RandomNPC – Video Game RPG Reviews, Editorials, and Features

Level-5’s 3DS RPG Yokai Watch passed 500,000 units shipped in Japan, the company announced recently. While the title is not currently set for a global release, Level-5’s international arm took to Twitter to ask if fans would be interested in a US and European localization.

Hit them up with your answer here.

Source: Gematsu

XSEED Games has announced that Ragnarok Odyssey Ace will hit the PS3 and PS Vita in North America on April 1. The PS3 version weighs in at $39.99 for both retail and digital versions; the Vita is identically priced at retail and includes a bonus soundtrack CD, whereas the downloadable version costs $34.99.

Source: Gematsu

Publisher Deep Silver has at last set a release window for Sacred 3, which was first announced back in 2012. The next installment in the action RPG series is planned for a summer release this year on PS3, Xbox 360, and PC.

Source: Gematsu

The next downloadable content for Muramasa Rebirth will launch next week; 2/25 in North America, and 2/26 in Europe. Titled Genroku Legends – A Cause to Daikon For, this DLC centers around Gonbe, a widowed farmer who, with the aid of his wife’s ghost, joins a peasant rebellion against his feudal lord.

Source: Gematsu

Drakengard 3‘s first batch of story DLC will reportedly take place before the events of the game. Details are sparse at this time, though the character Utautai will reportedly be playable. While the content reportedly will go live in Japan soon, a release date has not been specified at this time.

Source: Gematsu

Experience, developer of Demon Gaze, has announced Stranger of Sword City, an upcoming dungeon RPG for PC, Xbox 360, and (curiously) PS Vita. The 360 version is subtitled White Palace and launches on June 5 for 6800 yen in Japan; the Vita version (Black Palace) launches sometime this year for 5537 yen.

The official site is available here.

Source: Gematsu

The PS4 open beta for Final Fantasy XIV will begin its first phase on February 22 and run through March 3; the second phase will follow on April 4 to April 7. Any PS4 owner can download the beta from the PlayStation Store, and characters created during phase two will carry over to the retail release.

Players interested in transferring from the PS3 to the PS4 version may do so at no cost starting April 11, three days ahead of the PS4 launch proper. Do note this will render the PS3 copy unplayable; those players seeking to play the same account on both platforms must purchase both versions.

Source: Gematsu

Marvelous AQL has announced their next title, a 3DS Sim RPG from the developers of the Rune Factory series. Forbidden Magna puts players in the shoes of Lux, a down-on-his-luck inn proprietor who is assisted by friendly spirits and a mysterious girl named Charlotte. Gameplay centers around both turn-based combat in the field and inn management back home, with players tasked with building up trust with a spirit before bringing them into battle.

Forbidden Magna is planned for a 2014 release. Though a specific timeframe wasn’t announced, the game is reportedly about 50% complete.

Source: Gematsu

Falcom has confirmed that the previously mentioned follow-up to The Legend of Heroes: Sen no Kiseki is indeed a sequel. The Legend of Heroes: Sen no Kiseki 2 will be released on both PS3 and the PS Vita in 2014.

Source: Gematsu

In a recent ‘Ask Me Anything’ on Reddit, Sony Online Entertainment president John Smedley confirmed that EverQuest Next will be released on the PS4. No release window was set, however, and no other details are available at this time.

Source: Gematsu

Square Enix has announced that the PS4 release of Final Fantasy XIV is set for April 14. The PS4 beta will begin on February 22.

Source: Gematsu

During a fan Q&A on the PlayStation Blog, Bethesda confirmed that a PlayStation Plus subscription will not be required to play The Elder Scrolls Online. A follow-up statement added that an Xbox Live Gold subscription will be necessary for Xbox One copies.

TES Online hits the PC on April 4, with the PS4/X1 coming in June.

Source: Gematsu

An update for Dishonored‘s Game of the Year edition page on Amazon accidentally showed details for a special edition of The Elder Scrolls Online instead. While the mistake has since been corrected, the ‘update’ revealed that the TES Online Imperial Edition will include a collector’s edition box and steelbook packaging, a 12″ figurine of Molag Bal, a map of Tamriel, a 224-page illustrated guidebook, and exclusive digital content. No price was listed on the image.

Source: Gematsu

In preparation for Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII‘s release, Square Enix has taken the… let’s call it atypical step of summarizing the series thus far – in 16-bit form. The eight minute summary/trailer covers the broad-strokes events of XIII and XIII-2, and ends with the worldwide release dates: 2/11 for North America, 2/14 for Europe.

Watch the whole thing here.

Square Enix’s Akihiko Yoshida has reportedly joined the team developing the Kickstarter-backed Unsung Story. Yoshida is credited with character design work on Final Fantasy XII and Tactics Ogre, among other titles, and is also working on Bravely Second.

Source: Gematsu

Aksys Games’ Mind Zero will be coming to North America in both retail and digital flavors, with the European release to be digital-only. Both versions are planned to launch this spring.

Source: Gematsu

More information about Natural Doctrine has been released. Kadokawa Games provided the following details:

• Missions are divided into Story (plot progression) and Free (for leveling up). Consecutive plays of Free Missions are limited.
• Mission objectives are shown at the start of each stage, where players establish battle formation and turn order.
• Link Turns allow characters to perform consecutive attacks, though if one of the attacks fails, the player is exposed to consecutive counterattacks. Long Link Turns can also leave the involved characters unable to attack for several turns.
• Confirmed difficulties are easy, normal, and hard. Difficulty is set before starting the game, and can be changed between missions.
• Losing any ally, even only one, means game over.
• There are no mid-mission saves; all saving must be done on the world map.

Natural Doctrine hits the PS3, PS4, and PS Vita in Japan on March 19.

Source: Gematsu

Capcom released more tidbits about the upcoming PS4 RPG Deep Down, specifically its equipment system and microtransactions. Regarding gear, players can only equip various armor pieces after learning the required skills for them, which are inscribed on stone statues scattered throughout the game’s dungeons. Known weapon types include spears and both one and two-handed swords, though interestingly the spear seems to be the default weapon.

As for microtransactions, producer Yoshinori Ono explained that the base game would indeed be free of charge, with additional items and “other game content” sold separately. “To ensure people playing the game don’t lose interest,” he said in a recent interview, “we will keep working to deliver stable long-term services.”

Deep Down is planned for a 2014 release.

Source: Gematsu

Rune Factory 4 publisher Marvelous AQL announced the title, previously set for a Spring 2014 release, will not be coming to Europe. “While Marvelous AQL has made every effort to secure the title’s release for this territory,” said the company in a statement, “it is, unfortunately, not possible to do so at this time.”

No details were given regarding the reason for the cancellation.

Source: Gematsu

Card battling SRPG Monster Monpiece will hit North American and European Vitas in the Spring of this year, Idea Factory announced. The western release will be digital only, and will omit some content compared to the Japanese version; specifically certain Monster Girl card images, which the company confirmed were cut “solely due to [their] intense sexual nature.” The related gameplay mechanic – rubbing the girls on the screen to level up the cards – will remain intact, however.

Source: Gematsu