Everyone's favourite non-holiday, Halloween, is almost upon us. Celebrating that (I think), a lot of publishers have decided to drop new titles into the market here in North America.Check out what RPGs are hitting shelves this week (October 26 - 31, 2009):North AmericaAlganon – Quest Online – PCAtelier Annie: Alchemists of Sera Island – Gust, NIS America – Nintendo DSBorderlands – Gearbox, 2K – PCFort Zombie – Kerberos, Paradox – PCKing’s Bounty: Armored Princess – Katauri, 1C – PCLeague of Legends: Clash of Fates – Riot, THQ – PCTorchlight – Runic, Perfect World – PCVandal Hearts: Flames of Judgement – Konami – XBLA, PSNJapanAkumajou Dracula: Sougetsu no Juujika (Dendou Selection) – Konami – Nintendo DSAkumajou Dracula: The Adventure ReBirth – Konami - WVCElminage II: Sousei no Megami to Unmei no Daichi – Starfish SD – PSPFinal Fantasy Gaiden: Hikari no 4 Senshi – Matrix, Square Enix – Nintendo DSSuper Robot Taisen NEO – Banpresto, Namco Bandai – Nintendo WiiEuropeAgarest: Generations of War – Compile Heart, Midas – PlayStation 3North America easily has the biggest selection this week with two MMOs, two PC RPGs, Borderlands PC version, Atelier Annie for DS, and the malformed (rather than glorious) return of Vandal Hearts on XBLA and PSN.Japan gets two re-releases of old Castlevania games, Elminage II for PSP, yet another Super Robot Taisen game, and Matrix's latest bobble-head Final Fantasy DS game. Yay?Europe bags the dating-sim/SPRG hybrid Agarest Senki.Anything look worth your cash this week?
Ar Tonelico III was announced last week for the PS3, and now, with the launch of the game's official site, a new trailer with (a very small amount of) gameplay has emerged.Check it out below!The music and art style remains quite cool, and the graphics seem like they have stepped up even since Atelier Rorona. However, my stark lack of a lolita complex prevents me from really getting hot and bothered about this title. Also, Ar Tonelico II was not much fun, so if this wants to impress me, I hope it takes more cues from the original rather than the sequel.Either way, we'll know soon enough as Ar Tonelico III: Sekai Shuuen no Intetsu wa Shoujo no Uta ga Hiku will be available for PlayStation 3 in Japan on January 28, 2009.
Roughly one full week after the game’s official North American release, I finally got my hands on Namco Bandai’s latest JRPG for the Xbox 360, Magna Carta II.Now, I say ‘JRPG’ knowing full-well that the game was developed by South Korean developer Softmax, and is about as Made-in-Japan as kimchi. However, in terms of game style, Magna Carta II is JRPG through-and-through. Besides the fact that it was paid for and published by Japanese mega-publisher Namco Bandai.In terms of story, MCII follows a young amnesiac man named Juto who is torn from his peaceful life when 
two mainland armies vie for control of a giant, living weapon found on the otherwise neutral Highwind Island. Juto, dragged into the war, finds himself on the side of the Southern Forces, the underdogs in the current civil war, as he searches for revenge and answers about his past.Don’t feel too bad if this sounds extremely familiar to you, as MCII indeed touches on just about every JRPG cliché known to man. The story also features a beautiful, strong-willed, but secretly insecure princess, a giant warrior of a different race that has limited personality but uses a huge hammer or axe in battle, and a fire mage who acts like a little cocky bitch all of the time, despite the fact that his usefulness on the field is questionable at best. Yes, Magna Carta II, so far, offers no real giant leaps in tried-and-true JRPG storytelling.Now, despite the myriad clichés present, Magna Carta II has occasional strokes of brilliance in its story. Every once in a while, you will say, ‘wow, that’s pretty cool.’ Unfortunately, those few moments are lessened by the sheer amount of ‘meh’ that the story is sure to provoke. Honestly, certain moments that should have felt Earth-shattering in their impact on the story came off feeling half-done, half-assed, or both.That’s not to say the story isn’t interesting. It is, and I am enjoying it. But it feels like it 
