PC gamers, keep an eye out for Megadimension Neptunia VII because the next gen battle comes to Steam this summer! Originally for the PS4, PC players can now join Planeptune, Neptune, and Nepgear as they enter the divergent world called the Zero Dimension and help Uzume Tennouboshi battle the Dark CPU.
The Steam version will include original features such as new characters, three new worlds with three different stories, a new transformation mode, an updated battle system, and a new dungeon mini game. The PC version offers a 60fps experience, original Japanese voice over, and bundles of original DLC content to purchase.
Shooting Love 20XXis coming to Steam under the title TRIZEAL Remix!TRIZEAL Remix is a classic shoot-‘em-up style game with a refined depth. Transform your ship to switch between a wide shot, a narrow laser, or a guided missile weapon. Then, strategically switch your weapons for the varied enemy waves.You can also unlock hidden ships with different play styles! The game also offers a two-player local co-op, replay support, and you unlock Steam Achievements, Leaderboards.Still not enough? You can also save your game on the Cloud.
To celebrate the new release, a MINUS ZERO contest will be held.To participate you must:-Turn on replays (so your score can be evaluated) -From the start screen, select “Option”, then “Option”, then toggle “Replay Save” to “On” -Play to win!
The three highest scores on the leaderboard by 6pm PT on 6/20/16 will win a pre-release copy of EXZEAL!
TRIZEAL Remix will be released July 7th 2016 on Steam
It has been a very exciting last couple of years being a fighting game player thanks Valve’s digital distribution platform, Steam. If you wanted to play the latest efforts in the genre from places like China or Japan, you would have to bypass Sony’s PSN region lock by registering a PSN ID from the respective market where the game is able to be published at the moment, follow an online guide to navigate through the now foreign PSN store, activate the prepaid card you purchased from an import website, AND THEN buy a game in which you still needed the same online guide brought up previously to be able find the training and versus modes in the main menu once you launch the game. Thankfully, Eastern publishers are starting to see the benefits on bringing over their catalog to Steam and it is now easier than ever to play games such as Koihime Enbu in the US market.
The UI is well organized and nice to look at!
Originally an arcade fighting game, Koihime Enbu was ported to consoles back in January, but only available in Japan. Thanks to publisher Degica Games, an English release is now available here in the West on PC. Now, what this means is that the game itself is mostly the same from its console counterpart. The original text has either been replaced or supplemented with smaller, English text. There’s not a lot of options when it comes to graphics: just an option to set the game either windowed or full-screen mode, plus an stretch filter to try to smooth out the graphics. Thankfully, you can use a separate key configuration tool to set up your DirectInput controllers or arcade sticks before launching the game. Even better if you have an XInput device, since the game supports them automatically which allows you to just plug in and play.
The Game Configuration Menu
Going back to the game itself, you have your standard game options you come to expect in most fighting games nowadays; a versus mode that allows you to play against someone next to you, a training mode to practice your execution, a story mode to continue the franchise’s overall story, and online play. There’s also Versus CPU, Replay, and even a gallery. There’s no tutorial mode, but it is to be expected. If you’re used to playing Japanese fighting games you know this comes with the territory. Other than that, the publisher was able to integrate Steam Community features such as trading cards, backgrounds and emoticons. A nice little upgrade from the console release to keep players interested. [Note: There are websites such as Dustloop (http://dustloop.com) or the Mizuumi Fighting Game Wiki (http://wiki.mizuumi.net/w/Koihime_Enbu) that can assist you in learning the mechanics of this game.]
The Main Menu
The game play is similar to most anime fighting games currently available, it even features the same A/B/C and special button layout. You’re able to choose over 13 different characters, but every one of them follow the same commands when it comes to execution. What this means is that the learning curve when learning a characters is much lower which can allow you to play more characters faster. Additionally, you are able to choose one of two assists that act more as a special move rather than a separate character, which changes the perspective of the game from a team based game to more of a traditional 1 on 1 setting in which you’re allowed to choose over two special move before a match. A major game play mechanic in this game is the Fatal Counter system, which gives you access to certain moves that have special properties when used correctly. This turns the game into more a Street Fighter type of fighting game, where you will need to mind your spacing and footsies, no need to worry about air-dashing here.
