Project Sakura Wars first gameplay to debut in official live stream on June 26


SEGA will be hosting a series of ‘Sakura Wars: Imperial Theater Propaganda Department Report’ live streams, with the first official broadcast kicking off on June 26 from 20:00 JST to 21:30 JST (4am-5:30am PST) on YouTube and Periscope.

The stream will reveal new information and show off the first gameplay stream.

The stream will feature:

– Yohei Azakami (Mission Propaganda Department leader / Seijuurou Kamiyama voice actor)
– Misuzu Araki (assistant MC)
– Tetsu Katano (Project Sakura Wars producer)

If you don’t have time to watch the stream, just come here after the whole event and we will have a breakdown on all the new information!

Shenmue III will only complete 40% of Ryo’s story


If you funded Shenmue III assuming that we would be getting a closure to a story that we (at least most of us older fans) have been following since early 2000s, but that doesn’t seem the case. We all know that Shenmue was always mean’t to be 11 chapters, but considering budgets and restrains, a lot of us assumed that Yu Suzuki had planned a more condense version of his story. I guess not:

During a interview with USgamer, Yu Suzuki revealed that Shenmue III will be about 40% of Ryo’s story:

“Whole story of this bottle, about here [sic],” Suzuki said via translator. I asked if he meant halfway. “40 percent,”

About the game’s length, Yu Suzuki had this to say in a Reddit AMA:

Phil Spencer says Phantasy Star Online 2 ‘Will End up on all Platforms’

This actually happen and was said a few days ago but I was too busy to write it up. Microsoft’s Phil Spencer said while talking to the boys over at Giant Bomb that Phantasy Star Online 2 will end up on multiple platforms including the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4? Please note that there is no Phantasy Star Online 2 that runs native within the Switch, the one released in Japan was actually streaming.

It was so cool to have [Sega] on our stage and work with them. And yes, it’ll end up on all platforms. That’s not the point. To me, the point was to be able to have Sega back on our stage. It’s been a while.

Phil Spencer knows how to sweet talk us SEGA fans, its been awhile since SEGA has taken a big E3 stage especially with Microsoft. When was the last time they had a big presence? During the early Xbox 360 days? You can check out the Giant Bomb Phil Spencer interview above.

SEGA News Bits: Shenmue III E3 Gameplay & Epic Store Exclusive Reaction

While Shenmue III just got a delay into November, it doesn’t mean that E3 isn’t the biggest event for YS Net and Deep Silver to promote the upcoming kickstarter backed game. We got a ton of news at E3 2019 including a brand new trailer with facial animation, over 13 minutes of gameplay, a new Limited Run Games collector’s edition, and finally the game going Epic Store exclusive on PC. We share our thoughts on all the news, let us know what you think in the comments below.

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SEGA stopping Border Break arcade support a decade after launch


SEGA has just announced that they will officially close support for Border Break in arcades, the SEGA-AM2 game launched way back on September 9, 2009 on the RingEdge arcade board.

According to SEGA’s financial reports on the game, as of March 2012 it has grossed over $100 million dollars for SEGA, so its no surprised that it was still being updated till this day. The last ‘rename’ update the game got was Border Break X Zero back in 2017. Border Break will still live on considering that a PlayStation 4 free-to-play version of the game launched in Japan last year. What about us here in the West?

Sonic Mania will be free for PlayStation Plus users this June

Did you buy Sonic Mania on every platform besides the PlayStation 4? You are in luck if you are a PlayStation Plus user since Sonic Mania, the base game, will be free to play this June. Looks like SEGA is hoping users spend some bucks on the ‘Plus’ DLC. Kinda strange that Sonic Mania Plus wasn’t given away on PlayStation Plus, that would have made a nice headline. I guess two positives do equal a negative.

How many of you guys haven’t played Sonic Mania yet? I doubt there are very many of you.

Team Sonic Racing Review – Roadside Assistance (PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC)

Nearly ten years ago, SEGA and the Sheffield based developer Sumo Digital teamed up to bring Sonic and a number of SEGA franchises to the world of mascot kart racers. Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing was a hit with fans of SEGA, Sonic and drift-focused racing games and only two years later the studio returned with the even more successful Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed. Transformed not only outdid the previous game in fan service, but also in ambition. Players controlled transforming vehicles with three distinct modes in tracks that would change with each lap. After a seven year break, SEGA and Sumo Digital are back with Team Sonic Racing. Fans are undoubtably wondering what to expect from this third outing, though the lead up to the game has probably put fans in more of a place of uncertainty than excitement. Is Team Sonic Racing a worthy follow-up, or is it a step back for the series?

Atlus announces Persona 5 Scramble: The Phantom Strikers on PS4, Nintendo Switch

Atlus has just announced a spin-off for Persona 5, this one being called Persona 5 Scramble: The Phantom Strikers which will NOT be developed in-house at Atlus or SEGA. The developer will be Koei Tecmo studio Omega Force (Team behind the Dynasty Warriors titles including the anime spin-offs).

You can check out the trailer above but this Persona 5 S isn’t what most Nintendo Switch fans actually wanted. A port of Persona 5… the JRPG, not a spin-off! What is your thoughts? Would you wanna play a Persona 5 themed Dynasty Warriors type game?

Persona 5 Royal reveals tons of new content, coming West in 2020

Atlus Japan had a full blown event to show off the latest update for Persona 5, being called Persona 5 Royal. The teaser above doesn’t show off any of the new footage, that on the other hand is teasing the western release of Persona 5 Royal in the West. Expect it sometime in 2020!