just could have been so much better.Graphically, Magna Carta II does a decent job. For the most part, locales are complex and interesting, and the ability of each of your party members to interact with other environmental objects uniquely is a welcomed addition. Animation is decent if occasionally slightly awkward. Character models, again, are generally pretty good, but nothing that couldn’t have been improved.The Japanese (or Korean, for that matter) voice-overs are nowhere to be seen on the North American version, so you’ll be stuck with the English cast. This is usually not a big problem, as the English cast typically delivers a good performance, though it’s not without its awkward moments.The battle system, possibly Magna Carta II’s biggest strength, is a mix of real-time action and turn-based strategy. Each of your characters will attack enemies in real-time, but a sensitive stamina meter prevents any one character from going out on the offensive for too long. This provides for a system that encourages you to switch between characters often in battle to prevent your party from getting too held up on enemies (who don’t seem to have stamina meters). There are other functions of the battle system that allow you to ‘Chain’ attacks with other party memb
ers to increase attack power and put off the dreaded ‘Overheat’ status.Though I initially found this battle system impossibly complex during the Japanese demo, the full game introduces the concept much more gradually, allowing for plenty of time to get comfortable with the controls.One other thing that I think Magna Carta II does well (so far), is provide alternative methods of experience and gold harvesting. Though, like in most RPGs, you are free to spend as much time as you like beating up random monsters to grind up levels, MCII is chock-full of NPCs who will offer you quests in exchange for experience, money, and (occasionally) rare items. Though quests are nothing new, receiving experience bonuses for doing them is a concept that hasn’t really caught hold in the JRPG genre, and it’s an addition that I would highly recommend bringing in again.Finally, let me just touch on the soundtrack, which is, in a word, great. The music has a generally nice feel to it, and is reminiscent of lots of great PS1 soundtracks like Legend of Dragoon. There is no pesky battle theme, either, meaning that you can enjoy an area’s background theme without being constantly interrupted by the same battle music over and over again. 
So great. My only gripe with the soundtrack is the disappointing (though predictable) exclusion of the game’s Jpop theme song from GLAY, replaced instead by an orchestrated, no lyrics version. Namdai’s MO, I know, but disappointing nonetheless.Overall, Magna Carta II is a good JRPG, with occasional strokes of ‘great,’ but bogged down by its own unrealized potential. If you have been holding your breath for a new HD JRPG since SO4, then feel free to pick this one up, as it will scratch that JRPG itch. But if you are holding out for the next genre-redefining JRPG, I’m afraid this just isn’t that game.At least, not after my first three hours with it.
I don't want to deal with 'what is an RPG?' It's a nasty question, and one that, even after two decades of gaming, I don't feel confident in answering. So then, Borderlands, a game that has the attention of both the RPGaming and the cooperative FPS communities comes along, puts a gun to my head, and says "do I get coverage from you?""Kind of," I respond. "I'll throw you on the weekly release list. Is that good enough?""I don't know," Borderlands responds. "Let's find out."North AmericaBorderlands – Gearbox, 2K – Xbox 360, PlayStation 3Everquest II: The Complete Collection – SCEA – PCJapanAntiphona no Seika Hime: Tenshi no Gakufu Op.A – Nippon Ichi – PSPHarukanaru Toki no Naka de 3: Unmei no Meikyuu Aizouban – Koei – PSPRune Factory 3 – Marvelous – Nintendo DSEuropeBorderlands – Gearbox, 2K – PC, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3So, Borderlands is out on 360 and PS3 this week in both North America and Europe, while Europe also bags the PC release (North Americans will have to wait until next week). I'm not going to say whether I view it as an RPG with shooter elements, or a shooter with RPG elements, because frankly, it doesn't matter to me. It's enough RPG to get listed here.North America also happens to be getting a perfect edition of Everquest II.Japan, meanwhile, picks up the 3rd DS Rune Factory title (you are a weresheep), what seems like the bazillionth Harukanaru Toki no Naka de title, and the spiritual successor to Rhapsody.Anything looking worth it to you this week?
