Following Gamescom 2013 in Germany, Warner Brothers Interactive have released a slew of new screenshots for the hotly anticipated upcoming video-game adaptation of the legendary Australian apocalypse film series Mad Max.
The new screenshots highlight the badass nature of Max himself and his incredible combat skills that you can wield in the game. The three new screenshots can be seen below for your viewing pleasure.
Mad Max is slated for release at some point in 2014 on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, Xbox One, Xbox 360 and PC. Stay tuned for further details on Mad Max as it comes to light in the lead up to the game’s release.
With Gamescom 2013 currently in full swing there have been plenty of new trailers released showing off some of the next-gen consoles’ best games. Today one such video was released for Ubisoft‘s next racing game, The Crew.
In the video below you can watch a little over four minutes of gameplay be narrated by Julian Gerighty, Creative Director on The Crew, and see what sets The Crew apart from other games in the racing genre, namely the massive open world, the extensive levels of vehicle customization, and social nature that the game contains. Currently The Crew is set to be released sometime early in 2014 for the PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.
Today Blizzard has announced that they will be releasing a brand new expansion for Diablo III called Reaper of Souls. To go along with this announcement they have not only given us a cinematic trailer but also a gameplay teaser, both of which can be seen below.
As for what the expansion will offer, the level cap will be increased to 70, an enchantment tool, an account wide paragon system, “major” loot improvements and a new class called The Crusader will be included in the pack. No release date for the expansion has been announced as of yet and there is no word about whether or not it will make it to the console versions of the game.
Name a fighting game that you never thought would be localized, and no Phantom Breaker’s limbo status doesn’t count. Well if you were to name AquaPazza then you wouldn’t be too far off the mark. Despite featuring characters from Utawarerumono, Tears to Tiara, and many more games developed by AquaPlus, AquaPazza saw little hope for release in the West when it was released last year, which left many fans looking to import the title.
Well it turns out that is no longer the case as Atlus USA has announced that they will be bringing AquaPazza to North America for a nice discounted price of only $30. The game will be available as both a digital download and a retail title sometime this holiday season. The game will include the original Japanese voiceovers and feature a story mode for each character in the game, of which there are thirteen with thirteen different partners to choose from.
Lupin the Third: The Woman Called Fujiko Mine Studios:TMS Entertainment and Po10tial Publisher:FUNimation Format: DVD / Blu-Ray Combo Release Date: August 20th, 2013 Price: $64.98 – Available Here
Overview
It’s been quite a few years since the last Lupin the Third series aired on TV, but in that time there have also been a number of movies all showing in more from the world’s best thief. Now, a new series has come and instead of following the standard layout of quirky adventures for the title characters and friends, this new series focuses on one big story line focused on the main female, Fujiko Mine. Does this new series have what it takes to carry the name of Lupin the Third? How does giving Fujiko a central role in the plot impact the entire series? Let’s see how Lupin the Third: The Woman Called Fujiko Mine turned out.
Story
The start of the series gets off to a great start showing off Lupin the Third on a grand heist in the midst of a sex-crazed drug cult and it isn’t long at all before he ends up entwined in the feminine wiles of Fujiko Mine herself. Fans of previous Lupin the Third works will notice that Lupin and Fujiko have their first meeting here, casting this as a prequel to the main series’ many are so fond of. This does not impact it negatively however, in fact adds to the depth of the story seeing the interactions between the two as they meet for the first time and of course he sets his eyes on her as a prize. Plus, Zenigata does make a small appearance solidifying his presence and even adding in a new character in the form of Oscar, another police officer under Zenigata.
It is at the second episode were the main difference from other Lupin works, as Lupin is completely absent and instead focuses on the first meeting of Fujiko Mine and Jigen. The third episode follows suit having Fujiko meeting Goemon for the first time and bringing the whole cast of characters together at last. Well, not together, but at least present. This direction indicates the intended focus of Fujiko and her story in the series, while not being boring with the lack of Lupin in each episode. Every episode, and story therein, paces the plot well and keeps the viewers on their toes.
