RandomNPC – Video Game RPG Reviews, Editorials, and Features

Y’know, I’m not much of a Japanophile. Not really. I’d like to visit the place, trying to learn to speak the language, maybe watch an anime or two – they keep breaking my heart, but I keep giving them chances, it’s like some sick relationship that just won’t die. But I can say with a straight face that Vocaloid is one of the best things they’ve ever made.

Seriously, Miku can de-angst the most hardened man in time. Oh, you might balk at it initially, but she finds a way in. She finds a way.

But enough about me, let’s talk media. In today’s update: Disgaea 3 DLC, Summon Night: Tear’s Crown, Ys Seven, Princess Antiphona’s Hymn: Angel’s Score Op.A, and Blood of Bahamut. Observe: (more…)

Natsume has announced that Harvest Moon: Frantic Farming will be released in the next few weeks, likely hitting North American shelves in the last week of August. The Nintendo DS title shares some characters with the previous Harvest Moon installment Island of Happiness, and will spearhead the upcoming release of several further entries: Sunshine Islands, Animal Parade, Sugar Town, and Littlest Shop.

Natsume has made no comment as to whether Myron Reducto, of the law firms of Freezoid, Zarog & Skon, had a hand in creating Littlest Shop by way of shrink gun.

Source: Siliconera

With The After Years debuting on WiiWare in Japan, Square Enix will be offering Final Fantasy IV on Virtual Console later this month for 900 Wii points. No announcements have been made regarding a US Virtual Console release for FFIV.

Source: Siliconera

As some of you may have surmised – because we suggested as such in the actual podcast – our latest recording was fraught with difficulty and indeed peril. Behold some of our less shining attempts at getting thirty-six minutes of coherent audio. Nerdboy echoes, Cactuar has a plan ™, Roku types with drama and panache, and Harvest Moon curses our attempts at earnest dialog. I apologize in advance. (more…)

CD Projekt Red and Atari are releasing yet another update for the North American release of The Witcher. This time around, previously cut ‘mature content’ has been re-added to the game. Among other things, the game’s patented sex cards were edited for the US release; present, but with less nudity. The Enhanced Edition Director’s Cut removes this and other minor tweaks from the European version.

Reports that Atari had to cut a $500 check to Game Freak when one employee jokingly remarked that you ‘gotta catch ’em all’ have been denied by Atari. This has not stopped players from trying, however.

Courtesy of a NIS America press release, a launch date of August 11 has been announced for Phantom Brave: We Meet Again. Apart from four new story chapters and a new character, the Nintendo Wii adaptation of Phantom Brave will be packaged with a digital art disc, containing a variety of artwork files, character illustrations, and so on. Experienced Phantom Brave players can jump straight into the new chapters if they wish.

Square Enix has released details about the plot of its upcoming DS RPG Blood of Bahamut. As it turns out, the main character is a summoner named Ibuki, presumably the last of his kind. The power of dragons runs through summoners, and as such they’re granted the ability to transform. Giant monsters already roam the land, and supposedly there’s another dragon lurking out there, which suggests Ibuki may have some competition down the line.

Summons from Final Fantasy games have been shown in previous screenshots, and it is known that Shiva, Ifrit, and Gilgamesh will make appearances. A beast known as Chaos Bahamut awaits those who can take on all the others, making it basically a battle royale of Godzilla-a-likes.

Blood of Bahamut will be released in Japan on August 6.

Source: Siliconera

Hiya folks. Got another podcast for y’all, fresh out of the oven. This time around, Nerdboy, Slayer, Roku, and Cactuar join me in discussing some of the latest news, and introducing our new segment discussing various developer teams and their wacky exploits. This week, we delve into the shadowy backstory of Game Freak, perhaps best known as the dudes behind Pokemon. Also, Nerdboy abuses “medication” and discusses the finer points of Engrish. Behold! (more…)

We don’t make these images, but we have an understanding with those who do. In this update: Tales of Versus, Final Fantasy XIII, and Hexyz Force: (more…)

In addition to the English voice acting, Mana Khemia 2: Fall of Alchemy will give players the option of listening to the original Japanese audio for its North American release. It is not yet known if the translated dialog has been adjusted to compensate for such things as ‘jealousy’ and ‘grilled bean paste’ being the exact same word in Japanese, though time will tell.

Fall of Alchemy is due for an August 25 launch.