“Dat hitbox doe”
With its cute art style and surprisingly deep game play system, Koihime Enbu is a fine addition to Steam’s ever-growing list of fighting games options. Not a game to be recommended for the starting fighting game fan due to its confusing story and lack of information on how to learn the game, but one that any experienced player or fan of the Koihime Musou series should definitely check out. As a PC port, I believe it does the job well, no issues or bugs were to be found upon launching and playing the game. Do be aware that the online mode was not able to be tested for this review, so your mileage may vary once the game goes live. Koihime Enbu will be available on May 19th on Steam for $40 on release, let us know if you’ll pick it up (or if you already got a waifu selected).
“Dawn of War III immerses players in the escalating brutality of galactic warfare, where they will lead elite hero units and colossal armies to victory, or oblivion. Powerful super-walkers will tower over the front lines as screen-shaking assaults blister the battlefield in an all-out, over-the-top spectacle worthy of the iconic Games Workshop® Warhammer 40,000 universe.
Building on 12 years of explosive gameplay, Dawn of War III combines the epic scale of Dawn of War, with the customization and elite heroes of Dawn of War II. The result is a best-in-class edition giving players the rich strategic experience, stunning visuals, and catastrophic surprises that they’ve come to expect as Relic brings the franchise into the modern era.” Be sure to check out the Trailer below
The horrors of Corpse Party make their way to the PC.Originally a Japan only release, the original version of Corpse Party hit North America April 25th, 2016 for the very reasonable price of $14.99.
Story After the school festival Kisargi Academy’s class 2-9 must say goodbye to their cherished classmate who is transferring schools. To always stay together -in spirit, anyway- they perform the Sachiko Ever After charm. Unfortunately, the charm is a ritual that transports the eight students and their teacher to the separate nirvana of Heavenly Host Elementary school: a school that looks like, well, a corpse party. As you play through the game you experience horrors that have taken place in Heavenly Host Elementary School and hope your characters make it out alive. Descriptive passages and complex puzzles make the game a horrifying, yet challenging experience. Through the game, you must discover the mysteries and events that occurred within the walls of the Heavenly Host in an attempt to make your escape.
Graphics
Graphics are presented in 2D sprite graphics and 16-bit style, with top down game play and hand drawn anime-style portraits. Unlike the remastered PSP version, character design does not look fully finessed and you don’t get those extra creepy shots that make your skin crawl.Sorry, there also aren’t any fan service shots either. The gore also isn’t overly visually represented. Most of the text guides you through the grotesque so the graphic simplicity works well with the visual novel style of storytelling.
Audio/Music Corpse Party includes the original sound track and voice acting.For those who have played Corpse Party: Blood Covered on the PSP you’ll note some subtle differences with voice portrayal and characteristics, some original voices are better (Morishige), and some make you appreciate Blood Covered (Ayumi).Background music fits the tone of the story, and when you get those horrible moments of silence you can’t help but wish for the background music to kick back in.Floors creak, ghosts echo ominously through the building; tension is built very well throughout the game. Even as an experienced Corpse Party player myself, the music still gets my heart racing. The best way to play this game is with a set of headphones in dark room… if you dare.
Replay ValueWhat I love the most about Corpse Party games is that they are not easy.One wrong move and it’s a horrific end for your character. Even after having played the game before, I still managed to get a wrong end! For the completionist, you’ll find yourself trying to obtain all the endings; wrong or right. And trust me, there are 20 different endings to experience. For those new to the franchise; good luck! You’ll be more than satisfied knowing you made your way to the end after all those horrible, horrible wrong endings.
Verdict The original PC version of the game is the best choice for players not interested in the overly extensive back story and character development. Even without the creepy anime portrait cut scenes, the dialogue and description is so well done, your imagination fills in the gaps for you. Essentially, you get the game without all the filler which is nice when you just, you know, want to play the game.
Are you brave enough to face the ghosts and horrors or Heavenly Host Elementary School? Let us know what you think!
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PC gamers, keep an eye out for Megadimension Neptunia VII because the next gen battle comes to Steam this summer! Originally for the PS4, PC players can now join Planeptune, Neptune, and Nepgear as they enter the divergent world called the Zero Dimension and help Uzume Tennouboshi battle the Dark CPU.
New Challenger Gaming 