Samantha Lienhard's Blog, page 146

Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Spirit of Justice Release Date & Demo

Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Spirit of Justice received a new trailer celebrating the characters’ special abilities… and its Western release date!

Spirit of Justice will be available from the Nintendo eShop on September 8. That’s less than a month away!

Better yet, Capcom announced a Spirit of Justice demo, which you can download on August 25.

The announcement also gives information on Ema (a Forensics Investigator at last!), Trucy (the prime suspect in a new case), and Bonny de Famme, Trucy’s co-star who is called upon as a witness in her trial.

If you aren’t caught up on the Ace Attorney series, the Phoenix Wright Trilogy and Dual Destinies are on sale in the Nintendo eShop from now until August 18 for $16.49 and $11.99, respectively. Both are fantastic, although you should begin with the trilogy if you’re new to the series. If you’re unsure, I’ve written a guide on the order to play the Ace Attorney games.

You’ll still need to get Apollo Justice physically, but then you’ll be set for Spirit of Justice!

Based on the Japanese release, the full game takes up about 6,624 blocks, or 828 MB. Check your SD cards to make sure you have enough room.

Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Spirit of Justice is probably my most-anticipated game of the year. (The only reason it didn’t make my list is because it wasn’t confirmed for 2016 at the time.) August 25 and September 8 can’t come soon enough!

Will you play the demo for Spirit of Justice when it comes out?

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Dust: An Elysian Tail is an Enjoyable Journey

I had Dust: An Elysian Tail a long time before I played it, mainly because I heard it described as a 2D sidescrolling platformer with “Metroidvania” elements, and didn’t realize it was also an RPG.

Dust is an action RPG complete with side quests and towns (if only a couple). Each time you level up, you choose one of four stats to increase.

Combat is simple, with hack-and-slash melee attacks, a whirlwind attack, and magic you can combine with your whirlwind attack for devastating effect. Although it isn’t complex, it’s generally enjoyable to chop your way through enemies.

Near the end of the game, when I backtracked through early areas for treasure I couldn’t access before, I liked to whirlwind my way across the screen, destroying enemies in my wake and building up experience. The experience you earn from battle increases based on critical hits and the length of your combos.

As you proceed through the game, you learn new abilities, which in turn let you access previously-unreachable areas. Backtracking is rarely necessary to advance the plot, but there are many treasures and secret areas to discover.

As for the story, its premise is intriguing. Dust wakes up with no memory and sets out in search of answers with a sentient sword named Ahrah and its guardian, a bat-like creature named Fidget. (With the exception of Ahrah, all the characters are anthropomorphic animals.)

Fidget is one of the story’s highlights. Her banter with Dust is entertaining, as is her often-sarcastic commentary on their adventures. (“The Sorrowing Meadow? Is that somewhere between Blood-Death Gulch and Endless Pain Hill?”)

Although the plot has hints of deeper concepts behind the basic story of good and evil, it never gains much depth.

This might be because the original story had to be cut by 1/3. I felt underwhelmed by the story’s conclusion, and that lost third might have been just what it needed.

Click for Dust: An Elysian Tail spoilerIn particular, General Gaius disappointed me. He’s leading a genocidal campaign against the Moonbloods, but he never seems personally evil. He seems sad… and confused that his old friend would turn against him.

I expected to learn why Gaius wanted to destroy the Moonbloods, but I never did. Instead, he sadly fought Dust to the death.

Since the original final act would have “a new main antagonist and [change] the entire focus of the storyline,” I suspect it would have handled Gaius much differently and revealed his motivations.

While the gameplay is simple and the story misses its full potential, they come together to make Dust: An Elysian Tail quite an enjoyable journey overall. If you enjoy action RPGs and Metroidvania platformers, give Dust a try. There’s also a physical limited-run collector’s edition.

Let me know your thoughts on Dust: An Elysian Tail in the comments below. As for me, I’ll dream of the day we get a remake with the removed third of the game intact.

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Bandai Namco Teases “Little Nightmares”

Chibi Pyramid Head?

Bandai Namco has opened up a teaser site for a game called Little Nightmares.

The site encourages you to “Unveil what has been lurking in the darkest depths” and features a sliding block puzzle. Once you solve it, you’re treated to the picture I’ve included here.

Two more puzzles will be available, one each day, after which we’ll get a video (most likely a trailer).

The ominous tagline, along with the Pyramid Head-esque character (although Pyramid Head has never looked so cute) and of course the title of the game, suggests this will be some sort of horror game.

