Sword Art Online video games are pretty hit-or-miss. You have the not-so-bad ones like Alicization Lycoris and then surprisingly good ones like Fatal Bullet. Sword Art Online Fractured Daydream doesn’t appear to be the greatest game in the series so far but it does offer the most variety out of any game yet from my recent preview at Anime Expo 2024.

I had a short 10-minute preview of the upcoming game where I was able to explore a vast desert region and complete a mission. Right off the bat, Fractured Daydream makes it clear how vast the roster of characters is. I started out as Llenn, the star of Gun Gale Online. But then I soon gained access to three other characters, including Kirito.

These characters don’t normally interact with each other across their respective series. As such, this game feels like a Super Smash Bros. Ultimate-style collection with everyone being here. Perhaps the most fascinating part is how each character feels wildly different from one another.

Llenn plays like a light version of the gameplay from Fatal Bullet, where the player fires away with their guns from afar. The targeting system is messier than the previous shooter-style game in the series, which was annoying, but it got the job done. Then there is Kirito who plays much faster than Llenn with his impressive and powerful sword skills.

The unique gameplay styles didn’t stop there, either, as Leafa was also part of our squad. She played much more like her floaty and flight-based Alfheim Online variant. All three of them felt like they came from different games. This variety does mean some characters will probably be more valuable than others in combat, but I still appreciate the diversity.

Everyone has their basic attacks, plus a ton of skills to use. Some of these might involve dashing forward to attack foes or leaping into the air for a jump attack. Each one is quite flashy and fun to pull off. The main problem I had with the combat in this Sword Art Online Fractured Daydream preview was targeting.

There is a lock-on feature but it doesn’t work too well, especially with lots of enemies onscreen. I felt like the camera didn’t quite keep up with my character. I would be trying to launch a skill on the enemy I’m locked onto and the character would miss completely. This happened even when I started out the skill right in front of the enemy.

The preview culminated in a massive boss fight. It felt pretty easy in terms of difficulty, as I just mashed away with Kirito’s dual swords. Some characters, oddly enough, fared better than others. The scorpion boss resisted Llenn’s gun attacks, for instance. As such, I had to switch to others like Leafa, who had its weakness. While the fight itself was easy, again, the biggest challenge came from the awkward camera and targeting controls.

For the most part, this Sword Art Online Fractured Daydream preview focused on singleplayer. That said, the main purpose of this game is to bring together 21 playable characters for online multiplayer. Up to 20 players will be able to take on actual MMO-like raid battles for the first time.

Unfortunately, this preview didn’t offer any glimpse of that. Considering how singleplayer-focused this demo section was, I’m curious to see if there is a dedicated story mode for solo players. For now, though, we will have to wait and see. While I’m not sold on this being the best SAO video game yet, I at least appreciate its diversity in its roster and gameplay.

Sword Art Online Fractured Daydream will release for Nintendo Switch, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC on October 4, 2024.

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Spiritale opened pre-orders for a new figure of Bridget from Guilty Gear Strive based on her purple alternate color scheme. The new 1/7 scale figure costs 24,970 yen (or about $158.15) and it is scheduled to release on January 2025. [Thanks, Hobby Watch!]

Pre-orders for the new GGSV Bridget purple version figure close on September 2, 2024. The figure depicts Bridget in her default pose from her Guilty Gear Strive key art, but the colors are drastically changed. For example, her hair is a paler shade of platinum blonde and her eyes are red. In addition, her top is black sporting a white collar, inverted from her original base color scheme.

You can take a better look at the new Guilty Gear Strive figure of Bridget here:

Back in April 2023 Spiritale opened pre-orders for a similar figure of Bridget based on her original color scheme, and it released  on March 2024 in Japan.

The new Guilty Gear Strive Bridget Purple version 1/7 scale figure is now available for pre-order from the Spiritale online store, and they will close on September 2, 2024. The figure costs 24,970 yen (~$158.15) and will release in Japan on January 2025.

Guilty Gear Strive is readily available for the PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, Xbox One, and PC.

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Pocketpair announced that a new line of Palworld plush toys is now available for pre-orders from the Aniplex Online storefront. The three plushes featured are Cattiva, Depresso, and Chillet. [Thanks, 4Gamer!]

