Metal Gear Solid: The Legacy Collection has jumped out from under its cardboard box hiding places and onto store shelves across North and South America today.
From the esteemed mind of Hideo Kojima and the video game powerhouse that is Konami, comes the complete collection of every Metal Gear Solid game to date, all in one box (Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance isn’t a MGS game, it is an MGR game). It is a great collector’s item for fans of the series, and for newcomers it is easily the best source of Metal Gear goodness.
That is eight massive games all in one box, no matter which way you slice it, that is a good deal. The first five games in the set (Metal Gear through to Peace Walker) are all included in the Metal Gear Solid HD Collection (check out our review here).The collection is perfectly timed, with Metal Gear Solid V set for release later this year now is your chance to bring your self up to speed with, and to re-play the entire award-winning stealth shooter franchise.
Whether you are new to the franchise, or are looking for a way to replay all of the Metal Gear Solid series, then make sure you pick up the Metal Gear Solid: The Legacy Collection. For all the Metal Gear news as it becomes available, stay tuned to Capsule Computers.
It has taken a bit longer than the other versions of Crazy Taxi that have been released so far, but it looks like Sega has finally been able to get their iconic arcade game to the Google Play store which means it is now available for purchase for Android devices.
This Android version costs $4.99 and is available for purchase here. They say that the game features two modes of play, the Original and Arcade versions, and sixteen different mini-games and even the original soundtrack has returned, but considering the XBLA version was lacking the iconic Offspring song everyone knew the game for, this might be the superior version if that is true.
Today Deep Silver revealed their DLC plans for Metro: Last Light and good news, the first DLC will drop next week. The DLC is called the “Faction Pack” and will be available for purchase on July 16th on 360, PC and PS3 in North America while everywhere else gets it a day after that. The DLC for this great title will cost only $4.99 or 400 MSP.
In the Faction Pack you will play as a Redline sniper trying to infiltrate a Reich Outpost, a Reich “Heavy” defending the frontlines and finally a Polis Ranger going through a training mission. The company also detailed their future DLC plans which can be seen below, and all of which will be available for a one time purchase of a Season Pass that will cost $14.99.
The Tower Pack presents a unique experience for seasoned Metro gunslingers — a challenge based game mode, with online Leaderboard support, as players fight their way up the combat simulator known as The Tower.
The Developer Pack boasts a fully stocked Shooting Gallery, the AI Arena and Metro Museum… And a bonus solo mission — The Spiders’ Nest — offers some new tools for dealing with an infestation of the skittering Spider mutants.
The Chronicles Pack will feature original single player missions that cast the player as three of the game’s standout characters — Pavel, Khan and Anna — and explore their side-stories away from Artyom’s adventure.
It has been more than a few months since Etrian Odyssey IV: Legends of the Titan was released in North America by Atlus USA, but until now gamers in Australia and New Zealand had no idea when the title would be gracing store shelves.
Well today it was announced by NIS America that they will be bringing Etrian Odyssey IV: Legends of the Titan to those two countries on August 29th. It will be available for both physical purchase and digital download. A demo will also be released on the eShop sometime early this summer. To see if Etrian Odyssey IV: Legends of the Titan is worth purchasing, you can find my review of the North American release of the game here.
When we anime fans think of Akihabara, the thought of maid cafes occasionally slips into our minds. Well now we can imagine a maid cafe mixed with a bit of Treasure Island thanks to the strangely intriguing Grand Pirates maid cafe.
Located in Soto-Kanda (part of the Chiyoda Ward in Tokyo), the maid cafe adopts all the themes of the scurvy seven seas right down to the pirate themed costumes worn by the waitresses. As well as having an official website the cafe also has a twitter page which is updated daily with links to the cafes blog (each day called Voyages, currently on their 116th) and photos of their waitresses.
The cafe currently has 18 staff members and are still on the lookout for new members to join their crew, click here to see the Grand Pirates website.
Would you be interested in going to this pirate themed cafe? Is there any other themed maid cafe you would to see in Akihabara (or where you live, don’t lie now), let us know by leaving a comment down below.
Shin Megami Tensei IV Developer: Atlus Publisher: Atlus USA Platform: Nintendo 3DS Release Date: July 16, 2013 Price: $49.99
Overview Atlus has been well known for creating memorable RPGs that have a rather devoted fan base and while quality should never be rushed, it has been nearly a decade since the last numbered Shin Megami Tensei title was released. In that time frame they have worked on a number of Persona titles and other games, but now they have finally returned with Shin Megami Tensei IV for the 3DS. Is it everything fans have come to expect from the company that has brought us hit after hit?
Story Despite sounding like something straight out of Japan, the Eastern Kingdom of Mikado looks and feels exactly like medieval Europe and in this nation every time someone becomes eighteen years old they must undergo a mandatory ritual at the Mikado Castle. The ritual is called the “Gauntlet Rite” where every participant must use a provided gauntlet, and if they are able to activate it, they will become Samurai.
