3. 🇨🇦 Canada
4. 🇯🇵 Japan
5. 🇬🇧 United Kingdom
6. 🇦🇺 Australia
7. 🇳🇱 Netherlands
8. 🇭🇰 Hong Kong
9. 🇵🇭 Philippines
10. 🇹🇭 Thailand
Germany, South Korea, and... South Africa came close!
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Slice Into Sclash - The Tense 2D Samurai Fighter Available Now
PC Version Also Gets New Sakura DLC Today in This Unique Hand-Drawn Fighter
Console players can now experience the exhilarating tension of samurai duels, as the critically acclaimed 2D fighting game Sclash slashes its way onto Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S! Developed by Bevel Bakery and published by Maximum Entertainment and Abiding Bridge, Sclash brings the art of sword combat to life with gorgeous hand-drawn characters battling across stunningly painted environments.
In Sclash, a single well-timed strike can mean the difference between victory and defeat. Players must carefully manage their stamina and breathing while sizing up opponents, looking for the perfect opening to unleash a deadly blow. With an intuitive yet supremely skill-testing combat system, Sclash captures the patient lethality and solemn drama of traditional samurai duels.
"We wanted to recreate the intense psychological warfare and surgical precision of real sword fighting in a way that was both accessible and endlessly rewarding to master," said Yuki Morimoto, lead developer at Bevel Bakery. "Sclash's deceptively simple controls belie an incredibly deep combat system that forces you to be hyper aware of everything from your spacing to your breath control."
Fun fact: Our dojo was split between karateka like myself... who were learning Uechi Ryu, and the other half were Kendo & Iaido. So while we were empty handed, they had (wooden) swords outside of certain occassions where non-battle ready blades came out for demonstration. Good times. - Blu
While the game may seem minimalist on the surface, players can take their skills online and duke it out against other samurai masters from around the world. There's also an immersive story mode that fleshes out the conflict between the warring Aki and Natsu clans through the lens of Japanese culture and history.
Perhaps Sclash's most stunning feature, though, is the breathtaking hand-drawn visual style that brings the characters and environments to life. Each of the 5 playable samurai characters and their 50+ unlockable skins has been painstakingly animated frame-by-frame, while the 16 battleground stages look like living Japanese ink-brush paintings. It's a real feast for the eyes.
The storymode is badass. Really look at the environment when you're in the heat of battle (especially the boss battles) and remind yourself that it's... hand drawn. I have to share this one with my Renshi, and i'm sure our Kyoshi would've been impressed. HAJIME! - Blu
To celebrate the console launch, Maximum Entertainment is also releasing the "Sakura" DLC for the existing PC version of Sclash today. This new add-on content includes two new customization items inspired by the iconic Japanese cherry blossom imagery.
Since first releasing on PC back in August 2023, Sclash has cultivated a passionate following among fighting game enthusiasts who appreciated its unique spin on the genre's fundamentals. With its easy-to-learn but insanely difficult-to-master mechanics and stunning visual style, it quickly established itself as an under-the-radar gem.
Now, with Sclash finally making the leap to consoles, an even wider audience can discover the unparalleled tension and exquisite artistry of this new take on samurai sword-fighting games. Grab your controller of choice, steady your breath, and prepare to put your focus and reflexes to the ultimate test against worthy foes. Just don't blink, or it may be Sclashed!
If it were me, I'd hold game tournaments at dojos, but... that's just me. HAJIME! - Blu
The Classic Dreamcast Shoot 'Em Up Returns With Remastered Visuals, New Gameplay Modes, and Fully Localized Anime Cutscenes
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In Rainbow Cotton HD Remake, players take control of the adorably mischievous witch Cotton and her fairy companions as they embark on a sugary sweet quest to gather up delicious Willow candies. Using an arsenal of whimsical spells and magical attacks, Cotton must fend off an onslaught of demonic enemies and outrageous bosses across vibrant, fantasy-themed stages. It's a wild and wondrous romp that beautifully captures the series' trademark blend of intense shoot 'em up action and offbeat, lighthearted storytelling.
"The original Rainbow Cotton was a beloved cult classic that really pushed the boundaries of the shoot 'em up genre with its charming characters, creative spellcasting mechanics, and delightfully quirky sense of humor," said Takashi Izuka, director at developer Success. "With this HD remake, we've carefully preserved all the whimsical gameplay that made the original so special while also overhauling the graphics, adding awesome new features, and finally giving Western audiences a chance to experience the full story with localized anime cutscenes."
While the core shooting mechanics that Rainbow Cotton fans know and love remain fully intact, the HD remake introduces a slew of enticing new enhancements. The visuals have been completely remastered in 1080p and 4K resolution with beautifully crisp sprite work, dazzling new lighting effects, and meticulously hand-drawn backgrounds that burst with vibrant colors and incredible details. The remixed soundtrack brings the game's upbeat, lighthearted melodies to life with renewed clarity as well.
Perhaps the most exciting new addition, though, is the debut of a local 2-player co-op mode, allowing a friend to join in on Cotton's magical misadventures for some couch co-op pandemonium. By collecting special items during levels, player two can actually transform into different fairy characters—each with their own unique abilities—allowing for some wild strategic teamwork and combo attacks. For the first time in series history, Rainbow Cotton's frenetic shooting action can be an eye-popping social experience!
The HD remake has also incorporated a host of new quality-of-life improvements to fine tune the gameplay, such as additional spellcasting options, revamped scoring systems, optional auto-fire for simplified play, and more. Combined with the buttery smooth frame rates and gorgeously remastered graphics, these enhancements ensure that Rainbow Cotton looks, sounds, and plays better than ever before.
Of course, one of the most highly anticipated components of this HD remake is the addition of localized versions of the original Dreamcast game's anime cutscenes, which were previously only available in Japanese voice acting with no subtitles. Now, fans in the West can finally experience the full narrative scope and quirky humor of Cotton's misadventures with the inclusion of subtitle tracks in English, French, Spanish, Italian, and German. It's the most complete and accessible version of Rainbow Cotton's story to date!
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With its irresistible charm, vibrant personality, and action-packed gameplay, the original Rainbow Cotton established itself as a must-play for any self-respecting shoot 'em up enthusiast or Dreamcast collector back in 1999. Over 20 years later, this enchanting cult classic has been expertly rejuvenated with the kind of deluxe HD remaster treatment it so richly deserves, introducing its wonderful blend of frenetic shooting, spellcasting mechanics, and off-the-wall storytelling to a whole new generation of gamers.
So grab your trusty broomstick controller, pucker up those lips, and get ready to blow away the demonic hordes as the irrepressible witch Cotton in this lovingly crafted HD remake, available today on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox, and Steam. It's the sweetest magical mayhem you'll experience all year! Just try not to stress out those poor fairy companions too much, okay?
