After five years of development and almost three years of Steam Early Access testing, Starboundwill finally reach a full 1.0 release on July 22. Developers Chucklefish assured gamers in their recent blog post that while Starbound will be considered a full release, the game will still be under active development as they expect to add new features to the game in the coming months. More information about the 1.0 release will be posted over the next two weeks.
Starboundis a universe sized sandbox set on a 2D plane. The universe is filled with hundreds of randomly generated planets to explore and features a full quest line. The game supports both single and multiplayer and boasts an extensive library of user created mods. The game is available on Steamfor $14.99 USD.
Big news for fans of Atlus and Sega titles in Europe. These companies have announced that they are going to be working with Deep Silver in order to help bring Atlus and Sega-brand titles to European and PAL territories. This news comes a few months after the announcement that NIS America would no longer be handling the titles in these territories.
This deal will cover a wide array of titles in the future, both physically and digitally, and so far the following titles have been confirmed by the company: 7th Dragon III Code: VFD, Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse, and Persona 5.
Atlus USA has announced that they are aiming to have Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse released digitally and physically in North America on September 20th. It is worth noting that although the game has been announced for Europe, that no release date has been announced at this time. To go along with this announcement the company has released a new trailer for Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse focusing on introducing a number of characters that players will run into and work with, including a few familiar faces from the previous game.
You can check out the video above and the character descriptions below:
Nanashi – Nanashi is the silent player controlled protagonist who’s trying to become a full fledged member of the Hunter Association. He gets murdered early in the game by a demon, but is given a second chance at life by the god Dagda. In return, he must serve as Dagda’s personal “Godslayer” in the world changing events to come…
Asahi – The ever optimistic Asahi is Nanashi’s childhood friend/Hunter Association teammate. She’s eager to prove herself in the field, but will need to overcome her doubts in order to become a key member of the group.
Navarre – This familiar Samurai from the Eastern Kingdom of Mikado is making a return! Well sort of, because Navarre is no longer what we would call “alive.” He’s now a green ghost who can use his ethereal powers to the benefit of the team.
Nozomi – Nozomi is another familiar character who is the newly appointed Fairy Queen working under the protection of the goddess Danu. She’s a level-headed and mature ally who will provide valuable skills and insight for the party.
Hallelujah– This young gray haired individual is a member of the Ashura-kai gang, who is ordered to join Nanashi and co. in their journey to “watch” them. Hallelujah is accompanied by his foxlike pet demon Chironnupu, who will support him in battle.
Gaston – Gaston, or as he likes to call himself Gaston the Magnificent, is the brash and arrogant younger brother of Navarre. He is the leader of an elite squad of Samurai called the Crusaders and will undoubtedly be a useful partner during fights. That is, if players can stand his braggadocios nature, but you know what they say, “no one fights like Gaston!”
Toki – This mysterious Oni mask wearing girl in black is an assassin for the Ring of Gaea faction. She absolutely does not have an ulterior motive for joining the squad. Nope, totally doesn’t have a hidden agenda or anything like that.
Isabeau – This steadfast Samurai is the best friend and confidant of the heroic Flynn. Isabeau is an experienced warrior who will act as a great role model for the younger members of the party.
Acquire has released the first in what will likely be a series of character introduction videos for Akiba’s Beat and this first one of course focuses on introducing the main protagonist for the title, Asahi Tachibana. Asahi is a nineteen year old man that has moved to Tokyo in an effort to go to college but has since dropped out and has been living the NEET life in Akihabara.
That all changes though when an “eroded delusion” appears before him. Check out the trailer below and keep an eye out for the game sometime later this year for the PlayStation 4 and PS Vita from XSEED Games.
After having a very strong fan following in Japan, some of the Touhou fan games are now making their way to the West and NIS America is handling two of these games, the RPG roguelike Touhou Genso Wanderer and the bullet-hell styled Touhou Genso Rondo: Bullet Ballet.
The company has recently released a new video for both of these titles with the Touhou Genso Wanderer video focusing on showing off gameplay as well as characters while the Bullet Ballet video focuses primarily on showing off the characters that players will be able to play as.
Bandai Namco is continuing with their series of character introduction videos for the thirteen idols that will be appearing in The Idolmaster: Platinum Stars. So far we have seen introduction trailers for Takane Shijou, Chihaya Kisaragi, Yayoi Takatsuki, Haruka Amami, and Iori Minase. Recently the company released a video introducing the first half of the Futami twins, Mami, and now this time they are introducing the second half, Ami Futami.
You can check out the highlight trailer for Ami below where a bit of dialogue and a bit of a performance is shown off and as for the game itself, The Idolmaster: Platinum Stars is currently set to be released in Japan on July 28th as a PlayStation 4 exclusive.
Aksys Games has announced that they are planning on localizing the Nihon Falcom developed JRPG Tokyo Xanadu. The company is aiming on releasing the title on the PlayStation Vita as well as the PC with the PC version coming through Steam and the Vita version being offered both physically and digitally sometime in the first half of 2017.
Tokyo Xanadu was originally released in Japan last September and although a new enhanced version of the game is currently being developed for the PlayStation 4 called Tokyo Xanadu Ex+, Aksys stated that they did not have any plans to localize that version at the time.
It’s finally the end of a long work week, so celebrate with a brand new Indie GalaFriday Special Bundle. This month brings 10 great indie games for only $3.49.
For a minimum purchase of $1.00, buyers will receive:
Milford Heaven – Luken’s Chronicles – Milford Heaven is under attack from monsters, explore the castle and try to put a stop to them in this top down hack’n slash.
Soul of the Devil – A non-linear RPG starring an average guy forced to make a decision: protect humanity or make a deal with the devil himself?
Watson’s Watch – Watson’s vacation comes to an early end as people begin going missing.
