Bandai Namco's long-running mobile game Super Robot Wars X-Omega, will be shutting down on March 30, 2021. Players will also get to download an offline version of the game for a limited time after the online version is closed.

The developers issued a statement and an apology on the official website regarding the end of service. The micro-transaction currency "Omega Crystals" will no longer be available to purchase starting on February 26, 2021. That means players have about a month to buy crystals, then another month after that to play.

The Super Robot Wars X-Omega servers are shutting down on March 30, 2021. The offline version will be available to download from March 30 to June 30, 2021. It won't feature the full game, but players will get to carry over their saves to look at gameplay data, play history, watch scenarios, listen to BGM tracks, and more.

Super Robot Wars X-Omega initially launched in Japan in October 2015. It is the second-ever Super Robot Wars' mobile entry after Super Robot Wars: Card Chronicle, which launched in September 2012. The game features a simple tower defense-style gameplay and a variety of game modes. However, it was its sheer number of series and recruitable units that kept it going. A robust lineup of collaborations also kept players coming back. Crossover events over the years included just about everything, from Crayon Shin-chan to Evangelion.

Super Robot Wars X-Omega is currently available in Japan for Apple iOS and Android devices.

The post Super Robot Wars X-Omega Shutting Down in March 2021 appeared first on Siliconera.

Gust released a new update for the Japanese version of Atelier Ryza 2 that further expanded on its Photo Mode feature. A bunch of new tracks are also available to check out via its BGM Pack DLC. [Thanks, 4Gamer.]

The "Photo Mode Special Update" is the second update for the feature, and it mostly adds new photo frames and actions. There are several new frames that you can try out. The screenshot also shows new poses that you can use in Photo Mode, as demonstrated by Ryza, Klaudia, Lent, and Tao.

The first Photo Mode update was released in Japan in December 2020. It added new NPCs and enemies. Atelier Ryza 2 outside of Japan will get the first update on February 2, 2021, and the Photo Mode Special Update will arrive in April 2021.

There are three new "Special BGM Pack" DLC packs. These allows you to change the BGM by accessing the diary in the atelier.

The first is a free Special BGM Pack that features 12 tracks from the mobile game Atelier Online.

The next one is called the Gust Extra BGM Pack. For 990 yen, you get music from the Surge Concerto games, Nights of Azure, and even Blue Reflection.

Lastly, there is the Atelier Series History BGM Pack. This is a massive collection that features over 900 tracks from across the Atelier series.

Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & the Secret Fairy is immediately available for the PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam. Check out the latest trailer featuring plenty of fights and hugs here.

The post Atelier Ryza 2 Update Expands on the Photo Mode Feature appeared first on Siliconera.

Broccoli released a new demo for Tokyo Ghoul creator Sui Ishida's "shonen opera" themed game, Jack Jeanne, on the Japanese Nintendo eShop. The demo lets players check out the introduction in its entirety. [Thanks, 4Gamer.]

The Jack Jeanne demo starts from the very beginning up until the "Newcomer Performance" part of the story, where the protagonist, Saki Tachibana, appears on stage for her very first performance. It will include main and sub-scenario parts. The "Newcomer Performance" part features two rhythm action tracks. One is a "Dance Rhythm Action" performance, and the other is a "Singing Rhythm Action" part. It's also worth noting that save data from the demo will not carry over to the full version.

The story of Jack Jeanne follows the Tamasaka all men's opera troupe. Tamasaka is a prestigious troupe that owns the Univers Opera School, a school known for bringing up talent and dazzling performances. Not only is it difficult to get into Univers, but students are split into four classes and must compete to earn the title of Univers' top class. While Saki Tachibana had already given up on theater, she found an opportunity to attend Univers. However, she must fulfill two conditions to enroll. The first condition is that she must star in the final play at the end of the first year. The second condition is that she must conceal the fact that she is a woman.

