RandomNPC - Video Game RPG Reviews, Editorials, and Features

Players who missed out on the SNES classic Secret of Mana can now try it out for themselves, courtesy of the Virtual Console. The game is rated E10+ and is available for 800 points.

Thanks to a patch that is awaiting certification, Fable II will have online co-op when it launches.

Gamers who’ve been anxiously awaiting the latest addition to the Star Ocean series will soon be sated. Square Enix announced today that Star Ocean: The Last Hope for the Xbox 360 is due out on February 19 in Japan, March 3 in North America, and sometime in 2009 for PAL territories.

If you need more Persona 4 goodies, Atlus has them for you on Amazon.com or Amazon.ca.  It’s called the Persona 4 Social Link Expansion Pack, and, it includes a Teddie plushie, a Konohana Sakuya t-shirt, a second soundtrack CD, and a calendar to count the many days you’ll be playing the game.  The whole package retails for $29.99, but since quantities will be limited, you’ll have to act fast.  For clarity, it should be pointed out that this does not include the game.  That must be bought separately.

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On the heels of last week’s PAL release date for Start Ocean: First Departure, Square Enix has announced that Star Ocean: Second Evolution for the PSP will be heading to PAL territories in the spring of 2009. Second Evolution is an enhanced version of Star Ocean: The Second Story originally released for the PlayStation in 1999.  The PSP version will feature extra playable characters, new voiced cut scenes, and additional private actions.

Shining Force II is now available for download for the Virtual Console for 800 Wii Points. This TRPG was originally released for the Sega Genesis way back in October of 1994 and has since become quite rare.

Natsume is targeting the niche squirrel-plush-loving demographic by offering one as the pre-order bonus for those ordering Rune Factory 2 from Amazon.com.  The game is currently listed for $27.99 and ships out November 18. Click the link to see it in all its huggable glory. Continue reading ‘Rune Factory 2 Pre-Order Goodie’ »

PlayStation 3 owners in Europe with a taste for J-RPGs can soon get some orchestral action. Eternal Sonata, chock-full of new costumes, playable characters, quests, and cut-scenes, will be heading overseas in February.

A couple of new RPG announcements have come out of the the latest issue of Famitsu — and shockingly, they’re not for the DS! Marvelous Entertainment is working on Valhalla Knights : Eldar Saga for the Nintendo Wii. The games promises real-time battles, character customization, and a co-op mode via Nintendo Wi-Fi. The game is 70% complete and is due out sometime in 2009 in Japan.

Also due out in 2009 is Demon’s Soul for the PlayStation 3. Developed by From Software, the game will allow players to create their own hero with a range of customization options. Not much else is known, save that it’s an action RPG featuring shape-shifting monsters, but if you happen to be heading for the Tokyo Game Show, you can try it out first hand.

Source: Gamekyo

Star Ocean fans in PAL territories will have something to look forward to this fall. Square Enix announced today that Star Ocean: First Departure for the PSP will be released in PAL territories on October 24. First departure is a remake of the first game of the Star Ocean series. This will mark the first time the game is available outside of Japan.

The good news is Square Enix announced that Dragon Quest IX will begin flying off Japanese shelves in March. The bad news is gamers hoping to get their hands on it at TGS will be disappointed.  It will not be playable at the show.

Nintendo held a press conference today and announced some pretty big news.  For starters, the newest iteration of the DS has been revealed.  It’s slightly thinner and features a camera, a 17% bigger screen, and an SD card slot.  These improvements do not come without a cost; it will not have a GBA slot.  Japan gets it Nov 1 of this year, and we here in the Americas will be waiting until sometime “late next year.”  Continue reading ‘Big Day for DS Today: New Hardware Revision, Two RPGs’ »

Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time has been announced in the latest issue of Shonen Jump. In an interesting twist, the game is coming out for the DS and the Wii. Gameplay will vary depending on whether one is using the Wiimote or the stylus, but it will be possible to play online with those using either version, this thanks to Square Enix’s cross-platform engine, the Pollux Engine. It also looks like players will be able to transfer and use their Miis on the DS version. The game will be an action RPG, and though there’s little information so far, we do know that the plot revolves around Charlotta and (naturally) a crystal.

Source: Gamekyo

Lately it seems that hardy a week goes by without an announcement coming out of Japan about a new RPG in the works for the Nintendo DS. This week is no exception. Via Famitsu, Namco Bandai has announced Destiny Links, an action RPG for the Nintendo DS. Details are scant at present, but it seems players will be fighting pirates on the island of Aimesia. The game will also allow up to four players to take part, via local wireless or Nintendo Wi-Fi. Destiny Links is due out this winter in Japan.

Source: Gamekyo

Fans of the Sega’s speedy blue hedgehog can get their hands on his first RPG. Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood for the Nintendo DS is available in stores this week. It’s selling for a suggested retail price of $34.99 and is rated E for Everyone.

D3 Publishing announced that Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords will be hitting the iTunes App Store this fall.  With the addition of the iPhone and iPod Touch, the game will now be on pretty much every device possible up to and including toaster ovens.  If you’ve been meaning to get the game but have yet to commit, there will soon be few excuses.

Farming fans in North America can now waggle their wiimotes. Harvest Moon: Tree of Tranquility has shipped and will be available in stores this week for $49.99. The game is rated E for Everyone.

Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords is now available for download from the on the PSP section of the PlayStation Store. It’s 14.99 and takes 65MB.

PAL gamers itching for some Nippon Ichi goodness can get their fill in a few months’ time. It was announced today that PAL territories will be getting Rhapsody: A Musical Adventure for the Nintendo DS and Disgaea DS in spring of 2009.

Sega has revealed a few more details for its upcoming DS game 7th Dragon, which is due out in Japan next spring.  It will be a traditional RPG and feature four-member parties that can be filled by characters in one of seven classes: Rogue, Mage, Fighter, Princess, Knight, Samurai, and Healer.  Each class will have four different appearances and three skill trees. If this sounds similar to Etrian Odyssey, it’s probably because Kazuya Niinou produced both games.  Continue reading ‘Shiny New 7th Dragon Details’ »