The player takes the position of town mayor in this version of Animal Crossing for the Nintendo 3DS.

<h2>Overview</h2><p>Animal Crossing: New Leaf for the <a href="//www.giantbomb.com/nintendo-3ds/3045-117/" data-ref-id="3045-117">Nintendo 3DS</a> features a big change from previous titles like <a href="/animal-crossing-city-folk/3030-21096/" data-ref-id="3030-21096">Animal Crossing: City Folk</a> and <a href="/animal-crossing-wild-world/3030-9238/" data-ref-id="3030-9238">Animal Crossing: Wild World</a>. The player now starts the game by becoming <a href="//www.giantbomb.com/mayor/3015-5846/" data-ref-id="3015-5846">mayor</a> of their town instead of just owning a house there and paying off a mortgage. As mayor, some actions players can take include determining the layout of their town, setting shop hours, placing various structures and decorations outside (bridges, benches, roads, lampposts, etc.), creating designs for both clothes and furniture, altering the look of City Hall, and setting up exhibitions on the second floor of the museum. The mayor's secretary, <a href="/isabelle/3005-27181/" data-ref-id="3005-27181">Isabelle</a>, a clumsy, absent-minded <a href="/dog/3015-820/" data-ref-id="3015-820">dog</a>, is always available to help in the mayor's office.</p><p>Other features include the ability to mount furniture (i.e. clocks, picture frames, etc.) on the walls of the player's home, the ability to swim in the town's ocean, visit with multiple animals in a single house, and meet animals that follow or chase the player around the town.</p><p>During Nintendo's financial briefing in April 2012, <a href="/satoru-iwata/3040-46955/" data-ref-id="3040-46955">Satoru Iwata</a> hinted at Animal Crossing <a href="/downloadable-content/3015-329/" data-ref-id="3015-329">post-launch DLC</a> to lengthen the game's lifespan. In October 2012, Iwata clarified that the game's DLC would be free of charge, describing the addition of paid DLC to a game like Animal Crossing as "unwholesome."</p><p>Animal Crossing: New Leaf released on November 8, 2012 in Japan, June 9, 2013 for North America, and June 14, 2013 for Europe.</p><h2>New Features &amp; Changes</h2><h3>K.K. Slider</h3><figure data-align="right" data-img-src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/12/121643/2351885-totakeke.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2351885" data-size="small" data-ratio="0.5622641509434" data-width="530" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 530px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:56.2%" href="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/12/121643/2351885-totakeke.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2351885"><img alt="Dubstep drops forthcoming..." src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/12/121643/2351885-totakeke.jpg" srcset="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/12/121643/2351885-totakeke.jpg 530w, http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_medium/12/121643/2351885-totakeke.jpg 480w, http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/12/121643/2351885-totakeke.jpg 320w" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" data-width="320"></a><figcaption>Dubstep drops forthcoming...</figcaption></figure><p>In previous games, <a href="/kk-slider/3005-367/" data-ref-id="3005-367">K.K. Slider</a> would perform a song every Saturday night that the player could then listen to any time in his/her house. That tradition continues in Animal Crossing: New Leaf, but now instead performs at the new comedy club Shisho's Club 444. Conversely, on nights other than Saturday night, players can find <a href="//www.giantbomb.com/dj/3015-2333/" data-ref-id="3015-2333">DJ</a> K.K. spinning some tracks there, with "house nights" featuring remixed tunes from the <a href="/nes/3045-21/" data-ref-id="3045-21">NES</a>. K.K. Slider now has unique album covers for the songs he plays, and these can be hung on the walls of the player's house.</p><h3>Club LOL</h3><p>Club LOL serves two purposes in Animal Crossing: New Leaf. During the day, players can visit <a href="/dr-shrunk/3005-8534/" data-ref-id="3005-8534">Doctor Shrunk</a> to obtain new emotions by giving him presents such as fruit. Players are no longer limited to only having four emotions. At night, players can go to Club LOL to dance to the music of DJ K.K.</p><h3>Fruit</h3><figure data-align="right" data-img-src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/12/121643/2351864-2339132_tumblr_mbfkw09rvi1r5kyvmo5_1280.png" data-ref-id="1300-2351864" data-size="small" data-ratio="0.59751773049645" data-width="564" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 564px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:59.8%" href="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/12/121643/2351864-2339132_tumblr_mbfkw09rvi1r5kyvmo5_1280.png" data-ref-id="1300-2351864"><img alt="If my math is correct, triplets of cherries should sell for way more than pairs." src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/12/121643/2351864-2339132_tumblr_mbfkw09rvi1r5kyvmo5_1280.png" srcset="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/12/121643/2351864-2339132_tumblr_mbfkw09rvi1r5kyvmo5_1280.png 564w, http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_medium/12/121643/2351864-2339132_tumblr_mbfkw09rvi1r5kyvmo5_1280.png 480w, http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/12/121643/2351864-2339132_tumblr_mbfkw09rvi1r5kyvmo5_1280.png 320w" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" data-width="320"></a><figcaption>If my math is correct, triplets of cherries should sell for way more than pairs.</figcaption></figure><p>New types of <a href="//www.giantbomb.com/fruit/3055-382/" data-ref-id="3055-382">fruit</a> can be harvested, as well as old favorites. Each town has one native fruit while all other fruits must be collected first through other means, such as picking them from friends' towns. Native fruit sells for 100 bells a piece, while non-native fruit sells for 500 bells a piece, which makes planting and harvesting foreign fruit an excellent system for income. Fruit can be harvested from each tree every three days.</p><p>New Leaf introduced the concept of "perfect" fruit, which is a rare variation of the standard fruits in the game. These perfect fruits sell for much more than their standard counterparts, and, if planted, a perfect tree will only produce fruit a limited number of times before dying.</p><p>Also new to New Leaf, fruits stack in the player's inventory. So, rather than only being able to put one fruit in each slot, the player can hold up to nine fruits in one slot.</p><p>The full list of fruit includes:</p><p><em>* = potential native (starter) fruits</em></p><ul><li><a href="/apple/3055-138/" data-ref-id="3055-138">Apples</a>*</li><li><a href="/banana/3055-217/" data-ref-id="3055-217">Bananas</a></li><li><a href="/cherry/3055-104/" data-ref-id="3055-104">Cherries</a>*</li><li><a href="/coconut/3055-1718/" data-ref-id="3055-1718">Coconuts</a></li><li><a href="/durian/3055-5795/" data-ref-id="3055-5795">Durians</a></li><li><a href="/lemon/3055-1867/" data-ref-id="3055-1867">Lemons</a></li><li><a href="//www.giantbomb.com/lychee/3055-5919/" data-ref-id="3055-5919">Lychees</a></li><li><a href="//www.giantbomb.com/mango/3055-5917/" data-ref-id="3055-5917">Mangos</a></li><li><a href="/orange/3055-510/" data-ref-id="3055-510">Oranges</a>*</li><li><a href="/peach/3055-920/" data-ref-id="3055-920">Peaches</a>*</li><li><a href="/pear/3055-603/" data-ref-id="3055-603">Pears</a>*</li><li><a href="//www.giantbomb.com/persimmon/3055-5918/" data-ref-id="3055-5918">Persimmons</a></li></ul><h3>The Island of Endless Summer</h3><p>Players can now travel to the Island of Endless Summer, where former <a href="/mayor-tortimer/3005-2802/" data-ref-id="3005-2802">Mayor Tortimer</a> is relaxing, to partake in several mini-games. Players are carried there by motorboat, steered by <a href="/kappn/3005-13340/" data-ref-id="3005-13340">Kapp'n</a>. Upon arrival at the island, players receive a swimsuit, which allows them to swim in the ocean. Players can dive for coral, special shells, sea grapes, and other items that can't be caught with a traditional fishing pole. The island also houses summer fish and bugs all year long. Medals can be earned in co-op focused mini-games and then traded in for goods at the souvenir shop. One mini-game involves traversing through a labyrinthian maze to find a specific item. Other mini-games include challenges like hitting a moving machine a certain number of times with a hammer, diving with friends to find items at the bottom of the ocean, and picking flowers.</p><h3>Town Buildings</h3><h4>Re-Tail - Recycle Shop</h4><p>This is run by two <a href="/alpaca/3015-7659/" data-ref-id="3015-7659">alpacas</a> named Reese and Cyrus. Players can sell items from your inventory to Reese, and she will also deal with putting items up for sale, which acts as a replacement for the Auction House in <a href="/animal-crossing-city-folk/3030-21096/" data-ref-id="3030-21096">Animal Crossing: City Folk</a>. Unlike the auction house though, items can be offered and bought anytime rather than on specific dates. The player and other villagers may purchase items on display; if a villager is inside the store, it is possible to influence them into making a purchase. The second part of the store is run by Cyrus, who customizes furniture. Players can substitute the fabric of a something by choosing from Cyrus' wares or from a player-created pattern, as well as change the color and style of the piece of furniture.</p><h4>The Police Station</h4><p>The player can choose between a 'classic' police station made from wood or a 'modern' police station which is the design from the other Animal Crossing entries. <a href="/booker/3005-3124/" data-ref-id="3005-3124">Booker</a> works in the classic station, and <a href="/copper/3005-3128/" data-ref-id="3005-3128">Copper</a> works in the modern.</p><h4>The Roost - Coffee Shop</h4><p><a href="/brewster/3005-14096/" data-ref-id="3005-14096">Brewster</a> now has his very own coffee shop instead of just a small cafe connected to the museum as in previous games. In addition to ordering drinks to sip on the premises, it is now also possible to order coffee to go. The player can also earn the option to work for Brewster to earn some extra Bells.</p><h3>Clothing</h3><p>The models for animals and player characters have been redesigned and made taller to allow for more clothing options, such as pants, socks, and shoes. Players can continue to create their own clothing designs, which can now be shared via <a href="/qr-codes/3015-7273/" data-ref-id="3015-7273">QR codes</a>.</p><h3>Fortune Cookies</h3><figure data-align="right" data-img-src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/12/121643/2370166-tumblr_mc1mcvnrpa1ril62uo1_400.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2370166" data-size="small" data-ratio="0.6" data-width="400" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 400px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:60.0%" href="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/12/121643/2370166-tumblr_mc1mcvnrpa1ril62uo1_400.