LOS ANGELES – July 24, 2024 – Netmarble, a leading developer and publisher of high-quality mobile games, has released a new game update for its blockbuster mobile RPG MARVEL Future Fight. Players can now experience a variety of content updates inspired by Marvel Studios’ Deadpool & Wolverine, including a newly added character and uniforms, game improvements, tier upgrades, and more.
The latest update features the introduction of new uniforms for Deadpool (Marvel Studios’ Deadpool & Wolverine, Handsomepool) and Wolverine (Marvel Studios’ Deadpool & Wolverine). Players can also check out the new character Cassandra Nova and character tier upgrades for Deadpool (Tier-4 with a new Striker Skill) and Cassandra Nova (Tier-3 with a new Ultimate Skill) as part of this update. In addition, Awaken Potential and Transcend Potential have been added to heroes including Negasonic Teenage Warhead, Jubilee and Dazzler with new Awakened Skills.
Other content updates include improvements in the Alliance Conquest, offering agents enhanced rewards, a change in duration, a more simplified conquest method, and an increase in the number of heroes able to be dispatched. Agents can now select specific characters to set as Favorites for the Otherworld Battle, a PvP content utilizes a roster of five different heroes to engage in strategic combat. Team Set has also been revamped to feature a better UI, allowing players to conveniently check active effects.
MARVEL Future Fight has over 150 million players across the world with the game currently available worldwide in the App Store® and Google Play™.
Established in Korea in 2000, Netmarble Corporation is a leading developer and publisher of top-grossing mobile games worldwide. Through powerful franchises and collaborations with acclaimed IP holders, Netmarble strives to elevate the gaming experience and entertain audiences globally. As a parent company of Kabam and SpinX Games, and a major shareholder of Jam City and HYBE (formerly Big Hit Entertainment), Netmarble’s diverse portfolio includes Solo Leveling: ARISE, Seven Knights Idle Adventure, Tower of God: New World, Lineage 2: Revolution, MARVEL Future Fight, Ni no Kuni: Cross Worlds and The Seven Deadly Sins: Grand Cross. More information can be found at http://company.netmarble.com.
About Marvel
Marvel is one of the world’s most prominent entertainment brands, built on an unparalleled library of iconic characters and stories that have shaped pop culture for 85 years. The Marvel brand spans entertainment, including film, television, publishing, licensing, games, live events, digital media, and more.
Ride the relaxing waves of the universe on Xbox and Nintendo Switch
Green Bay, WI – July 24, 2024 – The Lullaby of Life, the award-winning musically-motivated puzzle adventure from developer 1 Simple Game and publisher Midwest Games, stirs worlds into existence on Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox One on August 7, 2024. Explore the colorful cosmos today on PC via Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG, and Fanatical.
Weave through a burgeoning universe as Bombo, a small particle with big talents. Navigate the swirling tides, striking the right notes at precise moments, to make harmonious melodies to solve environmental puzzles. Scour the seas for other musically-minded pals known as Ohmies to gather new notes on the scale and create complex compositions.
Each Ohmie embodies a core foundation of life: construction, destruction, and conservation. Harness the power of timing, focus, and dexterity as Bombo and his loyal crew solve increasingly difficult puzzles. Awaken the powerful beings, known as Elders, slumbering within each colorful level to advance life in the cosmos.
“After 1 Simple Game was nominated as a finalist for Best LATAM Game in the Gamescom LATAM Festival 2024 and won the IndieCade Dev Choice Award 2021, The Lullaby of Life prepares for continued evolution,” said Ben Kvalo, CEO and Founder of Midwest Games. “So many fans have found musical immersion with the recent PC launch, and we hope to inspire new audiences with The Lullaby of Life’s calming and contemplative gameplay on Xbox and Nintendo Switch!”
The Lullaby of Life will launch on Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox One on August 7, 2024. The game is currently available worldwide on PC via Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG, and Fanatical with English, Spanish, French, Italian, Arabic, Dutch, German, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese (Brazil), Russian, Turkish, Chinese (Simplified), and Chinese (Traditional) language support.
Based in Guadalajara, Mexico, 1 Simple Game is a developer on a mission to entertain the masses, creating unforgettable experiences for players regardless of rain, snow or zombie invasions. With over 10 years in the games industry, 1 Simple Game has released 9 games with a combined 3 million downloads.