These Samurai are a class of their own and while Luxorors (the rich) may see it as a burden, the Casularies (the poor) find it one of the best honors they can receive. Players take on the role of a nameable main character, named Flynn by default, as he travels from his hometown with a childhood friend to undertake the ritual. When Flynn is accepted by the gauntlet and named a Samurai, he then learns the true mission of the Samurai… defeating demons and defending the rest of the kingdom.
As I mentioned earlier, the setting may clearly lean towards medieval Europe but that is far from where things end and to say anymore would be spoiling one of the first of many twists that lay in wait for those who pick up Shin Megami Tensei IV. What seems like a rather basic initial premise is simply scratching the surface of a much deeper world that features numerous difficult decisions and a large number of surprises that are actually surprising which is a rarity in video games today.
The cast of characters you are introduced to throughout the game are a bit basic to begin with but have some decent development throughout the game that make paying attention to the characters and even talking to some of the basic NPCs worthwhile as it helps expand the already expansive story of SMTIV. The story of SMTIV is one of intrigue and drama unlike most of the JRPG style games that make their way overseas and is a major factor in what creates such an engrossing experience as you navigate the world, reign in demons for your use and dig into the numerous twists and reveals that await in SMTIV.
Gameplay Despite being on a portable device, the abilities of the 3DS make it so that the game has not suffered at all in quality, and this translates well into the gameplay aspect. Players will explore dungeons in a third person perspective where they will be able to acquire items and “relics” to sell for money and encounter enemies roaming the dungeons. Players can simply run away from these enemies, run into them or allow enemies to run into them to trigger a battle or swing their weapon to initiate combat with a pre-emptive strike.
Combat in Shin Megami Tensei IV is done in a first person perspective and continues to be a partially modified turn-based battle system. For the amount of opponents you are facing, minus hordes, they will each have a chance to attack and players will have a chance to attack for each member of the party, with a maximum of four. Unlike other turn-based systems which choose striking order based on stats, the combat instead is a side vs side basis, with enemies all attacking, then players all attacking and so on.
Turns can be extended or cut short through taking advantage of an enemy’s weakness or landing a critical hit. Whenever you strike an enemy’s weakness, your turn can be extended by one and occasionally the striking player will “Smirk” which allows for a stronger attack the next time they strike the opponent. This is true for enemies as well though so players will need to plan accordingly as it is possible for Smirking opponents to turn the tide of combat with powerful strikes. It is also worth noting that if an opponent blocks or nullifies your attack, not only is that attack removed, but an additional attack chance is also removed.
One of the key aspects for SMT remains in the fourth game where players must manage not only their own character, but also gather a party of demons to battle with. This means that negotiating with demons, fusing them together for stronger allies and more all return. The system remains relatively similar to past games and with hundreds to collect, a number of which are only available through fusions, and trying to collect them all is not only costly, but highly difficult.
Demons will want everything from cash or items, to large chunks of your HP or MP and even the sacrifice of one of your current demons, and even if you are to do all of that, they still might run away. Trying multiple times usually is required to figure out exactly how each demon will respond to various approaches, since saying “Yes” to everything can make some enemies think you’re a weak simpleton or denying them everything will show your resolve.
Managing yourself and your demons is essential in the game since, while demons don’t have a set level cap, trying to force a low-level demon to high levels is much more difficult than simply gathering or fusing a new demon to join your ranks. It is also essential as the game is highly difficult and does not hold your hand in the slightest. Even at the start enemies can dish out one hit kills and while there is an option to lower the game’s difficulty (after dying twice) without sacrificing anything in the game, even the easier difficulty can be challenging for those.
Upon death players can choose to immediately respawn thanks to a deal with the boatman on the River Styx where you can pay him off with either in-game currency or Play Coins, but you can also choose to simply reload your previous save. It is worth noting that the game can be saved anywhere thanks to the use of Burroughs, an AI guide that can offer various upgrades both in and out of combat.
If there was any actual negative to the gameplay of SMTIV, besides the need for some grinding, is the fact that a bit into the game, an overworld map is available for exploration and it is poorly displayed and organized. Enemies also act erratically on the overworld map and usually can be avoided, but are also forced on you a number of times.
Visuals One of the concerns that many people had when they heard about Shin Megami Tensei IV’s 3DS exclusivity was how the title would look on the handheld. Thankfully I can say that those concerns can be put to rest because except for the aforementioned overworld, the game is stunning looking on the 3DS. The bottom screen is always used for interfacing with the menu screens in combat or outside of it, while the top screen portrays everything actually happening within the game.
Outside of the combat the third person dungeon exploration is great looking and inside of combat, every enemy has a unique look with a gorgeously designed, albeit static, sprite. However whenever you speak with one of these demons you are granted with an up-close character portrait of said demon, letting you see just how your opponent actually looks.
