So this slipped under the radar yesterday at TGS conference but Square Enix announced a brand new Front Mission game that's basically Metal Gear Solid (stealth action) with mech action (the Armored Core aspect). The game is being Directed by Armored Core series director Toshifumi Nabeshima (formerly of From Software), character designs by Yoji Shinkawa (Metal Gear series artist) and Produced by Shinji Hashimoto at Square-Enix.

http://www.gamekyo.com/Webmasters/Images/13736620170920_182538_10_big.jpg

http://www.gamekyo.com/Webmasters/Images/13736620170920_182537_0_big.jpg

http://www.gamekyo.com/Webmasters/Images/13736620170920_182537_3_big.jpg

http://www.gamekyo.com/Webmasters/Images/13736620170920_182537_2_big.jpg

http://www.gamekyo.com/Webmasters/Images/13736620170920_182537_5_big.jpg

http://www.gamekyo.com/Webmasters/Images/13736620170920_182537_6_big.jpg

http://www.gamekyo.com/Webmasters/Images/13736620170920_182537_7_big.jpg

- The three protagonists are the people featured in the key visual. All three are isolated in the city where the game is set, and each act independently in order to survive.
- Keyword: “The One Day Incident” – The setting is a city in Russia. The game depicts a one day incident that occurs there. A war is happening in the city, and the protagonist will inevitably get caught up in the conflict.
- Wanzer – Since Left Alive is set in the same world as the Front Mission series, the walking-type mobile weapons known as “Wanzers” will appear. Although you will mainly confront Wanzers as enemies, you can also steal a Wanzer away from the enemy.
- Survival Action – The primary objective is survival. The game will have a varied setup, including traps laid out to stir up the battlefield. There is also a crafting element, which allows you to use the materials you obtain to craft items.
- The Route You Take is Up to You – For example, if you head straight to your destination, you may be in danger of having to fight enemies, but you can also take hidden paths and stay out of the enemy’s line of sight, or take a big detour far away from that area. How you progress is up to you.

- Director Toshifumi Nabeshima: “Since I always place emphasis on things that might give me a sense of accomplishment, it probably is not going to be very easy. (Laughs.)”
- On downloadable content: “We have ideas, so maybe we can do it if the main game does well.”

First of all, I think it would be a mistake to cast all Japanese actors. This thing needs international appeal, and I can't think of any Japanese actors that can really draw a serious crowd.
With that in mind, my casting would go like this:

Ryo Hazuki - Fred Savage
https://image.ibb.co/ixxHEQ/1ryofred.png
For the main character, of course you need to cast the greatest actor who ever lived, Fred Savage. You could probably even recreate the carrots scene by splicing together old footage from The Wonder Years and having him dub over it. His voice is exactly the same as it was back then, so it all works out.

Iwao Hazuki - Danny Glover
https://image.ibb.co/fbkZTk/2iwaodanny.png
Because you need a black guy.

Lan Di - Ninja from Die Antwoord
https://image.ibb.co/jHNsEQ/landininja.png
If we're gonna get Neil Blomkamp to direct this thing -- and let's face it, he's the only choice there can possibly be, what with all the robots that have to be added -- then you need to get an actor that literally only Neil Blomkamp thinks is worthwhile.

Guizhang - Kevin Hart
https://image.ibb.co/jun68k/guizhangkevin.png
Because sometimes you need two black guys.

Ine-san - Amy Schumer
https://image.ibb.co/nwriok/inesanamy.png
It always seemed to me like the developers wanted Ine-san to be like super funny, and she always had this smug attitude about herself like she thought she was hilarious.
But she wasn't. Like, not even a little bit.

Megumi - Leonardo DiCaprio
http://oi68.tinypic.com/2808dbk.jpg
One of the most adventurous actors in Hollywood. I think he'd welcome the chance to really stretch his abilities by playing a little special needs Japanese girl. We could win this thing some goddamn Oscars.

Elevensixty wrote:Create secret society that controls Japanese government from the shadows, maneuver things to make Yu Suzuki CEO of SEGA with essentially bottomless budget.

The most reasonable thing you said tbh.

^
It wasn't very scary, but it was an enjoyable film. I look at it more like an 80s coming of age movie than a scary movie. Too many jump scares, with only one or two of them working IMO.

