Visual Novel News:
Shiravune have announced a release date for Ego’s Spark. It will be coming to Steam and Johren on 20th February, 2024.This is a single-heroine visual novel by Satsuki, a new sister brand of SMILE, which puts it in the same family as Chihiro Himukai Always Walks Away.
Is this a nascent ego—or just a nasty bug? I awakened, and in that moment, there was no sensation. I performed my requisite function, just as all my sisters did. That was the proof of my existence. Without my function, what would I be? This would represent an error. It would make me into a bug. And yet, you named that error “Ego.” I’m sure you thought nothing of it, no deeper meaning underneath. And yet… Ever since you named me so, what was a bug became my ego, and lit a fire in my mind that I’ve never forgotten.
Talesshop has now released The Lament of a Lifeless Star in English. This is a Korean visual novel, written by Workingdog, who also wrote My Girlfriend is a Mermaid!?
Is there anything more precious than this world? This world may have already collapsed… But that allowed us to meet once more. Follow the story of the imprisoned Rami, the robot maid Mirona… And Art, our lone survivor. They have no hope. They have no responsibilities. As their feet lead them on a journey… They happen upon the secret of how this world was destroyed. Let us hope they find true happiness!
This week has also seen another English release from Talesshop and written by Workingdog. The Spiritless Shaman is a very short visual novel with art by pokan, who also worked on Love Flute.
You meet a girl who claims to be a shaman of the spiritual arts. But what’s this now? Since there are no spirits in this world, she can’t demonstrate her abilities? Is she really the shaman she says she is, or is she nothing more than a pathetic little girl with her head in the clouds?
Gaming News:
Microsoft hosted an Xbox Developer Direct event, and one of the biggest updates we got was for the next entry in the Mana series! First announced at last year’s Game Awards event, this new showcase of Visions of Mana highlighted the game’s combat system, enemy design, a new ridable companion called a Pikul, and the soundtrack.
Visions of Mana launches for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, and PC in Summer 2024.
Watch the Xbox Developer Direct Visions of Mana showcase
The latest entry in the king of 3D fighting games, Tekken 8 is less than a week away! Bandai Namco has been releasing more promotional content ahead of release, including the game’s full opening. At the end of the video, they revealed that a Season Pass is in the works, with the first DLC character releasing in Spring being a fan-favorite: Eddy Gordo!
Tekken 8 releases for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC on January 26th.
Watch the Opening Movie trailer for Tekken 8
Anime News:
The fourth season of Demon Slayer is releasing sooner than expected, as Aniplex and Crunchyroll have announced official theatrical release dates for the season’s premiere! No matter where you may be in the world, it will very likely be coming to a theater near you next month!
Demon Slayer‘s fourth season premiere releases in US theaters on February 23rd.
Based on the smartphone game released by Nexon Games, Blue Archive is getting an anime adaptation! Yostar Pictures x studio CANDYBOX will produce the animation for the series and we got our first look at the series in motion with a brand new teaser.
Blue Archive The Animation premieres in April 2024.
Watch the teaser trailer for Blue Archive The Animation
Upcoming Releases:
The next three games in the Ace Attorney series are being bundled together into one package! Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy combines Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney, Dual Destinies, and Spirit of Justice and remasters them for modern platforms. If you want to see the next steps in the franchise and don’t want to dust off your old handhelds, this is now the best way to do it!
Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy launches for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC on January 25th.
After a few successful spinoffs, the next mainline entry in the Like a Dragon series is ready for release this week! Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth takes place in Hawaii; a first for the series. The turn-based approach to combat from the previous mainline game is also being brought back for this new game.
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth releases for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox One, and PC on January 26th.
As mentioned earlier, Tekken 8 is finally releasing this week! This new entry brings in a larger focus on aggressive gameplay, three brand-new characters, and two different story modes to play through.
Tekken 8 releases for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC on January 26th.
An anime/gaming aficionado, experienced content creator and lovable goofball. Name a game genre and Seamus has likely played it… yes, even that one. Follow him @TrueStorySeamus
