After a number of delays on the Japanese side of things, NIS America has finally been able to give The Witch and the Hundred Knight a solid release date for the West. The game is now set to be released on March 25th in North America and those in Europe will be able to pick it up a few days earlier on March 21st. Australians will need to wait a little longer as the game will be out on the 28th of March.
The game will be available both at retail and digitally in both regions. If you take a look to the right you will also notice that the company has decided on the box art for the game and that all physical launch copies will come with the game’s OST. While no English gameplay trailer has been released at this time, a Japanese trailer can be found here.
Crytek and DeNA to Bring Blockbuster Action to Mobile Gamers with The Collectables
San Francisco (USA) / Frankfurt am Main (Germany) – December 11, 2013 – Crytek is joining forces with the leading mobile games company DeNA to develop its first free-to-play mobile game called The Collectables.
Available for iPhone, iPad and Android devices through DeNA’s mobile games platform Mobage, The Collectables boasts stunning visuals based on Crytek’s CRYENGINE technology. The game blends action and tactics as players lead a squad of unconventional soldiers on do-or-die missions around the globe.
“DeNA offers unparalleled experience in the mobile gaming space, and we’re excited to be collaborating with their team to deliver The Collectables to players,” stated Paha Schulz, Director of Business Development, Games-as-a-Service at Crytek. “The Collectables will be the first free-to-play mobile game that leverages Crytek’s cutting-edge 3D game technology CRYENGINE.”
Featuring over-the-top gunfights and classic larger-than-life action heroes, The Collectables invites players to assemble a team from a variety of unique soldiers and upgrade their weapons and abilities before heading into combat. With diverse enemy types to battle, game-changing rewards to unlock and immersive 3D battlefields to dominate, The Collectables will keep everyone coming back to the frontline when it’s released in 2014.
Players that preregister for The Collectables will be notified when the game is available for free download, and they will receive an exclusive version of the in-game character RELOAD equipped with limited-edition gear. To preregister, please visit the game’s website: www.thecollectablesgame.com
A new trailer is available for you to watch and embed on your site via this link: http://youtu.be/670pVNI1O0E
About DeNA
DeNA (pronounced “D-N-A”) is a global leader of developing and operating mobile services including free-to-play games, the Mobage social games platform, e-commerce and other online offerings. Founded in 1999, DeNA is headquartered in Tokyo with offices and game development studios across the globe. DeNA Co., Ltd. is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (2432). For more information, visit: dena.com
About Crytek
Crytek GmbH (“Crytek”) is an independent company at the forefront of the interactive entertainment industry, and is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of gaming by creating standout experiences for consoles, PC, mobile devices and games-as-service using their cutting-edge 3D-Game-Technology, CRYENGINE®.
The company’s headquarters are in Frankfurt am Main (Germany). Crytek also has studios in Kiev (Ukraine), Budapest (Hungary), Sofia (Bulgaria), Seoul (South Korea), Nottingham (UK), Shanghai (China), Istanbul (Turkey) and Austin (USA).
Since its foundation in 1999, Crytek has consistently been recognized for excellence in its field, earning accolades such as the 2011 Develop Award for Best Independent Studio, and two Red Dot Design Awards (in 2010 and 2013). Its multi-award winning games include Far Cry®, Crysis® (awarded best PC Game of E3 2007 and Best Technology at the 2008 Game Developers Choice Awards), Crysis Warhead® (awarded Best Graphics Technology at IGN Best of 2008 Awards), Crysis® 2 (awarded Best Shooter of E3 2010 and Gamescom 2010), Crysis® 3 and Warface (awarded Best Social/Casual/Online Game of Gamescom 2012). For more information, please visit www.crytek.com.
THE WITCH AND THE HUNDRED KNIGHT TO DOMINATE NORTH AMERICA AND EUROPE IN MARCH 2014
Santa Ana, Calif. (December 10, 2013) – NIS America is thrilled to announce that Nippon Ichi Software’s exciting action RPG The Witch and the Hundred Knight™ will release on the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system on March 25 in North America, and a few days earlier on March 21 in Europe! This title will be available in both retail and PSN form in both regions.
