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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Zillions of Enemy X Bound for Japanese Release

Tuesday, February 26th, 2013 by | Posted in Game News

Nippon Ichi has announced that Zillions of Enemy X: Zetsukai no Crusade, a card-based RPG, will hit Japanese stores on May 23 priced at 7,140 yen.

Source: Gematsu

Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn Moves to Beta

Tuesday, February 19th, 2013 by | Posted in Game News

The much-talked-about beta test of Final Fantasy XIV: Let’s Try This Again will begin on February 25 according to Square Enix. The playable area will be limited to Gridania and its surroundings, with limited storyline quests, sidequests, and a level 30 instanced dungeon among the content to be tested.

Source: Gematsu

Etrian Odyssey IV Hits Europe in Spring

Tuesday, February 19th, 2013 by | Posted in Game News

With the North American release of Etrian Odyssey IV a known quantity (February 26), Nintendo of Europe confirmed the game would hit European markets this spring. No specific date was given, however.

Source: Gematsu

Dragon Quest X to Launch for Wii U on March 30

Tuesday, February 19th, 2013 by | Posted in Game News

Square Enix has announced that, having released on the Wii back in August, Dragon Quest X will make its Wii U debut starting March 30. Priced at 6980 yen, the title will be available in both retail and download versions, and both will include 20 days of free play. A beta test is planned for March 6, and players will be able to transition their beta characters to the full version.

Source: Gematsu

Valhalla Knights 3 Dated for Japanese Launch

Tuesday, February 19th, 2013 by | Posted in Game News

Valhalla Knights 3 will launch on Japanese Vitas starting May 23. No specifics were given on a worldwide release, though prior announcements indicated a fall 2013 release for North America.

Source: Gematsu

Fire Emblem: Awakening Dated for Europe

Tuesday, February 19th, 2013 by | Posted in Game Media

With the US release mere weeks ago, Fire Emblem: Awakening will reportedly hit European markets on April 19. Keenly aware of the delay, Nintendo of Europe head Satoru Shibata said both he and the company “sincerely apologise” for the extra time taken. As recompense, Nintendo will be releasing a unique Fire Emblem 3DS XL bundle in Europe, which includes Awakening in the package.

Source: Eurogamer

Nintendo Announces New Mario and Luigi RPG

Tuesday, February 19th, 2013 by | Posted in Game News

As long as we’re talking portable releases, Nintendo released a chunk of 3DS news, among which was the existence of a new Mario and Luigi RPG. Formally titled Mario and Luigi: Dream Team, the game reportedly takes place in Luigi’s dreams, and will launch sometime this summer.

Source: Eurogamer

Final Fantasy X HD Re-Revealed

Tuesday, February 19th, 2013 by | Posted in Game News

After more than a year of basically no information, the Vita HD release of Final Fantasy X is officially back on the table. At the Japan-based Vita Heaven event, Square Enix released a small dollop of game footage, which appeared to be a render of the characters in battle. See for yourself via the YouTubes.

BioWare to Avoid Mass Effect 4 Label for Sequel

Monday, February 11th, 2013 by | Posted in Game News

Speaking on BioWare’s forums, community manager Chris Priestly discouraged referring to the next Mass Effect game as Mass Effect 4. “We have already said that the Commander Shepard trilogy is over and that the next game will not feature him/her,” he wrote. “The game does not have to come after. Or before. Or off to the side. Or with characters you know.”

Clarifying those remarks, BioWare Montreal’s Yanick Roy stated that “Thinking of the next Mass Effect game as Mass Effect 4 would imply a certain linearity, a straight evolution of the gameplay and story of the first three games.” According to Roy, there may be some recognition of choices made in prior games, but if so it would not be the thrust of the new story. Details about that story, he added may be several months away.

You’ll forgive me for tagging it Mass Effect 4 for lack of anything else to call it.

Source: Eurogamer

Nintendo Details Pokemon Mystery Dungeon 3DS DLC

Monday, February 11th, 2013 by | Posted in Game News

With Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity due out March 24, Nintendo has clarified a few points regarding the game’s DLC. For starters, content will encompass new dungeons, items, and Pokemon, all to be released on a regular basis following launch day. In an interesting twist, the first batch of content – the Poke Forest dungeon – will be free to download until April 30. Three other dungeons will be available at launch, with more content planned for April.

Also, Gates to Infinity will offer local multiplayer in the form of Companion Mode, allowing players to explore dungeons, collect items, and gain experience together. Said items and experience then carry over to the game’s single player (Hero Mode).

