Operation Backlog Completion 2026
Aug 052022
 

Back during May Mystery Game Madness, we discussed the upcoming new adventure game from NOVECT in which you play as both murderer and detective.

Now NOVECT is at BitSummit and has revealed a new trailer for the game that highlights the detective and daily life parts.

It’s still using the code name “M,” but that won’t be its official title.

The trailer shows its investigation gameplay as well as some conversations with a couple of new characters wearing gas masks. I can’t follow what’s going on, since it’s in Japanese, so maybe someone could help us out with that.

Since the game has a demo at BitSummit, maybe we’ll soon see impressions of it, as well.

I find the trailer interesting. Something about Marianne’s movements feel strange to me, but since the other characters have similar ways of moving without the same effect, I think it’s mainly her coat.

Anyway, I look forward to learning more about “M” (and getting an official title for it). What did you think of the new trailer?

Aug 032022
 

Nemea, the city of spring, where cherry blossoms bloom under the night skyThe Pokémon Presents didn’t have any new announcements and mainly focused on Scarlet and Violet, so since I’m not especially interested in those, let’s talk about Harvestella instead.

Harvestella was one of the games shown in June’s Nintendo Direct, an unexpected announcement that caught my attention even though I’m not a big fan of farming sims.

(This is the one where the seasons are winter, spring, summer, fall, and death, in case you forgot.)

Square Enix released some new details and screenshots today, including the screenshot shown above of the springtime town of Nemea.

The Nemea screenshots are absolutely beautiful. I also hadn’t realized you’d be visiting multiple towns in Harvestella, which makes it especially interesting.

Also, the way the post describes it, it sounds like Quietus (the season of death) occurs after each season, which should make it a fairly persistent threat.

In Nemea, you’ll begin investigating the “Spring Seaslight” that governs the season to determine why monsters have begun attacking the town. The post also introduces two characters you’ll meet in Nemea, Asyl and Istina.

Harvestella will let you switch between different jobs for combat, and today Square Enix introduced the Sky Lancer (aka dragoon) job. It seems that Asyl is a Sky Lancer, so once you start working together, you’ll be able to use that job, too. Characters will also have their own stories that progress as you get closer to them.

Finally, the post gives some attention to farming spring crops, cooking meals with them, fishing, and shipping out crops for money.

It really does feel like Square Enix’s take on Rune Factory.

Harvestella will be out on November 4 for Switch and PC. Are you interested in Harvestella?

Aug 012022
 

A Pokémon Presents has been announced for this Wednesday, August 3, at 6 AM PT / 9 AM ET.

It will feature “updates on Pokémon apps and video games,” with Scarlet and Violet mentioned specifically.

I’m not enthusiastic about Pokémon Scarlet/Violet because of its open world structure, so I’ll mainly be interested in what other games they might announce.

Last August, they covered Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl, Legends: Arceus, and a couple mobile games.

I’d be interested in seeing DLC for Legends, but with Scarlet/Violet not far off, they might not want to distract from them.

When it comes to spin-offs, however, I’m still interested in finally learning about the Detective Pikachu sequel, especially now that I’ve played the original.

But you know what? I’ll toss another hope out there. I want them to announce a remaster or remake of Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky. People praise that game so much, but it’s nearly impossible to find a copy these days. Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX was well-received, so let’s see the sequel given similar attention.

(If an Explorers remake is announced, I promise to play Rescue Team DX ahead of its launch.)

What are you hoping to see from Wednesday’s Pokémon Presents?