I'll also second the kids being great. Their acting skills were solid all around, which was a pleasant surprise since I expect most kid actors to be passable at best in most movies nowadays.

Really liking these Sonic tunes I'm hearing, very reminiscent of Sonic 3 to me. Makes me more excited for the upcoming release for Mania.

Does it really matter? If he's not interested, it's entirely possible that he's just not interested . If he immediately knew what it was (regardless of how ignorant he is to the gameplay), no doubt he knows what its aesthetics are; that of it being steeped in Japanese/Chinese culture and all that. Typically that's the most appealing aspect for the majority of the series' fans. So if that, in itself, isn't enough to get him to play it, then it's probably just not something he's gonna dig.
There are games like that for me too; stuff like Mass Effect or the Witcher come to mind. I already know what they are and know they're never gonna be favorites of mine, so I'd rather no one was setting out on a mission to "change my mind" about them. I'm just not interested. So I'd say, for people like that... just let it be. Not everyone has to like Shenmue.

This is Liam at his best, with Noel, Paul Weller, Steve Cradock.....
Great vocal. Stunning lyrics. It's "Carnation" by The Jam.

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

Noel had some good tunes. Liam had a good voice. But in Oasis they couldn't buy a lyric worth a f*ck.
They had a massive platform for years and they said absolutely f*ck all.

I heard them introduce their tracks with "Here's another song with shite lyrics".
So at least they were honest about it.

I guess Yaz was right after all.

Seriously though, lyrics are such a personal thing. I'm sure Oasis lyrics mean the world to a lot of people. Some 20+ years ago, I learned the bass part to every Oasis track for an Oasis-mad band I'd just joined. The words done nothing for me and all I can remember now is something about a wall and a Sally.

I was more into Blur at the time. I'm not a fan of Albarn's voice but, in the absence of a decant vocal (or lyrics sometimes), great music goes a long way. (Ozric Tentacles!).
Also I'm a big fan of Graham Coxon's guitar playing.

Have you seen this? Once upon a time Noel and Damon performing together would have devastated some Blur/Oasis fans and spiked the suicide rate.

This could be the Shenmue III Kickstarter theme song: "We've Got The Power!"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NFf0gN1CbI

Since when does any of this qualify as "sexual assault"?
I don't know shit about NeoGAF. I don't pay attention to or bother with most gaming sites or forums or whatever the hell it is. So I know nothing about the guy or the people surrounding him. I don't care to know.
But just going by the article, two instances are mentioned: he grabbed somebody while in a drunken stupor back in 2012 ("grabbed," mind you; for all we know, it could have been on the shoulder), and he got in a shower naked with someone, then left when told to .
The actions of a dumb douchebag?
Sure. He doesn't sound like anyone I'd want to be friends with.
But calling this "sexual assault" is a disgusting exaggeration. "Sexual assault" is an actionable offense. It's the kind of thing people go to prison for. Hard prison. Like, "fuck you up the ass while an excited Southerner slaps you in the face and tells you to oink like a piggie" prison. Then you get stabbed with a toothbrush shiv.
The guy is clearly a dumbass, but the things he's accused of are just stupid frat boy bullshit. He didn't rape the girl in the shower; he left when she said she wasn't interested. Whether he acted like a jerk later is besides the point. And whatever "grabbing" he did five years ago was done while inebriated, and apparently led to nothing else afterward.
Sure, he sounds like a complete dong, and people can do whatever they want to defame him on the internet. But phrasing it so that he sounds like a dangerous criminal is ridiculous.

Why Do Kids Love the Taste of Cinnamon Toast Crunch?

^^I feel like all this shit is being exaggerated anyway. I'm not some diehard, "he's never wrong" type of supporter of him or anything, I just think it all sounds a bit extreme for a guy who's comedy act is primarily based around taking a level-headed look at how weird and shitty the rest of the world can seem.

In celebration of Shenmue III coming out next year, I'll be starting my catch up playthrough of both Shenmue I and Shenmue II. However, this time I'll only be playing an in-game day each day, no more, no less. If time skips forward for Ryo, then I am not allowed to play Shenmue until the realtime day and ingame day sync up again. Anyone wanting to join me is welcome--although I understand why it may not be super appealing of a playthrough.

