Gaming News weekend 30

It’s that time again, time to bring this week’s handheld gaming news. News that stood out to us, gathered this week by Paula, Heather, Sean and yours truly. This week, we have news about Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & the Secret Fairy, Shin Megami Tensei V coming out worldwide in 2021, Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin is coming, Splatoon lives on, Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne HD Remaster announced, spread happiness in Happy Grumps, no Game Pass for Nintendo Switch, surreal surprises in Call of the Sea looks, Stardew Valley announcement coming, Crash Bandicoot keeps on running, landscape mode for Mario Kart Tour and Yo-Kai Watch Jam Yo-Kai Gakuen Y: WaiWai Gakuen Seikatsu on Switch Japan.

Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & the Secret Fairy

The last Atelier game, Atelier Ryza, has been a huge success, ticking all the boxes. So I’m pretty pleased that Gust and Koei Tecmo have announced Atelier Ryza 2 for this winter. Not much information yet, but we will get more on July 29.

Interesting that they chose to do a part 2 with the same heroine! I’m indeed keeping my eyes peeled!

We are pleased to reveal that Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & the Secret Fairy will be coming this Winter. Keep your eyes peeled on our official website for more information. #WelcomeBackRyza

Visit: https://t.co/AvwlshKZ3q#AtelierRyza2 #KTFamily #GUSTStudios #NintendoDirect pic.twitter.com/WwDlBYpSqR

— KOEI TECMO EUROPE (@koeitecmoeurope) July 20, 2020

Shin Megami Tensei V coming out Worldwide in 2021!

We finally have Shin Megami Tensei V news after it’s announcement in 2017 from the most recent Nintendo Direct with its new trailer. The Post-apocalyptic JRPG is rated 16+ by PEGI will release somewhere in 2021 and it’s going to be a simultaneous worldwide release which is really good news for fans of the Megaten franchise! (The trailer is found over here)

Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin Is Coming!

Action/Simulation game developed by the 2-man team at Edelweiss, Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin, will launch physically and digitally within Europe and Australia on the 20th November 2020 for the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4! Now that is great news!

We will then get to join heroine Sakuna on Hinoe Island and combine side-scrolling action with deep crafting and farming simulation. Now that sounds like my kind of game! These are the key features:

Key Features:

• Refined Side-scrolling Platform Action: Using farm tools as weapons, chain together quick, heavy, and special attacks to take down demonic beasts, while mastering the magical “divine raiment” will be essential to grapple distant platforms, evade danger, and overcome powerful enemies.
• Detailed 3D Simulation-style Gameplay: Learn the ancient art of agriculture by following detailed steps from planting to harvesting to cultivate the perfect crop. As a harvest goddess, Sakuna’s strength grows with each successful rice crop, with attributes such as aesthetic and flavor directly correlating to her combat abilities.
• Creating a Home in the Wilderness: Sakuna’s mortal companions make weapons, armor, and meals for her using the materials and ingredients she gathers on her adventures, and completing quests for them will unlock even more options.
• A Fresh Take on Japanese Mythology: The heroine is part of a pantheon of gods and demons inspired by traditional Japanese mythology but featuring many unique twists. The story and world are filled with lovingly rendered details, some familiar and some completely original.

Splatoon Lives On

Nintendo initially ended the cycle of post-launch support for the amazing Splatoon 2 about a year ago. However, it seems the Mario Maker cannot quite let go just yet. A new Splat-fest has been announced for August this time focusing on the age-old question which came first: the chicken or the egg? For those who do not know, a Splat-Fest is an in-game festival where players pick a side and take part in splat battles to decide the winner! Best get practicing for when the event begins on the 21^st August!

Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne HD Remaster Announced

In addition to the news for Shin Megami Tensei V, Atlus also has announced an HD Remaster for Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne which is coming to the Playstation 4 and Nintendo Switch. The HD Remaster will include improved visuals and graphics as well as English and Japanese voice acting which wasn’t present in the cult-classic PS2 version. The HD Remaster will be based on the Maniax Re-release which does not feature Dante from the Devil May Cry series but Raidou Kuzunoha from Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner Raidou Kuzunoha VS the Soulless Army and Raidou Kuzunoha VS King Abbadon.

