As we already know, Atlus USA is planning on releasing Imageepoch’s final game, Stella Glow, in North America sometime this holiday season but until now we have yet to learn when gamers in Europe could expect the title to grace their shores. Thankfully that news came earlier today when NIS America announced that fans in Europe will have to wait a little bit but that they will be able to pick up Stella Glow digitally or at retail sometime in spring 2016.
NIS America also released their own story description for Stella Glow and you can check that out below:
As most reluctant heroes do, Stella Glow-protagonist Alto starts as a country boy in a small town. One day, he hears a song coming from the forest (which is odd, since song has been absent on the planet for thousands of years), where he discovers the lone Hilda. But after the chance encounter, Hilda reveals she’s the Witch of Destruction, hellbent on destroying the world with her Harbingers.
As Hilda is about to destroy Alto’s hometown, he and Lisette are rescued by the Royal Knights and whisked back safely to the kingdom. Alto joins the 9th Regiment for the sole purpose of gathering the other Witches to stop Hilda.
Over the past few months we’ve seen the Japanese character trailers for Persona 4: Dancing All Night and now that Atlus USA has settled on a release window for the title in North America, they are following suit by releasing a pair of English character trailers for the protagonist Yu Narukami and the idol Rise Kujikawa who is now being voiced by a different voice actress than the one fans may be familiar with.
A number of new English screenshots have also been released for Persona 4: Dancing All Night and you can check those out below as well as the aforementioned trailers.
While The Menagerie may have slipped its initial release window of spring, Lupiesoft has announced that fans eager to see the full release won’t have to wait too much longer to experience everything that this unique looking eroge has to offer. The developer has announced that The Menagerie will be released on MangaGamer’s online store(18+ Only) on September 18th where it will be priced at $15.95.
Those who want to try out the game can do so now as the PC demo has already been released though it is worth noting that this demo heavily features futanari content as well as bondage. To go along with this announcement Lupiesoft also released the full opening video for The Menagerie and you can check it out below.
While there are a large number of 18+ titles starting to be translated into English and many more are being produced by English speaking developers, most of these games are simple visual novels that offer various branching paths if the player is lucky. Since there is such a lack of gameplay in the area, a few people are working to try and bring a little something different to the masses. A team of developers and artists are currently seeking funding through Patreon to create a project named Lewd Warfare.
Lewd Warfare will be a “Match 3” RPG set in a fantasy world where five different factions fight against one another. These factions include Hybrid Humanoids, Elves, Amazonians, Mages and more are planned with each faction having four unique character units and one leader with each character will be represented on the screen with full body art.
While Lewd Warfare is being designed to be an adult title with sexual content, the team is planning on eventually creating an all-ages version of the title on Steam with the naughty bits removed. Those who wish to learn more about the project and help fund the title can do so on the Patreon page.
SPL 2: A TIME FOR CONSEQUENCES IN AUSTRALIAN CINEMAS – JULY 30, 2015
Madman Entertainment is proud to announce the martial arts blockbuster, SPL 2: A TIME FOR CONSEQUENCES will screen in Australian cinemas from July 30 and New Zealand from August 13, 2015.
Ten years after Wilson Yip’s martial arts blockbuster, SPL (SHA PO LANG) became a breakout hit, a sequel starring Tony Jaa (ONG BAK), Wu Jing (SHAOLIN), Simon Yam (IP MAN), Zhang Jin (RISE OF LEGEND) and Louis Koo (DRUG WAR) has finally arrived and it’s bigger and more action-packed than fans could have ever hoped.
SPL 2: A TIME FOR CONSEQUENCES recently set a record opening for a contemporary action film in China, taking over USD$50 million in its first week of release, placing second only to JURASSIC WORLD on its Chinese bank holiday opening weekend.
SPL 2: A TIME FOR CONSEQUNCES will screen at the following locations in Australia from July 30:
World of Tanks on Xbox One Beta Live July 12 and 13
Free Exclusive Tank and 2X XP Bonus for Participants
July 10, 2015 — Wargaming today announced the free-to-play multiplayer game World of Tanks will hold a special two day Beta event running on July 12 and 13, with players able to download the beta build beginning July 10.
All players taking part in the two day Beta event will receive special bonuses, including the Premium American Tier 3 M22 Locust light tank for logging into the game. Those players who already own the tank will receive, instead, 180,000 in silver, as well as one garage slot. Wargaming will also be giving players extra experience during the Beta testing period. Between the hours of 4am to 7am on July 12–13, all players who login and play will receive a 2x XP bonus on all battles and a 2x Battle Operation to be used later.