Ar Tonelico III is coming to PlayStation 3. It marks Gust's second PS3 title, and Namco Bandai's first RPG to start on PS3 instead of 360.The game was revealed via the latest issue of Famitsu, but Namdai has followed up with a debut teaser today, which you can watch below. (Just don't anticipate much.)Underwhelmed? Don't say I didn't warn you. At least the music sounds like it will once again be awesome.If you are needing a better fix of the game, you can check out Famitsu.com's article on it, which features a few in-game screens. Beyond that, you'll have to wait for the game's official site to go live, which the teaser promises will happen on Monday (October 19).I just hope it's better than Ar Tonelico II, which was far from a worthy successor in my books.Ar Tonelico III: Sekai Shuuen no Intetsu wa Shoujo no Uta ga Hiku will be available for PlayStation 3 on January 28, 2010.
Marvelous just can't help themselves. They have this addiction, you see, that forces them to release indiscriminate amounts of the Harvest Moon series on the DS. It's not their fault. They were born this way. Don't judge them, okay?! You don't know what it's like! STOP YELLING!!The latest hit, I mean title, is called Bokujou Monogatari: Futago no Mura, which translates into Farm Story (Harvest Moon): Twins' Village.Unlike previous Harvest Moon titles, Futago no Mura features two separate villages for your farming/life-sim exploits. The first, Konohana Village will have a Japanese feel to it, and will be full of flowers and plants to harvest and raise, while the second, Bluebell Village, will be Western in its culture and appearance, and will be focused on raising animals.There appear to be two main characters, but it is unclear at this point if both are playable, or if players are expected just to pick a gender for their protagonist.Bokujou Monogatari: Futago no Mura will be available for Nintendo DS sometime this Winter in Japan.[
Dengeki]
Namco Bandai has a commitment to keeping the JRPG genre going in Japan. With titles announced regularly for every major platform thinkable, many of their franchises are extremely well-known and well-loved in their home market.North America, however, is a different story. Not only does Namdai release less than half of their own RPGs, the ones they do release get barely even an announcement from the publisher. So, though I tend to enjoy Namdai's RPGs very much, I find I have a difficult time finding things to say about their titles.Thankfully, GameTrailers has graciously provided us with a short video preview of Namdai's upcoming Magna Carta II that really gives viewers a good overview of what the title is all about.Check it out below.Magna Carta II is available for Xbox 360 today in North America, and will be available on October 16, 2009 in Europe. It has been available in Japan since August.
The economy may be down, but Gust is keeping themselves busy as ever. The little RPG developer has come forward with news that they will again be teaming up with Namco Bandai to create the third entry into the dating sim-meets-JRPG series, Ar Tonelico.Ar Tonelico III brings the Reyvateils and the end of the world stuff into the 3D realm on the PlayStation 3, running on what looks like the same engine as Atelier Rorona (Gust's entry into true 3D graphics).The scan that has sufaced is too taxing to read all the way through, so I'll hold off on a full translation until something clearer shows up. However, I can tell you that the hero's name is Aoto. Surely he will end up involved in some world-threatening plot that somehow involves Reyvateils, but this remains speculation until I read everything fully. ;)As usual, the hero will be accompanied by two main Reyvateil heroines. This time around the Asian-looking heroine is Finnel, while the blonde is named Saki (sort of opposite naming conventions, apparently). Though not yet confirmed, it is likely that neither of these girls is of legal age.One interesting difference in this title (picked up from skimming a few sections), is that it seems that the girls may have multiple personalities, which actually change their appearance.The game is currently announced for PlayStation 3, but given Namco Bandai's frustrating tendancy to re-release their RPGs on the other console with new content, a 360 port is not unthinkable.
Ar Tonelico III will be available on PlayStation 3 on January 28, 2010 in Japan.
If you love making your own 2D RPGs, then you have no doubt heard of (if not owned) RPG Tsukuru (called RPG Maker here in North America). There have been dozens of iterations of these basic (but surprisingly versatile) RPG engines, and even one that allows you to make games for Xbox Live!That's all well and good, you say, but what about making RPGs on the go? Sometimes I just want to make an epic tale of good vs. evil during my daily commute. What then? you demand. Well Enterbrain has heard your cries, and has answered with RPG Tsukuru DS.As its name implies, RMDS is for the Nintendo DS, and will be completely portable with touch screen functionality. Hawt.Currently, it is unknown if RMDS will have any connectivity with the PC to share or distribute games, but for some, joy is found in the development, and not necessarily in the distribution.RPG Tsukuru DS is tentatively planned for a Japanese release of January 28, 2010 on Nintendo DS.
