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EA Sports UFC demo to be released on June 3rd

ea-sports-ufc-demo-posterBack in April EA Sports revealed that a demo for their upcoming game, EA Sports UFC, would be released sometime before the game was released in North America and today they have followed up that announcement with a date for said demo. As you can see on the image to the right, the EA Sports UFC demo will be available for download on the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One starting on June 3rd.

Also as you may surmise by the image, in the demo players will be able to play as Jon Jones and Alexander Gustafsson. These two previously fought each other last year in UFC 165 for the Light Heavyweight Title and Jon Jones ended up coming out the victor in what many consider an extremely close match. As such players can let these two rivals battle each other virtually before EA Sports UFC is released on June 17th. At the moment players can still pre-order the game and receive an unlock code that will automatically unlock Bruce Lee as a fighter, though those who don’t pre-order can still unlock him by completing Career Mode on the Pro difficulty setting.

Roughly forty minutes of Hotaru no Nikki gameplay revealed in new videos

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If you still are curious about how Nippon Ichi’s Hotaru no Nikki, also known as Firefly’s Diary as well as htoL#NiQ, then you will probably want to check out these latest videos that have been streamed over NicoNico. These videos, found below, come together at about forty minutes total and in it we see a few stages played through in the game.

Firefly’s Diary is currently set to be released in Japan for the PlayStation Vita on June 19th and as you can see in the videos, players will control fireflies who must guide a girl named Mion through dangerous ruins while solving problems and avoiding any monsters that may try and hurt the Mion.

Part 1

Part 2

Gamecube Adapter for Wii U Announced for Smash Bros. Invitational

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Nintendo have revealed the details of their Smash Bros. Invitational which will feature 16 of the most skilled Smash Bros. players playing the all new Super Smash Bros. for Wii U with a limited roster of 16 fighters and certain conditions. You can view the video below for full details of how the tournament will be run, which fighters will be available to use and who the participants are.

The best part about this announcement came when Nintendo announced the control methods that players will be able to use where they then surprised everyone by unveiling a USB device that you can plug up to 4 Gamecube controllers into and then use those controls with your Wii U. It appears that a special Smash Bros. Gamecube controller will also be released when the game comes out that features the Smash logo on the front instead of the Nintendo Gamecube print logo. Hopefully this means the new dongle will allow for other games to be playable using the ergonomic controller often hailed as one of Nintendo’s finest design moments.

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Let us know what you think about the Invitational tournament and about the latest Wii U peripheral in the comments below. Stay with us as we bring you all the Smash Bros. coverage from E3 as it comes out. We already have a heap of coverage detailing everything we have seen so far so make sure to check it out if you’re behind on your smash news or just want a recap of everything that has been unveiled so far.

Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare Rocket Launches onto PlayStation Consoles August 21

Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare Rocket Launches onto PlayStation Consoles August 21

Hysterical Shooter Wages All-Out War in the Form of Peashooters, Goo Blasters and Explosive New Action Experiences

Sydney, Australia.—May 30, 2014—Warm up the ice blasters, call in the cherry strikes, and gear up for endless multiplayer mayhem. PopCap Games, a division of Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: EA), today announced Plants vs. Zombies™ Garden Warfare will be available August 21 in Australia and August 22 in New Zealand for both PlayStation®4 and the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system. More than one million players have already enjoyed playing this best-in-class multiplayer shooter that combines the power of the Frostbite™ 3 engine with the fresh humor of the incredibly popular Plants vs. Zombiesfranchise. Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare has been adored by both fans and critics alike, with GameSpot calling it “enticing” and “refreshing,” and Game Revolution deeming it “hopelessly addicting.”

“Our players have already vanquished more than 400 million plants and zombies, and we can’t wait for PlayStation gamers to add to this total,” said Brian Lindley, Producer on Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare“They’ll see how accessible, yet deep, the gameplay is, and will get endless hours of fun out of the game.”

