Experience the Fan-Favorite Tactical RPG Like Never Before
SYDNEY (NOV 4, 2024)– SQUARE ENIX® have now released their iconic turn-based tactical RPG TRIANGLE STRATEGY™ on the Meta Quest platform.
Watch the TRIANGLE STRATEGY Meta Quest launch trailer here:
TRIANGLE STRATEGY on Meta Quest offers a complex, tactical battle system enhanced by intuitive VR controls that make for the most hands-on RPG experience yet. Utilize 360-degree 3D movement on the battlefield and place characters yourself to fine tune a combat strategy that places you in the center of the action. The title also supports Meta Quest’s Passthrough* feature, meshing the game’s environment with real-world surroundings to create next-level immersion.
From the team behind OCTOPATH TRAVELER and BRAVELY DEFAULT, TRIANGLE STRATEGY is an acclaimed tactical RPG that challenges players to determine the fate of three powerful kingdoms embroiled in conflict – Glenbrook, Aesfrost and Hyzante. Players will guide protagonist Serenoa Wolffort and his faithful companions, childhood friend Prince Roland, fiancée Princess Frederica Aesfrost and the steward of House Wolffort Benedict, on their journey to navigate their way through this new conflict.
* Specs will vary depending on the device in question. On the Meta Quest 2, the background is displayed as a greyscale.
About Square Enix Ltd.
Square Enix Ltd. develops, publishes, distributes and licenses SQUARE ENIX® and TAITO® branded entertainment content in Europe and other PAL territories as part of the Square Enix group of companies. The Square Enix group of companies boasts a valuable portfolio of intellectual property including: FINAL FANTASY™, which has sold over 195 million units worldwide; DRAGON QUEST®, which has sold over 91 million units worldwide; and the legendary SPACE INVADERS®. Square Enix Ltd. is a London-based, wholly owned subsidiary of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd.
It’s always interesting to see how different a horror game from another culture is handled. Sure, many horror fans are familiar with Japanese developed horror games that have taken inspiration from Western films and of course plenty of Western horror games, but few of these happen to feature some of the unique horrors that can be found from Eastern cultures. Such is the case with The Bridge Curse 2: The Extrication. Created by Taiwanese developer Softstar Entertainment as a standalone sequel, this horror game looks to deliver some different kinds of scares steeped in Taiwanese mythology and ghost stories. Does this different approach to horror make the title worthwhile now that it has arrived on consoles?
Story
There have always been rumors about ghosts haunting the halls of Wen Hua University, likely due to historic killings that happened on the premises long ago, but when a student film looking to retell the horrors of these killings starts making a stir online when their trailer features a ghostly hand out of nowhere, it draws the attention of an investigative journalist looking to learn more about the school during the dark of night, hoping to find clues as to what happened there and the origins of the chilling film trailer. The story then shifts to three film students looking to make their own mark in the haunted halls by filming a horror movie of their very own, only to find that the horrors are all too real when they find themselves separated by ghostly hands and pursued by unspeakable terrors as they all try to survive the night and perhaps find out why this university is a hot spot of supernatural activity.
Set in Taiwan, players will notice quite quickly how heavily steeped in the culture the game is and how much Taoism plays a factor into the supernatural aspects of the premise. Full knowledge of Eastern mythology isn’t necessary to get the most out of this horror game but it will help players to understand some of the deeper meanings behind the various terms used when explaining the events that happen at the school and the numerous pieces of lore that are scattered throughout each chapter. That being said, it is nice to note that The Bridge Curse 2: The Extrication tells a very solid horror story that is weaved between four different character’s viewpoints as the happen throughout the game, sometimes simultaneously, all of whom experience their own horrors and hauntings that are not only quite scary at times but very interesting as well since it always feels like there is a sense of tension in the air, even when just messing around with a friendly ghost dog.
In fact, the various ghost encounters are some of the best parts of the game as players must find themselves dealing with a terrifying game of red-light green-light with a ballerina or sneaking through a location with an undead girl that can literally see behind herself because her head is hanging on by a thread. As for the characters themselves, the three film students have a solid feeling bond even if a certain mustachioed man is way over the top and the journalist also is handled quite well with her own segments. The horror title feels like it manages its time well and doesn’t overstay its welcome, clocking in at a bit over six hours for those who really want to search for as much lore as possible, culminating in some satisfying reveals that still keep some mysteries up in the air for a potential continuation of the horrors experienced here.
Gameplay
Played entirely in first person, players will spend most of the game navigating the halls of the university searching for the next clue to the mystery or piece to the current puzzle blocking their path. Some of the characters will be provided with a mystical lantern that plays a pivotal role in the game since it is used in multiple ways, such as uncovering hidden secrets from the past, a way to temporarily stun an attacking ghost, or even a tool to dispel supernatural shadows. While exploring players, as mentioned before, will find plenty of different rooms that contain optional pieces of lore that range from simply basic collectables or pieces of lore to secret items that can unlock unique interactions at certain points.
Similarly, the game’s various puzzles are presented in a way that makes them feel challenging but fair. Rarely did it ever feel like a puzzle was thrown up as an obstacle meant to stall for time or frustrate players, instead they have just the right level of balance between being tricky but solvable at the same time. This means that the game has found a real sweet spot for making sure that players feel rewarded for conquering a puzzle using the context clues given without having something directly spelled out for them, though that doesn’t mean that there aren’t a few real challenging ones that might stump players for a bit.
