RandomNPC – Video Game RPG Reviews, Editorials, and Features

Not content to let NISA have all the fun, Atlus announced that Conception II: Children of the Seven Stars will launch for both the Vita and 3DS on April 15 in North America.

Source: Gematsu

NIS America announced that Demon Gaze will hit the Vita in North America on April 22, with the European release following on April 25. Apart the from digital and retail versions, the title will also come in a Limited Edition for $49.99, which contains a soundtrack CD, a “Mercenary’s Guide to Misrid,” and a special box in addition to the game.

Source: Gematsu

The first downloadable content for Muramasa Rebirth has just been released in North America. Titled Fishy Tales of the Nekomata, the content centers around Okoi, a girl possessed by the vengeful nekomata Miike. The DLC will launch in Europe on January 22.

Source: Gematsu

Yasumi Matsuno has launched a Kickstarter campaign for Unsung Story: Tale of the Guardians, a tactical RPG for PC, Mac, iOS, and Android platforms, with possible Vita/3DS versions as stretch goals. The title is described as “the spiritual successor in a storied line of epic tactical RPGs designed by Yasumi Matsuno”, which includes Final Fantasy Tactics and Tactics Ogre.

The starting goal has been set at $600,000, and at the time of this writing the pledge balance sits at $277,858 with 29 days to go.

The anime adaptation of Atelier Escha & Logy is set to begin this coming April, with Studio Gokumi handling production. Gokumi is most recently known for Saki Achiga-hen Episode of Side-A and Kiniro Mosaic.

Source: Gematsu

The latest patch for Dragon’s Crown has gone live, reportedly the fifth and final update for the Vanillaware RPG. Apart from various bug fixes, the following features have been added:

• A new “Ultimate” difficulty level, accessible by clearing the ninth layer of the Labyrinth of Chaos. This difficulty provides access to the bonus Tower of Mirages dungeon, and also increases the level cap from 99 to 255.
• Damage can now be displayed as a running total, instead of being broken down by individual hits.
• Character transparencies have been added, to allow visibility when one character is on top of another. This can be toggled in the options menu.
• Save files with story mode cleared can skip the first few Talisman quests when creating a new character.
• Cleared guild quests can be skipped in repeat playthroughs.
• Item shortcuts can be assigned and used through holding L1 and Up on the d-pad.

Source: Gematsu

Gaijinworks and Monkey Paw have announced plans to bring Class of Heroes 2G, a PS3 RPG that launched only in Japan, to North America. No specifics were given at this time, with a release listed only as “coming soon.”

Source: Gematsu

The next entry in the Super Robot Wars series will be coming to both the PlayStation 3 and PS Vita. 3rd Super Robot Wars Z Jigoku Hen will be released on April 10, and will feature cross-saving between the platforms. The PS3 version is priced at 8070 yen, with the Vita version clocking in at 7121 yen. The first run of copies will include a high-definition remake of the first Super Robot Wars, which will also be sold separately on April 24 for 1204 yen.

Source: Gematsu

Atelier Ayesha will be getting a Vita release, according to Dengeki Playstation. Titled Atelier Ayesha Plus, the Vita redux will include the downloadable content from the PS3 version, some game balance adjustments, and a new Hard Mode. The game launches on March 27, with a pricetag of 5800 yen.

Source: Gematsu

Care of Famitsu comes more details about the world of Tales of Zestiria. (more…)

The Legend of Heroes: Ao no Kiseki Evolution – a Vita redux of an earlier PSP release – will launch for Japan in June, according to Dengeki Playstation. An exact date was not given at this time.

Source: Gematsu

In a recent interview with Famitsu, series director Tetsuya Nomura revealed a few choice tidbits about both Kingdom Hearts 2.5 HD Remix and Kingdom Hearts 3. Of particular note are the following:

• Kingdom Hearts 3 and the 2.5 Remix are being developed simultaneously by the Osaka team.
• Nomura has begun writing and editing for Kingdom Hearts 3.
• The team behind the 1.5 Remix is handling 2.5, and the process is moving quicker with the HD conversion system already in place.
• Re: Coded is not as long as 358/2 Days, though some of the events of Disney Worlds will have new representations. New voices are also being added.
• Scenes from Re: Coded tie into Dream Drop Distance.

Source: Gematsu

Via Famitsu, Atlus has released two samples of Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth‘s background music. Theme #1 plays during battles while controlling the Persona 3 protagonist, while Theme #2 is one of the field tracks.

Source: Gematsu

A Famitsu preview for Natural Doctrine revealed some new information about the upcoming RPG. Specifically, two characters were detailed: Nebula, a proud, somewhat twisted, but allegedly kind-hearted wizard; and Tatiana, a tomboyish weapons expert who gets along better with orcs than humans.

The various subspecies also got a closer look, explaining their particular quirks: goblins excel at mining and metalwork; lizard people are intelligent and skilled in both weapon and magical combat; orcs are physically strong, through crudely organized in a feudal society; minotaurs are massive and resilient, but are uncivilized and cruel; dragons are ancient monsters, seemingly unsupported by the current ecosystem; gurions are similarly legendary, appearing only to consume everything and evolving based on what they consume.

Pricing was explained in the preview. The PS Vita version weighs in at 5,980 yen, both the PS3 and PS4 versions are priced at 6,980 yen, and the limited edition “Take Out Pack” – which includes both the PS4 and Vita versions – reaches 7,980 yen. However, a separate report from Dengeki later confirmed the title’s release date has been pushed back; Natural Doctrine will launch on March 19, instead of its original February 22 date.

Source: Gematsu

Whatever you can say about the late Drox empire, they sure knew how to make enemies. Not content with turning on their own spy network, the Drox also got under the skin of other races along the way. Older than the known spacefaring species, these Ancients know how to carry a grudge, and have at last returned to destroy the Drox and claim the stars for themselves. Since they’re a little late to that party, they’ll settle for those that bear the name (that would be you). Don’t bother trying to explain that the Operatives fought the Drox aeons ago; that’s just more time for them to lock on and fire. Time to suit up and do what Operatives do best: make their enemies pay, no matter where they hail from. (more…)

NIS America has set the date for Ys: Memories of Celceta‘s European release on the PS Vita. The retail version launches on February 21, with the download version on February 25.

Source: Gematsu

Bethesda has announced the worldwide release date for the PC and Mac versions of The Elder Scrolls Online. Both will launch on April 4, with the PS4/Xbox One versions to follow sometime in June.

Source: Gematsu

Nintendo announced it will launch the Pokemon Bank, a downloadable service for Pokemon X/Y, on the 3DS eShop starting December 27. The application helps players to manage their Pokemon inventories, storing up to 3000 of the critters and facilitating trades between players; players can also transfer Pokemon from the Black/White series using the Poke Transporter, a feature linked to the Bank.

The service will carry a $4.99 fee per year. Users who download the app by January 31 will get a free 30-day trial.

Source: Gematsu

Square Enix has revealed the release date for the Final Fantasy X|X-2 HD Remaster. Both the PS3 and PS Vita versions will launch on March 18 in North America, and on March 21 in Europe. Additionally, a collector’s edition will be available for the PS3 exclusively through the Square Enix online store. Priced at $79.99, the CE includes a 40-page art book, soundtrack, and five lithographs of artwork and characters from the game.

Source: Gematsu

Square Enix has outlined the release schedule for Drakengard 3 downloadable content in Japan. Costume DLC will be staggered on December 19, 26, and early 2014, while story DLC follow at an unspecified date. The game itself goes live in Japan on December 19, with a global release planned for next year.

Source: Gematsu