RandomNPC – Video Game RPG Reviews, Editorials, and Features

With Final Fantasy XIII hitting the PC via Steam last month, Square Enix revealed that Final Fantasy XIII-2 will follow it on December 11. The PC version will include dual language tracks, resolution options, and a selection of DLC from the original release.

Source: Gematsu

Nintendo has detailed a new story for Pokémon Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire, titled the Delta Episode, which “reveals the history of the Hoenn region and thrusts Trainers into a quest to save the world.” The plot involves a giant asteroid headed for the planet, stopping Teams Magma and Aqua from attacking the Mossdeep Space Center, a space battle between Rayquaza and Deoxys, and surely other shenanigans as well. Visit this website if you would like to have a Pokémon deck and become the best Pokémon trainer.

Other information was paired with the announcement:

• Eon Tickets, which grant access to the Southern Island and certain Legendary Pokemon, are distributed by the menu’s Mystery Gift function, and can be shared with other players once redeemed in the game.
• Legendary Pokemon from previous games can be found at special Mirage spots around Hoenn.
• Glalie, if obtained in the Alpha Sapphire/Omega Ruby demo verison, can be transferred to the full game. Likewise for X/Y‘s Diancie.

The Pokemon Company has released more details about the upcoming Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire. Players can earn a Shiny Beldum containing a Metagrossite Mega Stone by purchasing the game at launch. The Shiny Beldum evolves into Shiny Metang, and eventually a Shiny Metagross; players can also use a Mega Stone to push it further along the line into a Shiny Mega Metagross form.

Other Mega Evolutions have been confirmed, including Mega Altaria (gains Pixilate, plus Attack and Special attack boosts), Mega Salamence (major Defense boost, gains Aerilate ability), and Mega Lopunny (gets the Scrappy ability, plus a large Attack and Speed increase). Horde Encounters from Pokemon X and Y have returned, and can include groups of up to five enemy trainers in addition to wild Pokemon.

Source: Gematsu

Koei Tecmo has outlined the goodies to be included with copies of Atelier Escha & Logy Plus: Alchemists of the Dusk Sky, specifically first print and premium edition bundles.

All first run copies of any version will include a downloadable costume for Nio Altugle, who becomes a party member in this updated Vita re-release. Premium copies throw in a few extra goodies: a mini crystal paperweight, a 2015 themed calendar, a cleaning cloth, and more downloadable costumes.

Escha & Logy Plus launches in Japan on January 22.

Source: Gematsu

In case you need more costumes in your RPG, Tales of Zestiria will have you covered with postlaunch DLC, Bandai Namco revealed recently. Costume bundles include “Academy Costumes” – school outfits, basically – and both outfits and hairdos from my long-standing weakness, The Idolmaster.

(No Makoto, no sale.)

Anyway, Zestiria hits the PS3 in Japan on January 22, with North America and Europe to follow sometime in summer of 2015.

Source: Gematsu

At a recent conference in Tokyo, Square Enix detailed a set of three Final Fantasy projects bound for iOS and Android platforms, including a series news app and a standalone, free-to-play release of Final Fantasy VIII‘s Triple Triad card game.

The third project is an entirely new title: Final Fantasy Legends: Space-Time Crystal. Centering around time travel shenanigans and a mysterious girl from the future, Space-Time Crystal will also be free-to-play, and is planned for a winter launch in Japan with monthly updates to follow.

Source: Gematsu

Idea Factory International has announced that Omega Quintet will see a North American and European launch. The PS4 RPG/idol sim will hit both retail and the PlayStation Network in spring of 2015.

Source: Gematsu

Atlus has released a set of mini-trailers for Devil Survivor 2: Break Record, introducing the protagonist and his pals Io and Daichi. The videos are in Japanese only at this time, but feel free to check them out at the provided Youtube links.

The company also announced that the game would include a newly created after story that follows the original Devil Survivor 2, and that difficulty modes have been added: “Gospel” being easy, and “Apocalypse” being the default difficulty level.

Friendly reminder: Break Record launches in Japan on January 25.

Source: Gematsu

Atlus has revealed that Citizens of Earth will launch on all platforms – PS4, WiiU, PC, PS Vita, and 3DS – starting January 20, priced at $14.99 / €11.99.

Source: Gematsu

Bandai Namco announced that Lost Heroes 2 is being developed for the 3DS. The next entry in the crossover SRPG series – combining characters from Ultraman, Kamen Rider, and Gundam – is planned for a February 5 release date in Japan, and will include a download code for the updated rerelease of the original, titled Lost Heroes: Bonus Edition..

