The new browser based Web Power Dolls will be getting a new mecha, as designed by ToMo. Above is a sketch of a lighter weight mecha with more hard points. Its primary functions are for quick surprise attacks and reconnaissance. For those unfamiliar with the Power Dolls saga, it’s been a pretty successful series of PC based mecha turn based strategy games that were birthed in the mid-90′s (with a tie-in anime OVA to boot). Whilst this new game is browser based, it’s still being handled by the same Kogado Studio. This new mecha will be in-game around the 8th February apparently. We’ve included the current game’s promo video below too.

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Following on from our Revoltech Jehuty (Anubis Version) review, our good friends at HobbyLink Japan have sent us the Revoltech Anubis (from the game of the same name). Now, whilst we aren’t huge fans of the Zone of the Enders series, we’ve always loved the designs that Yoji Shinkawa penned for the games. We’ve also included some game footage at the end of the review.

Unlike the previous two Jehuty figures in the Revoltech line, this is an all new toy. Considering that this is the first ever toy of Anubis, as prior to this point we’ve only had garage kits, this is a bit of a big deal.

Being the primary antagonist of the PS2 Zone of the Enders games, Anubis is first introduced in a terrifying encounter at the end of the first game. Invulnerable to Jehuty’s attacks, all you can do is run away as best you can. If you were to think this terrifying orbital frame was any easier in the sequel, you’d be mistaken. What makes Anubis such an unsettling foe is its ability to teleport anywhere during combat. Admittedly Jehuty receives a similar ability later in the second game, by the name of “Zero Shift”, it still doesn’t assuage the fear this mecha evokes.

As will all Revoltechs, this figure is very poseable and multi-jointed. Whilst it lacks the ability to stand on its own, like the Jehuty figure, as well as lack any other real gimmicks, the sheer imposing nature of the design is still very striking. In the game the structures around the rear of Anubis hover in mid-air, naturally this has been recreated through use of clear plastic to link up the main figure to these “wings”. Subsequently, this affords the opportunity to wrap them around the main figure, almost cocooning it away. As with the Jehuty figure, Anubis also comes with a very serviceable stand.

Toy: Revoltech Anubis
Price: 2,651 yen
Size/Weight: 21.8 x 21.6 x 9.9 cm / 380g

As figures go then, this is not very technically interesting but it is visually very impressive. If you are a fan of the games and appreciate Shinkawa’s designs then you’d be crazy not to pick this up. If only for the fact that all the Zone of the Enders Revoltechs are wonderfully affordable and still very faithful in terms of their sculpt and pose-ability. Having both Jehuty and Anubis on a shelf somewhere also just feels right from a gaming standpoint. Even if you dislike the games, the designwork is still laudable. For that alone, this figure of Anubis comes highly recommended to all.

It’s sad to to report that since the release of Armored Core V’s demo, it has been plagued with problems. The most egregious of which is the inability to play the game online for the most part, something the demo was meant to offer (for a small time admittedly). To make matters more unfortunate, the game has trouble even running at 30 fps (with the PS3 version erring closer to 20 fps). Even with these faults it’s better than the likes of Front Mission Evolved, which is a pretty recent and relevant comparison (especially on the scale of the mecha). From what we’ve played though ACV is a lot of fun, with it handling a lot like a more deliberate Metal Wolf Chaos. The removal of the traditional weapon setup in favour of storing the weapons on the shoulders is an interesting development too, as you have to plan weapon switches ahead as the animation is quite long. In any case, a comparison video of the two demos (showing their respective framerates) is embedded below.

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The upcoming Gundam Unicorn game developed by From Software has received it’s first promo. Clocking in at over 5 minutes, almost the entirety of it features in game footage from cutscenes to actual gameplay. The latter is the most interesting as it shows something a bit similar to the older Another Century’s Episode games but without what looks like a tethered lock system (in fact the game looks an awful lot more manual, bar the melee). In any case, we’re seriously interested in getting our hands on this now and what with it released at the beginning of March we haven’t long to wait. The full promo is shown below.

