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PSN Tuesday: Dishonored, Sherlock Holmes, Retro City Rampage, tons more
Today's PS Store dump includes a barrage of full games as part of Sony's Day 1 Digital promotion and its ongoing indie focus. For full games, we have Dishonored, Birds of Steel, Devil May Cry HD Collection and The Testament of Sherlock Holmes.PSN gets Retro City Rampage, The Walking Dead Episode Four: Around Every Corner, Derrick the Deathfin, Machinarium, Worms Revolution and more. Retro City Rampage is also hitting Vita, alongside Dr. Who: The Eternity Clock, Spy Hunter and Sunflowers.Vita is getting three new PSOne Classics, Romance of the Three Kingdoms 4, Destrega and Saiyuki: Journey West. There's also a free demo for this week's big release (that isn't Dishonored), XCOM: Enemy Unknown, and the Mechromancer DLC for Borderlands 2. Check out the complete lineup here.
Tecmo Koei brings strategy, kanji to iPhone
Tecmo Koei has announced a trio of new apps for iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad. Well, not so much a trio as "two and a half" releases. The "half" is add-on content for Romance of the Three Kingdoms Touch. If you've already romanced those kingdoms as much as you possibly can, $4 will get you three new scenarios and an edit feature for officers and territories. The main game has also been updated to version 2.0. The company has also announced another strategy release for iPhone: Nobunaga's Ambition. The classic game of power struggles between Sengoku-era warlords is available now for $10. Finally, and most lovably weird of all, Tecmo Koei has released Kanji Shaker, a free app that transliterates any word into Japanese kanji, and then assigns point values to each character based on ... we don't know what, actually. It's baffling, and we can't stop "playing" it.
Dynasty Warriors Online set for American release by Aeria Games
The Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history is one of those settings that people just can't seem to get enough of, with other free-to-play games mining the territory with vigor. The Dynasty Warriors franchise, however, has quite a bit of pedigree, with a long tradition of character-based storytelling and impossibly large battles. American fans of the franchise can take heart, as it has just been announced that Aeria Games will be publishing Dynasty Warriors Online in North America, with the game currently accepting beta applicants. Fans of the series will be happy to know that the game hasn't lost sight of its roots, with the engine focusing on allowing player-created characters to face off against huge hordes of NPC opponents. The game will also allow players to have a direct influence on the historical setting, with the outcome of battles affecting the delicate balance between Wei, Shu, and Wu. Naturally, there will also be the same psuedo-historical personalities made famous in the series and in the source novel. Dynasty Warriors Online is set for an official launch later this year, and if you're on the fence, take a look at the gallery below to get a feel for the game's appearance. %Gallery-99390%
Kingdom Heroes shows off PvP in new screens
Aeria Games wants players to know what to expect out of Kingdom Heroes, and one of the biggest draws can be explained in three letters: PvP. More specifically, large-scale PvP that features up to 100 participants on each side, culminating in the bloody Kingdom Wars that are shown off in a new set of official screens. The first picture in the gallery is a brief moment of calm before the storm, with the subsequent images showing off just how bloody the fighting can get. Set during China's Three Kingdoms period -- the setting for Romance of the Three Kingdoms and the Dynasty Warriors series among others -- the game is still in open beta, with a variety of weekend events running to help entice new players. If you're fond of the historical setting (with some exceptions made for the sake of gameplay) or just fond of large-scale PvP, take a look at the gallery and consider giving Kingdom Heroes a shot. %Gallery-97107%
We're giving you closed beta keys to Kingdom Heroes, so you too can die to Lu Bu
Let's face it -- you can't defend that gate from Lu Bu. No matter how many times you try, he's just going to come in and clean the floor with your face. Your AI solders are nice to have along during your trek through the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, but they're not always bright enough to get out of the way of Lu Bu... or do anything useful for that matter. Just remember, Lu Bu is the Chinese Chuck Norris. Don't pursue him. So wouldn't it be nice to have some intelligent players around you while Lu Bu wipes the floor with your face? We think so. Then, at least, others can share in your pain. That's why today we have 5,000 keys for you, so you can access Aeria Games's latest MMO, Kingdom Heroes -- an MMO set in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms. So, if you've gotten tired of playing Dynasty Warriors and wish to take on a character of your own, then look no further. Come for the ability to command a small army of your own, stay for the ability to own hundreds of people on the battlefield (except Lu Bu.) Plus take a leap after the break to check out a video of the game in action, so you can decide if this is a game you want to jump into.
Koei doubling Singapore staff to boost game 'quantity' ... and 'quality'
Singapore is the latest kingdom to be romanced by Japanese publisher Koei. Edge reports that the company plans to ramp up headcount at its Singapore studio, potentially more than doubling the branch's current headcount of around 50 staff, with up to 60 new faces in the months ahead. The studio was first founded in 2005, and is primarily focused on online efforts, including Romance of the Three Kingdoms Online.No reason or exact time frame for the upgrade has been revealed. However, Koei co-founder Keiko Erikawa noted an interest in boosting the Singapore branch's game-making capabilities "both in quantity and in quality." Of course, with Koei set to join top-heavy rival Tecmo in bed in April, it's just as likely that Erikawa's statement is code for "jiggle" and "physics."
