Okay, Cavia is developing an HD action-RPG for Square Enix called NieR, set to release sometime next year. Sounds straight-forward enough, right?
Apparently not, as gamers all over the internet seem to be completely confused as to what's going on with this title. Why are there two versions? They're exclusives but multiplatform? There's a hermaphrodite character? Who's getting what version now? Why does Square Enix hate me? And the list goes on.
So, in a display of goodwill during this festive season, I have taken it upon myself to clear up this mess to the best of my knowledge and sources, which I hope should put your minds at ease.
The Basics NieR is an action-RPG developed by Cavia (most well-known in the RPG community for their development of the two Drakengard titles on the PS2) created to cater to the interests on Western gamers. It was initially announced as a multiplatform title for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, and will be published by Square Enix.
The original concept of the game was that of a father searching for a cure to a mysterious plague that is threatening the life of his daughter.
Two Versions Several months after the game's initial reveal, Square Enix announced that the game would actually be changed between the 360 and PS3 platforms, and that each version would be exclusive to that platform.
The original concept of the father trying to save his daughter would be titled NieR: Gestalt, and would be an Xbox 360 exclusive. Meanwhile, the PlayStation 3 version was changed to NieR: Replicant, and the hero was changed from a middle-aged buff dude to a younger, more effeminate character. Additionally, the daughter from Gestalt was redefined as the main character's sister.
It was heavily implied that these changes for the PS3 version were made in order to make the game relevant to Japanese gamers, who reportedly were wary of the idea of playing as an older character.
The Confusion Though these versions were clearly separated between the two platforms in Japan, Square Enix never mentioned their status overseas. Their silence was taken by the majority of gamers to mean that the changes would carry over worldwide.
Some time later, Square Enix came forward to clarify that NieR Replicant would be a Japan-only title, and that everywhere else would receive NieR Gestalt for both 360 and PS3 under the original title of simply 'NieR.'
Gamers everywhere who had their hearts set on playing as the young, effeminate character, were crushed, and interest in the PS3 version of the game plummeted.
Additionally, due to the difference in relationship to the little disease-stricken girl between the two versions, many gamers believed that the storylines for the two games would be significantly different, and some worried that missing Replicant would mean losing out on a different story.
Hermaphrodite? Another point of confusion - on both sides of the pond, no less - was the information that a hermaphrodite would play a significant role in the game. S/he was never fully revealed, and always only got a quick, ambigious shot from an odd angle. Clearly, s/he looked more like a girl than anything else.
When the game was split between the two consoles, the original image of the main character was used to promote the Gestalt version, while an image of this hermaphrodite was used in promos for the Replicant version. This lead some to believe that the hermaphrodite character would be the protagonist of Replicant, and would be removed from Gestalt.
People claiming to be about freedom of sexual expression were outraged, but I personally believe they just wanted to play as the character in the string panties and lace top.
At Least Read This Part Okay, so now you should be up to speed on why everyone is nerdraging against this title. Now here is the actual way everything goes down, and why you shouldn't be as upset as you are.
First of all, the game's protagonist, Nier, is the same person between both Gestalt and Replicant versions. Indeed, the only confirmed differences between the versions are his age (44 and 21, respectively), and his physical appearance. He can still obtain the same weapons and skills, fight in the same manner, have the same personality, and be on the same quest.
Second, the story appears to remain almost identical. Both versions have Nier setting out on a perilous journey to save the young, disease-stricken Yona, and save himself at the same time. The only major difference in the story area is Nier's relationship to Yona. She is his daughter in Gestalt, while she is his sister in Replicant.
Third, the hermaphrodite remains completely unchanged between the two versions. Kaine (pronounced Ky-neh) is Nier's gender-bending partner in both versions, and his/her outfit even remains identical. S/he was never the protagonist of either version, and will not be cut out of either version.
