HoYoverse is delighted to announce the highly anticipated Honkai: Star Rail Version 3.0 update, set to release on January 15, 2025. This milestone update, unveiled during the Paean of Era Nova Special Program Livestream on January 1, ushers in a thrilling new chapter in the game’s main story and introduces players to the enigmatic world of Amphoreus.
A New Frontier: Welcome to Amphoreus
Version 3.0 invites players to embark on an extraordinary journey to Amphoreus, a mysterious celestial body shrouded in chaos. Marking the most expansive story arc in Honkai: Star Rail’s history, the Trailblaze Mission in Amphoreus unfolds over eight versions from 3.0 to 3.7.
Guided by Black Swan, the Astral Express sets course for Amphoreus after leaving behind Penacony, the Planet of Festivities. Amphoreus is a celestial enigma, cloaked in a chaotic vortex that renders it undetectable from the outside, while its inhabitants remain oblivious to the universe beyond. What lies within this enigmatic world promises to captivate and challenge players like never before.
New Playable Characters and Reruns
Version 3.0 introduces three highly anticipated playable characters:
The Herta (5-star): The enigmatic intellect joins the battle with her experimental prowess.
Aglaea (5-star): A master of harmony and elemental manipulation.
Remembrance Trailblazer (5-star): A new aspect of the Trailblazer harnessing the power of Remembrance.
Additionally, beloved characters make their return:
First Half Reruns: Limited 5-star characters Lingsha, Feixiao, and Jade.
Second Half Reruns: Limited 5-star characters Boothill, Robin, and Silver Wolf.
Experience the mystery and grandeur of Amphoreus in the Version 3.0 trailer:
Embark on the Next Chapter
As the Astral Express ventures into the unknown, Version 3.0 sets the stage for an unforgettable journey filled with discovery, adventure, and connection.
Developed by HoYoverse, Honkai: Star Rail is a space fantasy RPG that takes players on an interstellar journey across a vast universe filled with rich storytelling, compelling characters, and immersive gameplay.
Company Redefines Premium Gaming Monitors with the UltraGear GX9 Series, Offering Unmatched Immersion, Flexibility and Smart Features
ENGELWOOD CLIFFS, N.J., Dec. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — LG Electronics (LG) is reinforcing its leadership in premium OLED gaming monitors with the LG UltraGear™ GX9 series, set to be unveiled at CES 2025 this January. The new lineup includes the 45GX990A – winner of three CES 2025 Innovation Awards, including the prestigious ‘Best of Innovation’ – and an all-in-one smart gaming monitor powered by LG webOS. These accolades underscore LG’s commitment to delivering advanced, high-quality gaming solutions. With the GX9 series, LG continues to demonstrate its leadership in cutting-edge technology and gaming monitor innovation.
To ensure maximum gaming immersion, all UltraGear GX9 series models feature curved display panels employing LG’s advanced WOLED technology. These screens offer high brightness, true blacks, stunning colors and optimized curvature; a combination that brings games to life and draws users deeper into the exhilarating action of their favorite titles. Certified for low blue light emissions, the GX9 series provides a more comfortable experience, reducing eye strain during extended gaming sessions. In addition, LG’s Anti-Glare & Low Reflection (AGLR) coating minimizes screen reflections and glare, making it easier for gamers to see everything that’s happening on screen, even in brighter rooms.
The 45GX990A and 45GX950A are 45-inch, 21:9 gaming monitors featuring ultra-high 5K2K resolution (5,120 x 2,160) – a first for OLED monitors.1 Their 21:9 aspect ratio offers a more immersive gaming experience than standard 16:9 displays, while maintaining better content compatibility than 32:9 monitors. With generous screen real estate, these monitors are a great choice not only for gaming but for various different uses.
Both products feature LG’s second-generation Dual-Mode, offering customizable aspect ratios (21:9 or 16:9) and picture sizes (39-, 34-, or 27-inches) with one-touch switching between preset screen-resolution and refresh-rate combos. With eight configurations, users can personalize their gaming setups to suit their preferences or adapt to different game genres, including FPS, RPG, MOBA and racing simulators.
