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New Nintendo eShop releases: Siesta Fiesta, Wooden Sen'Sey, Master Reboot
As we're still stuck in the July drought of major new releases, now's as good a time as any to check out some of the smaller games hitting systems. The Wii U has a few such games this week, including some that have made the journey from other platforms. If you like the sound of sci-fi first-person horror, Master Reboot's exploration of uploading consciousness may be for you. If you'd prefer something lighter, Wooden Sen'Sey promises action-platforming with "Japan Steam Rock" humor - y'know, like all those Japanese Steam Rock sitcoms. Both games are also available on PC, and PS3 too for Master Reboot. The game that catches our eye this week, though, is on 3DS, and it's Siesta Fiesta. It looks like Breakout combined with the colorful, over-cheery craziness of games like Rayman and LocoRoco, and it's definitely the season for something like that. As ever, faithful readers of this weekly post, you'll find the full list of new releases below the break. That just leaves new sales to talk about: Trine 2 is 60 percent off - that's down from $20 to $8 - until August 12, while Atlus games Devil Survivor Overclocked ($15), Shin Megami Tensei: Soul Hackers ($15), Shin Megami Tensei 4 ($24) and Code of Princess ($15) are all on sale until August 4.
Pay attention, 007, Persona Q arrives on November 25
Persona Q, the 3DS spin-off which isn't a tribute to James Bond's gadgets man, hits North America on November 25. The release date arrives courtesy of a new trailer re-featuring the game's opening movie, providing you with the perfect excuse to let your heart melt as you re-watch Kanji hugging Koromaru - it just might be too adorable. Persona Q brings together the characters of Persona 3 and Persona 4, but it also brings in mapping elements from the Etrian Odyssey series. While that may be an unknown quantity to Persona fans, the story will make them feel right at home: It all takes place at a parallel version of Yasogami High School, one that's home to a dark, foreboding tower. The word on the parallel street is anyone who hears the tower bell ring out is certain to die. Naturally, our chibi-fied Persona team sets off to investigate.
New Nintendo eShop releases: Strike Force Foxx, Mr. Driller 2
It's one of those weeks on the eShop where the headline covers two-thirds of the new releases. The missing part of the triforce? Collavier Corporation's Comic Workshop, a game that doesn't, sadly, teach you how to become the next Kevin Hart. There's not much to say about the other two games, really. Mr. Driller 2 keeps the Game Boy Advance train advancing along with its diggable puzzling, while Strike Force Foxx harkens back to 1982 classic Choplifter, albeit with a villain wearing underwear on his head.
This year's Club Nintendo elite rewards are all downloadable games
Marking a change from the calendars, posters and other Nintendoodads, the 2014 Club Nintendo elite rewards for North America are all downloadable games. While that'll disappoint some of you, as a European I have to note on our side of the ocean it's all physical - and personally, not the most appealing selection either. So if you want to swap places... well, we can't, but you get the drift. As before, qualifying Platinum members can have their pick of one Gold or one Platinum gift, while Gold members have to make do with the golden selection. If I were so lucky, I'd pick one of Game & Wario, Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D, Dr. Luigi and Earthbound from the Platinum games. On the Gold side, I'm totally in the mood for some Zelda 2. Sigh.
Xbox One camo controller, headset perfect for woodland gaming
Xbox spokesoldier Major Nelson says the new special edition Xbox One controller and stereo headset are "Armed Forces" accessories, but camouflage needn't be limited to the military. If you've ever wanted gaming time away from prying eyes, you can truly become invisible with these additions to your Xbox One setup. As long as you have a camouflage room, that is, which all the cool kids do. The $65 controller and $90 headset are due to launch in North America this October. [Image: Microsoft]
4-player Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds beats up Vita this month
Retro-styled beat-em-up Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds hits Western Vitas for the first time on July 29, both in North America and Europe. 5pb plans to release details on pricing and DLC soon, though it did confirm - no surprises - a PSN release only. Xbox 360 owners may already be familiar with the four-player chibi-fied spinoff of fighter Phantom Breaker. Oddly, that game is still limited to Japan, yet Battle Grounds will soon be in the West on two separate platforms. As for new content, in Japan the game received new modes and characters as DLC, but we'll have to see how much 5pb has brought across. [Image: 5pb Games]
Don't Starve: Reign of Giants just eats it on PS4 next week
The Don't Starve: Reign of Giants expansion stomps all over the PS4 next week, starting July 22 in North America and July 23 in Europe. The single-player DLC is priced $5 on PSN, while PS Plus members get to feast on a 10 percent discount at launch. PC players have been getting familiar with Reign of Giants over the last few months, while Vita owners can look forward to it as part of the upcoming port. Besides the eponymous giants, the content includes new characters, seasons and biomes to explore, as well as an extra save slot. If you fancy a quick walk among giants, you should watch the replay of our Reign of Giants livestream with Klei's Seth Rosen.