As mentioned before, one of the best parts of the game is when players have to deal with a direct confrontation with the many ghosts. The ballerina sequence easily stands out as a personal favorite and perhaps even the best moment of the entire game thanks to how tense players will feel while dealing with the red-light green-light mechanics and how unnatural the enemy feels. Other encounters range in quality and some have their own puzzles involved as well, meaning players need to solve something or take certain actions in an effort to survive. While carrying the mystical lantern the player can survive being attacked one time by using the lantern to stun them before having to wait for the lantern to recharge. If they are caught again before, then it’s game over. It is worth noting that the enemy AI is a bit on the weaker side here, especially when it comes to ducking under tables as they simply cannot do it. The final boss can crush them, though oddly enough the finalencounter’s AI seems to be the worst of them all, making it so players almost have to go out of their way to get damaged unless they end up getting lost while running away.
Audio & Visuals
It must be said that Softstar Entertainment has put a lot of effort into making sure the designs of the ghosts are as impressive and detailed as possible. There’s a reason we keep coming back to saying how impressive these encounters are after all and part of that is due to how gruesome or unnatural they appear, really driving home the spooky factor. The character models are also handled decently well while the school itself is packed with little details that makes me wish there was more to interact with at times.
As for the voice work, the English voice actors handle their roles well enough and do match the passion of a solid B-Movie performance but it does feel like playing with the original Chinese dub with subtitles is the best way to go. Not only do the performances feel more authentic but they also help highlight a certain over-the-top character’s personality a bit better. There’s not much in the way of background music outside of key locations but this helps with the overall eerie feeling of exploring the haunted halls as there are plenty of spooky noises used to great effect to help nail the atmosphere.
Overall
The Bridge Curse 2: The Extrication delivers an unnerving ghost tale that doesn’t overstay its welcome and provides plenty of scares and puzzles along the way. The English voice work isn’t quite up to snuff with the original Chinese dub and the enemy AI is a bit lackluster which makes most of the pursuit challenges too simple but thankfully this is balanced out by a satisfying puzzle difficulty and some wonderfully horrific ghost designs.
Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.
It’s hard to believe that it has been nearly a decade since the original Life is Strange was released by Square Enix. Perhaps it’s due to the series continuing with different characters and releases throughout these years but sometimes returning back to its roots might just be what the franchise needed. That happens to be the case this time around as Square Enix has handed the previously held reins of Max Caulfield’s story from Dontnod to Deck Nine to tell a brand new tale following everyone’s favorite quirky girl with super powers that had to deal with impossible choices in dire circumstances. So now with Max now in a brand new place in life and once again finding herself having to investigate a mystery with supernatural powers, is Life is Strange: Double Exposure a worthwhile continuation to a story once thought finished?
Story
It’s worth noting before we begin that Life is Strange: Double Exposure takes place following the events of the original game, meaning that those who have somehow yet to play the first game will find direct spoilers mentioned here. That being said, while numerous references are made about the past and events of the first game, the story told here is mostly self-contained, meaning that players can choose to jump in here should they wish, they’ll just be missing out on numerous references and the meaning behind certain items and a key choice early in the game.
With that warning out of the way, a decade has passed for Max Caulfield, who is now a full grown adult and an award-winning photographer that has landed herself a position as Photographer-in-Residency at the prestigious art school Caledon University. This means that not only as Max found herself a stable income working as a lecturer and teacher in photography for aspiring students, but perhaps the first place she can feel at home in nearly a decade. Regardless of whether players chose to either sacrifice Chloe or sacrifice Arcadia Bay (the game’s very first major decision) players can still immediately see that she is haunted by the actions and result that transpired, whether it means the sacrifice of her closest friend and potential love interest or sacrificing a town full of people she knew. This can be seen through numerous past messages on her phone, memories scattered around her home, the fact that she swore to stop using her time rewinding capabilities and causing them to have all but vanished, and even how secretive she is with her past even to her new best friend Safi.
One night as Max, Safi, and their shared friend Moses were relaxing and taking in the stars, tragedy strikes when Safi leaves early. Max finds that Safi has been killed by a gunshot and, with no perpetrator in sight or even any clues to go off of, it is up to her to try and figure things out, that is after she spends a couple of days locked away to try and compose herself after the loss of her new best friend. With her rewinding time powers near unusable, Max finds herself stuck in a world where her friend is dead. Or is she? Max soon realizes that she has a brand new type of power, one that allows her to shift between two timelines; her current one where Safi is dead and a brand one where Safi is alive and well. With these new supernatural powers in hand, Max vows to discover the true culprit behind Safi’s murder all while trying to make sure the living Safi doesn’t meet the same fate.
Life if Strange: Double Exposure tells an interesting and strong starting story that does its best to try and hook players early with a mystery that simply cannot be explained and only gets more confusing and twist filled the further Max investigates what is happening. Tie this together with the fact that her timeline shifting powers allow her to swap between the Living and Dead worlds and experiencing vastly different interactions with characters in each timeline and it makes for an intriguing opening few chapters. It is worth noting that while not episodic like the original game, the story is still separated into five chapters, usually with a major twist or reveal happening at the end of each one, where, at the end of every chapter, players can compare their choice and action percentage with others, including revealing some actions players may never have even noticed.
