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Pokken Tournament adds Blaziken in August

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Despite being one of the first Pokémon actually shown off when Nintendo began teasing the existence of Pokken Tournament, the company has never officially announced that Blaziken would be joining the roster. That is until today when the latest issue of Famitsu revealed that Blaziken is indeed a member of the roster as many had expected.

Blaziken will be added to Pokken Tournament in August though it is worth noting that the actual arcade game will be launching in Japan starting tomorrow and that an update is already planned for next month that will add a new yet-unannounced fighter to the roster.

Prototype Biohazard Bundle Sneaks onto PS4 and Xbox One

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If you don’t happen to pay attention to the Xbox Live Marketplace or PlayStation Store then you probably missed that Activision had released the Prototype Biohazard Bundle on both consoles without any fanfare whatsoever. This bundle is priced at $49.99 and includes both Prototype and Prototype 2 including all of the DLC, as well as the “majority” of the pre-order bonuses, that was released for both games.

Activision has announced that on August 11th both of these games will be sold separately though they have not announced what price the games will be sold individually for. Each of these games have been given “full HD rendering,” run at a better framerate, and enhanced visuals. You can check out the official launch trailer below.

Shenmue III ‘Lake of the Lantern Bugs’ Trailer Released

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With only a couple days left on the Shenmue III Kickstarter and the total funding just breaking the $5 million mark, Ys Net has released a little trailer showing off some a scene that is still under development for the PlayStation 4 and PC sequel.

The scene in question, that can be viewed below, shows Ryo and Shenhua as they arrive at the “Lake of the Lantern Bugs” where they are entranced by the flight of the bugs in the mirage-like oasis and gives viewers a small sample of the title’s soundtrack. The full Kickstarter page can still be viewed and funded here.

NOBUNAGA’S AMBITION: SPHERE OF INFLUENCE- LEAD YOUR ARMIES INTO EPIC LARGE SCALE BATTLES!

COMMAND VAST ARMIES IN LARGE SCALE BATTLES AND CONQUER THE ISLAND OF JAPAN 

Form alliances! Build your armies! Defeat those who oppose your dream of uniting Japan!

Hertfordshire, 15th July 2015- KOEI TECMO Europe released today a wealth of video clips and other assets pertaining to the upcoming release of famed strategy/ historical simulation Nobunaga’s Ambition: Sphere of Influence, slated for release on the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system across Europe on 4th September 2015. The game will also be simultaneously available digitally on the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and on PC via Steam®.

Battles play a vital role in Nobunaga’s Ambition: Sphere of Influence. Although it is not necessary that players would have declare war to strengthen their position, it is quite possible that enemy lords will try to attack castles, towns, and settlements to increase their area of influence and grow their wealth. Defeating enemy fiefs can also strengthen the overall standing of the player’s chosen clan, so growing a strong, well equipped and well trained, loyal army is a key component to completing the game successfully.

Players can enter the battlefield with one or multiple army regiments, call on banner-men, allies and subordinates and use the terrain strategically to the advantage of their clan!

Battles are resolved in multiple ways, with the two main ones being a remote, birds-eye view of the map where there is free control of individual armies or combinations of allied forces and a close-up view option that offers more control of individual units.

Taking the first option, allows for a Multi-faceted Battle; meaning there can be various fronts and skirmishes all over the map and control of the chosen clan and its allied forces. All battles are in real time, so this option offers a better overview of the map, as well as ally and enemy movements.

In the second event, players can strategize further using information like terrain particularities and current weather (e.g. finding out the army would go faster taking a detour around a hill rather than going over it on a straight line). Close-field battles also offer the player the possibility to take on the role of the Grand Commander. Doing so opens up the option to use officer ‘Traits’ and ‘Tactics’. Traits are passive special abilities of officers that automatically take effect when the officer is present. They can be learned when the officer levels up or through his/her retainers and can affect –among others- strategic, military, or diplomatic situation.

