Operation Backlog Completion 2026

New Details About Destiny Connect

 Video games  1 Response »  Tagged with: ,
Mar 042019
 

Last month, we talked about an upcoming turn-based JRPG called Destiny Connect.

Now, thanks to an interview from Gematsu with the game’s director Yoshihiko Toda, we have some more information about it.

Destiny Connect is focused on Clocknee Town. I thought it might begin there and then the characters would journey to other places, but it sounds as though exploring the town through different eras of time is the main focus.

It will take about 20 hours to complete, and there aren’t any side quests.

That disappoints me a little. A good story is what I want the most, but side content can be a lot of fun. Especially if this game takes place in and around a single area, I’d hoped for some side quests to add more variety. It sounds like they’re aiming for a very plot-focused game instead.

The interview also goes into detail about the art style and a little bit about the turn-based combat system, and finally, there is a tease that it might be localized.

I have to admit, I’m less excited about Destiny Connect than I was before this interview, although it still looks cute. What do you think about the latest information?

In other news, KH Insider has a translation of the new Ultimania interview with Nomura, so check that out if you’ve finished Kingdom Hearts 3.

Alien Isolation’s Story is Retold in a New Digital Series

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Mar 012019
 

I loved Alien: Isolation.

Not only did it capture the atmosphere of the original Alien, but it was a great survival horror game.

It’s one of the best examples I’ve seen of a survival horror game that feels modern while holding true to the core elements of the genre.

So I was disappointed earlier this year when teases of an Alien: Isolation sequel turned out to be for a mobile game that’s nothing like Isolation at all and isn’t considered a sequel despite starring the same character.

Then today I saw IGN had released an exclusive Alien: Isolation digital series, which I thought might be expanding the universe… but instead it’s a retelling of the game’s events, for some reason.

This 7-part digital series combines cutscenes from the game with new scenes to retell the events of Alien: Isolation.

It’s strange. The new scenes are great, but mainly I just find myself asking why. Is it for fans who want to know the story of Alien: Isolation but don’t want to play the game? I want to believe it’s a tease for a sequel, because what else would be the point of making a story recap like this? (And why is it exclusive to IGN?)

The Creative Assembly hasn’t said anything about it, however, which makes it seem less likely that it’s a tease for a sequel from them.

What do you think is going on with Alien: Isolation, and will we ever see a true sequel?

In other news, I have a special sale to announce! Ebook copies of my Lovecraftian horror novella The Book at Dernier will be $0.99 throughout the month of March!

Don’t forget to also check on the Kickstarter campaigns for the Gehenna & Hinnom 2019 lineup, which is closing in on its second stretch goal in the final 48 hours, and our visual novel / action RPG Eternal Radiance, which has 12 days left.

Pokémon Sword and Shield Have Been Announced

 Video games  3 Responses »  Tagged with: , ,
Feb 272019
 

We’ve been waiting for news on 2019’s mainline Pokémon games for the Nintendo Switch, and they were revealed today in a special Pokémon Direct.

Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield will be released worldwide in late 2019.

The three starters are the grass-type monkey Grookey, the fire-type bunny Scorbunny, and the water-type lizard Sobble. It’s set in the Galar region, which appears to be based on the United Kingdom.

“Sword” and “Shield” feel like rather odd titles for Pokémon games, since this isn’t a series that typically involves swords and shields and it certainly doesn’t look like medieval Pokémon or anything like that. The names did make me think of Team Plasma’s knight motif, so I wonder if we’ll have something similar as this generation’s villainous team.

Responses to the reveal are a lot more negative than I expected. It seems like a lot of people were expecting a massive open world Pokémon game, which honestly would have disappointed me.

From what we’ve seen so far, Galar looks like a beautiful region and the gameplay looks like standard Pokémon gameplay. Gyms are back, as well. I’d hoped they might keep the wild Pokémon visible on the field from the Let’s Go titles, but I’m fine with random encounters.

(But here’s hoping HMs are still gone; that was the best change Sun and Moon introduced.)

And could that be the sneaking mechanic from Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire?

It’s too early to say if Pokémon Sword and Shield will address the criticisms I’ve had with the last few Pokémon games (although the world map looks like there might be side areas), but right now I’m optimistic and excited to see more!

What did you think of the Pokémon Sword and Shield reveal?

In other news, the Ace Attorney Trilogy will be released for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch, and PC on April 9, but it’s digital-only.

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