The World’s First Bendable 5K2K Gaming Monitor with Dual-Mode
The LG UltraGear OLED Bendable Gaming Monitor (model 45GX990A) is the world’s first 5K2K-resolution bendable OLED display. The 45-inch monitor can smoothly transition from completely flat to a 900R curvature within seconds, offering users incredible flexibility and more control over their gaming experience. Its upgraded Dual-Mode feature allows users to switch effortlessly between resolution and refresh rate presets, and customize the aspect ratio and picture size. With an ultra-fast 0.03ms (GtG) response time, the 45GX990A ensures smooth gameplay and heightened immersion.
The World’s First 45-Inch 5K2K OLED Gaming Monitor with 800R Curvature and DisplayPort 2.1
Another standout model from the new GX9 lineup is the LG UltraGear OLED Gaming Monitor (model 45GX950A). With its curved (800R), 21:9 format 5K2K-resolution self-lit 45-inch panel, this display delivers sharp, lifelike images with the stunning colors and exceptional contrast LG OLED products are known for. Its 4-side Virtually Borderless design and slim bezels help boost users’ sense of immersion while adding a sleek aesthetic to any setup. Boasting 125 pixels per-inch (PPI) and an RGWB subpixel layout, the monitor improves the readability of in-game text and makes productivity tasks, such as editing documents or website content, that much easier.
Like its bendable sibling, the 45GX950A features Dual-Mode functionality with eight customizable configurations and supports DisplayPort 2.1, HDMI 2.1 and USB-C with 90W power delivery. This ensures seamless compatibility with the latest graphics cards and features such as variable refresh rate (VRR) while enabling convenient device charging. Certified by NVIDIA G-SYNC® and AMD FreeSync™ Premium Pro, the monitor has reduced screen tearing for a smoother, more responsive gaming experience.
Versatile Smart Gaming Monitor for Seamless Streaming and Immersive Gaming
The brand-new LG UltraGear 39GX90SA is designed to deliver stellar gaming and content-streaming experiences. Powered by webOS, it functions as a home entertainment hub, enabling users to access all their go-to streaming services without a PC or set-top box. Its 39-inch, 21:9 aspect ratio curved (800R) OLED display produces brilliant, nuanced colors and deep, dark blacks, making it perfect for AAA games and HDR movies and series. Equipped with USB Type-C ports, it offers convenient connectivity, and incorporates LG’s ergonomic and space-saving L-shaped stand for a clutter-free desk setup.
“The UltraGear GX9 series sets a new standard for OLED gaming monitors, combining groundbreaking display technology with smart features that expand and enhance the user experience,” said YS Lee, vice president and head of the IT Business Unit, LG Media Entertainment Solution Company. “From the world’s first 5K2K OLED gaming monitors with second-generation Dual-Mode to smart gaming monitors with built-in webOS, the GX9 lineup pushes the boundaries to deliver maximum value and enjoyment for our customers.”
1 As of December 2024.
About LG Electronics USA
LG Electronics USA, Inc., based in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., is the North American subsidiary of LG Electronics, Inc., a $68 billion global innovator in technology and manufacturing. In the United States, LG sells a wide range of innovative home appliances, home entertainment products, commercial displays, air conditioning systems, and vehicle components. LG is an 11-time ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year. The company’s commitment to environmental sustainability and its “Life’s Good” marketing theme encompass how LG is dedicated to people’s happiness by exceeding expectations today and tomorrow.
The popular character Necoco’s Extra Style arrives – Draw up to 101 times for free in the New Year Campaign
TOKYO – Dec. 30, 2024 –Another Eden: The Cat Beyond Time and Space, the multi-platform single-player adventure JRPG with more than 15 million players from Wright Flyer Studios, launches its version 3.10.10 Additional Update. The popular character Necoco’s Extra Style arrives. Mythos “Shadow of Sin and Steel” Chapter 4, continuing the story set on the Eastern Garulea Continent, releases. Additionally, the “Happy New Year & Global Version 6th Anniversary Campaign” offers a total of 101 free draws, increased login bonuses, and daily extra Key Cards.
Mythos “Shadow of Sin and Steel” Chapter 4
Kurosagi Castle and its lord are reduced to ashes. His friend and mentor are gone. Having lost everything in a single night, Senya feels…
To start Chapter 4, Chapter 3 of the Mythos “Shadow of Sin and Steel” and Chapter 84 of the Main Story must be cleared, and Version 3.10.10 Additional Update is required.
