Sony Computer Entertainment Australia announced the PlayStation Plus lineup for July, with acclaimed platformer TowerFall Ascension and Capcom action title Strider headlining the PS4 offerings.
To be added for the PlayStation 3 is Dead Space 3 and the 2D action-puzzler Vessel. PS Vita owners have LEGO Batman 2: DC Superheroes and the charming Doki Doki Universe to look forward to. But with these additions will come the removal of Pixeljunk Shooter Ultimate, Trine 2: The Complete Story, NBA 2K14, Sly Cooper Thieves in Time, Puppeteer, Lone Survivor, Dragon’s Crown and Surge Deluxe. The update will go into effect on July 2nd.
Per a new partnership with the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), Gran Turismo 6 by Polyphony Digital will be the first video game to ever include FIA-certified content, with four of the title’s world-famous tracks granted certification by FIA officials after inspection.
The governing body represents nearly 80 million road and track users from 141 countries across five continents, and this new partnership with the Gran Turismo developer aims to connect the millions of GT fans with real-world motor sport fans in a well-integrated manner. Another direct result of the partnership is FIA and Polyphony Digital’s planned launch of an official FIA Online Championship by 2015. The virtual championship will enable the ever-growing Gran Turismo community, and motor sport fans around the world alike, the opportunity to engage with real motor sports.
Jean Todt, President of the FIA, said;
This innovative new partnership will ensure that millions of Gran Turismo and motor sport fans can race on even more detailed tracks at home. The Gran Turismo series has played an important role in helping to attract a new fan base to motor sport. With the input of FIA in the development of the upcoming FIA Online Championship, Gran Turismo 6 will now offer an experience even closer to the real world of motor sport. We are also excited to be working closely with Polyphony Digital and Sony Computer Entertainment in the future to find new ways to continue to make motor sport more accessible to millions of fans that share a passion for racing.
President of Polyphony Digital Kazunori Yamauchi sees the collaboration as a “major step to forward our mission to connect our virtual and real racing worlds in a full circle, thereby expanding the population of car and motorsports enthusiasts in the world.”
By the Emperor! A proud Imperial Citizen is making an animated movie set in the Warhammer 40 000 universe (40k). The Warhammer 40 000 universe is a science-fantasy universe owned by Games Workshop and is most commonly associated with a tabletop war game of the same name. 40k is renowned for its grim portrayal of a far future where humanity has regressed technologically and beset on all sides by ravenous horrors. The trailer for the fan-made film, Lord Inquisitor, can be found below and looks gorgeous.
Although there isn’t all that much to see in terms of narrative, it does showcase one of the most iconic images from the 40k universe; a Space Marine in power armour (‘Tactical Dreadnought Armour’ to be exact). The mise-en-scene does a great job of conveying the unique flavour of 40k with jittering servitors and the dark, candlelit corridors of a sci-fi monastery. The voice-over does a great job of bringing the pathos of the universe to life with a baritone proclaiming that “I am the end”.
What’s even more amazing is that this is all completely unofficial with no backing from any major studio or even Games Workshop itself. In regards to its intellectual property Games Workshop has played things close to the chest and has previously terminated fan projects in the past, including another fan-made movie. The creator and director of Lord Inquisitor, Erasmus Brosdau, appears to be obtained permission for a go-ahead on his project and has even enlisted the efforts of Aaron Dembski-Bowden (who has previously penned official novels for 40k universe).
The film is due to be released some time either this or next year and if the trailer for this project is at all indicative of the final product; 40k fans will certainly have a reason to be excited.
Overview Some shows can boast about having an enthralling storyline, others can be praised for their amazing graphics, while other series can take pride in setting a new standard. Then there are shows that people watch simply to have a good time and maybe even a healthy dose of fan-service. Samurai Girls was a show that fell into that latter category as it had plenty of bare skin to show off but a decent amount of action and a likable cast of characters. As such with the sequel, Samurai Bride now available in North America, is this second season worth picking up?
Story After the events that took place during Samurai Girls, Muneakira Yagyu, a man capable of transforming those he kisses into Master Samurai, went on a journey to train himself to become a better general. When he arrives back at his family’s dojo, what should have been a happy reunion turns into one of shock as he finds that the dojo has been transformed into a maid café.