Players can pre-order* Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare starting today and get two digital card packs and PlayStation exclusive customization for both their plants and zombies characters including Hat Packs from Ratchet & ClankSly Cooper and Fat Princess** games. PlayStation players will also be able to jump straight into the action, never missing a beat with PlayStation®Vita Remote Play during all their favorite multiplayer moments taking on their friends and continuing to sow the seeds of victory.

Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare lets players choose a side and wage an all-out war on their plant or zombie enemies in a variety of gameplay modes and with a jaw-dropping arsenal of outrageous weapons. The game features adored favorites in the series, such as the Peashooter and Sunflower, along with a new cast of characters including Ice Cactus, Hot Rod Chomper and all the Zombies players can get their hands on.

Players can jump into three distinct competitive multiplayer modes including two 12 vs. 12 modes called “Garden & Graveyards” and “Team Vanquish,” or a four-player co-operative mode called “Garden Ops.” Split-screen gameplay and Boss Mode will also be available on PlayStation 4.

An amazingly deep set of customization options gives players an opportunity to personalize plants and zombies with fun costumes, items, hats and more, some of which give all-new abilities to each of the characters.

Additionally, Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare will be at Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) 2014 in the Sony booth. For more info on live streaming of the game at the show and live interviews follow us on: https://www.facebook.com/plantsversuszombies.

View the Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare PlayStation Reveal Dev Diary video below.

Link: http://youtu.be/MHjtIRzXPX8

For more information on Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare please visit:
http://www.pvzgardenwarfare.com/en_AU

Follow Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare at:
https://twitter.com/PlantsvsZombies

*Conditions and restrictions apply. See pvzgardenwarfare.com for more details.
**Fat Princess only available through digital pre-order.

PREPARE FOR GRAVITY-DEFYING FUN IN MARIO KART 8, LAUNCHING TOMORROW EXCLUSIVELY ON Wii U

PREPARE FOR GRAVITY-DEFYING FUN IN MARIO KART 8, LAUNCHING TOMORROW EXCLUSIVELY ON Wii U

Mario Kart TV web service enables racers to check out karting action on the go!

30th May 2014 – Tomorrow, 31st May, the highly-acclaimed Mario Kart 8releases exclusively on Wii U, bringing family and friends together once more for some high-octane kart racing, whether taking place in the confines of a living room or online with other racers from across the globe. With crisp HD graphics, a live orchestrated soundtrack, and a new antigravity course mechanic that allows competitors to race up walls and along ceilings, Mario Kart newcomers and veterans alike are set for a challenge!

In Mario Kart 8, get ready to rev your engine and take on racers from across the globe, with up to 12 players able to race or battle online, as long as everyone has the game and a broadband Internet connection. Players also can create public or private tournaments for which they specify the day of the week, the time and the rules. Per tradition, players will be able to race against ghost data from friends or even the top 10 worldwide racers. With the new Mario Kart TV feature, players can even watch their Highlight Reels, rewind them, play them in slow motion or share it with other players. Players with Google accounts can also upload their reels directly to their YouTube channels to show off their slick racing moves.

In preparation for the game’s much-anticipated release tomorrow, a new Mario Kart TV web service optimised for smart devices – mariokart.tv – has launched, offering fans the chance to check out Mario Kart TV Highlight Reels and global Time Trial data on the go. While the service can be accessed by anyone, those with a registered Nintendo Network ID (NNID) will be able to log in and use mariokart.tv to watch Highlight Reels created by friends as well as videos of tournaments they’re participating in. Users with a registered NNID can also access their personal Time Trial data to see how they fare on each course in comparison to their friends, as well as looking at the best course times from across the globe to aim towards being the fastest racer in the Mushroom Kingdom! For more details on this new service, please visit the following link via a PC or mobile device browser: https://mariokart.tv/

As a reminder, the Mario Kart 8 Premium Pack Wii U hardware bundle (SRP AU$429.95) will accompany the launch of the game on 31st May, complete with a black Wii U Premium console with 32GB* of storage packaged alongside a black Wii U GamePad controller, Sensor Bar, and the all-important Mario Kart 8 game disc.

