Samurai Warriors: Spirit of Sanada Review – Poster Boy Chronicles
Developer: Omega Force
Publisher: Koei Tecmo
Platform: PlayStation 4*, PC (Steam), Playstation Vita (JP Only), Playstation 3 (JP Only), Nintendo Switch (JP Only)
ESRB Rating: T
Release Date: May 23rd, 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.
After a series of spin offs for the “Samurai Warriors 4” line of games, “Samurai Warriors: Spirit of Sanada” seems to be bringing them to a close. Going for a much more linear, drama based story mode instead of the wide scale story angles told in the previous games we see a departure from the traditional Samurai Warriors and Dynasty Warriors spin offs. Does Spirit of Sanada have enough original ideas and mechanics to set itself apart from the plethora of other history based musou games?
Story:
The story of the Warring States Period is one the Samurai Warriors games will tell again and again until they can’t scrape any new details from the history books. Spirit of Sanada tells the story of these events from the Sanada clan, and does so rather well. The characters are well fleshed out and a lot more likeable than previous entries in the series. They are are only two major gripes I have. One is the pacing between the multi-stage battles has you doing very pointless and repetitive side missions which old within the first few hours. The second is the very confusing and underwhelming ending. It is very undramatized from history almost to a fault. For them to change small details about the events but not change the ending to be a little bit more fulfilling to the character is an odd choice.
Pokemon Ultra Sun and Moon Review
Developer: Game Freak
Publisher: Nintendo of America
ESRB: E
MRSP: $39.99
Thank You Nintendo for a Review Copy of this Game
Pokemon Sun and Moon revamped the structure of the series by doing away with the traditional gym challenge, and replacing it with the island challenge. The island challenge is a much more personal journey, where the player travels across Alola to clear trials from seven captains, and become the island challenge champion. Where this differs from gyms, is what you’re doing in each trial. Some trials involve defeating wild Pokemon to advance, solving puzzles, or even a simple memory game. At the end of each trial is a fearsome Totem Pokemon. A gargantuan version of a Pokemon that is related to that island. After every trial on an island is completed you fight the Kahuna, the strongest trainer on the Island. As a new trainer in the Alola region, can you conquer the Island challenge?
Catherine: Full Body is Heading Westward
A few days ago Catherine: Full Body was announced in Japan for the PlayStation 4 and the PlayStation Vita. Now this morning Atlus USA has confirmed that the game will be heading to the west. That said platforms for the western release have not yet been announced. This would normally be strange, but Atlus USA/SEGA have had a habit lately of release their titles on the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in the west. (See here for an example.)
ATLUS today announced that Catherine: Full Body will be coming to the West. This new twist on the original Catherine, a mature romantic action-adventure puzzle game from the makers of the Persona series, will include a new love interest, “Rin,” with distinct storyline elements for the character, and additional puzzle content. Vincent’s love life has never been so complicated and dramatic!Vincent’s apartment hasn’t seen the last of the sensual people in his life. With new storyline elements for both Catherine and Katherine, players will have ample opportunity for new experiences in Catherine: Full Body.As for release date and pricing, ATLUS reveal that later, slowly.
We will be covering more news of this game as it breaks so be sure to stay tuned for future updates and our inevitable review of Catherine: Full Body!
LADY LAYTON’S MYSTERY JOURNEY: KATRIELLE AND THE MILLIONARES’ CONSPIRACY – Review
Developer: Level-5
Publisher: Level 5
Platform: 3DS, Android, IOS
ESRB Rating: E-10
Release Date: October 6th, 2017
MRSP: $ 39.99
Thank You Nintendo for Providing A Review Copy of this Game
The Professor Layton franchise has managed to achieve consistency in quality ever since its first entry released ten years ago. Azran Legacy was the end of a very solid prequel trilogy, and here we are going forward with a brand new cast of characters. Does Lady Layton continue to provide an excellent Visual Novel and Puzzle game experience? There will be no major story spoilers in this review.
Atlus Announces Persona 5’s Sales Surpass 2 Million World Wide
This evening Atlus USA has announced that Persona 5’s total sales have surpassed two million world wide!
ATLUS today announced that the overall sales of Persona 5 for the PlayStation®4 and PlayStation®3have reached a crucial milestone with more than 2 million copies sold worldwide. Since the initial launch, Persona 5 has earned critical acclaim, receiving recognition and awards from prestigious media outlets and fans.Most recently, ATLUS is proud to announce that Persona 5 has been nominated in four categories for “The Game Awards 2017,” held in Los Angeles CA on December 7, including: “Game of the Year,” “Best Art Direction,” “Best Score/Music,” and “Best Role Playing Game.”“This has been an incredible year for our company, one that represents our ambitions for Japanese games in the west,” said Naoto Hiraoka, president & CEO of Atlus U.S.A., Inc.. “We are in the middle of experiencing tremendous growth, both in the west and abroad, and the sales of Persona 5 represent a new level of expectation for fans of the genre. Once seen as niche, Persona 5 is one of the most important titles this year, proving interest in this category is expanding. We look forward to delivering more incredible games to our fans next year.”-PR
Shin Megami Tensei V is Heading to the West
This morning Atlus USA has confirmed that the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch exclusive Shin Megami Tensei V is indeed heading to the west.
ATLUS today announced that Shin Megami Tensei V will be coming West for Nintendo Switch™. Set in modern Tokyo, players will face a new onslaught of demons in the latest from the highly-acclaimed series.More details, including release date and pricing, will be announced at a later date.-PR
Warriors All Stars Review – A Gathering of Niche Heroes
Developer: Omega Force
Publisher: Koei Tecmo
Platform: PlayStation 4*, PC (Steam), Playstation Vita (JP Only)
ESRB Rating: T
Release Date: August 29th, 2017
MRSP: $59.99
*The PS4 Pro Version was used to review this game
Thank you, Koei Tecmo for providing a review copy!
Warriors All Stars is a love letter from Koei Tecmo to the fans of their many franchises. From the darkest of stories to the happiest, Omega Force has compiled a large batch of characters to duke it out and save the world from an ancient evil. Does this game stand out in the large amount of recent “Dynasty Warriors“ spinoffs or does it fall to the wayside as a failed fanservice present? Today we dive and and take a look for ourselves.
Valkyria Chronicles 4 Confirmed for PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch and Xbox One
A week ago SEGA released a teaser for an unknown Valkyria game, today we learn that the unknown game is Valkyria Chronicles 4! You can check out the detailed trailer for the game here.
Soldiers, strategists, and commanders–the call has come in from the front lines. It’s time to rejoin the fight! The beloved Valkyria Chronicles series makes its grand return westward in 2018 withValkyria Chronicles 4, a new mainline chapter in the saga for PlayStation®4, Nintendo Switch™, and Xbox One™. Return to a continent ravaged by conflict with a familiar-yet-refined tactical RPG battle system, a vibrant and evocative art style that portrays a living canvas of watercolors, and a gripping World War II-inspired story full of momentous triumphs, heartbreaking loss, and unexpected hope for the human spirit.It is the year 1935 EC…The continent of Europa is engulfed in the flames of the Second Europan War between the Atlantic Federation and the Autocratic Eastern Imperial Alliance. Although the Federation struggles valiantly against the Empire’s forces, the relentless imperial military machine threatens to consume them. With victory slipping away, the Federation executes Operation Northern Cross: a last-ditch attempt to capture the imperial capital and end the war.Commander Claude Wallace and his loyal childhood friends in Squad E are sent to fight for the desperate operation’s success, but they will have to endure harsh bone-chilling elements, waves of imperial soldiers, and the terrifying Valkyria… and unravel a grave truth that will shake them to the core.-PR
Some features for Valkyria Chronicles 4:
- A Coming-of-Age Story in a Time of War – Valkyria Chronicles 4takes place in the same timeframe as the original Valkyria Chronicles, but focuses on a whole new cast of main characters. Players will take command of the eager, young Commander Claude Wallace, engineer/heavy weapons extraordinaire Riley Miller, hotheaded Darcsen Raz, ice-cold ace sniper Kai Schulen, and more. Together, they will experience the painful realities of war–but will the bonds of Squad E’s friendships survive the frozen battlefield?
- The Next Generation “BLiTZ” Battle System – The part overhead turn-based strategy, part RPG, and part real-time 3rd person shooter “BLiTZ” battle system returns to the field. New features include an explosive new class called the Grenadier, numerous offensive/defensive battleship support options, chances for a unit to have a “Last Stand” action before death, and more. Plus, fight the imperial threat with more units on larger-scale maps than ever before.
- CANVAS Aesthetics – The series’ signature hand-drawn visual style is back and overhauled for the newest generation. Inspired by watercolor compositions, the CANVAS Graphics Engine blends visual elements of reality and imagination to create an expressive world filled with colorful emotions. Watch the journey of Squad E unfold like an interactive painting!
- The Return of a Legendary Composer – The illustrious Hitoshi Sakimoto, original composer of the Valkyria Chronicles series and countless other emotional epics, returns to provide a sweeping orchestral soundtrack for the game.
Valkyria Chronicles 4 will launch on the PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch and Xbox One in 2018. It’s good to see the Valkyria series get some much needed love! Stay tuned for more information on the game as it develops!
SEGA Shares Insight on Yakuza 6’s Localization and Boxart is Revealed
On the official PlayStation blog, SEGA has released some more information on their upcoming title Yakuza 6. They go into detail on how they went about localizing the game and the joys and hurdles of this challenge.
You are tasked with translating an epic, 50-hour adventure from one language to another — including visual cues and UI elements — with a massive story, while maintaining cultural relevance, jokes, and idioms for your new audience. All without compromising the intent, message, and drama of any given scene. This was essentially our task for Yakuza 6: The Song of Life, and we wanted to share some of the hurdles (And joys!) of this process.
-Scott Strichart
The article is a very interesting read and you can check out the full thing here.
To add more to this new information SEGA has also officially unveiled the Yakuza 6 cover art for the western release! The art for the game seems to really drive home the theme of the game and looks quite exciting!
Yakuza 6 launches on March 20th 2018! Be sure to tune in for future coverage of this game. If you’re wanting to see this game in action, check out the latest trailer Sega has uploaded onto their YouTube channel.
Demon Gaze II Review The Demon’s Gaze Back
Developer: Experience
Publisher: NIS America
Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita*, PC
ESRB Rating: T
Release Date: 11/14/17
Thank You NIS America for A Review Copy of this Game
Experience does it again in releasing yet another DRPG on the Vita. However this time, it’s a sequel to one of their most popular hits – Demon Gaze. However the landscape of DRPG’s have changed since then. Experience themselves have released more than half a dozen DRPG’s on the platform since Demon Gaze released. Not to mention other games from other developers as well.
The Gaming Gamma 