Author Archives: Kori-Maru

ATLUS Releases New Prologue Demo Today for Metaphor: ReFantazio

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Studio Zero Game Director Katsura Hashino announced today at the Metaphor Launch Event in Tokyo, Japan, during the week of Tokyo Game Show (TGS), that the Prologue Demo for ATLUS’ highly-anticipated fantasy RPG Metaphor: ReFantazio is now available on Xbox for free. The free demo will also be available for PlayStation and PC today at 9am PT.

In the Prologue Demo, players can experience some of the early-game narrative, explore social elements and discover the city as they get a head start on their adventure ahead of the October 11 launch. Progression from the demo will carry over to the launch version so players can get a head start on their adventures in the United Kingdom of Euchronia.

The Prologue Demo includes:

  • The beginning of the journey to lift the curse of the prince.

  • The first four dungeons.

  • The ability to unlock seven of the 40+ classes called “Archetypes”.

  • Meet six followers, including party members that will support the Protagonist’s journey.

  • And much more!

Metaphor: ReFantazio is an all-new fantasy RPG from the creative minds of Persona 3, 4, and 5. Players will write their destiny and rise above fear as they step into a fantasy world unlike any other in a perilous race for the throne.

Metaphor: ReFantazio launches October 11, 2024 for Xbox Series X|S, Windows, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4 and Steam. For more information and for links to pre-order, visit metaphor.atlus.com.

In addition to today’s demo release announcement, Jack Frost is confirmed to be included later in the game (not in the demo) as a demon an Archetype from the Summoner lineage can summon.

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SEGA Reveals SONIC X SHADOW GENERATIONS: Sonic the Hedgehog 3 Movie Pack Included in Digital Deluxe Edition

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Today, as part of PlayStation’s State of Play broadcast, SEGA revealed the SONIC X SHADOW GENERATIONS: Sonic the Hedgehog 3 Movie Pack which will be included in the game’s Digital Deluxe edition.

On December 12, all SONIC X SHADOW GENERATIONS Digital Deluxe owners can take on a new look as Shadow and play through a unique level inspired by the new movie, Sonic the Hedgehog 3, featuring the voice of Keanu Reeves! Read how Sonic Team were able to bring the big screen version of Shadow to the newest Sonic game on the PlayStation Blog here.

SONIC X SHADOW GENERATIONS is set to release both digitally and physically on October 25, 2024, starting at $49.99 USD on PlayStation®5 (PS5®), PlayStation®4 (PS4®), Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, the Nintendo Switch™ family of systems, and PC. Fans can pre-order today and receive a legacy skin for Modern Sonic based on his look from Sonic Adventure!

Those who purchase the Digital Deluxe Edition can play the game three days early and receive additional content. Also, players who pre-order the Physical Day One Edition will also receive Gerald Robotnik’s 28-page journal, chronicling his experience creating Shadow and the Ark Space Station.

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SEGA Reveals Latest Slate of Sonic the Hedgehog News at 4th Annual Sonic Central

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Earlier today, SEGA has revealed a slew of Sonic the Hedgehog announcements for upcoming titles including SONIC X SHADOW GENERATIONS™, Sonic Rumble™, Sonic Dream Team™, as well as details on upcoming partnerships and more.

Several highlights of Sonic Central 2024 included:

  • SONIC X SHADOW GENERATIONS – A new story trailer was unveiled that featured a new look at the story of Shadow’s standalone campaign, along with a teaser trailer for the upcoming Sonic X Shadow Generations: Dark Beginnings animation and a look at Gerald Robotnik’s Journal.
  • Sonic Rumble – Get ready for the all-new mobile Sonic party game, Sonic Rumble, coming this winter to both mobile and PC! Play with up to 32 friends and face new challenges, race through the various stages, and collect rings to win and unlock a huge selection of cosmetic collectibles.
  • Sonic Dream Team – A new playable character, Shadow the Hedgehog, will be arriving in the mobile game later this year!
  • Chao Tales – Sonic Team announced a new animated web-series, Chao Tales, which will include eight-episodes of whimsical shorts featuring the adorable fan-favorite chao.
  • Sonic the Hedgehog, DC and Warner Bros – Kicking off in 2025, the DC x Sonic collaboration launches with an all-new, five-issue comic series published by DC Comics. Merchandise developed by SEGA and WBDGCP, spanning numerous categories including apparel, toys, and more, will follow in late 2025.
  • Partnerships – SEGA revealed a variety of partners they will be collaborating with this year, to create a wide range of all-new, Sonic-themed products and experiences, including LEGO, Topgolf, JAKKS Pacific, PDP, First 4 Figures, HJC Helmets, Louis de Guzman and Bushiroad Creative.

