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Japanese magazines give more Final Fantasy XIV glimpses
It's hard to tell how far along Final Fantasy XIV is in development -- there have been rumors that it's aiming for a beta late this year, and the pictures we've seen already have a metric ton of polish, but there are a lot of questions unanswered. Luckily, the intrepid fans at Final Fantasy XIV Core have been hard at work combing not just the official American information releases, but the plethora of Japanese magazines covering the title. Recent translations of features in both Dengeki Playstation magazine and Famitsu have shed some more light on features and intents regarding the game's overall direction. Although some of the information has been stated elsewhere, such as some of the general attributes of the Discipline system, there are some interesting tidbits. One of the more noteworthy features is the promise that there will be an "optimal distance" for attacks not just for archers (a feature it has in common with its predecessor), but for lancers as well. Lancers are also slated to be gaining the option of using javelins as thrown weapons. We're told nothing regarding having multiple jobs, but rather that leveling one job will also level attributes useful for several different jobs -- possibly indicating a more holistic approach to levelling in multiple fields. If you're even remotely interested in Final Fantasy XIV (and who isn't by this point), take a look at both translations for more nuggets about the game, including some of the game's slated music and several high-quality scans.
MGS: Peace Walker to feature Vocaloid, interactive cutscenes ... and a surprise that'll make you buy a PSP?
Ever the consummate hype man, Hideo Kojima is fluffing up Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker by teasing an apparent system-selling feature. "I haven't announced this yet, but there's another feature in [Peace Walker] that will surprise people, to the point where they'll want to go out and buy a PSP right now!" Kojima blabbed in the latest issue of Famitsu (as translated by 1UP). Short of some sort of in-game subliminal advertising (hey, these guys like to experiment), we're thinking The Two-Hundred-and-Forty-Nine-Ninety-Nine-Dollar Feature -- or maybe it's just "The Buck-Seventy Feature" -- could get lost in translation. After all, the two Peace Walker features that have been newly revealed seem distinctly Japanese in their appeal.Also plucked from the pages of Famitsu, is the revelation that Peace Walker will feature Yamaha's Vocaloid software. (Yeah, we'd never heard of it either -- just wikipedia it.) If we understand it correctly, Vocaloid will allow certain weapons in the game to sing and scream. Mm-hmm, sounds incredibly annoying.Also revealed: Those 2D-illustrated cut scenes? Yep, like this one. Well, they're interactive. "For example, if you zoom in on the scene where you first meet Paz, you can see the uniform she has on under her coat, and then what's under that," art director Yoji Shinkawa explained ... rather creepily. "It's an idea I came up with while thinking about what makes games different from movies or animation. I think it's pretty interactive." Hopefully, not too interactive.
Gran Turismo 5's Yamauchi: 'We could release it any time we want'
Gran Turismo 5's Kazunori Yamauchi says he could give you his studio's next entry in the venerable racing-sim series right now ... but he won't. Speaking with Famitsu last week (translated by 1UP), the Polyphony Digital studio head explains that while "We could release it any time we want," he's more interested in trying to give the game "that classic GT-style." And though "daily progress is slow," the Japanese developer assures us that "it's still going forward at a steady clip."Unlike the PSP iteration's somewhat lackluster feature set, Yamauchi intends on going "way beyond gamer expectations" with GT5, even confirming the export of cars earned in GT PSP to next March's PS3 sequel. We're hoping he goes way beyond our expectations as well and delivers the game to other territories in a more timely fashion.%Gallery-71410%
Koei Tecmo's new game is North Star Musou
The new game being teased by Koei Tecmo -- the one with the flowers? Um, yeah, it's actually about punching people: As predicted, the game's been revealed by Famitsu as Fist of the North Star Musou (officially, just Hokuto Musou, or North Star Musou) combining Koei's populous Dynasty Warriors series with the venerable manga series, and it's the smartest thing Koei has ever done with the Warriors series since the original idea.The Fist of the North Star franchise follows a martial artist named Kenshiro who wanders around a post-apocalypse Earth, using his "Hokuto Shinken" style to fight gangsters that prey on hapless innocents. Why is this series so perfect for Warriors? Because it's a well-known universe in which it's perfectly believable for one guy to beat up a couple hundred enemies with his bare fists. This license will not require much adapting in the transition to a Warriors game.Hokuto Musou, according to the magazine, will be out sometime next year on both PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.
Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker characters revealed in Famitsu
Hideo Kojima has remained tight-lipped about the characters that will appear in Konami's upcoming PSP spy romp, Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker -- so far, we only know four: Snake, Snake, Snake and Snaaaake! However, Famitsu has revealed a few other faces that will make an appearances in the game: Amanda, Huey, Chico, Coldman, Strangelove, Galvez, Cecile, Paz, and, most notably, Master Miller from Metal Gear 2. The magazine also included illustrations of these characters, who look as colorful as their names might suggest. Famitsu also provides details about the co-op modes seen in the nine-minute trailer released last month. When two players get close to one another, "Co-op" mode activiates, merging the players' health gauges and allowing them to trade items. When they get really close, they go into "Snake-in" mode, in which one player controls both Snakes' movements so that the other can focus on murdering fools.We wonder if all four players can merge in this manner, forming a growling, bearded train of death? [Thanks, Ryan]
Rumor: Star Ocean: The Last Hope, Nier Replicant bound for PS3
Square Enix frequently releases "International" versions of its Final Fantasy games in Japan -- they're basically the Western versions of the games with some extra cutscenes and whatnot to encourage double-dipping among the rapt Japanese audience. According to this Famitsu scan, the publisher is going to try the same thing with Star Ocean: The Last Hope, turning the once 360-exclusive game into a multiplatform release in the process. The scan states that Star Ocean: The Last Hope International will be released on PS3 on February 4 of next year. Siliconera says that it will include both English and Japanese voice acting.Another scan reveals that Nier Replicant, the mysterious other Nier game revealed next week, will also be a PS3 release. We're awaiting confirmation from Square Enix.
MadWorld headed to Japan, not being published by Sega
Even though Sega was kinda proud of MadWorld's initial sales performance, the company has decided it won't handle publishing duties for a Japanese version of the game. Famitsu reports that the game will be available in Japan sometime this Winter courtesy of Spike, a company well-versed in violent video games. Hopefully it won't get a crash course in lackluster sales. [Via Go Nintendo]%Gallery-22964%
Square Enix near to announcing another Nier game
It might not be the game we were most excited by at E3 2009, but upcoming action game Nier is apparently already getting the franchise treatment. According to a two-page ad spotted by 1UP in the most recent Famitsu, "Nier Replicant" is set to be detailed in next week's issue of the Japanese magazine. The spread features a scantily clad white-haired lady with a single line of text that reads, "Beyond revenge lies crazed desperation." Given the absolute dearth of information we have on the Nier franchise, we're sorry to say we can offer little more than our furrowed brow to assuage your confusion over Replicant's tagline. We do know that the name could very well change before it's formally announced on Western shores, as Nier was recently announced in the same edition of Famitsu as "Nier Gestalt" -- known as to us as just Nier. It appears as though at least some of our questions will be answered in next week's issue.%Gallery-64593% [Image credit]
Spiritual successor to Ace Attorney: Capcom's 'Ghost Trick'
With Ace Attorney creator Shu Takumi directing and a look that evokes a futuristic Lupin the 3rd, Capcom's new Ghost Trick has immediately attracted our attention. The concept, a mystery with shades of Time Hollow and D3's The Saibanin, is equally gripping. The game stars a man named Sisal who has just been shot dead. Now a ghost with no memories, he attempts to solve his own murder and put together the details of his own life before his soul dissipates. To carry out his investigation, Sisel can travel back and forth in time to see the events surrounding his death. He can also possess objects and use them to change history. Takumi told Famitsu (as translated by 1UP) that he came up with the idea for Ghost Trick during the production of Gyakuten Saiban 3 five years ago, in an effort to make "a new type of mystery, something different in style from Ace Attorney." The style might be different, but the involvement of dead people's spirits in murder cases is basically an Ace Attorney staple.
First screens for Game Arts' WiiWare platformer
This May at a Grandia Online presentation, Game Arts teased an upcoming WiiWare title called Kage no Shounen, Hikari no Yousei (Boy of Shadow, Fairy of Light). The latest Famitsu magazine includes the first screens of the game now called Shadow Walker: Kage no Shounen, Hikari no Yousei.The concept is somewhere between Hudson's Shadow Tower and WayForward's LIT, as far as we can tell, featuring a character who can only walk in shadow. We're sure we'll find out more this week. The game is expected to release to Japan's Wii Shop next month, for 1,000 Wii Points.
Rumor: Famitsu scans show DS Okami sequel 'Okamiden'
Apparent Famitsu magazine scans are out, revealing what would appear to be the promised "Okamiden" game. We can't see the title in this scan, but if an Okami sequel and an unrelated game called Okamiden were revealed at the same time, it would be a pretty weird coincidence.If this is real, it shows a DS sequel to Clover Studios' beloved PS2 action-adventure game, which captures the original's watercolor style admirably, if a bit blockily. Of course, the DS is even more of a natural for the Okami paintbrush mechanic than the Wii is!
Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep has three separate adventures
An interview with Tetsuya Nomura in the latest issue of Japan's Weekly Famistu finally sheds more light on PSP's installment in the Kingdom Hearts series, Birth By Sleep. 1UP reports that, in the article, the series' creator reveals that the game's three main characters will be playable in their own, separate campaigns, complete with unique boss battles. Nomura also estimates that each character's play-through should take about 15 hours.Famitsu's story also mentions that Birth By Sleep will incorporate the worlds of Cinderella and Lilo & Stitch, the latter set in deep space before the cute-yet-calamitous creature crash lands on Earth. Nomura notes that a release date for the game likely won't be announced until after Final Fantasy XIII's is, but that it's still expected to hit Japan this winter.
