Gaming News Thread Part 5 - A New(s) Beginning?

[Fencedude]

The current thread is over two years old, 2000 posts long, and not doing much as a easy provider of news, so lets try a new beginning, and hopefully things will be easier to find going forward.

And since no news thread is a news thread without news, shamefully stolen from Kotaku: Man Plays GTA4 for 40 straight hours (http://kotaku.com/5386239/man-plays-grand-theft-auto-for-40-hours-straight)

Only 40 hours? Piker!

[guyverfanboy]

Update uproar: Xbox 360 revision will disable "unauthorized" memory cards (http://videogames.yahoo.com/events/plugged-in/update-uproar-xbox-360-revision-will-disable-quot-unauthorized-quot-memory-cards/1364906)

Good thing I don't own an Xbox 360 otherwise I'd be pissed. Seems like a stupid thing to do considering one of the competitors doesn't care if people use 3rd party storage devices.

Now, I just need to save up $350 for the 250GB PS3. :)

[stfram]

Good thing I don't own an Xbox 360 otherwise I'd be pissed. Seems like a stupid thing to do considering one of the competitors doesn't care if people use 3rd party storage devices.


It's really only going to affect those who were too cheap to buy a Pro or Elite 360 right off the bat, or too lazy to dig up a second-hand drive later.

With that said, it would be rather nice if MS would reduce the cost of the add-on HDD's...or one could use a hack like this:

http://www.pcworld.com/article/150970-6/upgrade_your_xbox_360s_hard_drive_on_the_cheap.htm l

I might actually try to dig up a 20gb drive cheap (I've got the 60gb), and try to do this hack.

Edit: looks like that WD Scorpio drive model is tough to find, and there are...issues with the hack used to get it to work. Perhaps a better hack will be available later...


Now, I just need to save up $350 for the 250GB PS3. :)

Speaking of that, does the PS3 Slim still allow you to self-install a larger drive?

[untoldsorrow]

Speaking of that, does the PS3 Slim still allow you to self-install a larger drive?

Yes they do. It is still shown in the manual.

[stfram]

Speaking of that, does the PS3 Slim still allow you to self-install a larger drive?

Yes they do. It is still shown in the manual.

That's good to hear. Now all they gotta do is offer a BC software solution, and I'll be *extremely* tempted.

[KudosForce]

Here is a recent interview with UDON's Matt Moyland on their Mega Man artbooks and manga releases:

http://www.themmnetwork.com/2009/10/20/matt-moylan-gives-us-the-straight-dope-on-udons-upcoming-mega-man-books/

All you Mega Man fans out there, make sure to read this to the end! ;) I'm sure that you will see something...special. :nosebleed:

[Zeether]

Here is a recent interview with UDON's Matt Moyland on their Mega Man artbooks and manga releases:

http://www.themmnetwork.com/2009/10/20/matt-moylan-gives-us-the-straight-dope-on-udons-upcoming-mega-man-books/

All you Mega Man fans out there, make sure to read this to the end! ;) I'm sure that you will see something...special. :nosebleed:
They're FINALLY localizing the manga?

Color me excited.

[HitokiriShadow]

Arc Rise Fantasia now to be released by Ignition instead of XSEED, allegedly in Summer 2010. (http://www.rpgamer.com/news/Q4-2009/102209a.html)

[Suwako Moriya]

Arc Rise Fantasia now to be released by Ignition instead of XSEED, allegedly in Summer 2010. (http://www.rpgamer.com/news/Q4-2009/102209a.html)

I haven't been keeping track of that game to be honest, but now I have to wonder why the sudden change. Did XSEED give up on the game or was it taken away from them?

[ADC]

Arc Rise Fantasia now to be released by Ignition instead of XSEED, allegedly in Summer 2010. (http://www.rpgamer.com/news/Q4-2009/102209a.html)
I haven't been keeping track of that game to be honest, but now I have to wonder why the sudden change. Did XSEED give up on the game or was it taken away from them?
Who knows? It's just a bummer that it's been delayed — although I have so much to play on the Wii right now that I shouldn't be bummed out at all.

[HitokiriShadow]

Arc Rise Fantasia now to be released by Ignition instead of XSEED, allegedly in Summer 2010. (http://www.rpgamer.com/news/Q4-2009/102209a.html)

I haven't been keeping track of that game to be honest, but now I have to wonder why the sudden change. Did XSEED give up on the game or was it taken away from them?

