Issue #1405 of the Weekly Famitsu is finally out and, with it, comes an avalanche of fantastic scans for upcoming Japanese releases such as Genei Ibun Roku #FE, the peculiar cross-over between Shin Megami Tensei and Fire Emblem, and the new Attack on Titan game being developed by Omega Force. Accompanying these juicy previews, Weekly Famitsu also features reviews for some of the new releases in Japan. For those uninitiated in Famitsu’s disparate approach to critiquing games, the publication takes four in-house journalists and each one of them can rate a title up to 10, combining for a grand total of 40 points.
First and foremost, the magazine starts with the upcoming fifth entry in the Star Ocean JRPG series, Star Ocean 5: Integrity and Faithlessness. The following scans elaborate information on not just two new characters, Emerson and Anne, but also explains segments of the battle system. Emerson looks to be a character who plays from a range with his bow-like firearm while Anne, who accompanies Emerson in the plot, could play a more in-your-face, albeit rouge-like stature in combat.
Players will be allowed to assign up to four “roles” to each character which are split into two categories: attack and defense. However simplistic it may sound, the game reportedly features a “Factor” system that dynamically alters a character’s tactics by enhancing their abilities. These “Factors” can be as simple as a tank-like character dismissing defense to prioritize attacks or falling back and using skill-based moves and playing a more defensive stance. As with most JRPGs, you will level up for continuing to use these roles and the aforementioned “Factors” will become even stronger.
Star Ocean 5: Integrity and Faithlessness, developed by tri-Ace and published by Square Enix, will be releasing for PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 on Feb. 25, 2016 in Japan while North America and Europe should expect the title some time later in 2016.
Next up on the roster, Genei Ibun Roku #FE, the expressive collaboration between Atlus and Nintendo which was first announced as Shin Megami Tensei x Fire Emblem, flaunts its characters with style.
Genei Ibun Roku #FE will be released for the Nintendo Wii U on Dec. 26, 2015 in Japan, though North American and European release dates have not yet been disclosed.
As if timed perfectly alongside our article about Koei Tecmo’s plans for 2016, screenshots for the Attack on Titan game, developed by Omega Force (Dynasty Warriors franchise) and based off of Hajime Isayama’s manga of the same name, reveal more playable characters such as Krista Lenz, Ymir, Bertolt Hoover, Reiner Braun, and Annie Leonhart. Those who itch for a collector’s edition will be happy to hear that a “Treasure Pack” edition is due to release parallel to the standard, retail version. The Treasure Pack will run you a pretty 12,800 yen (approx. $105 USD) and will be packed with a soundtrack, scarf, badges for Eren, Mikasa, and Levi, and a code which will net you some exclusive costumes.
Additionally, Koei Tecmo shed light on how the Attack on Titan game will operate, saying that you will expend gas with every use of the 3D Maneuver Gear and your blades will also wear down over time much like the source material. Don’t expect to play like a god because it will be imperative that you trade equipment, refill your gas tanks, and replace your blades accordingly. What’s interesting, however, is how there will be weapons never before seen in both the manga and anime.
Attack on Titan is expected to be released in Winter of 2015 and has been confirmed for a 2016 release in North America and Europe for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita.
Fairy Fencer F: Advent Dark Force – a remaster of Fairy Fencer F, originally released on the PlayStation 3 – received a little love from from Famitsu and a trailer was also posted online, giving us a look into what developer Compile Heart has in store. With new enhancements like a new six-man battle system, a new story route, and options for an even harder difficulty, masochists and JRPGs will have even more to chew down on when the game ships in Japan on Nov. 5, 2015 for PlayStation 4.
We also get a good luck at Gravity Rush 2, the sequel to SCE Japan Studio’s ex-PlayStation Vita exclusive Gravity Rush, with protagonists Kat and Raven looking stylish as ever.
Gravity Rush 2, otherwise known as Gravity Daze 2, will release in North America, Europe, and Japan in 2016. For those who want to experience the original, you can pick up Gravity Rush on PlayStation Vita or wait for the release of Gravity Rush Remastered which will be out on Dec. 10, 2015 in Japan and Feb. 9 and Feb. 10 for North America and Europe, respectively.
Another HD remaster pops up in the form of Resident Evil Zero HD Remaster which features a cheeky nod to an easter egg in Resident Evil 2 where Rebecca Chambers, a playable character in Resident Evil Zero, shows up in a photo, dressed in a sports-top and bloomers with the Raccoon City Police Department insignia adorned on her chest.
According to the official Steam page, Resident Evil Zero HD Remaster will release in early 2016. Alongside that release, players will also have the option of purchasing the Resident Evil Origins Collection which will include the HD remaster for the first Resident Evil and Resident Evil Zero HD Remaster.
Famitsu continues to provide an onslaught of previews, images, and information on various other titles such as Bloodborne: The Old Hunters, an expansion to the gothic-horror action-adventure Bloodborne. Developed by From Software, the masterminds behind the frenetic Dark Souls series, Famitsu’s website confirms they will provide more information within the week.
Bloodborne: The Old Hunters has a confirmed, worldwide release date of Nov. 24, 2015.
Is that not enough for you? How about the massive Project X Zone 2: Brave New World, featuring a roster of characters from Bandai Namco, Capcom, and Sega games?
Hot off the announcement that Dhalsim would be featured as a release character for Street Fighter V, the elastic yoga expert is back and has a diverse new combo system to heat things up. Laura Matsuda, a new character for the franchise and older sister to Street Fighter III: Third Strike‘s Sean Matsuda, also makes an appearance and is looking fierce as ever being the first grappler character in the franchise to have a projectile.
Coincidentally, Shoryuken reported that, through data-mining, even more characters will either be announced or come out after release with voice clips hinting at the inclusion of characters like Super Street Fighter IV‘s Juri Han and a new, unannounced character “Fan/Fun.” Experience Street Fighter V for yourself on Feb. 16, 2016 when it launches for PlayStation 4 and PC in North America and Feb. 18 in Japan.
Other titles shown off in this week’s Famitsu include Nitroplus Blasters: Heroine Infinite Duel, a fighting game developed by Examu (Arcana Heart, Aquapazza) which will feature a numerous amount of Nitroplus characters including their own mascot, Super Sonico.
XSEED Games will be publishing Nitroplus Blasterz: Heroine Infinite Duel for a North America release in Jan. 2016.
Below are other titles featured in this week’s Famitsu that, unfortunately, are not confirmed for North American or Europeans releases with only two games, Mobile Suit Gundam: Extreme VS Force and Romance of the Three Kingdoms 13, confirmed for an English release in Asia.
Sources: All Games Beta, Gematsu [1], [2], [3], Siliconera
