Monster Hunter Stories
Capcom revealed new information about Monster Hunter Stories last week via the Monster Hunter Festa and Famitsu magazine.
At the Monster Hunter Festa a new trailer was shown and some Japanese websites also caught a few photos of the game that were showcased at the event. Some of the images shown in the photos give us a look at character customization, scenery that we don’t really see in other entries (such as sakura trees), and unique monster movements, like how Lagombi can slide with its body along the ground.
It was also mentioned how the Monster Hunter Stories anime will have 52 episodes on Fuji TV and is being produced in parallel with the game. The show’s storyline will apparently develop on its own in a different way.
You can find a recording of the Monster Hunter Festa below, followed by the new trailer and stage photos from the event.
Meanwhile, Famitsu’s feature not only recaps previous information, but delivers some new tidbits as well.
Here’s a roundup of what Famitsu shares in its latest issue, courtesy of Doki Doki Kusoge:
– The main character has 2 close friends;
– Lillia: A bright, active young girl who is often found dragging the protagonist around. She’s the quickest to move into action;
– Shuval: the serious type, but has a kind heart. He’s also aiming to be a Rider like the protagonist;
– The story begins with the three kids just pretending to go monster egg hunting, which takes a turn when a wyvern emerges from an egg. This bizarre meeting goes on to change their fates in unpredictable ways;
– The game features Rider Village, a small village far removed from the world of hunters, where the protagonist and the rest of the Riders live;
– Both human and Otomon alike live there, surrounded by vast greenery and running water;
– It’s located far above the ground, and is so disconnected from the world of hunters that it survives entirely on its own;
– After leaving the village and venturing into the outside world for the first time, the protagonist comes to meet many different individuals who go on to have a huge impact on his/her life (examples below);
– Ayuria: A beautiful sleeping girl protected by a Barioth. She appears to have a mysterious shining blue stone on her chest;
– Rivelt: A man who lives his life as a Monster Hunter. He takes an interest in the protagonist;
– The player will eventually visit Girudekaran, a huge city on the coast;
– Amidst the many stores in the shopping area is the Hunter’s Guild;
– How the protagonists, a Rider, responds and reacts to this city built on of top the Hunter’s Guild, is a big party of the narrative;
– The city features useful services such as weapon shops, item shops, quest board and My-house;
– Felynes live here as well and like their human counterparts they also work various jobs and live their normal lives;
– Famitsu mentions specidic Felynes, such as a cat who will take you to various different locations, a mail cat, a mysterious little guy with a green hat, and a strange cat carrying an egg around;
– Rathian, Tigrex, Lagombi, Diablos, Arzuros, Khezu are monsters appearing in the game;
– Kizuna Moves (“Bond” Moves) are the key to beating foes in battle;
– While in battle, it you get your Kizuna Gauge to fill up to the top, you get to ride your Otomon. By riding your pal, you unlock Kizuna Moves;
– These vary depending on the otomon, but they’re universally considered super strong;
– 2 specific moves are introduced in Famitsu;
– Rathian: Sky High Fall – Rathian flies high into the air, blowing fire down towards the enemy as it crashes down on it. Inflitcts damage in a wide area;
– Diablos: Blos Cyclone – Diablos digs underneath the enemy and attacks from beneath, tossing them high into the sky.
Finally, the official site has also been updated with a new batch of screenshos from the game, which illustrate many of the things mentioned above, and you can find in the gallery below:
Mega Man Legacy Collection
Mega Man Legacy Collection gameplay was once again featured on the latest episode of Capcom TV. Check it out in the video below:
Bravely Second: End Layer
Nintendo of Europe recently published a press release for Bravely Second, briefly touching on the game’s story and gameplay. You can find it below, followed by some new screenshots:
An epic role-playing adventure awaits in Bravely Second: End Layer, coming to Nintendo 3DS on February 26th
January 14th, 2016 – Epic RPG Bravely Second: End Layer comes to Nintendo 3DS family systems across Europe on February 26th. Building on the critically acclaimed Bravely Default, the sequel offers both newcomers and returning fans a vast role-playing adventure, filled with deeply strategic combat, unforgettable characters and much more.