About the game:
Fed up with being unable to travel beyond the borders of her swamp, the witch Metallia forges a contract with the legendary Hundred Knight to help her realize her ambition of spreading her swamp throughout all of Medea. As the Hundred Knight, your mission is to do whatever your master, the Swamp Witch, commands. Explore the world, destroy Pillars built to prevent her swamp from preading, and wreak indiscriminate havoc. However, in the back of your inhuman mind, you begin to wonder… What prevents Metallia from leaving the swamp? Why do the other witches shun her, and how can she survive in a swamp that is notorious for how poisonous its fumes are? Is Metallia really a witch to respect, or is she one to fear?
Key features:
Dark fantasy melee: Equip up to five different weapons at a time to build diverse, guard-breaking combos!
Be thee dexterous?: Use the Mystical Dodge feature to slow down time by avoiding an enemy’s attack at the last moment!
Enemy chowdown: Remain in Metallia’s service longer by consuming your foes when your Gigcals are low!
Magical metamorphosis: Switch between different “facets” to best clobber your enemies and explore this dark fantasy world.
Sinister is the name of the game: Enjoy the tale of one girl’s vengeance against the entire world—and “mercy” is not in her vocabulary!
Dual Audio galore: Players have the ability to switch between and enjoy both the English and Japanese audio tracks whilst adventuring!
About NIS America
In 2003, NIS America was established in Southern California to bring exciting, one-of-a-kind Japanese culture to North America. NIS America’s team members devote themselves to the fans. Their respect for their fans is at the heart of everything they do. As an established entertainment publisher in the U.S., NIS America is committed to continuous growth and improvement.
NIS America is a subsidiary of Nippon Ichi Software, Inc., a Japanese company famous for its unique line of strategy RPGs with titles such as Disgaea, Phantom Brave, and Makai Kingdom. NIS America has also become a publisher of Japanese anime titles, such as Toradora!, anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day, and Natsume’s Book of Friends.
Bethesda have just released a new gameplay trailer entitled “War in Cyrodiil”. The trailer highlights The Elder Scrolls Online’s massive PvP system, allowing hundreds of players to fight together, and against one another, in a quest to claim the Ruby Throne.
The Elder Scrolls Online, is the latest chapter of the award-winning Elder Scrolls franchise that brings the legendary experience online for the first time. The Elder Scrolls Online will be launching worldwide for PC and Mac on April 4, 2014. The PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions will follow in June 2014.
Check out the trailer below and let us know what you think of it in the comments section below!
VIDEO GAMES TOP GIFT ITEMS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON New Consoles Help Drive Video Game Sales
Washington, DC – December 11, 2013 – Approximately 79 million Americans intend to purchase video games during the holiday season, according to new market research and analysis released today by the Entertainment Software Association (ESA).
The report, “Holiday Purchasing Study 2013,” found that nearly 30 percent of those who said they intend to buy games and game-related items as gifts also plan to spend more on these items than last year. This demand is driven by a strong line-up of video game releases, and the launch of new next generation video game consoles, including the Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and Wii U.
“With a new generation of consoles and growth in expanding genres such as mobile and social games, video games continue to be among the most sought after holiday purchases this season,” said Michael D. Gallagher, president and CEO of ESA, the trade association representing U.S. computer and video game publishers. “This new research underscores the industry’s ability to continually innovate and anticipate consumer demand, making it an economic engine, especially during the holidays.”
Other key findings in the report:
Video games and related items are among the top five categories of gifts that Americans plan to buy this holiday season;
Physical games and next generation consoles are among the top three categories of video game items most likely to be purchased by gamers; and,
Consumers aged 25 to 44 are planning to spend an average of $219 on video games and game-related content.
The NPD Group conducted the survey for ESA among a U.S. representative sample of approximately 3,000 individuals over the age of 13. Survey respondents said they currently play video games on at least one system or device, such as a smartphone, video game console, portable game console, computer, or other game system.
ESA offers services to interactive entertainment software publishers, including conducting business and consumer research, providing legal and policy analysis and advocacy on First Amendment, intellectual property and technology/e-commerce issues, managing a global anti-piracy program, owning and operating E3, and representing video game industry interests in federal and state government relations. For more information, please visit www.theESA.com or follow us on Twitter: @RichatESA.
Halfbrick Studios, the little Aussie game developer behind great mobile titles like Jetpack Joyride and Fruit Ninja have given us a release date for their upcoming giant-mechanical monster puzzle game; Colossatron: Massive World Threat. You will be able to take control of the giant mechanical worm and carve your path of destruction starting from December 19th.
In Colossatron, you take control of the titular beast and create its body with different power cores to do the most damage to the surroundings. For a little bit more info of the game, check out our hands-on impressions. Colossatron will be rampaging cities on iPhone, iPad and Android devices from December 19th, and if it is anywhere near as good as past Halfbrick games then we are in for a treat. As always, stay tuned to Capsule Computers for all the Colossatron news as it becomes available
Dokuro Developer:GungHo Online Entertainment Publisher: GungHo Online Entertainment Platforms: iOS (iPhone/iPad), Android – Reviewed on iPad Release Date: 4th December 2013 Price: $0.99 – Available Here
Overview We all know how it goes. Princesses, though revered, have a penchant for being kidnapped. Once this inevitably happens, it is up to a hero to rise to the challenge and rescue the damsel. That being said, the rescue usually occurs at the end of the story, once the hero has overcome a number of obstacles. Dokuro takes things in a slightly different direction. With the Princess saved in the opening scene, its up to our unlikely hero to protect her through a perilous realm of evil.
That evil workout routine definitely shows results
Story It’s that classic story. Princess is kidnapped, Skeleton meets Princess, Skeleton betrays his Dark Lord to rescue said Princess, Skelelton guides Princess through perilous quest through an evil castle.
Having ruled her land in peace, our unfortunate Princess was once day stolen away by an evil Dark Lord. Longing to make the unwilling Princess his bride, the Dark Lord ordered one of his lowly skeleton underlings to keep watch over his not-so-beloved. However, as the skeleton stares at the poor, crying Princess, something strange begins to happen. Rather than obey his evil master, the henchman longs to save this damsel as strange feelings rise within him. With his decision made, the skeleton frees the royal prisoner, sending her on her way back to her old life…but nothing is that easy. The duo are still locked within the Dark Lord’s stronghold, along with all of the other dark minions that dwell within. Let’s just say that the skeleton isn’t exactly the most imposing of the creatures that call the dark castle their home, something our duo soon discover.
As our Hero braves the dangerous traps that litter the twisted residence, he comes face to face with a number of foes who seek toreturn the Princess to their Master’s grasp. However, as can be expected of beings of evil, they’re not exactly merciful in their approach. One particular creature chooses to let the Skeleton continue on his quest, telling him to hurry up and fail so that this whole situation will simply go away.
There’s bigger things to focus on Princess
Gameplay What Dokuro boils down to is one long side-scrolling escort mission, with added puzzles. While this is the simplest way to explain the game, it underseels it immensely. Let’s face it, escort missions aren’t the most well received in the video game world. They can be tedious, stressful and just plain difficult. However, Dokuro handles this concept well and in a fairly fresh way. First of all, due to the 2D nature of the game, your protectee doesn’t run of in a myriad of directions. Just straight forward. Often into danger but hey, if they were that clever they wouldn’t need protecting. One of the core gameplay aspects involves you actually stopping the Princess from aimlessly walking into danger. Though she often avoids the most present dangers, the Princess is not above wandering into open flames. So you’ll have to keep on your toes if you want to keep your damsel out of distress.