But that’s not all! Please find the official press release below for additional announcements from Sonic Central by clicking the jump.

Continue Reading ➜

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SEGA and RGG Studio announces Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii; Available Now for Pre-Order!

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During the recent RGG Summit stream, SEGA and RGG Studio dropped an electrifying announcement that has fans buzzing: Goro Majima, the beloved and eccentric character from the Yakuza/Like a Dragon series, is getting his very own spin-off game titled Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii. This thrilling new chapter will see Majima, the notorious ex-yakuza, shipwrecked on a remote Pacific Island, where he embarks on a quest to recover his lost memories alongside a young boy named Noah, who saved his life. As they navigate their way through a vibrant and dangerous world, Majima and Noah become embroiled in a fierce conflict involving ruthless criminals, modern-day pirates, and other colorful scoundrels vying for a legendary treasure.

Pre-Order on Amazon

Standard Edition: PlayStation 4 | PlayStation 5 | Xbox Series X

Collector’s Edition: PlayStation 5 | Xbox Series X

Continue Reading ➜

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MoneyGram Haas F1 Team and Metaphor: ReFantazio™ announce new partnership for the Singapore Grand Prix

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Today, ATLUS and the MoneyGram Haas F1 Team announced a race partnership bringing gaming entertainment to racing fans.

The one race partnership will see Metaphor: ReFantazio logo adorn the top nose of the cars for Nico Hülkenberg and Kevin Magnussen during the Singapore Grand Prix. The logo will feature the in-game characters’ Hulkenberg for Nico Hülkenberg’s car (no relation) and the Protagonist for Kevin Magnussen’s car.

More details and press release on the partnership can be found at the jump!

Continue Reading ➜

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HJC Helmets Unveils New Shadow the Hedgehog Helmets

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Today, SEGA has announced its partnership with HJC Helmets for the release of a brand-new Shadow the Hedgehog themed helmet, following the release of the Sonic the Hedgehog helmet. Fans can now bring their favorite brooding hedgehog along with them on their own Dark Rider adventures this October 2024.

The RPHA 12 helmet features Shadow the Hedgehog’s distinctive mischievous smile, including his trademark red eyes, complemented by a striking black and red color scheme that captures his fearless and intense personality.

The transition from the RPHA 11 to the RPHA 12 showcases HJC’s commitment to continuous improvement. The RPHA 12 is designed for both racetrack and street use, making it a choice for riders looking for exceptional performance in various riding conditions.

The new RPHA 12 helmet is lightweight, which will play a role in the all-new aerodynamics of the helmet. The new aerodynamics will help with less wind resistance and head movement, allowing riders to experience less drag. Additionally, the new vents keep the rider cool and help prevent fogging.

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SEGA Releases New Content Update for Sonic Dream Team

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Today, SEGA announced the latest jam-packed content update for Sonic Dream Team – the latest 3D Sonic the Hedgehog action-platformer, playable exclusively on Apple Arcade. This update brings some overhauls to the popular Tails Challenges, as well as newly added Powers including Stomp, Super Glide, and more!

Here is what the update has to offer:

Powers Have Arrived!

Unlock and equip Powers to grant Sonic and team powerful new abilities including Stomp, Super Glide, Wall Boost, and more. These are unlocked via Tails’ Challenges and let you customize your loadout to suit your playstyle. There are 16 Powers to unlock and experiment with!

Daily Rewards and More

Tails’ Challenges now refresh daily and deliver more rewards! Players can also earn rankings on every Challenge mission, with the coveted S-Rank awarding bonus XP for faster unlocking of rewards and Powers.

Score Attack Levels Now Available

In Tails’ Challenges, players can dive into new Score attack levels. Smash through targets, destroy enemies and obstacles, and chain together moves for combo streaks. Post high scores to the leaderboards and see who gets to the top!

Rock Out to More Sonic Tunes!

