New Story Trailer and Limited Edition revealed for Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia

Posted on March 21, 2017 by John Scalzo

Nintendo will release Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia in North America on May 19, and it’s been a long time coming. Previously only available in Japan for the NES (as Fire Emblem Gaiden), Shadows of Valentia is one of the “lost” Fire Emblem games, and is finally making its North American debut (on the 3DS) after 25 years.

Naturally, Nintendo wants to give fans a package worthy of this formerly forgotten game, and they’ll do that with a special Limited Edition. Priced at $59.99, the Limited Edition will include several goodies that should be of interest to Fire Emblem fans:

Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia Limited Edition

  • Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia Gamecard
  • Hardcover Valentia Artbook
  • Sound Selection CD
  • Pin Set (Alm, Celica, and Marth)
  • Reversible Cover Sheet (Based on the Packaging for the Original Famicom Game)

Nintendo also announced that an Amiibo Two-Pack featuring Alm and Celica will also be released on May 19. Not available separately, the Amiibo figures will unlock their own exclusive dungeons, “allowing heroes to earn items and level up their armies further by defeating bosses.” Tapping these figures in battle will also allow players to summon a computer-controlled Illusory Hero, which acts as an ally for a single turn.

Finally, Nintendo unveiled a brand new Story Trailer that’ll give fans a history lesson on the two armies in Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia, and “their differing quests attempt to achieve the unified goal of bringing peace to the land of Valentia.”

A closer look at the contents of the Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia’s Limited Edition can be found after the break.

Press Start to Continue →

Posted in 3DS, News | Tagged

Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth – Hacker’s Memory announced for Early 2018 release

Posted on March 21, 2017 by Brittney Williams

Digimon fans will be ecstatic to hear that a new entry in the Digimon Story franchise is on the horizon and slated for a sooner release than some of us may have initially expected. Bandia Namco has announced that Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth – Hacker’s Memory will be released for both the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita in European territories in Early 2018. There is no definitive release date for the game as of yet in North America.

Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth – Hacker’s Memory picks up from the previous game, Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth, challenging players to uncover the truth about mysteries first revealed in the aforementioned title. Hacker’s Memory will put players in the shoes of protagonist Keisuke Amazawa, a young man falsely accused of a crime, who must team up with a band of hackers and enter the Digital World to investigate and clear his name. The game will also feature over 300 different Digimon, and players will be able to utilize a wide range of battle strategies, compatibilities, combos, and skills to use their Digimon to their fullest potential.

Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth – Hacker’s Memory will be available in both physical and digital formats for the PlayStation 4, but it’ll be digital-only on the PlayStation Vita.

In the meantime, check out some new screenshots showcasing the main protagonist, a few Digimon, and some of the settings players can expect to explore in the upcoming game after the break. Also, be sure to watch the Japanese-language trailer embedded above.

Press Start to Continue →

Posted in News, PS4, Vita | Tagged

Game Freak is hiring for a console-bound Pokemon game

Posted on March 20, 2017 by John Scalzo

Pokemon’s upcoming debut on the Nintendo Switch is a constantly evolving story, but another missing piece fell into place today, and it’s looking more and more likely that a “main series” game will be released for the console.

Back in September, The Pokemon Company confirmed that a new game in the franchise was in development for the Switch. However, there was no indication of who was making it, and all signs pointed to yet another spinoff. However, late in the year, a rumor cropped up that said Game Freak was developing an enhanced remake of Pokemon Sun and Moon for the Switch. This game was believed to be in development under the working title of “Pokemon Stars.”

Fast forward to today, and the news that Game Freak is currently hiring at least one developer to work on a console-bound entry in a “long-running” and “globally popular RPG series” starring “people and monsters.”

We could pretend to treat this as another rumor, but where’s the fun in that? Game Freak is clearly hiring developers to work on a new Pokemon game for the Nintendo Switch. The only questions left are… Is it Pokemon Stars? Or is it a brand new game in the franchise (that could still turn out to be a spinoff)?

The 2017 E3 Expo is just a few months away, so we’ll probably learn more about Game Freak’s next Pokemon game sooner rather than later.

Posted in News, Switch | Tagged

Square Enix offers Spring 2017 Surprise Box featuring five PC games

Posted on March 20, 2017 by Brittney Williams

Is your Steam library looking a little thin? Do you need some new PC games to play that might be worth playing? Good news… Square Enix wants to help.

Today, the publisher announced they have begun taking pre-orders for the “Spring 2017” edition of the Square Enix Surprise Box. The Spring 2017 Surprise Box retails for $9.99, but will include “over $80 worth” of content, and players who purchase the bundle will receive five PC games through Steam, five Square Enix Rewards Points, plus some form of exclusive promotional deal that is “too good to miss out on.”

