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)!
Atelier Sophie 2: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Dream announced
It’s taken six years, but the time is finally here: Gust has made a sequel to Atelier Sophie: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Book! The game continues Sophie and Plachta’s story after they leave Sophie’s hometown and get sucked into a tree with a mysterious vortex. Here’s the announcement trailer:
When Sophie awakens, she is alone in a world called Erde Wiege. She soon learns of an alchemist named Plachta. She’s an enthusiastic alchemist, and identical to Sophie’s friend, but she doesn’t recognize Sophie at all. Sophie will befriend someone new, Remizel, who will help her try to leave the strange world. For the first time, battles flow seamlessly: as soon as a player encounters a monster, the battle begins. Parties now have six members, three in front and three in the back. Of course, the game brings back the panel synthesis system, and offers two types of panels. Regular panels make it easy to create items, and restricted panels are complex but create items with stronger effects.
Developed by Gust and published by Koei Tecmo, Atelier Sophie 2: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Dream will be released for PC via Steam, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch on February 24 (Japan) and February 25 (everywhere else). Preorders for a limited edition are open over at NIS America’s website; it includes the game, Japanese imports of the art book, a soundtrack, a fabric posted, a necklace keychain, a special box, and a download code for a costume.
Here’s the first trailer for Nobunaga’s Ambition: Rebirth
The latest addition to a long-running and beloved series, Nobunaga’s Ambition: Rebirth was announced in March but we’ve heard basically nothing about it until now. Thanks, Tokyo Game Show! First off, we know it will no longer be launched this year, but don’t worry: the wait won’t be too much longer. Second, the first trailer for the game has been released. Take a look:
The title of “Rebirth” makes sense, as the strategy game has been kind of reborn. The warlords players commend become retainers, who act on their own judgement to support the player. The retainers are able to develop their forces, expand their territory, and respond to hostile forces. Players are a daimyo supported by their vassals, but will also need to lead and give instructions. Basically, there’s no micromanaging here! There are two kind of conflict, on the country map, and through battles where troops on the battlefield receive the player’s commands.
Developed by Kou Shibusawa and published by Koei Tecmo, Nobunaga’s Ambition: Rebirth will be released in Japan early next year. The platforms actually haven’t been announced yet, despite the game only being a few months from launch, but at the very least expect one of them to be PC.
Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin launches in March
Players back to the beginning of the popular series with Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origins. The “hardcore” (according the developer) action-RPG game is a spin-off of the series, and set in a dark fantasy interpretation of the first Final Fantasy game. Last week, developer Team Ninja announced that the game would be published relatively early in 2022. Here’s the trailer:
Jack is consumed by a need to destroy Chaos. To do so, he will need to fight through battles with enemies to bring the light of crystals back to Cornelia, which has been conquered by darkness. However, nobody really knows what will happen if the crystal’s light is destroyed… it could bring peace, it could bring more darkness, or it could bring something new. Party members have lots of job and weapon options, and the game itself features multiple difficulty settings.
Developed by Team Ninja and published by Square Enix, Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origins will be released for PC via Epic, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series, and Xbox One on March 18. Digital pre-order for the standard and Digital Deluxe editions are now available. The Deluxe version includes the game, a season pass with three additional missions, a digital art book, and a digital mini soundtrack. Pre-ordering either edition allows players access to the game 72 hours early, the Braveheart weapon, and the Lustrous shield. PlayStation 4 users will also get an exclusive theme.
Yurukill: The Calumniation Games coming west courtesy of NIS America
Written by renowned author Homura Kawamoto (Kakegurui), shoot-’em-up Yurukill: The Calumniation Games promises to be twisted and multifaceted. The game features investigative gameplay sections that focuses on gathering evidence and testimony, and puzzle solving. Last week, NIS America announced it would be publishing the game for the west, confirming its release outside of Japan. Here’s the announcement trailer:
Sengoku Shunju is accused of arson and murdering 21 people. He is one of six Prisoners, and must pair up with one of five Executioners (victims). The teams have to overcome attractions in a strange, secluded amusement park to obtain pardons, but if the Executioners win they will be granted revenge. There are online leaderboards to see how players compare.
Developed by G.rev and published by NIS America, Yurukill: The Calumniation Games will be released for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch in the second quarter of 2022. It will also release on PC via Steam, except that version will be published by IzanagiGames worldwide.