Fan favorite music tracks from other Sonic games can now be unlocked through Tails’ Challenges, and players can now groove to any of their unlocked songs during gameplay!

Sonic Dream Team is available now exclusively on Apple Arcade and is playable across iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, and Apple Vision Pro.

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SEGA Releases New ‘Fearless’ Takashi Iizuka Interview All About Shadow

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Today, SEGA released a new, exclusive interview with Sonic Team Creative Officer Takashi Iizuka, who sat down to answer questions from fans in the Sonic community about Shadow the Hedgehog and the Fearless: Year of Shadow campaign.

Sonic Team’s Fearless: Year of Shadow campaign spotlights Shadow, who is set to star in the upcoming video game, SONIC X SHADOW GENERATIONS, which is set to be released on October 25, as well as the highly anticipated movie, “Sonic the Hedgehog 3”, heading to theaters on December 20 this year. The campaign celebrates what it means to be Fearless and embracing your inner Shadow by bravely facing challenges head on.

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Persona 3 Reload: Episode Aigis -The Answer- Available Now + New Launch Trailer

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Today, ATLUS launched the final content release for the Persona 3 Reload Expansion Pass, Episode Aigis -The Answer- on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows PC, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Steam, PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4.

Added to the game 16 years ago with the release of Persona 3 FES, Episode Aigis -The Answer- (originally known as “The Answer” in North America) is a major post-ending DLC that expands the story of Persona 3 Reload. Delve into a modern version of the final chapter with over 30 hours of new gameplay, now with cutting-edge graphics, updated quality-of-life features, fresh animations and UI, and a rearranged soundtrack.

In Episode Aigis -The Answer-, after unraveling the mysteries of the Dark Hour, fighting epic battles through Tartarus, and all the unforgettable events of Persona 3 Reload, the S.E.E.S. members find themselves trapped in a never-ending March 31st. Journey through the Abyss of Time as Aigis, undertake new challenges and uncover the cause of this strange fate and the truth of what happened on that day…

Special to Persona 3 Reload’s version of the epilogue is the return of a fan-favorite character and iconic music from Persona 5 Royal as a challenge battle boss fight. Watch the “A Familiar Foe” trailer here to unveil the face behind the mask.

The Persona 3 Reload: Expansion Pass includes Episode Aigis -The Answer-, the Velvet Costume & BGM Set, and the Persona 5 Royal EX & Persona 4 Golden EX BGM Sets. The Expansion Pass is available on digital storefronts for $34.99 on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows, Steam, PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4. The Expansion Pass is available at no extra cost to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers through January 31, 2025.

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Celebrate the SEGA Dreamcast 25th Anniversary with the Dreamcast Anniversary Collection from Limited Run Games

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Today marks the 25th anniversary of the SEGA Dreamcast. To celebrate the console release, SEGA has teamed up with Limited Run Games once again to provide new merchandise such as trading cards, apparel, and many other items.

This Dreamcast Collection will feature 200 premium trading cards featuring art from the system’s most iconic games and franchises along with hoodies, t-shirts, pins, keychains and a Dreamcast coin.

In addition to the trading cards, every month starting in October, new trading card merchandise will be available for pre-order focusing on games from the Limited Run Dreamcast Trading Card set which includes:

  • Skies of Arcadia 
  • Shenmue 
  • Shenmue II
  • Phantasy Star Online
  • Sonic Adventure
  • Sonic Adventure 2
  • Crazy Taxi
  • ChuChu Rocket!
  • Jet Set Radio
  • Space Channel 5
  • Virtua Fighter 3tb
  • Samba de Amigo
  • House of the Dead 2
  • Zombie Revenge
  • Dynamite Cop!

Pre-orders are available now here until October 13th.

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New Metaphor: ReFantazio “ATLUS Exclusive” – World Tour Livestream Featuring Katsura Hashino

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This evening’s stream showcased Metaphor: ReFantazio’s fantastical world, in which players will encounter the beautiful, the strange and the unique during their journey. Studio Zero director Katsura Hashino led viewers on a guided tour through multiple never-before-seen locations, from small towns, to islands, to labyrinths and to the belly of a worm. Hashino-san also introduced a new ally, Eupha, and hinted that more about her will be revealed in the future.

At the conclusion of today’s showcase, Hashino-san teased the next “ATLUS Exclusive” showcase – airing this Fall – and invited viewers to visit ATLUS at Tokyo Game Show 2024 to try a demo of Metaphor: ReFantazio.

