How To Make Sega Ages Releases More Appealing

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SEGA Ages has been the longest running retro line in SEGA’s history starting up all the way back on the Sega Saturn in 1996, the series would evolve itself into the Sega Ages 2500 series on PlayStation 2, then become Sega Ages Online in early 2012 on PlayStation 3 & Xbox 360. SEGA would later rebrand the series as ‘SEGA 3D Classics’ for the Nintendo 3DS but switched it back to SEGA Ages when they launched the series on Nintendo Switch back in 2018. Since then SEGA has announced and released 19 retro titles on exclusively to Switch with its latest one being Herzog Zwei, a real-time strategy game for the SEGA Genesis/Mega Drive.

During the announcement of Herzog Zwei the team mentioned that this could be the last release for SEGA AGES as they don’t have any plans for future releases. So I went ahead and asked you guys on the SEGAbits Twitter what SEGA Ages could change to make the titles more appealing and I feel like we are on the same track on changes we would love to see if SEGA continues moving forward with even more releases into 2021 and some issues with the brand that they could fix.

Panzer Dragoon: Remake heading to PS4, PC, and Xbox One by end of year, also coming to next gen consoles


It looks like Zbigniew Dębicki, CEO of Forever Entertainment, the company that has created the Panzer Dragoon: Remake and will be doing The House of the Dead remakes sooner than later, has spoken about the game coming not only to PlayStation 4 and Xbox One; but also next generation consoles like PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. In a newly translated chat with the CEO by Panzer Dragoon World, the plan is to release the PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One by the end of the year:

According to the CEO, Panzer Dragoon: Remake is set to be released on other platforms like PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC (non-Stadia version) by the end of the year, but we will also be getting a PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X versions later down the line. I can already hear Limited Run Games salivating at all the different releases (oh, hi Josh). We shall see, Panzer Dragoon: Remake launched on March 10, 2020 on Nintendo Switch.

Koei Tecmo’s financials suggest Persona 5 Scramble: The Phantom Strikers is coming west

You know one thing that companies don’t mess around about, that’s their money. According to the latest Koei Tecmo’s financials presentation, it was listed that Persona 5 Scramble: The Phantom Strikers would be coming to North America and Europe for PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch. The issue? No release window announced.

While Persona 5 Scramble: The Phantom Strikers was published by Atlus in Japan, it was developed by Koei Tecmo’s studio Omega Force.

Would be interesting to see if Koei Tecmo or Atlus publishes this title.

[Via: Gematsu]

Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis releasing 2021, updating original game system and graphics engine

Today’s Xbox Game Showcase had a surprise for SEGA fans. What initially looked like episode for Phantasy Star Online 2 turned out to be a complete overhaul to the existing game entitled Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis. Dubbed “the latest entry in the series” and released to celebrate the original PSO’s 20th anniversary, the game will update PSO2’s game system and graphics engine and is planned to release on a global scale, including Japan and North America.

The official accounts have said your progress will carry over. The game will release to Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Windows 10 in North America and for Japan it is set for PlayStation 4, Windows PC and the cloud (PC and Switch). More information as we hear it, and in the meantime check out the official website.

SEGA News Bits: Yakuza: Like A Dragon Gets English Voice Cast, Release Date and More

Today was a big day for Yakuza: Like a Dragon fans, as SEGA has finally went ahead and given us a big portion of the English voice actors that will be featured, plus we got a release date and several editions of the game being promoted. Check out all the news and catch the conversation as we talk everything Yakuza: Like a Dragon on this episode of SEGA News Bits.

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Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne HD Remaster heading to PS4 and Switch Spring 2021

During the Nintendo Mini Direct earlier today, Atlus and SEGA announced that they will be making a HD remaster of Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne which originally came out on the PlayStation 2 back in 2003.

From the game description:

Nocturne follows the Protagonist, a high school student in modern-day Tokyo, as he is transformed into a half-demon after the world undergoes Conception, an apocalyptic event triggered by a sinister cult to trigger the world’s rebirth in a new form. With Tokyo transformed into a Vortex World filled with demons, the Protagonist becomes instrumental to the schemes of the Reasons, beings who seek to remake the world in their image, and Lucifer, the lord of demons. The gameplay uses a turn-based battle system based on exploiting weaknesses, and a Demon recruitment system allowing the player to recruit demons found in the Vortex World to fight alongside them. “

I like that Atlus is getting more open to re-release some of their past games that weren’t really popular in the West, now that Atlus and Persona has become a brand name, it seems that Atlus are focusing on selling their older games that might have been overlooked. The game will also get a limited edition release in Japan.

[Via: Siliconera]

Yakuza: Like a Dragon announced as Xbox Series X launch title, also coming to Xbox One, PS4 and PC

Announced today, via an Inside Xbox stream, was that Yakuza: Like a Dragon will be releasing to Xbox Series X as a launch title as well as to Xbox One X, Xbox One, Windows 10 PC, Steam and PlayStation 4. The seventh in the mainline Yakuza series, Yakuza: Like a Dragon is a new entry point in the series featuring new RPG-like gameplay styles and a new protagonist. It was also announced today that the game will see a physical Day One Edition, and listings have started to appear at various retailers, however pricing, a release date and content of the Day One edition will be revealed at a later date.

Also announced is that Yakuza: Like a Dragon will support Xbox Series X Smart Delivery, allowing players to buy the game once and play it on Xbox One or Xbox Series X with cross-save functionality. We’ll share more details as we learn more!