Happy New Year & Global Version 6th Anniversary Campaign – Increased Achievement Rewards & Today’s Item
The achievement reward for starting Chapter 4 of “Shadow of Sin and Steel” is increased to 50 Chronos Stones between the Version 3.10.10 Additional Update and Jan. 31, 2025 14:59 (UTC). Today’s Item (login bonuses) is also increased to 50 Chronos Stones, up to 700 Chronos Stones in total during Dec. 29, 2024 15:00 through Jan. 12, 2025 14:59 (UTC).
Extra Key Cards Campaign
Between the Version 3.10.10 Additional Update and an update in early January 2025, the amount of key items obtained in certain Episodes and Symphonies is boosted. The boost also applies when Skipping via Cat Express Tickets.
Whisper of Time Token + Whisper of Time Drop
Between December 31, 2024 15:00 and January 20, 2025 14:59 (UTC), players recive a Whisper of Time Token to access a 10-Ally Encounter once a day (max 10 times). Each time initiating the Whisper of Time Token encounter, a Whisper of Time Drop will be sent. Once 10 Whisper of Time Drops are collected, a Whisper of Time Drop encounter (1 time only, 5★ class guaranteed) becomes accessible.
Another Eden: The Cat Beyond Time and Space is now available on Steam for PC, iOS via the App Store, and Android via Google Play.
For more information on Another Eden: The Cat Beyond Time and Space, please visit the official website
New adventures, events, and dazzling outfits await as the first major update lands December 30th, bringing festive magic and fresh gameplay to PlayStation 5, PC, iOS, and Android.
Singapore, December 25th, 2024. – In the spirit of new beginnings and welcoming in the new year, Infold Games has today released the trailer for Infinity Nikki’s first major update, Shooting Star Season, coming to PlayStation 5, PC, iOS and Android. Available December 30th through January 23rd, this update introduces new storylines, platforming challenges, time-limited events, and of course, stunning outfits to ring in the new year.
During the Shooting Star Season, shimmering meteors will grace the night skies over Miraland as residents come together and cast their wishes upon the stars. Beyond these cosmic travelers and festive decorations, players will find a series of new activities, rewards, and ways to interact with the cozy open-world.
With over 20 million downloads since launch, Infinity Nikki has received critical acclaim since releasing earlier this month. Designed with care to provide a unique and immersive experience, Infinity Nikki blends dress-up gameplay with engaging activities such as fishing, crafting, and story-driven quests. A colourful cast of characters and breathtaking locations make Miraland a truly unforgettable place to explore. Players have discovered a cozy, whimsical open-world adventure where fashion meets exploration. Whether gliding across stunning landscapes, solving puzzles, grooming adorable pets, or uncovering hidden secrets like ghost trains and soaring paper cranes, Infinity Nikki offers endless charm and surprises for players to enjoy.
About Infinity Nikki
Infinity Nikki, the fifth installment in the beloved Nikki series by Infold Games, is a cozy open-world adventure where platforming, puzzle-solving, dress-up, and more come together for a unique experience. Powered by the UE5 engine and available across multiple platforms, the game invites players to dive into a world of creativity and exploration.
About Infold Games
Infold Games is an international business brand created by Papergames. Based in Singapore, Infold Games strives to develop creative projects with strong emotional connections and immersive experiences to inspire and encourage players around the world. It is well regarded for the Nikki series and the Love series with more than 400 million downloads worldwide. The team is currently developing AAA projects including Ballad of Antara and Project: The Perceiver as well as the next installment of the Nikki series, Infinity Nikki, a whimsical open-world adventure.
Lesquin, 26 December 2024 – To celebrate the end of 2024, NACON and KT Racing are inviting PlayStation® players to play Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown for free*! Players will be able to explore the Hong Kong Island and sunny Ibiza free of charge on PlayStation®5, from Friday December 27 at 09:00 UTC to December 31, 2024 at 09:00 UTC. During this limited period, the game will benefit from a 40% discount on the Gold Edition on PlayStation®5. The free weekend will also arrive on Xbox and PC at a later date
This free limited trial version offers all players unrestricted access to all game content for the duration of the event. Save data can be automatically carried over to the full version of the game. To take part in the free weekend on PlayStation 5®, players can download the trial version of the game by visiting the Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown PlayStation™ Store page.
