If you would like lessons in how not to handle JRPG localization for the West, try taking a page out of Sega's book. They like to remove features, under-promote their good games in favor of promoting their bad ones (see Valkyria Chronicles vs. Golden Axe: Beast Rider), and spend far too much time translating projects that should have been started ages ago.
Well, Sega is back this week with yet another example of what not to do, as shown in their first official English Sands of Destruction (really called World Destruction) trailer.
For starters, they simply took the CG animation from the beginning of the game, made sure to keep all the boring parts, removed the game's theme song in favor of some generic stock music, wrote the character's names, and put up a truly uninspired tag at the end in what appears to be Times New Roman font.
Wow. Whatever they paid the people who worked on this trailer, it was way too much. I think at least a dozen YouTubers have already done a better job at mocking up an English trailer. (Note that I don't consider YouTube to be the most intelligent community on the internet, so that isn't saying much.)
Honestly, if Sega doesn't want to try with their JRPGs, why don't they license them to someone who will give a crap?
Sands of Destruction will be available on Nintendo DS sometime this fall in North America. It is already available in Japan as World Destruction: Michibikareshi Ishi.
Showing posts with label World Destruction. Show all posts
Showing posts with label World Destruction. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Sega Announces Sands of Destruction for North America
Never heard of Sands of Destruction? That's okay, no one else has either. The game in question is actually called World Destruction: Michibikareshi Ishi (The Guided Intention), which is a title you may be slightly more familiar with.Combining the pedigree of Xenogears' design team (Masato Katou, Kunihiko Tanaka, and Yasunori Mitsuda) with up-and-coming RPG developers imageepoch (Luminous Arc, Arc Rise Fantasia), World Destruction was a highly-anticipated RPG in Japan, receiving its own anime, manga, and other various marketing support.
For the forgetful, the game follows a young man named Kyrie Illunis who unwittingly holds the power of ultimate destruction, and the enigmatic (and slightly insane) young woman Morte Ashera who desires the end of the world for her own reasons.
Sands of Destruction will be available on Nintendo DS in North America in Fall 2009, roughly a year from its original Japanese release.
Sega has made no comment on why they changed the name to something so retarded.
P.S. As a note from someone who has played the Japanese version (me), I'd recommend just watching the anime to get the story, and getting the OST for Mitsuda's music. The game is 75% cutscenes, and gives you a super boring turn-based battle system with an extremely high encounter rate when you do get to play. Certainly not worth waiting another year for.
Monday, October 20, 2008
World Destruction Set to Destroy North America
Out of all the bajillions of JRPGs on the DS right now, what I've felt like is the most complete in terms of storyline is Sega and imageepoch's World Destruction. The graphics leave something to be desired, and the opening video is an enormous waste of memory, but overall, the game is surprisingly fleshed out for game regulated to the shovelware money printing factory known as the Nintendo DS.Well, along with Phantasy Star Portable, it seems that Sega will be bringing World Destruction to a language that you can read sometime next year. Details are scarce at the moment, and we can't even give you a quarter of the year to watch for it in, but I suppose the very fact that it's coming will be enough to please many.
I have been playing the Japanese version since September, so if anyone is interested I'll post some impressions of the game later this week.
We'll keep you updated on the when and where of World Destruction's release as we learn more.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
A Look at the World and its Inevitable Destruction
As per the translation request poll, here is the only requested article from last week's Famitsu (hey Billy!) on Sega and imageepoch's upcoming Nintendo DS RPG, World Destruction. Give the article a read and see just what is up with an RPG about destroying the world.
What is “Destruct”?
Though it is part of the title, “Destruct” is also an important keyword in this game. It seems that it is actually synonymous with “That which will bring destruction upon the world,” and may be a direct reference to the game’s protagonist, Kirie, who holds the power within him to destroy the world. It appears that there also exists a book that prophesies the end of the world, known as the Destruct Code.
Everything is Made of Sand?
At first glance, the world in World Destruction is not especially different from our own, but it seems that all substances in the world are made up of small, sand-like elements called Materials. However, when these Materials lose their power, they turn white, like snow. Between the continents stretches out oceans of these particles, and people can only cross them in sand ships.
Will it be destroyed or not? A look at the world of World Destruction
Fire, Water, Wind, and Earth: the four elements of this world. It is said that these elements were born of the fabled Four Holy Beasts. It is said that the Four Holy Beasts each inhabit one of the world’s four continents, bestowing upon each their own influence. For example, the continent where the King of Azure Water, one of the Four Holy Beasts, lives, is blessed with an abundance of water, causing the growth of many flowers, all of which are consistently in bloom. For this reason, this continent is called the Continent of Spring. Similarly, Continents of Summer, Autumn, and Winter also exist. The game’s protagonists cross all of these continents as they continue their journey that will decide the world’s fate. Below are some of the towns and dungeons that they will visit.
