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Team Ninja's 'Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty' comes to consoles and PC on March 3rd
Team Ninja's demon-slayer 'Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty' comes to consoles and PCs on March 3rd.
'Rise of the Ronin' is a historical action RPG from the team behind 'Nioh'
The studio behind Nioh plans to take PlayStation fans on an adventure through Meiji-era Japan.
'Nioh 2' killed me 14 times in 90 minutes
Over the course of 90 minutes, I died 14 times. I was drowned, beaten, burned, cut down, crushed by a stone mallet the size of a small Volkswagen and repeatedly impaled on the pointy ends of very sharp spears. But despite my initial negative expectations for Nioh 2, the upcoming samurai action RPG from Team Ninja, I enjoyed almost every bloody minute of it.
'Persona 5' is coming to Switch, but not in the way you'd expect
It seems fans of Persona 5 who were hoping for a Nintendo Switch version might have made their wish on a monkey's paw. While PlayStation 4 owners are getting an expanded edition of the RPG, Switch owners will have to make do for now with Persona 5 Scramble: The Phantom Strikers, which is a crossover from Persona developer Altus and Dynasty Warriors studio Koei Tecmo.
Hyrule Warriors ships a million, celebrates with wallpaper party
Hyrule Warriors shipped a million units worldwide since it launched last fall, which equates to many, many millions of enemies taken out in the army-mashing crossover. Famitsu reported the milestone today, which we've confirmed with a Koei Tecmo Europe representative. Koei Tecmo is celebrating like cray by publishing a set of new wallpapers based on the Wii U brawler, and they're not bad desktop bling, it has to be said. Also, there's still plenty of steam in the game's DLC train; Majora's Mask content is due to arrive next week. And yes, the DLC features Tingle. Like absolutely everything should. [Image: Tecmo Koei]
Dead or Alive 5: Last Round nets copycat schoolgirl, Honoka
Dead or Alive 5: Last Round was never exactly short on female representation, but one more can't hurt, right? Meet Honoka, a schoolgirl fighter (as in, a schoolgirl who fights, not someone who beats up schoolgirls) who, according to a press release, can instantly learn any fighting move she sees. Honoka has used this ability to create her own fighting style, which she calls "Honoka Fu." Unfortunately, while Honoka is a skilled fighter, she is not a particularly practiced one. Her punches pack less of a whollop than other, more seasoned fighters, unless she is using her "Hissatsu-no-Kamae" stance. In this stance, Honoka possesses a much higher amount of strength and is capable of using moves she has never seen from any fighter. You can see her moves and stances in action after the break. Dead or Alive 5: Last Round is due in the Xbox One, Xbox 360, PS3, PS4 and PC fighting rings on February 17.
Toukiden: Kiwami battles fresh Oni on PS4, Vita in March
PlayStation 4 and Vita owners, we're trusting you to rid us all of the creepy beasts lurking in Toukiden: Kiwami once Koei Tecmo releases physical and digital copies on March 31 in North America and March 27 in Europe. What is that twisted take on felines seen above? Other than unsettling, we mean. As detailed on the PlayStation Blog, Kiwami will have "double the size and content" of last year's Toukiden: The Age of Demons (which is included with Kiwami), with additions including "newly discovered Oni, [over 100 Mitama], new Slayers, new moves, and twice as many stages." The post estimates that Kiwami's standalone story, which picks up three months after the previous battle to prevent another Awakening, is also "roughly the same size" as The Age of Demons'. If you've spent plenty of time saving the world in The Age of Demons, know that existing save data can be carried over. Koei Tecmo Europe's Chin Soon Sun has also confirmed that PS4 and Vita players will be able to take down Oni together. As for cross-buy compatibility, that's still up in the air – Sun has stated he'll share more info "when the time comes." [Image: Tecmo Koei]
Bladestorm: Nightmare won't rally the troops until March 17
Publisher Koei Tecmo has opted to delay the release of its "Troop Command Action" game Bladestorm: Nightmare from its initial March 3 launch date to March 17. As you'd expect from a sequel to 2007's Bladestorm: The Hundred Years' War, Bladestorm: Nightmare also takes place in the lengthy medieval conflict between England's Plantagenets and the French House of Valois. Unlike most historically-focused Koei Tecmo action games (collectively known as the "musou" subgenre), Bladestorm: Nightmare grants players control over a squad of troops instead of a sole fighter. This both adds novel complexity to the game's combat system and differentiates Bladestorm: Nightmare from the superficially similar (and far more prolific) Dynasty Warriors series. Alongside news of the delay, Koei Tecmo also spilled a bit more information on the game's "Nightmare" mode. Though Bladestorm: Nightmare is based on real events, Nightmare mode takes a fantasy approach, creating a plotline where both English and French forces are under siege by demons. To fight back, players can enlist an army of mythical creatures, hence the otherwise inexplicable dragon in the screenshot above. [Image: Koei Tecmo]
Dead or Alive 5 Last Round to hit PC, but online play's in limbo
The Dead or Alive series is coming to Windows PC for the first time, with DoA 5 Last Round confirmed for a Steam launch alongside console versions on February 17, 2015. However, much like the fighter's array of characters, not everything will be covered by launch time. According to its Steam page, Last Round will arrive on PC without online modes, and it will take up to three months for them to be patched in. Publisher Koei Tecmo didn't offer any explanation for the belated online play in this week's press release or on the Steam page. The listing simply states that "online modes for Dead or Alive 5 Last Round will be added in a patch within three months of release."