PS3 gets some MMO lovin' in Japan
There's a thread over at NeoGaf reporting that Japanese game publisher Koei, which is famous for its Dynasty Warriors beat-em-up/battlefield-strategy hybrid games, might be developing an MMO. The company's Tokyo Game Show page was briefly updated with an entry for an MMO title for both PC and PS3. When the mistake was caught the entry was immediately taken down. Fans of Dynasty Warriors and Romance of the Three Kingdoms are very excited. Everyone else can probably move on, because Koei has done pretty little that wasn't at least mostly the same concept as one of those.Also, our friends at PS3 Fanboy have celebrated the launch of the free-to-play Asian PS3 MMO Angel Love Online (a veritable cute fest, that one) by writing up a guide to getting the game running for non-Japanese users. Angel Love is currently available only through the Japanese PlayStation Network store, but that sort of thing has never stopped anyone smart and resourceful, has it? If you succeed, you'll get to play it entirely in Japanese! Oh, yay! It looks very Secret of Mana-esque.Due to the language barrier, most Western PS3 owners will probably want to wait for The Agency, Free Realms, and DC Universe Online, but if you can't wait, here you go. And remember, if seeing Japanese culture Lost in Translation is what you want, there's always TV. In Japan. Read on below the cut for a look at Angel Love Online.
Koei to romance Korea with preorder case
There's no sign that Koei ever intends to bring its Romance of the Three Kingdoms DS titles stateside -- likely because you didn't buy Opoona -- but it looks like the company will celebrate its 30th anniversary by releasing Romance Of The Three Kingdoms DS 2 in Korea. Though we're a little upset that we still haven't received the year-old turn-based-strategy game, what really grinds our gears is that Koei is throwing in a themed Nintendo DS Lite hard case with preorders. Where's our preorder incentives, Koei? Just because we don't pirate everything under the sun doesn't mean that we don't deserve to decorate our handhelds with third-century Chinese historical figures?%Gallery-25578%
Nobunaga's Ambition Dominates our Brains
Look, Koei, this relationship -- you and us -- it can work. It's really quite simple. We have money. You have Kunitori Zunou Battle Nobunaga no Yabou (Domination Battle of the Brains: Nobunaga's Ambition). Announce a western localization and the twain shall meet. It's mutually beneficial, y'see.Game Watch has new shots of the turn-based strategy title, including first glimpses of the extensive multiplayer modes (you may recall that both local play and Wi-Fi Connection battles are supported), the usual line-up of terribly stern Japanese army generals from a simpler, more violent age, and lots of cryptic-looking maps we can only pretend to understand. Charge headlong into our gallery for 21 fresh screens.%Gallery-19665%
Nobunaga's Ambition exceeds that of its rivals
Our recommendation of Kunitori Zunou Battle Nobunaga no Yabou (Domination Battle of the Brains: Nobunaga's Ambition) as an alternative to Advance Wars is looking safer by the day, with Koei revealing to Impress Watch that the game would support certain modes that not even Intelligent Systems' title featured.In particular, the multiplayer seems to have had considerable attention lavished upon it. Not only is there wireless DS-to-DS play and the ability to play others with a single card, but there's also Wi-Fi Connection battles for -- get this -- up to four players. Which is precisely what Advance Wars: Days of Ruin needed, if you ask us.Aside from this super-happy news, Impress Watch profiled the eight daimyo (warlords from Japan's feudal period) that will appear in the title, all of whom are historically accurate figures (with probably-not-historically accurate special abilities). Apparently, players will have the option of fighting actual battles that took place. Oh yes, and there are screens. Lots of lovely new screens. Many of which contain this strange device. What is it? No idea. First one to tell us gets our everlasting admiration.%Gallery-19665%
Koei really needs to localize Nobunaga's Ambition
We've got fingers, toes, and pretty much everything else crossed for an English language version of Kunitori Zunou Battle Nobunaga no Yabou (Domination Battle of the Brains: Nobunaga's Ambition).It's not that we're massively enamored by the Dynasty Warriors-style art or anything (we're really not, actually), but any game which lets us indulge in long, beard-stroking periods of deliberation while mentally picturing ourselves as great military daimyo commanding vast armies in feudal Japan will be lapped up around these parts. Oh yeah, and some of us could really do with being weaned off of other strategy titles.Going by the latest screens, we're confident that this will boast a lovely, hard-centered strategic core for us to sink our teeth into and generally obsess about, so let's see it in the west, Koei!%Gallery-19665%
Nobunaga's Ambition is to provide you screenshots
It's a shame that of Koei's many DS strategy titles, the only one to make it stateside so far has been Dynasty Warriors DS: Fighter's Battle, a poorly executed action spin-off of the revered Romance of the Three Kingdoms series. We would love to see more games like this in US stores, especially Sega's Sangokushi Taisen. Kunitori Zunou Battle Nobunaga no Yabou (Domination Battle of the Brains: Nobunaga's Ambition), Koei's newest turn-based strategy title, will likely never see a release here, either.As with other titles in the Nobunaga's Ambition series, players command armies and manage their territory's expansion to unify a feudal Japan in this DS title. Warlords and military forces are represented as chess-like pieces on a game board. Players have the option of playing both computer warlords and their friends, online and locally. Hit the gallery below for more screenshots or head over to the official Japanese site for some in-game video. %Gallery-19665%[Via Inside Games]
Romance of the Three Kingdoms 2 freaks us out
The new Romance of the Three Kingdoms game has online play, and that's ... pretty cool, if you can play Romance of the Three Kingdoms games. Which we can't, at all. We're plenty educated, and well-versed in gaming, and we can't figure that mess out. Looking at that screen full of tiny icons and numbers makes us appreciate the simple button-mashing found in the Dynasty Warriors spinoff series. The screens here apparently show different commands and combat situations, but it's all just tiny stuff and numbers and very serious portraits of Chinese historical figures.Actually, the online thing is really cool. Insane Koei strategy games have their fanbases, and it must be great for the dedicated followers to be able to face off against one another. We want more varied online content for the DS. Even if it doesn't benefit us!