PRE-ORDER

PlayStation 4 | Xbox One | Xbox Series X

Sakura Wars (2020) Review – The Revived JRPG Classic for the New Era of Gaming (PlayStation 4)

It has been a long journey and Sakura Wars is now available for a worldwide audience with a brand new cast of characters, a new story, and the charm of the original series that debuted on the SEGA Saturn back in 1996. But does it meet expectations for newcomers and older fans alike? Take a look at my review of Sakura Wars for PlayStation 4!

13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim physical & digital sales reaches 130,000 units in Japan

13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim is one of the games that I have been looking forward to since it was announced way back in TGS 2015, since it was being developed by Vanillaware ( Odin Sphere, Dragon’s Crown and Muramasa: The Demon Blade). The game has been postponed and delayed. When it was first announced there was two versions: PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita; since then the Vita version has been cancelled. The game came out (with whispers considering how acclaimed the studio is) in Japan November 28, 2019 and since then Atlus Japan has confirmed the game has sold 130,000 units.

That means that it sold only 30,000 units in the last four months considering that Vanillaware confirmed in January that the game had sold 100,000 units. Is this good for the game that has been in the works for such a long time? I couldn’t tell you. As far as a western release, Atlus hasn’t announced a release date yet.

Sakura Wars (2019) Hands-On Preview – A Dramatic Adventure at its best! (Playstation 4)

Sakura Wars has been a popular Japanese game franchise and media since the release of the original game in 1996 on the SEGA Saturn in Japan. It was known for its hybrid gameplay between dating simulation and turn-based tactical strategy. The franchise would later grow a cult following in the west through anime releases in the late nineties and the release of Sakura Wars: So Long My Love for Playstation 2 and Nintendo Wii by another publisher, NIS America. Since the release of So Long My Love, the franchise laid in dormant until SEGA made a surprising announcement in 2018 during SEGA Fes that a brand new entry to the series was in the works as a soft reboot and will be released worldwide.

With only 12 days to go with the release of Sakura Wars (2019) for Playstation 4, I’m going to share my hands-on experience of the game, courtesy of SEGA. Please note that this preview is the 1.0 version of the game before the Day One update with a full review coming to SEGAbits on April 27th. You can read my hands-on preview of Sakura Wars (2019) in full after the break!

Streets of Rage 4 coming to Microsoft Game Pass on day one

While Streets of Rage 4 was already teased as a Game Pass game, it wasn’t confirmed or really talked about after the announcement. Was the game going to be timed exclusive? Would it be on sale first then come to Xbox Game Pass? Now the Facebook page has confirmed that it will be available to Game Pass consumers the same day as it goes on sale digitally.

The issue? Its coming soon, without a solid release date. I guess now we wait.

[Thanks for the heads up Brandon!]

Sakura Wars (2019) – Horiguchi / BUNBUN / Shimada Character Design Spotlight Video

SEGA has uploaded an exclusive speak peek at three of Japan’s greatest anime/manga character designers in the industry, Horiguchi, BUNBUN, and Shimada, work on the upcoming Sakura Wars (2019) game for Playstation 4.

The video showcases sketches of the three Combat Revues that the New Flower Division will be up against in the Combat Revue World Games which consist of Shanghai, London, and Berlin Divisions. Sakura Wars (2019) will take center stage on April 28th for Playstation 4.

Pre-Order Sakura Wars for Playstation 4
Launch Edition

Sakura Wars (2019) – Combat Trailer

The combat trailer for Sakura Wars (2019) is here! Showcasing the battle segments that the player will be facing after exploring around during Adventure Mode and building strong relationships with their teammates. Here is a description of the combat feature, courtesy of SEGA Press:

“Almost immediately after being appointed captain of the Flower Division, your boss, Sumire Kanzaki, announces Tokyo’s sworn protectors are at risk of being disbanded. You and your squad have one chance to prove yourselves and save the legacy of the Flower Division – by winning the Combat Revue World Games. The Games are an intense, dynamic tournament where combat revues from around the world compete in elaborate stage performances and battle with their giant mecha. They were established with the hope it would foster a spirit of unity between the different revues while also enhancing their public profile, allowing these heroes to take the spotlight and display their combat prowess to the populace.”

The Flower Division can expect to face particularly fierce opposition from the combat revues of Shanghai, London, and Berlin. The rules are simple, though the path forward is anything but:
  • Every match is a three-on-three team battle spread across three rounds.
  • You’ll select two squad members who will fight alongside you.
  • Each team scores points by defeating targets located around the tournament arena.
  • These points contribute to a tug-of-war-like gauge. Win by overpowering your opponent in that gauge or by scoring the most points overall at the end of the match.

Sakura Wars (2019) take center stage on Playstation 4 for April 28th and is now available for pre-order. Check out screenshots of the battle segments after the jump.

Sakura Wars (2019) – Tite Kubo Character Design Spotlight Video

SEGA has teamed up with Crunchyroll to give an exclusive speak peek at Tite Kubo’s, the main character designer for the manga series BLEACH, character designs for the upcoming Sakura Wars (2019) game for Playstation 4.

The video showcases sketches the new Flower Division character designs by the famous manga creator with many detailed expressions shown for each character. Sakura Wars (2019) will take center stage on April 28th for Playstation 4.

Pre-Order Sakura Wars for Playstation 4
Launch Edition