Check out the characters designed by Sui Ishida in the trailer below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHZTNOr5g14

Jack Jeanne will release for the Nintendo Switch in Japan on March 18, 2021.

The post Jack Jeanne Demo Lets Players Start Its Story appeared first on Siliconera.

It's been a while since we last heard about CyberConnect2's upcoming PS4 game, Demon Slayer: Hinokami Kepputan, but news will arrive in issue #10 (2021) of Jump. The magazine will release on February 8, 2021, so details will probably leak sometime before that day. [Thanks, Ryokutya2089.]

Aniplex planned to share news on Demon Slayer: Hinokami Kepputan at a two-day Demon Slayer festival on February 13-14, 2021. However, the event was postponed due to COVID-19 early in January 2021. Since issue #10 of Weekly Shonen Jump will release around then, the magazine will likely include the announcements originally planned for the festival.

Hinokami Kepputan will be a demon-slaying action game based on the popular manga and anime series, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba. Aniplex originally announced the title in March 2020, along with a Demon Slayer arcade game and a mobile game. We've yet to see much gameplay from Hinokami Kepputan, but we got a peek at Tanjiro Kamado performing breathing techniques in it.

CyberConnect2 CEO Hiroshi Matsuyama mentioned in October 2020 that development was going well, but things were hectic due to various adjustments. In any case, the developers are apparently focusing on cramming it with content to keep the game selling.

Demon Slayer: Hinokami Kepputan will release on the PlayStation 4 in 2021. In case you missed it, the Demon Slayer Tamagotchi Hashira models are releasing worldwide. The Demon Slayer anime recently made its Netflix debut.

The post New Demon Slayer PS4 News Will Appear Next Month in Jump appeared first on Siliconera.

Yostar announced the Japanese release date for its next mobile game, Blue Archive, is February 4, 2021. The announcement came from a pre-release live stream that featured staff and voice actors of the game. [Thanks, Dengeki.]

We first heard about the new mobile RPG from the Azur Lane and Arknights publisher in July 2020. The developer of Blue Archive is NAT Games, a subsidiary of Nexon. Other works from the Korean developer include Overhit and Project V4.

The official teaser website doesn't have many details about the story or gameplay, but it has a few screenshots that give an idea of how things work.

In Blue Archive, you take on the role of a teacher. Your work involves helping out students and figuring out problems together. You'll be tasked with nurturing and supporting the girls as their educator.

You'll also collect memories after experiencing everyday events with your students. These appear to be a mix key scenes and bonding moments.

As a teacher, you'll also send your students out to battlefields in the city during investigations. While in combat, you will act as a strategist and lead the students to victory.

There's still about a week until the release date of Blue Archive, but people can still pre-register to participate in the ongoing campaign for bonus loot. You can sign up by email, Twitter, LINE, and Yoyaku Top-10 on this page.

Here's an animated release date announcement trailer from Yostar:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quk_IsGOWB8

Blue Archive will launch for Apple iOS and Android devices in Japan on February 4, 2021.

The post Blue Archive Release Date Set for February 2021 in Japan appeared first on Siliconera.

Disgaea 6 will introduce plenty of new features to the series, but it will also bring back past protagonists and heroines as DLC characters. This week's issue of Famitsu magazine revealed which characters will join later. It also shared their release schedule for Japan. [Thanks, Ryokutya2089.]

The DLC characters will arrive in three waves, with the first arriving in February 2021. The second will arrive in March 2021 and the third in April 2021. Each batch includes four new characters that will cost 500 yen (~$5) each. The exception is Asagi, who will be available for free.