Since today is the day that Iwao Hazuki died, I'll be starting today. (although there's not much to play today haha)

I'll also be keeping a personal journal entry of everything that happens in game.

"live for one's convictions, die for one's convictions"

should we call it a "slow-run"?

I did this "annualy" a couple of years ago, two or three times. It's a fun way to experience the game for sure.
Really shows you how little there is to do on some days and how much on others. Of course watching the intro and then putting the game aside for 4 days is already one hell of a start.

You know a game is lacking in plot when they make up for it with "plot"

IGN got James Franco to do video game voices in the voice of Tommy Wiseau from The Room/Disaster Artist. One of the lines is Ryo from Shenmue. Pretty funny.

After watching the documentary "Jim and Andy" on Netflix, I finally watched "Man on the Moon". It was really fascinating to watch and pretty crazy how into character he got. I would highly recommend both movies if you haven't watched either.

Hello folks! I took a trip to Morocco around August sometime last year. Which is a bad time to go, summer in Marrakech was around 42-45 degrees Celsius daily. We (my girlfriend and I) did a fourteen day trip of the north. We traversed the High Atlas mountains, rode camels through the palm groves and even slept under the stars in the Sahara desert. We hope to do the south sometime. But if anyone is ever considering going, I highly recommend it. A fascinating place and one I really do hope to go back to sometime.

Also, visited some Game of Thrones filming sites.

Here are just a couple pictures picked at random. I might do a big upload on IMGUR with a small recap of the adventure.

http://i66.tinypic.com/i2lwe1.jpg
http://i66.tinypic.com/2dtp5jb.jpg
http://i63.tinypic.com/rt2ic8.jpg
http://i65.tinypic.com/chv2b.jpg
http://i63.tinypic.com/25s7btj.jpg

I just found out about the Fatal Frame movie. Has anyone here seen it? Is worth watching?

From what I remember it was actually not bad. It's a coming of age lesbian drama with a horror mystery theme to it. The movie is way too slow for my liking and the acting lackluster, but I did like the rite of passage theme and the ending which I think it was the best one from all the movies based on a videogame. Though I have never really played a Fatal Frame game, I believe it's only loosely based on the franchise and so, said that I'd rather recommend better movies like The Wailing or A Tale of Two Sisters than this one for a similar Asian eerie horror type of experience.

Got the Bond novels last year for Christmas and I'll be reading a book a flight, on my 4 flights this year (Costa Rica and Italy).

Really looking forward to it, as I'm a Bond nut and reading is bliss.

Greetings backers!
Today we have something very special indeed for you.
Throughout this campaign, many people have voiced their concerns that newcomers to the Shenmue series may feel alienated. Currently, there is no easy or convenient way to play Shenmue I and II without original Dreamcast/Xbox hardware and that's something we'd like to change.

We don't have the budget to fund fully fledged HD remasters of the first two games. But we're not going to let this stop us from bringing new fans a way to enjoy Shenmue I and II.

After much hard work, we proudly present to you: Shenmue HD: The Choose Your Own Adventure novel!

https://i.imgur.com/G2vwAUj.png

A Story Retold:

Shenmue HD: The Choose Your Own Adventure is a complete retelling of the original two games in interactive novel form. Story and progression awaits you with every page turn. Much like the original video adaptation of the game, you can directly control Ryo's decisions and effect the way in which the story plays out.

https://i.imgur.com/WrGntty.jpg

New Features:

Shenmue HD: The Choose Your Own Adventure will also include extra features that were not previously available in the original games. An example of this is the ability to save anywhere in Shenmue I with the included 'Save Anywhere' bookmark!

https://i.imgur.com/mKn1IXo.png

Modding API:

And finally, here's something all you modders and hackers will love. For the first time EVER , an official modding API will be available for Shenmue I and II. With this powerful and flexible API you can do almost anything; from tweaking the story to your liking, to using our advanced 'book engine' to make something completely different. The possibilities are endless. The only limit is your imagination!

https://i.imgur.com/WqH7NS0.png


That about wraps up our special announcement. We hope that you're just as excited as we are for Shenmue HD: The Choose Your Own Adventure .
Be sure to catch us at E3 this June where we will have a playable demo available for the public to enjoy.