He is informed by Yukimura and Sen that due to Sen’s brother claiming victory over the previous threat to Japan and poor investments by Yukimura, the dojo is in threat of being shut down. Because of this, the girls came up with the idea of creating a maid café to help pay off their debts and as such, Muneakira agrees to help out in order to help make ends meet, especially since everyone, including Juubei and Kanetsugu, are eager to help out.
The time of partially revealing maid outfits doesn’t last for too long however as shortly after Muneakira arrives, four Dark Samurai that have been resurrected from death have come looking to battle against Juubei who is incapable of using her Master Samurai powers after her own death last season. After being spectacularly defeated by these Dark Samurai, a curse is placed on Muneakira and if the girls can’t manage to bring Juubei’s powers back and defeat these samurai, the curse will strip Muneakira of his abilities and bring ruin to the dojo and the girls’ lives.
While the Dark Samurai obviously pose a threat, that doesn’t stop one of them from becoming a regular of the Maid Café who constantly antagonizes Juubei for being a fake. The first five episodes of the series focus on various elements of the Maid Café as the group tries to stay afloat, have a few skirmishes with the Dark Samurai, and even turn a new ‘character’ and an older character into Master Samurai.
After this point the series takes a bit of a different spin as the Maid Café is able to close and news reaches Yukimura’s ears that something stronger than a Master Samurai exists, something called the Samurai Bride. Once another new face arrives and begins training the girls to control their Ki in an effort to put up a fight against the Dark Samurai, the story shifts into one where a dark force is threatening the whole of Japan and the circumstances surrounding the Dark Samurai’s resurrection which may not be as simple as good vs evil as the series initially presents it as.
In many ways Samurai Bride feels the same as Samurai Girls, albeit with a different enemy and more time spent on maids and picking on Kanetsugu than introducing characters, but that isn’t much of bad thing as far as this show is concerned. The reason for that is because Samurai Bride is just a really fun series with plenty of comedic moments and just a general sense of silliness playing across the backdrop of an action series.
With the familiar characters being as likable as ever, a ton of fan-service, and plenty of situations changed up to keep things fresh, Samurai Bride may lose the plot at times with its silly nature, but it manages to deliver exactly what fans of the series are expecting. A nice comedic series with plenty of fan-service and a decent dose of action to keep the story flowing.
Visuals As one would surmise, Samurai Bride has been released completely uncensored which means what was previously censored with ink splotches in the original showing, is now bared in its full chested glory. Every girl in the series at some point has her breasts exposed, whether it is in the bath, during a battle, or during one of the times the girls are messing around, there is plenty of nudity to be seen here, especially since one of the new characters literally fights naked outside of some strategically placed hair covering her nipples and convenient tail placement. Along those lines there are plenty of gratuitous panty shots as well, including a panty sniffing scene that is played seriously.
The overall look of the series remains similar to what was found in Samurai Girls with Japan being presented in a pseudo-modern form, with old style buildings everywhere despite there being computers and tablets that are used regularly and everything having a very stylized look to it. Character designs remain very much the same as well, with new characters fitting the theme well and even filling the kemonomimi quota. Of course these girls all have plenty of revealing outfits that change regularly to show off their assets, though it is funny that the whole maid aspect used in the beginning is usually more concealing than the clothing they usually wear.
Audio The English voice actors from the first season return to reprise their roles in Samurai Bride which is great for fans who enjoyed the original English dub as I can say that the new characters introduced this season are presented splendidly, making Samurai Bride a series that viewers should enjoy just as much in English as they would in Japanese. There are a few awkward sounding moments however such as when the girls say “Moe Moe Heartbeat” which probably should have been said the same as the Japanese version.
As far as the soundtrack is concerned, Samurai Bride features some fitting background music for the genre but it can be a bit too simple sounding during calmer moments. The opening theme for the series is fittingly called “AI DO.” by Miyuki Hashimoto which works as a great opener for the series that rivals that of the first season while the ending theme is done in a comedic nature focusing on the maid aspect called “Kekka, Guuzen de Gozasourou,” and is sung by the Japanese voice actresses for Juubei, Yukimura, and Sen.
Extras The special features for Samurai Bride are saved thanks to the fact that there are some nice shorts accompanying the release, as the other special features simply are various Japanese promotional material for the series, trailers for other Sentai Filmworks anime, and a three different clean versions of the opening theme and seven different clean versions of the ending theme.
