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Trine 2 Director's Cut 25% off in Wii U eShop, GOG.com holding RPG sale
Frozenbyte has announced that Trine 2 Director's Cut is currently on sale in the Wii U eShop, meaning the $19.99 co-op puzzle platformer is now on sale for $14.99 in the US. That price will last through February 28 in North America and all the way to March 7 in the EU.And if that sale and the ongoing Steam for Linux price drops aren't enough for you (FTL for $5!), GOG.com is also having a sale this weekend, on a number of impressive role-playing games. You can grab The Witcher 2 for $9.99, Divinity 2: Developer's Cut for $9.99, or pick up the original Torchlight for $7.49. Steam is also offering the sequel to that last one for just a few bucks more.
Ghostlight looking to bring JRPGs from console to PC
Ghostlight is a UK publisher that's known for its adaptations of Japanese games (specifically JRPGs). Last week it asked readers of its official blog if there was any interest in seeing Ghostlight bring some JRPGs from Japanese consoles to PC. The interest was apparently high, because this week's blog post says Ghostlight is planning on doing exactly that.There aren't a lot of details yet, but Ghostlight says talks are underway, and while the original plans were to just release these games digitally, fan response has got the company thinking about boxed copies of these translated games as well.
Diablo III becomes fastest-selling PC game ever, deluge of broken PC mice likely to follow
Chalk one up for an at least temporary resurgence in PC gaming. Blizzard can vouch that Diablo III has set a new record for the fastest-selling PC game to date: at 3.5 million copies trading hands through Battle.net downloads or retailers in the first 24 hours, and 6.3 million after a week, that's a whole lot of people battling the biggest of Prime Evils in a very short time. Naturally, a Blizzard-obsessed South Korea is accounting for even more activity, where over 39 percent of play at local gaming houses can be pinned on the action RPG, and the tally doesn't even include the 1.2 million bonus copies coming through a World of Warcraft annual pass promo. Before console gamers start packing up their PlayStations and Xboxes in symbolic resignation, D3 isn't the record-setter for the most copies of any game sold in one day -- that distinction goes to Modern Warfare 3's 6.5 million copies spread across multiple platforms. That's still enough to spur on some furious clicking and possibly a glut of dead mouse buttons, but you'll be glad to know there are suitably-themed replacement mice waiting in the wings.
Legacy of Ys: Books I & II delayed, soundtrack bundled
The hike up to Darm Tower is taking longer than expected. Atlus has bumped the release of Legacy of Ys: Books I & II for the Nintendo DS back two weeks from its originally announced February 10 ship date. Now set for release on February 24, the publisher notes that the entire first printing of the upcoming RPG will now come packaged with the game's soundtrack CD, originally intended just for those who reserved the game. The bundling is part of a "fan appreciation" effort called Atlus Spoils, which according to Atlus is intended to "give a little extra something to the company's faithful followers." The announcement follows yesterday's reveal of Devil Summoner 2, which will come stuffed with a free Raiho plushie. Now here, take this hankie and wipe those silver tears from your eyes.
Video: Star Ocean "Hope for the Future"
The more we see of the upcoming tri-Ace developed, Square Enix published, Star Ocean: The Last Hope, the more excited we seem to get. Not only is the Star Ocean series one of the most beloved, classic role-playing franchises still kicking around, both the CGI and in game footage of the game look impressive. Honestly though, we just get overly excited when effeminate heroes jump out of their spacecraft pilot seats to stare blankly at a monitor and luckily this trailer showcases that move twice. 'Round these parts we call that, "Supreme pimp pointing." Star Ocean: The Last Hope lands Stateside on February 24.
Operation Darkness demo dated, first screens
In the past few years the team at Atlus have etched their name into role-playing history books as a niche Japanese publisher that has quickly invaded the West with the unique brand of titles. Having announced two titles for the Xbox 360 in late 2007, Atlus has revealed new information on one of the two titles with an updated website and a slew of fresh screens. Visiting the newly updated official site for Operation Darkness reveals updated game information and that a demo is scheduled for May 5 on the Xbox Live Marketplace, months after the release of a Japanese demo that went live in December 2007.With third party support from a team like Atlus maybe Microsoft can claim to be one helluva RPG-player's console after all. Operation Darkness, which has recently been rated M by the ESRB, is an RPG / small-squad tactics hybrid from developer SUCCESS that supports up to 4 players cooperatively over Xbox Live and is set to hit retail later this year.%Gallery-19186%
First Riviera: The Promised Land video released
Back in August, Famitsu broke news of Sting's Rivieria: The Promised Land, the GBA tactical RPG, being ported to the PSP. Well now, the first video has been released, and you can see it here. Although, most of the text that accompanies the video is in Japanese, you can still get the gist of what the game is all about, just in case you haven't previously played it. While the graphics do look a bit crisper, the main "upgrade" from the GBA version is the inclusion of voice acting.On Sting's official site, they have loads of Riviera PSP content available for download. C'mon, I know you're a sucker for cutesy 2D sprites![Via DCEmu]
Metal Saga DS scans frighten and confuse
Jeux France have once again used their wily ways to get a hold of some Famitsu scans, this time covering the recently announced RPG, Metal Saga DS. We've seen bits and piece of the wacky PS2 version currently being localized by Atlus, but nothing could have prepared us for the images depicted in these scans.We're not sure how it all works, but it does seem like you get to control a rather wise-looking dog, possibly in a strategic, turn-based battle against either a giant crocodile, a mad scientist or an elephant-shaped tank. We also spotted a cactus wielding a rocket launcher, a zombie and at least one menacing chicken. Needless to say, we're hoping Atlus also decides to translate this intriguing title.[Thanks mandarin!]