Border Village Balni – a village where humans and beastmen live together
This village is governed by Lord Kuma, one of the 20 Beast Lords, (the top organization of beastmen who govern the world). Due to Lord Kuma’s very warm personality, humans live equally with the beastmen here, but since it is on the edge of the country borders, there isn’t much news of the outside world.
Sand Mirror Cave
A cavern near Balni. Sand Bamboo, the key ingredient in Balni’s specialty dish, can be found here. Deep within the cave lives the Sand Whale. Though enormous, it is generally very tame, and will almost never attack visitors.
Port City Agi
Agi is a thriving port city that acts as the gateway to the Continent of Summer. Since it retains an open-door policy, various beastmen are always coming and going. Since goods and information are always in good supply, Agi looks to make an ideal spot to prepare for a journey.
Sky Prison
Positioned at the edge of the world, this solitary island is surrounded by a lake of brimstone. Being impossible to escape from, it has come to be called the Sky Prison, a facility created to hold terrorists and criminals - those who have committed serious crimes.
There are 6 characters in total that will join your party, but here we will introduce the first 3, along with their various combat styles and skills. (I introduced all 6 characters quite a while back, if you’d like to refresh your memory.)
Kirie Ilnis
The protagonist of World Destruction, Kirie is a quiet young man who is easily swayed by the opinions of others. Though he rarely asserts himself, he will honestly voice whatever is on his mind. He regards promises made to others very seriously, and will keep whatever commitment he makes, no matter what happens. Kirie hails from the quiet, easy-going Balni Village, and has never left it, so is very naïve to the outside world. He leaves the village on a journey after unintentionally joining the World Destruction Committee.
Wielding daggers in both hands, Kirie is able to attack swiftly and successively. Additionally, he can use abilities based on cooking, and is gifted at recovery and support skills. His daggers synthesize well with agility-enhancing items.
Morte Arshella
A young woman who deeply desires the destruction of the world, Morte comes from a tribe that travels the Sand Ocean. She has a bounty on her head as “Morte of the Destruction Committee.” She is cheerful and generous, but can also be very confrontational and extreme. She would always rather be doing something fun.
Morte wields a large, double-bladed sword in battle, and is good at landing heavy attacks. She can also combine kicking moves with her sword skills. Her abilities are mostly concentrated on dealing direct damage and increasing attack power. Her double-bladed sword synthesizes well with HP-enhancing items.
Agan Mardol
A young man also from the tribe of Sand Ocean travelers, and a childhood friend of Morte, Agan serves as the second-in-command to the human resistance against the beastmen, known as the Golden Lions. Though he is good-natured and considerate of others, he boasts a rather sarcastic attitude in an attempt to cover up his own inexperience. Unfortunately for him, he may be one of the unluckiest people in the world. However, he is aware of this, and actually seems to actively strive for bad luck.
Agan uses a whip in battle, and though he can’t land heavy attacks, he is good at multiple strikes. He is talented with the various status ailment-inflicting abilities of the Sand Oceaners, and can handle tricky strategies. His whips synthesize well with stamina-enhancing items.
Out of the literal tidal wave of JRPGs appearing on the DS these days, I must say that this looks like one of the more interesting, and I'm quite shocked that Sega hasn't announced anything about a North American or European release. (However, considering how little they promote their JRPGs over here, I suppose its really not that surprising.)
The game is quite highly-promoted in Japan, having received its own TV anime and manga series well before the game has even hit shelves.
World Destruction will retail on Nintendo DS on September 25, 2008 in Japan from Sega. There is currently no word on any international localization.
Thanks to RPGLand for the scans.
What is “Destruct”?
Though it is part of the title, “Destruct” is also an important keyword in this game. It seems that it is actually synonymous with “That which will bring destruction upon the world,” and may be a direct reference to the game’s protagonist, Kirie, who holds the power within him to destroy the world. It appears that there also exists a book that prophesies the end of the world, known as the Destruct Code.
Everything is Made of Sand?
At first glance, the world in World Destruction is not especially different from our own, but it seems that all substances in the world are made up of small, sand-like elements called Materials. However, when these Materials lose their power, they turn white, like snow. Between the continents stretches out oceans of these particles, and people can only cross them in sand ships.
