Visual Novel News:
Shiravune has announced that Dōkyūsei: Bangin’ Summer will release on March 11, 2022. The adult version will release on Johren, with an all-ages version simultaneously releasing on Steam.
Initially announced for ‘probably late 2021’, this is a remake of the classic dating sim from 1992. Part of visual novel history, it set the way for routes in visual novels.
Find the Steam Store Page Here
Sekai Project have announced Neko-mimi Sweet Housemates Vol. 1, with a launch scheduled for Quarter 2, 2022. A demo can be found on the Steam page.
In this cute visual novel by Animal Herb, you come across a Cherubim, a half animal, half angel girl from Heaven, collapsed in front of your home. Hearing that she has been exiled from heaven, she ends up as your roommate.
Find the Steam Store Page Here
Aksys Games recently had a livestream where they announced approximately when they expect to be releasing their upcoming Otome visual novels. No new titles were announced, but pre-orders are now open. The release schedule can be found in the image below.
Find More Information or Pre-Order Here
Marshmallow☆Imouto☆Succubus☆ from Orcsoft/Dwarfsoft has been announced as coming soon to Denpasoft. While there isn’t much information about this release in English currently, Orcsoft also developed Childhood Friends with Benefits, which can be found on Steam and Denpasoft. This visual novel has a two episode animated hentai series.
Love Cypher has launched a KickStarter. It is a solo-developed adult visual novel and a demo can be found here, though notes it is too early in the story to include adult content. Samples of the CGs can be found on the Kickstarter page.
Set 20 years in the future from now, it explores a world where computers can understand humans better than they do themselves and can reshape them. The protagonist and classmates struggle with this and look to discover their true selves.
As there’s quite a lot of visual novel news this week, here is a summary of some more interesting things to check out:
- Dark Waters: Gino and the Witch of the Black Swamp has launched. While Itch implies differently, this adult visual novel is not ‘name your own price’.
- Albino Studios has released Mind Rite, an otome visual novel with a detective story
- Berry has released Demons Rise Up, a NSFW kinetic futanari visual novel on several platforms
- NekoNyan has posted several progress updates. Notably Cafe Stella has been approved for Steam.
- Oh Mai Tiara has launched their Kickstarter again, to try and expand on their previously successful one with more features.
- Hollow Rose, a slice of life otome visual novel has released a free demo on Itch.
- Defence Club: Rouge Patrol is launching their demo today, where you lead a unit of child soldiers into deadly war of attrition where little girls will show you what they’re made of.
Gaming News:
Have any fond memories for Nintendo’s 3DS and Wii U platforms? If so, this next bit of news won’t be very pleasing for you. Nintendo has announced that you will no longer be able to purchase content through the 3DS and Wii U eShop in late March 2023. If you intend to play some of the eShop exclusive titles or purchase any DLC for your older games, now would be the time to get them before they’re gone.
We’re more than a month away from Sonic the Hedgehog‘s return to the big screen, though Paramount is very confident that the film will be a success. So much so, they have already announced the third entry in the series, along with a live-action spin-off series staring Knuckles that will premiere in 2023 via Paramount+.
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 arrives in theaters on April 8th.
The next DLC chapter for Dead by Daylight is less than a month away and it’s bringing a classic Japanese film to the series! Sadako from Ringu, also known as The Ring will be the next killer being added to the roster and will be released on March 8th.
Watch the Sadako trailer for Dead by Daylight
Anime News:
The first 3D animated feature film in the Dragon Ball franchise: Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero got a bunch of new information during this week’s Dragon Ball Games Battle Hour event. The biggest news to come from the event was a brand new key visual, along with confirmation that the film will be coming to the US this Summer.
One of the first-ever Japanese V-Tubers is saying goodbye… at least for the time being. Kizuna AI will be taking an indefinite hiatus from February 26th, though before going, she released a brand new song called “never stop my beat” in collaboration with DJ TORA. It’s unclear when Kizuna AI will return, but she’s left a lasting legacy in internet culture and won’t be forgotten anytime soon.
Watch the music video for “never stop my beat” from Kizuna AI
Sadly, we received news relating to a young seiyuu during this past week. Saki Nitta, best known for her work in Kill la Kill, Yowamushi Pedal, and D.Gray-man Hallow passed away due to Meningioma, which is a tumor located in the brain or spine. She was only 31 years old. Rest in peace, Saki Nitta.
Upcoming Releases:
From some of the same minds behind the Shin Megami Tensei series, a brand new JRPG from NIS America is launching this week! Monark is a school-themed JRPG balancing your relationships with your fellow classmates, while also traveling to an alternate dimension called the Otherworld to fight monsters called Daemons.
Monark releases for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and PC on February 22nd.
Platinum Games’ latest release is ready for release, but it’s not what you may expect from the studio. Sol Cresta is a classic 2D shoot-’em-up where you can play as one of three pilots to take back control of the sun in this throwback to 1980s games.
Sol Cresta launches for PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and PC on February 22nd.
An all-time classic JRPG is coming back in a polished form! The final of the Final Fantasy Pixel Remasters, Final Fantasy VI releases this week and boasts new 16-bit sprites and a remastered soundtrack.
Final Fantasy VI Pixel Remaster releases for PC and mobile devices on February 23rd.
To close out the week, the highly anticipated collaboration between From Software’s Hidetaka Miyazaki and George R. R. Martin is finally ready for players to get their hands on! Elden Ring is an action RPG taking place in the Lands Between and your goal is the restore the fabled Elden Ring. Set in an open-world environment, you can customize your character and their abilities in order to take on the many horrifying creatures you’ll undoubtedly face.
Elden Ring arrives for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox One, and PC on February 25th.
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