How Tales of Graces F is Different from the Original

So, Tales of Graces is getting ported to PlayStation 3 this Winter. A little rude of Namco Bandai, but being rude to their fans is their MO, after all.

We already know that the heroine, Sophie, is getting a costume overhaul, and that the graphics will be upgraded to HD, but what else could late adopters expect from ToGF?

According to Famitsu.com, probably F's biggest selling point is an extended scenario called Geneology for the Future (in Japanese: 未来への系譜編). It takes place a half a year after the end of the original game, where the world Efinea managed to avoid destruction thanks to the exploits of Asbel and his friends, but damage from monsters around the world continues to increase. Though the heroes had each set out on their own paths, they unite once again to suppress the new threat. At the same time, new feelings that hold the key to the story begin to grow unnoticed in Sophie's heart.

As for the game system, the "Style Shift" system from the original is carrying over, as is the Eres gauge and Eres Rise.

The Style Shift system allows characters to switch between fighting styles in battle at the press of a button. Sophie, for instance, can switch between the powerful 'Martial Arts' and the supportive 'Rebirth Magic.'

Eres, meanwhile, is not unlike Overlimit from previous installments. A gauge at the left of the screen fills as party members act. When full, the party can enter the Eres Rise condition, which allows allies to act without limit, and execute powerful Mystic Artes.

In addition to the info above, Namdai has released a short teaser trailer for ToGF, which you can check out below.



If you're interested, here is the translation for the trailer:

Sophie: Everyone has left me...
[I am very sad]
[I am very scared]
[Help me]
[I'm so anxious, I can't stand it]
Sophie: 10 years. 20 years. 30 years. They will all go by in the blink of an eye.
[I will forever heal your heart, which longs for salvation]
Sophie: I... I also wanted to be with all of you...

Tales of Graces F will be available for PlayStation 3 sometime this Winter in Japan.

I really want Namco Bandai to stop doing the timed exclusive thing. If they wanted it on Wii and PS3, then start it out on both Wii and PS3. >:[

[Famitsu]

EA Announces Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning

Pro Baseball pitcher Curt Shilling apparently loves him some role-playing. So much so, in fact, that he started a video game studio to make RPGs, called 38 Studios.

The first fruits of that is an action-RPG called Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning, due next year on PC, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3.

In case you are worried that a baseball player doesn't have the chops to make an engaging RPG, the story is being handled by fantasy novelist R. A. Salvador (known for his work on the Forgotten Realms series, among other titles), the visual direction is being headed by Spawn creator Todd McFarlane, and the game design is under the direction of Oblivion designer Ken Rolston.

Quite honestly, Oblivion didn't do anything for me, and I've never understood what people liked about Spawn. R. A. Salvador has some decent works, so I guess I'll bank on the story.



Either way, Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning will be available for PC, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3 in Autumn 2011.

[Destructoid]

D3 to bring God Eater Burst to North America

Are you one of the few North American gamers into ad-hoc multiplayer casual MMOs in the vein of Monster Hunter? No? Oh, well nevermind then.

If you meet someone who is, though, you should tell them that Namco Bandai's sort-of-sequel to their answer to Monster Hunter, titled God Eater Burst, is making a trip to North American PSPs, courtesy of D3 Publisher. (I love that Namco tries to pretend that they don't completely own D3, and then release their 'other' games under that label. Whatever works, I guess.)

God Eater Burst is basically a giant overhaul of the original title, upgrading the graphics, adding in elements, and increasing the amount of monsters to be slain with or without friends.

God Eater Burst is planned for release on PSP sometime in 2010 in Japan, and reportedly sometime in 2011 for North America.

[Destructoid]

The Last Story gets its First Trailer

Mistwalker and Nintendo's second joint project, The Last Story, is currently in development for release this year on the Wii. Up until now, the project has been kept under fairly tight wraps, with mostly only concept art and design elements revealed by the developer in a series of blog posts, and the odd Famitsu article dropping a handful of screens and gameplay details.

This morning, though, Nintendo released a full-fledged trailer to the masses, showing off the cast, demonstrating the action-RPGing elements, and even dropping some story elements into the mix.



Being a Wii title, the visuals are predictably sub-par compared with even Mistwalker's previous console offering (Lost Odyssey), but it looks like they've done a lot with the tech they have, and the battle system is certainly Mistwalker's most ambitious project to date.

While this trailer didn't exactly grab me in the way I hoped it would, the title seems like a solid entry into the 7th generation JRPG library, and definitely a game to keep on the radar.

The Last Story will be available on Nintendo Wii sometime this year in Japan.