About Midwest Games
Based in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Midwest Games is a video game publisher focused on creating opportunities for the abundant talent across the Midwest and other underrepresented regions. Led by industry veterans and entertainment enthusiasts, Midwest Games believes that great games can come from anywhere. For more information, please visit www.midwestgames.com.
Debut Story Trailer Shares New Footage of Hilarious Twentieth Century Nostalgia Trip From Creators of the Acclaimed Willy Morgan and The Curse of Bone Town
Milan, Italy, July 24, 2024 — Developer imaginarylab, an Italian studio dedicated to reimagining classic graphic adventures through the lens of modern technology, has announced that the first Steam demo for laugh-out-loud, time-traveling, point-and-click adventure Whirlight – No Time To Trip is now available. The demo, which will debut at the first-ever Adventure Game Fan Fair in Tacoma, Washington this weekend, gives puzzle enthusiasts and would-be explorers a firsthand chance to witness the marvels of inventor Hector’s strange brilliance and artist Margaret’s irresistible grace before the game launches on PC in 2025, with Nintendo Switch, PS4/PS5, and Xbox platforms to follow.
A new gameplay trailer for Whirlight has also been unveiled, sharing a new look at the game’s whimsical hand-drawn cartoon aesthetic, eccentric characters, gut-busting conversations, captivating puzzles, and settings that sit on the edge of space and time.
Step into the future of the point-and-click genre with Whirlight – No Time To Trip’s debut gameplay trailer:
Hector may be brilliant, but he’s also unlucky. Every time he’s on the verge of creating an invention that will change the sixties, he fails to bring his vision to fruition. However, after a dream spurs the unfortunate genius to assemble a device made from components scattered around his Venice-inspired hometown, Hector realizes the solution to all his problems is within reach.
Just before he achieves his goal, the inventor is thrust forward into the nineties. Thankfully he meets the tenacious artist Margaret before he’s trapped beneath a pile of flannel shirts and high-waisted jeans. The pair begin a colorful adventure where humor, fantasy, and time travel collide. Between encountering odd characters and avoiding curious predicaments, Hector and Margaret might even wind up saving the world.
“Our team has poured their hearts and souls into crafting an experience that pays homage to the rich legacy of point-and-click adventure games while offering something fresh and exciting for players,” said Ciro Camera, Co-Founder at imaginarylab. “The Steam demo is our way of inviting players to embark on this artistic, thrilling, and sometimes strange journey with us, and we can’t wait to hear their feedback.”
Whirlight – No Time to Trip Key Features :
Unique Visual Style: An irresistible cartoon aesthetic that will take you into a world of vivid color and imaginative design
Time Travel: Explore different eras, each characterized by different scenarios, missions, and people
Creative Puzzles: Challenge your wit with riddles and puzzles that require creativity and logic
Compelling Plot: An engaging tale full of twists and humor that will keep you glued to the screen
Memorable Characters: Meet a cast of extraordinary characters, each with a unique story to tell
Over 100 explorable scenarios: From prehistory to the distant future, each scenario offers fascinating secrets to discover
Original Soundtrack: Immerse yourself in the adventure with an original soundtrack that captures the essence of each era and setting
Experience the happy imagination of Whirlight – No Time to Trip by downloading the Steam demo now and during Adventure Game Fan Fair.
Whirlight – No Time To Trip will launch on PC via Steam in 2025, with Nintendo Switch, PS4/PS5, and Xbox platforms to follow. For more information, please visit the game’s Steam page.
About imaginarylab
imaginarylab is a video game studio created in 2015 and based in Italy. The team aspires to reimagine classic graphic adventures through the lens of modern technology. imaginarylab’s first title, Willy Morgan and the Curse of Bone Town, launched to positive critical and fan reception in August 2020 on Steam and GOG, June 2021 on Nintendo Switch, and June 2022 on Xbox and PS4. The studio’s second title, Whirlight, will launch on PC via Steam soon, with Switch, Xbox, and PS4/PS5 platforms to follow. For more information, please visit https://imaginarylab.it/
Draft your army and prepare for all-out war in this Roguelike Autobattler!
Bristol, United Kingdom — July 24, 2024 | Yogscast Games and developer Table9 Studios are excited to announce that Tales & Tactics will be launching out of Early Access on August 15, 2024!
Perfectly combining roguelike gameplay with a tabletop setting, Tales & Tactics brings the thrill of tabletop battling. Players watch as their units fight, and sometimes die, for their cause as they try to battle their way to victory in the hope of becoming legends and creating their own immersive narrative.
