Gaming
Crisis Core: FFVII Reunion now has a release date
Plus more Square Enix games coming
Square Enix announced that the release date for Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion is on December 13. It’ll be available on PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.
It will be available in Hero (physical), Digital Deluxe, and Standard editions, with the Steam version for PC dropping the day after.
The much-anticipated remaster of the prequel to Final Fantasy VII first released in 2007 for PlayStation Portable will feature a complete HD graphics overhaul, remastered soundtrack, a reimagined UI, and an updated combat system.
More upcoming titles and newly-released games were also announced at Nintendo Direct. Here’s a quick rundown:
Octopath Traveler II to launch in February 2023
The second installment in the action RPG series Octopath Traveler has been confirmed for a February 24, 2023 release date on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and 5, and PC via Steam.
There will be a brand-new story alongside new characters – each with their own narratives – as players will now start an adventure in the new land of Solistiaand and encounter eight new travelers: Hikari (Warrior), Agnea (Dancer), Partitio (Merchant), Osvald (Scholar), Throné (Thief), Temenos (Cleric), Ochette (Hunter), and Castti (Apothecary).
New and returning gameplay features and elements will include:
- Break and Boost Battle system: Players should exploit enemy weaknesses to “break” them, inflict more damage, and “boost” travelers’ abilities
- Path Actions: Players can interact with NPCs throughout the world
- Day and Night cycle: Townscapes and Path Actions for each character will depend on the time of the day
- Latent Power: A new battle element wherein characters can unleash a powerful ability once the gauge fills up
- Crossed Paths: Additional stories will unfold between protagonists as their journey progresses
Theatrhythm returns with Final Bar Line
After a six-year wait, the fan-favorite rhythm action series is back with Theatrhythm: Final Bar Line launching on February 16, 2023 on Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 – both in digital and physical versions.
There will be 385 carefully selected music tracks from across the whole Final Fantasy series, and the game will also feature songs from more recent Square Enix titles.
Harvestella demo now available for download
Meanwhile, a free downloadable demo for the upcoming simulation RPG Harvestella is now available on Nintendo Switch.
This will allow players to begin their adventure before carrying over their saved progress to the full game. It releases on November 4 this year.
Romancing SaGa: Minstrel Song Remastered coming this December
The fourth entry in the SaGa series, Romancing SaGa: Minstrel Song Remastered is coming to PlayStation 4 and 5, Nintendo Switch, Steam, and iOS and Android devices on December 1, 2022.
The latest iteration of the adventure RPG will get an HD graphical remaster. This is on top of additional new features and QOL updates. Pre-order will be announced at a later date.
Various Daylife to be available in more consoles
Lastly, single player RPG Various Daylife has finally been made available for the first time on Nintendo Switch, Steam, and PlayStation 4.
Released in 2019, the game revolves around the story of a protagonist travelling with a group in a new land. The protagonist joins an exploration team in the process.
Capcom is celebrating the arrival of Yasmine, the first-ever Filipina character in the Street Fighter series, with an official community event in the Philippines this August.
The Official Street Fighter 6 ‘Yasmine’ Community Event takes place on August 9, 2026 at Salud! by Primera Bar & Restaurant in Palanan, Makati. Doors open at 2:00 PM, with tournament matches, community activities, giveaways, and free play sessions scheduled throughout the day.
Meet Yasmine, Street Fighter 6’s first Filipina fighter
Yasmine joins Street Fighter 6 as the first playable character in the game’s Year 4 roster.
According to Capcom, she learned to fight alongside her older brother under the guidance of her grandfather. After her brother’s disappearance, she returns to combat using high-speed Eskrima techniques while wielding a Karambit knife.
She is joined in the Year 4 lineup by Arjun, Tifa from the Final Fantasy VII Remake series, and Bosch. Her release also coincides with balance updates for the entire Street Fighter 6 roster.
Yasmine becomes available on August 3, 2026 for players who own the Year 4 Character Pass or Year 4 Ultimate Pass.
Community tournament and exclusive merchandise
The Makati event will feature a double-elimination tournament, beginning with Best-of-3 matches before switching to Best-of-5 during the Top 8 Finals.