As no escape is simple, expect to find a myriad of impeding puzzles along the way. Being an evil leader who lives in a large castle, there’s spikes a plenty and a number of bottomless pits…I guess evil bosses share an interior decorator…who is probably also evil. Also included in the decor are a number of barriers, shifting platforms and flamethrowers. Each of these dangers comes with a handy dandy off switch, each figuring into the solutions for your escape. Though in typical game style, switches need to be pressed down constantly and levers have a tendency to revert. Honestly, how do the bad guys live in these places? Of course there are also the instant death pitfalls to avoid, so…avoid them. As if all of this wasn’t bad enough, some levels require you to not only figure out the key to progression, but also achieve this rather quickly, lest the Princess perish. Though the solutions to these speed levels are often simpler than those without time limits, they are by no means less stressful. Saving Princesses is hard. That being said, regardless of a level’s specific layout, each only takes around a minute or two to complete. This allows you to stop and start the game at frequent intervals, and also serves to mete any anger over failing a puzzle. Losing progress in such small chunks is very forgiving for a puzzle game. That being said, as the game progresses you may find yourself wanting to skip some puzzles. Along this vein, the game allows you to skip a total of 10 of the 150 levels, just in case you really get stuck…or frustrated…or lazy.
When you begin your perilous journey you possess no equipment, instead relying on your agility to keep out of danger. Double jumping is a nifty skill for anyone to have and it is what allows you to survive your first boss encounter. With only two hits before you are made considerably more dead than you already are, expect to dodge a lot. However, once you conquer your towering foe, you receive a curious potion that allows you to transform in to the archetypal Prince. A Hero. It is after this moment that you are able to shift between your meek Skeleton form and that of the gallant Prince. Whilst in Prince mode, you are granted a new set of abilities. Though robbed of double jumping from the outset, you are able to carry the Princess, escorting her down large drops or ferrying her from combat. The Prince is also able to vanquish foes, whilst the Skeleton can merely bat them away. In adition to form changing, you are also provided with some items that aid both Heroic personas. At the end of Stage 1 you receive a bell which provides you with a much needed increase in damage resistance, granting you a more favourable hit-to-death ratio. You also receive three sticks of chalk which allow you to solve specific puzzles by connecting two points. It’s like a colour by numbers book, only instead of seeing a picture, you free a Princess. Which is also nice.
A little too happy in his work if you ask me
Visuals and Audio The game definitely features a unique visual style, the most obvious element of which is the overarching chalk style. As you can probably infer, the world appears as if it was drawn with…well, chalk. This gives the characters a certain unsettling vibe, almost taking on a hollow quality. As if they are mere representations of the true characters. This concept is supported by the lack of detail given to character’s faces, robbing them of any intricate individuality beyond their basic role. Characters also move in an odd jittery fashion, which is, again, slightly unsettling. Combined with the film reel borders, the game seems to relish in the notion that this is indeed a story being told.
Whilst in Skeleton form, the world is very bleak. Black, grey, white. Not a very exciting place to be. However, when our heroes transforms into the gallant Prince, the world gains a newfound vibrance. Red, blue, green…still an evil castle, but the colour certainly spruces the place up. Colour also comes into play with the bell that increases your durability. When undamaged, the bell glows with a calm blue aura. As you take more damage however, you may will progress through yellow and wind up at red…red is bad. Try not to get hit again when you reach red…it won’t end well.
The sounds of Dokuro are very thematically relevant to the entire fairy tale genre. The use of pipes, flutes and other wind instruments expresses a certain whimsical nature, giving the game a quirky charm. The soundtrack also includes the rarely utilised accordion to support the strange visual elements. The instrument serves to add an European flair to the game, relating to the castle setting and general time period of classic Princess stories. Standard sound effects also serve to complete the audio experience, such as the clattering of bones, or the scraping of crates as you search for the answer to yet another puzzle.
What a hauntingly beautiful moment
Overall Dokuro is a quirky puzzler with a visual style that you’ll definitely remember. The puzzles aren’t incredibly difficult although some may require you to restart…if you make a mistake that is. Or if the Princess decides to not stop walking into danger. But even if that happens, the penalty isn’t too harsh. Collectibles take the form of a single coin per level, so as to not overburden you with tasks. Which is nice. All in all, Dokuro is a quick fire game that will challenge you fight wisely and think quickly. Protect the Princess. Kill the baddies. Escape. Help the little Skeleton who could save his damsel and become the Hero he longs to be.
Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.
After revealing the new Wargame Red Dragon sequel, Eugen Systems are still expanding Wargame AirLand Battle with free DLC titled Magna Carta. This is the second free DLC pack following the release of Vox Populi a few months ago.
