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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Ubisoft Reveals Child of Light

Thursday, September 12th, 2013 by | Posted in Game News

Ubisoft has lifted the lid off Child of Light, a downloadable classic-styled RPG using the Rayman Legends engine. The game tells the tale of Aura, a fairy girl traveling the mysterious land of Lemuria in search of her home. She’s accompanied by her fiery pal Igniculus, whom the second player controls in the game’s co-op mode.

Child of Light is planned for a 2014 release on PS3, PS4, 360, Xbox One, Wii U, and PC.

Source: Gematsu

Theatrhythm Sequel Announced For to 3DS

Wednesday, September 11th, 2013 by | Posted in Game News

On the off chance you haven’t had your fill of Final Fantasy music-themed gameplay, Square Enix has you covered. Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call has been announced for 3DS, coming to a Japan near you in Spring 2014. The game is slated to include over 200 songs, including tracks from Final Fantasy XIV and Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII, 60+ characters, and a multiplayer versus mode.

Source: Gematsu

Final Fantasy XV, Kingdom Hearts III Not Being Developed Simultaneously

Wednesday, September 11th, 2013 by | Posted in Game News

In a recent interview, Square Enix producer Shinji Hashimoto stated that Final Fantasy XV and Kingdom Hearts III are not in simultaneous development. “Both have Tetsuya Nomura as their director,” said Hashimoto, “so we can’t create these two big games at the same time. It’s a difficult job, as we want each game to be perfect in terms of quality.”

The announcement for Kingdom Hearts III, he added, was specifically to address speculation on the sequel, though a timeframe for development was not clarified. Hashimoto emphasized that there is still much work to do. Both titles will see a PS4/Xbox One release, though neither has a known release window at this time.

Source: Gematsu

Natural Doctrine Announced for PS3, PS4, PS Vita

Wednesday, September 11th, 2013 by | Posted in Game News

Kadokawa Game Studio has announced Natural Doctrine, a fantasy RPG for Playstations 3 and 4, and the PS Vita. The launch trailer advertises you will “assault through the world by natural selection,” and the premise reportedly centers on humans fighting other species – humanoid and otherwise – for survival. Check out said trailer over on the YouTubes.

The title is planned for a February 22, 2012 launch in Japan.

Source: Gematsu

More iOS Tales On the Way

Wednesday, September 11th, 2013 by | Posted in Game News

With Tales of Link recently announced for iOS, Namco Bandai followed up by stating that the PSP version of Tales of Phantasia will see a re-release on the same platform this fall. Additionally, a new title – Tales of Bibliotheca – is also in development for iOS; this one more of a scenario collection app that covers multiple Tales entries. Each downloadable chapter will include a summary, various scenes, new illustrations, and original battles, though voices will remain untouched.

Chapter 1 of Bibliotheca will be free, covering Tales of Vesperia and launching in mid-September. Subseqent chapters 2-12 are 170 yen individually, with the full game costing 1700 yen. No US releases were announced for either title.

Source: Gematsu

The Witch and the Hundred Knight (Singular) Goes Global

Tuesday, September 3rd, 2013 by | Posted in Game News

NIS America has announced that The Witch and the Hundred Knights will see a North American and European release in 2014, rebranded as The Witch and the Hundred Knight, singular. As the titular legendary knight, you enter a contract with a suspicious witch named Metallia, who has been confined to the swampland where she resides and seeks to expand her borders; specifically, you are tasked with knocking down Pillars that were built to prevent the swamp from spreading.

Check out the official website hereabouts.

Source: Gematsu

Ys: Memories of Celceta Gets Limited Edition

Tuesday, September 3rd, 2013 by | Posted in Game News

Apart from its standard release at $39.99, Ys: Memories of Celceta will see a special limited edition, according to developer XSEED Games. Priced at $59.99, the Silver Anniversary Edition includes the game, a special box, a cloth map, an Ys branded compass, an artbook/strategy guide, and a three-disc soundtrack collection spanning the franchise’s history.

The game is planned for a holiday release in North America.

Source: Gematsu

Level 5 Reveals Sales Figures, Announces Wonder Flick

Tuesday, September 3rd, 2013 by | Posted in Game News

In a recent press conference, Level 5 lifted the veil on sales figures for its various franchises. Of particular note is Ni no Kuni, which sold a respectable 1.4 million copies worldwide between PS3 and DS, about half of which were sold outside of Japan. They also revealed the Professor Layton series sold about 15 million in total, and Inazuma Eleven sold 6.5 million (both figures worldwide).

In the same press conference, the company announced they are developing a crossplatform free-to-play RPG titled Wonder Flick. Seemingly a traditional RPG with some character creation mechanics, the game will feature music from Final Fantasy composer Nobuo Uematsu. Wonder Flick will launch on PS3, PS4, Xbox One, Wii U, PS Vita, iOS, and Android platforms; save data will be shared across every platform, though each will feature exclusive dungeons.

At present the title is planned only for a 2013 release on iOS/Android in Japan, with console versions to follow in 2012. A global release was not announced.

Source: Gematsu

Bravely Default Update Announced

Monday, September 2nd, 2013 by | Posted in Game News

Bravely Default: Flying Fairy will apparently be getting an updated version, titled Bravely Default: For the Sequel. Title notwithstanding, this will be a redux of Flying Fairy with some new features, some of which will be in the actual sequel. In particular, the game fatures a new battle system, which reportedly will run at a faster pace than the original. The updated version also includes an event viewer, greater configuration options, more save slots, better town graphics, more party banter, and an overhaul of the user interface.