Carving their own path, players will meet a wide cast of challengers, each with their own personality and special abilities; some might even remember those encounters when it comes to the final fights in Tournament combat. But that’s not all, players can also take their army online and fight against each other for glory!
Celebrating one year of cooking, battling and moulding on Steam and amassing almost 1,000 reviews in the process, Tales & Tactics has seen a lot of changes since it first appeared on Steam on August 10, 2023. It will now launch with the following fan-requested features:
Perilous PvP: Looking for fresh competition? Look no further than each other! That’s right, for the first time, Tales & Tactics now includes ranked, unranked and custom PvP lobbies for players to duke it out and see whose army will reign supreme.
New Regions: The spooky Saunek Necropolis and Hexatech Labs are now available for players to explore. With tons of new dungeons and a boss fight like nothing Tales & Tactics has seen before, there’s plenty for both practised players and tabletop trainees to discover in the 1.0 version!
120 Units and 9 Playable Characters: Almost endless combinations await as players can now make their army more unique than ever and use player skills that define their runs. Not only that, but players will have access to hundreds and hundreds of equippable Items and passive perks to make their experience truly their own.
A Fresh Lick of Paint: Tales & Tactics is sporting a new look! Artwork across the game has been completely overhauled, bringing an entirely new aesthetic to this beloved title.
Reworked Difficulty System: Climb through the new Challenge Climb system which includes both challenges that increase game difficulty, along with new challenges that change the game and add new systems and features for players to master.
Cleaner Unlock System: Ascend quicker than ever before through a simple pathway of unlocks. These abilities can all be toggled at will once they have been earned if players are looking for a simpler way to play, or maybe more of a challenge!
Simpler & Instant Start: Jump straight into the game with the click of a button, which can be fully customised to the player’s liking.
To find out more about Tales & Tactics you can check out the Steam page here, where it is available for wishlisting and will launch at $17.99/£14.99/ €17.49.
About Yogscast Games
Yogscast Games was established in 2017, with a simple goal: to work with small teams to develop and publish games which are as fun to watch as they are to play. Its most recent releases have included poker-powered deckbuilding game ‘Aces & Adventures’, the wickedly amoral ‘Trolley Problem, Inc.’ and the wildly successful restaurant management roguelike ‘PlateUp!’.
About Table 9 Studio
Based in Michigan, Table 9 Studio is primarily composed of a duo of brothers, previously working on MMORPG Marvel Heroes Omega, and a young Slay the Spire modding prodigy. With the success of Downfall under their belt, they look to expand their creative potential by utilising their experience for Table 9’s own unique titles.
New Armory Map Location, Additional Language Support, Lower Hardware Requirements, and Season System To Be Added When Highly Anticipated Tactical Extraction Shooter Enters Early Access
July 24, 2024 – Global game developer MoreFun Studios revealed today that Arena Breakout: Infinite (PC), its award-winning, immersive tactical extraction shooter franchise, will be available soon via Early Access. The launch comes after a highly successful Closed Beta Test, with total user signups on the official Arena Breakout: Infinite website and Steam wishlists surpassing 1 million.
In the upcoming Early Access version, soldiers seeking fortune and fame on the Kamona battlefield will also have the opportunity to experience the debut of a highly intense indoor CQB (close-quarters battle) map, the Armory. Once under the control of the Northern Front, the Armory served as a military stronghold, stocked with weapons and fortified defenses. This third playable map adds a new level of intensity to the gameplay, providing thrilling close-quarters combat scenarios with increased risks and rewards for players to navigate.
Arena Breakout: Infinite will also be showcased at the upcoming Gamescom 2024 convention in Cologne, Germany. More exciting details on upcoming updates will be revealed at the Arena Breakout: Infinite Gamescom booth located B-051, Hall 6.
The Early Access version of Arena Breakout: Infinite will also feature multiple new weapons, lowered hardware requirements, and the inclusion of the Season System.
Additionally, four new languages will be supported at Early Access launch: German, Japanese, Portuguese and Russian, ensuring players in those regions can seamlessly jump into the thrilling loot and shoot action of Arena Breakout: Infinite.
Arena Breakout: Infinite is an immersive tactical extraction shooter. Join a fair and competitive community to shoot, loot, and raid your path to fortune. With realistic visuals and true-to-life audio, push through tough battles where the stakes are high and the rewards even higher. Get in, get rich, and get out… but be prepared to fight for survival.
