Review: Hazel Sky

Warning : This game contains graphic depictions of suicide, human injury, and death ,which some players may find distressing . We have left this out of our review, however , believe it is worth a mention before diving deep into this game. Hazel Sky is a charming, heartfelt adventure that has you on a journey about being a young engineer who confronts his destiny and desires by repairing sick flying machines. You will also be jumping, climbing, swinging and gliding through beautiful and mysterious worlds. Shane, sent to a remote island in the aviation city of Gideon, must pass the exam and return as an engineer or face asylum. Connected via radio, Shane and fellow trainee engineer, Erin, strike up an illicit friendship; one which will change the way Shane sees the world. Trials are the ultimate test that every engineer must pass before assuming a prestigious role. For Shane, the test is his destiny. Destiny and desire rarely match, and in a world torn between a prestigious engineer and a despised artist, Shane himself is torn. The trials, events in Gideon and an unlikely romance tell the bittersweet story of love, ambition and a society on the brink of something new. The story is a lack-luster and a bit messy with some lacking details, but overall it still kept me wanting to find out what happens next. Don’t even get me started on the voice-acting though. I just turned it off as it was pretty bad. This atmospheric puzzle game reminds me of an indie Uncharted / Tomb Raider mixed with The Witness and Rime with some of its own great puzzle mechanics. The puzzle aspects challenged my brain and the graphics are great for a indie title. The camera movement and manner in which Shane manipulated the puzzles had a strong attention to detail. The setup of the puzzles themselves stood out, and I focused on them more due to the aforementioned quality of the voice acting and story. I was happy with the way these turned out, and the puzzles themselves were enjoyable to complete with a moderate sense of difficulty. The one thing that bothers me about this game though is it’s almost 3 years in the making and, for it’s length of gameplay, seems it shouldn’t have taken this long ( Before I get criticized, yes I have done Dev/QA work and know some the challenges). Now don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed playing through this game alot, and the graphics are great for an indie title made by such a small team with a small budget. But for the length of the game, I don’t see where this time was spent. We all know the world went through Covid-19 during this game’s development. The devs do mention not getting hardware/dev kits for console versions, which might be part of the delay. Either way, Hazel Sky is a great exploration puzzle game that will keep you occupied and not putting down the controller till you beat the game. It’s a great puzzle game, but the overall presentation fails to tie it all together into a masterpiece. Be sure to pre-order the game below and get ready to solve the puzzles and explore Gideon !

Exoprimal Producer Ichiro Kiyokawa Confirms No Ties To Dino Crisis Property

While Capcom certainly is embracing its past with remakes on the way for the Resident Evil IP – the latest being Resident Evil 4 – there are other properties that are still sitting in storage more than a decade later. Although the cult following remains, hope for a new Dino Crisis or a remake is nowhere to be seen. From a report on Capcom Vancouver, the team originally pitched a project for a new Dino Crisis title, however, the Japan division did not align with the same vision that the western team had and shutdown the idea. Of course, the team later went on to close which also brought its Dead Rising series with it, it appears. Even when the new Exoprimal was announced, fans remained hopeful perhaps some connection was there to the Dino Crisis IP subversively. But that is not the case. In an interview with IGN, Producer Ichiro Kiyokawa told that is not actually true. “No, the game is its own unique thing and has no relationship to Dino Crisis.” He continues, “Our initial concept was that we wanted to challenge ourselves to create a feeling of satisfying action that was different to past Capcom titles. Instead of a game like Monster Hunter, where you face a single, powerful enemy, we though that the experience of taking on and overcoming a huge horde of enemies had the appeal and potential to be the basis of a new IP. We also thought that it would feel great to share that experience with others online, and so the basic concept of Exoprimal was born. “Once we had established our gameplay concept,” Hiraoka continued, “dinosaurs were the first idea that came up for the enemies you would face. I thought that it would be fun to experience the threat of history’s most fearsome predators, and that if there were hundreds or thousands of them it would be an intensity that hadn’t been seen before. Once we had that idea, we felt that the only way to face the overwhelming strength and numbers of dinosaurs would be with futuristic technology rather than modern weapons.” Despite hopes being squandered by the publisher, many believe that Capcom could subliminally questioning if the playerbase is still interested in older IPs like Dino Crisis & Dead Rising. In a survey for the recent Capcom Showcase, the firm pressed on the franchises alongside Okami, Breath of Fire, and Ace Attorney. You can read the full report by heading here. Were you hoping Dino Crisis was somehow linked to Exoprimal? Exoprimal is coming to PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC in 2023. Source: IGN

Capcom Surveys Showcase Viewers If Interested In Dino Crisis, Breath Of Fire, Dead Rising, And More