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We’re almost there now folks. In a little over a week we’ll finally be getting our hands on Armored Core V (and even sooner for the demo!). In the recent and final livestream, we also finally got to see the very nice Super Robot Chogokin toy that’s now coming out in April, for the very reasonable 5,040 yen no less. If that wasn’t enough, we’ve also been graced with the final story trailer for the game. It’s clear we’ll be treated to narrative in a similar vein and execution to that of Armored Core Last Raven’s. This is no bad thing at all. Both videos are embedded below for your viewing pleasure.

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The third batch of DLC for Gundam Extreme Versus has been updated over at the official site. The new suits featured are the MSN-02 Zeong and the ZGMF-X10A Freedom Gundam at 500 yen a piece. In addition to this are the additional missions, as per the other updates (these are found in the “Extra” section in the Trial Missions menu in case you were wondering). One big difference about this new set of DLC is that as a thank you for the game’s good sales the Hi-Nu Gundam will now be available for free. This was originally a pre-order bonus unit but now the slow pokes can enjoy the suitably uber mobile suit too. All of these updates will occur on the 26th January.

Update: 4Gamer has a nice set of screenshots for the forthcoming DLC too.

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Welcoming in the new year, Bandai Entertainment in the US let this drop on our doorstep. Followed by a pretty insightful interview, what’s effectively happened is that we are no longer getting a Western release for the rather special Turn A Gundam. If you remember, this was something we were pretty happy about when it was announced way back in 2010. The fact that Bandai Entertainment is effectively pulling out of selling and distributing anime outside of Japan is definitely a hammer blow for people who enjoy the medium abroad though and Turn A Gundam is just a deeply unfortunate casualty of that.

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The second batch of DLC for Gundam Extreme Versus has been updated over at the official site. Featuring both the ZMT-S33S Gottrlatan and the PMX-003 The O (picture above). Each mobile suit will cost 500 yen each but the additional trial missions will be free to download, as per the first pack. We’ve been playing the game quite extensively in the arcades in Japan as well and we can vouch for the fact that the PS3 “port” is pretty much identical in every way (especially if you have a good arcade stick to hand). Admittedly the arcade version allows you to pimp your HUD out as well as other similarly superficial customisations, but the game itself looks and plays the same. It’s thanks to this that we’ve had a pretty long win streak, as our skills developed at home have been entirely applicable in the arcades here. Naturally, our favoured ride of choice is the XM-X1 (F97) Crossbone Gundam X-1 Kai, as mecha with capes are just plain awesome.

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The suitably bonkers Chousoku Henkei Gyrozetter, with its actual transforming cabinet, has finally received its first trailer for the arcade version of the game (a 3DS game is also planned). The footage shows what effectively is turn based combat utilising a now pretty ubiquitous (in Japan at least) card system. The game looks pretty decent and leagues ahead of anything in the SRW camp, especially when it comes to 3D graphics (as XO and Neo were a bit lacklustre in comparison). Not sure what arcade hardware this is running on though but it obviously looks pretty current. In any case the full trailer is below.

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A good long while ago, the original trailer for Armored Core V showed a pretty awesome set of flaming chainsaws as one of the game’s new “over weapons”, powerful weapons that could down an AC in one hit but required skill to use effectively. Well, those flaming chainsaws now have a name; the Grind Blade. That’s not all, there are a slew of other similarly uber weapons apparently too. From giant missile launchers to huge cannons and an immense part known as the Multiple Pulse, which looks like a pretty damn deadly area of effect weapon. On top of all this, the “Full Burst” live stream has been and gone (it’s archived below thankfully) and From Software also did another breakdown movie covering the customisation in the game. In addition, there’s now also a team play promo (also linked below) that has a tiny bit of gameplay footage showing off the suitably epic Grind Blade in action. Finally, 4Gamer have also highlighted that a new event will occur on December 23rd to a select throng of 50 lucky fans who will get to play the game (the application details are here). The game is still set for it’s January 26th release and we really can’t wait!

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