Phantasy Star Online 2 is making the big move from PC to console in Japan next year.
A PS4 version is currently in the works but there’s no word on whether this will be a boxed product or a free-to-play download like the PC version. Other MMORPGs that have seen PS4 release like Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn have been sold as a boxed product but this game works on a subscription service with the purchase of a boxed copy essentially signing you up for 30 days.
There is still no word on a Western release for Phantasy Star Online 2 on either PC or PS4. There was a glimmer of hope when the IP block on the Southeast Asian version was removed but this was only temporary. SEGA have still yet to announce any sort of cancellation either.
SEGA Japan CEO Hajime Satomi has recognised an issue with SEGA’s recent game output and a decrease in quality vs the SEGA output of the 90s.
In a very honest interview that pledges to ‘win back the customers’ trust’, Satomi also reveals that a big home console game announcement is due at September’s Tokyo Game Show. Could this be the next big Sonic title?
Satomi’s words are below:
“We did our best to build a relationship of mutual trust with older fans of SEGA, but looking back, there’ve been some titles that have partially betrayed that in the past 10 years. Sega in the ’90s was known for its brand, but after that, we’ve lost trust, and we were left with nothing but reputation. For this reason, we’d like to win back the customers’ trust, and become a ‘brand,’ once again. Since we’re seriously considering quality, I can’t make that promise for the time being, but I believe we will announce something for home console at Tokyo Game Show.”
The first trailer for 7th Dragon III: code:VFD has gone live. You can check it out below:
As we previously learned, the opening theme is called Annabel and it’s by Vocaloid artist sasakure.UK. What we failed to pick up on is the fact Yuzo Koshiro has signed on for the game’s soundtrack which is pretty exciting news for fans of his work.
7th Dragon III: code:VFD launches in Japan on the 15th of October exclusively for 3DS. There is no word on a Western release and it’ll be unlikely that we get one seeing as the previous games have all been Japan exclusive.
The 7th Dragon series returns to Japan for its third installment, 7th Dragon III: code:VFD for the 3DS.
The RPG series has stayed Japan exclusive for its entirety but it’s notable for being produced by Rieko Kodama, creator of the Phantasy Star franchise.
Not much is known about 7th Dragon III outside what is currently displayed on the official website. The main theme will be produced by famed vocaloid artist sasakure.UK.
The above images come from a cancelled Initial D game for the DS called Initial D EX. The game was in development at SEGA Rosso in 2007/2008 but was quietly cancelled for unknown reasons. The above images actually come directly from SEGA Rosso’s website but were removed rather sharpish. Initial D EX was planned to be the 7th game in the Initial D franchise.
Hear that? That’s the sound of me weeping into a pillow at the thought of Japanese 3DS owners being able to purchase this incredible new theme based on the Dreamcast (as well as many other retro SEGA consoles). Check out video of the theme in action and marvel at the attention to detail (VMU and disc drive sounds!):
The current range of SEGA console themes for 3DS are sadly exclusive to Japan at the moment. Fingers crossed they eventually make it West.
SEGA Japan and Compile Heart have revealed Neptunia vs. SEGA Hard Girls; a new crossover game for the PS Vita.
If you are unfamiliar with the 2 titles, Hyperdimension Neptunia is an action RPG which features a fantasy world themed around video game consoles. The game takes its moniker from the cancelled SEGA Neptune console and various SEGA characters cameo in the series. SEGA Hard Girls is a short animated series based around SEGA’s various game franchises and features characters who are based on SEGA consoles so it’s a pretty good fit for the world of Hyperdimension Neptunia.
There is currently no screenshots or footage available for Neptunia vs. SEGA Hard Girls but we’re expecting it to be an action RPG in a similar style as Hyperdimension Neptunia. More details as we get them.
SEGA Japan have revealed a new strategy RPG called Stella Glow and it’s being developed by Imageepoch for the 3DS. Imageepoch have worked with SEGA on RPGs in the past as they were responsible for Sands of Destruction and 7th Dragon on the DS.
You can check out the first trailer for the game below:
Stella Glow is released in Japan on the 4th of June. There is currently no word on a Western release.
A surprise release from SEGA Japan! The Japanese branch of SEGA are currently location testing a new arcade fighting game based on the Shining franchise. The game is called Blade Arcus from Shining and features a surprisingly small cast of 6 characters, especially for a modern fighting game.
The characters are:
Rage from Shining Blade
Sakuya from Shining Blade
Xiao-Mei from Shining Hearts
Altina from Shining Blade
Ryuga Wong (new character exclusive to Blade Arcus)
Pairon Wong (new character exclusive to Blade Arcus)
Dengeki Bunko Fighting Climax is only 6 days away for Japanese arcade gamers and SEGA have released the opening cinematic from the game on their YouTube channel.
What’s interesting is one of the characters appears in a Dreamcast-themed outfit. You can skip to 0:36 to see the outfit in question:
Dengeki Bunko Fighting Climax is a Japanese arcade exclusive title. A home console/Western release has not been confirmed at this time.
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