Gaming

The new Doraemon Story of Seasons game goes intergalactic

At least, based on the gameplay we had with it

Published

on

Doraemon Story of Seasons

Who would have thought that you could come up with a farming game featuring one of the most popular anime franchises in Japan? For BANDAI NAMCO, anything is possible, I guess as that lovable cat named Doraemon has his own video game. Of course, believe it or not, this isn’t their first tango with Doraemon and friends.

Doraemon Story of Seasons serves as a direct spin-off to the popular Story of Seasons (formerly Harvest Moon) franchise. In essence, it’s a farming simulator complete with day and night cycles, tools, crops to sell — all to restore an old farm into a glorious one. To add its own spin on it, you also have access to Doraemon’s secret gadgets to help with the farm work.

Safe to say, the gang are back and this time, there’s a much bigger farm to tend to somewhere — say, on another planet. This is what Doraemon Story of Seasons: Friends of the Great Kingdom is all about, and we got a chance to try this game at the Thailand Game Show 2022.

Everything is pretty much the same as before

Like its predecessor, Doraemon Story of Seasons: Friends of the Great Kingdom follows a similar play style as any farming simulator. In its own basic sense, you start off with a pretty empty farm and are tasked with planting available crops within your inventory. Of course, you have some basic tools suited for farming at your disposal.

In this game, you still play as Nobita (Noby, for short) and you still have Doraemon, your friends and family members helping you manage the farm. Also, apart from managing your crops, you also have to manage the farm animals you pick up along the way. As with any Story of Seasons title, you have to do all your tasks within that day or week – especially when certain services are only available on specific days.

It’s all the same stuff as before — kind of like the whole “if it ain’t broke, don’t even try to fix it” situation. To be fair, for a game like this, it’s okay to be consistent with the formula and changing it might be confusing.

New world to explore, more to connect with

Although there’s nothing particularly different from before, BANDAI NAMCO did add some more things to Friends of the Great Kingdom, considering the new environment. One of which includes some new gadgets from Doraemon that you can use to help you with managing your farm.

During the initial playthrough of the demo, one of these gadgets was available as a farming crop called “Farm Restaurant.” Instead of planting and harvesting crops to make food or sell at the end of the day, “Farm Restaurant” allows you to basically plant full meals instead. Of course, you can also sell these for much more profit but it’s definitely a faster way to prepare your meals for the day.

Another new feature added are specific crops that require more than one person to harvest fully. With Friends of the Great Kingdom, you will gain assistance from your friends through local or online Co-Op to harvest large crops on your farm. As they say, no one can run a farm on their own (I mean the title alone already suggests that).

How did you end up on this planet?

In Friends of the Great Kingdom, you find yourself in the vast planet of Irima filled with new worlds to explore. Although the demo only gave you access to just the house and nearby areas, the trailer also hints at going to worlds underwater as well. In this world, you meet Lumis, a boy with his own dreams.

Doraemon Story of Seasons

The demo doesn’t really touch on how you ended up on Irima and what you eventually need to do to further progress in the story. All we know so far is that Doraemon and friends are now starting a new farm life on a faraway planet. Although, along the way, you will be building relationships with everyone to help develop the farm into its best version yet.

So far, Doraemon Story of Seasons: Friends of the Great Kingdom provides something similar with a twist. With a new planet to explore, new gadgets for farming, and new bonds to build, this game has potential to provide something new for both old and new players alike. If you want to give this game a go, it is now available for the PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and PC through Steam!

Gaming

NBA 2K27 gameplay trailer showcases new dunk mechanics, Rucker Park, and more

First gameplay details revealed

Published

on

NBA 2K27 gameplay

NBA 2K27 is giving fans their first look at this year’s gameplay.

2K has released the official gameplay trailer for NBA 2K27, showcasing enhanced visuals and several gameplay updates ahead of the game’s September 4 launch. The trailer also features cover athletes Victor Wembanyama, Caitlin Clark, and Derrick Rose while teasing changes across Gameplay, MyCAREER, MyTEAM, MyNBA, and the MyPLAYER Builder.

The publisher also confirmed the Preseason Breakdown: NBA 2K27 Game Reveal, which streams on August 18 at 10:00 AM PT. During the presentation, 2K will reveal this year’s biggest gameplay innovations and mode updates before Early Access begins on August 28 for Deluxe Edition and Ultra Edition owners.

Smarter AI and a new Dunk Meter headline gameplay changes

NBA 2K27 introduces several gameplay refinements based on community feedback.

AI defenders now contest shots more effectively and hold their defensive positioning better, especially in online modes like The REC. The changes aim to create a more balanced experience on both ends of the floor.

