During the Nintendo Direct presentation of January 14, 2015, the long awaited 3D remake of The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask was given a release date of February 13 for the USA and UK and February 14 for Australia and New Zealand. It will be released both in retail stores and as a 661 MB download on the eShop. Players who intend on playing the game on a New Nintendo 3DS or New Nintendo 3DS XL will be able to experience the new stable 3D feature and enhanced camera controls with the C-stick.
In Australia, two limited edition New Nintendo 3DS XL consoles will be released along side the games. One will feature artwork from The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask 3D, which will be available at select retailers. The other will be a Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate themed console, which will be available exclusively at EB Games stores. Both consoles above will have a suggested retail price of $249.95 and will not come with their respective games.
Also being released in Australia is a special edition of the game, which will include a specially-designed SteelBook™, a Majora’s Mask pin badge, a double-sided poster and the game itself.
A trailer for The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask 3D is featured below.
Overview A virus originating from the Bugs 2 expedition to Mars with a one hundred percent mortality rate has started to sweep throughout the planet Earth. In an effort to find a cure for this virus and save the world, numerous nations have teamed together to send a large force to Mars called Annex 1 where they will try to capture mutated cockroaches and find a cure. However that is far easier said than done as not only have these cockroaches become smarter since Bugs 2, new and extremely powerful variants have already caused the deaths of many crewmembers. With the crew in trouble and facing off against foes they are ill-prepared to handle, what will happen in Terra Formars Volume 4?
Story It appears that the time for slow paced details have long since passed as, similar to the previous volume, this volume brings readers right into the battle as both Michelle and Akari, two crew members gifted with inherent mutation abilities, face off against two cockroaches unlike anything they have seen before. While there were already oddities with their actions before, the appearance of a cockroach with incredibly strong leg power and one capable of utilizing special underwater abilities catches the already weary fighters off guard.
Separated from the rest of the groups with very little communication between the groups in the first place and a limited supply of drugs to help the crew transform into their fighting forms these new foes make for a more interesting battle than what was previously presented. While the former volume may have been gruesome at times as we saw members of the Russian and Japanese-American teams instantly killed by surprise attacks, there was hope from then on as the surviving members were able to dispatch the normal roaches thanks to the advancements made with the Mosaic Organ Operation allowing mutations such as arachnids, birds, and even sea creatures to be utilized.
There are some brief moments of levity in this volume but it is worth noting that the focus of Terra Formars Volume 4 is the series’ signature bloody combat as we see throughout this volume even this advantage is lost once the unique roaches appear. This is a series that is more than willing to kill off characters that have been given a significant focus so there is always a tense nature to these battles and there are numerous times that readers are led to believe that the officers or one of the crew members is about to meet their fate.
That being said, there are very few developments in the actual plot in Volume 4 as nearly the entire volume features combat between the roaches and the officers. What we are presented with are the abilities of a few of the other squads such as Russia’s Squad and Adolf of Squad 5 as well as an update on their circumstances. Some character details about Adolf and Sylvester are revealed, including their motives for signing up for such a risky project but unfortunately that is about it. Considering the entire surviving crew of Annex 1 is split into six squads, the lack of focus in this regard is a bit unfortunate as readers are left only seeing a small portion of what is happening to the three teams focused on in this volume as the story jumps between them.
One thing that continues to be impressive about Terra Formars is the way that it handles the various descriptions about the base organisms used in certain character’s M.O. Operation. These brief moments of information are not only incredibly detailed but give us some context as to how these abilities work against enemies, especially once they are increased to human-sized proportions. This is especially true for certain bases that may not seem like they would be powerful on their own or are extremely exotic, such as a plant.
While the plot does take a backseat to action in volume 4 it becomes predominantly clear that another creature, be it a traitor amongst the humans or an evolved being leading the roaches, has had a hand in creating these powerful monstrosities. How they managed to do this is still unknown and with how things are left at the end of this volume we likely won’t know anytime soon but we should expect to see the end of yet another powerful member of the team.
Artwork As usual with the Viz Signature label, the slightly increased size of the volume allows for the details in the artwork to really stand out. Despite the level of combat that takes place in volume 4 the amount of gore is actually the least of all previous volumes. This likely is due to the way most of the human combatants shifting their focus to disabling the roaches, per their objective, rather than flat out killing them but readers can still expect a fair bit of gore on both sides of the fight.