The interesting story developments are helped by the fact that many of the other main characters and even side characters that Max will interact with are handled quite well and being able to see how these characters interact with her in one timeline compared to another is always interesting, especially should players make an enemy of someone in one and end up being a close ally in another. Many of these characters are given their own motives that Max needs to work around and with to get what she wants while others will eagerly help her, creating some unique dynamics in an already colorful cast. That being said, there are some side characters that feel like they barely get the time to feel relevant and others that downright feel off, especially with how Max interacts with them. While one early introduced love interest is handled well, including the fact that it can come into play in both timelines, the other feels incredibly off-base both in tone and situation. It almost feels as if the writers were simply checking off a box with the only option available given the few fully fleshed out characters they had to work with.
Another aspect that feels a bit off is how the game handles the original events of Life is Strange. Players will be able to choose what happened back in Arcadia Bay with one choice that will continuously come up over the course of the game through various references and even major callbacks in the late game. The problem here is, the writers had to make due with the fact that one choice means that Chloe is dead and the other means she is alive while the rest of the town was destroyed. Having Chloe live and the following way that the writers handle her near non-existence in the story will likely divide and even anger some of the original fans, while letting her die ends up feeling far more impactful story wise given how things play out throughout this game’s story.
Unfortunately, while the storyline does feature some rather surprising twists and turns as well as some major revelations, it also doesn’t feel like it ever goes quite as deep as one would expect following Max’s original adventure and lacks a lot of the same emotional impact. Yes, there are dark themes that are explored but it feels like the team was afraid to step too far into how vile things can be on a college campus or how dastardly things can become, even at an art school. Instead a lot of the drama is instead placed around the supernatural powers themselves and while this works fairly well, especially given how the last couple of chapters develop, it does lessen the dramatic impact of the game’s story. It also is worth noting that a few major plot points feel like they are simply dropped for no reason whatsoever. A major event takes place shortly into the third chapter that is barely talked about over text message and then never explored further or even mentioned again and a few other events are given the same treatment and this was with full exploration of each chapter, including the “Ultimate” edition’s cat DLC which is cute but feels underutilized even if it is simply there as a bonus.
What drama does come into play through the various clues and mysteries that players solve all end up tying into one thing whose resolution feels… unsatisfying at the least until things kick into overdrive for the culmination of the story. As for the game’s ending, we won’t spoil what happens here of course, but it feels rather surprising and a bit out of place in some regards, even if it does show that Max has grown from being a helpless feeling teenager into an adult capable of taking on anything she puts her mind to. That being said, there is one part of the ending that will certainly leave many wondering just what Deck Nine has planned next.
Gameplay
For the most part Life if Strange: Double Exposure plays similarly to previous entries in the series as Max will often have various locations she can explore with plenty of objects in the environment she can examine, spots she can take photos, and of course the people she can talk to or interact with. Max’s cell phone will keep track of her next “objective” indicating what character will advance the story and giving players free reign to interact with everyone and everything else without worry. Her cell phone also plays another role by providing a knock-off version of social media where characters will update and comment on Max’s photos and events happening at the time. Interestingly enough, these messages change depending on what timeline Max is in at the time, making sure to offer plenty of variety and also looks at how different some characters are between timelines. She can also view a journal containing her notes and feelings, which annoyingly needs to be flipped through from the start every time, and polaroid collectables scattered through each of the five chapters.
Obviously the biggest difference this time around is the fact that Max’s powers no longer rewind time but instead give her the ability to not only “peak” between the Safi Alive and Safi Dead timelines but swap between them entirely at certain locations. This is a rather unique feeling mechanic and works quite well, especially when some parts of the game vary wildly in appearance and tone depending on the timeline. Through this mechanic players will also find themselves interacting with two versions of each character, having to balance and remember who they may have wronged and who might like them depending on the timeline. For example, one character might be thankful and friendly to Max in the Safi is Alive timeline and completely despise her in the Safi is Dead timeline and the game does allow players to make a mistake if they aren’t careful.
Along these same lines players will find certain doors open that otherwise are closed in one timeline or items that may be missing and can be taken from one to another. Max can even “peek” into the other timeline from her current one to spy on what someone is doing or eavesdrop on a conversation that may reveal a secret she can leverage or the location of an item. It is interesting to note that while the whole “Your decision will have consequences” isn’t the most accurate here in many regards as the game often pulls up this notification after the simplest of choices, though more than a few of them never seemed to make an actual difference.. The only truly notable choices that seem to make differences are “Major choices” that players can turn warnings on for, being notified that this choice is a major one and if they are sure of their decision.
Her timeline swapping abilities are the crux of many of the game’s various puzzles on getting into locked rooms or digging up dirt on someone in one timeline and then using it in the other to figure something out or probing at them using what they should never have known in the first place. There are also a few puzzles that simply involve figuring things out on a puzzle box or putting together evidence but these are kept rather minimal surprisingly. Another thing that is kept shockingly barebones is a later evolution of Max’s timeline traveling powers, the ability to move an item from one to another. This power is used once throughout the entire game by the player and only one other time during a cutscene, making what seems to be an incredibly useful and interesting ability rather useless as it is only used twice and both happen only through story provocation. This is also unfortunate as there are a number of moments this power could come in handy, but they simply are unable to be used.
In many ways, that often feels like the case with Life if Strange: Double Exposure, plenty of interesting gameplay ideas that just aren’t given time to flesh out beyond the main timeline traveling powers. Even the photography and “double exposing” photographs only serve a purpose of obtaining optional dialogue until the latter becomes a key mechanic for a few moments near the end of the game. Otherwise things such as gathering and reviewing evidence only happens a couple of times and even the option of having timed conversations where other characters talk with Max as she explores only happens at the start of the game. Sure, players can listen in to other NPCs talking on the campus but she can’t reply to them. This keeps the general gameplay limited and far more so than one would expect given how unique the timeline swapping powers are at first, especially once puzzle solving takes a back seat in the last couple of chapters.
