Everyone has a fighting chance
Nodding Heads Games has released a brand new trailer for Raji: An Ancient Epic, an RPG set in ancient times with inspiration from Hindu and Balinese mythology. Raji is the main protagonist and in the video, she can be seen traveling through “intricate hand-painted environments while using her acrobatic abilities to combat demons of all shapes and sizes”.
Perfect World Entertainment has sent out a new trailer for its upcoming survival-action shooter that is set on four separate worlds. Three players will “test their limits in intense combat against over 100 deadly monsters and over 20 epic bosses in dynamically-generated levels that offer endless worlds to explore”. Remnant: From the Ashes is expected to launch on August 20th for PC via Steam, XBox One and PlayStation 4.
Starpoint Gemini 3 isn’t scheduled to launch until later this year, but the developers want to show off a bit of gameplay to prime player’s excitement. Set 30 years after the events of Starpoint Gemini 2, the game shows players that, while the universe has changed, nothing stays the same forever. Players take on the role of Jonathan Bold, an adventurer who “doesn’t give a damn about the universe or its problems”.
This April Fools, exactly two years after we learned of ARIKA’s Fighting EX Layer project on April Fool’s Day 2017, company President and CEO, Akira Nishitani released an update video on the latest developments with the title. With Sharon and Terry Bogard recently being released as the most recent pair of post-launch DLC characters, their focus has now shifted to the next planned free fighter, Area, who is set to be voiced by Rie Hikisaka.
However, despite being able to unveil a new in-game screenshot of the giant-armed tech warrior, it appears that her development has hit a bit of a snag, as she has now been delayed from her previously-planned release at the end of May, to later in the summer, possibly June or July, though Nishitani notes that the company may not be able to release her at all.
“I’m not even sure if we can release her or not, and even though our backs are against the wall, it would be very rude to Hikisaka-san if Area didn’t make it into the game, so we have to do our best.” Akira also noted that he sadly cannot give a definitive answer about her status at the moment.
However, Nishitani then unveiled a new version of FEXL, Fighting EX Layer alpha, which is now available to download for free on iOS and Android mobile devices, giving interested players a taste of FEXL action on the go. Currently, this version sports only four characters: Allen Snider, Darun Mister, Blair Dame, and Skullomania. Though the rest of the full game’s roster, save for SNK’s Terry Borgard, is greyed out, indicating that they could be slowly added to the mobile version overtime with updates.
Players can only play single-round battles against the CPU, similar to the Kumite mode in the main title, and Training Mode, though there are 15 Gougi Decks to choose from. There are also no voice clips whatsoever at this time. This seems like a way to test the waters of the mobile gaming market, both to see the extent of their development capabilities on the platform, as well as potentially measuring the audience before diving into a more fully-fledged product.
Source: ARIKA
Arc System Works released the official English product trailer for their upcoming arena fighter, developed by A+ games, Kill la Kill The Game: IF. In addition to revealing the title’s release dates in both North America and Europe, an English dub was confirmed, as the trailer was narrated by Mako Mankanshoku’s English voice actress, Christine Marie Cabanos, with Carrie Keranen and Erica Mendez also being heard reprising their roles as Satsuki Kiryuin and Ryuko Matoi, respectively.
The game will launch with a 10-character base roster, which includes: Ryuko Matoi, Satsuki Kiryuin, Ira Gamagoori, Uzu Sanageyama, Nonon Jakuzure, Houka Inumuta, Nui Harime, Ragyo Kiryuin, and alternate, Dual-Wielding versions of Satsuki and Ryuko, who battle with the completed Scissor Blade, and the reforged Bakuzan Gako and Bakuzan Kōryu.
After a run through the title’s modes, which include Versus Mode, Training Mode, a Tutorial Mode hosted by Shiro Iori, Ranked Matches, Player Match Lobbies, the Covers Challenge, a Survival-style single-player challenge where you must take on a hoard of Covers, Gallery Mode, Sound Test, Replay Channel, and a Digital Figure Mode, similar to the one seen in Guilty Gear Xrd.
There is a Story Mode, with an original plot written by Kazuki Nakashima, the writer of the original series, which will star Satsuki as the protagonist, complete with a new game-original “Junketsu Shinzui” costume, which you can see below. This new appearance is the opposing form of Ryuko’s final form seen in the last episode of the anime.
Finally, two new fighters have been announced, as the “Anti-Uniform Guerrillas” from Nudist Beach, Tsumugu Kinagase and Aikuro Mikisugi will be joining forces in their Ultimate Double Naked D-T-R, alongside Honnouji Academy 2nd Year Class K’s Fight Club President, Mako Mankanshoku, clad in her infamous Two-Star Goku Uniform. These two will be released sometime after launch as free DLC for all players.
