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

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

Speaking at the Game Developer’s Conference in Taipei (not to be confused with a certain other GDC a few months back), Final Fantasy XIII and XIII-2 director Motomu Toriyama dropped a few interesting comments. Regarding DLC, XIII-2 was intended to feature such content from the onset, and the staff began DLC development in parallel as the base game neared completion. Toriyama stated that he believes DLC will be a required feature for future games.

Regarding a VII remake, Toriyama referenced CEO Yoichi Wada’s comments about how such an effort would wait until the company had made a game that surpasses the original. Toriyama then jokingly replied that “As a creator, there’s a bit in there that I can’t agree with.”

Source: Andriasang

Following both fake and actual leaks of release dates, Square Enix has officially launched Final Fantasy XIII-2‘s May DLC. The Lightning episode is priced at ¥600/400MSP, with Snow behind it at ¥400/320MSP, and the rest – Serah White Mage, Noel Black Mage, and the Moogle costume set – costing ¥300/240MSP.

Incidentally, Square Enix also posted a sharp turnaround in earnings, with net income jumping from a ¥12 million loss to a ¥6 million gain. According to Square Enix, the boost is largely owed to higher-than-expected console game sales – Deus Ex: Human Revolution and Final Fantasy XIII-2 were cited in particular – along with growth on the web and smartphone side.

Source: Andriasang

“Farron” is a Scottish word meaning “great hair.” Continue reading ‘Mass Media 04/28/12’ »

Prior details of upcoming Final Fantasy XIII-2 DLC are incorrect, according to Square Enix. In particular, content planned for a May release was reportedly priced at 560 MSP for Lightning’s episode and 640 for Snow’s. That information was apparently false, as Square Enix has announced that neither price nor release date have been officially confirmed.

Source: Andriasang

Via Famitsu, further details about Final Fantasy XIII-2‘s Snow-centric DLC have been unveiled. Aimed at clearing up some of the mysteries behind the coliseum, the content will also reveal Snow’s mission as an L’Cie. Valfodr shows up in the second half of the episode, serving as a recurring nemesis who grows stronger each time you defeat him.

The content will be available on May 15.

Source: Andriasang

Seriously, where the hell did Teddie get that bow tie? Continue reading ‘Mass Media 04/21/12’ »

Upcoming DLC for Final Fantasy XIII-2 will add new enemies to the game’s coliseum battles: Gilgamesh and the alien-like Koyo-Koyo, specifically. The coliseum DLC, alongside Noel’s Assassin’s Creed outfit, are due out on April 10, priced at ¥400/480MSP for Gilgamesh, ¥200/240MSP for Koyo-Koyo, and ¥300/360MSP for the Ezio costume.

Source: Andriasang

There ain’t no getting off the DLC train, or so Final Fantasy XIII-2 would have us believe. Dengeki Playstation reveals that the next set of content, featuring Lightning, has been titled Requiem of the Goddess. Apparently Lightning and Caius will be squaring off again in Requiem, though few particulars were discussed. A formal announcement from Square Enix is expected to follow.

Source: Andriasang

Square Enix revealed that an upcoming new version of the Final Fantasy XIII-2 soundtrack will include additional music. Alongside previously unreleased tracks, the aptly-titled FFXIII-2 Original Soundtrack Plus throws in new mixes and songs featured in downloadable content.

The OSP will be released on May 30, priced at ¥2,100.

Source: Andriasang

The Great Salt Lick says Cheria is a liar! Continue reading ‘Not So Mass Media 03/24/12’ »

In the future, all costumes will be DLC for everything, everywhere. Right now we’ll have to settle for this: Final Fantasy XIII-2‘s Noel and Serah will be getting downloadable N7 armor based on the Mass Effect series. This goes live starting March 27, priced at ¥300 and 240MSP for PS3 and 360 respectively. Given the pricing, we can assume this is not yet for the US release of XIII-2.

