RandomNPC – Video Game RPG Reviews, Editorials, and Features

Developer Gust, of the Atelier series, has announced a new RPG titled Chronos Materia is in development for the PS Vita. The story centers on a cadre of girls somehow transported to a world with no humans or civilization. With a planned launch date of September 26 in Japan, price is set at 6,090 Yen; no US release has been indicated.

Source: Gematsu

As previously mentioned, Final Fantasy XV largely revolves around the exploits of Noctis Caelum and pals. Noctis is capable of forseeing the deaths of others by way of a mysterious light, and coincidentally is the heir apparent to the throne of Lucis. Gladiolus Amicitia is a nobleman sworn to protect said crown, and is a close friend of Noctis all the same. Ignis Scientia is the smart guy intended to one day counsel Noctis, Prompto Argentum is a playboy with a chip on his shoulder, and Cor Leonis is a legendary warrior honor-bound to keep watch over the group.

In plot matters, the crux of the action involves the last crystal left in the world, entrusted to the Kingdom of Lucis. Though they struck a tentative peace accord with the state of Niflheim, that didn’t quite last; Niflheim launched a surprise attack to begin a full-scale invasion of Lucis. Hence, it falls to Noctis and company to spearhead the resistance, ideally in as flashy and fabulous a manner as the engine can depict.

Final Fantasy XV is set to launch on the Xbox One and PS4. No release date has been announced.

Source: Gematsu

Dragon Quest X, the MMORPG entry in the popular series, is coming to the PC in Japan. Retail and digital versions run at 3,990 yen, and include a 20-day free trial. A Special Pack edition throws in a security token, a DQX game controller for PC, monster illustration book, world map, and code for an in-game item, bringing the price up to 9,800 yen.

Paired with the announcement was the launching of a beta test, a benchmark for which may be downloaded here. Applications are handled through the benchmark utility.

Source: Gematsu

Square Enix may consider successive HD re-releases for the Final Fantasy series if Final Fantasy X/X-2‘s makeover sells well, according to producer Yoshinori Kitase. While he didn’t indicate any such title was currently in development, he did state that “If [FFX and X-2] do well, I think this will pave the way for more of the previous games to remade in an HD sort of quality. I mean, if we had to single out one of the vast number of Final Fantasy titles which we could make in HD, it would have to be Final Fantasy XII.”

Source: Gematsu

Nippon Ichi has confirmed that The Witch and the Hundred Knights will see a European release. A specific date wasn’t given, but the title is planned to launch sometime in Spring of 2014.

Source: Gematsu

While they had Tetsuya Nomura sitting still for Final Fantasy XV, they also questioned him about Kingdom Hearts III. The details are as follows:

• Nomura is co-directing the title along with Tai Yasue. Rie Nishi is producing, and Yoko Shimomura is serving as composer (Shimomura is also composing for FFXV.)
• Plotwise, the game once again follows Sora and company across multiple Disney worlds, searching for a key to return hearts; this serves as the final episode in the “Dark Seeker” chapter, and is a direct sequel to Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance. The exact Disney worlds to be used have not been finalized.
• Nomura did not deny the possibility (but also could not confirm) of Riku and Kairi being playable.
• A playable demo exists internally; the hardware in use was not specified.

Source: Gematsu

Tetsuya Nomura sat down with Famitsu this week, sharing more information about Final Fantasy XV. Behold these particulars:

• Lead character Noctis, crown prince of the Lucis kingdom, apparently has special eyes that allow him forsee someone’s death. As the kingdom’s resident loose cannon, he’s nonetheless protective of his pals: Gladiolus, an elder brother figure/mentor; straight-laced and serious Ignis, as the Murtaugh to Noctis’ Riggs; and troublemaking Prompto, the group’s womanizer.
• Square Enix (it’s unclear who in the company) suggested changing the Versus XIII title to XV two years after the game’s announcement in 2006, but this idea wasn’t finalized until Agito XIII was renamed Type-0. As a point of reference, Final Fantasy XIII was released in late 2009/early 2010.
• The game was formally set as a next-generation title two years ago, as opposed to a cross-generation one. This switch was largely to make the action as seamless as possible, which required greater resources than the current generation. The re-announcement was planned for last year, but postponed.
• Gameplay from the E3 trailer represents a high-level Noctis. Players, naturally, will start off with fewer skills than were demonstrated.
• Although they’re not considering a PC version currently, it “ultimately depends on demand,” and they may consider one if demand for it is high enough.

Source: Gematsu

In the spirit of updates about updates, Compile Heart has launched a teaser site for Hyperdimension Neptunia Re; Birth 1, a previously announced PS Vita entry/possible reboot for the Neptunia franchise. For now, the site merely says to keep an eye out for next week’s Dengeki PlayStation, specifically on June 27.