Bravely Second is the latest addition to the stellar line-up of varied RPGs on Nintendo 3DS family systems, joining titles like Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate, The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds, and recent release Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam Bros. It also kicks off a landmark year that will see Fire Emblem Fates, Hyrule Warriors: Legends, and both DRAGON QUEST VII: Fragments of the Forgotten Past and DRAGON QUEST VIII: Journey of the Cursed King all reach Europe before the year is out.
The story begins when the evil Kaiser Oblivion abducts Agnès Oblige, the heroine of Bravely Default, and her bodyguard Yew Geneolgia pledges to rescue her from the kaiser’s Skyhold, an impregnable fortress floating high over Eternia. Along the way, Yew will need to team up with Magnolia Arch and other new faces, plus a few returning heroes like Edea Lee and Tiz Arrior, to survive foreboding dungeons and conquer fearsome enemies.
Bravely Default’s innovative Brave and Default tactical battle system returns with even deeper layers of strategy. As before, players must balance risk and reward in turn-based battles: characters can make multiple moves in one turn, but this leaves them unable to move in subsequent turns. One new feature in Bravely Second lets players put their skill and their nerve to the ultimate test: after winning a battle in a single turn, brave warriors can immediately start another, more difficult encounter for the chance to earn increasing rewards. Chaining these battles together is a swift way to level up characters and jobs, but defeat means losing everything earned during those battles, so discretion should always be the better part of valour.
To conquer these tougher battles and devastatingly powerful enemies, players will need to make good use of the 30 character classes, known as jobs, to equip their characters with the skills necessary to survive. As characters gain job experience by battling, they learn new skills and abilities, giving players totally new tactical possibilities. For example, the new Patissier enfeebles foes with delicious desserts, while the Catmancer uses a deep understanding of felines to increase the team’s abilities and find useful items.
Upon its launch on February 26th, the game will be available as a Deluxe Collector’s Edition including an Original Soundtrack CD, Agnès Mini Figurine* and a Deluxe Artbook of around 250 pages. The game will also be available solus and as a downloadable version from Nintendo eShop. A pre-launch demo focusing on the Three Cavaliers – Yew Geneolgia, Janne Angard, and Nikolai Nikolanikov – will act as a prelude to the adventure, and even allow players to unlock rewards in the full version of the game, depending on their progress in the demo**. The demo will be available in Nintendo eShop on February 11th.
With a vast world to explore, a deep tactical battle system to master and much more, Bravely Second: End Layer will kick off a great year of RPGs on Nintendo 3DS family systems when it launches across Europe on February 26th.
In addition, Nintendo also shared that players who pre-order the Bravely Second Deluxe Collector’s Edition will receive the following exclusive outfits: Planeswarden Garb, United Garb, Magical Girl’s Coat and Sagittarius Garb.
Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker 3 and DQ 30th Anniversary Project Presentation details
During last week’s Dragon Quest 30th Anniversary Project Presentation, Square Enix announced a demo for Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker 3. Specifics weren’t revealed, but it will be distributed on the Japanese eShop in early March. A quick look at the final boxart was also shared.
Series creator Yuji Horii also stated that the story for Dragon Quest XI is mostly complete, and that they want to try and have the game ready until May 27, 2017, since Dragon Quest’s anniversary runs until that date.
A partnership with Universal Studios Japan on a collaboration for the series was also announced, together with a few other non-gaming things involving Dragon Quest such as the Dragon Quest Live Spectacle Tour, museum, more concerts with composer Koichi Sugiyama, and some 30th anniversary books.
Back to Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker 3, the latest issue of Jump magazine reveals some new information about color customization and character details.
In the game, you can change the colors of both the player character and monsters. For the player character, you can choose the color of the hair, scarf, trousers, gloves and boots. For the monsters, you can fuse them with a “Color Fondue” to make their color different from the original.
“Dark Master”, an evil monster master who stands against the player, in mentioned in the magazine. We also see a mysterious young girl who invites you to start your adventure, the King of Nochora tribe who supports you in many ways, and a caring old woman who is rather bad-mouthed, but likes taking care of people. These characters seem to know about the player’s past before they lost their memories due to amnesia.