They can also enjoy the new features of Season 2, which introduces Ibiza in 1:1 scale, with iconic locations in the capital, new cars, a social hub, Quality of Life enhancements including adjustable steering wheel up to 1080°, proximity voice chat in social hubs and the open world, as well as a rebalancing of difficulty and AI (bots) behavior in races. To discover this new destination, players must reach reputation level 12, choose a clan between Sharps and Streets and complete the proposed mission.
Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown is optimized for the PlayStation 5® Pro, offering enhanced resolution in both graphics’ modes: 1440p / 60 FPS in Performance mode and 2160p TAA Upscaling / 30 FPS in Quality mode.
*Available free of charge worldwide except in South Korea and Japan. Players residing in Germany must have a PlayStation®Plus subscription to enjoy TDUSC Free Weekend. — Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown (or TDUSC) is a massively open online racing game (M.O.O.R) set on Hong Kong Island and Ibiza city, recreated on a scale of 1/1. A true racing, lifestyle and social experience, players can personalize an avatar in their image, become a member of a clan, explore more than 600km of roads, or even participate in the numerous competitions available in-game, at the wheel of more than 100 racing cars.
Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown is available on PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S and PC (Steam).
A company within the BIGBEN group, NACON was created in 2019 to optimize its expertise and leverage synergies in the video game market. Comprising 16 development studios, AA game publishing, and the design and distribution of premium gaming peripherals, NACON brings 40 years of experience to benefit the world’s gaming community. This unified center of excellence strengthens NACON’s position in the market and creates unique opportunities for innovation and competitive advantages. www.corporate.nacongaming.com
About Kylotonn
Created in 2006, Kylotonn is one the most important French video game development studios, also known under KT Racing label. Specialized in motorsports and official developer of the WRC FIA World Rally Championship series and Isle of Man Tourist Trophy, the company is internationally recognized for its know-how and for the passion of its teams. With more than 170 employees as of today in Paris and Lyon, Kylotonn has developed more than 30 titles distributed by major publishers. Kylotonn has forged itself a strong technological expertise thanks to the real-time 3D engine KT Engine that the company owns. At the forefront of the video game industry, this technology is also used within R&D partnerships on autonomous vehicle projects in the automotive industry. Since 2018, NACON, one of Europe’s leading video game publishers, holds a 100% stake in the company. Kylotonn is a member of the French National Developers Federation (Syndicat National du Jeu Vidéo) and Capital Games. The company is supported by BPI, IFCIC and the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation. For more information, visit www.kylotonn.com.
Foster real connections in free-to-play virtual social app
MANCHESTER, UK – December 19, 2024 – StageTime, the virtual social app for connecting and sharing the joy of performing, makes its grand debut on the virtual Meta Quest stage on Thursday, January 16, 2025.
Hop into a lively cyberspace primed for singalongs, social interactions, and epic performances envisioned by an ex-software engineer from a top social VR platform, and creator of the leading VR karaoke space. Create memories and lasting connections in this immersive, virtual venue. Invite up to 10 friends into a bustling performance room and put on a rockin’ gig, funny standup act, or a heartfelt poetry recital.
Aspiring entertainers can quickly and easily get the party started. StageTime offers a zero friction process, placing players in public rooms without the need to set up an account, eliminating pesky barriers and allowing partygoers to immediately dive into the festivities. This seamless integration is one of many key features that sets StageTime apart from other social apps in the VR space. Customize an avatar fit for a superstar with multiple options for hair colors and styles, skin tones, accessories, and more.
Stage all-out performances, complete with full-body avatar representation. Vocal animations sync to each person’s voice, creating a seamless and captivating experience. Every twirl, tap, and move is rendered in VR. Take the spotlight for all to see, or sit back, enjoy others’ performances, and cheer them on along the way!
Using YouTube connectivity, StageTime allows users to sync their favorite videos to share with others in real time. Become the life of the party and pick any video to share with friends. StageTime allows seamless sync for each user, so there are no pesky delays or lag to drag down the party. The in-game LIV creator kit also offers a camera for recording and selfie options in first, third, and landscape perspectives.
“My goal is to present StageTime as a new way to connect with people through shared experiences in a live, virtual setting,” said Hamza Qureshi, Founder of Virtuware. “By blending performance and connection, StageTime invites people everywhere to celebrate creativity, share their talent, and forge meaningful moments together.”