Impossible to say at this point. The same thing happened with Muramasa. XSEED had it and then it went to Ignition. I'm assuming XSEED, which seems like a fairly small company, just had too much else on their plate and various parties decided it was best for someone else to take care of those particular projects. Maybe XSEED was falling behind on the localization and their Japanese overlords yanked it from them, but unless and until someone comments on it in an interview, there simply isn't anything pointing to what exactly happened and there likely never will be.

A shame its been delayed further, but its not like I don't have plenty of other games to finish in the meantime.

[Fencedude]

Arc Rise Fantasia now to be released by Ignition instead of XSEED, allegedly in Summer 2010. (http://www.rpgamer.com/news/Q4-2009/102209a.html)

Huh, I was only vaguely aware of the game, so I don't really care about the delay. But I guess I'll probably get it when it does come out.

[Zeether]

Arc Rise Fantasia now to be released by Ignition instead of XSEED, allegedly in Summer 2010. (http://www.rpgamer.com/news/Q4-2009/102209a.html)
Why do I get the feeling this means no English voices? Granted this is more time than Muramasa so...

[Mateo_home]

Arc Rise Fantasia now to be released by Ignition instead of XSEED, allegedly in Summer 2010. (http://www.rpgamer.com/news/Q4-2009/102209a.html)

Well that's a shame. Then again this game wasn't on my priority list. Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars is.:P

[Draneor]

We have a tentative schedule (http://forums.novelnews.net/showpost.php?p=64000&postcount=1137) for Manga Gamer's next releases.

Soul Link: November
Higurashi Part I: December 15th
Edelweiss Eiden Fantasia/Kira Kira Curtain Call: first quarter 2010
Koihime Musou: March or April

Still no news on D.C.II :( But it's good to get confirmation of Koihime Musou. Soul Link. I just don't know. I think I may wait for someone to review it first because the anime was just...

[Fencedude]

We have a tentative schedule (http://forums.novelnews.net/showpost.php?p=64000&postcount=1137) for Manga Gamer's next releases.

Soul Link: November
Higurashi Part I: December 15th
Edelweiss Eiden Fantasia/Kira Kira Curtain Call: first quarter 2010
Koihime Musou: March or April

Still no news on D.C.II :( But it's good to get confirmation of Koihime Musou. Soul Link. I just don't know. I think I may wait for someone to review it first because the anime was just...

Seriously? Koihime?

[HitokiriShadow]

Arc Rise Fantasia now to be released by Ignition instead of XSEED, allegedly in Summer 2010. (http://www.rpgamer.com/news/Q4-2009/102209a.html)

I haven't been keeping track of that game to be honest, but now I have to wonder why the sudden change. Did XSEED give up on the game or was it taken away from them?

I occasionally browse the RPGamer forums for kicks, just to see reactions to some things from other places and I found something that may shed a bit of light on this. I don't know anything about this guy or what kind of sources he might have aside from the fact that he has the "Administrator" title on a RPG news site, so take it with a salt dosage of your choice.

Source (http://board.rpgamer.com/cgi-bin/index.cgi?act=ST;f=4;t=20644;st=40#entry458204)

We touched upon this on the podcast today, so anyone interested in a more detailed discussing please listen when 102 goes up.

1. AQ Interactive owns XSEED. They give a game to XSEED but it is still owned by AQI and generally, AQI will try to sell the title to anyone who can give them more money then they expect to make.
2. XSEED does not suffer financially from this. They get paid for their time and work either way, and are protected by AQI. Since XSEED is making AQI money either way things settle, XSEED isn't going anywhere. They're money.
3. It is up to whoever purchases the title from AQI negotiates as part of the purchase deal whether to continue XSEED's work or to scrap it and start from scratch or to use it as reference. Again, not on XSEED -- or the other company.
4. All of this is very bad press for the two front companies -- Ignition gets accused of stealing, XSEED gets accused of throwing in the towel, and neither parent company is held terribly accountable because 99% of the press gets this Crap wrong every time, nevermind the bloggers.

We went into more detail, but that's the gist.

[Consignia]

We have a tentative schedule (http://forums.novelnews.net/showpost.php?p=64000&postcount=1137) for Manga Gamer's next releases.

....
Higurashi Part I: December 15th
...

Awesome cakes. I had an interest in this since it was announced, but in the meantime, I've actually watched the entire series and decided it's one of my favourite series ever, which has made me even more excited for it.