On top of that, anyone who registers the PIN code for Mario Kart 8 in Club Nintendo between 31st May 2014 (00:01 AEST) and 31st July 2014 (23:59 AEST), can claim a free download code for one of a selection of great Wii U games in the Mario Kart 8 Bonus Game Promotion!

For the full lowdown on Mario Kart 8, coming tomorrow exclusively for Wii U, the game’s full website can be checked out at http://gamesites.nintendo.com.au/mario-kart-8/

Additional Links:

Mario Kart 8 website http://gamesites.nintendo.com.au/mario-kart-8/

Nintendo Australia Website: http://www.nintendo.com.au
NintendoAustralia Twitter:https://twitter.com/NintendoAUNZ
Nintendo Australia Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NintendoAUNZ
Nintendo AU on YouTubehttp://www.youtube.com/nintendoau

Nintendo Australia Image Libraryhttp://images.nintendo.com.au


* 32 GB total system storage, part of which is reserved for system data

Just In Time For World Cup 2014 ‘Final Kick’ On Mobile Offers The Ultimate Penalty Shootout Experience

Just In Time For World Cup 2014 ‘Final Kick’ On Mobile Offers The Ultimate Penalty Shootout Experience

Download Soccer Companion On iOS® & Android™ For FREE

Spain, May 29th 2014: Available on the iOS®, Google Play™ and Amazon™ digital app stores beginning today, ‘Final Kick’ has been released as a FREE download just in time for World Cup 2014 kicking off in Brazil on June 12th, 2014. Developed in a joint collaboration between indie developers ‘Ivanovich Games’ and ‘Dark Curry’, ‘Final Kick’ is a compelling penalty shootout, in which players decide the final outcome of competing teams. In the game, players get to experience the incredibly tense moments of penalty shootouts, competing against the very best of opponents. Perform spectacular saves and score unforgettable goals in a highly realistic environment packed full of features.

‘Final Kick’ offers stunning graphics, realistic physics, and highly intuitive easy-to-use controls. After each score, save, or miss, watch the shootout from a variety of slow-motion replays and camera angles. Featuring single-player as well as multi-player gameplay modes, play against a friend or compete against a random opponent to discover who is worthy of the trophy in a matter of minutes. As an added bonus, 20 local offline tournaments with more than 100 of the best teams to beat are included! Player customization is included as well; create your very own dream-team by tailoring details of each player, and improve player skills for better performance! There is even real-life weekly tournaments with prizes to win, adding to an already action-packed soccer experience.

‘Final Kick’ is available as a FREE download from here:

iOS®https://itunes.apple.com/app/id778300400
Amazon™http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KG3LO3I
Google Play™https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.final_kick.best_penalty_shootout.soccer_football_game_free

 

Developer Websitewww.ivanovichgames.com

www.darkcurry.com

Game Websitewww.finalkick.me
Facebookwww.facebook.com/FinalKick.me

www.facebook.com/IvanovichGames

Twitterwww.twitter.com/ivanovichgames

www.twitter.com/Dark_Curry

YouTube™www.youtube.com/watch?v=qenGd2hGszM

ACTIVISION REVEALS CALL OF DUTY: GHOSTS INVASION AS THIRD EPIC DLC PACK FOR 2014,COMING FIRST, EXCLUSIVELY TO XBOX JUNE 4th

ACTIVISION REVEALS CALL OF DUTY: GHOSTS INVASION AS THIRD EPIC DLC PACK FOR 2014,COMING FIRST, EXCLUSIVELY TO XBOX JUNE 4th 

Invasion DLC Pack Delivers Four New MP Maps and the Next Chapter in Extinction’s Four-Part Episodic Storyline 

More Unique Field Orders Debut in New DLC Pack, Including The Death Mariachi,

Anubis – the Half Jackal/Half Human Protector of the Dead, and Ghost Pirates 

Sydney, Australia, – May 30, 2014Call of Duty® fans should mark their calendars and prepare for Invasion, as Activision and Infinity Ward today revealed the third massive DLC Pack for Call of Duty®: Ghosts. Launching June 4th first, exclusively on Xbox Live for Xbox One and Xbox 360, Call of Duty®: Ghosts Invasion delivers four new multiplayer maps from unique locales around the world, each with hidden secrets and unique Field Orders. Invasion also includes “Episode 3: Awakening,” the next thrilling chapter in Extinction’s four-part episodic narrative taking players deep into an alien underworld to discover the truth behind the Cryptid attack.