Finally, it should be noted that the game known as NieR Gestalt in Japan is the game that Cavia originally wanted to make, and that NieR Replicant was created for the sole purpose of quelling the "I don't wanna be an old guy!" discontent among Japanese gamers.
Though I agree that Nier's character design is more likeable in Replicant, the fact that the game's original concept will release worldwide is a good sign that there is still room for creativity in the Japanese game development industry, and its nice to see a large publisher like Square Enix take a chance on a developer's vision.
Now, if you are still completely furious that you can't play as the younger, femmier version of Nier, despite the fact that the games will be nearly identical and that the older version is actually the more purist version, then I would advise you to learn Japanese, buy a PS3, and import it.
But never say someone didn't break it down and explain it for you.
NieR will be available for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 sometime next Spring in Japan, North America, and Europe.
I can't confirm this right now, so it is a rumor until I see some scans with my own eyes, but according to a generally reliable source, RPG developer (and recently gone publisher) Level 5 has taken out ad space in the latest issue of Famitsu to tease their own pre-TGS press conference, titled Level 5 Vision 2008.
The alleged ad supposedly reads:
"A game revolution is beginning... Wait for shocking announcements from Level 5!"
Now, I don't know about you, but I consider these kinds of teases to be the worst offender of corporate hype. It's like saying, "We totally have something you want, but we aren't going to tell you anything about it until X date. You are going to be soooo stoked! Trust us!" Right. Except that they never actually pan out to be something that I will be "soooo stoked" for, but rather something I would have guessed anyways.
So, in a light mood of poking holes into such teasers, allow me to present to you what would and would not shock me from Level 5:
1. The follow will not only fail to "shock" me, but would be totally 100% ho-hum predictable: -Dark Cloud 3 on PS2, PS3, or PSP (or any combination of the above) -A new game in collaboration with Sony -A Dragon Quest title in collaboration with Square Enix -Another Professor Layton game for DS, Wii, PSP, PS2, or PS3 (or any combination of the above) -Inazuma Eleven 2 in any shape or form
2. The follow will impress me, but will not "shock" anyone: -Rogue Galaxy 2 on PS2, PS3, or PSP (or any combination of the above) -A new multiplatform IP in collaboration with Square Enix -A new project in collaboration with EA
3. The following will be surprising, but still not "shocking": -A new title on Xbox 360 -A new title in collaboration with Microsoft -White Knight Story being cancelled -Level 5 hiring a decent writer for a change
4. The following will definitely shock me, and probably everyone else: -Level 5 being acquired by Burger King -2 or more members of Level 5's staff executed publicly on stage by the president -Level 5 quitting game development and working on producing hardcore porn from now on -Level 5 announcing their entry into the console wars with the Level-5-Machine, which plays 16-bit cartridges in HD -The staff of Level 5 are actually aliens from a different galaxy sent here to conquer Earth -Someone taking a dump on the stage
So there you have it. You want to "shock" us, Level 5? I'm sitting down.
Now, to be fair, I haven't seen this alleged ad, so the term "shocking" may have been mistranslated. But in all honesty, I am pretty confident that looking forward to some incredible news from Level 5 next week is a good way to set yourself up for disappointment.
The supposed press conference is said to take place on September 26, 2008.
What news from Level 5 would shock you?
P.S. Do not look up "shocking" on Google images unless you want to be totally grossed out. Just found that out the hard way. =(
So, today is my sister's birthday. I got her a PS2 last year, but she still doesn't have many games for it. For her birthday she asked me to recommend a few that she could choose from. I made up a fairly comprehensive list of 10 RPGs that I feel are truly the cream of the crop of the PS2 to date (so it doesn't include Persona 4, Ar Tonelico II, or Kuzunoha Raidou vs. The King of Abbadon for obvious reasons), and I decided I would post them here for anyone else who would like to see them.
