Today Square Enix released a trailer for Final Fantasy XV that most of us have likely seen before, since it was previously shown off during Tokyo Game Show. However what makes this trailer special, is it is the first time that we get to hear the English voice actors that will be voicing some of the characters in the game including the main four: Noctis, Gladio, Prompto, and Ignis.
You can check out the trailer below and catch an earful of what they will sound like. Going from the small bits shown, I’m quite satisfied by the voice actors and how the characters sound.
It looks like Gust, the company known for developing the Atelier and Ar Tonelico series, will be revealing something in this week’s issue of Famitsu. The company’sofficial website has been updated with a teaser featuring Hyperdimension Neptunia’s Gust character with Thursday’s date, the day that new issues of Famitsu are released.
Currently no real hints have been given as to what the announcement may be, though it is interesting to note that, while other Japanese developers have started branching out onto the PlayStation 4, Gust has yet to do so. Considering Famitsu information is usually leaked out a couple of days early, we will likely know within the next twenty-four hours.
Overview
If anyone knows how to craft a portable experience, Level-5 do. The developer has brought us some of the most enjoyable gems during the past twenty years, with the likes of Professor Layton and the often forgotten about but still loved Dark Cloud. Yes, we know that quality will be a given with the likes of Fantasy Life, as it has the brand to back it. The only personal qualm I had going in was a bit of burn-out on the genre. Sure, I loved Animal Crossing through and through, and still play it, Tomadachi, and even that Disney sim game, but the question is, are we becoming over-saturated on the 3DS with these titles? Better yet, can Fantasy Life draw in an audience for another go as we live twelve lives in one setting? Let’s find out.
Story
The narrative in Fantasy Life is really not the draw. I know I am stating this early, but it is kind of important going in to this experience to know that while charming, the main plot is a bit forgettable and almost typical of your standard RPG. You have a butterfly sidekick of sorts and are out to save the world. Sure, there is more to it than that, but the “main plot” isn’t that important. What is important is the world of Reveria. Every little city or town you travel to has a ton of NPCs, and they are definitely wordy. Sometimes, this can be a curse in a game as its easy to want to tap A and just move forward. Fantasy life is a bit different however, as no matter how long you play, its almost a reward to get to go back and socialize as the writing is quick and clever, full of humor and heart.
Every quest comes with more interaction than one can ask for, and while you will be walking back and forth, its usually a treat to speak to each humble resident, no matter what the task at hand is. Sure, you will enjoy the little story intertwined within this otherwise massive (albeit repetitive) world, but its the side quests – or the “little things” so to speak that stack up and make this title truly worth diving into.
Gameplay
I kind twisted the truth when I threw out comparisons to Animal Crossing with Fantasy Life, as aside from the basic control scheme, the two titles are completely different. While it could be considered to be somewhat of a simulation experience, this title is at its core an RPG, and even has an MMO vibe running with it. The main reason I used Animal Crossing is that it is that kind of a game where you live a different life – and get sucked into one experience for hours at a time. Starting out, the player goes through what is honestly a decent amount of customization as they design their character, where they then will select a class. No matter what choice you make, nothing is permanent in terms of job, as the twelve given within Fantasy Life give it a distinct feel, unlike most titles on the market.
Sure, we have seen titles that have had swappable classes before, but Fantasy Life does one better and provides classes that compliment each other. Want to be a fisherman? Well, you can, but you can also level up a chef alongside of that, so you can cook your catch and create a tasty meal. Players can also become a Paladin, Hunter, Wizard, Wood Cutter, or one of a good number of other lives, and each comes with an almost urgent need to level up the next so you can get the most out of the world around you. Since your traits are able to be carried over, no talent obtained really goes to waste, making the time you play with each valuable in its own way. Switching is easy, but you must be in a city and not in the middle of a story segment or quest, which makes sense.
By doing tasks, whether unique to your own class or not – the player will earn stars that ultimately level you up. Its a long road to the next rank as you progress, but there is a lot to do along the journey there. Players can go on quests and battle monsters, or simply craft and collect – depending on their current preference. I personally started out as a chef first, which has the player take part in little rhythm and timing influenced mini-games. Sure, these little romps are not that entertaining, but considering the amount of times you will be doing them – it certainly could be worse. The combat, no matter what class is also a bit basic and never really feels too exciting either, which kind of comes off as a disappointment as again- this is a game that has a lot of repetition. Don’t get me wrong, nothing is broken with the gameplay within fantasy life, as whatever class you are, you will be able to complete your tasks. However, you will just be doing the sames things over and over so much that the grind starts to feel tiresome hours in.
