SEGA announces free-to-play game Spiral Knights


Today Sega has officially announced ‘Spiral Knights’ a free-to-play MMO action game heavily based on Co-Op dungeon crawling and puzzle solving and apparently has very little grinding. The game also has real time action and not the boring monotonous ‘target and watch’ game play of most MMORPGs. Graphically the game looks quite sharp, colourful and cartoony, right up my street!

I suspect the game will use in-game shops where players can buy new clothes, items and weapons for real money; this is what will pay for the up keep of the server and has become a very popular business model for MMORPGs in recent years.

You can also play the game before release by heading over to the games official website HERE!

Over to Sega community manager Edward for more details;

“Spiral Knights is a brand new, totally free-to-play online multiplayer game developed by the excellent craftsmen who brought you Puzzle Pirates. The game debuts soon — it’s available for download this April 4th. A constantly changing world with a deep story, Spiral Knights is heavy on teamwork and creativity, and short on typical MMO-style grinding.”

Looks quite cool and as it is free I’ll probably try it out!

Super Monkey Ball 3DS Trailer

Here is a new trailer for Super Monkey Ball 3DS, the trailer shows off the main game and its control scheme. In all honesty the game looks quite fun, bright, and has the same addictive Monkey Ball game play I’ve always loved.

But I really, really hope there is an option to take down those red safety bars that appear in the levels… There is nothing worse than this series being toned down and made too easy for us older fans that look for a bit of challenge in our Monkey Ball ventures.

I’m still a bit disappointed that Monkey Target didn’t make it into the party game selection, but looking at how they changed Monkey Fight and Monkey Race I’m not sure I’d want it after all…

Yakuza: of the End release date hits TBA status

[…Hm…yeah, I can understand why this might be an issue]

In a move that’s not all that surprising given the devastating earthquakes in Japan, SEGA has decided to move Yakuza: Of the End from its March 17th Japanese release date. No new date was given.

This is not a first for SEGA, who cancelled Propeller Arena’s release back on the Dreamcast due to the September 11th terrorist attacks. That game never saw release, a fate that hopefully won’t be shared by Yakuza: of the End.

Last year’s entry in the Yakuza series, Yakuza 4, a game which doesn’t involve a zombie apocalypse, will be releasing this week as planned in Western territories.

[Source: Andriasang]

GDC 2011: Yu Suzuki Career Retrospective


Are you a fan of Yu Suzuki? Of course you are! Well this video is for you.

This is the GDC career retrospective of Yu Suzuki and it’s translated into English. Full of great information regarding Suzuki’s long career with Sega and the ground breaking, revolutionary games he has created over the years including OutRun, Virtua Fighter and Shenmue amongst others.

I’m sure you’ll agree, this man is a legend.

Shogun 2 Multiplayer Walkthrough Part 1

Here is a fantastic trailer showing off the new multiplayer features of Shogun 2 in full detail. Learn how to play the new MMO-like persistent world game, join clans and customize your general. The game looks truly awesome.

Goro Majima’s story in Yakuza of the End…

It seems that poor Majima will be playing the ‘bitten hero’ in the latest Yakuza installment. After his eyes start to turn red, he starts to worry about himself becoming one of the undead. He tells Kazuma and Misuzu Asaki that he can no longer travel with the pair due to being bitten.

He then takes refuge with Daigo Dojima in a shopping mall in Kamuroco Hills. It’s a zombie game, of course there will be a mall somewhere! They then get rescued by homeless people (bum power) and run into the Florist of Sai. Where his journey takes him you will have to play the game to find out.

Also, this is how I also hold my shotgun for press renders.

[Source: AndriaSang]

Total War Shogun 2 and Team Fortress 2 Cross Over Announced!

Here is a crazy cross over I never saw happening! Sega have announced a Shogun 2 and Team Fortress 2 cross over to promote the release of Shogun 2 on steam.

This cross over comes in the form of eight in-game items for Valve’s online FPS, Team Fortress 2.

The items will be made available as an exclusive pre-purchase bonus for Steam gamers and also as a separate TF2 item pack. If you’ve already pre-purchased Total War: Shogun 2 on Steam or you do so before release and own TF2, you’ll automatically gain access to these unique items.

Hit the jump for the press release and screens of said items.

