODM’s anchors and approach Titans that must be locked onto to engage. The movement in Attack on Titan 2 remains incredibly fluid with players feeling like they are truly moving at incredible speeds once they’ve begun to upgrade their gear. That being said moving around some tight spaces can still cause the player character to flail around a bit, making navigation around some buildings a bit troublesome.

Once engaged you can target five different points on a Titan, their four limbs and the nape of their neck and when you latch onto a part you can opt to zoom around the monster to get a better angle and simply stop moving to zip towards your target, pressing Y to deliver a slicing blow. Damage dealt will vary depending on the angle of your attack, the speed you were coming in at, and of course whether you were actually targeting that part. It also will vary depending on whether or not your blades have been damaged to the point of being replaced.

Similar to the previous game blades and canisters (used to move around Titans and gain speed boosts while navigating) will run out over use and since players can only carry so many at a time you will need to replenish your stock after a period of time. Unlike the past game players can now resupply using bases scattered around the maps and even build bases yourself using flare guns in predetermined locations. These bases range from those that simply resupply all of the items you have equipped to mining for additional resources that will be awarded at the end of a fight alongside other rewards and used to upgrade gear, firing off automated cannon fire, and even serving as traps that will explode whenever a Titan attacks them.

Another added element to Attack on Titan 2 is the ability to use net guns that will allow the player to capture Titans. Many of these require a player to slice off the legs or all limbs of a Titan first but this does add an additional way to eliminate foes and also unlock special items when your Titan Research level is raised. One element added to this game does become rather tedious however and that is the fact that every level now ends with one or more “boss” Titans. Outside of a few rare battles these boss battles are simply large abnormal Titans that have bodies that are nearly impervious to attack unless you weaken them first by attacking the glowing green aura that often moves around their limbs. Since most of these Titans tend to be rather simple in nature, these fights boil down to being nothing more than a chore as you slash away at a health sponge that drags the gameplay to a halt from what is otherwise a fast paced and highly enjoyable experience.

When you aren’t out in the field you will be in the “Daily Life” segments. Here players can walk around different parts of the cities and talk with a large number of named characters. As mentioned before players will receive various bonuses by becoming friends with all of these characters that are then equipped as skills that range from boosting stats to providing new skills and even offering additional rewards. Players can also opt to invite most characters with them on scouting missions that guarantees that the character will appear with you, giving a better chance to raise their friendship meter and make use of their ally skill. These skills will vary depending on character with some being able to call reinforcements, others healing the player or teaming up with them to deal a combo attack, and the majority simply attacking a foe with certain characters being able to perform cinematic eliminations.

The “Another” mode mentioned earlier allows players to take on the aforementioned Scout missions either as their character or as other characters that they unlock through the story. These missions can be played either offline or online with other players with online offering a variety of modes ranging from competitive annihilation mode that pits two teams against each other to eliminate the most Titans to cooperative ones that can unlock special materials used for crafting.

Visuals & Audio

For the most part Attack on Titan 2 has only seen a small bump in graphics over its predecessor but that isn’t too much to be concerned about as the visuals match the aesthetic of the anime perfectly with the characters all fitting their designs quite nicely while a wide variety of creepy Titans are on display. It is worth noting that the blood level has also been increased quite a lot this time around as players will often find themselves slaying a Titan and bathing the entire area in sprays of its blood. The camera unfortunately has not been improved and the flailing nature of the Titans can often cause players to lose track of themselves or simply slice into a body part they weren’t aiming at simply because the camera has issues keeping up with the speed of the player’s movement and the flailing of a wounded Titan.

As far as the soundtrack goes, the background music is fairly standard for this entry in the series and doesn’t seem to have improved much over the previous entry. As for the voice acting, players will need to know that the game only features a Japanese voice track but all of the original voice actors have retained their role so most fans will still be pleased by their performances here.

Overall

Although a large portion of Attack on Titan 2 spends its time retreading a well-known storyline, placing players in a third party role adds a fresh perspective on the story and a chance to experience friendships never thought of before. There are a number of improvements to the game’s standard formula as well as some new drawbacks but for the most part fans of the series will be pleased with Attack on Titan 2 while newcomers will find a solid and fast-paced action game with a unique story that is worth trying out.

Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.

Drinkbox Studios’ To Bring Guacamelee! 2 To PC

Philip Federico
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Drinkbox Studios’ To Bring Guacamelee! 2 To PC

Highly Anticipated Luchador Brawler Coming to Steam

Toronto – March 30th, 2018 – Independent video game developer Drinkbox Studios is announcing today that the studio is bringing its Mexican-themed co-op-multiplayer Metroidvania action-platforming game Guacamelee! 2 to PC via Steam. Releasing “soon,” players can get a taste of the sequel to the award-winning luchador brawler at PAX East by meeting with Drinkbox in the Indie MEGABOOTH. Starting today Steam users can add the game to their wishlist here:

http://store.steampowered.com/app/534550/Guacamelee_2/

Guacamelee! 2 expands upon the original game by introducing new levels, enemies, bosses and gameplay mechanics for the ultimate high-flying luchador experience. The game picks up seven years after the original story. Juan Aguacate is living a happy life with his family, when his friend and trainer Uay Chivo discovers a new evil menace that threatens to destroy not only Mexico, but time and space itself.

“We’re thrilled to announce that Guacamelee! 2 will be coming soon to a Steam Store near you!” said Graham Smith, Co-Founder of Drinkbox Studios. “Drinkbox Studios is also about to turn 10 years old! In celebration of our anniversary and this new announcement, we’ve decided to put the entire Drinkbox Steam catalog on sale at 90% off.”

Guacamelee! 2 will include a bevy of new features, including:

  • New Player Mechanics – Experience all new mechanics like Eagle Boost, a hooking mechanic that allows Juan to attach and fly through “boost points” in the environment
  • Super Chicken! – A unique set of new abilities and moves for the chicken form, giving the player more varied and interesting chicken gameplay
  • New Enemies and Environments – Guacamelee 2 takes place in a whole new part of Mexico, with completely new areas, enemies, and bosses
  • 4-Player Local Co-op – Take on enemies as a solo luchador, or with a group of friends!
  • Visual Enhancements – Redesigned lighting system for both characters and environments to take advantage of advanced hardware rendering features

    For more information regarding Guacamelee! 2 please visit the game’s website, or Drinkbox Studios’ Twitter or Facebook pages.

About Drinkbox Studios

Founded in 2008, Drinkbox Studios is the independent, Toronto-based video game developer responsible for creating games such as Mutant Blobs Attack!, Guacamelee! and Severed.

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Nintendo Brings Top Games and Fun Competitions to PAX East

Philip Federico
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Nintendo Brings Top Games and Fun Competitions to PAX East

DARK SOULS: REMASTERED, Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus and Standout Indie Games Offer Something for Everyone

REDMOND, Wash.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Nintendo plans a big lineup of fun games for PAX East attendees to try next month, many playable by the public on Nintendo Switch for the first time ever. The Nintendo booth will feature upcoming games like DARK SOULS: REMASTERED from Bandai Namco Entertainment, Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus from Bethesda Softworks, and Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition and Sushi Striker: The Way of Sushido from Nintendo.

Nintendo plans a big lineup of fun games for PAX East attendees to try next month, many playable by the public on Nintendo Switch for the first time ever. The Nintendo booth will feature upcoming games like DARK SOULS: REMASTERED from Bandai Namco Entertainment, Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus from Bethesda Softworks, and Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition and Sushi Striker: The Way of Sushido from Nintendo. (Photo: Business Wire)

Nintendo also will offer a special selection of playable, unreleased indie games within the Nindie Arcade, located in the Nintendo booth. These “Nindies,” the term for independent developers making games for Nintendo systems, will be available to talk about their respective games. Some of these indie titles were also featured on the March 20 Nindie Showcase, which can be viewed here: http://live.nintendo.com/. Booth visitors will also get the chance to compete in informal four-on-four Splatoon 2 matches, mini-game challenges in the Super Mario Odyssey game and Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze speed runs, among other activities. The PAX East conference takes place April 5-8 at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center.

