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Idea Factory's next title, Cross Edge, houses Nippon Ichi faves
We need to maintain our composure and monitor our excitement on here, or else we'll seem incredibly biased. It's difficult, though, because ever since we heard about Idea Factory's next character crossover title (Chaos Wars was their last one) dubbed Cross Edge, we can't sit still. JRPG's are very slow to hit the PS3, but this title not only brings a PS3 JRPG to the table, but one with characters from cherished franchises to Nippon Ichi loyalists as well as other big titles.You play as the hero, Yuuto and heroine Mikoto and basically free a bunch of girls from other video games. You'll see Dark Stalkers, Atelier game characters, Ar Tonelico characters, Disgaea characters, and more. The game itself plays like a cross between "dress up" and Valkyrie Profile. Depending on the costume your ladies are in, they will have a different attack assigned to the face buttons when in battle. Well, perhaps it's best you check out the screens SiliconEra has put up. Let's hope licensing isn't a big issue and we see this hit outside of Japan.
NIS offers contest to win a game and viral candy
While that may sound disgusting, it's not. In fact, we find this Puchi Puchi Virus candy to be almost as appetizing as the budget priced game due out this summer. Now, though, there's a chance for you to get your hands on both the delicious snack and the game it's themed after. In order to promote their upcoming game, NIS is having two contests, in which the prize is a Puchi Puchi Anti-Virus kit. The kit include anti-virus pills (aka candy), information about Puchi Puchi Virus, and the game itself. The deadline for both contests is May 20th. For one, you must draw your own version of an infected person, name it, and send in the artwork. For the other, you must come up with your own "wacky" virus, name it, and write about what it does.If you're interested in entering, just click the "read" link below for more information. Gallery: Puchi Puchi Virus [Via GamerTell]
Infinite Loop: a ghastly new game from Nippon Ichi
Nippon Ichi Software holds a special place in the hearts of hardcore RPG gamers. While most famous for the Disgaea series, their upcoming Infinite Loop looks quite different than their previous titles.A plague strikes a town during the Middle Ages, taking away the lives of many -- including the King. When the prince tries to find out the real cause behind the plague, his life is also ended. However, his spirit, mysteriously spared, must find out the secret of the disease and the mysterious eye that seems connected to it.The prince will be able to attach to the living, and through the conversations he listens to, he'll find clues to continue his journey. His time is limited, though -- take too long to find a clue, and his spirit will die. With diligence, players will be able to break out of the "Infinite Loop" and solve the mysteries surrounding this town. It's an intriguing premise, one that'll certainly be heavy in text. Find out more at Gpara.[Via PSPHyper]
When puzzles attack: Jigsaw Battle World
Puzzle Quest may have made crazy genre-combining games popular, but we have no qualms when other titles follow suit. Take, for example, Jigsaw Battle World. Fusing jigsaw puzzles with action gameplay, this combination of styles sounds incredibly addicting. It's been a long time since we've obsessed over a jigsaw, but those things are like crack once you start them; there's really no stopping until you finish.This time, there's even more of an incentive to get your jig on, since there's a story included that involves overthrowing Satan. So, where exactly does the "action" element come in, then? Basically, you race against your opponents to complete puzzles. You can also attack your opponents, though (and vice versa), and by correctly putting pieces in place you gain stronger attacks.The game is being developed by Nippon Ichi, makers of such gems like Disgaea. There will even been a Disgaea character, Etna, featured in it. Also, since NIS is furiously localizing games for us English-speakers, there's a chance this one might show up in North America eventually.If you're curious about this crazy hybrid, you can check out some screenage after the break.
Joystiq interview: NIS America talks Disgaea 3's PS3 move
As we mentioned earlier this week, we recently had the opportunity to grill the folks at niche publisher NIS America regarding Disgaea 3, a game that represents not only the third in the company's most popular franchise, but also the first to be released on the PlayStation 3. It's a series we have enjoyed since its debut in 2003, but we wisely decided to keep our enthusiasm for the sequel in check – after all, the point of the visit was to find out exactly why NIS moved the series to the PS3, a decision that has summarily divided the company's existing fan base like a tsunami bomb. To find out the what, why and how, we turned to company marketing guru Jack Niida for an explanation, and in the following interview he talks localization, the move to a new platform, and even the possibility of moving Disgaea to another console. For the complete scoop, read on.%Gallery-4958%
Our fate is in the hands of ... Cluck Norris?
