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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Lord of Magna: Maiden Heaven Confirmed for North American Release

Saturday, February 14th, 2015 by | Posted in Game News

XSEED Games announced that Lord of Magna: Maiden Heaven will see a North American launch on the 3DS. The title is planned for a spring release this year.

Source: Gematsu

Persona 5 Details Revealed

Saturday, February 14th, 2015 by | Posted in Game News

The first batches of Persona 5 information have been released, most of which center around thematic and basic gameplay elements. Details are bulleted below: (more…)

Tales of Zestiria Alisha DLC Announced

Saturday, February 14th, 2015 by | Posted in Game News

Bandai Namco has revealed a downloadable story episode for Tales of Zestiria‘s Alisha. The ‘Alisha After Episode’ follows her and Rose’s efforts to uncover ties between Hyland Kingdom extremists and the Hyouma.

The DLC is free to download until February 28, and will be priced at 1300 yen afterward.

Source: Gematsu

Xenoblade Chronicles 3D Set for April NA Launch

Saturday, February 14th, 2015 by | Posted in Game News

Nintendo announced that the New 3DS version of Xenoblade Chronicles will launch in North America on April 10. Additions for the port include 3D support, a model viewer, soundtrack player, and Amiibo support.

Source: Gematsu

Atlus Holding Persona News Stream on February 4

Friday, January 30th, 2015 by | Posted in Game News

Atlus will be launching a special news livestream for Persona on Wednesday, February 4, the company announced. The stream will reportedly be a not-insubstantial 30 hours long, where amidst existing and upcoming series content they will no doubt take responsibility and show Persona 5 properly. (Please?)

Anyway, the stream is set to begin at 1pm JST, and will be accessible through the Japanese Persona channel page and Niconico.

Source: Gematsu

Final Fantasy XV Director Wants Title to Launch Worldwide Simultaneously

Friday, January 30th, 2015 by | Posted in Game News

In a recent interview, Final Fantasy XV directory Hajime Tabata stated that he would “like to be able to do a worldwide release” for the title. “We don’t want to impose any big delays to players from around the world, so I’m hoping that everyone will be able to play the same Final Fantasy XV together within as close of a time frame as possible.”

At present, no release date for Final Fantasy XV has been announced.

Source: Gematsu

Airship Q Headed to PS4

Friday, January 30th, 2015 by | Posted in Game News

The previously-announced Airship Q, an upcoming PS Vita action RPG, will also be launching on the Playstation 4. A release date has not yet been announced for either version.

Source: Gematsu

Dragon’s Dogma Online Announced As Free-to-Play

Friday, January 30th, 2015 by | Posted in Game News

Capcom’s next entry in the Dragon’s Dogma franchise has been announced as a free-to-play title for PS3, PS4, and PC. Dragon’s Dogma Online puts players in the role of an Awakened in the land of Lestaria, with a focus on party-based combat. Players can form parties of up to four people, or partner with AI friendlies to fill in gaps; these NPC pawns can also shorten crafting time and increase item quality.

The title will feature an open world, to be expanded periodically through large seasonal updates and timed quests, and will include microtransactions in place of a monthly fee. Dragon’s Dogma Online will launch sometime this year in Japan.

Source: Gematsu

Makai Shin Trillion Detailed

Friday, January 30th, 2015 by | Posted in Game News

Care of Dengeki PlayStation comes a handful of details for Makai Shin Trillion, the upcoming PS Vita RPG from Compile Heart.

In particular, players are repeatedly put up against a villain named Trillion, who appropriately enough has a one trillion HP bar that must be whittled down throughout the game. He and his cohorts fight the heroes over territory, and the party must deny Trillion’s advance while dealing as much damage as possible, retreating only if necessary. Falling back forfeits territory to him, and it’s game over if he reaches your inner sanctum.

Off the battlefield, you raise a handful of demon lords to fill out your party, earning memory points while training them up that can be spent later in battle. Demon lords also have access to flunkies called booster devils, and can pull off a Dying Skill if they’re close to death; this seals their fate but can cause massive damage or even permanently block Trillion from certain skills.

Makai Shin Trillion is planned for a 2015 launch in Japan.

Source: Gematsu

Atelier Escha & Logy Plus Details: Playable Nio, Premium Box, and New Episode

Tuesday, January 13th, 2015 by | Posted in Game News

As is customary, Atelier Escha & Logy Plus: Alchemists of the Dusk Sky will feature a number of additions over the original title, and developer Gust has lifted the lid on a handful of them. The game will feature a new episode detailing the relationship between the titular protagonists, from each of their perspectives. Nio Altugle, who debuted in Atelier Ayesha, has also become a playable character.

Furthermore, Escha & Logy Plus adds in a variety of new costumes, including a special one for Nio as a downloadable bonus with first-print copies. Lastly, a Premium Box version of the game, priced at 8800 yen, includes a mini crystal paperweight, cleaner cloth, 2015 calendar, and exclusive costume download codes for both characters.

Atelier Escha & Logy Plus hits the PS Vita in Japan on January 22.

Source: Gematsu

The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask 3D Gets Limited Edition

Tuesday, January 13th, 2015 by | Posted in Game News

Nintendo announced they will be releasing a limited edition for The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask 3D in North America. Priced at $49.99, the bundle includes a copy of the game, a Skull Kid figurine, and a special box. The LE will launch alongside standard editions, and is planned for a 3DS release in spring of 2015.

