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Project X Zone crosses over into the US June 25
It appears that Namco Bandai has sneakily revealed a June 25 North America launch date for its crossover game with Sega and Capcom, Project X Zone. The date comes from Namco Bandai's official site, though the publisher has yet to issue an announcement or respond to our inquiries for confirmation on the release.Project X Zone is a strategy RPG for the 3DS co-developed by Monolith Soft and Banpresto, in which over 200 well-known faces from Namco Bandai, Sega and Capcom wage combat utilizing a custom "Cross Active Battle System" to chain together custom crossover combos. Project X Zone was originally announced for Japan, but Namco Bandai committed to localization for US and Europe earlier this year.%Gallery-176869%
Nippon Ichi shows off improved Disgaea 4 art
If you're a fan of Nippon Ichi's twisted strategy RPG series, Disgaea, you've likely spent a ludicrous number of hours staring at illustrator Takehido Harada's charming 2D character art. You'll get to do so again with Disgaea 4, with the benefit of higher-resolution artwork. By the looks of things (check out Andriasang for some neat comparison and screenshots), the new sprites have lost none of their personality in the long-awaited upgrade. Disgaeaeaeaea 4 will launch on PlayStation 3 in February 2011 with a limited edition package, including a Nendoroid Petit figure, art book and soundtrack CD. It'll also retain all the original illustrations, allowing you to toggle between the old and new characters. It's nice that the old art is sticking around, but couldn't Nippon Ichi have shipped their used goods to a less fortunate soul, like IGA?
Disgaea 4 coming to PS3 in Japan February 2011
Nippon Ichi Software introduced a project that "holds the fate of our company" -- Disgaea 4. The president of Nippon Ichi took the stage of a TGS press conference to announce the game wearing a Prinny suit to show "how serious we are." Like previous entries in the series, Disgaea 4 is a hardcore SRPG with a comedic twist. NIS is promising "stupidity to the MAX" in this upcoming endeavor. Taking place in hell, the story will have a political theme, with players building their own political cabinets. "I'd love to have questionable politicians play this game," he joked. New features for Disgaea 4 are the addition of network features which will allow you to invade other player's worlds, and vice versa. However, the primary new feature is the revamped focused on graphics. While the game will still retain its trademark 2D look, the resolution of the sprite art has been bumped significantly, and will look more like illustrator Takehito Harada's original drawings. "Wow, that must have cost a lot," the NIS host joked during the presentation. Disgaea 4 will be releasing exclusively on PS3 on February 24, 2011 in Japan. A US release should follow afterwards.
Record of Agarest War on PSN this week, requires 18GB of free space
Aksys' not-actually-very-erotic-but-being-marketed-that-way SRPG Record of Agarest War is finally coming to the North American PlayStation Store this week. Available this Thursday for $44.99, the only way you'll be able to play this game on PS3 is to download the game via PSN. However, don't expect to play the game right away. As promised, it's a hefty download: 10GB. However, while the download is 10GB, you'll need 18GB of free space on your hard drive in order to complete the installation. To see how much free space you have, go to System Settings -> System Information on the XMB. If you plan on having the game download and install overnight, go to Users -> Turn Off System once you queue up the download, so that your PS3 can automatically shut down after installing the game.
VC in Brief: Ogre Battle 64 (N64)
This week's VC in Brief can be described with one word: epic. Seriously, Ogre Battle 64 is one of the more huge games on the N64 console. It's a traditional fantasy title -- a SRPG, if you want to go all technical on it -- and relies upon many of the genre's staples. As such, the above video weighs in at over 10 minutes. It's without a doubt the longest video we've done yet. Ogre Battle 64: Person of Lordly Caliber (Nintendo 64, 1 player, 1,000 Wii Points) Every week, we like to check out what's new on the Virtual Console. We offer VC in Brief as a sort of taste to help you decide whether or not you would want the game in question. We also toss in our own two cents because we're pushy jerks like that.