[HitokiriShadow]

3D Dot Game Heroes "definitely" coming to America (http://kotaku.com/5391097/3d-dot-game-heroes-definitely-coming-to-america)

I only first heard about the game a week or two ago, but I liked what I saw so I'm happy to hear its coming over here. More screenshots and art here (http://www.rpgamer.com/games/other/ps3/3ddh/3ddh.html).

[Draneor]

The first PV for Ar Tonelico III is out (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7s77h82acCg&translated=1). Like prior ones, the music is composed of clips of the various upcoming hymmnos. I can't say any particular track stood out to me as amazing in the way ＥＸＥＣ＿ＶＩＥＮＡ／ did in the PV for II. Still, they sound decent enough. I'll never complain about more Shikata Akiko, Mitose Noriko, & Shimotsuki Haruka.

The anime parts seems typical cheap Gust. And sadly, the brief clip of the 3D combat looks pretty bad. But Ar Tonelico was never about the graphics so much as the girls and the music. There is also a clip of what I presume are the costumes. And it looks like we got some good options (as expected).

[Mateo_home]

The anime parts seems typical cheap Gust. And sadly, the brief clip of the 3D combat looks pretty bad.

I'm just glad they're moving away from sprites. They've been recycled too many times.

[MadL]

Anime Vice has more news on Ar Tonelico 3:

Stripping is a gameplay mechanic...

Apparently you become increasingly more powerful as your clothing covers less. “By showing more skin, they are able to absorb more of the planet’s energy.”

Link (http://www.animevice.com/news/ar-tonelico-3-involves-stripping-for-great-justice/2839/)

[Ty]

Anime Vice has more news on Ar Tonelico 3:

Stripping is a gameplay mechanic...

Apparently you become increasingly more powerful as your clothing covers less. “By showing more skin, they are able to absorb more of the planet’s energy.”

Link (http://www.animevice.com/news/ar-tonelico-3-involves-stripping-for-great-justice/2839/)

I find it absolutely hilarious they even feel the need to justify it with that little snippit of plot.

[guyverfanboy]

Anime Vice has more news on Ar Tonelico 3:

Stripping is a gameplay mechanic...

Apparently you become increasingly more powerful as your clothing covers less. “By showing more skin, they are able to absorb more of the planet’s energy.”

Link (http://www.animevice.com/news/ar-tonelico-3-involves-stripping-for-great-justice/2839/)

LOL @ this game. :D

[Suwako Moriya]

(Forgive me, I'm trying to keep the quote from getting too large.)

Anime Vice has more news on Ar Tonelico 3 (http://www.animevice.com/news/ar-tonelico-3-involves-stripping-for-great-justice/2839/):
Apparently you become increasingly more powerful as your clothing covers less. “By showing more skin, they are able to absorb more of the planet’s energy.”

I wonder how much clothing they'll allow you to remove. Maybe we'll get naked err ultimate forms! The idea definitely amuses and interests me.

[Draneor]

I'm just glad they're moving away from sprites. They've been recycled too many times.

Personally, I prefer sprite based games.

[Draneor]

Agarest: Generations of War has starting shipping, in case anyone else wanted to import it. I can't wait to find out how crazy this game actually is.

[Fencedude]

Anime Vice has more news on Ar Tonelico 3:

Stripping is a gameplay mechanic...

Apparently you become increasingly more powerful as your clothing covers less. “By showing more skin, they are able to absorb more of the planet’s energy.”

Link (http://www.animevice.com/news/ar-tonelico-3-involves-stripping-for-great-justice/2839/)

*tear*

Its...its...beautiful

[BYapes]

Anime Vice has more news on Ar Tonelico 3:

Stripping is a gameplay mechanic...

Apparently you become increasingly more powerful as your clothing covers less. “By showing more skin, they are able to absorb more of the planet’s energy.”

Link (http://www.animevice.com/news/ar-tonelico-3-involves-stripping-for-great-justice/2839/)

*tear*

Its...its...beautiful


<checks link...>

...

ROTFLOL!!!

Dear god...we may have the ultimate expression of the "Less is More" theory of female armor here, ladies and gentlemen! :)

Just...when this is eventually brought here...PLEASE, PLEASE get it right!

Brian Yaple
BYapes@aol.com

[ADC]

I'm just glad they're moving away from sprites. They've been recycled too many times.
Personally, I prefer sprite based games.
I don't really have a problem with polygonal games in and of themselves. What bothers me is the color palette. I saw some screenshots of Atelier Rorona recently and noticed that the lush, green grass of previous games in the series had been replaced by a drab green-brown field. And why? I don't know. I can't believe that Gust would actually be trying for some realism in that series. There's nothing wrong with expecting your grass to be Pantone 342, people! Real green is better than "realistic" green-brown!