There will also be a Limited Edition of the game, which will contain an original art book, an original soundtrack CD with 31 tracks, and a Mak-roquette Stress Ball, based off of Sukuyo’s infamous croquettes. A Fight Club Mako acrylic keychain, though this item is unconfirmed for North American release. The cover artwork is also an original piece by Sushio. Check out the full trailer for yourself below!
Kill la Kill The Game: IF will release for PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and Steam PC in Japan on Thursday, July 25th, before following in North America and Europe the next day, on Friday, July 26th.
Source: Arc System Works; Gematsu
Newcomer, Darli Dagger, wasn’t the only Samurai Showdown-related announcement that SNK had at its PAX East panel this year, the developer also announced it will be releasing a collection of all the classic NeoGeo Samurai Shodown titles. These ports will be developed by Digital Eclipse, the same studio behind the development of the Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection and the SNK 40th Anniversary Collection. The following titles are set to be included:
Each of the six games will have offline and online play, as well as a Museum Mode that will allow players to view artwork, listen to music, and learn about the history of these legendary games and their cast of characters, several of which will be returning for the new installment this June. Interestingly, players will also be able to sample each of the six titles in either their original Japanese form as well as their localized English versions, which should be an interesting treat for series purists.
Though no exact date was revealed, the collection is due out sometime this fall for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC. More information will be released at a later date. We’ve also included the entire panel from PAX East 2019, entitled, “Samurai Shodown – Resurrecting A Legend,” below, which clocks in at a little over an hour long. Those wanting to see the Samurai Shodown NeoGeo Collection reveal should check in around 21 minutes and 10 seconds.
Source: Samurai Shodown
Power Rangers: Battle For The Grid has officially launched on all platforms, but developer nWay already has some big news for the young title, as three new Rangers are set to join the cast as free DLC as part of Update 1.
Udonna, the White Mystic Ranger and wise sorceress of Root Core from Power Rangers Mystic Force, Dragon Armor Trini from the BOOM! Studios comics, and the Cenozoic Blue Ranger, from the 2017 Power Rangers film and Zordon’s original ranger team will be heading to Battle For The Grid as separate roster additions from the other trio of currently unknown fighters who will comprise the game’s first Season Pass.
The Battle For The Grid Twitter account notes that “We hear you and are hard at work at packing more into this game. Stay tuned for more details on Update 1.” You can see their Tweets in full below.
Aye yi yi yi yi! FREE DLC Characters: Udonna, Dragon Armor Trini, and Cenozoic Blue Ranger will be entering the Morphin Grid soon in #PowerRangers: Battle for the Grid as part of Update 1! Update 1 will provide fresh new content at no additional cost…(1/2) pic.twitter.com/UqlOHlP2Er
— Battle For The Grid (@Battle4TheGrid) April 3, 2019
We hear you and are hard at work at packing more into this game. Stay tuned for more details on Update 1.⚡️ #ItsMorphinTime (2/2)
— Battle For The Grid (@Battle4TheGrid) April 3, 2019
(*FYI–These are not the Season 1 characters
)
— Battle For The Grid (@Battle4TheGrid) April 3, 2019
For reference, we're not giving away Season One pass characters, Season One DLC will be at a later date and will not be the same characters.
— Battle For The Grid (@Battle4TheGrid) April 3, 2019
Additionally, the Battle For The Grid website has been updated with a blog post discussing all the features that are currently available at launch, which you can find at this link. They also released a lunch trailer for the game that can be viewed below.
Power Rangers: Battle For The Grid is available now for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC for $19.99. The Season Pass, which contains three upcoming DLC characters, and an exclusive Dragon Shield Red Ranger costume for Jason Scott is available for $14.99. The $39.99 Digital Collector’s Edition is also available, which, on top of the Season Pass, adds exclusive Lord Drakkon EVO II and Kimberly Hart, Mighty Morphin Pink Ranger costumes for Lord Drakkon and the Ranger Slayer respectively.
A little over a week ago, ARIKA released the previously announced Sharon and SNK Guest Character Terry Bogard, for Fighting EX Layer. These two new warriors come alongside the Version 1.2.0 update, which includes balance changes for Kairi, who can now follow-ups to the float of his Garyuumesshu special move, and Darun Mister, who has the range reduced and the recovery increased on his Ganges DDT, in exchange for it now being able to hit crouching opponents, giving him another way to open up ducking foes. The damage has also been increased on his Chouzetsu Kishin Bomb.
