Welcome to Digitally Downloaded’s regular catch-up news feature. 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)!
Yoko Taro’s next game has been announced
Yoko Taro is basically regarded as a video game god around these parts; let’s be honest, NieR is one of the most brilliant titles of all time. Needless to say, we’re extremely excited! We don’t know much about Voice of Cards: The Isle Dragon Roars right now. We’ve known about it for a few weeks, as a PlayStation Network listing confirmed it, but this is the official reveal. No platforms have been announced, but there has also been a Steam page found for it so we can assume it will at least appear on PC and PlayStation 5. Here’s the teaser trailer:
The enchanting story is completely depicted by cards. The tiny press release (and I mean tiny: it’s one paragraph, a logo, and the above teaser) states that the game will “spark players imagination and open their minds to a different way of storytelling as the narrative unfolds).
Voice of Cards: The Isle Dragon is developed and will be published by Square Enix. There isn’t just one superstar on the game’s development team, there’s actually several. In addition to Yoko Taro (Drakenguard series, NieR series) as creative director, we have Yosuke Saito (NieR series) as executive producer, Keiichi Okabe (Drakenguard 3, NieR series) as music director, and Kimihiko Fujisaka (Drakenguard series) as character designer.
Alan Wake Remastered launches next month
When it first launched in 2010, Alan Wake was an undeniable hit. Now seems a good a time as any to release Alan Wake Remastered, featuring 4K visuals, updated environments, cutscenes, and even a making-of commentary. A lot of time was put into optimising the game for each available platform, and Alan Wake’s character model has been completely remade. Actually, basically everything from the original has been retouches, including the AI, props, textures, and sounds. Here’s the announcement trailer:
Our hero, Alan Wake, is a best-selling writer. He awakes behind the wheel of a crashed car at night in a forest outside of a small town in Washington. He’s hit his head. He’s missing a week of memories. His wife is missing. Basically, nothing is looking good for poor Mr. Wake. He finds the pages of a horror novel that appears to be his own, but he doesn’t remember writing it. The story has the small town being taken over by a dark presence, so imagine his surprise when what he wrote actually comes true. Possessed locals stalk Wake through the forest and he spirals deeper while trying to maintain his sanity. His only weapon? The light of his flashlight.
Alan Wake Remastered is developed by Remedy Entertainment (Control, Quantum Break) and published by Epic Games Publishing. It will be released for PC via Steam, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series, and Xbox One on October 5. It includes two story expansion DLCs, The Signal and The Writer.
Another volume of Kemco RPG Selection is coming to Japan
You know something is going well when it hits an eighth volume; that’s a lot of compilations! This time, it’s Kemco RPG Selection Vol. 8. It features four classic Kemco games: Armed Emeth, Crystal Ortha, Justice Chronicles, and Monster Viator. Here’s the latest trailer:
Armed Emeth follows Valess, a boy from a commune of drifters, as he meets Lock, a golem. Valess discovers a criminal organization has a bounty on his head, and Lock gives Valess his very own golumn. The two then set out on an adventure into the unknown to search for bounties across several continents. The golem’s equipment can be upgraded, while special stones contain life force and specialised passive skills. Valess will visit Bounty Centres to find information on the criminals and monsters he seeks, including their location.
Crystal Ortha has players seeking a far-off legendary item: the crystal mother lode. Dungeons feature puzzles and bosses. Conversations will people throughout the world matter, as it can give the player tactical hints. Craft items with ore, search for items to bring alone, and watch over the fate of the crystal seekers until the very end.
Justice Chronicles follows Kline, a High Beast Knight, as he is set into the Earth-Depths. He discovers a gravely injured battle maiden names Alia, and makes a partnership with the God of Death to keep Alia alive. Kline, however, has to give up his own life. The duo has to fight their own destinies to save the world from a creeping, all-encompassing darkness.
Monster Viator begins with Culter, who has amnesia yet can mysteriously communicate with monsters. He sets out on a journey to uncover his memories with a shepherd named Aira. There are over 20 monsters, each with their own personality and abilities. Challenging dungeons await, but where there is challenge, there is reward!
Kemco RPG Selection Vol. 8 is, unsurprisingly, developed by Kemco. It will be released for PlayStation 4 on December 16, but only in Japan. It will cost 4,280 yen.
“Hope-inspiring” A Juggler’s Tale launches late this month
Who doesn’t need a little hope in their life? If the pandemic has bred any one emotion, it’s hopelessness. A Juggler’s Tale is a hope-inspiring 3D side-scrolling adventure featuring a string puppet held captive by a circus. She flees, but soon realizes that her fate isn’t entirely in her hands despite being free of her captors. The launch date for the game was announced last week. Here’s the latest trailer:
In the game, Abby (the puppet) tries to take control of her destiny and really make a difference. The special part of A Juggler’s Tale is that it is set in a marionette theatre, and the characters are intrinsically connected to the puppet master and narrator, Jack. It causes some problems, as the strings don’t allow for puppets to go under objects, but it is also good as it provides safety from gaping holes in the ground. The game promises to explore the relationship between the narrator and the puppets while using clever puzzles to push forward the narrative.
Developed by Kaleidoscube and published by Mixtvision Games, A Juggler’s Tale will be released for PC via Steam, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series, and Xbox One on September 29.
