News by Lindsay M., News Editor
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)!
We can finally ride the rails on PS4
Transportation sims are just lovely, aren’t they? Microsoft Flight Simulator may be all the rage right now, but I’m far more excited for this news. Sonic Power’s Japanese Rail Sim: Journey to Kyoto will launch for PlayStation 4 in Japan later this year. Retailers have the date set for December 10 but I assume that’s fluid at this point. Here’s the trailer:
The game is, quite obviously, set in Kyoto. More importantly, it is set in the autumn, when the scenery is bursting with colour. It features live imagery via two full line recordings, one for Kumara Line and the other for Eizan Line. Ride around in any direction you please as you experience different sensations by using different trails. Two new trains are included, Hiei (sightseeing) and Kiarana (observation).
Japanese Rail Sim: Journey to Kyoto is actually a port of the 2014 3DS game similarly titled Japanese Rail Sim 3D: Journey to Kyoto. It launched for the Nintendo Switch in Japan nearly a year ago, with a Western version promised for last (Northern) spring that is now indefinitely delayed. The PlayStation 4 version will feature intuitive controls and sounds unique to the platform – perhaps coming from the DualShock 4?
Sony sets a PS5 showcase for this week
A few days ago, and notably, one day after Microsoft introduced pricing for its new consoles (you can find details on that in our last catch-up), Sony announced that it would be airing a new digital showcase focused on PlayStation 5. Here’s a trailer (for what is essentially a collection of more trailers – wild!):
Fans are expecting the showcase will reveal PlayStation 5’s pricing, although Sony’s blog doesn’t even hint at it. Rather, it promises that the 40-minute presentation will features updates on titles from studios and development partners worldwide.
For Aussies, the showcase will begin at 6 a.m. AEST on Thursday, September 17. In North America,, it will air on Wednesday, September 16 at 4 p.m. EDT, 1 p.m. PDT. The stream will be available via Sony’s channels on Twitch and YouTube.
New Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 details are here!
What happens when two extremely popular, long-standing puzzle games smash into each other? Pure magic! It happened in 2017’s Puyo Puyo Tetris (our review here) and is set to happen again this year as Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 is set to drop later this year (and into 2021). Here is the New Adventure trailer:
The trailer explains the game’s new mode. Adventure Mode features a story that brings the lovable cast together through a world map, special missions, and a progression system. The overworked map helps players navigate from one stage to another, allowing easy access to replay levels. Another part of Adventure Mode, Skill Battle, has players earn EXP to level up character stats and experiment with different difficulties after practicing in Adventure Mode. So what is the story? The worlds of Puyo Puyo and Tetris have combined that to something known as the Dimensional Parasite. Ringo, Tee, and their more familiar faces have to explore the world to rescue their friends.
Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 is launching on December 8 for PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X. The PlayStation 5 version is expected around the same time (“this holiday”) with the PC version coming early next year. It’s worth noting that the game supports Xbox Series X Smart Delivery, so one purchase can be played on several Xbox consoles; PlayStation has a similar deal, whereas if you purchase a copy for PlayStation 4 you will get the PlayStation 5 version for free. The digital and physical Launch Editions for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox One/Series S/X will include an in-game pack of Rare Item Cards, three featuring items from another iconic Sega series, Sonic.
Forget escaping: it is time for survival
Team17 has announced the release date for survival and crafting game The Survivalists. The developer is known for The Escapists (and its offshoots) and The Survivalists uses the same familiar aesthetics. Here’s the new trailer:
Play alone or with up to four total players, stranded on an island and trying to survive. Get quests from a stranger or find them ashore. The world is procedurally generated and features several biomes. Island monkeys can be tamed into automated helpers, protection the group or gathering crafting resources. Monkey management becomes a key component of the title. And that leads to my favourite part of just about any game: crafting! Make tools, weapons, food, items, buildings, and more.
The Survivalists will be released for PC (via Steam), PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox One on October 9; it will also have a later launch on Apple devices through Apple Arcade. Preorders are open for PC, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox One; players who take advantage of the timing get the Monkey Business DLC, including three hats for the player and six for monkey companions.
