Recently reported on Andriasang is the next Shin Megami Tensei title, this time for the Nintendo 3DS handheld. This new title is not so much a brand new entry in the franchise, but is instead an updated port of one of the more popular entries in this long running franchise, Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers.
The game was originally released for the Sega Saturn back in 1997, followed later by a PlayStation port, but in Japan only. Devil Summoner: Soul Hacker is part of the Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner sub-series. This latest port for the Nintendo 3DS is set to feature new animated cut scenes, voice acting, as well as improved animation and presentation.
Devil Summoners: Soul Hackers is set to release for the Japanese 3DS on 30 August 2012.
Another piece of information was revealed by Dengeki PlayStation this week and that is a exact release date for the next Hatsune Miku game. To make it even better, the title will be available on the PlayStation Vita when it is released August 30th.
Now the question for this is… with the popularity of the Vita in North America, will we finally see a Hatsune Miku title be released here? Probably not, but then again everyone could start asking Sega to see if they would be willing to bring the title over. English subtitles would truly be all that is required for fans to be pleased.
Surge Concerto: Ciel no Surge will be released in Japan in only a few days and to help sway over a few gamers before the title is released both Gust and 4Gamer have teamed up to release a ten minute trailer featuring plenty of gameplay… though good luck understanding practically anything what is happening.
The trailer contains what looks like the game’s opening and then switches to Ion and the player interacting with her. Catch the trailer below and hope that someone localizes it for North American release. Perhaps a full English dub wouldn’t be possible but at last English subtitles would make for a satisfactory release.
Puella Magi Madoka Magica Volume 1 is the first of three volumes planned and contains the first four episodes of what may be one of the most popular anime series of 2011. The anime took off by storm and achieved quite the critical acclaim and fan following. Puella Magi Madoka Magica did so well that it even anime hipsters called it ‘overrated’. Considering that Puella Magi Madoka Magica falls under the ‘Magical Girl’ sub-genre, its impressive mainstream success in not just Japan but all over the world, certainly comes as a surprise.
Puella Magi Madoka Magica may at first seem like a product of the Japanese Moe culture, a niche series made for a very specific audience. However, Volume 1 proves that this show is far more than what it seems as within the four episodes you will find a deep and mature show with really good characterisation. By the time you’re done with this volume, it becomes clear that this show has a demeanor unlike the anime subculture/subgenre to which it belongs. Also worth noting at this point that the DVD does not have any extras apart from the customary trailers and opening/ending themes.
Story:
Madoka Magica tells the story of a 14 year old girl named Madoka Kaname, who lives a happy and peaceful life and is surrounded by great friends and a loving family. This all suddenly changes when a mysterious new student named Homura Akemi joins her class, who Madoka Kaname saw in her dreams before even meeting her. Little did Madoka know that she and her close friends were about to get involved with some great powers and get themselves into an interesting predicament.
Early on Madoka has an encounter with a strange magical creature called Kyubey, completely out of the blue in an attempt to save it from danger. This creature turns out to be a powerful entity can grant one wish to her, and that wish can be absolutely anything she desires. However, in exchange for that wish, Madoka must become a Magical Girl for life. A Magical Girl is a supernatural warrior with great powers, charged with the duty to battle Witches that threaten the local populace.
Puella Magi Madoka Magica starts off innocently enough, as it all seems to be happy and cute in its characterisation, humour, and themes. Madoka Kaname seems to have the perfect life and even her magical encounter with Kyubey seems pretty innocent too as the creature itself is your typical adorable critter. The characters seem to have the typical anime school girl lifestyle filled with tea parties, obsession with deserts, and even talking about boys. If anything it initially gives off the impression of being a supernatural slice of life series.
However, nothing is what it seems as within the first four episodes the show takes an unexpected U-turn and shows its true colours. Puella Magi Madoka Magica isn’t what I described in the previous paragraph as the show is in fact far more compelling than the initial vibe it gives off. Luckily you’ll realise by the third episode in this volume that this is a serious show that really deserves the praise and fame it achieved in 2011. I won’t get into the details of what unfolds but all I can really say is that it really switches gears into something really special, nothing is what it seems and even the characters have more to them than their innocent and adorable demeanor, including the supposedly loveable plush-toy-like creature Kyubey.
This is a seriously action packed drama, one that explores mature themes and has really deep and compelling characterisation. It becomes clear that the appeal of the show is not just for the niche audience of the subculture that it apparently draws upon, as instead it’s pretty much geared towards any fan of anime who’s looking for a nicely paced show with a mature story and an interesting cast of characters.
Visuals and Audio:
Puella Magi Madoka Magica’s art style and ambience initially gives off cheery vibe similar to shows like Lucky Star. The character designs have an air of innocence to them as they’re all very colourful with the typical anime conventions to make them appear as cute as possible, as is the case with these kinds of shows that focus on adolescent girls. Madoka’s design pretty much sums it up, as she sports a pink hairdo.