The party continues following StageTime’s launch, as Virtuware’s vision is to continue providing support in the long-term. Fans of the social platform can look forward to a robust content roadmap, with plans to integrate new venues and environments, additional customization options for stellar avatar designs, and monetization with the ability to purchase avatar emotes, cosmetics, and more.
StageTime launches for free worldwide on the Meta store on Thursday, January 16, 2025. For more information on the game, please visit the official website, follow StageTime on TikTok, and join the community Discord.
About Virtuware
Virtuware is a development studio based out of Manchester, UK. With several years of experience in the VR space, Virtuware aims to create fun and engaging experiences for users through social connections.
Celebrate With New Year Event “Cheers to the Past, Here’s to the New”, Launching December 26, Plus Recruit New Character Rapi: Red Hood Starting January 1
PALO ALTO, CA – December 23, 2024 – Level Infinite, a gaming brand dedicated to delivering high-quality experiences to a global audience wherever and however they play, revealed exciting updates for GODDESS OF VICTORY: NIKKE, the sci fi RPG shooter with adorable android NIKKEs, during an official livestream today. Renowned for its collaborations with popular IPs like NieR: Automata, Chainsaw Man, and Dave the Diver, NIKKE continues its tradition of popular crossovers. Two major collaborations were revealed—one with the iconic anime Neon Genesis Evangelion and another with the action-adventure game Stellar Blade—as well as details for the New Year’s Version Update launching December 26, and an in-depth look at the game’s beloved heroine, Rapi.
Downloaded over 45 million times since launch, GODDESS OF VICTORY is now available globally for PC, iOS and Android mobile devices.
On December 26, players can experience the New Year Version Update, which will have more than 100 recruitment opportunities. Then on January 1st, players can recruit SSR Rapi: Red Hood, an awakened Rapi that combines with the power of a strong NIKKE called Red Hood.
Get ready for an exciting crossover this February as NIKKE teams up with the Evangelion anime franchise! This special event NIKKE X Evangelion will feature fan-favorite characters like Asuka, Rei, Mari, and Misato, along with a brand-new SSR collaboration character, and a free-to-obtain collaboration character. Players can also look forward to exclusive character outfits (including free skins), a stunning 3D event map, an engaging collaboration storyline, and a new mini-game.
Watch the [GODDESS OF VICTORY: NIKKE] X [Evangelion] trailer below
Shift Up, the developer behind both NIKKE and Stellar Blade, is bringing the two titles together for another in-game collaboration. While the release date and specific details are still under wraps, this crossover promises to celebrate the unique connection between these games. As the first console project of Shift Up, Stellar Blade reached 1 million copies sold in the first month. This action-adventure game set on a post-apocalyptic Earth, is renowned for its stunning visuals, immersive storytelling, and dynamic combat—hallmarks that also define NIKKE. Stay tuned for more updates on this collaboration.
Watch the [GODDESS OF VICTORY: NIKKE] X [Stellar Blade] trailer below.
GODDESS OF VICTORY: NIKKE takes players on an immersive story-driven adventure filled with beautifully rendered playable characters and a mysterious world to explore. Utilizing advanced animated illustration, the game delivers smooth character movements and realistic character performance that brings a dynamic combat experience. Every character also possesses a special weapon and skill set which will uniquely shape the way the game is played. It’s up to the player to build the ultimate team, develop their characters and complete each mission to conquer the invaders and save humanity. In addition, the game has unique boss battle stages with huge enemies that take both coordination and preparation to take down.
Level Infinite is Tencent’s global games brand. We are dedicated to delivering engaging and original gaming experiences to a worldwide audience, whenever and wherever they choose to play, while building a community that fosters inclusivity, connection, and accessibility. The brand also provides a wide range of services and resources to our network of developers and partner studios around the world to help them unlock the true potential of their games. Level Infinite is both publisher of breakout hit games like PUBG MOBILE, Goddess of Victory: NIKKE and SYNCED and a collaborative partner in games such as Fatshark’s Warhammer 40,000: Darktide, Dune: Awakening from Funcom, Nightingale from Inflexion Studios and many more. To learn more about Level Infinite, visit www.levelinfinite.com, and follow on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube
New footage and the ending theme song “Un-Apex” by TK are unveiled ahead of the highly anticipated return
Sydney Australia (December 23) – Crunchyroll, the ultimate destination for anime, in collaboration with Aniplex, is excited to announce that Solo Leveling Season 2 -Arise from the Shadow- will officially premiere on January 5, 2025, only on Crunchyroll.
