Joystiq

Hyrule Warriors ships a million, celebrates with wallpaper party

Sinan Kubba — Tue, 27 Jan 2015 10:00:00 EST

Hyrule Warriors shipped a million units worldwide since it launched last fall, which equates to many, many millions of enemies taken out in the army-mashing crossover. Famitsu reported the milestone today, which we've confirmed with a Koei Tecmo Europe representative.

Koei Tecmo is celebrating like cray by publishing a set of new wallpapers based on the Wii U brawler, and they're not bad desktop bling, it has to be said. Also, there's still plenty of steam in the game's DLC train; Majora's Mask content is due to arrive next week.

And yes, the DLC features Tingle. Like absolutely everything should.

[Image: Tecmo Koei]

Hyrule Warriors ships a million, celebrates with wallpaper party originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 27 Jan 2015 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dead or Alive 5: Last Round nets copycat schoolgirl, Honoka

S. Prell — Sun, 18 Jan 2015 18:30:00 EST

Dead or Alive 5: Last Round was never exactly short on female representation, but one more can't hurt, right? Meet Honoka, a schoolgirl fighter (as in, a schoolgirl who fights, not someone who beats up schoolgirls) who, according to a press release, can instantly learn any fighting move she sees. Honoka has used this ability to create her own fighting style, which she calls "Honoka Fu."

Unfortunately, while Honoka is a skilled fighter, she is not a particularly practiced one. Her punches pack less of a whollop than other, more seasoned fighters, unless she is using her "Hissatsu-no-Kamae" stance. In this stance, Honoka possesses a much higher amount of strength and is capable of using moves she has never seen from any fighter. You can see her moves and stances in action after the break.

Dead or Alive 5: Last Round is due in the Xbox One, Xbox 360, PS3, PS4 and PC fighting rings on February 17.

Continue reading Dead or Alive 5: Last Round nets copycat schoolgirl, Honoka

Dead or Alive 5: Last Round nets copycat schoolgirl, Honoka originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 18 Jan 2015 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toukiden: Kiwami battles fresh Oni on PS4, Vita in March

Thomas Schulenberg — Sat, 17 Jan 2015 16:30:00 EST

PlayStation 4 and Vita owners, we're trusting you to rid us all of the creepy beasts lurking in Toukiden: Kiwami once Koei Tecmo releases physical and digital copies on March 31 in North America and March 27 in Europe. What is that twisted take on felines seen above? Other than unsettling, we mean.

As detailed on the PlayStation Blog, Kiwami will have "double the size and content" of last year's Toukiden: The Age of Demons (which is included with Kiwami), with additions including "newly discovered Oni, [over 100 Mitama], new Slayers, new moves, and twice as many stages." The post estimates that Kiwami's standalone story, which picks up three months after the previous battle to prevent another Awakening, is also "roughly the same size" as The Age of Demons'.

If you've spent plenty of time saving the world in The Age of Demons, know that existing save data can be carried over. Koei Tecmo Europe's Chin Soon Sun has also confirmed that PS4 and Vita players will be able to take down Oni together. As for cross-buy compatibility, that's still up in the air - Sun has stated he'll share more info "when the time comes."

[Image: Tecmo Koei]

Toukiden: Kiwami battles fresh Oni on PS4, Vita in March originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 17 Jan 2015 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bladestorm: Nightmare won't rally the troops until March 17

Earnest Cavalli — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 21:30:00 EST

Publisher Koei Tecmo has opted to delay the release of its "Troop Command Action" game Bladestorm: Nightmare from its initial March 3 launch date to March 17.

As you'd expect from a sequel to 2007's Bladestorm: The Hundred Years' War, Bladestorm: Nightmare also takes place in the lengthy medieval conflict between England's Plantagenets and the French House of Valois. Unlike most historically-focused Koei Tecmo action games (collectively known as the "musou" subgenre), Bladestorm: Nightmare grants players control over a squad of troops instead of a sole fighter. This both adds novel complexity to the game's combat system and differentiates Bladestorm: Nightmare from the superficially similar (and far more prolific) Dynasty Warriors series.

Alongside news of the delay, Koei Tecmo also spilled a bit more information on the game's "Nightmare" mode. Though Bladestorm: Nightmare is based on real events, Nightmare mode takes a fantasy approach, creating a plotline where both English and French forces are under siege by demons. To fight back, players can enlist an army of mythical creatures, hence the otherwise inexplicable dragon in the screenshot above.

[Image: Koei Tecmo]

Continue reading Bladestorm: Nightmare won't rally the troops until March 17

Bladestorm: Nightmare won't rally the troops until March 17 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 08 Jan 2015 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dead or Alive 5 Last Round to hit PC, but online play's in limbo

Sinan Kubba — Fri, 05 Dec 2014 07:00:00 EST

The Dead or Alive series is coming to Windows PC for the first time, with DoA 5 Last Round confirmed for a Steam launch alongside console versions on February 17, 2015. However, much like the fighter's array of characters, not everything will be covered by launch time. According to its Steam page, Last Round will arrive on PC without online modes, and it will take up to three months for them to be patched in.