Tactics are actions unique to each officer that can be used to strengthen the army or weaken the enemy for a short period of time. A few of the ‘Tactics’ available are ‘Bondbreaker’ (a power that makes enemy soldiers fight each other), ‘Incite’ (which nullifies the enemies strengthening effects), ‘Against all Odds’ (limits the army’s speed but greatly increases their strength) and many more.

‘Tactics’ can be used at any time during a conflict by expending ‘Command Points’- a metric of the army’s energy levels.

Nobunaga’s Ambition: Sphere of Influence offers a great selection of options for tactical warfare and allows the player to choose how each skirmish or conflict should be resolved. If battle is not the best strategic option, players can opt for negotiations or diplomacy to gain friendly allies and weaken the enemy forces.

 

For more Nobunaga’s Ambition: Sphere of Influence news and a first look at the trailer please visit www.facebook.com/koeigames and www.nobunagasambition.eu and follow us on twitter @koeitecmoeurope 

ABOUT NOBUNAGA’S AMBITION

Having celebrated its 30th year anniversary, ‘Nobunaga’s Ambition’ is one of the longest running franchises for Koei Tecmo Games in Japan, and during its lifetime it has received high praise by an ever-growing fan base across an array of platforms. Now, its latest chapter, ‘Sphere of Influence’, is released in Europe for the first time.

The game is named after one of the most prominent and infamous figures of the Sengoku era (Warring States) of Japanese history, Nobunaga Oda. He fought to realise his dream of a united Japan and a new world. Though he fell before his dream was accomplished he left behind a revolutionary legacy of castle towns, technological improvements, developing culture, modern warfare, a new system of economics etc.

Hailed as one of the best instalments in the franchise’s history, this extremely intricate, deep, and meticulous strategy game is set against a backdrop of a fragmented nation and asks the player to take up the mantle of a Daimyo, a feudal lord of the Sengoku era (15th– 16th century Japan), who will fight for the great ideal of uniting the war-ridden country under one rule, thus becoming the first Shogun.

ABOUT KOEI TECMO EUROPE LTD.

KOEI TECMO EUROPE LTD. is a publisher of interactive entertainment software for current generation consoles, handhelds and digital download content based in Letchworth, Hertfordshire, UK. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of KOEI TECMO HOLDINGS CO., LTD., headquartered in Yokohama, Japan. TECMO is best known for the Dead or Alive® and Ninja Gaiden®series. KOEI is best known for its Dynasty Warriors® and Samurai Warriors® franchises. On April 1, 2009, KOEI TECMO HOLDINGS CO., LTD was established as a result of the TECMO, LTD. and KOEI Co., Ltd. merger. More information about KOEI TECMO EUROPE LTD and its products can be found at www.koeitecmoeurope.com

“PlayStation” is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

Hanabee Announces the Release of ‘The Irregular at Magic High School’ Part 1

The year is 2095 and magic has been scientifically broken down to highly advanced technology. Users are known as “magic technicians” and are highly valuable individuals in every country for their power and potential. For the Shiba siblings, Tatsuya and Miyuki, they have just been accepted into the prestigious First Affiliated High School and quickly on their way to becoming well respected magic technicians.

But when Miyuki is accepted into the well respected first course and Tatsuya is relegated into the second course for his lack of practical magic skill, a divide may quickly come between the pair.

Random House Books Australia’s Manga Releases of July 2015 Are Out Now

It is the 15th of the month, so it is now time for an update on Random House Books Australia’s latest manga releases. Several new manga releases are now available in stores across Australia. The following is a list of their manga releases of this month, including the release from the 1st of July and the ten volumes released today.