And yes, we mean Cluck and not Chuck. (An easy way to tell the difference between them is Cluck's sweet Fu Manchu moustache.)Puchi Puchi Virus, which is set for a May release, is a quirky puzzle game that we were surprised to see localized. We've already deduced that it's one of the five games NIS was referring to earlier, but we didn't expect to see a video so quickly.This "trailer" doesn't really show us what to expect from the game -- only that it's going to be ridiculous. Whether you find yourself looking forward to it or not probably depends on how much silly you like on your DS.Fortunately, for many of us at DS Fanboy, that quota is hardly ever met.
NIS: five DS games planned, Disgaea amongst them?
Nippon Ichi Software has announced it is working on five games for the DS, and has already begun to tease us with incredibly vague details. All we know for now is that there'll be an action game, a management sim, a puzzle game (Puchi Puchi Virus? We suspect so), an RPG, and a tactical RPG.Of the five, that last one caused much excitement in these parts, because it increases our chances of seeing some Disgaea goodness on our favorite handheld. We seem to recall NIS raising the possibility of a Disgaea port on the DS in the past!
Today's most edible swag: Puchi Puchi Virus candies
If there's one thing we enjoy more than getting free stuff in the mail here at Joystiq, it's getting stuff that is both free and edible, which is why we were only too happy when a package showed up today from NIS America promoting the publisher's upcoming foray into the world of casual gaming with Jaleco's Puchi Puchi Virus. We'll admit we had our misgivings about the change in direction, particularly given the company's traditionally niche role-playing and strategy roots, but if all of their side quests turn out as milk chocolate covered in a thin candy shell, we may well have to revise our stance altogether. Were we not thinking with our stomachs, the notion of consuming food based around a puzzle game with 'virus' in the title could be cause for concern. Also sealed in the box, aptly labeled 'Anti-Virus Kit,' is the game as well, so expect impressions soon -- assuming the candies themselves do not do us in.%Gallery-16732%
Disgaea 3 cameos discuss who Mao's parents are
Here's a treat for all you hardcore Disgaea fans. It's actually kind of funny if you understand Japanese. See, Mao, the main character of the third title is interrupted in his quest by Laharl, Etna, and Flonne, from the first Disgaea game. Laharl says Mao is his son, but Flonne and Etna can't agree on who the mother is. It goes on for a bit, but ends up being a big joke -- and boy is Mao's face red!We're excited to get this game in English already. We're sure the whole situation would have been oodles more entertaining if we understood it better.[via SiliconEra]
Joystiq interview: NIS America talks PS2 love, Mana Khemia details
With most of civilization abandoning the workplace in order to converge on local shopping malls for those last-minute gift ideas, the gaming world seems to have all but shut down. However, in between trips to Kohl's and Barnes & Noble we did manage to grapple with NIS America's marketing dynamic duo, namely Jack Niida and Nao Zook. While they kept eying the exit behind us, we asked them a number of questions, including the publisher's opinion on the aging PlayStation 2, as well as some specifics on NIS America's latest PS2 RPG, Mana Khemia ~Alchemists of Al-Revis~, which they both go into after the jump.
NIS goes casual for the Nintendo DS
Our first thought when told of a new game from console strategy stalwart NIS America, the North American arm of Japan's Nippon Ichi, was of another fun yet grueling turn-based grind fest along the lines of Disgaea or Phantom Brave. Knowing that it's for the Nintendo DS only got us more excited, as we've been pining for one of these games to make the leap to Nintendo's touchable handheld for some time. Unfortunately, our hopes – and hearts – were broken when we ultimately learned that NIS's latest localization effort is a casual puzzler from Jaleco called Puchi Puchi Virus. As the company's initial venture into the world of puzzle games, NIS notes that it is careful to distinguish its game from traditional block droppers and other "ordinary puzzle games," and describes Puchi Puchi Virus as having "a more intuitive system of object linkage." In this game, the object is to link together icons in triangular patterns in order to erase them and ultimately clear the screen, while simultaneously working to satisfy each stage's different victory conditions. In addition, this game looks to be the first of several casual games undertaken by the publisher, as NIS has also unveiled a cute, wing-laden version of its logo to symbolize this new push to court the ever-popular casual crowd. This is fine. We can share you, NIS. But make no mistake if you begin to hang out too much with your new casual friends, and leave strategy enthusiasts sitting alone at the table staring at a cold dinner night after night, we're calling for an intervention.
