One of the announcements made during Nintendo’s Direct stream yesterday evening was an update on Daemon X Machina, the mech action game that is being released exclusively on Switch courtesy of Marvelous. The game, which was first announced last E3, is still under development, and it looks like the developers now want to take a leaf out of the book of the Octopath Traveler developers.

Specifically, they have released a brand new demo for the game, which is available to download on the Nintendo eShop now. The demo includes four missions, as well as a boss fight, for players to play through, which means it should give you a good feel for the game at any rate. After the demo is done, select players will be receiving emails soliciting their feedback and impressions based on the demo, which will inform further development.

So go on and play the game right now, and see what you think. If something doesn’t seem right to you, you might get the chance to have your say about it. Daemon X Machina is scheduled to launch exclusively on the Nintendo Switch this Summer. You can view the demo announcement, which includes some new gameplay footage, in the timestamped video below.

Rune Factory 4, the RPG/sim 3DS exclusive game that made waves within its cult following when it was released in Japan and North America last year, was due for a European release in 2014. However, now it appears like it will never be getting an official release in the country, with publisher Marvelous AQL confirmed to VG247.

‘We regret to inform you that the European release of Rune Factory 4 for Nintendo 3DS has been cancelled.

While MarvelousAQL has made every effort to secure the title’s release for this territory, it is, unfortunately, not possible to do so at this time.’

This follows the developer of the game Neverland declaring bankruptcy last year.

While future entries in the franchise are in jeopardy, fans in Europe will have no way to play Rune Factory 4 now, thanks to Nintendo’s region lock. Unless they decide to import a US or Japan 3DS with a copy of the game, the title is out of bounds for them.

Nintendo, this is another reason why you don’t region lock your systems.

Neverland has announced that it will be filing for bankruptcy after slow sales performance and a deteriorated financial status. This is following the Rune Factory 4, developed for Marvelous AQL, that became the fastest selling game in the series. Neverland initially tried to raise fund to continue operations, but were unsuccessful and are shut down as of today.

It’s a pretty big blow, especially since Neverland had a hand in developing the Lufia and Shining Force titles, which introduced new players to an entire generation’s worth of niche JRPGs (the first Lufia game was Fortress of Doom, which released in 1993, while Shining Force’s first game released in 1991 for the Sega Mega Drive).

Neverland was also working on Rune Factory 5, which Marvelous AQL confirmed would be releasing in the near future. We’ll have to wait and see what decisions are made regarding the future of the game along with Neverland’s other properties. Stay tuned for more details.

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Rune Factory 4 is a new take on the farming JRPG genre, incorporating both the series’ much loved farming system, and classical elements of action role playing games.

The game’s plot takes place in the Kingdom of Norad, where gamers will choose to play the role of either a prince or princess, and will set about trying to restore prosperity to the town of Selphia. The game will incorporate a number of social role playing elements, such as dating, and interacting with the local community. Or, if you feel bored with the townsfolk, gamers can venture out into the surrounding dungeons and caves in search of loot and monsters to tame.

Rune Factory 4 has a rich plot with memorable characters, and incorporates many loved facets of JRPG gaming. It’s definitely one worth keeping an eye on.

Yesterday a a new video for the next entry on the PlayStation Vita exclusive series, Soul Sacrifice was released. The sequel, Soul Sacrifice Delta was announced at TGS 2013, and has been slated for a March 2014 release.

In this video we are given the first look at actual footage from the Japanese version of the game. While everything is in Japanese, we are still clearly able to see what we can expect from Soul Sacrifice Delta in terms of graphics and game play.

This action adventure slice and dice looks better than ever, with what seem to be improved upon graphics and new abilities in the wake of its predecessor.

The original Soul Sacrifice was received positively by the gaming world, earning an aggregate score of 77 from Metacritic, the the majority of reviews speaking to the addictive game play mechanics and detailed battle system. Every indication is that we can expect or of the same from Soul Sacrifice Delta.

Players will be able to select either Momohime or Kisuke, each possessing their own skills, in a side-scrolling platforming action adventure that takes place over three different modes – with the Shigurui mode testing one’s limits with its difficulty. The PlayStation Vita version of the game, already released in Japan, also features new playable characters and some short scenarios that will be available via DLC soon.

The scenarios in question will have a new playable each, rounding out with four different mini-adventures. Muramasa Rebirth will be released via Aksys Games for the Vita on June 25th for English speaking audiences.

In an effort to expand the latter, Marvelous Online will be adding the Atlus Online team to their operations. Marvelous acquired Atlus Online earlier this year.

XSEED Games president and CEO Shinichi Suzuki, who is now president and CEO of Marvelous USA, stated that, “Marvelous USA unifies our US operations under the global Marvelous brand while giving our customers topnotch products and support for both traditional and online social and mobile games.

“Our XSEED Games console and PC brand will continue to offer the quality games and service for which it is known, and Marvelous Online gives us expanded reach into mobile and online social gaming markets.”

While executive vice president of XSEED Games Ken Berry will remain, Marvelous Online will be headed up by senior director Tatsuya Nishioka.

Along with Soul Sacrifice – which has just released and is receiving good reviews from critics – Marvelous seems to be having it good. Both games are currently going quite well in Japan.

Muramasa Rebirth is set to release on June 25 in North America for the PlayStation Vita with Aksys providing the localization to English.

As a remake, Rebirth offers four new as DLC along with four new characters in addition to the original game’s pair. The game is infamous for its three difficulty modes that can alter the play experience or make the game near impossible to complete.

The prisoner will be exploring the different chapters in the tome, fighting through adventures wrought with monsters and evil demons. Using ad-hoc multiplayer, four players can fight cooperatively to take on the challenges within Librom and see whether they have what it takes to escape unscathed.

The mechanics of the game involving either saving or sacrificing enemies and allies for different benefits. You can save allies by sacrificing your own health, or sacrifice them to unleash damaging attacks. It’s an intriguing concept and players can use this to specialize in different skills and classes.

Valhalla Knights 3 focuses on you traveling to a new place in search of a treasonous spy who got off with some valuable treasure. You’ll have access to a character creation system that lets you choose between seven different races including Human, Elf, Beast and Machine along with seven different classes including Fighter, Thief, Archer, Prisoner and much more.

There are the requisite side-quests and you can even recruit various female members by going to more…risque areas in the game.

After being delayed since January, Valhalla Knights 3 is finally set to release on the PlayStation Vita in Japan on May 23rd. The game will be arriving in North America as well courtesy of XSEED Games. Watch out for it in the Fall.