Remember yesterday when afew early details for Marvelous AQL’s Senran Kagura: Shinovi Versus were revealed by Famitsu? Well today Famitsu has not only provided images of the five girls revealed yesterday, but they have also revealed the below trailer which shows how the game will look in action for the first time.
As you can see in the video below, absolutely nothing has been lost in translation with Senran Kagura’s shift from being a 2D side-scroller to a 3D action game. Also, those who have been paying attention to past Senran Kagura releases will notice that a number of older characters are also returning in some form for this Vita exclusive. Artwork and a screenshot of each girl can be seen below, with Murasaki shown first, then Miyabi, Imu, Ryoubi and the busty Ryouna.
While fans of of Sonic the Hedgehog are still twiddling their thumbs waiting for SEGA to announce the next “mainstream” Sonic game, a smaller, lesser known title called Sonic Jump has already been announced, developed and set for a quick release. SEGA recently posted on twitter that Sonic’s next outing, on ios of all things, is set for release on the 18th of October. That’s two days away! I know the Blue Blur is famous for his speed, but the rapid rate at which this title was announced, developed and published has to be some kind of record.
Sonic Jump is going to be made available on Ipod Touch, Iphone and Ipad devices this Thursday for $1.99US/AUD. The core game mechanic appears to feature our speedy little friend making continuous vertical climbs and jumps, most likely in a variety of environments. If this sounds familiar to those of you who enjoy Doodle Jump, then you’d be right. However, little known fact, this title is in fact the THIRD Sonic Jump game to be released. The original two games of the same title were released in 2006 and 2008 on SEGA’ cafe in Japan and SEGA Mobile as downloadable mobile titles on the phones of that day and age. (Obviously before the mass proliferation of the Idevice.)
The original games featured identical mechanics where players took on the role of Sonic to jump and chase after Dr Eggman. This recent release seems to feature more of the same. (Although perhaps they might add a selection of characters this time to mix it up?) Probably not what one would call a “must-have” in an already large catalogue of Sonic titles, but what self respecting Sonic fan would pass up a new Sonic game for only $2?
And so I decree this to be Skylanders day, where all shall bow down and honour the magical and in many cases elusive little (and now giant), characters as they again bestow their presence upon us. While being a slight exaggeration the popularity of this franchise is unprecedented with fans still scrambling for older characters and resorting to whatever means necessary to procure their new favourite and rarer characters. Much to the bane of Portal Masters everywhere, the malevolently evil Kaos returns to lend his particular brand of destruction to all major gaming platforms including XBox 360, PS3, Wii, PC and 3DS with the WiiU version on the way with the consoles launch. Finally released upon its fans, Skylanders Giants has had fans foaming a the mouth in anticipation of whats in store in the sequel to the most successful kids title of 2011 as well as being 2012’s best selling title so far.
Skylanders Giants see the introduction of 16 new charcaters all with their own special skill sets, upgrades and abilities comprising of 8 standard characters led by 8 new giants who stand well above the lelves of their allies. In addition their are also a new range of Lightcore Skylanders that glow when placed near or on the mighty Portal. All the old favourites such as Wham Shell and Trigger happy will return complete with a new Wow Pow upgrade power as well as being able to follow more than one upgrade path.
“It’s really gratifying that in less than a year, we’ve seen Skylanders go from being an intriguing untested new IP to becoming one of the hottest kids franchises in the world. And it has been universally acclaimed by parents, kids and critics alike,” said Eric Hirshberg, CEO of Activision Publishing. “Skylanders is more than just a new piece of interactive entertainment, but a genuinely new kind of thinking in interactive entertainment. The response of the fans has been incredible, and the only way we can return the favor is with a sequel like Skylanders Giants. This game is all about big: big creatures, big worlds, bigger ideas. We’re very excited to see Skylanders Giants finally hit the shelves.”
Nintendo users are also in for a surprise as the WiiU version will be specifically designed foe the new controller system, making good use of its motion and touchscreen abilities and features. Meanwhile 3Ds users will get a whole new adventure exclusive to the system and bringing bcak Flynn, Hugo and Cali as well as introducing Captain Frightbeard.
