こんにちわみんなさん
E3 is one of the – if not the biggest – gaming events of the year. All of the major publishers come out to show off the games that they will be releasing in the future. There’s not nearly enough room to write about every game there, so I’m only going to focus on the Japanese publishers and their games. After all, isn’t that what it’s all about? 😉
The companies I will be covering in this post are: Sony, Nintendo, Bandai Namco, Capcom, Sega, Square Enix, Atlus, NIS America, and XSeed. When it comes to their games, I will only mention the games that are being developed in Japan. However, I would like to tell you about one game that Microsoft revealed as an Xbox One exclusive, and that’s made by a big Japanese developer.
*All games mentioned, including publisher and release date, are for North America. While it is likely most of these games will see a worldwide release, it is not guaranteed. I have included a trailer for all the games on this list embedded in their name.
Microsoft:
Scalebound
Developer: PlatinumGames
Genre: Action
Platform: Xbox One
Release Date: 2015
If you don’t know who PlatinumGames is, you should. They’re, in my opinion, the greatest action video game makers in the business. They’ve done Bayonetta, Vanquish, MadWorld, The Wonderful 101, and Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance. All of their games are filled with corny stories and even hammier scripts, but you don’t care about that once you jump into the game. Their games are filled from top to bottom with balls-to-the-wall action. While only a cinematic trailer was shown for the game, it involves swords, magic, and giant monsters. Colour me interested!
Sony:
Bloodborne
Developer: From Software, SCE Japan Studio
Genre: Action RPG
Platform: Playstation 4
Release Date: 2015
From the creators of the Souls series (Demon’s Souls, Dark Souls) comes Bloodborne. Not much was revealed about the game itself other than it takes place in medieval times, and there are deranged monsters roaming about the city. The pedigree of the Souls series has placed this game on everyone’s radar and Sony is sure to reveal more about the game later.
Let It Die
Developer: Grasshopper Manufacture
Genre: Action, hack and slash, RPG?
Platform: Playstation 4
Release Date: TBA
Again, not much was shown aside from a bloody teaser trailer. The mastermind behind Grasshopper Manufacture, Suda51, is insane and his games show it. No More Heroes, Lollipop Chainsaw, Shadows of the Damned, and Killer Is Dead should tell you all you need to know about how over-the-top his games are.
When it came to Japanese developed games, that was really all Sony showed. Their big hitters came in the form of Western developed games like Uncharted 4 and Little Big Planet 3.
Nintendo: (I recommend watching at least the first two minutes 😀 )
Super Smash Bros. for 3DS/Wii U
Developer: Sora Ltd., Bandai Namco
Genre: 2D fighter
Platform: 3DS/Wii U
Release Date: October 3, 2014 (3DS)/Holiday 2014 (Wii U)
Do I really have to mention anything about Super Smash Bros.? It is one of Nintendo’s most respected, and hyped up series’. As usual, lots of Super Smash Bros. news made it into E3 this year. Miis were revealed as playable characters with three different playstyles, Palutena from Kid Icarus was revealed (which really makes me want another Kid Icarus anime, especially if it’s done by Shaft again), as well as…
So now we have, Mario, Sonic, Mega Man, and Pac-Man in the same game! Four of gaming’s most recognizable icons can now fight each other. Personally, my hype level for Super Smash Bros. is off the charts. I’m disappointed with the pushback of the 3DS version to October but, it will be all worth it once the game comes out.
Yoshi’s Woolly World
Developer: Good-Feel
Genre: 2D platformer
Platform: Wii U
Release Date: 2015
This absolutely adorable Yoshi’s game comes from the creators of Kirby’s Epic Yarn. Kirby’s Epic Yarn was a simple, but fun platformer. The way you can interact with the environment was clever level design and I look forward to playing through another game like that. It’s also worthy to note that this will be only the second time Yoshi will have his own game, with no other Mario characters in sight.
Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker
Developer: Nintendo EAD
Genre: Puzzle
Platform: Wii U
Release Date: Q4 2014
For anyone who has played Super Mario 3D World knows what this is. You play as Toad, and you have to navigate your way through levels with enemies and interactive platforms. Each level contains gems and coins to collect and your objective is the star at the end. Those levels were fun in Super Mario 3D World, and it’s nice to see them continuing with the idea.