Publisher Koei Tecmo didn't offer any explanation for the belated online play in this week's press release or on the Steam page. The listing simply states that "online modes for Dead or Alive 5 Last Round will be added in a patch within three months of release."

Continue reading Dead or Alive 5 Last Round to hit PC, but online play's in limbo

Dead or Alive 5 Last Round to hit PC, but online play's in limbo originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 05 Dec 2014 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bladestorm: Nightmare carves a path through history in March

Danny Cowan — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 20:00:00 EST

Omega Force's history-based brawler Bladestorm: Nightmare is coming to the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PS3 in North America on March 3, publisher Koei Tecmo revealed this week.

Taking place in Europe during the Hundred Years' War, Bladestorm: Nightmare recreates a series of 14th and 15th century battles in the context of a hack-and-slash story mode similar to Koei Tecmo's Dynasty Warriors series. In addition to a port of Bladestorm: The Hundred Years' War's campaign, the game boasts an alternate-history Nightmare mode in which players fight off armies of dragons and giants, helmed by a demonically possessed Joan of Arc.

The PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions of Bladestorm: Nightmare will launch digitally and at retail in North America and Europe the week of March 3. The PlayStation 3 edition is available exclusively as a PlayStation Store download.

[Video: Koei Tecmo]

Continue reading Bladestorm: Nightmare carves a path through history in March

Bladestorm: Nightmare carves a path through history in March originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 20 Nov 2014 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hyrule Warriors takes Twili Midna for a twirl next week

Sinan Kubba — Tue, 18 Nov 2014 11:00:00 EST

Hyrule Warriors' next DLC delves into the Legend of Zelda's past and retrieves one of the series' most memorable companions as a playable character. Reprized in her True "Twili" form as seen at the end of Link's GameCube and Wii adventure, the Twilight Princess pack brings Midna and her wiles to the Wii U hack-and-slash on November 27.

Zelda series producer Eiji Anouma explained on Miiverse why the Twilight Princess returns in Hyrule Warriors as Twili Midna rather than her more familiar form.

"When I was developing Twilight Princess," Anouma wrote, "I thought it was such a waste to let a beautiful princess like her only appear in the ending. Now Koei Tecmo Games has made my wish to see more of her come true."

Continue reading Hyrule Warriors takes Twili Midna for a twirl next week

Hyrule Warriors takes Twili Midna for a twirl next week originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 18 Nov 2014 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dead or Alive 5 Last Round picks a fight in February 2015

Earnest Cavalli — Thu, 23 Oct 2014 15:30:00 EST

The updated, supposedly final iteration of Dead or Alive 5, known as Dead or Alive 5 Last Round, will reach the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PS3 and Xbox 360 on February 17, publisher Koei Tecmo has revealed.

Alongside the wealth of fighters and stages included in Dead or Alive 5, Dead or Alive 5 Plus and Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate, Last Round introduces two new fighters and new stages, including "The Crimson," a remixed Dead or Alive 2 stage where players battle their way across tin rooftops before plummeting onto a busy Asian street to continue the fight. Like all of Dead or Alive 5's best stages, The Crimson features "several all-new over-the-top Cliffhanger events" for those times when you just have to toss your opponent off a building.

Dead or Alive 5 Last Round will feature a $30 price tag on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 and a $40 price tag on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. However, PlayStation 4 owners can download the free Dead or Alive 5 Last Round: Core Fighters for a test drive featuring four fighters and limited gameplay options, with the option to purchase additional pieces of the game later. Xbox One owners can purchase access to Core Fighters for $5, or they can play a free demo that lacks Core Fighters' DLC options.

[Image: Koei Tecmo]

Continue reading Dead or Alive 5 Last Round picks a fight in February 2015

Dead or Alive 5 Last Round picks a fight in February 2015 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 23 Oct 2014 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Melodrama strikes Japan in Samurai Warriors 4 launch trailer

Earnest Cavalli — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 23:00:00 EST

To celebrate the PlayStation 4, PS3 and Vita debut of Sengoku-era musou brawler Samurai Warriors 4, publisher Koei Tecmo has issued a launch trailer that is equal parts histrionic rock music and androgynously sexy Japanese historical figures - exactly what series fans would hope for.

[Image: Koei Tecmo]

Melodrama strikes Japan in Samurai Warriors 4 launch trailer originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 21 Oct 2014 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Dead or Alive 5: Last Round sees 2 new fighters

Jessica Conditt — Thu, 02 Oct 2014 17:00:00 EST

On top of its upgraded and expanded content, Dead or Alive 5: Last Round will feature two new fighters, one female and one male, Siliconera reports. The lady fighter is new to the Dead or Alive franchise, while Koei Tecmo hasn't clarified whether the dude fighter is a returning character.

