Shin Sakura Taisen

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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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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Sakura Wars (2019) – Soejima/Ito/Ken Sugimori Character Design Spotlight Video

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SEGA has uploaded another exclusive character design work by Japan’s finest manga and anime designers in the industry, Shigenori Soejima (Persona series), Noizi Ito (Haruhi Suzumiya), and Ken Sugimori (Pokemon) by showing off the characters you will encounter during the adventure segments of Sakura Wars.

Sakura Wars (2019) will take center stage on April 28th for Playstation 4.

Pre-Order Sakura Wars for Playstation 4
Launch Edition

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

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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

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Sakura Wars the Animation joins Funimation’s Spring 2020 Line Up

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Next month, the animated sequel to Sakura Wars (2019), Sakura Wars the Animation, will be joining Funimation’s Spring 2020 Line Up for viewers to watch the anime though subtitles while airing simultaneous in Japan on April 3rd.

Taking place after the events of Sakura Wars (2019), New Flower Division team is transferred to Europe by Seijuro Kamiyama, and Sakura Amamiya was appointed Deputy Commander. Kamiyama returns home temporarily to the Flower Division who all struggle every day, but there is an unknown girl beside named Clara, who is the only survivor of the Moscow group that was destroyed after a major accident . Sakura welcomes Clara, who was commissioned by Kamiyama and transferred to the Flower Division. Meanwhile, a group that claims to be “Moscow Assault Force” suddenly appears in the Imperial City.

Based on the video game franchise, Sakura Wars the Animation arrives this spring from studio SANZIGEN and director Manabu Ono (Sword Art Online: Alicization). The series stars Ayane Sakura (My Hero Academia) as Sakura, Ayaka Fukuhara (Captain Tsubasa) as Anastasia, Maaya Uchida (GOBLIN SLAYER) as Hatsuho and Youhei Azakami (The Seven Deadly Sins) as Seijuro.

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Sakura Wars (2019) – Combat Trailer

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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.

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

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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

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Shin Sakura Taisen receives new update to promote The Animation & gameplay improvements

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SEGA had recently released an automatic update to Shin Sakura Taisen (aka Sakura Wars) with new improvements and features for the game. Starting off with one of the newer features, Sakura Amamiya, one of the main heroines, receives a new Reiko Mugen Fighter mech and special attacks to promote the upcoming Shin Sakura Taisen the Animation set to air in Japan on April 3rd.

Other improvements include conversation message log display function, a lock-on function during battle, key assignment change, optional save / load from settings, adjustment of “World Koikoi Taisen”, removal of distribution prohibited section of share function, etc.

This update would surely also help with the localization version for new players who are interested in trying Sakura Wars for the first time.

Sakura Wars take center stage on April 28th! Pre-Order your copy of the Launch Edition today.

         

Pre-Order Sakura Wars for Playstation 4
Launch Edition

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Sakura Wars Story Trailer – Introducing the Flower Division

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Explore the world of Sakura Wars as SEGA has released a story trailer for the upcoming title showcasing on what players should be expecting in the reboot that retains many of the features that made the genre-defining series such a hit in Japan, including a poetic vision, a strong cast, and a compelling story filled with intrigue, action, and romance!

Here is description of the story, courtesy of the SEGA Press:

“From the large clock tower atop Ginza train station, dominating the city skyline, to the captivating Imperial Theater standing tall at the heart of Tokyo, Sakura Wars exudes a world rich in historical inspiration and enriched with fantastical steampunk technology. The Taisho era represents a time of prosperity and optimism for Japan, an intersection of eastern and western cultures that creates a vibrant framework in which to take on the mantle of Seijuro Kamiyama and bring the Imperial Combat Revue back to glory!

Sakura Wars is set for release in Americas and Europe on April 28th for Playstation 4. You can pre-order a copy on SEGA’s official website for the game and receive a launch edition that will include reversible cover featuring the original Japanese cover art for the game, along with a sticker set featuring the main cast of the game. Click after the break to check out screenshots of the story sections.”

