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With Tales of Link recently announced for iOS, Namco Bandai followed up by stating that the PSP version of Tales of Phantasia will see a re-release on the same platform this fall. Additionally, a new title – Tales of Bibliotheca – is also in development for iOS; this one more of a scenario collection app that covers multiple Tales entries. Each downloadable chapter will include a summary, various scenes, new illustrations, and original battles, though voices will remain untouched.

Chapter 1 of Bibliotheca will be free, covering Tales of Vesperia and launching in mid-September. Subseqent chapters 2-12 are 170 yen individually, with the full game costing 1700 yen. No US releases were announced for either title.

Source: Gematsu

NIS America has announced that The Witch and the Hundred Knights will see a North American and European release in 2014, rebranded as The Witch and the Hundred Knight, singular. As the titular legendary knight, you enter a contract with a suspicious witch named Metallia, who has been confined to the swampland where she resides and seeks to expand her borders; specifically, you are tasked with knocking down Pillars that were built to prevent the swamp from spreading.

Check out the official website hereabouts.

Source: Gematsu

Apart from its standard release at $39.99, Ys: Memories of Celceta will see a special limited edition, according to developer XSEED Games. Priced at $59.99, the Silver Anniversary Edition includes the game, a special box, a cloth map, an Ys branded compass, an artbook/strategy guide, and a three-disc soundtrack collection spanning the franchise’s history.

The game is planned for a holiday release in North America.

Source: Gematsu

In a recent press conference, Level 5 lifted the veil on sales figures for its various franchises. Of particular note is Ni no Kuni, which sold a respectable 1.4 million copies worldwide between PS3 and DS, about half of which were sold outside of Japan. They also revealed the Professor Layton series sold about 15 million in total, and Inazuma Eleven sold 6.5 million (both figures worldwide).

In the same press conference, the company announced they are developing a crossplatform free-to-play RPG titled Wonder Flick. Seemingly a traditional RPG with some character creation mechanics, the game will feature music from Final Fantasy composer Nobuo Uematsu. Wonder Flick will launch on PS3, PS4, Xbox One, Wii U, PS Vita, iOS, and Android platforms; save data will be shared across every platform, though each will feature exclusive dungeons.

At present the title is planned only for a 2013 release on iOS/Android in Japan, with console versions to follow in 2012. A global release was not announced.

Source: Gematsu

F-k me.

Continue reading ‘Mass 30 Years Old Media 09/03/13’ »

Bravely Default: Flying Fairy will apparently be getting an updated version, titled Bravely Default: For the Sequel. Title notwithstanding, this will be a redux of Flying Fairy with some new features, some of which will be in the actual sequel. In particular, the game fatures a new battle system, which reportedly will run at a faster pace than the original. The updated version also includes an event viewer, greater configuration options, more save slots, better town graphics, more party banter, and an overhaul of the user interface.

For the Sequel will launch on December 5 in Japan, priced at 4,990 yen at retail and 2,900 yen digitally. A global release has been confirmed, though exact dates were not specified; the US version is scheduled for next year, with the European version planned for late release this year.

Source: Gematsu

Zeboyd Games, developers of Cthulhu Saves the World and Penny Arcade’s On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness 3 and 4, have announced their next title: Cosmic Star Heroine. A retro sci-fi RPG, the title centers on Alyssa L’Salle, an agent for a galaxy-spanning government that uncovers one secret too many. Her agency pulls a more extreme Burn Notice and outs her as a spy, with both friends and enemies coming out of the woodwork.

Cosmic Star Heroine reportedly is influenced by Chrono Trigger (in terms of battle and visual style), Phantasy Star (overall worldbuilding), and Suikoden (political intrigue and player headquarters), according to lead designer Robert Boyd. The game will be funded via Kickstarter, and is planned for a launch on PC, Mac, PS4, and PS Vita.

Source: Gematsu

Namco Bandai announced the next entry for the long-running Super Robot Wars series. Super Robot Wars OG Infinite Battle will launch for the PS3 on November 28, priced at 7,480 yen for the standard edition and 8,980 for the limited edition. The extra yen for the LE gets you Super Robot Wars OG Dark Prison as a pack-in bonus, which will eventually be sold separately at 3,000 yen.

Source: Gematsu

GungHo Online has announced that Puzzle and Dragons Z will launch in Japan on December 12. The 3DS title will be priced at 4,400 yen for retail, and 4,000 even for a digital copy.

Source: Gematsu

The ever-prolific Tales series will see a mobile installment, according to Namco Bandai. The company announced Tales of Link in development for smartphones, planned for a fall release in Japan.

Source: Gematsu

Fairy Fencer F has been delayed from its September 19 release in Japan, according to developer Compile Heart. The title will instead launch on October 10.

Source: Gematsu

NIS America has announced that Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers will hit European 3DSs on September 20.

Source: Gematsu

In the series’ ongoing quest to cater to obsessive-compulsives everywhere, Tales of Symphonia Chronicles will include costumes from Tales of Xillia. Costumes for Alvin (Zelos), Ludger (Kratos), and Elize (Presea) can be earned on a second playthrough, or players can unlock them from the start with save data from Tales of Xillia or its sequel.

Source: Gematsu

Bethesda Softworks confirmed that The Elder Scrolls Online will use a monthly subscription model, priced at $14.99 USD per month. Explaining the decision, ZeniMax Studios game director Matt Firor remarked on the series’ free-roaming sandbox roots, adding that “putting pay gates between the player and content at any point in game ruins that feeling of freedom, and just having one small monthly fee for 100% access to the game fits the IP and the game much better.”

TES Online will launch in 2014 for PS4, X1, and PC.

Source: Gematsu

Namco Bandai announced plans to host a closed beta for the PS3 version of Dark Souls II. The test will begin on October 5 in North America and Europe, and the company added that fans should check the official Facebook page starting September 5 for details.

Source: Gematsu

Drakengard 3 will not launch on October 31, according to Square Enix. Instead the game will be released on December 19, reportedly to add more crazy improve the game’s overall quality.

Source: Gematsu

Nintendo has released additional details for their upcoming license to print money, Pokemon X and Y. Namely, the game will feature a new form of evolution for Pokemon during battle. The tellingly named “Mega Evolution” will alter the Pokemon’s appearance, increase their stats, and may add new abilities or change their type, though this is only applicable during battle. For instance, Mega Ampharos gains the Dragon type in addition to its existing Electric type, while Mega Mawile gains the ability “Huge Power.”

Additionally, players can put their Pokemon through Super Training outside of combat. These training regimens take the form of minigames, controlled via the touch screen, which allow them to increase their base stats and underlying values. Conversely, Core Training sets up training bags for Pokemon to practice on, which they can do on their own or with the player’s guidance.

New Pokemon were also introduced: Dedenne, an Electric- and Fairy-type that emits radio waves from its antenna-shaped whiskers; Bunnelby, a Normal-type that somehow uses its large ears to dig and as weapons; and Skiddo, a Grass-type that evolves into Gogoat and can carry people on its back.

Source: Gematsu

Persona 4: Arena finally has Yukari.

Continue reading ‘Mass Media 08/17/13’ »

Speaking of Europe, Dragon’s Crown at last has a European release date. NIS America announced that the Atlus/VanillaWare fantasy sidescrolling RPG will launch in Europe on October 11.

Source: Gematsu

NIS America has revealed the bonuses for the first batch of Disgaea D2. First run copies will include a two-disc official soundtrack, graphic print, and DLC costumes for Laharl, Etna, and Flonne.

Disgaea D2 hits North American PS3s on October 8, and Europe on September 27.

Source: Gematsu