“Little Nightmares” was trademarked back in May, along with “Children of the Maw” and “Grim Lullabies.” At the time, it was the only one without a domain. The other two also sound as though they might have horror themes.

Bandai Namco had previously announced it would show a new IP for “a western audience” at Gamescom 2016. This looks like it might be it, although the teaser suggests we’ll see something from this game before then.

One way or another, Little Nightmares will definitely be shown at Gamescom. The press has received a special invitation to a “secret meeting” at Gamescom.

“Something is stirring in the kitchen.

Sweet & disgusting in equal measure,

it is a dish unlike anything we’ve ever served before,

and we’d like to give you a taste!”

 The follow-up, about someone “tiptoeing through the shadows over the last 12 months” sounds more in-keeping with the horror themes, but what are we to take from the rest? Every line contains cooking references.

Right now, I’m going to guess Little Nightmares is a cute horror game with food themes. What do you think it is?

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The Year of Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney

The Ace Attorney series was created with a near-future setting, and that future is now here. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney takes place in 2016.

This Wednesday, August 3, was the date of Phoenix Wright’s first trial, The First Turnabout.

As you can see from the Ace Attorney case timeline, Phoenix will take on his tragic second case next month with Turnabout Sisters, Turnabout Samurai occurs in October, and of course Christmas will be marred by Turnabout Goodbyes.

This is the year of Phoenix Wright, and not only because Spirit of Justice comes out next month and the anime is airing now.

Strangely, it goes further.

In February, an actor died after being stabbed by a samurai sword during rehearsal. In June, a parrot became a potential witness in a murder case. Several strange parallels have haunted 2016.

Then again, there was a parrot witness in 2014, too, so maybe it’s not so eerie. It also happened in 1942. (And here we always thought Phoenix’s cross-examination of the parrot was absurd!)

If you have no idea what any of this is about, you should play Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney, available for the Nintendo DS, on iOS, or as part of the Phoenix Wright Trilogy on the Nintendo eShop. It’s a series well-worth playing.

For Ace Attorney fans, how does it feel to be living in the first game’s setting? What do you think about 2016’s odd coincidences? Did you ever expect parrots to be so helpful in real-life cases?

And the most important question of all… are you looking forward to Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Spirit of Justice?

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Steins;Gate 0 Now on Amazon With September 27 Release Date

Steins;Gate 0 is due out in English later this year, and it’s now available to pre-order from Amazon for either the PS4 or PS Vita.

No official announcement has been made about its release date, but both Amazon listings say Steins;Gate 0 will be available on September 27, 2016.

It could be a placeholder, but if not, that’s great! September 27 isn’t too far away (although it is right on top of the release of Final Fantasy XV and Yo-kai Watch 2).

Steins;Gate 0 is sort of a midquel, following a particular timeline of Steins;Gate.

Click for major Steins;Gate spoilerRemember how in the true ending, Okabe gets a D-Mail from his future self telling him how to save Kurisu? Steins;Gate 0 follows that first Okabe, who failed to save her.

By all accounts, Steins;Gate 0 is fantastic, with some people claiming it’s even better than the first one! This is one visual novel I have no qualms about pre-ordering.

If you’re unfamiliar with the series, check out my review of Steins;Gate to see why this is worthy of such excitement. Then play/read Steins;Gate, because it’s incredible.

In slightly related news, a potential release date for Root Letter, a mystery visual novel we discussed previously, surfaced on Amazon as well.

Are you excited for Steins;Gate 0?

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Visit First Round Dojo for Fighting Game Tips

I talk about several video game genres here on the site. RPGs, survival horror, visual novels, puzzle games…

You know what I don’t talk much about? Fighting games.

Fighting games have never quite been my thing. I don’t know the first thing about strategies, techniques, or any methods much beyond button mashing.

A few days ago, I was contacted by the founder of First Round Dojo, a site dedicated to helping new players improve their fighting game skills. In other words, if I wanted to move beyond button mashing, I’d go to First Round Dojo.

It includes a newsletter, a blog with fighting game tips, free online matches for practice, and one-on-one special training sessions.

Right now, First Round Dojo focuses on Street Fighter V, although more games might be added to its curriculum later on.

Coming to me for fighting game advice won’t get you anywhere, but now I know where to send you. Head on over to First Round Dojo to learn how to play fighting games and pick up the fighting game tips and advice you need to win.