Arena Breakout: Infinite will launch into Early Access soon and will be free to play, no strings attached. Pre-register now on the game’s official website and wishlist on Steam for the latest updates. Join our Discord, follow us on X / Twitter for more information.
About MoreFun Studios
MoreFun Studios was established in 2010, and has developed a number of projects with world-renowned intellectual property such as Arena Breakout, Naruto and Rock Kingdom. MoreFun has the experience of working on a wide variety of genres including action, shooter, RPG, casual, and more. MoreFun Studios is committed to delivering quality content and experiences to its players across the globe.
New partnership will see Play2Chill’s survival city-builder game coming to PC in 2024
Guangzhou, China – 24th July 2024. Publisher 663 Games is thrilled to announce a new publishing deal with Warsaw-based indie developer Play2Chill S.A. to publish Azetcs: The Last Sun, their thrilling new survival city-builder game for PC via Steam in late 2024.
Prepare to be transported back to the time of the Aztecs, a Mesoamerican culture that flourished for three great centuries, dominating vast stretches of land in the area and creating a society unique in world history. It was a gifted and wise nation, rich in complex traditions and beliefs. Now, in Aztecs: The Last Sun, you will become a leader and strive to make history remember you and your people.
Following an early playable demo released last year, the development team has been working closely with the players and community to gather valuable feedback to support the direction of the game’s development journey. After many months of work, Play2Chill and 663 Games are thrilled to reveal a new walkthrough video showcasing the changes to the deep city-building, survival gameplay and immersive game world. Join Jakob, Krzysztof and Damian as they introduce some of the new features and updates players can expect when Aztecs: The Last Sun releases.
Watch the Aztecs: The Last Sun walkthrough video here
Fans will not have to wait long to try Aztecs: The Last Sun for themselves, as 663 Games and Play2Chill are also excited to announce that a new, updated playable demo will be released on Steam in August. More information on this exciting new demo will be available soon.
About Aztecs: the Last Sun
Aztecs: The Last Sun is a survival city-builder set between the 13th and 16th century CE. You will take on the role of the people’s ruler, responsible for building and bringing to splendour the magnificent Tenochtitlan city-state. This amazing architectural wonder was historically located on an island in the middle of Lake Texcoco. This in itself will represent a technological and economic challenge as you will have to provide food for your people and maintain a permanent trade connection with the outside world.
The game perfectly combines three different aspects of city management, and you must take care of the economic, military and religious growth of the city-state. All features of the game have been created with great care to make the fun gameplay experience as faithful as possible from a historical perspective. Invest in culture and erect buildings, build mighty armies and make human sacrifices to the gods who will surely repay you when the hard times come.
Aztecs: The Last Sun will launch for PC via Steam in late 2024. Fans can add the game to their Wishlist now.
About Play2Chill S.A.
Play2Chill S.A. is an independent game development studio comprised of professionals and game enthusiasts dedicated to creating simulation, strategy, and survival games. Listed on the Polish stock exchange since 2021, Play2Chill S.A. continues to innovate and deliver engaging gaming experiences to a global audience.
About 663 Games
663 Games is a newly established publishing label committed to premium and indie game publishing on PC, consoles, and mobile platforms. The company, headquartered in China, was founded by a team of passionate gamers and industry veterans. The team had a proven track record of achieving global success with several titles previously, offering extensive experience and resources for worldwide publishing, along with unique advantages for a strong presence in the Chinese market. The team empathises with the financial challenges that independent developers and small teams often encounter, and 663 Games is dedicated to providing them with funding support to help bring their creative visions to life. As a new, ambitious and trustworthy global publisher, 663 Games collaborates closely with developers to ensure commercial success.
A roller-coaster of a storyline unfolds during the Gehenna Academy’s party
Four new students enter Blue Archive’s story
Several events featuring enticing rewards for new players are available
SEOUL – July 24, 2024 – Popular anime RPG Blue Archive invites players to a special get-together in the mobile game’s latest event story, “Basking in the Brilliance of Their Serenade.” The story is filled with plenty of twists and turns as a teacher from Kivotos helps Gehenna Academy throw an awesome party that the students will remember forever.
In Blue Archive, players take on the role of Sensei and recruit skilled students to tackle the threats looming over the academy city of Kivotos. Featuring strategic combat and a never-ending lineup of unique characters, players will enjoy heartfelt storylines filled with engaging gameplay and plentiful rewards.
This event story contains a total of seven stages, and the completion of “Pandemonium Society Executive Office Main Gate” stage rewards players with Ibuki, a mystery-type striker who is the beloved mascot of the Gehenna Academy student council, Pandemonium Society. Additionally, the update brings new content such as “Field Exploration,” where players can control student Hina and visit various locations, watch stories and complete quests to level up her “Piano Proficiency” and unlock rewards such as Pyroxenes and Ibuki’s Elephs.
In addition to Ibuki, numerous students join Blue Archive in this update, including:
Makoto – As chairman of Gehenna Academy’s student council, Makoto is cunning, confident and a bit quirky. She is a Piercing-Type special student whose EX skill deals powerful damage proportional to the number of enemies in a circular area.
Ako (Dress) – Senior administrator of the Gehenna Prefect Team, Ako now has a dressed-up version of herself. Ako (Dress) is an Explosive-Type Striker who increases the Critical Value and Critical Damage of allies in a circular area when using her EX skill. She also gains one “Successful Protection” for each ally in range, boosting her damage and attack power.
Hina (Dress) – The Head Prefect of Gehenna Prefect Team, Hina (Dress), plays a key role in this event story and will be available through the Fes recruitment beginning on Tuesday, July 30. She serves as an Explosive-Type Striker, and when using her EX skill, is able to switch to Concentrated Fire for 10 seconds and launch three powerful bullets that pierce enemies in a straight line.
Blue Archive also has plenty of great events happening for new players, too. The game is granting 100 free recruitment tickets until 1:59 a.m. UTC on July 30, and hosting a campaign offering triple rewards for various content such as Bounty and Commissions until 6:59 p.m. UTC on Aug. 19.
Players can download Blue Archive for free on Google Play, App Store and Galaxy Store. For more information about Blue Archive and the “Basking in the Brilliance of Their Serenade” update, players can visit the official communities and the links below:
Founded in 1994, NEXON Co., Ltd. (Nexon) (3659.TO) is a company engaged in the production, development and operation of online games. First listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange in December 2011, Nexon was placed on JPX400 in 2015 and added to the Nikkei Stock Index 300 in 2017. In 2020, Nexon was added to the Nikkei 225. Nexon currently has more than 45 live games in more than 190 countries on PC, console, and mobile. Major game franchises include MapleStory, KartRider and Dungeon&Fighter. In 2021, Nexon completed the acquisition of Embark Studios AB, a company based in Stockholm, Sweden, developing multiple projects for global release.
The Return of an Icon, Ice-cold Survival, Visceral Action and Dynasties: The Scope of Products on Display is unprecedented
Oberhaching, Germany, July 24, 2024 – The German-Austrian publisher Toplitz Productions proudly announces its participation at this year’s gamescom in Cologne.
When the doors open to the biggest global gaming event on August 21, 2024, Toplitz welcomes media, streamers and influencers to their booth in the business area, located in Hall 4.1 – D38 – C29 to show them the most diversified portfolio the publisher brought to gamescom yet.
From the all-out action of Unawake to the return of a true icon with management behemoth Industry Giant 4.0, Toplitz Productions has a varied lineup of unmissable games ready for you.
The moon has shattered and thrown the Earth into an ice-cold apocalypse. Try to survive against all odds in the frozen open world of Permafrost from SpacerocketGames, where humanity is on the brink of extinction. Help the opposing factions or try to fight off all the dangers of an unforgiving environment alone with your trusted dog, while you explore, scavenge and try to build a better future.
In terms of management games they don’t come much bigger than the Industry Giant franchise. Not daunted by the huge name, with Industry Giant 4.0 the development team Don VS Dodo is not only re-envisioning the classic series for a new audience. Vastly expanding on the legacy gameplay and putting their own unique spin on it, this is the next generation of management games.
Farmer’s Dynasty 2 from Umeo Studios builds on the foundation of its successful predecessor and delivers an open world farming simulation like no other. With two timelines set in the past and present, aspiring agronomists can experience both traditional as well as modern farming methods as they build, renovate and expand their properties.
A small team of two developers, big visions and even bigger talent: The bone-crunching hack&slash Unawake from RealityArts defies all odds and delivers a visual tour de force that has to be seen to be believed. Explore the dark fantasy that pits you in a relentless battle between demons and angels. Fight with various weapons against a neverending onslaught of enemies, develop your character and equip the best loot to gain the upper hand. Next to the most recent PC build, we are able to show the version for Xbox Series X|S for the very first time as an exclusive for all attendees.
