BRNO, Czech Republic & VIENNA, Austria – Nov. 28, 2023 – THQ Nordic and developer Ashborne Games’ WWI RTS Last Train Home is available today on PC via Steam for $33.99 after a 15% launch discount available through Dec. 5 ($39.99 before discount). A Digital Deluxe Edition is also available at a 15% discount ($46.74 from $54.99) through Dec. 5, and will include the official digital soundtrack and art book, as well as the first paid DLC, “Legion Tales,” upon its release. Brace yourselves to confront the merciless Red Army, endure the gnawing pangs of hunger, and defy the bone-chilling cold of Siberia. This odyssey is long, grueling, and full of challenges – a true test of our mettle. A heroic endeavor that leaves no room for the faint-hearted.
The Great War is over – but the fight continues. Command a legion of soldiers desperately trying to make their way home amidst the chaos of civil war. Lead them through the unforgiving wilderness onboard an armored train. Manage your crew and resources and try to survive.
“Legion Tales” promises an immersive encounter with the Czechoslovak Legionaries through a set of exclusive replayable real-time missions. More DLC information will be shared at a later date.
Last Train Home is developed by Ashborne Games in Brno, Czech Republic, and is available now on Steam. If you want to learn more about the game, make sure to visit the website, follow us on social media, or discuss with other fans on Discord:
Ashborne Games is a game development studio with roots in Brno, Czech Republic, growing the strategy/RPG genre. The team is currenctly working on its new project, Last Train Home, and was also responsible for helping Comanche to lift off. The studio is a member of the THQ Nordic family.
Marvelous Europe today announced the first free content update for their fashion and communication title, Fashion Dreamer. The Nintendo Switch™ system-exclusive title will receive its Winter Update, version 1.2, on Dec. 5, which adds new content, new patterns and new items and more ways to curate outfits, and a fabulous crossover with Ciào, a popular monthly magazine in Japan.
The Winter Update will introduce new patterns, Muse parts, showroom furniture and photo frames, growing the wardrobe available to Muses as they find their freshest fits and show off their unique styles in the showroom. Some of these new looks are available through the Limited Time Fair, a free in-game system to support every influencer in Eve with a fresh set of objectives for them to complete each month, earning them useful items and patterns. Designed with approachable objectives respectful of players’ time, the first Limited Time Fair features a Fantasy theme with nearly two dozen items in a butterfly dream motif. Designers will also be able to explore the all-new Muse Notebook, an in-game journal that will record players’ memories of the Muses they’ve met in-game in case they’d like to look back for inspiration from past encounters; and the Lookbook, where players can save and name their favorite outfits for a quick change of clothing or to share with followers. Finally, all Muses will receive a T-shirt made in collaboration with ‘Naisho No Lily’ (written by Fujita Hasumi), which is being serialized in Ciào Deluxe; and ‘Shining!’ (written by Nao Maita), which is being serialized in Ciào’s main magazine; and a Photo Egg frame made in collaboration with Ciào.
*Additional event functions and limited fair are exclusive contents for online mode.
More updates with additional styles, outfits, and features in the world of Eve will be released for free in 2024.
Fashion Dreamer is a creative-focused game where players can express their unique styles using their avatar, called a Muse. Create iconic looks from cozy casualwear to chic couture, choosing from hundreds of available options that can be customized to be a truly one-of-a-kind look. Once players find their signature style, they can show off their latest outfits across different areas, called Cocoons. There, they can also explore inspiring new fashions from other Muses whether playing on- or offline or display them in their showroom to garner even more attention and Likes for their brand. Players can also increase their influence by completing design challenges, unlocking even more customization options to elevate their brand. Featuring asynchronous multiplayer, the world of Eve is inhabited by Muses from around the globe, allowing players to find inspiration or earn Likes for their most iconic fit virtually anywhere!
Developed by syn Sophia, Inc. and published in Europe and Australia on the Nintendo Switch™ by Marvelous Europe, Fashion Dreamer launched on Nov. 3, 2023. This title is published by XSEED Games in North America.