Project X Zone 2
Bandai Namco announced last month that a demo for Project X Zone 2 would be available in Europe on January 21 and later in North America. In a recent tweet, the publisher shared a release date for North America, confirming the release date for the demo as January 26.
Haikyuu!!: Cross Team Match
Bandai Namco recently published a 10 minute video for Haikyuu!!: Cross Team Match. Check it out below:
Assassination Classroom: Assassin Training Plan
Bandai Namco also released a new batch of screenshots and artwork from Assassination Classroom: Assassin Training Plan. You can find them in the gallery below:
Sonic the Hedgehog’s 25th Anniversary
A new advert for Sonic the Hedgehog’s 25th anniversary has been found in the latest issue of ToyWorld Magazine, which is posted above. Information about SEGA’s plans is also included, which you can find below.
In addition to all of that, it seems like the previously-announced movie is still happening. Writer Van Robichaux, told one fan on Twitter that it’s still in the works, but refused to further comment on the project.
Atlus teases unnanounced titles
Atlus CEO Naoto Hiraoka was interviewed in the latest issue of Famitsu, and when talking about the company’s 2016 and future plans, he mentioned the following:
“In 2015, we were able to develop existing IP like Persona 4: Dancing All Night and Etrian Mystery Dungeon. In 2016, starting with Odin Sphere: Leifthrasir, we plan to release a large number of titles. In the summer, we’ll launch the long-awaited Persona 5. Of course, in addition to that we have several unannounced titles. I have no doubt this will be a year Atlus’ popular series all gather together.”
Hopefully, some of these titles, together with the upcoming Etrian Odyssey V, will grace at least one of Nintendo’s systems.
Yo-kai Sangokushi
New information about Yo-kai Sangokushi, which will be launching in Japan on April 2, has emerged from this month’s issue of CoroCoro magazine and the title’s official website.
Yo-kai Sangokushi kicks off as Jibanyan, USApyon and Komasan come across the Yo-kai Sangokushi book in a library, while visiting Nate’s school, and are transported inside its world. After waking up, Jibanyan finds himself donned in armor. A mysterious force causes the group to become separated, and they won’t be returning home unless they’re reunited.
Players will be able to select either Jibanyan, Komasan or USApyon, at the beginning of the game. This choice is important, as it will affect the beginning of the story as well as the abilities you can use. Orochi, Fubuki-hime, Kyubi, Bakuro, Robonyan, Masamune and Honobono are also confirmed as characters appearing in Yo-kai Watch Sangokushi.
Those who have purchased previous Yo-kai Watch titles will be eligible for bonuses. Owning Yo-kai Watch 2 lets players receive three Yo-kai, while having Busters, provides you with another two Yo-kai.
As far as gameplay is concerned, here’s a roundup of the website details:
– Turn-based strategy game with grids;
– You can move Yo-kai within blue squares;
– Red squares house enemies;
– You attack enemies by moving Yo-kai onto the enemies’ red squares;
– There’s a limit on how many times magic can be used in battle;
– An assist system lets you help out another one of your Yo-kai and prevent enemies from moving;
– There’s a limit on assist usage, just like magic;
– Can fill a gauge to use powerful Soultimate attacks;
– Different types of Soultimate attacks exist, depending on the Yo-kai;
– Players are advised to check in on information before battling enemies;
– For example, if enemies have the upperhand in number, it’ll be difficult for you to prevail;
– New Yo-kai are obtained through the Capsule Toy Machine;
– You can obtain rare Yo-kai as well.
You can find the CoroCoro scans and promo video below, in addition to several screenshots and artwork from the game.
CoroCoro also says it will have brand new details about Yo-kai Watch 3 in its next issue.
Story of Seasons: Cherished Friends of Three Towns
In the latest issue of Famitsu, it was announced that Marvelous is developing Story of Seasons: Cherished Friends of Three Towns (80% complete) and it will be coming to the 3DS soon, in early summer in Japan.
Story of Seasons: Cherished Friends of Three Towns features Lulucoco Village, Tsuyukusa Village and Wes Town. Each one surrounds the player’s farm and has its own culture and lifestyle. You can freely visit the different villages and enjoy communicating with their inhabitants. Each village also has its own bride and groom candidates.