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2370166"><img alt="Proof of fortune cookie! You can also see candy for sale, as well as some pumpkin toy train set." src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" data-width="320" class="js-lazy-load-image" data-src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/12/121643/2370166-tumblr_mc1mcvnrpa1ril62uo1_400.jpg" data-srcset="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/12/121643/2370166-tumblr_mc1mcvnrpa1ril62uo1_400.jpg 400w, http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/12/121643/2370166-tumblr_mc1mcvnrpa1ril62uo1_400.jpg 320w"><noscript><img alt="Proof of fortune cookie! You can also see candy for sale, as well as some pumpkin toy train set." src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/12/121643/2370166-tumblr_mc1mcvnrpa1ril62uo1_400.jpg" srcset="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/12/121643/2370166-tumblr_mc1mcvnrpa1ril62uo1_400.jpg 400w, http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/12/121643/2370166-tumblr_mc1mcvnrpa1ril62uo1_400.jpg 320w" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" data-width="320"></noscript></a><figcaption>Proof of fortune cookie! You can also see candy for sale, as well as some pumpkin toy train set.</figcaption></figure><p>Using two <a href="/play-coin-support/3015-6752/" data-ref-id="3015-6752">Play Coins</a>, players can purchase a fortune cookie once a day. The fortunes inside the cookies, which are numbered, can then be traded in for rare goods, which are Nintendo-themed. Some examples include an <a href="http://www.giantbomb.com/arwing/3055-197/" data-ref-id="3055-197">Arwing</a> for your house and parts of <a href="/samus-aran/3005-99/" data-ref-id="3005-99">Samus Aran</a>'s Power Suit to wear.</p><h3>StreetPass</h3><p>Animal Crossing: New Leaf features <a href="/streetpass-functionality/3015-6609/" data-ref-id="3015-6609">StreetPassing</a>, as players will be able view the homes of other players they StreetPass with, as well as trade various items and share earned badges. Badges are awarded to players for completing specific tasks, such as catching a lot of fish, finding stuff from the ocean, and pulling up a lot of weeds.</p><p>You can view the homes of people you've StreetPassed with at the Happy Home Exhibition Street, and any item you like that you see can be purchased through mail order.</p><h4>Dream Suite</h4><p>The Dream Suite allows the player to visit either a specific or random player's village. In this dream, the player is free to visit and interact with all aspects of the town but nothing is permanently saved.</p><h2>Calendar Events</h2><p>The full list for North America is as follows. In addition, some countries have holidays unique to their version of the game, such as Sikmogil for South Korean players.</p><table data-max-width="true"><thead><tr><th scope="col">January</th><th scope="col">February</th><th scope="col">March</th><th scope="col">April</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><ul><li>1 - New Year's Day</li><li>19 - Fishing Tourney</li></ul></td><td><ul><li>2 - Groundhog Day</li><li>9 - Fishing Tourney</li><li>11 - Festivals</li></ul></td><td><ul><li>16 - Fishing Tourney</li><li>17 - Shamrock Day</li><li>31 - Bunny Day</li></ul></td><td><ul><li>1 - April Fool's Day</li><li>13 - Fishing Tourney</li><li>22 - Nature Day</li><li>26 - Weeding Day</li></ul></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>May</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>June</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>July</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>August</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><ul><li>5 - Boy's Day</li><li>18 - Fishing Tourney</li></ul></td><td><ul><li>15 - Bug Off</li><li>21 - Summer Solstice</li></ul></td><td><ul><li>20 - Bug Off</li></ul></td><td><ul><li>4 - Fireworks</li><li>11 - Fireworks</li><li>17 - Bug Off</li><li>18 - Fireworks</li><li>25 - Fireworks</li></ul></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>September</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>October</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>November</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>December</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><ul><li>2 - Labor Day</li><li>19 - Autumn Moon</li><li>21 - Bug Off</li></ul></td><td><ul><li>12 - Fishing Tourney</li><li>14 - Explorer's Day</li><li>31 - Hallowe'en</li></ul></td><td><ul><li>16 - Fishing Tourney</li><li>28 - Harvest Festival</li></ul></td><td><ul><li>14 - Fishing Tourney</li><li>21 - Winter Solstice</li><li>24 - Toy Day</li><li>31 - Countdown</li></ul></td></tr></tbody></table><h2>New Content &amp; amiibo Update</h2><figure data-ref-id="1300-2871031" data-img-src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_super/8/82063/2871031-ci_3ds_animalcrossingnewleaf_amiibocards_ms7_image600w.jpg" data-size="medium" data-align="left" data-ratio="0.37333333333333" data-width="600" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 600px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:37.3%" href="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_super/8/82063/2871031-ci_3ds_animalcrossingnewleaf_amiibocards_ms7_image600w.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2871031"><img alt="No Caption Provided" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" sizes="(max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px" data-width="480" class="js-lazy-load-image" data-src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_medium/8/82063/2871031-ci_3ds_animalcrossingnewleaf_amiibocards_ms7_image600w.jpg" data-srcset="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/8/82063/2871031-ci_3ds_animalcrossingnewleaf_amiibocards_ms7_image600w.jpg 600w, http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_medium/8/82063/2871031-ci_3ds_animalcrossingnewleaf_amiibocards_ms7_image600w.jpg 480w"><noscript><img alt="No Caption Provided" src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_medium/8/82063/2871031-ci_3ds_animalcrossingnewleaf_amiibocards_ms7_image600w.jpg" srcset="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/8/82063/2871031-ci_3ds_animalcrossingnewleaf_amiibocards_ms7_image600w.jpg 600w, http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_medium/8/82063/2871031-ci_3ds_animalcrossingnewleaf_amiibocards_ms7_image600w.jpg 480w" sizes="(max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px" data-width="480"></noscript></a></figure><p>On July 20 2016, Nintendo announced that Animal Crossing: New Leaf would get a content update sometime in Fall 2016 adding <a href="/amiibo/3015-8433/" data-ref-id="3015-8433">amiibo </a>support. All Animal Crossing-series amiibo (all available figures as well as amiibo cards) will be supported.</p><figure data-ref-id="1300-2871396" data-img-src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_super/8/82063/2871396-cn0jpstxyaasa0m.jpg" data-size="small" data-align="right" data-ratio="0.6" data-width="400" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 400px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:60.0%" href="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_super/8/82063/2871396-cn0jpstxyaasa0m.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2871396"><img alt="No Caption Provided" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" data-width="320" class="js-lazy-load-image" data-src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/8/82063/2871396-cn0jpstxyaasa0m.jpg" data-srcset="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/8/82063/2871396-cn0jpstxyaasa0m.jpg 400w, http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/8/82063/2871396-cn0jpstxyaasa0m.jpg 320w"><noscript><img alt="No Caption Provided" src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/8/82063/2871396-cn0jpstxyaasa0m.jpg" srcset="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/8/82063/2871396-cn0jpstxyaasa0m.jpg 400w, http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/8/82063/2871396-cn0jpstxyaasa0m.jpg 320w" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" data-width="320"></noscript></a></figure><p>Players can summon villagers and invite them into their town by scanning their amiibo (card). This includes villagers previously not present in New Leaf. Other non-Animal Crossing amiibo will also be supported, such as <a href="/splatoon/3030-46582/" data-ref-id="3030-46582">Splatoon</a>-series amiibo. More details to follow.</p><h2>Digital Version &amp; Special Edition Bundles</h2><figure data-align="left" data-size="small" data-img-src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/1992/2480132-animal-crossing-new-leaf-bundle-600x422.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2480132" data-ratio="0.70333333333333" data-width="600" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 600px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:70.3%" href="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/1992/2480132-animal-crossing-new-leaf-bundle-600x422.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2480132"><img alt="Animal Crossing 3DS LL (Japan)" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" data-width="320" class="js-lazy-load-image" data-src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/1992/2480132-animal-crossing-new-leaf-bundle-600x422.jpg" data-srcset="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/1992/2480132-animal-crossing-new-leaf-bundle-600x422.jpg 600w, http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_medium/0/1992/2480132-animal-crossing-new-leaf-bundle-600x422.jpg 480w, http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/1992/2480132-animal-crossing-new-leaf-bundle-600x422.jpg 320w"><noscript><img alt="Animal Crossing 3DS LL (Japan)" src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/1992/2480132-animal-crossing-new-leaf-bundle-600x422.jpg" srcset="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/1992/2480132-animal-crossing-new-leaf-bundle-600x422.jpg 600w, http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_medium/0/1992/2480132-animal-crossing-new-leaf-bundle-600x422.jpg 480w, http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/1992/2480132-animal-crossing-new-leaf-bundle-600x422.jpg 320w" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" data-width="320"></noscript></a><figcaption>Animal Crossing 3DS LL (Japan)</figcaption></figure><p>The digital version of Animal Crossing: New Leaf is downloadable for through the Nintendo 3DS eShop. The file size is 8,192 blocks (1 GB).</p><p>In all three regions (Japan, North America, Europe), Nintendo released a special edition 3DS XL bundle for New Leaf. The hardware came equipped with a 4GB SD card that had the game pre-installed.</p><p> </p><h2>Reception</h2><p>Animal Crossing: New Leaf has sold 10.34 million copies worldwide as of September 30, 2016.</p>