To elevate that feeling of monotony, Fantasy Life celebrates the player for everything they participate in. There are a ton of items to collect, and many are only obtainable by passing certain feats within the game. The grind is worth it for the most part as no matter the chore, there is usually a great feeling of accomplishment that Level-5 have packed into the charming center of Fantasy Life, and while it may be easy to lose interest and start a new life, there is no punishment for that – which gives the player the power to ultimately control their enjoyment of the overall experience. Multiplayer also adds a good deal as well, as players can go into battles (or other tasks) with a friend, and even choose AI partners if need be, who actually seem to be quite competent for the most part.
Visuals and Audio
Visually, Fantasy Life is lovely as it shines with its bright colors and adorable little character designs. I have used the word “charming” a lot in this review, but the art style shares the same word as its hard not to put on an instant smile just by watching the chipper animations and life in general that Reveria has to offer. There is also a lot of detail within the environment as well, which is a big positive as in my opinion, a lot of titles such as Rune Factory and even Animal Crossing never try to jump above their simplistic aesthetic, while Fantasy Life seems to be just as detailed graphically as it is with its dialogue.
I’ll admit that while I liked the soundtrack, it never really provided a lot of earworms or songs that I would hum along with. Its forgivable for the most part as the music is pleasant, just not that memorable. For some reason, I enjoyed the little sound effects much more and began to appreciate the pitter-patter of footsteps and the sound of a fishing line hitting water. Those little things do a lot to give off an atmosphere that is easy to get lost in, and for a time consuming game like Fantasy Life, that is a great thing to provide the player.
Overall
Fantasy Life is not like Pokemon, nor Animal Crossing or Rune Factory. Its closest in kin comes in the form of an MMO, and while it lacks a lot of the depth, it does more than its part to create an addicting and delightful experience for those who want to sink a hefty amount of time into a more unique title on the 3DS. Who needs a AAA story when you have adventures to go on and all of the tools you could possibly ask for at the palms of your hands? Level-5 have made a bit of a treasure with here and while it may be repetitive, it knows how to hook you and reel you in with a constant stream of rewards. No matter what your tastes may be, Fantasy Life is sure to click for just about anybody willing to donate a heaping tablespoon of time and patience.
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Devolver Digital has announced a brand new feature to their popular early access title Broforce. The patriotic shoot-em-up has now added a level editor to the movie-themed action game, with an over-the-top video announcement which can be viewed below. This level editor looks to be a powerful tool, offering players a huge amount of customization for the game.
Player generated content will be available in an in-game area aptly called the user generated island. These levels will be selected from a bimonthly level design competition for players, called the Weekend Workshop Brodown. The competition pits level designers against each other to build the best level based on developer announced themes. The winners of these competitions will be rewarded with copies of Devolver Digital games, and the chance to have their level included in the final release of Broforce. Details on the competitions can be found here.
The addition of a level editor to the game is a huge step for the bombastic shooter; the replayability which will likely come of this is huge, and I can only imagine that level designers will likely seek to try to recreate levels based off the in-game character’s movies. Our review of Broforce can be found here.
Independent developer Chilled Mouse has announced that, in conjunction with tabletop gaming juggernaut Games Workshop and Rodeo Games, Warhammer Quest will be coming to Steam. This announcement stated that the digital version of the famous board game will be available on PC, Mac, and Linux via Steam.
The turn-based strategy game will be set in hidden dungeons all around the Warhammer Fantasy world. Chilled Mouse stated that the dungeons will be randomly generated, and filled with loot. Enemies will include different long-time Warhammer universe characters, such as Skaven, Orcs, River Trolls, and Goblins.
Players will control hero characters using a number of different class types, such as the Marauder, Grey Wizard, Dwarf Ironbreaker, and more. Heroes will level up skills and gain new abilities, spells, and blessings throughout the course of the game.
The board game remains relatively difficult to find, as Games Workshop doesn’t continually reissue it. This game offers the opportunity to bring what many consider a popular tabletop game to the masses. The Warhammer universe is dripping in rich history, and this game allows fans of the world to experience all of that in a digital package.
The title, which was originally released on mobile platforms, will be released on January 7th next year. It will be available in two versions, a base edition for $14.99 (£10.99) and a deluxe edition with a host of add-on content for $29.99 (£19.99). If the game rings true to it’s mobile version, these add-ons will be available after the release as well. Below is a video and a few screenshots. You can find the the game with a 20% off preorder discount on Steam here.
