Cloud Monday - Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin - Part 2 - Decent Cloud Gaming Experience

This week's Cloud Monday video is part 2 of playing Square Enix's Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin via the PlayStation Plus Cloud Streaming Service to my Japanese launch model PS4.

With Part 1, https://youtu.be/2O-V6qgzcrw, i began to understand the game's quirks so in this part, i was able to focus more on the experience of playing this game in the cloud. We had already seen in Part 1 that the game does a lot of auto saving in the background which is great. it means if we're going to be disconnected from the PlayStation Plus Cloud Game Streaming Service then we won't have lost too much progress in the game. With Part 2 it also became clear that the manual save points at this point in the game are also strategically placed before big, story moments or significant points in your progress through a section. this once more highlights that if you are kicked off the service, the amount of progress loss shouldn't be too significant.

Playing this on PlayStation 4 is both good and bad. the obvious bad part is the graphical quality. there were more than a few points where i could see how low resolution or how little detail elements of the levels were. from that point of view, it would be easy to recommend that Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin should be played on a PS5. but this helps with the game being streamed via the cloud because it means the impact to the game from things such as macro blocking isn't too significant. it'll be somewhat easy to see, but it shouldn't detract too much from the overall gameplay experience as there isn't always too much finer detail on PS4 anyway.

Ultimately, a game being decently well designed to be played via the cloud won't be enough for some players. Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin has it's fair share of quirks and frustrations as a game itself. thankfully, with streaming being an option, it can act as a decent demo of the game and what to expect. but i would recommend giving it a couple of hours like i did to play through what felt like a tutorial heavy introduction to the game.

Cloud Monday - Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin - Part 1 - Useful Frequent Auto-Saves

This week's Cloud Monday video is part 1 of playing Square Enix's Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin via the PlayStation Plus Cloud Streaming Service to my Japanese launch model PS4.

Even tho this is a somewhat recent release, it has been in development for a long time, probably so long that it originally wasn't set for PS5. So i was wondering how this game's design would work if it was streamed from the cloud to me. For example, would it have a traditional save system like Scarlet Nexus did and thus be a poor choice because of how the save system works or would it have a more "casual" approach letting you save everywhere, like Disgaea D3 did. turns out it's both.

Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin has fixed save points in the environment and this isn't great for a game being streamed via PlayStation Plus Cloud Streaming Service as there's only a 20 second warning before you're kicked off it. However, the game does appear to have an Auto-Save system that is frequently saving in the background. The Auto-Saves appear to be the same as a manual save, but the whole system is shrouded in mystery as we, the player, get no choice as to what save slot is used. both the manual and auto saves just save. Ultimately, the positive is that we will probably loose some progress but in the end not too much.

The quest you have to ask yourself is are you willing to replay bits of Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin again. Even after this first part, i'm not excited to go back because of how clunky the whole thing is. the tutorial is bad, the controls have issues, the story is nonsense so far, and graphically playing it in performance mode makes everything look so soft it might as well be PS3 graphics. 

One interesting issue the game has that is streaming related is that the in-game cutscenes are visually stunning and full of intricate small details that the bandwidth being used to stream this to me from PlayStation Plus Cloud Streaming Service is having a hard time to keep up. A little early on there's a moment when the camera is spinning around the main character in a field of wheat and things stop being highly detailed and crisp and instead go a little blurry. i say in the video it's like the bandwidth needed is just a little short for sequences such as that, whereas for the rest of the game it's fine.

Tecmo Koei Have Released A New Trailer For Dead Or Alive 5 Ultimate, Reveal New Information

Tecmo Koei have released a new trailer for Dead Or Alive 5 Ultimate, showing many different fighters, alternative costumes and stage interactions.



Tecmo Koei have also revealed Dead Or Alive 5 Ultimate features Survival Mode Items that can heal fighters or add bonus points., improved training modes, 1000 unlockable titles and Team Fight Mode. the training modes now feature challenges, like a combo challenge. the move list from Dead Or Alive 5 Plus has been added to Dead Or Alive 5 Ultimate.

Press Release

Tecmo Koei Have Released A Launch Trailer And Screenshots For Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 Plus On The PS Vita

Tecmo Koei have released a launch trailer and screenshots for Team Ninja's PS Vita game Ninja Gaiden Sigma Plus 2. coming out this Friday, 1st March, across the EU, Ninja Gaiden Sigma Plus 2 features new PS Vita modes including Ninja Race and a single player co-op tag mission. the game also features touch controls and a new mode called Hero Mode which helps players when their health gets low.



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Press Release

Tecmo Koei Detail PS3 Dead Or Alive 5 Cross Platform Support With PS Vita Dead Or Alive 5 Plus

Tecmo Koei have detailed the Cross Platform support between Dead Or Alive 5 on the PS3 and Dead Or Alive 5 Plus on The PS Vita. the PS Vita version comes out on 22nd March and the cross Platform support includes:

CROSS-PLATFORM PLAY

§  Hardware icons will appear next to player names in cross-platform battles to indicate whether they are playing on PS3 or PS Vita

§  Cross-platform battles will run at 60fps on both platforms so there will be no lag or slowdown even when playing on different devices

§  All characters that have been unlocked on PS3 can be used on PS Vita—and vice versa

§  In-game rankings will show whether players are on PS Vita or PS3

 CROSS-PLATFORM DLC

§  Using the PS Store, DLC purchases will be shared across both platforms so players can pay a single price while getting dual platform use

§  Over 100 costumes have been delivered to date as DLC, and the cross-platform transfer allows players to preserve their collection while getting new gameplay options with DEAD OR ALIVE 5 PLUS on PS Vita

 CROSS-PLATFORM GAME SAVES AND UNLOCKED CONTENT

§  Saved games on PS Vita or PS3 can be used on the other platform, so gamers can play on the go and then bring their progress back to the console (or vice versa)

§  All unlocked content on one platform is available on the other platform; for instance, Tina’s Legend Swimsuit earned by completing Legend mode in Arcade mode without continuing will be available on PS3 if earned on PS Vita

§  “Any new stages for DOA5 on PS3, will also be available on DEAD OR ALIVE 5 PLUS for PS Vita”

Press Release

Team Ninja Announce Dead Or Alive 5 Plus Comes To PS Vita On 22nd March, Detail New Features And Modes

Team Ninja have announced Dead Or Alive 5 Plus comes out on the PS Vita on 22nd March. Team Ninja have confirmed that players on PS3 and PS Vita can fight against each other and if you buy DLC Costumes on one platform, you can download them to the other for free. Team Ninja have also revealed more details on the PS Vita specific features, these include:

• Touch Play Mode: Experience battles in DEAD OR ALIVE 5 PLUS through two new styles of touch combat with the PS Vita held vertically in portrait mode to get a first-person, full-screen view of your opponent at maximum size. In Mode 1, tap the opponent to attack them in that spot. In Mode 2, touch, flick, and pinch the screen to attack your opponent with more finesse and options. Both methods offer players an instinctive way to fight while seeing their opponent in the highest graphic detail.

• Training Plus Mode: Build your fighting skills and knowledge by playing through challenging missions, each of which offers a fun experience while imparting practical knowledge.

• More detailed Frame Data: Three times the details for each move in real-time. Unbelievably detailed information like delay interval frames, move reach and more. A game-changing feature for serious players!

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Press Release

Team Ninja Announce Dead Or Alive 5 Plus And Ninja Gaiden Sigma Plus For PS Vita

Team Ninja have announced 2 new games for the PS Vita, set for release Q1 2013. first up is Dead Or Alive 5 Plus. this PS Vita version features new touch screen controls, the ability to play in the first person by turning the Vita vertically and it features new training modes for new and advanced players. there will also be the ability to analyse your moves in more detail than in the console versions.