The main course of the plot becomes apparent when Fujiko starts having her flashbacks. Showing off Fujiko as a little girl in not pleasant circumstances is both dramatic, unsettling, and intriguing all at the same time. With a much darker tone, as well as much more sensual, it brings the series to a very different place than other Lupin works, but even more amazingly it works, well. The sensuality comes close to being excessive, but does not cross the line as Fujiko herself uses her sex appeal to get the upper hand, and the series simply allows it to be shown.
The plot is as crazy as any Lupin story and certainly never feels dull. the darker tones make it very different and in terms of the story, this is for the better. With plenty of twists and turns as more and more flashbacks are revealed and answers are drawn closer and closer, the story is a testament to great writing. While the imagery and revelations themselves, give viewers even more incentive to repeat viewings. This is a uniquely, dark and beautiful one shot story within the world of Lupin the Third.
Visuals
The sensuality of the show is apparent from the opening, featuring Fujiko completely bare, tastefully in black and white of course, the series puts no holds on showing off her body. Within the series proper, the art style reflects the past 70’s anime-esque look, but adds in a great deal of shading both for its darker tone and to look much more like the Lupin the Third manga. The most unique however, are the flashbacks Fujiko experiences throughout the series with bizarre coloring and perplexing imagery. These flashbacks not only set themselves apart, but still manage to fit in as a whole. The characters still look the same as past incarnations, with Lupin, Jigen, Goemon, and Zenigata all sporting their characteristic outfits, and of course Fujiko being the one mainly playing dress up as she moves from score to score.
Audio
An interesting aspect of the original Japanese is that there are few returning voices for the main cast this time around, while the English dub utilizes many of the voices from at least some past series or movie. Because of this it was almost more comfortable listening to the English track as they felt more familiar in the roles. Both tracks do a excellent job with the voice acting however, as many of the characters show off a wide range of emotions and the actors capture this throughout.
The music aspect is interesting, while the majority of the music has the classic Lupin feel, the flashbacks that occur contain music that fit the drastic change in art and mood. Unnerving and even a little distressing when combined with the visuals, the music of the flashbacks add to the weight of them as a whole, making them even more heavy with their inclusion. The opening is interesting in that there isn’t an ordinary song, but instead “New Wuthering Heights” by Naruyoshi Kikuchi, a mostly prose accompanied by music that is dubbing in the English track, which sounds like Fujiko lamenting about herself and how she feels inside through the series. The closing theme is closer to the norm with “Duty Friend” by NIKIIE that follows the series’ themes of questioning ones past and Fujiko’s feelings on affection.
Extras
Including a set of commentaries, one on each disc, this DVD release has many of the standard special features known for in a FUNimation release. Textless opening and closing, as well as trailers for both the series and others are also present, but thankfully there is one more special feature in the form of an interview with the English voice of Fujiko, Michelle Ruff, as she talks about working on the project, her history with past productions, and her inspiration for her voice of Fujiko, which all provides a nice additional insight into even more things Lupin related.
Overall
While this is different than many fans of Lupin the Third may expect, this is not at all a disappointment. Combining a darker tone, sensuality, and questions of Fujiko’s past, The Woman Called Fujiko Mine is a series that pulls in viewers to the end. Every element feels great for their part, with the flashbacks creating a stark contrast that makes this series its own. Those willing to give this series a try, should find an impressive one of a kind experience, even for Lupin.
Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.
Today NIS America released a new English trailer for Disgaea D2: A Brighter Darkness which shows off some footage we’ve seen before alongside some new footage featuring the various special attacks that players can use to finish off enemies, including one involving a Prinny slam-dunking an enemy off the top of an ally tower and a sample of the game’s English voicework.
Also if you happen to stick around to the end, you’ll notice a certain female character taking the spotlight who we’ve already found to be a female version of Laharl, though exactly how this change occurs is still unknown.
Soccer fans around the world have been clamoring for the release of the latest PES game; Pro Evolution Soccer 2014, and now Konami have answered their wishes. We now know that PES 2014 will be launching September 26th. Including soccer teams from around the world, including the Chilean Premier Division, PES 2014 looks like it will shape up to be the most true to life experience for soccer players everywhere.
The development team have been working hard to make PES 2014 the ultimate soccer gaming experience. The team have managed to rework the entire framework of the predecessor, in order to recreate the ebb and flow of a real-world soccer match. Everything from the look and feel of the players, to the impact a crowd can have on a game will all be included to best create an immersive true to life environment for players.
