Our Tokyo Game Show 2019 Video Presentation, featuring such highlights as Final Fantasy VII Remake, promotions for the recently released Monster Hunter World: Iceborne, as well as numerous other titles like Yakuza: Like a Dragon, Persona 5 Royal, and many others. Also, we cover a slew of upcoming Indie games, as well as some cool VR titles and innovative accessories. Check it out!
Tag: VR
The Tokyo Game Show 2018
It’s that time of the year again, when we push through the crowds under humid weather, and make our way to Makuhari Messe in Chiba Prefecture, on our way to the Tokyo Game Show 2018. The event is expected to be even larger this year, with 668 companies and organizations (609 last year) showing off a total of 1,568 game titles from across 41 different countries and regions. Plus, the Japan e-Sports Union (JeSU) was established just this past Spring, marking the Tokyo Game Show 2018 the first time e-Sports will be holding professional competitions.
One of the most anticipated titles being presented in the main hall was Square Enix’s Kingdom Hearts III. It has been 13 years since the Square Enix / Disney cross-over RPG had a full sequel, after multiple remakes, prologues, and side stories. Set for release in January 2019, Kingdom Hearts III will feature returning worlds such as Olympus from Hercules and the Caribbean from Pirates of the Caribbean, new stories from Big Hero 8 and Toy Story, and a completely new, original world that has not yet been disclosed. Visitors at TGS 2018 were able to learn more at the Square Enix booth, as well as play the demo at the PlayStation area.
Also, Capcom was a big hit at the Tokyo Game Show 2018 with their presentation of Devil May Cry 5. The last we saw Dante battling demons was ten years ago, when the PS3 was still fresh on the shelf and trophy support was on its way. We did get a reboot/prequel called DmC: Devil May Cry in 2013, and while the game was critically successful, fans weren’t too happy with the changes. The long-awaited Devil May Cry 5 had playable demos at the PlayStation area as well as the Capcom booth, with a scheduled retail release on January 25.
And speaking of Capcom, this year marks the 30th Anniversary of the Mega Man (Rockman in Japanese) series. Not only were there playable demos for Mega Man 11 scheduled for release next month, but a museum dedicated to the platforming, shooting robot, complete with commemorative coins, figures, stamps, illustrations, and soundtracks, while also showcasing the game’s history.
Finally, Bandai-Namco had several titles on display – the most notable being God Eater 3, a game which made its debut on the PSP back in 2010. The God Eater series, which features battles against huge monsters known as Aragami, may not be huge sellers overseas, but are smash hits here in Japan. God Eater 3 is set for release in Japan on December 13, though no world-wide launch date has yet been decided.
Virtual Reality is still a hot item here in Japan. The Japanese company JPPVR had a booth that was at least eight times larger than last year, showcasing VR games with sleek, cool looking vehicles to ride, creating a 4D experience. They ranged from motorcycles and racing cars that looked like something out of Tron, a Gatling gun on the top of a starship, and a bicycle for traversing across the top of skyscrapers.
Sony, meanwhile, still continues to promote their PSVR, with visitors trying out Everybody’s Golf VR, and the platforming Astro Bot Rescue Mission scheduled for release on October 2.
Overall, the Tokyo Game Show 2018 had some delightful surprises and some unique – and hilarious – Indie games. I was glad to see that VR is still going strong, with more titles to look forward to on the PSVR.
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Stay tuned for our video presentation of the Tokyo Game Show 2018!
written by Damon Finos
Tokyo Game Show 2017 Video Presentation (Day Two)
Day Two of the Tokyo Game Show 2017!
Here we’re checking out some cool indie games from all over the world, as well as plenty of Virtual Reality games, VR peripherals, and even some new VR goggles hitting the market. Not to mention plenty of gaming merchandise!
And if you missed it, be sure to check out our Day One video, where we see some exciting upcoming titles like God of War, Detroit: Become Human, Call of Duty: WWII, and more!
The 2017 Tokyo Game Show
Makuhari Messe first opened their doors to the press on Thursday, and are now wide open to the public where eager gamers are piling in to check out this year’s Tokyo Game Show. The crowds get bigger each year, but so too does the Tokyo Game Show ever since recovering from the global recession several years ago. All three main halls are now wall-to-wall with gaming companies and businesses, while an additional two more were open for indie games, VR, and an attempt to promote e-sports here in Japan.
While there weren’t any main events or “must see” games or hardware this year, there were some titles we were thrilled to check out. The PlayStation booth had playable demos for Santa Monica Studio‘s God Of War, set to be released early next year, as well as Polyphony Digital‘s Gran Turismo Sport racing its way to stores next month, and the next Call of Duty: WWII set for release in November.
Other cool titles to try – and were heavily promoted – included Detroit: Become Human, the latest game from the developers of Heavy Rain set in a neo-noir future involving androids, planned for release sometime next year. And of course, Monster Hunter: World – the first Monster Hunter title to have Trophies! – coming to PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in January. It’s apparent Monster Hunter: World is one of the more anticipated games here in Japan, with massive promotional booths at both the PlayStation area, as well as the Capcom spot which featured a massive dragon-like creature.
Other titles being promoted by the bigger companies included Final Fantasy XV Multiplayer DLC coming next month from Square Enix, the remake of Ryu ga Gotoku 2 (Yakuza 2) titled Ryu ga Gotoku: Kiwami 2 by SEGA, as well as their Ryu ga Gotoku Online set for launch next year – which we suspect may not see an overseas release.
But in our opinion, the more exciting stuff was happening at the indie game and VR hall, were we saw – and tried – an assortment of experimental games, as well as new VR software and peripherals.
H2L, a Japanese company, had a new VR device called the First VR, which includes a simple wristband that not only tracks your arm movements, but when your hand is is opened or closed, allowing you to “pick up and drop” items in the virtual world.
Another Japanese developer, named Prodigy, worked with Joysound to create a boxing/karaoke game called Nagu Kara, meaning Punching Karaoke. Select your favorite song (we did Bon Jovi – It’s My Life) and sing into the mic to boost your strength, while using the motion controls to box your way to the top.
And Unbereal created a VR tank battle game called ArtiFight, where players moved their tanks forward and back by peddling on an exorcise bike, while turning and firing using hand controllers.
Chinese developer NetDragon had several “4D” VR games for demonstration, our favorite being D-Day, an on-rails shooter where you fire at multiple alien creatures using a gatling gun. Not only do you feel immersed in the action through the VR headset, but the whole seat and physical representation of the gatling gun moves and shakes depending on what’s happening in the game.
And the biggest event – requiring a 3 hour wait to try – was the Gyro VR from South Korea’s Sangwha. Enter a massive gyro like you might see at NASA, strap on the VR headset, and experience robot battles and extreme sports while being spun 360 degrees in sync to what’s happening in the virtual world.
Perhaps this was the first time the indie and VR games stole the show away from the bigger developers, marking the 2017 Tokyo Game Show an overall fun and intriguing experience!
Be sure to check out our video presentation of both Day 1 and Day 2!
written by Damon Finos