srpg
Latest
Disgaea gets boxart, limited multiplayer
With the Disgaea franchises finally hitting the DS, we were wondering how the look of the new game would compare to other entries in the series. We solved that mystery. Now, we're solving another mystery, courtesy of the information available from Siliconera pertaining to the boxart for the Japanese release of the game.That is nowhere near the only item of note, however. Aside from the boxart, Siliconera managed to confirm that multiplayer functionality will be making its way into the DS game (along with the other confirmed extras). The only feature known as of right now is the ability to go 1-on-1 over wireless and the odds of Wi-Fi implementation making its way into the title are slim at best. Sad, but hey, at least there's some multiplayer.%Gallery-17933%
The latest buzz on Drone Tactics
While the DS may be flush with strategy games lately, what it really needs is one that's all about bugs. Luckily, that need is set to be filled this May with Drone Tactics. Yes, that's right, May 13 -- pushed back from April, as rumored -- but from everything we've seen, it will be so worth the drudgery of waiting. Atlus isn't holding back on the media, either; they seem to want us to get an eyeful of the mecha insecta, and we're okay with that! Check out our updated gallery below for the latest.%Gallery-14982%[Via press release]
Summer strategy: FFTA2 due June 24th
Finally! We were beginning to think that Square-Enix would never announce its stateside release date for Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift, keeping localized copies of the SRPG out of our reach to punish us for poor Front Mission sales. Surprisingly, FFTA2 will hit stores as soon as June 24th, usually a slow period for video game releases.The North American version has been enhanced to improve its touchscreen controls, one of several complaints we've listed about the game. Players should be able to now command their characters and navigate FFTA2's menus using only the stylus, as should be the standard for SRPGs on the DS. This comes in addition to the sequel's new classes, jobs, and clan system. Hit the gallery below for four new screenshots from the English-translated game.%Gallery-5422%See also: Final Fantasy Tactics A2 gets confirmed for North America[Via press release]
Anything but a bad dream with Knights in the Nightmare
IGN has a rather lengthy preview up for Knights in the Nightmare, a "turn-based RTS" coming from Sting. Up until we saw this preview, we were all in the same boat, left to ogle a lone scan for the game.Sting's "real-time RTS" isn't so much an contradiction in and of itself, but is actually near-real-time. Players will handle defending and attacking enemy units through the touch-screen, allowing for groups of up to 40 units to be controlled at once. With a clock going continuously for each turn, players will have to act fast in order to make sure their actions are finished before the time runs out. Once the clock hits zero, you can rearm your squad and get ready for the next encounter.The game isn't all fighting, though, as you'll be able to affect the stats of your units through upgrades. What kind of upgrades available depend on the unit's equipment and alignment. Units may also build up their "rage" in standby mode, which will fill a charge gauge that can unleash special attacks.As for the rest of the preview, there are a few plot points that have been revealed, but for the sake of keeping this as spoiler free as possible, we won't go into detail. For that information, hit up the "Read" link below.
Rondo of Swords strategizes more screens
Time flies when you're having fun, so you may not have realized that Rondo of Swords, the upcoming Success SRPG (published by Atlus), is coming out next month. We've been keeping you up to date with a lot of the gameplay elements, but if you wanted to see more of how the game is looking, you can check out these fresh screens.While these screens aren't much different than the ones in our gallery, they do introduce some new characters and locales. Many of you may be tired of SRPGs on the DS, but we're actually looking forward to this title. It seems relatively innovative for the genre, even if the plot is based on a generic, epic feudal struggle.At any rate, the screens are posted after the break.
Final Fantasy Tactics A2 gets confirmed for North America
Well, what do you know. We were only just writing about Square Enix localizations, and now the news has spread that Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift is headed to North America. According to Game Informer, the projected release date isn't too far off, and the strategy game will be coming to American shores this summer.We knew this game would get here eventually, but we can relax now that we really know. In case you thought you might actually get outdoors and be active this summer, though, this announcement might have just caused a rift in your plans. [Via GoNintendo]
Disgaea DS, NIS titles revealed
After announcing its plans to release five new games for the DS, Nippon Ichi Software has finally revealed screenshots and details for our two most anticipated titles of the bunch -- Disgaea: Prince of the Demon World and the Red Moon and Jigsaw World. NIS also mentioned Rhapsody: In Musical Adventure, likely a port of the PlayStation SRPG. According to Jeux-France, as with the PSP's Disgaea: Afternoon of Darkness, this DS release will be an adaptation of the original PlayStation 2 game, Disgaea: Hour of Darkness. Though we're not sure yet how much new content will be thrown into the DS remake, we would be happy just to get some polished touchscreen controls and online support (not too hopeful on the latter feature, however). Run past the break for the scanned pages!