Lords of the Fallen challenges you to pick it up in October
Lords of the Fallen brings its dark fantasy action-RPG gameplay to North America on October 28, with Europe penciled in for October 31. No word yet on US prices, but in the UK it'll be priced £50 on PS4 and Xbox One, and £30 on PC. Lords of the Fallen pits you as Harkyn, a convict and a meaty slab of a man who has to step up when the army of a fallen god threatens his world. That unyielding world is matched by combat and gameplay systems designed to keep players on their toes, rather than going in with gung-ho recklessness. According to Executive Producer Tomasz Gop, the third-person action-RPG "has all the layers, all the complexity, all the mechanics, all the elements of very advanced tactical combat." For more on Lords of the Fallen, check out what Anthony thought of it at E3. [Image: Square Enix]
NIS America's new imports include Guided Fate Paradox sequel
Localization specialist NIS America announced three new games for North America and Europe over the weekend, kicking off with The Firefly Diary this fall on Vita. Nippon Ichi's puzzle-platformer will be followed in 2015 by Guided Fate Paradox sequel The Awakened Fate Ultimatum and Vita RPG Criminal Girls: Invite Only. The Firefly Diary is heavily based around the Vita's touch capabilities. As Gematsu reports, you control a pair of firefly-like fairies with the task of guiding a young girl through perilous ruins. One of the fairies is based in a light world, the other a shadow world, and you switch between the two to solve the game's puzzles. Here's where the touch gameplay come in: The light fairy is controlled by the front touchscreen, while the rear touch pad moves the shadow fairy around (Push Square notes you can tie both fairies to the touchscreen if you prefer.) If you fancy a gander at The Firefly Diary, check out the trailer below the break.
Release dates roll in for World of Tanks Xbox 360 Edition
I see tanks of green, Red tanks too. I see them boom for me and you. And I think to myself What a wonderful World of Tanks. In related news, Wargaming.net's World of Tanks Xbox 360 Edition hits retail on August 12 in North and South America, August 14 in the Asia-Pacific region, and August 29 in Europe. The "Combat Ready Starter Pack," as it's subtitled, is priced $20/£16 and it comes with extras detailed here, including a Panzer 38H Tier 2 German light tank. Must be a big box.
Tecmo Koei now Koei Tecmo in West, Marvelous Inc. drops AQL
2014 is the year of corporate name reversals, it seems. After Namco Bandai became Bandai Namco, Tecmo Koei and MarvelousAQL have decided to get in on the act. Or, as we should say now, Koei Tecmo and Marvelous Inc. It might seem odd, but there is some sense to the moves. When Tecmo and Koei merged in 2009 the resultant company was called Koei Tecmo in Japan, while Western Branches were named Tecmo Koei. Tecmo was the bigger name in the West with the Ninja Gaiden and Dead or Alive series among others, so putting the Tecmo name first was a smart move. Five years on, the company wants to move forward under a common name globally, and now we have Koei Tecmo Europe and Koei Tecmo America.
More Hatsune Miku bopping West with Project Mirai Remix
Sega is bringing Hatsune Miku: Project Mirai 2 to the West in an "enhanced" version called Project Mirai Remix. There's no word on what enhancements to expect, but there's loads of time to find out because the 3DS rhythm game won't arrive until 2015. Project Mirai Remix will be the first time the Vocaloid starlet graces 3DS in the West, having already bopped onto PlayStations with the Project Diva series. The most obvious difference between the Diva games and Mirai spinoffs is Miku herself, with the 3DS series presenting her in chibi form. Check out the original Project Mirai 2 in action below the break. The game is also the latest step in the virtual songstress' plans for world domination. Sega recently revealed her games alone have shipped 2.5 million units in Japan, while across the ocean she's just finished touring as the opening act for Lady Gaga. No, really, it's true. [Image: Sega]
Paint the PS4 red when Crimsonland hits on July 15
Crimsonland is "not a complicated game," admits 10tons PR co-ordinator Jaakko Maanemi. The top-down shooter, hitting PS4s in North America on July 15 and Europe on July 16, is certainly aptly named. In Crimsonland your task is to gun down aliens using 30 ridiculous weapons, splatter blood everywhere, try to survive, and then shoot some more aliens and splatter more blood everywhere. Truly an avant-garde concept for gaming. Not that we're being snobby, it's just refreshing to see a studio put forward a game as it is. So, the lowdown on 10tons' remake of its 2003 affair: The new version adds HD visuals and a few fresh modes, with four-player local co-op supported across the whole game. A total of 60 campaign missions and full leaderboard support should keep PS4 and Windows PC players busy - the game's out now on Steam - while Mac, Linux and Vita versions are also on the way. The game is $14/£10.59 on Steam so expect that price on PSN, too. [Image: Sony Computer Entertainment]
Have faith Natural Doctrine will be out this September
Tactical RPG Natural Doctrine arrives in North America on September 16, before coming to Europe three days later on September 19. Kadokawa's PS4, PS3 and Vita game is now up for pre-order on the NIS America store, with the publisher's traditional array of limited edition extras available for each platform. Regular copies of the game are $60, $50 and $40 on PS4, PS3 and Vita respectively, with limited editions upping that by $20 on each platform. For that, your bonuses include an art book, poster and - oh - an "explorer's bag." A Vita tactics-RPG and a backpack is all you really need for a half-decent ramble, right? Perhaps some food and water too, at a stretch. As for Natural Doctrine itself, NIS America promises challenging turn-based combat across multiple characters in battle, while players can cross-play and cross-save across all three systems. Meanwhile, the story focuses on a group of explorers - ah, that explains the bag - who head underground to mine a rare resource. Things take a turn for the worse when they run into monsters, but luckily they have fantastic shampoo advert hair on their side. [Image: NIS America]
Persona 4 Golden anime begins July 10, US streams confirmed
US viewers will be able to tune in to the first episode of Persona 4: The Golden Animation when the series begins airing on July 10. Aniplex revealed it's streaming the anime on its own online channel, with new episodes promised every Thursday - there's no word yet on times but we can only hope they'll be aired at midnight. The presumably subtitled streams will also be available to watch on Hulu, Crunchyroll and Daisuki.