The character designs remain a strong point in the series and this is especially true whenever one of the humans uses the drug to enter their combat form. With the forms now including creatures such as an electric eel and king crab, there is more variation from the bug forms that readers have likely grown familiar with at this point.
Extra Content
The amount of extra content spread throughout Terra Formars Volume 4 is a little thin as readers are presented with only two pages of information concerning four characters that have appeared in the story. Unfortunately since two of these characters aren’t even involved in the Annex project, their details here feels a bit wasted.
Other than that there are also two pages containing detailed information for two creatures that were used as base creatures in the M.O. Operation with the author giving readers some extra facts about the creatures as well as what sources he referenced for the knowledge.
Overall Terra Formars remains a thrilling read in volume 4 as the new unknown powers of the cockroaches raise the stakes of every battle. While brief, the few jokes and small details concerning a few characters’ pasts are presented which is essential to give readers something of a break from the violence and make the survivors feel human. Of course with the body count likely to rise as the survivors continue to struggle with the new roaches and attempt to figure out how they managed to obtain such power, this development will likely be a barb that will hurt the readers in the future.
While barely any questions were answered in this volume the amount of action and the way that it is presented in volume 4 will be a delight to readers who have followed the series and will likely continue to do so as Yu Sasuga’s bloody story continues to excel in many ways.
Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.
With the original Yu-Gi-Oh! manga being thirty eight volumes in length, it is quite an expensive challenge to try and collect every volume, especially since some may be hard to find now. As such, Viz Media has announced that they are now planning on re-releasing the entire Yu-Gi-Oh! manga series in a 3-in-1 omnibus format.
The first omnibus will be released on February 3rd and it will be priced at $14.99 U.S. / $16.99 CAN. There will be thirteen volumes in total though currently Viz has not announced when fans can expect the second omnibus to be released.
For those who never followed the anime series back when it aired in North America or bothered collecting any of the cards, Yu-Gi-Oh! follows the story of Yugi, a tenth grader who is possessed by the spirit of an Egyptian pharaoh after solving the Millennium Puzzle.
After being possessed by the pharaoh, Yugi challenges numerous opponents to “Shadow Games” with strange stakes and dire consequences for the loser. At least until he enters the world of card games after being challenged by Seto Kaiba to a duel after he threatens his best friends’ lives.
Even though it might be an enhanced version of a previously released game exclusive for Japan, it is interesting to see that Sega will not be making fans in the West wait long to play Hatsune Miku: Project Mirai DX as they have announced that the game will be released in North America before Japan.
Hatsune Miku: Project Mirai DX will be available at retail stores as well as a digital download in North America on May 26th, May 28th in Japan, and May 29th in Europe. Being a collaboration with Good Smile Company, this title features Hatsune Miku and her friends in Nendoroid style as they perform forty eight different songs included in the release.
Atlus USA has announced that they plan on releasing Etrian Mystery Dungeon in North America on April 7th where it can be purchased either digitally or at retail. All first run copies, or anyone who pre-orders the game, will be given a bonus soundtrack CD if they purchase a retail copy.
Currently no release date has been announced for Etrian Mystery Dungeon in Europe, but with this release date announcement Atlus also released a new trailer for Etrian Mystery Dungeon focusing on the Landsknecht swordsman class. You can check out the trailer, as well as some new English screenshots, below.
After a few details about Dead or Alive 5: Last Round‘s most recent character, Honoka, were leaked yesterday Koei Tecmo has taken the opportunity to officially announce the character and give us a good look at what she is capable of as well as what she looks like. For those interested, recent information has revealed that Honoka now sports the biggest bust in the game.
Koei Tecmo has also provided an official description of the character which can be read below:
Having been raised all her life by her gentle and loving grandmother, Honoka is a sweet, easygoing kind of girl… but when she sees a fight, she cannot contain her excitement, or the mysterious power surging within her. Honoka has a strange knack for instantly learning any fighting move she sees. She has kept this power hush-hush, but has been itching to test it out in secret. Honoka studies her favorite moves from various sources and fighting styles, and combines them into a unique style which she calls “Honoka Fu”.
Since her build is that of an average teenage girl, her moves, while skilled, may not always pack the same punch as the fighter she learned them from. In her Hissatsu-no-Kamae stance, however, she is imbued with an unbelievable strength and becomes capable of techniques she has never seen from any other fighter.
