Author Archives: InTheSky

Yakuza Zero 15-Minute Story Trailer

InTheSky October 1, 2014 Leave a reply

Earlier this week Sega broadcast a new trailer for Yakuza Zero through Niconico. It’s a story trailer that focuses on the main scenarios for both Kazuma Kiryu and Goro Majima. The first five minutes, roughly speaking, deal with Kiryu’s scenario as he does dirty work for the Dojima family. The next five minutes deal with Majima’s scenario as he holds himself together working at a cabaret club in the aftermath of his eye being stabbed (a moment with brief allusion.) He also seems to deal with some complex feelings as he encounters a blind woman named Makoto Makimura, and appears to vow to protect her. The last five minutes both escalate the drama of the past footage and serve to wrap up the trailer. Among other things, Kiryu is confronted with the alarming prospect of someone possessing the power to control the operation of Kamurocho and its citizens.

Watch the trailer below!

Yakuza Zero New Footage and Summary Trailer (Released 9/25/2014)

InTheSky September 26, 2014 Leave a reply

The Ryu Ga Gotoku Youtube channel recently uploaded a new trailer to promote Yakuza Zero. The trailer is designed to show off the aspects of the game that have been heavily promoted as of late, including Kiryu’s property management subquest, Majima’s cabaret club/women management subquest, various content featuring the sexy actress contest winners, and footage of battles in motion. Viewers also get a glimpse of some of the wacky minigames being offered, including a disco-themed minigame.

This is also the first time we are seeing Kiryu and Majima fighting in-game. Kiryu’s attacks look mostly familiar but are presented in a flashy way, especially in the dashing. Majima takes flashiness to new heights with his combos. I welcome corrections if I’m wrong, but it appears there are now three different levels of Heat gauge activation, alongside a new type of encounter called Escort Battles, where you protect escorts from harassment from thugs.

Check out the trailer below! I’d like to preface this trailer by saying that for those viewing the video in a public space, it is worth noting that segments of it are NSFW, though there is no explicit content.

Shining Resonance TGS Long Gameplay Video

InTheSky September 21, 2014 Leave a reply

At long last, Shining Resonance debuted some gameplay at this year’s TGS. We’ve linked to the video in this article, which you can check out below. The actual gameplay segment starts roughly at the five minute mark and ends roughly at the twenty minute mark. You can see occasional glimpses of the seventh playable character’s profile picture in the party selection screen.

The video shows off the B.A.N.D. System, Yuuma’s dragon transformation, six of the playable characters, and traversal through a world map segment. The game comes across as a hybrid of several other games, in my opinion. I can’t immediately place what sort of playstyle Lesti is meant for either.

Check out the video below!

Etrian Odyssey II Untold: Knight of Fafnir TGS Trailer, Boxart, First Print Bonus Preview

InTheSky September 21, 2014 Leave a reply

Pictured above is the boxart for Etrian Odyssey II Untold: Knight of Fafnir, provided courtesy of this Gematsu article. The same article also describes some of the first-print copy bonuses, which include a CD featuring the game’s theme song and assorted musical selections, alongside a companion artbook with various illustrations. Pictured below is what appears to be the case for the music CD.

Hit the break to check out the new 3 minute trailer for the game shown off at TGS! It shows off the new (not playable) character Regina, various gameplay systems, and the return of Classic Mode from the first Untold game, which allows you to create a party of your own. The game’s theme song is also played throughout the trailer for your enjoyment.

Yakuza Zero TGS Trailer and Info Roundup, Official Website Updated

InTheSky September 20, 2014 Leave a reply

Tokyo Game Show has been especially interesting for Sega, showing off how busy the company has been as of late. A special panel showcasing Yakuza Zero was held at Tokyo Game Show recently, and another trailer for the game was shown off. Sega also updated the official website for the game. This blog entry from “The Kamuro District”, maintained by longtime fan ThePatrick, should prove most helpful for those looking to learn more about the recent website updates.

To learn more about the game’s TGS updates, hit the break!

Hatsune Miku: Project Mirai Deluxe Videos from TGS, Official Website Updated

InTheSky September 20, 2014 Leave a reply

Tokyo Game Show has been especially interesting for Sega, showing off how busy the company has been as of late. A special panel showcasing Hatsune Miku: Project Mirai Deluxe was held at Tokyo Game Show recently. Sega also introduced the official website for the game, though there isn’t much content for it yet.

To check out the videos, hit the break!

Selvaria and Alicia from Valkyria Chronicles Revealed as a Team in Dengeki Bunko: Fighting Climax

InTheSky September 19, 2014 Leave a reply

In a surprise announcement at the Tokyo Game Show, Sega revealed two new characters who will be joining the list of characters of the upcoming Dengeki Bunko: Fighting Climax. The characters in question are Selvaria and Alicia from Sega’s Valkyria Chronicles.

It’s the second team comprised of characters from a Sega franchise, after Akira and Pai from Virtua Fighter had already been confirmed to be featured in the game. While Selvaria is a playable character, Alicia will only be a support character (like Pai). The game is currently scheduled for a release on November 13th in Japan on the PS3 and PS Vita.

Selvaria_Alicia_Dengeki_Bunko_Fighting_Climax_2

Selvaria displaying her powers as a Valkyria.

