Gematsu News, Tips, Tricks, Ideas

BINGOBELL has announced a major update for open-world action RPG KAKU: Ancient Seal, which is currently in Early Access for PC via Steam. Described as a “major remake,” the update includes new character models, a new prologue, new gameplay, and more. The company also confirmed a full release for this summer, followed by PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series versions at a later date. The previously announced PlayStation 4 version is seemingly no longer planned. A new demo is also available.

Publisher Sony Interactive Entertainment and developer SHIFT UP have released the launch trailer for Stellar Blade, which is due out for PlayStation 5 on April 26.

Fellow Traveller will publish Pine: A Story of Loss, a short story-driven game about life after love from Brooklyn-based developer Made Up Games, first funded via Kickstarter back in February 2021. It will launch for Switch, PC via Steam, iOS, and Android in late 2024.

Party-based Soulslike action RPG Deathbound will launch for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series day and date with its previously announced PC (Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG) version in 2024, publisher Tate Multimedia and developer Trialforge Studio announced.

Publisher THQ Nordic and developer Alkimia Interactive have announced the Gothic Remake Collector’s Edition.

Famitsu has published its estimated physical game software data for Japan for the week of April 15, 2024 to April 21, 2024.

Japanese esports organization CAG Osaka has uploaded a 13-minute gameplay video of Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact ahead of its playable debut at EVO Japan 2024 this weekend.

The version 1.2.0 update for Granblue Fantasy: Relink will launch on April 26, followed by the version 1.3.0 update in late May, publisher Cygames and developer Cygames Osaka announced.

Publisher Bandai Namco and developers ZOC and Monkeycraft have announced action RPG That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime ISEKAI Chronicles for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch, and PC (Steam). It will launch on August 8 worldwide.

Publisher Entergram and developer Asanoha Factory will release the PlayStation 4 and Switch versions of post-apocalyptic boy meets girl visual novel Memento Memoria: The Abandoned Neverland on August 29 in Japan, the companies announced. The PlayStation 4 version will be available physically for 3,278 yen and digitally for 2,970 yen, while the Switch version will be a digital-only release.

Compile Heart has released a new trailer, information, and screenshots for “motorcycle action” game Neptunia VS Titan Dogoo, which introduce some of the game’s unique dogoos, “Compulsion Shots,” and customization.

Falcom has released new information and screenshots for The Legend of Heroes: Kai no Kiseki – Farewell O Zemuria introducing characters Van Arkride, Agnes Claudel, and Bergard Zeman, as well as the story, settings, and new battle system elements.

Compile Heart has released the first information and screenshots for roguelike RPG Death end re;Quest Code Z, which is due out for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and Switch on September 19 in Japan.

Nintendo has released a five-minute overview trailer for the Switch version of Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door.

The Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord remake by Digital Eclipse will leave Early Access and launch for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch, and PC via Steam and GOG on May 23, the developer announced.

Astrolabe Games will publish Patapez Interactive-developed side-scrolling roguelite action game Dunjungle for PC via Steam when it launches, the companies announced. A release date was not announced.

Death end re;Quest Code Z, formerly known as Death end re;Quest Code:Zion, will launch for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and Switch on September 19 in Japan for 8,580 yen, the latest issue of Weekly Famitsu reveals. It will also be available in 10,780 yen and 16,280 yen limited editions.

Cooperative roguelike hack-and-slash game Rotwood is now available in Early Access for PC via Steam at a 10 percent-off launch discount price of $9.89, developer Klei announced. The price will change to $10.99 after May 8.

The PC version of choose-your-own-story multiplayer game Baladins will launch via Steam on May 15, publisher Armor Games Studios and developer Seed by Seed announced. The PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and Switch versions will follow at a later date.

Publisher Daedalic Entertainment and developer ByteRockers’ Games have released roguelite mountain climbing game Insurmountable for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Switch for $24.99, the companies announced.

This week’s Famitsu review scores are in.

Death end re;Quest CodeZ, formerly known as Death end re;Quest Code:Zion, will launch for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and Switch on September 19 in Japan for 8,580 yen, the latest issue of Weekly Famitsu reveals. It will also be available in 10,780 yen and 16,280 yen limited editions.

SEGA has released a new trailer, information, and screenshots for Super Monkey Ball: Banana Rumble introducing the game’s new multiplayer battle modes, through which players can race and roll with two players locally or up to 16 players online.

Publisher CI Games and developer Hexworks have released the Lords of the Fallen version 1.5 update “Master of Fate,” which adds the final milestone of the game’s post-launch roadmap: the “Advanced Game Modifier System.”

Choice Provisions will release BIT.TRIP RERUNNER for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series, the developer confirmed to Gematsu. A release date was not announced. Wishlisting is available now via PlayStation Store.

The PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 versions of Adventure Bar Story are now available via PlayStation Store for $19.99 worldwide, developer RideonJapan announced. The Switch version will follow via Nintendo eShop on April 25, followed by a newly announced PC (Steam) version on May 9.

