Splatoon
Splatoon’s big August update is almost here! This Wednesday, or Thursday in Europe, Nintendo will launch version 2.0.0. introducing Squad Battle and Private Battle matchmaking options, bumping up the level caps, adding new gear, and more.
Below you can find the translated patch notes, thanks to frozenpandaman.
Ver. 2.0.0 [8/5/2015 distribution plans] – 610MB download
Adding Tag Match mode.
- Adding a mode where you, together with a group of friends, can join and play ranked matches with other groups in “Tag Match” mode.
- As for ranked battles, you must be level 10+ to participate.
- After linking up with friends, you can then link up with your friends’ friends.
- In the case you join only with specific friends, please use the option to set a password.
- Regarding opponents in Tag Match mode, you will only be matched with similarly-playing opponents in Tag Match mode.
- Players playing ranked battles, you may not compete with players playing Tag Match mode.
- You may play Tag Match mode with 4, 3, or 2 players.
- Groups of 3 may play against groups of 4. In this situation, the group of 3 will respawn faster, as the side with only three is at a disadvantage.
- In the situation you are playing in a group of 2, you can be matched with three other groups of 2 to play a “2 group of 2 vs. 2 groups of 2″ battle.
Adding Private Match mode.
- Adding a Private Match mode where you can play with your friends using whatever rules, stages, and team divisions you like.
- After linking up with friends, you can then link up with your friends’ friends.
- In the times you want to participate only with specific friends, please use the option to set a password.
Changes regarding level:
- You may now level up to level 50.
- Once you have reached level 20 and have listened to the explanation in the lobby, the level cap will be raised.
Changes regarding rank:
- You are now able to rank up to the S and S+ ranks.
- You may raise your rank to S and S+ in Ranked Match (you may not do so in Tag Matches).
- Once reaching rank S or S+, victories or defeats in Tag Matches will not affect your rank.
- The method for calculating rank points (+/- 10, 8, 12, etc.) has been modified.
- If your rank changes while in the middle of playing ranked battles, you will be sent back to the lobby.
Adding gear.
- New gear will be added, which can be bought from the shops at random.
Adding BGM.
- New BGM (background music) will be added, which can be heard at random while in battle.
Splatfest changes.
- In calculating the final results, the winning percentage points (weight) has been changed from 2x to 4x.
Stage adjustments.
- Urchin Underpass: All modes (i.e. Turf War, Splat Zones, Tower Control), large-scale terrain changes.
- Saltspray Rig: Tower Control mode, adjusting certain stage elements.
- Arowana Mall: Splat Zones mode, adjusting certain stage elements.
- Kelp Dome: Splat Zones and Tower Control modes, adjusting certain stage elements.
- Moray Towers: Splat Zones and Tower Control modes, adjusting certain stage elements.
Special Weapon adjustments.
- Inkzooka: Increased the points of turf inked needed to fill the special gauge from 180p to 220p.
- Echolocator: Increased the points of turf inked needed to fill the special gauge from 180p to 200p.
- Killer Wail (the Japanese name for this one is megaphone laser. oh my god.) : Decreased the points of turf inked needed to fill the special gauge from 180p to 160p.
- In both cases these are the numbers without the “Special Charge Up” gear ability.
Sub Weapon adjustments.
- Splash Wall: The problem of a bomb directly hitting Splash Wall and the damage range not being calculated correctly has been fixed.
Gear Ability adjustments.
- Tenacity: Special Gauge will now start filling at the start of a match even before the player starts to ink ground if there is a disparity between the number of players on teams. (thanks /u/EricPlus, the language in this one and the one below were a bit difficult to figure out)
- Special Charge Up: When wearing a lot of Special Charge Up gear, there is a more consistent increase when inking ground. There was a slight difference in the special gauge increase when inking ground little by little versus inking ground a lot at a time. It now increases an amount proportional to the area inked regardless to the method of inking.
Match-related sound effect adjustments.
- The Inkstrike can now be better heard from the left, right, and behind.