Marvelous Europe is the publisher behind Mandragora, Leximan and Cuisineer, and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Marvelous Inc., developer of beloved Story of Seasons and Rune Factory series.
Established in 2012, Marvelous Europe is passionate about helping games to reach a global audience while nurturing emerging developers and studios. With decades of experience and strong ties to the worldwide indie game dev community, the highly skilled European team is committed to supporting studios worldwide find success, while continuing to publish and distribute select Marvelous Inc. content.
Earlier the release date for Dragon’s Dogma II was revealed ahead of the planned Capcom showcase and while the showcase did indeed confirm that the long awaited sequel will be arriving on March 22, 2024 the company also revealed a few new details for the upcoming game. Part of these details include the $79.99 USD Deluxe Edition that will include the base game as well as the “A Boon for Adventurers – New Journey Pack” that will include a slew of useful items found below:
Explorer’s Camping Kit – Camping Gear
Dragon’s Dogma Music & Sound Collection – Custom Sounds
Harpysnare Smoke Beacons – Harpy Lure Item
Heartfelt Pendant
Ambivalent Rift Incense – Changes a pawn’s inclinations
Makeshift Gaol Key – Helps escape from a gaol
Art of Metamorphosis – Character editor item
Wakestone – Restores the dead to life
1.500 Rift Crystals – Points to spend beyond the Rift
Those who pre-order the game will be given the “Superior Weapons Quartet” which will contain some strong starting weapons while pre-orders for the Deluxe Edition will include an unknown “Ring of Assurance” item.
Alongside these details the company also detailed one of the new Advanced classes that players can transition into as they grow stronger in Dragon’s Dogma II. Alongside the returning Warrior and Sorcerer vocations the company has revealed the brand new Trickster vocation. The Trickster will wield a censer and can use the smoke it produces to confuse foes, buff their allies, and more and serves as a class for those who want to observe battles while supporting their allies.
It seems like Steam couldn’t quite keep their info under wraps for a few more hours as a new listing for Dragon’s Dogma II has revealed the release date for the game that is likely to be announced later today during a showcase for the game that Capcom is holding. The Steam listing, currently still up, shows that Dragon’s Dogma II will be releasing on March 21, 2024.
At the time of this writing the Dragon’s Dogma II showcase has not yet aired but it can be viewed below. The showcase is scheduled to last about fifteen minutes and will showcase gameplay as well as information from director Hideaki Itsuno and producer Yoshiaki Hirabayashi. Upon release Dragon’s Dogma II will be available for the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC.
Knoxville, Tennessee, US – “The Lost Legends of REDWALL™: The Scout Anthology” inspired by the characters created in Brian Jacques’ best-selling series REDWALL™ will now release on the 30th of January 2024.
Even though a slight release delay is in place, Forthright Entertainment and Soma Games are pleased to announce that ‘Feast & Friends’ will also be coming out on the same day on Steam.
REDWALL™ is one of the best-loved children’s book series and has sold over 20 million copies worldwide. The series has also featured in audiobooks as well as an Opera and these two games offer something complimentary to the Redwall™ fans in the new year.
“The Lost Legends of Redwall™: The Scout Anthology” is a narrative puzzle-driven adventure game coming to PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC with a whole cast of characters, vivid locations, visuals, and enhancements for the current generation of action-adventure fans.
Features:
A narrative-Rich Adventure game set in the universe inspired by the REDWALL™ book series.
Follow Your Nose! A unique scent mechanic allows for dynamic, multifaceted fun.
Puzzles Galore includes cryptic riddles and mysteries to unfold.
Rich Dialogue mechanics! Learn how to speak to everyone, understanding their hopes and fears…your life may depend on it.
Visual and lighting enhancements, and functionality updates for PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC.
“The Lost Legends of Redwall™: Feast & Friends” will also be coming to Steam on the 30th of January 2024 featuring characters from the series.