The same visual stlye is used for the characters as they talk amongst each other in story sections. The character portraits are given various reactionary poses and are nicely detailed, but again they remain static in appearance. The 3D on the 3DS is nice in combat sequences, but ends up being unnecessary unless it is something you really must have on.
Audio While Shin Megami Tensei IV may not be fully voiced in English, Atlus did provide voice work for all of the story sections of the game as well as the numerous cutscenes that occur throughout the game. The voice work is nicely done for the most part, though some of the word pronunciation is oddly forced and is out of place.
As far as the background music goes, there are numerous themes that play throughout SMTIV and all of them are quite a treat. Combat themes are always fitting and the various themes match nicely with the current area you are exploring, with shifting tones depending on the situation and the environment.
Overall We’ve seen a handful of RPGs come to the 3DS so far and each one has proven to be exceptional in one way or another, but Shin Megami Tensei IV has proven that you don’t have to have a console for a lengthy and gratifying RPG experience. Nearly every aspect of SMTIV has been refined to perfection with the 3DS, with stunning visuals, a great soundtrack, excellent gameplay and a deep mature storyline that makes this a must have for 3DS owners.
Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.
Hot on the heels of the last update, Ubisoft has announced the launch of update 0.12.0 for its free-to-play PC shooter, Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Online. A massive new map, gameplay and aesthetic improvements and new item packs are on offer for players. You can see the new features for yourself in the trailer below.
Players will now have to contend with a sneaky new nemesis, the Phantoms. The Phantom pack comes with new armour, avatars and brand-new weaponry in Phantom camouflage.
Xinyi District has taken the crown of largest map yet in GRO. The new battlefield is set in Taiwan and is inspired by its world-class tech corridors. The developers have incorporated a five-point capture system inline with fan requests, where teams must capture and hold a linear series of five zones to win the match.
Xinyi District is also the first map to use the new realistic “Monster” lighting system, improving image quality and shadow effects without a performance hit. Additional lighting improvements are apparently on the way for all existing maps.
Finally, tiny little improvements have been made throughout the entire game such as realistic shell ejections from weapons to the signature single-eye AR displays.
For those interested, you can visit here now to sign up.
Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 ReMIX is coming out very soon, but Square are ready to re-introduce the franchise to fans with a new trailer. Of course this compilation will have a lot going for it, with the original and final mix of the game included, as well as upgrades to Re:Chain of Memories, and HD cutscenes remastered from 358/2 Days.
The clip below mainly introduces us to the characters all over again, taking us back to simpler times – before the story seen all of the spin-offs and more complicated fare added in to the Kingdom Hearts timeline. Check out the trailer below, and note that this bundle will be out for the PS3 on September 10th.
Two Tribes are launching Toki Tori 2+ on Steam as of tomorrow, but the little dev team want to give you one last taste before making the plunge. The screenshots released today show our little bird friend jumping in portals, dodging electricity, and getting carried away, and just like the Wii U version, things are definitely looking up for this PC port.
Of course there will be plenty of extra content and fixes that the Wii U version already seen, so if you have yet to make the jump, check the game out tomorrow when it releases. You can check out our review for the original Toki Tori 2here in the meantime.
If you thought Treyarch and Activision were done with Black Ops II, you would be wrong as even more content has been dated for the Playstation 3 and PC versions of the game, bringing new maps and modes to the much loved FPS. Of course this also means new weaponry and a bit more story, so fans should be happy to know that the Vengeance map pack will be releasing on August 1st.
Here are some details on the maps, as well as the extras that will come with the map pack:
Cove: The stage is set for all-out conflict on this small, forgotten island in the middle of the Indian Ocean, with players battling it out amongst the wreckage of a jet that crash-landed during a smuggling operation gone wrong.
Detour: A destroyed suspension bridge, high above an East Coast waterway, packed with scattered vehicles, exposed iron and collapsed pavement where the head-to-head action will play out on multiple levels.
Rush: Get ready for fast, close-quarters engagements in this paintball course turned full-combat arena, giving players new opportunities and challenges to use the cover to their advantage.
Uplink: In this re-imagined adaptation of the fan-favorite multiplayer map “Summit” from the original Call of Duty: Black Ops, players clash deep in the rain-soaked jungles of Myanmar, high atop a hi-tech mountain facility.
Treyarch continues to expand the Zombies story world in imaginative, mind-tripping ways with “Buried.” Once players meet up with the four survivors of Tranzit, they’ll begin to encounter the undead residents of an abandoned underground Old West mining town. A healthy arsenal of equipment and weapons will be at players’ disposal, but with one very special addition – something so powerful it will also appear in all other Call of Duty: Black Ops II Zombies maps (with the purchase of Vengeance DLC) – the Ray Gun Mark II.
Season pass owners will be able to download Vengeance at launch, while it will cost $14.99 for the general public. Call of Duty: Ghosts is headed this way in just a few months, so hopefully this can hold us all over until then.