The female fighter - and presumably other characters - will be developed with Koei Tecmo's new Soft Engine, which is tuned to better depict "softness" and "warmth" of characters' bodies, the site reports. Dead or Alive and Dead or Alive 2's "The Danger Zone" stage will make an appearance in Last Round as well.

Dead or Alive 5: Last Round is in development for PS3, Xbox 360, PS4 and Xbox One, and it's due out in spring 2015.

[Image: Koei Tecmo]

Report: Dead or Alive 5: Last Round sees 2 new fighters originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 02 Oct 2014 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A Dragon Quest Heroes gameplay video draws near!

Danny Cowan — Thu, 18 Sep 2014 20:00:00 EST

Square Enix gave a first look at the gameplay featured in Omega Force's PlayStation 4 and PS3 action-RPG Dragon Quest Heroes: Anryuu to Sekaiju no Shiro at TGS this week, showcasing army-slaughtering mechanics similar to the developer's Dynasty Warriors series.

The video above, transferred from streaming service Nico Nico Douga, shows a party of heroes squaring off against dozens of Golems, Drakees, Skeletons, and other monsters ripped from prior entries in the Dragon Quest series. Gameplay sticks closely to the beat-'em-up formula featured in Dynasty Warriors and the upcoming Hyrule Warriors, as players have access to a number of melee combos and screen-clearing magic attacks in battle.

Square Enix also revealed its first Dragon Quest Heroes character details (via Siliconera) this week. Playable party members consist of royal bodyguard Acht (or Mehr, if players opt for a lady protagonist), Elsarze Kingdom ruler Dirk, and magic-wielding sorceress Julietta. Familiar faces like Terry from Dragon Quest 6 and Dragon Quest 4's Alena will also make appearances throughout the campaign.

Dragon Quest Heroes will launch in Japan in the second quarter of 2015. A North American release has not been announced.

[Video: Square Enix / Game Kana]

A Dragon Quest Heroes gameplay video draws near! originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 18 Sep 2014 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Day-one patch adding Challenge Mode to Hyrule Warriors

S. Prell — Sun, 14 Sep 2014 19:30:00 EST

Hyrule Warriors who are looking for a test of skills that goes beyond the game's Adventure Mode will be glad to hear that, as reported by Nintendo World Report, developer Koei Tecmo will be releasing a day-one patch that adds Challenge Mode to the game when it releases in North America on September 26.

So just what is Challenge Mode? According to members of a Nintendo Treehouse stream made earlier this week, it's basically "Adventure Mode on steroids." So ... it's tougher and angrier, but also has some acne problems and premature balding? Whatever you say, Nintendo.

Obviously that's a joke, but the truth of the matter is we won't know what Challenge Mode has in store for us until later this month. Remember warriors, patience is a virtue.

[Image: Nintendo/Koei Tecmo]

Day-one patch adding Challenge Mode to Hyrule Warriors originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 14 Sep 2014 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Forget photos, watch the Wii U's new Fatal Frame in action

Sinan Kubba — Wed, 10 Sep 2014 08:30:00 EST

Will Fatal Frame: The Black-Haired Shrine Maiden release outside of Japan? We hope so, if only to see scaredy-cats fall backwards as spirits come hurtling towards their GamePads.

The Wii U entry hits Japan on September 27. To find out more about it, point your lens here.

[Image: Nintendo]

Forget photos, watch the Wii U's new Fatal Frame in action originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 10 Sep 2014 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tecmo Super Bowl 2015 offers an 8-bit Madden alternative

Earnest Cavalli — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 16:15:00 EST

With Madden NFL 15 now on store shelves, most virtual football fans are busy enjoying EA's latest simulation, but for those who prefer a more classic, pixelated game of football, comes Tecmo Super Bowl 2015. Thanks to the dedicated Tecmo Super Bowl fans at TecmoBowl.org, Tecmo Super Bowl 2015 combines the game's classic, NES-era pigskin action with modern rosters, offensive schemes and all 32 current NFL teams.

As a hack for an NES game, Tecmo Super Bowl 2015 can be played on any platform with a viable NES emulator. The game's website offers would-be gridiron greats a detailed walkthrough on how to get the game up and running, and even a listing of various mods for those who prefer a more customized take on American football. Full details on how to set up Tecmo Super Bowl 2015 can be found at TecmoBowl.org.

Of course, downloading the ROM file needed to play the mod isn't precisely legal. Something to keep in mind if you really need that up-to-date retro football fix.

[Image: Koei Tecmo]

Tecmo Super Bowl 2015 offers an 8-bit Madden alternative originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 04 Sep 2014 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Bladestorm plots new dynasty on PS4, Xbox One, PS3

Sinan Kubba — Wed, 03 Sep 2014 09:30:00 EST

Bladestorm: The Hundred Years' War and Nightmare is preparing a three-way attack on PS4, Xbox One and PS3, according to reports. The new version of the 2007 real-time tactics game was unveiled for PS4 at Sony Japan & Asia's press conference on Monday, and now Gematsu and Siliconera claim this week's Famitsu confirms PS3 and Xbox One versions, too.