Square Enix Announces Lord of Arcana

Capcom's Monster Hunter is a big thing in Japan. So, when something is big, other developers inevitably want to jump on the gravy train too (just ask Nintendo about what Sony and Microsoft are up to lately). Well, Sega pulled it off with Phantasy Star Portable, and Namco Bandai pulled it off with God Eater, so why not Square Enix?
Lord of Arcana, Square Enix's recently announced PSP casual-MMO-action-RPG-thing isn't even shy about its blatant run for Monster Hunter's target audience, toting the tag line "Surpass a Hunter, Become a Slayer."



Considering its target audience, it may or may not make it across the Pacific. I'd stake the whole affair on a coin toss at this point.

Lord of Arcana will be available for PSP on October 14, 2010 in Japan, with a demo planned for August 19.

[Famitsu]

E3 10: Phantasy Star Portable 2 gets a Pointless Trailer

A video game trailer, in my opinion, should do at least one of the following three things, if not all of them:

-Give me an introduction to a game's story
-Show me what to expect from gameplay
-Get me excited for its release

This Phantasy Star Portable 2 trailer does none of these things. You can watch it anyway though, if you have a couple of minutes you don't know what to do with.

Phantasy Star Portable 2 will be available for PSP sometime this year in North America.

E3 10: Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep Trailer for the Discerning RPG Fan

I know I shouldn't, but I can't help rolling my eyes every time a new Kingdom Hearts thing happens. I've tried to understand why these games are popular, but I simply can't figure it out. Sure, I love Disney characters and Final Fantasy characters as much as the next guy, but a world where Mickey Mouse is the epitome of badass is simply an idea I cannot get behind.

Regardless, Square Enix knows how to make money, and if selling you Mickey Mouse vs. Final Fantasy will do it, well they will pile it on. Cue Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep for the PSP, due out this fall for gullible, I mean discerning gamers everywhere.

Really, though, Kingdom Hearts is definitive proof of why Square, once my most favourite RPG developer, is now among my least favourites.

Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep will be available September 12, 2010 in North America and Europe.

E3 10: Hunted Still May or May Not be an RPG, Gets a Trailer

Bethesda and inXile's upcoming Hunted: The Demon's Forge is a game that looks like it might be an RPG, but it also looks like it might not be an RPG. I still can't tell. Some sites say it will be an action-RPG, while others claim it will be a straight-up action title.

Either way, I've included the trailer in the post, because whether its workings are indeed RPG or not, it certainly has a sort of RPG appeal that some action-RPG fans may appreciate.

Hunted: The Demon's Forge will be available for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC, though it still has no solid release date.

E3 10: Fable III gets a Release Date

Well, Microsoft's E3 presser just wrapped up, and though there wasn't much in the way of new reveals, Lionhead's upcoming Fable III did get a new trailer and an October release date.

Though its probably not worth mentioning here, Microsoft's star of the show, their new motion sensing gizmo, Kinect, while a pretty cool little piece of tech and something my wife would likely enjoy, is not exactly what I was hoping to see from the house of Xbox.

Obligatory sad face. :(

Fable III will be available for Xbox 360 on October 26, 2010 in North America (and presumably near that date in Europe).

E3 10: Here's Some Gameplay and a Release Date for Fallout: New Vegas

This is going to be short because E3 blogging and other work is busy.

I don't like Fallout. So, I don't care about Fallout: New Vegas. But other people might, so here is a new E3 trailer showing off some gameplay.

Also, the Bethesda has revealed that the game will hit PC, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3 on October 19, 2010 in North America, and on October 22, 2010 in Europe.

[Destructoid]

Xenoblade gets a Release Date

Nintendo is apparently trying to mend their ways by bringing hardcore games (especially JRPGs) to their little white waggle box this year. And if they really can manage to bring a Tales of main series title, a Mistwalker RPG, a new proper Legend of Zelda game, and the resurrection of the Xeno series to their console all in the same year, I might just accept their apology for ignoring me the last couple of years.

So, along with that, Nintendo has announced that their first of the upcoming heavy-hitters, Xenoblade, will be hitting Japan in June this year. June seems a little more like 'summer' than the originally promised 'spring,' casting some doubt as to whether or not they are truly capable of having an unbeatable RPG year in 2010, but I'm sure they could still prove me wrong if they want to.

Also, they have released a new story trailer, which is embedded below for your viewing pleasure.

Xenoblade will be available for Nintendo Wii on June 10, 2010 in Japan. No date has been confirmed for North America or Europe yet.

[Xenoblade Official Site]

NIER Dated in North America

That was quick. Just a few days after Square Enix announced the Japanese release date for Cavia's upcoming action-RPG NieR: Gestalt and NieR: Replicant, the company's North America branch has done the same.

As previously noted, the North American version of NieR will only be Japan's Gestalt version, and the game's official spelling on our side of the world is apparently NIER (like it matters, but there you go).

