Wednesday, May 12, 2010

RPGs of the Week: Cubism Edition

It feels like there isn't much going on in the RPG world lately, and this week's new releases sort of reflect that. Regardless, here is what is coming out this week (May 10 - 15, 2010):

North America
3D Dot Game Heroes – Silicon Studio, Atlus – PlayStation 3

Japan
(none)

Europe
3D Dot Game Heroes – Silicon Studio, SouthPeak – PlayStation 3

FromSoftware's 8-bit-meets-Lego action RPG, 3D Dot Game Heroes is hitting North American and European PS3s this week, with really nothing else to speak of.]

Worth it?

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

RPGs of the Week: Undeserving Edition

Another week, some more RPGs.

...Well, not many this week, actually. But here's what's hitting shelves during the week of May 3 - 8, 2010

North America
What Did I Do to Deserve This, My Lord!? 2 – Acquire, NIS America – PSP

Japan
(none)

Europe
Final Fantasy – Square Enix - WVC
What Did I Do to Deserve This, My Lord!? 2 – Acquire, NIS Europe – PSP

Acquire's Yuush no Kuse ni Namaiki da or2 is really the only title out this week, renamed to the more pronounceable but equally excessive What Did I Do to Deserve This, My Lord!? 2 courtesy of NIS.

Europe also gets a chance to buy the original Final Fantasy for the umpteenth time, this time on the Wii Virtual Console. Yay?

Japan gets no RPG love this week.

Worth it?

Old News: Record of Agarest War Zero Xbox 360 Port Confirmed

In further evidence of the extinction of 3rd party exclusives, Compile Heart's prequel to the steamy SRPG that could, Agarest Senki Zero, has been confirmed to be getting an enhanced Xbox 360 port sometime this year.

Agarest Senki - recently released in North America as Record of Agarest War - is a typical Japanese SRPG with a twist: the girl that the player chooses to romantically pursue will change the next generation's hero.

Zero returns to this system - which they call 'Soul Breed' - as well as introduce new functionality to the game, including interactive costume changing, and changes to girls' appearances as their feelings for the hero grow.

The Xbox 360 port will reportedly have new costumes and costume changing modes, new CG scenes, and a gallery mode for different event scenes.

Agarest Senki Zero: Dawn of War will be available for Xbox 360 on July 29, 2010 in Japan.

[Famitsu]

Old News: Kadokawa Announces Metal Max 3

In a blast from the past that few will appreciate, Kadokawa has announced that it will be resurrecting the Metal Max series on the DS with Metal Max 3.

If Metal Max is a series that seems unfamiliar to you, don't feel bad, as Metal Max 1 and 2 were released on the Super Famicom in Japan over 17 years ago, and never saw the light of day on Western shores. The closest we ever got was the poorly-received spin-off, Metal Saga on PlayStation 2.

The rebirth of the series, developed in tandem with RPGMaker developer Enterbrain, will bring players back to the near-future post-apocalyptic Earth in the role of a hunter who can embark on a variety of quests in the vast wastelands.

Metal Max 3 is scheduled for release on Nintendo DS in Japan on July 29, 2010.

[Metal Max Official Site]

Old News: Gust Announces Atelier Totori

If you follow Japanese gaming news closely, you're probably well-aware that Gust has announced their third RPG for the PlayStation 3, a direct sequel to last year's Atelier Rorona: Alchemist of Arland, which will be called Atelier Totori: Alchemist of Arland 2.

Taking place approximately 8 years after the events of Atelier Rorona, the story follows the young and shy alchemist Totooria "Totori" Helmold, who leaves her small fishing village in search of her adventurer mother who disappeared several years prior.

The game is in development for PlayStation 3, and appears to be running on the same engine that Ar Tonelico 3 and Atelier Rorona were developed on, and is planned for release in Japan early this summer.

As usual, the Atelier series remains one of the most charming obscure RPGs on the market, but since NIS will likely publish it over here, you might want to consider importing if you'd like to play it any time within the near future.

Atelier Totori: Arland no Renkinjutsushi 2 will be available for PlayStation 3 on June 24, 2010 in Japan.

[Atelier Totori Official Site]