Yakuza 4 – Locations trailer


The new trailer above lets you check out some of the locations in the upcoming Yakuza 4. If you played the past 3 titles released in the West, you should know what to expect.

“Red lights at night, Yakuza delight”

Yakuza of the End could hit the West with different name

[Yakuza: Goro Majima the fantastic]

Of course SEGA can say yes or no on any future Yakuza games being brought over, what with Yakuza 4 coming out very soon. But the guys from Siliconera had a great interview about what it takes to bring Yakuza games to the West. When asked if SEGA would bring over a spin off like Kenzan:

“In terms of the older games, I can really speak to that at the moment. Because currently from the Yakuza franchise we have Black Panther, Kenzan, and now we have Of the End. Which all intents and purposes is a working title for the West, we don’t know what it’s going to be called. I think the possibility is there. We haven’t closed the door on any of those titles. We’re always looking at what might be the next title that will be appropriate for the Western market.” – Yas Noguchi, Senior Producer Yakuza 4

Sounds like ‘Yakuza of the End’ is leaning more towards a yes, since they are already saying it’s a code name in the West or is this just me wanting a game badly?

Read the rest of the great interview over here.

Valkyria Chronicles 3 anime coming out next month

SEGA has revealed that you will be able to rent the first part (of two) of the Valkyria Chronicles OVA, called “Senjo no Valkyria 3 Tagatame no Juusou” on April 15th through May 12th via PSN & Sony’s Qriocity video on demand service. The first part clocks in at 30 minutes, will cost you ¥500 (about $6 USD) in HD and ¥400 (about $5 USD)  in SD.

For those of you that do download the film via the services above, you will get a code to unlock “Innen no Taiketsu,” a free mission in Valkyria Chronicles 3. This mission is a what “if” mission, where Kurt and the Nameless have to work the Squad 7.

As for retail, there will be a Blu-Ray and DVD version of the first part of the OVA released on June 29. There will be a limited edition and standard.

Hori and SEGA making an expensive Hatsune Miku PS3 controller


Last time SEGA and Hori teamed up to bring you a super expensive Virtua On controller, now they are teaming up again. This time to make a Miku Project Diva Dreamy Theater 2nd controller.

The controller has big buttons that light up, and measures 690x430x70mm. It’s also customizable; the display top can be swapped out for your own design. The controller is priced at ¥29,939 (about $361).

Hori is only going to start production on the controller if they get enough pre-orders, since it’s an expensive product. The pre-orders stop on March 22nd, so if you want one, order here.

[Source: AndriaSang]

Classic SEGA Mega Drive dynamic theme is awesome


This theme above was released in the European PSN store update and it’s awesome! It seems that it’s only for PSN+ users, America might get it later. I personally will be rocking this one.

That is basically a SEGA fan’s bedroom in the early 90’s.

Japan: Super Monkey Ball 3D fails to chart

Though the majority of the 3DS’ launch titles continue to have a presence on the weekly Top 20, SEGA’s Super Monkey Ball 3D, which released in Japan post-launch on March 3rd, failed to make the charts.

In other words, it failed to sell 6,527 copies in its first 3 days on the market, likely not a great sign. Maybe it’s time to try a new franchise, SEGA?

Super Monkey Ball 3D is notable in that it takes a stripped down approach to its multiplayer, removing an entire list of fan favorites in favor of just a racing and fighting mode.

Hit the break for the full sales chart, which covers 2/28-3/6.

[Source: IGN]

‘SEGA PLAY! Baseball’ Officially Launches on Facebook

The SEGA Facebook game ‘SEGA PLAY! Baseball’ has officially launched for English speaking users! Announced back in February, SEGA PLAY! Baseball allows Facebook users to create and maintain their own baseball team, training them to become major league champions. The game features a large amount of customizable content, from team name and colors to designing your own personal avatar and decorating your stadium. I currently am shooting for a dinosaur and sunflower theme.

Anarchy Reigns – Black Baron trailer


Another character from Wii exclusive MadWorld jumps into the world of Anarchy Reigns, this will make it the fourth character. If you are wondering the others: Jack, Matilda and Big Bull are all from the MadWorld universe.

Black Baron will be bringing his ‘Super Sexy Fists of Fire’ to the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 later this year. Are you ready?