Yearly Archives: 2018

Shenmue I & II Launching on PS4, Xbox One and Steam in August

Get ready for Forklift Racing and searching out Chinese Sailors! These re-releases of the original Shenmue titles will feature more modernized features including fully scalable screen resolution, a choice of modern or classic control schemes, PC graphics options, updated user interface, and the original Japanese or English voiceovers. Starting today, it’s available to pre-order digitally on PSN, Xbox Marketplace and Steam with a 10% discount ahead of its launch, and is also available from SEGA approved digital retailers. The physical edition is available to pre-order from US and EMEA retailers and comes with a double-sided poster starring fan-favorite characters from the saga and a reversible cover with original artwork.

Since their original releases, Shenmue I & II have established a passionate following and are revered as one of gaming’s greatest series of all time. These revolutionary masterpieces deliver a gripping story of retribution as Ryo Hazuki sets out to avenge his father’s death and attempts to unravel the secrets behind a mysterious artefact known as the Dragon Mirror.

Words Destroy in The Path of Motus, Launching in July

After three years of development, The Path of Motus goes live on PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Steam on July 17th, 2018. In The Path of Motus, a village of goblins have been trapped in a mysterious forest and any who attempt to leave returns hopeless and defeated. However, a young goblin named Motus plans to build a series of bridges through the forest, though he meets bullies that use their own words to stop him.

“Playing as Motus requires you to have resilience, and lets players explore the deeper reasons for why people resort to aggression,” explains game designer Michael Hicks. The Path of Motus features the psychology behind bullying and features a verbal combat system where words have the power to destroy.

Hicks’ own experiences inspired his vision for Motus. “When I was younger, I was interested in what made bullies act so aggressive. As time went on I began to befriend some of them, and learned they had either been bullied themselves earlier in life, had really bad family lives, or were just simply jealous of other people; I kept all of this in mind as I designed the game. As Motus gradually grows from a child to an adult, you’ll get to explore the motivations of the characters you meet, and I expect you’ll have some surprising moments in the process! I feel the discussion around this topic often ignores the root causes of bullying, so hopefully this game lets us see how our own actions potentially contribute to this issue.”

Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet DLC 2 Trailer

The first Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet’s second DLC is here on all platforms: Betrayal of Comrades! New foes have emerged, but with the familiar faces of friends. A brand new story built around imposters is here, and players will fight new bosses and enemies as they seek to uncover the truth. New characters, Clarence and Shirley from Alternative Gun Gale Online, are now available to help players and join the battle. New quests will be offered, and players will also unlock a new area of their home in this DLC.

A new Free-for-All game mode will also be included as a free update for all Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet players during the launch of the Betrayal of Comrades DLC. The new mode brings eight players onto one map to battle against one another. Players gain points for kills and lose points if they die, with the winner being the player with the highest amount of points. This update is 9.99 on all platforms.

Music Review: The ETHEReal String Project (Materia Collective, Josh Barron)

by Jason Parker (Ragachak)

The ETHEReal String Project

I’m very familiar with The Materia Collective by now and have reviewed at least one of The Travelers VGM albums (several though, unless I’ve missed my mark) but this one, in particular, was a passion project for Josh Barron, who composes music under the Materia Collective label. He was on MATERIA: FFVII Remixed, SUCCESSOR: FFVIII Remixed, and several of The Travelers VGM albums. So it was a pleasure to settle down with this one. I have another Materia Collective album review coming next week, but I’m glad I can review some again. This particular album is a collection of various songs from more modern games; Final Fantasy XIII, Metal Gear Solid 2, Final Fantasy Tactics, Mass Effect 3, Heroes of Mana and more. Joining him on this are pianists Kevin Won, Ramon van Engelenhoven, and KayThePianist. This is a lovely arrangement album, and is 100% worth the money you’d spend on it.

There are some titles/songs on here that aren’t familiar to me, but that’s because I didn’t really play much Halo 2, Mass Effect 3, or Mirror’s Edge. But that in no way changes how fun these songs were to listen to. As someone who spent most of their Middle/High School time playing a stringed instrument (Viola), I enjoy hearing video game music composed in this style. Josh is a skilled composer, and none of these songs would feel amiss at a regular string orchestra concert but I do admittedly have favorites here, songs that hit me harder than others. This album though, it was definitely harder to pick songs to talk about than others. But I’ll do my best! Josh is very skilled at creating these compositions, I have to say. I think anyone that loves video game music and also stringed instruments will enjoy what he’s put together. It’s something pretty special, that’s for sure.

“The ETHEReal String Project is a labor of love for me. When I started arranging Kingdom Hearts music in 2002, I had arranged other works such as Eternity and Eruyt Village. For years I had them on my hard drive collecting dust because I had taken a long hiatus. I revisited them one day after meeting with Andrew Steffen, who at the time was looking for an arranger to make music for his experiment. So I got to work and pulled up those two old arrangements, revised them, and then arranged ten more (including one original composition). This whole experience helped me learn a great deal from both Andrews. Prior to this I knew little of string arrangement, so I took the opportunity to really learn from both of them. To me, this album is the point of return. It is about me reconnecting with my passion and learning new things. I hope those that listen to this, will enjoy the blood and sweat we put into this. Thank you!” – Josh Barron

~Eternity~ Memories of Lightwaves (Final Fantasy X-2, Track 8): Now, say what you will about Final Fantasy X-2, and you will probably be right. Despite it being considerably less serious than its predecessor, I still have a special place in my heart for FFX-2. One of the things that keep me coming back to it is the music. Memories of Light is the first song you hear when the game turns on, that chilling piano song before going to the file select/new game. This particular version is a piano composition with string orchestra, and it feels like the Viola got a lot of love in this track (so that’s another positive for me!), and it keeps the same haunting feel of the original, the familiar piano sound complimented with the staccato and trill of the Violin and Viola really offer more than the original. Much like the opening of Final Fantasy X-2, this is a track I can see someone standing in the darkness, contemplating how they got where they are, and where they’re going. I appreciate how it slowly peels away the strings in a few places, leaving just the chilling piano. Then the rests end, the strings join back in, quietly at first. Easily my favorite song on the album.

Honor, Sacrifice, Glory: Variations on Themes from Halo 2 (Halo 2, Track 9): This is the first time I’ve heard Halo music done in a string orchestra format. I have to say, I was not disappointed. One of the running themes in the Halo universe seems to be “Sacrifice” since they are a military organization and must be called to defend and sacrifice themselves for the good of all. That’s not a feeling that brings up positivity, but more somber, sorrowful thoughts. That’s what Honor, Sacrifice, Glory brings to the table. It’s a slow, rolling piece that really encapsulates to me what a character in the Halo universe could be hearing moments before the end, or as the proverbial dust settles over a hard-fought battle. Allies slain, friends obliterated, but not in vain, never in vain. It goes fromo a trembling, dark sound, to something more peaceful and profound, as if the sun were slowly rising upon a battlefield, and the carnage is being brought to light. It makes me want to play the Halo series if nothing else (and I really have never gotten into it).

Tactical Espionage Suite (for String Orchestra) (Metal Gear Solid 2, Track 11): I tried to highlight just a few tracks here that would stand out for one reason or another. This and the Halo 2 track in particular, because these are not songs I would typically find on one of these albums, at least not on one I review. That’s definitely a positive, and Tactical Espionage Suite is another one from a game I have little experience in, but still gives me the feeling like I get it, the song makes sense. It’s very foreboding and sinister, and honestly, this is the kind of song I could see in an action film, in one of the more quiet, emotion-packed moments. But that’s not all this song has! This is a suite, so it shifts tones effortlessly, moving from that to a fast, heart-pounding portion of the song where the hero is no doubt running through gunfire or has triggered an alarm and is desperately seeking peace. This part of the song fades away to more familiar Metal Gear Solid tones, that even me, who has only watched people play Metal Gear Solid games would recognize, but still somehow would smoothly fit into an action setpiece for a film. I love the little march-touch towards the end of the piece with the Metal Gear theme, it’s just a classy touch.

The Album (and composer) can be found in the following places:

Facebook
Twitter
His Website
Bandcamp
Spotify
Soundcloud

 

Eden Rising: Supremacy – Eden Underground Patch is Live

Eden Rising: Supremacy - Eden Underground Update

Monstrous new challenges await beneath the surface of Eden, as Nvizzio Creations released a new update to their co-op/tower defense open-world title, Eden Rising: Supremacy. The mystery and danger are great below the surface, within this hidden sub-region. New weapon types, armor dyes, and the new emote system all await in this update. In addition, Eden Rising: Supremacy is now 25% off through July 5th for Steam’s Summer sale.

Hidden riches await within the deep web of caverns in “Eden Underground”, but only the most prepared explorers of Eden will be able to survive the trials and sub dwelling creatures that lurk in the shadows. Players will need to use their expert knowledge of resources as well as gear up with a brand new weapon type, recipes, and items to advance through these unnerving grottos.

Legend of Junior

Legend of Junior is a free-to-play martial arts and fantasy themed action MMORPG. Explore a world packed to the brim with a vast variety of content to enjoy accompanied by flashy graphics and rich lore. Available in the browser.

Features:

Hero of the Ages: Take on the role of blademaster and fight through tough enemies to discover ancient locations and collect incredible new items.

Finding a Friend: Tame mythical mounts and recruit helpful attendants.

Mayhem Bound: Participate in multiplayer and co-op activities such as Guild Wars, Crown Contests, and Imperial Examinations.

My Little Farmies

My Little Farmies is a F2P farming simulator where players will develop and manage a budding medieval village. Construct buildings, plant crops, and participate in animal husbandry to become a legendary tycoon. Available in the browser, for Windows, and iOS/Android devices.

Features:

Realizing Greatness: Plan out and realize your dream city.

Green Thumb: Plunk down fields and raise up establishments providing various goods like flour or vegetation.

Global Market: If you need a little boost, freely trade with other players as you see fit!

Best Eleven: World Cup 2018

Best Eleven: World Cup 2018 is a F2P soccer management simulator placing yourself in the shoes of a football team owner. Overlook a variety of aspects concerning running a competitive team and claw your way to the very top of the sports world. Available in the browser.

Features:

New Blood: Get new players by scouting, trading, or outright buying them from other organizations.

Charge It: Keep a close eye on your finances throughout the season, both in spending and income.

Put Me In: Research and hire the coach that will lead the members on the field.

MyLegend

MyLegend is a F2P MMORPG taking place in the ever-popular One Piece universe. Team up with Luffy and sail across Grand Line recruiting new crew members and having a grand adventure of a time while you do it. Available in the browser.

Features:

Anime Wasn’t a Mistake: Fight and add memorable characters from the source material – look out for your favorite character!

Mix Maxed: Customize various aspects of your squad including such as who joins and how their talent trees are built.

A Place in the World: Choose from 1 of 4 classes for your personal avatar like the classic sword wielder, sinister dark mage, long ranging sniper, or healing doctor.