Source: Gematsu

Muramasa Rebirth to be Localized

Monday, February 4th, 2013 by | Posted in Game News

Speaking of bringing things over, Aksys Games has announced that the Vita-bound Muramasa Rebirth – known as Oboro Muramasa in Japan – will be localized for a North American release. As an updated release of Muramasa: The Demon Blade, Rebirth features, among other things, DLC character scenarios and a significant relocalization effort. No release date was announced.

Source: Gematsu

XSEED Will Localize a Bunch of Games for 2013

Monday, February 4th, 2013 by | Posted in Game News

XSEED is looking to have a busy 2013, having announced several games to be localized this year in addition to the already-revealed Pandora’s Tower. These include: Rune Factory 4, Valhalla Knights 3, Ys: Memories of Celceta, and Ys I & II Chronicles+.

Rune Factory 4 hits North American 3DSs this Summer. Valhalla Knights 3 and Ys: Memories touch down on US Vitas in Fall. And Steam users can serve the Newell with Ys I & II Chronicles+ starting February 14.

Source: Gematsu

European Release Bonanza: P4 Golden, Hyperdimension Neptunia Victory

Saturday, January 26th, 2013 by | Posted in Game News

I suppose “bonanza” is a bit strong for “these two games are coming out in Europe,” but what the heck. Persona 4: Golden, AKA probably the best reason to own a Vita right now, will hit European markets starting February 22. Completely unrelated game Hyperdimension Neptunia Victory will spread its console moepocalypse on March 15.

Source: Gematsu

Lightning Returns: Battle System Tidbits, New Costume Designer

Saturday, January 26th, 2013 by | Posted in Game News

Via Famitsu, more details have emerged regarding Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII‘s battle system and character design. In particular, the ATB system will reportedly be a lot busier this time around, and will be used more in the field in place of dashing. Styles can be changed instantaneously, and there’s little to no delay between pressing the button and executing the command.

In other matters, Lightning’s outfit was designed by Toshiyuki Itahana, as opposed to Tetsuya Nomura, who originally illustrated Lightning. Itahana had previously worked on some downloadable costumes for Final Fantasy XIII-2.

Source: Gematsu

Dragon’s Dogma Expansion Dated and Detailed

Saturday, January 26th, 2013 by | Posted in Game News

The expansion for Dragon’s Dogma, titled Dark Arisen will see a late April release worldwide: April 23 for North America, 25 for Europe, and 26 for Japan. US versions ring up at $39.99, with European ones at €29.99 / £19.99 and the Japanese version at 4990 yen.

Among the usual expansion bonuses – new areas, new missions, new enemies – Dark Arisen will include the full base game with purchase. Additionally, some improvements are planned to the core game, notably to menus and travel in general; details on those were not provided at this time.

Source: Gematsu

Two New Zelda Games Coming to Wii U

Friday, January 25th, 2013 by | Posted in Game News

Along with the other Nintendo Direct announcements, the Big N revealed that the Wii U will be getting two new Zelda games. First is Wind Waker, which will get a high definition upgrade for its re-release. The second, however, is an entirely new title designed specifically for the Wii U. Little is yet known about this second title, as series producer Eiji Aonuma has said that “Since it is a bigger development project, it will take some time before we can make a more concrete announcement.”

Source: Gematsu

Monolith Wii U RPG Revealed

Friday, January 25th, 2013 by | Posted in Game News

Speaking of trailers, Nintendo also showcased a short gameplay montage for Monolith Soft’s upcoming Wii U RPG. It remains untitled, though several developers are named: Kunihiki Tanaka on character design, Hiroyuki Sawano on music, and Tetsuya Takahashi as executive director. Check it out for yourself here.

Nintendo Announces Shin Megami Tense X Fire Emblem

Friday, January 25th, 2013 by | Posted in Game News

Pokemon x Nobunaga’s Ambition now has a partner in unexpected game crossovers. Nintendo has just announced Shin Megami Tensei X Fire Emblem for the Wii U. Naturally, this collaboration will bring both Nintendo and Atlus on board, though details are very sketchy at the moment. For the moment, this teaser trailer will have to suffice.

Pandora’s Tower Confirmed for North American Release

Sunday, January 20th, 2013 by | Posted in Game News

With Xenoblade Chronicles and The Last Story down, it was only a matter of time. XSEED Games has confirmed that Pandora’s Tower will see a North American release this spring.

Source: Gematsu

FFXIII: Lightning Returns in Fall 2013

Sunday, January 20th, 2013 by | Posted in Game News

Yep, it’s that simple: Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII will see a PS360 release in Fall of this year. So sayeth the extended announcement trailer, available over on that there YouTube if you’re so inclined.