It will release in Japan on the 29th of October 2020 for around 6578 yen(on the Eshop) for the standard edition and 15378 yen for the Limited Edition that comes with a soundtrack, a replica of the Ayakashi Monthly Special Final issue, an “Amala Tenrinko”-shaped aroma lamp and a deluxe vortex package and Spring 2021 in the west for an unannounced price however the PEGI did rate the game 16+ (The trailer is found here)

Spread Happiness in Happy Grumps

Imagine this: you are on a quest to spread happiness in a grumpy world (you’d have a lot of work on your hands nowadays!) Glenn LaBarre, Drew Conley and Ellie Brumley decided to make a game about it that’s now gone into early access on Steam. Happy Grumps  is a love letter to classic roguelike adventures with a twist. Instead of trying to steal treasure or fight monsters, you are on a quest to spread happiness to a grumpy world. Now there’s a different way to go about it!

The reason why this game was made is this, according to the website:
“Glenn was working too much. His family was slipping away. His health was failing. And he was grumpy all the time. He made a promise to his newborn daughter to get less grumpy. He quit his job to be a stay-at-home dadand make games.”

Looks sweet and wholesome, doesn’t it? Hopefully it makes it to the Switch too one day!

https://twitter.com/_wholesomegames/status/1285972810356195330?s=20

No Game Pass for Nintendo Switch

Initial reports seemed to suggest the growing friendship between Microsoft and Nintendo might lead to the Game Pass service launching on the humble handheld.

However recent comments from Microsoft suggest this is not currently the case. With the insinuation being other companies are currently reluctant to open their hardware to a rival’s software in this manner. Although some Microsoft games on Switch such as Minecraft and Cuphead both integrate Xbox Live features, it seems this will be the extend of integration for the foreseeable future.

Surreal Surprises in Call of the Sea Looks

Coming in 2020 to Steam and Xbox (where’s our Switch release?) is Call of the Sea, a game that looks particularly good, made by Spanish company Out of the Blue Games and published by Raw Fury.

The trailer for this game features heroine Norah holding up a photo of her and her lost husband. Set in the 1930’s, Norah’s husband was on an expedition of some kind, and never returned. Now Norah, who was feeling lost, alone, and without purpose, is tracing the steps of her husband’s lost expedition in the hopes of finding him… or what happened to him.

Then the very last clip of the trailer flashed into mine eyeballs; a beautiful underwater scene where Norah’s hands push forward as she swims through the water. But no longer are these hands in the shape of a human’s, rather they are a lot more grey coloured as well as webbed!

The game is described as a story-driven adventure full of suspense and surreal surprises. Seems like Norah will also be discovering a whole lot more about who she herself is on this beautiful isle in the South Pacific!

Coming 2020.

Wishlist Now: https://t.co/qAq8vWef2F pic.twitter.com/knZVULFRk3

— Call of the Sea (@COTSGame) July 14, 2020

Stardew Valley announcement coming?

Although Stardew Valley has been around for years, the fans might be treated to something special. At least, according to a tweet by Fangamer. Fangamer has been the main publisher behind different physical copies of indie games as well as collector’s editions of games such as Undertale and even Hollow Knight.

I guess we have to wait till July 30 to know more!

Until next week, have patience… https://t.co/mewthaStk3 pic.twitter.com/ARW4TwwZ8q

— Fangamer (@Fangamer) July 23, 2020

Crash Bandicoot Keeps On Running

It looks like Crash Bandicoot is bouncing his way over to mobile phones soon. From the makers of Candy Crush Saga comes Crash Bandicoot: On the Run. Much like Temple Run, players will swipe the screen to move Crash whilst he tries to stop series antagonist Doctor Neo Cortex. No word on the official launch yet but we can expect it soon on IOS and Android devices.

Landscape Mode for Mario Kart Tour

Nintendo has finally added landscape mode to its mobile title; Mario Kart Tour. Requested since the game launched the new mode allows players to get a more typical Mario Kart view. A new control scheme accompanies the new layout and allows for greater control over the racers. Good job, as from March we have been able to play online against other players and not just AI controlled opponents!

Yo-Kai Watch Jam Yo-Kai Gakuen Y: WaiWai Gakuen Seikatsu on Switch Japan

Yo-Kai Watch Jam Yo-Kai Gakuen Y: WaiWai Gakuen Seikatsu, The Digital only Yo-Kai Watch game is releasing on Switch August 13th in Japan (with a PS4 version coming later. Releasing in a regular version for 4800 yen and a DX Set that includes all of the DLC that would be 500 yen each for 6300 yen on the Japanese eShop.

The game is an action JRPG that takes place in the world of the Yo-Kai Gakuen Y anime and features 8 playable party members. There will be segments of school life, Mystery solving and fighting monsters among other things! The game will also be compatible with the Japanese Yo-Kai Y Medals that are available in Japan with a new set coming out specifically for the game. The game will also have an update roadmap which also includes a multiplayer mode in the future. I will make sure I’ll get my hands on the game so I can put out my impressions of it out here! (The trailer for it is found here)