Finally, all players who download the game prior to its July 28 release date will receive at launch a free Premium light tank, the American tier II T1E6-X1, emblazoned with an exclusive World of Tanks shield emblem, as well as an exclusive camouflage.
World of Tanks on Xbox One features hundreds of tanks painstakingly recreated in stunning and realistic detail, presented in pristine high-definition, pushing the technical capabilities of Xbox One to their limit. The title will also feature a number of firsts, including cross-platform gameplay-bridging battles between Xbox 360 and Xbox One players, shared progress and content between the two platforms through a single Xbox Live account, an all-new “Proving Grounds” Player versus Environment (PvE) mode, full social and streaming support offered by the Xbox One platform, and much more!
World of Tanks on Xbox One will be available as a free download for all Xbox Live Gold members*, and can also be experienced through a free seven-day trial for all other Xbox Live account holders.
For more information about World of Tanks on Xbox One and Xbox 360, including the Xbox One Beta Weekend, visit:
*Xbox Live Gold membership (sold separately) required. Additional in-game content available and sold separately.
About Wargaming
Wargaming is an award-winning online game developer and publisher and one of the leaders in the free-to-play MMO market. Founded as a privately held company in 1998, Wargaming has shipped more than 15 titles. Currently, Wargaming is focused on its team-based MMO war series dedicated to the mid-20th century warfare that will include the armored World of Tanks, the flight combat World of Warplanes, and the naval World of Warships. The three intertwined titles will form a common gaming universe integrated within the portal www.wargaming.net.
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – July 10, 2015 – Ubisoft® and Blue Byte® have announced that ANNO® Online is now available on Steam. Players of the acclaimed city-builder can add ANNO Online for free to their Steam library. Using a Steam account allows players to start the game directly from the desktop and chat with friends, all while raising glorious metropolises.
In addition to the Steam launch, a new update for Anno Online introduces new features to last year’s player versus environment battle system. Players can now upgrade their battle ships using the ship tech tree which unlocks powerful cannons, more resistant armor and more. New quests and challenges explore the rise of the pirate captains, the toughest enemies in ANNO Online so far.
ANNO Online is a free-to-play city-builder game which lets you build magnificent metropolises by your own design from the ground up. While caring for your people, constructing new buildings and managing production lines, you will unlock new buildings and face new challenges as your population’s demands evolve. In ANNO Online players have the opportunity to be part of a vast empire and get organized in powerful guilds to work towards joint goals and server-wide quests. A key feature is the trading of goods with other players creating a rich social environment of continuous player-to-player interaction for the first time within the award-winning ANNO franchise. Play ANNO Online now at www.anno-online.com.
About Ubisoft
Ubisoft is a leading creator, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and services, with a rich portfolio of world-renowned brands, including Assassin’s Creed, Just Dance, Tom Clancy’s video game series, Rayman, Far Cry and Watch Dogs. The teams throughout Ubisoft’s worldwide network of studios and business offices are committed to delivering original and memorable gaming experiences across all popular platforms, including consoles, mobile phones, tablets and PCs. For the 2013-14 fiscal year Ubisoft generated sales of €1,007 million. To learn more, please visit www.ubisoftgroup.com
About Blue Byte
Having opened their doors in 1988, Blue Byte’s first hit came in 1991 with Battle Isle, followed by the ever-popular development strategy game The Settlers® – which celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2013. Following their acquisition by Ubisoft in 2001, the studio continued work on The Settlers® series, and began overseeing the production of ANNO® in 2007. Winner of 2012 “Best European Studio” award (European Games Awards), Blue Byte expanded in 2014 with the acquisition of a new branch in Mainz. The teams are developing and operating HD, browser-based and mobile games, including Might and Magic® Heroes® Online, ANNO® Online and The Settlers® Online, captivating millions of players worldwide. In 2014 the studio successfully launched ANNO®: Build an Empire on mobile devices. Currently The Settlers®: Kingdoms of Anteria for PC and Assassin’s Creed® Identity for smartphones and tablets are in development at Blue Byte’s Düsseldorf studio while the Mainz studio works on Anno 2205TM which will bring the acclaimed city-builder series into space. www.bluebyte.com
Overview
If you were to tell me a couple of years ago that Capcom would be releasing an HD remake of Devil May Cry 4 (or a special edition, hence the title), I would have been shocked as not only did it seem like the company would distance themselves from the old Dante at one point, but this is also one title in the franchise that doesn’t come up in regular conversation. I would honestly say this game is the “average” compared to the other titles, as the first and third entries are referred to as great, while the second is known for being panned – and DmC, well – it has a mixed reaction from fans old and new. It is a good thing to see this release see some love however, as it is indeed the best-selling of the series, and Capcom have created an ultimate edition of sorts to keep Dante relevant. How does Devil May Cry stand the test of time? Let’s find out.