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Sakura Wars (aka Project Sakura Wars) now officially rated T for Teen by ESRB

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Sakura Wars (previously named Project Sakura Wars) has now been officially rated T for Teen by the ESRB for blood, language, partial nudity, sexual themes, and violence. Here is the rating summary given for the game:

“This is a relationship simulation/action game, set in a steampunk 1920s version of Tokyo, in which players lead a combat troupe to defeat demons by using giant mech suits. Players use swords and blasters to fight enemy robots and demons in melee-style combat. Battles are frenetic, with impact sounds, colorful lights effects, and large explosions. Cutscenes depict additional acts of violence: a woman slashed across the chest, resulting in blood-splatter effects; a child kidnapped at gunpoint by gangsters; animated sequences of giant mechs in battle. The game also contains some sexual material: dialogue referencing pornography (e.g., “I guarantee you that’s porn”; “Whoa, that’s definitely a nudie magazine.”); minigames in which players can zoom-in on characters’ body parts (e.g., legs, buttocks, breasts), with accompanying dialogue (e.g., “Man, those legs…Just imagining the paradise at the end of them…”; “As far as chest size…The bigger, the better!”); a still-image sequence depicting a character groping a woman’s chest while stating, “But they look so soft! Just one little squeeze…” A handful of bath-house sequences depict partially nude female characters, with breasts slightly obscured by steam. The word “sh*t” appears in the game.”

We’re getting close to Spring and we should expect more announcements on the western release for Sakura Wars by SEGA very soon. What do you all think about this news? Leave us a comment below!

 

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Project Sakura Wars to be titled “Sakura Wars” according to the Australian Classification Website

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According to the Australian Classification website, Project Sakura Wars (aka Shin Sakura Taisen in Japan) will be simply titled “Sakura Wars” in the West with the game rated for M for mature audiences by the Australian Classification website with sexual themes and violence.

No official announcement has been made by SEGA themselves regarding the final title as of yet but it seems that the final title chosen for the game could mean that the company may want to start with a blank state with this title in the West since the series has a small cult following in the West through multiple anime adaptions and the fifth game Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love released back in 2010.

What are your thoughts on the final name for Project Sakura Wars? Leave us a comment below! Sakura Wars is set for release on the Playstation 4 digitally and physically this Spring.

 

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Tons of new information for Shin Sakura Taisen released – Stage performance, Animation, and DLC dates announced!

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New information on Shin Sakura Taisen, aka Project Sakura Wars in the West, has been released from the recent Sakura Taisen live broadcast stream celebrating the game’s launch in Japan which includes announcements Shin Sakura Taisen, the Stage, the Animation and downloadable content (DLC) release dates. Hit the jump for more information on each announcement after the break.

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New info on Shin Sakura Taisen with more character reveals and Great Combat Revue World War gameplay details

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Famitsu has released another set on new information on Shin Sakura Taisen by introducing more supporting characters in the story and game play details on Great Combat Revue World War. The few
new characters introduced in Shin Sakura Taisen are President G, the secretary general of  “WLOF” and his flagship, Mister I, President G’s right hand man and the leader of the “WLOF” black clothing unit who performs intelligence activities; Sakura Amamiya’s parents, Hinata & Tekkan; Azami Mochizuki’s foster parent, Yattansai.

In addition to the game’s battle mode sections, the Great Combat Revue World War held by “WLOF” every two years pits you against other Combat Revue teams around the world in 3vs3 team battles with the objective to earn points by defeating foes which in turn fills out gauge at the top of the screen, & victory achieved by filling up the gauge or having more points if time limit reached.

Give Shin Sakura Taisen a try with the demo available for download in the Japanese PSN store on November 21, 2019. The full game will be released on December 12, 2019 for Playstation 4 in Japan and Spring 2020 in Americas and Europe. Special thanks to HDKirin for providing scans and details. Check out the Famitsu scans after the break.

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