The first ever download only game in the series, Super Robot Wars Operation Extend, is released today. We’ve bought the combined pack, as the game will be released episodically, but currently only the first episode is available. What’s also slightly interesting is that there are a bunch of freemium like parts you can buy too. We’re not sure about this, as Gundam Breaker has something similar (of which a review of that will be forthcoming). Whilst this isn’t so much pay to win it does seem to be pay to make things easier. In any case, buying all the episodes at once gives you a Gundam unit piloted by Sergeant Frog as a nice little bonus. The next episode will be released on August 1st.

In a rather cool move, Bandai have announced that they will be releasing Isamu Dyson’s YF-29 from Macross 30. Not only will this have an all new paint job but a new head too. No word on whether the super packs will be made available for this though. As you’d expect this will be a webshop exclusive released this December for a pretty steep 17,850 yen. Isamu was a lot of fun in Macross 30 and having him upgrade from the YF-19 to the bleeding edge YF-29 was a nice touch, especially as the designs share the same forward swept wings. Whilst we’re not overly fond of all the YF-29 toy variants Bandai have been churning, we’re tempted with this one. Still no word on the YF-30 DX Chogokin as yet however.

Over at 4Gamer there’s a new piece about the world in Armored Core Verdict Day. Despite doing the obvious staple corporate round-up, we now also have Reapers (picture above and that sound a lot like the Zodiac ACs you faced in the previous game) and on top of all that, it seems that the AI controlled UNACs are also part of the story too. That in itself is actually a nice little touch, especially with all the Nineball stuff we’ve had in the past (an army of Nineballs you say?). However, the biggest thing (literally) that’s been highlighted is that of the giant and equally mysterious tower we’ve seen in all the media for the game. For those that are familiar with VOTOMS, this tower should look narratively familiar and considering Armored Core’s narrative history with AI overlords we expect something similar again (something the UNACs are likely part of too). Obviously I could talk more here about all this but some people go apeshit over spoilers, so alas I shall abstain. Anyway, it seems that Verdict Day’s narrative is more grounded than the previous game and September can’t come soon enough.

The third livestream for Armored Core Verdict Day will be happening on the 12th July (you’ll be able to watch it here). The previous livestream is also online here if you want to watch it. This livestream appears to be more focused on the singleplayer story side of things, which is meant to be far more substantial over the previous game. It will also be nice to hear those lovely people at From Software talking about a mecha game without having an identity crisis.

We now have some more details on Super Robot Wars Operation Extend, specifically that it will be released on July 18th and that you can buy all 8 episodes for 5,980 yen. If you decide to buy each episode separately, then the first will cost you 500 yen whereas the remaining installments will be priced at 1,000 yen (so it makes sense to buy them all at once really). The new promo also covers more about the back-end management system in the game too, with parts trading being a pretty cool thing to add. Apart from that we have all manner of sexy new battle animations to look at, including that of the game’s unique OG mecha and pilots. In any case, we’ll be absolutely buying this on its release and we really can’t wait for it either.

In a recent interview with Game Informer, Respawn’s Joel Emslie said something disappointing and worrying in equal measure regarding the mecha in Titanfall. The main quote being “Mech is kind of a dirty word with us, we don’t like it. These aren’t mechs” (screenshot above). Despite the very obvious and widely acknowledged aspects that define the game’s Titans as mecha, it seems that this is another attempt by a game studio to re-brand mecha as something else and new (though with Hawken, Adhesive to their credit did change their tune). This is likely intended as a means to distance the game from any form of Japanese inspiration. Doing the typical American thing of making out that this was some kind of immaculate creative conception, which in itself is still worthy of copious eye rolling. Whilst this is a pretty shitty thing to do, what’s more worrying is how the mecha are being described as a “second skin” for the pilots. In that we may likely see the game with more human controlling mecha, which is basically the same route Front Mission Evolved went down. In short, that didn’t work out too well. Anyway we’re now somewhat skeptical about Titanfall, especially as the lead artist is saying stuff like this. Thanks to Bonk for the heads up.

Following on from the previous promo for Masou Kishin III, we know have a similar brief entry. This time it features Fang Xan Vicias and his mecha Giorias. In addition to this, apparently the game will feature a cross save setup. Allowing Vita and PS3 owners of the gamer to exchange save data via a server. Admittedly, you’ll have to buy both versions of the game but it’s a nice little thing to do. Still no word on winkysoft and it’s looking like we’ll have to wait until the game is released this August before we’ll know for sure. Don’t forget you can pre-order it here.

In an interesting move, Sentinel have announced one of the Blodia variants from Cyberbots to join their Riobot ranks. Specifically that of the Blodia Riot. Like the base unit, the torso is shared but the legs and arms are somewhat different. The latter being the most notable as it has a Rocket Arm. As with the other Riobot toys, this too will be fairly gimmick ridden as well as sporting a good amount of diecast too. However, all this comes at a price and at 16,590 yen it’s considerably more than the standard Blodias set for release this July. In any case, you can pre-order the Riot variant for its October release here.

Whilst we haven’t talked much about Heavy Gear Assault, much of that was down to the fact its Kickstarter has been somewhat of a car crash. So much so that it missed its asking price by such a wide-margin they’ve now resorted to crowd sourced funds via their website. Interestingly, the latter option seems to be netting them more cash so that’s good at least. Personally, we want nothing but this game to get properly funded. These guys really seem to get Heavy Gear and it would be a shame if they weren’t able to bring this project to fruition. So get out your wallets and support them as best you can.

Bandai have done the decent thing and announced a BluRay boxset for Blue Comet SPT Layzner. This will include the TV series and OVA as well as a variety of other trinkets (such as a 32 page booklet). However, all this will come at a price as the boxset will cost pretty close to 50,000 yen when it is released September 18th in Japan. Unlike the recent Macross Plus BluRay Boxset, this release of Layzner sadly won’t come with English subtitles. This begs the question on whether any Western distributor will do the right thing and pick this classic series up. As to why Layzner matters, well when it comes to gaming the series has been consistently and hugely influential. From Anubis to Armored Core For Answer to Omega Boost and even Bangai-O, Layzner’s functional parameters have inspired all manner of mecha games over the years. That aside the series is also thoroughly excellent in its own right and considering that the last release of Layzner (on DVD) was over 10 years ago now, this announcement is very welcome.