Source: Gematsu

Speaking with Famitsu at E3, Final Fantasy XV director Tetsuya Nomura said the title will be the first part of a larger story. Although the game will be somewhat self-contained, the overall story – which the announcement trailer teased as “the Versus epic” – will continue. Nomura indicated that he is considering a compilation further down the line, once other entries have been released. Given the wait for the title formerly known as Versus XIII, he added that he would like to keep the interval between releases short.

In an interesting bit of contrition, he openly apologized towards the end of the interview for the game’s delay. He then closed with the following: “Some have said that this generation, Japanese developments have fell short overseas. In the next generation, I don’t want this to be the case at all. I want to showcase this title.”

Source: Gematsu

Nintendo has announced that Pokemon X and Y will launch for the 3DS on October 12. Shortly afterward, Nintendo plans to use the proceeds gold-plate their corporate headquarters, render it spaceworthy, and relocate to the moon.

Well, that’s what I would do.

Source: Gematsu

Speaking of Atlus, Etrian Odyssey: Millenium Girl will see a release in North America this fall, titled as Etrian Odyssey Untold: The Millenium Girl. This will include an expanded story mode and a classic mode, the latter of which is itself an update of the original Etrian Odyssey.

Source: Gematsu

Shin Megami Tensei IV will feature DLC at launch, according to Atlus. The content will include custom hairstyles (free), a ‘platinum surcoat’ armor set (free for the first month, $1 afterwards), and an early-game map pack ($2). More content is planned and will be revealed as the title nears its launch day of July 16.

Source: Gematsu

Sony has just announced Destiny of Spirits, a downloadable free-to-play RPG for the PS Vita. A 2D RPG developed by Q Entertainment and SCE Japan, Destiny of Spirits will release sometime this year.

Source: Gematsu

EA has announced a release window for the long-awaited Dragon Age 3: Inquisition. Now simply titled Dragon Age: Inquisition, the third installment in the series is planned for a PS3, PS4, 360, Xbox One, and PC release in the fall of 2014.

Source: Gematsu

I am one step closer to having seen everything. Ubisoft has revealed an online action RPG from Massive Entertainment, titled Tom Clancy’s The Division. Set in a plague-wracked New York City, The Division thrusts the player into the role of elite agents sent in to manage the crisis. It’s unclear where the elements of each genre will come into play, but nonetheless the title is planned for a 2014 launch on Xbox One and PS4.

Source: Gematsu

European 3DS owners looking for their farming fix need wait no longer… than a few more months. Harvest Moon: A New Beginning, which launched last year in both Japan and (later) the US, will see a European launch in the third quarter of 2013.

Source: Gematsu

Speaking of Namco Bandai, From Software’s Dark Souls 2 has been sighted on advertising around the Los Angeles Convention Center. Proudly displayed on said advertising is a release window of March 2014, presumably for all platforms (PC and PS360).

Source: Gematsu

Namco Bandai, catching on that we liked us some Tales of Symphonia, announced plans to release a compilation celebrating the game’s 10th anniversary. Subtitled as Tales of Symphonia Chronicles, this will include high-definition remasters of both Symphonia and its sequel Dawn of the New World.

Scheduled for an October 10 release in Japan, Chronicles will reach North America and Europe in early 2014.

Source: Gematsu

The original Fable will be getting a high-definition makeover, Microsoft and Lionhead Studios have announced. Dubbed Fable Anniversary, this version will feature 1080p visuals, updated lighting and textures, refined facial and cutscene animations, and so on. Apart from better graphics, Anniversary also brings to the table a new interface, Smartglass integration, and drastically reduced loading times.

Fable Anniversary hits the 360 this holiday season.

Source: Gematsu

New South Park: The Stick of Truth details have been revealed, thanks to a demo over on Game Informer. The game centers around a LARP conflict between the town’s kids as they roleplay Elves (led by Stan and Kyle) and Humans (led by Cartman), and players control the imaginatively named New Kid as they navigate this strange battle.

Interestingly, Stick of Truth features a turn-based battle system, demonstrated as New Kid and Butters encountered students in South Park Elementary. Standard attacks are handled through timed button presses, and special attacks take the form of “magic spells” called up through mundane means; a fireball is created through an aerosol can and a lighter, for instance.

Out of combat, players will sometimes have to deal with field obstacles – the demo showcased an Elf standing atop a pile of rubble blocking your way – and there may be more than one solution. The demo ended with a standoff between Kyle and Cartman, forcing New Kid to choose a side; the demo player sided with Kyle, prompting a boss fight with Cartman.

Stick of Truth comes out later this year for 360, PS3, and PC.