Kotaku Wednesday, September 18, 2024 9:30 PM  Shadow of the Erdtree added a fresh set of armor, Rellana's Armor Set. This unique armor can only be obtained by defeating one of the DLC's bosses, and then making a purchase from an NPC, so you'll need to put in a bit of work if you'd like to sport it for yourself. |
Kotaku Wednesday, September 18, 2024 8:00 PM  Remember back in January when The Pokémon Company said it planned to "investigate" monster-taming game Palworld for intellectual property rights infringement? Well, it looks like Pikachu and friends are officially filing a lawsuit against the game's developer. |
Kotaku Wednesday, September 18, 2024 7:30 PM  The Serpent Crest Shield is a Medium Shield added in Elden Ring's Shadow of the Erdtree expansion. It's an excellent choice for those seeking full physical blocking abilities without being weighed down by one of the game's massive Greatshields. We highly recommend you snag when possible. |
PCGamesN Wednesday, September 18, 2024 6:51 PM  One thing it's hard to remember in modern times is how prevalent the threat of nuclear annihilation was before the '90s. It was a genuinely terrifying time in many ways, with the promise of sirens and the instructions to run and hide never far from people's minds. It's a threat that, while still out there, has faded somewhat with the passing of time and imposition of various treaties. Upcoming RTS title ICBM Escalation is therefore a bit of a blast from the past, and you are invited to become one of the stars of the game. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best RTS games, Best strategy games, Best war games |
Siliconera Wednesday, September 18, 2024 9:30 PM
Only a few years ago, Romancing SaGa: Minstrel Song Remastered appeared as Square Enix's attempt to bring a beloved JRPG classic to modern systems. It clearly worked because Romancing SaGa 2 is also getting the full 3D remake treatment, with a release set for October.
I recently got a chance to play the PC demo of the remake ahead of its public release, which featured a small snippet of the game's opening chapter. Specifically, a journey through two dungeons and a visit to the main hub town of Avalon. It stops right at the point where the game's generational baton-passing happens for the first time. It was only a small snippet of the game and yet still said a lot about what to expect from this new version.
The first obvious difference between this and the original Romancing SaGa 2 is its visuals. This is no longer a Super Famicom game, as it features full 3D models, voice acting and a much more fleshed-out world. The demo opens on a flashback sequence detailing the game's backstory. Unlike the original, the static screens and scrolling text are out, replaced with dramatic narration and close-ups of the shadowy forms of the Seven Heroes who are set to make their return.
This presentation is also excellent. There is strong art direction on show here, with the character models looking much closer to Tomomi Kobayashi's original illustrations. Environments are a little less interesting, but considering that most of what was in the demo was a cave and a castle, there's a chance more interesting locations will show up later. The last dungeon of the demo, an old mansion claimed by one of the Heroes, is a sign of this, with its grand interior design looking much more impressive than the original.
There's also been a huge overhaul of the game's localization and it's a significant improvement over the mobile remaster's dry presentation. While that version's dialogue had a tendency to feel stilted and drab, the lines here carry a much more theatrical punch. The performances really help too. There aren't many major standouts, and it's generally what you'd expect from a modern JRPG dub, but those performances are still solid and sell every line.
However, while all this is to be expected for a full remake of a Super Famicom game, the Romancing SaGa 2 remake features plenty of gameplay improvements too. Combat is a major part of this, with the game's battles offering players a lot more information than previous versions of the game. Moves that can manipulate turn order or enemy weaknesses are much easier to execute, as both of these elements are given stronger visual aids.
There's a persistent timeline on screen in every battle that demonstrates the turn order, and it makes a huge impact on how you can approach fights. You can target weaker enemies who are likely to attack sooner, see exactly which characters will be able to use an item and immediately attack or see how your moves will push enemies back along the timeline. Not that I got to really play around with this due to the limited moves available in the demo, but it's clear that visible timeline will play a huge role in later battles.
Enemy weaknesses are also easier to figure out, as enemies now come equipped with a bar that shows them off at all times. If you've played Octopath Traveler, you'll know what to expect. When you encounter a new enemy, it will be accompanied by a series of question marks. Hit that enemy with the right weapons or elemental spells, and their weaknesses will gradually replace those question marks, and that weakness will now hover around that enemy every time they appear.
Elements such as these made the combat of Romancing SaGa 2 feel extremely easy to pick up right out of the gate. All the information you need is readily available, allowing you to make smarter decisions and plan ahead. This isn't to say the combat is easy by any means, however. The final boss encounter of the demo definitely gave me a tough time and there are clear signs of hidden complexities awaiting players in the final game. I just never felt overwhelmed or confused by what I was doing because of how clear it all was. Some real quality of life improvements from the original on show here, and I loved the combat system as a result.
