Yakuza Kiwami Review A New Standard for Remakes
Developer: SEGA
Publisher: SEGA
Platform(s): PlayStation 4
ESRB Rating: M
MRSP: $29.99
Thank You SEGA USA for Providing a Review Copy of this Game
Yakuza originally released on the PlayStation 2 in 2005 to critical acclaim in Japan. This success led to one of SEGA’s most popular import series spanning seven main entries and several spin offs. Yakuza Kiwami is a remake of this game that started it all. However, unlike a lot of remakes where the game is preserved in the state it originally released, Yakuza Kiwami takes a different approach. The entire game is remade from the ground up in the Yakuza 0 engine, and with it carries over the fighting styles it introduced, completely overhauling the original games fighting system. The game is also completely redubbed by the original Japanese voice actors to fit the rest of the tone with the series. So how does this remake hold up?
Yakuza 6 Launches in the West on March 20th, Launch Edition and Premium Edition Announced
This morning SEGA USA has announced that Yakuza 6 The Song of Life will be launching in North America and Europe on March 20th, and have also announced a Launch Edition and Premium Edition of the game.
The Dragon of Dojima has had a long and weary road brawling with endless thugs and belted his heart out to countless karaoke tunes in the Yakuza series, and it’s time for one more story. Yakuza 6: The Song of Life, the final chapter of long time protagonist Kazuma Kiryu’s story, is coming to the West on March 20, 2018 for PlayStation®4! The game will be will be available for the suggested retail price of $59.99/CA$79.99 in the Americas, £49.99 in the United Kingdom, €59.99 in the rest of Europe, and A$89.99 in Australia.In Yakuza 6, Kiryu will find out exactly how much people are willing to sacrifice for family – be those ties through blood or bond – when he investigates a series of shadowy events that involve the ones he holds closest to his heart. He’ll journey to familiar grounds in Kamurocho and the new setting of Onomichi, a beautiful, sleepy port town in Hiroshima Prefecture, in order to find the answers he seeks. Powered by the brand-new Dragon Engine, the game is the ultimate iteration of Yakuza’s blend of gritty crime story, hyper-explosive combat, and all the vices and distractions those locales have to offer.Since Yakuza 6 is Kiryu’s last outing as the main protagonist in Yakuza, it’s just proper to release the game with our first-ever premium edition! The ultra-classy “After Hours Premium Edition” contains the perfect tools to lounge like a true yakuza:–PR
- Hardcover Art Book – The intense human drama and magnetic world of Yakuza 6 will be on display in this stunning art book. We’ll have more details on what will fill the pages at a later date.
- 2 Bar Glasses (280ml) – Designed with Kiryu’s ferocious dragon tattoo, these bar glasses are the perfect receptacles for your beverage of choice.
- 2 Ice Stones – Cool down your drinks with a pair of heat action branded ice stones! One features the flame heat action icon, while the other has the Japanese “kiwami” heat action icon. Chilling has never been so… extreme.
- 2 Coasters – A true yakuza knows how to relax with class, so coasters are a must have when lounging after hours. Protect table surfaces with style by placing your glasses on top of official Tojo Clan branded coasters. Plus, you won’t need to play the “is this my drink?” game because of their inverted colors!
- An Outer Box – All of these essential tools will be housed within a collectable outer box.
Splatoon 2 Nintendo Switch Bundle Heading to North America on September 8th
Today Nintendo of America has announced that the highly sought after Splatoon 2 Nintendo Switch bundle will be making it’s way to North America as a Wal Mart retail exclusive.
REDMOND, Wash., Aug. 17, 2017 – Walmart will be the exclusive retail partner for a new Nintendo Switch bundle that includes a download code for the Splatoon 2 game, a fresh carrying case and colorful new Joy-Con controllers in Neon Pink and Neon Green. The bundle will be available starting Sept. 8 at a suggested retail price of $379.99 and offers fans in North America their first chance to get their hands on that Joy-Con color combination.
“Consumers in Japan and Europe have already had a strong response to Splatoon 2bundles in their territories,” said Doug Bowser, Nintendo of America’s Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “This exclusive Walmart bundle gives people who have been waiting to buy a Nintendo Switch a great value and incentive to get splatting.”
–PR
It’s good to see that Nintendo is confidant enough in Splatoon 2 to make it the first bundled game with the Nintendo Switch. However we can’t help but find it odd that Nintendo is deciding to only supply this at Wal Mart and not other retailers such as GameStop, Best Buy and Target. Hopefully this will be in plentiful stock for those who are looking to get their hands on one.