Pre-orders for the new Palworld plushes will close on July 31, 2024. Each plush costs $26.99, and they have no release window yet. However, the plushes are also available from the Japanese Aniplex Online store, where they cost 2,980 yen (or approximately $18.88) and are expected to release in November 2024. The overseas Aniplex store marks the available territories for the plushes as the US, Canada, UK, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand. The plushes are also available in the US from the Animate store.

You can take a look at the plushes here:

These plushes will be the first available product from Palworld Entertainment, the joint venture between developer Pocketpair, Sony Music, and Aniplex. The companies announced the creation of Palworld Entertainment on July 10, 2024.

The new Palworld plushes cost $26.99/¥2,980 and pre-orders close on July 31, 2024. Palworld is readily available on the Xbox Series X, Xbox One, and Windows PC. The game is still in early access and a macOS version will come out some time in 2024.

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Bandai Namco announced Dragon Ball Daima, Dragon Ball Sparking Zero, and the Dragon Ball Super Card Game Fusion World will all appear at its SDCC 2024 booth. This will be free to enter if you go to the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina Terrace at West Harbor Drive in San Diego, California from 9:30am to 7pm PT between July 25-28, 2024. However, a preview night will also be open there between 6pm-9pm PT on July 24, 2024.

Both the Dragon Ball Sparking Zero and the Dragon Ball Super Card Game Fusion World elements of the SDCC booth will involve a demo. The new fighting game will be playable. Those who try it will get a lanyard with the game’s logo that proclaims the person who wears it played the title. In the case of the card game, people who take part in the tutorial event will also get the 2024 trial decks with demo cards. A Vol. 1 Promotion Pack will also be a part of the booth giveaways.

Here’s how those bonuses look:

The Dragon Ball Daima elements involve free items tied to the new anime. Two of the booth giveaway bonuses are a bag and fan featuring that version of Goku and the show’s logo. However, people who visit the booth also get a lanyard that can have ribbons attached if you visit different zones tied to things Bandai Namco is promoting. If you collect all the ribbons, you can trade them for an acrylic stand of Goku inspired by the show. 

Here’s how those items will look:

A number of figures and models will also be there. The Figure-rise Standard part will include a Son Goku Model Kit Trial Version for people to build. 

Dragon Ball Sparking Zero will be on the PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC on October 11, 2024. The Dragon Ball Daima anime will begin airing in Fall 2024.

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Capcom announced that Kunitsu-gami players have completed the Okami collaboration campaign tasks, meaning that players will be able to get crossover costumes and weapons from day one. In related news, Capcom also revealed that the theme song (which you can hear in the newest trailer) will be “Kunitsu-Gami” by singer and songwriter ermhoi. [Thanks, Famitsu!]

You can watch the new trailer (which includes the theme song) here:

When Capcom first released the Kunitsu-gami demo on July 1, 2024, it included tasks that players all needed to complete in order to unlock the Okami bonuses. The tasks were to gather a billion crystals and to find 15 hidden Lucky Mallets. Since everyone finished these tasks, everyone will be able to receive the Okami items at launch. These items are Amaterasu’s weapon and outfit for protagonist Sou, as well as a Waka outfit for priestess Yoshiro. You’ll also be able to listen to Okami music while playing the game.

Kunitsu-gami: Path of the Goddess will be a combination between RTS, tower defense, and action. It’ll take place in a Japanese-inspired world where you set up your village and train your villagers in preparation for attacks from the Seethe. The goal is to defeat the Seethe and purify the village.

Kunitsu-gami: Path of the Goddess will come out on July 19, 2024 for the PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox One, and Windows PC.

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At the end of May 2024, Capcom added Akuma to Street Fighter 6, and he went on to dominate the most played character charts for June 2024. In Ranked Matches, he was the most used character in almost every category. The only exceptions were the Rookie and Iron divisions, as Juri took first place there.

As usual, the official Character Usage Stats page on the Street Fighter 6 site going over Ranked Match data broke most played stats down by control type and rank, with Akuma placing at or near the top for each. When control type is set to all, Akuma is showing as placing in first for overall, Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond, and Master. If you set the control type to only Classic, Akuma is in first for all categories except for Rookie. (Juri takes first place there for Classic.) Should the Modern control type be highlighted, Akuma slips out of first in multiple categories. Juri is then in first in Rookie, Iron, and Bronze, Ken ends up in first for Silver, and Luke takes first for Master.