Embark alongside Scout Chef Rootsworth on his journey to become the finest cook in Mossflower Wood.
Features:
Chop, simmer and serve your way through iconic locations, from the humble villages of Lilygrove to the Badgers Lord’s stronghold of Salamandastron.
Impress the master cooks of Redwall Abbey and you may just be invited to join the chefs of the famous Nameday feast.
Feast and Friends offers a nuanced cooking sandbox in which recipes are yours to follow, ignore, or reinvent as you choose.
Cook for a cast of rich characters eager to share their stories, or simply experiment in the free-play kitchen to your heart’s content.
Send foragers out to refill the pantry cupboards or trade with travelling merchants for rare finds.
Prepare meals for fun with intuitive controls, with heat, seasoning and ingredients at your fingertips. Discover pescatarian, vegetarian and vegan recipes you can make at home.
About Forthright Entertainment
Based in Knoxville, Tennessee, Forthright Entertainment is a boutique publisher of games for PC and consoles. We have a very simple mission, to position great game studios for global success by providing full-featured publishing services.
About Soma Games
Soma Games, founded in 2005, is located in beautiful downtown Newberg, OR. The producers of many games on nearly every platform around Soma Games is proud of their ability to work with one of the most beloved stories of a generation in REDWALL™.
For more about The Lost Legends of REDWALL™ click here.
Running November 28th through the end of 2023, the initiative aims to raise $100,000 for these organizations’ efforts in supporting game industry workers and players alike, amidst a year of widespread layoffs and an ongoing national mental health crisis.
These six organizations collectively work to make the games industry more diverse and inclusive, foster supportive environments for professional growth and skill development, and support the mental health of game lovers and creators.
The Stronger Together In Games campaign seeks $100,000 in crowdfunded donations and an additional $50,000 in corporate matching funds. Pledges have already been secured from partners, including Amazon Games, Google for Games, SEGA of America, StridePR, Foundation Law, Clever Endeavor, Codename Entertainment, Modulate, and Midwest Games. Additionally, the group is hosting a 24-hour charity stream on December 8th to raise funds for the cause.
“The past year has been a challenging time for the games industry. As non-profit organizations that support game creators and players worldwide, we’re seeing skyrocketing demand for our programs and services” said Dr. Jakin Vela, Executive Director of IGDA. “The funds we raise will support our continued efforts in creating and sharing resources, facilitating networking opportunities and mentorship, and coordinating impactful programming aimed to diversify the industry, and more.”
The International Game Developers Association is the largest nonprofit membership organization serving game developers worldwide. The IGDA is committed to advancing the careers and enhancing the lives of game developers by connecting members with their peers, promoting professional development, and advocating on issues that affect the developer community.
The IGDA Foundation (IGDA-F) advances a diverse workforce and ecosystem for the video game industry to better reflect the millions of passionate players enjoying video games worldwide.
The IGDA-F focuses on promoting a game development community representative of, and welcoming and inclusive to, every person who wants to make games. The IGDA-F garners support for diversity and inclusion in the video game industry with initiatives such as its IGDA Scholars, Velocity, and Next Gen Leaders programs, with others in the pipeline.
The IGDA Foundation is a public charity, registered as a 501(c)3 organization in the United States.
Sony Interactive Entertainment can confirm that the new look PS5 Console (model group – slim) will be available locally from December 6, with pre-orders starting today. The smaller PS5 design has the same power as previous models and comes with 1TB storage for PS5 and PS5 Digital Edition. The new model also provides the option to add an Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive to PS5 Digital Edition.
The new form factor addresses the evolving needs of players, providing greater choice and flexibility. The same technology features that make PS5 the best to play are packed into a smaller form factor, along with an attachable Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive and a 1TB SSD for more internal storage.
The new PS5 has been reduced in volume by more than 30%, and weight by 18% and 24% compared to the previous models. There are four separate cover panels, with the top portion in a glossy look, while the bottom remains in matte. If you purchase the PS5 Digital Edition, you can add the Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive for PS5 later, as it will also be sold separately for $159.95 AUD.