The Legend of Zelda Wii U (unofficial title)
Developer: Nintendo EAD
Genre: Action-adventure
Platform: Wii U
Release Date: 2015
GET. HYPE. NOW. My god, this game looks beautiful. This is all the news we got about the latest Zelda game, but I think the hype for the game is warranted. This latest game looks to buck the trends of the Zelda series by providing a huge open world, as well as non-linear dungeon exploring. Eiji Aonuma, the series’ producer, has cited The Elder Scrolls V Skyrim as an influence for this game when it came to the open world. I’m pretty excited just to have seen the game at all, and I look forward to hearing more about it in the future.
Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire
Developer: Game Freak
Genre: JRPG
Platform: 3DS
Release Date: November 21, 2014
Pokemon is one of my “three fanboy series”, (Pokemon, Super Smash Bros., and Hyperdimension Neptunia) and I would love to talk more about it. However, my fellow blogger Tomoki, has already written an extensive article on it that you should check out.
All I can add in is, I’m very excited to see these games remade.
Bayonetta 2
Developer: PlatinumGames
Genre: Action
Platform: Wii U
Release Date: October 2014
Probably one of Nintendo’s most controversial game pickups, Bayonetta 2 is set for release exclusively on Wii U this October. “Fans” of the original game were very upset at Nintendo’s acquisition of the series, despite the fact that Nintendo was the only company willing to pick up the game. The first Bayonetta was a cult hit, like most PlatinumGames games are. The game was bloody, and more than a little sexually suggestive. If anyone was afraid of Nintendo censoring the violence or sexual parts, don’t worry. Bayonetta 2 is definitely uncensored, and all of its gameplay trailers has proved that. As an added bonus, the first Bayonetta will be included with Bayonetta 2, as well as costumes for Bayonetta like Peach, Link and Samus. Fun fact: this will be only the third Mature rated title Nintendo has ever published (Eternal Darkness, and Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge). However, a fourth Nintendo published Mature rated title will be coming to Wii U…
Hyrule Warriors
Developer: Omega Force, Team Ninja, Nintendo SPD
Genre: Hack and slash, action
Platform: Wii U
Release Date: September 26, 2014
The first Zelda game on Wii U comes in the form of Hyrule Warriors, a spin-off title. This game combines the world of Zelda with the hack and slash gameplay as Tecmo Koei’s Warriors series. The gameplay of the Warriors series contains hundreds of enemies on screen and your job is to kill them all. The battles in this series are epic and this looks to be a fun twist on the Zelda series. The confirmed playable characters are: Link, Zelda, Impa, and Midna. The Warriors series typically contains a lot of playable characters, so hopefully there are more to come. However, there are different weapons for each character in the game, so there may not be a need for more characters.
Kirby and the Rainbow Curse
Developer: HAL Laboratory
Genre: 2D side-scroller
Platform: Wii U
Release Date: 2015
Kirby is arriving fashionably late as usual to a console. However, he is arriving earlier than expected. This game looks to be a spiritual successor to the DS game, Kirby’s Canvas Curse. You control Kirby’s path by drawing it on the Gamepad. Other than that, there’s not much else.
Xenoblade Chronicles X
Developer: Monolith Soft
Genre: Action RPG
Platform: Wii U
Release Date: 2015
AW YES. This is easily one of my most anticipated titles for the foreseeable future. Ever since it was announced back in January of last year, I have been anxiously awaiting this game’s release. Xenoblade Chronicles on the Wii had one of the greatest stories I have ever seen in a single game. Combined with an epic musical score, and absolutely terrific art design and graphics for a Wii game made it one of my favourite Wii games, one of my favourite RPGs from the last generation, and one of my favourite games from the last generation in general. So it’s easy to understand my excitement when Monolith Soft first showed this game to me last year.
One of the things that may interest anime fans about this game, is that the composer for this game is Hiroyuki Sawano. He brought you the music from Gundam Unicorn, the Sengoku Basara series, Blue Exorcist and Guilty Crown. Oh, as well as two rather small anime by the names of Attack on Titan and Kill La Kill. You know, small anime. 😛
The Xeno series in general has a great pedigree, and I’m expecting big things from Xenoblade Chronicles X.
