RandomNPC – Video Game RPG Reviews, Editorials, and Features

Just in case Aigis wasn’t enough for your robot girl needs in Persona 4 Arena, Atlus has you covered. Famitsu has revealed the character Labrys, who wields a giant axe and is herself robotic, female, and dressed in a schoolgirl outfit for some reason. As an uncultured philistine who has yet to play Persona 4, I’m told she’s a new creation for the series, and it’s not yet known how she fits into the whole thing.

Source: Andriasang

While a Persona 2: Eternal Punishment PSP remake had been rumored before, Atlus has confirmed the title is in development. A teaser site is available here, and the official site will go live on March 8.

As the other half of Persona 2 (Innocent Sin being the first half), Eternal Punishment will have a few new features on PSP. In particular, loading times have been improved, events can be skipped, battle animations can be simplified to speed up combat, and new scenarios have been added.

Source: Andriasang

In a clear move to make previous headlines look silly, Nintendo has confirmed that Pokemon Black and White Version 2 will see a worldwide release in fall of this year. Previously assumed to be a straight sequel, the addition of “version” to the title suggests it may simply be the original game with new additions. However, it is not known which is the case.

As previously mentioned, both games will be out in June for Japan.

Source: 1UP

Game Freak’s Junichi Masuda has announced that Pokemon Black and White 2 are in development. While the series has avoided traditional numbered sequels up to now, Black and White 2 are indeed direct sequels to 2010/2011’s Pokemon Black and White. Both titles are set for a simultaneous Japanese release on DS this June.

No worldwide release has been confirmed at this time.

Source: Andriasang

“Anytime, Fly Girl.”

I don’t know about you guys, but I dropped my pacifist playthrough right then and there.  But enough about how I pass the time waiting for Mass Effect 3, it’s time for the news!  Here’s what we’ve got:

• A fake Pokemon Yellow gets into the iOS App Store and places at #3 on the chart.  How did an obvious counterfeit get by Apple’s screening process?  The answer is in the question.
• The above prompts discussion about how Nintendo should release its games on iOS, followed by Pachter claiming the Wii was a bubble.  I explain why that word doesn’t mean what he thinks it means, using Nintendo’s gigantohuge pile of cash and utterly puny debts to illustrate.
• Beloved podcast group Idle Thumbs launched a Kickstarter project to fund their return.  Yeah, I’ll throw some money down to see these guys return.  In a related story, Double Fine’s project is up to $2.2mil.  Yikes.
• The Last Story has been confirmed for North America.  Two down, one to go!  The Wii needs stuff like this to smooth the transition to the Wii U.
• After a lengthy stay as a 360 exclusive, Alan Wake finally makes the jump to PC… and recoups porting costs in two days.  Serve the Newell and share in His bounty.
• OK’s violent videogame tax dies in committee, fewer videogame transactions are using credit cards, and more!

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With the shiny new English title of Persona 4: Arena, Atlus revealed the Persona 4 fighting game will be making an appearance on North American PS3s and 360s this summer. The Japanese-only arcade variant – The Ultimate in Mayonaka Arena – will go live starting March 1.

Additionally, Enterbrain – publisher of Famitsu – announced that they are releasing a special Famitsu DX pack for Persona 4: The Golden. Sold exclusively through Enterbrain’s site, the ¥10,290 package includes a multi-pouch designed like Marie’s bag, a set of ten postcards, and six A3 posters alongside the game itself.

Source: Andriasang

Sales data for Theatrhythm Final Fantasy suggests a fairly modest first week performance, between 67,000 and 69,000 depending on the source. However, sell-through data – sales compared to total inventory – indicate the title sold about 90% of its initial stock, with Dengeki reporting that many shops were sold out of the title over the weekend.

Source: Andriasang

For a mere ¥1,200, iPhone users can now pick up the original Shin Megami Tensei. A port of the 2003 Game Boy Advance version – itself a daisy chain of remakes stretching back to the Super Famicom – the iPhone entry has a few new features, including a music player, a demon guide, and a special mode that gives additional story and character details.