Metaphor: ReFantazio launches October 11, 2024 for Xbox Series X|S, Windows, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4 and Steam. Physical and digital pre-orders are available now.

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Yakuza Kiwami announced for Nintendo Switch; Available on October 24th!

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During the last bit of the Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase stream, Yakuza Kiwami was announced to be ported to the Nintendo Switch for the first time and will be available digitally on October 24th.

New players can experience the early adventures of Kazuma Kiryu as he emerges from prison 10 years later after taking a fall of a murder to yakuza clans on the brink of a war that hurtles him on an intense journey of love, humanity, and betrayal, fueled by his fists and unyielding resolve, set against a bustling red-light district in modern day Japan.

This is also a great way to promote the upcoming live action TV adaptation of the game coming to Amazon Prime Video on October 25th. Will you get the Nintendo Switch version of Yakuza Kiwami? Let us know in the comments below!

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Limited Run Games announces Valkyria Chronicles Definitive Edition

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Today, Limited Run Games has announced physical editions of Valkyria Chronicles Remastered for Nintendo Switch and PC with pre-orders available beginning from August 23rd to September 22nd.

Three editions are available for pre-order such as the regular Switch Limited Run physical copy, Gallian Edition, and the Ragnite Edition.

Valkyria Chronicles Remastered Gallian Edition includes:

  • Physical copy of Valkyria Chronicles Remastered for Nintendo Switch
  • Valkyria Chronicles Remastered Slipcover Deluxe Book Box
  • Steelbook

Valkyria Chronicles Remastered Ragnite Edition includes:

  • Physical Copy of Valkyria Chronicles Remastered for Nintendo Switch
  • Gallian Edition
  • Principality of Gallia Flag
  • Acrylic Standees
  • SteelBook
  • Squad 7 Stickers
  • Squad Commander Medal
  • Metal Edelweiss Replica
  • Hans Plush
  • Art Prints
  • Squad 7 Insignia Keychain

You can pre-order physical editions of Valkyria Chronicles on Limited Run Games official website here!

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ATLUS host voice actor interview and reveal brand new trailer “Travel Beyond Fantasy” for Metaphor: ReFantazio on Xbox @ Gamescom Livestream

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During the Xbox @ Gamescom stream, there was a pre-recorded video from Studio Zero director Katsura Hashino who introduced viewers to the brand-new trailer for Metaphor: ReFantazio “Travel Beyond Fantasy”, which focuses on the journey for the Royal Tournament. The trailer revealed the Protagonist traveling far and wide, campaigning to win support from the people of the United Kingdom of Euchronia in the hopes of being elected as their new King and take the Throne.

The Xbox @ Gamescom livestream also included an informative interview with actors Stewart Clarke and Kristin Atherton who voice the English version of central characters Strohl and Hulkenberg. The two actors discussed their roles in the game, how they prepared for their performance and what it was like to immerse themselves in the magical, medieval world of Metaphor: ReFantazio. You can watch the VOD on the official Xbox YouTube channel here.

Metaphor: ReFantazio will launch on Xbox Series X|S, Windows, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4 and Steam on October 11, 2024.

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A Mysterious Masked Figure Infiltrates Persona 3 Reload on September 10

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At gamescom’s Opening Night Live 2024, ATLUS announced unexpected news we never seen coming that a special challenge battle will be added to Persona 3 Reload on September 10, 2024 as part of Episode Aigis -The Answer-, the final content release for the Persona 3 Reload: Expansion Pass.

Wholly unique to Persona 3 Reload’s Episode Aigis, the encounter with the masked boy presents a hardcore challenge for players via a secret boss fight, replete with striking themes from Persona 5 Royal.

The confrontation is one part of the larger Episode Aigis -The Answer- content expansion, a major post-ending DLC that further develops the story of Persona 3 Reload and serves as a story epilogue.

The Persona 3 Reload: Expansion Pass includes Episode Aigis -The Answer-, the Velvet Costume & BGM Set, and the Persona 5 Royal EX & Persona 4 Golden EX BGM Sets. The Expansion Pass is available for purchase on digital storefronts for $34.99 on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows, Steam, PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4. It is also available at no extra cost for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers through January 31, 2025.

 

 

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