“We love being able to get fun games from Nintendo and our partners into the hands of some of our biggest fans,” said Doug Bowser, Nintendo of America’s Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “PAX East gives us the opportunity to showcase some of the best new and upcoming games for Nintendo Switch.”

In addition to free poster giveaways at the Nintendo booth, visitors who check in using their My Nintendo QR Code at the booth will receive a My Nintendo pass on a first-come, first-served basis. These passes will allow them access to a priority line to skip ahead to play select games during specified times. Those who do not receive passes will receive a My Nintendo pin. Visit https://my.nintendo.com for more information. The posters, passes and pins are all available while supplies last.

Nintendo Switch games scheduled to appear at the Nintendo booth include:

Indie games to be playable in the Nindie Arcade include:

*First time playable by the public.

Remember that Nintendo Switch features parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about other features, visit http://www.nintendo.com/switch/.

About Nintendo: The worldwide pioneer in the creation of interactive entertainment, Nintendo Co., Ltd., of Kyoto, Japan, manufactures and markets hardware and software for its Nintendo Switch™ system and the Nintendo 3DS™ family of portable systems. Since 1983, when it launched the Nintendo Entertainment System™, Nintendo has sold more than 4.5 billion video games and more than 710 million hardware units globally, including Nintendo Switch and the Nintendo 3DS family of systems, as well as the Game Boy™, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS™ family of systems, Super NES™, Nintendo 64™, Nintendo GameCube™, Wii™ and Wii U™ systems. It has also created industry icons that have become well-known, household names, such as Mario, Donkey Kong, Metroid, Zelda and Pokémon. A wholly owned subsidiary, Nintendo of America Inc., based in Redmond, Wash., serves as headquarters for Nintendo’s operations in the Americas. For more information about Nintendo, please visit the company’s website at http://www.nintendo.com.

Code: Realize Limited Editions Available Now in North America

Philip Federico
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Code: Realize Limited Editions Available Now in North America

New releases of the popular gothic steampunk adventure series feature
premium collectibles

Torrance, Calif. – March 30, 2018 – Two special editions of the popular otome (or interactive fiction) series Code: Realize for the PlayStation®4 system and the PlayStation®Vita system hit retailers in North America today, each featuring a variety of exclusive collectibles and content. Developed by Idea Factory, the Code: Realize games let players explore the story of Cardia and her adventures in a steampunk version of Victorian England, where she encounters a cast of intriguing gentlemen based on characters from history and literature.

The edition for the PS Vita system includes the Code Realize: ~Future Blessings~ game, a full-color 17×24 printed cloth banner featuring the gentlemen of Code: Realize, set of nine 1.5″ metal buttons with chibi character art, eight exclusive 4×6 bromide character cards, and a custom slipcase to unite your ~Future Blessings~ game with your ~Guardian of Rebirth~ game (sold separately). The PS4™ system edition entitled Code: Realize ~Bouquet of Rainbows~ includes both ~Future Blessings~ and ~Guardian of Rebirth~ on a single disc, plus the full-color banner, metal character pins and character cards.

About the Code: Realize Universe
The story begins with the main character, Cardia, isolated and alone in a mansion on the outskirts of a 19th century steampunk version of London. A victim of a mysterious affliction that makes her blood a virulent poison and her touch instantly lethal, Cardia is shunned as a monster. Through a number of events both grand and seemingly insignificant, Cardia is pursued by the Royal Guard, kidnapped by the gentleman thief Arsène Lupin, and joined by a myriad of other handsome figures out of the best of western literature. With her new-found friends (and suitors) Cardia ventures out in the world to unravel the mysteries surrounding her very existence.