The schedule includes:
- 2:00 PM: Doors Open, Player Check-in, Controller Button Checks, and Free Play Warmups
- 3:00 PM – 3:15 PM: Welcome Speech & Official Street Fighter 6 Yasmine Gameplay Showcase
- 3:15 PM – 5:00 PM: Tournament Pools
- 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM: Top 8 Finals (Main Stage Broadcast) & Prize Presentation Ceremony for Champion, 2nd and 3rd Placements.
- 6:30 PM – 7:00 PM: Premium Community Giveaways, Group Photo Ops, and Closing Remarks
- 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM: Free Play and Community Networking
Attendees can also receive exclusive event merchandise while supplies last, including a Yasmine-themed T-shirt, lanyard, keychains, and themed food and refreshments.
Capcom says admission is subject to venue capacity and will be handled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Watch the event online
Fans who cannot attend in person can watch the tournament live through the Capcom Asia Official YouTube Channeland the Enduins Games Official YouTube Channel.
Capcom also teased additional announcements, including appearances from cosplay personalities, fighting game veterans, and content creators, which will be revealed closer to the event.
Street Fighter 6 Yasmine community event details
- Date: August 9, 2026
- Time: 2:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- Venue: Salud! by Primera Bar & Restaurant, Palanan, Makati City
- Tournament: Double-elimination (FT2, Top 8 FT3)
- Livestream: Capcom Asia Official YouTube Channel and Enduins Games Official YouTube Channel
Gaming
Most of the world’s PlayStations will be officially useless by 2028
PlayStation’s disastrous no-disc policy is now a lot worse than you thought.
Last week, we lamented the loss of the PlayStation disc. As we described, the loss isn’t just a major blow to nostalgia for aging gamers, but it also puts a huge question mark on game ownership. Well, there’s another wrinkle that the world is slowly realizing. By deleting physical discs, PlayStation has effectively blockaded their entire service from countries without an official online store.
If you haven’t heard, PlayStation is ceasing the production of physical discs for new games starting 2028. The console will become an all-digital platform. Now, we can blather on and on about how this sucks for ownership, but all gamers will still have access to games online at the very least. Right?
Wrong.
Not every country has an official PlayStation Store or the ability to create a PSN account. In fact, a staggering amount don’t; 121 countries (or 62 percent of the entire world) don’t have official access to the online storefront.
If you live in any of these countries, you’re likely familiar with some unofficial solutions: that is, setting your country elsewhere where the store exists. But, because it’s an unofficial solution, doing this is technically against PlayStation’s policies and can result in bans.
That being said, as noted by users on Reddit, this means that, on a very technical and legal level, these 121 countries will no longer be able to buy physical or digital games starting 2028. Because of a clarified policy, you can still play older games, but if you want to play the latest Call of Duty or NBA 2K, you are out of luck.
There’s no official list of affected countries, other than those collated by others manually. But if you’ve never been able to set your own country on the PlayStation Network, you’re a part of it.
Gaming
Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced comes to life at Skypark Macau
Themed event lets fans experience the game in real life from July 17 to 26
Assassin’s Creed fans are invited to celebrate the launch of Black Flag Resynced through a limited-time themed experience at the Skypark Macau Tower.
The experience will run from July 17 to 26, and will feature elements from the title brought into a real-world setting. There’s themed installations, photo opportunities, and exclusive event rewards.
Aside from that, there is a concept art gallery and replica props inspired by the action-adventure.
The experience opens to the public from 11:00 A.M. on Friday, and will remain available until the last Sunday of the month.
It will be more fulfilling to come on the first day, as there will be exclusive merchandise sold only on July 17.
Guests who purchase the game on-site, or present proof of purchase of the game at the event will be eligible to redeem an exclusive item, available only until supplies last.
Moreover, those who complete an eligible activity during the Assassin’s Creed event period at Skypark Macau will receive a paper scroll replica of the “Letter for Duncan Walpole”, while supplies last.
Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced is a faithful remake of 2013’s Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag. Rebuilt from the ground up and powered by the latest Anvil engine, the game features updated visuals, enriched gameplay, and new narrative content.
Set during the Golden Age of Piracy, the game invites players to sail the Caribbean as Edward Kenway. The rebellious pirate captain is drawn into the centuries-old conflict between Assassins and Templars.
As the protagonist pursues glory and fortune, he crosses paths with legendary figures such as Blackbeard, Anne Bonny, and Calico Jack. All this while the fate of everything the pirates have built hangs in the balance.
The game is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
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