To view the official Call of Duty: Ghosts Invasion DLC Pack Preview click here: Link

Invasion is available a la carte for a suggested retail price of $19.95, or as part of the Call of Duty: Ghosts DLC Season Pass, which gives fans access to all four epic Call of Duty: Ghosts DLC Packs** planned for release in 2014 – Onslaught, Devastation, Invasion and Nemesis – at the discounted* suggested retail price of $64.95.

Invasion’s four new small-to-medium-sized multiplayer maps feature the fast-paced gameplay Call of Duty fans crave, each one donning a distinct look, feel and unique kill streak. “Departed” is a medium-sized map set in a rural Mexican town during the Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration. The colourfully decorated streets, vendor carts and storefronts provide ample cover for run-and-gunners, and players that complete the map’s unique Field Order will unlock the Death Mariachi kill streak. Armed with dual-wielding pistols, the Death Mariachi settles scores, with each kill turning enemy players into another member of the band, and a temporary squad mate.

“Pharaoh” is the abandoned archaeological site of an ancient Egyptian palace. Players will have to be on the lookout for collapsing monuments and urns full of flesh-eating scarabs, among other surprises in this multi-level map. Inside the palace, gamers will battle through multiple chambers ideal for close-quarters combat and short-range weapons, all under the watchful eye of Anubis, the half-jackal/half-human, protector of the dead, who will handsomely reward players who unlock this map’s Field Order.

Invasion’s third map, “Mutiny,” transports players to a remote Caribbean island harbouring an eerie pirate hideout complete with abandoned trading posts and prison cells. Speed and stealth are a must as players navigate the narrow and intertwining pathways. However, let ye be warned that gamers taking up positions on the pirate ship moored in the centre of the map will become vulnerable to enemy fire from the numerous flanking routes created by the map’s horseshoe shaped dock. Players that unlock “Mutiny’s” Field Order will find themselves escorted by two ethereal ghost pirates, who will happily send enemy combatants down to Davey Jones’ locker on their behalf.

Invasion’s fourth multiplayer map is a refreshed version of the fan-favourite map from Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® 2, “Favela.” Since its original release, the Brazilian shantytown has seen substantial change. Buildings once under construction are now complete, while others have crumbled into a state of disrepair. Players must avoid falling to their death as they traverse the map from one building to the next, with ramshackle scaffolding creating varied pathways between structures, and enemy snipers taking advantage of the long sightlines. Players who complete the Field Order in “Favela” will be able to call in heavy air support from a nearby Y-8 Gunship to bring the rain with a 105mm cannon, a 40mm auto-cannon and a 25mm cannon.

Anchoring the Call of Duty: Ghosts Invasion DLC Pack is the next instalment in the game’s Extinction mode episodic narrative, “Episode 3: Awakening.” In Awakening, the team descends into the perilous alien underworld to strike at the subterranean fortress of the Ancestors – the mysterious puppet-masters behind the Cryptid invasion. Armed with a range of new hi-tech weapons and equipment, the team must penetrate a series of defensive barriers to reach the Ark and unlock the secrets of the Ancestors’ psychic powers. As the final battle draws closer, the fate of the Earth and the future of the human race hang in the balance.

Call of Duty: Ghosts Invasion will be available June 4th first, exclusively on Xbox Live for Xbox One, the all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft, and the Xbox 360 games and entertainment system from Microsoft, with other platforms to follow. Call of Duty: Ghosts is rated “MA15+” (Strong Violence and Coarse Language) by the Australian Classification Board. Call of Duty: Ghosts Invasion is published by Activision Publishing, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Activision Blizzard, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI), and developed by Infinity Ward.

