Welcome to Digitally Downloaded’s weekly catch-up news feature, the catch-up coffee. With each issue I 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)!
There’s a new Miku game on the way!
Okay, so this is more of a tidbit than anything because not much has been announced, but Crypton Future Media has announced Hatsune Miku Fushigi-na Hoshi to Negai no Kakera. In English, that translates to Hatsune Miku: The Mysterious Star and Fragments of a Wish. It will be released “soon” for Nintendo Switch.
The Atelier Ryza anime will start airing in July
Sorry, I have no word on an English launch, but for now this news is good news: The Aterlier Ryza: Ever Darkness & the Secret Hideout anime will premiere on July 1 on Tokyo MX. An early screening event will be hosted on June 17. Oh, and there’s a new trailer:
There’s a eerie new Cinematic Intro trailer for Layers of Fear
While I adored the original Layers of Fear, I was kind of checked out when the sequel came about. This new Layers of Fear, though, is drawing me right back in. It “presents a unified vision” of the first two titles and all their DLC, including a new chapter called The Final Note that is an alternate perspective on the first game’s storyline. The game will also introduce the never-before-told story of The Writer, which ties the two games together.
Layers of Fear is described at “the ultimate Layers of Fear” experience, and I’m inclined to believe that without even touching the game yet. It visually enhances the original two games, with the addition of ray-tracing, HDR, and 4K resolution. Brand-new core mechanics will be introduced along with additional features to seamlessly blend together the chapters and stories. What stays the same, however, is its gripping first-person psychedelic horror narrative that involves exploration, puzzle-solving, and immersive storytelling.
Developed and published by Bloober Team, Layers of Fear will be released for PC via Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series in June. Unfortunately, there’s been no exact launch date announced; I’m half expecting it to be delayed.
Side-scrolling countryside romance adventure game Love on Leave launches this week
I wanted to include Love on Leave in this catch-up entirely because of its odd and specific genre. Side-scrolling isn’t super common anymore outside of platformers and Metroidvanias, so it’s nice to see it being used in something else entirely. With the exception of event screens, players side-scroll through the world to enjoy their time surrounded by nature and romance.
The protagonist has two weeks of paid leave, and will spend it in the countryside where they were raised. It turns out, romance awaits them. Reconnect with the youngest, middle, and eldest sister. Choose one… or maybe all? There’s multiple endings influenced by the player’s decisions. Players can move freely around the map of the countryside. Fish and garden to fulfill certain Favours or gift the sisters.
Developed by Orgesta, and developed and published by qureate, Love on Leave will be released for PC via Steam and Nintendo Switch on May 18.
Miracle Snack Shop set for an Xbox launch
I love dating sims. I also love management sims. So when they’re mashed together, I get super excited. It’s already available on other platforms, but management/dating sim game Miracle Snack Shop will be released for Xbox later this month. It will support English, Korean, and Japanese language options.
Seolhwa Cha ends up owning a small snack shop after facing some major adversity. Unfortunately, business is dead. He doesn’t have time to worry, though, because some sort of portal has appeared in his attic. A queen from another world emerges from the portal. And he serves her a bowl of shaved ice, he takes his first step towards growing closer to her.
Developed by TALESshop and published by CFK, Miracle Snack Shop will be released for Xbox Series on May 26. It is currently available for PC via Steam, Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation 4.
