News by Lindsay M.
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)!
Square Enix announces a new Voice of Cards game
A standalone sequel to Voice of Cards: The Aisle Dragon Roars, Voice of Cards: The Forsaken Maiden is a brand-new story that doesn’t require players experience the first game (although you really might want to consider it regardless). The game’s creative director is Yoko Taro (NieR), with Keiichi Okabe as music director and Kimihiko Fujisaka as character designers. The Voice of Cards games are presented entirely through cards, reminiscent of tabletop RPGs and gamebooks.
A remote chain of islands have been protected by the maidens for many generations, but are now facing utter destruction. The story’s hero sets sail on a quest to save the islanders with the help of Laty, a girl who failed to become a maiden.
Developed and published by Square Enix, Voice of Cards: The Forsaken Maiden will be released for PC, Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation 4 on February 17. Yes, it actually launches that soon!
Neptunia x Senran Kagura: Ninja Wars comes to Switch this April
Previously only available for PlayStation 4, Neptunia x Senran Kagura: Ninja Wars will be released for Nintendo Switch in April this year. The Switch version features two new difficulty modes, hard mode and easy mode (both are self-explanatory). Alternate costume DLC is also included; Purple Heart, Black Heart, White Heart, and Green Heart will receive alternately colored Ninja Garb while Asuka, Homura, Yumi, and Miyabi will receive their pre-Shinobi Transformation outfits. Here’s the previously-released opening movie:
The game combines two series, Neptunia and Senran Kagura. There are ten possible characters, and players choose two to go on their adventure. The Super NINJA War is about to begin, with the purpose of deciding the world’s strongest school. Compa has mastered the Ninja Arts based on the Command Technique, Honeypaw has mastered the Ninja Arts rooted in the Action Technique. As the two schools fight, a mysterious army of mechanical ninjas make an assault.
Developed by Compile Heart and Tamsoft, and published by Idea Factory International, Neptunia x Senran Kagura: Ninja Wars will be released for Nintendo Switch on March 17 in Japan, April 19 in North America, and April 22 in Europe. It is already available for PlayStation 4 worldwide. A PC version is also expected.
Heaven Burns Red launches in Japan this week
A story of a group of girls dubbed the world’s last home, Heaven Burns Red is set to launch on Japanese smartphones this week. And trust me when I say you can trust the game will be good: it was written by Jun Maeda, whose work includes Clannad and Kanon. In anticipation of the looming launch, a final trailer was released; watch it here:
A life-form called “Cancer” is attacking Earth. So far, humans haven’t developed a way to defeat the Cancer, and humanity is defeated. Many countries were completely wiped off the map, and now most of the world is controlled by the Cancer. Extinction for humans in imminent. Humans develop the ultimate weapon, Seraph. Only those wielding a Seraph can harm the Cancer. There are only a handful of girls who can manipulate the Seraph, and they become the world’s last hope of survival.
From WFS and Key, Heaven Burns Red will be released for iOS and Android on February 10 in Japan.
Yurikill: The Calumniation Games delayed in Japan, NA, Europe
Sometimes delays happen, and Yurikill: The Calumniation Games is the latest game to be pushed back. It’s not too bad though: it’s only been delayed by about a month; it still launches on different dates in Japan, North America, and Europe. The shoot ’em up visual novel is based on original story by author Homura Kawamoto. Here is the most recent trailer, announcing the now-defunct release date:
Sengoku Shunju has been sentenced as a criminal despite claiming innocence. He wakes up in his prison cell one day to be offered the chance to gain freedom by surviving “attractions” and an “amusement park.” The others involved are six criminals and their five victims, all grouped based on the crime. There are the Mass Murderers, the Death Dealing Duo, the Crafty Killers, the Sky Stalkers, and the Peeping Toms. If the prisoners win, they will be free. If the victims (called the executioners) win, they will be able to avenge their lost loves ones.
Developed by G.rev. and published by IzanagiGames (in Japan) and NIS America (everywhere else), Yurikill: The Calumniation Games will now be released for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch on May 26 in Japan, July 5 in North America, and July 8 in Europe.
– Lindsay M.
News Editor