According to Gematsu, the enhanced revision returns to the original's Hundred Years' War campaign, but also introduces a new "Nightmare" section that takes place in a fantasy world. The PS4 trailer seems to tease that when a dragon suddenly lands in the middle of a battle, which we don't seem to remember from our history lessons - not that we remember our history lessons. Anyway, Gematsu adds we can expect more otherworldly critters to show up, like goblins and cyclopes, and ones that the players get to control, too.

For now, the new Bladestorm remains confirmed for Japan only, where it's due to launch later this year. Nonetheless, you can charge past the break to check out the PS4 trailer.

Continue reading Report: Bladestorm plots new dynasty on PS4, Xbox One, PS3

Report: Bladestorm plots new dynasty on PS4, Xbox One, PS3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 03 Sep 2014 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dead or Alive 5: Last Round returns on last generation too

Sinan Kubba — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 12:30:00 EST

When it launches next spring, Dead or Alive: Last Round - pinkie promise - is going to be the second re-release of Team Ninja's fighter to hit Xbox 360 and PS3. In fairness to DOA5, Street Fighter 4 is already up to three on that count.

As revealed over the weekend, the new version is also coming to PS4 and Xbox One where Team Ninja boss Yosuke Hayashi promises "the most graphically striking version of any Dead or Alive game ever." For returning players moving to PS4 and Xbox One, Koei Tecmo said previously bought DLC is transferable from last-gen consoles to the new ones.

For a first look at Last Round, check out the new trailer below the break.

Continue reading Dead or Alive 5: Last Round returns on last generation too

Dead or Alive 5: Last Round returns on last generation too originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 02 Sep 2014 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dead or Alive 5's Last Round is on PS4, Xbox One

Thomas Schulenberg — Sun, 31 Aug 2014 21:00:00 EST

Street Fighter 4 isn't the only modern fighter getting a multitude of releases: According to a Famitsu report (as translated by Kotaku), Koei Tecmo producer Yosuke Hayashi announced Dead or Alive 5: Last Round after an award ceremony at this weekend's Japan Gamer's Live. Details are scarce beyond a reveal trailer posted after the break, but Last Round will slug it out in Japan on Xbox One and PS4 in spring 2015.

Last Round will follow DoA5: Ultimate, 2013's retail-sized update on Xbox 360 and PS3 that added new characters and modes. A free-to-play counterpart called DoA5: Ultimate Core Fighters launched alongside Ultimate and managed to surpass 500,000 downloads within two months.

Continue reading Dead or Alive 5's Last Round is on PS4, Xbox One

Dead or Alive 5's Last Round is on PS4, Xbox One originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 31 Aug 2014 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Capcom aims patent infringment suit at Koei Tecmo

Earnest Cavalli — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 16:00:00 EST

Capcom has filed suit against Koei Tecmo alleging that the Dynasty Warriors publisher infringed on key Capcom patents in recent games, according to a Sankei report translated by Siliconera.

The patent in question refers to backwards compatible content being transferred from a game to its predecessor. Imagine the Genesis-era Sonic & Knuckles cartridges. If you connect one to a Sonic 2 cartridge, you can play as Knuckles in the older game, despite his first appearance coming well after Sonic 2 hit store shelves. A more recent, topical example would be Dynasty Warriors 8: Xtreme Legends, a standalone expansion that could be linked with the original Dynasty Warriors 8 to add additional stages and characters to the older musou brawler.

Capcom's suit alleges that 50 Koei Tecmo games are in violation of the patent. The Street Fighter publisher is seeking 980 million yen (about $9.4 million) in restitution as well as a temporary ban on sales of several Koei Tecmo games.

[Image: Koei Tecmo]

Report: Capcom aims patent infringment suit at Koei Tecmo originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 26 Aug 2014 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Act out war journals in Samurai Warriors 4's Chronicle Mode

Thomas Schulenberg — Sat, 23 Aug 2014 18:00:00 EST

Considering how complex and extensive war timeframes can be, sometimes they just blur together into a mess of endless fighting and capturing territories. Lucky for us, Samurai Warriors 4's officers are an organized bunch: In the incoming hack-n-slasher's new Chronicle mode, players can follow events through the journals of commanding officers, crossing new warriors and unlocking gear throughout their tour.

The related press release also noted three new warriors that will join SW4; the strategy-savvy Kojuro Katakura, Li clan leader Naotora and Koshosho, a fighter that bewitches men with her beauty. Pre-existing characters Hanzo, Hideyoshi, Ieyasu, Ina, Masamune, Motochika, Nene, Tadakatsu and Yoshimoto will also return in SW4.

If you'd rather start your own legacy in the Warring States era, there's always SW4's updated Create Character mode, which lets you micromanage specifics from armor sets to eye color. For anyone eager to just jump in though, there's bound to be someone within SW4's 55-character roster that works for you.