Animal Crossing 3DS
Tobidase Dōbutsu no Mori
とびだせどうぶつの森
Animal Crossing: Jump Out
ACNL

Examu and Nitroplus team up to release a hi-res 2D fighting game based on Nitroplus' visual novels.

<h2>Overview</h2><p>Nitroplus Blasterz: Heroines Infinite Duel is a fighting game developed by <a href="/examu/3010-6400/" data-ref-id="3010-6400">Examu</a> and published by <a href="/nitroplus/3010-6446/" data-ref-id="3010-6446">Nitroplus</a> for Arcade and <a href="/marvelous/3010-1777/" data-ref-id="3010-1777">Marvelous</a> for consoles. Released in arcades April 30, 2015 and then released for the Playstation 3 &amp; Playstation 4 consoles on December 10, 2015 in Japan. XSEED have announced that the game will be coming to <a href="/pc/3045-94/" data-ref-id="3045-94">PC</a> in Winter 2016.</p><p>The game features various heroines from different anime, manga and visual novels. It is the sequel to <a href="/nitro-royale-heroines-duel-/3030-24275/" data-ref-id="3030-24275">Nitro+ Royale -Heroines Duel-</a>.</p><h2>Gameplay</h2><p>The game uses a five button fight system. Light, medium and heavy attack and escape action and heavy action. “Escape action” is used to perform evasions and guards while “heavy action” can be used to push an opponent back.</p><p>Infinite Blasts can be used to interrupt opponents attacks, Lethal Blazes are the game’s super combo attacks. Also two characters can be selected for support and assistance purposes during fights.</p><h2>Characters</h2><p>There are 32 playable characters in Nitroplus Blasterz: Heroines Infinite Duel. Super Sonico was a support character but was then made playable.</p><h3>Playable Characters</h3><ul><li><a href="/heart-aino/3005-5543/" data-ref-id="3005-5543">Aino Heart</a> (Arcana Heart)</li><li><a href="/al-azif/3005-8729/" data-ref-id="3005-8729">Al Azif</a> (Demonbane series)</li><li>Anna (Gekkō no Carnevale)</li><li>Echika (Tokyo Necro)</li><li>Ein (Phantom: Phantom of Inferno)</li><li>Homura (Senran Kagura)</li><li>Ignis (Jingai Makyō)</li><li>Mora (Vampirdzhija Vjedogonia)</li><li>Ouka (OKStyle mascot)</li><li>Ruili (Kikokugai: The Cyber Slayer)</li><li>Saber (Fate/stay night) (Fate/zero incarnation)</li><li>Sansei Muramasa (Full Metal Daemon: Muramasa)</li><li>Saya (Saya no Uta)</li><li>Super Sonico</li></ul><h3>Support Characters</h3><ul><li><a href="/akane-tsunemori/3005-29820/" data-ref-id="3005-29820">Akane Tsunemori</a> (Psycho-Pass)</li><li>Alushia (Hakubō no Dendōshi)</li><li>Amy (Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet)</li><li>Angela Balzac (Expelled from Paradise)</li><li>Another Blood (Kishin Hishō Demonbane)</li><li>Anri (Tenshi no Nichō Kenjū -Angelos Armas-)</li><li>Aoi Mukō (Kimi to Kanojo to Kanojo no Koi)</li><li>Carol (Guilty Crown: Lost Christmas)</li><li>Dragon (Dra†KoI)</li><li>Ishima Kaigen (Hanachirasu)</li><li>Kuro no Franco/Franco il Nero (Zoku Satsuriku no Jango -Jikogu no Shōkin Kubi-)</li><li>Miyuki Sone (Kimi to Kanojo to Kanojo no Koi)</li><li>Mugen Yoguruma (D.Y.N. Freaks)</li><li>Natsumi Aibara (Hello, world.)</li><li>Sakura (Axanael)</li><li>Spica (Sumaga)</li><li>Super Sonico</li><li>Yoishi Mitsurugi (Phenomeno)</li><li>Yuki Takeya (School-Live!)</li></ul><p> </p>

Twelve of the fiercest warriors of the late 18th century engage in duels to the death as a dark power rises over Japan in the first weapon-based fighting game for the Neo Geo.