Source: Gematsu

Hyperdevotion Noire Dated for NA/EU Release

Tuesday, January 13th, 2015 by | Posted in Game News

North American and European launch dates have been set for Hyperdevotion Noire: Goddess Black Heart. Idea Factory International announced that retail and digital copies will be available in North America on February 24; the title hits European PS Vitas on February 27 at retail, with the digital release following on March 4.

Source: Gematsu

Puzzle & Dragons: Super Mario Bros. Edition Coming to 3DS

Tuesday, January 13th, 2015 by | Posted in Game News

Adding to the storied roster of unexpected matchups, GungHo Online Entertainment has announced Puzzle & Dragons: Super Marios Bros. Edition for the 3DS. The announcement took place during the company’s New Games Presentation in Japan, where none other than Shigeru Miyamoto took to the stage as part of the announcement.

The puzzle-based RPG follows the usual antics of Mario and company – Bowser kidnaps Princess Peach, go rescue her – with battle carried out in the Puzzle & Dragons style. The title will feature StreetPass and local multiplayer, and will launch in Japan on April 29, priced at 4000 yen. Nintendo will also publish the game worldwide, though that release window was not specified.

Source: Gematsu

More Etrian Odyssey and the Mystery Dungeon Details

Tuesday, January 13th, 2015 by | Posted in Game News

Since we’re talking Atlus, the company also released more information about the upcoming Etrian Odyssey and the Mystery Dungeon. Specifically, a trailer over on YouTube shows the Wanderer Class in action, clearing a path through foliage and dispatching a group of enemies with ease.

Speaking of combat, battles will be turn-based, with every major action (attack, item/skill use, equipment change, or movement) taking a turn. Overall gameplay also appears to incorporate turn-based mechanics, as the party regains health each turn out of combat; hunger likewise grows over time.

Etrian Odyssey and the Mystery Dungeon launches in Japan on March 5, and comes to North America this spring.

Source: Gematsu

Devil Survivor 2: Record Breaker Includes Durarara Characters Via StreetPass

Tuesday, January 13th, 2015 by | Posted in Game News

Atlus has revealed that Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor 2: Record Breaker will include characters from Durarara as party members, available for a limited time via StreetPass. The Japanese windows for each distribution are as follows: Izaya Orihara, January 29 to February 4; Shizuo Heiwajima, February 5 to February 11; and Headless Rider Celty, February 12 to February 18.

Record Breaker is planned for a January 29 release in Japan, and will launch in North America this spring.

Source: Gematsu

Tales of Zestiria Features Previous Tales-Based Attachments

Tuesday, January 13th, 2015 by | Posted in Game News

Tales of Zestiria will reward players with special attachments – plush dolls that sit on a character’s shoulder – for save data from previous Tales entries, Bandai Namco announced. Verspiria save data gets Yuri, Graces F adds Sophie, Xillia unlocks Jude, Xillia 2 unlocks Ludger, Symphonia gets Lloyd, and Symphonia: Dawn of the New World adds Marta.

Tales of Zestiria will launch in Japan on January 22, with the North American and European releases to follow later this year.

Source: Gematsu

Atelier Rorona Plus 3DS Gets Detailed

Saturday, January 3rd, 2015 by | Posted in Game News

Developer Gust has shared for details about the upcoming 3DS version of Atlier Rorona Plus: The Alchemist of Arland. The jump to 3DS includes a revamped battle system, where players can freely move before taking action. An original story detailing the past of Astrid Zexus can also be unlocked within the game.

Furthermore, the game features an Overtime Mode following the main story, where Totori and Meruru join with Rorona and must find a way to return to their original worlds. Support character Esty Dee is now playable, and the title will include additional maps, bosses, and difficulty levels.

Atelier Rorona Plus launches for the 3DS in Japan on March 26, priced at 6264 yen.

Source: Gematsu

More Final Fantasy XV Details

Thursday, January 1st, 2015 by | Posted in Game News

As the road trip to save the world nears launch date, Famitsu revealed some more information about the upcoming Final Fantasy XV. (more…)

Final Fantasy Agito+ Delay Attributed to Development Environment

Thursday, January 1st, 2015 by | Posted in Game News

Speaking with Famitsu, Final Fantasy Type-0 HD director Hajime Tabata explained the delayed Japanese release of Final Fantasy Agito+ as the team discovering “a big problem within the development environment.” While the nature of the problem was unspecified, Tabata explained it has to do with development for the PS Vita as a platform, and the company is waiting for an update along with support from Sony Computer Entertainment.

Tabata also mentioned that debugging has begun for Type-0 HD, and that the title is entering the final development stages.

Source: Gematsu

FuRyu Reveals The Legend of Legacy’s Trading System

Thursday, January 1st, 2015 by | Posted in Game News

The Legend of Legacy will feature a trading system, allowing players to send a ship from the home city to do business with other cities. Small, medium, and large ships may be dispatched to trade elsewhere, and will return home with various goods of their own; the larger the ship, the better the haul. This feature is also supports StreetPass.

The 3DS RPG launches in Japan on January 22.

Source: Gematsu