[Image: Koei Tecmo]

Continue reading Act out war journals in Samurai Warriors 4's Chronicle Mode

Act out war journals in Samurai Warriors 4's Chronicle Mode originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 23 Aug 2014 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fatal Frame haunts Japanese theaters on September 26

Earnest Cavalli — Fri, 08 Aug 2014 15:00:00 EST

Proving once again that Japan gets all the cool stuff, the upcoming Wii U Fatal Frame sequel is to be accompanied by a Fatal Frame feature film, both of which are currently exclusive to the island nation.

Though entirely in Japanese, the above trailer does offer hope that the film's creators have managed to capture the game's aesthetics and key themes. Spooky yet commonplace buildings? Check. Overly complex, anachronistic cameras? Check. Dour, possibly spectral Japanese girls? Check and double check. The trailer does take an odd tonal shift at the 1:00 mark thanks to a weirdly upbeat pop song, but that brief moment of levity is quickly silenced by a pile of teenaged corpses.

While it's possible that this Fatal Frame film adaptation might come to the West, fans shouldn't get their hopes up. 2008's Fatal Frame 4: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse remained in Japan despite claims from Koei Tecmo that the game would reach both Europe and North America, and the publisher has yet to make any mention of an English-language localization for the upcoming Fatal Frame 5.

[Image: Koei Tecmo]

Fatal Frame haunts Japanese theaters on September 26 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 08 Aug 2014 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hyrule Warriors' adventure mode has NES Zelda appeal

Mike Suszek — Tue, 05 Aug 2014 15:00:00 EST

Nintendo offered new details on Hyrule Warriors during a Nintendo Direct livestream last night dedicated to spilling new beans on the game. The Tecmo Koei-developed offering will include an adventure mode that features a NES-style map inspired by the original Legend of Zelda. In it, players hack through levels with unique victory conditions, such as "defeat 300 enemies in 10 minutes," acquiring and using classic items from the Zelda series to find rare goods like heart containers.

Additionally, Zelda fans will appreciate the familiar ability to chop away at grass in Hyrule Warriors and attack the chicken-like Cuccos, which will attack players after enough unjust damage has been done to the creatures. The livestream also touched on the game's leveling and skill/equipment crafting system; we've embedded the full Hyrule Warriors Direct stream for your viewing pleasure. Hyrule Warriors will launch September 26 for Wii U, and those that register their copies on Club Nintendo by October 23 will receive two Ganondorf costumes.

[Image: Nintendo]

Hyrule Warriors' adventure mode has NES Zelda appeal originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 05 Aug 2014 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hyrule Warriors in the club get two legendary Ganondorf outfits

Mike Suszek — Tue, 05 Aug 2014 10:30:00 EST

Nintendo introduced Ganondorf as a playable character for Hyrule Warriors during last night's Nintendo Direct livestream dedicated to the game. As it turns out, Club Nintendo members will have access to two special outfits for Ganondorf in the game as well. Those that buy Hyrule Warriors and register the game with Nintendo's loyalty program between September 26 and October 23 will receive a download code for the DLC, which features costumes inspired by Ganondorf's appearances in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess.

As the primary villain of the Legend of Zelda series, "The Demon King" Ganondorf will annihilate hordes of enemies with dark magic-like moves and his great sword. Hyrule Warriors will launch on September 26 for Wii U and will feature local cooperative multiplayer and some form of online play, though it won't have an online campaign.

[Image: Nintendo]

Hyrule Warriors in the club get two legendary Ganondorf outfits originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 05 Aug 2014 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hyrule Warriors has couch co-op, no online campaign

Danny Cowan — Fri, 01 Aug 2014 19:00:00 EST

Nintendo's upcoming Zelda-themed brawler Hyrule Warriors will not support online co-op campaign gameplay, a Japanese-language promotional Twitter account revealed this week.

A local team of players can still play through Hyrule Warriors' campaign in an offline co-op multiplayer mode, which assigns one player to the Wii U GamePad's screen while the television displays their partner's character and viewpoint. Hyrule Warriors will feature online play in some capacity, but its core campaign is strictly offline-only.

News of Hyrule Warriors' lack of online play comes shortly after publishing partner Koei Tecmo confirmed that the upcoming Samurai Warriors 4 will feature cross-platform online multiplayer gameplay for the PlayStation 4, PS3 and PS Vita. Online play has been a standard feature for Koei Tecmo's Warriors series and its spinoffs since 2011's Dynasty Warriors 7.

Hyrule Warriors launches in North America on September 26.

[Image: Nintendo / Koei Tecmo]

Hyrule Warriors has couch co-op, no online campaign originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 01 Aug 2014 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hyrule Warriors gets its own Nintendo Direct stream next week

Sinan Kubba — Thu, 31 Jul 2014 08:00:00 EST

Nintendo is bringing Hyrule Warriors directly to you in another idiosyncratic broadcast on August 4, with an English version confirmed courtesy of Nintendo of America. The game's Nintendo Direct airs on YouTube and the company's site, and the Zelda-themed carnage is set to begin at the not-so-friendly time of 8PM PT/11PM ET.