Mario Maker
Developer: Nintendo
Genre: 2D platformer
Platform: Wii U
Release Date: 2015
Have you ever wanted to make your own Mario levels? Well, now you can! Mario Maker is a level creation game that allows you to create your own levels as well as play other people’s levels.
Splatoon
Developer: Nintendo EAD
Genre: Third-person shooter
Platform: Wii U
Release Date: 2015
I’ve always heard people talking about how Nintendo needs to make a shooter to be relevant in today’s gaming world. I certainly don’t agree… but it would be nice. Nintendo can now say that they have a shooter and, as expected from Nintendo, it’s something original and not something generic. Splatoon was the big surprise to come out of Nintendo this year, because I don’t think anyone could have anticipated Nintendo showing off a new IP, let alone a shooter.
Splatoon is brought to us by one of the new, younger teams at Nintendo who have had training under Shigeru Miyamoto, Nintendo’s legendary game designer. Splatoon is a unique take on a shooter where your main objective is not to kill every player on the enemy team, but to have as much “turf” as possible. The game is 4v4 with the objective to cover as much of the map in your team’s colour as possible. To explain the game would take a while, so check out the trailer above to get a better idea of the game.
Nintendo showed off extensive gameplay of the game during their E3 stream on Tuesday, and it quickly become a fan favourite game of the people watching the stream. This game has also made it onto my list of most anticipated games for next year, after simply watching gameplay of it. It just looks like it will be a lot of fun to play.
Star Fox Wii U (no title)
Developer: ??? (PlatinumGames has expressed interest in making a Star Fox game)
Genre: ??? (past games were rail shooters)
Platform: Wii U
Release Date: TBA
The only thing we know about Starfox for Wii U is that Shigeru Miyamoto is behind it, and it will be Gamepad-focused. Other than that, we know nothing about the game. However, I am extremely happy that it is being resurrected on Wii U. The Wii U is a perfect time to enter the cockpit and fly the Arwing yourself.
Devil’s Third
Developer: Valhalla Game Studios
Genre: Third-person shooter, action
Platform: Wii U
Release Date: 2014
Devil’s Third is brought to us by the mind behind the Dead or Alive and the revival of the Ninja Gaiden series. He left Tecmo back in 2008 to create his own studio and their first game is Devil’s Third. Initially this game was due out for release on the Xbox 360 and PS3 and would be published by THQ. However, following THQ’s closure last year, the publishing rights were given back to the team. Like Bayonetta 2, no one was willing to pick up the game until Nintendo came along. As such, the game will be published exclusively on Wii U.
Fantasy Life
Developer: Level-5
Genre: JRPG
Platform: 3DS
Release Date: October 24, 2014
I’m not sure how this game flew under my radar. It was released last year in Japan. The art design is done by Yoshitaka Amano, and the music is composed by Nobuo Uematsu. How a game done by these two slips under my radar is a mystery to me. In addition, this is a Level-5 game. Level-5 is one of Japan’s best developers and their games have always gotten high ratings. With Rune Factory 4 sucking up all of my time last year, this game looks like it might do the same. Which is a very scary thought.
Mario Party 10
Developer: ???
Genre: Board game, mini-game compilation
Platform: Wii U
Release Date: 2015
I initially got excited when Nintendo announced Mario Party 10. However, I felt a sense of dread when I saw all the characters sharing the car again, just like in Mario Party 9. That part of the game did not interest me at all. Also, the main objective seems to be reaching the end of the board. Whatever happened to number of turns? The one thing that is cool is that one player controls Bowser while the other four players try to survive. Being Bowser could be fun. Other than that, I can’t see myself picking this up. I’ll keep an eye our on it for sure though.
