With E3 2019 just days away, tons of publishers are starting to reveal what will be on the show floor. Marvelous and XSEED are back at E3 this year and have a stacked lineup of games to show off. Kicking things off is Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin coming to the Nintendo Switch.
Released for the PS4 and PC in 2018, Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin places players in the role of the harvest goddess Sakuna, who has been banished to a remote and dangerous island with a group of human outcasts. In order to prove that she is worth of her title, Sakuna sets out to better the lives of the humans living on the island and harvesting crops of rice. The game mixes action with simulation, which is a combo that becoming popular thanks to games like Stardew Valley. Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin for the Switch is set to release this winter and will be on the show floor at E3.
Next is Akiba’sTrip: Hellbound & Debriefed for the PS4 and PC. Many otakus will recognize this game as this is the HD re-release of 2014’s Akiba’s Trip: Udead and Undressed. The game places players in the role of an otaku high school student wandering around the Akihabara district in 2012. One day he is attacked by a strange vampiric creatures known as Shadow Souls. These creatures have invaded Akiba and are stealing the life force of its inhabitants. Now you and the local neighborhood watch must fight back and reclaim Akiba. And the way to defeat them is by exposing them to sunlight by stripping their clothes off. Akiba’sTrip: Hellbound & Debriefed is being rebuild using a modern engine, improving the beat em’ up/strip em’ down gameplay and recreating the streets of Akihabara in HD. The game is currently in development and a release date will be announced at a future time for PS4 and PC.
The third game in XSEED’s lineup is Heroland for the Nintendo Switch and PS4. Released in Japan as Work x Work, Heroland has players take up the role as a tour guide at a theme park that let’s attendees become legendary heroes and explore dungeons and beat up enemies, just like in a RPG. The story is told through the eyes of over 20 characters including overzealous knights, an irascible otter and man-eating broccoli. The team behind Heroland includes director Takahiro Yamane (Fantasy Life), writer Nobuyuki Inoue (legend of Mana), artist Nobuhiro Imagawa (MOTHER 3, Legend of Mana), composer Tsukasa Masuko’s (Shin Megami Tensei) and producer Takuya Yamanaka (The Caligula Effect Overdose). With such star power behind the game, Heroland look to be an enjoyable and fun experience. Heroland is set for a 2019 release.
Here’s a blast from the past, it’s Burger Time Party for the Nintendo Switch. Developed by G-Mod, Chef Peter Pepper and the Food Foes are back to serve up a fresh take on Data East’s classic arcade game. The game features new modes, items and new Food Foes for Chef Peter Pepper to avoid. Also new to the game will be local multiplayer, allowing 2 to 4 players either cooperate with each other or compete against each other. Chefs, preheat those ovens as Burger Time Party is set for a Fall 2019 release.
Before Stardew Valley, Harvest Moon was the first game to popularize the RPG simulation genre. Harvest Moon eventually had a spin off game called Rune Factory, which was described as Harvest Moon but with swords. The last entry into the series was back in 2013 with Rune Factory 4 for the 3DS. Now fans can experience the game once again in HD with Rune Factory 4 Special for the Nintendo Switch. New to the game are of course updated HD graphics, a new opening movie, new in-game cut-scenes, a new higher difficulty for expert/experienced players and a new mode called Newlywed. This mode introduces new episodes about the player’s character life once they get married. Rune Factory 4 Special is currently in development and is set for a 2019 release.
Ever since Senran Kagura made its bouncy debut in 2011, these female shinobi have been causing quite the stir, both good and bad. Whatever the case maybe, the majority of the mainline games and the spin offs have been enjoyable and a bit on the weird side. And nothing gets weirder than the latest spin-off game, Senran Kagura Peach Ball for the Nintendo Switch and PC. Peach Ball is a pinball game that has players take on the roll as an assistant to Haruka as she tries to cure her friends with the power of the Peach Ball. Seeing is believing so here’s the trailer that was release in Japan last year:
Flip, bump, spin and ricochet the Peach Ball and help return the girls to their normal bouncy selves on July 9, 2019 for the Switch. PC will see a release later on.
XSEED has one more reveal to be announced, but this is it so far. E3 is a great time of year to see what new games to expect and be hyped for. For the most part we are seeing more and more Japanese developed game not only making the jump to the West, but also being featured at gaming biggest event. It hasn’t even started yet and there are more announcements to come.