<h2>Overview</h2><figure data-ref-id="1300-1713334" data-img-src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/5150/1713334-samuraishodown_art.jpg" data-size="small" data-align="right" data-ratio="1.4421867440735" data-width="2067" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 2067px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:144.2%" href="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/5150/1713334-samuraishodown_art.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-1713334"><img alt="No Caption Provided" src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/5150/1713334-samuraishodown_art.jpg" srcset="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/5150/1713334-samuraishodown_art.jpg 2067w, http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_super/0/5150/1713334-samuraishodown_art.jpg 1331w, http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_medium/0/5150/1713334-samuraishodown_art.jpg 665w, http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/5150/1713334-samuraishodown_art.jpg 320w" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" data-width="320"></a></figure><p>Samurai Shodown (known in Japan as <em>Samurai Spirits</em>) is a 2D fighting game developed and released by <a href="/snk-playmore/3010-616/" data-ref-id="3010-616">SNK</a> for <a href="/arcade/3045-84/" data-ref-id="3045-84">arcades</a> (using the Neo Geo MVS hardware) and the <a href="/neo-geo/3045-25/" data-ref-id="3045-25">Neo Geo AES</a> on August 11, 1993.</p><p>Set in the late 18th century, Samurai Shodown is known for being the first fighting game to focus on weapon-based combat and for its style of that era's Japanese culture (including calligraphy and musical instruments). The game is also known for its <a href="/engrish/3015-251/" data-ref-id="3015-251">quirky translation</a>, traditional control scheme, camera zoom effects (in similar vein to <a href="/art-of-fighting/3030-2760/" data-ref-id="3030-2760">Art of Fighting</a>), randomly-dropped items (including food for healing and bombs for damage), and the Rage Meter (in which receiving damage causes the fighter to temporarily become "enraged" and more powerful).</p><p>Along with being one of the few Neo Geo games to receive ports to most fourth-generation game consoles, the game spawned <a href="/samurai-shodown/3025-8/" data-ref-id="3025-8">numerous sequels</a> and spin-off titles throughout the Neo Geo's life cycle (making it one of SNK's most well-known game series).</p><h2>Gameplay</h2><figure data-align="right" data-img-src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/243/246385-samurai_showdown040.png" data-ref-id="1300-246385" data-size="small" data-ratio="0.875" data-width="256" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 256px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:87.5%" href="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/243/246385-samurai_showdown040.png" data-ref-id="1300-246385"><img alt="A typical fight, taken from the SNES version." src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/243/246385-samurai_showdown040.png" srcset="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/243/246385-samurai_showdown040.png 256w" sizes="(max-width: 256px) 100vw, 256px" data-width="256"></a><figcaption>A typical fight, taken from the SNES version.</figcaption></figure><p>Players face each other one-on-one, in a 2D field that can be enlarged if the fighters are far enough from each other. Unlike other fighters, however, each character fights with a weapon, ranging from swords (in fact, most characters use swords) to spears. They can also use physical attacks (there are strong/weak attack buttons for both weapons and physical attacks), but this rarely comes up. The weapons increase the range of characters' regular attacks, and if both characters attack in a precise way, they can lock weapons. When they lock weapons, each player must <a href="/button-mashing/3015-44/" data-ref-id="3015-44">rapidly press buttons</a> to win the standstill; the loser drops their weapon, while a tie results in both players losing their weapons.</p><p>Also unlike other fighters, the game featured items. They included treasure (points), food (healing), and bombs (damage). A running referee would toss them into the arena at random intervals. In addition, a <a href="/referees/3015-1208/" data-ref-id="3015-1208">referee</a> would hold up a flag whenever one of the players took a hit; he would hold up a different colored flag depending on who got hit. This referee, named <a href="/kuroko/3005-15157/" data-ref-id="3005-15157">Kuroko</a>, would become a hidden character in the Game Boy port, using his flags as weapons.</p><p>Samurai Shodown also featured mini-games at regular intervals throughout the single-player mode. Players had to slash through ten straw men in the span of thirty seconds. Straw men would only stay up for a short amount of time, this amount of time lessening in later iterations of the mini-game. For the most part, cutscenes took place immediately before and after the mini-game, showing Amakusa's rise to power and his revenge against the Tokugawa. There were only two exceptions, one of them being the ending for a particular character's story.</p><h2>Characters</h2><p>Note: this only covers characters present in the original arcade version.</p><h3><a href="/amakusa/3005-8741/" data-ref-id="3005-8741"><b>Amakusa</b></a></h3><p>The main villain of the first Samurai Shodown game and several games afterward, Amakusa wishes to destroy the Tokugawa and gain great magical power. Unfortunately, he is not a playable character. Amakusa has one of the widest movesets in the game, being able to launch himself like a meteor, create a boomerang-esque ball of magic energy, teleport around the stage several times, and punch at his opponents rapidly.</p><h3><a href="/gen-an/3005-11437/" data-ref-id="3005-11437"><b>Gen-An</b></a></h3><p>A green devil, Gen-An can rush at his opponents as a spinning blade-ball, climbing the wall he hits to come back down and hit them again. Gen-An can also send a ball of poison gas at his opponents, potentially disabling them temporarily if it hits. He fights his enemies with a giant steel claw he wears on his right hand.</p><h3><a href="/galford/3005-7339/" data-ref-id="3005-7339"><b>Galford</b></a></h3><figure data-align="left" data-img-src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/4737/636696-galford.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-636696" data-size="small" data-ratio="1.3333333333333" data-width="450" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 450px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:133.3%" href="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/4737/636696-galford.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-636696"><img alt="Galford and Poppy." src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" sizes="(max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px" data-width="480" class="js-lazy-load-image" data-src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/4737/636696-galford.jpg" data-srcset="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/4737/636696-galford.jpg 450w"><noscript><img alt="Galford and Poppy." src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/4737/636696-galford.jpg" srcset="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/4737/636696-galford.jpg 450w" sizes="(max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px" data-width="480"></noscript></a><figcaption>Galford and Poppy.</figcaption></figure><p>A San Francisco swordsman, Galford is one of two characters in the game to get assistance from an animal: his dog, Poppy. Poppy is most likely a girl, since the credits reveal that she has puppies. Like Hanzo, Galford can launch projectiles at his opponents, create holograms of himself to confuse his enemies, and disappear to strike from above. <a href="/attack-dog/3015-6395/" data-ref-id="3015-6395">He can also send Poppy to maul other fighters</a>.</p><h3><a href="/jubei/3005-5606/" data-ref-id="3005-5606"><b>Jubei</b></a></h3><p>Like Hanzo, Jubei is based on a famous historical figure; in this case, he is a legendary samurai. His moveset includes multiple stabs, followed by an uppercut similar to Charlotte's, and sending a shockwave along the ground to his enemies. Jubei insists that he is not <a href="/jubei-yamada/3005-16041/" data-ref-id="3005-16041">that guy from Fatal Fury</a>.</p><h3><a href="/tachibana-ukyo/3005-1752/" data-ref-id="3005-1752"><b>Ukyo</b></a></h3><p>A blue-haired swordsman from Japan. Ukyo can send a fire bird down while jumping, and repeatedly slash at his opponent. He signals the latter by throwing an apple, which he rapidly slashes, as well.