If you thought being in charge of a city and the well being of its infrastructure and citizens would be a fine way to pass the time, have a peek at the new and humorous Simcity Disasters trailer before quitting your day job. From tornadoes to alien attacks, players will have their hands full as they have to decide on how to best design their city and allocate funding to aid in those times of disaster. I can remember the frustration when playing the original Simcity to have just finished a huge metropolis only to have it reduced by rubble by an earthquake, meteor strike or rare appearance from Godzilla.
Disasters in Simcity are inevitable but can be easily repaired if you have a forward thinking mayor who has allocated enough funding to his police, fire and hospital services. Those who have a little more of a risky streak to them can forgo such niceties and go straight for that industrial or modern look, just beware when mother nature comes a knocking.
For more helpful tips and information on Simcity please visit www.simcity.com
The long-awaited Diablo 3 has been released this past May. Were you one of the gamers who highly anticipated the release? Torchlight 2, on the other hand, still has a vague release date. It was initially announced to be released in 2011, then postponed to mid-2012, before being pushed back again to an unknown date.
It’s the David vs Goliath of video games, Diablo 3 and the upcoming Torchlight 2 will go head to head in a battle of the click-tastic Action RPGs! People over at GameArena have put together an infographic to sum up the superficial differences between the two games.
Do you have any preferences over these two game franchises? Did you have the chance to try the new Diablo 3, and compare it with the original Torchlight? Which one will be better and more addictive do you think? Let us know leave a comment below!
In an effort to be mysterious, Sega of Japan has released a mysterious teaser video that is simply called “2×5.” Practically nothing is shown in the video, though various voices can be heard in the background of the video, some of which appear to be from a few Sega franchises, the most obvious of which being the Sonic ring noise.
The only information given in the video is a “See you tomorrow!” notice, so we will likely know what this teaser means when it is October 18th in Japan. Until then, you can watch the video below and take guesses as to what they could possibly be teasing. A new IP? Another mash-up of their franchises? Who knows!
Pokemon Black 2/White 2 Developer: Game Freak Publisher: Nintendo Platform: Nintendo DS Release Date: October 8, 2012 Price: $34.99 – BUY NOW
Overview
Since Pokémon Yellow, Game Freak have always followed up a generation of Pokémon releases with one refined version, improving the new formula a tad and adding in a few new features to keep the fan’s interest. Well over 15 years later, that tradition has now been broken as for the first time ever, a true sequel has been delivered for the 5th Generation of Pokémon titles. Pokémon Black 2 and White 2 offer up a continuation of the plot we seen from Black and White, along with some new features and returning species. Of course you hardcore fans already know that a solid experience awaits, but does this set of sequels do enough to keep this generation of new fans tied over until the next?
Story
It has been 2 years since the events of Pokemon Black and White. Team Plasma are back under new leadership, and we now have a new set of trainers to pick from – as well as a new rival. Most of you know the basics. Pick a starter, go after gym badges, and see the plot unfold along the way, but this time the story is even more prominent over the whole “Pokemon Champion” theme we have seen unfold over the years with each entry, making it easy to soak in hours upon hours grinding and training up your beloved squad.
Hugh (or whatever name you decide to name your rival) is quite a change from the snobby, arrogant rivals of the past and simply wants to succeed in his journey while lending a helping hand when he can. Bianca is also back as an aide to Professor Juniper…and yes- she still is ready to stop you several times as you progress forward with new items, news, and tips. Cheren is now the first gym leader, replacing the three waiters and well, the rest of the changes, you need to see for yourself as that is half of the fun within these sequels.
Just like Gold & Silver before it, Black 2 and White 2 are all about discovering how time changes places, people, and Pokémon alike. The narrative has moved in a much more mature direction this generation, and for the most part – it hasn’t detoured off from that route. It’s also still just as exciting to get that badge after a hard earned victory or to watch an event take place. That said, I do feel as if the Pokémon franchise is old enough now to mix things up a bit and this entry plays it safe more than it should. Of course I like earning badges and capturing a well-balanced team, but it’s getting near the point where Game Freak are going to have to break away from their routine in order to truly move the franchise forward.
