INTRODUCING SHIMAKAZE & SURUGA + 4 CHARACTERS IN AZUR LANE: CROSSWAVE
Introducing Sakura Empire’s newest recruits! We’re excited to introduce 2 new characters, Shimakaze and Suruga, as well as 4 familiar faces in this week’s character update. Shimakaze and Suruga are brand new ships or “Kansen” that were recruited by the Sakura Empire, and they are making their official debut in the world of Azur Lane through Crosswave! Check out the character profiles with the links below:
Character Profiles –Shimakaze, Suruga, Akagi, Atago, Ark Royal, Aoba,
The 3D action shooter game, Azur Lane: Crosswave, will launch physically and digitally on the PlayStation®4 in North America and Europe and on Steam® in February 2020. The Steam version will include Japanese, Traditional Chinese, and English subtitles.
Azur Lane, the original mobile app game released in China in 2017 for iOS and Android platforms, reached critical acclaim in China and Japan, hitting five million players within its first four months. In Azur Lane: Crosswave, the PS4 and Steam version of this game uses the Unreal Engine and recreates the beloved Azur Lane character designs in the style of cel-shaded 3D graphics!
| Playable Characters: |
Shimakaze
An up-and-coming rookie that joined the fleet well after Ayanami did. She’s quick and a great listener: talents which she utilizes on the battlefield. Unfortunately, she seems to lack a sense of danger, so it’s not unusual to find her in unexpected trouble. She is constantly reminded to be careful, which she takes to heart, and is showing growth as she prepares to join the Joint Military Exercise. Of course, many of her seniors get first pick at good opportunities to fight, but she is still seeking to become the MVP along with her partner, Suruga, as she cleverly works her way to bend the rules of the event.
Suruga
A brand new member of the Sakura Empire fleet who joined at the same time as Shimakaze. She wants to show that she can handle any work assigned to her. Upon first glance, she seems difficult to approach, but that’s only because she’s trying to hide her personality issues and her kindness. That said, she is having a hard time getting rid of the stress building within her, and keeps pointing out oddities inside her mind. One day, during an exercise, she ends up partnering with Shimakaze. Little did she know that this would change her fate quite drastically…
Akagi
One of the higher ranking members within Sakura Empire who is known to speak her mind freely, even to her leader. She is often found berating others if it helps the cause of the Sakura Empire, and those offended by her do not often speak up as she is very powerful. That said, her words are well-grounded. Coupled with her strength, she is in no short supply of either friend or foe. She planned the Joint Military Exercise, and is, in many ways, causing quite a stir.
Atago
A revered member of the Sakura Empire who possesses an unparalleled amount of both charm and maturity. Always calm and gentle, she never fails to have a solution for difficult problems. She’s a perfect example of someone you want fighting for you… not against! Although she can become scared quite easily, she hides it well. She partners closely with Takao in her efforts to support the Sakura Empire.
Full-Time Secretary Ship/Battle Support:
Ark Royal
A long-time member of the Royal Navy’s central fleet. She’s quite bold but has the power to back it up. She loves small and cute destroyers so much that it makes other Kansen cringe when she expresses her love for them. She takes on the role of supporting the Joint Military Exercise so that the event can be done safely.
Aoba
A self-proclaimed journalist, but in reality, just a struggling writer. She gathers headline-worthy news that occurs within the Sakura Empire, and publishes it in a semi-official newspaper for the nation. With all the nations gathered for the Joint Military Exercise, she’s running around the place in search of juicy, newsworthy stories to publish. Her first mission… to get an interview with Eagle Union’s hero, Enterprise.
AZUR LANE: CROSSWAVE LIMITED EDITION PREORDERS BEGIN JANUARY 9 ON IFI’S NA ONLINE STORE
Preorders for the Azur Lane: Crosswave Limited Edition ($99.99)and Standard Edition ($49.99) through IFI’s NA Online Store begin January 9 at 11AM PT! Preorders through IFI’s EU Online Store are currently live. IFI’s NA Online Store has also added a new Wishlist feature, allowing customers to save a list of products and get notified when preorders go live.
The Steam Limited Edition is currently available for preorder on Iffy’s EU Online Store and preorders through Iffy’s NA Online Store will begin in Early 2020.
Azur Lane: Crosswave Limited Edition includes:
PS4 version:
- PS4 Standard Edition Game
- Azur Lane: Crosswave Steel Game Case
- “Nautical Debriefing” Hardcover Art Book
- Official Soundtrack
- Shimakaze Figure
- 2″ Enamel Pin Set
- Sakura Empire Standee
- Reversible Cover Sleeve
- Collector’s Box
Steam version:
- Deluxe Edition Steam Code*
- Azur Lane: Crosswave Steel Game Case
- “Nautical Debriefing” Hardcover Art Book
- Official Soundtrack
- Shimakaze Figure
- 2″ Enamel Pin Set
- Sakura Empire Standee
- Reversible Cover Sleeve
- Collector’s Box
About Azur Lane (mobile game)
Azur Lane is a side-scrolling shooter created by Shanghai Manjuu and Xiamen Yongshi, originally released in 2017 for iOS and Android platforms. The Shanghai-based publisher, Yostar, published the Japanese and English version of the mobile game, popularizing the game to more mobile users across the world. The game takes place in a world where personified battleships from around the globe engage in side-scrolling shooter gameplay.
About Azur Lane: Crosswave
Azur Lane: Crosswave takes the spirit of the mobile game and uses the Unreal Engine to bring its characters to life in a massive 3D world, so fans can see them like they’ve never seen them before. The in-game character designs will also feature cel-shaded anime style 3D graphics that stay true to the original art.
Key Features
Retrofitted in 3D – Azur Lane mobile, the beloved side-scrolling shooter, is now retrofitted for the PlayStation®4 and Steam® as a cel-shaded, 3D action shooter with the help of Unreal Engine! Choose from 25+ characters and 30+ support characters to help lead your fleet to victory. Azur Lane: Crosswave also introduces 2 brand-new playable characters, Shimakaze and Suruga!
4 Modes to Choose From – Choose from 4 different modes: Story, Extreme Battle, Photo, or Episode Mode. Story Mode goes through 7 riveting chapters in the footsteps of newcomers, Shimakaze and Suruga. In Extreme Battle Mode, choose from 100+ challenging fleets to battle for rare items and special materials. In Photo Mode, you can pose characters, change facial expressions, alter backgrounds, and camera angles to create a picturesque moment. Episode Mode includes 50+ sub-stories that deliver bonus character backgrounds!
Arm Your Armada – Before setting sail, beef up your characters by equipping them with rare items found after a successful battle or by crafting items at Akashi’s Laboratory. Here, Commanders can exchange blueprints to create new gear, convert materials into rare items, and earn rewards. Experiment with different fleet arrangements to gain special Fleet Effects that can provide in-game stat bonuses.
Ready, Aim, Fire – In Azur Lane: Crosswave, you can now control, aim, and fire at incoming battleships, aircraft carriers, and other enemies. Depending on the character’s subtype, players can dash to evade attacks or activate defensive shields, unleash torpedoes or aircrafts, and switch-on character-specific special attacks to defeat unruly enemies!