Become one with the night, feast on blood and build a lasting legacy with Vampire Dynasty, the latest entry in the renowned franchise, developed by Mehuman Games. Experience what it means to be a vampire caught between destiny and the everlasting thirst for blood. Fight for your place in the society of fictitious Sangavia, expand your vampire family and build a castle as your center of eternal power.
Since its early access start, developer Superkami constantly improved Sengoku Dynasty with a stream of meaningful updates. At gamescom we can offer you a fresh look at the exciting mixture of survival game and city builder set in an open-world feudal Japan. Be the first to get a sneak peek at the new content that is coming to the game over the next few weeks and months.
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.
Stay up to date and learn everything worth knowing about Toplitz Productions by following the company on X (Twitter), Facebook, the official website and Instagram.
Sometimes there are barriers to entry with a franchise that can seem rather daunting. Trying to jump into the third game in a trilogy for example might make players feel a bit lost or miss out on plenty of references or sometimes developers try to ease things as much as possible for newcomers by not connecting their franchise titles at all. Then there’s The Legend of Heroes franchise that took an entire story arc and spanned it across eleven games from 2004 to 2020 and while sure, these arcs were broken into their own little separate stories, each contributing to the grander tale overall with character crossovers, plotline developments, and more.
So now that the massive arc that combined Crossbell and Cold Steel into one has mostly wrapped up, NIS America has brought the latest Nihon Falcom RPG to the West in the form of The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak. Set after the events of the previous story arc and telling a nearly completely original storyline, albeit one still set in the grander world of Crossbell and Cold Steel, is this perhaps the best entry point for RPG fans?
Story
Trails Through Daybreak picks up about a year and a half after the events of Trails into Reverie and is set in Republic of Calvard, a country far to the east from the main locations featured in previous entries in the franchise. Over the past few years Calvard has flourished thanks to reparations they received following the war that took place in previous games and, while returning players will have all of the context they need already, the game does provide a brief glossary of broader events to help new players catch up.
This new location, small time skip, and a brand new protagonist helps wipe the slate nearly clean as players find themselves taking on the role of Van Arkride, a “Spriggan” that takes on jobs that the police and other investigators can’t or won’t. This means that while he might take on a job as simple as tracking down a missing item, it can also mean coming face to face with some of the worst the criminal underworld has to offer. One day an academy student by the name of Agnes Claudel comes to Van with a job for his business, Arkride Solutions, and that job is to track down a missing memento left to her by her grandfather.
Initially, Van seems disinterested in the job until he finds out not only just how resourceful she is, going through illegal channels of her own to track down clues, to just how willing she is to put in the effort to find this valuable item that turns out to be a Genesis, a keepsake with far more power than either of them could ever have imagined. Upon finally tracking down the Genesis, the pair learn that it is part of seven that must be reunited in order to avoid an unknown fate but this is far from their only problem as this special item has the eyes of numerous factions on it, including a mafia organization known as Almata, never mind the dangerous source of power dwelling within the item itself that sends this pair spiraling into an adventure that will embroil them in an adventure that will rock the region.
Besides serving as a fresher starting point Trails through Daybreak makes a strong start to a brand new storyline, even if it is one that takes a bit to get going as it once again features the franchise’s trademark issues of having a poorly paced beginning as well as some poorly paced middle-sections as well. That being said, the new characters added in this game happen to be some of the best with the main character Van Arkride easily being the best protagonist of the latest games. Perhaps this is because players join him as a veteran Spriggan with a morally gray outlook, willing to bend the rules of law to help those in need, and a no nonsense attitude. This isn’t a fresh faced officer or teacher here, and the way he interacts with the world and its characters are all the better for it.
The rest of the brand new characters are a bit more mixed. Agnes serves as the staple heroine that brings her own unique take to the world, especially since she’s far more than meets the eye, and a number of other party members that join along the way are similarly just as intriguing. While we won’t spoil it here, a few characters really stand out as special partially with the way they end up interacting with Van and the way they develop through the storyline. It is also worth noting that longtime players will find at least a few familiar faces popping in from time to time, including one that has never had a 3D model before, though these are relegated to guest characters only.