The game also introduces a fully dynamic Dunk Meter. Instead of locking in the timing at takeoff, the meter continuously evaluates defensive positioning throughout the dunk attempt. Open driving lanes create a larger green window, while late defensive rotations shrink it, making each dunk attempt feel more responsive to the action on the court.

MyPLAYER Builder expands with more Badges

The MyPLAYER Builder now features 53 total Badges, up from 40 in last year’s game. Players can also experiment with 19 brand-new Badges designed to support more specialized builds.

Cap Breakers are also making a return. This time, players can preview attribute boosts directly inside the Builder before finalizing their character.

MyTEAM and MyNBA receive community-requested updates

MyTEAM introduces the franchise’s first unified Auction House across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2. The shared marketplace creates the largest pool of community-listed cards in the mode’s history. It should also make card prices more consistent across supported platforms.

Winning an auction is now faster, too. Purchased cards go straight into your collection without a verification delay.

MyNBA also receives several franchise management updates that reflect today’s NBA. These include second apron salary cap rules from the league’s latest collective bargaining agreement and the ability to offer No-Trade Clauses to free agents.

Rucker Park comes to MyCAREER

The City returns with the same centralized layout introduced last year. This time, however, it gets a new nighttime look filled with neon lights.

NBA 2K27 also recreates the legendary Rucker Park. The iconic streetball court serves as the setting for this year’s MyCAREER prelude story, Fire & Concrete, and also appears in the Street Kings mode.

NBA 2K27 launches on September 4 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC via Steam, and Nintendo Switch 2. Players who purchase the Deluxe Edition or Ultra Edition can jump in early starting August 28 through Early Access.

Watch the full trailer. 

Continue Reading

Gaming

God of War Laufey finally confirms its highly anticipated launch date

Set your calendars next year.

Published

on

It’s about time we get excited for God of War Laufey. The upcoming entry into the acclaimed franchise takes off on a tangent as it follows Faye, Kratos’s late wife, as she traverses an afterlife filled with similarly deceased gods. It’s a different perspective but with still the same action we’ve come to expect from the series. Now, we know when to expect it: February 16.

In the ongoing Norse saga, Faye’s death is everything. Her passing pushes Kratos and Atreus towards a path that eventually led to Ragnarok. In Laufey, a deceased Faye wakes up in Everywhen, an afterlife where gods from different mythologies converge. She then discovers that the carefully laid plans she made to help her husband and her son are unravelling, so she has to find a way to save the living world from past the veil.

Laufey will still have the iconic battles that the God of War series is known for. However, because Faye is nimbler than the burly Kratos, fighting is more fast-paced with a mix of grounded and air-based fighting. All in all, there’s a lot to be excited about for Laufey, despite its different take on the series.

Over the weekend, during San Diego Comic Con, PlayStation confirmed when the title is launching. Thankfully, it’s not a long wait. God of War Laufey is launching for the PlayStation 5 on February 16 next year.

Additionally, Santa Monica Studio has also confirmed that Kratos will lead another entry after Laufey.

SEE ALSO: God of War Laufey puts Faye in the spotlight

Continue Reading

Gaming

FINAL FANTASY X | X-2 HD Remaster launches on Nintendo Switch 2

Classic RPGs returng

Published

on

Final Fantasy X | Nintendo Switch 2

Bandai Namco Entertainment Asia and Square Enix have announced that FINAL FANTASY X | X-2 HD Remaster is now available on Nintendo Switch 2. Physical copies are also on sale across Southeast Asia.

The collection brings together FINAL FANTASY X and FINAL FANTASY X-2, two of the most celebrated entries in the long-running RPG franchise. Both games feature enhanced HD visuals while preserving their original stories and gameplay.

Two classic adventures in one package

In FINAL FANTASY X, players follow Tidus, a star blitzball athlete whose journey becomes intertwined with the summoner Yuna as they travel across the world of Spira to confront a devastating threat.

Its direct sequel, FINAL FANTASY X-2, takes place two years later. Players take control of Yuna alongside Rikku and Paine as they uncover ancient mysteries and face new enemies.

The release also coincides with the 25th anniversary of the original launch of the game in Japan, giving longtime fans and newcomers another opportunity to experience the pair of RPG classics at home or on the go.

Bandai Namco notes that physical edition availability may vary by country across Southeast Asia.

Watch the launch trailer below:

About the FINAL FANTASY series

The FINAL FANTASY franchise has entertained players for more than 35 years. Known for its cinematic storytelling, memorable characters, imaginative worlds, and technical innovation, the series has sold more than 212 million copies worldwide.

Continue Reading

Trending