Bladestorm: Nightmare carves a path through history in March
Omega Force's history-based brawler Bladestorm: Nightmare is coming to the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PS3 in North America on March 3, publisher Koei Tecmo revealed this week. Taking place in Europe during the Hundred Years' War, Bladestorm: Nightmare recreates a series of 14th and 15th century battles in the context of a hack-and-slash story mode similar to Koei Tecmo's Dynasty Warriors series. In addition to a port of Bladestorm: The Hundred Years' War's campaign, the game boasts an alternate-history Nightmare mode in which players fight off armies of dragons and giants, helmed by a demonically possessed Joan of Arc. The PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions of Bladestorm: Nightmare will launch digitally and at retail in North America and Europe the week of March 3. The PlayStation 3 edition is available exclusively as a PlayStation Store download. [Video: Koei Tecmo]
Hyrule Warriors takes Twili Midna for a twirl next week
Hyrule Warriors' next DLC delves into the Legend of Zelda's past and retrieves one of the series' most memorable companions as a playable character. Reprized in her True "Twili" form as seen at the end of Link's GameCube and Wii adventure, the Twilight Princess pack brings Midna and her wiles to the Wii U hack-and-slash on November 27. Zelda series producer Eiji Anouma explained on Miiverse why the Twilight Princess returns in Hyrule Warriors as Twili Midna rather than her more familiar form. "When I was developing Twilight Princess," Anouma wrote, "I thought it was such a waste to let a beautiful princess like her only appear in the ending. Now Koei Tecmo Games has made my wish to see more of her come true."
Dead or Alive 5 Last Round picks a fight in February 2015
The updated, supposedly final iteration of Dead or Alive 5, known as Dead or Alive 5 Last Round, will reach the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PS3 and Xbox 360 on February 17, publisher Koei Tecmo has revealed. Alongside the wealth of fighters and stages included in Dead or Alive 5, Dead or Alive 5 Plus and Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate, Last Round introduces two new fighters and new stages, including "The Crimson," a remixed Dead or Alive 2 stage where players battle their way across tin rooftops before plummeting onto a busy Asian street to continue the fight. Like all of Dead or Alive 5's best stages, The Crimson features "several all-new over-the-top Cliffhanger events" for those times when you just have to toss your opponent off a building. Dead or Alive 5 Last Round will feature a $30 price tag on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 and a $40 price tag on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. However, PlayStation 4 owners can download the free Dead or Alive 5 Last Round: Core Fighters for a test drive featuring four fighters and limited gameplay options, with the option to purchase additional pieces of the game later. Xbox One owners can purchase access to Core Fighters for $5, or they can play a free demo that lacks Core Fighters' DLC options. [Image: Koei Tecmo]
Melodrama strikes Japan in Samurai Warriors 4 launch trailer
To celebrate the PlayStation 4, PS3 and Vita debut of Sengoku-era musou brawler Samurai Warriors 4, publisher Koei Tecmo has issued a launch trailer that is equal parts histrionic rock music and androgynously sexy Japanese historical figures - exactly what series fans would hope for. [Image: Koei Tecmo]
Report: Dead or Alive 5: Last Round sees 2 new fighters
On top of its upgraded and expanded content, Dead or Alive 5: Last Round will feature two new fighters, one female and one male, Siliconera reports. The lady fighter is new to the Dead or Alive franchise, while Koei Tecmo hasn't clarified whether the dude fighter is a returning character. The female fighter – and presumably other characters – will be developed with Koei Tecmo's new Soft Engine, which is tuned to better depict "softness" and "warmth" of characters' bodies, the site reports. Dead or Alive and Dead or Alive 2's "The Danger Zone" stage will make an appearance in Last Round as well. Dead or Alive 5: Last Round is in development for PS3, Xbox 360, PS4 and Xbox One, and it's due out in spring 2015. [Image: Koei Tecmo]
A Dragon Quest Heroes gameplay video draws near!