Will it be destroyed or not? A look at the world of World Destruction
Fire, Water, Wind, and Earth: the four elements of this world. It is said that these elements were born of the fabled Four Holy Beasts. It is said that the Four Holy Beasts each inhabit one of the world’s four continents, bestowing upon each their own influence. For example, the continent where the King of Azure Water, one of the Four Holy Beasts, lives, is blessed with an abundance of water, causing the growth of many flowers, all of which are consistently in bloom. For this reason, this continent is called the Continent of Spring. Similarly, Continents of Summer, Autumn, and Winter also exist. The game’s protagonists cross all of these continents as they continue their journey that will decide the world’s fate. Below are some of the towns and dungeons that they will visit.
Border Village Balni – a village where humans and beastmen live together
This village is governed by Lord Kuma, one of the 20 Beast Lords, (the top organization of beastmen who govern the world). Due to Lord Kuma’s very warm personality, humans live equally with the beastmen here, but since it is on the edge of the country borders, there isn’t much news of the outside world.
Sand Mirror Cave
A cavern near Balni. Sand Bamboo, the key ingredient in Balni’s specialty dish, can be found here. Deep within the cave lives the Sand Whale. Though enormous, it is generally very tame, and will almost never attack visitors.
Port City Agi
Agi is a thriving port city that acts as the gateway to the Continent of Summer. Since it retains an open-door policy, various beastmen are always coming and going. Since goods and information are always in good supply, Agi looks to make an ideal spot to prepare for a journey.
Sky Prison
Positioned at the edge of the world, this solitary island is surrounded by a lake of brimstone. Being impossible to escape from, it has come to be called the Sky Prison, a facility created to hold terrorists and criminals - those who have committed serious crimes.
There are 6 characters in total that will join your party, but here we will introduce the first 3, along with their various combat styles and skills. (I introduced all 6 characters quite a while back, if you’d like to refresh your memory.)
Kirie Ilnis
The protagonist of World Destruction, Kirie is a quiet young man who is easily swayed by the opinions of others. Though he rarely asserts himself, he will honestly voice whatever is on his mind. He regards promises made to others very seriously, and will keep whatever commitment he makes, no matter what happens. Kirie hails from the quiet, easy-going Balni Village, and has never left it, so is very naïve to the outside world. He leaves the village on a journey after unintentionally joining the World Destruction Committee.
Wielding daggers in both hands, Kirie is able to attack swiftly and successively. Additionally, he can use abilities based on cooking, and is gifted at recovery and support skills. His daggers synthesize well with agility-enhancing items.
Morte Arshella
A young woman who deeply desires the destruction of the world, Morte comes from a tribe that travels the Sand Ocean. She has a bounty on her head as “Morte of the Destruction Committee.” She is cheerful and generous, but can also be very confrontational and extreme. She would always rather be doing something fun.
Morte wields a large, double-bladed sword in battle, and is good at landing heavy attacks. She can also combine kicking moves with her sword skills. Her abilities are mostly concentrated on dealing direct damage and increasing attack power. Her double-bladed sword synthesizes well with HP-enhancing items.
Agan Mardol
A young man also from the tribe of Sand Ocean travelers, and a childhood friend of Morte, Agan serves as the second-in-command to the human resistance against the beastmen, known as the Golden Lions. Though he is good-natured and considerate of others, he boasts a rather sarcastic attitude in an attempt to cover up his own inexperience. Unfortunately for him, he may be one of the unluckiest people in the world. However, he is aware of this, and actually seems to actively strive for bad luck.
Agan uses a whip in battle, and though he can’t land heavy attacks, he is good at multiple strikes. He is talented with the various status ailment-inflicting abilities of the Sand Oceaners, and can handle tricky strategies. His whips synthesize well with stamina-enhancing items.
Out of the literal tidal wave of JRPGs appearing on the DS these days, I must say that this looks like one of the more interesting, and I'm quite shocked that Sega hasn't announced anything about a North American or European release. (However, considering how little they promote their JRPGs over here, I suppose its really not that surprising.)
The game is quite highly-promoted in Japan, having received its own TV anime and manga series well before the game has even hit shelves.
World Destruction will retail on Nintendo DS on September 25, 2008 in Japan from Sega. There is currently no word on any international localization.
Thanks to RPGLand for the scans.
Monday, May 26, 2008
World Destruction Characters want to Destroy Your World
I think that I speak for most gamers when I say that Sega has really gone downhill since their console glory days. Most gamers (myself included) still get excited when Sega announces a new game. We all put our retro goggles on and think "Finally! Sega is back in action!" Then the game comes out and is decidedly mediocre, effectively crushing our hopes and dreams all over again.