The news follows confirmation Ocarina of Time's Sheik, Darunia, and Princess Ruto join the Wii U game's cast of heroes - you can see all the playable characters unveiled so far in the video up top. However, there's one must-have inclusion we're still waiting on...

Hyrule Warriors hits Europe on September 19 and North America on September 26. In the interim, check out our E3 preview to see why Joystiq's Danny Cowan describes the game as the Zelda beat-em-up you never knew you wanted.

[Image: Nintendo]

Hyrule Warriors gets its own Nintendo Direct stream next week originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 31 Jul 2014 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Atelier dev Gust merges with Koei Tecmo on Oct. 1

Earnest Cavalli — Tue, 29 Jul 2014 17:30:00 EST

Come October 1, Atelier Rorona: Alchemist of Arland developer Gust Co. will officially merge with parent company Koei Tecmo.

Though far from a household name in the West, Gust has developed a loyal niche following by offering classically-styled roleplaying games that blatantly pander to time-honored anime tropes. What Gust's games lack in Shakespearian dialogue, they more than make up for in moon-eyed magical girls and solid roleplaying game fundamentals.

According to Koei Tecmo (via Gematsu translation), Gust will continue to operate as normal, developing new entries in the Atelier and Ar Tonelico series' as well as new properties, only it will do so under a new name: Gust Nagano Development Group. Koei Tecmo believes this new arrangement will allow Gust to operate more efficiently than it has been under the studio's previous publishing agreement.

[Image: Koei Tecmo]

Atelier dev Gust merges with Koei Tecmo on Oct. 1 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 29 Jul 2014 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samurai Warriors 4 tenth anniversary edition hits PS4 in October

Danny Cowan — Wed, 23 Jul 2014 15:30:00 EST

Koei Tecmo celebrates a decade of historical brawling with an upcoming anniversary collector's edition of Samurai Warriors 4 arriving for the PlayStation 4 in October.

Samurai Warriors 4: Special Anime Pack includes a Blu-ray copy of the Samurai Warriors: Legend of the Sanada anime, an official soundtrack CD, and a retail PS4 copy of Samurai Warriors 4. The set also offers a bundle of character customization DLC, adding extra costumes and armor sets for several featured fighters.

Samurai Warriors 4 launches in North America on October 24. The Special Anime Pack retails for $74.99.

[Image: Koei Tecmo]

Continue reading Samurai Warriors 4 tenth anniversary edition hits PS4 in October

Samurai Warriors 4 tenth anniversary edition hits PS4 in October originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 23 Jul 2014 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bladestorm: The Hundred Years' War charging back onto screens

Sinan Kubba — Mon, 21 Jul 2014 09:30:00 EST

Flanking us from left field, Koei Tecmo announced Bladestorm: The Hundred Years' War & Nightmare is currently in development. Going by Siliconera and Gematsu's translations, it's an enhanced remake of the 2007 real-time tactics PS3 and Xbox 360 game. As returning producer Akihiro Suzuki said in Famitsu, Koei's "looking to expand upon the foundation of the original game, but we also intend to introduce a load of new elements into the game."

It's one of those "...wha?" announcements that means Koei Tecmo can get away with holding back platforms and release details for now. So even if a Western release is on the cards, we probably won't hear about it for a while.

Continue reading Bladestorm: The Hundred Years' War charging back onto screens

Bladestorm: The Hundred Years' War charging back onto screens originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 21 Jul 2014 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Zelda conducts an orchestra of pain in Hyrule Warriors

Earnest Cavalli — Fri, 18 Jul 2014 19:30:00 EST

Proving once again that the most powerful force in Hyrule is a lilting melody, Princess Zelda dispatches hordes of Hyrule Warriors foes using only pent up rage and a conductor's baton.

[Image: Koei Tecmo]

Zelda conducts an orchestra of pain in Hyrule Warriors originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 18 Jul 2014 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fi cuts through hundreds in latest Hyrule Warriors trailer

Earnest Cavalli — Mon, 14 Jul 2014 18:30:00 EST

First introduced in The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, Fi is the latest character torn from Nintendo's verdant fields to appear in Koei Tecmo's musou beat' em up, Hyrule Warriors.

Though Fi is technically not a person - Fi is actually the living embodiment of the Goddess Sword - she has no trouble dispatching enemies en masse. Most of the time, Fi floats through battle, using attacks that are largely magical, though the trailer also includes moments where the character drops the bipedal act in favor of being the aforementioned sword and cutting a Rupee-spattered swath through her foes.

Far from the only Legend of Zelda character in Hyrule Warriors, Fi joins perennial protagonist Link, Midna, Impa, Agitha and Lana, among others. Hyrule Warriors is currently scheduled to make its North American Wii U debut on September 26.

