Madman Entertainment is once again releasing several manga titles this month. All of the following releases are now available for manga fans to purchase in Australia.
Assassination Classroom Volume 5
Black Rose Alice Volume 5
Bleach 3-in-1 Omnibus Volume 12
Dawn of the Arcana Volumes 11 and 12
Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure: Phantom Blood Volume 3
Monster: The Perfect Edition Volume 5
Naoki Urasawa’s 20th Century Boys Volumes 19 and 20
The first volumes and more of many of the series listed above have been reviewed here at Capsule Computers. The review of Assassination Classroom Volume 1 can be found here, the review of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Phantom Blood Volume 1 can be found here and the review of Resident Evil: The Marhawa Desire Volume 1 can be found here.
Earlier today Atlus USA announced that they will be releasing a demo for The Legend of Legacy on the 3DS’ Nintendo eShop on September 22nd. The demo will allow players to play through the game’s prologue and the first two dungeons with players being able to transfer their save file into the full game.
The company also released the final character trailer for The Legend of Legacy and this time they are actually introducing three characters instead of the standard two. These characters happen to be Owen, Eloise, and Filmia and you can check out their details below:
Owen
A mercenary who excels at combat, he’s known for his battle prowess as the “Baron.” His attacks are strong and he has a penchant for long swords, axes, and shields. But like Garnet, he doesn’t have any affinity to the elementals.
Eloise
As an alchemist, Eloise has a…unique pursuit after arriving on Avalon. Her dedication to the alchemical arts combined with her beauty has her searching the mysterious island for the secret to eternal youth.
You might think of Eloise as being similar to a mage-type character, and you’d be right! She has affinities for ALL the elements, and excels with either bow or staff.
Filmia
He’s a frog. He has an awesome dance. Do I really need to say more, because I know you’re going to pick him first anyways. Well, you should also know that he’s the heir to a lost kingdom, and looking to find a home for his people on Avalon!
Filmia is one of the stronger attackers in the game and excels with spears. You should equip him with a spear (insert frog gig joke here). Also, being a frog, he has a strong bond with the water element.
One can pretty much predict that nearly any major video game release will feature a season pass of sorts nowadays and that happens to be the case with the upcoming Fallout 4. Today Bethesda Softworks announced that they will be selling a $30 season pass for Fallout 4 that will be made available for purchase on November 10th, the same day the game is released.
It is worth noting that Bethesda has stated the following about the season pass stating that they are “hard at work on the game” and “don’t know what the actual DLC will be yet, but it will start coming early next year.” The developer did state that they will be performing regular free updates to Fallout 4 that will include various fixes and new features similar to how Skyrim was updated with various elements post-launch. They also announced that a “Creation Kit” for Fallout 4 will be released for PC in early 2016.
A Pokemon press conference has just wrapped up in Japan and while we thought there may be several announcements the entire conference was focused entirely on a new mobile game, Pokemon GO.
Pokemon GO is a new iOS and Android title developed by Nintendo, Game Freak and Google start up Niantic. Niantic developed Ingress, a game that uses real life locations such as the park or well known monuments and turns those places into a real life battle between two clans to see who can claim the most territory. Believe it or not, this draws hundreds of peoples to locations for events.
Pokemon GO is basically a fusion between the above mentioned game Ingress and Pokemon. Basically, everyone just became a real life Pokemon trainer and has to travel all over the world to find their favourite Pokemon. The game uses AR to bring the Pokemon models into the real life world. You can capture these Pokemon and battle other trainers. Junichi Masuda, one of the original Pokemon creators from Game Freak is involved with the games music, setting and game design. He mentions that Pokemon GO may find a way to connect with the ‘main stream’ Pokemon titles.
For players who want the full experience, Nintendo has developed a Pokemon GO Plus device that ties in with the game. The device has a notification light and rumble function to alert you to different events in the game. It pairs via Bluetooth to your phone and has a button in the center which you can press to perform certain actions such as throw Poke balls. The GO Plus can clip on or comes with a strap so you can wear it on your wrist.
This event was somewhat of a milestone for Nintendo who now seem to be fully embracing the smart phone market as opposed to battling against it. Massive Nintendo figureheads and their new partners from Niantic all appeared united on stage, including Junici Masuda and Miyamoto, who was wearing the new Pokemon GO Plus device on his jacket. This project was also being worked on by the late Satoru Iwata and could be one of his last known projects. Pokemon GO is releasing for Android devices and iPhones in early 2016 and a trailer for the game is embedded below for your viewing pleasure.
Next year marks 20 years since the release of the original Pokemon Red and Pokemon Green games for the Game Boy in what will surely be a huge year for one of gaming’s most popular franchises.
Arc System Works has announced that they will be bringing the anime-styled fighting gameArcana Heart 3: Love Max!!!!! to PC through Steamlater this month on September 29th. At launch the title will cost $29.99 but will feature a 10% discount for one week after launch.