For the latest information, be sure to visit the game’s official Web site at www.callofduty.com/ghosts, and follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CODGhosts and on Twitter at @InfinityWard / @CallofDuty_ANZ.

About Activision Publishing, Inc.

Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, Activision Publishing, Inc. is a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and leisure products.

Activision maintains operations in the U.S., Canada, Brazil, Mexico, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Sweden, Spain, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Australia, South Korea, Mainland China and the region of Taiwan. More information about Activision and its products can be found on the company’s Web site, www.activision.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements: Information in this press release that involves Activision Publishing’s expectations, plans, intentions or strategies regarding the future, including statements about the expected release date of the Downloadable Content (DLC) Pack offerings for Call of Duty: Ghosts, are forward-looking statements that are not facts and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause Activision Publishing’s actual future results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements set forth in this release include unanticipated product delays and other factors identified in the risk factors sections of Activision Blizzard’s most recent annual report on Form 10-K and any subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. The forward-looking statements in this release are based upon information available to Activision Publishing and Activision Blizzard as of the date of this release, and neither Activision Publishing nor Activision Blizzard assumes any obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements believed to be true when made may ultimately prove to be incorrect. These statements are not guarantees of the future performance of Activision Publishing or Activision Blizzard and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond its control and may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations.

 

Continue the Hunt With Invizimals™ The Resistance on PlayStation®Vita

Continue the Hunt With Invizimals™ The Resistance on PlayStation®Vita 

Use markerless augmented reality to train your beasts into brawlers anywhere in the latest instalment of the 2 million-selling Invizimals™ franchise

SYDNEY, 30th May 2014 – Sony Computer Entertainment Australia (SCE Aust.) has announced the return of the much-loved Invizimals™ franchise toPlayStation®Vita (PS Vita) with Invizimals™ The Resistance. For the first time on PS Vita players can capture and collect Invizimals fully roaming in augmented reality with no markers!

The world of Invizimals™ The Resistance features a pulse-pounding storyline that immerses players in an epic adventure. There are 150 creatures waiting to be captured, including 90 beloved classics from PSP, and even more ways to capture them with 20 brand new mini-games designed by Novarama.  The Resistance also feature new and exciting battle game modes, ‘Survivor’ and ‘Free For All’.

The award-winning Invizimals™ game franchise, originally created in collaboration with Novarama for Playstation®Portable (PSP),has sold over 2 million units across Asia, Africa, Europe, Australia and New Zealand to date. The latest title is to be the second Invizimals™ to land on PS Vita and follows successful game launches last year for both PS Vita and PlayStation®3 (PS3).

In addition, BRB International and Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) also developed an animated television series based on the franchise which has aired across Spain, Italy, France, Portugal, Greece and Australia. The show innovated entertainment channels by tasking viewers to unlock additional content through augmented reality techniques via their PS Vita and mobile devices using a bespoke app that has been downloaded over 250,000 times worldwide.

Invizimals™ fans won’t have long to wait for the next instalment in this award winning franchise as Invizimals™ The Resistance will be blasting onto PS Vita soon.

Vowels Review

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Vowels
Author: Skye Ogden
Illustrator: Skye Ogden
Publisher: Gestalt Comics
Release Date: 10th April 2012
Price: $15.95 Available Here

Overview

Believe it or not, the comic book industry in Australia isn’t as small as you’d think. In fact, it is actually quite large thanks to domestic publishers like Gestalt Comics. While American-based publishers like “Marvel” and “DC” produce some incredible comic book series’, it’s always nice to get in touch with something a little more…local, and there is no better place than Gestalt for tapping into that pure Australian greatness. Gold Ledger Award-winner “Vowels” is an interesting little comic book series written an illustrated by a man called Skye Ogden. Mr. Ogden deviates from the normality of “regular” comic book creation by eliminating the use of words within “Vowels”, relying only on its visuals to tell the story and all the while asking the question; “does it really take words to tell a good story?”.