As we know, Capcom is currently working on Street Fighter V and it will be heading to the PlayStation 4 and PC sometime in the future. Now during the weekend at the Capcom Cup Finals, Capcom series executive producer Yoshinori Ono stated that the title will have “lots of secrets” and that a lot of the battle systems will stay hidden for quite some time.
At the event he also shared an extended gameplay trailer as well as the first live gameplay demonstration of Street Fighter V, showing off a fight between Ryu and Chun-Li. It is also worth noting that, if you check out the gameplay trailer, you will notice a teaser for Charlie Nash, Guile’s best friend who hasn’t been seen in a Street Fighter game since Street Fighter Alpha 3 in 1998.
A couple of days ago Bandai Namco revealed that Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 was in the works for the PlayStation 4 and now the company has confirmed that the title will indeed be heading West and for more platforms than initially announced. In 2015 Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 will be released in North America and Europe for the Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC.
Currently few details about the game are known but the developers are promising that the title will feature “blisteringly fast gameplay” and “unbelievable graphics that go beyond anime-quality.” As you can see in the screenshots and artwork below, Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 will include the final events of the manga which wrapped up last month.
Today Capcom has revealed that they will be bringing both DmC Devil May Cry and Devil May Cry 4 to the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One next year. The DmC Devil May Cry: Definitive Edition will be released at retail and as a digital download in Europe and North America on March 17th for $39.99 and it will feature the original game, plus all of the DLC including “Vergil’s Downfall” campaign. This Definitive Edition also includes “Vergil’s Bloody Palace Mode” and a “Gods Must Die” level of difficulty alongside “Must Style Mode” and “Hardcore Mode.”
Also in the game will be new costumes for Dante and Vergil based off of the original character designs in the series. A Turbo Mode has also been added to allow players to increase the speed of play and allow for “faster and more intense combat.” As for the Devil May Cry 4: Special Edition, it will be released in Summer 2015 and currently very few details have been released about that title but more information will be made available in the coming months.
2014 has been a rollercoaster ride for gamers, with some incredible highs and lows. Games like Dark Souls II, Watch_Dogs, Titanfall, Assassin’s Creed: Unity, Pokemon Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire, Far Cry 4 and Dragon: Age Inquisition have for better or worse been entertaining us through the past 12 months. Well with the year winding down, we thought we would take a look at the next year of gaming: 2015. While there are sure to be more games to be announced, and more updates as we move into the year, these are the games from Microsoft that you should keep on your radar:
Currently in open beta for PC, Below is a dungeon-crawling RPG that according to the creators “combines the old-school delights of exploration, looting treasure and subterranean peril with a contemporary approach to storytelling.” Definitely keep your eye out for this one.
Cuphead is one of the many ID@Xbox games currently in development and is a run and gun platformer for one or more players that draws heavy inspiration from 80s cartoon and a bygone era of gaming. Specialising in its boss battles the game places you in the role of Cuphead & Mugman and has you traversing strange worlds, acquiring new weapons, learning powerful super moves and uncovering hidden secrets. Oh, and the soundtrack is entirely original jazz recordings, so that’s cool too.
One of the bigger games on people’s radar is Evolve from 2k Games. Putting players in the role of either giant monsters or a team of hunters, Evolve offers one of the better asynchronous gameplay experiences in a long time. At our recent hands-on we learned how vital teamwork is to the whole package and can’t wait to see how the game evolves at and after launch.
The forest of Nibel is dying. After a powerful storm sets a series of devastating events in motion, an unlikely hero must journey to find his courage and confront a dark nemesis to save his home. “Ori and the Blind Forest” tells the tale of a young orphan destined for heroics, through a visually stunning action-platformer crafted by Moon Studios for Xbox One and PC. Featuring hand-painted artwork, meticulously animated character performance, and a fully orchestrated score, “Ori and the Blind Forest” explores a deeply emotional story about love and sacrifice, and the hope that exists in us all.
I’m relatively new to the Witcher, having glossed over the first and second games, but I have to say that the upcoming Witcher III looks absolutely stunning and like it will play like a true RPG gamer’s dream. With powerful characters and a story that changes heavily depending on your choices, I can’t wait to give this one a whirl.
The Division takes place three weeks after a devastating pandemic sweeps through New York City on Black Friday. One by one, basic services have failed and society has collapsed into chaos. The Division, an autonomous unit of tactical agents, is activated. Leading seemingly ordinary lives among us, these agents are trained to operate independently in order to save society. In a persistent and dynamic environment where exploration and player progression are essential, team up with other Division agents to restore order, investigate the source of the virus, and take back New York.
