RandomNPC – Video Game RPG Reviews, Editorials, and Features

Sometimes you have to take a step back to keep going forward, or so Tri-Ace would have players believe with Star Ocean: The Last Hope. The latest entry in one of their signature series, Last Hope is a precursor to the first Star Ocean and deals with mankind’s first forays into uncharted space in search of a world capable of sustaining human life. While the overall gameplay has taken clear strides for the better, the package is underscored by a series of minor to major nuisances — not the least of which being a story prone to ridiculous plot twists — leaving it less a series reboot and more one missed opportunity after another. Continue reading ‘Star Ocean: The Last Hope – Staff Review’ »

If last week didn’t break your wallet with all the games hitting at the same time, this one might. Square Enix is bringing Star Ocean: The Last Hope for 360 and The Last Remnant for PC. They retail for 59.99 and 39.99 respectively. If the retail scene isn’t for you, The Last Remnant will also be available on Steam starting April 9.

The DS will be getting a lot of action as well. Atlus ships Legacy of Ys: Books 1 & 2 for 34.99, and all launch copies come with a free soundtrack. Blue Dragon Plus from Ignition will hit shelves for 29.99. Last but not least, D3’s Puzzle Quest Galactrix is now available for 29.99

Got some rare things for you today, strangah.  In this update: Star Ocean: The Last Hope, Valkyrie Profile: Covenant of the Plume, Shining Force Feather, Dragon Quest IX, Phantom Brave Wii, and Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time. Continue reading ‘Mass Screenshots, Artwork, Boxart – 02/18/09’ »

In today’s update: Blue Dragon: Behemoth of the Otherworld, Disgaea DS, Dragon Quest IX, Star Ocean 4: The Last Hope, and Suikoden Tierkreis.

Continue reading ‘Mass Screenshots, Artwork – 02/11/09’ »

We have a trickle of news today. Square Enix has announced that PAL territories will be getting Star Ocean: The Last Hope for the Xbox 360 sometime this spring. It’s also been confirmed that Black Sigil: Blade of the Exiled for the Nintendo DS will be headed to North American retailers on March 17. The SNES-era inspired game been keeping under the radar of late, but those who are curious can find some screenshots and trailers on Graffiti Entertainment’s website.

In today’s update: Mimana Iyar Chronicle, Valkyria Chronicle, Sacred Blaze, Mario and Luigi 3, Blue Dragon: Behemonth of the Otherworld, Star Ocean: The Last Hope, Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time, Final Fantasy XIII, Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days, Little King’s Story, Star Ocean Second Evolution, and Fable 2: Knothole Island. Continue reading ‘Mass Screenshots, Artwork, Boxart 01/15/09’ »

Star Ocean: The Last Hope, the first game in the series to be on the Xbox 360, will hit North American shelves on February 24.

In today’s update: Dungeons and Dam, Disgaea 3, Disagea 2 PSP, Phantom Brave Wii, 7th Dragon, Blazer Drive, Demon’s Soul, Phantasy Star Zero, Ragnarok Online DS, Sacred Blaze, Star Ocean: The Last Hope, Summon Night X Tears Crown, Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time, Tales of Hearts, and Dragon Quest IX. Continue reading ‘Mass Screenshots, Artwork, Boxart 01/07/09’ »

In this update: Blood of Bahamut, Arc Rise Fantasia, White Knight Chronicles, Star Ocean: The Last Hope, and Shining Force Feather. Also… more corn! Continue reading ‘Mass Screenshots, Artwork, Boxart – 12/15/08’ »

Got some more pics and art fresh out of the oven. In this edition: Chocobo and the Magic Storybook: The Witch and the Girl and the Five Heroes, Devil Survivor, Sacred Blaze, Star Ocean 4: The Last Hope, and Tales of the World: Radiant Mythology 2. Take a gander. Take two, they’re free. Continue reading ‘Mass Screenshots, Artwork 12/08/08’ »

New screenshots and stuff for 7th Dragon, Star Ocean 4: The Last Hope, and Zill O’ll: Infinite Plus. So SO4 has catgirls now. Clearly, my weakness is known to many. Continue reading ‘Mass Screenshots, Artwork 12/03/08’ »

In today’s update: Oboro Muramasa Youtouden, Valkyria Chronicles, AWAY Shuffle Dungeon, Rune Factory Frontier, Arc Rise Fantasia, Star Ocean Last Hope, Phantasy Star Zero, Last Remnant, Final Fantasy Fables Chocobo’s Dungeon DS, Shining Force Feather, 7th Dragon, Little King’s Story, and Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia. Continue reading ‘Mass Screenshots, Artwork, Boxart 10/10/08’ »

Gamers who’ve been anxiously awaiting the latest addition to the Star Ocean series will soon be sated. Square Enix announced today that Star Ocean: The Last Hope for the Xbox 360 is due out on February 19 in Japan, March 3 in North America, and sometime in 2009 for PAL territories.

After sitting through the Microsoft Press Event, and thinking about it over a tasty beef bowl at Yoshinoya, here is my summary and impressions of the event. Be warned, this is a long read.

Continue reading ‘Microsoft Press Conference Impressions’ »

Today at the Microsoft press conference, Yoichi Wada discussed three other games besides Final Fantasy XIII that are coming to the Xbox 360.

Continue reading ‘Yoichi Wada Discusses the Xbox 360’s RPG Lineup’ »

As is supposedly common knowledge, the Xbox 360 has a dearth of RPG titles available for it. Sure there’s Mass Effect, Lost Odyssey, Blue Dragon, Culdcept Saga… ok, maybe not a dearth. Still, it could always use more! To that end, Square Enix, Namco-Bandai Games, and Microsoft announced quite a few interesting bits at the surely well-populated Microsoft Japan RPG Press Event, held, well, about an hour ago. Continue reading ‘X360 Japan RPG Presser: More RPG goodness than you can shake a power brick at’ »