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Ragnarok Odyssey Ace to hunt for loot and Porings in early 2014
The cross-platform compatible update to last year's Ragnarok Odyssey will start knocking numbers out of monsters in early 2014 as Ragnarok Odyssey Ace. Both the PS3 and Vita version will cost $39.99 and include all DLC released for the original game, but launch copies of the Vita version will contain extra loot in the form of a 25-song soundtrack. Ace will construct a new Tower of Yggdrasil dungeon filled with randomly-generated dungeons for players to bash their way through. Ace also carries an "enhanced battle system" as well as new bosses and items. Those that own the vanilla version of Ragnarok Odyssey will be able to bring over their character's "basic physical features." Weapon or monster cards will be transferable, too, as long as they aren't equipped to clothing or previously required via the Vita's Near app.
Valhalla Knights 3 out Oct. 23 in Europe
XSEED Games' upcoming Vita-exclusive RPG finally has a release date for the fine folks in Europe. Valhalla Knights 3 will arrive in Europe on October 23, XSEED Localization Lead Ryan Graff confirmed in a blog post on the European PlayStation Blog. Valhalla Knights 3 features "200-plus quests and over 500 in-game items, weapons, armor and special goods" in its "over 40 hours of gameplay." The latest in the series will launch in North America on October 15. Available both digitally and in authentic plastic boxes(!), Valhalla Knights 3 carries a $40 price tag.
Valhalla Knights 3 invades Vita on October 15
Valhalla Knights 3 now has an official release date: Come October 15, the action roleplaying game makes its debut on Sony's Vita handheld. The game (which is being published in North America by Xseed Games) drops players into a gigantic prison where they will control a team of up to seven characters, each of which can be controlled manually or left to their own devices. Valhalla Knights 3 features "200-plus quests and over 500 in-game items, weapons, armor and special goods" in its "over 40 hours of gameplay." Unlike the original Japanese release of Valhalla Knights 3, the North American iteration of the game will include online multiplayer in addition to ad hoc two player gameplay. On debut Valhalla Knights 3 is slated to be available in both digital and physical disc incarnations, and should feature a $40 price tag regardless of which version you prefer.
Valhalla Knights 3 to hang with the wrong crowd in October on NA Vitas
Valhalla Knights 3 will host a fight for a treasure capable of granting any wish between a bunch of awful, irredeemable characters in October on the Vita in North America. The party-based action RPG will let players choose between guiding a Human, Elf, Halfling, Dwarf, Beast, Nightmare or Machine. Publisher XSEED's announcement states that each race will have "its own set of strengths which make them predisposed to certain jobs." Twenty job classes will also be available, such as Archer, Prisoner or Akatoki, but players can equip two additional "sub-jobs" in addition to their day job to keep things complicated. Winning fights while pursuing a certain career will diminish your character's ineptitude in that field, ultimately turning them into a professional killing machine. VH3's North American release will add a Wi-Fi online option in addition to the established local ad hoc mode. If you'd rather keep the treasure to yourself, however, you can still go it alone and undoubtedly use your wish for good.
Rune Factory 4 clocks in next month
Rune Factory 4 will arrive in a week's time, having come through a protracted quality assurance check. Publisher XSEED made sure everything was up to scratch before dating the 3DS game for October 1, when it will be available at retail and on the eShop for $40. The game received a warm reception in Japan, shifting 150,000 copies within a few months to become the series' best seller. Developer Neverland will hope to build on that when the farming-adventuring hybrid comes North America and Europe.
Senran Kagura Burst to reach North America, Europe
Action-adventure game Senran Kagura Burst is slashing its way to North American and European 3DSs this fall as a digital release. Senran Kagura Burst follows the rivalry of two shinobi-oriented academies that are disguised as everyday educational buildings. Players switch between two teams of five students, unlocking powers and outfits by completing missions. Battles are preceded with dialog between characters to supplement the story and flesh out relationships. Each student has their own assignments, spanning from retrieval quests to battles with multiple characters. Of course, it wouldn't be an engrossing battle if their outfits didn't shred from their bodies as they took damage. Breast physics are exaggerated, too, so the true hardships of fighting for your life really shine through. Despite the pandering, Senran Kagura Burst's gameplay is fast-paced action with an emphasis on racking up high combos and juggling enemies as they're diced to bits. Senran Kagura Burst spawned an anime and manga series in Japan and ... well, we can kind of guess why.