Luminous Arc 2 Will include bonus stuff
In order to promote Image Epoch's SRPG sequel Luminous Arc 2 Will, publisher Marvelous is handing out a bunch of stuff to a lucky few preorderers -- even more stuff than usual. They've announced the bonuses on their website, to be given out upon the game's release on May 15th.The "Limited Arc" set will contain a Luminous Works 2 book full of artwork and information about the game and a CD entitled Luminous Symphony containing the Yasunori Mitsuda-composed soundtrack. They're at least getting a lot of mileage out of the title with this stuff.If hearing about things you can't have isn't your thing, Dengeki has included a load of new screens. Go check out some menus that you probably can't read![Via Dengeki]
Front Mission 2089 gets dated in Japan
Are you full of mech love? If so, you might be glad to know that Front Mission: 2089 has been dated ... for Japan. Oh well, at least it's a start. The game is set to arrive in the country of our envy on May 29th, which we'll also jealously refer to as "the not-so-distant future."Square Enix's upcoming title may be a cell phone port, but the DS version promises to have more flair and extra maps. We even enjoyed the mech-less teaser for the game, although we'd prefer to see some actual gameplay.Will this title be released outside of Japan? Let's hope so -- but as we know, waiting for a localization announcement from Square Enix is like waiting for a watched pot to boil. [Via Go Nintendo]
Rumor: Drone Tactics' April release gets squished
We've been buzzing (har) with anticipation for bug-based strategy title Drone Tactics since we first discovered that Atlus was localizing the game, but recent developments have caused some confusion about when we'll getting our hands on it.Things seemed perfectly clear earlier this month, after Atlus themselves told us we could expect the title on April 8th. Now, however, both GameStop and GameFly have Drone Tactics listed for release on May 13th and May 15th respectively.Concerned and frightened, we contacted Atlus for clarification, though have yet to receive a definitive answer. As soon as we know more, dear reader, so will you!%Gallery-14982%
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!
We've warmed up quickly to Spectral Force
Another Japanese SRPG is making its way to the DS, known as Spectral Force: Genesis. If you haven't heard of the Spectral Force series, it's probably because the games usually don't get released outside of Japan. With the exception of Innocent Rage, an Xbox 360 game that's being brought to North America by Atlus, most Spectral Force titles don't get localized. There is hope for Genesis, though; since it's coming out for the Nintendo DS, aka "the system that a lot of people own with a lot of niche titles," it's not impossible. We're pulling for it, at least. Yes, we say that about almost every game released in Japan, but we really mean it! If you read this far, you're probably wondering right about now why we're so intrigued by this Idea Factory game.
Drone Tactics swarming stores in April
If you ask us, Advance Wars-esque turn-based combat crossed with giant mecha bugs is just too delicious a prospect to swat away. Evidently, Atlus agrees with us. The Japanese publisher revealed it was localizing Drone Tactics late last year, and now we have an exact date for the U.S. release: April 8th.We've also been treated to a further 29 screens of the game (see the gallery below), showing off units that range from bomb-dropping moths to cannon-toting pillbugs, and just some of the 100 customizable weapons and upgrades available in the game. If developer Success Corp. has struck an appropriate balance between said units, Advance Wars: Days of Ruin might find itself competing with Drone Tactics for our valuable SRPG time.%Gallery-14982%[Via press release]
Knights in the Nightmare of a really complicated game
Sting's new RPG Knights in the Nightmare has a lot going on -- so much that we might need some incorporeal wisp to inhabit us and play the game in our stead. Part of the issue, however, is Sting's confusing description of the game. It follows the same flow as most tactical RPGs, but it's described as a five-stage process. Each round of combat begins with some sort of setup -- a scene that relates the battle to the story. Then the "tactics" phase begins and you arrange your soldiers strategically. After that, the battle begins, and you control your knights in a turn-based system. When the battle has ended, another story scene plays. Then a "setup" phase in which you manage and level up your characters. In addition to using items, you can transfer abilities between characters via a "Transoul" system.