The game will launch in North America on April 27, 2010 on both Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, a mere 5 days after its Japanese release.

Given Cavia's reputation, NieR could either be extremely interesting or extremely boring, but will almost assuredly be far from mainstream. I'm hoping for at least interesting.

[Square Enix]

New Ar Tonelico III Trailer is Artsy

Ar Tonelico III was announced last week for the PS3, and now, with the launch of the game's official site, a new trailer with (a very small amount of) gameplay has emerged.

Check it out below!

The music and art style remains quite cool, and the graphics seem like they have stepped up even since Atelier Rorona. However, my stark lack of a lolita complex prevents me from really getting hot and bothered about this title. Also, Ar Tonelico II was not much fun, so if this wants to impress me, I hope it takes more cues from the original rather than the sequel.

Either way, we'll know soon enough as Ar Tonelico III: Sekai Shuuen no Intetsu wa Shoujo no Uta ga Hiku will be available for PlayStation 3 in Japan on January 28, 2009.

GameTrailers Previews Magna Carta II

Namco Bandai has a commitment to keeping the JRPG genre going in Japan. With titles announced regularly for every major platform thinkable, many of their franchises are extremely well-known and well-loved in their home market.

North America, however, is a different story. Not only does Namdai release less than half of their own RPGs, the ones they do release get barely even an announcement from the publisher. So, though I tend to enjoy Namdai's RPGs very much, I find I have a difficult time finding things to say about their titles.

Thankfully, GameTrailers has graciously provided us with a short video preview of Namdai's upcoming Magna Carta II that really gives viewers a good overview of what the title is all about.

Check it out below.

Magna Carta II is available for Xbox 360 today in North America, and will be available on October 16, 2009 in Europe. It has been available in Japan since August.

Trailer Tuesday: Tales of Graces Trailer Makes Me Happy

I had my doubts about a new Tales of game on Wii. After playing Tales of Vesperia in beautiful HD, I wondered if I was ever capable of loving SD graphics again. HD or nothing, I thought. But then, Tales of Graces showed up, and slowly but surely, has made me a believer.

Sure, the graphics aren't up to ToV's standard, but the game's feel and story seem to be everything I love about Tales of. So when ToG shows up with a new trailer (like the one below), I can't help but smile a little. Check it out.

Yeah, I'm definitely going to need to play this.

Tales of Graces will be available for Nintendo Wii on December 10, 2009 in Japan.

Trailer Tuesday: Dragon Age Trailer is Heavy on Bad Assitude, Light on Gameplay

BioWare and EA's upcoming multiplatform RPG, Dragon Age Origins, is going for a very extreme image. Violence, blood, sex, and mature storytelling are the order of the day for the title. Maybe this has sold you on the new IP, maybe it hasn't. But either way, EA is hoping that the below CG trailer will peak your interest in the game. Check it out.

Definitely hardcore stuff. The CG is extremely impressive, as is the voice work in the trailer. (I don't know, something about British accents make medieval fantasy just a little more believable to me.)

I've personally enjoyed BioWare's other works, but Dragon Age's image of mature storytelling is a little intimidating. I guess I'll rent it first, or something.

Dragon Age Origins will be available in North America for PC and Xbox 360 on November 3, 2009, and in Europe on November 6, 2009. The PlayStation 3 version will be available later in the month for both regions.

Trailer Tuesday: Dragon Quest VI Trailer Looks Like Dragon Quest

If you are one of those people that loves Dragon Quest because the feel of the games never really changes, then you are going to absolutely love the below trailer for Square Enix's 3rd DS remake of the big-in-Japan series. Really, it's Dragon Quest to a 'T.'

I still have no idea what makes these games as popular as they are in Japan. Don't get me wrong, I have moments of really enjoying Dragon Quest, but they are far from my favorite RPG series, and certainly not the first series I would recommend to someone just getting their feet wet in JRPGs.

Anyhow, Dragon Quest VI: Maboroshi no Daichi (to be subtitled Realms of Reverie in North America) will be available someday on Nintendo DS in Japan, North America, and Europe.

TGS 2009: Last Rebellion Trailer Seems Last Minute

Some of you may have forgotten about Last Rebellion (not that I would blame you, the game is flying pretty low even on my radar). It's Hit Maker's first home console RPG (they've only done handheld titles up until now, as far as I know), and being published by Nippon Ichi (their usual publisher).

Last Rebellion's premise is still fairly unclear to me, but somehow deals with a warrior named Nine and a sealer named Aisha who share the same soul (or something along those lines).

Anyways, before I sound any more uneducated on this title, I'll just point you to the newest trailer that debuted at TGS. Check it out below.

