Sakura Wars

SEGA Talk #137: Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love (2005)

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Calling all Imperial Combat Revue fans! This week on the SEGA Talk podcast, we’re setting a course for 1920s New York City in the unforgettable Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love. We’ll dive deep into the tactical RPG combat and charming visual novel romance that make this game a unique gem. Join us as we discuss piloting giant steam-powered mechs, building relationships with the captivating heroines of the Flower Division, and facing off against a dastardly villain who threatens the world!

[iTunes – Stitcher – YouTube – RSS – Download]

Support us on Patreon! Get early access, have your memories read on the show, select the games we talk about!

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Sakura Wars 2 Receives Fan Translation for SEGA Saturn; Demo Available for Download

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Translated by the same team behind the original Sakura Wars game for the SEGA Saturn, the sequel, Sakura Wars 2: Thous Shalt Not Die, will be receiving a fan translation for the SEGA Saturn. The project was worked on last summer for a year in a half. Not only that the game will be translated, the team has released the special edition demo of the game for everyone to try out.

Sakura Wars 2: Thou Shalt Not Die, is the sequel to the original game developed by Red Company and SEGA for the Sega Saturn and was released in Japan in April 1998 and ported to other systems, including the Dreamcast in September 2000. The game takes place one year after the first game following Ichiro Ogami and the all-female Flower Division of the Imperial Combat Revue as they fight against new supernatural entities in Tokyo as well as hostile political forces led by Keigo Kyogoku.

Not only Sakura Wars 2 is getting a fan translation, the third game in the series is also receiving one as well. It’s only a matter of time that all four main Sakura Wars games will be available to play.

Here is the link to the demo and screenshots to check out to below.

 

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Sakura Wars GB Go Forth, Young Cadet! Gets English + Cut Content Restoration Patch

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Another Sakura Wars game called Sakura Wars GB Go Forth, Young Cadet! has been translated into English by diligent fans. This project was helmed by @burntends2, with the assistance of @matto_bii, dan_jia, Neko, @The_Opponent, and comicmaster, with the goal of not only making Sakura Wars GB accessible to English readers, but to also restore unused content such as being able to view the miscellaneous character portraits, unlockable secret photos, and unused voice clips for the endings.

Sakura Wars GB Go Forth, Young Cadet! was originally released for the Game Boy Color, developed by Jupiter and Published by Media Factory under the license of SEGA and Red Entertainment. Taking place between the events of Sakura Wars and Sakura Wars 2, you take on the role of an unnamed temporary recruit who was recently enrolled in the Flower Division. You’re task is to train with six members of the Imperial Flower Division, both to gain a stronger bond with each member and to also get stronger, with the ultimate goal to complete an exam by the end of the month. Unlike other titles in the series, Sakura Wars GB is a mixture of a raising simulator and a minigame collection, where you must participate in different training sessions that tackle different subjects like accuracy and intelligence, play different mini-games, and have turn based battles to test your wits.

The patch is readily available here. For official PR post and trailer, click here.

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Sakura Wars characters to appear in Super Robot Wars 30 as part of the first DLC pack

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Bandai Namco Entertainment recently released a new trailer for Super Robot Wars 30, a popular tactical RPG series that brings characters and robots from a variety of mecha anime together to battle their mutual foes, with mainline Sakura Wars key characters (Ichiro Ogami, Sakura Shinguji, Erica Fontaine, Shinjiro Taiga and Gemini Sunrise) will appear as part of the first DLC pack under the Deluxe Edition. What a way to continue to support Sakura Wars series beyond its 25th anniversary!

Super Robot Wars 30 will be available for Playstation 4, Nintendo Switch, and Steam on October 27th.

 

 

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Sakura Wars: Columns 2 English Fan Translation Patch now available to download

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Sakura Wars fans and Dreamcast gamers rejoice as the english fan translation patch for Sakura Wars: Columns 2 launches today! This fan translation of the puzzle game spin-off sequel features every mode, menus, and VMU images translated to english for players to experience one of the few spin-off games of an iconic franchise in english for the first time. The translation team even worked hard on a english cover art and disc of the game for those who are interested in customizing their own Dreamcast cases.