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Pokémon Sun and Moon: Alola Forms, Trials, and More

Today, The Pokémon Company released a new trailer and a ton of unexpected details about Pokémon Sun and Moon, starting with Alola Forms.

Alola Forms

Certain Pokémon from other regions, such as the adorable Vulpix pictured here, have adapted to Alola and taken on new forms. Vulpix, for example, moved to Alola’s snowy mountains and became an Ice-type.

Alola forms were revealed for Exeggutor, Vulpix and Ninetales, and Sandshrew and Sandslash.

New Pokémon

Several new Pokémon were also announced: Fomantis and Lurantis, Gumshoos, Minior, Mudbray, and four forms of Oricorio. Oricorio is a bird Pokémon that changes form based on the nectar it drinks, which gives it a different form for each island.

Pokémon with different forms are becoming more common in the series. The addition of region-specific forms is especially interesting, and I wonder how the National Pokédex will handle it. (Will Vulpix and Alolan Vulpix have different numbers and entries?)

But the news doesn’t stop with new Pokémon and Pokémon forms!

Ride Pokémon

Alola features Ride Pokémon, which you can call on to reach otherwise-inaccessible areas. The trailer shows them swimming and flying, so maybe this eliminates the need for the Surf and Fly HMs.

The Island Challenge

For years, Pokémon games have simply tossed kids into a mission to become Pokémon trainers because that’s how the Pokémon world works. In the Alola region, however, this is actually a rite of passage.

You travel to each of the four islands to overcome the trials there, guided by Trial Captains. Trials include more than just battling. At the end of a trial, you’ll face a Totem Pokémon, which is larger than normal and can summon allies.

Each island ends with a Grand Trial where you fight the island’s kahuna.

The kahuna of Melemele Island is Hala, the guy fans mistook for a Pokémon professor early on. Hala is also the grandfather of Hau, your rival.

Z-Moves

Finally, Pokémon Sun and Moon have added Z-Moves, powerful moves that can be used once per battle. Z-Moves are made possible through a Z-Ring set with Z-Crystals. Z-Crystals can resonate with each other, although the full details haven’t been revealed yet.

Check out all of these things in the trailer!

Forms, Trials, Z-Moves… it’s quite a lot to take in.

Will Grand Trials take the place of Gyms? If so, why are there only four? Is there more to explore beyond the four islands? One thing’s for sure: Pokémon Sun and Moon are making definite changes to the Pokémon formula.

What do you think about the latest Pokémon Sun and Moon news?

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Lady Layton Features Multiple Mystery Cases

Level-5 has revealed new details about Lady Layton: The Millionaire Ariadone’s Conspiracy.

First, the protagonist’s name is Katrielle, or Kat for short.

Second, the title has also been confirmed as The Millionaire Ariadone’s Conspiracy.

Third, it sounds like the game’s structure will be different from previous main-series Layton titles:

The story will focus less on dynamic problem-solving and more on solving multiple mystery cases observed in the everyday lives of Londoners, which will bring a faster tempo and more comical tone to the series.”

The Professor Layton games always sent the professor on a mission to learn the truth behind some strange, large-scale mystery. Since Katrielle runs a detective agency, it makes sense that she will be in London solving cases.

The game’s title and Kat’s search for her father suggest it still has an overarching mystery. It will be interesting to see how the game is structured. Layton Brothers: Mystery Room structured its cases similarly to Ace Attorney, with individual mysteries tied into the main plot.

The official description also says “The creators of the puzzles and brain-teasers, the core element of the series, will also be new.”

This could be great (the later titles already took steps toward adding new types of puzzles), but it’s also worrying. However, the trailer does show a few puzzles, all of which look like fair Layton material.

Speaking of which, Bolt2nd uploaded a subtitled version of the trailer. Let’s take a look.

The dog’s reactions to Kat’s deductions might be the best part of this trailer, especially given the crazy stuff Professor Layton figured out in the past.

Why are your ridiculous ideas always right on the mark?”

However, the subtitles also make it seem like Noah, at least, can also understand him, so it’s not just Kat. Is he really a talking dog? Do they both have Luke’s power? It feels rather odd, but the series has always done some odd things.

Lady Layton: The Millionaire Ariadone’s Conspiracy is definitely making changes to the Professor Layton formula, but I’m excited for what sounds like a great new entry in the series. Best of all, Level-5 also confirmed they’re targeting a 2017 release for Lady Layton in the West, which might make it the quickest localization of any Layton game.

What are your thoughts on Lady Layton’s multiple mysteries and other changes?