LocoRoco Midnight Carnival coming to PSP in Japan
"Midnight Carnival" is more than just the name of our favorite Rock/Metal/Glam band from Sugarland, Texas. It's also, according to Famitsu by way of IGN, the subtitle of a new LocoRoco game available for download only on the PSP this November in Japan (the same day the PSP Go arrives there). Details are scarce, but you can expect a new "Boing" move and more difficult stages with an action focus.Though LocoRoco Midnight Carnival hasn't yet been announced in North America, we have to imagine it's a safe bet. It's not as if there's a whole lot of localization to be done for singing balls of goo, right?
Persona 3 coming to PSP with new female character
Atlus just isn't quite done with remaking Persona 3. A new issue of Famitsu has hit Japanese newsstands and one of the most notable entries is an advertisement for Persona 3: Portable. While details are slim, the ad prominently shows a new female character standing aside the nameless main character of Persona 3 and Persona 3: FES. The ad proclaims the game will be available on November 1st, which, honestly, seems rather sudden. (No Q1 slump for Japan?) If it follows the model of the PSP port of the original Persona, we're bound to see a ton of extras remixed into the game. [Via PS3Nation]
Halo Legends director introduced to franchise by his wife
If you totally fall in love with Halo Legends when the anime series drops on the Halo Waypoint next year, you'd do well to remember that you have Shinji Aramaki's wife to thank. The creative director told Famitsu that his spouse was the one who brought him into the world of Master Chief."I've always been a fan of video games, and my wife told me that Halo 3 is the best game on the 360," Aramaki said. "I just sort of got addicted after that. It's a very intricate world. It's hard to do such an epic story in movie form these days, but it's easy to get into it as a game."1UP's got a bunch of other details on what you can expect from Halo Legends, from the interview, if you're so inclined.
Famitsu hands Monster Hunter 3 a perfect 40
It's not impossible to earn a perfect score from Famitsu, you know. The latest to earn top marks is Capcom's Monster Hunter 3 (based on translation over at NeoGAF), which comes as little surprise considering everyone and their grandmother loves the franchise in Japan.The true question is: Will it receive such critical acclaim when it hits the States and Europe in early 2010?[Thanks, Victor]
Final Fantasy XIV details revealed: No leveling, new job system, deep story
The latest edition of Famitsu Wave recently hit newsstands in Japan, bringing with it a DVD which contains an 8-minute exposé on Square Enix's second stab at the MMO genre, Final Fantasy XIV. The whole video is posted after the break. Fret not -- it sports convenient English subtitles.Here's some of the more titillating excerpts: The game features a reinvented character progression system which does not include experience points or leveling up. The job system from XI will make an appearance, but in a heavily altered form -- an interview with the game's director, Nobuaki Komoto, revealed that the game will place a focus on the weapons players use, explaining that your armaments will determine "the way you play" and "the way you grow." Sounds reminiscent of Final Fantasy IX. (That's a very good thing.)In addition, FFXIV producer Hiromichi Tanaka explained that the game takes place in a new region with a more "modern" feel to it -- the mysterious Eorzea which was mentioned in the trailer. The new world features familiar races (albeit with new names), and plays host to a "deep story," which is told through cut-scenes and quests. For more FFXIV info than you can possibly handle, check the video after the jump.[Via Eurogamer]
Rumor: Famitsu scan reveals White Knight Chronicles sequel plans
Level-5's White Knight Chronicles won't even be out in North America until Q1 2010 (the time vortex into which all games are being drawn), but the developer may have already announced a sequel. An image, purported to be a partial scan of a Famitsu article about the "2nd Wave" update for the Japanese release (the 1st Wave came out this spring), depicts a sidebar with the heading "A sequel is in the works" (as translated by Kotaku), and an caption "Unfinished story" (as translated by us). We aren't entirely certain about the veracity of this scan, and since this is all we have to go on, we can offer no details about this possible game.[Thanks, Jason and Marius]
Famitsu: IREM offering R-Type Command fans some Bitter Chocolate
According to IGN, the latest issue of Famitsu reveals plans for a sequel to IREM's PSP hexagonal strategy game, R-Type Command. The sequel, which has the bizarrely great title R-Type Tactics II: Operation Bitter Chocolate, will include twice as many units as the original shmup spinoff, along with new commands and a branching storyline. Bitter Chocolate will also offer downloadable missions.When the sequel launches on October 29, it will be released both on UMD (with a bonus soundtrack disc) and as a cheaper download, which is kind of a good idea, considering that the PSP Go will be out in Japan on November 1.%Gallery-3448%
Famitsu hands Dragon Quest IX a 40
Famitsu has given Dragon Quest IX a perfect 40/40 score in its review. According to Kotaku, the reviewers lauded DQIX's "ground breaking" multiplayer and its music, and called the storyline "easy to follow and straightforward, but also with moving scenes as well." While it's kind of a running joke that Famitsu basically rubber-stamps effusive reviews for Square Enix titles, we were surprised to discover that this game is actually the first Dragon Quest to receive a perfect 40, and is one of only ten 40 scores awarded. Of course, Dragon Quests III, VII, and VIII weren't far off with their 39 ratings. Kotaku also notes that the Amazon Japan reviews tend ... not to be as positive, though they apparently center around complaints about the Sandy character, an annoying ganguro fairy who has already inspired a "Die Sandy " Flash game.
