RandomNPC – Video Game RPG Reviews, Editorials, and Features

In a Famitsu interview this week, Tetsuya Nomura commented on Final Fantasy Versus XIII. He indicated the game still in development, though Type-0 and XIII-2 are in line to be released first and much of Versus XIII is to be kept secret for the time being.

Nomura did mention one of the title’s new features. Both prerendered and in-game cutscenes will be controllable to some degree, with players no longer locked out of interaction. Lacking a visual demonstration he compared the idea to cutscenes in FPSes, likely referring to moments where players often still have movement and camera control as events happen. The switch is aimed in part to keep gameplay flowing naturally, though he added this also saves development time as graphics technology minimizes the difference between character models in and out of cutscenes.

Source: 1UP

2nd Super Robot Wars OG will miss its planned September 29 launch date, Namco-Bandai announced today. While they stated that delivering a quality product as the reason for the delay, they did not offer a revised timeframe for release.

Source: Andriasang

Famitsu has unearthed additional information about Theatrhythm Final Fantasy. Scheduled for a winter release, the game will feature over 50 songs, with three for each main series entry from FFI to FFXIII. Additionally, development of the game had originally begun on the DS, but space issues prompted the team to move the project to the 3DS.

Source: Andriasang

The ESRB has included listings for PS3 and PSP versions of Parasite Eve 2, indicating that a re-release under the PS1 Classics label is coming. The game had previously been intended for release on PSN, though the publishing arrangement for the original release with Electronic Arts had held up the release stateside.

Source: 1UP

You know it’s procrastination when you find the urge to replay games you don’t even own anymore, so you go trolling Amazon looking for deals. Uh, or so I’m told. Yes, that’s convincing. Right, on with the media: Final Fantasy XIII-2, Makai Kingdom PSP, Fallout New Vegas: Old World Blues, Persona 2 Innocent Sin, and Theatrhythm Final Fantasy. (more…)

In an interview with Dengeki Playstation, Ignition’s Kashow Oda addressed several topics about the upcoming Vanillaware RPG, Dragon’s Crown.

• Difficulty will be based on improving skills by collecting items, rather than granting levels for particular play styles.  In multiplayer mode, beginners who are matched with more advanced players can acquire powerful items to close the gap.
• Character overlap is allowed; all players can choose any character, or even the same character if they like.
• Dungeons are sized so quests alone won’t take you through their entire length.  Completely clearing a dungeon may take considerably more time.
• Related to the above point, quests will sometimes take you on different paths through dungeons.  Some bosses can be evaded while others will pursue you.  An example is given of stealing an item from a particular boss; enraging him will cause him to chase you even into other dungeons.
• Piles of bones mark the spot where another player has died.  You can see their status and a dying message, and can also retrieve the bones to revive them as an NPC.
• The game has an estimated 40 to 50 hours of play time.

Source: Andriasang

Following the official announcement, Square Enix revealed a bit more about how Theatrhythm Final Fantasy works. Individual titles form the basis of levels, from Final Fantasy I to XIII, each broken into three stages: field, battle, and event. You form parties of up to four people, and clearing a stage levels up your characters; what impact this has in a rhythm game is not yet known.

Square Enix also launched the official site for the game, which can be found here.

Source: Andriasang

I just want you all to know I wrote this all with that Yogurting flash synced to the Droyds remix of Armand van Helden’s “In Your Eyes” playing in the background.  I don’t know why, I think I forgot it was on at some point. Catchy song, though. I digress.  Welcome back, guys!  In What Happened This Week, we discuss the following:

• Namco-Bandai files suit against CD Projekt’s parent company over The Witcher 2 distribution rights in Europe.  Players express shock that Namco distributes games in other countries.
• Square Enix pursues legal action against unnamed individuals over the Deus Ex: Human Revolution leak.  Unnamed… or Anonymous?  Probably the first one.
• My reaction to Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Ehhhhhhhhnnnnn….
• Zynga opens a studio in Toronto by buying an existing developing and absorbing them.  Guys you already filed for your IPO, you can stop worrying everybody now.  Guys?
• Indie developers voice their discontent with Xbox Live’s indie game service.  Steam offers to be shoulder-to-cry-on guy while winking knowingly at the camera.
• I offer commentary and analysis on Senate Bill S.978, and where it fits in the larger picture of US political discourse.  Short version: don’t panic, our problems are much bigger.

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BioWare has unveiled Legacy, the first downloadable add-on for Dragon Age 2.  A criminal cartel have begun hunting for “the blood of Hawke,” an obvious concern for the like-named protagonist, and the description indicates you’ll travel to a Grey Warden prison in order to get to the bottom of things.  Apart from new locations, the content will grant an upgradeable, class-specific weapon and reveal “the harsh truth” about the Hawke family’s history.