I had my doubts about a new Tales of game on Wii. After playing Tales of Vesperia in beautiful HD, I wondered if I was ever capable of loving SD graphics again. HD or nothing, I thought. But then, Tales of Graces showed up, and slowly but surely, has made me a believer.Sure, the graphics aren't up to ToV's standard, but the game's feel and story seem to be everything I love about Tales of. So when ToG shows up with a new trailer (like the one below), I can't help but smile a little. Check it out.Yeah, I'm definitely going to need to play this.Tales of Graces will be available for Nintendo Wii on December 10, 2009 in Japan.
BioWare and EA's upcoming multiplatform RPG, Dragon Age Origins, is going for a very extreme image. Violence, blood, sex, and mature storytelling are the order of the day for the title. Maybe this has sold you on the new IP, maybe it hasn't. But either way, EA is hoping that the below CG trailer will peak your interest in the game. Check it out.Definitely hardcore stuff. The CG is extremely impressive, as is the voice work in the trailer. (I don't know, something about British accents make medieval fantasy just a little more believable to me.)I've personally enjoyed BioWare's other works, but Dragon Age's image of mature storytelling is a little intimidating. I guess I'll rent it first, or something.Dragon Age Origins will be available in North America for PC and Xbox 360 on November 3, 2009, and in Europe on November 6, 2009. The PlayStation 3 version will be available later in the month for both regions.
If you are one of those people that loves Dragon Quest because the feel of the games never really changes, then you are going to absolutely love the below trailer for Square Enix's 3rd DS remake of the big-in-Japan series. Really, it's Dragon Quest to a 'T.'I still have no idea what makes these games as popular as they are in Japan. Don't get me wrong, I have moments of really enjoying Dragon Quest, but they are far from my favorite RPG series, and certainly not the first series I would recommend to someone just getting their feet wet in JRPGs.Anyhow, Dragon Quest VI: Maboroshi no Daichi (to be subtitled Realms of Reverie in North America) will be available someday on Nintendo DS in Japan, North America, and Europe.
Good morning, everyone. Today is Thanksgiving up here in Canada, meaning that I have the whole day off work! Huzzah! And with a whole lot of RPGs coming out here in North America this week, I think there is a lot to be thankful for this year. Check out what's hitting shelves around the world this week (October 12 - 16, 2009):North AmericaFallout 3 (Game of the Year Edition) - Bethesda - PC, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3Fate: The Traitor Soul - Encore - PCHalf-Minute Hero - Opus, XSEED - PSPHero's Saga Laevatein Tactics - GungHo, Aksys - Nintendo DSMagna Carta II - Softmax, Namco Bandai - Xbox 360JapanOkami - Clover, Ready at Dawn, Capcom - Nintendo WiiEuropeFallout 3 (Game of the Year Edition) - Bethesda - PC, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3Magna Carta II - Softmax, Namco Bandai - Xbox 360A few under-the-radar titles are hitting North America this week in the form of the PC action-RPG, Fate: The Traitor Soul, the quirky Half-Minute Hero, and a new SRPG called Laevatein Tactics.Japan finally gets the Wii port of the absolutely astounding Okami, but not much else.Finally, last year's big WRPG, Fallout 3, is getting an everything-inclusive perfect edition for all three release platforms in both North America and Europe this week, and Magna Carta II, Namdai's Korean-developed RPG, is finally hitting the 360 here in the West.I'll definitely be picking up Magna Carta II as soon as I can, and might give Laevatein a spin if I have a chance.Anything worth it for you this week?