Audio & Visuals
Life if Strange: Double Exposure has a wonderful and slightly stylized looking art style with its character designs and the world itself. The character models are nicely detailed and Max (if players purchase the “Ultimate Edition”) can wear a variety of outfits as well that change from chapter to chapter. The Caledon Campus is also nicely handled but is a bit on the smaller side as far as exploration goes as players really only have free reign to explore at set points. One thing that is a very nice touch is how different the atmosphere and decorations of the campus is when comparing the two timelines. Since it is near the holidays, Living timeline is filled with holiday cheer and decorations while Dead timeline is somber and events are canceled, leading to a stark contrast. One thing that is noticeable however, even on the Xbox Series X, is that the game can stutter slightly when transitioning between timelines or have a bit of odd slowdown when peaking between them in busier locations.
The voice acting is quite fitting and Max’s voice actress has returned to reprise her role here. The other characters are similarly voiced quite well, though there are some audio balancing issues from time to time. This has been largely fixed from how it originally was, but occasionally characters will still talk far softer than another, making players have to rely on subtitles to catch what was actually said.The soundtrack features an impressive list of indie bands that all provide different pieces of background music that range from simple orchestral tracks to full on vocal tracks depending on the scenes and they are all used to great effect to try and make scenes have more impact, especially with the bigger twists and revelations they usually accompany.
Overall
Life is Strange: Double Exposure does a solid job reviving Max’s story with a brand new setting and moving her forward in life to the point that not only can we see how she’s had to deal with the chosen events of Arcadia Bay but also come into her own once things take a turn for the worst again. With a mostly well-written cast of supporting characters and some unique powers that make for some very interesting exploration, Double Exposure feels like it has a lot to offer at times while also not quite delivering enough of an emotional punch like one would expect from the franchise and also leaving far too many story threads on the table while limiting the use of some of Max’s most interesting abilities. This doesn’t mean that the title is a bad one, far from it, but it feels like it had the potential to be so much more.
Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.
New FINAL FANTASY XI Crossover Raid Detailed in Latest Live Broadcast
2nd November 2024 – During last night’s Letter from the Producer LIVE broadcast, FINAL FANTASY™ XIV Online Producer and Director Naoki Yoshida revealed a new trailer for Patch 7.1 “Crossroads,” the first major update following the release of the latest expansion Dawntrail™, alongside the release date of Tuesday 12th November 2024.
During the broadcast, Yoshida showcased “Echoes of Vana’diel,” the highly anticipated crossover alliance raid series with FINAL FANTASY XI, the first MMORPG from SQUARE ENIX®. The first raid in the series,“Jeuno: The First Walk,” will be implemented in Patch 7.1, bringing the worlds of both iconic MMORPGs together in 24-player battle content as adventurers journey into the world of Vana’diel. Yoshida also looked at the upcoming “Ultimate” difficulty 8-player raid (coming in Patch 7.11), first “Chaotic” difficulty 24-player battle content (arriving one week after Patch 7.15), updates to PvP content, Hall of Novice tutorials, and more.
The Patch 7.1 series will feature new content, updates and more, including:
New Main Scenario Quests – Crossroads
New Dungeon – Yuweyawata Field Station
New 24-Player Alliance Raid – Echoes of Vana’diel – Jeuno: The First Walk
New Trial– The Minstrel’s Ballad: Sphene’s Burden
New Unreal Trial– The Jade Stoa (Unreal): Face off against Byakko, one of the Four Lords, at level 100
Chaotic Alliance Raid– The Cloud of Darkness (Chaotic): A new 24-player, high-difficulty raid arriving one week after Patch 7.15
New Ultimate Raid– Futures Rewritten (Ultimate)
New Allied Society Quests – Players will be able to participate in new allied society quests for the Pelupelu that are designed for battle classes and jobs
A New Custom Delivery Client – Nitowikwe
Additional Role & Wachumeqimeqi Quests – Players who have completed all Dawntrail role quests or all Wachumeqimeqi quests will be able to enjoy a finale to wrap-up their respective stories
New Hildibrand Quest Series – Everyone’s favorite inspector returns for more antics in Dawntrail
New Game+ Support for Patch 7.0 – Replay main scenario quests, job quests, and role quests
Duty Support Additions – Support for the non-main scenario quest dungeon Halatali will be implemented, with further additions in the future
Player Housing Update – The ability to select interior designs from different residential areas regardless of the location of the plot and new interior designs will be added
Player Versus Player Update – Rework of multiple Crystalline Conflict maps, PvP action changes, and more
Miscellaneous Updates – Additional updates for the Hall of the Novice with training for a wide range of different battle mechanics, NPC voiceovers added to Doman Mahjong, and more
Also announced during the broadcast, FINAL FANTASY XIV: Dawntrail — The Art of Succession -Relics of Heritage- is scheduled for release on 29th April 2025 and is now available for pre-order at the Square Enix Store with pre-orders at other major booksellers beginning from 2nd November. This full-color art book contains hundreds of pages of artwork created for the Dawntrail expansion, including illustrations of characters, environments, equipment, and more. The physical art book also includes an in-game item code for a wind-up Erenville minion. For more information, visit: https://sqex.to/db3ZB
Flibustier Paris is a family-owned jewelry brand, creating makes high-quality jewels “Handmade in France”. In collaboration with FFXIV, Flibustier Paris has created a dedicated collection of 3 bracelets in gemstones and 925 silver, representing each Grand Company from the game: The Maelstrom, The Order of the Twin Adder and The Immortal Flames. Pre-orders start today on Friday 1st November on both International and Japanese Flibustier Paris websites. For more information and to pre-order, please visit: https://flibustierparis.com/
With more than 30 million total registered players, there has never been a better time for newcomers to begin their adventures in the critically acclaimed FINAL FANTASY XIV Online saga. The Free Trial includes all content from A Realm Reborn™, the Heavensward™ and Stormblood™expansions (and updates through Patch 4.58). Free Trial players can enjoy hundreds of hours of award-winning gameplay and story experiences equivalent to three full FINAL FANTASY titles, without limit on playtime. More information can be found at: https://sqex.to/FFXIVFreeTrial
About Square Enix Ltd.