You'll note that my list may differ from your own, especially considering I haven't included any Final Fantasy or Kingdom Hearts titles. This is completely on purpose, as I feel the following 10 games easily offer much more compelling experiences than either of the previously mentioned series. You are of course free to name your own favorites in the comments below, but please bear in mind that flaming, trolling, or spamming will ensure your comment goes straight to the garbage bin.
Without further ado, here are my ten favorite RPGs on the PS2 (in no particular order):
Tales of the Abyss
The story of young noble, Luke von Fabre, who lost his memory due to a kidnapping by his country’s rival kingdom 7 years ago, and has since been confined to the royal complex. During an attempted assassination on his sword teacher, he is mysteriously thrown to a far away location in enemy territory with the cool but beautiful assassin, Tear Grants. As Tear attempts to return him to his manor, Luke discovers that all in the world is not as it seemed…
ToA is an action RPG with an involving story, deep but accessible battle system, and interesting relationships. It boasts over 60 hours of playtime, tons of optional quests and extra content, and an expansive world to explore. It is often cited as the best game in the Tales of series to date, and the spiritual predecessor to the upcoming Xbox 360 game Tales of Vesperia. Quite possibly my favorite game on PS2.
Tales of Legendia
Unlike most RPGs that have you traveling all around the world, trying to save it from an evil power, Tales of Legendia takes place entirely on an enormous ancient boat known as the Legacy. Senel Coolidge, a young marine, sails to the Legacy in hopes of protecting his younger sister Shirley, but she is kidnapped almost immediately upon landing. Blind to the plights of others around him, Senel rushes off to save Shirley, entirely unaware of greater powers at work on the ship…
ToL, like ToA, has a very accessible real time battle system, though is much simpler. Though the game is often touted as a “love it or hate it” experience, the game’s cast is generally considered one of the best, and the different take on JRPG storytelling is refreshing and often laugh-out-loud funny. A definite recommendation.
Star Ocean 3: ‘Til the End of Time
Set in the distant future, Star Ocean 3 tells the tale of Fayt Linegod, a college student vacationing on a resort planet with his family and his childhood friend, Sophia. When the resort is attacked by a mysterious alien army, Fayt narrowly escapes with Sophia, separated from their parents. Marooned on a distant, undeveloped planet, Fayt’s journey takes him across the stars, and brings him face to face with a secret hidden within his own identity.
Another action RPG, SO3 features deep customization, various character recruitment options, and the ability to interact with other party members in order to change how they feel about each other. While possibly not as accessible as Tales of, Star Ocean 3 is an exciting experience that will challenge your perceptions of “what is real.”
Persona 3
The story of a young transfer student to a new high school, the hero of the story is almost instantly thrown into the dark truth of a “hidden” hour in the day, where most humans are basically frozen in time, and demons prowl the streets. The few that remain awake during this “Dark Hour” are either preyed upon by the Shadows, or will awaken to an inner power known as “Persona” in order to combat them.
P3 features a turn-based battle style, where knowing your enemy and playing to their weaknesses become the key to victory. However, the game’s main draw is arguably the ability for the hero to establish and nourish his ties with others around him, Persona-user or otherwise, (known as his “Social Links”). Learning to balance school, relationships, and saving the world is actually a lot more fun that you might think. The game grants the player roughly one year of school activities and dungeon exploration, all tied to a greater evil that lies where no one expected. For turn-based battles, P3 is probably the best RPG in the current PS2 library.
Ar Tonelico: Melody of Elemia
Taking place in a destroyed world, the hero, Lyner Barsett, an elite knight from the upper levels of the tower of Ar tonelico, crashes into the lower levels during a mission to eradicate the viruses that plague the world. His encounter with Reyvateils, women with the abilities of song magic, leads this young warrior into a complex plot of power, greed, and subjugation.