Here are the top 10 most used characters in Street Fighter 6 Ranked in June 2024 when all tiers and control types are considered:

1. Akuma
2. Ken
3. Ryu
4. Zangief
5. Juri
6. Cammy
7. Ed
8. Jamie
9. Marisa
10. Luke

M Bison debuted in June 2024 and, while he didn’t top the charts, he did appear. In the “all” section with the control type “all” selected,” he was in eleventh place.

Street Fighter 6 is available on the PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC.

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After issues starting on May 2024, Square Enix announced that FFXIV Visa Debit cards will be fixed and again a payment method option. People will once again be able to use that kind of credit card to pay for related items and services starting on July 23, 2024.

Square Enix first reported the issue on May 1, 2024. This came after a new payment processor was added. Typically, credit cards that can be accepted as a payment method for FFXIV include American Express, Discover, JCB, Mastercard, and Visa. However, after the update Visa Debit cards weren’t working. Once the company realized the issue at the end of May 2024, it announced a July 2024 window for the fix. 

While waiting for the final fix, Square Enix again offered the same alternatives to people who have a Visa Debit card and can’t make purchases. It suggested buying game time codes from its official storefront, which does accept that payment method, or using Amazon Pay and PayPal whenever possible to buy the Crysta currency. 

This issue came up in FFXIV ahead of Dawntrail. However, a number of other problems came up alongside the expansion and update to 7.0. Free game time is being distributed as a result, with Xbox Series X players getting more due to an issue that pops up when moving between areas.

Final Fantasy XIV and the Dawntrail expansion are available now for the PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC, and the Visa Debit card payment method will be available again on July 23, 2024. 

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Persona 5 Royal keyboard accessories are now available for pre-order on Infinikey. Pre-orders are open until August 12, 2024 and the items are on a discount right now.

Here are the prices for everything:

• Bundle: $145
• Deskmat: $40
• Keycap set: $110
• Keychain: $7.50

The bundle contains everything. Meanwhile, the keycaps use font that resembles the one in-game. A picture of Joker is on the spacebar and one of the larger keys. Since it’s MX-compatible and Cherry-profile, they should fit in any mechanical keyboard. The keychain also contains a MX-compatible, Cherry-profile keyboard for people to click and fidget with. Finally, the deskmat contains art of the Phantom Thieves’ all-out attacks.

As mentioned earlier, all of the Persona 5 Royal keyboard accessories are available for pre-order until August 12, 2024. They’ll ship out in November 2024. Infinikey does offer international shipping, so you don’t necessarily have to be in the US to purchase these products. As a note, the image for the bundle includes a keyboard. It won't come with that. You'll need to buy or own your own hotswappable keyboard and switches to use those keycaps.

Though not Infinikey, Persona 5 Royal isn’t the only Persona game you can get computer accessories for. Hyte and Atlus revealed a Persona 3 Reload collection in late November 2023. The collection consists of a Y60 PC case, a keycap set, and a deskmat. As of the time of writing, the Y60 bundle is not available for purchase on Hyte’s website.

Persona 5 Royal is readily available on the PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch, Windows PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.

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Bandai Namco has confirmed the release date for the second character DLC set that will add Lidia Sobieska to Tekken 8. The set will be formally available simultaneously worldwide in the US PDT time zone on July 25, 2024, and in Asia Pacific on July 26, 2024. The company will also allow a three-day early access for players who have purchased the first-year character pass.

It will thus take roughly three months in total from the initial reveal until the final release. Bandai Namco announced first at Evo Japan 2024 in late April that it would add Lidia to the Tekken 8 roster. The company published a gameplay trailer dedicated to the Karate-practicing Polish prime minister in the Tekken universe in late May 2024, although it did not specify the release date until this announcement.

Bandai Namco has also uploaded a new trailer to announce the release date for Lidia Sobieska's DLC set on YouTube:

Lidia will be the second DLC character in the 2024 season pass. The first one was Eddy Gordo, who has been available since April 2024. Bandai Namco is planning to release two more characters separately in the next Fall and Winter seasons in 2024, respectively.

The DLC set that adds Lidia Sobieska to the PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC game Tekken 8 will formally appear on July 25 or 26, 2024, depending on the time zone. Players who have purchased the Playable Character Year 1 Pass can get her three days earlier.

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SNK has announced that it will bring a new demo build of Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves to Evo 2024. People who attend the annual fighting game tournament will be able to try out the new title ahead of its full release in early 2025.

This demo build will have the following five playable characters: Rock Howard, Terry Bogard, Preecha, Vox Reaper, and Marco Rodrigues. While the first three characters also appeared in the first demo build at Evo Japan 2024, Vox and Marco will replace Griffon Mask and Hotaru Futaba in the new list.

SNK is also preparing free merchandise giveaways related to the game in the venue. The company will give a neck strap to people who have filled out the demo's questionnaire. Visitors can also take a picture at SNK's photo spot and show it in an X post with the #FatalFury hashtag to get a beer bottle-shaped inflatable cheering stick.

The biggest highlighted merchandise will be fight stick buttons decorated with the game's characters. SNK will set up a versus spot using Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves. Those who manage to defeat two other players in a row will be able to win one of the buttons. They must switch out after achieving the feat, although they can also return to get even more buttons.

Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves will be available for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam and Epic Games Store in early 2025. SNK will bring a new demo build of the upcoming Fatal Fury entry to Evo 2024, which will take place in Las Vegas on July 19-21, 2024.

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Arc System Works has formally revealed Double Dragon Revive by publishing its official website and trailer. Following an early reveal in the Weekly Famitsu magazine, the company confirmed that the new game will be available simultaneously worldwide in 2025.

This new game will bring back the classic belt-scrolling beat 'em up game with a modern 3D presentation. Like most of the prior series entries, players will take the roles of the martial artists William "Billy" Lee and James "Jimmy" Lee. The game will be playable in both single-player and two-player co-op; both characters will appear simultaneously in the latter.

The Steam page reveals that Yuke's, the development studio best known for wrestling games like WWE 2K19 and AEW Fight Forever, is working on this new game. It also hinted that the game will have an online mode with in-game chat.

The page also shows that Double Dragon Revive will be available with voiceovers in Japanese and English. It will also have additional subtitle options in French, Italian, German, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, Korean, Traditional Chinese, and Simplified Chinese.

The official reveal trailer for Double Dragon Revive is also available to watch right below:

Double Dragon Revive will be available for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC via Steam worldwide in 2025.

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At Anime Expo 2024, I had the chance to preview about 20 minutes with Atlus’ next major JRPG, Metaphor: ReFantazio. I came away the most impressed I have been in quite some time for a demo build of a game. This title feels like the next evolution of the Atlus JRPG formula and so much more than just a medieval spin Persona 5.

The start of the demo allowed me to pick between three difficulty settings, which I don’t normally see for previews. I opted for the standard difficulty and the gameplay felt breezy enough but with just enough depth and challenge to tease what’s to come. From the one dungeon I played, it seems like the gameplay will be somewhere around the challenge of Persona 5 but not quite on the level of the Shin Megami Tensei series.

This early dungeon featured three party members, including the protagonist and two additional characters; Strohl and Hulkenberg. We were on a mission to track down a necromancer a gorgeous dungeon and defeat them. Without a doubt, the basis of Persona 5’s systems and stylization is present here, but Metaphor: ReFantazio iterates on almost every single one of those aspects.

For one, the dungeon felt absolutely massive and layered with so many different floors. The neat verticality mixed well with the occasional large-scale chambers to explore. This dungeon format felt less linear than some of the offerings for past Atlus titles, which made it more intriguing to explore. It helped, too, that there was a fair bit to see and do in the location.

Besides running around and battling monsters, there were even two side quests and objectives I ran across in the midst of the dungeon. These optional quests broke up the usual progression and provided solid reasons to explore every inch. The first came right at the start, as a side character tasked me with finding someone for her.

Then partway through the dungeon, I came across a group of people kidnapped by the villainous necromancer and locked in a room. I could find the key and free them if I wanted, which is what I did. This resulted in some optional fights and a surprising payoff to freeing the people. Without spoiling too much, it turned out the locked up people had to do with the other side quest I had to find the girl.

This intertwining nature of the side quests only made them more worth completion. Better yet, I appreciated the reward I got for these quests, which felt far more impactful than money or XP. While I won’t give away everything, this reward included an entirely new bond with a side character.

Unfortunately because I spent so much time on the side content, I didn’t have enough time to finish the dungeon. That said, I still had the chance to really dive into the fascinating hybrid-style combat. It reminds me of the recent The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak. You have the usual turn-based Atlus style plus some action combat as well.

