Based on popular anime and manga One Piece, the upcoming DS title One Piece Gigant Battle’s battle system details just got released. Unlike the previous One Piece offering, One Piece:Gear Spirit for the DS, this game will feature 3-man teams and have an upgraded multiplayer component. Developed by Ganbarion, Gigant Battle is set for a September 9 release date. More details and on these and screenshots after the jump.
Arc System Works recently confirmed that Valkenhayn R. Hellsing will be the next downloadable character for BlazBlue: Continuum Shift and that BlazBlue will make an appearance at the upcoming Amusement Machine Show. While no pricing has been revealed yet, the character will likely come out to $7.99 on PSN and 560 MS points on Xbox LIVE – the same price as the downloadable Makoto Nanaya character. Pictures and more after the jump.
UPDATE: Added Character Description
Nippon Ichi Software (NIS), famed for strategy RPGs such as Disgaea and Ar tonelico,recently released its company earnings for the first quarter. The company revealed they had suffered a 40% drop in sales compared to last year’s first quarter reports, or about a 15 million yen loss in profit. NIS made 32 million yen profit over the first quarter, yet it still wasn't enough to save some of its up-and-coming games. They will be canceling development on three titles as a result. However, they have not announced which titles would be cancelled. While this may be sad news for many NIS fans, there will still be plenty of games coming from the popular studio, including the upcoming Criminal Girls. The popular Disgaea series will most likely be safe as well. Chin up, guys!
[Source: andriasang.com]
Upcoming PSP spinoff of Sega’s popular series Yakuza just had three new voice actors announced and their respective characters’ personalities posted. The three new characters are Yurika, voiced by Chiaki Takahashi and the irresistible, number one hostess in Kamuro, Chiaki, voiced by Asami Imai and a reporter investigating Kamuro’s hostess clubs, and Sai’s Florist, an informer about the “Sai Riverbed” who sends information via flower bouquets and is voiced by Yoshiaki Fujiwara. Pictures and details within.
For the upcoming Virtual On Force for Xbox 360, Sega will include an “EX Option” to ease new players into the game or to help continuing players overcome difficult enemies. It seems to raise the player’s damage output and lower damage intake, which will be shown in the included screens. Like beginner mode for most games, however, it could become too much of a crutch and may take away from the game’s true enjoyment.
Half-Minute Hero for the PSP was a well received game by many critics in the USA when it was released back in October. According to Japanese video game magazine Famitsu, there will be a sequel to the entertaining game called Yuusha 30 Second.
The new game will included five different scenarios and will offer 90 different quests based on those scenarios. If players run out of quests, they can easily go online and download some more. Similar to Little Big Planet and ModNation Racers, players can create their own quest which can be later uploaded to a server and shared around the world.
Yuusha 30 Second will be released in Japan November 4. There have been no release dates announced outside of Japan.
UPDATE: The teaser site for Yuusha 30 Second just opened up here. It leads to a Famitsu preview with screenshots.
[Source: Siliconera]
Sega is taking its Shining series to the PSP with its new installment Shining Hearts. According to Japanese video game magazine Famitsu, the game will be released this winter for about $60.
According to Famitsu, the game will stray away from the action RPG style seen in previous titles like Shining Tears. Shining Hearts will be a traditional Japanese RPG where gameplay centers around the theme of love and bonds between each character. Players must collect "hearts" throughout the game, which will change the state of the players' home island, Wyndaria Island, and allow players to open up new areas to the world and progress the story further.
Just days after announcing their new puzzle game, Zack and Ombra: The Phantom Amusement Park, the official website has launched and features basic game, character, and cast information. Despite being called Zack and Ombra, perhaps fans of moe out there will focus on Polly, Zack’s assistant, instead? More details and screenshots after the break.