Welcome to Digitally Downloaded’s weekly catch-up news feature, the catch-up coffee. 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)!
The Gallery is an FMV game I just have to play
A combination of a hostage thriller and social drama, and FMV game and interactive film, The Gallery is the next big FMV game to be released. I’ve written about it a bit before, when a teaser was available, but last week a full-sized trailer dropped that makes my anticipation for the game grow. It’s written and directed by Paul Raschid, a name that has rapidly become recognizable in FMV circles since 2020’s The Complex and 2021’s Five Dates; these two games are wildly different from each other, and I’m excited to see where he ventures with The Gallery.
The Gallery is set in two times: 1981 and 2021; both of these years have political, social, and cultural significance in the UK’s history. Players will face 150 decision paths and 18 different endings. The press release says there’s about five hours of content, but we all know it’s way more than that to get all those endings! The cast includes George Blagden (Louis XIV in Versailles and Athelstan in Vikings) and Anna Popplewell (Susan Pevensie in Disney’s Narnia franchise). Popplewell hopes it’s more in-depth than people will think, stating in a press release, “For the gaming community, we hope it delivers perhaps a fuller and more detailed story than viewers might expect. And for those who might not be used to watching things with an interactive component, there is the thrill of a new way of storytelling.”
Developed and published by Aviary Studios, The Gallery will be released for iOS/Android, PC/Mac via Steam, PlayStation consoles, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox consoles. Outside of English, it has subtitles in 11 languages: Arabic, Chinese (simplified), French, Italian, German, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese (Brazilian), Russian, Spanish (Latin America), and Turkish.
Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival will be released this September
A 20-year franchise, Taiko no Tatsujin began in 2001. Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival is the next title in the series, launching later this year exclusively for Nintendo Switch. Despite the long-running series, this game is the first to offer a Music Pass that includes over 500 songs and more being added monthly. Yep, it’s got a subscription fee. I can hear you all now moaning a very unenthusiastic “yaaaaay.” Sorry, folks, someone had to be the bearer of bad news. But let’s just into the good news: a release date and a new trailer!
Hone your drumming skills over 76 songs in Taiko Mode, or play Story Mode to go on a journey to become a Drum Master alongside DON-Chan and Kumo-Kyun. There’s also an online battle mode, or play with friends in-person in Party Mode. The game features customization with items including customers and nameplates. Players with save data from 2018’s Taiko no Tatsujin: Drum ‘n’ Fun will receive three bonus stages and a handful of customization items.
Developed and published by Bandai Namco, Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival will be released for Nintendo Switch on September 23. The physical Standard Edition and Drum Set Edition are available for pre-order now. Digital standard and deluxe editions will be available at launch.
Story of Seasons: Pioneers of Olive Town coming to PS4
I’m not going to get into the rambling story, so I’ll just lay this out as simply as possible: for those who don’t know, Story of Seasons is what Harvest Moon used to be. The Harvest Moon name went to a different developer but Marvelous kept developing the series under the Story of Seasons name. Now that’s out of the way, we can talk about the game! Story of Seasons: Pioneers of Olive Town is the latest entry in the series, offering a cozy life/farming sim experience with signature charm. It will be released for PlayStation 4 next month. Here’s a look at the latest trailer:
Move to the charming seaside burg of Olive Town on a quest to revitalize your grandfather’s dilapidated farm. It’s s story as old as time, but hey, it works! A nearby port town holds festivals, houses shops, and promises new friendships (and maybe even love). Revitalize and expand the town, use transportation (such as a motorcycle or a wolf), and enjoy a first-person photography mode. There will also be a DLC Expansion Pass (I know, sorry) that takes players to areas beyond Olive Town, reintroduces new friends from past games in the series, and offers new outfits. It will be available to purchase digitally, separate from the game.
Developed by Marvelous and published by XSEED/Marvelous (depending on location), Story of Seasons: Pioneers of Olive Town Will be released for PlayStation 4 on July 26 in North America and July 29 in Europe, both physically and digitally. It is already available for PC via Steam and Nintendo Switch.
“Open-ended sim” Potion Permit launching in September
The town of Moonbury has always been wary of scientific advances from the outside world, relying on their own traditional methods of healing. That is, until one day when the mayor’s daughter falls ill and the local witch doctor is of no help. They are forced to look outside the community, and the Medical Association sends their most accomplished chemist: you! Gain their trust and heal the mayor’s daughter, along with many others. This is Potion Permit, an open-ended sim. And it’s launching very soon!
Diagnose symptoms and decide which cure to craft. Collect ingredients by foraging and hunting monsters. Brew remedies in the cauldron to gain experience and discover new recipes. As your approval grows, you can help upgrade the town. Of course, you wouldn’t just move to Moonbury alone: your loyal dog, helpful in finding hidden items, will be right by your side.
Developed By MassHive Media and published by PQube, Potion Permit will be released for digitally for PC via Steam/GOG/Epic, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series, and Xbox One. There’s also a physical Collector’s Edition that includes the game, an acrylic standee, an art book, a certificate of service, a cleaning cloth, and a Special Collector’s Edition box.