The new Magna Carta update focuses on large-scale multiplayer battles, if things can get any bigger, and brings 12 units new along with 7 new maps. One of which is Three Miles Island, a fan favourite from European Escalation, now playable in Conquest and Destruction modes.
Set between 1975-1985 during a Cold War flare up, Focus Home Interactive published the real-time strategy game earlier this year for the PC, Mac and Linux platforms.
After a fairly relaxed shopping trip, Episode 9 has started what is an ominous saga in the plot of Nagi no Asukara. It seems the significance of the Sea God and the differences between the sea villagers and the surface people have caught up to our young friends.
The saltflake snow continues to fall on both the surface and the village, gradually dropping the temperature over time. The village elders don’t know what to do and their sacred fire, the fire they borrow from Lord Uroko, has been running out at a quicker pace. Uroko visits the village himself and begins to explain just what is going on..
Meanwhile, despite Hikari’s stubborness he still cares about his dad and we see him worrying about how he’s handling himself on his own back at the village. Not only that, but he spearheads the effort to repair the wooden maiden and restart the boatdrift ceremony for the Sea God. While they go about their efforts, we learn that Tsumugu didn’t always live in the harbour town and he came over from the city nine years ago to live with the old man. It seems there is a lot we don’t know about that guy.
We also see the first signs of little Sayu admiring Kaname and igniting what may be a child’s heart throb. Unfortunately it seems like Kaname is only interested in where Chisaki went instead of complimenting her paint job. It turns out Tsumugu took Chisaki to replenish her ena moisture and here we have an awkward moment. It’s almost like Tsumugu can’t socialise with people properly and he speaks way too directly to her.
He probes why she’s given up on Hikari and then passive-aggressively states how he thinks she’s feeling. Then most suprisingly he states that he likes her the way she is, rather than her trying to change herself. What?! What is he trying to pull here? Obviously Chisaki feels incredibly uncomfortable and leaves for the village with Kaname in tow, revealing to him that she hates Tsumugu.
At this point, and I’m throwing speculation around here, I wouldn’t be surprised if Tsumugu isn’t human. It’s a long stretch but the fact that he’s so close to the ocean and his interest in the Sea Village makes me think he’s related to the Sea God or something. There’s just no way someone would talk to someone else like that.
The second half of episode 9 kicked off the ominous part of the plot. The whole village is waiting for Kaname and Chisaki’s return and we only find out why when Hikari goes back down trying figure out why none of them have returned to school. The snow has thickened and the villagers are not letting the kids go back up, saying that it’s too dangerous. Is something really going to happen or is it the village being stubborn and backwards again?
Here is what’s probably the most intriguing bit of the show up until now. In a powerful moment, Hikari can’t resist his love for Manaka when she’s standing in front him, vulnerable, despite knowing her feelings aren’t exactly the same as his. He gives her an awesome hug but she declines, pushing him away. Embarrassed, Hikari runs out only to be confronted by his dad who tells him to go home but also seeming like he will explain everything.
With a “dangerous” turn of events, we’re lead towards Episode 10, scratching our heads and thinking just how Hikari and Manaka will normalise their friendship. That was a cringe-worthy scene and one that none of us wanted to happen to the main leads.
Settlers Online fans get ready for the Christmas blitz as the Holiday season is hitting the Settlers universe in grand fashion. Ubisoft and Blue Byte are bringing the wonders of Christmas to Settlers Online with a special Christmas themed event.
Starting from December 12th, Settlers Online players will come to discover that the world has been covered in a layer of snow and that Santa Claus has made some silly mistakes by dropping presents all over the place.
Players can gather these presents for some Christmas goodies. On top of all that there is a Christmas Surprise awaiting players through the press of a button besides their avatars.
You can check out some of the Christmas event images for Settlers Online in the gallery below. You can also get in on the fun now through the official Settlers Online website.
After a number of delays on the Japanese side of things, NIS America has finally been able to give The Witch and the Hundred Knight a solid release date for the West. The game is now set to be released on March 25th in North America and those in Europe will be able to pick it up a few days earlier on March 21st. Australians will need to wait a little longer as the game will be out on the 28th of March.