Greetings from a cold Monday. I don't know what it was like where you live, but this weekend it was snowing here. It's not today, so it still feels autumny to me, but I heard a lot of complaining from locals. You'd think it was the first time anyone had ever seen snow before.On a related note, we're back to the cooler months, and that means more video games (which is a development I always fully support). Check out which RPGs are coming to stores near where you live this week (October 5 - 9, 2009):North AmericaA Witch’s Tale – Hit Maker, NIS America – Nintendo DSDemon’s Souls – FromSoftware, Atlus – PlayStation 3JapanAkumajou Dracula X Chronicle (The Best) – Konami – PSPBlue Dragon: Ikai no Kyojuu – Mistwalker, Namco Bandai – Nintendo DSIron Master – Genterprise – Nintendo DSPhantasy Star Portable (The Best) – Alfa System, Sega – PSPShin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey – Atlus – Nintendo DSShiro Kishi Monogatari: Inishie no Kodou (EX Edition) – Level 5, SCEJ – PlayStation 3Valhalla Knights: Eldar Saga – K2, Marvelous – Nintendo WiiEuropeHarvest Moon: Tree of Tranquility – Marvelous, Rising Star – Nintendo WiiKingdom Hearts 358/2 Days – h.a.n.d., Square Enix – Nintendo DSLuminous Arc 2 – imageepoch, Rising Star – Nintendo DSMario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story – Alphadream, Nintendo – Nintendo DSNorth America gets Sony and FromSoftware's Japanese-take-on-Western-RPGs, Demon's Souls, graciously published by Atlus (I hear it's very difficult), as well as Hit Maker and NIS' first colaborative effort on the DS, A Witch's Tale.Japan gets a whole lot of handheld love with the DS getting the latest Blue Dragon (described as a 'casual MMO'), a metal-crafting RPG called Iron Master, and the newest true installment of the Shin Megami Tensei series since Nocturne, Strange Journey. The PSP meanwhile gets budget reprints of Dracula X and Phantasy Star Portable, while the PS3 gets a reprint (with an expansion) of Level 5 and Sony's Shiro Kishi Monogatari. Also, Valhalla Knights: Eldar Saga is getting a Japanese release this week.Finally, Europe gets some good stuff with the first built-for-Wii Harvest Moon, and Kingdom Hearts, Luminous Arc, and Mario & Luigi RPG sequels for Nintendo DS.Anything worth your cash this week?
According to gaming blog Adriasang, the most recent issue of Famitsu sports an interview with Yosuke Saito, the executive producer of Square Enix's Cavia-developed action-RPG, NieR.As you will likely recall, NieR is being released as an "exclusive" title on both Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. Though the game will essentially be the same, the Xbox 360 version (called Gestalt) will feature a middle-aged protagonist fighting to save his daughter, while the PlayStation 3 version (known as Replicant) will feature the main character as a young man fighting to save his sister. So basically, the only difference is the age of the protagonist, and his relationship to the girl requiring saving.Reportedly, however, Saito has heavily implied that NieR Replicant will be a Japan-only affair, with only the Gestalt version being published in North America and Europe. This jives with Square Enix's North American site for the game, which only refers to the game as "NieR" (neither Gestalt nor Replicant attached to the name), and lists it for both Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.If this information is true, it will mean that any players who do not understand Japanese / are too lazy to import will not be able to play as the young, effeminate version of the upcoming action hero.I can't help thinking that the Replicant version is being developed only because many Japanese players do want to play as an older hero, and Cavia/Square Enix has made the version just to be able to sell the game there. Just my own opinion. I could be ultra-wrong.Either way, this information is unconfirmed at this point, so I will go ahead a tag it as a RUMOUR until further notice. Again, though, based on the NA website, I'd guess it to be legit.NieR Gestalt and NieR Replicant will be available for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 (respectively) sometime next year in Japan, with a North America version expected soon afterwards.[Adriasang]