Outside of the main storyline and characters it must be said that Nihon Falcom has done an excellent job in making sure to craft a believable world filled with people who have issues they need solved. Rather than having generic or no-named NPCs, every interactable NPC has a name and many of the side-quests players can take on offer not only some solid variety but also happen to pack quite the emotional punch as well. The fact that some of these story developments can easily be missed should players not take on side-quests is surprising thanks to how well many of them are written. This means that, while not every side-quest or objective needs to be pursued, players should feel encouraged to delve into the world as much as possible as there are greater rewards than just the loot at the end. Especially when Van’s alignment comes into play with certain story developments, but we’ll let those be a surprise.
Gameplay
Exploration in The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak is mostly the same as before, with players being able to freely travel the larger areas of the towns, though now they no longer require any form of loading when traversing between buildings. Perhaps the biggest change that is implemented into the game is how combat is handled as it has been given a brand new way to be handled as well as some tweaks to an already familiar formula. Previously, whenever players encountered enemies in the field they could attack them for a turn advantage or maybe even dealing a little bit of damage at the start of the turn-based battle. Now Trails through Daybreak has implemented a combination of limited action combat with its familiar turn-based RPG style fighting. The “Shard” system allows players to deploy Shard Circular Linked Metafield at the press of a button and enter turn-based combat but the real change here is the action mode.
As mentioned before, the furthest previous The Legend of Heroes games took field combat was having “first strike” capabilities before entering turn-based mode. Now however every character in the party, as the player can swap their lead character freely early into the game and each character is capable of unleashing their own style of attacks. Some of these are magic oriented and deal extra damage to certain enemy types while others are physical and deal similar. This whole action combat allows players to fight against smaller groups of enemies and dish out some standard combo attacks, unleash “charged” heavy blows that can stun an enemy all while dodging out of the way of incoming attacks. Occasionally enemies can unleash powerful strikes that cannot be dodged and will instantly trigger combat, so players will need to balance the risk reward system here. It is worth noting that stunned enemies will receive extra starting damage, have their turns delayed, and be vulnerable should players deploy their Shards. Of course, enemies can be straight up slain in action combat if the player feels like it.
Once players deploy their shards and enter turn-based fighting, the game takes on a much more familiar feeling with allies and enemies taking turns depending on stats, what skills/Arts they are using, and more. There are a few new revisions to be found here though and one of which is that the link system has been removed entirely as characters can no longer be paired together to deal powerful linked attacks when certain conditions are met. Instead being in close proximity to an ally while attacking will make your ally either provide a buff or an additional follow-up attack to the targeted enemy. The more useful too is the limited S-Boost mechanic that allows players to use Shards to boost a character’s stats with powerful buffs and abilities momentarily to really lay out the damage. This is especially useful when players want to trigger a powerful skill, of which there are quite a few available to every character and unlock at a reasonable pace or especially the powerful returning S-Break maneuvers that can be triggered at any time once players have enough meter to use them.
Another rather noticeable change that also plays a role in combat is how the player’s Orbments are now upgraded. Daybreak‘s main equipment source comes from the latest generation of Orbment called the Xipha and features three main parts, the Holo Core, the Arts Driver, and the Quartz. The Holo Core serves as something of the Master Quartz for those familiar from past games and provides boosts to a character’s EP in battle, the strength of the Arts they can use, and even what bonuses they obtain when using an S-Boost. As players fight, their Holo Core will also level up providing additional bonuses. The quartz system feels like it takes more of a step back as it no longer is used to unlock additional Arts/skills for characters to use but now are inserted into a Xipha to provide extra stats to a character or add special effects to their attacks. This can include unlocking special skills called “Shard Skills” that have a certain chance to trigger during fights and unleash extra damage when triggered, reduce the casting time of an Art to near-instantly, and even offer exploration help. This level of customization is freely up to the player and can honestly be a bit overwhelming, especially compared to past entries in the franchise.
Where players actually obtain the Arts they can wield in combat come in the form of Arts Drivers. These little chips are slotted into a Xipha and come with a special set of Arts that are unlockable via various plugins that players obtain from completing side missions, main missions, and just raising their Spriggan Rank. These plugins are highly versatile and allow many characters to use a wide-variety of skills, making things feel all the more wide-open for player customization and that’s a good thing too as characters will need it. That’s because Daybreak isn’t afraid to play rough when it comes to its combat system and some bosses can be real killers if players aren’t properly prepared to face them down. There are multiple difficulty options available of course and these can be adjusted at any time, but those even playing on Normal might find their skills tested if they go in without making the best use of what Xipha’s new capabilities have to offer despite its complexities.