The new 3D perspective has also elevated the map design too. While the dungeons I played through were present in the original, the layout was completely reworked, making good use of the verticality the extra dimension can now provide. The initial cave was a multi-tiered affair full of winding passages, while the mansion had multiple floors that you had to traverse, including portions where you have to seek out hidden passages or drop through broken flooring to progress. My hope is the developers get to run with this in later dungeons, getting more creative in the redesigns.
What I would have loved to have seen more of was the generational aspect. This is a key aspect of Romancing SaGa 2, but the demo's entire reference to it is a new Emperor taking charge right at the end. Genuinely, the demo announces there is a new emperor then asks you to leave. As such, I have no idea how this aspect will affect the rest of the game at present despite it being such a major part of its design.
The demo does provide some high hopes for the final release of the Romancing SaGa 2 remake, however. That combat system was a lot of fun, and if it builds on what was already there, I can see later battles being challenging in all the best ways. With all the visual improvements and localization tweaks, I can see this becoming the definitive way to enjoy the game.
Romancing Saga 2: Revenge of the Seven will release on October 24, 2024 for Nintendo Switch, PC, PS4 and PS5.
The post Preview: Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven Feels Like a Worthy Successor appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Wednesday, September 18, 2024 8:30 PM
The first official picture book for The Quintessential Quintuplets will be reprinted mere days after its initial release. The Quintuplets and Pancakes will cost 1500 JPY ($10.55) and appear in bookstores in Japan once more. [Thanks, PR Times!]
This picture book was released to commemorate the theatrical release of The Quintessential Quintuplets. Though it came out on September 12, 2024, many fans have reported that they weren't able to buy it, or that they bought the last one. The high demand for it led to the decision to reprint the book even though it just came out.
It features the Nakano family's childhood, depicting a happy memory with their mother and some pancakes. Many fans think it's an adorable book, which may be why it was so popular. Kodansha notes that the book's location may differ depending on the bookstore. Some place it with the children's picture books. Others may place it in the comics section. So if you can't find it in one section, you may want to try looking for it somewhere else or asking an employee.
The The Quintessential Quintuplets TV anime special will appear in theaters in Japan for a limited time. It'll be available for about three weeks from September 20, 2024.
The post The Quintessential Quintuplets Picture Book Will Be Reprinted appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Wednesday, September 18, 2024 8:00 PM
Nintendo and The Pokemon Company are suing Pocketpair for patent infringement as a result of similarities between Palworld and the Pokemon series. There's not a lot of information on the lawsuit at the moment, as this is still a developing story.
The full news release is available on the Japanese Nintendo corporate website. Nintendo and The Pokemon Company filed the lawsuit on September 18, 2024. They are suing Pocketpair on multiple accounts of patent infringement, and are seeking both a fine and an injunction. If the lawsuit goes through, then Pocketpair may need to change the designs of some of its more incriminating Pals. The news release ends with Nintendo and The Pokemon Company stating that it will continue to enforce measures in order to protect its intellectual property.
Even before the game came out, Palworld was intrinsically linked with Pokemon in peoples' minds. Fans and other news outlets have pointed out similarities in designs, with Pals looking like a mishmash of various Pokemon elements and body parts. Nintendo and The Pokemon Company launched an investigation into Palworld in late January 2024 after concerns appeared online.
Palworld is readily available on the Xbox One, Xbox Series X, macOS, and Windows PC. The latest Pokemon title, Pokemon Scarlet/Violet, is readily available on the Nintendo Switch. More details will come out in regards to the Palworld/Pokemon infringement lawsuit as the case develops.
The post Nintendo Will Sue Pocketpair For Patent Infringement in Palworld appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Wednesday, September 18, 2024 7:30 PM
The Fable: Manga Build Roguelike will come out on the Nintendo Switch and Windows PC. Gameplay for this requires you to put together manga panels. [Thanks, ryokutya2089!]
You can watch the trailer for The Fable: Manga Build Roguelike here:
It has a very unique manner of gameplay in which you can collect various manga panels. Each manga panel depicts a different scene and has various stats or effects. In battle, we can see how the player puts together these panels to create a manga page, and then their character acts according to the panels. There are also various missions you can complete for each panel, such as frying a mackerel or lining things up in a row. At the end of the trailer, there's a mode that looks like Coffee Talk in which you speak with two different characters as a bartender. More information on the game will reveal what that's all about.