Sting has announced Dokapon: Sword of Fury for Switch. It is a remastered version of the 1998-released PlayStation title of the same name. It will launch on August 1 in Japan for 4,620 yen.

Nintendo 64 – Nintendo Switch Online has added Extreme-G and Iggy’s Reckin’ Balls to its catalog, Nintendo announced.

Publisher Wired Productions and developer Luminawsome Games will release Lumote: The Mastermote Chronicles for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series alongside a cooperative “Lumote Companion Mode” update this summer, the companies announced.

Four years after its cancellation, publisher Wired Productions and developer KeokeN Interactive will release the Switch version of Deliver Us The Moon in 2024, the companies announced.

Gori: Cuddly Carnage will launch for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch, and PC via Steam on August 29 for $19.99, publisher Wired Productions and developer Angry Demon Studio announced. Digital pre-orders for the PlayStation versions include two days of early access on August 27.

Publisher Wired Productions and developer Tomas Sala have announced Bulwark: Falconeer Chronicles free update “Trade, Tribute, and Splinters.”

Wired Productions will publish Chinese developer Pollard Studio‘s psychological horror game KARMA: The Dark World for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and PC (Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG), the company announced. A release date was not announced.

Hotel construction and tycoon game Hotel Architect will launch in Early Access for PC via Steam in 2024, publisher Wired Productions and developer Pathos Interactive announced.

Publisher Wired Productions and developer Just Add Water have announced virtual reality construction game DIG VR for Quest 2 and Quest 3. Wishlisting is available now via Meta Store.

Publisher Wired Productions and The Town of Light and Martha is Dead developer LKA are working on a third project together, the companies announced.

Retro-inspired science-fiction first-person shooter Exophobia will launch for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, PlayStation 4, Switch, and PC via Steam on July 23, publisher PM Studios and developer Zarc Attack announced.

Publisher Sony Interactive Entertainment and developer SHIFT UP have released the second chapter in its developer diary series “The Journey” for action adventure game Stellar Blade.

Publisher Japanime Games and developers illuCalab. and FLIPFLOPs have released deckbuilder card game HEART of CROWN Online in Early Access for PC via Steam at a 10 percent-off launch discount price of $17.99. The price will change to $19.99 after April 30.

Atari has revived the Infogrames publishing label, which will publish games that fall outside of Atari’s core portfolio of intellectual property, the company announced.

First-person psychological mystery game Thalassa: Edge of the Abyss will launch for PC via Steam on June 18, publisher Team17 and developer Sarepta Studio announced.

“Horrorpunk” action adventure game and Morbid: The Seven Acolytes sequel Morbid: The Lords of Ire will launch for Xbox One alongside its previously announced PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, Switch, and PC (Steam, Epic Games Store) versions on May 17, one week ahead of its previously planned release date, publisher Merge Games and developer Still Running announced.

miHoYo has opened pre-registration for free-to-play urban action RPG Zenless Zone Zero for PlayStation 5 via PlayStation Store, PC via Epic Games Store, iOS via App Store, and Android via Google Play.

Publisher Bushiroad Games and developer Frontwing will release visual novel GINKA for Switch on September 19, the companies announced.

Embracer Group has announced its intention to transform into three standalone publicly listed entities: Asmodee Group, Coffee Stain & Friends, and Middle-earth Enterprises & Friends.

Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2 downloadable content character Zuko will launch on April 24, publisher GameMill Entertainment and developers Ludosity and Fair Play Labs announced.

Riot Games has released a new trailer for free-to-play fighting game 2XKO featuring an in-depth look at playable character Illaoi, the Kraken Priestess.

Stellar Blade for PlayStation 5; SAND LAND for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series, and PC; Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch, and PC; and SaGa Emerald Beyond for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Switch, iOS, and Android are the highlights of this week’s Japanese video game releases.

Metaphor: ReFantazio will launch for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, PlayStation 4, and PC via Steam and Microsoft Store on October 11, publisher ATLUS and developer Studio Zero announced.

Compile Heart will reveal a new title in its “Galapagos RPG Evolve” brand on April 24 at 7:30 p.m. PT / 10:30 p.m. ET, the developer teased.

Single-player life simulation game Tales of the Shire: A The Lord of the Rings Game will launch digitally for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, Switch, and PC via Steam this fall, publisher Private Division and developer Weta Workshop announced. It will support English, French, German, Italian, Polish, Turkish, Spanish, Latin American Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, Japanese, Korean, Traditional Chinese, and Simplified Chinese language options.

Ratalaika Games, in partnership with Masaya Games and Shinyuden, will release classic action platformer sequel Cyber Citizen Shockman 3: The Princess from Another World for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Switch on May 3. Wishlisting is now available via PlayStation Store.

ATLUS will host ATLUS Fes, its first ever large-scale user event, on June 8 and 9 at Bellesalle Akihabara in Tokyo on June 8 and 9, the company announced.