Square Enix Ltd. develops, publishes, distributes and licenses SQUARE ENIX® and TAITO® branded entertainment content in Europe and other PAL territories as part of the Square Enix group of companies. The Square Enix group of companies boasts a valuable portfolio of intellectual property including: FINAL FANTASY™, which has sold over 195 million units worldwide; DRAGON QUEST®, which has sold over 91 million units worldwide; and the legendary SPACE INVADERS®. Square Enix Ltd. is a London-based, wholly owned subsidiary of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd.
Explore Sengoku Dynasty’s evolution with marriage, legacy, and dynamic community bonds, as 1.0 launch introduces fresh content
Oberhaching, Germany, November 1st 2024 – Developer Superkami and publisher Toplitz Productions are pleased to reveal the latest insider video for their multi genre open-world village builder, life simulation and survival game Sengoku Dynasty.
With only a week to go until the game leaves early access on PC, Sengoku Dynasty has added substantial content and enhancements through several game defining updates over the last 14 months during its early access status.
The latest insider video revealed today provides more insight into how relationships within the game will flourish, with Version 1.0, you’ll engage in romantic dialogues and quests, marriage, birth and even childcare, paving the way to transfer your legacy to an heir which will be added in an upcoming update after the release.
Furthermore, new weapons and improved gear will be accessible and you’ll even have access to a complete Samurai weapon set! Improved AI for animals and enemies will also be noticeable for Version 1.0.
A big part of Sengoku Dynasty’s charm is how immersive the game feels, of being at the heart of your community as you form those crucial social bonds. In version 1.0 you’ll notice how NPCs will now greet you with a friendly “hello” and bid you farewell with a word and a bow that illustrates their attitude towards you. The higher your Dynasty Level and the happier your communities, the more respectfully you’ll be treated by NPCs.
Other important features include a character creator and female character option, giving you the ability to define your character’s gender and appearance.
Sengoku Dynasty leaves early access for PC on November 7th, stay tuned for details on consoles coming in 2025.
For more details on Sengoku Dynasty players can visit the games official Steam page here.
About Superkami
Superkami is a studio with one mission – to let talented people make the best games they can. As an agile, fully remote studio with a team all over the world consisting of experienced veterans and ambitious newcomers they seek to bring unique content to a whole new audience through their innovation and style. Their first announced title is Sengoku Dynasty – an open-world survival builder set in the beautiful world of medieval Japan.
About Toplitz Productions
The German-Austrian publisher, whose name originates from the mysterious Toplitz Lake in the heart of Austria, develops and publishes games with “heart & soul” for all platforms. The company consists of a healthy mix of experienced industry veterans and young talents, all of whom are passionate gamers. They enjoy working with creative developers on many exciting titles, such as those from the “Dynasty” and “Giant” series.
Hertfordshire, 1st November 2024 – Today, KOEI TECMO Europe and developer Gust have announced that Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories & the Envisioned Land is available for physical pre-order. This new title in the Atelier series will be available on 21st March, 2025 for Nintendo Switch™, PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, Windows PC via Steam® and, for the first time in franchise history, Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One.
In addition to the standard version, players can pre-order two special physical editions on the KOEI TECMO Europe Online Store
The PREMIUM BOX includes:
The standard edition of the game*
“Atelier Yumia” Artbook
B3-size cloth poster with original illustration
“Atelier Yumia” extra tracks
Exclusive early access costume for Yumia: “Alchemist on her day off”
The SPECIAL COLLECTION BOX includes:
All the items included in the PREMIUM BOX
Handkerchief in the style of the Aladiss Research Team bandana
A1-Size tapestry with original illustration
Decorative acrylic keychains (set of 6)
Special clear file folders (set of 6)
Special sticker sheet
Yumia’s precious stuffed animal
Official short story booklet
Official short story translation booklet
Everyone who purchases either a physical or digital edition up to two weeks after release will receive the “Athlete of Memories” early purchase costume for Yumia, the “Floating Object of Memories” costume for Flammi, and the unique “Training Wrist Weight” equipment.
Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories & the Envisioned Land will be available on 21st March 2025 for Nintendo Switch™, PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and Window PC via Steam®. The game will include Japanese voices with English, French, German and Spanish texts. For more information, visit the official website.
ABOUT KOEI TECMO EUROPE LTD.