Check out the new look for the PS5 console below:
The recommended retail price at participating retailers for the new PS5 model at release is as follows:
PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive – $799.95 AUD
PS5 Digital Edition – $679.95 AUD
The new Vertical Stand compatible with all PS5 models will be sold separately at $49.95 AUD
A variety of PS5 Console Cover colours for the new model will be available starting in early 2024, including an all-matte Black colourway and the Deep Earth Collection colours in Volcanic Red, Cobalt Blue, and Sterling Silver. Local pricing for the PS5 Console Covers will be confirmed at a later date. Additional colours will be released in the future.
For more information on the new PS5 form factor, head to the PlayStation Blog.
Easy Day Studios wants to remind Nintendo fans that with the hectic holiday season of intense games to grind, there’s also time to chill with the upcoming release of Skater XL on Switch. Both physical and digital editions will be available for purchase at retail or to download on December 5 in North America and December 12 in EU and AU regions. This new trailer demonstrates the buttery-smooth 60 FPS visual quality of the Switch version as well as the lean-back vibes Nintendo gamers will experience this holiday season.
Skater XL will be available for Nintendo Switch on December 5 for $39.99 in the Nintendo eShop. Retail box versions of Skater XL will be available at brick-and-mortar retailers this holiday. Pre-order now at: skaterxl.com or Wishlist in the Nintendo eShop.
Skater XL is available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. For the latest news and updates on Skater XL, follow the game on Instagram and Twitter, “Like” us on Facebook, and visit the official website, SkaterXL.com.
Budapest, Hungary – November 27, 2023 — NeocoreGames is thrilled to announce that King Arthur: Legion IX, the upcoming expansion for its critically-lauded dark fantasy tactics game, King Arthur: Knight’s Tale, will belaunching in early 2024. New heroes, foes, combat mechanics and a larger party are just some of the features provided in this challenging expansion.
King Arthur: Legion IX. | Cinematic Reveal Trailer
The base game King Arthur: Knight’s Tale is a unique hybrid between turn-based tactical games and traditional, character-centric RPGs. King Arthur: Knight’s Tale is a modern retelling of a classic Arthurian mythology story told with dark fantasy tropes, a twist on the traditional tales of chivalry.
In the Legion IX expansion, the kingdom of Avalon is facing an all-new threat, as the Roman Ninth Legion has discovered a path to the mystical island, and is preparing an invasion. Players will experience the the brand new Roman campaign through the eyes of a tribune of the Ninth Legion, and they will uncover the remains of a Roman colony in Avalon and reveal the hidden secrets of the Lady of the Lake.
If you’d like to know more, be sure to follow our social channels as we share more info in the coming weeks and months.
About NeocoreGames
NeocoreGames is an independent video game development company founded in 2005 with its headquarters located in Budapest, Hungary. Best known for The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing series and Deathtrap, Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor – Martyr and Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor – Prophecy, the very first Action RPG set in the Warhammer 40,000 universe. NeocoreGames also developed Crusaders: Thy Kingdom Come, The Kings’ Crusade and the King Arthur: The Role-playing Wargame series.
When thinking back on some of the best games on the SNES, a number of different RPGs that were groundbreaking at the time will likely make the list but one in particular will likely appear in most people’s thoughts for another reason, the sheer absurdity that it existed at all. Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars saw Nintendo lending out their franchise to Square at a time when the mustachioed hero was exclusively a side-scrolling platformer. This unusual pairing led to one of the most fondly remembered RPGs on the SNES and one that fans were constantly hoping would reappear at some point.
Although this classic eventually inspired a wide range of Mario RPGs and eventually saw a release on a few eShops, fans were hoping that the ever-present remake bug would eventually nibble on this beloved title. Now that time has come over twenty seven years after the original release with ArtePiazza tapped to bring Super Mario RPG to modern audiences. Remade from the ground up and offering a few new elements, is this RPG still as beloved as fans remember?