Gameplay
As far as the basics go, I really shouldn’t have to inform you all in detail of how Pokémon Black 2 and White 2 play. The player starts out with a level 5 starter, which are the same three from the last installment (Snivy, Tepig, and Oshawott). After your usual tutorials, it’s onward from there as you set out to collect badges, battle trainers, and catch ’em all. Players will be able to link to their copies of Black and White to trade Pokemon as well as transfer over little memories and tidbits from their previous journey, but due to the new trainers, that is all a bit superficial this time around – meaning no prior experience is needed for newcomers to this generation.
The biggest change for the franchise as a whole is challenge. No longer can one player level up their starter and tackle everything in their path with ease, as the game usually stays a few levels above your own team while traveling from town to town and the varied types that both gym leaders and opposing trainers use are sure to keep even the most seasoned veterans on their toes. Some may not like this added layer of depth, but I found it refreshing as with the hefty amount of species in the game, it was definitely nice to see them utilized to their fullest potential.
The tools of the trade are also at the player’s disposal, with a neat and organized item inventory ready to be used at any given time via the touch-screen. This includes the Pokedex, item bag, berry pouch, and all of the other pockets that fans are accustomed to, along with the recently introduced C-Gear that allows for the varied online capabilities of the games. Wi-Fi features such as the Global Trade Service and your standard Pokemon Center trading/battling stations are also back and work nicely, but the new features of connectivity are what gives this sequel it’s distinct shine. Join Avenue allows players to pass by other owners of the game or swap data via infra-red or Wi-Fi in order to build a budding little community with shops and more interactivity. This may not sound like much, but after a short time I was hooked by the concept as watching this avenue grow is quite rewarding and adds even more replay value to the post-game experience.
When it comes to the actual battles, not a lot has really shifted by any means in terms of mechanics, but this system is as fine-tuned as it ever was and still easy to enjoy due to the heavily detailed stat system that shadows the simplistic controls. Players will notice that their leveling gauge has been notched out for better tracking of experience points needed, and battling is still as addictive as ever so no one should have a problem with the usual mandatory grind that is required before gyms. If anything, this title adds to that due to the upped difficulty, requiring the player to battle more trainers and wild Pokemon in order to become stronger. Again – this is all about preference, but Pokemon has always been about learning from your own mistakes and becoming stronger as a result, and that formula sticks hard within Black 2 and White 2.
Aside from battles, there are literally an infinite amount of things to do. Level up your squad, hunt for shiny Pokemon, speak to everyone around, gain badges….you know the drill. Unova in my opinion is the first region to blossom completely when it comes to atmosphere, putting the player into the role of their character while demanding total immersion. PokéStar Studios acts as this version’s contests or musicals, letting the player take part in a film role – script and all, while trying to entertain an audience. It’s not the most in-depth feature in the game, but it definitely adds a little more charm to the overall experience.
My biggest gripe of Pokemon Black and White was the lack of the older species. That isn’t a big complaint due to how groundbreaking the two titles were, but these installments now offer old with the new, with the best example of that being the Pokémon World Tournament. Pokémon World Tournament acts exactly as it sounds, placing you into a tournament where you must fight one familiar trainer after the next in order to claim victory. To bring out the true punch in this feature comes nostalgia, as nearly every important face from the franchise makes an appearance and is ready to battle with their classic teams – which is a dream come true for those of us who are still clamoring to our original 151.
I’m guessing medals were added to act as achievements to keep players going. Now, they do add a nice bit of incentive for reaching certain landmarks along the long journey within the game, but as a whole – this feature seems to be more of a test for future installments. Do I think this is a nice addition? Undoubtedly. The medal system could certainly use a bit more polish and attention as a whole though, as it would be nice to actually see what medals you score while completing a particular feat – instead of visiting a Pokemon Center to obtain your shiny merits.