Here are the known details about the three locations:
Lulucoco Village
– Tropical scent;
– This is located right nearby a sea;
– Has warm temperatures;
– Specialty is having an atmosphere like a tropical resort;
– Exotic village which also has rather mysterious ruins;
– Features an abundance of tropical fruits and marine products;
– The inhabitants have colorful skins and wear tribal clothing.
Tsuyukusa Village
– The Japanese heart is right here;
– A very nostalgic Japanese-style village;
– The building architectures are very Japanese, including the arched bridge;
– Excels in farms and paddies due to the abundance of water sources;
– The inhabitants mainly wear kimonos;
– The entire village has a calm atmosphere.
Wes Town
– The Country Style;
– An obviously Western-style village;
– The buildings are made of wood, and it used to flourish as a mining town in the past;
– Many of the villagers are lively and cheerful;
– You start off in this town.
Wes Town is the main focus in Famitsu’s coverage. We have information about various inhabitants, including Frank, Megan, Noel, Miranda and the bride/groom candidates.
Frank is the player’s grandfather who loves nature. He acts as the farming instructor in this game. Megan is a grandmother who likes to talk a lot and is adored by the town inhabitants. It’s not said whether Frank and Megan are a couple or not. Miranda is the woman that runs the general store. She’s meddlesome and always into trending things. Noel is Miranda’s only daughter and has a personality similar to her mother: cheerful, energetic, and not shy.
Lichette is Wes Town’s bride candidate. She’s a cheerful girl who works at Wes Town’s flower shop. She wasn’t raised too freely, so she’s not too familiar with the ways of society. Her hobby is knitting and handicrafts.
Wayne is the groom candidate in Wes Town. Wayne works at Wes Town’s post office. He has good manners, but he likes to tease people, which is why he’s misunderstood to be insincere.
Like in past titles, players can change their gender, skin color, hair color and facial expressions. Famitsu also mentions that there are “types” which show what the player is skilled at, thus it might also affect a change in lifestyle.
Story of Seasons: Cherished Friends of Three Towns also has a selection of many kinds of pets. If you get along with them, they might share presents with you. As usual there will be pet contests in villages. You can also choose a “Soul Pet” that allows it to stay inside your house.
“Farm Circle” is a new feature which involves placing certain buildings or facilities in the farm, creating effects like improved production. For example, placing a scarecrow will fend off harmful animals, therefore increasing crop yield.
Finally, Famitsu confirms that players can now partake in part-time jobs. Each village will have an intermediary agent. When you speak to them, you can take on jobs such as tending to someone else’s animals.
You can find the first screenshots from the game in the gallery below:
Harvest Moon: Seeds of Memories
Natsume recently released Harvest Moon: Seeds of Memories on iOS platforms. To promote this, the company released a new trailer and dev diary, which should gives us an idea about what we can expect of the game’s Wii U version. You can watch both of the videos below:
Medabots Girls Mission
After the recent reveal of Medabots Girls Mission, Rocket Company has now published an official announcement for Medabots Girls Mission and opened up an official site for the titles, which can be found here. Another batch of screenshots and artwork has also been made available, which you can find in the gallery below:
Space Hulk
Space Hulk released during the week in the North American Wii U eShop for $29.99.
Here’s an overview of the game for those who haven’t heard of it:
The legendary Space Hulk comes to the Wii U in this epic turn based strategy game. Set in the Warhammer 40,000 universe, an intriguing story of legendary battles and heroic actions unfolds. Play as a small squad of fearless Space Marine Terminators who attempt to reclaim their honor by mounting an assault on a derelict space hulk infested by hordes of vicious tyranid Genestealers.
Take control of the Adeptus Astartes of the Blood Angel chapter and guide them towards glory, while battling fierce Xenos and uncovering ancient relics in the infested confines of the massive Space Hulk named “Sin of Damnation.”
The game is a 3D digital turn based strategy game that recreates the classic claustrophobic board game experience in both singleplayer and multiplayer.
You can also find some screenshots of the game in the gallery below, followed by some footage:
Virtual Console Trailers
Below you can find trailers for recently released Virtual Console titles.
Rockman EXE 4.5 Real Operation (Japan, Capcom, GBA)
Mega Man Battle Network 6: Cybeast Falzar / Gregar (Europe, Capcom, GBA)