Price is set at 5690 yen for the standard edition, with a limited edition at 9500 adding a 300-page art book and a port of SNES title Hero Senki: Project Olympus.

Source: Gematsu

Koei Tecmo has released a batch of Atelier news, starting with release dates. Atelier Shallie: Alchemists of the Dusk Sea (PS3) launches digitally and at retail on March 10 in North America, followed by the European release on March 13. Atelier Ayesha Plus: The Alchemist of Dusk hits the PS Vita starting January 13 in North America and January 14 in Europe.

Gust, the series developer, also revealed that Atelier Rorona will be making the jump to 3DS. The port is planned for a 2015 launch.

Source: Gematsu

Koei Tecmo announced that Atelier Shallie: Alchemists of the Dusk Sea will be coming to North Americas and European PS3s in 2015.

Source: Gematsu

By way of a teaser website available here, Imageepoch have announced an upcoming simulation RPG for the 3DS titled Stella Glow. Little is known at this time, though the title is planned for a winter 2015 release in Japan.

With the 2.4 update just out the door, Square Enix released more details about the next expansion for Final Fantasy XIV, titled Heavensward.

• Dark Knight has been confirmed as a tank job, wielding a two-handed greatsword and, uniquely, will not require a base class like all current jobs.
• Flying mounts will also be added, chiefly to navigate a region consisting of floating islands. Black chocobos and single-passenger airships are two such mounts; it is not yet known what others will be available.
• Two more beast tribes will be added, along with their respective primals. The Vanu Vanu are paired with Bismarck, and the Gnath worship Ravana.

Heavensward is planned for a spring 2015 launch.

Source: Gematsu

Nintendo announced that a dual pack containing both Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire will be available through Amazon and Best Buy on November 21. Price is set at $79 (the titles are $39 individually), and included with the dual pack are a pair of download codes for 100 in-game potions each.

Source: Gematsu

As you might guess from the title, Hyperdimension Neptunia Victory II has been confirmed for a Spring 2015 launch in Japan on the PS4.

Source: Gematsu

In a recent interview, Sword Art Online: Lost Song producer Yosuke Futami commented on the heavily criticized English translation of Hollow Fragment. While he did not elaborate on the reason for that problem, he did acknowledge it and state the team is aware of it: “What I can say is that this time around with Lost Song, we’re doing things differently. Fans can expect much better translations as the localization process will be handled very differently.”

Sword Art Online: Lost Song has been set for a March 26 release in Japan for PS3 and PS Vita. An English version is planned for the rest of Asia in 2015, though a western release has not been confirmed at this time.

Source: Gematsu

In one of the least expected announcements in recent memory, Valkyria Chronicles will be getting a PC release. Sega confirmed via Twitter that the PS3 SRPG is indeed being ported to PC, following a listing on European ratings site PEGI. No details have been given at this time, though the tweet indicated that more news was “coming soon.”

Hit it, boys.

During an extended discussion over Final Fantasy Type-0, Final Fantasy XV director Hajime Tabata took the opportunity answer fan questions and concerns about the upcoming title. Tabata stated that the E3 2013 trailer was a prototype built in Ebony, with the 2014 Tokyo Game Show revealing the game in its actual environment designed in Luminous.

Addressing questions about difficulty, he added that it wasn’t possible to infinitely evade just by holding down the guard button, as guarding consumes MP and some attacks are unavoidable. Players will be able to jump and free run, with weapons selected before entering battle; players cannot control other characters in combat.

Tabata also said that development progress is at 55%, and that other team members will release more information next month.

Source: Gematsu

Bandai Namco has announced the next game in the Sword Art Online franchise. Sword Art Online: Lost Song is planned for a 2015 release on PS3 and PS Vita, and will feature a brand new story set in the fictional virtual world. Little is known at this time, though players will be able to fly as in the anime.

Source: Gematsu

Kingdom Hearts III will not be using Square Enix’s own Luminous Engine, director Tetsuya Nomura announced recently. Instead the company has opted to use Unreal Engine 4; Nomura mentioned only that a “variety of reasons” were behind the change. However, he added that Epic Games had been cooperative during the transition, and that this change has not hindered development progress.

Kingdom Hearts III is coming to the PS4 and Xbox One. A release timeframe has not been announced.

Source: Gematsu