What is interesting here is that while it reveals her power to be the ability to copy other fighters’ techniques, few hints are given as to what her true secret power might be.
During their Nintendo Direct this morning Nintendo announced that they will be releasing the previously announced Puzzle & Dragons Z and Puzzle & Dragons: Super Mario Bros. Edition together in the West in one package. These titles have been developed by GungHo Online and are puzzle games featuring RPG style strategy elements and obviously the Super Mario Bros version will feature characters and levels taken from the Mario game series.
Currently no price has been announced for Puzzle & Dragons Z and Puzzle & Dragons: Super Mario Bros. Edition but you can check out some new screenshots and the reveal trailer below.
A little while back, the guys over at EA had a little competition where they gave gamers the chance to make the best Battlefield themed video for the chance to be featured in the Dimitri Vangelis & Wyman X Steve Angello hit song “Payback.” Well the videos have been produced, the votes tallied and now we get to see the new video in action. In fact, you can check it out right here:
Man there are some crazy talented people out there! I am jealous of all of your video skillz (last time I use the word “skillz,” I promise).
In other Battlefield news, we have some info and screenshots on the upcoming Battlefield: Hardline beta for Xbox One, Xbox 360, PS4, PS3 and PC.
Firstly, the beta lets you take a test drive of Hotwire, an all-new mode coming to Battlefield focused on combining all-out warfare with all-out speed. Or you can go all-out in 64-player cops and criminals warfare in the oldie but goodie, Conquest. While it’s just a taste of the whole game, there won’t be a cap on the max progression level so whether you’re busting criminals or fleeing the cops, unlock away.
We also have a few new screenshots for your viewing pleasure, so make sure you check them out below and remember to stay tuned to Capsule Computers for all the Battlefield news as it becomes available.
Madman Entertainment has just sent out an update via email that lists the anime series they are simulcasting this season. The following list presents all currently available information.
The Testament of Sister New Devil: episodes 1 and 2.
Kamisama Kiss season two: episodes 1 and 2.
Cross Ange: Rondo of Angels and Dragons: episodes 13 and 14.
Yatterman Night: episode 1.
Yatterman Night was only just revealed as one of the new anime titles to be simulcast on AnimeLab. An exact start date for Durarara!!x2, which has been licensed by Siren Visual, has not yet been revealed.
The Havoc DLC for Call of Duty‘s latest is finally gearing up to release, and as usual, Microsoft will be getting it first for the Xbox One and Xbox 360. On January 28th down under (for the Aussies) or a day earlier for North America, the platform will receive the massive update that add in four new maps, as well as the highly anticipated Exo Zombies mode.
Here are the details you can sink your teeth into:
Core: Deploy to the Gobi desert where the ravaged ruins of a nuclear fusion plant set the stage for a high-octane warzone. Take down enemies through the wreckage in long-range combat or get up-close and personal in the tunnels surrounding the central turbine. Activate decontamination drones using the map-based scorestreak to help clean out the competition.
Urban: Prepare yourself for brutal, high-speed combat in Dallas Ward 3, a future mega structure, funnelling players into a close-quarters free-for-all. This modular compound’s verticality unleashes the exoskeleton’s capabilities. Stay focused during the timed event as blast doors alter the map’s flow and sightlines.
Sideshow: In the shadow of Devil’s Tower, Wyoming, this abandoned inn’s open layout amplifies its creep factor. Blast your way through the clown inn with close-quarters battles or use long-range site-lines from the mining facilities and natural terrain. Use the map-based scorestreak to activate the lights, music, and magic of the clown marquee and rain down a barrage of rainbow smoke-trailed cannonballs.
Drift: An idyllic ski resort high in the Rocky Mountains is transformed into a festive high-altitude playground, perfect for an all-out firefight. Make your way to the highly contested over watch in the glass observation deck or take a ride on the carousel to deliver 360 degrees of carnage. Players can use the map-altering timed event to their advantage as an avalanche of snow and debris disorients players, intensifying the battle.
Not bad at all. Look for this massive update to hit at the end of the month from Activision and Sledgehammer Games for $19.99 unless you have the Season Pass, and for those on Sony consoles and the PC, stay tuned as surely a date will come for your piece of the pie as well.
With the original