KOEI TECMO EUROPE LTD. is a publisher of interactive entertainment software for current generation consoles, handhelds and digital download content based in Letchworth, Hertfordshire, UK. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of KOEI TECMO HOLDINGS CO., LTD., headquartered in Yokohama, Japan. KOEI TECMO’s best known for their signature ‘one versus thousands’ Warriors series, the fan-favourite NINJA GAIDEN and fighting entertainment title DEAD OR ALIVE. Through collaboration with strong existing franchises, such as A.O.T. Wings of Freedom (Attack on Titan), has brought fan-favourite shows to life in video game form. The company’s desire for innovation and diversity has seen the creation of the critically acclaimed dark-samurai action title Nioh, which takes on new and unique gameplay styles. The company’s acquisition of Gust, developer of a variety of heart-warming titles, has seen their flagship Atelier series span generations of consoles and fans alike. More information about KOEI TECMO EUROPE LTD and its products can be found at www.koeitecmoeurope.com
Frantic Monster Combat Meets Rewarding Farming Simulation in New Title from Marvelous and Creator Hiro Mashima on Nintendo Switch™, PlayStation®5, and PC
London, U.K. — 1 November, 2024 — Marvelous Europe today announced that the monster-farming/action game, Farmagia, is now available for Nintendo Switch™ system, PlayStation®5, and Windows PC via Steam.
The title featuring character and monster designs from renowned artist and creator Hiro Mashima (Fairy Tail) can be purchased digitally on all platforms in a standard edition for €49.99, and as a Digital Deluxe edition including a copy of the game, digital artbook and soundtrack*, and a “Buddy Booster Pack” DLC item set for €59.99. All digital edition purchases will also be granted the “Jolly Snowtan” Buddy Skin DLC at no additional cost. The physical Day 1 Edition for Nintendo Switch and the PS5™ is available at select retailers via the Marvelous Europe website and includes a physical copy of Farmagia,a music soundtrack CD featuring 23 colorful arrangements from the game, and an art book with over 90 pages of gorgeous illustrations, all housed within an outer box that features an original illustration from Hiro Mashima.
In the world of Felicidad, farmers known as Farmagia raise and command monsters, who live in harmony under the watchful eye of the Magus Diluculum. This peace brought prosperity to the land until the death of the Magus, which drew opportunists seeking to use monsters to seize power for themselves. The spreading conflict reaches the town of Centvelt, forcing resident Farmagia Ten and his friends to join the battle against the despotic new ruler Glaza. Players will take the role of Ten and his fellow Farmagia friends, cultivating and commanding an army of home-grown monsters as they explore Felicidad’s treacherous lands, searching for valuable resources to improve their farm. As Ten’s skill and farm improve, he’ll have access to more monsters to nurture and new traits to aid him in his fight for freedom!
KEY FEATURES:
Command a Monster Horde in Battle: Control Ten as he fights his way through the dangerous lands of Felicidad, culminating in huge boss battles. His weapons are the monsters he grows on his farm. Command his creature army and take down his foes!
Monster Farming & Ranching: Increase the size of Ten’s army by harvesting new monsters on his farm, then train them on his ranch to increase their strength and research new abilities for use in battle.
An Iconic Manga Artist’s Touch: Hiro Mashima’s creative genius brings life to Felicidad with unique character and monster designs, endowing Farmagia with his unmistakable style.
Friends with Benefits: Befriend the Elemental Spirits living across the world of Felicidad and increase Ten’s relationship bonds to unlock new ultimate monsters and transformations, adding new strength to his fight against Glaza.
Farmagia launched 1 November, 2024 and is developed by Marvelous Inc. and published by Marvelous Europe in Europe and Australia on Nintendo Switch™, PlayStation®5, and Windows PC via Steam. Farmagia is published in North America by Marvelous USA and in Japan and Asia by Marvelous Inc.
*The digital art book and soundtrack content will be made available as a separate application on the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5, and will only be available in a bundle with the Digital Deluxe edition.
About Marvelous Europe
Marvelous Europe is a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Marvelous Inc., developer of beloved Story of Seasons and Rune Factory games. Established in 2012, Marvelous Europe’s varied portfolio includes both third-party titles such as Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin, Leximan, Cuisineer and Moonlight Peaks in addition to select Marvelous Inc. content.
PlayStation Australia is delighted to share that Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered is available today on PS5 and PC. Developed by Guerilla Games and Nixxes, re-experience, or discover, Aloy’s epic quest to unravel the mysteries of a world ruled by machines.
Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered has been thoughtfully remastered with visual enhancements and new features that fully utilise the PS5 and compatible PCs. Whether you are revisiting your favourite locations and characters, or discovering the world of Horizon for the first time, Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered is the best way to experience this amazing journey.
Existing owners of Horizon Zero Dawn and Horizon Zero Dawn Complete Edition can upgrade to the digital version of Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered for $15 AUD*. Check out the announcement PS Blog post for all the upgrade details.
*Redemptions via PlayStation Plus are not eligible to upgrade
New Single-Player RPG Invites Players on a Bold, Heroic Adventure Through the Fantasy World of Thedas
REDWOOD CITY, Calif. – October 31, 2024 – Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: EA) and BioWare announced today that Dragon Age: The Veilguard is now available for PlayStation®5 (also enhanced for PS5 Pro), Xbox Series X|S and PC via Steam (Steam Deck Verified), EA app and Epic Games Store. This bold, heroic adventure is built to deliver on what the series is best known for: rich storytelling, fantasy worldbuilding, companions & fellowship, and a world where you matter. The next installment in BioWare’s beloved franchise has captivated critics worldwide, with outlets such as IGN and GamesRadar+ proclaiming it “deserves its place in the RPG pantheon” and is “A true return to RPG form for BioWare” in their 9/10 and 4.5/5 reviews.
