Valve states that Half-Life Alyx is “a critical part of a larger story,” suggests players refresh themselves in the events of Half-Life 2: Episode Two

By
Soul Kiwami
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Valve’s Half-Life Alyx releases soon for Steam VR, but it seems to be the beginning of new projects at the company. According to a recent Gameinformer interview, Valve developer Robin Walker states that the game plays “a critical part of a larger story:”

What can you tell us about the narrative? Some are worried that since it’s a prequel, it won’t carry the story forward. Do you feel that’s fair?

Half-Life: Alyx is a full-fledged entry in the Half-Life series, both in terms of the sheer amount of content as well as the importance and substance of its narrative relative to the rest of the series. It’s a critical part of the larger story, and it does push that story forward.

In addition, Walker suggests people play through Half-Life 2: Episode Two before giving Half-Life Alyx a try.

Do you think that Alyx will give fans some closure on the end of Episode 2?

It’s not a bad idea for players to have refreshed themselves on the events of Episode 2 before starting Half-Life: Alyx.

Walker continues by stating that Alyx serves as Valve’s return to the IP and won’t be the last we see of the series. Half-Life Alyx releases on March 3rd for Steam VR. Stay tuned at Final Weapon for the latest gaming news and updates!

NBA2K20 and Ori and the Will of the Wisps highlight the next batch of games coming to Xbox Game Pass

By
Jason Dill
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The next batch of games coming at us to Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Game Pass PC have been announced.  While Ori and the Will of the Wisps is one of the highly anticipated titles coming March 11th, NBA2K20 is also a huge title for subscribers to get their hands on.  Check out the list below!

March 5

NBA 2K20

2K continues to redefine what’s possible in sports gaming with NBA 2K20, featuring best in class graphics and gameplay, groundbreaking game modes, and unparalleled player control and customization. Plus, with its immersive open-world Neighborhood, NBA 2K20 is a platform for gamers and ballers to come together and create what’s next in basketball culture.

Train Sim World 2020

Take to the rails with the brand-new Train Sim World 2020 Edition and find everything you need to master in this immersive simulator that uses real-world data to bring to life the performance, sounds and power of real trains. Featuring complete in-cab interactivity, accurate detail on locos, real-world routes and many hours of compelling gameplay.

March 11

Ori and the Will of the Wisps

A day one release available on Xbox Game Pass! Embark on an all-new adventure in a vast world filled with new friends and foes that come to life in stunning, hand-painted artwork. Ori is no stranger to peril, but when a fateful flight puts the owlet Ku in harm’s way, it will take more than bravery to bring a family back together. Set to a fully orchestrated original score, Ori and the Will of the Wisps continues Moon Studios’ tradition of tightly crafted platforming action and deeply emotional storytelling.

March 12

Pikuniku

An absurdly wonderful puzzle-exploration game that takes place in a strange but playful world where not everything is as happy as it seems. Help peculiar characters overcome struggles, uncover a deep state conspiracy and start a fun little revolution in this delightful dystopian adventure.

March 13 – 15: Bleeding Edge Beta
Welcome back to the world of Bleeding Edge! This is round two of beta testing for both console and PC for Bleeding Edge, the electrifying online brawler where every fighter comes mechanically enhanced for mayhem! Play the weekend of March 13th and hone your skills so you can wreck your friends on launch day!

March 13: State of Decay 2: Juggernaut Edition – Xbox One and Windows 10 PC
Check out this free update to State of Decay 2 with Xbox Game Pass! This remaster is packed full of new updates and experiences, spin off of original content and access to all 3 add-on packs released to-date, plus cross-platform multiplayer and more!

Xbox Game Pass titles leaving the service soon are:

  • Deus Ex: Mankind Divided
  • Lichtspeer Double Speer Edition
  • Shenmue I
  • Shenmue II
  • Thimbleweed Park

20 years ago, the Playstation 2 launched in Japan

By
Soul Kiwami
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On March 3rd 2000, the PlayStation 2 launched in Japan. This console revolutionized gaming forever, bringing the era of DVD based movies and games to many homes around the world. PlayStation 2 would make it’s debut in the west months later in October of 2000, where consoles quickly sold out everywhere. Games like Final Fantasy X, Gran Turismo 3 A-Spec and many more pushed gaming forward in the transition to highly defined gaming experiences.

The HD era was kicked off early with the PS2 as Gran Turismo 4 supported 1080i resolution through component cables and its still a worthwhile experience to this day. Although the Xbox 360 and PS3 would arrive in 2005 and 2006, the PS2 was still selling extremely well. Games like Persona 4 and Final Fantasy XII would keep players coming back well into the HD era.

The PlayStation 2 has sold over 155 million units worldwide since launch, still holding the crown of the best selling home console of all time. Stay tuned at Final Weapon for the latest Japanese gaming news!

My Hero One’s Justice 2 – Character Trailer # 3

By
Soul Kiwami
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Bandai Namco has released a new trailer for My Hero’s One Justice 2! This new trailer showcases new characters in the game like Camie, Sir Nighteye and more. Check it out below:

My Hero One’s Justice 2 releases on March 13th for PS4, Xbox One, Switch and PC worldwide. Stay tuned at Final Weapon for the latest Japanese gaming news!