Code Name: S.T.E.A.M
Developer: Intelligent Systems
Genre: Tactical RPG, third-person shooter
Platform: 3DS
Release Date: 2015
Code Name: S.T.E.A.M was Nintendo’s other new IP that they revealed outside of their Digital Event. Intelligent Systems is the company behind the Fire Emblem series, so their work on tactical RPGs is well known. The game’s visuals are a mix of steampunk and American comic book art, with enemy designs based on H.P Lovecraft. It is a strange combination of art styles and it takes a while to get used to it. After watching gameplay, the game shows off the usual style of Intelligent Systems games. Unlike past games where the camera showed the whole battlefield, they opted for a third-person shooter style where you can only see the battlefield as the characters do. However, the gameplay is still very much a tactical RPG.
A lot of people believe that Nintendo had the best E3, and I agree. Nintendo delivered this year with a whole bunch of games. We also got a glimpse of Shigeru Miyamoto’s two new games, Project Giant Robot, and Project Guard. These two games are pre-alpha, so we likely won’t see anything about these two games for a while. These two games aren’t what I would expect out of a legendary game creator like Shigeru Miyamoto; they seem more like mini games then full games. However, a few people have pointed out that there was what appeared to be a Star Fox logo in Project Guard, and the city Project Giant Robot takes place in could be a city in Cornelia, one of the planets in the series. This implies that these two games are connected to Star Fox, and could be released as a part of the Star Fox game.
*I was busy during E3 outside of the console producers’ press conferences, so I don’t know much about some of the games below. Some I do know about, some I don’t. There are also some I can’t comment on, because I haven’t played a game in the series before, or I’m not interested in it. I recommend if you’re interested in a game, take a look at the trailer for it.
Bandai Namco:
Dragon Ball Xenoverse
Developer: Dimps
Genre: Fighting
Platforms: PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One
Release Date: TBA
Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm Revolution
Developer: CyberConnect2
Genre: Fighting
Platforms: PS3, Xbox 360, PC
Release Date: September 2014
Sword Art Online: Hollow Fragment
Developer: Bandai Namco
Genre: JRPG
Platforms: PS Vita
Release Date: Q3 2014
I made a Japanese account on my PS Vita because I thought games like this would never make it to North America. Well, apparently I was wrong to think that. This is the only game that is getting me to think about going through the tiresome process of getting a North American account on my Vita, or getting the PS TV. I wish it was a retail/physical cartridge, but I guess we should be happy we’re getting it at all.
Tales of Hearts R
Developer: Namco Tales Studio, 7th Chord (remake)
Genre: JRPG
Platforms: PS Vita
Release Date: Q4 2014 or Q1 2015
This remake of the the original Tales of Hearts on DS is finally making its way to the West. Bandai Namco seems to be finally realizing that there are dedicated Tales of fans in the West. Europe is getting a dual audio option for the game. Can North America get that too please?
Tales of Xillia 2 (Warning: contains spoilers for Tales of Xillia)
Developer: Namco Tales Studio
Genre: JRPG
Platforms: PS3
Release Date: August 19, 2014
As of right now, I am not yet finished with the first Tales of Xillia. However, I am loving the easy to use battle system of the game and the story is fairly good. I hope the sequel is able to deliver another great experience when it launches later this year. Hopefully, this is the last Tales of game with English dub only options.
Capcom:
deep down (Note for editor: supposed to be written in lower caps)
Developer: Capcom, SCE Japan Studio
Genre: JRPG
Platforms: PS4
Release Date: 2014
Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate
Developer: Capcom
Genre: Action RPG
Platforms: 3DS
Release Date Q1 2015
OH YEAH! Ever since they announced Monster Hunter 4 back in 2012, I have been preparing for this game. I even went out and purchased the Circle Pad Pro for my 3DS, in preparation for the game’s launch. I look forward to actually putting the Circle Pad Pro to use when the game launches next year. I’m a longtime Monster Hunter fan, and I grow weary waiting for the hunt to begin!
Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney Trilogy
Developer: Capcom
Genre: Adventure, visual novel
Platforms: 3DS
Release Date: Q4 2014
Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney
Developer: Level-5, Capcom
Genre: Puzzle, visual novel
Platforms: 3DS
Release Date: August 29, 2014
Ultra Street Fighter IV
Developer: Capcom
Genre: Fighting
Platforms: PS3, Xbox 360, PC
Release Date: Now (digital), August 5 (retail/physical)
Sega:
Hatsune Miku: Project Diva F 2nd
Developer: Sega, Crypton Future Media
Genre: Rhythm
Platforms: PS3, PS Vita
Release Date: Q3 2014
Square Enix:
Final Fantasy Type-0
Developer: Square Enix
Genre: JRPG
Platforms: PS4, Xbox One
Release Date: TBA
In the final moments of this trailer, Square Enix put a message out saying that the localization of this game was underway. For those who don’t know, this game was originally released on the PSP, and was a part of the Fabula Nova Crystallis series (Final Fantasy XIII, Final Fantasy Versus XIII, and this game). However, the game never came out here in the West, most likely due to flagging PSP sales in 2011. Fans have been begging Square Enix to release this game here ever since. Actually, fans had JUST finished translating the game on June 9th, and then a day later, Square Enix announces the remake on PS4 and Xbox One. This is likely a bittersweet announcement for fans, as they now have to pick up the next-gen consoles for the official version.
Kingdom Hearts 2.5 HD Remix
Developer: Square Enix
Genre: Action RPG
Platforms: PS3
Release Date: December 2, 2014
Theatrhythm: Final Fantasy Curtain Call
Developer: Square Enix, indieszero
Genre: Rhythm
Platforms: 3DS
Release Date: September 16, 2014
Atlus:
Persona 4 Arena Ultimax
Developer: Arc System Works, Atlus
Genre: Fighting
Platforms: PS3, Xbox 360
Release Date: Fall 2014
Persona 4: Dancing All Night
Developer: Atlus, Dingo Inc.
Genre: Rhythm
Platforms: PS Vita
Release Date: 2015
Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth
Developer: Atlus
Genre: JRPG, roguelike
Platforms: 3DS
Release Date: Fall 2014
NIS America:
Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair
Developer: Spike Chunsoft
Genre: Adventure, Visual novel
Platforms: PS Vita
Release Date: September 2, 2014
Disgaea 4: A Promise Revisited
Developer: Nippon Ichi Software
Genre: Tactical RPG
Platforms: PS Vita
Release Date: August 12, 2014
Fairy Fencer F
Developer: Compile Heart, Idea Factory
Genre: JRPG
Platforms: PS3
Release Date: September 23, 2014
I’m actually really excited for Fairy Fencer F. It’s probably one of my most anticipated games for the rest of the year. It’s for a couple of reasons. First reason is that it’s being done by the “Neptunia Team”, which Compile Heart is now showing off. As a hardcore Hyperdimension Neptunia fan, and with Fairy Fencer F using an improved battle system, I got hooked. The second reason is the team behind it. The art design is done by Yoshitaka Amano (Final Fantasy series), with character design by Tsunako (Hyperdimension Neptunia series, Date A Live series), script by Toshiki Inoue (Death Note, Kamen Rider series), and music by Nobuo Uematsu (Final Fantasy I- IX, The Last Story). So just like Fantasy Life, these two collaborated for another game. This is a strong cast that is taking care of every department of this game. I say this is a game that people should be keeping their eyes on, especially as anime and JRPG fans.
Natural Doctrine
Developer: Kadokawa Games
Genre: Tactical RPG
Platforms: PS3, PS4, PS Vita
Release Date: Fall 2014
XSeed Games:
Akiba’s Trip: Undead & Undressed
Developer: Acquire
Genre: Action
Platforms: PS3, PS4, PS Vita
Release Date: Q3 2014
O.O <— ^
Senran Kagura: Bon Appetit
Developer: Tamsoft
Genre: Rhythm
Platforms: PS Vita
Release Date: Fall 2014
WHY IS THERE STILL CLOTHES RIPPING? 😛
Senran Kagura Shinovi Versus
Developer: Tamsoft
Genre: Action
Platforms: PS Vita
Release Date: Fall 2014
Story of Seasons
Developer: Marvelous AQL
Genre: Life sim
Platforms: 3DS
Release Date: Winter 2014
Don’t be fooled by the name: this is a Harvest Moon game. Natsume owns the rights to the Harvest Moon name, so XSeed had to call this game something different.
This wraps up my breakdown of E3’s Japanese games. What Japanese developed games are you interested in? Let’s get a discussion going!
また後で