The Code: Realize games have been rated “T” for Teen by the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB). For more information, visit http://coderealize.us/

About Aksys Games
Founded in 2006 in Torrance, California, Aksys Games Localization, Inc. is a visionary video game publisher committed to publishing unique and high-quality interactive content for all current-generation platforms. Its lineup of games includes the critically acclaimed Zero Escape series (Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors, Virtue’s Last Reward, Zero Time Dilemma) as well as the wildly successful BlazBlue and Guilty Gear franchises. More information about Aksys Games and its unique products can be found on the company’s website, www.aksysgames.com

Red Faction Guerrilla Re-Mars-Tered Edition Announced for PC and Consoles

Jamie Laike Tsui
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Red Faction Guerrilla Re-Mars-Tered Edition Announced for PC and Consoles

THQ Nordic have turned their attention to one of the most beloved games in the old THQ library, Red Faction Guerrilla. Originally released for PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox One, the game was known for its wide open depiction of Mars and its clever use of building destruction as a gameplay mechanic.

Dubbed Red Faction Guerrilla Re-Mars-Tered Edition, the new version will be coming to PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Windows. The graphics have been upgraded with higher quality textures, improved lighting, modern graphical features, and native 4K support. Xbox One X support will be coming, but no word on support for PlayStation 4 Pro.

THQ Nordic will be releasing Red Faction Guerrilla Re-Mars-Tered Edition sometime in Q2 2018.

Conquer the Skies With Guns of Icarus Alliance on PlayStation®4 May 1st 

Philip Federico
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Conquer the Skies With Guns of Icarus Alliance on PlayStation®4 May 1st 

Preorder The Ultimate Team-Based Combat Game For PS4 Starting Today 

New York City – March 29, 2018 – Assemble a daring crew to battle for sky supremacy with Guns of Icarus Alliance, out May 1 on PlayStation 4 for $14.99. The team-based, pirate airship combat game from indie developer Muse Games is the first to offer cross-platform play and voice chat between PS4 and Steam players. Starting today, players can preorder Guns of Icarus Alliance and receive a 25% discount, a ship figurehead and a costume set forged exclusively for those that preorder.

Guns of Icarus Alliance: PS4 Edition is the ultimate steampunk airship combat game, complete with an ongoing war between six elite factions vying for control of a ravaged world. Up to 32 players can engage in epic PvP airship battles, with four players manning each ship, or team up with their faction to take on the game’s AI in heart-pounding PvE skirmishes. Players take on the roles of Pilots, Engineers and Gunners, and work with their crew towards victory. During battle players will repair the ship’s armor, gun down enemy balloons, and deftly weave in and out of combat to dominate the skies in a variety of game modes and maps. Regardless of what platform an air pirate and their crew is playing from, the game fully supports cross-platform voice chat to help the group become a cohesive unit. In this ever-changing universe, a team’s successes and failures constantly shape and reshape the world based on who dominates the battlefield. In the skies of Guns of Icarus, players and their teammates triumph or perish, together.

“Making the first game to fully provide cross-platform voice chat was a monumental task for the development team, but we knew in order to experience Guns of Icarus the correct way we had to implement it in both the PS4 and PC versions,” said Howard Tsao, Team Lead at Muse Games. “In Guns of Icarus Alliance a team’s successes and failures depends on their communication skills, and our voice chat allows players to become a coordinated unit, regardless of platform.”

For more information on Guns of Icarus Alliance please visit the game’s website, Twitter or Facebook.

 

About Muse Games
Muse Games is an independent games development studio based in New York City.  We’re a passionate bunch that makes games that we enjoy playing. We take creative risks and are always thinking about ways to push games forward. The company is best known for its Guns of Icarus series, as well as CreaVures and its upcoming title Hamsterdam.

 

Nintendo Download: Why Did Toki Tori Cross the Road?

Philip Federico
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0

Nintendo Download: Why Did Toki Tori Cross the Road?

REDMOND, Wash.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– This week’s Nintendo Download includes the following featured content:

Penny-Punching Princess will be available on April 3. (Graphic: Business Wire)

  • Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch
    • Penny-Punching Princess – The Penny-Punching Princess game is an isometric brawler that takes place in a world ruled by capitalism, where cash is king. Fight or bribe your way to reclaiming your kingdom from the greedy Dragoloans. Penny-Punching Princess will be available on April 3.
    • Toki Tori – Toki Tori isn’t very athletic. He can’t even jump! Take control of Toki Tori, a surprisingly heroic chicken, as he puzzles his way through 80+ levels. Use creative thinking and problem solving to collect all the eggs. The Toki Tori game will be available on March 30.