It is worth noting that this release is not the ‘Six Stars’ version that was revealed late last year in Japan and we have previously reviewed the PlayStation 3 release of Arcana Heart 3: Love Max!!!!!here but for the short details, the title features twenty three different playable characters, a main story mode accompanied by after-story modes and short stories for each character.
It has been revealed that Atlus will be holding a “Persona Special Stage” event later this month at Tokyo Game Show which will occur at September 19th at 2:30 PM JST. Very few details about the stage event have been revealed at the moment though it has been stated that popular talents behind the series, including voice actors and many musicians will be there.
It is worth noting that Atlus is still aiming for a 2015 release for Persona 5 according to everything that the company has stated in the past, including the localization of the game so while the company has not stated that any new footage or a release date will be revealed during the event, there is a very good chance something will be revealed here.
Recently Electronic Arts and DICE announced that they would be launching a beta for Star Wars Battlefront in early October and that one of the modes would be called “Drop Zone” which at the time had not been fully revealed.
Now the company has chosen to reveal that Drop Zone will be a mode similar to “King of the Hill” where Rebel and Empire teams, each made up of eight players, must fight over and capture drop pods that are falling through the atmosphere and landing on the planet below. A team wins when they capture five pods or by whichever team has the most pods at the end of the ten minute match. Currently Star Wars Battlefront is set to be released on the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC on November 17th.
Ace Attorney 6 was recently announced for development on the Nintendo 3DS and confirmed for release not only in Japan but also in the West and now Capcom has opened up an official website for the title that reveals not only a few pieces of character art and some screenshots but some details about the game.
Ace Attorney 6 will be taking place in a mysterious country separate from Japan where people have a belief in the spirit of the dead and Phoenix Wright will need to solve yet another case. He will be assisted by a priest in training who also works as a tour guide and happens to be named Bokuto Tsuani. Also revealed in these images is a “Water Mirror” that will apparently play a larger role in Ace Attorney 6’s gameplay, though more details for that are said to be revealed during Tokyo Game Show later this month.
Overview
I remember back in the days of the Genesis and Super Nintendo most did not care about racing games. I mean, there were kids who played them – but even those who were fans of the genre only occasionally pulled out their copy of LOTUS II for a bit of fun. Times have changed now and we have so many different brands trying to pull into first. With the release of two Forza titles already this generation as well as Drive Club, Project Cars, and so on- the racing simulation bandwagon is getting pretty packed across Sony and Microsoft consoles as the fan base is there. These titles are system sellers. Forza 6 is now here to slam its foot down and make a statement though, bringing quality and finesse back with the accessibility that everyone can get behind on the Xbox One. Does it do enough, or is this race over before it begins? Let’s find out.
Gameplay
How fast can you go? Why do we race? How many modes can one game deliver? These are the questions that players are greeted with upon booting up Forza Motorsport 6, and right from the very first ride the player will quickly discover how polished this racer has become. Before I hop into the core of the game though I think it would be best to speak on the specific side entrees that build this racer into the beast it is. The first are Drivatars, which essentially is the artificial intelligence system that pits you against your friends who all operate differently. The purpose of the individually assigned AI is to create a diverse race and keep you on the edge of your seat as the AI can easily make mistakes that can cost anyone the race. I have had several races where a driver would make a mistake and cause me to wreck due to a sharp turn – while other times I would just watch as they flew by, taking advantage of my own error.
Speaking of a uniqueness, Forza 6 also boasts more of about everything this time around. There are over 400 cars and 26 different tracks for this entry, making it the most varied of the entire franchise. If that wasn’t enough, players can earn mods to vary their own challenge. Sure, there are difficulty settings and the famous rewind feature within 6 to appease accident prone drivers, but mods add a new layer by allowing players to gain a boost in credits, earn rare rewards, and even get new challenges that are sure to keep you on your toes. Dares are cards that come in these packs, challenging the player to have at a track with a handicap in place or change up the stats a bit to give you an edge over the opponents. Spins are also awarded, but kind of felt to be a bit out of place entirely. I mean, why offer mods if you could just give them away in a wheel? Sure, its a quick way to get high dollar vehicles, but once you get them all the spinning is rather pointless.
The gameplay – or the driving I should say is where Forza has been known to perform. Thankfully, this is still a very smooth game with tight controls. The feel and grip has tightened up a bit since I last gave the game a go, but most will be pleased by the handling and how easy it is to hop in and drive from the start. That is also my problem a bit here. I talked up a lot of what I liked early on in this review because Forza Motorsport 6 is a lot like an oreo. The outside defines the taste but while you still come for the middle to start with, its still the same old vanilla that you have had for years. I am sorry I compared your game to a cookie, Turn 10, but I feel that comparison is relevant. Outside of the exhilarating F1 races that are a blast to play, I found most races to feel just like the next. Sure there are plenty of cars, sure the AI acts in different ways, but the core is so much of the same that it is almost boring to a degree. Multiplayer changes this as it adds in competitive flavor but once you master the formula for a Forza race, you kind of stay on that track and continue to win. That is why the mods and AI are so important to talk about first as if you are coming for Forza, you are going to get it but if you are coming for a new racing sim, those two options are honestly going to highlight your experience.
