Hi. I found an article on a SQEX sale of games which includes Oninaki. In the text, it's stated the website never reviewed it, but the review is still linked on its main page, and archived through Wayback.

https://web.archive.org/web/20190825115018/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/oninaki-review-endless-cycles/1900-6417279/

I tried reaching the review on this site, but it returns a broken link. Was something wrong with the review which caused it to be taken down, or is this a bug in the system? If a bug, then I feel it should be fixed.

@uninspiredcup: I just knew this would happen. From the moment the rumors surrounding Kojima appeared, and seeing Konami's treatment of its other properties, I knew this would be the fate of Metal Gear. A noble lineage has come to shame.

I've seen lots of people recently speculating about the new starting Personas revealed very recently. And I've pretty much worked out fully who they all are. I'm putting descriptions below for people who are a little lost by the literary references, along with speculation about the mystery party member's possible Persona.

Main Protagonist (easiest): Arsène, based on Maurice Lablancs anti-authoritarian gentleman thief.

Ryoji: Captain Kid, based on the infamous Colonial-era pirate-turned-privateer.

Anne: Carmen, based on the titular protagonist of Prosper Mérimée's 1840s novella.

Morgana: Zorro, who needs no introduction.

Yusuke: Goemon, based on the legendary Japanese bandit.

Makoto (new): Johanna, based on the fabled female Pope Joan.

Futaba (new): Necronomicon, based on the mystical tome of forbidden knowledge in H. P. Lovecraft's Cthulhu Mythos.

Haru (new): Milady, based on the stunning main antagonist of Alexandre Dumas' novel The Three Muskateers.

Now the final character is still unknown apart from his artwork. But he's got quite a dashing look about him, so maybe a similarly dashing figure for him. Maybe Raffles, or possibly Irene Adler (the latter's a little out there). Since there's a theme of pre-20th century, best to stick within that timeframe.

EDIT: Big booboo on my part about Johanna's inspiration, now corrected from official information.

@Legend002: I'll give you that. I guess I'm a sucker for denser instrumentation.

By the way, in the latest trailer, I twigged that the bosses will be inspired by the Seven Deadly Sins: I spotted Lust (luxuria), Greed (avaritia), possibly Envy and Wrath (invidia and ira), and a human character who looked like he might be Gluttony (gula). Looking forward to finding out which style of picturesque fiction inspired the three new characters' personas.

@Legend002: Yeah, they look uber cool. Also, the graphics are stunning. And the gameplay looks positively action-packed compared to P1-to-4. And the music... Oh, the music! Meguro finally has real hardware space to play with. His acid jazz style rocks!

@bunchanumbers: Story DLC would be great too. I'm so wanting to knowthe true nature of Mira, how Lao was reformed, and who the hooded figure is.

He, this might already have been mentioned somewhere in this thread, but I found a rather telling quote from Takahashi in an interview with Time Magazine (url here for the full quote: http://time.com/4149809/xenoblade-chronicles-x-director-tetsuya-takahashi/):

"We decided that trying to balance [developing on HD tech] with an epic theme-laden story would pose difficulties. Our hope is that we can start by creating the core system, then expand on the story and thematic elements in our future project."

He just as good as confirmed plans for a direct sequel! One risk now is this turning into a Xenogears/Xenosaga situation of a grand plan cut short by commercial failure. But given that it's topped 400,000 copies worldwide and has outstripped the first Xenoblade's debut sales, I'm not as fearful as I might be. Any thoughts?

@Ovirew: You're certainly right that there are strong implications, but I think you got the thing with Caim a little mixed up: the reason Furiae is afraid to reveal her feelings is that she is scared Caim would be disgusted by them. But I may be misinterpreting it. Really, the entire story is very sad and tragic despite it being so twisted. By the way, did you get the English or Japanese version? I'm curious.

The title says it all. Since it's very close upon us, what games are you hyped for that are confirmed as coming in 2016 (those without specific dates are of course allowed)? Don't be afraid to hold back. Mine are:

Final Fantasy XV

Fire Emblem Fates

Genei Ibun Roku

Horizon: Zero Dawn

Persona 5

@xhawk27: That is always a certainty, just as Final Fantasy will sell more than Tales, or Pokemon will sell more than Fire Emblem. I don't think sales should come into judging the qualities of a game. But that's just me.