NST, also known as Nintendo Software Technology, is losing two of its more notable employees. Lead designer Stephen Mortimer and assistant designer Paul Kranich have both departed from the studio.
You may also remember that Sonic co-creator Hirokazu Yasuhara joined NST back in 2012. Apparently, he left the company within the past few months as well.
NST has mostly worked on Mario vs. Donkey Kong games over the past few years. Other previous projects include Metroid Prime: Hunters and Crosswords Plus.
After announcing Lady Layton: The Millionaire Ariadone’s Conspiracy earlier today, Level-5 has now confirmed that the game will be released sometime next year in the west. 3DS, Android, and iOS users in Japan will be able to play it starting in Spring 2017.
Level-5 says Lady Layton features mostly new characters. It also has less of a focused on “dynamic problem-solving and more on solving multiple mystery cases” compared to Professor Layton. New puzzles and brain teasers will also be included.
Here’s the official blurb from Level-5:
“As one of LEVEL-5’s masterpieces, the PROFESSOR LAYTON series of puzzle adventure games has sold more than 15.5 million units worldwide to date. Its newest official sequel, Lady Layton: The Millionaire Ariadone’s Conspiracy — available on Nintendo 3DS/Android/iOS — was announced to be released in Spring 2017 in Japan. Not only will the main character switch from ‘Professor Layton’ (Hershel Layton) to ‘Kat’ (Katrielle Layton), many of its characters will be brand new. The story will focus less on dynamic problem-solving and more on solving multiple mystery cases observed in the everyday lives of Londoners, which will bring a faster tempo and more comical tone to the series. It will be more familiar — and funnier — than ever, while maintaining an adventurous quality. The creators of the puzzles and brain-teasers, the core element of the series, will also be new. Please look forward to the new PROFESSOR LAYTON series, targeting a Western release in 2017.”
Source: Level-5 PR
Nordic Games now has an official page up on its website for Darksiders Warmastered Edition. The page provides the first screenshots from the new version as well as details.
First, the screenshots:
Darksiders Warmastered Edition features several improvements over the original. It’ll run at 1080p, with doubled texture resolutions, enhanced rendering, improved shadow rendering, and post processing effects.
Head past the break for the full rundown on Darksiders Warmastered Edition.
LEGO Dimensions will add several new packs on November 18. Two are planned for Fantastic Beasts Story Pack, plus one each for Sonic, E.T., and Gremlins.
Amazon is now accepting pre-orders here. Prices vary by pack.
Blimbu Games has been working on Between Heartbeats, a project that has players taking on the role of a microscopic robot duo – Cecil and Egor – and battling hordes of viral spores inside the body. You’ll come across different locations, with each area offering a unique aesthetic and environmental obstacles. Between Heartbeats also makes use of dynamic camera systems that change the perspective of play on the fly.
Between Heartbeats is already on track for Wii U, and should arrive “soon after” the initial launch in November. However, success on Indiegogo could lead to faster development.
Get a look at Between Heartbeats in the video below. You can also try out a PC demo here.
Source: Blimbu Games PR
Nintendo shared a Dragon Quest VII video a couple of weeks ago focusing on the game’s world. Today, we have another video, this time showcasing battles. Watch it below.
Getting to Pokemon GO’s level cap of 40 is no easy feat. A whole lot of experience is needed to advance after level 30, and between levels 39 and 40, you’ll need five million points.
One Pokemon GO player decided to see what would happen after you reach that far-away mark. Reddit’s “name _problemz” used a bot to hit level 40, but found that nothing extra special happens. The game does give out several items though, including 40 Ultra Balls, Max Potions, Max Revives, Razz Berries, plus four Incense, Lucky Eggs, Incubators and Lure Modules.
The Master Ball does exist in Pokemon GO’s code. You just can’t obtain one by making it to level 40.
Level-5 announced a new Inazuma Eleven game earlier today as was promised. At its Level-5 Vision 2016 event, the company pulled back the curtain on “Inazuma Eleven Ares”.
Inazuma Eleven Ares takes place after the first game in a parallel world. It stars protagonists Ryouhei Haizaki, Asuto Inamori, and Yuuma Nosaka.
Gematsu has the following overview:
The story revolves around a group of boys living on an island who love to play soccer. Their soccer club is suddenly abolished, and the only way they can regain it is to win the Football Frontier. Protagonist Asuto Inamori and company leave the island for Tokyo to attend Raimon Junior High School and take on the Football Frontier. But their first match is against the number one-ranked Seishou Gakuen.
Two games have been added to Nintendo’s maintenance schedule for the coming days. Minecraft: Wii U Edition will be first, and will be seeing maintenance tonight. This is likely so the new patch can be deployed.
It’s scheduled for the following times:
– 5:50 PM PT – 7:30 PM PT
– 8:50 PM ET – 10:30 PM ET
– 1:50 AM in the UK – 3:30 AM in the UK
– 2:50 AM in Europe – 4:30 AM in Europe
Splatoon will also be seeing maintenance next week:
– 5:50 PM PT (August 2) – 7:30 PM PT (August 2)
– 8:50 PM ET (August 2) – 10:30 PM ET (August 2)
– 1:50 AM in the UK (August 3) – 3:30 AM in the UK (August 3)
– 2:50 AM in Europe (August 3) – 4:30 AM in Europe (August 3)
Dragon Quest VII is finally heading west in September. But there’s still one other big Dragon Quest 3DS game that we haven’t heard about in quite awhile. That of course is Dragon Quest VIII.
The RPG did appear in Nintendo’s release schedule that we posted earlier today. In North America, it’s still listed for 2016. In Europe though, it’s now apparently coming next year. If we don’t hear about it soon, I can’t imagine that Dragon Quest VIII will remain a 2016 title in North America either.
