RandomNPC – Video Game RPG Reviews, Editorials, and Features

Dragon Quest series producer Yosuke Saito announced via Twitter that Dragon Quest X has exceeded one million sales in Japan.

Source: Gematsu

Square Enix has revealed that Final Fantasy Agito will be available on iOS and Android platforms in Japan later this month. Alongside new characters and the player-created custom character, the game will also feature members of the Type-0 cast.

Source: Gematsu

Gust has announced Atelier Shallie: Alchemists of the Dusk Sea, the latest entry in the Atelier series. Set for a June 26 release in Japan for the PS3, the title mirrors Atelier Escha & Logy in its use of dual protagonists: Shallistera and Shallote. The player chooses one to control at the start, and events will be seen differently depending on which they’re using. Shallistera is trying to save her village, while Shallote just wants to become a proper Atelier.

The standard edition is priced at 6800 yen, with a download copy costing a flat 6000. A Premium Box will also be available for 9800 yen, which includes a drama CD and four-disc music collection.

Source: Gematsu

Index Corporation, the holder of Atlus-turned-subsidiary of Sega, has been divided into two companies. The planned move leaves Atlus and Index as separate entities under Sega’s umbrella; Atlus retains its games focus, while Index is devoted to content and business systems.

Source: Gematsu

Kadokawa Games released more information about Natural Doctrine‘s online mode. Before starting a match, you assemble a deck of cards based on what you’ve acquired in the single-player, with those cards retaining their status, gear, and skills from your game. One a deck is constructed, you can either search for a versus or co-op game, or set up your own. Players are awarded Card Points for completion of missions, which can be spent on new card packs.

Natural Doctrine hits the PS3, PS4, and PS Vita in Japan on April 3.

Source: Gematsu

In a move that must be taken seriously on this, the first day of April, Google has taken to Youtube in search of their next Pokemon Master. Interested players who aren’t afraid of scaling a cliff face without equipment should observe the promotional video – available on the YouTubes – and begin the rigorous application process post-haste.

While you’re at it, ask for a pony.

Pretend this game isn’t already out.

Continue reading ‘Dark Souls 2 Media’ »

Another day, another Nintendo handheld version, and another bundle for said handheld; Atlus has announced that Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth will be getting a 3DS XL bundle. The bundle includes a stylized system cover featuring the entire cast of Persona 3 and 4, and will be available on launch day in Japan (June 5) for 25,380 yen.

Additionally, the latest Famitsu revealed more tidbits about the game’s dungeon crawling. In a nod to Etrian Odyssey, dungeons will include special F.O.E.-like shadows that are considerably more dangerous than normal enemies. These appear as you walk around and can be avoided, and players can expect a tough fight should they choose to engage one; that said, apparently the difficulty can be changed at any time.

Also on loan from Etrian Odyssey is the mapping system, which has players use the bottom screen to plot out the dungeon’s layout. Players unfamiliar with the system can instead activate the auto-mapping feature, though tutorials are on hand to explain how to draw your own maps.

Source: Gematsu

Two new titles are being developed for the Hyperdimension Neptunia series, Compile Heart recently announced. The first, Chou Jigen Action Neptune U, will be more of an action game, while Hyperdimension Neptunia Victory II appears to stick to the series formula. Platforms and release dates have not yet been announced.

Source: Gematsu

Square Enix will be adding songs from the SaGa series to Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call: “Sewers” from Romancing SaGa, and “Four-aristocrat Demon Battle 1” from Romancing SaGa 3. The DLC was not given a release date; Curtain Call itself hits the 3DS in Japan on April 24.

Source: Gematsu

Blizzard announced that Diablo III for the PlayStation 4 (subtitled Ultimate Evil Edition) will be playable at PAX East. The Penny Arcade Expo in Boston will run from April 11 to 13.

Source: Gematsu

In a recent 4Gamer interview, Dark Souls II Co-Director Yui Tanimura spoke about the title’s development and contrasts with the first game. In particular, Tanimura mentioned how they wanted to make the game “harsher;” described as imbuing players with “a sense of responsibility” in exploration and character building, as opposed to simply killing the player more. The elemental switching on weapons was mentioned as one example of such changes, encouraging the player to adjust their strategies over time.

Tanimura also mentioned efforts to avoid one single ‘best route’ to the end of the game; that no route is particularly safe relative to the others, and different players will find different paths easier to manage. Additionally, the change to invasion mechanics – allowing invasions to occur while the player is Undead – was made to emphasize the difference in statistics between Human and Undead forms; the idea being you may be attacked at any time, and so you may want to be at your best when it happens.

Source: Gematsu

Square Enix has lifted the lid on more Drakengard 3 preorder bonuses, previously separated into three tiers based on date of order. The first tier includes Japanese voiceovers as DLC, while the second includes a Nier costume pack and the Emil Hat for your dragon; the third tier has yet to be revealed.

Those who preordered the game prior to March 4 are eligible for all three tiers, while any who preorder by April 8 will still have access to tiers two and three.

Source: Gematsu

For those who simply can’t wait to have children and then take them on adventures, Atlus plans to release a demo of Conception II: Children of the Seven Stars for both PS Vita and 3DS versions. The demo will be available on March 25, and completing it will unlock bonus items in the full game, which in turn launches on April 15.

Source: Gematsu

The Denpa Men 3: Rise of the Digi Toll has been confirmed for release in North America and Europe. The latest entry in Genius Sorority’s RPG series will be available on the 3DS eShop this summer; exact dates were not given at this time.

Source: Gematsu

More Natural Doctrine details have emerged, this time revealing more about the game’s dragon tribe. Specifically, elemental-themed Blue and Red Wyverns hound the player as they approach the tribe’s territory, an area called the Dragon Cemetary. After fleeing said wyverns, the player is introduced to the tribe proper by a bizarre goblin, who apparently is one of the few of his kind that can understand human language.

Outside the game, different retailers will reportedly offer different bonuses for copies of the game. Imagine will include a specially-drawn cloth poster, Furu 1 Online throws in a small soundtrack disc, and Geo adds an original PS Vita skin.

Source: Gematsu

A follow-up to Costume Quest has been announced by Double Fine Productions and publisher Midnight City. Costume Quest 2 once again follows the adventures of trick-or-treaters Wren and Reynold, and will feature new costumes, battle system updates, and a quirky “unmistakably Double Fine” story. Console and PC versions are expected, but specific platforms were not part of the announcement.

Source: Gematsu

I love having a new computer.

Continue reading ‘Mass Media 03-02-14’ »

Sensing that fans have been kept in suspense long enough, Atlus has at last confirmed that the plethora of Persona games being discussed lately – Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth, Persona 4 Arena Ultimax, Persona 4: Dancing All Night, and of course Persona 5 – will all be seeing a North American release. Shadow of the Labyrinth (3DS) and Arena Ultimax (PS3/360) are planned for Fall releases this year, while Dancing All Night (PS Vita) and Persona 5 are listed for 2015.

Source: Gematsu

Square Enix has released a few more tidbits about Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call. In particular, the sequel will add Machina and Rem from Type-0 as playable characters, while new enemies include Golbez, Zeromus, Gigantuar, Goobbue, Sahagin, King Behemoth, Braska’s Final Aeon, Bomb King, Reno, and Magitek Armor.

More notably, the game will feature a one-on-one Versus Battle mode, where players compete against both computer controlled enemies and each other for the high score. Quest Medley is another new mode, putting players on a “Chaos Map” where they complete variable-length quests; you’ll also receive quests through StreetPass.

Curtain Call is set for an April 24 release on the 3DS in Japan.

Source: Gematsu