[Image: Koei Tecmo]

Fi cuts through hundreds in latest Hyrule Warriors trailer originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 14 Jul 2014 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ar nosurge gets limited edition, GameStop pre-order incentives

Thomas Schulenberg — Sun, 13 Jul 2014 16:30:00 EST

Ar nosurge: Ode to an Unborn Star will bring its musical take on turn-based battles to the PS3 on September 23 for $49.99, but enthusiasts now have the option of paying a little more to snag its limited edition. The NIS America Online Store is offering the above bundle for $64.99, which includes a hardcover art book, a 16 x 23" poster, a physical soundtrack, a collector's box and the JRPG itself.

If you've got enough memorabilia taking up shelf space, you can still get exclusive content by picking up the adventure from GameStop. The retailer is offering a "DLC set with two Misogi Expansion Packs (Nay and Kanon), a dynamic custom theme based on the Felion Console."

There's plenty going on in Ar nosurge's futuristic fantasy world, and you can start getting acquainted with an introductory trailer after the break.

[Image: Koei Tecmo]

Continue reading Ar nosurge gets limited edition, GameStop pre-order incentives

Ar nosurge gets limited edition, GameStop pre-order incentives originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 13 Jul 2014 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samurai Warriors 4 conquers PlayStation platforms Oct. 24

Danny Cowan — Fri, 11 Jul 2014 22:00:00 EST

Omega Force's Sengoku-era beat-'em-up Samurai Warriors 4 will premiere for the PlayStation 4, PS3, and PS Vita on October 24, publisher Koei Tecmo announced via a newly launched website.

Featuring 55 playable historical figures, Samurai Warriors 4 includes the new Chronicle mode, allowing players and their co-op partners to take on quests using custom characters. The upcoming release heralds the franchise's return to PlayStation platforms following the Wii-exclusive Samurai Warriors 3, and marks the first time the series has appeared on the PlayStation 4.

[Image: Koei Tecmo]

Samurai Warriors 4 conquers PlayStation platforms Oct. 24 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 11 Jul 2014 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Turn-based RPG Ar Nosurge will weave songs in its combat

Thomas Schulenberg — Sun, 06 Jul 2014 16:30:00 EST

Some people insist there's an element of magic in music, but that's meant literally in developer Gust's Ar Nosurge: Ode to an Unborn Star, which Koei Tecmo will price at $49.99 when it reaches North American PS3s on September 23. The turn-based RPG's battle system will feature pairs of characters, with a melee-savvy offensive type protecting their teammate as they compose damage-dealing songs. Again, that damage is related to magic, so you hopefully won't be penning painful ballads featuring Yoko Ono. Although that does sound like a good way to limit break ...

Ar Nosurge's tale of a civilization looking for a new home features two leading pairs. Delta and Casty, who have the low-priority objectives of protecting humanity and saving the world from a life form known as the Sharl, which has suddenly appeared and begun the wholesome activity of abduction. Ar Nosurge's second party, Ion and Earthes, wants to find a way for Ion to return to Earth, but Ar Nosurge's official site also states that they "fight under the belief" that the Sharl should be able to co-exist with humanity. Sounds like our duos may have some logistical disagreements, should they ever cross paths.

Gameplay switches between each pair, with a "unique character development system" boosting strengths depending on how well a pair's friendships are managed. Players will switch between each duo as they work toward solving an overarching mystery, which might have something to do with the Sharl just up and kidnapping people.

While it's never expanded on, the press release also describes Ar Nosurge as a "7-dimension" RPG, which sounds ... important.

[Image: Koei Tecmo USA]

Continue reading Turn-based RPG Ar Nosurge will weave songs in its combat

Turn-based RPG Ar Nosurge will weave songs in its combat originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 06 Jul 2014 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tecmo Koei now Koei Tecmo in West, Marvelous Inc. drops AQL

Sinan Kubba — Thu, 03 Jul 2014 06:00:00 EST

2014 is the year of corporate name reversals, it seems. After Namco Bandai became Bandai Namco, Tecmo Koei and MarvelousAQL have decided to get in on the act. Or, as we should say now, Koei Tecmo and Marvelous Inc.

It might seem odd, but there is some sense to the moves. When Tecmo and Koei merged in 2009 the resultant company was called Koei Tecmo in Japan, while Western Branches were named Tecmo Koei. Tecmo was the bigger name in the West with the Ninja Gaiden and Dead or Alive series among others, so putting the Tecmo name first was a smart move. Five years on, the company wants to move forward under a common name globally, and now we have Koei Tecmo Europe and Koei Tecmo America.

Continue reading Tecmo Koei now Koei Tecmo in West, Marvelous Inc. drops AQL

Tecmo Koei now Koei Tecmo in West, Marvelous Inc. drops AQL originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 03 Jul 2014 06:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dead or Alive 5 Plus tags Europe and Australia on March 22

Richard Mitchell — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 14:00:00 EST

The official Dead or Alive 5 website has outed the European and Australian release date for the upcoming Vita version, Dead or Alive 5 Plus. The portable fighter will arrive on March 22 in these regions, except for lucky France, which apparently gets it a day earlier. The US version of the Dead or Alive 5 site, however, has no release date listed.