Rondo of Swords puts your entire team to work
Another Rondo of Swords preview has hit the scene, and it's given us another reason to look forward to the SRPG and its unorthodox combat system. Playing through these 40+ hour epics, you tend to accumulate more teammates than you can effectively manage. Who has the time or patience to level up all the Sword Dudes that join your band, especially when you're still trying to train Archer Girl? More often than not, those Sword Dudes spend the game just hanging around, making cynical remarks about your primary fighters. Rondo of Swords has a creative solution to that dilemma -- send those ne'er-do-wells to run some errands. Instead of loafing around and eating Funyuns while your elite crew does all the work, your Sword Dudes can pick up essentials at local shops, level up at training workshops, and tag your MP3s complete simple quests. Way to go, Sword Dudes!%Gallery-14108%
Rondo of Swords: Not your everyday SRPG
We were content to simply give Rondo of Swords the same obligatory coverage we reserve for most other generic SRPGs, but 1UP's Jeremy Parish, the scoundrel that he is, had to ruin it all with a glowing preview of the Atlus-published game, painting it as a "sleeper in the making [that] just might reinvent strategy RPGs."Rondo of Swords takes an innovative approach to combat, tossing aside the usual move-next-to-your-enemy-and-select-attack conventions. Instead, players draw paths for characters that go through their opponent (or opponents!). As simple a change as it might sound, this system allows for a range of new stratagems -- scattering your team to limit the amount of vulnerable characters, carrying out "drive-bys" to attack units before moving out of their range, etc.Throw in an interesting story about royal deception and some pleasing-looking combat cutscenes, and this suddenly becomes a game we can get behind. %Gallery-14108%
It's a Gundam! ... sale
If you'll play any SRPG or mobile suit game you can get your hands on, regardless of whether it's in English or not, break open your wallet for SD Gundam G Generation: Cross Drive. Play Asia has the not-due-for-localization title on sale for the next week, asking only $14.90 for the chibi mecha game. As you can see in the trailer, Cross Drive plays a lot like the Super Robot Taisen GBA games Atlus brought to the states two years ago.Hopefully, we'll see similar deals for Gundam 00 when the 3D action-stravaganza comes out (and stays) in Japan.
Screenshots from the Border of Madness
Some people may be a little iffy on the updated character designs and art in the upcoming Front Mission 2089, but after playing Front Mission DS, we're pretty excited about anything Square Enix (re)makes along these battle lines for our dual screens -- and that includes games that originated in the mobile sphere. We expect another solid SRPG experience with Border of Madness. Above, you can see the mobile version on the left, with the DS game, which has no firm release date as yet, on the right. Clearly, not much is required for an update to the gameplay ... the colors are a little more lush, and everything is a little brighter, but otherwise, it looks like Front Mission. And while we're still waiting for a few other titles in the franchise (like Front Mission 5!), that really can't be a bad thing. %Gallery-15388%
New Blue Dragon screens toast our eyeballs
After the opening of the official site for Blue Dragon Plus late last week, we can start fretting less about the game's protracted development, and concentrate more on gawking at pretty pictures.Conveniently enough, Famitsu has just posted a selection of fresh Blue Dragon Plus screens and art, and things are looking as vibrant as ever -- it's encouraging to see Mistwalker and Brownie Brown cramming so many enemies and pyrotechnics into the DS's relatively small screens. Apparently, finding something/someone to fight will not be difficult.Advance past the break for more screens and art.%Gallery-15148%
Blue Dragon Plus site shows promise
And by "promise" we mean "screenshots." And also the fact that if AQ Interactive is bothering to set up a site at all, it means that they're probably planning to release the game for really reals. The "system" page on the new website confirms that Blue Dragon Plus is a "real-time simulation RPG," although the screens (which, by the way, are the first we've seen that haven't been scanned from a magazine) do a pretty good job doing that by themselves!If you've played through the original Xbox 360 game, the site will make it immediately obvious to you that this is a direct sequel, taking place after the events of that game. %Gallery-15148%[Via NeoGAF]
