November 2020

Controller Gear Animal Crossing Switch Case | $7 | Amazon

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In today's contest you can win Jetboard Joust for Steam!

Remember how we used to turn to fantasy to escape the harsh truths of reality? Let's do that. Like, right now. We need it.

Retro, arcadey shooter Jetboard Joust just hit Steam -- and it's a looker! Live out your dreams of destroying intergalactic bugs as the Silver Surfer in this skybound action game. Chant with me: FAN-TA-SY! FAN-TA-SY!

Today Sega released two new trailers of its upcoming Sakura Wars mobile game Sakura Revolution: Blooming Maidens.

The first trailer focuses on showing many of the characters that will stand by the heroine to rebuild the Floral Revue, the Aogashima Floral Revue and the Kyushu Floral Revue.

The second trailer showcases Prana Tosei, one of the rivals of the “Great Floral Revue B.L.A.C.K.”

You can check both out below.

Having issues with the PlayStation Network? There are problems with multiplayer activities and PlayStation Video at the moment.

The post PlayStation Network Outage Is Affecting Games and PlayStation Video appeared first on Siliconera.

I don’t know about you, but I always dreaded coming home from university for the holidays. After flying the proverbial nest, the walls I grew up in started to feel less and less familiar, and after the excitement and bustle of uni halls it always felt like stepping back into the past. I imagine most people who leave home experience this feeling at some point, an easy sense of guilt that you’re not quite as homesick as you should be.

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Someone once told me "if you like music, don't work in the music industry". After all, beyond the glamour, the fun, the creativity, the sex-drugs-and-rock-n-roll, it is a business. It's all about money.

Perhaps that's why so many video games focus on the end product. The Guitar and DJ Heros. The Singstars. The Dance Dance Revolutions. Here is a packaged version of fame that makes you feel like a star in your own living room. Music talent - arguably - not required.

And while that may be true of the music industry in some ways, what about a video game that requires not only musical knowledge but business knowledge too? A game to make you feel like the ultimate, all-powerful music mogul? (And no, I'm not talking about that Pop Idol game on PS2 with the terrifying Cel-shaded Simon Cowell )

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Expansive survival horror Days Gone is going to benefit from the extra power of the PlayStation 5, with Sony Bend's 2019 game running at dynamic 4K and up to 60fps on the soon-to-be-released console.

The news came via Sony Bend's official Twitter account, which also confirmed that PS4 saves would transfer to PS5 - which had been something of a grey area on the new machine, with some games supporting the feature while others, such as Yakuza: Like a Dragon, do not.

Days Gone came out way back in April last year - several worlds away, it now seems - and was a gorgeous romp through a zombie-infested Oregon that, for our reviewer Malindy, turned into a bit of a slog. Maybe the super-quick loading times on PS5 will help make it all a bit more palatable.

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Although it affected the company's internal networks, the public side of the system was not compromised.

The post Capcom’s Network Systems Compromised By A Third Party appeared first on Siliconera.

Genda Co. and Sega Entertainment will be working together to revitalize the amusement industry.

The post Japanese Entertainment Corporation Genda To Acquire a Majority of Sega Entertainment Shares appeared first on Siliconera.

When Apex Legends was first released, Gibraltar was a laughing stock, widely considered the least viable character to use in any match. Now, it’s a very different story, and every match will see several Gibraltars running around, throwing down Domes and Bombardments and making things very difficult for their enemies. Our Apex Legends Gibraltar guide will walk you through top tips and tricks for all his abilities, and much more.

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A lot of people have departed the RPS treehouse this year, but a handful of people have joined, too. Come join me for some very tardy hellos.

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Breakout ghost hunting game Phasmophobia has been so successful that its developer has had to ‘reconsider’ their original plans for the game’s future in Early Access, taking more time for bug fixes and new content before hitting a ‘full‘ release.

Kinetic Games is made up of a single developer – going by the name Dknighter – who created the game as a debut solo project, with no formal development training. As such, the initial plans for the game’s Early Access were fairly limited: “I was originally planning the Early Access to be short”, Dknighter tells me in an email interview, “where I just add a few more maps, ghost types and equipment. However, due to the game’s popularity, everyone's expectations are increased so I am going to have to reconsider my plans for the game’s future.”

[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/phasmophobia-first-time-ghost-hunting-goes-terribly-wrong"]

Dknighter doesn’t go into detail about the details of the new plans, but it seems the game will remain in Early Access for longer than planned, and may well be more ambitious in the additions it makes. For now, however, the developer's focusing on existing features, rather than new ones.

“At the moment my only focus is getting the major bugs fixed before I begin working on new content. These bug fixes would usually be sent out when they are ready but, due to me having to update a lot of the game’s code, a lot of new systems need testing, so the next update will be a big stability and bug fix update. After these bugs are fixed the new content will likely get bundled together in big updates. All new updates can be played on the beta version of the game, which everyone can access through Steam.”

One of 2020's hottest items, Nintendo's Ring Fit Adventure game is in stock again and going at a discount if you have the right code! After flickering in-and-out of availability for the whole year, it's currently around and ready to go. Ring Fit is a phenomenal way to exercise indoors, a hybrid of adventure game and fitness routine that sees you battle kettle bells, weight-lifting crabs, and the buffest dragon you ever saw.

Those who buy the game from Currys/PC World can get five pounds off if they enter "FNDDGAME" at the checkout, bringing the price down to £59.99 total. It's a good deal considering the high demand around Ring Fit, as well as the fact that the game comes with a peripheral ring you need to clip the Joy-Cons into.

Currys haven't made it clear how long this offer will last, but considering how fast Ring Fits tend to disappear, we'd encourage grabbing it quickly before stocks vanish yet again.

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Ubisoft is investigating a potential Watch Dogs Legion source code leak.

Back in October, a ransomware gang called "Egregor" leaked data it claimed it had obtained from the internal networks of Crysis maker Crytek and Ubisoft.

Now, in a case of life imitating art, the source code for hacking adventure game Watch Dogs Legion has leaked online, and weighs in at 560GB.

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The latest Feh Channel presentation revealed Zihark, Laevatein, Navarre, and a Lyn duo unit as new Special Heroes.

The post Fire Emblem Heroes Adds Laevatein, Navarre, Zihark, and Lyn as Special Heroes This Week appeared first on Siliconera.

This is an opportunity for a fresh start for the franchise, but Yakuza: Like a Dragondoesn't always take it.

The post Review: In Yakuza: Like a Dragon, a Quixotic New Hero Explores a Familiar World appeared first on Siliconera.

Wear your favorite Neon Genesis Evangelion character on your wrist with these limited quantity watches.

The post Limited Quantity Neon Genesis Evangelion Watches Now Available to Pre-Order appeared first on Siliconera.

Listen to the title song "A Step Faster Than Destiny" here.

The post Yoko Shimomura and K-Pop Star Taeyeon Team Up for Gran Saga’s Title Song appeared first on Siliconera.

The new game will feature chibi characters from all 5 active brands in The Idolmaster franchise.

The post The Idolmaster New Mobile Game Pop Links Will Be Revealed on November 8 appeared first on Siliconera.

I’m playing bombastic action RPG Yakuza: Like A Dragon for review, and I’ve not spent quite as much time as I’d like with it to give you the full lowdown. But I wanted to give you some of my first impressions – a little rib in the chest before the big sucker punch.

One thing I’m absolutely certain of already is that Like A Dragon is the most expressive Yakuza of the lot. Not that the previous bunch weren’t comfortable in their own skin, it’s more like they were a little too comfortable. They stuck so rigidly to what they knew, it felt like they were afraid to shake things up. And that they featured a main protagonist who, as much as I adore him, approached all problems in one of only three ways (frown, punch, or deliver life lesson) held them back a bit too.

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Ahead of its release on PC next month, the horrifically long-named Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes Of An Elusive Age – Definitive Edition has a free demo you can play right now. It lets you explore the first 10 hours of the turn-based RPG, and all your progress will carry over into the full game if you end up buying it after.

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I’ve been looking forward to Yakuza: Like A Dragon ever since the RPG combat was first shown off. Sure, I thought it was an April Fool’s at first, too, but the more I thought about it, the more it made sense. There needed to be a clean break between the old protagonist and coolest dad in the world, Kazuma Kiryu, and the new boy in town, with the coolest hair in the world, Ichican Kasuga. And what better way to do that then with a couple of absolutely massive changes.

If you’re unfamiliar with Yakuza, all you need to know is it’s the perfect mix of melodrama and karaoke. And it makes me a very happy boy. And, for that reason alone, I thought it would be nice – given the hell year that refuses to end – to share that joy with you.

So, welcome to LollaYakuza. Obviously the name was the first thing I thought of.

Hackers have leaked the source code for Watch Dogs: Legion, several reports claim, though it’s not yet clear what is actually out there. A ransomware group claimed last month that they’d breached both Ubisoft and Crytek’s security, and threatened to leak Legion’s source. “Guys, if the goal of the last mission in your game about hackers was the hack of your company, we’ve done it,” the group had taunted. Ubisoft tell us they’re aware of the claims and are investigating.

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Since the release of Apex Legends, Wraith has been considered by many the strongest all-round character in the game, and her strength is largely undiminished heading into Season 7. A high skill ceiling with abilities that can be used to great effect both offensively and defensively, and a hitbox so small it can often seem like she dances between your shots with ease. Our Apex Legends Wraith guide will walk you through everything you need to know to start racking up kills with the Interdimensional Skirmisher herself.

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Remember when Respawn said Apex Legends would launch on Steam on November 4th? Well, that’s not entirely true for folks here in the UK. For us, Apex lands on Steam alongside its seventh season at 4am GMT (a much more convenient time of 8pm PT for our US pals). Fortunately, the free-to-play battle royale is already available for preload on Valve’s store, so at least you’ll be able to have a go of all of Season 7’s exciting new things straight away in the early hours – I reckon the new map is definitely worth staying up for.

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Dirt 5 (PC) | $50 | Eneba | Use code DIRTYNOV

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Today’s selection of articles from Kotaku’s reader-run community: PSX Memories: Need For Speed III: Hot Pursuit • Devlog For A Dumb Game • TAY Retro: Sega - Genesis [TV Commercial (NA)]

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Wondering where our Yakuza: Like a Dragon review is? It’s in progress! This is a huge game, like any Yakuza title, and to rush it to meet an embargo date (which just ticked over), skipping over its bounty of sidequests and secrets, isn’t fair on any of us.

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Welcome to Morning Music, Kotaku’s daily hangout for folks who love video games and the cool-ass sounds they make. Today, we return to one of the most influential games of the last decade on the eve of its PlayStation 5 remake.

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Next January, the Henna Hotel (“Strange Hotel”) in Tokyo is doing a collaboration with The Idolmaster, the Bandai Namco sim filled with anime-style idols.

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Open your wallets! Irelia from League of Legends is getting a limited edition statue that costs lots and lots of money.

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The dream of a global Yakuza launch is just that – a dream – but it feels more tangible than ever.

Yakuza has skyrocketed beyond niche status in the West thanks to the best-in-class Yakuza 0, and as word of mouth continues to spread, curious players who don't usually play these sorts of games have taken a chance on the wacky, bold, unapologetic series they've heard so much about over the years.

No one else is really doing what Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio has been able to consistently pull off.

I maintain that Kiryu's origin story is the high-water mark – Yakuza 0 is one of the defining greats – but if you're looking for something new to try or you've been there and done that in the cabaret clubs and you don't want to commit to a full series playthrough, Yakuza: Like a Dragon is an enticing next step.

With a new Dragon Quest-loving protagonist, a much larger city to hang out in, a vastly different combat system to master, and little in the way of narrative baggage, this could easily be your introduction.

Ichiban Kasuga proves his worth as the new protagonist

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The Yakuza games have always been about smacking people in the face with traffic cones, bicycles, and street signs, but the development team behind Yakuza: Like a Dragon has taken arguably the boldest swing in the series to date. A shift from the reflex-testing beat-’em-up action of previous games to a more structured, turn-based JRPG-style combat system seemed like a genuine gamble when it was first revealed, but the end result successfully manages to introduce a more tactical form of team-based street fighting without sacrificing any of the series’ signature flair and offbeat humour. A lengthy late-game level grind made completing its story more of a drudge than it needed to be, though, meaning that although I found Like a Dragon to initially be as refreshing as a can of Suntory Highball, by the end I felt as weary as someone who’d had a few cans too many.

The Digital Deluxe Edition with the season pass will include swimsuits.

The post Atelier Ryza 2 Digital Deluxe Edition Will Come With Plenty of Useful Items and Gems appeared first on Siliconera.

Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio's big message with Yakuza: Like a Dragon, purposefully not called Yakuza 7, is that the yakuza need to evolve - both the real and the virtual ones. Accordingly, Like a Dragon makes a break from its past in both its story and systems, ironically enough by referencing Dragon Quest, an RPG renowned for taking a staunchly traditionalist approach with its latest instalment.

Our new hero is Kasuga Ichiban, an expressive, kind-hearted doofus unlucky enough to have been born at a soapland, a massage parlour and the closest Japan gets to a brothel. Kasuga isn't just a hero by his own designation, he's inherently good to the point of naivety, which isn't a good trait to have in his profession. In an echo of former Yakuza protagonist Kazuma Kiryu, his strong loyalty and belief in others lead him to go to prison for the patriarch of his yakuza family. When he gets out 18 years later, he's greeted with a bullet to the chest and dumped in the fictional district of Isezaki Ijincho in nearby Yokohama.

Eventually Ichiban will get entangled with the three crime syndicates that control Ijincho, but it's a long slog to that point. I can live with the long intro that's customary for the Yakuza franchise at this point, where you barely move your character five steps before there's another cut scene, but here you are in the double digit hours before the game has finished explaining every aspect of its new combat system, and it takes even longer before something akin to a plot begins to emerge.

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Hero Concept, the indie outfit behind the Doughlings series, has revealed that it is hard at work on a brand new side-scrolling beat 'em up. Mayhem Brawler is currently in development for PS4, PC, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch and is expected to launch sometime in 2021.

Set in a dystopian "urban fantasy," Mayhem Brawler will follow the exploits of Stronghold law enforcement agents Star, Dolphin, and Trouble as they take to the streets in a fist-throwing fight against a sinister megacorp and its army of super-powered minions. The heroic trio will face off against, thugs, werewolves, wizards, and vampires in a knock-down, drag-out battle with the fate of the city's freedom at stake. WIZARDS.

From the short trailer below, we can quickly ascertain that the title is clearly inspired by DotEmu's fantastic sequel Streets of Rage 4, and will similarly feature multiple characters, three-player co-op, and painstakingly hand-drawn art and animation. Mayhem Brawler will also feature 12 unique boss characters, comic-style presentation, and even multiple endings. It's no secret that I'm personally a huge fan of this genre, and there's always room for another great, modern-day brawler.

Mayhem Brawler will launch on PS4, PC, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch in 2021.