You may not be able to afford a trip to Japan, but you can bring a slice of Japan home with you with this week’s anime themed Indie GalaEvery Monday Bundle. This week packs 7 indie doujin titles for only $1.89.
Go! Go! Nippon! ~My First Trip to Japan~ – One part travel guide, one part dating sim, Go! Go! Nippon! will bring you to Japan’s must visit landmarks in the company of two lovely sisters.
Momodora III – A action platformer inspired by classic games focusing on linear level design and tons of secrets scattered throughout.
Beach Bounce– A three part visual novel set in a beach resort where protagonist Tomoyo must put his past to rest.
Divine Slice of Life – Aaki’s life is turned upside down when two demi-gods join the legion of women demanding a date.
Last Days of Spring Visual Novel – A young adult visual novel following a group of high school seniors coping with the last week of high school.
Orion: A Sci-Fi Visual Novel – After receiving a mysterious message, Sam must investigate the potential destruction of his home.
Sword of Asumi – This visual novel comes with both the deluxe edition content and all three DLCs.
The bundle is only $1.89 for the first 24 hours of the sale, so be sure to scoop up your copy at Indie Gala today.
Overview
A lot of big hits came out in 1977 in the industry of cinema. Star Wars, Smokey and the Bandit, and Annie Hall came out of that year and became legends, with the impact of those three films still being felt today. There are some movies however that were released that still live on thanks to their genre and “cult” fan following. One of those gems from the year is none other than “The Car”, starring James Brolin and Kathleen Lloyd. Scream Factory want us to revisit the flick that predated Christine and made audiences weary of walking down a street alone, bringing The Car to blu-ray for the first time ever with a good amount of special features in tow. How did this forgotten title fare after 38 years of time? Let’s find out.
Story
I remember seeing bits of pieces of The Car over the years, usually showing on those “always on” movie channels that you could find on cable during the early hours of the morning in the 90’s. Its funny though, as going in – only the first scene really seemed familiar, where two teenagers are happily riding their bikes before a mysterious vehicle inches closer and closer, causing the start in what becomes a path of destruction and death. The Car is a movie about a haunted vehicle that is on a killing spree. There isn’t a lot more to say about that part of the plot as the title (even though it is very basic) spells out exactly what the viewer is in store for. There is a black car. It runs over its victims. That about covers it.
What makes this film so great is the cast within. James Brolin plays the lead of Wade Parent, a cop and single father of two girls who are just starting to accept the possibility of moving on with his girlfriend Lauren (Kathleen Lloyd). The demonic car soon enters the picture and as an officer of the law, Wade Parent actively tries to pursue and solve the mystery of who is behind the wheel – or simply find out what is driving this unstoppable force. I almost would say that compared to conventional horror films of the decade, The Car is almost in the realm of sci-fi due to the supernatural themes surrounding it. That being said, The Car is still a horror flick because Director Elliot Silverstein was able to take a thing that is such commonplace society and turn it into a Michael Myers type villain. Its a slasher film without the blade, but still manages to cut deep due to how well the script is written and the scenes were shot.
Nobody aside from Brolin’s character and his girlfriend seem to have even the slightest bit of intelligence in their peaceful little town. I got into the movie and kept thinking “JUST JUMP OUT OF THE WAY” as the evil car performed murder after murder, but as more deaths occurred – the frustration of watching such stupidity faded and I felt a large smile creep up on my face. There is something extremely charming about The Car, as the cast are so blissfully unaware of what to do that it crosses into camp territory quickly, but as soon as you feel comfortable, laughing along to the ridiculousness of it all – it shocks you with its brilliance with scenes that combine the absurdity with absolute horror. The Car is a film that you have fun watching because it features a villain who feels unstoppable and a cast that is very human and vulnerable. Aside from a few small holes here and there and a lack of significant characters – it is still a blast to watch and has aged just as well as Halloween and Friday the 13th.
Special Features
This is a product of SHOUT! Factory, so you better believe there are some great special features in tow with this release. On top of the radio spots, trailers, galleries, and other original promotional pieces, the publisher was actually able to get Elliot Silverstein for an awesome interview about his work. I enjoyed that, but I found the most interesting interview included on the disc to be that of Melody Thomas Scott, who plays one of the bikers at the beginning. Yeah, she is only in the movie for less than ten minutes, but still brings the greatest discussion in terms of on-set secrets and such. I want to say this was one of the first times I have saw an interview included in the special features of any film where a former cast member actually spoke of a lot of negative experiences without sugarcoating her dialogue. I won’t spoil her words, but those who love the little things like this will enjoy her and Geraldine Keams (another minor player) speaking about their time shooting The Car, as well going in depth further regarding the lore of the film.