Square Enix gave a first look at the gameplay featured in Omega Force's PlayStation 4 and PS3 action-RPG Dragon Quest Heroes: Anryuu to Sekaiju no Shiro at TGS this week, showcasing army-slaughtering mechanics similar to the developer's Dynasty Warriors series. The video above, transferred from streaming service Nico Nico Douga, shows a party of heroes squaring off against dozens of Golems, Drakees, Skeletons, and other monsters ripped from prior entries in the Dragon Quest series. Gameplay sticks closely to the beat-'em-up formula featured in Dynasty Warriors and the upcoming Hyrule Warriors, as players have access to a number of melee combos and screen-clearing magic attacks in battle. Square Enix also revealed its first Dragon Quest Heroes character details (via Siliconera) this week. Playable party members consist of royal bodyguard Acht (or Mehr, if players opt for a lady protagonist), Elsarze Kingdom ruler Dirk, and magic-wielding sorceress Julietta. Familiar faces like Terry from Dragon Quest 6 and Dragon Quest 4's Alena will also make appearances throughout the campaign. Dragon Quest Heroes will launch in Japan in the second quarter of 2015. A North American release has not been announced. [Video: Square Enix / Game Kana]
Day-one patch adding Challenge Mode to Hyrule Warriors
Hyrule Warriors who are looking for a test of skills that goes beyond the game's Adventure Mode will be glad to hear that, as reported by Nintendo World Report, developer Koei Tecmo will be releasing a day-one patch that adds Challenge Mode to the game when it releases in North America on September 26. So just what is Challenge Mode? According to members of a Nintendo Treehouse stream made earlier this week, it's basically "Adventure Mode on steroids." So ... it's tougher and angrier, but also has some acne problems and premature balding? Whatever you say, Nintendo. Obviously that's a joke, but the truth of the matter is we won't know what Challenge Mode has in store for us until later this month. Remember warriors, patience is a virtue. [Image: Nintendo/Koei Tecmo]
Forget photos, watch the Wii U's new Fatal Frame in action
Will Fatal Frame: The Black-Haired Shrine Maiden release outside of Japan? We hope so, if only to see scaredy-cats fall backwards as spirits come hurtling towards their GamePads. The Wii U entry hits Japan on September 27. To find out more about it, point your lens here. [Image: Nintendo]
Tecmo Super Bowl 2015 offers an 8-bit Madden alternative
With Madden NFL 15 now on store shelves, most virtual football fans are busy enjoying EA's latest simulation, but for those who prefer a more classic, pixelated game of football, comes Tecmo Super Bowl 2015. Thanks to the dedicated Tecmo Super Bowl fans at TecmoBowl.org, Tecmo Super Bowl 2015 combines the game's classic, NES-era pigskin action with modern rosters, offensive schemes and all 32 current NFL teams. As a hack for an NES game, Tecmo Super Bowl 2015 can be played on any platform with a viable NES emulator. The game's website offers would-be gridiron greats a detailed walkthrough on how to get the game up and running, and even a listing of various mods for those who prefer a more customized take on American football. Full details on how to set up Tecmo Super Bowl 2015 can be found at TecmoBowl.org. Of course, downloading the ROM file needed to play the mod isn't precisely legal. Something to keep in mind if you really need that up-to-date retro football fix. [Image: Koei Tecmo]
Report: Bladestorm plots new dynasty on PS4, Xbox One, PS3
Bladestorm: The Hundred Years' War and Nightmare is preparing a three-way attack on PS4, Xbox One and PS3, according to reports. The new version of the 2007 real-time tactics game was unveiled for PS4 at Sony Japan & Asia's press conference on Monday, and now Gematsu and Siliconera claim this week's Famitsu confirms PS3 and Xbox One versions, too. According to Gematsu, the enhanced revision returns to the original's Hundred Years' War campaign, but also introduces a new "Nightmare" section that takes place in a fantasy world. The PS4 trailer seems to tease that when a dragon suddenly lands in the middle of a battle, which we don't seem to remember from our history lessons - not that we remember our history lessons. Anyway, Gematsu adds we can expect more otherworldly critters to show up, like goblins and cyclopes, and ones that the players get to control, too. For now, the new Bladestorm remains confirmed for Japan only, where it's due to launch later this year. Nonetheless, you can charge past the break to check out the PS4 trailer.
Dead or Alive 5: Last Round returns on last generation too
When it launches next spring, Dead or Alive: Last Round - pinkie promise - is going to be the second re-release of Team Ninja's fighter to hit Xbox 360 and PS3. In fairness to DOA5, Street Fighter 4 is already up to three on that count. As revealed over the weekend, the new version is also coming to PS4 and Xbox One where Team Ninja boss Yosuke Hayashi promises "the most graphically striking version of any Dead or Alive game ever." For returning players moving to PS4 and Xbox One, Koei Tecmo said previously bought DLC is transferable from last-gen consoles to the new ones. For a first look at Last Round, check out the new trailer below the break.