Nippon Ichi Software provided the DLC schedule for Japan:

February 25, 2021

• Adell (from Disgaea 2: Cursed Memories)
• Rozalin (from Disgaea 2: Cursed Memories)
• Laharl-chan (from Disgaea D2: A Brighter Darkness)
• Asagi (recurring, originally from Makai Kingdom)

March 25, 2021

• Mao (from Disgaea 3: Absence of Justice)
• Rasberyl (from Disgaea 3: Absence of Justice)
• Valvatorez (from Disgaea 4: A Promise Unforgotten)
• Pleinair-chan (recurring, originally from Disgawea: Hour of Darkness)

April 29. 2021

• Fuka (from Disgaea 4: A Promise Unforgotten)
• Desco (from Disgaea 4: A Promise Unforgotten)
• Killia (from Disgaea 5: Alliance of GVengeance)
• Usalia (from Disgaea 5: Alliance of Vengeance)

Each character comes with their own scenario. Furthermore, those who purchase each character will get alternate colors for Asagi, Pleinair, and Usalia.

With that many main characters will join from past Disgaea games, that means Zed will get some good help in taking out the menacing God of Destruction. You can also check here to see how Zed will use the new Super Reincarnation system to eventually defeat the boss.

Disgaea 6: Defiance of Destiny will release for the PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch in Japan on January 28, 2021. The game will release for the Switch in the West in Summer 2021.

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The Pokemon Company kicked off a poll asking fans in Japan to vote for their favorite Pokemon movies. The poll includes 19 films, from Pokemon the First Movie: Mewtwo Strikes Back to Pokemon the Movie: Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel. People can vote for their favorite Pokemon movies now through 11:59pm JST on February 4, 2021.

The poll divides the movies into five series: Original Series, Ruby & Sapphire, Diamond & Pearl, Black & White, and XY. The number one film in each category will be made available to watch on the Pokemon official YouTube channel in Japan starting at 12pm JST on February 7, 2021.

It's worth noting that the poll is only available in Japanese. However, it's pretty easy to figure out. To start, head to the official site and click on your favorite movies for each series. Here are the localized titles for each of the movies in every category:

Pokemon The Movie - Original Series

• Pokemon The First Movie: Mewtwo Strikes Back (1998)
• Pokemon The Movie 2000: The Power of One (1999)
• Pokemon 3: The Movie - Spell of the Unown: Entei (2000)
• Pokemon 4Ever - Celebi: Voice of the Forest (2001)
• Pokemon Heroes: Latios & Latias (2002)

Pokemon the Series: Ruby and Sapphire

• Pokemon: Jirachi—Wish Maker (2003)
• Pokemon: Destiny Deoxys (2004)
• Pokemon: Lucario and the Mystery of Mew (2005)
• Pokemon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea (2006)

Pokemon the Series: Diamond and Pearl

• Pokemon: The Rise of Darkrai (2007)
• Pokemon: Giratina and the Sky Warrior (2008)
• Pokemon: Arceus and the Jewel of Life (2009)
• Pokemon—Zoroark: Master of Illusions (2010)

Pokemon the Series: Black & White

• Pokemon the Movie: White—Victini and Zekrom (2011)
• Pokemon the Movie: Black—Victini and Reshiram (2011)
• Pokemon the Movie: Kyurem vs. the Sword of Justice (2012)
• Pokemon the Movie: Genesect and the Legend Awakened (2013)

Pokemon the Series: XY

• Pokemon the Movie: Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction (2014)
• Pokemon the Movie: Hoopa and the Clash of Ages (2015)
• Pokemon the Movie: Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel (2016)

There are two optional questions at the bottom. "年齢" asks for your age and "性別" asks for your gender ("男性" is male and "女性" is female). After that, hit the orange button. Then, when you are on the confirmation page, hit the orange button on the bottom that says "通信する" to submit your picks.

Japan's Pokemon movie poll doesn't include movies from the Sun & Moon and Pokemon Journeys series. The latest film, Pokemon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle, was released in Japanese theaters in December 2020 and is set to release in the United States in 2021.

The post Japanese Poll Asks What People’s Favorite Pokemon Movies Are appeared first on Siliconera.

FuRyu announced the mobile version of The Alliance Alive HD Remastered will launch in Japan on February 1, 2021. People who want to buy the game can get it at 32% off for the first two weeks, which will drop its 3,420 yen (~$33) price tag to 2,320 yen ($22). [Thanks, 4Gamer.]

FuRyu released the original The Alliance Alive in June 2017 for the Nintendo 3DS. The HD Remastered version added improved graphics and higher resolutions when the Switch and PS4 versions launched in October 2019. The PC version followed shortly after with a Steam release in January 2020. An official comparison video showed the original The Alliance Alive next to the HD Remastered version.

The mobile version of The Alliance Alive HD Remastered will carry over the graphics updates from the remaster and add a virtual D-pad and simplified controls for smartphones. FuRyu is pushing it as an "offline RPG that you can play on the go" for the mobile version.

[gallery columns="2" size="medium" ids="869290,869289,869288,869287" link="file"]

The Alliance Alive HD Remastered will launch in Japan for Apple iOS and Android devices on February 1, 2021. It is available worldwide for the PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and PC. The mobile version has only been announced for a release in Japan so far.

The post The Alliance Alive HD Remastered Mobile Version Launches Next Week in Japan appeared first on Siliconera.

There's a new must-have item for Chocobo fans. The Final Fantasy Jumbo Plush Chocobo coming in June 2021 in Japan and July 2021 in the United States. The giant plush will cost 19,580円 in Japan and $189.99 in North America. Pre-orders are now live on the Japanese Square Enix e-Store and Square Enix Store. It is on sale at the US storefront for $171. [Thanks, 4Game.]

[gallery columns="2" size="medium" ids="869188,869187" link="file"]

This XL-sized Chocobo plush measures a whopping 590mm (23.2”) in height. Square Enix didn't specify which Final Fantasy's Chocobo the design is based on, but people might recognize the adorable design that originated in Chocobo's Dungeon.

[gallery columns="1" size="medium" ids="869185" link="file"]

Two hundred bucks is a lot for a plush of any kind, but you can rest assured that any plush from the Final Fantasy Jumbo Plush line is made from high-quality material. You can quickly tell just by looking at the craftsmanship put into the Chocobo's tail feathers.

[gallery columns="1" size="medium" link="file" ids="869184"]

Square Enix also provided a size reference image that shows the jumbo Chocobo next to a smaller one for good measure. It would've been helpful to have a more common item for a size comparison, but it still makes for a great "Don't talk to me or my son ever again" photo.

The Final Fantasy Jumbo Plush Chocobo is now available to pre-order worldwide. The store also has jumbo Tonberry and Cactuar plushes available to purchase.

The post Final Fantasy Jumbo Plush Chocobo Now Available to Pre-Order appeared first on Siliconera.

Square Enix has a new NieR: Automata 9S figure in the works by Reflect's sculptor Mitsumasa Yoshizawa. The 9S figure comes from the same line as the 2B figure that we first saw in 2018. People will also get another chance to get the same 2B figure when it returns in October 2021.

NieR: Automata 9S (YoRHa No.9 Type S) <Standard Version>

The standard version of the 9S figure will be 15,180円 (~$146). The figure comes with the default face part with a visor, a base, and a sword.  Pre-orders are now live with an expected ship date of January 31, 2022.

[gallery ids="869155,869154,869153" link="file"]

NieR: Automata 9S (YoRHa No.9 Type S) <DX Version>

The DX version of the NieR: Automata 9S figure is more expensive at 22,880円 (~$220), but it comes with everything from the standard version plus additional "deluxe" parts. That includes the non-visor face piece so that you can see 9S' eyes. It also comes with his support unit Pod 153.

[gallery columns="2" link="file" size="medium" ids="869151,869152,869150,869147,869148,869149"]

The 2B figure will be available in both standard and DX versions when it returns this October.

NieR: Automata 2B (YoRHa No.2 Type B) <Standard Version>

The standard version is also 15,180円 (~$146) and will ship on October 30, 2021. It includes 2B's face part with visor, a base for the figure, and a sword.

[gallery columns="2" size="medium" ids="869146,869145,869144,869142" link="file"]

NieR: Automata 2B (YoRHa No.2 Type B) <DX Version>

Also returning is the DX version of the 2B figure for 22,880円 (~$220). In addition to everything from the standard version, the deluxe edition includes a visorless face part, 2B's support unit Pod 042, and a removable skirt.

[gallery columns="2" size="medium" ids="869160,869159,869158,869157" link="file"]

NieR: Automata is available for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC. In case you missed it, Square Enix recently revealed a Play Arts Kai A2 figure.

The post New NieR: Automata 9S Figure Will Arrive in 2022 appeared first on Siliconera.

Hajime Tabata's company, JP Games, is teaming up with All Nippon Airways (ANA) for something different. The Final Fantasy XV director will put his years of RPG development experience to use as the general producer for the project, which will reportedly send users traveling virtually on their smartphones. [Thanks, Yomiuri and Famitsu via GamesTalk.]

ANA Holdings began preparations for its new project in August 2020. The Japanese airline company aims to launch it sometime within the next two to three years. Details are light for now, but according to reports, users will get to travel in virtual spaces on their smartphones to visit actual cities that were recreated using CG.

JP Games founder and CEO Tabata provided a comment about his upcoming work with ANA:

"I want to make the best use of my knowledge and skills fostered from RPG development to evolve travel into something beyond reality. I'll give it my best to be helpful to ANA."

The last time we heard from JP Games, the developer was working on the Paralympic Games' first official video game, titled The Pegasus Dream Tour. However, after the 2020 Summer Olympics and Paralympic Games were delayed due to COVID-19, so was the mobile game. JP Games clarified that development would continue as a separate project.

ANA and JP Games will share more details at a later date.

The post Hajime Tabata Working on a New Project for All Nippon Airways appeared first on Siliconera.

You might not always think about getting a cake for Valentine's Day, but what if they were Demon Slayer cakes? How about some Demon Slayer macarons to celebrate the day of love? Custom pastries company Priroll Bakery will offer limited Valentine's Day Demon Slayer sweets in February 2021 in Japan. [Thanks, Dengeki.]

There will be a total of 33 different Valentine's Day exclusive cakes to choose from. Characters that could appear on them include Tanjiro, Nezuko, Zenitsu, Inosuke, and all of the Hashiras from the Demon Slayer Corps. You could even get a cake that has the demon Muzan Kibutsuji on it.

[gallery columns="2" size="medium" ids="868884,868885" link="file"]

The cakes will come in a total of four options. There's whipped cream with peaches and choco cream with peaches, or whipped cream with strawberries and choco cream with strawberries. Priroll will offer the cakes in its "Whole Cake #5 Size," which will be approximately 15cm round and 7cm tall. The Demon Slayer Valentine's Day cakes cost 4,500 yen (~$43) each.

[gallery ids="868889,868888,868887" link="file"]

The macarons come in options of three sets featuring different characters. Each set comes with six macarons. The possible flavors include strawberry, orange, pistachio, and chocolate. The Demon Slayer Valentine's Day macarons go for 2,200 yen (~$21) for a set of six.

The Demon Slayer sweets are now available to order on the official website in Japan. Priroll will ship frozen Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba desserts via Yamato Transport's Cool TA-Q Bin delivery service. The custom cake shop also sold Persona 5-themed Christmas cakes for the past two years.

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The Eternals founder Anre will join Granblue Fantasy Versus as its next DLC character. Cygames and Arc System Works revealed a trailer for the Anre DLC, which will release on January 26, 2021.

Check out the Granblue Fantasy Versus character video #23 'Anre' below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdYnqBSJCFQ

We previously got a glimpse of Anre in the Yuel DLC trailer at Granblue Fantasy Fes 2020. The developers described him as a "keep-away character with long-reaching normals," and we see that displayed in his introduction trailer. He also has several parries based on moves from Granblue Fantasy.