New DLC:

  • Xenoblade Chronicles 2 – New DLC is releasing for owners of the Xenoblade Chronicles 2 Expansion Pass. Buy the Expansion Pass to gain access to titanic new content, including the pack below and a new story this fall. To learn more, visit the Xenoblade Chronicles 2 site. (Full version of game required to use DLC.)
    • New Quests Pack 2 – Launching at 10 p.m. PT today
      • Nopon of Good Tastes (Talk to Bipopo near Galad Residential Zone in Gormott. Available after adding Poppi.)
      • Cleared of All Charges (Talk to Strath in Fonsett, Leftheria. Requires Perun, Godfrey and Perceval.)
      • Beneath the Aurora (Talk to Len at Rigitte Harbor in Leftheria. Available from Chapter 6.)
      • Upgrades and Tinkering (Examine the table in Tora’s house. Requires Tora. Available from Chapter 8.)
      • Most Awful News?! (Stay at the inn in Tantal. Requires Finch’s Birdbrain Lv.3 and Zeke. Available from Chapter 10.)
  • Fire Emblem Warriors Season Pass (for Nintendo Switch/New Nintendo 3DS) – Expand your Fire Emblem Warriors adventure with DLC. All three DLC Packs for the Fire Emblem Warriors game are now available! Here’s what’s in the new Fire Emblem Awakening DLC pack release: three new playable characters (Owain, Tharja and Olivia), three new History Maps, new costumes, new armor break models, new support conversations, new weapons and new weapon attributes. If you already purchased the Season Pass, this DLC Pack, as well as the Fire Emblem Fates Pack and Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon Pack, are available to you at no additional cost. The Fire Emblem Warriors Season Pass, as well as the Fire Emblem Awakening DLC Pack, can be purchased on the game’s site. Note: new costumes, character-exclusive weapons and weapon attributes must be unlocked as rewards from playing through the new History Maps. The full version of the game is required to use the DLC.

Nintendo eShop sales:

Activities:

  • Upcoming ARMS Events – Exciting new ARMS events are stretching your way! It’s hard to believe, but ARMS, the stretchy fighting game for the Nintendo Switch system, is almost a year old. Whether you’re a newcomer to the game or a seasoned veteran, there’s no better time to get into the game, thanks to three upcoming ARMS events:
    • ARMS U.S. & CANADA ONLINE OPEN – After fighting through a tough online qualifier, eight top ARMS players and four alternates will meet in the online finals at 10 a.m. PT on March 31. The finals will be streamed online for all to see, so be sure to check it out.
    • ARMS Global Testpunch – A global Testpunch demo for the ARMS game, which lets Nintendo Switch owners try out select modes for free, will be running for three days starting at 9 p.m. PT on March 30 and ending at 8:59 p.m. PT on April 2. To participate, players just have to download the Testpunch in Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch.
    • Save on ARMS – Ready to buy? Starting at 9 p.m. PT on March 30, you can get the ARMS game for 30 percent off in Nintendo eShop or on Nintendo.com. Act fast, though, as the sale ends at 8:59 a.m. PT on April 6.

Don’t forget to redeem your Gold Points toward your purchase of the game. For more info about My Nintendo rewards, visit https://my.nintendo.com. For more information about ARMS, head to https://arms.nintendo.com/.

  • April My Nintendo Rewards – There’s a lot to love about the month of April, but nothing says, “I love you, sis!” or “I love you, bro!” like National Siblings Day on April 10. It’s a great day to show your brothers or sisters that you really appreciate them. You can even let them win at a video game for once! In honor of this special day, My Nintendo is offering wallpapers and an April calendar featuring the Mario Bros. You can redeem your My Nintendo reward points and plaster your PC or smart device with Mario and Luigi, the most famous siblings in the Mushroom Kingdom. My Nintendo is also offering discounts, using your My Nintendo reward points, for select games that feature Mario and Luigi. For more info, visit http://my.nintendo.com/news.