[Zeether]

Turns out the countdown on MekTek's site was for an update to Assault Tech 1: Battletech, but the free Mechwarrior 4 should be coming soon.

[Mateo_home]

I don't really have a problem with polygonal games in and of themselves. What bothers me is the color palette. I saw some screenshots of Atelier Rorona recently and noticed that the lush, green grass of previous games in the series had been replaced by a drab green-brown field. And why? I don't know. I can't believe that Gust would actually be trying for some realism in that series. There's nothing wrong with expecting your grass to be Pantone 342, people! Real green is better than "realistic" green-brown!

You mean like this? (http://www.rpgamer.com/games/atelier/ar/screens/ar89.jpg)

I myself don't look into these things. But looking at it now, yeah. I feel graphics do play an important role in games, but they have to be atrociously bad and have no interest in the title at all in order for me to turn the other way.

[ADC]

I don't really have a problem with polygonal games in and of themselves. What bothers me is the color palette. I saw some screenshots of Atelier Rorona recently and noticed that the lush, green grass of previous games in the series had been replaced by a drab green-brown field. And why? I don't know. I can't believe that Gust would actually be trying for some realism in that series. There's nothing wrong with expecting your grass to be Pantone 342, people! Real green is better than "realistic" green-brown!
You mean like this? (http://www.rpgamer.com/games/atelier/ar/screens/ar89.jpg)
I myself don't look into these things. But looking at it now, yeah. I feel graphics do play an important role in games, but they have to be atrociously bad and have no interest in the title at all in order for me to turn the other way.
Aye, that'll cover it. The girlie's kewtitude is increased by the totally dull environment.… Ah. That's why they do it.

[ADC]

Are you old? Blind, relatively speaking? Do you like DS games? This (http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/29/nintendo-officially-announces-large-screen-dsi-ll-hits-japan-no/) is for you! As Sony goes with the smaller screen on the PSP Go and Apple keeps its screen size constant on the iPhone and iPod touch, Nintendo has increased the size of the DSi to accommodate two four-inch screens. They're calling it the DSi LL and dropping it on previously unsuspecting Japanese gamers November 21, 2009.

And that's all well and good, but where's my Super DS? My DS64? My DSCube? Come on, Nintendo, let's get some serious upgrades going here! I'm tired of crappy Matrix Soft 3D!

[tadakichi]

Are you old? Blind, relatively speaking? Do you like DS games? This (http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/29/nintendo-officially-announces-large-screen-dsi-ll-hits-japan-no/) is for you! As Sony goes with the smaller screen on the PSP Go and Apple keeps its screen size constant on the iPhone and iPod touch, Nintendo has increased the size of the DSi to accommodate two four-inch screens. They're calling it the DSi LL and dropping it on previously unsuspecting Japanese gamers November 21, 2009.

Heh, didn't take them long to confirm the Nikkei rumor after vigorously denying it. The colors are... interesting, though I've almost come to expect that from Nintendo. Wine red? Dark brown? Maybe they did well in surveys and focus groups of the target audience.

Assuming they bring it stateside, I might get one. My eyesight is fine at typical handheld gaming distances, but bigger screens are always better as long as they don't make things look too pixelated. The weight and size increase isn't an issue as I don't take my Lite on the go that much anyway.

[Mateo_home]

Are you old? Blind, relatively speaking? Do you like DS games? This (http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/29/nintendo-officially-announces-large-screen-dsi-ll-hits-japan-no/) is for you! As Sony goes with the smaller screen on the PSP Go and Apple keeps its screen size constant on the iPhone and iPod touch, Nintendo has increased the size of the DSi to accommodate two four-inch screens. They're calling it the DSi LL and dropping it on previously unsuspecting Japanese gamers November 21, 2009.

It's great Nintendo is giving the DS a bigger screen, and that's probably all this is going to offer. I'll buy it because I tend to buy new Nintendo crap since the 8-bit era. Unfortunately I'm going to have to agree that they may as well upgrade to a new handheld offering new software. They really need to upgrade the 3D graphics to look less like an N64 game.

Originally Posted by A Turd
No they don't. Nintendo doesn't have to becuase they focus on the gameplay. And any true gamer knows that only gameplay matters and graphics don't.Oh, shut up.