Source: Andriasang

With Final Fantasy XI hitting its tenth year in running, Square Enix will be throwing a celebration to commemorate the event. “Vana Fest 2012: A Decade of Final Fantasy XI” is to be held on June 23/24, with an image on the official site suggesting Tokyo as the “where.” An exact location is not yet known.

Via Famitsu, Atlus has just announced that Etrian Odyssey IV is in development for the 3DS. Little is known beyond a release date of July 5 for Japan, although it apparently will feature adjustable difficulty even during the game. EOIV has been priced at ¥6,279, with an official site opening up hereabouts later this week.

Source: Andriasang

In other self-explanatory headlines, Square Enix announced that the Dragon Quest X beta will begin this week on February 23. As previously stated, the beta is currently restricted to Japan.

Source: Andriasang

The Legend of Heroes: Zero no Kiseki Evolution, the PS Vita redux of Zero no Kiseki, has been given a release window of August. An exact date was not specified.

Source: Andriasang

Kingdom Hearts: Dream Drop Distance will reportedly feature a system that recaps the series story to date. Under a ‘memoirs’ submenu (which includes tutorials and game hints), players will be able to read summaries of previous games – Birth By Sleep, 358/2 Days, even the first Kingdom Hearts – to bring them up to speed.

Source: Andriasang

Note to self: if Recettear is any indication, EasyGameStation’s Chantelise is worth a look.  It’s never too late to enjoy indie RPG goodness.  But I ramble, this isn’t about me and my compulsive Steam purchases, it’s time for the news!  Here’s what we’re covering:

• SCE’s Shu Yoshida explains why the Vita stumbled in Japan, and how for the US/EU release this time shall be different!  We examine why it probably won’t be different at all, Steve.
• Jack Tretton confirms we won’t see any PS4 developments this year, freeing them up to wait for Microsoft to release their specs focus on the Vita.
• Meanwhile, EA plans some unusual marketing schemes for Mass Effect 3, including launching early copies of it via weather balloons into the stratosphere.  Quoth Sarcastic Hawke, “What could possibly go wrong?”
• Brian Fargo of inXile Entertainment announces a Kickstarter plan to fund production of Wasteland 2.  And here I figured it’d take months to test the limits of Kickstarter’s power.
• The Guinness Book of World Records crowns, by popular vote, Call of Duty: Black Ops as the best videogame ending ever.  I wish I were kidding.
• One of BioWare’s more accomplished writers strikes out on their own, Bobby Kotick gets elected to Coca-Cola’s board of directors, and more!

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Hiya, folks! John here, and I’m afraid I must be the bearer of bad news. Tragedy most foul has befallen us, tragedy of the sort that makes people come over for dinner and makes Recettear unexpectedly addictive. There may have been some Idolm@ster involved as well, we’re still sorting out the details. To make a long story short, What Happened This Week will be uploaded tomorrow instead of tonight. My apologies, folks! Rest assured, beatings will be administered as punishments, and by beatings I mean beer.

As announced in Famitsu, Fire Emblem: Awakening will retain the series staple of permadeath for characters defeated in battle. However, as in the DS remake of Hero of Light and Shadow, it will be a menu toggle for players to disable or enable as they choose.

Awakening is set for an April 19 release.

Source: Andriasang

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

Care of Twitter comes the news that Hironobu Sakaguchi – Final Fantasy‘s creator and Mistwalker founder – is currently working on iOS titles, plural. Little is known other than he plans to make three of them.

Source: Andriasang

Capcom announced that Dragon’s Dogma will see a Limited Edition release. Priced at ¥11,990, the LE comes in a special box and includes a 16x24cm monster statue with the game. Separate from this, select retaliers will also throw in bonus cards with the purchase.

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!

 
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