With weaker foes, you can slice and dice them to death with the X button (PS5) without ever transitioning screens. However, with stronger enemies, you can hack-and-slash them to weaken or stun them. From there, you can transition to the usual Press Turn battles but with less work to do. Here, it works like you expect from Atlus in taking advantage of elemental weaknesses to earn more turns. There are some fun changes like team skills and the Archetype system.

Instead of collecting Personas, players switch between JRPG jobs known as Archetypes. These include stuff like Warrior, Brawler, Knight, and more. They each come with their own elemental skills. In this way, Metaphor: ReFantazio feels like a solid mix of traditional Final Fantasy-style JRPGs and Atlus games.

But Metaphor: ReFantazio stands out even among its inspirations due to its stunning visual style. It continues the Persona 5 way of heavily stylizing every aspect. This includes everything from the characters to special effects to even the UI. However, I will go ahead and say it right now: this title already looks somehow significantly better than even Persona 5 Royal did. The smooth transitions in battles to the unique fonts to the richly detailed character art in the menus is extraordinary.

From my time with the sadly brief Metaphor: ReFantazio preview at Anime Expo 2024, this game simultaneously feels familiar but distinct. It carries its Persona 5 inspiration well while also carving out its own path. The hybrid combat, worthy side content, and unmatched art style makes it so much more than medieval Persona. Metaphor: ReFantazio excites me with what seems to be the next evolution of the Atlus JRPG formula.

Metaphor: ReFantazio will release for PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC on October 11, 2024.

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According to the latest issue of weekly magazine Famitsu, Double Dragon Revive will be the next title in the long running beat ‘em up franchise. The game will feature 3D graphics and is expected to release in 2025 for PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox One, and PC. [Thanks, ryokutya2089!]

The new Double Dragon game was first reported by leaker ryokutya2089. The game is reportedly being developed by Arc System Works. Protagonist brother duo Billy and Jimmy Lee and recurring series enemies Roper and Abobo will receive revamped designs in a new “stylish 3D” art style. In addition, the game’s classic control scheme and difficulty level have been adjusted for modern gaming standards.

As a reminder, the latest title in the series to release is Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise of the Dragons, which appeared for current and last gen platforms and PC back in July 27, 2023, and featured roguelite elements. The game received the Sacred Reunion free downloadable expansion on April 2024, and it included new playable characters, various game modes, upgrades, and online co-op functionality.

Double Dragon Revive is currently in development for the PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox One, and PC and will appear sometime in 2025.

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Atlus shared an array of Metaphor: ReFantazio character concept art pieces on social media, with most showing our allies in the game. In the case of the protagonist, Heismay, Hulkenberg, and Strohl, the pieces are especially effective at getting a closer look at their faces and expressions. 

The first batch of three images appeared on July 5, 2024, during Anime Expo. That focused on the first three major characters, which are our player character, the fairy ally Gallica, and the warrior Grius. However, on July 10, 2024, Atlus followed that up with a look at other allies. That’s when we got to see Heismay, Hulkenberg, and Strohl again.

Here are all six pieces of Metaphor: ReFantazio character concept art so far:

We got a chance to see more of Metaphor: ReFantazio and different character roles earlier in July 2024. Atlus shared a story trailer during Anime Expo 2024. It highlighted the motivations for the hero and Gallica, as well as their allies, to take part in the tournament for the throne.

Metaphor: ReFantazio will come to the PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC on October 11, 2024.

The post See Metaphor: ReFantazio Character Concept Art for Your Allies appeared first on Siliconera.

FromSoftware and Bandai Namco shared a behind-the-scenes look at the recording of the Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree song for Rellana, Twin Moon Knight. The performance video shows the full video of the orchestra and vocalists performing the track for the DLC.

Here’s the full over two minute video for the Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree Rellana song. Moments of the segment focus on the strings, brass, and percussion sections. There are also moments when the vocalists are shown as well.

However, given how Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree works, you may not have met Rellana, Twin Moon Knight when going through the DLC. She’s at Castle Ensis, so you might not encounter her if you don’t go there. 

While there’s no more recent news about the game, George R. R. Martin discussed another project possibly tied to it. He was involved in the creation of lore for the title. In one of his latest blog posts, he brought up the rumors about a possible show or movie based on it. He noted, “I have nothing to say. Not a word, nope, not a thing, I know nothing, you never heard a peep from me, mum mum mum. What rumor?”

Elden Ring is available on the PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and PC, as is the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC. 

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