Record of Agarest War is largest PSN game ever
If you managed to get into the MAG beta and thought that was a lot of downloading, Aksys' Record of Agarest War is going to blow your mind. The PSN title will weigh in "somewhere around 8 - 10 gigs," an Aksys employee posted on the game's forums. Obviously, eight to ten gigabytes isn't going to be much space for your PS3's big and burly hard drive and it's definitely understandable considering the game was originally a disc-based release in Europe; however, the time it'll take to download all of those gigglebytes is another story. We suggest starting the download before you go to bed or -- considering the "100 hour" adventure isn't actually out yet -- taking the Delorean up to 88MPH. [Via Siliconera] %Gallery-71232%
Valkyria Chronicles 2 gameplay footage looks as good as we want it to be
Don't be a hater. Valkyria Chronicles 2 may not be on the PS3 (or 360) as many had wished, but it certainly looks fine as-is on the PSP. Sega has done a remarkable job of recreating the look and, more importantly, gameplay of the original game. Considering the limited power of the PSP, we're positively surprised by the results.With a brand new branching class system, and the promise of multiplayer, VC2 is shaping up to be the sequel we've all clamored for. Sure, it may not be in HD, but when was the last time you were able to play Valkyria Chronicles while on the toilet seat ... of an airplane? Check out another clip after the break.%Gallery-68217%[Via PSPHyper]
Watch a few minutes of Record of Agarest War's '100 hour' adventure
Niche RPG Record of Agarest War is coming to the States (in English!) courtesy of Aksys Games this fall. Considering the limited appeal of oldschool 2D sprite-based RPGs, the publisher has opted to distribute the game exclusively through the PlayStation Network. While it may be a "mere" downloadable title, Aksys is promoting the game's supposed "100 hours" of gameplay, making it easily one of the lengthiest PSN titles ever.Record of Agarest War is known for its use of anime fanservice and this initial clip shows us why. Apparently, girls have trouble covering the entirety of their chests in the world of Agarest. While that may prove to be problematic in battle, the video (after the break) shows that real warriors have no need for appropriate attire.%Gallery-71232%
Adventures to Go brings ... adventures to go on PSP
We love straightforward titles. That's why we approve of Natsume's newly announced Adventures to Go for PSP. It's yet another addition to PSP's expansive SRPG library, but Natsume plans on taking a more humorous approach than traditional strategy games. Players will take control of Finn Courtland and his "band of misfits" on a quest to fight demons and save the world (real original, right?). Players will be able to set up the game's randomized dungeons by choosing the terrain, the size of the dungeon and the types of monsters players will face. The riskier dungeons will provide even larger rewards.Adventures to Go has a planned summer release, and will make its first public appearance at E3. You can check out the first screenshots in our gallery below: %Gallery-63689%
Disgaea 2: Dark Hero Days coming to PSP this year
The PSP enhanced port of Disgaea 2 will be getting a US release this year. Dark Hero Days will feature all the content of the original SRPG, but will add new story chapters, a new main character and additional skills, items and side characters. New battle features introduced in Disgaea 3 will also be transplanted into this portable game. While the game's trailer specifically states a Summer release, the press release says the game will release in the Fall. Either way, you'll be able to play the game this year. Keen observers will see a PlayStation Network icon at the end of the trailer -- could this title be digitally distributed? %Gallery-63010%
Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love coming to Wii, PS2
Nippon Ichi is finally bringing the Sakura Wars series to the US. The cult anime series will be hitting US audiences as a SRPG destined for Wii and PS2. So Long, My Love promises a unique battle system divided into two parts: ground combat and air combat. In the Sakura Wars universe, it appears mechs don't just fight on the ground. No, they transform into jets that fight in the sky as well! Players will have to keep sharp as they battle enemies on these two vastly different fronts.Developed by Idea Factory, Sakura Wars is scheduled for a US release this Fall.
Disgaea 2: Dark Hero Days PSP trailer
We thought we saw everything there was to see regarding the upcoming PSP version of Disgaea 2, recently subtitled: Dark Hero Days. Little did we know a trailer for the portable upgrade was hiding up someone's sleeve at developer Nippon Ichi's home office. After giving the trailer a good once over, we've come to the conclusion that ... well, it's Disgaea -- plus more stuff. An additional storyline starring the dark hero Axel, new game play features and easier pickup-and-play ability on the go are just a few of the enhancements made to Disgaea 2: Dark Hero Days. Check out the trailer after the break.
A Luminous Gold Box from Amazon
One of Amazon's all-video-game Gold Box Deals today, scheduled for 6PM PST, features the teaser text "Get bonus goodies with this radiant crescent." We puzzled out the completely transparent clue all by ourselves, guessing that it was Luminous Arc 2 with its included soundtrack CD. Then, just as we were congratulating ourselves for our moderate riddle-solving skills, Atlus totally spoiled the ending with an email to their "Atlus Faithful" mailing list, confirming the identity of the offer. It must have felt nice for them to reveal something early after all the ESRB spoilers.Now all we don't know is the price drop the game will temporarily receive -- but at least it's getting one. The $36.99 that Amazon currently charges for the SRPG is painful.%Gallery-15251%
Koei strategy pair rated by ESRB
The ESRB has rated a pair of Koei games that aren't Dynasty Warriors for release on the Virtual Console. Both are historical strategic RPGs, though with very different settings. The first, Nobunaga's Ambition (top screens above), tasks players with conquering feudal Japan, while Uncharted Waters: New Horizons is based more on life at sea, and lets you indulge in sailing, trading, and even piracy.We assume these are the NES versions, though could be wrong -- there were versions of each on the Genesis and SNES. Considering a boxed of copy of either goes for about $20 or $25 on eBay, we could be in for a bargain when these appear.