[Draneor]

So it looks like a Lucky☆Star iDOLM@STER parody (http://www.amiami.com/shop?vgForm=ProductInfo&sku=TVG-PSP-1050&template=review.html) is coming out in December for the PSP. Once again rubbing it in that I picked the wrong hand-held system. More information (http://lucky-blog.com/).

Idol Tsukasa is cute.^^

[Fencedude]

So it looks like a Lucky☆Star iDOLM@STER parody (http://www.amiami.com/shop?vgForm=ProductInfo&sku=TVG-PSP-1050&template=review.html) is coming out in December for the PSP. Once again rubbing it in that I picked the wrong hand-held system. More information (http://lucky-blog.com/).

Idol Tsukasa is cute.^^

And once again, you can still buy a PSP

[Ty]

Are you old? Blind, relatively speaking? Do you like DS games? This (http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/29/nintendo-officially-announces-large-screen-dsi-ll-hits-japan-no/) is for you!

I can't wait to see how they address the screen resolution issue. They have to increase it, even casual users will find the PPI unacceptable if they don't. Then, if/when they do the issue of how to display content will be up in the air since it won't be a 1:1 resolution match for the display anymore. Scale it, or give the option to 1:1 display it (nullifying the size advantage in the process). This is why Nintendo should just stop being so........ THEM all the time and just design a product with mainstream technical capabilities from the beginning for once.

I really hope this one never makes it out of Japan either. Does the world really need a 4th redesign of the DS? I think not.

[MadL]

Are you old? Blind, relatively speaking? Do you like DS games? This (http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/29/nintendo-officially-announces-large-screen-dsi-ll-hits-japan-no/) is for you!

I can't wait to see how they address the screen resolution issue. They have to increase it, even casual users will find the PPI unacceptable if they don't. Then, if/when they do the issue of how to display content will be up in the air since it won't be a 1:1 resolution match for the display anymore. Scale it, or give the option to 1:1 display it (nullifying the size advantage in the process). This is why Nintendo should just stop being so........ THEM all the time and just design a product with mainstream technical capabilities from the beginning for once.

I really hope this one never makes it out of Japan either. Does the world really need a 4th redesign of the DS? I think not.

Seems that it's scheduled for N. American release in 2010:
Link (http://kotaku.com/5392865/dsi-xl-coming-to-america-in-early-2010?skyline=true&s=x)

[Ty]

Seems that it's scheduled for N. American release in 2010:
Link (http://kotaku.com/5392865/dsi-xl-coming-to-america-in-early-2010?skyline=true&s=x)

I'm never buying a Nintendo system again until it's been on the market for at least 4 years.

[Suwako Moriya]

I'm never buying a Nintendo system again until it's been on the market for at least 4 years.

And then when those four years pass and you finally buy the system, Nintendo will announce the 17th version of that system and will already have versions 18-25 in development.

You know what would be sad? If just a day after this new version of the DS gets released, yet another version gets released in Japan. Actually, I'm half-expecting that to happen one day.

Lucky for me, I'm fine with the DS I have and thus don't need DSi or any of the other versions. Besides I'd rather spend that money on games. I say that, but my game buying slowed down severely.

[ADC]

Are you old? Blind, relatively speaking? Do you like DS games? This (http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/29/nintendo-officially-announces-large-screen-dsi-ll-hits-japan-no/) is for you!
I can't wait to see how they address the screen resolution issue. They have to increase it, even casual users will find the PPI unacceptable if they don't. Then, if/when they do the issue of how to display content will be up in the air since it won't be a 1:1 resolution match for the display anymore. Scale it, or give the option to 1:1 display it (nullifying the size advantage in the process). This is why Nintendo should just stop being so........ THEM all the time and just design a product with mainstream technical capabilities from the beginning for once.
The DS Lite's screen displays at about 107 lpi, and the DSi LL will be at about 80 lpi. This is still greater than the 72-dpi publishing standard, though not by much anymore. Either way, I doubt they'll increase the resolution. They had that opportunity when the DSi came out. More important will be whether the pixel pitch is small enough that the "grid" between the pixels isn't noticeable.

Either way, if they're going to up the resolution, I'd rather that they just upgrade the whole damn thing. Twin 480x320 (3.5-inch diagonal) touchscreens, a Cortex A8 main processor, 802.11n networking, all that. Just … please, Nintendo, do one thing you have to this point done reasonably well: Make sure it's a FUCKING GAMES PLAYER instead of a video/music/internet/whateverthefuckelse device that also happens to play games. If there's one place I really don't want streaming Netflix, it's on my handheld games player.