Ar Tonelico is a turn-based game with the importance set on front row fighters protecting your party’s Reyvateils as they sing. The game also features a “dive” system, which allows Lyner to dive into the Reivateyl’s subconscious, learning more about them on a personal level, and raising their abilities in battle. The game features a very emotionally-engaging story, and will change based on Lyner’s decisions regarding the Reyvateils. Possibly the best sleeper RPG of 2007.
Okami
Taking the role of the Sun Goddess, Amaterasu, the player awakens from a deep sleep to find that ancient Japan is now shrouded in darkness and devoid of life. Using magical Celestial Brush strokes, Amaterasu takes upon herself the quest of ridding the world of its demons, and restoring the gods to their rightful positions.
Featuring a Zelda-esque take on role-playing, Okami features innovative puzzle solving and intuitive real time battle controls. “Magic” is available using the Celestial Brush, a system that allows the player to paint directly onto the world. The game also features a very unique artistic look reminiscent of traditional Japanese painting. A very big recommendation for a very underappreciated game.
Odin Sphere
Every tale has another side to it, and Odin Sphere examines one story from five different perspectives. Gwendolyn, a princess valkyrie in Odin’s army; Cornelius, a prince of a distant country betrayed and turned into a beast; Mercedes, the newly crowned Queen of the Fairies; Oswald, the demon knight; and Velvet, the forsaken princess. Each one of these characters is inevitably connected with each other, and their quests will eventually see the destruction of their own world.
Odin Sphere is unique blend of 2D side-scrolling with action role-playing. Each character controls differently, and learning to use each according to his or her strengths is challenging and rewarding. The story is illustrated in some of the most beautiful hand-drawn 2D ever seen in video games, and weaves a tale few can forget. A very enthusiastic recommendation.
Digital Devil Saga 2
Having been freed from a prison of constant war known as the Junkyard, Serph, the leader of a battle detail formerly known as the Embryon, seeks out his former companions and the mysterious girl Sera as he tries to unravel the mystery of the Solar Pollution and the Avatar Tuners.
Though technically the direct sequel to Digital Devil Saga, DDS2 is very much a complete experience on its own. The game features a turn-based battle system that requires the player to consider his enemies’ weaknesses and his party’s strengths. The game is quite dark, but is a very involving experience. Perhaps a little too difficult for newcomers to the series, but still an enthusiastic recommendation.
Grandia 3
Yuki always dreamed of flight, and he and his friend Rotts have spent every spare moment designing and building airplanes. However, when they finally get it right, Yuki crashes his plane and gets involved in the escape of a mysterious young woman called Alfina. His journey with her forces him to search for his own reasons for fighting, and challenges him to fly higher than he ever dreamt before.
The latest game in the fan-favorite Grandia series, G3 features a unique blend of real time action and turn based commands. The game’s story is a bit shallow occasionally, but overall presents an inspiring, exciting experience that any gamer can find something to like about. A definite recommendation to anyone who likes RPGs, but is not sure how “hardcore” they are.
So, there they are. I regret that a few quality titles didn't quite make the list (Rogue Galaxy, Valkyrie Profile 2, Xenosaga, Radiata Stories, etc.), but I guess that's how these things go.
for their development of the two Drakengard titles on the PS2) created to cater to the interests on Western gamers. It was initially announced as a multiplatform title for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, and will be published by Square Enix.
actually be changed between the 360 and PS3 platforms, and that each version would be exclusive to that platform.
led, and always only got a quick, ambigious shot from an odd angle. Clearly, s/he looked more like a girl than anything else.
protagonist, Nier, is the same person between both Gestalt and Replicant versions. Indeed, the only confirmed differences between the versions are his age (44 and 21, respectively), and his physical appearance. He can still obtain the same weapons and skills, fight in the same manner, have the same personality, and be on the same quest.
oth versions, and his/her outfit even remains identical. S/he was never the protagonist of either version, and will not be cut out of either version.
will be nearly identical and that the older version is actually the more purist version, then I would advise you to learn Japanese, buy a PS3, and import it.