Many thanks for your continued support:
- The Awesome Japan Team and YS.NET



As always Dojo, have a great April!

Trailer

https://youtu.be/tdiqIPdCP2c

Adam Koralik report

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z04hUT23RiQ

Michael Huber Reaction

https://youtu.be/tFQx8Pw2pZc



Features

Will run in 1080p
Fully scaleable screen resolution
PS4 & XBOX ONE - Physical release
Dual control scheme - updated & classic
Both audio dubs - English & Japanese
New user interface
Release - by end of 2018

Steam link - http://store.steampowered.com/app/758330/Shenmue_I__II/

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DateX0BX0AARnIF.png


Some screenshots Via IGN. http://www.ign.com/articles/2018/04/14/shenmue-1-and-2-being-re-released-on-ps4-xbox-one-and-pc


http://c-8oqtgrjgwu46x24cuugvu3x2ekipkoiux2eeqo.g00.ign.com/g00/3_c-8yyy.kip.eqo_/c-8OQTGRJGWU46x24jvvrx3ax2fx2fcuugvu3.kipkoiu.eqox2f4230x2f26x2f36x2fujgpowg-kk-nqecvkqpu-8-3745838855-3745892780453_3402y.lrix3fk32e.octmx3dkocig_$/$/$/$/$

http://c-8oqtgrjgwu46x24cuugvu3x2ekipkoiux2eeqo.g00.ign.com/g00/3_c-8yyy.kip.eqo_/c-8OQTGRJGWU46x24jvvrx3ax2fx2fcuugvu3.kipkoiu.eqox2f4230x2f26x2f36x2fujgpowg-kk-oggvkpi-ujgpjwc-hktuv-vkog-57-3745838855-3745892780450_3402y.lrix3fk32e.octmx3dkocig_$/$/$/$/$

http://c-8oqtgrjgwu46x24cuugvu3x2ekipkoiux2eeqo.g00.ign.com/g00/3_c-8yyy.kip.eqo_/c-8OQTGRJGWU46x24jvvrx3ax2fx2fcuugvu3.kipkoiu.eqox2f4230x2f26x2f36x2f42302545432757-4-3745838853-3745892780449_3402y.lrix3fk32e.octmx3dkocig_$/$/$/$/$

http://c-8oqtgrjgwu46x24cuugvu3x2ekipkoiux2eeqo.g00.ign.com/g00/3_c-8yyy.kip.eqo_/c-8OQTGRJGWU46x24jvvrx3ax2fx2fcuugvu3.kipkoiu.eqox2f4230x2f26x2f36x2f42302545303170-4-3745838853-3745892780447_3402y.lrix3fk32e.octmx3dkocig_$/$/$/$/$

http://c-8oqtgrjgwu46x24cuugvu3x2ekipkoiux2eeqo.g00.ign.com/g00/3_c-8yyy.kip.eqo_/c-8OQTGRJGWU46x24jvvrx3ax2fx2fcuugvu3.kipkoiu.eqox2f4230x2f26x2f36x2f42302545434227-4-3745838854-3745892780441_3402y.lrix3fk32e.octmx3dkocig_$/$/$/$/$

http://c-8oqtgrjgwu46x24cuugvu3x2ekipkoiux2eeqo.g00.ign.com/g00/3_c-8yyy.kip.eqo_/c-8OQTGRJGWU46x24jvvrx3ax2fx2fcuugvu3.kipkoiu.eqox2f4230x2f26x2f36x2f42302545364162-4-3745838852-3745892780436_3402y.lrix3fk32e.octmx3dkocig_$/$/$/$/$