Source: Andriasang

So yeah, how about that absolutely terrible ending to Mass Effect 3, huh? Continue reading ‘Mass Media 03/17/12’ »

Two Shepards down, two to go. D: Continue reading ‘Mass Media 03/03/2012’ »

I have to say that it’s a good thing Chie wears those shorts underneath her skirt in combat, especially now with the addition of bikes. Continue reading ‘Mass Media 02/18/12’ »

Via Famitsu, more info about Final Fantasy XIII-2 DLC has surfaced. In particular, bonus costumes for Noel and Serah will be available in late February, priced at ¥300/240MSP. Sazh’s content, which somehow drops him in Xanadu with a couple new table games, has a set date of February 28 and a price tag of ¥600/400MSP.

Source: Andriasang

Yes, I’m late to the party on Recettear.  But it’s never too late to make money through overpriced goods!  Anyway, hello everybody!  We’re back from break and ready to tackle the news, and what a couple weeks it has been:

• Facebook files for its $5 billion IPO, appearing every bit a giant of the tech sector until people start asking how much one would really pay for social networking.
• In the process we learn that Zynga makes up about 12% of Facebook’s earnings.  As a reminder, Zynga is currently looking for ways to survive without Facebook.  Happy filing, Mr. Zuckerberg!
• Kazuo Hirai formally assumes his role as President and CEO of Sony, to which his exact words are “Holy s***, now what?”  Truer words have rarely been spoken.
• Double Fine’s Kickstarter project succeeds far beyond expectations, suggesting a viable path for small-to-midsize developers outside the usual publisher song and dance.  I wouldn’t hold my breath for a rash of publicly-funded games, however.
• Amazon plans to open a retail store in Seattle, apparently in a bid to corner the market on physical depictions of irony.
• THQ faces a slew of financial difficulties, from shedding 175 jobs to a potential delisting on the Nasdaq.  They should’ve rolled the North Korean taco truck around some more for Homefront.
• Square Enix posts a decent profit for 2011, a man named William Fourkiller (OK state rep) wants to tax violent games, Ubisoft’s always-on DRM schemes backfire, and more!

 
Continue reading ‘What Happened This Week – Capitalism, Ho!’ »

With Final Fantasy XIII-2 just now hitting retailers outside Japan, Square Enix has stated they will be releasing downloadable content for the title starting next week. The first batch, available on the 7th for Xbox Live and the 8th for the PSN, will feature a coliseum battle where players can fight and recruit enemies from previous Final Fantasy games.

Further content is planned, namely additional story and scenarios for key characters, though no further details were given at this time.

Source: Eurogamer

Happy New Year, everybody!  Welcome back, time to round up the news as per usual.  Today’s selection should serve as a healthy reminder that not all publicity is good publicity, as the good David Bowie can attest to. I had to take a short break from posting here for you guys because I had to look after my folks. They’re getting a bit old and need more help than they used to. They also tend to forget to take their meds, which is particularly worrying. I was taking care of this myself until I found a service called Home Care Assistance North County, and now they have a professional assigned to them that helps them with this sort of stuff. Thanks to that we’re back in business!

Now that I’ve explained things and without further ado, here’s what went down over break:

• The PS Vita launched in Japan, moving fewer than expected numbers and with several software glitches.  Even straight-up hardware reviews were mixed, like this one from Joystiq.  Sony is probably relieved that’s all they had to worry about.
• BioWare’s co-founder hints that they’re taking cues from open-world games, including Skyrim, for Dragon Age 3.  Oil, meet water.
• Final Fantasy XIII-2 also sold less than anticipated, which was a total surprise to people that have no idea how sequels work.
• A Firefox add-on subverts DNS blockades like the ones proposed by the Stop Online Piracy Act… before the Act is even released.  No prize for second place, Congress!
• Leaked email chains provoke the internet to converge on one Ocean Marketting (typo intentional) and its hilariously awful one-man operation.  The Mayor of Boston is now a meme.
• Nintendo finally unveils the official Legend of Zelda timeline.  All three of them.  That high-pitched collective cry of anguish you’re hearing is the fandom trying to sort this out.
• Star Wars: the Old Republic finally launches, the Big Three “kind of” withdraw their support of SOPA, and more!

Continue reading ‘What Happened This Week – Shame, What You Have is Gone Tomorrow’ »