Source: Siliconera

A downloadable demo of Magna Carta 2 is now available through Japanese XBox Live, with a full release in Japan scheduled for August 6. The North American launch date lags by a good two months, with the game currently set for October 13. Rumors that the flavor only keeps for one month have been repeatedly denied by Namco Bandai.

Source: Siliconera

Natsume has announced a North American release of Harvest Moon: Magic Melody for the Wii, in an exclusive deal with Gamestop for the US and Canada. Although an exact date is not yet known, a late August launch is expected according to Gamestop’s release schedule.

Source: Siliconera

Square-Enix recently confirmed that Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers is due for a North American launch this year. When, exactly, is still up in the air, although a holiday release seems likely.

As for the plot, details have begun to emerge about the game world, specifically in a cover feature for this month’s Nintendo Power. The article revealed that one race, the Lilties, has achieved technological superiority and currently reigns supreme over the other races. Science is king and magic, wielded by crystal bearers – such as the one you play – is viewed with suspicion and disdain. Other details are mentioned, such as a dramatic fight scene that ends with the main character, Layle, using his power to keep a crippled airship aloft. Even money says he’ll still have to hunt for a key to a locked door at some point.

A portion of the article can be read here.

Brace yourself folks, this one’s a big’un. In today’s update: Dragon Quest IX, Final Fantasy Gaiden, Valkyria Chronicles 2, Final Fantasy Legend II DS, more Final Fantasy Legend II DS, even more Final Fantasy Legend II DS and finally, still more Final Fantasy Legend II DS than is probably healthy.

Here, listen to something awesome while you peruse the update. Join me in wondering why there was never a follow-up to the origin of that song. No justice, I tells ya. Anyhoo, onto the media: (more…)

Howdy, Vana’Dielians! Some of you may have noticed that Squenix has gotten in on the episodic content thing with their MMOPRG, for which they are doling out mini-expansions at ten bucks a pop. Paired with them are totally free updates, of course. But are they worth it? Fellow Final Fantasy XI denizens Alethea and Nerdboy join myself for a discussion on the latest update notes and how silly they are. Also, this (lack of a usable) chair is an eyesore. Behold! (more…)

Namco Bandai and Mistwalker’s Blue Dragon: Behemoth of the Otherworld is due for release in Japan on October 1. Among other differences with its predecessor Blue Dragon, Behemoth will feature real-time combat and multiplayer functionality for up to three players over Nintendo WiFi.

No release date outside of Japan has been announced.

Source: Siliconera

NIS America has announced that it is bringing the next entry in the Atelier series to North America in the fall. Atelier Annie will be the first in the series for the DS, and it will task players with building a resort in three in-game years. There’s also alchemy somewhere. There has been no response to the question of whether a player can crash their resort “The Producers”-style and somehow create gold that way. Time will tell.

The exact release date is not yet known.

Source: Siliconera

Apart from the standard $29.99 copy of Disgaea 2: Dark Hero Days, NIS America is also releasing a version bundled with a Prinny Laharl plush doll for $39.99, courtesy of Rosenqueen. Exactly 1,000 such copies are being shipped, so the item is limited in availability. The two versions are identical apart from the plush, and both are due for release on September 8.

This update brought to you in part by the Imperial Watch. They may not see you break into that guy’s house, kill his family, and steal all his worldly possessions, but if you accidentally grab food on the counter that’s not yours instead of talking to the shopkeeper like you intended to… well, the Nine help you, friend. In this update: Legend of Hero: Narisokonai, Princess Antiphona’s Hymn: Angel’s Score Op.A, and Final Fantasy Gaiden. (more…)

Mana Khemia 2: Fall of Alchemy is due for an August 25 launch this year on Playstation 2, according to NIS America’s PR and Marketing Coordinator, Nao Zook. Fall of Alchemy takes place fifteen years following the original Mana Khemia, in a world where mana is on the decline and the prestigious Al-Revis Academy is forced to broaden its curriculum to balance the books. Players may choose one of two characters to follow: Raze, the orphaned combat student-slash-manaphobe; and Ulrika, the cheerful alchemist with a pet flying… furry thing.

Regardless of choice, the two characters will interact with the same cast and each other throughout the game. Additionally, items earned in one playthrough may be carried over to the next, even across characters. Fall of Alchemy will also come in a deluxe flavor, which includes a soundtrack and dual print poster.