Rune Factory 4 delayed, but 'will definitely be worth the wait'
XSeed's Rune Factory 4 won't make its summer launch and has been pushed to the fall. A Facebook posting by the publisher acknowledged the quality assurance process for the English version was taking longer than expected. "Right now we could be looking at a late September or October release, but it will definitely be worth the wait," wrote the publisher in the update. Retailers are hedging their bets with the release window; GameStop points towards a September 9 launch, while Amazon has an October 8 release date. The truth is somewhere in-between.
Killer is Dead puts on its gigolo glasses in Europe August 30
Killer is Dead, Suda 51's next over-the-top action opus, has been pegged for an August 30 launch in Europe by publisher Deep Silver. We've contacted North American publisher XSEED for a launch date in the US. The European date was included in a press release announcing a Fan Edition of Killer is Dead for £54.99, which comes in special packaging with an artbook, Akira Yamaoka's soundtrack and the Smooth Operator DLC pack including an additional mission and a special pair of x-ray glasses for Killer is Dead's "gigolo missions." The Smooth Operator DLC pack will also be included in all standard launch day copies in Europe. The story of Killer is Dead revolves around Mondo Zappa, an executioner for an assassination firm charged with killing bad people the world over. Zappa swings a sword with his right arm while his left, a full cybernetic replacement, can form various other weapons such as a drill or gun.
Ragnarok Odyssey Ace journeys to North America, Europe this winter
Marvelous USA (formerly Xseed) announced that it has secured the North American publishing rights for Game Arts' PlayStation 3 and PS Vita action-RPG Ragnarok Odyssey Ace. A European release is also in the works, courtesy of Japanese publisher GungHo. An expanded version of last year's PS Vita release Ragnarok Odyssey, Ace boasts numerous gameplay additions and includes all of the original game's DLC. Ace additionally supports cross-platform play, giving PS3 and PS Vita players the ability to party up and quest for loot together. Ragnarok Odyssey Ace will launch this winter in North America and Europe. Marvelous USA plans to show off the PS Vita version at E3 in June.
Killer is Dead and depicted in new screens
Executioner and Killer is Dead protagonist Mondo Zapper has new stuff to stab in another stylish batch of screens, freshly taken from the upcoming Suda 51 action game.
Ken Kutaragi now External Director at Marvelous AQL
Former Sony Computer Entertainment chairman and CEO Ken Kutaragi has joined Marvelous AQL as an External Director, according to a Nikkei report. Kutaragi played a significant role in the PlayStation's formative years, and later headed up development of the PlayStation 2 and PS3. He retired from Sony in 2007, but remained as an advisor and SCEI's honorary chairman until 2011. Marvelous AQL co-developed the recent PS Vita release Soul Sacrifice, and created 2012's 3DS farming sim Harvest Moon 3D: A New Beginning. Marvelous subsidiary Xseed recently purchased Atlus Online, rebranding itself as Marvelous USA earlier this month.
XSEED acquires Atlus Online, rebrands as Marvelous USA
Pandora's Tower publisher XSEED Games announced that it has purchased Atlus Online from Index Digital Media, uniting both companies under the new name Marvelous USA. The Irvine, California-based Marvelous USA is composed of all employees from the former XSEED Games team. The company hopes to expand its presence in the mobile and online game markets with the Atlus Online purchase. XSEED's Ken Berry will continue to head up the company's localization plans. "Marvelous USA unifies our US operations under the global Marvelous brand while giving our customers topnotch products and support for both traditional and online social and mobile games," said Marvelous USA president and CEO Shinichi Suzuki. "Our XSEED Games console and PC brand will continue to offer the quality games and service for which it is known, and Marvelous Online gives us expanded reach into mobile and online social gaming markets." The acquisition and rebranding brings no change to XSEED's current publishing plans.
