RandomNPC – Video Game RPG Reviews, Editorials, and Features

Yuno Gasai’s not the kind of girl you bring home to mother. Continue reading ‘Mass Media 03/23/13’ »

Via Famitsu, more details have emerged regarding Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII‘s battle system and character design. In particular, the ATB system will reportedly be a lot busier this time around, and will be used more in the field in place of dashing. Styles can be changed instantaneously, and there’s little to no delay between pressing the button and executing the command.

In other matters, Lightning’s outfit was designed by Toshiyuki Itahana, as opposed to Tetsuya Nomura, who originally illustrated Lightning. Itahana had previously worked on some downloadable costumes for Final Fantasy XIII-2.

Source: Gematsu

Yep, it’s that simple: Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII will see a PS360 release in Fall of this year. So sayeth the extended announcement trailer, available over on that there YouTube if you’re so inclined.

Never take a nap at eight at night. Continue reading ‘Late Night Mass Media 01/20/13’ »

This week’s Famitsu has revealed more about the recently-announced Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII. As the title subtly implies, this entry focuses entirely on Lightning. While Hope will offer guidance remotely, Lightning is the only character in battles, and this will be her last game. Combat appears to be more action-focused, with abilities directly mapped to buttons in lieu of menu commands; an ATB gauge limits their use.

Only one ending exists, however the game is intended to be cleared multiple times, presumably to unlock additional content or story. Time is a constant factor, here. In-game, one day clocks at about two hours and the end of the world is apparently thirteen days away. Various actions either give you more time or take it away.

Presently, the game is about 30% complete. No release date has been given.

Source: Andriasang

As the Final Fantasy 25th Anniversary event draws closer, Square Enix has set up a special Twitter feed specifically for Final Fantasy XIII developments. The “Lightning Room,” as it’s called, is accessible here, though posts are currently only in Japanese.

Taking another stab at this teaser site thing, Square Enix has opened a teaser site in advance of Final Fantasy XIII‘s next reveal. That, in turn, is set for next week during the Final Fantasy 25th Anniversary event; the site itself is located here.

News time, everybody! Get it while it’s hot, metaphorically speaking as the transfer of information is not linked to temperature! In tonight’s episode:

• Zynga’s stock takes a nosedive due to slashed earnings estimates and insiders dumped the stock months ago.  Pardon me, I’ll be over here doing my “I called it” dance.
• Boston Magazine provides an in-depth postmortem on the many, many warning signs leading up to 38 Studios’ closing.  Short version: Schilling mixed up baseball and business.
• Key developers come out strongly against Windows 8, with Gabe Newell saying Valve may encourage Linux development as a hedge.  Mr. Newell, hedges are supposed to save money.
• Crunchyroll breaks down a Japanese poll showing the Japanese are no longer bullish on their own gaming industry.  Clearly, the industry needs more ara ara~
• Square Enix takes to Twitter to confirm Versus XIII is still alive.  CEO Yoichi Wada has to stop himself from saying it’ll be done “when it’s done.”
• FFXIV gets rebranded, Irrational Games uses Metacritic as a hiring requirement, OnLive joins up with the Ouya, and more!

Continue reading ‘What Happened This Week – Naysayers Right and Wrong’ »

Capping off the round of Square Enix news, the company will reveal future plans for Final Fantasy XIII on September 1, during the Final Fantasy 25th Anniversary event in Shibuya. More news about the 2.0 release of Final Fantasy XIV is also planned for that same day.

Source: Andriasang

Square Enix CEO Yoichi Wada took to Twitter to deny rumors that Final Fantasy Versus XIII had been cancelled. Said rumors began circulating last week with a Kotaku article citing unspecified sources; Wada stated that not only is the game still in development, but he had just finished with a periodic meeting for the game.

Source: Andriasang

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’ »

Yaknow, you can say what you want about Silent Hill: Downpour, but when it comes to being tense and creepy it doesn’t screw around. The actual enemies and combat are pretty naff, but it does a fine job instilling a sense of dread. There are rooms I just do not want to enter. I consider that a mission accomplished for a horror game.

Anyhow, on to the news:

• The Consumerist wrapped up their online poll for 2012′s Worst Company in America.  EA jumped to the front faster than you can say “biased sampling data.”  And speaking of EA…
• Mass Effect 3‘s Extended Cut DLC was announced, prompting LOTS OF SPECULATION FROM EVERYONE.  A PAX East BioWare panel offered some more information, likely only stoking the fire at this point.
• An industry analyst predicts doom for Nintendo, which happens often and just as often is disproven.  What’s new here is getting basic facts wrong.
• Get your credsticks out: a Shadowrun Kickstarter launched and met its goals handily.  Check it out here, chummer.
• Gamasutra ran a survey about salaries in the games industry, with some surprising data.  Long story short, I’m in the wrong line of work.
• Sonic the Hedgehog‘s creator winds up at Nintendo of America, Final Fantasy Versus XIII music winds up in Theatrhythm, and more!

Continue reading ‘What Happened This Week – Never Deal With a Dragon’ »

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