There are six of the aforementioned ‘Samurai Bride Shorts’ that are numbered as if they were to take place between episodes, though the numbering of the last short really doesn’t fit. Each of these shorts are only about three minutes in length but in these three minutes viewers are presented a few members of the female cast in all different kinds of light-hearted fan-service heavy situations. So if you didn’t manage to get enough off of the man series, these extras should do the job.
Overall Samurai Bride does little to change up the formula we were shown in Samurai Girls but for a series like this one, it works well enough. This fun little show has everything that fans of the first series will be looking for; Boobs, butts, action, and a new story to watch everyone’s favorite characters deal with. This is helped along by the new characters introduced along the way and just enough time spent on the fluffier aspects of the series before shifting focus to the actual story and bringing this new story to a fairly successful close.
Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.
You may have heard that Viz Media had picked up Yu Sasuga and Kenichi Tachibana’s horror sci-fi manga Terra Formers for release in North America, but if not then you do now. Plus we have some good news for you as you will not have to wait too long for the first volume to be released as Viz announced today that Terra Formers Volume 1 will be hitting store shelves on July 15th for a price of $12.99. This release is rated M for mature as it features quite a lot of gore and subsequent volumes of this continuing series will be released on a bi-monthly basis.
Published under the Viz Signature imprint, Terra Formers tells the story of a world where in the late 26th century, the overpopulation of Earth has forced humanity to find new places to live. As such they have spent centuries terraforming Mars and now that it has been completed, but once humanity arrives on the planet they find that the terraforming process has had horrific consequences and has created terrible creatures. With the first manned mission wiped out, a second expedition is sent out to find that cockroaches sent to terraform Mars have been transformed into giant aggressive humanoids that want to kill every human they see.
Those who have been following the anime side of things should probably recognize the Monster series since we just finished reviewingthe Australian release of the anime back in May. Well now here in North America fans of the Monster anime will soon have a chance to read the source material in an all new format as Viz Media is planning on releasing the “Perfect Edition” of the Monster manga starting on July 15th.
Monster: The Perfect Edition Volume 1 will be released on this date under the Viz Signature imprint and this print only release will be priced at $19.99. Such a price tag is for good reason however, as this is an oversized release that comes with a new translation, re-mastered pages, a generous amount of full color pages, and it also contains both the first and second volume of the series.
All future volumes of Monster: The Perfect Edition will be released four times a year in North America, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand with there being nine volumes in total. Viz Media describes the manga as such:
In Naoki Urasawa’s Monster, Johan is a cold and calculating killer with a mysterious past, and brilliant Dr. Kenzo Tenma is the only one who can stop him! Conspiracy and serial murder open the door to a compelling, intricately woven plot in this masterwork of suspense. In the first volume of the new Perfect Edition, everyone faces uncertainty at some point in their lives. Even a brilliant surgeon like Kenzo Tenma is no exception. But there’s no way he could have known that his decision to stop chasing professional success and instead concentrate on his oath to save peoples’ lives would result in the birth of an abomination. The questions of good and evil now take on a terrifyingly real dimension. Years later, in Germany during the tumultuous post-reunification period, middle-aged childless couples are being killed one after another. The serial killer’s identity is known. The reasons why he kills are not. Dr. Tenma sets out on a journey to find the killer’s twin sister, who may hold some clues to solving the enigma of the “Monster.”
Following at the heels of Google’s Android TV announcement, Razer announced their new micro-console powered by Android TV. The console has yet to be named, but will join a line up of systems including the Razer Blade, Razer Blade Pro, and Razer Edge. The new micro-console will provide owners streaming services for movies, TV and music while providing a strong gaming experience via Android games. The console will be controllable with voice commands and Android devices.
“This is a console of the future,” says Min-Liang Tan, Razer co-founder and CEO. “Built on Google’s incredible Android TV platform, the Razer micro-console incorporates not only hardcore and casual gaming, but music, movies and other entertainment and social applications, all on an affordable system.”
Oscura: Second Shadow is an interesting platformer developed by Ole Alfheim of Chocolate Liberation Front and published by Surprise Attack Games, the publishers of Vertiginous Golf. The title was made in the style of classics like the original Super Marios Bros. and Rayman with the artistic flair of Tim Burton. However, instead of utilizing martial prowess and brute force, Oscura has a magical glowing hand that guides him through the dark, gothic-style levels. He also has the ability to leap and navigate through the levels, avoiding any opposition by dodging them or using his ability to slow time, giving Oscura the opportunity to find a safe route around his enemies. Oscura: Second Shadow is available on iOS platforms, so iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad users will have access to it first. A Mac version is under development still, but more information on that as time passes.