- Some of the long-ranged weapons’ hit sounds will now be easier to hear from farther away.
Other
- Other adjustments to the game have been made so players may have a more pleasant experience.
Splatoon is also getting a special colaboration costume dedicated to Ika Musume (or Squid Girl, here in the West).
Here’s a breakdown of the various pieces of gear:
Ika Musume hat
– Brand: Shinryaku! Ika Musume
– Gear Power: Opening Gambit
– Rarity: * *
– Price: 1600
Ika Musume dress
– Brand: Shinryaku! Ika Musume
– Gear Power: Damage Up
– Rarity: * *
– Price: 2000
Ika Musume shoes
– Brand: Shinryaku! Ika Musume
– Gear Power: Swim Speed Up
– Rarity: * *
– Price: 1700
This new costume is coming to Japan once the new update releases this week. Nintendo has yet to announce if it will be made available in the west.
You can also take a look at some of the other costumes to be added below, including the sushi chef one.
Finally, you can find some videos of the new update features below:
Nintendo Videos and Other Interesting Tidbits
Nintendo UK uploaded a couple of videos from Hyper Japan 2015, focusing on the player reactions to Star Fox Zero and Splatoon.
Check them out below:
In addition to this, you can also find an interesting article on Nintendo listening to fans here, and some interesting details shared by Chris Pranger from Nintendo’s Treehouse here and here.
According to a recent Nikkei feature, it also seems like Nintendo has been lent the license to Momotaro Densetsu by Konami, and might be bringing back the franchise next year, even without the creator’s approval… (why not Bomberman Nintendo… why?)
Monster Hunter X
Capcom has uploaded another four videos from Monster Hunter X showing off the various available weapons. These videos include the Hunting Horn, Hammer, Lance and Gunlance. You can watch them all below:
Etrian Odyssey 2 Untold: The Fafnir Knight
Since Etrian Odyssey 2 Untold is now out, Atlus has sent in some details about the first DLC batch for the game. You can find these details, in addition to the launch trailer, below:
The First Batch of DLC is Now Available Too, With Some Content Being Free for a Week
It’s finally here! Etrian Odyssey 2 Untold is now available in retail stores and digitally on the Nintendo eShop! For those who choose to dive in this week, today also marks the beginning of the free DLC period for most of the first batch of DLC — we have several weeks of DLC rolling out, so stay tuned, but details of the first batch are here:Aug. 4 DLC Batch
Permanently Free
- Yggdrasil Veteran: While there will be new portraits for each class in EO2U, the classic portraits from the original Etrian Odyssey will return as FreeLC for veterans that want to give their party a retro look.
Free Until Aug. 10
- Highlander’s Return: The Protagonist’s class from EOU makes a triumphant return in EO2U! This class focuses on sacrificing portions of their health to obliterate enemies and buff party members. Highlander Grimoire stones and the class is available in Story mode as well! (99 cents/CA$1.49 after Aug. 10.)
- Hidden Hot Springs!: There’s rumors of a secret hot spring inside the snow-covered 3rd Stratum! Can you find the hot springs and dig them up? As an added bonus, completing the quest in Story Mode will unlock special portraits for Arianna and Chloe! ($2.49/CA$3.49 after Aug. 10.)
Paid
- Wanted: Golden Sprout: An easy quest to find the Golden Sprout, which gives players a lot of En when they turn the quest in. Plus, Regina at the cafe can turn this into a dish that raises the party’s chances of getting premium Grimoire stones. ($1.99/CA$2.49.)
Bloodstained
During Microsoft’s Gamescom 2015 media briefing, Bloodstained creator Koji Igarashi took to the stage to provide a first look at a new character.
The new character pictured below does not currently have a name. We only know that he’s a demon hunter, and he fought the demons that first came to Earth during an attack that occurred ten years before the game begins. Igarashi confirmed that he is a dual-sword wielding hero and that he also uses Japanese ofuda spells to fight enemies.
That’s all for today! Enjoy everyone!