Saints Row 4 National Treasure Edition bundles DLC for $30
A DLC-stuffed National Treasure Edition of Saints Row 4 ships to retailers on July 8, Deep Silver announced. The PS3, Xbox 360 and PC repackage was already unveiled for Europe, and it's coming to the same platforms in North and South America, priced at $30. If you've kept up with Saints Row 4 post-launch you'll know there's been tons of DLC, spanning everything from Christmas-themed mission packs to presidential masks. The new re-release bundles every last insane drop of that content, totaling 29 separate packs; steer here for the entire asylum of extras in the box. Talking of boxes, according to Deep Silver a downloadable version should be available mid-July.
'Wave Blue' DualShock 4 rides into North America this fall
The 'Wave Blue' DualShock 4 looks set to lead a line of new-colored controllers for the PlayStation 4 in North America. The blue gamepad was previously available in Europe and Japan, and it's now officially due to arrive stateside this fall. However, blue isn't the only new hue in town. The Destiny-bundling Glacier White PS4 launches on September 9 with a matching controller, and according to Amazon we can expect the Wave Blue DualShock on September 30 as well as an Urban Camouflage variant. At E3, Sony revealed Glacier White and Urban Camouflage pads would be available for $60. If Amazon's listings are accurate, the only color missing from the North American palette party is Magma Red. Maybe it's just bubbling beneath the surface. [Image: Sony]
Mutant Mudds Deluxe washes up on PlayStation Plus this week
You can remove even the muddiest stains thanks to Mutant Mudds Deluxe, starting at the low price of $0 for PlayStation Plus subscribers. The dirt-destroying 2D platformer will join the North American Instant Game Collection when the PS Store updates tomorrow. Just to note, Sony specifies the Plus game for Vita, but Mutant Mudds Deluxe is cross-buy with a PS3 version. It's unclear if a Plus download will unlock both versions, but if you are getting it for Plus you'll need to grab it on Vita rather than PS3. Next Tuesday will see July's PS Plus offerings join the service, and they'll all arrive in one great big clump of freebies. As Sony revealed last month, from now on two PS4, two PS3 and two Vita games will be available on the first Tuesday of each month, and will remain so until the first Tuesday of the following month. [Image: Sony Computer Entertainment]
Microsoft Store lists Batman: Arkham Knight for Feb. 2015
Batman: Arkham Knight rises on February 24, 2015, at least so says the Microsoft Store. While the release date remains officially unconfirmed, the MS Store's offering does lie on a Tuesday, the day of the week games are released typically in North America. NeoGAF spotted the Xbox One listing over the weekend, but when asked, Warner Bros. told Eurogamer the game "is due for release in 2015." An early 2015 arrival for Rocksteady's new-gen Arkham looks likely. Speaking to Groovey.tv earlier this month, Batman voice actor Kevin Conroy - who has some previous experience with spilling the bat-beans early - said Arkham Knight is due "next January." Conroy also noted it was originally supposed to come out in January 2014. As you're probably aware, Arkham Knight was scheduled for this year before WB pushed it back three weeks ago.
Mario Kart 8's Mercedes DLC drifts toward North America, Europe
Despite jet-powered motorcycles and mushroom-fueled dragsters, Mario Kart 8 features a distinct lack of real-world bling - a flaw which will be rectified this summer when a special Mercedes Benz kart makes its Mushroom Kingdom debut. Though Japanese Mario Kart fans have long been awaiting the miniature Mercedes Benz GLA, it wasn't until today that fans in the Western world learned that they, too, would receive the fruits of this unexpected cross-company promotion. "We're planning to release a GLA-Class kart from @Mercedesbenz for #MK8 this summer," reads a recent tweet from Nintendo of America, which was then complemented by a similar notice from the Nintendo of Europe Twitter account. Neither tweet specifies a release date or pricing information for the DLC kart, though if North America and Europe both follow Japan's lead, the new ride should be available to players at no additional charge. [Image: Nintendo of America]