For the Sequel will launch on December 5 in Japan, priced at 4,990 yen at retail and 2,900 yen digitally. A global release has been confirmed, though exact dates were not specified; the US version is scheduled for next year, with the European version planned for late release this year.

Source: Gematsu

Zeboyd Games Announces Cosmic Star Heroine

Monday, September 2nd, 2013 by | Posted in Game News

Zeboyd Games, developers of Cthulhu Saves the World and Penny Arcade’s On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness 3 and 4, have announced their next title: Cosmic Star Heroine. A retro sci-fi RPG, the title centers on Alyssa L’Salle, an agent for a galaxy-spanning government that uncovers one secret too many. Her agency pulls a more extreme Burn Notice and outs her as a spy, with both friends and enemies coming out of the woodwork.

Cosmic Star Heroine reportedly is influenced by Chrono Trigger (in terms of battle and visual style), Phantasy Star (overall worldbuilding), and Suikoden (political intrigue and player headquarters), according to lead designer Robert Boyd. The game will be funded via Kickstarter, and is planned for a launch on PC, Mac, PS4, and PS Vita.

Source: Gematsu

Super Robot Wars OG Infinite Battle Gets PS3 Launch

Monday, September 2nd, 2013 by | Posted in Game News

Namco Bandai announced the next entry for the long-running Super Robot Wars series. Super Robot Wars OG Infinite Battle will launch for the PS3 on November 28, priced at 7,480 yen for the standard edition and 8,980 for the limited edition. The extra yen for the LE gets you Super Robot Wars OG Dark Prison as a pack-in bonus, which will eventually be sold separately at 3,000 yen.

Source: Gematsu

Puzzle and Dragons Z Set for Japanese Release

Monday, September 2nd, 2013 by | Posted in Game News

GungHo Online has announced that Puzzle and Dragons Z will launch in Japan on December 12. The 3DS title will be priced at 4,400 yen for retail, and 4,000 even for a digital copy.

Source: Gematsu

Smartphone-Based Tales Game Announced

Monday, September 2nd, 2013 by | Posted in Game News

The ever-prolific Tales series will see a mobile installment, according to Namco Bandai. The company announced Tales of Link in development for smartphones, planned for a fall release in Japan.

Source: Gematsu

Fairy Fencer F Pushed Back

Friday, August 23rd, 2013 by | Posted in Game News

Fairy Fencer F has been delayed from its September 19 release in Japan, according to developer Compile Heart. The title will instead launch on October 10.

Source: Gematsu

Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers Gets European Release Date

Friday, August 23rd, 2013 by | Posted in Game News

NIS America has announced that Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers will hit European 3DSs on September 20.

Source: Gematsu

More Tales of Symphonia Chronicles Costumes Revealed

Friday, August 23rd, 2013 by | Posted in Game News

In the series’ ongoing quest to cater to obsessive-compulsives everywhere, Tales of Symphonia Chronicles will include costumes from Tales of Xillia. Costumes for Alvin (Zelos), Ludger (Kratos), and Elize (Presea) can be earned on a second playthrough, or players can unlock them from the start with save data from Tales of Xillia or its sequel.

Source: Gematsu

The Elder Scrolls Online to Feature Monthly Subscription

Friday, August 23rd, 2013 by | Posted in Game News

Bethesda Softworks confirmed that The Elder Scrolls Online will use a monthly subscription model, priced at $14.99 USD per month. Explaining the decision, ZeniMax Studios game director Matt Firor remarked on the series’ free-roaming sandbox roots, adding that “putting pay gates between the player and content at any point in game ruins that feeling of freedom, and just having one small monthly fee for 100% access to the game fits the IP and the game much better.”

TES Online will launch in 2014 for PS4, X1, and PC.

Source: Gematsu

Dark Souls II Preparing for Closed Beta

Friday, August 23rd, 2013 by | Posted in Game News

Namco Bandai announced plans to host a closed beta for the PS3 version of Dark Souls II. The test will begin on October 5 in North America and Europe, and the company added that fans should check the official Facebook page starting September 5 for details.

Source: Gematsu

Drakengard 3 Delayed in Japan

Friday, August 23rd, 2013 by | Posted in Game News

Drakengard 3 will not launch on October 31, according to Square Enix. Instead the game will be released on December 19, reportedly to add more crazy improve the game’s overall quality.

Source: Gematsu

New Pokemon X/Y Details Emerge

Sunday, August 18th, 2013 by | Posted in Game News

Nintendo has released additional details for their upcoming license to print money, Pokemon X and Y. Namely, the game will feature a new form of evolution for Pokemon during battle. The tellingly named “Mega Evolution” will alter the Pokemon’s appearance, increase their stats, and may add new abilities or change their type, though this is only applicable during battle. For instance, Mega Ampharos gains the Dragon type in addition to its existing Electric type, while Mega Mawile gains the ability “Huge Power.”

Additionally, players can put their Pokemon through Super Training outside of combat. These training regimens take the form of minigames, controlled via the touch screen, which allow them to increase their base stats and underlying values. Conversely, Core Training sets up training bags for Pokemon to practice on, which they can do on their own or with the player’s guidance.

New Pokemon were also introduced: Dedenne, an Electric- and Fairy-type that emits radio waves from its antenna-shaped whiskers; Bunnelby, a Normal-type that somehow uses its large ears to dig and as weapons; and Skiddo, a Grass-type that evolves into Gogoat and can carry people on its back.

Source: Gematsu