Also new this week:

In addition to video games available at retail stores, Nintendo also offers a variety of content that people can download directly to their systems. Nintendo adds new games weekly to Nintendo eShop on the Nintendo Switch console, the Wii U console and the Nintendo 3DS family of systems.

Nintendo eShop is a cash-based service that features a wide variety of content, including new and classic games, applications and demos. Users can add money to their account balances by using a credit card or purchasing a Nintendo eShop Card at a retail store and entering the code from the card. All funds from one card must be loaded in Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch, Wii U or the Nintendo 3DS family of systems, but can be used in any Nintendo eShop if the systems are linked to a single Nintendo Account.

Customers in the U.S. and Canada ages 18 and older can also link a PayPal account to their Nintendo Account to purchase digital games and content for the Nintendo Switch system both on-device and from the Nintendo website. Once the accounts are linked, users may also use PayPal as a payment option when buying digital content for the Wii U or Nintendo 3DS family systems from the Nintendo website.

Remember that Nintendo Switch, Wii U, Wii, New Nintendo 3DS, New Nintendo 3DS XL, Nintendo 3DS, New Nintendo 2DS XL and Nintendo 2DS feature parental controls that let adults manage some of the content their children can access. Nintendo 3DS players who register a Nintendo Network ID gain access to free-to-start games and free game demos from Nintendo eShop, and also get the latest news and information direct from Nintendo. For more information about this and other features, visit http://www.nintendo.com/switch, http://www.nintendo.com/wiiu or http://www.nintendo.com/3ds.

Fully customize your car to achieve racing perfection

Philip Federico
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0

Fully customize your car to achieve racing perfection

Gotcha Racing 2nd Drifts onto the Nintendo Switch!

Torrance, California – March 29, 2018 – Arc System Works America, Inc. is pleased to announce that Gotcha Racing 2nd hits the Nintendo Switch eShop today!

Gather parts from the gacha and customize your own original machine. Win a variety of races and aim for the top of the Grand Prix!

Roll the gacha by using prize money won from racing, and upgrade your car to become even better. There are over 700 varieties of parts to choose from, and you can even fuse your remaining parts to make the machine more powerful. Design your own dream race car and leave your competition in the dust.

Machine specs and parts aren’t the only thing that can make the difference in the match. Use your machine actions and heat up the race! Use a variety of different effects such as Boost, Barrier, Interference, and more to defeat your rivals!

Drive in 16 courses with intuitive and simple controls and easy drifting. Enjoy the game in both single and multiplayer modes.

Features

  • GRAND PRIX
    Race, acquire new parts  to upgrade your car from the gacha machine, and win to advance through the ranks in the Grand Prix. Can you become the champion?
  • GACHA MACHINE
    Gain a never ending stream of new parts for your car. Fuse old parts together to constantly improve.
  • TIME ATTACK 
    Compete for the best time in each course. In addition to the normal Time Attack, there are Time Attack events where you can get special parts for your car. Your time can be submitted online to compete against the world. Do you have what it takes to win against your rivals worldwide?
  • VERSUS
    Race against your friends with up to four players! Enjoy exciting races anywhere at anytime, both offline and online!
  • MINI GAMES
    Enjoy some diversions with friends, like the Mini GP race, playable with unusual controls or Car Battle where you use spin attack to knock your opponents off from the square shaped stage.
  • CUSTOMIZATION HEAVEN
    Build your dream race car to your exact specifications! With over 700 parts to work with, the possibilities are endless.

Title : Gotcha Racing 2nd
Genre : Gacha-Customize Racing
Release Date : March 29th, 2018
Price : $ 9.99 / € 9.99
ESRB : EVERYONE
No. of Players : 1 player online 1-4 players offline
Platform : Nintendo Switch™

For more information, visit the following website: http://www.arcsystemworks.jp/arcstyle/gacharacing2nd/

About Arc System Works
Arc System Works is a developer and fighting game specialist from Japan — best known for the Guilty Gear and BlazBlue series — that has garnered international critical acclaim for their innovative fighting systems, unique character designs and world settings, and spectacular 2D artwork.

“If you want a 2D Fighting game done right, go to Arc System Works.”
For more information, please visit the official website at www.arcsystemworks.com
All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

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