</p><h3><a href="/charlotte-christine-de-colde/3005-7337/" data-ref-id="3005-7337"><b>Charlotte</b></a></h3><p>A French knight, Charlotte is one of two female characters in Samurai Shodown. She is sensitive about this fact, telling opponents not to mention her plate (most likely her breast plate). After defeating Amakusa, Charlotte returns to France to aid the peasants in the French Revolution. She can perform a triangle slash, drag a green column up with her while jumping, and charge at her opponents with multiple sword thrusts.</p><h3><a href="/tam-tam/3005-11435/" data-ref-id="3005-11435"><b>Tam-Tam</b></a></h3><figure data-align="right" data-img-src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/6234/1069120-ss_tamtam.png" data-ref-id="1300-1069120" data-size="small" data-ratio="1.3478260869565" data-width="184" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 184px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:134.8%" href="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/6234/1069120-ss_tamtam.png" data-ref-id="1300-1069120"><img alt="Tam-Tam" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" sizes="(max-width: 184px) 100vw, 184px" data-width="184" class="js-lazy-load-image" data-src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/6234/1069120-ss_tamtam.png" data-srcset="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/6234/1069120-ss_tamtam.png 184w"><noscript><img alt="Tam-Tam" src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/6234/1069120-ss_tamtam.png" srcset="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/6234/1069120-ss_tamtam.png 184w" sizes="(max-width: 184px) 100vw, 184px" data-width="184"></noscript></a><figcaption>Tam-Tam</figcaption></figure><p>A Mayan warrior <a href="/faceless-hero/3015-1197/" data-ref-id="3015-1197">always seen wearing a mask</a>. Oddly enough, he is one of the few characters with any stake in what Amakusa is doing; after beating him, he takes the orb that Amakusa used as a weapon. This orb apparently belongs to the Mayans, and Tam-Tam uses it to heal the ailments of those around him. Tam-Tam can throw skulls, summon rising demons, and spin his flaming sword while moving toward his opponent.</p><h3><b>Earthquake</b></h3><p>Based in Texas, Earthquake is the leader of a gang of thieves searching for treasure. In fact, upon defeating Amakusa, his three subordinates return to him with piles of treasure. He is tall, fat, and missing several teeth. Earthquake can rush toward his opponent as a spinning blade ball, or bounce toward them to harm them with his butt.</p><h3><a href="/nakoruru/3005-163/" data-ref-id="3005-163"><b>Nakoruru</b></a></h3><p>An Ainu priestess, Nakoruru is not only one of the two female characters in the first Samurai Shodown, but also one of two characters who fight with animal friends. Her hawk, Mamahaha, can lift Nakoruru into the air, allowing her to drop down and slash her opponent. She can also rush toward her opponent, either remaining on the ground or rising up to do so.</p><h3><a href="/wan-fu/3005-11434/" data-ref-id="3005-11434"><b>Wan-Fu</b></a></h3><p>The King of China, Wan-Fu is the only character who can voluntarily give up their weapon. This is done by jumping into the air and tossing a flaming sword at the opponent. Usually, when the AI does this, they run toward the sword to retrieve it. Wan-Fu can also perform an uppercut with his sword.</p><h3><a href="/haohmaru/3005-264/" data-ref-id="3005-264"><b>Haohmaru</b></a></h3><figure data-align="left" data-img-src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/8/89912/1335186-haohmaru.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-1335186" data-size="small" data-ratio="0.73012552301255" data-width="478" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 478px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:73.0%" href="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/8/89912/1335186-haohmaru.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-1335186"><img alt="Haohmaru's ending." src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" data-width="320" class="js-lazy-load-image" data-src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/8/89912/1335186-haohmaru.jpg" data-srcset="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/8/89912/1335186-haohmaru.jpg 478w, http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/8/89912/1335186-haohmaru.jpg 320w"><noscript><img alt="Haohmaru's ending." src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/8/89912/1335186-haohmaru.jpg" srcset="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/8/89912/1335186-haohmaru.jpg 478w, http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/8/89912/1335186-haohmaru.jpg 320w" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" data-width="320"></noscript></a><figcaption>Haohmaru's ending.</figcaption></figure><p>The protagonist of the Samurai Shodown series, Haohmaru is a Japanese swordsman. His moves include sending a tornado at enemies and a type of sword uppercut. After his fight with Amakusa, Haohmaru returns to Japan and fights <a href="/mai-shiranui/3005-182/" data-ref-id="3005-182">Mai Shiranui</a> of King of Fighters fame.</p><h3><a href="/hanzo-hattori/3005-3726/" data-ref-id="3005-3726"><b>Hanzo</b></a></h3><p>A Tokugawa ninja based on a historical figure. He can send fire toward his opponents, throw shurikens, and disappear to strike from above. After defeating Amakusa, Hanzo spends his life training other ninjas.</p><h3><a href="/kyoshiro/3005-11436/" data-ref-id="3005-11436"><b>Kyoshiro</b></a></h3><p>A kabuki actor, Kyoshiro can toss flaming fans, spin-jump at his opponents, and use his poll to thrust himself at the opponent as a fireball.</p><h2>Ports</h2><figure data-align="right" data-img-src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/243/246378-samurai_showdown020.png" data-ref-id="1300-246378" data-size="small" data-ratio="0.875" data-width="256" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 256px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:87.5%" href="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/243/246378-samurai_showdown020.png" data-ref-id="1300-246378"><img alt="The SNES port of Samurai Shodown removed a lot from the arcade original, like the blood and large battlefields." src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" sizes="(max-width: 256px) 100vw, 256px" data-width="256" class="js-lazy-load-image" data-src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/243/246378-samurai_showdown020.png" data-srcset="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/243/246378-samurai_showdown020.png 256w"><noscript><img alt="The SNES port of Samurai Shodown removed a lot from the arcade original, like the blood and large battlefields." src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/243/246378-samurai_showdown020.png" srcset="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/243/246378-samurai_showdown020.png 256w" sizes="(max-width: 256px) 100vw, 256px" data-width="256"></noscript></a><figcaption>The SNES port of Samurai Shodown removed a lot from the arcade original, like the blood and large battlefields.</figcaption></figure><p>After being made for the Neo Geo, Samurai Shodown was ported to many systems. However, few were capable of running the game at the technical level that the Neo Geo did. For example, the SNES, Genesis, and Sega CD versions removed the scaling present in the original; instead, they kept the characters at a constant size (the Genesis and Sega CD used the large sprites, the SNES their small counterparts). The SNES and Genesis versions also removed the blood present in the original. The port closest to the original was the 3DO version, which kept the scaling and blood that the others lacked.</p><p>In addition to a playable Amakusa, the Game Boy version had two additional unlockable characters: Kuroko, the referee, and Hikyaku, the courier man that throws item onto the battlefield. Although Kuroko would also become a playable character in later games, Hikyaku has yet to resurface in that role.</p><p>Samurai Shodown would also appear in later compilations alongside other Samurai Shodown games. It was ported to the PS1 along with its sequel under the name Samurai Spirits Kenkaku Shinan Pack. However, this port was only available in Japan. However, it would also appear in <a href="/samurai-shodown-anthology/3030-21017/" data-ref-id="3030-21017">Samurai Shodown Anthology</a> for the Wii, PS2 and PSP, along with its five direct sequels.</p><p>Samurai Shodown, along with II and III, were also ported to the Wii's Virtual Console. All three were ports of their Neo Geo incarnations, making it unlikely that the SNES and Genesis ports of the game will be ported, as well.</p>

