Severed is a really interesting experiment in nabbing some popular mobile game mechanics and fleshing them out into a unique dungeon-crawling RPG with combat that plays out more rhythmically than statistically. Really, Severed takes a bunch of concepts and fuses them together in a very fun way. It’s hard to compare it to any one game in particular, but easy to see the little bits and pieces of inspiration it grabbed from here and there.

More: DrinkBox Studios, highlight, indie, Severed, top

[TGS 2016] Digimon Universe: Appli Monsters Cyber Arena impressions

Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS eShop, Previews | 1 Comment

Nintendo Everything was at this year’s Tokyo Game Show! We had a low-key presence at the event, but we did manage to try out several upcoming Japanese 3DS titles. Look for our impressions in the coming days.

Digimon Universe: Appli Monsters Cyber Arena is a free-to-play preview version of the upcoming 3DS game Digimon Universe: Appli Monsters. It just came out yesterday – September 21 – on the Japanese eShop. The full product will be released December 1 in Japan, though we’ve given the new download a test drive.

If you’re a Digimon veteran, don’t expect past Digimon creatures like Agumon to appear here. This adventure takes place in a brand-new universe where current trending technology like smartphones and augmented reality are prevalent. The new Digimon are called Appli Monsters, or Appmon in short, and are based on smartphone apps. As of the Cyber Arena version, there are a total of 147 Appmon available.

More: Bandai Namco, Digimon, Digimon Universe: Appli Monsters, highlight, Japan, TGS 2016, top

[TGS 2016] One Piece: Great Pirate Colosseum impressions

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

One Piece: Great Pirate Colosseum is a 3DS fighting game developed by Arc System Works for Bandai Namco. It will be released soon in Japan on September 21, but there was a demo available at Tokyo Game Show 2016 and we were able to try it out. However, we were limited to CPU battles.

Although One Piece: Great Pirate Colosseum will have many playable and assist characters, not all of them were available in the TGS demo. For example, the only available Straw Hats were Luffy, Sanji, and Franky. One side can either pick two main characters and two assist characters, or substitute the assist character slots for a third main character.

More: Arc System Works, Bandai Namco, highlight, Japan, One Piece: Great Pirate Colosseum, TGS 2016, top

[Review] Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse

Posted on 8 years ago by Dennis Gagliardotto(@LyonHart_) in 3DS, Reviews | 13 Comments

System: 3DS
Release date: September 20, 2016
Developer: Atlus
Publisher Atlus

With Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse, one of the finest Japanese RPGs to be released on the 3DS gets a gigantic and apocalyptic semi-sequel. Everything you know and love about Shin Megami Tensei IV and the series’ past entries are here, but in a vastly improved format. The game is meant to be accessible to players of all types, whether you’re here for the grind, the story, the challenge, the exploration, or a little bit of everything.

More: Atlus, highlight, Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse, top

[Review] Dragon Quest VII: Fragments of the Forgotten Past

Posted on 8 years ago by Philip(@P_Trah) in 3DS, Reviews | 14 Comments

System: 3DS
Release date: September 16, 2016
Developer: ArtePiazza / Square Enix
Publisher Nintendo

Dragon Quest has had a very interesting history outside of Japan. Known earlier as Dragon Warrior in North America due to trademark issues, the series wasn’t nearly as popular over here as it was in Japan, being somewhat of a cultural phenomenon overseas. Despite its very low sales in the states, the various games have been relatively well received by those who’ve given the franchise a shot, and over the years have garnered a fairly large fan base in the west. Square Enix, in partnership with Nintendo, has now fully remade one of the most beloved entries in the series for the 3DS: Dragon Warrior VII. So, how does Dragon Quest VII: Fragments of the Forgotten Past hold up not only as a remake, but also as a brand new title on Nintendo’s handheld?

