The digital version of Sixtar Gate: STARTRAIL is available for preorder on the Nintendo Switch™ starting Thursday, February 16th, 2023!
Global game publisher CFK (headed by Chang-sik Koo) is proud to announce that today (Feb. 16th) pre-orders open for the Nintendo Switch version of the rhythm game Sixtar Gate: STARTRAIL.
The Nintendo Switch™ version of Sixtar Gate: STARTRAIL, slated for its official March 16th release, was first introduced to the public at the 2022 Tokyo Game Show. This version of the game was developed with the aim of maintaining the playability of the Steam version of Sixtar Gate: STARTRAIL while also optimizing its feel for the Nintendo Switch™ and introducing new content via the platform.
Two months after its first unveiling, the Nintendo Switch™ version of Sixtar Gate: STARTRAIL was also brought before players at the B2C event G-Star 2022, drawing considerable attention from players. At both events, crowds gathered to see this new game and get their hands on an early build, showing just how much excitement has grown around this new version’s launch.
● Game overview
Sixtar Gate: STARTRAIL is a key-based rhythm game that sends you on an interstellar voyage with your cute, charming partner and mascot of this game. Immerse yourself in this musical story as the notes become a colorful trail leading you through the vastness of space.
Developer Lyrebird Ferdinant, who previously worked on titles like Pump It Up and OverRapid, is the lead producer of this work, while Sound Souler, known for his dreamy piano and string compositions that have been featured in countless rhythm games, works as the main sound director.
With songs from famous artists that have been featured in the BEMANI series, original exclusives by popular artists, new arrangements of familiar songs from the Touhou Project, and more, this game is packed with all sorts of famous songs that fans of rhythm games will not want to miss.
Sixtar Gate: STARTRAIL was released as an Early Access game on PC (Steam) in November of 2021, and now a new Nintendo Switch™ version is set to be released to the globe on March 16th, 2023.
● Sixtar Gate: STARTRAIL key features:
- A “gate system” with varying lanes: The number of lanes can shift with the flow of the music. Sixtar Gate: STARTRAIL starts with 4 blue lanes and 2 red lanes, but an additional set lane can appear as the “gate” expands, adding a new dimension for gamers to experience.
- Customization: There are all sorts of customizable options for our captains to experience as they immerse themselves in setting up their ARKK Gear just how they like it. Customizable features are as follows:
- Skin: Plot new courses to unlock new ARKK Gears and note skins.- Custom themes: Each DLC pack comes with a custom theme that captures the mood of the additional content with a new main menu and new mode screens.
- Widgets: Captains are able to set up their play screens with the widgets they prefer. There are a total of 5 widget locations (top, upper, mid, lower, bottom), and each location can have different widgets or the same (as follows).
- Combo Counter: Keeps track of your current combo
- Navigation System: Shows the captain’s timing and how far off the hit was for every note that isn’t a BLUE STAR (perfect hit)
- High Score Meter: Shows how far the captain is from previous high scores
- Judgment Indicator: Shows the judgment earned with each note hit
- Path Tracker: Shows the captain’s progression from song beginning to end
- Judgment Counter: Shows the number of each type of judgment received so far during the voyage
- No Widgets: Removes the widget from selected spot
● Improvements and additional content exclusive to the Nintendo Switch™ version of Sixtar Gate: STARTRAIL
The Nintendo Switch™ version of Sixtar Gate: STARTRAIL isn’t just a port of a PC game, but an optimized experience for the Nintendo Switch™, providing new content developed exclusively for this release that will be sure to please beginners and seasoned rhythm gamers alike.
Optimizations: This version features exclusive note positions, optimized for the Nintendo Switch™ controllers (Joy-Con™/Pro Controller) for greater immersion.
Innovative, new “Shift Notes” and new gear skins
- The Nintendo Switch™ version of Sixtar Gate: STARTRAIL introduces the Shift Note, an innovative addition to the red and blue notes that existed in-game before. Unlike traditional rhythm game buttons that are merely pressed, players will have to tilt an analog stick left or right, providing a new movement that we’ve never seen before.
- New ARKK Gear skins: This version includes a number of gear skins not available in the Steam version, allowing for even more customization options.
Never-before-seen “Shift Notes” (Yellow line on image):
Players must press an analog stick right or left according to the arrows.
All new modes added to the classics: The Nintendo Switch™ version of Sixtar Gate: STARTRAIL adds even more variety with modes that allow players to do more than just play through the song lists as they would in traditional rhythm games.
- Travel mode: This traditional mode allows players to play through whichever song they would like.
- Outer Space: This new mode is an upgrade for License Mode on the Nintendo Switch™. In this mode, players will have to complete a “course” of three predetermined songs in a row. There are several different courses available depending on your current difficulty, or “license.” Courses are divided into “junior” and “senior” courses, and the next license will be available once captains clear the senior courses for each license. On top of that, Outer Space mode features original note patterns for songs that can only be found in this mode.
- Adventure Mode: This mode, first available on the Nintendo Switch™, tells the story of the starship Ausflug and her adventure through the Sixtar Cluster. Each chapter includes a number of stages that must be cleared. Clear each stage to watch more of the story unfold, unlocking new profile icons and songs along the way.
1) Adventure Mode Story:
Navigate through the looming Anti-ARKK menace as it threatens to engulf the Sixtar Cluster!
One day on your voyage through space, a massive amount of Anti-ARKK suddenly appears, covering the star cluster. Just then, an emergency alert is sent out, warning all starships to evacuate to the nearest planet.
Things look pretty dicey for the trio aboard the Ausflug. Their only path to survival lies in making use of the ARKK Gear mounted to the Ausflug.
Will the captain (you!) be able to balance Operator Shii’s cheerful, honest nature with Operator Rami’s playful but mischievous side and stop their constant scuffles long enough to ensure the safety of the Ausflug and maybe even the entire star cluster?
2) Main characters:
Shii: The Ausflug’s first operator, trustworthy in all her duties and always wearing a smile
Rami: The Ausflug’s second operator, known to cause trouble due to her rather mischievous personality
You, the player: Captain of the Ausflug, known as “Cap” to Rami, first seen sailing through the star cluster with Shii
The main characters of Sixtar Gate: STARTRAIL: Shii, Cap, and Rami (from left to right)
The Nintendo Switch™ version of Sixtar Gate: STARTRAIL was made to provide players with a new experience optimized for the Nintendo Switch™ while also bringing exclusive content and new additions to the game. Even after its official release, there are plans to add new free songs, new updates/features, DLC packages, and collaborations with known composers to give players even more content to enjoy.
This brand new version of Sixtar Gate: STARTRAIL, packed full of new features and gameplay optimized for Nintendo Switch™, will be available for download from the Nintendo eShops on March 16th, 2023.