A remake of Himawari developed by Front Wing for the PlayStation Vita and PC.

#killallzombies is a third person shooter with an integrated social component where viewers on Twitch can vote on various perks or obstacles to help or harm the player that is streaming.

A multiplayer first-person survival game set in a world populated by dinosaurs.

Frank West returns to Willamette during the Holiday season in the fourth installment of the Dead Rising series.

<p>Dead Rising 4 will have a year long exclusivity to the Xbox One and the PC's Windows 10 store.</p>

Set on Mars in the near future, Red Faction is a first-person shooter developed by Volition. It follows the fight of miners against the oppressive Ultor corporation and features dynamic destructible environments.

<h2>Gameplay</h2><p>Released only a few years after the original <a href="/half-life/3030-2980/" data-ref-id="3030-2980">Half-Life</a>.,  Red Faction is a game that similarly tries to replicate the immersive  storytelling found in Valve's 1998 classic. Here the player is trying to escape from a colonized Mars where workers are treated poorly and are dying from a mysterious disease. Similar to Half Life the game has no loading screens past the initial load instead pausing periodicly to load the next area. Also similar to Half Life, the game is made up of one large complex as opposed to smaller levels. The story is divided into chapters and up until a halfway stealth section it is totally possible to walk from the players current location back to the beginning location of the game.</p><p>The game's claim to fame is it's <a href="/geo-mod/3015-1348/" data-ref-id="3015-1348"> geo-mod</a> technology. In short, this means that players can destroy parts of the game environment. For example, if the player keeps shooting a wall with a<a href="/rocket-launcher/3055-211/" data-ref-id="3055-211"> rocket launcher</a>, a large hole in the wall will form which can be transformed into a tunnel if the player continues. This technology can also be used tactically by the player. For example, if a large number of enemies are walking over a bridge, the player can plant<a href="/explosives/3055-91/" data-ref-id="3055-91"> explosives</a> on the bridge, then detonate them when enemies walk over the bridge. Another use might be if a player comes across a locked door. Instead of searching for a way to open it, if they have explosives, they can simply destroy the walls surrounding the door. </p><p> </p><h2>Multiplayer</h2><p><i>Red Faction </i>offers the typical <a href="/deathmatch/3015-451/" data-ref-id="3015-451"> deathmatch</a>, <a href="/team-deathmatch/3015-2463/" data-ref-id="3015-2463"> team deathmatch</a> and <a href="/capture-the-flag/3015-25/" data-ref-id="3015-25"> CTF</a> multiplayer modes for the <a href="/pc/3045-94/" data-ref-id="3045-94"> PC</a> version. Although the gameplay is fairly standard - involving weapon and armor pickups, <a href="/power-up/3015-700/" data-ref-id="3015-700"> powerups</a> and <a href="/respawn/3015-989/" data-ref-id="3015-989"> respawning</a> weapons throughout the level - the <a href="/geo-mod/3015-1348/" data-ref-id="3015-1348"> Geomod</a> can offer some interesting variations. For instance a player can tunnel into the walls using mines and rockets to get a high vantage point to snipe other players or camp with explosives. Another way Geomod can be used effectively is to create alternate paths to travel through in Capture the Flag. Unfortunately, because of vulnerabilities in the code, various forms of modding and cheating could tarnish the experience</p><figure data-align="right" data-img-src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/652/227129-geomod.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-227129" data-size="small" style="width: 800px" data-ratio="0.75" data-width="800" data-embed-type="image"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:75.0%" href="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/652/227129-geomod.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-227129"><img alt="Geo-Mod in action, the end is near for this APC." src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/652/227129-geomod.jpg" srcset="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/652/227129-geomod.jpg 800w, http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_medium/0/652/227129-geomod.jpg 480w, http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/652/227129-geomod.jpg 320w" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" data-width="320"></a><figcaption>Geo-Mod in action, the end is near for this APC.</figcaption></figure><h2>Setting</h2><p>The game is set on<a href="/mars/3035-4/" data-ref-id="3035-4"> Mars</a> in the year 2078 and Earth has been completely stripped of its natural resources. To feed Earth's ever increasing demand, mankind has colonized the red planet in order to mine a valuable mineral called Noachite. </p><p>However, the <a href="/ultor/3015-2473/" data-ref-id="3015-2473"> Ultor</a> Corporation, the company overseeing the mining operations, has effectively enslaved its workers, who it dupes into working for them through effective advertising. Dangerous working conditions, disgusting living quarters and a constant shortage of food along with the Plague, a mysterious fatal disease with no known cure running rampant through the mines, prompts the formation of an underground rebel group, the Red Faction.</p><p>Eos, leader of the Red Faction rallies miners by putting up pamphlets and posters that condemn Ultor, blames them for the Plague and warns miners to be prepared to revolt against their oppressors. They are put up faster than they can be taken down and the tension escalates. Soon the whole situation becomes a powder keg just waiting for a spark to ignite the revolution.</p><h2>Story </h2><p>You play as<a href="/parker/3005-1937/" data-ref-id="3005-1937"> Parker</a>, a miner lured to Mars by the promise of adventure and to escape his parents' control over his life. On the way back to the barracks after the end of his shift, he witnesses an argument between a guard and a miner. The confrontation quickly turns violent and you are suddenly caught in the middle of the miner rebellion. </p><p>Parker is<a href="/aural-characters/3015-1725/" data-ref-id="3015-1725"> contacted</a> by Hendrix, an Ultor security technician who despises Ultor and wishes to help bring it down. He informs Parker of a group of miners that are attempting to leave Mars on a shuttle in the docking bay. Parker arrives to see that he is too late and the shuttle takes off without him, but is destroyed by a missile barrage from Ultor's extensive defense network.</p><p>With no choice but to keep moving, Parker goes to an abandoned mine sector. Eos contacts him and tells him that he's the only miner to make it this far and she needs his help. After sabotaging a geothermal power plant, Eos instructs him to infiltrate an underwater complex via submarine to find Gryphon, an Ultor deputy administrator who might know something about the Plague.</p><p>Gryphon is<a href="/not-so-bad-guys/3015-521/" data-ref-id="3015-521"> sympathetic</a> to the Red Faction's cause and agrees to meet with Eos. Parker escorts Gryphon to a garbage disposal facility by a fighter craft where Orion, a Red Faction lieutenant, will take him to answer Eos' questions. Gryphon reveals that the man behind the Plague is Capek, Ultor's chief scientist. Parker infiltrates the medical and science labs posing as doctor and finds Capek.</p><p>Greeting Capek with a hail of gunfire yields no results, as the mad scientist is protected by a<a href="/nanotechnology/3015-2358/" data-ref-id="3015-2358"> nanotech</a> shield and escapes deeper into his compound. Parker ventures through Capek's zoo which houses all of his freakish experiments and test subjects as Capek mocks him and even thanks him for starting the rebellion as no one would notice a few more missing miners to conduct experiments on.</p><p> </p><p>Parker makes it to Capek's secret laboratory in Mars' icecap and is assisted by Eos in taking him down. In a final desperate move, Capek sets the place to self destruct while explaining that there is no hope left. Eos orders parker to get out while he can and send a distress message to get help from the Earth Defense Force while she tries to get the cure for the Plague.</p><p> </p><p>Still uncertain if Eos survived the explosion of Capek's lab, Parker reaches the communication center and uploads the distress message to the EDF despite having to face an elite group of mercenaries Ultor had in reserve. However, Ultor's defense network must be brought down, including a space station controlling a grid of laser defense satellites before the EDF fleet arrives or else it will be surly destroyed.