Visuals
I watched the trailer for The Car before seeing the film, and I must say SHOUT definitely brought the best looking version of the film they could get here as it is free of film grain and looks pretty crisp for its age throughout its entirety. The film is also well shot and takes advantage of filters and other techniques to give the car its own, unique perspective. All we can see most of the time is a yellow filter through the inside of a car while this vehicle creeps up, and that is just enough to do the job – showing how creative Hollywood used to be before the era of CGI. There are also a lot of explosions and while some are laughable, others are awe inducing and make the film seem like it had a bigger budget than it actually did. Again, some nice creativity at work here, folks.
Audio
As for the audio, the score for The Car is great – if not a bit of a copycat. You remember that haunting and now famous “dun dun, dun dun” from Jaws? Well, The Car doesn’t directly sample it, but it does go for the same approach when having its motorized antagonist slowly go after its many victims to a tune that definitely has the same stalking presence. There is still a lot of camp because of this music, but there is nothing wrong with that as in my opinion, horror films from this era are great because they use a bit of cheese to balance out the raw horror blended within the scenes from the film. I will say that I would have loved to hear some commentary from the cast, but sadly – we will have to settle for a decent helping of interviews instead.
Overall
The Car is a film that captures everything about the “slasher” sub-genre of horror and flips it on its head, creating a killer that is both ridiculous and terrifying. Even though it drives on the line of other genres such as action and science fiction, it still manages to pack a horrifying punch with some of the greatest chase scenes in motion picture history, with a cast that are just as likable as they are talented. The special features also deserve a great round of applause as the interviews are fantastic and movie buffs are sure to enjoy the radio advertisements and trailers that have not been unleashed for quite some time. The Car is a non-stop thrillride from start to finish, and will make you look both ways before crossing a windy avenue.
Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.
Award-Winning Composer Mikolai Stroinski Joins CI Games’ Sniper Ghost Warrior 3 Development Team
WARSAW, Poland – Nov. 23, 2015 – CI Games is pleased to announce that award-winning composer Mikolai Stroinski has joined the Sniper Ghost Warrior 3 development team. Stroinski signed the agreement with CI Games shortly after receiving three nominations at this year’s Hollywood Music in Media Awards.
“Sniper Ghost Warrior 3 is a top-notch, AAA production, and it deserves music composed by the absolute best. We are really pleased to have Mikolai Stroinski join our roster of talented artists and developers,” said Marek Tyminski, CEO of CI Games.
Born in Kenya and raised in Poland, Stroinski lives and writes music in Los Angeles, where he was able to open his own studio thanks to his work for leading television networks like HBO, CBS, FOX, ABC and many others. His work in video games has earned him three nominations from the Hollywood Music in Media Awards, including Best Original Score – Video Game for both The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – together with Marcin Przybylowicz – and The Vanishing of Ethan Carter, as well as Best Song – Video Game for “Valley of the Blinding Mist” from The Vanishing of Ethan Carter, with vocals by Kyler England.
“I am really pleased to be a part of the Sniper Ghost Warrior 3 development team,” said Mikolai Stroinski. “Working on the first FPS in my career is an exciting experience, especially because the story is so intriguing and multilayered, the war is shown in such a multidimensional way. It’s certainly going to be reflected in the game’s music.”
The Sniper: Ghost Warrior franchise has sold over 5.6 million copies worldwide, and its third entry is the most ambitious title in CI Games’ history. Set in a diverse open world, Sniper Ghost Warrior 3 will give gamers degrees of freedom and choice never before seen in a sniper shooter. Presented at E3 and gamescom, the game has already gained a lot of attention and will be released next year.
ABOUT CI GAMES
CI Games is an international developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment products with sales in more than 50 countries worldwide. Headquartered in Warsaw, Poland, CI Games was established in 2002 and has been listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange since 2007. CI Games’ global operations distinguish it as one of the most dynamic development companies in the industry, with development and distribution offices in Poland, the United States, Germany and Canada. CI Games’ portfolio includes the best-selling Sniper: Ghost Warrior franchise, with over 5.6 million copies sold worldwide. The company is currently working on a number of high-profile, multiplatform games, including an open world survival shooter, Sniper Ghost Warrior 3, and an action RPG, Lords of the Fallen 2. For more information on CI Games, please visit: www.cigames.com.
Hanabee Entertainment announced three new anime releases for Australia over the weekend. All of them are scheduled for release on December 10, 2015. Unless otherwise stated, all of the following releases have a suggested retail price of $49.99 AUD. The cover art for each of the releases is featured in the gallery below.
ALDNOAH.ZERO Part One will be released on DVD and Blu-ray. It will feature episodes 1-6 with dual audio and English subtitles. The commercials and textless opening animation will be featured as on-disc extras. The Blu-ray edition will come in a limited edition slip case and will come with a 36 page art book. This edition has a suggested retail price of $54.99 AUD.