Kazuma Kaneko, who is known for his character and demon designs across the Megami Tensei series, left ATLUS in 2023 after 35 years and has joined COLOPL to develop a new intellectual property.

Hatsune Miku: The Planet of Wonder and Fragments of Wishes is now available for Xbox One and PC via Steam and Microsoft Store for $27.99, developer Crypton Future Media announced.

Publisher Aniplex and developers Pokelabo and f4samurai have announced Puella Magi Madoka Magica: Magia Exedra for iOS and Android. It will launch in 2024 in Japan.

Microsoft will host an ID@Xbox Showcase in partnership with IGN on April 29 at 10:00 a.m. PT / 1:00 p.m. ET, the companies announced. You will be able to watch it on YouTube, Twitch, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, and IGN.com.

2D samurai fighting game Sclash will launch for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Switch on May 2, publishers Maximum Entertainment and Abiding Bridge, and developer Bevel Bakery announced.

Rabbit & Bear Studio is “moving forward with a sequel” to strategy RPG Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes, the company said in a Reddit AMA held earlier this week.

Tencent Games subsidiary MoreFun Studios has announced Arena Breakout: Infinite, a multiplayer first-person shooter based on the on the “ultra-real immersive military simulation franchise” for PC. A closed beta test will be held via Steam and client download in early May.

META Publishing and developer NExT Studios have announced cooperative action adventure game sequel Biped 2 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch, and PC (Steam). It will launch in Q2 2025 with cross-platform play.

Publisher dramatic create and developer MAGES. will release otome visual novel Meiji Tokyo Renka: Full Moon for Switch and PC via Steam in 2024 worldwide with Japanese audio and English, Japanese, Traditional Chinese, and Simplified Chinese subtitles, the companies announced.

Chinese developer Parcae’s Fate Studio has released a seven-minute gameplay trailer for open-world action game Unending Dawn, as well as announced it will launch for PlayStation 5 in addition to iOS and Android.

Japanese studios ALTERCIWS and Lobstudio have announced mystery adventure game Zombie Police: Christmas Dancing with Police Zombies for PC (Steam). It will launch this summer with English, Japanese, and Simplified Chinese language support.

The second wave of closed beta testing for large-scale multiplayer mech action game Mecha BREAK for PC will run from April 26 at 4:00 p.m. PT / 7:00 p.m. ET to April 28 at 10:00 p.m. PT / 1:00 a.m. ET, Seasun Games announced. Users can register here.

Publisher Deep Silver and developer Warhorse Studios have announced open-world action RPG sequel Kingdom Come: Deliverance II for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and PC (Steam, Epic Games Store). It will launch in 2024.

Red Hook Studios will release turn-based roguelike RPG Darkest Dungeon II for PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 on July 15 for $39.99, the developer announced. A bundle that includes the downloadable content “The Binding Blade” will also be available for $44.99. Pre-orders are available now via PlayStation Store.

C2 Game Studio has rebranded third-person action RPG Monolith: Requiem of the Ancients to Astor: Blade of the Monolith. It will launch for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch, and PC via Steam in 2024.

Publisher Sony Interactive Entertainment and developer SHIFT UP have released a new music video for Stellar Blade titled “Eve” in collaboration with Korean pop artist BIBI.

Stunlock Studios has released a new gameplay trailer for vampire survival action RPG V Rising dubbed “Ruins of Mortium.”

Steel Wool Studios will release Five Nights at Freddy’s: Help Wanted 2 for PlayStation 5 on June 20, the developer announced.

Publisher tinyBuild and developer tinyBuild Riga have launched the public beta for recently announced multiplayer survival shooter DUCKSIDE for PC via Steam.

Anji Games has released a new trailer and screenshots for Silly Polly Beast, its upcoming story-driven action shooter about a girl’s fight for freedom.

Famitsu has published its estimated physical game software data for Japan for the week of April 8, 2024 to April 14, 2024.

5 Lives Studios has released a seven-minute walkthrough video for Cozy Caravan, its recently announced game about anthropomorphic characters traveling from town to town as part of a guild dedicated to making people happy.

G-MODE will release ATLUS-developed RPG Persona 3 Aigis: The First Mission as a G-MODE Archives+ title for Switch via Nintendo eShop and PC via Steam in Japan, the company announced. A release date was not announced.

Simulation arcade racing game Hot Lap Racing will launch for Switch and PC via Steam on July 16, publisher Maximum Entertainment and developer Zero Games Studio announced.

The second wave of closed beta testing for large-scale multiplayer mech action game Mecha BREAK for PC will run from April 26 at 3:00 a.m. PT / 6:00 a.m. ET to April 28 at 9:00 a.m. PT / 12:00 p.m. ET, Seasun Games announced. Users can register here.

Fairytale kingdom city builder Fabledom will leave Early Access and launch for PC via Steam and Epic Games Store on May 13, followed by PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and Switch at a later date, publisher Dear Villagers and developer Grenaa Games announced.

Comedy Central has ordered a 10-episode animated series based on the SEGA game series Golden Axe, the company announced.