However there is some mature artistic flair here, in particular the scenes where the characters venture into what’s known as the Witch’s Labyrinth. These areas are illustrated and expressed in a rather abstract and surreal manner, almost like walking inside a Picasso painting. The art direction in those scenes is rather creepy and dark, and drops the typical anime style look for something really unorthodox and unique. Visually, these scenes represent some of the best moments of the anime.
In terms of audio, Puella Magi Madoka Magica has a nice soundtrack, initially the style of music compliments the apparent happy go lucky nature of the premise and setting, but as soon as things pick up the soundtrack also evolves into something far more epic and dramatic. The English dub is actually pretty decent here with no one sounding particularly cringe-worthy, the English voice cast do a decent job in portraying the essence of the characters, and convey the appropriate level of emotion in a given scene.
Overall:
Puella Magi Madoka Magica in short, is a pleasant surprise. Those who initially dismissed it as a shallow byproduct of the anime Moe subculture, they will surely be caught off-guard as the show is more than what it appears to be. Even within the first four episodes, Puella Magi Madoka Magica gives off a lasting and positive impression, and will leave you wanting more. By the time you finish Volume 1, you will definitely be looking forward to the eventual release of Volume 2 and Volume 3, as this is one show you definitely want to see through till the end. Do not be fooled by the pink and childish looking cover art, this anime is serious business, one that starts off with an impactful bang.
New details about Gust’s upcoming PlayStation 3 RPG, Atelier Ayesha have been revealed in the latest issue of Dengeki PlayStation. One of the first details revealed was a new character who is named Wilbele. Wilbele is a 14 year old girl who is also a witch. As one may expect, Wilbele is a genius when it comes to using magic and she can even summon the elements to attack her enemies in battle, despite all of this she still can’t learn how to fly and is seeking a way to do so like every other witch. Also revealed is a 20 year old hunter who goes by the name Yuris. Yuris is seeking a dragon to defeat and then wear its scales as armor… not very deep.
Besides these two character reveals, a little bit of extra information was revealed about the game’s battle system. Rather than featuring the previously standard stand-in-place system, players will be able to move Ayesha and her allies in battle. This movement is done with a move command in the menu and the closer the player is to a monster will affect various battle factors such as team attacks and assist skills. It is worth noting that NIS America has not mentioned whether or not they will be bringing Atelier Ayesha to North America as of yet, though it is expected that they do so.
Some gamers may remember the glory days of space combat genre like Wing Commander and X-Wing vs. TIE Fighter, well one studio is trying to bring the genre back with Starlight Inception. Being developed by Escape Hatch Entertainment, LLC, Starlight Inception aims to improve on the space combat genre by adding elements of strategy and tactics and is planned to release for the PC and PS Vita.
Escape Hatch Entertainment has a Kickstarter to try and help them develop Starlight Inception and the closing date of May 8th is coming fast. Backers can receive anywhere from a set of desktop wallpapers, to digital copies of the game, to a PS Vita with the game already loaded with the game and you as a character in the game. Check out the video below for more information and visit the Kickstarter page HERE.
IndieGala has pushed out their fourth pay what you want indie bundle today in support of Child’s Play and Save the Childrens’ Italian branch. Only five of the nine games that comes with the bundle have been revealed. Seven of these games will be available on Steam, the rest can be downloaded DRM free from the IndieGala website. Currently, two of the games are only available to those who pay more than the average bundle price. This may change as more games are announced.
If you’re getting bored of your Xbox Live avatar’s clothes, then here’s your chance to deck yourself out with new Darksiders II themed premium avatar items. A wider variety of clothing, props, pets, and full armour sets are available for 80 to 400 Microsoft Points. If you’re a Playstation 3 owner, have no fear! You aren’t totally left out. Premium items for Playstation Home will be released at a later date.
To celebrate the release of the premium avatar items, THQ is giving away free Darksiders II t-shirts for XBL avatars. Just Like them on Facebook to get a redeemable code. Hurry though, quantities are limited.
Nordcurrent, a European game developer, announced that their new game Happy Chef for the iPad has been released. In Happy Chef, players will have to manage their time wisely as they cook for five different restaurants across 70 addictive levels. Players will be able to upgrade their restaurants in game and cook over 100 different dishes.
Players will be able to cook everything from the humble hotdog to exquisite seafood meals. Those who appreciate the fine art of sweets won’t be left behind, as levels dedicated to waffles, crepes, and pancakes are available. Happy Chef is available for free on the iPad with an in app purchase of $4.99 to unlock the full game.
Anuman Interactive and SDP Games have announced that Anuman will be publishing Save the Furries for PC coming in May. The game will be made available in both physical release and digital, for international release. The partnership is Anuman Interactive’s way of rounding out their puzzle catalog, which until now has been mainly hidden-object and time management games. While SDP Games sees Anuman as the best publisher to market too an international audience.
Save the Furries itself is a puzzle game where the player must protect oblivious green Furries, as they ever march straight ahead. Players must utilize different means to clear a path and ensure as many Furries reach the end goal as possible, without being eaten or killed, in over 60 levels. Be sure to keep on eye out for it come May.