More: Dragon Quest VII, highlight, Square Enix, top

[Let’s Talk] What are you playing? – September 2016

Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News | 14 Comments

When you think about it, September is a busy month for games. We’ve already received the new Ace Attorney, Picross 3D: Round 2, Axiom Verge, and Jotun. Over the next few weeks, we can also expect Dragon Quest VII, Yo-kai Watch 2, Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse, Sonic Boom: Fire & Ice, Azure Striker Gunvolt 2, Severed, and Noitu Love: Devolution.

So what’s everyone been playing lately? Maybe you’ve just picked up Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Spirit of Justice? Or maybe you’re giving one of the new indie games a try. Maybe you’re holding out until more of September’s big games show up! Regardless, let us know in the comments below.

Highlights from last week’s topic: September 2016 Nintendo Direct reactions

More: highlight, top

[Review] Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Spirit of Justice

Posted on 8 years ago by Jakob Vujovic(@jakovujo) in 3DS eShop, Reviews | 3 Comments

System: 3DS (eShop)
Release date: September 8, 2016
Developer: Capcom
Publisher Capcom

I won’t dance around saying that Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Spirit of Justice is kind of a mess, albeit a lovable one. If you think too hard about the overall plot, setting aside a few genuinely good and surprising twists, it’s full of laughably bad inconsistencies and weak writing choices. However, if you shut that part of your brain off – the one that checks for internal consistency – and focus on the moment-to-moment mystery plot and absurdity of what unfolds in these courtrooms, then it’s a much better experience. In other words, Spirit of Justice is yet another Ace Attorney game made in the absence of series creator Shu Takumi.

More: Capcom, highlight, Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Spirit of Justice, top

[Let’s Talk] September 2016 Nintendo Direct reactions

Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, General Nintendo, Let's Talk | 46 Comments

Prior to this week’s Nintendo Direct, we had gone several months without a major presentation. March was the last time when we saw a broadcast with new announcements in a prepared video. Most people have been expecting that we’d hear something about NX soon, but Nintendo first decided to share news about the 3DS.

Quite a bit was shown during the Nintendo Direct on Thursday. Not all of the games themselves were new, but it at least showed that the 3DS will continue to receive support into next year. Super Mario Maker is heading to Nintendo’s portable in December, followed by Poochy & Yoshi’s Woolly World next February (with a Poochy amiibo of course), Mario Sports Superstars in spring, Dragon Quest VIII, and a Pikmin side-scroller. Let’s also not forget about Ever Oasis and Tank Troopers. Nintendo also unveiled new Zelda amiibo, released new Hyrule Warriors DLC, Picross 3D: Round 2 (in North America, December 2 in Europe with a physical option) and Zelda: Skyward Sword digitally, and teased Animal Crossing: New Leaf’s update (with new amiibo cards and a Nintendo Direct to come).

Now that our brief recap is out of the way, what do you think of this week’s Nintendo Direct? Were you pleased with what was shown, or were you let down? Have any thoughts about particular games? Let us know in the comments below.

Highlights from last week’s topic: Your dream NX game

More: highlight, top

[Review] Axiom Verge

Posted on 8 years ago by Jakob Vujovic(@jakovujo) in Reviews, Wii U eShop | 5 Comments

System: Wii U (eShop)
Release date: September 1, 2016
Developer: Thomas Happ
Publisher Thomas Happ

When I think of the first Metroid on the NES, images of disorienting palette swapped vertical shafts with ascending and interlocking platforms connected into a webwork by horizontally scrolling rooms with enemies waiting in ambush from underground lava pools comes to mind. The imagery is distinct, but without a map it’s all very disorienting. Admittedly, I have never really played more than a few hours of Metroid. It was way before my time, and having first played Super Metroid with all of its advancements, there’s no reason for most people to go back to it beyond nostalgia and historical significance. Even with my relatively limited experience, I can tell that Axiom Verge was made out of a love and understanding of the original Metroid. However, it does more than just pay homage and instead creates mechanics and surprises with its clear admiration and understanding of Metroid as a jumping off point.