Story
I think most people have played the main story for Devil May Cry 4: Special Edition – but just in case here is a brief rundown. The Order of the Sword – a group that is worshiping Dante’s father Sparda use a young man by the name of Nero to stall Dante as they gain power and become an ultimate force. Dante is of course a demon hunter and the story goes back and forth between Nero – our anti-hero with a heart, and Dante, the protagonist. The Special Edition adds a bit of new takes on the tale with Lady and Trish, as well as Vergil, who is honestly the most fleshed out of the entire upgrade. Sure, its an over-the-top slaughterfest filled with a bit of nonsense, but the narrative is a lot of fun to follow and with the newly added characters (Trish, Lady, and Vergil), you will find even more reason to relive it all over again.
Gameplay
The gameplay is a big thing with any remake, as sometimes we see slowdown with remakes of action titles or just a lot of lost features. Thankfully, Devil May Cry 4 really hasn’t lost much of its luster. Dante and Nero still play about the same, with the player mainly taking up the role of Nero throughout, utilizing his Devil Bringer- as well as the Red Queen (which is a sword for those keeping tracked, both of which feature several upgrades throughout the experience. When switching to Dante, you get a more stylized moveset featuring four styles to tackle, and while Nero is more about accuracy and power, Dante is at the other end with a bit more acrobatics, flare, and of course melee tactics. Combat feels a tad dated – I won’t lie as since 2008 we have been introduced to Bayonetta and the DmC remake, which both feel more fluid. That said, the rating system is still very relevant and you will not see a smoother combat system for a remade title this old come in any other form.
Trish was who I looked forward to playing with the most within Special Edition, as when the player chooses her they are allowed to see a new version of sorts that is closer to her form in Marvel vs Capcom 3 – hosting the Sparda sword as a weapon. Lady plays a bit slow, but packs a good amount of ammunition with her ranged weapons mostly consisting of guns and large melee items. Vergil rounds out the lot by being a satisfying beast to control. Vergil feels far more modern and is the most stylistic of the lot, with an ability that grants more power and speed as a reward for dodging. Sound familiar? Well, with the “concentration” skill as well as the upgrades, running through his campaign is honestly worth the price of the entire remake.
I won’t give all praise even though the game is still fantastic. While Devil May Cry 4 was always a great title, it had one issue that was not really addressed, and that is backtracking. I do feel like all of the additions kill the repetition that this would cause, but if Devil May Cry was not your bag before, don’t expect this version to be much of a game changer. For fans however, there is no more of a paradise you can find as Capcom have added more than I would have ever expected and not only made the new characters feel fresh, but also as if they could have easily been in the original all along. Its a great thing to enjoy killing random enemies hundreds of times over just due to the heavy amount of depth behind combat mechanics, and Devil May Cry 4: Special Edition struck gold as its hard to not go through the game with a big smile for nearly every face you play as (aside from Lady, she is a bit more stale).
Visuals
When it comes to a full graphical upgrade – well, don’t expect much more than you would see in any other remake. The graphics are a bit crisper, the character models look smoother, and animations run well. The game already looked fine seven years ago and honestly didn’t need a lot done visually as the rich, gothic art style still feels quite timeless – even by today’s demanding standards. I guess if I noticed any differences that actually stuck out it would be that articles of clothing seem to flow more in the wind (along with hair…sort of), while the textures for the environments have improved a good bit as well.
Audio
Audio wise, you couldn’t ask for a better soundtrack. I loved the soundtrack in DmC, but hearing this arrangement took me back to a different Dante that had a bit less edge and a lot more camp as he and Nero battle demons to cheeky rock music. The voice acting is also well done, but hasn’t changed much if at all since the first go-around from what I could tell. I am sure the sound was upgraded for more modern systems and speakers – but to be honest I don’t really listen for extra quality in remakes and didn’t notice enough difference to enhance my already positive opinion of the sort.