</p><p> </p><p>Parker sabotages the planetary missile defense system and races to a spaceport through the <a href="/train-level/3015-3438/" data-ref-id="3015-3438"> tram</a> tunnels where Eos contacts him and confirms that she survived the explosion and recovered the cure for the Plague. Parker makes it to the spaceport and becomes a stowaway on an evacuation shuttle headed to the space station. Once on board, he overloads the station's reactors and heads back to Mars in an <a href="/escape-pod/3055-2790/" data-ref-id="3055-2790"> escape pod</a>.</p><p> </p><figure data-align="left" data-img-src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/3253/541073-redfaction_screenv017.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-541073" data-size="medium" style="width: 800px" data-ratio="0.6825" data-width="800" data-embed-type="image"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:68.3%" href="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/3253/541073-redfaction_screenv017.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-541073"><img alt=" Mercs are jerks." src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_medium/0/3253/541073-redfaction_screenv017.jpg" srcset="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/3253/541073-redfaction_screenv017.jpg 800w, http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_medium/0/3253/541073-redfaction_screenv017.jpg 480w" sizes="(max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px" data-width="480"></a><figcaption> Mercs are jerks.</figcaption></figure><p>Back on the surface, the mercenaries have raided the Red Faction headquarters and are killing miners and guards alike and plan to destroy the entire complex to hide Ultor's wrongdoings. After a brief stay in captivity in a mercenary prison, and being freed by Red Faction members, Parker reaches the main mercenary base and meets Hendrix and the few miners left. </p><p> </p><p>On the way to disable the mercenaries' bomb, Hendrix is killed by explosives planted in a control room by the mercenary leader, Colonel Masako. With no time to mourn, Parker continues on and fights through the remaining mercenary defenses and finally confronts the Colonel.</p><p> </p><p>After defeating the Colonel, Parker finds Eos tied up next to the bomb with the countdown already started. He manages to defuse the bomb in time and the EDF fleet arrives to mop up any Ultor and mercenary remnants. Eos explains that the cure for the Plague is being distributed to all the sick miners and will be history by tomorrow. She tells Parker he's a hero and should relax and enjoy it, start dating or maybe find a new job.</p><p> </p><h2>Weapons</h2><p><b>UCB-24 Ultor Control <a href="/baton/3055-1071/" data-ref-id="3055-1071"> Baton</a>: </b>The default <a href="/melee/3015-444/" data-ref-id="3015-444"> melee</a> weapon in <i>Red Faction</i> favored by Ultor's guards for crowd control.<i> It offers both blunt attacks and electrical shocks which swiftly depletes the battery.</i></p><p> </p><p><b>USB-4 Ultor <a href="/riot-shield/3055-2537/" data-ref-id="3055-2537"> Riot Body Shield</a>: </b>A Sturdy yet lightweight translucent riot shield. that can withstand firearm and explosive impacts for a short time before it breaks. Can also be used to bludgeon enemies that get too close. </p><p> </p><p><b>USP-16 Ultor Semi-Automatic <a href="/pistol/3055-59/" data-ref-id="3055-59"> Pistol</a>: </b>Standard issue sidearm for all Ultor security personnel. Uses 12mm ammunition and comes with a detachable silencer. The only weapon that can fire <a href="/underwater/3035-719/" data-ref-id="3035-719"> underwater</a>.</p><p> </p><p><b>UAP-32/20 Ultor <a href="/submachine-gun/3055-766/" data-ref-id="3055-766"> Submachine Gun</a>: </b>Used by Ultor security guards, the automatic fire rate can decimate enemies at close range, but not much else. It can be toggled to fire a magazine of either thirty 12mm rounds or twenty 5.56mm rounds.</p><p> </p><p><b>UAS-10 Ultor Automatic Combat <a href="/shotgun/3055-114/" data-ref-id="3055-114"> Shotgun</a>: </b>The ultimate close quarters weapon, used primarily by Ultor riot guards. It fires 10 gauge buckshot shells in automatic or a pump-action double shot. </p><p> </p><p><b>UAR-42 Ultor Military <a href="/assault-rifle/3055-413/" data-ref-id="3055-413"> Assault Rifle</a>: </b>The standard issue rifle for Ultor officers, it packs a hefty punch, but lacks accuracy at long distances. Fires 5.56mm ammunition in full automatic, but can also fire in more accurate three round bursts.</p><p> </p><p> <b>USG-50 Ultor <a href="/sniper-rifle/3055-67/" data-ref-id="3055-67"> Sniper Rifle</a>: </b>Comes equipped with a UNVS-8 scope with up to 12x magnification and pin point accuracy. Add that to the .50 caliber rounds it fires and you have an incredible killing machine.</p><p><b>UFT-1 Ultor <a href="/flamethrower/3055-45/" data-ref-id="3055-45"> Flamethrower</a>: </b>Primarily intended to clear out rogue plant growth, however, a new, more hostile, use was discovered with the Red Faction's revolution. In a pinch, the fuel canister can be detached and thrown as an incendiary bomb. <b>URL-6T "Big Earl" Ultor Tactical <a href="/rocket-launcher/3055-211/" data-ref-id="3055-211"> Rocket Launcher</a>: </b>Intended for mining, yet great for combat. The "Big Earl" fires 15cm high explosive rockets in either "dumb" or a heat seeking "homing" mode in which the thermal sensor must take some time to acquire a lock-on. </p><p> </p><p><b>URC-15 Ultor Remote Mining Charges: </b>A high explosive detonation charge more useful for terrain destruction than actual combat, although it can be attached to enemies with hilarious results.</p><p> </p><p> UHG-90 Ultor Offensive <a href="/grenade/3055-111/" data-ref-id="3055-111"> Hand Grenade</a>:</p><p>Highly explosive thrown hand grenade. Can be set to detonate with a timer or on impact.<b></b>Favorite weapon of the <a href="/mercenary/3015-2073/" data-ref-id="3015-2073"> Mercs</a>, it offers a deadly mixture of power and accuracy, but limited magazine size. Fires 5.56mm explosive ammunition and comes with a scope.</p><p> </p><p>MK/SG-1 Defender Precision Rifle: </p><p> </p><p><b>JF60-HMG/BF Heavy Suppression Machine Gun: </b>A large belt-fed machine gun used mostly by Merc officers. Capable of heavy sustained fire, what it lacks in range and accuracy, it makes up for with a massive ammunition count and damage output. Shoots the 7.62mm round.</p><p> </p><p><b>FCA-26 Magnetic <a href="/rail-driver/3055-4049/" data-ref-id="3055-4049"> Rail Driver</a>: </b>Uses magnetic acceleration to project a metal slug at high speeds to penetrate walls and multiple enemies. Comes equipped with a scope capable of seeing through walls to deliver a surprise to unsuspecting foes around the corner. </p><p> </p><p><b>F-1TL Fusion Rocket Launcher: </b>The ultimate explosive weapon, basically a miniature nuke. Eradicates everything within the blast radius in what is known as "overkill". </p><p> </p><h2><b>Releases</b></h2><p>Red Faction was released for the <a href="/pc/3045-94/" data-ref-id="3045-94"> PC</a> and <a href="/playstation-2/3045-19/" data-ref-id="3045-19"> Playstation 2</a> in 2001. An <a href="/n-gage/3045-34/" data-ref-id="3045-34"> N-Gage</a> version was released in 2003 and a mobile phone version in 2005. In 2009 Red Faction was made available through<a href="/steam/3015-718/" data-ref-id="3015-718"> Steam</a>.</p><p> </p><h2>Critical Reception</h2><p>On the <a href="/playstation-2/3045-19/" data-ref-id="3045-19"> PS2</a>, Red Faction was well-received with a Metacritic average of 87.92% and an 88 on Metacritic (based on 60 and 25 reviews respectively). The PC version was not quite as well-received, criticised for its poor net code amongst other things, with an average of 77.8% and 78 on Metacritic (29 and 19 reviews). Both the mobile phone and N-Gage version were panned by critics.</p><h2>Sequels</h2><p>After the success of Red Faction, a sequel,<a href="/red-faction-ii/3030-12203/" data-ref-id="3030-12203"> Red Faction 2</a>, was produced and released in October 2002.<a href="/red-faction-guerrilla/3030-21125/" data-ref-id="3030-21125"> Red Faction: Guerrilla</a>, the third game in the series, was released in June 2009 with <a href="/red-faction-armageddon/3030-25726/" data-ref-id="3030-25726"> Red Faction: Armageddon</a> coming soon. A <a href="/spin-off/3015-1100/" data-ref-id="3015-1100"> spin-off</a> was planned for the<a href="/wii/3045-36/" data-ref-id="3045-36"> Wii</a> titled Red Faction: B.E.A.S.T. but has been <a href="/cancelled-game/3015-2310/" data-ref-id="3015-2310"> canceled</a>. </p><h2>PC Requirements </h2><ul><li><strong>Operating System: </strong>Windows® 2000/XP</li><li><strong>DirectX Version: </strong>DirectX 8</li><li><strong>Processor: </strong>Pentium II 400 MHz or greater</li><li><strong>Memory: </strong>64 MB RAM</li><li><strong>Video Card: </strong>3D Graphics Accelerator Card (8MB)</li><li><strong>Sound: </strong>Direct X Certified audio hardware </li></ul>

The Last Guardian is the long-delayed third game from Sony's Team Ico. Originally revealed in trailer form at E3 2009, the game was met with substantial delays but was reintroduced at E3 2015.