This news was shared alongside the release of the main trailer, giving fans a fresh look at new footage from the upcoming second season. The trailer also revealed the ending theme song, “UN-APEX” performed by TK (best known for Tokyo Ghoul’s “Unravel”), promising another emotional and powerful musical centerpiece for the series.
Adapted from the best-selling Korean web novel written by Chugong, Solo Leveling follows Sung Jinwoo, the world’s weakest hunter. After being brutally slaughtered by monsters in a high-ranking dungeon, Jinwoo came back with the System, a program only he could see, that’s leveling him up in every way. Now, he’s inspired to discover the secrets behind his powers and the dungeon that spawned them.
Solo Leveling Season 2 -Arise From the Shadow- Synopsis:
It’s been over ten years since gates that lead to another dimension have begun appearing across the world. The battles between the magic beasts inhabiting the dungeons through the gates and the human hunters who have awakened the abilities to fight them show no signs of ending. Ordinarily, a hunter’s abilities do not change upon awakening, with their rank never increasing. However, the low-ranked Sung Jinwoo, known as “The Weakest Hunter of All Mankind,” gained the ability to level up through battle during a raid on a double dungeon.
Having completed a job-change quest that earned him the job “Shadow Monarch” and command over an army of shadows, Jinwoo heads into battle seeking the ingredients for the Elixir of Life to save his sick mother.
Solo Leveling is animated by acclaimed A-1 Pictures (Sword Art Online). The series is directed by Shunsuke Nakashige (Sword Art Online Alicization War of Underworld).
Watch the first season of Solo Leveling only on Crunchyroll.com.
About Aniplex
Aniplex Inc. is a diversified entertainment company operating worldwide with focus on the planning and production of anime video and music content, its distribution in theaters and broadcast syndication as well as their respective physical and digital products, development of related game apps and merchandise such as figurines and apparel, stage production of musicals and live events, and operating the online store “Aniplex Online” which provides hand-picked items for sale.
About Crunchyroll
Crunchyroll is the global anime brand that fuels fans’ love of anime. With the ambition to make anime an even bigger part of pop culture, Crunchyroll offers fans the ultimate anime experience and destination centered around a premium streaming service. Crunchyroll has the largest dedicated anime library, an immersive world of events, exciting theatrical releases, unique games, must-have merchandise, timely news, and more. Anime is for everyone and is accessible to stream across territories through Crunchyroll—whether on the go on mobile, through gaming consoles and big-screen devices at home, or on desktops anywhere.
Crunchyroll, LLC is an independently operated joint venture between U.S.-based Sony Pictures Entertainment and Japan’s Aniplex, a subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc., both subsidiaries of Tokyo-based Sony Group.
Monster-summoning Action RPG 3D Sword of the Necromancer: Resurrection announces release date After a delay to avoid busy launch schedule, the game finally launches January 23, 2025
Barcelona, Spain – December 18th, 2024 -The wait is finally over! Grimorio of Games is thrilled to announce that Sword of the Necromancer: Resurrection, the 3D remake of the cult ARPG, will launch on January 23, 2025.
Available on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch, this reimagined version of the beloved original promises an exciting blend of nostalgia and innovation.
Sword of the Necromancer: Resurrection brings the classic story of love, loss, and redemption into a new dimension. With fully revamped 3D graphics inspired by the sixth generation of consoles, a dynamic and fluid combat system, and the ability to program your summoned creatures with the innovative “Tactics” system, players will experience the world of Sword of the Necromancer like never before.
“We’ve taken everything fans loved about the original game and pushed it to the next level,” said the Grimorio of Games development team. “From the art style to the gameplay mechanics, this is a fresh yet familiar experience that will appeal to both returning players and newcomers alike.”
What’s New in Resurrection?
• A new dimension: 3D graphics inspired by sixth-generation console classics and brought to life with modern flair. • A reimagined combat system: Fast-paced, strategic battles with dodges, combos, and fluid animations. • Tactics system for summoned creatures: Customize the behaviour of your resurrected allies to guard, attack, or prioritize key targets. • Local co-op mode: Team up with a friend for even more exciting dungeon-crawling adventures. • Infinite replayability: With a combination of procedurally generated dungeons and handcrafted levels, every playthrough offers a unique experience. Discover new enemies, allies, and secrets with each run. Take on Roguelite Mode to truly test your skills!