Hit the break to check out a video of the Valkyria Chronicles team in action! For those unfamiliar with the first Valkyria Chronicles game, be warned that there is a story spoiler for those who view this video.

Phantasy Star Nova TGS and Famitsu Info: Trailer, Resonance of Fate Cameos, New Character, Base System

InTheSky September 18, 2014 1 Reply

Pictured above are the three protagonists of Resonance of Fate: Vashyron, Zephyr, and Leanne, from left to right, in Phantasy Star Nova. Resonance of Fate is a title developed by tri-Ace and published by Sega, giving the latter ownership of the IP. Sega has occasionally made reference to Resonance of Fate since its release, with a Leanne costume in Phantasy Star Portable 2 and a Leanne module/costume in Project DIVA 2nd. Resonance of Fate characters also appeared in the triple-publisher crossover Project X Zone.

In any case, Phantasy Star Nova actually marks the second time these two companies share this developer-publisher relationship, putting tri-Ace in a unique opportunity to make reference to Resonance of Fate. Costume and weapon options for the three main characters will be available. Leanne, arguably the breakout character of Resonance of Fate since its release, will also be present beyond her costume options as an NPC. She is a shopkeeper and an optional party character.

The crossover makes for an interesting contrast, as the more realistic Resonance of Fate costumes are styled differently than what’s typically seen in Phantasy Star Nova, and the Resonance of Fate weapons are mostly realistic-seeming guns with little departure into becoming overly stylized contraptions. Still, it’s a nice shout out and something I personally appreciate.

Cameos of characters from other tri-Ace developed games will also be present in game. View the gallery at this Gematsu article to check them out. These featured characters include Edge Maverick and Reimi Saionji from Star Ocean IV, and Lenneth from Valkyrie Profile. Weapons from their games and costumes in their likeness are available for created characters. These franchises’ games were published by Square Enix.

Hit the break to learn what Famitsu dished out this week, alongside a look at the new TGS trailer that summarizes what Phantasy Star Nova is all about and another image of Leanne invading Phantasy Star Nova!

(Updated, 9/18/2014!) Hatsune Miku: Project Mirai DX Coming to Japan as Hatsune Miku: Project Mirai Deluxe

InTheSky September 18, 2014 Leave a reply

At the end of last year, Hatsune Miku: Project Mirai 2 for the 3DS was released in Japan. We had not heard anything about localization of this game until a couple of months ago when Sega announced that the game would be localized for the West in 2015, with the working title Hatsune Miku: Project Mirai Remix. Remix is going to add new features and content not available in Mirai 2, though they are to be specified in the future. Hatsune Miku fansite mikufan does mention that it is confirmed the game will feature new 3D promotional and opening videos composed by PinocchioP.

This week’s Famitsu announced that Remix’s updates will be released in Japan as Hatsune Miku: Project Mirai Deluxe. Remix and Deluxe will be the same game released in different territories. Deluxe will also be featured at Tokyo Game Show 2014. A Spring 2015 release is planned for the game.

It is remarkable that apparently the expanded remake of Project Mirai 2, which already released in Japan, was so demanded in Japan that the country is receiving the requested re-release. Perhaps it’s a display of the commercial strength of the franchise, which recently crossed 2.5 million units in sales according to Sega.

Credit to the above linked mikufan blog entries for the information and image.

Update: A new Sega blog entry has confirmed that the previous working title of Project Mirai Remix is now officially changed to Project Mirai DX for the West. Be sure to check out the blog entry for new screenshots of the game!

Update 2: An edit to this mikufan blog entry strongly suggests that there is no second Hatsune Miku game from Sega to announce, and that Deluxe was the new title to be introduced at TGS. We appreciate their help with this matter, and apologize for any possible misinformation on our end!

Yakuza Zero to Feature Playable Sega Classics, New Leveling-Up System

InTheSky September 18, 2014 1 Reply

PIctured above is Fantasy Zone for arcades, a franchise of scrolling shooter games similar to Gradius. The Yakuza franchise has routinely offered Sega games as playable within Yakuza titles, and Yakuza Zero will continue that tradition. Gematsu writes that Fantasy Zone, car racer Outrun, rail shooter Space Harrier, and motorcycle racer Super Hang-On will be featured as playable extras within Yakuza Zero’s Game Center. Taking advantage of the PS4-Vita crossplay features, these games will also be playable on the Vita through a special app, just like Yakuza Ishin.

In other news, Yakuza Zero will feature a new leveling-up system where money is used to enhance characters instead of experience points. There are a variety of mini-games through which money can be earned in Yakuza Zero, such as a Batting Cage minigame. However, players can also earn money by executing flashy attacks in battle. Beyond that, both of the playable characters have special money-earning systems unique to their scenarios.

Kazuma Kiryu’s system is “Kamurocho Money Island”, where players use money and relationships to apparently either increase stake in or outright own various businesses and making money off of renting property to them. It seems that, if players wish to make full use of this system, it’s possible to consolidate and monopolize businesses conditions and the public order, which must be challenging to accomplish. Goro Majima’s story will feature the “Soutenbori Night Life Trade Island”, where players operate a cabaret club with the goal of eventually becoming the best one in the region. There are 30 hostesses to choose from who will be integral to achieving this goal

Credit to Gematsu for the translated information.