RandomNPC – Video Game RPG Reviews, Editorials, and Features

Fairy Fencer F, the debut title for Compile Heart’s Galapagos RPG brand, will be released for the PS3 in Japan on September 19. Price is set at 7,329 yen; no US release has been announced.

Source: Gematsu

Developer FuRyu, known for Unchained Blades, is now working on a curious fantasy RPG titled Exstreta, where modern Toyko has somehow been fused together with another world called Amazia. Protagonist Ryouma Narusawa is believed by this new world’s inhabitants to be a Prisma, which is predictably the only one who can save both worlds from destruction. Less predictably, this involves the absorbtion of energy called “Ex” from enemies, which can either be used for miraculous acts or dispersed to Knights of Prisma (his allies) by kissing them.

Yeah, I got nothing, folks. Anyhow, Exstreta is set for an October 17 release in Japan, priced at 6,279 yen at retail.

Source: Gematsu

Square Enix has at last set a date for Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn. The MMO redux will launch on August 27, with the PS3 version priced at $39.99 and the PC for $29.99. A collector’s edition was also announced, to be available only through Square Enix’s online store.

For an extra $40 ($79.99 PS3, $69.99 PC) you get the following with the CE: an 80-page artbook, a “Sounds of Eorzea” musical album, collectable character art cards, a branded security token, bonus in-game items (most notably a Coeurl mount), and a special “Waning of the Sixth Sun” video disc that depicts the events leading up to the world’s destruction.

Source: Gematsu

As Dragon’s Crown inches toward its August 6 release date, Atlus and VanillaWare have revealed still more details:

• As previously mentioned, you’ll have an AI-controlled partner in the form of a rogue, Rannie, who handles treasure chests and locked doors. A fairy named Tiki will also serve as navigational support, hopefully with as little “HEY! LISTEN!” as possible.
• Characters will be customizable to some degree, with players picking their color, voice, and messages for various events (greeting, selection, dying, etc.)
• You’ll earn skill points upon leveling up, which can be spent on either class skills (those unique to your character) or common skills (which anyone can learn). For instance, Gold Healing is a common skill that restores HP when you collect money.
• Exploring dungeons may trigger certain events, such as meeting new characters.

Source: Gematsu

Did you remember that E3 is just a few weeks away? XSEED Games remembers, and here’s what they’ll be putting on display: Ragnarok Odyssey Ace, Rune Factory 4, Valhalla Knights 3, and Ys: Memories of Celceta.

Speaking of Ragnarok Odyssey Ace, XSEED confirmed the PS3/PSVita title will launch in North America and Europe this winter. Apart from new game content over the original Ragnarok Odyssey, this enhanced version will feature cross-platform play between the two titles.

Source: Gematsu

Square Enix has released yet more details about the rebuilt world of Final Fantasy XIV, specifically its non-playable inhabitants. Of particular note are the following:

Continue reading ‘More Final Fantasy XIV World Details Emerge’ »

The female lead of Drakengard 3 uses her male companions to sate her sexual desires.

Undoubtedly this will rankle fans suffering from internalized misogyny.

Continue reading ‘Mass Media 05/19/13’ »

Further details have emerged about Pokemon X and Y. In particular, four new Pokemon have been confirmed:

Continue reading ‘Nintendo Unveils New Pokemon X and Y Details’ »

Never a company to leave a re-release unreleased, Square Enix has announced that Final Fantasy XIII-2 will get a pair of new editions later this year. The “Ultimate Hits” version of Final Fantasy XIII-2 is a standard greatest hits version; the more interesting is the “Digital Contents Selection”, which includes most of the game’s downloadable content: colosseum opponents, costumes, weapons, and the Sazh, Lightning, and Snow episodes.

Both versions will be sold at retail on July 18, priced at 5040 yen for the DLC bundle and 2940 for the Ultimate Hits one.

Source: Gematsu

GungHo’s Puzzles & Dragons Z, a 3DS port of its mobile/social RPG, will be released in North America, according to the company’s US publisher. No date was announced at this time.

Source: Gematsu

CI Games has just revealed Lords of the Fallen, a “hardcore” third-person action RPG whose development is led by former Witcher 2 senior producer Tomasz Gop. Few details have been given beyond a few story tidbits: players are dropped in a fantasy world where humanity has been abandoned by its gods, and thus assume the role of Harkyn, a human attempting to stop some destructive supernatural force.

Little else is known at this time, though players will apparently make decisions throughout the game that affect the story. Lords of the Fallen is planned for a 2014 release, and a playable version will be presented at E3.

Source: Gematsu

Via Dengeki PlayStation, we have confirmation that The Legend of Heroes: Sen no Kiseki will see the light of day in Japan starting September 26.

Source: Gematsu

XSEED JKS, known to most of us through their consumer games brand XSEED Games, will be undergoing a slight title makeover. According to parent company Marvelous AQL, XSEED will now be known as Marvelous USA, though the company will still be using the XSEED Games branding on game boxes. This apparently does not involve a staffing change; XSEED president and CEO Shinichi Suzuki will retain those titles under Marvelous USA.

Source: Gematsu

Former NIS America staffers – Jack Niida, Hiroko Kanazashi, and Nao Miyazawa – have founded a new publishing studio following their departure. Their studio, Acttil, pledges to bring “fun, creative games and digital contents such as eBooks” across the globe to PC, consoles, and mobile platforms. The company will also provide marketing expertise, analytics, game feedback, localization services, and other assistance to independent developers. The name Acttil is actually an acryonym, reflecting the studio’s core values: “acceptance, creativity, teamwork, trust, innovation, and love.”

Check out the company’s official site here.

Via IGN is a rather extensive preview of Dragon’s Crown, bringing us a healthy chunk of gameplay details:

• The game’s opening drops players in a town, in which players can mill around interacting with townsfolk (or bothering them by knocking things out of their hands). Players can visit various shops and guilds in this area before moving on to the world map.
• Enemies scale to match your level, and increase in number as well. It is not clear if this is scaling is one-to-one with your levels.
• Mounts can be found in each stage and used as temporary weapons; the preview specifies a giant bird in one stage, which must first be beaten before it can be ‘boarded’.
• As shown earlier, a hooded companion follows each character to hold their acquired loot for them.
• Known statistics: HP/MP, strength, constitution, dexterity, intelligence, magical resistance, and luck.

The full preview is available here.

Square Enix has updated the official site for the Kingdom Hearts 1.5 HD Remix, revealing the release dates as September 10 in North America, and September 13 in Europe.

Compile Heart’s enigmatic Galapagos RPG brand now has its first entry, titled Fairy Fencer F. Developed by the Hyperdimension Neptunia team, the game is planned for a release later this year, though few other details were given at this time.

Source: Gematsu

Publisher/developer Atlus announced that Devil Survivor 2: Break Record unfortunately not make its planned July 11 release date in Japan. Claiming concerns over quality, the company indicated that the game would instead be released in the fall of this year, though an exact date was not given.

Source: Gematsu

Brooks Orpik of all people sends the Pens to the next round.

Continue reading ‘Mass Media 05/11/13’ »

Over on Twitter, Mother series creator Shigesato Itoi has stated that a new entry in the franchise is “impossible.” The sky is also still blue.