Originally titled Hanagumi Columns 2 in Japan, this title takes place during the events of Sakura Wars 2: Thou Shalt Not Die where the members of the Imperial Assault Force – Flower Division must compete with each other to be casted the main role of Shonen Red through a game of Columns.

The patch for Sakura Wars: Columns can be downloaded through here with instructions attached to the link. For more information on patch notes for the latest version game and VMU images, hit the jump to check them out. For in game screenshots, you can check them out on the previous article.

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Sakura Wars: Columns 2 English Fan Translation Launching May 3rd

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If you’ve been around the SEGA Dreamcast scene, you’ve probably been seeing some past Japanese only games receive English fan translated patches. Now it has been confirmed that the English fan patch for Sakura Wars: Columns 2 will be launching on May 3rd. 

While the gameplay of Sakura Wars: Columns 2 is, well Columns, it also has a story mode with decision making, much like a full scale Sakura Wars title. Its nice to check off another previously Japanese title off the list as getting a English translation.

Keep your Dreamcast ready, Sakura Wars: Columns 2 launches May 3rd, 2021!

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Sakura Revolution is available now in Japan for iOS and Android

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Sakura Revolution, a Dramatic RPG mobile game and spin-off of the Sakura Wars series, is now available for download in Japan for iOS and Android devices!

The game takes place in an alternate version of Tokyo, in the year Taisho 100 (2011 CE). In the year Taisho 84 (1995 CE), disaster struck the capital in a calamity known as the Great Imperial Capital Disaster. The nation was able to rebuild and recover, thanks to the discovery of a new energy based on spiritual power, known only as Mirai.

Sadly, with the activation of the New Imperial Tower, the cherry blossoms stopped blooming. Moreover, demons known as “Koki” began to increase in number, lashing out to attack people across the nation. To protect the people, the government formed the Great Imperial Combat Revue B.L.A.C.K., who protect the people from evil while bringing light to their hearts with unmatched live performances.

While peace reigns among the people thanks to Mirai and B.L.A.C.K. and many have put their trust in the government, some have come to realize that it is but a false prosperity.

These brave souls are known as the Imperial Combat Revue, and their mission is to uncover the government’s conspiracy and retake Japan!

If you want to try the game yourself but don’t live in Japan, Combat Revue Review has a guide available (for Android users) to use over on their website.

 

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SEGA announces Project B.L.A.C.K as Sakura Revolution -Flower Blooming Maidens-, an action RPG for iOS and Android smartphones

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Seems like the recent Sakura Wars trademarks that were filed months ago are coming true as SEGA has officially announced that Project B.L.A.C.K and Nippon Dakkan will be called Sakura Revolution -Flower Blooming Maidens-. an action RPG smartphone title presented by SEGA and Delightworks during their official live stream.

We are shown an animated story about the game and it’s characters.. As we all know, the Great Emperor Group B.L.A.C.K is a team of young female artists who want to help fight for the future of Japan. Among them, the performances of song and dances by 12 aces called “Noble 12” are supreme and mesmerizing. The acronym of B.L.A.C.K stands for Brilliant Legislative Artistic Celebrity Knights. which features a modern day setting starring Shino Sakura was born in Aogashima, a remote isle in the Izu island chain. She’s an innocent and unfinished maiden whose mother is [redacted].

Sakura Revolution -Flower Blooming Maidens- is set to be release for iOS and Android smartphones this year in Japan. We’ll keep you updated with more information on the game as more details are released. Here is some gameplay footage of the upcoming smartphone title. (Special thanks to HDKirin for capturing it during the stream)

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SEGA teases Project “B.L.A.C.K.” – Wonderful Future; more details coming September 2nd

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SEGA has created a website and teased a new project titled, Project “B.L.A.C.K” – Wonderful Future, which is about a group of young female artists who want to help fight for the future of Japan. Among them, the performances of song and dances by 12 aces called “Noble 12” are supreme and mesmerizing. The acronym of B.L.A.C.K stands for Brilliant Legislative Artistic Celebrity Knights. Nothing else about the game is known at the moment besides the main characters but we do know that the game will involve Sakura Wars composer, Kohei Tanaka, in some capacity and more details on the game will be announced on September 2nd.