Gameplay
Gameplay in Oscura: Second Shadow is very similar to Super Mario Bros. However, in this title, you must recover the Aurora Stones that were stolen from the Great Lighthouse by an unknown creature. Without the light from the Aurora Stone, Driftlands – the land that Oscura resides in – will be destroyed. Oscura is the keeper of the lighthouse, and is charged with the safekeeping and protection of the Aurora Stone. You will have to take control of Oscura, an unlikely hero, through 20 different levels, each crafted to provide an interesting experience that is both challenging and fascinating.
The goal is to achieve the best time and record in each level. To complete a level, you have to make your way through the dangerous terrain filled with pits and monsters. However, you get a better score and more “Stars” if you complete the round perfectly. Perfection requires you to complete the level under a time limit, collect all the shards in a level, and not die. This will yield you 4 stars. However, if any of these requirements are not met, you’ll be greeted with lower amounts of stars. There are 20 levels in total so far, and each one is made to challenge your skills as you leap across the darkened landscape.
The touch controls in Oscura: Second Shadow feel very refined and polished. A simple touch of the directional keys will jerk Oscura forward, giving a real sense of control when you move the character through the treacherous lands. In addition to your movement, you also have the ability to double-jump and stop time. To stop time, you must collect little shards that fill up your bar. This will allow you to navigate through the level more easily, since you can’t kill or destroy the monsters that are in the level. Activating the time stop requires a simple push of the button, and another push to turn it off. You get to decide how long you want to keep it on for, but each shard only provides a little sliver of borrowed time, so using your ability wisely is the key to successfully getting through a round.
The levels are unique and there is a certain quality to them that makes it more enjoyable. I will say that it was a bit difficult to fully comprehend what my objectives were in the beginning, but that could have been due to my lack of patience. Making a tutorial space or even a simple objectives page would have helped a bit more in guiding me the right direction, but as you pick up the game, it becomes much more obvious.
Visuals & Audio
The graphics are quite unique in this game, and is the most important aspect of the game for setting the tone. The entire game has a very gothic feel to it, and is reminiscent of Tim Burton and his works. The levels are entirely handcrafted, and it reflects on how well-made the levels seem. It’s hard to run into a similar looking landscape twice, and for that I have to say I’m impressed. Each part of the level feels like a new experience, and it makes it more motivating to fully learn a level to achieve a perfect record later on.The audio was decent, but nothing that stood out to me. For such a dark-styled game, the music was pretty lighthearted. While it fit the bill for the type of gameplay that it boasts, I felt like the music could have been done a bit better. I ended up muting the game and simply playing through it without sound, and still felt like it completely delivered.
Overall
All in all, Oscura: Second Shadow is quite interesting in its own right. It’s kept me coming back for more as I try to get a perfect score on every single level. For individuals who enjoy platformers and Mario-esque titles, Oscura: Second Shadow might be the breath of fresh air you’ve been looking for on an iOS platform. I haven’t had time to try it on an iPad yet, but on the iPhone, the game feels really good. You should definitely check this title out.
Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.
As you may have already heard, the 2014 J-Pop Summit will be held this year on July 19th and July 20th this year in San Francisco, CA and while a number of special events have already been announced for those days the company has just revealed some fashion events that will be held as well.
The event holders have announced that they will be bringing back a variety of ‘KAWAii!” themed fashion shows, contests, and live performances featuring some of the fastest rising stars in the J-Pop fashion worlding including names like Una, Ayumi Seto, Misa Kimura, and more.
For those unfamiliar with the ‘KAWAii” culture, it is apparently an evolution of “Harajuku” culture and it focuses on the ever-evolving forms of “Cute” couture and it has had a major impact on pop/rock music and fashion. The term is used often to comment on the style and fashion that has become popular with youth culture in many countries.
With this year’s KAWAii! events being supported by Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco and being presented with the help of the Moshi Moshi Nippon Project, a number of events will be held and the time, location, and full detail for each event can be found below.
