Atlus USA has revealed that they are planning on releasing Persona 4 Arena Ultimax for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 in North America on September 30th. As previously announced, those who pre-order the game will be given an inflatable bop bag that looks like Teddie as well as a set of Tarot cards.
It is also worth noting that for one week after release, both Marie and Adachi will be available as free character DLC. After that they will cost a yet unannounced price. Currently it is unknown if the recently revealed Margaret will be given the same treatment.
As you likely already know if you’ve been following the game, Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth1 will feature not only a revamped storyline and better graphics, but also a slew of new gameplay options when it is released on the PS Vita.
Idea Factory International recently released four videos showing off some of the new gameplay options available in the game, including the Disc Development system where players can create various discs to add extra status effects or damage reductions/increases to their characters, the Remake system that allows players to create “plans” that modify the game slightly such as adding new dungeons, creating harder monsters, or changing items, and the EXE Drive/EX Finishers which are special moves that can be performed when the player fills up their EXE Drive Gauge.
There’s always sense of mystery whenever an original anime title has been announced, especially if the only thing you’re given is a title. P.A. Works recently created a website for their upcoming anime Shiro Bako showing the title, month of premier (but no date confirmed) and a link to the official twitter page.
Although no details about the synopsis or characters have been given the anime will be directed by Tsutomu Mizushima, his previously directed works include Another, Blood-C and Girls und Panzer. At the time of writing no further information has been announced, but P.A Works will be revealing more about the anime at Comiket 86 which will be held next week in Tokyo. This will be the second original anime produced by P.A. Works this year, the first of which being Glasslip which is currently airing this season and is being streamed on Crunchyroll.
Keep your eyes on this site for more information on Shiro Bako and let us know what you think about Glasslip by leaving a comment down below.
Some new screenshots and a trailer focusing on multiplayer have been released by NIS America for Natural Doctrine. The interesting concept with the game’s multiplayer is that not only can players partake in various co-op and versus modes, but almost every fighter you encounter in the single player side of the game can be brought over to the multiplayer side.
You can check out the new screenshots and the trailer below and be sure to keep an eye out for Natural Doctrine when it is released for the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, and PS Vita on September 23rd in North America and September 26th in Europe.
MangaGamer had a very busy day at Otakon on Friday when they announced that not only will they be working on adapting Chou Dengeki Stryker for release on Steam by removing H-scenes, but also that they have picked up three new PC game licenses, at least one of which has quite a bit of notoriety to it.
euphoria
First we have euphoria from Clock-Up!, perhaps the most asked for game and most notorius. Euphoria is a psychological thriller that involves the player waking up in a white room with nothing but his clothes and a collar around his neck. The only way to escape each room is by moving through an opened door where the man, plus six girls that are also trapped, must play a sick game to advance. When one girl refuses to obey, the group awakens to watch her be murdered only to learn that forfeiture or failure means death, meaning players will be forced to violate each girl to survive this twisted death game. MangaGamer will be giving the series an HD remaster which improves the resolution of the title and will also be giving it a completely uncensored release.
The House in Fata Morgana
The next pick-up is The House in Fata Morgana which was developed by Novectacle. This title is a full-length visual novel that focuses on tragedy, human deeds, and insanity. The title features a heavy gothic atmosphere with over sixty five different musical tracks. This title will be an All-Ages release so the company is also aiming to release it on Steam.
eden*
The third and final title MangaGamer announced the license for is eden*, a title that is going to be given some special treatment. By partnering with Minori, MangaGamer is planning on releasing “eden*” as well as “eden* plus mosaic” with the first one being an all-ages release and the second being an Adults Only title with all of the sex scenes included and some extra blood. eden* is set just before the apocalypse where most of humanity has evacuated into space. The expert sniper Ryou is one of the last soldiers left on Earth and must guard the most important person left on the planet, she is an engineer that helped create the spaceships that saved humanity and also a genetically modified human with great intelligence called Sion.
In an added twist, all sales for eden* will be going to the localization of another title called Supipara – Alice the Magcal Conductor. If eden* manages to make $100K in sales, the company will be able to give Supipara an English release. Supipara has highly detailed visuals but also fell short of being given its full several chapter release in Japan due to insufficeient sales. As such if eden* and Supipara manage to do well in the West, MangaGamer and Minori will be able to help fund the continuation of Supipara and if this happens, they will be released in English before Japan gets to play the title, which would make it the first Japanese developed visual novel to be released in English before being released in Japanese.
A large batch of new Warriors Orochi 3 Ultimate screenshots have been released by Koei Tecmo and these screenshots focus on the new game modes that have been added to this enhanced release. The Gauntlet mode allows players to create a party of up to five warriors to take on missions on a dynamic battlefield where they can either fight alone or play co-op by downloading a fellow player’s party.
There is also a new Duel Mode which allows players to take their favorite warriors into three on three battles where they can fight against others online or against the computer. A trailer, featuring the first footage from the Xbox One version of the game, focuses on this Duel Mode and can be found below.
SMASH! 2014 at Rosehill Gardens, Sydney, has entered its second day with a range of announcements by Madman including One Piece Film: Z, Giovanni’s Island and, finally, Grave of the Fireflies on Blu-ray for the first time. Check out the details for each title below and let us know if you’ll be picking any of these up!
ONE PIECE FILM: Z finds Luffy and his crew of Straw Hat Pirates in the New World – facing off against the powerful, former Marine Admiral “Z.” As per the previous ONE PIECE FILM: STRONG WORLD, series creator Eiichiro Oda worked closely with the director on the Z to ensure its authenticity. ONE PIECE FILM: Z will be released on DVD, Blu-Ray and Digital in November 2014.
In the aftermath of the most devastating conflict mankind had ever experienced, the tiny island of Shikotan became part of the Sakhalin Oblast… and on this unhealed border in a remote corner of the world, friendship among children from two different countries timidly blossomed, striving to overcome language barriers and the waves of history. Release plans for GIOVANNI’S ISLAND will be confirmed at a later date.
In the aftermath of a World War II bombing, two orphaned children struggle to survive in the Japanese countryside. To Seita and his four-year-old sister, the helplessness and indifference of their countrymen is even more painful than the enemy raids. Through desperation, hunger and grief, these children’s lives are as heartbreakingly fragile as their spirit and love is inspiring. GRAVE OF THE FIREFLIES will be available on DVD and Blu-Ray from November 2014.
Although the announcements don’t contain any new TV anime shows currently airing in Japan, these are still welcome additions especially since there will be more Ghibli goodness on Blu-ray very soon.
Deconstructeam and Devolver Digital have decided to be merciful for their thriller, Gods Will Be Watching, by providing players with a free “Mercy Update” on Steam, Humble and GOG.
Deconstructeam designer, Jordi de Paco stated “The Mercy update is the result of discussions between our team and fans and critics – it refines and expands the game and made possible by the additional setting even more players a positive experience with Gods Will Be Watching to have.”
The update features new challenge settings, enabling additional influence on the difficulty of the point and click adventure (particularly the likelihood components) across the three new levels.
Puzzle Mode: face the challenges of the Original Mode, but without random factors in play.
Puzzle Mode Light: easier version, without the element of chance.
Narrative Mode: story mode for players who want to experience the history of this extraordinary title without major hurdles.
Don’t be afraid to take on Gods Will Be Watching, check out the review here.
The follow up to the indie adventure game Luciuswas announced today. Lucius II: The Prophecy will pick up after Lucius is taken to the psychiatric ward of St. Benedict’s Hospital, after Lucius judges those in his home as sinners and destroys them. Now Lucius will fulfill the second half of the prophecy that will see him taking over the world.
Lucius II is a sandbox adventure game starring the child of the devil himself. Players will have to use their imaginations to wreak havoc with clever traps, as the sequel brings more freedom and changes based on player feedback. Lucius II will be released in early 2015.
Australian anime distributor Hanabee has announced five new releases during the SMASH! 2014 convention earlier today. Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet, RWBY Volume 2, Hatorimonogatari, Red Vs. Blue Season 12 and Fate/kaleid Liner Prisma Illya Season 1 will all be released on DVD and Blu-ray later this year.
Hanabee has provided some detailed release info for each title:
Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet will be available on DVD and Blu-ray from the 5th of November 2014 in both dual English and Japanese Audio with English Subtitles.
RWBY Volume 2 will be available on DVD and Blu-ray from the 5th of November 2014. The series is currently simulcasting on Hanabee’s VOD site for free.
Hatorimonogatari will be available as a combo pack, including both DVD and Blu-ray from the 5th of November 2014 in Japanese Audio with English Subtitles.
Fate/kaleid Season 1 will be available on DVD and Blu-ray from the 3rd of December 2014 in both dual English and Japanese Audio with English Subtitles. Fate/kaleid Season 2 is now streaming on the Hanabee VOD Site.
Additionally, we were given a few updates to previously announced titles. Gatchaman Crowds has been delayed until November 5 back from its original release of August 6 while Campione! on DVD had missing subtitles on the final minute of episode 4. All stock has been fixed, however, and anyone with issues is encouraged to contact Hanabee.
