Sakura Wars Will be Better on PS2, Wii Shafted

If there is one publisher that just can't let the PS2 go, it's NIS America. Oh sure, they have published a few titles on Wii, DS, PSP, and even PS3, but that good old PS2 just seems to maintain a sweet spot in their hearts.

For better or for worse, this has driven NIS to publish a series here in North America that has been often overlooked by others: Sakura Taisen (Sakura Wars).

Sakura Wars: So Long My Love is actually an ancient 2005 Japanese release known as Sakura Taisen 5: Saraba Itoshiki Hito yo (which translates as basically the same thing). Quite why NIS thought that the game is worth releasing 5 years later on a system that has (in my opinion) long outlived its usefulness is beyond me, but here we are.

In an effort to keep the game relevant, NIS has commissioned a Wii port of the title to be released here in North America at the same time as the PS2 version, and we were originally told that the two would be comparable in features.

However, this has proven not to be the case, as NIS has announced that the game will be heavily gimped on Nintendo's console.

The PS2 version will ship in a premium box complete with an artbook and poster, and will contain two dual-layer DVDs, complete with both English and Japanese voice tracks. The Wii version, by contrast, will receive only a standard case and one single-layer DVD containing only the English voice-overs, though will be priced $10 lower than the superior PS2 version. It should be noted that there is currently only one printing scheduled for this game, and NIS has mentioned that should subsequent printings occur, the PS2 version will be reprinted without the extras mentioned above.

Predictably, NIS has not offered any official statement on why the Wii version is "getting the shaft," as it were, but putting on my educated guessing hat, I would conclude that the Wii port has gone way over budget, and NIS is trying to just get it out the door to minimize further losses. Again, just my speculation.

Sakura Wars: So Long My Love will be available for PlayStation 2 and Nintendo Wii on March 23, 2010.

So now I have approximately 3 months to decide if I care enough about a 5 year old PS2 game to warrant pre-ordering it. PS2 games are getting harder and harder purchases for me to justify. :/

[RPGamer]

Some Kind of Unofficial Announcements from NIS America

In a recent interview with RPGamer, some of the staff of NIS America have gone on record with some sort-of-announcements that, while aren't binding on NIS' part, should give you a fairly good idea of what to expect from the company in the coming year.

First item of interest is that the previously announced Hit Maker DS title, A Witch's Tale, has been pushed back due to development issues. Though no new date has been solidified, NIS mentioned that the game would probably be pushed back to sometime next autumn, possibly as late as Halloween. Part of the reason for the delay was Hit Maker's decision to change the title from an action-RPG to a traditional (presumably turn-based) one.

Next, PS3 NIS fans should be happy to hear that the abominable crossover title, X-Edge (pronouced "Cross Edge," for whatever reason) will indeed be seeing North American shores courtesty of NIS. Though they couldn't officially confirm the title's release, they basically said to expect it next March.

NIS also "hinted" that both Mana Khemia 2 and a game from the Japan-only Sakura Taisen series would be heading to North American PS2s sometime in 2009, though no details or dates were given.

It was also mentioned that future game development from Nippon Ichi (Japan) would continue to focus on the PlayStation 3 and Nintendo Wii as Japan remains their largest market. No real surprises there.

My own reaction to this news is varied. I'm happy (if unsurprised) that Mana Khemia 2 will be making the jump, and cautiously interested in the Sakura Taisen title. I had almost totally forgotten about A Witch's Tale since its announcement, so I guess it will be interesting to see how that title shapes up. X-Edge... well, I think you know how I feel about X-Edge.

As a disclaimer, this isn't my story. All of the glory for this belongs to RPGamer, and I encourage all hardcore NIS fans to go read the real interview for yourselves.