Story
Super Mario RPG begins like nearly every Mario story with Bowser kidnapping Princess Peach and Mario needing to rescue her. Unlike the usual story however, Mario just walks right in through the front door of Bowser’s castle, takes out a few minions, and beats Bowser within a few short minutes of the game starting. With Princess Peach seemingly rescued and Mario already celebrating, things seem fine until a massive sword plunges down from the heavens and impales itself in Bowser’s castle. Flung all the way back to his house from the impact, Mario returns to find that the sentient sword has destroyed the only bridge to the castle and Mario must find a new way to rescue Peach, at least so he thinks.
Along his journey Mario encounters some new friends in the form of a fluffy looking boy named Mallow that claims he is a tadpole and a magical puppet named Geno that informs Mario that the massive sword is part of the Smithy Gang and has torn apart the Star Road where all the dreams of the world are held intact and wishes are granted. With his journey now more important than ever, Mario learns he must find the seven pieces of the Star Road by defeating members of Smithy’s gang and he soon encounters Bowser, learning that the powerful reptile is ready to join forces if it means getting his castle back and even Peach enters the fray to prove that she is just as capable of a fighter as she is a princess.
Super Mario RPG gave fans a look at the Mushroom Kingdom like they never have before and the storyline remains the exact same here. While there aren’t any major twists or shocking reveals, the sheer level of whimsy and charm that permeates every element of Super Mario RPG’s storyline remains as strong as ever and it is easy to fall in love with the game once again. Every character players talk with will have something unique to say that will often change depending on story progress for that town and there is plenty of humor to be had even with some of the translation being altered to be a little less referential to pop culture.
Watching Mario and the gang pantomime events never grows old as well as their ridiculous interactions with the oddball characters they run across and this type of humor and charm helps the simple story remain entertaining throughout the fairly short runtime clocking in at under twelve hours. There are of course plenty of secrets to uncover as well, including a few unique interactions, unlockable items, and other secrets that were in the original release back in 1996 though those who want to truly experience everything Super Mario RPG has to offer can now find some new post-game boss fights and interactions.
Gameplay
With Super Mario RPG transitioning into an isometric world players will find themselves exploring dungeons and towns all while controlling everyone’s favorite plumber. Exploration is filled with various little secrets players can uncover, ranging from different paths with rewards at the end such as special Frog Coin currency or an extra Flower for FP. Players will also find a number of hidden chests that Mario can obtain by jumping in specific locations though a “signal ring” players obtain early can be equipped to alert them to the presence of such a hidden box. Exploring as Mario in dungeons still has a few puzzles here and there as well as some minor platforming here and there, which is a bit finicky given the camera angle, as well as a number of minigames. These range from things such as staying on a barrel going down a river, driving a minecart with awful feeling controls, and other smaller ones. Of course, players will also run into enemies while exploring and transition into a combat arena.
The combat in Super Mario RPG is turn-based with players being able to have three of their party fighting at once though any member of the party besides Mario can be swapped out on their turn even if they are sleeping or even knocked out. This means that a knocked out Geno can be swapped out with Peach who can immediately take her own turn. Along these same lines, should the player’s entire frontline be defeated their final two fighters will immediately swap them out making for some easier combat even should players find themselves up against a challenging foe. This easier combat is something of a trend throughout the game as a number of mechanics have been added to the classic formula to make this game far more approachable than it already was, though Flower Points (FP) that are used for any skills and spells are still shared between the entire party.
One element that always made Super Mario RPG’s combat entertaining was the timing system. Whenever players attack, be it a basic attack, a skill, or a spell, a properly timed press of the A button can deal out more damage and now, if timed exactly right, single target attacks can now deal splash damage to every enemy on the screen at the same time. Defensive timing is also a thing that has been given an upgrade as players can press the A button when targeted by most attacks to either lower the damage or negate it entirely, though a number of enemy spells are unblockable. This timing ranges widely depending on the skills used and even the type of weaponry a character is wielding, with Bowser’s timing different between throwing a chain-chomp or striking a foe with his claws, etc. To help players out, the game now displays an exclamation point when they should properly time their button presses which can make things a bit too easy, though should players build up a high enough “chain” of properly timed presses these exclamation points will disappear for a bit.