John Clarke - Sega Europe Executive Vice President of Publishing

"I'm really excited to be part of this announcement in front of so many Japanese Sega fans. Shenmue represents Segas spirit of challenge, as our number one most requested re-release in the West. We have carefully ported the classic look and feel of the original, in response to the long time fan expectations.
I decided when Shenmue was brought back, i would wear this in celebration. I also decided when Shenmue is brought back, i would have to be with Shenhua.
In Europe, Shenmue was released in 2000, and was an unprecedented title at the time. It was a time when Grand Theft Auto 3 or the Elder Scrolls did not exist. Yokosuka was an unknown world to us in Europe, but that only lent to its exotic charm.
Im in charge of marketing, publishing and sales strategies in Europe. In recent years I've also been in charge of the world wide release of European developed titles, such as Total War. Not only am i excited for the re-release of Shenmue, but i can say there are tonnes of fans worldwide who have been waiting for the re-release of Shenmue, as one of Segas most legendary titles. I think right now, i can hear the applause from around the world."

http://1000logos.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/YouTube-logo-500x277.png

It wasnt planned to go live for a while, but with the announcement of Shenmue 1 & 2 HD, it seemed fitting to get it out there.

Its still a work in progress, with Shenmue videos and playlists being added daily, as well as sections to come. Whats important about this new Youtube channel is that every video that isnt created by us, will be owned by YOU! We wont be ripping and uploading your content. Its YOUR content. YOUR efforts, and YOUR attention a viewer should get to give their thanks and likes.

There will be verious sections fleshed out over the coming weeks, as well as Shenmue streams starting back up again very soon! But for now, head on over give us a like and subscribe, and stay tuned for lots more Shenmue content coming soon!

LINK - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjvnGvNdVyOcXkYanOfmRoQ?

I think if people get invested enough in the game to the point they actually reach a place where time skip would be useful, having to wait around a bit probably isn't going to convince them to stop playing.

I don't know why but every time I hear this I think of Shenmue.

The later the better, especially if Shenmue 3 gets delayed again (which I hope happens).

I want both teams to take their sweet, sweet time with each game in order for us to get the highest quality version possible.

For any players of Shenmue who are inquisitive or have been inspired to find out more about the Japanese language, we are starting up a new series on Phantom River Stone called "Learn Japanese through Shenmue" aimed at beginners of Japanese. It will be structured around scenes and dialogue from Shenmue to add interest to the process of learning about the language. I hope you'll follow along and have fun.

The first lesson is available right now for blog patrons, and by the end of the month on the main blog for the public release.

Here's a little teaser...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09RWJtiog1g

http://www.phantomriverstone.com/2018/05/trailer-learning-japanese-through.html

Just discovered this band. Apparently they've been around 9-ish years, but somehow they've always escaped by notice.
Not everything is golden, but when I find something of theirs that I dig, I seem to really dig it.

This first one, it's mainly the tune of the chorus. Those sliding (or are they bending? Pitch-shifting?) guitar chords are fucking gorgeous. I can only dream of coming up with shit that sounds that groovy. Me being me, you'd think I'd be all about the heavier parts, but not as much here (though that stuff is still great).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mb6tpT-KYks&t=0m28s

And this one I just love the slight gothic slant to it. Aside from that though, I really like how good the band is of doing these huge tonal shifts between verses and choruses. Good showcase for that.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xP93GId83as

Just a heads up for anyone that used it, the URL shenmuedojo.com would serve as a redirect to the shenmuedojo.net address where the current site is located. This will now cease to function, and just show a splash placeholder message to anyone who visits it. There will still be links there to the current site, as well as our social media outlets.

The new site has been brought over to the .com URL and we are now constantly working on it. Hopefully it won't be too much longer before we are ready to launch! When we are ready, the forums will also simultaneously be upgraded and revamped. We will keep you guys updated once we are almost there.

Good times ahead, for both Shenmue games, and the Shenmue Dojo. 8)

I first learned about Jero back when he was starting to get famous from the Dojo (probably Kiyuu I think). He recently announced he's going on hiatus from music after celebrating his 10 year anniversary as a singer. While he may be stepping away from music, I'm glad he had a solid run and wasn't a one hit wonder.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ITkTqA_fA0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFdUGs6qIuw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUnHbcFTOxc

Bought this back on release but wasn't posting then. Picked up the PAL LE of Ni No Kuni II for PC (which is why I imported it). Its got a hardcover artbook, vinyl with the theme song in an awesome sleeve with pop up artwork and a music box. I'll link a video in the spoiler if you want to see the contents.

https://i.imgur.com/ft6Oo1Y.jpg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wLKedL3meA