KAWAii!! FASHION CONTEST
Saturday, July 19th, 1:00pm, Pagoda Main Stage, Japantown
This year, the J-POP SUMMIT will hold a special fashion contest where contestants can show off their own Kawaii fashion style! The Festival welcome Una, Ayumi Seto, Akira and Misa Kimura as judges! The winner will receive KAWAii!! an assortment of premiums including “Aymmy in the batty girls’ products. Additional information on this event is available at: http://www.j-pop.com/2014/harajuku-kawaii.
“AYMMY IN THE BATTY GIRLS” FASHION SHOW
Saturday, July 19th, 1:00pm, Pagoda Main Stage, Japantown
Models Ayumi Seto, Misa Kimura, Una and join others from Bay Area to showcase the colorful summer collection from Seto’s brand new fashion line, “Aymmy in the batty girls.” Many of the same outfits featured in the show will be available to purchase at KAWAii!! Pop-Up Store located inside the NEW PEOPLE building (Mezzanine Level).
AKIRA LIVE PERFORMANCE
Saturday, July 19th, 1:00pm, Pagoda Main Stage, Japantown
J-POP SUMMIT fans can catch Akira, a popular model and singer in a special solo live set. She notably debuted as a model for “KERA,” a popular gothic fashion magazine, and quickly became one of the top models in Japan. Akira is also a pop singer and her debut single, “Aoki Tsuki Michite,” is featured as the ending theme of the popular anime series, Black Butler ‾ Book of Circus. Her music and striking gothic-androgynous style have captured legions of fans both in Japan and internationally and her debut album is slated to release on July 30th. For more information please visit: Akira.
UNA LIVE PERFORMANCE
Saturday, July 19th, 6:30pm-8:30pm, J-POP LIVE at UNION SQUARE
Sunday, July 20th, 12:45pm, Pagoda Main Stage, Japantown
Una is a charismatic model well-known in the Harajuku scene for her unique and edgy fashion style. She launched pop music career with her first single “Juicy Juicy” last year and went on to release digital mini album, “True of Lights/Danse Danse.” Una participated in “U-EXPRESS LIVE 2014″ in Saitama and appeared with Katy Perry, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu and released her newest “BOOM BOOM BOOM,” in April. She brings her danceable groove to J-POP SUMMIT for a special concert performance not to be missed! For more details, please visit: UNA.
AYUMI SETO AUTOGRAPH & PHOTO SESSION
Saturday, July 19th, 3:00pm, NEW PEOPLE Mezzanine
Sunday, July 20th, 2:00pm, NEW PEOPLE Mezzanine
Ayumi Seto, a fashion model and designer of her own new brand, “Aymmy in the batty girls,” will hold a special autograph/photo session on both days of J-POP SUMMIT! Each day, the first 50 customers to purchase “Aymmy in the batty girls” products during festival will receive a pass! For more information, please visit: Ayumi Seto.
KAWAii!! POP-UP SHOP AT NEW PEOPLE Saturday, July 19th & Sunday, July 20th, 11:00am-6:00pm
NEW PEOPLE Mezzanine
Visit NEW PEOPLE’s retail store, located inside the MARUQ boutique the venue’s Mezzanine Floor, will offer exclusive lines of fashion apparel, designs and accessories imported strait from Tokyo! Don’t miss the new summer collections of “Aymmy in the batty girls,” a new fashion brand inspired by a unique mix of 60s and 70s Americana popular culture, punk and rock fashion designed by model Ayumi Seto.
KAWAii!! MEET-UP AREA Presented By MOSHI MOSHI NIPPON
Saturday, July 19th & Sunday, July 20th, 11:00am-6:00pm
KAWAii!! TENT, Post Street, Japantown
MOSHI MOSHI NIPPON will host a special tents located on Post St. in the heart of the J-POP SUMMIT Festival action where Kawaii fans can gather and meet! Get special info about the latest Kawaii trends, check out new merchandise, and meet other fans and models! More information will be updated at: www.j-pop.com/2014/harajuku-kawaii.
Today Idea Factory International was able to nail down a solid release date for Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth1 in North America and Europe. The company has revealed that the game will be released to retailers and digitally on August 26th in North America for the PS Vita while gamers in Europe will be able to download the title on August 27th.
Also it is worth noting that Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth1 will also be available for download from the Australian PSN at that time as well. To go along with this announcement Idea Factory International released a very large batch of English screenshots for the game as well as a new trailer, all of which can be found below.