Audio & Visuals
The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak sees a notable improvement with its character models and improved visuals overall even if it may still be lagging a bit behind your average JRPG. This is partially due to the wonderful art style that the company has chosen to retain throughout the franchise and that remains true here. The character models, especially in combat when unleashing powerful attacks, are wonderful to look at and there is a wide array of enemies to take down, providing plenty of variety. The same compliments can go out to exploration as the different environments players can explore and visit is quite special at times, even if the dungeons themselves can sometimes leave a lot to be desired with some lazy designs mixed in.
With this release of the game in the West NIS America has offered both the original Japanese voice track as well as a brand new English dub for those who wish to choose one or the other. The English voice cast handles their characters well but it is worth noting that, while we didn’t test between dubs, the game has a strange tendency to have one or two spoken lines followed by countless unvoiced lines, making for some rather strange feeling interactions. As for the soundtrack the title features a great collection of background music that varies well for the different dungeons that players explore and has some exceptional boss battle music.
Overall
Nihon Falcom and NIS America had quite the task ahead of them when it came to The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak. Not only was this their chance to make a new starting point for newcomers by offering a new storyline with almost entirely brand new characters set in an already established world, but it was a chance for them to change things up a bit mechanically as well and they have managed to succeed on both of those fronts. Sure, the combat is a bit more complicated when it comes to equipment than it feels like it should be and the story can drag more than usual, but the new changes made to the game don’t hold it back from being another great entry in The Legend of Heroes franchise, especially since Daybreak II is already on the way to potentially answer the many lingering questions left once the credits roll.
Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.
Glasgow, Scotland — July 24, 2024 | Indie Publisher Those Awesome Guys and developers Tub Club are delighted to announce that Valley Peaks will be leaping onto Steam today! This first-person… pardon – this first-froggy platformer challenges players to embark on a cozy climbing adventure unlike any other.
Players will use their long, stretchy arms to climb mountains and complete routes by controlling each limb individually. They will ascend towering peaks and encounter obstacles ranging from crumbling rocks to moving minecarts. Risk life and lilypad in an effort to install radio towers atop the mountains, giving the froggy inhabitants internet and access to the world beyond the Valley!
But it’s worth the climb! Brave frogtaineers will discover a colourful and whimsical miniature open world where each mountain presents new daring puzzles, whilst evoking memories of their heartwarming past and their father who braved these climbs in years gone by. Even in his absence, his legacy will forever remain on every boulder players cling to and every peak they conquer.
No matter what path you choose, adventure awaits in Valley Peaks!
Climbing tadpoles won’t have to worry about routes being too difficult. Players can customize the game to suit their skillset and even check out Cozy Mode, a casual and relaxing gameplay style fit for even those with verti-frog. And, in the very worst case scenario, there are plenty of geese to pet!
Key Features:
Ribbiting perspective: A unique first-person parkour-lite adventure.
Adaptative frog: Choose between two different modes to help customize climbs.
Hoppier life: Escape the daily grind for a trip to the serene mountain landscape and unravel fond memories.
Unlock an array of gadgets: From gaining extra time with the slow-mo watch to using specialized tongues to reach hard to reach spots, there’s something to help every frog’s climbing adventure!
Pals and pads: Climbing is hard, so put up those amphi-beans and take a breather! Chill-out between climbing sessions with colourful froggy friends and relaxing minigames like Mortimer’s boat race or head to Bone Hill and partake in a Pumpkin Hunt!
“We’ve nurtured this game from a lil tadpole into a fully grown frog and we are so proud to see it hopping into the big wide world. We hope players can embrace the frog life as much as we loved creating it and enjoy the picturesque views of Valley Peaks.” – Tub Club founders.
About Those Awesome Guys
Based… online, Those Awesome Guys is a fiercely independent video game development and publishing studio formed out of people from all around the world. After the launch of hit success Move or Die, the studio branched out to publishing with the release of Monster Prom and Yellow Taxi Goes Vroom and now they are ready to launch Valley Peaks.
About Tub Club
Tub Club Games is a small and cozy 2-person development team based in Glasgow, Scotland. With a history in AAA, a young BAFTA nomination and a DARE Academy award under their belt, they are committed to crafting uniquely appealing gaming experiences, and excited to share their debut title, Valley Peaks, with players around the globe.
