During the Nintendo Direct today, Nintendo and the Pokemon Company announced Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon for the 3DS. Pokemon Ultra Sun and Pokemon Ultra Moon offer an alternate story taking place in the world of Pokemon Sun and Pokemon Moon, featuring Pokemon that did not appear in the original versions. New features will allow you to enjoy adventure even more.
Both titles are set to launch November 17 worldwide.
You can check out the trailer which starts at (2:58) below
Dure the Pokemon Nintendo Direct, Nintendo and the Pokemon Company announced Pokken Tournament DX is coming to the Switch. The title will have new modes, daily challenges plus more.
Pokken Tournament DX will launch on Nintendo Switch September 22 worldwide.
You can check out a quick overview below.
Pokemon is making its way to Nintendo Switch later this year with Pokken Tournament DX. Along with all the content from both the Wii U and arcade versions of Pokken Tournament, the Pokemon fighting game where Pokemon in battle move in direct response to the player’s actions, Pokken Tournament DX also introduces an array of exciting new features to create the ultimate Pokken experience. Pokken Tournament DX features include:
When players think of Compile Heart and Idea Factory titles, the first series that comes to mind is the Neptunia series. This time around we see a new tile, Dark Rose Valkyrie, with characters designed by the one and only Kosuke Fujishima and story written by Takumi Mayjima. Two veterans who have worked on many of the Tales series.
Story
The story takes place in Japan during 1929 where a meteorite has fallen and started to spread a disease called “Chimera” which turns people into monsters. Players take control of Asahi who is a “male” a member of “Special Force Valkyrie”. Special Force Valkyrie is a group, which is mainly recruits of females, who are ordered to take out the Chimera infected people to stop the virus from spreading. This is important because its part of the main story plot.
The story was very engaging as players see who Asahi interacts with each character in the main base with its visual novel approach. It might not be a story a lot of new JRPG players will enjoy, but veteran players will feel right at home as the story unfolds. During my time with the title, I never was left wondering why the scenarios happen and really enjoyed how it never fall apart from beginning to end.
Audio
The voice acting drifts away from the usual quirky goofy story line that Compile Heart and Idea Factory is known for and is spot on for each character. As for the soundtrack, it was uplifting at points in the main base and during battles the music had me ready to get the Chimera infection out of my way. Honestly, the music was my favorite part of the JRPG as a whole, as it will have players fall into the nostalgic style of JRPG soundtracks with original background music. As for the sound effects, they got rather dull and repetitive through out my battles. You can only hear the same attack sounds for each character so many times until you ask yourself, WHY!
Graphics
The graphics of Dark Rose Valkyrie look dated, or that they should be on a portable for what it presents. They were very blocky and reminded me of the early PS3 or even PS2 era. I would have liked to see a little more work on the models, but they stood up to what the story and anime-look the game gave out. As for the particle effects from the battles though, they were flashy, and what to expect from any JRPG.
New players will probably be turned off from this, but for JRPG fans, graphics aren’t everything. They never turned me off from what was going on. One thing to point out though, is that the level design and model designs were a perfect fight for the game, as you spend most of your time in maps exploring from point A to B to unfold the story.
Gameplay
Dark Rose Valkyrie’s play style differs from most JRPG’s. When first entering a battle players might think this title is a traditional turn base battle system, which it sort of is, but with a combo system. Each character has a specific weapon and moves sets that you can combine with other character attacks. This was one of the best parts of Dark Rose Valkyrie, but it eventually falls flat and becomes very repetitive.
Each attack is set to each button on the dualshock 4, and depending on which attack is used, it will cost a different amount of time for that character to be able to attack on the next turn. This is where the combo system takes place. While you pick an attack you have to strategize which attack to use to get rid of the infected, and take them out with ease. I say “ease” because for a while you will feel over-powered, until you make your way further in the game where it actually gets a bit harder, but you will still be doing the same attacks throughout the game.
The maps are another part that lacks in the title, as they feel empty most of the time. Players will find themselves running through maps with no enemies for the most part, and will be wondering why. The main maps look awesome but then you hit the overworld, where the game looks very old graphically, and even more empty.
Verdict
Dark Rose Valkyrie isn’t for newcomers, but rather JRPG veterans. Veterans can look past most of the graphics, and find enjoyment out of this title, but it won’t leave a lasting impression. As for me, I enjoyed the title, but would recommend it as a pick up in between bigger JRPG’s. It made me really sad as I had high hopes for the title after I first saw it in action during the Idea Factory press event. The most enjoyment is mainly the story and the audio out of everything.
Lets Rock
Being one of the main fighting games at EVO 2017 this year and coming almost a years after Guilty Gear Revelator, an updated version titled Guilty Gear Xrd Rev 2 joins the franchise. Adding 2 more characters, new moves, and new balancing to the gmame, along with an extra chapter to the story from the last game, Revelator 2 will keep players learning more ways to punish their opponents.
Visual
Guilty Gear Xrd Rev 2 is still the best looking fighting game to date, with its 2D feel and 3D rendered characters. During gameplay you can instantly see the difference from the previous Revelator. With the newly added dramatic angle drops before each battle, new stages which are lit up and gorgeous , Rev 2 visually looks stunning.
Stepping away from the gameplay, Rev 2’s menus had a color swap as well as some touch ups. One of the main touch ups is the online menu . Players can now easily queue up in ranked matches as well as player matches from the easy to navigate main menu. This is a big update from the previous entry, as it is no longer needed for players to go into a lobby to wait for matches.
Sound/Audio
Guilty Gear Xrd Rev 2 added a few new tracks to the fast, heavy and adrenaline pumping J-rock music soundtrack that will have you ready to challenge other players. With a track list consisting of character themes, from previous entries, you will understand why the game says “Let’s Rock” before ever match. There will be times when you find yourself staying on one track just to pump yourself up during a matchup. For anyone who loved any of the older titles this is hands down one OST to add to your music collection.
Gameplay
The fast pace gameplay that the Guilty Gear Series is known for is still here with new balancing and new move sets. Adding 2 more characters to the roster, one being Baiken, a fan favorite from older entries, and the other named Answer, a newcomer to Rev 2, this update will have you playing, and learner new combos for hours.
As I mentioned before, the online menu has been updated, so now when players play ranked matches they can take part of a best to 3 set of matches. Something that was taken from Street Fighter V, and I recommend any other fighting game title should add as well. This is one of the best parts from Rev 2, as it helps keep the online match flow consistent and competitive. For players not looking for online play but more to the single player experience, Rev 2 has also brought back a new chapter for the “Cinematic Story Mode”, which I am not going to spoil but is well worth your time.
Verdict
With the fantastic visuals still here, new characters entering the roster and new moves in Rev 2, this is a must have to anyone who is a fan of the Guilty Gear franchise or wants to keep up with the fighting game community. As for new players who missed out on the previous title, I highly recommend picking this title up, as it is one of the best looking, and best technical fighting games out there. As for a score for Rev 2, I have to give Guilty Gear Revelator 2 a 9 out of 10.
Nintendo has announced that they will host an eight minute Nintendo Direct featuring Pokemon news tomorrow, Jun 6 at 7:00a.m.PT/ 10:00 a.m PT /3:00 p.m U.K time.
You can watch the Nintendo Direct at the links below.
New Challenger Gaming 