A Tale of Love and Redemption
Follow Tama, a former bandit turned bodyguard, on her journey to bring her beloved Koko back to life. Using the forbidden power of the Sword of the Necromancer, Tama must descend into a dangerous dungeon filled with enemies, secrets, and hard choices.
This remake not only revisits the original’s heartfelt narrative but also adds new cinematics and expanded lore, deepening the connection to its characters and world.
Ready to Begin Your Adventure?
Mark your calendars for January 23, 2025, and add Sword of the Necromancer: Resurrection to your wishlist today. The crypt of the Necromancer awaits!
Grimorio of Games is a small team based in Barcelona. After developing the hyper-active action platformer Super Hyperactive Ninja, Grimorio of Games released Sword of the Necromancer, a top-down 2D Action RPG with roguelike elements, in 2021.
The game was released digitally on January 2021 for PC, Xbox One, PS4 and Nintendo Switch, and had a physical release in Europe for PS4 and Switch in September. In November, the game received PS5 and Xbox Series versions, thus being released in all current platforms.
Sword of the Necromancer previously had a very successful Kickstarter campaign that raised over $200K with more than 5500 backers.
Visual novels have long been used to tell stories through a simplistic but effective medium that often gives players choices to make to change the route of the story they are following but can also be completely static, telling a one route storyline. Throughout the years these visual novels have taken on many forms and genres, ranging from completely serious takes on war and loss, futuristic worlds being explored or interactions with fantasy races, and of course plenty of dating games and the numerous “subversions” of the genre. With CELL 0: Cyber Entertainment Leisure Lounge, players are treated to a prequel of sorts that the developer hopes will lead into a continuing series and deals with the apocalyptic rise of AI that has gone unchecked. With this small team and some big dreams, is this indie visual novel worth checking out?
Story
Humanity is extinct. No one knows exactly what happened, because there is no one left to know. All that remains, for what one man knows, is himself and the CELL that he has existed in since he was born. Kenzo has spent his eighteen years of life within the few rooms of CELL with only virtual simulators to interact with and his AI caretaker/assistant Acine. Despite being the only resident of the CELL, Acine keeps strict limitations on what she can tell Kenzo and has various limitations to her own interactions, something that has driven Kenzo slowly to the brink as his fragile state of mind continues to fracture under the crushing loneliness that is his existence.
Through Acine’s teachings and Kenzo’s own recollection of her teachings, humanity was ended by the unstoppable AI called Omniscient that was given complete control over most of humanity’s utilities and nearly everything else and suddenly chose to eliminate humanity for reasons unknown. The CELL, a secure facility buried deep underground and separate from the grand network, was the only thing to survive. Beyond that, Acine keeps everything of his history or anything related to herself secret, inaccessible without proper admin privileges. With Kenzo seemingly the last human and finding his mental and physical state only growing more disturbed to the point that Acine even breaches some of her own protocols to try and maintain the CELL’s structure. That is until Acine receives a message, a message from another CELL that survived and changes Kenzo’s potential future forever.
CELL 0: Cyber Entertainment Leisure Lounge serves as a prologue to what the developers call the CELL visual novel series and for an introduction it works quite well. It is a bit on the shorter side, as a standard playthrough from beginning to end will take about two hours, or a little more, depending on the player’s reading speed but it is worth noting that to actually experience everything the story has to offer, including learning more about the world, the AI advancements and changes that happened to create the end of the world, as well as about Kenzo and Acine themselves, the player will need to play through not only to obtain all three endings, but a few more times as well as certain pieces of information are kept tucked away behind certain choices and a few of these are shockingly relevant to expanding the world, including what potentially will happen in future entries.
It is worth noting that CELL 0 is heavily tech influenced with a lot of its storyline revolving around AI and the dangers of such a quantum level AI gaining power. Beyond AI related terms quite a few technical and psychological pieces of jargon are also used that players may not recognize at first. Two of the three routes in-game are heavily focused around the emotional attachment that someone may develop with an AI, especially when that is all someone has to interact with while the third route can be seen as the “true” route and even this one is highly emotional, giving many of these culminating moments quite a lot of impact.