Chaining together the extra attack damage and defense presses provides not only additional buffs to the party but also helps build up a new gauge in this remake. This is the Triple Move gauge that can be activated on any character’s turn when at 100%. Depending on the party’s make-up the triple move will either deal out massive damage to a single enemy, large damage to an entire group of foes, or even provide buffs, make the team invincible for a round, or heal the entire party. These Triple Moves are quite powerful and can turn the tide of battle even when things might be looking grim. In fact, even if players don’t have three members alive at a time they can still call in their gauge for a Toad Assist that can provide healing, damage, or buffs as well. This, along with the aforementioned boost to timed button press mechanics make Super Mario RPG as approachable as ever, but that also can be a bit of a negative for those looking for any sort of challenge.
Rather than offer a harder difficulty mode, Nintendo has instead opted to include an Easy mode as well. This mode increases the amount of items players can carry and makes enemies easier to defeat, which is good for a “kid’s first RPG” but leaves longtime fans hoping for a little more challenge. Thankfully there are still some tougher fights throughout the game, including the randomly appearing special enemies. These enemies look the same as any other foe but are labeled as special. Not only are special foes much tougher and stronger than an average enemy but they also drop valuable Frog Coins when defeated making them worth taking down whenever players encounter them.
As for the boss encounters, many of them have unique little mechanics that make them fun to deal with. These range from disabling an entire set of combat actions, copying or removing party members, and more. These aren’t too challenging but they help change up the flow of fights. It is nice to note that the post-game content that is brand new to Super Mario RPG does make these boss fights far more challenging and changing up how players would usually approach a fight but a number aren’t too different from their original versions, especially in regards to the secret boss’s newest form. That being said, this level of extra content is welcome and there are some new interactions to be found in postgame as well as various challenges that remain true from the original release such as hitting a hundred consecutive jumps as Mario, finishing side-quests to obtain the best gear in the game, and other little secrets.
Audio & Visuals
ArtePiazza has wonderfully transitioned the unique designs and elements of the classic SNES title to modern day with a colorful and highly detailed shift to a more modern presentation. Characters are wonderfully detailed looking and still have expressive animations, especially when humorously reenacting scenes for others or watching Bowser tear up at his situation. The varied environments are better looking than ever with enemies also featuring a wide range of memorable looking designs, though a few still remain palette swapped near the end of the game. Combat animations are handled wonderfully with every party member having different animations depending on the weapon they are wielding while spells are as fun as players may remember. It is also worth noting that the game now features near seamless transitions between brand new CG cutscenes used throughout important story sequences, usually introducing a boss, as well as for every Triple Move that players use that varies depending on what three characters the player has in their party. That being said, the game does suffer a little bit of slowdown around water filled areas and one Triple Move in particular, Starry Shell Spike, causes some lag when used.
Similar to the original version, Super Mario RPG does not feature anything in the way of voice acting other than Bowser’s signature growling from time to time. Other than that the game’s soundtrack has been completely rearranged with a modern upgrade to every piece of music, making it sound better than ever. Of course, for those who want the original music, it is also offered as players can swap between the classic and rearranged soundtrack at any time in the menu and, upon beating the game, can replay every song through a jukebox style system.
Overall
Super Mario RPG was considered a classic back in 1996 and it still remains true today in this remake that faithfully takes everything that fans loved of the original and improves upon it. The balancing is a little off, as the many combat improvements and new elements made to make combat easier haven’t been balanced the best with actual challenges to face off against despite the brand new post-game content on offer. That being said, with a story that oozes with charm and humor, Super Mario RPG captures the nostalgic feel of the original release while retaining all of the elements fans loved for a new generation to experience.
Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.