DS Fanboy Review: Luminous Arc 2
There's a lot of strategy available on the DS. Whatever your strategy-flavor preference, you can get it (almost), so it takes a lot for these newer faces to stand out. If all you saw of the Luminous Arc series was the ads and the occasional screenshot, you might think the burgeoning franchise was all about boobs and butts, and while they play an important part, of course, there's a lot more to Luminous Arc than itty-bitty witch costumes. The other thing working against (or maybe for some, for) the glut of strategy-style games on the DS is the inherent sameness of titles in the genre. You've got some dudes, a grid, and a lot of battles, once the good guys run into the bad on said grid. Because of that, everything else about the game is scrutinized heavily; after we've established that combat isn't broken and the game works in a strategic sort of sense, we're left studying controls, scripting, presentation, and just plain fun factor. Luckily, Luminous Arc 2 does manage to shine in those categories. Gallery: Luminous Arc 2
Valkyrie Profile: Localization of the Game [update]
Valkyrie Profile: The Accused One shipped in Japan just a few days ago, racking up 80,000 sales in its first week and finishing in second place in the charts (to, um, Grand Theft Auto IV).With a triumphant Japanese launch under its belt, Square Enix is now turning its attention to us, and has opened an understated teaser site to announce the localization and release date of the game in the U.S. As previous evidence has hinted, it'll be known as Valkyrie Profile: Covenant of the Plume in North America, and will release on March 17th. Is the DS the greatest system for RPGs since the SNES or what? That's rhetorical, because it clearly is.Also, the beautiful Japanese boxart would be welcome here, if anybody from Square Enix is reading![Update: A Square Enix press release informs us Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride will reach the States on February 17th! Too. Much. RPG. Goodness.]%Gallery-33399%[Via Siliconera]
Atlus's Devil Survivor revealed
The mysterious game Megami Ibunroku Devil Survivor that Atlus teased in last week's Famitsu has been revealed (in this week's Famitsu, obviously). It turns out that the "wait seven days to see it" thing was thematically appropriate: Devil Survivor, like The World Ends With You, gives players seven days to save Tokyo from destruction. Unlike Square Enix's well-received action RPG thing, this is a strategy RPG. The game, due out in January, will feature monsters designed by well-known Atlus character designer Kazuma Kaneko, who also did character designs for the last Trauma Center.
DS Fanboy Preview: Luminous Arc 2
We like to poke fun at Luminous Arc and its successor due to all the boobs-and-butts shots, but we do it out of love. Despite the first title's somewhat lackluster overall review scores, it's looked on a little more fondly in the DS Fanboy offices. The first game had a lot working for it, and a major thing working against it: the controls. So when we sat down for a little quality time with the sequel, Luminous Arc 2, we paid particular attention to that aspect. And guess what?It's better, and not only that, but the ability to do things your way is great. D-pad or stylus control? It's up to you. Tap through the cutscenes, play them automatically, or skip them altogether? Make it your game. For those reasons alone, Luminous Arc 2 is worth a go.%Gallery-15251%
See the singing shocktrooper of Valkyria Chronicles, Rosie
We're pretty excited for Valkyria Chronicles. The PS3-exclusive SRPG from Sega has been getting great early reviews. And why wouldn't it? Not only does it look good, but it has a cabaret girl singing while kicking ass. Who could possibly dislike a game like that?
TGS08: Rising Star reveals four for Europe
Rising Star Games just unfurled an official list of Marvelous games that it plans to localize for Europe, including Luminous Arc 2, Avalon Code, Rune Factory 2, and a fourth game that is yet to be announced for North America: Steal Princess. We expected most (if not all) of these to reach us at some point, mainly because Rising Star Games is totally awesome and we love them.Previous evidence has suggested that Steal Princess and Luminous Arc 2 won't be appearing before the end of March 2009, but we can't be mad at Marvelous. The company has had an action-packed Tokyo Game Show, and this is the cherry on top of a whole pile of other excellent announcements for Nintendo fans. Make the jump for screens, screens, and more screens! %Gallery-34394%
