Courtesy of our good friends at HobbyLink Japan, we’ve been sent a toy from Virtual On to review. Specifically, the Composite Ver.Ka Temjin. In addition, to give the toy some context, we’ve also linked some gameplay footage of it in action from the excellent SEGA AGES PS2 port at the end of the review.

Following on from the recently released trailer, 4Gamer have done a good breakdown of Another Century’s Episode Portable’s new customisation setup. To not mislead anyone, this customisation is by no means like something akin to Armored Core let’s say, instead it’s more of an extended version of the module setup seen in the previous games. Whilst modules were something that could be used mid-mission, such as replenishing health, the new weapon panels will have a more combat orientated and immediate focus (rather than tucked away in the pause menu). In that, you can now equip new and custom weapon panels that give units a new ability. These are also built from Chips that can be combined in various configurations. All of these are unlocked by defeating enemies in missions. Each unit also has a Capacity limitation in terms of the panels that can be equipped, this can be increased by upgrading the unit’s parameters with ACE points (the latter being a staple from the previous ACE games). In any case, all this sounds pretty interesting and we’re curious to see how all this will work in game.

The upcoming Another Century’s Episode Portable has finally had its first trailer released. Despite the somewhat typical grand tour of the game’s menu system, the rest of the trailer shows actual in-game footage. The latter is potentially quite reassuring as it at least appears that the new PSP game is returning to how the awesome PS2 games operated. Especially when it came to boosting and how that interlinked with the combat. After the disappointing ACE:R, we’re now actually hopeful that the PSP game will be pretty decent. The game is released January 13th next year for 6,279 yen and you can pre-order it here.

4Gamer has a a pretty epic selection of new screenshots for the upcoming Gundam Musou 3. In addition to the new four player online co-op, the game will also feature one of our favourite new mobile suit designs; that of the MSN-06S Sinanju, pictured above, from the amazing Gundam Unicorn (a series you can watch in very pretty HD via the PSN store on the PS3 no less). The game is still scheduled for a December 16th release in Japan and whilst there’s no official word on a Western release, it is highly likely as the last two games also made the jump abroad just fine.

At the 27th Kanazawa Model Exhibition a fair few toys and kits have surfaced. From more Border Break kits to Armored Core as well as a nice little set of new gashapon (which we mentioned a while back). Even seeing the Flintlock from the classic Xexex also cheered us up. However, the big show stopper was the appearance of the AS-5E3 Leynos kit from the genre defining Assault Suits Leynos (aka: Target Earth). The manufacturer behind this suitably regal kit is that of Plum, who’ve also handled the recent Silpheed and Darius Burst kits. What’s different and impressive here though is that this is the first mecha kit the company have made. That said, judging from some of their blog entries, the sculpt and articulation look absolutely bloody amazing. No word on a price or a release date but this is a kit that is made from the purest of DO WANT!

Update: GA Graphic has a nice article on the kit as well, with some cool close up shots.

Over at Anime News Network they have a fascinating video tour around Satelight Inc., this being the Japanese animation studio where Kawamori Shouji is the executive director. Unsurprisingly, the studio’s credits are pretty long but what’s especially interesting is when the video linked above hits the 15 minute mark. This is when we get to see the functional side of mechanical design and that for the latest VF-25 variable fighters in Macross Frontier, Kawamori opted to literally block out the mecha in Lego and then work with a 3D artist/animator to fine tune it. This being especially important as the design would later go on to be used in both toy and kit form, so planning out the transformation in real world detail would obviously be a big deal. The reason why we thought this was pertinent on a mecha gaming site, despite the obvious linkages to Kawamori’s work in games, is that designing mecha (especially of the real robot variety) is a very functional endeavour. Whilst mecha need to look captivating, their primary purpose is actually based around discreet and specific functions. Basically, mecha design is at its core about what that mecha will do and not so much about what it will look like. Such an approach is one that has fundamental linkages to how games are designed; as planning out the basic rule sets of what the player has to work within, as in what they can do, is crucially important and still takes (initial) precedence over how pretty the game is. This is why (good) real robot mecha designers often add a functional grounding to (good) mecha games, something that Kawamori has proven multiple times already during his career.

With the upcoming Phantasy Star Portable 2 Infinity around the corner, SEGA have teamed up with Studio Gainax to package costumes from both Gurren Lagann and Evangelion. In terms of the latter, players will not only be able to wear the plug suits seen in the series and movies but also wield a human sized Lance of Longinus. However, the coolest addition has to be the Gurren Lagann “suit” that male characters will be able to wear (along with a Giga Drill and Gurren Boomerang). Whilst the Evangelion tie-up is by no means a new one, the Gurren Lagann one is. In any case, the game will be piercing the heavens (as in released) on November 24th for 5,040 yen.

The upcoming XBLA shooter Seisou Kouki Strania was recently showcased by the staff from G.Rev, but what caught our eye was this photo of the characters from the game. It’s notable because you can see Yamamoto Nanashiki’s inimitable style shine though (something that was confirmed at the event itself). This is doubly interesting as he was also responsible for designing the Rounder mecha in both Senko no Ronde and its sequel DUO (which we recently reviewed the 360 port of). Considering all the 80’s and 90’s gameplay references G.Rev’s staff were making at the event, it’s nice to see that aesthetically the game is following suit too (as there’s something almost Tekkaman Blade about the characterisation and poses in that shot).

The much anticipated Armored Core 5 has been officially delayed until next year. This is something that was intimated at this year’s TGS by the fact the game was noticeably absent. Ultimately this is good news though as the last thing a fresh reboot of the series needs is to be rushed to release. That said, From Software have started the early aspects of their marketing push by firing up their fan supporter setup, so expect more news on the game in the coming weeks.

Courtesy of our good friends at HobbyLink Japan, we’ve been sent a toy that’s one of the most well known Original Generation (or OG) mecha from Super Robot wars to review. Specifically, the new Super Robot Chogokin Alteisen. In addition, to give the toy some context, we’ve also linked some gameplay footage of it in action at the end of the review.