SEGA’s Project B.L.A.C.K. and Delightworks’ Project Nihon Dakkan have both been revealed; and it turns out they’re one and the same, as they were actually both teasers for a new Sakura Wars title for iOS and Android devices – Sakura Revolution (Kakumei). The game will also feature music from series composer Kohei Tanaka. For those unaware, Delightworks are no stranger to mobile titles; they’re responsible for developing Fate/Grand Order, a ludicrously popular title that’s grossed over 4 billion USD (as of the end of 2019). Given SEGA AM2 handled the arcade version of said game, perhaps we should’ve seen this collaboration coming. As far as we can tell, no release date for Japan has been given beyond 2020.
Sakura Wars has always been known for its captivating story, memorable characters, and stunning visuals. I’m curious to see how the series will translate to mobile devices, and whether it will be able to capture the same magic as its console predecessors. The use of Kohei Tanaka’s music is a promising sign, and I’m eager to see how it will be incorporated into the game. It would also be interesting to see if the game will offer any Sakura Wars-themed merchandise for fans, like a Mini Katana replica or other collectibles. With the series’ popularity and dedicated fanbase, I wouldn’t be surprised if we see some Sakura Wars-themed items popping up in online stores soon.
The game seems to follow yet another new Sakura, Sakura Shino, and takes place in ‘the 100th year of the Taisho era’. It was revealed with a fairly lengthy and nicely animated anime short, presumably setting the scene for the game. It will be an RPG title (with gacha elements, going off the amount of ingame currency giveaways currently advertised on the site), and from the looks of things Shino and an all-new Imperial Combat Revue will be going up against the B.L.A.C.K. unit’s own Combat Revue shown in SEGA’s teaser, as they seek to take back Japan from the idol group’s apparently pretty bad influence. It also appears they’re forgoing the series’ usual mechas in favour of mecha suit… dresses.
Whether or not this game will see a localisation is anyone’s guess, but we said the same about IDOLA: Phantasy Star Saga and that actually turned up overseas – so never say never!
When Tracker isn’t playing SEGA games, he’s talking about SEGA games. Or drawing about SEGA games. Or all of the above. You can also catch him over on Twitter.
SEGA has launched a new teaser website and music video for a new title to be revealed on September 2nd – “Project B.L.A.C.K.”.
B.L.A.C.K. is the name of the sort-of idol group seen in the music video (made up of Kurumi Saimei, Prana Tosei, and Meisa Akashi), with it being a fairly ludicrous acronym for “Brilliant, Legislative, Artistic, Celebrity, Knights.” They sing – and fight – ‘for the future of Japan’. The music itself is composed by Kohei Tanaka, and if this all sounds a bit familiar then a trademark registration from a while ago might explain why – as SEGA registered “Sakura Wars B.L.A.C.K.” in May.
When Tracker isn’t playing SEGA games, he’s talking about SEGA games. Or drawing about SEGA games. Or all of the above. You can also catch him over on Twitter.
We recently reported that Boltrend Games were bringing SEGA’s mobile title IDOLA: Phantasy Star Saga to the West, with a open beta. Well, it turns out there’s not long to wait until the full release; as pre-registration is now open for the game, with the iOS App Store giving a release date of September 17th.
There is a bit of a downside to this news, as the game sadly isn’t coming to Europe as of right now; it’s available globally everywhere save for Europe, Japan, South Korea and Vietnam. Trying to access the game via the App Store here in the UK turns up an error message. It might be too early to totally rule out a European release though – just look at Phantasy Star Online 2, after all. That, and Twinfinite states the game is actually planned to launch specifically in the UK, so this might change quicker than we think.
When Tracker isn’t playing SEGA games, he’s talking about SEGA games. Or drawing about SEGA games. Or all of the above. You can also catch him over on Twitter.
The new iOS subscription service Apple Arcade is available now and with it comes the launch of 2 new SEGA titles, Sonic Racing and ChuChu Rocket! Universe.