More: Axiom Verge, highlight, indie, top

Nintendo 3DS Direct live streams, blog (9/1/16)

Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, News, Videos | 11 Comments

The latest Nintendo 3DS Direct is about to begin, and we only have about an hour to go. Nintendo will be kicking things off at 7 AM PT / 10 AM ET / 3 PM in the UK / 4 PM in Europe.

Live streams for the North American, European, and Japanese broadcasts can be viewed below. We’ll also have a live blog going throughout the presentation, courtesy of Jake! New posts will be added to the site when major news drops.

That’s all for now. Enjoy the new Nintendo Direct – it’s been awhile!

North America

Europe

Japan

Live blog

It’s now or never, everyone! Hope your bodies are ready! -Jake

Reggie hinting at 3DS games for 2017!

Pokemon Sun/Moon

Alola Rattata, which is Dark/Normal is introduced
Munchlax coming as an early free download for Sun/Moon
Snorlax has a special Z-move, Pulverizing Pancake

Super Mario Maker coming to 3DS

Can play Wii U courses, although not all aspects will be
Mystery Mushroom costumes will still be Wii U exclusive
Courses are only shared from 3DS by local download and Street Pass
Releasing on December 2nd, 2016

Mario Party: Star Rush

Toad Scramble focuses on Toad
A “pure skill, no dice” coin collection mode
7 different modes
Mario series amiibo compatible
Download version that lets you play the full game locally as long as one person has a cartridge
Releasing on November 4th

Animal Crossing: New Leaf

amiibo update coming out this holiday
Animal Crossing mini-Direct coming soon
Other amiibo, not just Animal Crossing compatible

Mii Plaza

Quick Plaza streamlines gameplay and check in
Cooking, stock market, exploration, ninja launching, and racing games coming
Launching after Direct

Tank Troopers

eShop game, this winter
Fight in tank
Includes local play

Picross 3D Round 2

Demo releasing after Direct
amiibo compatible

Zelda amiibo

December 2nd
8-bit Link, Link, Toon Link, Toon Zelda
Will be compatible in Breath of the Wild

Skyward Sword

Original version releasing on Wii U today, Wii Virtual Console format

Hyrule Warriors Legends

Phantom Hourglass/Spirit Tracks DLC coming today
Toon Link’s new weapon is the Sand Wand
Summons blocks and the train to destroy enemies
Toon Zelda, inhabits Phantom Body
New Adventure Map based on Phantom Hourglass

Ace Attorney Spirit of Justice

eShop download, September 8th

Dragon Quest VII and VIII

Street Pass in VII lets you explore unique dungeons
Pre-purchasing VII on eShop gets a special theme
Out September 16th, videos on YouTube and Dev Discussion at PAX

Yo-Kai Watch 2

New watch gives new abilities
Bony Spirits and Fleshy Souls each feature unique Yo-Kai
Arachnus (Bony Spirits) and Toadul Dude (Fleshy Souls)
Demo coming mid September, available on the 30th

Disney Magical World 2

Frozen outfits, available for pre-download
Disney themes coming to eShop as well

Sonic Boom: Fire and Ice

2-character mode, can switch between
September 27th, comes with DVD with three Sonic Boom episodes

Bill with a beard! He needs a Bill Trimmin’!

Yoshi’s Woolly World coming to 3DS

Has all the Wii U stages plus more
Poochy mode, and Poochy pups that help you find secrets
30 animated shorts coming with it
Poochy yarn amiibo
Both game and amiibo on February 3rd, 2017, including amiibo bundle

Ever Oasis

Travel between oasis and desert
Desert is under the reign of “Chaos”
2017 release

Mario Sports Super Stars

soccer baseball golf tennis horse racing
Local and online multiplayer modes
Spring 2017

Pikmin game coming to 3DS in 2017

Side scroller, starring Olimar
Currently red, blue, yellow pikmin announced
Action oriented