As for which games players will receive, well, that remains a mystery. However, Square Enix claims they’ll be “exciting” titles. If you’d prefer to hold out on making your purchase until Square Enix announces the contents of the Spring 2017 Surprise Box, I’m sad to inform you that won’t be possible. Square Enix will officially announce the Spring 2017 Surprise Box contents on March 30, at 7:00 AM (Eastern Time), however, they’re closing pre-orders on March 29, at 7:00 AM (Eastern Time). So if you want to take the gamble, be sure to do so before it’s too late.

As with any blind purchase, there’s a chance that you’ll receive something that you don’t actually want. But for $9.99, there’s not much risk involved. So if you’re looking to replace your scheduled Spring cleaning with some Spring gaming, this might be a surprise worth getting excited for.

Posted in News, PC |

Square Enix Japan showed a video of Secret of Mana 2 being played on a Switch

Posted on March 20, 2017 by John Scalzo

Originally released in 1995, Secret of Mana 2 (also known as Seiken Densetsu 3) is one of the only games in the series to never receive a North American localization. However, it looks like Square Enix is planning to bring the critically-acclaimed action RPG to the Nintendo Switch sometime soon… though possibly only in Japan.

Earlier today, Square Enix posted a short video of two developers playing Secret of Mana 2/Seiken Densetsu 3 on a Switch to the official Twitter account for the franchise. The only other information in the tweet was a Japanese hashtag for #Mana, so it’s unknown if this is some kind of a prank, or possibly a sly tease for a future Virtual Console re-release.

However, Square Enix is also in the middle of celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Mana series, so now would definitely be a fine time to re-release the game for modern audiences. The Mana series began in 1991 with the release of Final Fantasy Adventure, and I’m sure fans of old school action RPGs would be thrilled to finally receive a fully-sanctioned English translation of the third entry.

But until Square Enix makes an official announcement, I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.

Posted in News, Switch | Tagged

NetherRealm releases a Gameplay Trailer for Cheetah in Injustice 2

Posted on March 20, 2017 by John Scalzo

NetherRealm Studios first revealed Cheetah’s inclusion in Injustice 2 as part of the “Here Come the Girls” trailer released on February 14. Today, the developer unleashed a full Gameplay Trailer for the Wonder Woman villain.

As you’d expect, Cheetah has lightning-fast reflexes and makes ample use of her enhanced agility to quickly dash across the screen. Also, Batman definitely needs to do something about that malfunctioning Batplane… someone could get hurt.

Injustice 2 will be released for the PS4 and Xbox One on May 16, and according to the game’s official website, NetherRealm will announce another playable character on March 23.

Posted in News, PS4, Xbox One | Tagged

Metalhead Software gives 110% in Super Mega Baseball 2’s “Customization Gameplay” Trailer

Posted on March 20, 2017 by John Scalzo

Baseball sims have made customizing players and teams a big part of the experience since the days of SNK’s Baseball Stars and Nintendo’s Ken Griffey Jr. Presents Major League Baseball. Metalhead Software plans to continue this tradition in Super Mega Baseball 2, and the developer released a brand new “Customization Gameplay” trailer today highlighting the many ways that players will be able to make the game their own.

Players can start by building their own leagues, specifying the total number of teams and the divisional alignment (though the entire process can also be automated). From there, they’ll be able to rename each team and redesign their logos (using a set of fully editable pre-made templates), as well as sketch out the uniforms.

Every aspect of each individual player can also be customized. Dozens of options are listed in the trailer, and players will be able to customize their physique, personality, gender, and how thick they like their Eye Black.

Super Mega Baseball 2 will be available for the PC, PS4, and Xbox One this Summer.

Posted in News, PC, PS4, Xbox One | Tagged

Battle Princess Madelyn smashes its Kickstarter goal in two days

Posted on March 20, 2017 by Andrew Rainnie

Casual Bit Games’s latest crowdfunding project, Battle Princess Madelyn, has managed to hit its target of $60,000 CAD on Kickstarter in less than two days. Not only that, but the project has also burned through nine of its stretch goals with more than 24 days remaining on their Kickstarter clock.

And if backers help Casual Bit reach their last goal of $150,000 CAD, they have promised to port the game to the PS Vita. Though it is already heading for the Nintendo Switch, so backers will have at least option for a portable version of the game.

Battle Princess Madelyn takes its licks from Super NES classic Super Ghouls ‘N Ghosts, and the titular trainee knight and her ghost dog Fritzy will embark on a similar journey to save the kingdom from an evil wizard. The spectral canine can be used to solve puzzles and deployed to tackle end level bosses.

The team at Casual Bit Games is now adding more features to the game as a result of the enthusiasm and support shown during the crowdfunding campaign, including an “Insanity’s Blade King Mode,” which ups the difficulty of the classic Arcade Mode. The developer expects to release the game for the PC, PS4, Wii U, Xbox One, and Switch in February 2018.

With fast-paced 2D action, silky smooth animation, and a retro soundtrack set against an epic fantasy story, Battle Princess Madelyn might just be the next Shovel Knight.

Posted in News, PC, PS4, Switch, Wii U, Xbox One | Tagged