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Lady Layton Stars Professor Layton’s Daughter

Last month, Level-5 thrilled us with the news that a new main-series Professor Layton game was in development after all.

Now they have unveiled that game: Lady Layton!

The new game’s full title translates to something like Lady Layton: The Conspiracy of King Millionaire Ariadne, but let’s just call it Lady Layton for now.

When I first saw the title, I thought the main character might be Flora, but instead it stars Catriel Layton, Professor Layton’s daughter. She runs a detective agency and solves strange mysteries around London. She’s also searching for her father, who has disappeared.

Her companion is a talking dog named Sharo, who helps her solve the strange cases she receives. Let’s take a look at the trailer to see them in action.

There’s a lot to take in, but first let’s celebrate the fact that we’re getting a new Layton game! And if it does well, more Lady Layton games seem all but a given.

Okay, now let’s talk about the new game.

Who is Catriel Layton?

Catriel (and it’s not clear yet if that’s how her name will be localized) is a completely new character. She was never mentioned or hinted at before, and it raises related questions.

First, where is Flora? As Professor Layton’s adopted daughter, she’s the first person many fans thought of. What is she doing now? Does she consider Catriel a younger sister? Will we see her in Lady Layton?

Second, is Catriel Alfendi’s sister? Alfendi Layton only appeared in the spin-off game Layton Brothers: Mystery Room, so his placement in canon is uncertain. Will he play any role in Catriel’s story?

Third, who is her mother? This question was first raised about Alfendi, and it remains unanswered. Professor Layton’s only known love interest is out of the question, so where did his children come from? Of course, it’s possible one or both of them is adopted.

Click for Azran Legacy spoilers, implied Layton Brothers spoilerPersonally, it’s so easy to imagine Alfendi as a blood relative of Descole and Bronev, I hope he’s not adopted.

In short, Catriel herself is a huge mystery, particularly when it comes to her placement in the Layton family. However, since she’s the star of the game, we should learn a lot about her.

Professor Layton Has Disappeared?

Catriel doesn’t become a detective just because she likes solving mysteries, but because she wants to solve one big mystery in particular: the disappearance of her father.

This should be a major part of the plot, but it already tells us one important thing: wherever Lady Layton is in the timeline, it’s not the same time as Layton Brothers.

Click for minor Layton Brothers spoilerLayton Brothers ends with Barton talking to Professor Layton on the phone, and nothing in the game gives any indication that he’s missing.

However, Layton Brothers also implies Alfendi and Professor Layton are estranged for unknown reasons, so maybe the two are connected.

A Talking Dog?

Sharo is one of the most bizarre aspects of the announcement. Layton stories are pretty far out there, but a talking dog still seems out of place for the universe.

Until we see proof otherwise, I believe Catriel shares Luke’s ability to communicate with animals. That is, Sharo sounds like a normal dog to everyone else, but she can understand him.

My Hopes

Personally, I hope these mysteries all have answers. I also hope Alfendi is Catriel’s brother, even if he isn’t yet the Alfendi we know from the spin-off.

And I do hope Flora appears. She was neglected enough in the first trilogy without being ignored again in a sequel. Overall, though, I just wanted a solid Layton game, and this looks like it will deliver.

Lady Layton looks fantastic, and I can’t wait to learn more about it. It will be made for the 3DS, iOS, and Android, with its Japanese release date set for spring 2017.

Let me know your thoughts on Lady Layton in the comments!

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Hatoful Boyfriend April Fool’s Q&A Released in English

For April Fool’s Day, Moa Hato accepted questions from fans to be used in a Q&A with none other than Shuu Iwamine. That Q&A is now translated and available in English in visual novel format.

In this universe, Shuu is a sweet, compassionate soul willing to help anyone and everyone with their problems.

(Anyone familiar with the Hatoful Boyfriend games should know why “Sweet Shuu” is appropriate for an April Fool’s Joke.)

Sweet Shuu did a Q&A in 2015 as well, and that one might be translated later.

Sweet Shuu 2016 is quite short, but worth a read if you want more of him or the Hatoful universe, or just the surreal experience of Shuu giving good, kind advice.

Speaking of more Hatoful material, Tohri’s standalone route should be coming soon for those of us who didn’t play the PSN or iOS versions.

That’s right, iOS. Hatoful Boyfriend is available for iOS devices. This version is based on the PS4 and PS Vita versions, so it includes Tohri.

What next, a physical copy? Hey, I’d buy it in an instant!

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