For those that recall from June, many developers and publishers used the month as a platform to showcase and reveal new projects underway for respected IPs. For Capcom, that was no different with its announcement for the Capcom Showcase in June. A byproduct of the presentation delivered new announcements from the Japanese company, of course. In that, Resident Evil 8 ‘The Winters’ DLC was revealed and is scheduled to take place later this October. Additionally, Capcom went on to follow-up on the previously announced Exoprimal title in development as well. However, despite the different approach Capcom is taking with its new IPs, the publisher is still curious where the consumers stand. Following the presentation, the firm posted a new survey asking questions to the viewers of the Capcom Showcase. For Question 10 it asks “Please select any and all Capcom series that you like.” ResetEra Poster Jawmuncher pointed out the survey. The question goes on to list Resident Evil, Monster Hunter, Street Fighter, Mega Man, Devil May Cry. Ace Attorney. Dragon’s Dogma, Onimusha, Okami, Dino Crisis, and Breath of Fire. Among the handful of properties, the question does leave fans anticipating that this questionnaire could segue to sparking interest from Capcom to return to other legacy franchises later on. In the past, we’ve witnessed this level of attention from Sega. Before, the firm has polled users if Persona was of any interest coming to Xbox. While it was outlandish at the time to perceive it becoming a reality, Sega eventually jumped the gun revealing a trilogy collection back at the Xbox + Bethesda Showcase in June. You can read the full report by heading here. Which Capcom IP would you hope to see make a return? Source: ResetEra

No More Heroes III Gets Xbox, PlayStation, PC Launch Slated For October 11th For North America

Originally, the No More Heroes IP stood to be a staple for Nintendo with its Wii launch more than a decade ago. But with the latest entry – No More Heroes III – the series reinstates that with a natvie Nintendo Switch port. However, what many didn’t anticipate is the newest title being ported to other competing platforms as well. Back in April, it was revealed that Xbox, PlayStation, and PC are to receive the new game later this year. What comes to be a big surprise is the game’s migration to Xbox. In the history of Grasshopper Manufacture, the team never adapted a No More Heroes title to Microsoft’s platform. While other entries like Killer is Dead and Lollipop Chainsaw, No More Heroes remained unique to PlayStation and Nintendo consoles namely. On Tuesday, Marvelous, xSeed Games, and Grasshopper Manufacture share No More Heroes III will launch in North America this October. You can watch the trailer in the video below: “The legendary assassin Travis Touchdown returns once again to the Garden of Madness! The evil Prince FU, a self-proclaimed superhero from the farthest reaches of the galaxy, has landed on Earth with his sights set on world conquest. In order to save humanity, our no-more-hero must fight to rise to the top of the Galactic Superhero Rankings, taking on each of FU’s nine alien henchmen before he can earn a title match against the prince himself,” the overview reads. Recently, No More Heroes game director Goichi Suda listed what he would want if a No More Heroes movie came to fruition. Suda51 listed Ryan Gosling to be casted as Travis Touchdown, James Gunn to direct, and even named Japanese director Takashi Miike if not the Guardian of the Galaxy producer. You can read the full report by heading here. Are you excited for No More Heroes III coming to more platforms? No More Heroes III launches October 11, 2022 for North America on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PC; out now for Nintendo Switch. Source: Marvelous

Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin Gets First DLC July 20th ‘Trials of the Dragon King’

While Square Enix priorities its Final Fantasy IP in-house with its internal team working on more projects for the franchise, the team in the past year has also outsourced the series to other teams. In a surprise reveal, Team Ninja revealed Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin. The game went on to launch later in March this past spring bringing a new take on the series with the developer’s DNA deep in its gameplay. From our review for the game, critic David Rodriguez writes “Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin is one of the best spin-offs this historic franchise has seen, and Jack is by far the best Final Fantasy protagonist in quite a long time. […] Sometimes a spin-off can innovate in drastic measures, and sometimes they can lose sight of what made the original great.” Previously, Square Enix announced Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin is projected to receive its first this summer with the reveal of ‘Trials of the Dragon King’. The trailer schedules the first add-on to arrive for July 20th. You can watch the trailer in the video below: “Trials of the Dragon King, the first round of content included in the season pass will include new jobs, weapons, accessories and category of equipment to blast your way through all the new areas, stories and challenges that await for you to find your perfect gameplay style,” the description for the trailer reveals. Elsewhere, Square Enix’s new batch of plans for Final Fantasy expands the upcoming remake for Final Fantasy VII. In that, part two dubbed Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth was announced with samples of gameplay revealed and is scheduled to ship for PlayStation 5. You can read the full report by heading here. Are you interested in Trials of the Dragon King for Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin? Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin is out now for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