They may not be the greatest games out there but I love the Fable series. Exploration, journeying, magic and a cool fantasy setting are one thing, but now we can bring our friends in on the action! The first game in the series to offer multi-player co-op, Fable Legends lets you and three friends explore Albion and take down the devilish monsters that threaten it. Not only that, but you can also opt to play as a villain and create the chaos yourself.
Announced at the same time as the Xbox One, Quantum Break is meant to be the next step in gaming: A game that combines what we play and what we watch into a unified product. From the makers of “Alan Wake” and “Max Payne,” critically-acclaimed Remedy Entertainment brings forth the world of “Quantum Break,” blending innovative, adrenaline-fueled gameplay and Time Manipulation features with deep and thoughtful narrative.
After being battered and bruised in last year’s Tomb Raider reboot, Lara Croft is back and her next journey will be exclusive to Xbox One. eaturing epic, high-octane action moments, “Rise of the Tomb Raider” will take gamers to multiple locations around the world filled with exploration spaces that are some of the most beautifully hostile places on earth. In addition, after hearing the cry from fans loud and clear, the game will put the tombs back into “Tomb Raider,” all in the franchise’s gritty Survival-Action style.
Probably one of the most highly anticipated games of 2015 is Halo 5: Guardians. Developed again by 343 Industries, Halo fans everywhere will sure to be clamoring over Master Chief’s next outing. Lets just hope that some of the problems from the Master Chief Collection are ironed out by then.
So there we have it, the biggest games that will be coming out the gate at you in the new year. With all the great titles coming out way, which are you most excited for? Let us know in the comments below and remember to stay tuned to Capsule Computers for all the hottest gaming news any time of the year.
Ho, Ho, Ho everyone! The festive season is upon us and that means it is time to scurry about looking for presents for our loved ones and put them under the tree with care. Well while the rest of us are enjoying roast meals and family togetherness, the guys over at Microsft HQ never stop working, and that means it is time for another installment of the hottest news series this-side of the equator: Xbox Newsbeat! We’ve got four great headlines for you this week including… well it must be a Christmas miracle because we have some Windows-Phone related news! So what are we waiting for!?
Twitch and Xbox Introduce Major New Features for the Xbox One Community
Now I’ll admit that I’m more likely to be playing games than watching others online, but even I know how great Twitch is, and how it has become one of the most widely-used apps on the Xbox One since it became available earlier this year. Well now the service has gotten even better with a tonne of new features The app now uses Xbox Live’s new ability to associate real-time gameplay stats with broadcasts, which enables a massive array of search options. Depending on the game, the filters may include player stats, game modes, maps, player skill level, in-game activity, progress, and more.
So what does that all mean? Well you can custom tune your search results in Call of Duty to only see streams from players with the best k/d ratio, or drivers in Forza Horizon 2 who use a specific type of car. It is a cool little feature that just lets you customise your viewing experience.
ID@Xbox Profile: Threes!
The ID@Xbox program has allowed some incredibly talented indie developers to put together some awesome games for the Xbox One. One of the newest additions to the line-up has been a console port of the crazy popular and scarily addictive puzzle game Threes. Based on the other addictive mobile puzzler, 2048 – Threes has you matching up panels of identical numbers in order to rack up a high score. Available now, the console port not only allows the use of a controller, but also makes use of every facet of the Xbox One software, including the Snap feature to run multiple apps simultaneously – the only ID@Xbox game to do so, so far.
Go Walkin’ in a Winter Wonderland with the Minecraft Festive Pack
We here at Newsbeat aren’t the only ones celebrating the festive season Microsoft and 4J have released the latest skin pack for Microsoft: Xbox 360 Edition and Xbox One Edition. Available from now, the new skin pack gets into the festive season with new holiday characters and winter-themed skins. You can grab the pack for a nice $3.95.
Minecraft: Pocket Edition Now Available On Windows Phone
It is a rarity here at Newsbeat but we actually have Windows Phone news! Microsoft have finally ported the popular Minecraft: Pocket Edition onto the platform. Although not as full-featured as its PC or console counterparts, Pocket Edition brings all of the fun of Minecraft to people on the go. Grab it now for $8.99 and start digging!
And there we have another exciting installment of Xbox Newsbeat. Which of this week’s headlines have grabbed your attention the most? Let us know in the comments below and remember to stay tuned to Capsule Computers for all the awesome Xbox news as it becomes available.