Well, whip out those retro goggles and get excited again for a new DS RPG from Sega: World Destruction. Developed by imageepoch (developers of DS SRPG Luminous Arc), World Destruction is reportedly a turn-based RPG due out late this year in Japan.
Thanks to the attached recent Famitsu article and the official site, we now have some info on the first six characters.
Kirie Ilnis (why do recent RPG heroes all have girl names?) is a young man gifted (cursed?) with tremendous destructive power, though he doesn't know why. He is somewhat timid and pure, and will honestly say whatever is on his mind. Early on in the story he encounters Morte and the World Destruction Committee, to whom he pledges his allegiance in hopes of obtaining Morte's love.
Morte Arshella is a brash, outspoken young woman allied with the World Destruction Committee. She does whatever she deems as "fun," and is willing to take risks. She claims that the reason she wants to destroy the world is because the idea "just came to her" and seemed like the right thing to do.
Agan Mardol is a straight-forward young mercenary who has grown a little cynical due to a slight inferiority complex. He is a childhood friend of Morte, and thus is a little wary of Kirie. However, he eventually takes it upon himself to be a teacher figure for Kirie, and comes to be seen as a "big brother" to him.
Lia Dragnale is the last member of the dragon tribe. Though she looks and speaks like she is about 15, she is actually over 300 years old. She is a fun-seeker and thus tends to get bored of things very quickly. However, she also has a strong sense of duty to fulfill her tribe's mission to participate in both the birth and the end of the world.
Naja Glef is half-wolf tribe, and a commanding officer in the World Salvation Committee. He is of the condescending smart guy stereotype, and is obstinately stubborn in what he believes is right and wrong. As a member of the World Salvation Committee he opposes the efforts of Kirie and the World Destruction Committee, and does all he can to impede their progress.
Finally, Toppy Toplan (clearly the cute mascot type character) is a bounty hunter who, thought he may appear to be an adorable teddy bear, is actually a hardened wanderer who relies on no one but himself. When he meets Kirie, he becomes enamored with his pure nature, and decides to follow him, regardless of what fate he chooses for the world. He has no interest in the politics of the World Destruction Committee.
Check out the scans below for more gameplay pics. We'll keep you updated with this title as we learn more.
Well, whip out those retro goggles and get excited again for a new DS RPG from Sega: World Destruction. Developed by imageepoch (developers of DS SRPG Luminous Arc), World Destruction is reportedly a turn-based RPG due out late this year in Japan.
Thanks to the attached recent Famitsu article and the official site, we now have some info on the first six characters.
Kirie Ilnis (why do recent RPG heroes all have girl names?) is a young man gifted (cursed?) with tremendous destructive power, though he doesn't know why. He is somewhat timid and pure, and will honestly say whatever is on his mind. Early on in the story he encounters Morte and the World Destruction Committee, to whom he pledges his allegiance in hopes of obtaining Morte's love. 
Morte Arshella is a brash, outspoken young woman allied with the World Destruction Committee. She does whatever she deems as "fun," and is willing to take risks. She claims that the reason she wants to destroy the world is because the idea "just came to her" and seemed like the right thing to do. 
Agan Mardol is a straight-forward young mercenary who has grown a little cynical due to a slight inferiority complex. He is a childhood friend of Morte, and thus is a little wary of Kirie. However, he eventually takes it upon himself to be a teacher figure for Kirie, and comes to be seen as a "big brother" to him. 
Lia Dragnale is the last member of the dragon tribe. Though she looks and speaks like she is about 15, she is actually over 300 years old. She is a fun-seeker and thus tends to get bored of things very quickly. However, she also has a strong sense of duty to fulfill her tribe's mission to participate in both the birth and the end of the world. 
Naja Glef is half-wolf tribe, and a commanding officer in the World Salvation Committee. He is of the condescending smart guy stereotype, and is obstinately stubborn in what he believes is right and wrong. As a member of the World Salvation Committee he opposes the efforts of Kirie and the World Destruction Committee, and does all he can to impede their progress. 
Finally, Toppy Toplan (clearly the cute mascot type character) is a bounty hunter who, thought he may appear to be an adorable teddy bear, is actually a hardened wanderer who relies on no one but himself. When he meets Kirie, he becomes enamored with his pure nature, and decides to follow him, regardless of what fate he chooses for the world. He has no interest in the politics of the World Destruction Committee. Check out the scans below for more gameplay pics. We'll keep you updated with this title as we learn more.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)