This game could be related to the previous article regarding several trademarks for the Sakura Wars brand and Sakura Wars fan, Rachael, discovered that the black emblem contains the kanji “Dai Teikoku” meaning Grand Imperial which could be a reference to the base of the Imperial Combat Revue from the main series. What do you think that this game could be a spin-off to the Sakura Wars series or an entirely different thing? Let us know in the comments below.

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Sakura Wars Acoustic Music Concert “Sakura Evening” to feature live streaming

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The Sakura Wars Acoustic Music Concert “Sakura Evening” will be held at the Asakusa Hana Theater in Japan on September 25th and October 2nd. The concert will be performed by none other than Chisa Yokoyama, known as the voice actress for Sakura Shinguji of the main games in the series along with Yaksha in the latest entry. The concert will also have Kazue Ikura (Leni Milchstrasse VA), Ai Orikasa (Ayame & Kaede Fujieda VA), and Urara Takano (Maria Tachibana VA) performing at the event.

Due to concerns of the conoravirus, viewers will have the option to watch the concert via live stream with two performances each day, 4 performances in all. Tickets for the live stream will be available on August 29th for 3,000 yen. Click here for more information on the concert with Google Translate.

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Sakura Wars developers are open to a sequel and comment on additional platforms – remasters of classic games in mind

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Twinfinite had recently interviewed with Sakura Wars director, Tetsuya Ootsubo, and asked him several questions regarding Sakura Wars (2020). The first question asked was if the team would be interested in developing another sequel, Ootsubo-san responded with:

” The development team would love to continue the series, and we’re pushing to make it happen. We appreciate all your support.”

The next question asked was if the game would be ported to other consoles beyond PS4, such as Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC. The director said:

“We’d love to expand the audience for the game! We’re actively researching to see where there is high demand and determine what actions will be feasible.”

Lastly, Ootsubo-san was asked if there will be remakes/remasters of the original games in the series in the works soon? Ootsubo-san answered that he and the team are “open” to revisiting the original games as those titles can’t be played on modern equipment and as long as there is sufficient demand for them. He also responded to a question regarding going back to turn-based gameplay. He stated that while the combat in the new game was indeed more action-focused, the developers understand that many still enjoy tactical RPGs, so they’re “continuing to research” what the “next steps should be in order to give fans the best possible experience.”

With recent trademarks made for the Sakura Wars brand and the survey SEGA posted on their social media last month, we may see the series expand further outside of Japan. Would you be interested in a sequel to Sakura Wars (2020) and try out remasters of the original series? Please let us know your thoughts on the comment section below.

 

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Rumor: SEGA files trademarks for several Sakura Wars related projects

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The recent release of Sakura Wars (aka Shin Sakura Taisen) has had a solid enough release, with it generally receiving mixed to positive reception and a slew of multi-media adaptations such as a manga, anime, and stage play. But if you’re still on the fence about this new take on the series, read this review by writer Kori-Maru.

However, it seems like SEGA is not quite done with the Sakura Wars IP. SEGA of Japan has recently filed several trademarks, for the purposes of multiple things such as miscellaneous types of physical media and software. This includes Sakura Taisen B.L.A.C.K., B.L.A.C.K., Sakura Ishin (Restoration), and Sakura Kakumei (Revolution). What these titles would be is not clear, but it’s likely Sakura Ishin is some type of remake or remaster of a past title and Sakura Kakumei is a spin-off. Currently nothing has been officially announced, but considering the recent Sakura Wars project has had a positive response from consumers so far, it would make sense to continue expanding on the brand in the near future.

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

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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!

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

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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!

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