Disgaea 3 website opens its doors to the mortal realm
As the Prinnies would probably say, "Welcome back to the world of Disgaea, d00d." Then they'd probably explode or something. Anyhow, Nippon Ichi has opened up the official Disgaea 3 website, detailing bits of the story and pictures of characters ... you know, the usual website-related stuff. Our problem is, as usual, our inability to read kanji and most things Japanese. Despite that, we're sure the text is tantalizing and obscurely humorous and we can't wait to read more of it in English when the title hits the PS3 sometime next year.
Dragoneer Aria Screenshots
This summer, publisher Nippon Ichi is gearing up their release of a new multiplayer RPG, titled Dragoneer Aria. Up to 4 players are expected to be supported in the final version, via ad-hoc. In typical J-RPG fare, expect to face off against "bad" dragons using magical abilities aligned with each of the popular elements: thunder, ice, water, earth, wind and fire. No word on a North American release at this time, but if this title takes off like hotcakes, you can expect its chances coming stateside to increase exponentially. Take a look at these new screenshots.[Via Game Watch]
RUMOR: Dead or Alive and Disgaea coming to PS3?
Leave it to EGM's rumor mill to churn out a tasty new rumor. It's rumored that an XBox staple, Dead or Alive, might be making its fifth iteration exclusively on the Sony gigantor bot -- the PlayStation 3. Actually, that's not entirely true. Team Ninja is supposedly making something revolving around the DoA universe on the PS3. Not specifically the fifth entry into the franchise. What was that last God-awful fighting game spinoff? Death by Degrees? Bad call, Tekken, bad call.Also mentioned in the magazine is the idea that Nippon-Ichi's popular SRPG series, Disgaea, will be making its way onto the PlayStation 3 as well. Not much else is known -- will it be on the PSN (since the games are, admittedly, not the finest looking), will it be a remake, sequel, what? No matter, we'll find out in due time. Personally, I'm not too fond of the games. You waste too much time getting absolutely nothing at all accomplished. Levelling up is a joke, blah blah blah add your own opinions.
NIS America open to releasing titles on non-Sony systems
Jeffrey Fleming from Game Set Watch had a chance to interview RPG fan favorite publisher NIS America (Disgaea). In the interview, he asks if NIS plans on just keeping Sony platforms as their target for game releases. Here's their response:"For a long time, NIS America has been releasing titles for the PS2 and PSP, so some people might think we are solely dedicated to Sony, but that is not true. Our goal is to provide quality games and services to all game fans, and looking ahead, there are several platforms that can help us reach out to a broader audience and gamers can expect surprises from us. Of course, we will also continue to work closely with Sony, providing great games for PS2/PS3/PSP users as well."So while they have no intentions to be a Sony exclusive publisher, they do plan to still support them. Here's hoping our favorite portable continues to get the NIS love.
Aedis Eclipse: Generations of Chaos screens
The first Generations of Chaos game for PSP seemed good when I bought it, but the lacking tutorial made it difficult for me to really progress. Hopefully Aedis Eclipse: Generations of Chaos will do a better job of informing the gamer how to play the game. The key idea of this game seems to be that you play a main character and story in three different worlds and get those different perspectives on the war and universe. I love tactics games, so I want nothing more than for it to be worthwhile. In the meantime there are some screens to view. More screens after the jump ...
Nippon Ichi has something original on its way to... somewhere
Like niche titles? Preferably strategy/tactics oriented? Like Japanese humor? Oddball storylines and over-the-top characters? Chances are you've played a Nippon Ichi game: Disgaea: Hour of Darkness, La Pucille Tactics, Phantom Brave, Makai Kingdom, or just released, Disgaea 2: Cursed Memories. Nippon Ichi announced recently that the first Disgaea game will make its way onto the PSP, disappointing avid fans of this publisher, wishing for an original title. Well, you've gotten your wish. Very little is known about what these two characters represent, although one thing is obvious: a new, original Nippon Ichi title. IGN reports that on September 8th, Dengeki Playstation, a bi-weekly gaming magazine, will reveal some more details about this game. When that happens, we'll report the findings. Should we hope for a PS3 title? It isn't likely since Nippon Ichi loves their 2-D sprites and upgrading to a new system wouldn't be practical at this time, but who knows? They've surprised us before.
