TGS 2023: Sega Brings the House Down With an Exciting Lineup of Games
The House of Sonic did not pull any punches!
Tokyo Game Show is the premier platform for developers worldwide to showcase their upcoming games, with Japanese developers taking full advantage of their home turf. Among all the developers present, it was none other than Sega who truly brought the house down.
The upcoming months are a thrilling time for the House of Sonic; the Blue Blur returns with an all-new multiplayer platformer, and the Like a Dragon or Ryu Ga Gotoku series is also receiving a major entry and spin-off coming soon.
As for Sega’s JRPG arm, Atlus, fans of the genre will see some exciting new games in the Persona series as well as the all-new tactical game by 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim developer, Vanillaware.
So with Tokyo Game Show drawing its curtains, let’s look at how Sega pulled out all the stops this year.
Before The Show
Right before the Tokyo Game Show began, Sega held media briefings for the Like a Dragon franchise and Atlus’ slate of RPGs. The RGG Summit showcased what fans can expect from the two upcoming games, with special appearances by the voice actors of the series.
Similarly, the Atlus show previewed not only Persona 3 Reload and Persona 5 Tactica but also Unicorn Overlord, as well as live performances of songs from 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim and the Persona franchise.
Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name
The theme song for Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name was revealed to be Katatoki, a new original song by Yojiro Noda and J.I.D. This hip-hop track adds to this spin-off’s spy-based antics while adding a touch of modernity to the franchise’s soundscape.
While the seventh game in the series brought turn-based combat into the series, this spin-off retains the beat 'em-up mechanics from the past six games. Overall, Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name is a twist on the tried-and-true formula that fans can really sink their teeth into.
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
Releasing on January 26, 2024, for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows, and Steam, this eighth entry is the most exciting yet. The franchise’s two protagonists, Ichiban Kasuga and Kazuma Kiryu, must team up in Hawaii of all places.
It will be the first time we see Kiryu in the new turn-based combat system, and judging from what we’ve played, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth keeps its predecessor’s kinetic pace. With the trailer showing off giant squid bosses and a BMX minigame, we can’t wait to see how crazy this game can get.
Unicorn Overlord
The new game from Atlus and Vanillaware will be released on March 8, 2024, for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox Series X|S. Like any Vanillaware, Unicorn Overlord’s impeccable art style is its main draw while its tactical gameplay is something the studio has never done before.
As we’ve seen in the previews, Unicorn Overlord delicately blends the new and the old into a unique and unforgettable experience. It harkens back to the golden age of 16-bit gaming while being something wholly original as well.
Persona 5 Tactica
The latest instalment to the Persona 5 sub-franchise features a variety of new mechanics and gameplay elements, including a slew of unique enemies and contraptions for each stage. For those who were worried about this game, we’ve played it and can firmly say it is a lot of fun.
Every member of the Phantom Thieves can now equip Sub-Personas, and players can now forge weapons in the Velvet Room. There are also several new combat mechanics, such as Charge and Retry, which mix up the usual tactical formula that one may be familiar with.
Endless Dungeon
A surprising entry in Sega’s lineup, Endless Dungeon is a space-western tactical-action roguelite game with a twist of tower defence from Amplitude Studios. Trying it out during the Tokyo Game Show gave us a feel for this unique experience.
In Endless Dungeon, players will find themselves stranded in a mysterious abandoned space station. The goal is to fight your way to the exit all the while protecting a crystal from never-ending waves of monsters.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba- Sweep the Board!
A fun twist on a beloved manga and anime series, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - Sweep the Board is a board game that can be played by up to four people locally or online. This unexpected party game lets fans hang out with their favourite characters.
The game features a day-and-night system, and squares will change based on the time. During the day, players roll dice and play minigames while nighttime will have them hunting down as many demons as possible.
Sonic Superstars
Combining the classic feel of the 2D side-scrolling Sonic games with crisp 3D graphics, Sonic Superstars was a blast to play on the Tokyo Game Show floor. As Sonic, Tails, Amy, and Knuckles, in single or multiplayer, Sonic Superstars provided some high-speed challenges.
It is chaotic and a blast to play, especially when all four players are zooming across the screen together. There’s also a new take on bonus stages and Chaos Emerald levels, with both of these excursions being both fun and challenging enough to engage in multiple times.
Persona 3 Reload
Persona 3 Reload is a faithful remake that retains the charm of the original game while also vastly enhancing the visuals and controls for modern platforms. The original game helped redefine the series into the hit franchise that it is today.
It isn’t just Persona 5 repurposed into the third game, and if that was your main concern, Persona 3 Reload keeps the spirit of the originals alive through and through. If anything, we think this updated combat system is better than previous versions of Persona 3.
