The half way mark of the year! It always amazes me just how quickly the year flies by. Most kids are in their last weeks of the school year, and the first colleagues are going away for their holidays. The Dutch have always been people who love to travel, so most of us are taking a few weeks leave to go abroad.
Even when I was small, my father put the tent and all the gear we might need in the back of the car, and drove us to Spain, France or Italy.Not being fluent in the language was never a problem. We could make ourselves understand with what few words we knew and sign language often did wonders. I’ve often wondered if other countries are as fond of traveling too?
Anyway, let’s get you settled with a cup of coffee or tea, and chat about this weeks’ handheld gaming news.
Story of Seasons: Trio of Towns in Europe
If you live in Europe, you can finally look ahead to the European release of Story of Seasons: Trio of Towns! On October 13 this 3DS game will reach their shores too. And a great game it is too, a worthy successor of the first Story of Seasons game!
Read a bit more about the game here. 
A new PoPoLoCrois game in the making
Over a year ago we were treated to PoPoLoCrois, a fairytale Story of Seasons. An RPG with a farming component that didn’t do too badly in the West. Now it seems that developer Epics is recruiting to make a new PoPoLoCrois game for mobile and console. Let’s keep an eye on it! 
DLC Skytree Village coming to Europe
This spring, Europe finally got Harvest Moon Skytree Village on 3DS. It’ll be good to know that you won’t have to wait long for the extra DLC either, featuring marriage candidates Nova and Edmond is on the way. Though Natsumé hasn’t given a definite date yet. 
Tokyo Xanadu released on the Vita
Today, Tokyo Xanadu was released on the PS Vita. A game that I didn’t have on my radar until I read comparisons today to Persona and Ys gameplay. It’s a Persona-like game with an active battle-system. The protagonists of the game are students living in the large city of Morimiya who lead a double life. They are trying to discover the secret of the Eclipses that are appearing frequently, and are threatening the world.
What sounds interesting is that there’s a whole social layer to the game, in addition to the people important enough to get an introduction where you see their name and even hear a voice actor, a substantial number of other students and teachers also get to interact with Kou the lead character. Each one has unique dialogue and their own look. As you get to know them, you’ll learn more about who they are and feel like you are actually developing a bond and relationship with them.
Feels to me like this a game to keep an eye on, to see if it get’s a lowered price in future. But that’s mainly because I have more then enough games to play as it is!
Fate/ Grand Order available on American iOS and Android
This command card battle RPG that is specifically made for smart phones has been released on Android and iOS in America. The game describes how players become Masters and together with Heroic Spirits, defeat enemies and solve the mystery of human history’s disappearance. I suspect this card game is a must for fans of visual novel games, but I’ll have to wait a bit for worldwide release! 
Master Trials DLC Zelda, Breath of the Wild available
As of today, the first package of DLC is available for Zelda, Breath of the Wild. The DLC is available on the Switch and on the WiiU. It needs a whole lot of disk space by the way if you download it on the WiiU, much less on the Switch. The Master Trials DLC includes: Trial of the Sword, Master Mode, Hero’s Path, Travel Medallion, Korok Mask and eight new armors. The second package of DLC is expected at the end of 2017.
As I’m having enough trouble as it is in the challenges in the full game, I’m going to forgo buying this, not going to buy the expansion pass for $ 19,99 that gives full access to both DLC. But I can imagine you’ll be chomping at the bit if you’ve completed the game already! 
First thoughts on Ever Oasis on 3DS
As you might remember, I bought Ever Oasis upon release last week, and I wasn’t sorry. This is a great game, colourful, cute but with surprisingly fun RPG-ing. If you are still on the fence about it, here are my first thoughts on the game. 
RPG Maker Fes released worldwide
Last week saw another release of a new game for the 3DS. RPG Maker has been available on other platforms before, like mobile and the PC. Still, using your stylus to make an RPG of your own with all the objects, events, surroundings and dialogue available sounds like fun. Plus, what makes it even more special, you can easily share your efforts with the world. Everyone can download the free RPG Maker Player in the eShop to play other peoples RPG.
As I’m having my hands full with my current games (Zelda BOTW and Ever Oasis) I decided to let this one go for the moment, but I’m curious about your experiences with making your own RPG.
Enough for this week I should think. I will play some more of Ever Oasis this weekend, as well as continuing my journey in Breath of the Wild. A good thing that it promises to be a rainy weekend, makes for more time spent indoors. Which in turn makes for better gaming. What will you be playing this weekend?
Thanks again for reading, and have a happy gaming weekend!
I prefer to play games rather than make them so I won’t buy RPG Maker. I may download the free player though if I hear that some people’s creations are fun.
The Fate anime is really good so I might check out the mobile game when it comes to Europe.
I thought Tokyo Xandu was a first person game for some reason. After reading your description I think I will download it.
Tokyo Xanadu came as a surprise to me too! I’m keeping an eye on it too. If you play it, I’d love to hear what you think!