Report Reveals Sega’s New Search To Adapt Atlus Games To Film/Television

While Atlus titles are prominent forms of entertainment over in Japan, the niché projects like Persona and Shin Migami Tensei has slowly grown in popularity over in the west for more than a decade. It was just over a year ago with the success of Yakuza: Like a Dragon that publisher Sega gave the greenlight to ship future titles with worldwide releases. Most recently, Atus & Sega revealed that Persona 3: PES, Persona 4: Golden, and Persona 5: Royal will all be releasing one more platforms. Originally, the announcement scheduled its release starting in October for Xbox & PC. However, it was later on that the firm also shared the game will also be releasing for Nintendo Switch as well. With the growing popularity of these, Atlus has revealed that these Atlus IPs are eligible to transcend into other mediums as well. When speaking to IGN, Catherine, Persona, and Shin Migami Tensei are the next properties to being adapted into film/television. “Atlus’ worlds are filled with high drama, cutting-edge style and compelling characters, Sega’s lead producer on the live-action Toru Nakahara said to IGN. “Together, Sega and Atlus, are working to bring these stories and worlds to life through new mediums and for new audiences. As we know already, Sega is running off the recent success of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 which hit theaters this past spring. Additionally, Sega is already underway with plans for a Yakuza film as well. In that, 1212 & Wild Sheep is involved in bringing the production to life. The direction of the picture has yet to be shared if Hollywood will stay faithful with Japanese actors/dialogue or to bring English-speaking characters to the series. You can read the full report by heading here. Are you interested in what Sega will do to these Atlus IPs for entertainment? Source: IGN

No More Heroes Director Goichi Suda Lists Ryan Gosling To Portray Travis Touchdown And James Gunn To Direct If Given The Choice

When looking beyond the sheer amount of violence and absurd content that each No More Heroes game brings to the table, there is a layer of cinematics which does bring the idea – will there ever be a film adaptation for this property? Well, for the time being, no one knows! However, that does not mean that we can’t daydream. And even game director Goichi Suda does this from time to time. In a recent interview speaking with Shack News, Suda told the outlet his choices for the hypothetical film. When listing his preferred actor to don the Travis Touchdown role, Ryan Gosling (Bladerunner 2049, La La Land) whilst James Gunn (Guardians of the Galaxy, The Suicide Squad) would be helmed to direct the picture. Additionally, Suda even references a Japanese director as well with Takashi Miike (13 Assassins, Audition) if the role was given to someone in his native country. “[For Travis Touchdown,] I’d probably go with Ryan Gosling. And as director, I’d probably go with James Gunn. Conversely, if we were going to go with a Japanese director, then I’d want to go with Takashi Miike.” As mentioned originally, this is only hopes on behalf of the game director sharing no tangible plans for a real live-action adaptation. However, what is confirmed is the latest No More Heroes III will be releasing for more platforms. Yes, Grasshopper Manufacture is planning to ship the 2021 title for Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PC later in 2022. Elsewhere more recently, another Suda51 title is being revived for modern hardware. From that it is announced that Lollipop Chainsaw is getting the remake treatment from Dragami Games. The project originally was delisted from 7th generation stores, but now is set to return with new improvements come 2023. You can read the full report by heading here. Are you in favor of Seda’s decisions for the hypothetical No More Heroes movie? Source: Shack News

Obsidian Entertainment’s Grounded Being Adapted Into Animated TV Series

Although developer Obsidian Entertainment is a hallmark developer for industry-defining RPG with titles such as Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 2, Pillars of Eternity, and Fallout: New Vegas, Microsoft’s acquisition for the team brought a new opportunity for the developer to pursue. In that, we learned at X019 that the team is working on a new online survival experience, Grounded. The game stands to be an interactive & collaborative project with players working together in efforts to outlive the hazards hiding within the grass of your backyard. While primitive on the surface, elements like crafting and building brings new depth to the concept. By February 2022, Grounded already exceeded more than 10 million players. This week, Deadline reports that the Obsidian Entertainment is now being adapted into a animated television series. In the piece, Star Wars: Clone Wars & Star Trek: Enterprise writer Brett Friedman is working on the production. For more reassurance, Friedman is also involved with the upcoming Earthworm Jim TV series as well. Additionally, the upcoming television show is also told to be a shared production with Waterproof Studios/SC Productions, Kinetic Media and Bardel Entertainment. “We couldn’t be more excited about diving into the whimsical universe of Grounded. This partnership will be one of great collaboration, expanding on an already wonderful journey of exploration and adventure,” Bardel Entertainment CEO Tina Chow says. “The team at Obsidian have created an incredible world that has already grabbed the attention of the gaming community. We are excited to work with our incredible partners to bring the story to life in an animated series,” Carl Whiteside, Waterproof Studios/SC Productions Executive Producer adds. Recently, Obsidian Entertainment also revealed a new narrative-driven experience coming later this fall. Titled Pentiment, the experience is set in the 16th century and is composed similarly to works of literature as you follow this detective/noire-like tale. You can read the full report by heading here. Are you interested in the new Ground TV show? Source: Deadline