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Story

“Vowels” is essentially a collection of five different short stories, all of which are connected in one way or another. The comic deals with the themes of love, brutality and the human condition but from odd and interesting points of view, most of which aren’t even human. To go into each and every story would be unnecessary simply because each of them can be taken in certain ways depending on who exactly the reader is. Different people will pick up on different story elements and it all depends on the way in which they think. The way I saw it: “Vowels” deals with the blossoming of love, the separation of hearts, the horror of universal barbarity and the potential of change within ones self.

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Obviously this was what I took away from “Vowels” but I could imagine others seeing it differently. The stories flowed into and through the next like a coursing river with clear connections being seen throughout every individual tale. Despite the lack of dialogue, characters were quite interesting and their personality types, for lack of a better term, were perfectly clear from the very moment they were introduced. From the very first page right up until the last I found myself hooked on “Vowels”. I was drawn into re-reading it over and over again in an attempt to discover as much as I could about it or to catch something I may have missed during the last read. It piqued my interested, it held my attention and it practically forced me into enjoying it.

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Artwork

A great deal of extra weight is placed on the aesthetics of “Vowels” seeing as there are no words to tell a story, instead only leaving the panels to do double the work. Lucky for the reading audience, Skye Ogden has a perfect grasp on his own drawing style which in turn (I assume) made it a great deal easier for him to be able to express certain things through design rather than writing. The reason I say this is because I felt that it was easy to pick up on certain things he was laying down thanks to the way in which the comic was drawn. It’s quite the amazing feat.

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Mr. Ogden has an interesting fusion of illustration styles that, while extremely detailed, definitely throws back to old-school cartoons. I was extremely impressed and all around envious of the confident art style he employed in “Vowels”. There is so much emotion sealed within the panels of “Vowels”. Be it the expression of a particular character or a sweeping shot of a desolate environment, I really felt the way in which I assume Mr Ogden intended. Many symbolical images were used to promote thought in the reader; an empty desert, the skyline at sunrise, a single tear rolling down the cheek of a humanoid (but not human) being. They all mean something, it just takes that extra step of thought to figure them out.

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Overall

There’s something brilliant about comic books as a medium that keeps people hooked for life. Some would say that it has to be the intricate blend of story writing and cinematic illustration that makes reading a good comic as rewarding as it is but after experiencing “Vowels” I can’t help but somewhat disagree with that. As a comic with absolutely no dialogue, “Vowels” destroys all preconceived notions of what exactly makes a comic book great.

It tells deep and sophisticated tales in much the same way a standard comic book would, though perhaps even greater. Skye Ogden takes a farfetched idea like “wordless comic books” and executes it beautifully. It makes you think, it makes you feel but most of all it makes you appreciate the power of a good comic book. Words or no, “Vowels” is definitely a release that any comic book with an open mind could enjoy. “Vowels” succeeds at doing something uniquely different, that alone makes anything great!

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10-capsules-out-of-10

Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.

Persona 4 Arena Ultimax – Golden Arena Mode Revealed

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ATLUS today revealed a brand-new game mode for their upcoming “Persona” fighting title “Person 4 Arena Ultimax“. This new gameplay option titled the “Golden Arena Mode” adds a levels of RPG depth to the fighting game that it’s predecessor lacked. Basically the mode allows for players to access gameplay functions similar to that of the “Persona 4” and “Persona 3” games wherein which players can level up individual characters, upgrade specific stats and form social links with other players.

It’s a nice throwback to the original RPG titles that adds a great deal to the once standard fighting game. “Persona 4 Arena Ultimax” is set for a North American release on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 sometime this Fall/Autumn with no word as to when it will be reaching European and Australian shores. Head down to the featured video section below to check out the “Golden Arena Mode” trailer, and make sure to hit up our comments section just under that to let us know what you think.