Nintendo Direct Roundup: February 2014

PROFESSOR LAYTON HOSTS A SCAVENGER HUNT!

Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy - CutsceneAs the presentation turned over to Nintendo of America, things briefly shifted back to retail 3DS offerings, for new coverage on soon-releasing puzzle-adventure sequel (and apparent finale), Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy. The game showed a montage of clips revolving around the mannerisms and character of the titular professor’s assistant, Emmy Altava, with hints that she seems to have an especially large bearing on the plot in this sixth installment, teasing the details of her ‘final’ adventure with Professor Layton.

Given the most detail however was a new StreetPass mechanic for Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy, which allows players to find unique items, then place them around the game world as challenges for other players they exchange StreetPass tags with to find and discover. Should you do well with these custom player treasure hunts, you’ll earn special points that can be exchanged for unique collectibles in the game, which are not obtainable any other way.

It’s kind of a neat idea, and should help to extend the play value, especially considering that the series is apparently being wrapped up in its current incarnation with this game.

It was then re-affirmed that Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy is just a couple of short weeks away, releasing exclusively for 3DS on February 28th. Ready your thinking caps, Professor Layton fans! This adventure is sure to be the greatest yet!

3DS SECURES MONSTER EXCLUSIVE!

Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate - Announce PageIt’s quite a ways away, but this Direct gave confirmation for those that missed Capcom’s announcement a few weeks ago that Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate will be released exclusively for 3DS. The game teased new player actions that would allow all sorts of new ways to hunt monsters, as well as seamless online co-op for up to four players via Nintendo Network.

If appearances are to be believed, this could be the hugest 3DS game yet, folks! Unfortunately, again, it’s quite a ways away. This Direct affirmed that Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate will come to 3DS in early 2015, as in a full year from now.

At least we already have a nice 2015 offering to look forward to on a Nintendo platform however!

WEAPON SHOP DE OMASSE SELLS THE SIMPLE LIFE!

Weapon Shop de Omasse - Title ArtRevealed next was the final game of Level-5’s Guild publishing initiative of 3DS eShop games, Weapon Shop de Omasse, formerly a ‘lost game’ in the first lineup of Guild offerings from 2012, which also consisted of Grasshopper Manufacture’s Liberation Maiden, Vivarium Inc.’s Aero Porter, and Nex Entertainment’s Crimson Shroud. Why Weapon Shop de Omasse took so long to get localized is a mystery, but, it’s finally coming to the 3DS eShop for North America, after all this time!

How the game works is, players assume the role of a blacksmith that sells weapons to heroes living in the world of a traditional Japanese RPG. Obviously, the quality of a hero’s weapon is important, so players are tasked with participating in rhythm-based challenges to forge weapons for heroes, while also receiving feedback on how the heroes are performing with the equipment that the player sold them. If the players can’t complete their task with the equipment you sell them, you don’t get paid, so forge with care!

This is a very cool idea for a 3DS eShop game, done in-house at Level-5 with the assistance of Nex Entertainment, and a novel twist on Japanese RPG convention with a promising rhythmic gameplay foundation.

You won’t have long to wait for this lost Guild 01 offering either, as Weapon Shop de Omasse comes to the 3DS eShop on February 20th, in just one week. Finally, Guild fans can complete their collection of 3DS eShop oddities!