Ninja Usagimaru: The Mysterious Karakuri Castle will launch in North America and Europe on September 29 as a 3DS eShop title, Aksys and FK Digital announced today. The game had been confirmed for an overseas release back during the Anime Expo in July.

Ninja Usagimaru: The Mysterious Karakuri Castle is an action-puzzler. You’ll take on the role of Usagimaru, ‘a legendary hero who embarks on a massive quest to save his village from the clutches of vile monsters.” It’s all set during a period “long forgotten by men”.

Here’s a rundown of the game’s features:

Path of the Ninja- Travel through 60+ mindboggling levels to rescue captured villagers and restore order to the land. Ready to reap the rewards of a true ninja warrior? Freeing villagers will bestow items to boost Usagimaru’s abilities!
Master Your Surroundings- Navigate tough traps, manipulate the environment and overcome brain twisting puzzles as the one and only Usagimaru!
A Hero’s Challenge- Once you’ve bested the main game, unlock even more levels to test your might! Earn and collect definitive titles based on in game performance and play style!

Source: Aksys Games PR

More: Aksys Games, FK Digital, Ninja Usagimaru: The Mysterious Karakuri Castle

Zero Time Dilemma pre-order watch unboxing

Posted on 8 years ago by Zack in 3DS, Videos | 2 Comments

An unboxing video of the pre-order watch included with certain bundles of Zero Time Dilemma was uploaded to YouTube.

The watch, which is based on the watches that the characters in Zero Time Dilemma wear, was part of an early pre-order promotion for the game.

You can watch the video below.

More: Aksys Games, Spike Chunsoft, Zero Time Dilemma

Zero Time Dilemma pre-order watches now being sent to retailers

Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, News | 2 Comments

About a year before Zero Time Dilemma came out, Aksys took pre-orders for a limited edition version of the game. The publisher hoped to hook up fans who put in an early reservation with a special watch. But due to watches being damaged in transit, no one has received the bonus item just yet.

Yesterday, Aksys shared an update about the situation Twitter. Replacement watches arrived in the warehouse, and they’ll now be going out to retailers. That means Amazon and GameStop should finally be able to send out the watches very soon.

The official tweet reads:

We've received ZTD watches in our warehouse and we'll be sending these out to our retail partners. They will provide you w/ ship updates.
— Aksys Games (@aksysgames) August 23, 2016

Thanks to Jake for the tip.

Source

More: Aksys Games, Spike Chunsoft, Zero Time Dilemma

Zero Escape creator on origins and making Zero Time Dilemma, series as a whole, more

Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, News | 9 Comments

Around the time when Zero Time Dilemma was launching in Japan, Famitsu caught up with series creator Kotaro Uchikoshi about the new game. Uchikoshi spoke about how it came to be, the different aspects of gameplay, and even the ending (don’t worry, there’s only a bit on this and not much in the way of spoilers).

Since the interview was quite lengthy, we’ve opted to summarize the discussion. Continue on below for all of the important points.

The conclusion to the series, restarted to respond to enthusiastic requests from overseas fans

– When Uchikoshi joined Spike Chunsoft, the first title he worked on was 999, but at first it was planned to be a standalone game. Later on it received a “Platinum” from Famitsu reviews, as well as a good reception overseas, which was why there were talks of making its sequel only afterwards.
– They were making both the second and third games for the DS, but at that time (in 2010) the new generation handhelds 3DS and PlayStation Vita were announced.
– They wanted to work with the new systems, but considering they were developing two games at the same time, they didn’t have enough time and budget. In the end they decided to only make the second game (Virtue’s Last Reward) first, and waited to see its reception before deciding to continue the third game.
– Requests for another sequel after Virtue’s Last Reward were high, but most especially from overseas. Thanks to that, the company also gave a “Go” sign for the third game.
– When asked about the similarities and differences between Japanese and overseas fans:
Similarity: The elements they enjoy in the games may be actually the same.
Difference: Overseas fans have much enthusiasm. Uchikoshi thinks it’s because of a difference in history. Japan has had games in the same genre since long ago, such as Banshee’s Last Cry. On the other hand, the west’s first experience with such a genre was 999, so it felt very fresh to them, which was why the hype built up quickly. It also helps that games within the genre are still relatively rare in the west.

More: Aksys Games, Famitsu, interview, Kotaro Uchikoshi, Spike Chunsoft, top

Chase: Cold Case Investigations gets first review in Famitsu

Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS eShop, News | 0 comments

Last week, Aksys announced localization of Chase: Cold Case Investigations. It’s a new game from Hotel Dusk director Taisuke Kanasaki plus former CING staff.

Although Famitsu’s review was published a few weeks back, we thought we’d take a new look at it now that Chase’s localization is confirmed. Editors dished out scores of “8”, “7”, “8”, and “6” for a score of 29 out of 40.

Wondering why Chase received those scores? Head past the break for the full transcript of Famitsu’s review.

More: -CHASE- Unsolved Cases Division, Aksys Games, Arc System Works, Chase: Cold Case Investigations, Famitsu

Aksys Games localizing Ninja Usagimaru sequel

Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS eShop, News | 0 comments

Yesterday, Aksys Games revealed at Anime Expo that the company is localizing Chase: Cold Case Investigations. That wasn’t the only 3DS announcement made at the panel though. Aksys is also planning on bringing over the sequel to Ninja Usagimaru: The Gem of Blessings.

The first Ninja Usagimaru launched in North America and Europe last year. It has players going through various levels and rescuing villagers in various levels by overcoming traps and gimmicks. The new game builds on the foundation of the original.

Here’s a Japanese trailer for the game:

The new Ninja Usagimaru will be released on the eShop this fall.

Thanks to Jose for the tip.

Source

More: Aksys Games, Arc System Works, Ninja Usagimaru

Hotel Dusk team’s Chase: Cold Case Investigations coming west this fall

Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS eShop, News | 8 Comments

In May, Chase: Cold Case Investigations – Distant Memories released on the Japanese 3DS eShop. It was a new game from Arc System Works, with Hotel Dusk: Room 215 director Taisuke Kanasaki and former CING employees on board for the project.

Today, Aksys Games announced at its Anime Expo panel that the title will be heading west. It’ll be available this fall on the eShop.

Chase: Cold Case Investigations stars detectives Shounosuke Nanase and Koto Amekura as they investigate a reopened case about an explosion and death. It was originally determined to be an accident, but an anonymous caller informs the division that it was actually murder.

Here’s one of the Japanese trailers for the game: