News by Lindsay M. And Matt S.
Welcome to Digitally Downloaded’s regular catch-up news feature. With each issue we will bring you the best news that you may have missed. Grab the biggest mug you’ve got, fill it with your favourite brew, and catch up with us (and our favourite news anchor, Dee Dee)!
STOP THE PRESSES! THERE IS A NEW BLUE REFLECTION TEASER!
By Lindsay M., News Editor
Okay, so maybe Digitally Downloaded doesn’t operate with help of a printer press – but you know what I mean, don’t you? Koei Tecmo has released the first English-language trailer for Gust Studios’ Blue Reflection; it explores The Common and the power of a Reflector. I could talk about it, and you could read about it. OR we can just watch the trailer together here:
Ahhhhh, it’s as though watching the above video scratches an itch I didn’t even know I had. The protagonist and player-controlled character is Hinako Shirai, a high school student learning there is more to life than meets the eye. After running into an old friend with a strange aura, Hinako suddenly awakens in a new world where a demon is waiting for her. Magical twins help guide her through her first battle as a Reflector, promising they will grant Hinako any wish if she successfully protects the world. This new world is The Common, a mystical parallel dimension (so trendy!) created by the unconscious of the human collective.
Of course, Hinako is also expected to live the life of a normal high school student despite the looming (and increasing) threat. Hinako and the twins must search for emotion fragments to resolve the real-world problems plaguing students at Hoshinomiya Girls’ High School while preparing to take on the impending evil. Blue Reflection will be released both physical and digitally for PlayStation 4 and digitally on PC via Steam. The Western version will drop on September 29, while the Japanese version is out sooner.
Fallen Legion release date bumped, superb pre-order bonus revealed
By Lindsay M., News Editor
We’ve been eyeballing Fallen Legion for months. It seems like time has been ticking away at an abnormally slow pace as we wait for the day the developer has promised will be released day: July 25. Fallen Legion is actually two games, with one war being told by each side, each on a different console. Fallen Legion: Sins of an Empire (release trailer below) will be released on PlayStation 4, whereas Fallen Legion: Flames of Rebellion is for PS Vita (the corresponding trailer can be found here).
So what is this talk of the release date being bumped? For once, this is a good bump: the date has actually moved ahead one week for launch in North and South American countries. As a Canadian, I’m dancing around my computer chair; I imagine Europeans are having the opposite reaction. I’m sorry that you’re being left out! The new release date for both Fallen Legion titles in the Americas is now July 18.
Sins of an Empire follows Princess Cecille and a talking Grimoire as she tries to restore her empire’s former glory; Flames of Rebellion follows her rival, General Lagatus Laendur who is leading a coup to overthrow the royal family. Each game retails for $19.99 USD. This is where the pre-order bonus comes into play: pre-purchase Sins of an Empire for PlayStation 4, and you’ll receive Flames of Rebellion for the PS Vita for free!
The Escapists 2 is ready to break out, but when?
By Lindsay M., News Editor
I have spent many a late night, bleary-eyed, staring at my iPad screen and dragging/tapping a little jailbird named Jimmy across the screen. Jimmy may as well be named Prisoner A7538X5E, or Generic Prisoner #1. He doesn’t have much of a backstory, but he doesn’t need one. He’s in jail, and he wants to be out of jail. That’s it. The biggest complaint I have is that the prisoners are only male. The number of my midnight gaming marathons means I am delighted that Team17 has announced the release date for the sequel to the game starring Jimmy, The Escapists 2.
The Escapists 2 will launch on August 22 for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One for $19.99 USD. Digital pre-orders will be available soon; those pre-ordering from certain retailers will he a bonus prison titled The Glorious Regime. The game includes ten brand new themed prisons that Jimmy can attempt to escape from infinitely to his heart’s content.
Arguably the biggest update to the gameplay of The Escapists since the original title is drop-in/drop-out for up to four local or online players at once. Most is the same though: work around or with prison schedules, guards, and other prisoners in attempt to escape your themed personal hell. The Escapists 2 also features a new combat system, more customisation options, and new items to craft (including a taser).
Utawarerumono: Mask Of Truth has a lovely new trailer
By Matt S., Editor-in-Chief
Earlier this year the first Utawarerumono: Mask Of Deception was released on PlayStation 4 and Vita, and we absolutely loved it. A delightful mix of visual novel and tactics strategy game, it was like Fire Emblem for people that liked in-depth narratives. And, based on Japan’s indigenous culture, the Ainu, it also had a etheral charm and beauty all of its own.
The only downside to the game was that it stopped halfway through. Sure, it was an 80-hour game, but it left us hanging, waiting for much more. That “more” will be delivered to us through the direct sequel, Utawarerumono: Mask Of Truth, due for release on September 5 – not too long away now!
To build anticipation for the game, Atlus has released a new trailer that gives us a hint of what to expect. Unsurprisingly, it’s almost exactly the same as its predecessor and, given we gave that game a whopping 4.5/5 in our review, that’s all we really want.
