Bio: John Boske

Nickname
John "Karlinn" Boske
E-mail
karlinn@randomnpc.com
Profile
Just your average, lazy, mildly obsessive-compulsive 20-something gamer/writer, with aspirations of doing either of the latter for pay sometime in the near future. I make no secret of my PC gaming heritage, nor the fact that I use 'heritage' improperly to describe a tendency to favor; I believe the proper word there is proclivity. But I digress.

I do that a lot too, by the way.

Anyhow, until further notice I'm your resident editor person who occasionally deigns to review games, but mostly is just here to keep things running as smoothly and error-free as possible. I have a strong fondness for literature of all kinds, have a man-crush on Warren Spector, and possess a soft spot for those games that offer little more than a really cool idea. I'm also one of the nicest, most laid-back people you're going to find without the aid of "herbal supplements", and I'm told I should be in radio.

If only, my friends. *If only*.

Posts by John Boske

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Oreshika: Tainted Bloodlines Announced for NA, EU Localization

Saturday, April 19th, 2014 by | Posted in Game News

PS Vita RPG Oreshika: Tainted Bloodlines will be getting a release in North America and Europe, Sony Computer Entertainment announced recently. A release window has not been set at this time.

Source: Gematsu

Yokai Watch 2 Set for July Release in Japan

Saturday, April 19th, 2014 by | Posted in Game News

Level-5 announced that Yokai Watch 2, a sequel to their ghost-capturing 3DS RPG, will launch on July 10 in Japan. The game will come in two versions – Ganso and Honke, with a special medal unique to each game – and will reveal the origin of the titular watch, which allows protagonist Keita to see ghosts.

Source: Gematsu

Atlus publishing indie RPG Citizens of Earth

Saturday, April 19th, 2014 by | Posted in Game News

Atlus has announced that it will publish Eden Industries’ Citizens of Earth, an indie political-themed RPG where players assume the role of Vice President of the World. Said world is thrown into chaos shortly after your election, and you recruit a proper adventuring party from your constituency to investigate and fight monsters. Or as Onion Biden refers to it, “a slow Tuesday.”

Citizens of Earth will launch digitally for PS4, PS Vita, Wii U, 3DS, and PC later this year.

Source: Gematsu

Persona 4 Joins PS2 Classics on PSN

Tuesday, April 8th, 2014 by | Posted in Game News

The original PS2 version of Persona 4 is now available on the Playstation Network. Those interested in a 100% accurate depiction of Japanese high school life, right down to awkward karaoke sessions and demons attacking through TV, can join the party for a mere $9.99.

3DS Tales of the World SRPG Announced

Tuesday, April 8th, 2014 by | Posted in Game News

The latest Tales entry has been revealed as Tales of the World: Reve Unitia, a strategy RPG for the 3DS. Set in the same world as the iOS/Android Tales of the World: Tactics Union, the game’s cast includes Asbel from Graces, Lloyd from Symphonia, Yuri from Vesperia, Meredy from Eternia, and both Jade and Natalia from Abyss.

No release date has been set, though an official site has been set up here.

Source: Gematsu

Legend of Heroes: Sen no Kiseki 2 Launches in September

Tuesday, April 8th, 2014 by | Posted in Game News

Via Dengeki Playstation, the Japanese release date for The Legend of Heroes: Sen no Kiseki 2 has been announced as September 25 for both PS3 and PS Vita.

Source: Gematsu

Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth 1 Confirmed for NA, EU Release

Tuesday, April 1st, 2014 by | Posted in Game News

Idea Factory has announced that Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth 1 has been confirmed for North American and European releases. A PS Vita redux of the origional PS3 version, the title is loosely set for a summer release and will feature both English and Japanese audio.

Source: Gematsu

Game Boy Advance Titles Scheduled for Virtual Console

Tuesday, April 1st, 2014 by | Posted in Game News

Nintendo has scheduled several Game Boy Advance titles to be released on the Wii U Virtual Console, starting April 3 and continuing on a weekly basis throughout April. The release periods and prices are as follows:

  • April 3: Advance Wars, Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga, and Metroid Fusion (each $7.99)
  • April 10: Kirby & The Amazing Mirror and WarioWare, Inc: Mega Microgame$ (each $6.99)
  • April 17: Super Mario Bros. 3 ($4.99), F-Zero: Maximum Velocity ($6.99), and Golden Sun ($7.99)
  • April 24: Yoshi’s Island: Super Mario Advance 3 ($7.99)

Source: Gematsu

Dragon Quest X Sells One Million in Japan

Tuesday, April 1st, 2014 by | Posted in Game News

Dragon Quest series producer Yosuke Saito announced via Twitter that Dragon Quest X has exceeded one million sales in Japan.

Source: Gematsu

Final Fantasy Agito Hits Android/iOS in April

Tuesday, April 1st, 2014 by | Posted in Game News

Square Enix has revealed that Final Fantasy Agito will be available on iOS and Android platforms in Japan later this month. Alongside new characters and the player-created custom character, the game will also feature members of the Type-0 cast.

Source: Gematsu

Atelier Shallie Announced, Set for June Japan Release

Monday, March 31st, 2014 by | Posted in Game News

Gust has announced Atelier Shallie: Alchemists of the Dusk Sea, the latest entry in the Atelier series. Set for a June 26 release in Japan for the PS3, the title mirrors Atelier Escha & Logy in its use of dual protagonists: Shallistera and Shallote. The player chooses one to control at the start, and events will be seen differently depending on which they’re using. Shallistera is trying to save her village, while Shallote just wants to become a proper Atelier.

