RandomNPC – Video Game RPG Reviews, Editorials, and Features

30 Second Hero eh? That’s what my ex used to call me. Continue reading ‘Mass Media 08/25/10’ »

If it gets one degree hotter I’m gonna kick someone’s ass. Continue reading ‘Mass Media 07/24/10’ »

A recent promotional pamphlet for the upcoming Pokemon Black and White revealed some interesting features.  First is the “Pass By” mode, activated when players with dormant DSs get close enough, allowing the handhelds to connect.  This will provide bonuses for both players, though exactly what bonuses are not yet known.  Second is a video chat option, unlocked by progressing through the campaign; a “Live Caster” tool will allow two players to connect over WiFi, or four over a local wireless connection.

The third feature, not actually mentioned in the pamphlet, is an eerie glowing red eye that wonders if it will dream when it shuts down.  Expect Skynet Facebook compatibility in short order.

Black/White is due out in Japan September 18, with a US release date penciled in for Spring of 2011.

Source: Joystiq

The official website for Pokemon Black/White has been updated to announce the Japanese launch date: September 18. No word has been given of a specific US release date, with nothing more than “Spring 2011″ to go on for now.

Those of you who know your Japanese, or are good at figuring out pictures, can find more information on the website over yonder.

The new Pokemon has a female professor. The world is ending. Continue reading ‘Not So Mass Media 06/19/10’ »

If Nintendo wants me to buy Ocarina of Time again they’ll insert a dating sim option with Malon. Continue reading ‘E3 Media 06/17/10’ »

Three years later and Blue is still bitter. Continue reading ‘Mass Media 06/03/10’ »

As part of Nintendo’s ongoing quest to make more money, Pokemon Black and Pokemon White now have a North American window for release.  Due out in Japan in September of this year, the upcoming Pokemon titles will see North American store shelves sometime in Spring of 2011.

Source: Shacknews

Ghostbusters the Video Game is like playing one of the movies. Continue reading ‘Mass Media 05/22/10’ »

A constant fan-favorite, the target of this week’s Strategy Session has largely clung to its position in the tier system through sheer popularity. It isn’t as overpowering as some other Dragons, and it tends more towards the jack-of-all-trades master-of-none role. And yet, people have consistently voted with their Pokeballs; Dragonite is OU. This week, we’ll see if we can’t pick a focus for this fluffy orange-yellow lizard. Continue reading ‘Strategy Session – Competitive Pokemon XXIII: Dragonite’ »

In their ongoing bid to acquire every last dollar, yen, euro, and neo-shekel on earth, Nintendo announced the upcoming release of Pokemon Black and Pokemon White. The Japanese website for the games also went live and can be found here; the teaser image indicates the release period is Fall of this year.

Over the years there have been signs and portents of a remake of Pokemon Gold and Silver, fan favorites in the series due to its sheer size and the fact that it was the first game to expand the Pokemon universe beyond the confines of the Kanto region. The final result, Pokemon Heart Gold and Soul Silver, is every bit as fully featured and chock-full of Pokemon goodness as the originals, but unfortunately, they also carry over some of the less desireable quirks of Gold and Silver. Most serious of these are bothersome balance issues, and a plot which is flat even by Pokemon standards. On the whole, HG/SS isn’t a bad game, and makes some definite strides in the areas of sound and visuals, but it probably won’t be of much interest to anyone but fans of the series. Continue reading ‘Pokemon Heart Gold and Soul Silver – Staff Review’ »

As of this weekend, Gamestop has a Pokemon event going, offering a shiny Pichu as a tie-in for the latest movie, and to encourage folks to preorder Heart Gold and Soul Silver. This shiny Pichu not only unlocks the Ilex Forest event in HG/SS, it also comes with two unique moves, Endure and Endeavor. Now, on the whole, Pichu isn’t a particularly useful little critter, so I thought we’d take a look at what can be done with its evolutions. This week, we’ll investigate Pikachu, the electric mouse everybody loves… Or would love to throw in a grain thresher. Continue reading ‘Strategy Session – Competitive Pokemon XXI: Pikachu’ »

According to a press release from the Pokemon Company, a new Pokemon series is in development and is expected to be released later this year in Japan. Few details have been given, though the series will be for the Nintendo DS, and it will feature new Pokemon.

The press release can be found on the company’s Japanese website. A US release has not been announced.

Starting February 1, players who preorder the upcoming Pokemon HeartGold or SoulSilver games will receive one of two limited edition figurines as a bonus. HeartGold players will receive a figurine of Ho-oh, while SoulSilver‘s bonus is a figurine of Lugia. Catching them all, in this case, requires a preorder of both versions.

Source: Kotaku

Another day goes by without a La Pucelle Ragnarok English release announcement. I am sad. Continue reading ‘Mass Media 01/20/10’ »

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.

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’ »

A recent Nintendo press release confirmed several release dates for the first quarter of 2010. In particular, Shiren the Wanderer will be hitting the Wii on February 9. Ragnarok Online DS is due out a week later on the 16th. Pokemon Heart Gold/Soul Silver touches down on March 14, with Fragile Dreams: Farewell Ruins of the Moon coming out March 16. Lastly, Infinite Space was confirmed for a March release date, although a specific day was not listed.

When we talk about Eevees, Flareon is the one most often accompanied by curses towards the game developers. “Physical fire attacks introduced in Diamond and Pearl,” we say, “and no Flare Blitz for Flareon? Why does Game Freak hate life?” Flareon has some decent stats, but it suffers from poor stat distribution and the notorious Curse of the Eevee more than any other in its evolutionary line. Continue reading ‘Strategy Session – Competitive Pokemon XIX: Flareon’ »