Romance of the Three Kingdoms conquers Virtual Console
With Nintendo's Virtual Console service already populated by all manner of leaping vermin, reckless racers and pointy-eared adventurers, the time has come for something more serious to occupy our time. And it doesn't get more serious than a political tale of an inter-kingdom love triangle and the slow subjugation of China, otherwise described as Romance of the Three Kingdoms. This Monday sees the release of the fourth and snappily titled game in the tactical sim series, Romance of the Three Kingdoms IV: Wall of Five Fire. As it presents the SNES version, expect to spend 800 points ($8) on this acquisition when it hits the Wii at 9AM Pacific Time. No, that's it. Surely you didn't expect to conquer China, invade Monster World and traipse through an Enchanted Castle all in one day?
Romance of the Three Kingdoms XI Wii-ward
Must ... resist ... urge to use "Thwii" pun ...Now that we've sufficiently girded, here's the news: the PS2 Romance of the Three Kingdoms XI is getting an enhanced port on the Wii, to be released in Japan on March 21st with the enhanced title Romance of the Three Kingdoms XI with Power-Up Kit. Along with the obvious Wiimote functionality, the game will be getting some new gameplay modes and scenarios.After trying to figure out the first NES Romance, we swore the series off forever. Kudos to those of you who managed to play these things.[Via GAME Watch]
Romance of the Three Kingdoms bundle coming to Japan
While the Romance of the Three Kingdoms series never really was a huge commercial success in the US, over in Japan it's a hit. So much so, that in march there is going to be a bundle of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms VIII port and the metallic blue PSP. As with most of the game specific PSP bundles, it will also feature a special PSP case, this time with a Koei theme. I'm not really looking for a RotTK bundle over here, but it would be smart for Sony to start having more game specific bundles outside of Japan. The pack-in game has always been a great way to help spur interest in a system. Are any of our readers hardcore enough to actually buy this Japanese bundle? [Via Game Watch]
Romance of the Three Kingdoms gold for the eleventh time
When Luó Guànzh?ng wrote his classic Romance of the Three Kingdoms back in the 14th century he wasn't thinking franchise. But, almost 700 years later, Koei has turned Luó's story into one of the most prolific video game series to date (including the Dynasty Warriors spin-off franchise and its spin-off Dynasty Tactics).Today, Koei announced that Romance of the Three Kingdoms XI has gone gold, ensuring that this franchise will continue to permeate the console industry, despite slipping into mediocrity. It may be dull, and turn-based, but what would the world be like without Romance?Romance of the Three Kingdoms XI, for PlayStation 2, will ship February 6.[Via press release]
Romance of the three card game wars
Just when you thought everything had been done with Romance of the Three Kingdoms .... Sangokushi Taisen DS brings elements of the Chinese historical novel to card-based battle action, which is apparently a match made in heaven from the success the arcade version has enjoyed in Japan. The DS game, which is slated to have WiFi multiplayer functionality, is due out in Japan next month. Dates for other regions have yet to be announced, which makes us sad after seeing some of the lush screens. The rest of us need to throw down with vast armies, too!
Romance of the Three Kingdoms DS Screens
It's always good to see an RPG still going strong despite the dominance of household games like Final Fantasy and Suikoden -- just to name a few. We have remembered Romance of the Three Kingdoms since its birth on the Nintendo, watched it grow with the rest of the RPG world and observed its solid fan base development. We are happy to see it progressing to other systems and braving the handheld market. After all, why not? The shots we found are few but they give you a glimpse of whats to come of the newest installment of RTK. Enjoy! [Via Go Nintendo]