The standard edition is priced at 6800 yen, with a download copy costing a flat 6000. A Premium Box will also be available for 9800 yen, which includes a drama CD and four-disc music collection.

Source: Gematsu

Atlus and Index Separated Under Sega

Monday, March 31st, 2014 by | Posted in Game News

Index Corporation, the holder of Atlus-turned-subsidiary of Sega, has been divided into two companies. The planned move leaves Atlus and Index as separate entities under Sega’s umbrella; Atlus retains its games focus, while Index is devoted to content and business systems.

Source: Gematsu

Natural Doctrine Online Details

Monday, March 31st, 2014 by | Posted in Game News

Kadokawa Games released more information about Natural Doctrine‘s online mode. Before starting a match, you assemble a deck of cards based on what you’ve acquired in the single-player, with those cards retaining their status, gear, and skills from your game. One a deck is constructed, you can either search for a versus or co-op game, or set up your own. Players are awarded Card Points for completion of missions, which can be spent on new card packs.

Natural Doctrine hits the PS3, PS4, and PS Vita in Japan on April 3.

Source: Gematsu

Google Issues Pokemon Challenge

Monday, March 31st, 2014 by | Posted in Game News

In a move that must be taken seriously on this, the first day of April, Google has taken to Youtube in search of their next Pokemon Master. Interested players who aren’t afraid of scaling a cliff face without equipment should observe the promotional video – available on the YouTubes – and begin the rigorous application process post-haste.

While you’re at it, ask for a pony.

Persona Q Gets 3DS XL Bundle, Adds F.O.E.s, Dungeon Mapping

Friday, March 21st, 2014 by | Posted in Game News

Another day, another Nintendo handheld version, and another bundle for said handheld; Atlus has announced that Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth will be getting a 3DS XL bundle. The bundle includes a stylized system cover featuring the entire cast of Persona 3 and 4, and will be available on launch day in Japan (June 5) for 25,380 yen.

Additionally, the latest Famitsu revealed more tidbits about the game’s dungeon crawling. In a nod to Etrian Odyssey, dungeons will include special F.O.E.-like shadows that are considerably more dangerous than normal enemies. These appear as you walk around and can be avoided, and players can expect a tough fight should they choose to engage one; that said, apparently the difficulty can be changed at any time.

Also on loan from Etrian Odyssey is the mapping system, which has players use the bottom screen to plot out the dungeon’s layout. Players unfamiliar with the system can instead activate the auto-mapping feature, though tutorials are on hand to explain how to draw your own maps.

Source: Gematsu

Hyperdimension Neptunia Series Gets New Titles

Friday, March 21st, 2014 by | Posted in Game News

Two new titles are being developed for the Hyperdimension Neptunia series, Compile Heart recently announced. The first, Chou Jigen Action Neptune U, will be more of an action game, while Hyperdimension Neptunia Victory II appears to stick to the series formula. Platforms and release dates have not yet been announced.

Source: Gematsu

Theatrhythm Curtain Call Gets SaGa Music DLC

Friday, March 21st, 2014 by | Posted in Game News

Square Enix will be adding songs from the SaGa series to Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call: “Sewers” from Romancing SaGa, and “Four-aristocrat Demon Battle 1” from Romancing SaGa 3. The DLC was not given a release date; Curtain Call itself hits the 3DS in Japan on April 24.

Source: Gematsu

Diablo III PS4 Playable at PAX East

Friday, March 21st, 2014 by | Posted in Game News

Blizzard announced that Diablo III for the PlayStation 4 (subtitled Ultimate Evil Edition) will be playable at PAX East. The Penny Arcade Expo in Boston will run from April 11 to 13.

Source: Gematsu

Dark Souls II Co-Director Interview

Friday, March 21st, 2014 by | Posted in Game News

In a recent 4Gamer interview, Dark Souls II Co-Director Yui Tanimura spoke about the title’s development and contrasts with the first game. In particular, Tanimura mentioned how they wanted to make the game “harsher;” described as imbuing players with “a sense of responsibility” in exploration and character building, as opposed to simply killing the player more. The elemental switching on weapons was mentioned as one example of such changes, encouraging the player to adjust their strategies over time.

Tanimura also mentioned efforts to avoid one single ‘best route’ to the end of the game; that no route is particularly safe relative to the others, and different players will find different paths easier to manage. Additionally, the change to invasion mechanics – allowing invasions to occur while the player is Undead – was made to emphasize the difference in statistics between Human and Undead forms; the idea being you may be attacked at any time, and so you may want to be at your best when it happens.

Source: Gematsu

Square Enix Details Drakengard 3 Preorder Bonuses

Monday, March 10th, 2014 by | Posted in Game News

Square Enix has lifted the lid on more Drakengard 3 preorder bonuses, previously separated into three tiers based on date of order. The first tier includes Japanese voiceovers as DLC, while the second includes a Nier costume pack and the Emil Hat for your dragon; the third tier has yet to be revealed.

Those who preordered the game prior to March 4 are eligible for all three tiers, while any who preorder by April 8 will still have access to tiers two and three.

Source: Gematsu