In Dragon Age: The Veilguard, Solas, the Dread Wolf, wants to tear down the Veil that separates Thedas from the world of demons, restoring his people’s immortality and glory – even at the cost of countless lives. But his ritual goes awry, and his worst fears are realized, as two of his most ancient and powerful adversaries are released. Players will step into the role of Rook, a fully-customizable protagonist who must rise up and unite their companions to stop these two powerful deities on a journey that will span across Thedas’ bustling cities, lush tropics, boreal forests, fettered swamps and deepest depths.
“On behalf of everyone at BioWare, I want to thank you for joining us on our latest adventure,” said Gary McKay, Vice President/General Manager, BioWare; Executive Producer, Dragon Age: The Veilguard. “After years of careful planning, countless hours of expert work, and innumerable design decisions, Dragon Age: The Veilguard is ready. We are so proud of this achievement and excited to see its impact on our worldwide community of fans, without whom none of this would be possible. We hope you have just as much fun in your own Rook adventure as we did creating it.”
Dragon Age: The Veilguard offers 21:9 ultrawide aspect ratio support, uncapped PC frame rates and a suite of Ray Tracing features. Additionally, you’ll be able to accelerate performance with DLSS 3, make gameplay even more responsive with Reflex, and enhance image quality and immersion with ray-traced reflections and ambient occlusion. Dragon Age: The Veilguard will also be available to play in “Ultimate” quality via NVIDIA GeForce NOW, and specifically enhanced for PlayStation 5 Pro. Additionally, this will be the first EA title to offer HDR10+ GAMING functionality that delivers outstanding high dynamic range performance automatically when enabled on PCs with compatible NVIDIA graphic cards and HDR10+ GAMING certified displays.
The titlebuilds upon the pillars the iconic series is best known for, delivering a bold and heroic adventure guided by rich storytelling, fluid and strategic combat, companions and fellowship, and choices that matter. Key experiential elements include:
Fellowship:Dragon Age: The Veilguard’s brand new companions come alive with some of the most compelling individual storylines in Dragon Age history. Expansive and dynamic stories navigate love, loss and complex choices that will affect your relationships and the fate of each member of the Veilguard. New companions like the Veil Jumper Bellara, the necromancer Emmrich, and the private detective Neve, come from iconic factions in Dragon Age lore, possessing individual skill trees and specialized gear for advanced team progression. You’ll see familiar faces, too, such as the archer Lace Harding who returns to the series as a full time companion.
Choice and Consequences: Dragon Age: The Veilguard builds on the series’ deep role-playing roots, providing extraordinary storytelling and worldbuilding, deep personalities for each companion, meaningful choices and impactful cinematic moments. The bonds you create and the relationships you forge will be affected by your choices made throughout your journey.
A Crafted Experience: As a character-driven RPG, Dragon Age: The Veilguard delivers a crafted experience that pays homage to BioWare’s history of storytelling.The Lighthouse provides a central place where you can rest, learn more about the world through conversations, while the Crossroads allows you to traverse to separate explorable regions of the world with your companions. You’ll experience more of Thedas than ever before as your story unfolds across meticulously crafted biomes and beautiful regions including Rivain, Weisshaupt, Arlathan, Minrathous, the Deep Roads and more, each inviting you to delve deeper into the narrative and uncover the mysteries of the land.
Fluid, Customizable Combat: Immersive combat blends fluid moment-to-moment controls with tactical decision-making. Players can fully customize their experience to fit their playstyle with diverse skill trees among three different classes – Warrior, Mage and Rogue – each with unique abilities and specializations. Choose two companions to join you on your quests and unleash powerful team combos that can change the tide of any battle. Make strategic choices and direct your allies to fight, heal or stay out of the fray with the newly-added ability wheel.
Be the Leader You Want To Be: Dragon Age: The Veilguard features a robust character creation system that allows you to be the leader you want to be with a vast range of customization. BioWare has created the most comprehensive character creator in Dragon Age yet to make this story truly your own.
Two-time Academy Award® winner Hans Zimmer and GRAMMY® Award winner Lorne Balfe co-composed the Official Soundtrack (OST) for Dragon Age: The Veilguard, which officially releases on November 1st via Lakeshore Records. The album’s first single, Dragon Age: The Veilguard Main Theme, can be downloaded and streamed now on all major music services such as Spotify, iTunes and Deezer.
Players can purchase the Standard Edition of Dragon Age: The Veilguard for the suggested retail price of $69.99 USD on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, or $59.99 USD on PC. Meanwhile, the Deluxe Edition is available for the suggested retail price of $89.99 USD on console or $79.99 USD on PC and will include the following cosmetics: three Rook armor sets, six Rook weapons, seven companion armor sets and seven companion weapons. EA Play Pro members on the EA app will enjoy unlimited access to the EA Play Pro Edition starting October 31st†.
The BioWare Gear Store is outfitted with a variety of merchandise, including Rook’s Coffer. Available for the suggested retail price of $150 USD*, Rook’s Coffer features a variety of unique physical keepsakes including a light-up Lyrium Dagger, Rook’s deck of cards featuring in-game art, and more (game not included).
†Conditions, limitations and exclusions apply. See EA Play Terms for details.
About Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: EA) is a global leader in digital interactive entertainment. The Company develops and delivers games, content and online services for Internet-connected consoles, mobile devices and personal computers.
In fiscal year 2024, EA posted GAAP net revenue of approximately $7.6 billion. Headquartered in Redwood City, California, EA is recognized for a portfolio of critically acclaimed, high-quality brands such as EA SPORTS FC™, Battlefield™, Apex Legends™, The Sims™, EA SPORTS™ Madden NFL, EA SPORTS™ College Football, Need for Speed™, Dragon Age™, Titanfall™, Plants vs. Zombies™ and EA SPORTS F1®. More information about EA is available at www.ea.com/news.
EA, EA SPORTS, EA SPORTS FC, Battlefield, Need for Speed, Apex Legends, The Sims, Dragon Age, Titanfall, and Plants vs. Zombies are trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. John Madden, NFL, and F1 are the property of their respective owners and used with permission.
Escape Alien Abduction in GTA Online This Halloween – Score a Unique Weapon, Earn Ghoulish Gifts, and More
Trick-or-treaters, beware! This Halloween, reports of abductions are at a new high. The UFOs above the city’s skyline are seizing unsuspecting citizens and dropping them in a dark, locked basement under Fort Zancudo with up to three other unfortunate souls. Look for clues to restore the power and escape with body and mind intact.
In other unexplained aerial phenomena, Merryweather’s hauled a crashed UFO to Fort Zancudo for testing. Work together to take out Merryweather’s agents and then turn your weapons on each other to see who gets to claim the spaceship’s parts and deliver them to Omega’s shack in this limited-time Business Battle.
There are also gifts for Halloween and Día de Muertos, bonuses on Judgement Day, Alien Survivals, and Street Dealer Sales. Plus, slay zombies in the Ludendorff Cemetery Survival through November 6 before Halloween season ends.
Escape Abduction to Get The Shocker
Successfully escaping alien clutches in the UFO Abduction will reward you with The Shocker — a less-than-lethal device to incapacitate targets without risk of mortal injury (great for taking down Bounty Targets). Plus, earn GTA$ and RP for your efforts, alongside returning Green and White UFO Boxer Shorts for being abducted.
Halloween Gifts
Don’t get caught without a costume: play GTA Online anytime this week to receive the Halloween Spooky Tee, the Halloween Chute Bag, and the Red Flaming Skull Mask.
2X GTA$ and RP on Alien Survivals
Take part in the mystery of Project 4808 in the Alien Survival Series by playing as an extraterrestrial fighting off the combined forces of NOOSE, the FIB, and the Marines, dishing out Double Rewards through November 6.
2X GTA$ on Street Dealer Sales
Complete hand-to-hands in Street Dealers Sales and you’ll earn 2X GTA$ through November 6.
2X GTA$ and RP on Judgement Day
Bring the doom in Judgement Day, where a team of Sanctus Riders target a group of Hunted. Killing any Rider will bring fallen teammates back from beyond the grave. Both sides reap 2X GTA$ and RP — with the payday doubling to 4X for GTA+ Members. Jump into the action at the Featured Series blip in Legion Square.
Winning any two Adversary Modes will complete the Weekly Challenge, landing you the Orange Flaming Skull Mask in addition to the GTA$100,000 prize.
Día de Muertos Gifts
Celebrate Día de Muertos in style. Playing GTA Online anytime this week will get you the Maritime Calaca Mask, Royal Calaca Mask, Romance Calaca Mask, and Floral Calaca Mask, plus the Día de MuertosTee.
Premium Deluxe Motorsport Showroom
Even Simeon’s gotten into the Halloween spirit, curating a selection of ghoulish rides (all on sale):
BF Weevil (Compact, 30% off)
Albany Lurcher (Muscle, 30% off)
Albany Fränken Stange (Sports Classic, 30% off)
Enus Super Diamond (Sedan, 50% off)
Declasse Tornado Rat Rod (Sports Classic, 30% off)
Luxury Autos Showroom
This week, the Pfister Comet Safari (Sports) and Ocelot Ardent (Sports Classic) behind the Luxury Autos showroom’s glass display are both sporting limited-time Skulls liveries. Visit Rockford Hills to get a closer look, compare specs, and purchase either (or both) directly.
Other Vehicle Offerings This Week Premium Test Ride (PS5 and Xbox Series X|S only): Pegassi Weaponized Ignus (Super)
Prize Ride: Bravado Gauntlet Classic (Muscle), awarded to players who place Top 5 in the LS Car Meet Series for two days in a row.
On the Test Track: the Ocelot XA-21 (Super), Declasse Vamos (Muscle, 50% off), and Dinka Jester (Racecar) (Sports, 50% off)
The Lucky Wheel: Dinka Sugoi (Sports)
Halloween Discounts and More…
Skull Tattoos – FREE
Sugar Skull Face Paints – FREE
Monster Masks – 50% off
Albany Fränken Stange (Sports Classic) – 30% off
Albany Lurcher (Muscle) – 30% off
Albany Brigham (Muscle) – 30% off
Declasse Tornado Rat Rod (Sports Classic) – 30% off
GTA+ Members get bonuses on Halloween Adversary Modes, including 2X GTA$ and RP on Lost vs Damned and 4X GTA$ and RP on Judgement Day. Other GTA+ benefits include a free HVY Nightshark (Off-Road) wrapped in the limited-time Skulls livery, a Demon Biker Jacket, and more.