Next is Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 Plus. this new version of Ninja Gaiden 2 is graphically improved over the first Ninja Gaiden Sigma Plus game on the Vita. it will have touch controls on both panels as well as motion controls. a new feature is Hero Mode where your powers increase when your health is low. another new mode is Ninja Race where you have to reach a goal before your enemy does, and the final new mode announced is Tag Mission where you have to defend a AI Partner whilst being able to control 2 Ninja's.
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Press Release

Team Ninja And Tecmo Koei Have Released A New Trailer, Boxart And Screenshots For Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge

Tecmo Koei and Team Ninja have released a new trailer, screenshots and boxart for their upcoming Wii U version of Ninja Gaiden 3, Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge. the trailer shows in-game action, as do the screenshots. Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge is coming out across the USA on 18th November.

Wii Exclusive Features:

• Ayane as a playable character: In previous versions of the game, Ayane appeared only briefly in one cut scene. Now players can help her progress through her own exclusive chapters using a special set of weapons and Ninpo attacks.
• Character-progression system:  Using Karma points earned during game play, players can upgrade weapons and Ninpo, learn new moves, increase their HP level and unlock new character costumes.
• Ryu and Ayane playable in co-op mode: For the first time, players can use Ryu or Ayane to represent themselves in the game's online co-op mode.
• Test of Valor battle areas: Each chapter includes a hidden battle area called Test of Valor. Upon finding hidden Crystal Skulls, players will be transported to these areas to face down waves of enemies and classic NINJA GAIDEN boss characters with new moves.
• Wii U GamePad Functionality: Using the Wii U GamePad, players can easily change weapons or Ninpo attacks, and also quickly reference the button inputs required for various combo attacks without ever stopping the action.
• Additional Playable Characters: After the launch of the game, additional playable characters will become available as free downloadable content. More information about these characters will be revealed at a later time.
• More Tenacious Enemies: The Wii U version of the game restores enemies' ability to fight when severely wounded, requiring players to stay nimble with their battle strategies

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Press Release

Tecmo Koei Announce Free Costume DLC Is Out Now For Dead Or Alive 5

Tecmo Koei and Team Ninja have announced free DLC for Dead Or Alive 5 is out now. this free costume pack is out on both PS3 and Xbox 360. it brings new costumes for each of the characters, including the Virtua Fighter fighters Akira, Sarah and Pai.

Costume DLC Screenshots


Press Release

Tecmo Koei And Team Ninja Have Released New Wii U Screenshots And A Trailer For Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge

Team Ninja and Tecmo Koei have released new screenshots and a trailer for the Wii U version of Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge. this trailer shows in-game action from both the main characters in the game.



Screenshots

Team Ninja Reveal Christie and Bayman As Fighters In Dead Or Alive 5, Release Video And Screenshots Of Them In Action

Team Ninja have announced are returning to the Dead Or Alive series as fighters in Christie and Bayman. both characters have been redesigned whilst their own fighting styles have been refined and honed. Team Ninja have released new screenshots and a video showing both characters in action. The stage is called Hot Zone and is new for the game. as the video will show, the level changes as a helicopter is shot down and it becomes a danger zone to exploit.


Watch Dead Or Alive 5 - Christie Vs Bayman in Tech & Gaming  |  View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com

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Press Release

Team Ninja Have Released Multiplayer Screenshots And A Trailer For Ninja Gaiden 3

Team Ninja have released new screenshots and a trailer for Ninja Gaiden 3. these focus on the Online Multiplayer, with the trailer showing in-game action. online multiplayer is for up to 8 players and features modes like Battle Royale and Team Deathmatch. there are a variety of weapons and moves to customise your Ninja with.

 
Watch Ninja Gaiden 3 - Online Multiplayer Trailer in Tech & Gaming  |  View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com

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Press Release

Temco Koei And Team Ninja Announce Ninja Gaiden Sigma Plus On The PSV Comes Out Across The EU On 22nd February

Team Ninja And Temco Koei have announced Ninja Gaiden Sigma Plus is a PS Vita EU launch title, coming out 22nd February. Temco Koei describes the game as the definitive version that makes use of several Playstation Vita features like the touch screen, touch pad, and Gyro. you have the option to play in first or third person views, use the Gyro for aiming, and use the rear touchpad to launch stronger Ninpo. Mission Mode is also expanded on the PS Vita with new Ninja Trials, for example completing a challenge using only projectiles.

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Press Release

Temco Koei Have Released New Screenshots And A Trailer For Ninja Gaiden 3

Temco Koei have released new screenshots and a trailer for Team Ninja's Ninja Gaiden 3. Ninja Gaiden 3 is set to come out in early 2012 on both the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360. it features a single player campaign that can be played in online co-op as well as online modes that support up to 8 players. the trailer shows many of the new features and characters in the game, including the masked character who is at the center of this game. the game will also focus on the history of Ryu Hayabusa, revealing more of his character.

Team Ninja have teased there's more to this game, saying there's consequences to killing people, and that the Ninja world in the game has not been presented like this before.


Watch Ninja Gaiden 3 - E3 2011 Trailer in Tech & Gaming | View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com

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Fact Sheet

OVERVIEW

Team NINJA’s most iconic character is set to be unmasked to the world…

One of the most well-known ninja, Ryu Hayabusa’s name conjures feelings in people the world over. And yet, there is so much that we don’t know about the man behind the mask.

Ninja Gaiden 3 aims to take players on a journey with their hero Hayabusa once more, but this time they’ll see more from their protagonist than they ever imagined. For the first time, we’ll get a look at the world through Hayabusa’s eyes, and find out what drives him to fight, and kill.

At the center of the conflict this time around is a masked man whose motivations and goals are unclear. Through mysterious powers, he changes Hayabusa – and the lines between hero and villain, good and evil, are blurred forever.

Featuring a new story, new gameplay and new modes, Ninja Gaiden 3 marks a new direction in this fan-favorite franchise. Team NINJA will change the way fans think about ninja and Hayabusa in this game, and promise that they’ll know what
it feels like to “cut someone down” through their experiences in the game.

The game will also feature online multiplayer, both co-op and competitive, that will add a completely new experience to Ninja Gaiden. The shadowy world of ninja has never been presented this way, and Ninja Gaiden will never be the same!

Pick up the Dragon Sword once more, sharpen its blade and hone your skills. An adventure unlike any other awaits you…

FEATURES

Cutting Down your Enemy: Through new gameplay mechanics and presentation, players will feel what it’s like to cut through an enemy’s flesh and bone, along with the consequence that comes with it.

A Hero Unmasked: With a new story and new characters, players will learn more about Hayabusa’s past and present life than ever before. Once seen only as a mindless killing machine, players will unravel layers of their hero as they see his motivations and learn about the man behind the mask.

High-Octane Ninja Action: Built upon the same intense action that the series is renowned for, Ninja Gaiden 3 will challenge players while still remaining accessible for players new to the franchise.

Online Action: A rich and challenging set of online modes are being implemented, giving players the option to play cooperatively or competitively. New challenges, characters and missions await those who choose to join the Shadows of the World online!

Team Ninja Have Released A Teaser Trailer For Ninja Gaiden 3

Team Ninja have released a teaser trailer for Ninja Gaiden 3. this teaser features Ryu and shows him killing someone. it ends by announcing Ninja Gaiden 3 will be revealed at E3 2011. The game is set to come out in 2012 and is being led by the team leader at Team Ninja, Yosuke Hayashi.


Watch Ninja Gaiden - GDC Teaser Trailer in Tech & Gaming  |  View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com

Press Release

Team NINJA is proud to share a new look into the next installment in the legacy of one of the studio’s most iconic characters. In this new, never-before-seen footage, fans will get a sample of one of Team NINJA’s most anticipated projects.

Scheduled for release in 2012, this new title will take fans on an epic journey as they discover a side of their hero that has never been revealed. This title marks the first installment in the series that is led by Yosuke Hayashi, the Leader of Team NINJA. The game is set to introduce this franchise to a broader audience while at the same time retaining the legendary challenge that has drawn hardcore gamers to the series for years.

Scheduled to be revealed to the public at E3 2011, press will be presented with a playable demo giving show attendees the first hands-on opportunity with the title.