2010 is just getting started and we already have a high volume of really great RPGs, but that hasn't stopped EA from talking about how awesome next year is going to be.
Though BioWare's Star Wars MMO is also planned for 2011, EA apparently isn't given them any breaks as a new Dragon Age title is planned for early next year, as well as "something far reaching" for Mass Effect - whether that "something" is Mass Effect 3 or something else is hard to determine at the moment.
Either way, EA seems eager to keep BioWare's titles flowing, and after their recent RPGs, I can't find a good reason to disagree.
To commemorate selling a million 360s in Japan, Microsoft held a press conference today in Japan showcasing 31 upcoming titles. Unfortunately, there were only 3 RPGs shown, and you have already heard about all of them.
First off, Namco Bandai has confirmed Magna Carta for release on Xbox 360 late this summer in Japan. Developed by Korean studio SoftMax, and published under Namdai's Banpresto label, Magna Carta II follows a young warrior named Juto who becomes involved with the young princess Zephy during a civil war in their country.
The game's first official trailer was debuted at the event (viewable below), and the press was given hands-on time with it. Namco Bandai also announced that the game's official Japanese site has now gone live HERE.
Magna Carta II will be available in Japan on August 6, 2009 on Xbox 360.
Second, Sega took some time to show off their tri-Ace-developed RPG, End of Eternity, due out simultaneously on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 sometime this winter in Japan. tri-Ace's Takayuki Suguro, the game's director, said he wanted to take the know-how from tri-Ace's previous two 360 RPGs to make an awesome game.
The game's first trailer was shown again (embedded again below), and the press were given a look at how the game plays. Unfortunately, no concrete release date was given yet.
Finally, Microsoft took the liberty of showing off the Japanese version of BioWare's sci-fi shooter-RPG, Mass Effect, which, by now, is totally old news here in the West.
Mass Effect will be available on Xbox 360 on May 21, 2009 in Japan.
I personally can't imagine that this is everything Microsoft has planned for this year in Japan. Don't get me wrong, I think End of Eternity and Magna Carta II look interesting, but it just seems a little underwhelming. Like, where's Mistwalker? What's Square Enix doing this year? Doesn't Atlus have something to show off sooner or later? I can't help but think there's more they aren't telling us right now...
If you live in North America or Europe (or a region with a similar release schedule), BioWare and Microsoft's sci-fi shooter-RPG, Mass Effect, is ancient history. Yeah, it was great, but that was a long time ago, you say.
Well, Japan doesn't really see it that way, as they have only recently been promised that the game will be seeing their shores this year! A little unfair, perhaps?
Well, Microsoft wanted to apologize for the delay, so they're throwing in some goodies with each copy of the game in the region.
The bonus disk that will be included will contain Xbox Dashboard theme(s), gamer icons, developer documentary videos, music tracks from the game, and a design gallery. However, probably the biggest bonus is the inclusion of the extra DLC episode, Bringing Down the Sky (titled Hoshi no Ochiru Hi, or literally, the Day the Stars Fell).
I don't know if it makes up for the huuuuuge delay, but it's at least a nice effort.
Mass Effect will be available for Xbox 360 and PC on May 21, 2009 in Japan. It is already available in North America and Europe.
BioWare and Microsoft's 2007 sci-fi WRPG was pretty good. I liked it, anyway. And I heard other people liked it too, so that's cool. But Japan didn't get it in 2007. In fact, they didn't even get it in 2008!
Well, Microsoft just announced that they will finally be bringing the game to the land of the rising sun this May.
For the uninitiated, Mass Effect follows the exploits of Commander Shepard as he/she explores the galaxy, and attempts to stop the intergalactic villain Sauron. It features real-time TPS style combat and character customization. The biggest draw of the game, however, is arguably its deep conversation system which allows the player to shape the outcome of the story.
This news comes on the heels of several unconfirmed rumors that Mass Effect 2 will be avaible in North America and Europe later this year. Let's hope that Japan doesn't have to wait another year and a half for the second installment.
Mass Effect will be available for the Xbox 360 in Japan on May 21, 2009. It is already available on Xbox 360 and PC in North America and Europe.
Xbox Live has currently begun a sale on downloadable content for several of its titles including popular RPGs Oblivion, Mass Effect, and Lost Odyssey.
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion's "Shivering Isles" is a rather large expansion to the game, and normally runs for 2400 points, but is on for 1600 right now.
Mass Effect's "Bringing Down the Sky" features a new planet, race, and mission for the game. Normally at 400 points, it is currently on sale for 300.
Finally, Lost Odyssey's "Triple Bonus Pack" contains a new dream and a super powerful ring, running discounted from 200 points down to 120. As a note, those who preordered Lost Odyssey nabbed this DLC for free. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like the extra dungeon DLC, "Seeker of the Deep," is affected by this sale. =(
The sale, titled "Extended Play Download Days" is on now until the end of October. It features other non-RPG titles as well, all of which can be found on Major Nelson's blog.
I'm personally going to use this as an excuse to nab Bringing Down the Sky, though I am a little bummed that Seeker of the Deep isn't on sale.
So, remember back during E3 when Xbox Japan got their very own RPG-themed site? Well, as of today (most likely timed with the release of Tales of Vesperia), the site is up and running with a slick Flash interface, and showing off details for several of its upcoming games.
Cruise on over via the link here to check out art, screens, and videos for Tales of Vesperia, Infinite Undiscovery, The Last Remnant, and Star Ocean: The Last Hope. There are also less detailed sections for Fable II, Mass Effect (still not released in Japan yet), and Fallout 3. There are also details and a critical acclaim section for ToV for those among you with Japanese-reading powers.
There is still one spot left open on the site. This section could be for another Western RPG, like Rise of the Argonauts or Dungeon Hero, or it could be for something else (Cry On? Blue Dragon 2? Final Fantasy XIII?) Whatever its for, we are eagerly anticipating its arrival on the site, and will let you know as soon as we do.
2010 is just getting started and we already have a high volume of really great RPGs, but that hasn't stopped EA from talking about how awesome next year is going to be.