For a minimum purchase price of $3.49 during the first 24 hours of the sale, buyers will also receive:
Stardust Vanguards – A local four player dueling game with a random event system that makes each match unique.
There Came an Echo – A squad based RTS designed to be played with voice commands.
Battle Forever – A retro style beat ’em up featuring four characters, 13 levels, and a survival mode.
The Bug Butcher – A fast based shoot ’em up inspired by the classic shooter Super Pang.
Infection: Humanity’s Last Gasp – Based on a board game by John Gibson, players will need to rely on their wits to manage a team of researcher to stop a deadly virus from wiping out humanity.
AdvertCity – Take control of your very own advertising firm in this procedurally generated tycoon game.
Music Wars Empire – A music label tycoon sim that will have players grappling with difficult business choices and artists with tough demands.
For the first 24 hours of the sale, the bundle is only $3.49, so grab your copy at Indie Gala before the price goes up.
2K and Firaxis Games today revealed that Hojo Tokimune will lead Japan in Sid Meier’s Civilization VI, launching on Oct 21st for Windows PC.
Hojo Tokimune, born in 1251, was the eighth Shikken (de facto ruler, or Shogun-regent) of Japan. He is chiefly remembered for leading Japanese forces to victory against the invading Mongol Empire, as well as spreading Zen Buddhism throughout Japan and championing the Bushido way of life.
Tokimune was known to rule with an iron fist. After the Mongol Empire first attempted invasion in 1274 and was summarily defeated, it sent five emissaries to meet with Tokimune. These emissaries refused to leave without an audience with the Shikken, to which Tokimune responded by having them beheaded. To this day, the emissaries’ graves can be seen in the city of Kamakura.
Again, five more emissaries were sent, and again Tokimune had them all beheaded. This resulted in another invasion in 1281, and again it failed – this time in part due to an unforeseen typhoon.
As the threat of the Mongol Empire loomed over Japan for years, the samurai warrior class was a formidable force and led all of Japan’s defensive efforts, securing their legacy as one of the toughest warrior classes the world has ever known.
Unique Unit: Samurai
Samurai, or known as Bushi class, existed for nearly a thousand years in Japan. Bushido (“the way of the warrior”) was a codified set of rules and way of life adopted by a large number of noble clans throughout Japan. The samurai class wasn’t officially abolished in Japan until 1868 and, to this day, remains one of the most identifiable Japanese cultural touchstones.
Unique Building: Electronics Factory
With the invention of consumer electronics in the late 20th Century, Japan quickly became home to the largest electronics industry in the entire world. The first modern electronics factory was built by Sony in 1946, and Japanese innovations since have kept the country most profitable in what is easily the most competitive consumer landscape mankind has ever seen.
Tom Clancy’s The Division’s first DLC is “Underground.” It introduces a randomly generated dungeons set in the tunnels and sewers of New York City and the incursion Dragon’s Nest. Additionally, “Underground” brings a new challenge mode missions and gear to the game.
“Underground” brings in some much needed PVE end game content to Tom Clancy’s The Division. At launch, PVP minded players had plenty to keep them busy in the Dark Zone, but PVE players were stuck with a small handful of challenging mode dungeons. Two free patches brought two end game incursions to the game, which helped give the end game a bit more legs, but still felt a bit short for long term play. “Underground” looks to fix that with the new randomly created dungeons.
After an initial story mission to introduce the new dungeons, players are free to customize their own dungeons with several variables. The dungeon can consist of one to three waves, with each wave taking about 15 minutes to clear. There are also four difficulty levels available. As players gain underground levels from successfully completing underground dungeons, new modifiers like no mini-map or constantly falling health can be added to up the ante. The more challenging the dungeon, the better rewards provided at the end of the dungeon. The real challenge is that players have only one shot at the dungeon. If the entire group dies, players are sent back to the beginning to generate a new mission.
I like how flexible the new underground dungeons are. The ability to select the wave and difficulty means gaming groups can fit one more quick dungeon before dinner or really amp up the challenge with a lengthy and difficult run. The addition of the underground dungeons has caused some problems with the party system. To put together a party, all members have to either be in the new underground map or topside. Additionally, to get to the underground area involves a long, annoying walk down a very long tunnel. A similar walk is found at the entrance of the Base of Operations, but it is almost half the length as the underground walk. These are two small, but incredibly annoying quality of life issues.
“Underground” also adds the third incursion to the game. Dragon’s Nest is a Cleaners stronghold led by four incredibly tough members who name themselves after the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. It is a high mobility fight that is a nice change from the deliver the bomb standard that play major roles in Clear Sky and Falcon Lost. While the explosive RC cars are the bane of my existence now, Dragon’s Nest is an intense breath of fresh air.
For those looking for more to do in Manhattan, the update also introduces High Value Targets. Enemies have a chance to drop intel, which can be traded in for a time based mission. Those looking for a bigger challenge can grab a high risk version that gives players only one shot to complete the mission. Heroic difficulty has been added to a few dungeons and some older ones have had challenging difficult enabled, too.
One of the biggest changes I’m thankful for are the addition of weapon kits. These items can either be crafted or looted to reroll a weapon’s talents. Cost wise, it is much cheaper than crafting the same weapon over and over again.
“Underground” adds a solid amount of content for PVE players. There are some quality of life issues that could be addressed, especially that long annoying walk to the new areas. However, “Underground” is a step in the right direction for Tom Clancy’s The Division’s overall long term replay value.
After five years of development and almost three years of Steam Early Access testing, Starbound will finally reach a full 1.0 release on July 22. Developers Chucklefish assured gamers in their recent blog post that while Starbound will be considered a full release, the game will still be under active development as they expect to add new features to the game in the coming months. More information about the 1.0 release will be posted over the next two weeks.