Additionally, the Counter attacks of Shirase, Hokuto, Sanane, and Hayate, have all undergone input changes, in both Progressive and Classic controls, with their durations all being standardized to match the Medium versions of the moves. Finally, a new stage, “Intercontinental Railway” has been added for Terry, with both Evening and Night Variations, which of course includes a new soundtrack. Shadowgeist’s Arcade ending has been altered, as well as some other bug fixes pertaining to voice clips, UI, fire effects, extended hurtboxes, and other minor issues, have also been implemented.
As for pricing, Sharon is available to everyone free of charge, while Terry, as a licensed Guest, will set players back $4.99, the exact same price as the Gold and Silver Colors for the pair of new challengers. You can read the full patch notes below, as well as see a new trailer that was released for the new Version, below.
Fighting EX Layer Version 1.2.0 patch notes
Updated Content
• New characters Sharon and Terry have been added.
• A new stage “Intercontinental Railway” has been added with 2 versions (Evening and Night).
• A new BGM has been added for Terry’s stage.
• Sharon and Terry’s Gold and Silver colors have been added.
• Sharon and Terry’s Expert Mode challenges have been added.
• Sharon and Terry have been added to CPU and Kumite modes.
• Added endings for Sharon and Terry. Shadowgeist’s ending has been altered.
• Shadowgeist has had Intro and Victory voices added.
Balance Changes
Kairi
• You can now perform follow up attacks after floating your opponent with GARYUUMESSHU.
Darun
• GANGES DDT now hits crouching opponents.
• GANGES DDT range has been reduced.
• GANGES DDT recovery has been increased.
• CHOUZETSU KISHIN BOMB damage has been increased.
The Inputs for the following characters’ Counter type moves have been changed.
• Shirase
• Hokuto
• Sanane
• Hayate
The Input change is as follows:
PROGRESSIVE : 1P, 1PP (Downback+ Punch, Downpack + 2 Punch Buttons)
CLASSIC : 421P, 421PP (B,DB,D + Punch, B,DB,D + 2 Punch Buttons)
In addition to the Input changes, the duration of these counters has all been standardized to the Medium version.
Voice Addition
• A new voice clip for all characters has been added for when they receive a Medium damaging attack.
• In CPU Battle, the appearance order of your opponent’s has been changed for some characters (Skullomania, Doctrine Dark, Shadowgeist).
Bug Fixes
• Fixed an issue where your hurtbox would be extended when getting hit by a crouching Medium damaging attack.
• Fixed an issue where jumping forward in the corner after a GANGES DDT would result in you landing behind.
• Reduced an occurrence of a loud SE overwriting a previously playing sound.
• Changed it to the Information Notice doesn’t display when playing in offline mode.
• Fixed an issue in Allen’s Expert Mode challenge #12 where the opponent’s Gougi deck was not acting as intended.
• Added a system to deal with Character Effects resetting at the start of each round.
• Fixed an issue where performing Kairi’s MARYUUREKKOU would cause it to slide backward slightly.
• Fixed an issue where interrupting Rosso’s VULCANUS would cause the fire effect to remain on the screen.
• Fixed an issue with the UI in Expert Mode.
Source: ARIKA (YouTube); ARIKA EX (Facebook)
Last night, SNK held a stream showcasing new information for the upcoming fighter, Samurai Shodown, along with releasing a trailer featuring the entire cast of the game. While the trailer itself is brief, it definitely gets the message across, Samurai Shodown‘s roster is killer, in terms of presentation and technique. The trailer also unveils the final two original characters included in the game. Wu-Ruixiang and Yashamaru Kurama break new ground, with the recently announced Darli Dagger also being seen in action.
Samurai Shodown received its first release date, confirming the title will release on June 27 on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One with just enough time before players duke it out at Evo 2019 on August 2. The game will find its way to arcades this summer and on Nintendo Switch and PC later on this winter. There are multiple versions of the title being released, including a special collector’s edition, with various discounts depending on how the game is purchased.
Details about the game’s season pass were also revealed, which includes four additional characters and two skins for Haohmaru and Nakoruru based on their Samurai Shodown 64 appearances. One other classic appearance has been revealed so far, Genjuro Kibagami also has a classic skin which is given to those who purchase the game through Amazon Japan.
SNK brought additional focus to the company’s renewed esports program with the SNK World Championship which will feature Samurai Shodown and The King of Fighters XIV. Those who achieve victory will be granted additional support and potential sponsorship.
If you are pressed for time and just want to see who made the cut, check out these screenshots of Samurai Shodown‘s launch roster below!
Sources: Samurai Shodown; SNK Store; The Fighters Generation
After all the speculation yesterday about deleted tweets on the release date for Borderlands 3, we now know that it will arrive, in fact, on September 13th. It will be an Epic Games Store exclusive through April 2020.