Castlevania: Symphony of the Night is available now on iOS and Android

By
Soul Kiwami
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Konami has released Castlevania: Symphony of the Night for iOS and Android! This is a direct port to mobile devices and supports controllers as well. Achievements are also unlockable in the mobile version. Both iOS and Android versions cost $2.99

Stay tuned at Final Weapon for the latest Japanese gaming news!

Yakuza: Like a Dragon shipments and digital sales have surpassed 400,000 units in Japan and Asia

By
Soul Kiwami
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Yakuza 7

SEGA has announced that Yakuza: Like a Dragon shipments and digital sales have surpassed 400,000 units across Japan and Asia! To celebrate, the digital version of Yakuza: Like a Dragon is currently 30% off in the Japanese PSN store.

Yakuza: Like a Dragon is out now for PS4 in Japan and releases in the west sometime this year. Stay tuned at Final Weapon for the latest Japanese gaming news!

Luigi’s Mansion 3 DLC Pack 1 out now on US eShop

By
Shakacon
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Seemingly out of nowhere, Nintendo has shadow dropped the first DLC Pack for Luigi’s Mansion 3! This includes three new minigames for the ScreamPark mode, six new themed ghosts, three new outfits for Luigi. Finally three new floor themes for the co-op Scarescraper mode! You can get all of this right now for $9.99 USD on the eShop!

Part 2 will release sometime in the Summer of 2020 with new additions to ScreamPark, and Scarescraper!

Stay tuned for more on Luigi’s Mansion 3 at Final Weapon!

Digital Foundry analyzes the Final Fantasy VII Remake Demo – runs at 1620p on PS4 Pro, 1080p on PS4

By
Noah Hunter
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Digital Foundry has analyzed the Final Fantasy VII Remake Demo, and has came up with the resolution and frame rates for the roughly 45 minute demo. On the PS4 Pro, the game runs at 2880×1620 (1620p), while the PS4 runs the game at 1920×1080 (1080p). The game does indeed have dynamic resolution scaling, which helps to insure it keeps a steady frame rate. Digital Foundry specifically looked at the Scorpion boss battle, noting that on PS4 Pro the resolution got as low as 2304×1296 (1296p), with the PS4 clocking in at 1600×900 (900p), which is absolutely fantastic.

The Demo for Final Fantasy VII Remake runs at a locked 30FPS on PS4 Pro with absolutely no dips, and the exact same thing can be said for base PS4, running at a flawless 30FPS.

If you’d like to see the rest of Digital Foundry’s thoughts, you can check out their analysis below.

Final Fantasy VII Remake launches exclusively on PlayStation 4 on April 10th, 2020.

Three Houses characters are joining Fire Emblem Heroes in the Harmony amid Chaos summoning event on March 5th

By
Soul Kiwami
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Nintendo and Intelligent Systems have announced more Fire Emblem Three Houses characters joining Fire Emblem Heroes! On March 5th at 11 PM PT, the new Harmony amid Chaos summoning event will go live and players may summon:

  • Lysithea
  • Bernadetta
  • Annette
  • Ferdinand

Check out the new trailer in the link below:

https://youtu.be/k6EM7Cp-ayE

Stay tuned at Final Weapon for the latest Japanese gaming news and updates!

Azure Striker Gunvolt: Striker Pack for PS4 releases on April 23rd, physical PS4 copy releases on April 28th

By
Soul Kiwami
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Nighthawk Interactive is releasing a physical version of Azure Striker Gunvolt: Striker Pack for PS4! The game releases on April 23rd and the physical retail copy is out on April 28th. The game will cost $39.99 just like it did for Switch both digitally and physically. Thanks to Gematsu, we have an overview and trailer below:

Previously only available on Nintendo platforms, the two-in-one package features popular classics Azure Striker Gunvolt and Azure Striker Gunvolt 2, now with faster frame rates and a new vocal track created specifically for the PlayStation 4 release. Fans can also explore the entire catalog of downloadable content, which comes pre-loaded in the pack and introduces extra stages, bosses, bonus modes, and songs.

From developer Inti Creates and publisher Nighthawk Interactive, the Azure Striker Gunvolt: Striker Pack offers lots of new features, including an exhilarating 60 frames per second upgrade, striking high-resolution event graphics, and an exclusive new vocal track, injecting these supercharged side-scrollers with a renewed vitality.

This critically acclaimed series has intuitive controls, memorable characters, and shockingly epic boss battles. Play as Gunvolt, zipping and zapping your way through levels and skill trials by tagging enemies with your weapon, then shocking them into oblivion. In Azure Striker Gunvolt 2, enjoy the game in an entirely new way with the addition of Gunvolt’s rival Copen as a playable character. Playing as Copen, you can dash through the air, slam into enemies, and unleash devastating homing shots to make short work of your foes.

In the Azure Striker Gunvolt: Striker Pack, players will:

Experience the fast-paced gameplay in seamless 60 frames per second.
Enjoy all the downloadable content from the original versions, fighting through extra stages, bosses, and bonus modes, all while rocking out to new songs.
Jam along to over 20 pop vocal tracks, including a new track made exclusively for the PlayStation 4 release.
Get lost in the story with high resolution event graphics and in-game text, so the characters look better than ever.
Journey through the levels and peruse menus on the new, intuitive screen layout.

Stay tuned at Final Weapon for the latest Japanese gaming news!

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