Anre, who is voiced by Ryusei Nakao, is a Defense character in Granblue Fantasy. His Granblue Fantasy Versus playstyle mostly revolves around his defensive move set from the original game. "Fleeting Spark" and "Arm the Bastion" are two of Anre's skills used to reduce damage taken in Granblue Fantasy. In Granblue Fantasy Versus, he can use both skills to nullify attacks and follow up with heavy hits of his own.

The Anre DLC includes a lobby avatar, star character icon, and two additional quests. It also comes with a serial code to get a bonus SSR Character Weapon Draw Ticket and an Anre sticker in Granblue Fantasy.

Granblue Fantasy Versus is immediately available for the PlayStation 4 and PC via Steam.

The post Granblue Fantasy Versus Anre DLC Trailer and Release Date Revealed appeared first on Siliconera.

Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 will add Toppo as a playable character this spring as part of the Legendary Pack 1. Bandai Namco released new screenshots that show Toppo in his "God of Destruction" mode and more from the update.

The Pride Troopers leader Toppo from Universe 11 is one of the most powerful fighters in not only his universe but all twelve universes. Each universe is ruled by a Supreme Kai and a God of Destruction. If you're wondering how strong Toppo is, he's on the level of a God of Destruction and is a contender to be the next one for Universe 11.

[gallery link="file" ids="868768,868767,868766,868769,868764,868765,868763,868762,868761"]

The new Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 screenshots show Toppo in his God of Destruction mode, also known as his Destroyer Form. The purple aura indicates his use of Destruction Energy, which can obliterate just about anything he touches. It's a unique energy only obtainable by those who've been under the special training required to become a God of Destruction.

[gallery columns="2" ids="868770,868754,868755,868753" link="file"]

Update 12 will also add a Janemba CC Mascot. If you're not familiar with the game, CC Mascots are mascot characters that follow the players. They're like Minions from Final Fantasy XIV.

[gallery columns="5" ids="868759,868758,868757,868756,868760" link="file"]

Lastly, the Legendary Pack 1 will include five new figures for Hero Colosseum: Toppo (God of Destruction), Pikkon (who will also join as a playable character in update 12), Janemba, Gogeta (Super Saiyan 1), and Vegeta (SSGSS).

Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 is immediately available for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC, and Google Stadia. Toppo (God of Destruction) will join Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 in update 12 for those who purchased the Legendary Pack 1 DLC this spring.

The post Toppo Goes God of Destruction Mode in Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 appeared first on Siliconera.

Spike Chunsoft released a new video of the opening animation for the upcoming tactical adventure game, Re:Zero -Starting Life in Another World- The Prophecy of the Throne.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvGMZx2irWU

The opening theme song is titled "Reline" and is sung by Maeshima Mayu. She also performed "Long Shot," the second opening theme for the Re:Zero anime's second season. The video gives us a look at Subaru, Emilia, Rem, and all of the other familiar faces we've seen from the anime.

We also get a look at some of the game-original characters, starting with Melty Pristis, the purple-haired nun. Melty will appear as a mysterious sixth candidate seeking the throne for the royal selection. Two other original characters will accompany Melty as emissaries, including the knight Tiga Rauleon and the church official Sakura Element. You can check out the previous trailer for a highlight of the characters. You can also check out the latest trailer with English subs here.

Re:Zero -Starting Life in Another World- The Prophecy of the Throne will release for the PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam. It will appear first in Japan on January 28, 2021. It will launch the day after in North America on January 29, 2021. Europe will get the game a week later, on February 5, 2021. For more Re:Zero in games, the pinball action-RPG World Flipper has a crossover event with the anime in January 2021.

The post Re:Zero: The Prophecy of the Throne Opening Movie Revealed appeared first on Siliconera.