Also during this announcement, Nintendo has announced the next round for Splatoon 2’s Splatfest! Flight vs. Invisibility. It will be interesting to see which side comes out on top!
Mary Skelter Limited Edition Announced
Today Idea Factory International has officially unveiled the Mary Skelter Limited Edition that will be available for pre-order on August 22nd!
The Limited Edition will include the following:
Includes:
- Blood Maidens Cloth Poster
- Mary Skelter: Nightmares Novel Book
- Mary Skelter: Nightmares Official Art Book
- Reversible Cover Sleeve
- Collector’s Box
Cyberdimension Neptunia Hits PS4 Oct 10th, Steam Delayed till Early 2018
Today Idea Factory International announced a release date for the upcoming Hyperdimension Neptunia spin off Cyberdimension Neptunia.
The world of Alsgard calls! Cyberdimension Neptunia™: 4 Goddesses Online will release on the PlayStation®4 system October 10 (NA) and October 13 (EU) in both physical and digital formats. To ensure a smooth gameplay experience, the Steam version of the game has been rescheduled for an early 2018 launch.
–PR
It’s good to see that Cyberdimension Neptunia will be releasing in the US and Europe this Fall as opposed to this Winter! Sadly this seems to have come at the cost of the Steam version of the game, which was delayed until early 2018. You can check out the latest trailer here:
No news on a limited edition yet, hopefully we will see it as we get closer to launch!
Dragon Quest Heroes 2 Review – Honored Traditions
Developer: Omega Force
Publisher: Square Enix
Platform: PlayStation 4*, PC (Steam), Playstation Vita (JP Only), Playstation 3 (JP Only), Nintendo Switch (JP Only)
ESRB Rating: T
Release Date: April 25th 2017
MRSP: $59.99
*The PS4 Pro Version was used to review this game
A retail copy was purchased by the reviewer for this review.
It’s been a few years since the release of “Dragon Quest Heroes,” a fun little ARPG tower defense game that served as a love letter to the franchise. With the sequel in the spinoff series going fully open world, and adding various new elements to the mix, will it stand up to the original? Today we take a look at Dragon Quest Heroes 2.
Etrian Odyssey V Launches on October 17th in North America
This morning Atlus USA has announced that Etrian Odyssey V will launch on October 17th in North America. No word on when Deep Silver will publish the game in Europe. Hopefully we will get some information soon on a European release! In the meantime check out the latest trailer for Etrian Odyssey V explaining the Fencer class!
Hakuoki Kyoto Winds Hits Steam on August 24th
Today Idea Factory International announced that their latest Otome game Hakuoki Kyoto Winds, will be coming to Steam on August 24th!
Prepare your otome heart! Hakuoki™: Kyoto Winds comes to Steam this August 24 with a weeklong 30% discount, Deluxe Pack, and Winds Treasure Box DLC! Get the Deluxe Bundle or Complete Deluxe Set for even more savings!
-PR
The game will also be launching with a deluxe pack for $9.99 which contains the following:
- OST
- Event Scene Collection
- PC Wallpaper
- Mobile Wallpaper
- Character Art Collection
For those wanting to check out the steam page for the game you can find it here.
Dark Rose Valkyrie Review A Rose With a Few Thorns
Platform: PS4
Developer: Compile Heart
Publisher: Idea Factory International
ESRB Rating: T
Thank You Idea Factory International for a Review Copy of this game.
Dark Rose Valkyrie is the latest JRPG brought to us by Compile Heart and is a collab project from developers known for working on Tales of Symphonia. This game is also one of the few JRPGs put out by Compile Heart that is a brand new IP separate from the Hyperdimension Neptunia series, and even tries some new ideas in terms of storytelling and gameplay. So how does this game fare?
Miitopia Review You Call this a Utopia?!
Platform: Nintendo 3DS
Release Date: July 28th, 2017
MSRP: $39.99
ESRB Rating: E
A Review Copy Was Provided by Nintendo
Miitopia is the latest game in the “Mii” series of video games and is one of the first ones to get its own standalone release. Miitopia seems to be an extension of the Mii Plaza game “Find Me” in terms of concept. So how does this game fair now that it was able to be fully fleshed out with its own kind of campaign? Well, the answer to that question may not be what you think, so let’s take a look into Miitopia.
The Gaming Gamma 