So what’s new in this version of the game? So far we know:

  • Joker has a grappling hook
  • Battle system upgrade
  • New character (Kasumi)
  • New social link (Takuto)
  • Third semester, includes New Years Shrine.
  • New city area (Arcade)
  • New date spot (Aquarium)
  • Twins can go outside with you
  • Memorable moments can be revisited via phone
  • PlayStation 4 Pro graphic enhancements
  • Darts (Shenmue, is that you?!)

If you waited this long to play Persona 5, there is no doubt you should be keeping an eye on this release. The original Persona 5 was jam packed with things to do, explore and a hecka of a fun JRPG. As for people that did play the original release, are you going to double dip on this one? Personally, can’t wait to see what new tracks this version has and the music alone is worth playing through the game again.

Review: ToeJam and Earl Back in the Groove

Disclaimer: The author of the review is a Kickstarter Backer and received a copy of the PC version through the campaign. A Nintendo Switch review copy was also provided by the via the game’s PR team.

ToeJam and Earl have returned during a time that could not be more appropriate for not only SEGA fanatics but also for the roguelite genre’s recent surge in popularity with ToeJam and Earl Back in the Groove. The game serves as a return of the adventure-like aspect from first game, serving as an all-star tribute to the history of the franchise and provides a strong artful representation of the culture with it’s cast of characters and musical appreciation. Starting as a Kickstarter project in 2015 this allowed the developers to stick closer to the first game without having to bend to publisher direction and create the long awaited follow-up to the original ToeJam and Earl. Despite the long development time, having to shave off a few goals, (Sorry Wii U) and going through two publishers, the game succeeds bringing the first game’s roguelike experience up to date with bigger multiplayer opportunities while struggling with performance issues on consoles.

Puyo Puyo eSports releasing internationally as Puyo Puyo Champions, coming to all major platforms on May 7th

Puyo Puyo eSports is getting a localization, renamed as Puyo Puyo Champions and will be available in western territories on May 7th, effectively confirming a previous rumor about SEGA trademarking “Puyo Puyo Champions” back in November. In addition to the Playstation 4 and Nintendo Switch versions previously released in Japan, Puyo Puyo Champions will also get new versions for the Xbox One and Steam, with the console versions all getting digital releases.

For reference, Puyo Puyo Champions is a Puyo Puyo game that caters to a competitive crowd. It trims the fat, providing players with the bare necessities, focusing heavily on the recurring Tsu and Fever rules from past games only and small quality-of-life additions to streamline Puyo matches further. Both offline and online will provide several multiplayer options, such as a new tournament mode and the ranked mode from Puyo Puyo Tetris making a return.

Puyo Puyo eSports to receive a physical release on July 27th in Japan


Puyo Puyo eSports has been available on the digital stores for both the Nintendo Switch and the Playstation 4 since October 25th 2018. But for those that want physical copies instead, SEGA has been nice enough to announce that both the Playstation 4 and Nintendo Switch versions will receive a retail release on July 27th for ¥1,990.

The contents are the same as the original digital version. This includes the ability to play with Tsu and Fever rules, along with both offline and online options, such as a tournament mode for offline and the ranking system for online. However, in addition, Puyo Puyo eSports will receive a new update that brings back the Lesson Mode from past Puyo Puyo games. This mode will go into detail over various aspects of how to play Puyo Puyo, ranging from the basics such as rotating to more complex tactics like how to build specific chain types, overall useful for new players. Both the digital release and the upcoming physical release will receive this update in the future.

[Source: Game Watch]

New Judgment trailer reveals Pierre Taki’s replacement in-game model

If you guys have been following Judgment, the latest game from the studio behind Yakuza, you would know that SEGA Japan halted sales of the game in Japan after one of the main characters was arrested on drug charges. SEGA said they would replace actor Pierre Taki from the game via an update, which included the model of the game character since it was based on the actor.

According to SEGA the new model isn’t modeled after any actor, which might be something SEGA should consider doing this moment forward. As far as the new voice for Hamura, we still haven’t gotten who will replace him in Japan and they haven’t completed the voice work as of now.

 

Team Sonic Racing releases new ‘Team Up’ trailer

SEGA Europe has revealed a brand spanking new trailer for Team Sonic Racing, this one being called ‘Team up’, giving you a overview of all the information we’ve been given the last few months including a overview at a bunch of race tracks.

“The race is about to begin! Join Sonic and friends as they speed across vibrant tracks and do whatever it takes to come out in first place. Race online with up to 12 friends, play with friends in your living room with split screen, customize and personalize your car for maximum speed, and work together as a team to unleash your Team Ultimate Boost. Gear Up. Speed Up. Team Racing at Sonic Speed. Team Sonic Racing arrives May 21st on Playstation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC!”

I will say that the game has been looking better and better each time they show it, but something about the game still turns me off. Maybe because one of the reasons I liked the All-Stars Racing series was because of all the fan service while this game is playing it more safe. I guess we shall see if it works out for SEGA.

ESRB rates Yakuza: Kiwami 2 for PC release

It seems that the ESRB is good at two things: Putting logos in front of boxes and leaking games early. Good for us because now we know Yakuza: Kiwami 2 will be coming to PC very soon considering its already been rated by the ESRB.

It is sort of weird that there hasn’t been something on Yakuza 6, since that game came out first on PlayStation 4 then it was Yakuza: Kiwami 2. Plus both these games run on the new ‘Dragon Engine’. Let’s hope its not a Epic Game Store exclusive. Should be interesting. Hit the jump for ESRB’s description: