This year's Tokyo Game Show (TGS) showed some promising games, from the browser-based Kingdom Hearts game to the Metal Gear Solid V prologue; Ground Zeroes. Let's dive into what in my opinion, were the most interesting games shown.
Metal Gear Solid: Ground Zeroes
Gameplay Footage
Developer: Kojima Productions
Release Date: TBA
Platform: PS3, Xbox 360
Possibly the biggest highlight was Ground Zeroes; the prequel to the not yet released The Phantom Pain - the game was announced around a year ago now and since it's demo at TGS, a lot of gameplay has been showing up around the web and I can safely say that this game looks incredible.
You play as Big Boss in a huge open-world environment, taking on the challenge of tactical espionage action once again. The story takes place after the events of Peace Walker.
Let's get onto the gameplay itself, the video shows Big Boss infiltrating an enemy location (US Naval Prison Facility, Cuba) during the night using his surroundings to his advantage. There are various waypoints we can see, each attached to enemies - possibly a new gadget. Very Batman like.
Once inside the initial exterior of the base, the player takes out an enemy using a silenced weapon in true MGS style, but the body is soon seen by a fellow guard - it looks like Big Boss could be in trouble so the player quickly takes that enemy out too, to avoid any further detection, both bodies are then hidden out of sight.
Being able to drive vehicles will play its part in the game I'm sure, as the demo shows - the player casually drives an enemy vehicle around the base, and whilst it doesn't seem to have any significant importance during this particular scenario, I'm sure various vehicles will play vital roles along the way.
You may notice that when the player grabs an enemy from behind, there are multiple options to choose from in terms of what to do with this enemy, I can make out three options - interrogate, make unconscious, or kill.
Whilst the spotlight in the demo seems it would be an annoying obstacle for the player, it instead turns out to be a source of finding Big Boss' objective - once the guard on the tower is taken down, the player uses the light to take a bigger look around the camp, thus finding the objective at ease. In this case, a prisoner with a bag on his head.
Once the prisoner has been taken, the player calls in a helicopter to come pick them up - to do this an area on the map must be highlighted for the pick-up point, placing it in the middle of the base wouldn't be the best option, so the mark is placed outside of the camp at a secure location.
Now that the easy bit has been done, the player must carry this prisoner to that location without getting caught and/or killed, which proves to be very interesting from a gameplay perspective. In this case, the player encounters two guards who are quickly taken out using a silenced weapon once again.
Afterwards, Big Boss makes his way to the helicopter and as it descends from the base area, the player shoots multiple enemies, which leads on to a mini cutscene that shows off the Kojima Productions logo.
I think I had goosebumps upon watching that last part, Kojima is spoiling us with not only one but two new MGS titles - definitely looking forward to this as I'm sure most gamers are.
Kingdom Hearts X
Trailer
Developer: Square Enix
Release Date: TBA (Open-Beta since 8 July 2013 in Japan)
Platform: Browser-Based
Unfortunately, the trailer is in japanese so it's difficult to extract any real information regarding Kingdom Hearts X, I do know the game will be free to play to an extent and will be completely browser-based.
The trailer shows a created character as the player enters the game, which indicates we will most likely be able to create our own characters instead of using pre-existing characters from the series.
From what I can gather from the battle system, it will be turn-based with the use of cards - each card will have different attributes and/or commands, and it will most likely be very similar to Chain of Memories in terms of gameplay.
We do see some very similar locations from the series, including Dwarf Woodlands, Wonderland, and Agrabah - both fans of Kingdom Hearts and Disney will instantly recognise these places.
You'll notice there's a watermark saying "This product is aimed at the Japanese domestic market.", I hope this doesn't indicate that the rest of the world won't be able to get their hands on the game. There has been an open beta in Japan since July of this year, which you can still sign up to if you happen to have a japanese Yahoo ID and can read the language.
Soulcalibur: Lost Swords
Trailer
Developer: Project Soul
Release Date: Winter 2013
Platform: PS3
With the recent release of the free to play Tekken Revolution, Namco have decided to give the Soulcalibur series the same treatment. Kind of.
Instead of focusing on the competitive side of the series, it seems Lost Swords will primarily focus on a single player mission mode and character customization. Whilst the game will be free, that's only to an extent - players will have to buy "tokens" in order to continue their current progress.
I imagine tokens will regenerate after so many hours, just like they did in Tekken Revolution. The lack of online verse modes is disappointing, especially to veterans of the series, so let's hope this mission mode makes up for it.
Returning characters include Mitsurugi, Nightmare, Sophitia, and other regulars of the series - Tekken fan favourite and fighter in Soulcalibur II; Heihachi will be making an appearance.
The game is slated for a winter release, with no specific date set.
Final Fantasy X / X-2 HD Remaster
Trailer
Developer: Square Enix
Release Date: Winter 2013/Early 2014
Platform: PS3/PSVita
What is left to say about the remastered versions of FFX and FFX-2, aside from the fact gamers everywhere are eagerly awaiting it's release, myself included.
The trailer exaggerates the storyline and shows off some gameplay in beautiful HD-defined graphics, teasing the fans more and more. We just want an official release date, Enix.
In terms of differences from the original, practically every model in the game has been remastered and improved, ranging from locations to characters themselves - as well as 60 or so remastered audio tracks.
The international version of Final Fantasy X was never released in North America, so players missed out on the extra sphere grid, abilities, and bosses it had to offer - however, the remastered version will include all of those things this time around.
Japanese exclusive Final Fantasy X-2 + Last Mission will finally see the light of day outside of Japan as it will be included in the compilation.
Final Fantasy IV: The After Years
iOS/Android Trailer
Developer: Square Enix
Release Date: Winter 2013 (Japan) / TBA
Platform: iOS/Android
Set seventeen years after the events of Final Fantasy IV, The After Years explores the life of Ceodore Harvey, son of Cecil and Rosa, and his task to be just like his father.
The After Years has been out on various platforms since 2008 including mobile (japan), WiiWare, PSP, and PSNetwork, so there's nothing actually new about the game except it is now coming to iOS and Android.
Japan can expect a release at the end of the year, whilst the trailer shows no indication of any other release date.
Deep Down
Trailer
Developer: Capcom Online Games/SCE Japan Studio
Release Date: TBA
Platform: PS4
Capcom - it's safe to say their not known for their online role-playing games, but it seems that the company is expanding with their upcoming game; Deep Down.
After watching the trailer, I get the impression the game is set far in the future and upon touching certain artifacts, the player transports to that specific location to perform certain tasks in order to unlock the secrets of the universe.
The dungeon sequences definitely reminds me of Dark Soul's, which is definitely not a bad thing - if the game is primarily set in the future, I wonder if we will be able to travel to the future as well as the past.
Nothing was shown regarding the multiplayer aspect, but that is something I can't wait to find out more of. The game will be PS4 exclusive and unfortunately has no release date as of yet.
Deadman's Cross
iOS/Android Trailer
Developer: Square Enix
Release Date: Winter 2013
Platform: iOS/Android
Initially, the gameplay looks like a mediocre FPS game with an arcade-style twist, but the aspect that really interests me is the card battle system - I knew Square couldn't do a game with an RPG element in it somewhere.
It's difficult to figure out what these cards do at this point, but I'd make a guess that they help you in different ways depending on which cards you use to defeat the Zombie hordes or might even be used against you. Either way the trailer reveals the following cards:
- Cleopatra
- Lincoln
- Morbid Mortician
- Napoleon
The game will be coming to iOS/Android devices this winter in Japan and possibly other countries, not much has been shared regarding the release dates.
There you have it from me - this year's TGS has been incredible, I can't say I'm surprised with the amount of RPGs shown considering the event was held in Tokyo.
I'm not complaining one bit though, but the highlight for me personally was the gameplay demo of Ground Zeroes, it looks absolutely incredible and I'm sure it will play just as well. What were your highlights this year? Leave your comments below. Feature1
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