Killer is Dead trailer features Mondo's girls, EU pinned for August
If you hadn't gathered yet, from it being a Suda game and including "gigolo missions," the upcoming Killer is Dead features scantily-clad ladies, as does this possibly NSFW video. While the North American release window is still "Summer 2013," Europe and Japan received upgrades to August.
Killer is Dead screens showcase combat, gigolo missions
Grasshopper Manufacture games often feature mature content, and Killer is Dead is no exception. These screens feature its 'gigolo missions,' where you travel the world to meet "exotic women" - publisher XSEED's words - as well as some of the crazy-looking combat. %Gallery-185801%
Pandora's Tower opens its doors April 16
The long awaited North American release of Pandora's Tower finally is finally upon us. Publisher XSEED has announced that the Wii RPG will finally launch on April 16 for $40. For those who haven't been keeping track, Pandora's Tower tells the story of a girl cursed to become a monster. The only cure? Munching down pieces of nasty monster flesh. It's a love story.
Killer Is Dead's second trailer is no less crazy than the first
The second trailer for Suda51's Killer is Dead includes earth-stealing, giant aliens, and a woman with 16 arms all holding guns, all to the wholly apt backdrop of Wagner's "Flight of the Valkyries."Killer is Dead is coming to Xbox 360 and PS3 in North America and Europe this summer.
Begin scaling Pandora's Tower in April
Pandora's Tower, the last game in the original Operation Rainfall campain – and likely the last major Wii retail release, is coming out this April, XSEED revealed.The new trailer released today details the storyline, and introduces the character Elena, who you fight to save by braving the tower. Somehow, the trailer manages to simultaneously give the story emotional weight, and convey that it's about feeding chunks of twelve giant monsters to a sick girl.
XSEED brings RPG 'Ark of the Ages' to Android
Niche publisher XSEED xpands to mobile games this week with Android RPG Ark of the Ages. The $2 dungeon RPG takes place in the ancient "Tower of Magic," which you must explore as a knight of the Royal Order.It combines third-person navigation – using dual (virtual) analog controls to navigate trap-filled spaces – with first-person, swipe-controlled combat. An iPhone version will also be released in "the coming weeks."Ark of the Ages definitely isn't an anomaly; instead it represents a new business for the publisher. "Mobile games represent a new segment for XSEED Games and are something we are very excited to pursue in 2013," said XSEED president Shinichi Suzuki. "With so many great devices on the market, mobile gaming is becoming more and more appealing to hardcore and casual gamers alike and we are looking forward to bringing fun and innovative new titles to our fans."
XSEED also releasing Ys: Memories of Celceta, Rune Factory 4, more this year
Killer is Dead isn't the only new game announcement out of XSEED. The company randomly decided to reveal a bunch of 2013 releases at once, including the welcome localization of Ys: Memories of Celceta, the first Vita iteration of the long-lived action RPG series. That's coming this fall.The Vita will also see Valhalla Knights 3 sometime this fall, an action RPG with twenty different job classes for players to equip as they take their parties of seven out on quests.XSEED is following the successful Steam release of its Ys games with a PC version of Ys I & II Chronicles + in February, a remake of the very first two Ys games. Finally, Rune Factory 4 is due on 3DS this summer, allowing players to choose a male or female protagonist for the first time.All this is in addition to Pandora's Tower, which was just announced for Wii. XSEED is an industrious little company!
Killer is Dead launches worldwide this summer
Suda 51's Killer is Dead is confirmed for a worldwide launch on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 in summer 2013. XSEED is releasing the Grasshopper Manufacture game in North America, while Deep Silver is bringing it to Europe and Oceania.True to the developer's form, Killer is Dead stars an assassin taking out criminals in the near future. The hero, Mondo Zappa, brandishes a sword with his right hand and everything from guns to drills with his other, artificial arm.Today's announcement comes hot on the trail of Grasshopper Manufacture's acquirement by Japanese MMO makers GungHo Online Entertainment. GungHo does have an American publishing branch, but this Grasshopper game won't be the first to take advantage of it.Update: Killer is Dead will feature both Japanese and English audio on the disc.%Gallery-177734%
