RandomNPC - Video Game RPG Reviews, Editorials, and Features

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’ »

While trying to decide how best to open a review of Star Ocean: First Departure, I came to the painful realization that I couldn’t possibly do so without taking you back in time. Just wasn’t gong to happen. So generate 1.21 gigawatts, strap yourself in, and set your coordinates to Akihabara, July 19, 1996.

(insert Huey Lewis interlude and “Great Scott!” exclamation here) Continue reading ‘Star Ocean: First Contact - Staff Review’ »

A slew of RPGs is shipping out today across a range of systems: Star Ocean: First Departure for the PSP, Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia for the Nintendo DS, Eternal Sonata for the PlayStation 3, and Fable 2 for the Xbox 360. If you’re a multiplatform RPG player, we at RandomNPC offer our condolences to your wallet.

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.

On the heels of last week’s PAL release date for Start Ocean: First Departure, Square Enix has announced that Star Ocean: Second Evolution for the PSP will be heading to PAL territories in the spring of 2009. Second Evolution is an enhanced version of Star Ocean: The Second Story originally released for the PlayStation in 1999.  The PSP version will feature extra playable characters, new voiced cut scenes, and additional private actions.

Star Ocean fans in PAL territories will have something to look forward to this fall. Square Enix announced today that Star Ocean: First Departure for the PSP will be released in PAL territories on October 24. First departure is a remake of the first game of the Star Ocean series. This will mark the first time the game is available outside of Japan.

PAL gamers who are waiting to get their Star Ocean fix can rejoice. Square Enix announced today that Star Ocean: First Departure for the PSP will be headed to Europe this October. Originally released by Enix on the Super Famicon in 1996, the original Star Ocean never made it to North America or Europe. More than a decade later, the remake features a new game engine, new fully-voiced animated cut scenes, and more character interaction.

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’ »