The game will be available in Japanese, English, and Chinese (both Traditional and Simplified). Kodansha is the publisher and Mono Entertainment is the developer. Previous games from Mono Entertainment include Ignistone and Clock Rogue. Both of them are roguelike games, so this genre appears to be Mono Entertainment's niche.
The Fable: Manga Build Roguelike will come out some time in 2025.
The post New Roguelike Game Tied to Designing Manga Pages appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Wednesday, September 18, 2024 7:00 PM
Graniph is selling even more JoJo's Bizarre Adventure shirts and clothing items, with a focus on Stardust Crusaders and Stone Ocean this time. They will appear in stores (both physical and online) from October 1, 2024, but you can check out the prices and sizes from the Graniph website.
In total, there appears to be 13 new items. This includes bags, pants, t-shirts, and jackets. Prices range between 3500 JPY to 18,000 JPY. Here is a full list of items that are available, as well as their price points:
All of the JoJo's Bizarre Adventure shirts and jackets either feature prints and art of the characters in question, or their symbols. For example, the backpack uses the blue and string motifs of Stone Free while bearing the Kiss sticker. There is also a baseball patch to represent Emporio.
The JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Stardust Crusaders and Stone Ocean merchandise are available via Graniph. Graniph offers international shipping so customers overseas will not need to go through a proxy service. You can watch JoJo's Bizarre Adventure on services like Netflix or Crunchyroll.
The post Jojo's Bizarre Adventure Stone Ocean, Stardust Crusaders Shirts Appear appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Wednesday, September 18, 2024 6:30 PM
In a recent interview, it was revealed that Aerith was the first character created for Final Fantasy VII, before Tifa. Initially, Aerith's personality resembled Tifa's, but the development team chose to split her traits between the two characters to avoid following traditional character formulas. This decision led to the creation of Tifa, allowing for two distinct heroines with contrasting personalities. [Thanks, Youngjump!]
Aerith's design focused on making her stand out with her more pastel color palette and tied-up hair, contrasting with characters that incorporate darker colors in their designs like Cloud and Barrett. Tifa's long hair, which was tied at the ends for easier animation, gave her a different look. The choice to create two heroines allowed the story to explore different character arcs and fates.
In related news, an interview with Final Fantasy VII Rebirth director Naoki Hamaguchi discussed the balance between staying true to the original story and introducing new elements, such as Zack's expanded role and the Affinity system. He also addressed the inclusion of characters from the Final Fantasy VII Compilation and the role of voice acting in enhancing emotional scenes.
Final Fantasy VII Remake is immediately available for the PS4, PS5, and PC.Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is available on PlayStation 5.
The post Aerith Created Before Tifa in Original Final Fantasy VII appeared first on Siliconera. |
TGN – Tabletop Gaming News Wednesday, September 18, 2024 6:44 PM Green Ronin Publishing has launched a crowdfunding campaign on BackerKit for a new edition of The Expanse Roleplaying Game, based on the novels by James S.A. Corey. The campaign introduces official Expanse miniatures for the first time, a notable addition to the game. Green Ronin has teamed up with Wargames Atlantic to offer two sets... |
TGN – Tabletop Gaming News Wednesday, September 18, 2024 6:27 PM Paizo has revealed its lineup for September, offering a variety of new content for both Pathfinder and Starfinder players. Pathfinder Adventure Path #206: Bring the House Down The Curtain Call Adventure Path concludes with Bring the House Down, an adventure designed for high-level characters. Players must navigate the final preparations of a grand opera, where... |
TGN – Tabletop Gaming News Wednesday, September 18, 2024 6:17 PM Two Acorns Games has launched Dungeons of the Oak Dell, a new roll-and-write dungeon crawler for 1 to 4 players, on Kickstarter. The game draws inspiration from classic PC titles like Dungeon Master, Eye of the Beholder, and Grimrock. Combining rondel and dice drafting mechanics, it offers players a mix of strategic exploration and combat... |
MonsterVine Wednesday, September 18, 2024 9:30 PM Oh, Romancing Saga 2, where have you been all my life? What's that? You've been available for years now and I even own you on several platforms? Romancing Saga 2 is just one of those games that's been recommended endlessly and I've been avoiding it because there are too many games for just one single […] |
Gaming on PC Wednesday, September 18, 2024 11:09 PM Frostpunk 2 manages to keep true to the spirit of the original while at the same time increasing the scale a hundredfold via the addition of smart political systems that will once again have players questioning their own beliefs. Full review after the jump. |
Gaming on PC Wednesday, September 18, 2024 7:48 PM A letter posted on Nintendo's website shows that the console giant and The Pokémon Company are suing Palworld developer Pocketpair for patent infringement. Read more after the jump. |