Overall
Devil May Cry 4: Special Edition is an excellent remake that serves its purpose well. Capcom fans wanted to see old Dante back, and for now – this offering is more than any fan of the series could ask for. With a ton of extra content, new modes and difficulty, as well as a nice, glossy finish, this is what we need to see out of current generation remakes. Sure, its not going to blow your mind, but it offers more than enough to keep players coming back for more due to those stylistic and intense gameplay mechanics. A lot of people shun change in lieu of Nostalgia and Devil May Cry 4’s upgrade is a new balance to the reboot, and an offering that will ensure the franchise remains relevant as we head into the future.
Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.
UBISOFT® INTRODUCES TWO NEW ARMIES FOR TOY SOLDIERS: WAR CHEST
Sydney, Australia — July 10, 2015 — Today, Ubisoft® revealed the two latest new rival toy armies to battle against each other in Toy Soldiers: War Chest. The fast-paced tower defense action game will be available as standard and Hall of Fame editions on PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, Xbox One, the all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft and Windows PC this summer.
Toy Soldiers: War Chest Hall of Fame edition brings to life two additional action figures that allow players to recreate imaginative battles using their favourite heroes. Thanks to Cobra Commander, players will control a fanatical army that is comprised of a deeply loyal infantry, trained in explosives and martial arts and will take on any faction. With a mix of brute force, advanced technologies and a fierce tenacity this army is a force to be reckoned with on the ground and in the skies. Gifted with a prowess in parkour, stealth and charisma, Ezio and the Assassin’s brotherhood, team up to create a fierce alliance of justice and protection.
Toy Soldiers: War Chest Hall of Fame edition will be available as a digital-download and will include four licensed armies and the four armies included in the standard edition. The standard edition will be available as a digital-download and will include Phantom, Dark Lord, Kaiser and Starbright.
With more heroes, missions and playable armies than any previous Toy Soldiers game, Toy Soldiers: War Chest is the most expansive title in the series to date. Each army is original and defends with its own individual base turrets, combat and aerial attack vehicles and army units, making each gameplay experience unique.
For more information on Toy Soldiers: War Chest, please visit toysoldiers.ubi.com.
About Ubisoft
Ubisoft is a leading creator, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and services, with a rich portfolio of world-renowned brands, including Assassin’s Creed, Just Dance, Tom Clancy’s video game series, Rayman and Far Cry. The teams throughout Ubisoft’s worldwide network of studios and business offices are committed to delivering original and memorable gaming experiences across all popular platforms, including consoles, mobile phones, tablets and PCs. For the 2014-15 fiscal year Ubisoft generated sales of €1,464 million. To learn more, please visit www.ubisoftgroup.com.
TOM CLANCY’S GHOST RECON PHANTOMS® ANNOUNCES FREE INFINITE TRIAL
Sydney AUSTRALIA – July 10, 2015 –Ubisoft® has announced Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Phantoms® game update 2.0, which offers a free trial of the all-inclusive Infinite Pack, welcoming new players to the same great tactical gameplay with streamlined improvements and more free content – available now.
Free Infinite Pack Trial
Ghost Recon Phantoms is radically modifying its new user experience to make starting easier for beginners. All new users now receive instant equipment rewards as they progress to level 15, as well as a trial version of the Infinite Pack for free. The all-inclusive Infinite Pack rewards players as they level up with all standard gear in the game as well as bonus rewards.
New Improvements
In addition to the Infinite Pack trial, update 2.0 brings with it a number of user experience changes to make Ghost Recon Phantoms more accessible than ever. As Producer Francois Logeais explains it: “Our goal is to reduce the confusion and choice paralysis new users feel by progressively exposing them to our systems. We will guide new users through the new streamlined early experience and offer only directly relevant options and modes.” These changes include a more user-friendly user interface (UI) as well as community-requested removal of the Armor Maintenance system, which frees up more in-game currency for players to get the gear they want.
Update 2.0 also includes new free content, such as new Tier 11 and Legendary weapons, a new Team Deathmatch map, and an increase in level cap from 50-70.
Friend Referral
Ghost Recon Phantoms is a team-based, multiplayer shooter, where teamwork is essential to securing objectives and winning matches. Building a team of trusted friends is easier than ever with the new Friend Referral program that helps players refer friends and collect valuable rewards.
Ubisoft is a leading creator, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and services, with a rich portfolio of world-renowned brands, including Assassin’s Creed, Just Dance, Tom Clancy’s video game series, Rayman, Far Cry and Watch Dogs. The teams throughout Ubisoft’s worldwide network of studios and business offices are committed to delivering original and memorable gaming experiences across all popular platforms, including consoles, mobile phones, tablets and PCs. For the 2013-14 fiscal year Ubisoft generated sales of €1,007 million. To learn more, please visit www.ubisoftgroup.com.