You know, I don't claim to be completely versed in all the finest points of making a game trailer, but it seems to me that making 80% of a trailer out of static art is kind of a cop-out. The bits of gameplay shown looked interesting, but I really need to see how the game moves on its own, and I'll buy the artbook if I like looking at the concept art. Just my two cents.

Last Rebellion will be available for PlayStation 3 sometime this Winter in Japan.

TGS 2009: Final Fantasy XIII Trailer is Very (Melo)Dramatic

Final Fantasy XIII will be out before the end of the year in Japan. Great news if you're Japanese and own a PS3, but for the rest of us, the wait will continue into next year.

Well, the least Square Enix could do to tide us over would be to give us a new trailer. And hey, they did! Take a watch below, but be warned: there are EXTREME amounts of melodrama. Like, almost enough to make a soap-opera-addicted housewife blush. Almost.

Interesting subject matter and sweet graphics, to be sure. But wow, I hope I'm not the only one that thinks that was a little much for one trailer.

Final Fantasy XIII will be available in Japan for PlayStation 3 on December 17, 2009, and sometime Spring 2010 in North America for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.

TGS 2009: Hack-n-Slash RPGs Dominate TGS

Well, maybe "dominate" is a strong word. But given the limited number of JRPGs present at this year's event (especially on HD consoles), 4 separate hack-n-slash RPGs at one conference is enough to feel like a significant portion.

Hack-n-Slash RPGs are sort of a mixed bag. On one hand, mindless slaughter of even more mindless enemies definitely has its perks, but on the other, hack-n-slash RPGs tend to be light on interesting subject matter and heavy on pressing X repeatedly. A tight-rope walk, to be sure.

Anyways, this year's show has hands-on demos and new trailers for Square Enix and Cavia's NieR (both Gestalt and Replicant), Microsoft, feelplus, and Konami's Ninety-Nine Nights II, and Koei Tecmo's Trinity: Zill O'll Zero (known as Trinity: Souls of Zill O'll in North America). Let's take a look!

NieR Gestalt / NieR Replicant
Xbox 360 / PlayStation 3
Cavia, Square Enix

NieR is an interesting position of being both a multiplatform and an exclusive title all at once. Originally announced as multiplatform, Square Enix recently revealed that the game would be altered and released separately on Microsoft and Sony's platforms.

The original concept of a middle-aged father searching for the cure to a deadly disease for his daughter will be called Nier Gestalt, and reportedly be exclusive to Xbox 360 sometime next year.

Conversely, NieR Replicant will follow the same basic storyline, but has Nier (the main character) as a young man searching for the cure for his sister (who appears to be the same girl as in Gestalt), and will be exclusive to PlayStation 3 sometime next year.

Quite why Cavia or Square Enix (whoever made the decision) felt the need to alter only the main character's age and relationship to the girl needing saving, then release them "exclusively" on 360 and PS3 is beyond me.

Anyway, Cavia is a developer with a shaky history. I disliked Drakengard, but really enjoyed Drakengard 2. Also, I liked the concept of Bullet Witch, but thought the execution needed some polish. Altogether, this is a hard game to judge for me right now. It could be great, mediocre, or crappy, and I have no way of telling right now.

Ninety-Nine Nights II
Xbox 360
feelplus, Microsoft, Konami

The follow-up to one of Microsoft's first attempts to appeal to the Japanese market, N3II is clearly going for a darker, more mature feel than its predecessor, and seems to be going for a more coherent story as well (though that's only a guess from watching the trailers).

Employing the development talents of Lost Odyssey's feelplus, and with the publishing cooperation of Konami, N3II touts bloodier combat, darker heroes, simultaneous co-op play, and more varied gameplay. Check it out below.

I personally enjoyed the original N3, despite its glaring flaws. I'm not sure if I like the change in style for this one, but I am interested to see if they manage to improve on the things that I disliked about the original.

Also, I have no idea why Konami is publishing this instead of Microsoft.

Trinity: Zill O'll Zero
PlayStation 3
Omega-Force, Koei Tecmo

Zill O'll is an obscure RPG series that has never seen the light of day outside of Japan. With 3 previous iterations, Trinity breaks away from the series' previous traditions and goes for a hack-n-slash fest on the PS3 that has been confirmed for North American release someday.

Giving you control over 3 unique characters (a swordsman, a barbarian, and an elf girl), Trinity looks otherwise fairly generic, especially considering its obscure roots. Nevertheless, hack-n-slash fans will likely enjoy the hordes of monsters waiting to die by their hands.

So, a lot of hack-n-slash, right? Hack-n-slash RPGs tend to be pretty polarizing. Either you really enjoy them, or you swear you will never touch them. I always end up buying them if I own the system they're on, but Drakengard 2 is the only one I can ever remember seeing through to the end. (Though I did come close to finishing N3.)

Any of these catching your eye?