Visuals and Audio
As far as the graphics go, not much has been upgraded in any sense compared to the previous entries in the series. All the Pokemon’s sprites have been animated slightly different and run just a hair smoother while in battle, and the menu system seems a bit cleaner – but alas, Black 2 and White 2 still resemble almost every other Pokemon title from the past few years. The environments do seem more alive this time around, with minor details such as waiving grass and windy skies adding a bit more life as you trek onward, but don’t go in expecting a lot of change to the familiar region of Unova on a visual level.
During my time with Black and White, I thought the soundtrack was the best to date. I now stand corrected on that statement, as Black and White 2 takes those tunes and expand upon them. The tunes of intensity when one of your party is low on HP is still as exciting as it ever was due to that remixed tune, and hearing the tranquil melodies as you ponder on throughout the game is down-right soothing. Of course I could ask for more, such as a upgrade to the cries and maybe a few vocals to go along with the cutscenes, but Game Freak are set in their ways of keeping to the original formula, and if it isn’t broke…well, you get the idea.
Overall
Pokemon Black 2 and White 2 are a superb pair of sequels that nail almost everything on the head when it comes to delivery. Unova has been expanded upon and feels even more alive with activity this time around, leaving the player with hundreds of hours of exploration and enjoyment to hold them over until generation six. The new features such as Pokéstar Studios and the Pokémon World Tournament are also fantastic , while the plot only deepens one’s visual image of this mystical region that seems to be giving the Nintendo DS it’s final bow.
It’s funny. I look back and think about holding a flashlight up to my large brick Game Boy at night while leveling a Bulbasaur, and get a warm feeling of nostalgia. These sequels have retained those same qualities of comfort by remaining unchanged formula wise, yet still show how far the franchise has evolved since the days of MissingNo and the S.S. Anne. with how well Game Freak has implemented change in small doses over the past 15 years. Anyone who says Pokemon hasn’t changed are looking through blinders – as these two releases are the result of all of the details stacking together to create yet another unforgettable experience.
It is always unfortunate when a game is delayed and it is even more unfortunate when a game with a high chance of being localized is delayed in Japan, since it will mean that the game will likely take longer to make it’s way overseas.
Nippon Ichi Software’s PlayStation 3 exclusive The God and the Fate Revolution Paradox has been delayed from it’s previous release date of December 20th to January 24, 2013 according to a report in this week’s issue of Famitsu as reported by Game Jouhou. Currently no localization announcement has been made for the title, though considering it bears a number of resemblances to Disgaea and is a Nippon Ichi title, it is likely NIS America is keeping a close eye on this one.
This week’s issue of Famitsu is going to introduce five new girls to Senran Kagura: Shinovi Versus. Unfortunately, we only have this information so far courtesy of Tale Tale Source and images of the girls themselves will likely be available within a day or so.
The first new girl is called Hiyabi who is 21 years old and is a member of the earlier generation before Homura. She has lost both her memory and her abilities after an accident occurred during one of her missions. Second we have Imu who is also 21 years old, but unfortunately she has been stuck in the hospital for over a year from the same accident that caused Hiyabi to lose her memory.
Also introduced into the game are Murasaki, who is sixteen years old but doesn’t attend class and Ryoubi and Ryouna, both of whom are sixteen and are also twin sisters. Ryoubi uses a sniper rifle as a weapon and apparently she was also “previously” small in the chest. Considering we will likely see images of these characters soon, we will probably see how Ryoubi’s new developments look as well as the other four girls.
Update: Images of the new girls have been released and can be found here.
If you have been waiting to purchase Jet Set Radio HD on the PlayStation Vita then perhaps you should prepare to purchase it on either the PlayStation 3 or the Xbox 360 because Sega has revealed that the Vita version of the game has been delayed due to “necessary development optimizations” despite the fact that it was meant to be released today.
It is worth noting that the console versions of Jet Set Radio HD have already hit each one’s respective digital store and our review of the 360 version can be found here. As for a new release date, Sega simply said that the new date would be announced “soon.”