Sorry this is late. I've actually had it sitting on my computer for a few days now, but have been a little swamped at work and am just getting it up now.Check out what's coming to a store near you this week (September 28 - October 2, 2009):North AmericaEmil Chronicle Online – GungHo, Run Up Game – PCKingdom Hearts 358/2 Days – h.a.n.d., Disney, Square Enix – Nintendo DSRisen – Piranha Bytes, Deep Silver – PCValhalla Knights: Eldar Saga – K2, XSEED – Nintendo WiiThe Wizard of Oz: Beyond the Yellow Brick Road – Media.Vision, XSEED – Nintendo DSJapanBahamut Lagoon – Square Enix – WVCCross Edge Dash – Compile Heart – Xbox 360Inazuma Eleven 2: Kyoui no Shinryakusha (Blizzard/Fire) – Level 5 – Nintendo DSMana Khemia 2: Ochita Gakuen to Renkinjutsushi-tachi Portable+ - Gust – PSPTrinity Universe – Idea Factory – PlayStation 3EuropeRisen – Piranha Bytes, Deep Silver – PC, Xbox 360Sacred 2: Fallen Angel: Ice and Blood – Ascaron, Deep Silver - PCLots of stuff this week. The biggest title in North America is probably the new Kingdom Hearts for DS. I don't like Kingdom Hearts, so that's on the table. But if you do, then I would imagine that you will be buying it.Also hitting North America is the PC version of Risen, Marvelous' Valhalla Knights iteration on the Wii, and Media.Vision's latest RPG, Riz-Zoawd (which has been renamed to something super long for North America). Oh, there's another MMO coming out this week too. (Who has time to play all these MMOs?)Japan, meanwhile, recovers from TGS with Level 5's soccer-RPG sequel, Inazuma Eleven 2 (in two different flavours), 2 crossover RPGs, Trinity Universe for PS3, and the 360 port of Cross Edge, and the PSP port of Mana Khemia 2. Also, Bahamut Lagoon is hitting Japanese Wii Virtual Consoles.Europe has a PC-flavoured week with Risen and an expansion for Sacred 2.Anything looking worth it to you this week?
If you read any other gaming sites, you've probably heard someone say that they are worried about the future of the Japanese game development industry. I've never really liked those quotes, probably because I grew up playing Japanese games, and still prefer a good JRPG over a Western-style one.But to be completely frank, TGS blew this year.Not only were there no real new announcements, the general exposure of the games that were there was completely underwhelming.Where was Mistwalker? Where is Square Enix going after FFXIII? What is Namco Bandai doing after Tales of Graces? Is End of Eternity Sega's last RPG effort on HD consoles? What is Atlus up to these days? Has Microsoft really given up on the Japanese market? All of these questions and more are left completely unanswered as TGS closes down for another year.At the end of the day, I'm at the same place as I was before the show. Nothing new on my radar. Nothing huge to look forward to, either. For all the money that the exhibitors paid to be there, the show could have just as easily not been held and my interest level would be the same.Hey, I know there is that H1N1 thing plus a crappy economy, but c'mon, TGS was just sad.
Some of you may have forgotten about Last Rebellion (not that I would blame you, the game is flying pretty low even on my radar). It's Hit Maker's first home console RPG (they've only done handheld titles up until now, as far as I know), and being published by Nippon Ichi (their usual publisher).Last Rebellion's premise is still fairly unclear to me, but somehow deals with a warrior named Nine and a sealer named Aisha who share the same soul (or something along those lines).Anyways, before I sound any more uneducated on this title, I'll just point you to the newest trailer that debuted at TGS. Check it out below.You know, I don't claim to be completely versed in all the finest points of making a game trailer, but it seems to me that making 80% of a trailer out of static art is kind of a cop-out. The bits of gameplay shown looked interesting, but I really need to see how the game moves on its own, and I'll buy the artbook if I like looking at the concept art. Just my two cents.Last Rebellion will be available for PlayStation 3 sometime this Winter in Japan.
Final Fantasy XIII will be out before the end of the year in Japan. Great news if you're Japanese and own a PS3, but for the rest of us, the wait will continue into next year.Well, the least Square Enix could do to tide us over would be to give us a new trailer. And hey, they did! Take a watch below, but be warned: there are EXTREME amounts of melodrama. Like, almost enough to make a soap-opera-addicted housewife blush. Almost.Interesting subject matter and sweet graphics, to be sure. But wow, I hope I'm not the only one that thinks that was a little much for one trailer.Final Fantasy XIII will be available in Japan for PlayStation 3 on December 17, 2009, and sometime Spring 2010 in North America for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.
Everyone's favourite non-holiday, Halloween, is almost upon us. Celebrating that (I think), a lot of publishers have decided to drop new titles into the market here in North America.
