RandomNPC – Video Game RPG Reviews, Editorials, and Features

NIS America has announced that Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers will hit European 3DSs on September 20.

Source: Gematsu

In the series’ ongoing quest to cater to obsessive-compulsives everywhere, Tales of Symphonia Chronicles will include costumes from Tales of Xillia. Costumes for Alvin (Zelos), Ludger (Kratos), and Elize (Presea) can be earned on a second playthrough, or players can unlock them from the start with save data from Tales of Xillia or its sequel.

Source: Gematsu

Bethesda Softworks confirmed that The Elder Scrolls Online will use a monthly subscription model, priced at $14.99 USD per month. Explaining the decision, ZeniMax Studios game director Matt Firor remarked on the series’ free-roaming sandbox roots, adding that “putting pay gates between the player and content at any point in game ruins that feeling of freedom, and just having one small monthly fee for 100% access to the game fits the IP and the game much better.”

TES Online will launch in 2014 for PS4, X1, and PC.

Source: Gematsu

Namco Bandai announced plans to host a closed beta for the PS3 version of Dark Souls II. The test will begin on October 5 in North America and Europe, and the company added that fans should check the official Facebook page starting September 5 for details.

Source: Gematsu

Drakengard 3 will not launch on October 31, according to Square Enix. Instead the game will be released on December 19, reportedly to add more crazy improve the game’s overall quality.

Source: Gematsu

Nintendo has released additional details for their upcoming license to print money, Pokemon X and Y. Namely, the game will feature a new form of evolution for Pokemon during battle. The tellingly named “Mega Evolution” will alter the Pokemon’s appearance, increase their stats, and may add new abilities or change their type, though this is only applicable during battle. For instance, Mega Ampharos gains the Dragon type in addition to its existing Electric type, while Mega Mawile gains the ability “Huge Power.”

Additionally, players can put their Pokemon through Super Training outside of combat. These training regimens take the form of minigames, controlled via the touch screen, which allow them to increase their base stats and underlying values. Conversely, Core Training sets up training bags for Pokemon to practice on, which they can do on their own or with the player’s guidance.

New Pokemon were also introduced: Dedenne, an Electric- and Fairy-type that emits radio waves from its antenna-shaped whiskers; Bunnelby, a Normal-type that somehow uses its large ears to dig and as weapons; and Skiddo, a Grass-type that evolves into Gogoat and can carry people on its back.

Source: Gematsu

Persona 4: Arena finally has Yukari.

Continue reading ‘Mass Media 08/17/13’ »

Speaking of Europe, Dragon’s Crown at last has a European release date. NIS America announced that the Atlus/VanillaWare fantasy sidescrolling RPG will launch in Europe on October 11.

Source: Gematsu

NIS America has revealed the bonuses for the first batch of Disgaea D2. First run copies will include a two-disc official soundtrack, graphic print, and DLC costumes for Laharl, Etna, and Flonne.

Disgaea D2 hits North American PS3s on October 8, and Europe on September 27.

Source: Gematsu

Developer Arc System Works has revealed that a sequel for Persona 4: Arena is in development. Little is known at this time, though a playtest held at select locations in Japan revealed Yukari Takeba and Junpei Iori as playable characters.

Source: Gematsu

Not keen on letting moe alchemy sit idle, developer Gust has announced a remake Atelier Rorona: The Alchemist of Arland for Playstation 3 and PS Vita. Among other things, the redux has been retitled as New Atelier Rorona: The Origin Story of the Alchemist of Arland and will feature new events, a longer time limit, item cultivation (gardening, basically), new party characters, costumes, and cross-platform save data.

New Atelier Rorona is set for a November launch in Japan. A release outside of Japan was not announced.

Source: Gematsu

Falcom has unveiled more information about The Legend of Heroes: Sen no Kiseki for the PS3/PSV, particularly around the game’s school-based activities. Players will have to attend lectures on such topics as Elebonian history, military affairs, and cooking; higher grades are given for correct answers when called upon.

Outside the classroom, you’re occasionally given optional sidequests by the student council president, and you may also partake in graded mock battles between students. These and other activities grant you Academic Points, which increase your rank and award you various medals to equip as accessories.

Source: Gematsu

As Final Fantasy XIV: XIV Harder nears its re-completion, Square Enix has revealed the dates for open beta and early access. The open beta test for both PC and PS3 will begin next weekend, running from 8/17 to 8/19. Meanwhile, preorders will allow early access starting August 24.

Friendly reminder: the game itself goes live August 27, priced at $39.99 for PS3 and $29.99 for PC. The standard one-month free trial is included, and monthly subscriptions start at $12.99.

Source: Gematsu

Atlus has laid out the pre-order box set bonuses for Etrian Odyssey Untold: The Millenium Girl. The set includes a seven-track music CD featuring an exclusive live version of the opening theme, and an artbook featuring the game’s characters, comics, and design notes.

Etrian Odyssey Untold hits North America on October 1, priced at $39.99.

Source: Gematsu

Lightning looks good in yellow.

Continue reading ‘Mass Media 08/04/13’ »

In what is easily the least-expected news of the day, Capcom has announced that long-standing RPG series Breath of Fire – last seen in 2002/2003’s Dragon Quarter – will see a new installment on PC, tablet, and smartphone platforms. Breath of Fire 6 will be an online RPG built specifically for touch-screen devices. In a follow-up exchange with Eurogamer, a spokesperson stated that Capcom has not yet decided whether the game will be released outside of Japan.

If anyone needs me, I’ll be sobbing in a corner.

Source: Eurogamer

Citing “challenges faced in the current retail sector”, Devil Survivor 2‘s UK publisher Ghostlight has reached out to players with an unusual request. To ensure the title gets manufactured, the publisher is asking for 1800 or more preorders, available through the company’s online store. If this goal is reached, the title will be out in September, though all preorders will be refunded if it fails.

Source: Eurogamer

As was the case with The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment will be publishing The Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt for its North American release. The title has a 2014 release window for PS4, PC, and Xbox One.

Source: Gematsu

At a recent press event, Square Enix unveiled yet more details about Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII. Of particular note are the following:

• Regarding costumes, Lightning will have various outfits to change into, both from regular gameplay and from preorder bonuses. These include Cloud’s SOLDIER outfit from FFVII, a Miqo’te outfit from FFXIV, Yuna’s summoner getup from FFX, and her previous outfits from XIII and XIII-2. Additionally, players can customize the color set of each outfit.
• Vanille will make a re-appearance alongside Fang, Snow, and others. Reportedly, a religious group called the “Salvation Council” is providing her with shelter; shelter from what was not specified.
• Time will be a factor occasionally, with certain quests on a time limit and shop inventories that may change over the course of the game.
• The game will have only one ending, though a New Game Plus feature is in development.

Source: Gematsu

Square Enix has just announced that Dragon Quest Monsters 2 will see a remake for the 3DS. While no release date or price were announced, an official website is available here.

Source: Gematsu