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Tecmo purchasing Atelier developer Gust
In a move that we're almost certain won't add a third name to its post-merger designation, Tecmo Koei is acquiring Gust Corporation, developer of the Atelier and Ar Tonelico RPG series. Tecmo is purchasing all 495 shares of the developer for ¥22 billion ($28.3 million). We're surprised at that price for the tiny Gust, and we're surprised that Tecmo had that kicking around. According to Andriasang's translation, Tecmo Koei sees the Atelier series as a popular IP, and hopes to leverage it in multiple fields. We're guessing it means more mobile games -- at least until Tecmo recoups some of that 22 billion yen.
Ar Tonelico III trailer overwhelms with epicness
The first two Ar Tonelico games on PlayStation 2 barely took advantage of the power offered by the platform. However, Gust is making the jump to 3D for its upcoming Ar Tonelico III for PS3. This new full-length trailer is surprisingly ambitious, showcasing some stunning Gankutsuou-esque anime cutscenes and some epic 3D landscapes. Sure, these graphics are nowhere near the level of Final Fantasy XIII, but it's a dramatic departure for a series that has looked like high-res GBA games thus far.Ar Tonelico III is rushing towards an early 2010 release in Japan, but no US release has been announced yet. We're pretty certain this will be picked up, though -- adding to PS3's JRPG wealth for the upcoming year. To see how far the franchise has come, see a trailer for the first game after the break.
Gust brings Ar Tonelico III to PlayStation 3
JRPG developer Gust is working on yet another addition to its Ar Tonelico series, exclusively for the PS3. Like its predecessors, Ar Tonelico III will explore a new music-based battle system, with players able to create custom songs and change background music, according to Siliconera. The initial teaser trailer doesn't reveal much -- beyond showing off some of the characters, it reveals a surprisingly early 2010 Japanese release for the game.Gust's previous PS3 game, Atelier Rorona, was in full 3D, and we're hoping Ar Tonelico III will follow suit. NIS America has localized both PS2 Ar Tonelico games in the past, so it's likely the third game will also find its way to the publisher next year.%Gallery-75678%
PS2 getting sexier with Ar tonelico 2 this December
Last year's Ar tonelico: Melody of Elemia was one of the strangest titles we'd ever played from NIS America, and coming from a company that let us possess watering cans in Phantom Brave and do turn-based strategy as a side-scroller in GrimGrimoire, that's saying something. Offering equal parts role-playing and old school adventure, it was the included dating sim-style mechanics and the game's near-constant stream of sexual innuendo that gave Ar tonelico its unique, acquired tasted.NIS America now drops word that it plans to release the sequel this December for the PS2. According to the publisher, this time around Ar tonelico 2 will challenge players by having them manage relationships between the game's sultry mechanical dolls known as Reyvateils, adding that "if their emotions are more closely synced, the stronger the magic becomes." We knew there was a reason to keep the PS2 around...magic lesbian robots.[Thanks, Dennis]%Gallery-28943%
Characters galore appear in this Cross Edge trailer
It's time to get your translating hats on, everyone. A Japanese trailer for Cross Edge has hit the airwaves and we have no idea what it's saying. We see a ton of cast members, from Darkstalkers, Disgaea, the Atelier series (including Mana Khemia) as well as Ar Tonelico, doling out some voice-acting skills and massive damage. We're not quite sure what the game is about or how all these characters end up fighting alongside the main characters of the game, but the battles seem frenetic and entertaining. We're itching to see more because 2D is far from dead. [Via Siliconera]