The centre of the game definitely revolves around its unprecedented physics engine. The game uses what is dubs its “Trueball Tech,” which allows the ball to act as its own entity. In previous installments, the ball was tied to the actions and movements of a player. This is no longer the case, and now the user can control the weight and movement of the ball by using the players. This will result in a more, free and true to life experience than ever before.
PES 2014 will be available in Australia on September 26th, on Xbox 360 and on the 27th on PS3. A demo will be launched shortly for both platforms that allows players to see a true representation of the game prior to its launch. A whole wealth of DLC options will be given to players who pre-order the game too, so be sure to check out your local games shop to find out what bonuses they will be offering. For all the PES 2014 news as it becomes available, be sure to stay tuned to Capsule Computers.
XCOM: Enemy Unknown was without a doubt one of 2012’s stand-out games, even earning a perfect 10 here at Capsule Computers (check out our review here) and now 2K and Firaxis have announced that they will be releasing a massive update to the tactical roleplaying game.
XCOM: Enemy Within is the original Enemy Unknown you know and love, but includes a whole boatload of additional features. New enemies, new weapons, new abilities, new maps and new multiplayer content are all par for the course in what will be the definitive version of XCOM: Enemy Unknown.
Key features for XCOM: Enemy Within will include:
New Soldier Abilities: Research a new alien technology to advance the capabilities of operatives:
Gene Mods: Construct the Genetics Lab to physically enhance operatives’ abilities, including augmentations to the chest, brain, eyes, skin and legs.
MECs: Build the Cybernetics Lab to enable the construction of the new Mechanized Exoskeletal Cybersuit, or MEC. The new MEC Trooper class has specialized abilities and each suit can be upgraded with new weapons including the flamethrower, grenade launcher and more.
New Weapons and Equipment: Give operatives an extra tactical edge with new projects from the engineering team in the Foundry;
New Enemy Threats: Adopt new tactics to counter the threats from a host of new enemies, including the Mechtoid;
New Strategic Resource:A valuable new alien resource, known as Meld, has been discovered. Secure it on the battlefield and use it carefully back at base to unlock new research and upgrades;
New Tactical Challenges and Maps: Face new tactical challenges, on nearly 50% more maps;
New Multiplayer Maps, Units and Abilities: Create custom squad from a wider array of options and dominate opponents in intense, one-on-one, turn-based matches.
XCOM: Enemy Within will be available on consoles and PC as a downloadable expansion to the original game, but if you don’t own a copy of Enemy Within, then you can purchase XCOM: Enemy Within – Commander Edition, which includes the original game, as well as the Enemy Within content, as well as all the original DLC for the game.
2K have given us a nice teaser trailer for the game, which you can check out below. XCOM: Enemy Within will be available November 14th on PS3, Xbox 360 and PC. So for all the XCOM news as it becomes available, stay tuned to Capsule Computers.
Namco Bandai has released the next trailer for the anticipated Shonen Jump mash up brawler, J-Stars Victory VS, ahead of its playable debut at the Tokyo Games Show this year.
This time we finally get to see Hunter x Hunter’s Gon Freecss and YuYu Hakusho’s Yusuke Urameshi, albeit in a small teaser at the end. The bulk of the video shows characters that we’ve already seen including Monkey D. Luffy, Toriko, Goku, Naruto Uzumaki, Ichigo Kurosaki, Kenshin Himura, Kankichi Ryoutsu and Gintoki Sakata. All kicking the proverbial rear.
Here’s a recent batch of screenshots in case you missed it. Check out the trailer below and let us know if this will be your first game import!
Murdered: Soul Suspect is the brand new, supernatural crime thriller coming out of Square Enix. The game, which is set for release next year, puts you in the role of a deceased detective where you have to solve clues and uncover the secret behind your own murder, all from the afterlife.
At this year’s Gamescom event, Square Enix were proud to show a brand new trailer for the upcoming game. This new trailer, titled “The Witness,” is the latest episode in a string of trailers that are being released up until the game’s release. I don’t want to give anything away, so check out the trailer below, and if you haven’t done so yet, the first episode trailer can be caught here.
Murdered: Soul Suspect will be released next year for PS3, so remember that for all the Soul Suspect news as it becomes available, stay tuned to Capsule Computers.