<h2>Overview</h2><figure data-align="right" data-size="small" data-ref-id="1300-318006" data-img-src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/5305/318006-ico3.jpg" data-ratio="0.5625" data-width="640" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 640px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:56.3%" href="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/5305/318006-ico3.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-318006"><img alt="No Caption Provided" src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/5305/318006-ico3.jpg" srcset="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/5305/318006-ico3.jpg 640w, http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_medium/0/5305/318006-ico3.jpg 480w, http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/5305/318006-ico3.jpg 320w" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" data-width="320"></a></figure><p>The Last Guardian is a <a href="/sony-computer-entertainment-incorporated/3010-995/" data-ref-id="3010-995">Sony</a> title being developed by <a href="/team-ico/3010-3531/" data-ref-id="3010-3531">Team Ico</a>. The game was first announced in February 2007 through a full-page advertisement in the Japanese gaming magazine <i>Famitsu</i>. It was shown publicly for the first time in trailer form at <a href="/e3-2009/3015-3244/" data-ref-id="3015-3244">E3 2009</a>.</p><p>At E3, The Last Guardian was announced as an exclusive to the <a href="/playstation-3/3045-35/" data-ref-id="3045-35"> PlayStation 3</a>. Very few concrete details were released about the title, but the artwork indicates that it would share similarities with the visuals in Team Ico's previous works,<a href="/ico/3030-9638/" data-ref-id="3030-9638"> Ico</a> and <a href="/shadow-of-the-colossus/3030-6522/" data-ref-id="3030-6522"> Shadow of the Colossus</a>. It is not known if The Last Guardian is set within the same world as the previous Team Ico games.</p><p>The Last Guardian was last shown to the public in a trailer at TGS 2010. Since then, it has been met with extensive delays. Though it was originally announced as a PS3 title, at E3 2015 it was re-revealed as now being a Playstation 4 game.</p><h2>Story</h2><p>From the E3 2009 trailer, it can be deduced that, as was the case with Ico, the game will again feature a young boy as the main character; in this case, one who will interact with a large creature named "<a href="/toriko/3005-16399/" data-ref-id="3005-16399">Toriko</a>." The creature has purposely been designed as an amalgamation of several different types of animals, as designer <a href="/fumito-ueda/3040-89582/" data-ref-id="3040-89582">Fumito Ueda</a> feels this will create a greater sense of empathy in the player. The developers have stated that player's shouldn't expect the creature to be too intelligent and that luring it onwards may be an important aspect of gameplay.</p><h2>Development</h2><p>In March 2009 at the Game Developers Conference '09, Ueda stated during a Q&amp;A session that "it [the new game] might be similar to what's been done," and "the essence of the game is rather close to 'Ico.'"</p><p>On May 19 2009, PlayStationLifestyle.net released a several images and a video of the studio's newest project. Tentatively titled 'Project Trico', the footage began with the scene shown previously in the first image. It showed a boy together with a giant feathered beast traversing vast temple ruins, the architecture similar in style to both Ico and Shadow of the Colossus. It was revealed to be old footage however, shown internally within Sony.</p><figure data-align="right" data-size="small" data-ref-id="1300-1043394" data-img-src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/3068/1043394-tlg.jpg" data-ratio="1.7777777777778" data-width="900" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 900px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:177.8%" href="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/3068/1043394-tlg.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-1043394"><img alt="No Caption Provided" src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/3068/1043394-tlg.jpg" srcset="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/3068/1043394-tlg.jpg 900w, http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_medium/0/3068/1043394-tlg.jpg 540w, http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/3068/1043394-tlg.jpg 360w" sizes="(max-width: 360px) 100vw, 360px" data-width="360"></a></figure><p>On June 1 2009, the game was officially revealed at Sony's E3 press conference, with the first trailer being shown. It was an updated version of the footage that had been leaked previously, with the scenes slightly edited and now showing a lot more polish, in addition to completely new scenes. The game's title was revealed to be 'The Last Guardian.' New screenshots were officially released too. Sony Computer Entertainment announced at E3 that The Last Guardian is a 2010 release, and Ueda declined to go into further specifics, other than to say "there is definitely a reason why we are announcing this when we are."</p><p>On September 24 2009, The Last Guardian made a highly-anticipated appearance at Tokyo Game Show on the first day, albeit in limited form. While there was still no playable demo present, a new trailer was shown, revealing a few more scenes of gameplay. Another batch of screenshots were also released, in addition to <a href="/the-last-guardian-tgs-09-interview/2300-1416/" data-ref-id="2300-1416"> a short behind-the-scenes look</a> at the game's development featuring Ueda.</p><p>At TGS 2010, Ueda announced a late 2011 release for the game, but by April 2011, a post on the EU PlayStation blog revealed a delay to both The Last Guardian and <a href="/the-ico-shadow-of-the-colossus-collection/3030-32696/" data-ref-id="3030-32696">The Ico &amp; Shadow of the Colossus Collection</a>. The reason provided was "to provide more challenging and better quality of content to users and to fulfill First Party Studio’s obligations". </p><p>As of late 2011, Ueda is no longer a full-time employee of Sony Computer Entertainment. He has since joined a company called Bossa Studios, but it has been stated that he is continuing to work on The Last Guardian in a freelance capacity.</p><p>On February 13, 2013, <a href="/shuhei-yoshida/3040-63461/" data-ref-id="3040-63461">Shuhei Yoshida</a> announced a significant amount of work on The Last Guardian had to be completely redone. “At one point we felt that it would be produced for a certain time period. That was the time we prematurely talked about the launch window. But it turned out the technical issues are much harder to solve. So the engineering team had to go back and re-do some of the work they had done.”</p><p>On June 11, 2013, at E3, <a href="/jack-tretton/3040-700/" data-ref-id="3040-700">Jack Tretton</a> commented that development of The Last Guardian is "on hiatus"; phrasing that suggests that the game is no longer in development. However, Yoshida later commented to Kotaku's Stephen Totilo and clarified that the game is still in active development and requested that the public continue to have patience.</p><p>On June 7, 2014, the website IGN reported that The Last Guardian had been cancelled, citing an "internal source" that spoke with IGN Russia. This news was quickly refuted by <a href="/scott-rohde/3040-30099/" data-ref-id="3040-30099">Scott Rohde</a> of Sony Worldwide Studios on Twitter. IGN later backtracked, updating <a href="http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/06/08/the-last-guardian-cancelled" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">their article</a> to reflect the conflicting reports they received.</p><p>On June 15, 2015, at E3, The Last Guardian finally made a reappearance at Sony's Press Conference. Sony showed <a href="/videos/e3-2015-the-last-guardian-it-s-real/2300-10308/" data-ref-id="2300-10308">a brand new trailer</a> which featured gameplay of the game on the Playstation 4 and a release date of 2016.</p>