Legacy goes live on July 26, with the usual DLC pricing of $9.99 on PSN and 800 MS/BioWare funbucks for 360 and PC.  More details can be found on the official site.

Tetsuya Nomura and Hajime Tabata recently commented on the work going into Final Fantasy Type-0, acknowledging a delay from its intended summer release in Japan.  Although it was suggested that Type-0 may be ready in time for fall, no clear timeframe was given beyond 2011.  Tabata hinted that the PSN outage had slowed development of the multiplayer mode.

Apart from the delay, the two discussed additional information and features about the upcoming title: (more…)

Square Enix has revealed a curious 3DS installment in their signature RPG series.  Theatrhythm Final Fantasy, a “theater rhythm action” game, features the usual towns, dungeons, and side-view battles of earlier Final Fantasy titles, but with rhythm game controls: timed button and touch-screen presses in sync with visual prompts.  While Theatrhythm will feature music from past games in the series,  little else is known at the moment and no release date was announced.

Source: Andriasang

Hello once more, folks! Hope you’re enjoying the weekend, and not too busy getting drunk and shooting bottle rockets at each other to check out the news. Quite a bit happened this past week, so let’s break it down:

• Zynga prepares to go public, and LinkedIn makes a surprising gain through no action of their own.  Pay no attention to that Greece problem in Europe, that could never affect us!
• Facebook hires George Hotz, possibly for iPad or security-related development.  So you know, this is the man himself. Feel better about yourself?  I sure do.
• Resident Evil: The Mercenaries‘ save system prevents players from deleting saves.  Capcom says no really, it’s not about the used market, please don’t be mad GameStop.
• Nintendo thanks its fans for their loyalty and concern over Xenoblade Chronicles, The Last Story, etc. before ripping their hearts out and stomping on them.
• Politics: SCOTUS rules in favor of game developers/retailers, while a Senate bill plays dueling banjos while eying up YouTube.
• IGN reveals the ugly truth about LA Noire‘s stay in development hell.  Read the whole thing then wonder why there aren’t more fistfights in the office.
• World of Warcraft changes its subscription model, Namco-Bandai’s community manager retracts her statement re: Vesperia on 360, and much more!

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Don’t act like you don’t know what I mean.

Atlus has just announced that Devil Survivor Overclocked, the 3DS remake of the original Devil Survivor, will see a September 1 release in Japan. The official site also went live, which the curious (and those who can read Japanese) can find hereabouts.

By way of their Facebook page, Square Enix has announced and apologized for a delayed release of Final Fantasy Tactics: War of the Lions for iOS. Originally set for a late June release, the port is now expected to launch sometime this month, though an exact date was not given.

Assistant producer Shiina offered a short Q&A session as recompense. Among other things, it was revealed that the iPad version will follow one month after the iPhone. 3G and multiplayer are not supported, but an autosave function has been added and will kick in if you’re interrupted by a phone call. Slowdown has also been addressed, which will be evident in a future trailer.

Ain’t nothing like a holiday weekend for getting a whole lot of nothing done. If only the humidity wasn’t currently measurable in inches. Ah well. Anyhow, we do have some media for you: Atelier Meruru, Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor Overclocked, Disgaea 4, and UnchainBlades Rexx. Click away!
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Coming from Famitsu is the news that Yasumi Matsuno, the creative brains behind Tactics Ogre and Final Fantasy Tactics (among others), has been hired by Level 5. Akihiro Hino, the company’s founder and president, personally invited the former Square Enix designer, and Hino commented that “it won’t take two years or so for the next Matsuno project to come out.” No specific remarks were made about any titles in development.

Source: 1UP

Marvelous Entertainment has just revealed that Rune Factory 4, the next entry in their RPG/sim series, is being developed for the 3DS. Apart from the expected blend of RPG adventuring and Harvest Moon-a-like farm management, the title will feature 3D visuals and added depth to the marriage system.

The game is set to release in Japan sometime this year. A US release has not been announced.

Source: 1UP

Of all RPGs, this one probably least needs an introduction. Final Fantasy VI – released stateside as Final Fantasy III, you may recall – has been released on Virtual Console and is now available for $10. Nostalgia sold separately.

Source: 1UP

Evening, folks. No fancy intro this time, just some media if you’re in the mood for it. In this update: Disgaea 4, Dragon Quest Heroes: Rocket Slime 3, Ken to Mahou to Gakuen Mono 3D, Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor 2, and Tales of Xillia. (more…)

Just in case you had a hankering for more avatars, costumes, and background music for Dissidia Duodecim, Square Enix has you covered.  A batch of DLC avatars is available now, with the costumes and music to come on July 19, and a full list of both can be read here.