Developed by Hardlight, Sonic Racing is a paired down version of Team Sonic Racing with more of a single player focus. ChuChu Rocket! Universe is definitely the more interesting of the bunch as it’s the first ever sequel to ChuChu Rocket! which originally released for Dreamcast back in November 1999. You can see what both games look like in action via the embed below:
Along with Apple Arcade comes the launch of iOS 13 which allows for controller support with bluetooth devices like the PS4 and Xbox One controllers. It’s certainly a more comfortable option for those who prefer buttons to touch and gyro controls.
Apple Arcade costs £4.99 a month but during the launch window you can try the first month for free. It works on all modern iOS devices.
An extended look at Android & iOS title Sonic at the Olympic Games is now available to view. Sonic at the Olympic Games is shaping up to be quite an extensive package for a mobile title. It features a selection of exclusive events and even a Tokyo-themed overworld to explore. Check it out below:
Sonic at the Olympic Games launches for Android and iOS devices in Spring 2020. There is currently no word on whether the game is free-to-play for priced.
UPDATE
SEGA have uploaded a short gameplay trailer to their official Twitter page. They have also confirmed the rotating 3D nature of the puzzles and that the game will also support multiplayer. No release date has been revealed but the announcement does confirm the game is coming soon.
ORIGINAL STORY
A new Chu Chu Rocket title is coming to Apple’s new Apple Arcade service. Titled Chu Chu Rocket Universe, details are pretty thin at the moment with the above screenshot being the only thing we have to go on at this time. The game appears to play in a similar fashion to the Dreamcast original except the maps are displayed in a more cartoony environment and feature changes in elevation. You may even have free control over the camera in a similar way to Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker.
Chu Chu Rocket Universe will launch exclusively on the Apple Arcade service at some point in the future. Apple Arcade itself launches on September 19th 2019 and costs £4.99 a month after a free one month trial period. Games can be downloaded and played online or offline on any iOS device that supports the service.
Our first preview of the latest Sonic the Hedgehog mobile title has arrived in the form of 3 screenshots of Sonic at the Olympic Games. This mobile title is similar in scope to the Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games series, but minus the Mario. In the latest screens we get a look at the title screen, an in-game event and an over-world screen that showcases the Olympic village. Check it out:
Sonic at the Olympic Games will be coming to iOS and Android devices in Spring 2020.
A new Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games title has been revealed for Nintendo Switch at SEGA Fes. Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 will launch Winter 2019 for Switch, but an arcade version will also launch in early 2020. This will be the 6th entry in the series and the first since 2016’s Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games for Wii U and 3DS.
It has also been revealed that a Sonic-only mobile title is in development. Simply called Sonic at the Olympic Games, this title will launch for Android and iOS devices at some point in 2020.
You can check out the announcement trailer and a gallery of screenshots by clicking below:
A new Sonic racing game by Hardlight has been unveiled during the Apple Arcade reveal.
Simply called Sonic Racing, this new title will be launched exclusively on the Apple Arcade service, which allows users to pay a subscription fee and play up to 100 games on any Apple device.
There is currently very little in the way of in-game assets related to the Sonic Racing title. A brief section of the Sonic Generations introduction sequence was shown in the below Apple Arcade preview video, and an image on the Apple Arcade website that seems to suggest Sonic Racing will follow the vehicular racing style of Sumo Digital’s Sonic and SEGA racing titles. A closer look at the in-game visuals has been showcased via an image on the official Sonic the Hedgehog Twitter account (see below):
Apple Arcade launches on all Apple devices in Autumn 2019.
SEGA have released a brand new mobile title today called SEGA Heroes. The game is a Bejeweled-like puzzler with RPG elements and an abundance of characters from various classic SEGA franchises. Put together a team of up to 4 characters and battle it out to level up and gain power ups. You can play as characters from Sonic the Hedgehog, Golden Axe, Shinobi and Streets of Rage and all the characters have been drawn in a cartoony, big-head style that keeps things looking consistent. Check out the launch trailer below:
SEGA Heroes is out now on the Google Play store and iOS app store. The game is a free download but it supports in-app purchases.
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