That being said, the sense of speed within Forza Motorsport 6 cannot be matched. I am not a die hard fan of this genre but I have played and reviewed a good lot of Forza’s competition. Sure, the others add in their own flare to attract an audience, but Forza simply cuts the player’s teeth by putting them into a car that they would never pick otherwise and somehow has you know the odds and ends of that vehicle and actually grow attached to it through the storied career mode. I feel like that is definitely an endearing and compelling quality to have as I certainly enjoyed getting behind the wheel of several cars that I would laugh at the thought of driving in real life for competition’s sake. Oh yeah, stop with the Top Gear stuff. I get it, you’re cars, their cars, ads and such – but I felt it was a bit cheap to see the logo and other bits plastered frequently throughout the game.
Visuals
Breathtaking. That is the best word to describe the visuals in Forza Motorsport 6. The weather system makes conditions seem incredibly realistic and you will be staring at every drop of water during the rain, trying to see if you can spot one broken pixel. Yes, it is a beautiful game, but one that has taken detail and coated it in polish to create nothing but a pure, visual experience that is both realistic and jawdropping. I have had so many current gen titles that I expected to take it to the level that Forza 6 has completely let me down, so you could even call this gem the Xbox One’s finest from a graphical perspective. Of course the cars look great too, with beaming light coming off of reflective surfaces such as hoods and fins, and that pavement is equally as impressive, showing details such as sealing on the road and grass that you can see each blade of even at high speeds.
Audio
The audio is great as well, but I am not a car person so aside from different ratios of loud – I cannot tell you how crystal clear that engine was compared to the next, but I do know that the game does sound audibly correct (how’s that?). The female narrator of sorts (who I presume is from Top Gear as well) is also on point and makes you feel like this is a special title and definitely the most prestigious in the market for what its worth.
Overall
Forza Motorsport 6 is an excellent entry in the franchise that brings with it the most variation one could ever need in a racing title. The visuals are absolutely amazing and are worth the price of admission alone, as even if you are not that interested in picking up the best racer on the Xbox One, at least consider this as it is definitely the best looking game on the platform. Aside from mods and a few tweaks, Forza hasn’t really evolved a lot in terms of a core experience, but for you longtime fans – that will not be an issue. Forza Motorsport 6 is a more polished and plentiful offering of everything we love, acting as insurance to keep us in the driver’s seat until the next installment.
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Harmonix™ and Tilting Point® Reveal Beat Sports™ for the New Apple TV
Music & Sports Meet in Original New Game Designed Exclusively for Apple TV
SAN FRANCISCO – Sept. 9, 2015 – Rock Band™ creators Harmonix Music Systems, Inc. and publishing partner Tilting Point have revealed Beat Sports, an original game for the new Apple TV. Demonstrated on stage at the Apple Event, Beat Sports is a collection of music-infused mini-games based loosely on familiar sports like tennis, volleyball, and golf. Designed and developed exclusively for the new Apple TV, Beat Sports is controlled using the brand-new remote.
“I’m thrilled to announce Beat Sports on this amazing new platform,” said Jon Carter, creative lead at Harmonix. “Apple TV is the perfect home for this unique mixture of music, sports, and wacky fun. The new remote offers limitless possibilities for brand-new gameplay, and Beat Sports‘ controls will have the whole family swinging, spiking, and scoring to the beat!”
“We’re delighted to reveal Beat Sports today as the first game from our partnership with Harmonix,” said Dan Sherman, co-founder and president of Tilting Point. “Harmonix embodies the creative spirit and cutting-edge innovation of a truly great independent developer. It’s an honor to work with them to debut Beat Sports on Apple’s amazing new platform.”
“At Harmonix, we have a long history of using new technology to bring innovative musical experiences to living rooms around the world with games like Rock Band,” said Matt Boch, product manager at Harmonix. “We immediately saw the potential for new ways to play that the Apple TV opens up, and couldn’t wait to start designing an all-new experience for this exciting new technology. We can’t wait to see how this revolutionary gaming platform changes the entertainment landscape.”
Follow @beatsportsgame on Twitter and Beat Sports on Facebook as more details on Beat Sports’ mini-games and soundtrack will be revealed in the coming weeks. Beat Sports will be available exclusively on the new Apple TV on day one. For more information and a press kit, visit: www.beatsportsgame.com.
About Harmonix Music Systems
Harmonix Music Systems, Inc., based in Boston, MA, and established in 1995, is the leading developer of groundbreaking music-oriented videogames. Harmonix was founded to invent new ways for non-musicians to experience the unique joy that comes from making music and has pioneered music and rhythm gaming in the US. For more information please visit www.harmonixmusic.com.
About Tilting Point
Tilting Point is a new-generation games partner for top independent development studios. Tilting Point empowers developers with expert resources, services, and operational support to give carefully selected games mainstream success. The company adheres to a core philosophy of putting development talent first, advancing industry-leading analytics, and overcoming discoverability hurdles with aggressive, best-in-class marketing. www.tiltingpoint.com