Squenix comments on Revo Final Fantasy
Ambiguous promises? Check. Non-committal concepts? Check. No discernibly valuable information? Check. Why, that must mean we're once again dealing with a developer's comments on their upcoming Revolution games! Holy yes, what wealth of information awaits us today? The news comes from Square Enix president, Youichi Wada, and is directly concerned with the upcoming Revolution version of Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles. You may remember the Gamecube version for its intricate bucket-carrying gameplay and its colossal, quadruple GBA requirement for maximum multiplayer enjoyment. Regarding the sequel, Mr. Wada revealed that the game would feature "online capabilities, magnificent graphics, and an intense use of the revolutionary control of the platform."Mr. Wada then shocked all by stating that the game would involve a whiny, spiky-haired teenager saving the world from an ancient evil. Ah, we jest. Online, cooperative multiplayer sounds like an excellent progression for the series, if indeed we can read that far into the mentioning of "online capabilities." As for affirming the presence of pretty graphics and use of the controller, well, that's hardly unexpected. If only these developers would cease taunting us with their dangling, dripping pieces of steak. We just want some information we can sink our teeth into. Perhaps we can expect the DS to interact with the game in the same way the GBA did with the Gamecube version?[Via Revolution Advanced]
Orb developer interview
With all the vague Revolution declarations we've had in the last few weeks, it comes as a refreshing gush of air to see someone actually fully committing to developing a Revolution game. The squares over at Cubed3 have posted an interview with just such a developer, Crossbeam Studios Entertainment, politely quizzing them about their forthcoming first-person RPG adventure, Orb. Though the game has yet to find a publisher or a Revolution development kit, it's already being designed with Nintendo's console in mind. This isn't the first time we've seen a small team of developers making Revolution games on their mouse-driven computers, but it raises some fears as to whether or not it's a good idea to count your eggs before they've hatched. After all, there's a chance that no publisher will take interest in the game at hand--even Nintendo might politely decline."The only thing that worries me is Nintendo has thrown out far too many game ideas because they think it won't fly, when in fact they are great ideas. They are too scared of not making it. "While that doesn't really sound like the Nintendo we know, there is a certain level of quality expected before you get that famous golden seal of approval stamped on your game. Let's hope things turn out well for Orb. If not, there's always Xbox Live Arcade to fall back on...
A Tales of the Tempest preview
1up has posted a brief preview on Namco's forthcoming Tales of the Tempest, a new entry in their famed series designed specifically for Nintendo's portable powerhouse. Though it doesn't divulge as much information as we'd like (we'd like all of it, thank you), the article does confirm that the action RPG's battles will still be based on the Linear Motion System, a system where 3D characters move and fight in 2 dimensions. It'll also make use of the touch screen and, more importantly, the DS' Wi-Fi multiplayer capabilities. Since past Tales games have done so, we're hoping for some solid cooperative play to be incorporated.The preview also goes into the storyline quite a bit, revealing a world populated by both humans and "Licanths", humanoids that can transform into powerful beasts. Naturally, the main character gets caught up in the growing tension between the two races and soon finds himself exploring the world and battling all sorts of snarling monsters. There may also be an ancient evil, a magical princess and seven sacred yams to be fought, rescued and collected (respectively), but let's not get ahead of ourselves here. This dose of RPG goodness is currently set for a rather vague "2006" release.
Japanese Mario & Luigi commercial
"Mario and Luigi RPG TSOO!" Yes, it's a Japanese Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time commercial, rife with the Hot Mario Bros., adult faces super-imposed on babies and...what's this? In-game footage? In a TV commercial? For a game? Those Japanese people sure are kerrazy. [Via GamersReports]
New Children of Mana trailer
If you head on over to Square Enix's World of Mana website, you can catch a glimpse of the forthcoming DS entry in the recently reborn RPG franchise. Children of Mana certainly falls in line with Square Enix's habit of constructing stellar graphics that live up to their bold and thoughtful art design, though one should be warned about the adorable bunny beanbag creatures that feature heavily in the game. Centering on the adventures of Flick, Tumble and Pop (fresh from breakfast cereal mascot auditions), the game aims to attract fans of the classic Mana series in addition to newcomers. The battle system seems geared more towards reflexes than strategic thinking, but with some Wi-Fi cooperative gameplay, it should turn out to be an excellent and much needed DS RPG (that doesn't star a certain portly plumber). To view the trailer, follow the link, click on "Trailer" and then on the "Children of Mana" picture. [via Cubed3]
New Tales of Tempest video available
Okay, so we originally guessed the title incorrectly, but the fact of the matter is that Tales of Tempest is blowing towards the DS, something which is sure to excite fans of Namco's flagship RPG series. Games Are Fun have scored the first video of the game in action, although it is clear that the video was either taken by an extremely nervous fellow or during an unexpected earthquake. Regardless, you can still gather quite a few things from it. There are spiky-haired kids in it, happily wielding dangerous weapons as they unusually get roped into saving the world from an ancient evil. Probably. And as is common with RPGs, taking a stroll down the road has you being attacked by every single creature in the nearby vicinity, the consolation of which is the copious amounts of gold you can loot from their cold, dead bodies afterwards. The battle system seems similar to Tales of Symphonia in that it's confined to a 3D plane and that the actions take place in real-time. The cel-shaded graphics look quite appealing too, though the series has always presented some great character designs as well. The top screen displays your status and the map (I know, I'm just as shocked as you are) and the bottom displays your party and the world they inhabit. It's unclear how the touch screen is involved, but I'd expect some sort of slashing motions would be required at some point. You can't expect to defeat ancient evil without stylus driven slashing motions, now can you? Some friends would also be beneficial, especially if they were playing co-op with you via Wi-Fi.
