RandomNPC – Video Game RPG Reviews, Editorials, and Features

Yesterday, BioWare announced that Mass Effect 2 will include a special in-game portal called “The Cerberus Network” when the game launches next Tuesday. This portal will allow players to access game news and DLC, and it can only be activated by entering a special single-use code. Every new game, retail and digital, will include a code, but gamers who purchase used copies of ME2 will be able to buy a one-time code in-game.

Furthermore, players who activate “The Cerberus Network” on launch day will receive the first DLC pack, which includes new missions and items. It also includes a mission that allows the player to recruit another character named Zaeed. Sometime after launch, BioWare will release the next DLC pack, which will include new missions, items, and a new vehicle called the Hammerhead.

The main features of Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World are an engaging and solidly balanced combat system, and a somewhat overbearing and at times saccharine story. In this, it is a fairly typical Tales game. That isn’t to say ToS:DotNW is a bad game — on the contrary, the game is quite well constructed — merely that it comes off as a bit derivative, particularly where the story is concerned. ToS:DotNW does try a number of new things with the series with varying levels of success, but overall, it’s unlikely that anyone who already has an opinion about the Tales series will find their position swayed one way or the other due to this game.

Continue reading ‘Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World – Staff Review’ »

An exclusive demo for Lunar: Silver Star Harmony is now available through the Playstation Store. Apart from giving players a chance to test the PSP remake, players can unlock bonus starting equipment in the full game by having clear data from the demo on their memory stick.

Silver Star Harmony‘s website has also gone live. The game is expecting an early 2010 release, although an exact date has not been announced.

Atlus’ DS SRPG/shooter joint Knights in the Nightmare is headed for the PSP. While a US release has not been announced, the Japanese launch is set for April 22. Among the details known at this time, the PSP version will include an animated opening movie and a tutorial mission absent from the DS.

Source: 1UP

From the files of “Did Not See That Coming” is a new application for the iPhone designed to provide extra information about Magna Carta 2. Designed by the game’s developers, the Magna Carta 2 Title Guide includes character details, story information, gameplay videos, and images from the game. The Guide may be downloaded from the iPhone application store.

Source: Gaming Bits

I wish game companies would just send the same screens and art to all these media outlets.

Continue reading ‘Mass Media 01/16/10’ »

The Return to Ostagar content for Dragon Age: Origins has been temporarily removed from the game’s download list due to an ongoing technical issue. According to BioWare’s Chris Priestly via the BioWare forums, a title update for the 360 version caused class specializations to function incorrectly. Until more information is available or a fix has been provided, players are advised to not download the content if they have not already done so.

However, BioWare also announced that Dragon Age will be receiving a full-fledged expansion come March 16. Entitled Awakening, the expansion will immediately follow the events of the game as the player takes command of the Ferelden chapter of the Grey Wardens. It has been confirmed that players can import their characters from Dragon Age, or roll one up from scratch.

Further details on Awakening can be found on the official website.

The Chinese Stealth Armor is the only way to travel in Adams Air Force Base.

Continue reading ‘Mass Media 01/14/10’ »

Deciding that standing still while playing videogames is for chumps, Square Enix announced via press release that a bus tour featuring the North American version of Final Fantasy XIII will be coming through San Francisco and surrounding areas this week. Running January 13-16, the tour will hit locations to be revealed through the @PlayFFXIII Twitter site.

The full press release can be read here.

As reported earlier, the upcoming Pokémon HeartGold/SoulSilver will feature a special pedometer which tracks your walking distance and translates that to experience and items for your Pokémon. A recent announcement has confirmed that the pedometer will be included with the US release, as it was for the Japanese launch back in September.

Heartgold/Soulsilver will hit stores March 14.

This weekend Atlus announced that Hexyz Force, its upcoming PSP RPG, will see a stateside release this spring. The game will be available in stores May 25 and for download through the Playstation Network May 27. Both versions will retail for $29.99.

A teaser trailer for Hexyz Force can be found here, and further details are available on the official website.

Determined to make players think for a while before selecting their away team, BioWare has released details and a video for another character from Mass Effect 2. Miranda, a fellow Cerberus recruit, is dedicated to the mission above all else, and states that Shepard will have to earn her trust. She is skilled in both biotic and tech abilities; the trailer depicts her combining both sets of powers in combat.

Further details can be found on BioWare’s website. Mass Effect 2 is scheduled for a January 26 release.

Anybody else who’s played VC will probably be as confused as I am after seeing these screens.

Continue reading ‘Valkyria Chronicles 2 Media 01/07/10’ »

The official website for Atlus’ upcoming Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey has been launched, and can be found here. Strange Journey is due for a March 23 release.

I appreciate Erika starting the year off slow.

Continue reading ‘Mass Media 01/05/10’ »

Continuing the trend of underappreciated Pokemon, this week we’re taking a look at Kingler. With a base attack score that’s through the roof and a workable, if unimpressive speed, Kingler is one of those Pokemon whose inclusion in Never Used came as something of a surprise to me. Kingler’s stats leave him sadly vulnerable in some places, but with some solid defense and an amazing attack, you’d think the giant crab would see more use.

Continue reading ‘Strategy Session – Competitive Pokemon XX: Kingler’ »

With NIS America affiliate RosenQueen now accepting preorders, Sakura Wars: So Long My Love has set its price at $29.99 for the Wii and $39.99 for PS2. An edition exclusive to RosenQueen orders is also available for an extra ten dollars on either platform. The “Unforgettable Memories” package includes an art book, a poster, and a Japanese voice over disc.

Sakura Wars is due for a March release this year. Further details can be found on the game’s website.

BioWare has announced that Return to Ostagar, the upcoming DLC for Dragon Age: Origins, will be available for purchase January 5. As the title suggests, the content revolves around the old fortress of Ostagar, where the Grey Wardens joined with Ferelden’s king to stand against the darkspawn blight. Do note there are possible spoilers for players who haven’t cleared Ostagar.

Continue reading ‘Dragon Age Takes Players Back to Ostagar Next Week’ »

Mass does not do this update justice.

Continue reading ‘Mass Media 12/29/09’ »

The Legend of Zelda franchise is one of the oldest action RPG series out there, and it is unique in that it has consistently offered a similar experience, whether it is played on a console or a handheld.  Zelda is and always will be all about exploring dungeons, finding hidden items, and then using them to solve the puzzles within.  It is this core experience that brings players back again and again, some in spite of the similarities from game to game and some because of them. When the franchise made the move to the DS, many questioned whether it could work with its all-stylus control scheme.  Phantom Hourglass silenced many a naysayer, but sadly, Spirit Tracks does not have the same punch that its predecessor had.

Continue reading ‘The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks – Staff Review’ »