Dead or Alive 5 Plus tags Europe and Australia on March 22 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 12 Dec 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tecmo Koei reports increased revenue in fiscal 2012, Ninja Gaiden 3 ships 630K

JC Fletcher — Tue, 08 May 2012 21:30:00 EST

Tecmo Koei's revenues for the fiscal year, ended March 31, were 35.5 billion yen ($443.8 million), up 10.7 percent year over year. The company reported strong sales of its games from the last year, including Samurai Warriors 3 Empires, Winning Post 7 2012, and games it co-developed for other publishers, including One Piece Pirate Musou and Pokemon + Nobunaga's Ambition.

Specifically, Tecmo said it shipped 630,000 copies of Ninja Gaiden 3 worldwide. In addition, Tecmo reported that it completed acquisition of Gust in December, a developer that should expand its mobile and online business. The company also plans to grow its revenues in this fiscal year by releasing launch games for unspecified hardware (likely the Wii U if it's something launching this year).

Tecmo Koei reports increased revenue in fiscal 2012, Ninja Gaiden 3 ships 630K originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 08 May 2012 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The insatiable need to dominate in Pokemon Conquest

David Hinkle — Wed, 02 May 2012 16:00:00 EST

I was more than a little excited when I was tasked with tackling a preview for Tecmo Koei and Nintendo's crossover DS title Pokemon Conquest last week.

Conquest crosses the worlds of cute indentured monster servants from Pokemon with Nobunaga's Ambition, a series of Koei strategy games revolving around the bloody unification of feudal Japan by Oda Nobunaga. But Pokemon Conquest, which released in Japan last month as Pokemon + Nobunaga's Ambition, takes itself so seriously as a strategy role-playing game that it isn't the irreverent experience I made it out to be in my mind.

Gallery: Pokemon Conquest (5/2/2012)

Continue reading The insatiable need to dominate in Pokemon Conquest

The insatiable need to dominate in Pokemon Conquest originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 02 May 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dead or Alive Dimensions demonstrates the playable bosses

Griffin McElroy — Wed, 18 May 2011 15:30:00 EST

Want to know what it takes to crush your opponents like a boss in Team Ninja's upcoming 3DS fighter, Dead or Alive Dimensions? Check out a whole bunch of gameplay trailers, featuring the game's most fearsome kick-punchers, posted after the break.

Continue reading Dead or Alive Dimensions demonstrates the playable bosses

Dead or Alive Dimensions demonstrates the playable bosses originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 18 May 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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X3F TV -- XBLA in Brief: Tecmo Bowl Throwback

Richard Mitchell — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 12:50:00 EST

There's a decent chance many gamers out there have passed judgment on Tecmo Bowl Throwback. If you've played any of the original titles, the decision has likely been made. For the rest of us, allow us to present the latest XBLA in Brief, where we take a look at the revamped classic. In short, Tecmo Bowl Throwback takes video game football and boils it down to the absolute basics. Pick a play, run it and hope for the best.

Check out the video above and see if it deserves your 800 ($10).

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Xbox.com: Add Tecmo Bowl Throwback trial version to your Xbox 360 download queue

X3F TV -- XBLA in Brief: Tecmo Bowl Throwback originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 28 Apr 2010 12:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tecmo Bowl Throwback blitzing XBLA on April 28 [update: PSN 'TBD']

Richard Mitchell — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 13:30:00 EST

Update 2: Now with a trailer!

That's right, everyone's favorite retro football experience Tecmo Bowl Throwback, finally has a solid release date. According to Microsoft's most recent Xbox Live schedule, Tecmo's revamped classic will tackle Xbox Live Arcade on April 28 for 800 ($10). We've contacted Tecmo to find out if the PSN version will be released during the same week as well.

Update: Tecmo has informed Joystiq (and Twitter) that the release date for the PSN version has not been set.

Gallery: Tecmo Bowl Throwback

Tecmo Bowl Throwback blitzing XBLA on April 28 [update: PSN 'TBD'] originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 20 Apr 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Itagaki's suit against Tecmo ends in settlement

JC Fletcher — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 10:58:00 EST

Finally, Tomonobu Itagaki can have a restful night of sleep in his sunglasses. The ongoing legal dispute between the Dead or Alive creator and former employer Tecmo, over unpaid salary and bonuses, has ended in a settlement. Itagaki announced the resolution of the dispute in a public statement.

Itagaki didn't specify the terms, but we can only imagine a copy of Dead or Alive Paradise was involved. "How could I resist?" we imagine him saying, "It's my own private paradise, in the palm of my hand!"

As for things Itagaki actually said, the statement (per Andriasang's translation) revealed that he's working on something new: "I cannot wait for the day when I can announce to everyone the new title that I'm currently conceiving." Itagaki's aiming for "world class entertainment" with "a greater depth of play than before."

Itagaki's suit against Tecmo ends in settlement originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 26 Feb 2010 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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