Operation Backlog Completion 2026

Blue Reflection Anniversary Stream Announced for March 27

 Video games  No Responses »  Tagged with: ,
Mar 162026
 

Gust and Koei Tecmo have announced a Blue Reflection anniversary live stream for March 27 at 20:00 JST (4 AM PT / 7 AM ET).

Even though I haven’t made much progress on the Atelier series, I’ve played and love Blue Reflection.

The first game has definite flaws, but I enjoyed it nevertheless.

Its sequel, Blue Reflection: Second Light, lost the unique feel the original had but otherwise was a huge improvement in every way, and I really loved it.

(In fact, although it didn’t make my top 5, I gave it an honorable mention amongst the best games I played in 2021.)

And while the anime that takes place between the games wasn’t amazing, I still enjoyed it.

There was also a mobile game in Japan, but… it wasn’t very popular, and it got shut down after about a year.

They haven’t said anything about announcing a new game during this live stream, just about looking back at the series, but I have my fingers crossed. I would love a third Blue Reflection game, especially if they build on what they did in Second Light.

Have you played the Blue Reflection series? Do you think they’ll announce a new game?

Idea Factory May Be Teasing the 9 R.I.P. Sequel

 Video games  1 Response »  Tagged with: , ,
Mar 132026
 

Near the end of 2024, we discussed the spooky otome game 9 R.I.P., which I enjoyed quite a bit.

It had some flaws and a couple routes I didn’t like, but the overall package was entertaining enough that I enjoyed it and hoped that the sequel would be localized.

(I debated about whether to describe it as a sequel or a fandisc, until I looked it up and saw that its title is literally “9 R.I.P. sequel.” Guess that answers that.)

The sequel came out last September, and now it looks like we’re getting it too! Idea Factory International tweeted a cryptic message and picture today teasing a new otome announcement, and it appears to be related to 9 R.I.P.

I included the picture here, so you can see for yourself.

I remember when Temirana got delayed to 2026, it seemed like Idea Factory might be slowing down their otome localizations, but now 2026 has not only Temirana but also Homura coming at the end of this month, the Birushana fandisc set for later this year, and now a 9 R.I.P. sequel announcement on top of that!

You know what that means… I need to get to work on my backlog.

Are you looking forward to the 9 R.I.P. sequel?

The Final Trails Game Will Be Announced in 2031

 Video games  2 Responses »  Tagged with: ,
Mar 112026
 

The Trails series has been going for a long time, with the most recent entry being Trails Beyond the Horizon.

But since it’s a series with an overarching story, it has to come to an end someday… and that time might finally be approaching.

This year is the 45th anniversary of Falcom, and in a recent Famitsu interview, translated by Gematsu, Falcom president Toshihiro Kondo said that for the 50th anniversary, they will announce the final entry in the Trails series.

Specifically, the plan is to announce it in 2031 and finish it in 2032. The ending of the series has been decided.

That’s left fans debating about how many games might be released between now and then and whether or not it will actually be the actual final game or just the start of the final arc.

Now, I know I’ve been making the world’s slowest progress through the Trails series, but I really want to be caught up before the series ends so I can experience waiting for a new entry along with everyone else. It sounds like I’ve got my deadline set. 5 years should be plenty of time for me to catch up… right?

How do you feel about the end of the Trails series being on the horizon? Do you think the 50th anniversary announcement will really be the final game in the saga?

 Older Entries  Newer Entries