July 1, 2015:

  • Noragami Volume 5 by Adachitoka

July 15, 2015:

  • xxxHOLiC Omnibus Volume 6 by CLAMP
  • Let’s Dance a Waltz Volume 2 by Natsumi Ando
  • My Little Monster Volume 9 by Robico
  • New Lone Wolf and Cub Volume 5 by Kazuo Koike
  • Lone Wolf and Cub Omnibus Volume 9 by Kazuo Koike
  • Witchcraft Works Volume 5 by Ryu Mizunagi
  • Your Lie in April Volume 2 by Naoshi Arakawa
  • Maria the Virgin Witch Volume 3 by Masayuki Ishikawa

There are fewer manga releases set to come out next month, although many manga fans will likely find something to like in the list of this month’s releases.

Siren Visual Announces the Complete Box-Set of Naoki Urasawa’s ‘Monster’

Siren Visual recently revealed their complete box-set of Naoki Urasawa’s Monster. The 74-episode anime series was adapted by Madhouse between 2004 and 2005 from the manga of the same name.

The 15-disc box-set will sell for $120 AUD and is available for pre-order exclusively from Siren Visual’s website here. Fans will also be able to purchase it directly from Siren Visual at conventions, but it will not be available from any other physical locations. It is scheduled for release on August 31, 2015. For fans who already own the five individual volumes of the series, the box itself is also available for pre-order for $15 AUD hereThe slipcase will be double-walled and shipped flat, but it will be easy to assemble.

The pending design, created by Aaron Chua, is featured below. Urasawa has not yet approved the design.

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Ponycan USA Announces the Upcoming Release of ‘Etotama’ Collectors’ Edition 1

Ponycan USA has announced the first collectors’ edition release for the 2015 anime series Etotama. It is set to be released in North America on October 10, 2015. The series premiered in April and only just finished airing in Japan a few weeks ago.

Episodes 1-4 will be featured on a DVD and Blu-ray disc with Japanese audio and English and Spanish subtitles. A CD containing the regular and karaoke versions of the opening theme song 「Retry☆ rendezvous」will be included. Physical extras will include a deluxe booklet and two collectible wall pin-up pictures illustrated by Akio Watanabe. The cover will be illustrated by Koike Satoshi. On-disc extras will include the textless opening animation and TV commercial collections.

The release has a suggested retail price of $89.98 USD, but it can be pre-ordered from Right Stuf here for $71.98 USD. Anyone who pre-orders this release before August 31, 2015 will receive a special illustration card set, which is shown in the image below.

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Sentai Filmworks Reveals the Details of Their Limited Edition Release of ‘Beyond the Boundary’

Sentai Filmworks revealed the details of their upcoming limited edition release of Beyond the Boundary at their panel at Anime Expo 2015. The series will be released with dual audio and English subtitles.

The physical bonuses to come with the limited edition release include: an authenticity card, a 96-page booklet, a Mirai keychain with a reversible face, four double-sided art cards, a 13″ x 19″ double-sided poster, Mirai cosplay glasses, a die cut character sticker, a double-sided foil card, a lanyard, a metal pin set and a lenticular ruler. All 12 episodes and the OVA will be featured across three DVDs and two Blu-ray discs. The discs will be contained in two amaray cases, which will have reversible covers. Everything will be contained in a chipboard box.

The on-disc extras for all editions will include: “Daybreak” (episode 0), “Beyond the Boundary Idol Trail!”, “Who Judge You Even Though They Waver”, the Japanese promos and the textless opening and ending animation sequences.

Pre-orders for the standard DVD and Blu-ray editions and the limited edition DVD and Blu-ray combo-pack can be made here.

A Lull in the Sea’s Standard Editions Now Available in North America

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If you wished to pick up A Lull in the Sea‘s (Nagi no Asukara) release but didn’t want to pick up a premium edition or pick up only half of the series at a time then NIS America has quickly got your back. Today the company has released standard editions of both the first and second volume of A Lull in the Sea on their online store and through other online retailers.

Each volume contains thirteen episodes of the twenty six episode series and are presented only on DVD with only the original Japanese voice acting with English subtitles rather than the Premium Edition’s Blu-rays that include an English dub.