Didn’t we see this one coming? Are we surprised? No. The only surprising thing is that the new title is actually for the PSP (like the new Black Panther game) and is coming out in Spring 2012.
So what do we know? Tony is coming back to do character designs (oh, great) and music is being done by Hiroki Kikuta. Both of which worked on Shining Hearts (the last PSP Shining game).
[Source: AndriaSang]
I’m one of those people who fell in love with the Valkyria Chronicles video games and highly enjoyed the second entry to the franchise, even though it was on the PSP and not on the PS3.
So what about the 3rd game in the franchise? According to SEGA’s Hiroshi Seno, they have no plans on bringing the 3rd game over to the Western market. Why? Due to Valkyria Chronicles II selling poorly. I think part of the reason the second game did poorly was due to it jumping platforms, especially to a platform that is dying outside of Japan (the PSP).
Hey SEGA, if you have no plans on bringing it over, let someone like Atlus USA or NIS America bring it over. Thanks.
[Source: 1up]
Hatsune Miku: Project Diva Extend is actually a re-release of Project Diva 2, with more of everything you like. But will it have enough songs added to make it worth you importing it? We have an almost complete set list, you be the judge.
Sega’s popular (in Japan) puzzle series Puyo Puyo marks it’s 20th anniversary this year and Sega is putting out a new Puyo Puyo game for PSP, 3DS, DS and Wii this year (again, in Japan). Western Sega fans may know this game more when it was Dr. Robotnik’s Mean Bean Machine. Don’t expect to see any of these Puyo Puyo games reach the states as the market for them here doesn’t exist.
[Source: GoNintendo]
The first teaser for Yakuza Black Panther 2 is up online and as you can tell the cutscenes are following the same art style as the first game. So if you know Japanese sit back and watch. Oh, also tell us what is going on!
If you want to see more you can hit the Japanese site for the game or the team’s new website.
[Via the forums]
[Logo for Ryu ga Gotoku Studio]
We grew up as SEGA fans, so when we hear AM2 a rush of games pop into our head, most of them damn amazing. Its hard not to love AM2 when they release such quality software like Virtua Fighter series, Outrun, Shenmue, and many more classics.
Nagoshi was asked in the panel if he wanted his team, Ryu ga Gotoku Studio, to be a landmark team the same way AM2 was for SEGA. Nagoshi says he hopes it happens and he also wants people to see them as a studio that brings out quality games.
As for Nagoshi leaving SEGA, it isn’t true. Ryu ga Gotoku Studio actually works in the SEGA building. So false.
[Source: AndriaSang]
SEGA and Nagoshi held their press event today, confirming everything that Famitsu spoiled was true. That means that SEGA now has a studio just for Yakuza games called Ryu ga Gotoku Studio (Like a Dragon Studio).
The new team has all the main players from the Yakuza franchise. This includes Toshihiro Nagoshi, Masayoshi Kikuchi, Daisuke Sato, Yojiro Ogawa, and Masayoshi Yokoyama.
The new Black Panther game is a direct sequel to the first game, you will play as the same young lead. Not only that, you will have 3 new characters to play as, much like Yakuza 4’s set up. The game is also looking impressive for a PSP title.
[Artwork for the first PSP game, Black Panther]
Nagoshi teased that he had some big announcements coming up in the end of the month, but thanks to Famisu we already know what they are. SEGA is going to have a pretty nice TGS line-up.
First of all Nagoshi has his own studio to make Yakuza titles called “Ryu ga Gotoku Studio.” Ryu Ga Gotoku is the name of the Yakuza series in Japan, it means Like a Dragon.
The first game that the Yakuza team will work on is Black Panther 2, a sequel to the handheld Yakuza spin-off. It will be called in Japan “Kurohyou 2 Ryu ga Gotoku.” This title will be playable at TGS and is set to be released in Japan in Spring 2012. Also its for the PSP. Odd, wonder if this has to do with the ‘rumored’ Yakuza title for Vita.
In the end the magazine says that they are also working on Yakuza 5. I guess we might get more details about this come the press conference.
We will post scans when we get them.
[Source: AndriaSang]
As we recently reported, rumors are swirling about a Valkyria Chronicles-related announcement at the upcoming TGS due to a small tease on SEGA’s website. Well, from the looks of it, the secret may have been spoiled a little early. Japanese retailer Game Star has listed a Valkyria Chronicles: Extra Edition for a November 23rd release date, making it look incredibly likely that a budget-priced Valkyria Chronicles 3 is indeed on the way to Japanese PSPs.
While Western gamers may gain some hope from the idea that SEGA is not yet done with Valkyria Chronicles 3, no North American or European release has thusfar been announced for the title. Time will tell if that remains true for Extra Edition.
[Source: Andriasang]
Update: It is now being reported that SEGA will be re-releasing….the re-release of Valkyria Chronicles 2 as well, now for an even lower price of 1,890 yen. According to the same retailer, both these low-priced versions will be released on November 23rd.
I don’t know how many readers here are looking forward to Hatsune Miku Project Diva Extend, which is an extended version of last year’s Project Diva 2. But hey, here is a trailer for it.
Also check out the end of the trailer to look at the animated intro for the game.
[Source: AndriaSang]
Sega have released another gameplay clip of 7th Dragon 2020 on the 7th Dragon youtube channel. This clip shows off another random battle segment. I quite liked that one move with the demonic eyeballs! I’m a sucker for old-school style JRPGs so I’ll be keeping my giant demonic eye on this one.
The latest in the J-League Pro Soccer Club! series comes at a rather quiet time for the Japanese market with sluggish sales all round. However, the series that has declined since its heydays, still continues to be big seller for SEGA, so how has the latest edition been doing and what other SEGA title continues to chart? Continue to see if J-League Pro Soccer Club! 7: Euro + managed to make it to the number one spot.
[Above is the game themed soft case and headphones]
SEGA’s next entry in their 7th Dragon series is called 7th Dragon 2020, and will be on the PSP instead of the DS this time around. If you are one who knows how to read Japanese, you might want to consider importing this game, looks pretty fun.
But what does the limited edition come with?
How much will this pretty package set you back? 8,820 yen ($115). Pretty penny indeed. Game is released in Japan on October 27th. No plans to bring it over to America.
[Source: Siliconera]
Here is the first gameplay clips of 7th Dragon 2020 for the PSP. 7th Dragon 2020 is a the sequel to 7th Dragon which was released on the Nintendo DS last year. Unlike 7th Dragon, 7th Dragon 2020 is fully animated in 3D and it looks a lot better for it.
Whilst the first game was set in a semi-present sort of otherworldly universe 2020 will be set in the near future, the year 2020 to be precise! The aim of the game is simple, explore a large open world map, find and kill all 7 dragons that inhabit it… Of course it’s always easier said then done.
The 7th Dragon games are being produced by Rieko Kodama who has worked on a number of great Sega JRPGs including Phantasy Star and Skies of Arcadia.
Hit the jump for the character creation video.
Famitsu had a pretty nice article on the upcoming PSP RPG 7th Dragon 2020. First is the release date, which is October 27th.
Next is a cameo by Project Diva star Hatsune Miku, who will be in the game. She is being called “Hatsune Miku 2020”. Shirou Miwa, character designer for 7th Dragon 2020 will draw the in-game version of Hatsune Miku, to fit the game’s unique art style.
She will also be singing SeventH-HeaveN from sasukure.UK. Which will be on the official 7th Dragon 2020 website tomorrow.
[Source: AndriaSang]