The Familiar of Zero Season Four will be released on DVD and Blu-ray. It will feature episodes 1-12 with Japanese audio and English subtitles. The on-disc extras have not yet been confirmed.
Hanamonogatari will be released in a DVD and Blu-ray combo pack. It will feature five episodes with Japanese audio and English subtitles. On-disc extras will include the textless opening and ending animation and the alternative opening and ending animation for episode 5.
If you loved Farmville, the game that basically started the rise of casual gaming then you might be interested in life and farming simulator Story of Seasons. This game is the first in a new chapter in the Bokujo Monogatari series which has been re-branded for a Western audience but will continue the well-loved traditions of the long running franchise by Marvelous Inc.
Players take control of a farm in Oak Tree Town in an attempt to make friends and help the community thrive again. You can decide which crops to grow and animals to raise to help expand your property. Apart from framing players can also participate in the town’s annual competitions, make their own furniture and even set up a wildlife safari full of exotic animals for fellow villagers to explore.
Your in game avatar will be customisable with new outfits unlocked through playing the game. Some accessories will grant bonuses such as extra health or stamina, and the right outfit might impress a fellow eligible bachelor or bachelorette. The game will also feature online functionality, allowing you to visit other friend’s farms, help each other harvest their field and exchange gifts.
Story of Seasons is releasing exclusively for the Nintendo 3DS family in Australia and New Zealand on January 9th. We reviewed the game earlier this year when it was released in North America, check out our full review to see what we thought.
Squad, the spiritual successor to the wildly popular Project Reality Mod for Battlefield 2 is hitting Steam Early Access on December 15th, 2015. The game has been in closed alpha so far, with pre-orders available for $30 US. With the launch on Steam Early Access, the Founders pre-purchase program will end on November 30th, and prices will go up for the FPS starting December 1st to $39.99 US.
The Steam Early Access launch will come with two new maps and two new factions. One map will be based on a real world location in Afghanistan while the other will be designed to be a training ground for players new to tactical shooters. The Russian Ground Forces and the irregular Militia will be joining the two existing factions in the game.
Squad will be running their inaugural clan vs clan tournament on December 5th. The first track, “Lost Squad” by Scott Tobin, from the Squad soundtrack will be revealed during the livestream and highlight reels from the tournament.
Get the jump on the good deals by grabbing some great indie games for a great price with this month’s Indie GalaFriday Special Bundle #24. The bundle packs 12 indie games for one low price.
For a minimum price of $1.00, buyers get:
Crow – A story driven action adventure set in the midst of a blood ancient battle.
DEUS EX MACHINA 2 – A darkly comidic adventure that takes players on a surreal journey of life and death.
Super Cyborg – A retro run ‘n gun shooter that will pit players against an invading alien force.
For a minimum price of $2.89, buyers get:
Match 3 Revolution – A physics game that matches classic match-3 gameplay with marbles.
There Was A Caveman – A retro-styled action platformer designed to challenge veteran gamers.
Grey Cubes – A modern interpretation of the classic brick breaker arcade game that adds actual 3D gameplay and real-time physics.
Abducted – You’ve been abducted by aliens and now you must figure out where you are and somehow get home.
BRAWL – A top down arena game inspired by Bomberman.
A-Men – A classic puzzle-platformer inspired by Lemmings and Lost Vikings.
A-Men 2 – The follow up to A-Men brings more levels and puzzles to solve.
Age of Survival – Set on an island off the coast of Africa, players will need to survive against a brutal wilderness filled with very hungry animals.
Escape from Puzzlegate – This visual novel is packed with puzzles that are appropriate for ages seven and up.
The price goes up after the first 24 hours of the sale, so be sure to grab your bundle at Indie Gala today.
KOEI TECMO AMERICA ANNOUNCES ATELIER ESCHA AND LOGY PLUS: ALCHEMISTS OF THE DUSK SKY FOR PLAYSTATION®VITA
BURLINGAME, Calif. – November 20, 2015 – KOEI TECMO America is pleased to announce today the upcoming digital-only North American release of Atelier Escha and Logy Plus: Alchemists of the Dusk Sky for the PlayStation®VITA handheld system on January 19, 2016.
Following the success of past Atelier releases on the portable platform, Atelier Escha and Logy Plus is the second standalone installment in developer GUST’s latest Atelier trilogy: the trilogy of Dusk. Preceded by the bittersweet Atelier Ayesha: The Alchemist of Dusk, Atelier Escha and Logy: Alchemists of the Dusk Sky was released for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system in 2014 and is the first of the PS3 Atelier titles to feature a dual-protagonist story structure, in which the player can choose to see the story unfold through the eyes of the romantic alchemist Escha Malier, or the more levelheaded and rational Logix Ficsario. Surrounded by a colorful cast of interesting supporting characters, protagonists Escha and Logy learn to combine their strengths and use the power of alchemy to unlock the secrets of the nearby ‘Unexplored Ruins.’
The PS®VITA version of Atelier Escha and Logy Plus: Alchemists of the Dusk Sky comes bursting with new content, including brand new event scenes inspired by the Escha and Logy anime, which released in Japan in celebration of developer GUST’s 20th anniversary. Additionally, Atelier Escha and Logy Plus includes all DLC from the PlayStation®3 version, a new playable character, new costumes, and — to the delight of fans of the Atelier IP — a series of new and more challenging missions and ‘boss’ enemies! GUST has also incorporated PS®VITA-specific features into Atelier Escha and Logy Plus alongside minor balancing fixes to create a more level gaming experience for the PlayStation®Vita.
For more news and information on Atelier Escha and Logy Plus: Alchemists of the Dusk Sky please visit the official website at www.koeitecmoamerica.com/escha-logy-plus Like KOEI TECMO America on Facebook at www.facebook.com/koeitecmous, and become part of the #KTfamily by following KOEI TECMO America on Twitter at @KoeiTecmoUS.
ABOUT KOEI TECMO AMERICA CORP.
KOEI TECMO AMERICA CORP. is a publisher of interactive entertainment software for current generation consoles, handhelds and digital download content based in Burlingame, California. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of KOEI TECMO HOLDINGS CO., LTD., headquartered in Yokohama, Japan. KOEI is best known for its Dynasty Warriors® and Samurai Warriors® franchises. TECMO is best known for the Dead or Alive®, Ninja Gaiden®, Tecmo Bowl®, and Fatal Frame® series.
“PlayStation” is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
While Bandai Namco has already announced that Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth will be released in North America on February 2nd, gamers in Europe have been wondering exactly when they can expect the PlayStation 4 and PS Vita title to be released in their region.
Well about an hour ago Bandai Namco announced that Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth will be released in Europe on February 5th where the PlayStation 4 version will be available physically at select retailers and digitally for both platforms. Similar to the North American release, all pre-ordered and launch copies of the game will come with a number of bonus costumes as well as a few special Digimon.
Wakefield, UK – 20th November 2015 – Award-winning games label Team17 have today released details of its exciting 2016 line-up.
2015 has been quite the year for the games industry veterans who this month have seen its Worms franchise enter its 21st year whilst the company is preparing to celebrate its 25th anniversary in December.
Team17 have also released a new video that takes a look ahead at the label’s exciting 2016 releases featuring:
Yooka-Laylee – An all-new 3D platformer from the creative talent behind the Banjo-Kazooie and Donkey Kong Country games. Featuring new heroes, Yooka (the green one) and Laylee (the wisecracking bat with big nose) players will be able to utilise an arsenal of special moves like Yooka’s tongue grapple and Laylee’s tactical sonar blast, whilst exploring – and expanding – the gorgeous 3D world.
Worms W.M.D – Worms W.M.D features a fresh, brand new look 2D cartoon-inspired worm as well as gorgeous hand drawn landscapes. For the first time ever players will be able to use exciting new vehicles and even enter buildings which will add new strategic elements of gameplay to the traditional wormy warfare.
Strength of the SWORD: ULTIMATE – A charming yet brutal 3D fighter/brawler. Brimming with old school attitude, Strength of the SWORD: ULTIMATE is the kind of game you BEAT instead of finish. Playing as the mighty War Golem you will engage in tactical and skill based combat as Strength of the SWORD: ULTIMATE pits you against multiple deadly enemies at once and includes epic boss battles!
Sheltered – A post-apocalyptic disaster management game that gives a whole new meaning to the term “nuclear family”.
With all hope lost, how will you cope in this bleak new world? How you handle the many moral choices you’ll encounter on a daily basis could be the difference between your family surviving or dying. Combat claustrophobia, radiation and mental exhaustion as you cling desperately to life in the cramp, cold and scary underground shelter. You’ll have to leave the scant protection the shelter offers behind as you’re forced to venture outside into the dangerous desolate wasteland to scavenge for vital supplies which could ensure your families survival for just one more day.
Allison Road – You wake up one night without any recollection of prior events. Now it is your turn to uncover what happened to your family and face off against the horrors that await in the house…
What would you do if you could feel something stalking you in the dark, in the safety of your own home? If you couldn’t tell what’s real and what’s not?
Allison Road is a narrative-driven survival horror game developed entertainment industry veterans and life-long game enthusiasts Lilith.
To keep up to date with all the information on Team17 please visit www.team17.com, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