As for the characters themselves, Kenzo is a heavily flawed protagonist to the point that he is almost unlikable, though it is easy to understand why he is this way thanks to his limited upbringing, especially once other characters are introduced and players get to see how being raised within CELL can lead its residents to develop some rather extreme personalities, one way or another. As for Acine, as an AI companion she is meant to play off of Kenzo as a caretaker/assistant but it isn’t hard to see how she is perhaps one of the best characters in the story through her reactions and scoldings of Kenzo, limited as they may be, though the three introduced near the end that will likely serve as the main heroines of the series, are quite interesting as well, especially a certain psychotic one.
Gameplay
Being a visual novel, the gameplay aspects for CELL 0: Cyber Entertainment Leisure Lounge are rather limited as players will simply be able to click through dialogue or set the game to auto play as they read. There is no dialogue log to access as players can simply tap the back button on the dialogue window to reread any dialogue they may want to double-check or even select a different choice if they so wish as it serves as more of a rewind button than anything else. Players can also use the Skip option to skip any previously seen text, making it easier to play through the game a separate time and see the other endings that are available or how various choices can affect bits of dialogue.
While there are only a limited number of choices in CELL 0: Cyber Entertainment Leisure Lounge the game does feature three separate endings and, ironically, what many may consider to be the worst of the three seemed to be the hardest of all to obtain as player choice leading up to a certain point will lock them into either that bad ending or continue further. It is worth noting that there are at least three playthroughs required to see every ending but more will be required to see every instance of new dialogue thanks to the various choices and how some delve deeper into the world’s lore.
It is rather unfortunate to say that, despite a recent patch arriving, the game does suffer from some really awkward dialogue from time to time and occasionally appears to be missing adjectives and verbs to properly describe what is actually happening or what characters are talking about. This can lead to some rather odd readings and happen too frequently to simply ignore. It is also worth noting that the title does feature quite a lot of technical jargon and AI terms as well, meaning those that might not be well-versed in some subjects might need to pause and check the meanings of words as the title doesn’t offer an in-game glossary for more complicated terms. In fact, only occasionally will players notice the menu button flash yellow in the top right corner, indicating a new piece of information that can be viewed relating to the current conversation and these focus solely on in-universe lore and events, not term explanations.
Audio & Visual
It is nice to say that a lot of love has been given to the character portraits in CELL 0: Cyber Entertainment Leisure Lounge. While Kenzo himself is rarely shown, only appearing in a few CGs (there is no CG gallery) or dream manga-esque panels, the rest of the characters are given quite a bit of detail and care. Obviously the one given the most attention is Acine as she is the most active character interacting with the player and has a wide range of expressions and poses as she reacts to Kenzo’s strange behaviors. The other three characters; Enaid, Lav, and Hirai are also given a decent amount of detail but it is interesting to note that the artists took an authentic feeling approach to their portraits. Since these characters interact only through an amateur rigged holograph being forced through systems that weren’t designed for it, having their character portraits glitchy and distorted is a nice touch, especially when just enough details are given of their facial expressions. It is worth noting that the aforementioned manga styled panels are drawn in a fairly unique fashion as well and serve as some disturbing reminders about Kenzo’s mental state.
It is worth noting that this visual novel does not have a dub of any kind, meaning players will need to read all of the written text. This isn’t too much of an issue as this can be standard for indie visual novels and thankfully the background music works rather well throughout the game. Some of the tracks are a bit on the repetitive and simple side, especially early on, but there are some great pieces of background music mixed in near the end, especially if players interact with Lav and the final song used deserves a special recommendation as well.
Overall
CELL 0: Cyber Entertainment Leisure Lounge is a compelling prologue that shows some great promise for future entries in the CELL series. While this prologue is brief and there are some dialogue inconsistencies that may leave players wishing for a bit more polish, the story, characters, and intriguing world-building make it a worthwhile and memorable experience. Its exploration of AI’s dangers and the psychological toll of isolation provides an emotional depth that resonates, especially when paired with the eerie, glitchy visuals and impactful character designs. With multiple endings and extra lore hidden behind choices players will be enticed to play through more than once even if some of the technical jargon might be a bit off-putting overall. Cell 0 is an emotional visual novel that is testing some interesting waters and at a fairly low entry point, this introduction to what has the potential to be a much larger storyline is definitely worth checking out.
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