[stfram]

Does the world really need a 4th redesign of the DS? I think not.

Hell, I'm still on the first iteration of the DS.

[Senku]

Arc Rise Fantasia now to be released by Ignition instead of XSEED, allegedly in Summer 2010. (http://www.rpgamer.com/news/Q4-2009/102209a.html)

That's all well and good, but here's the real issue:

Censorship (http://kotaku.com/5191378/arc-rise-fantasia-covers-up-itself)

Usually, I don't waste my time with these things, but I draw the line at covering up Reverse Cleavage. It's a wrong that needs to be righted every time, for the integrity of the work!


(mostly joking)

[Fencedude]

Arc Rise Fantasia now to be released by Ignition instead of XSEED, allegedly in Summer 2010. (http://www.rpgamer.com/news/Q4-2009/102209a.html)

That's all well and good, but here's the real issue:

Censorship (http://kotaku.com/5191378/arc-rise-fantasia-covers-up-itself)

Usually, I don't waste my time with these things, but I draw the line at covering up Reverse Cleavage. It's a wrong that needs to be righted every time, for the integrity of the work!


(mostly joking)

Wait, I thought for a second that it was about censorship for the US release, but it looks like it was a change on the Japanese side as well.

I find myself failing to get outraged.

[HitokiriShadow]

Wait, I thought for a second that it was about censorship for the US release, but it looks like it was a change on the Japanese side as well.

I find myself failing to get outraged.
I had to double check the article after reading Senku's post because I had always been under the impression it was changed for the Japanese release (and thus all other releases as well). I'm pretty sure the loss of underboob was announced before a U.S. release of the game was even annunced. Even if that was just for the U.S. release, I would be only mildly annoyed and only out of principal. I like underboob and all, but of all the things to get censored or altered, I find this one incredibly mundane and insignificant.

[Ryos]

Arc Rise Fantasia now to be released by Ignition instead of XSEED, allegedly in Summer 2010. (http://www.rpgamer.com/news/Q4-2009/102209a.html)

That's all well and good, but here's the real issue:

Censorship (http://kotaku.com/5191378/arc-rise-fantasia-covers-up-itself)

Something tells me the whole partial nudity deal doesn't fit in with an E for everyone rating - even in Japan.

P.S. LOL Nintendo. Figured they'd pull some sort of lame crap with the DSi, just not this soon. I'm skeptical a DS game would look reasonable at ~200% resolution though...

[Nork22]

Agarest: Generations of War has starting shipping, in case anyone else wanted to import it. I can't wait to find out how crazy this game actually is.

I'm tempted to import it as well. Give us a heads up about pros and cons regarding the localisation.

[Nork22]

Anime Vice has more news on Ar Tonelico 3:

Stripping is a gameplay mechanic...

Apparently you become increasingly more powerful as your clothing covers less. “By showing more skin, they are able to absorb more of the planet’s energy.”

Link (http://www.animevice.com/news/ar-tonelico-3-involves-stripping-for-great-justice/2839/)

FIRST FOR PRE-ORDER!!! :sdsmiley::sdsmiley::sdsmiley:

[Ty]

Well RPGamer (http://www.rpgamer.com/games/other/nds/windnost/reviews/windnoststrev1.html) just got done hating on Nostalgia, rating it below average. The take away quote is: "lacks charm, soul, personality, and fun." I guess Matrix is even worse at making their own games than they are remaking classics.

[ADC]

Well RPGamer (http://www.rpgamer.com/games/other/nds/windnost/reviews/windnoststrev1.html) just got done hating on Nostalgia, rating it below average. The take away quote is: "lacks charm, soul, personality, and fun." I guess Matrix is even worse at making their own games than they are remaking classics.
Avalon Code got mixed reviews. You may be right.

[boogiecat]

So it looks like a Lucky☆Star iDOLM@STER parody (http://www.amiami.com/shop?vgForm=ProductInfo&sku=TVG-PSP-1050&template=review.html) is coming out in December for the PSP. Once again rubbing it in that I picked the wrong hand-held system. More information (http://lucky-blog.com/).

Idol Tsukasa is cute.^^

Seems like I'm gonna buy that new Lucky Star:Net Idol Meister (http://www.play-asia.com/SOap-23-83-4jgc-71-9f-77-1-49-en-15-Lucky+Star-84-j-70-3guw.html) game on the Sony PSP which will be available in December 24(almost in time for Christmas!!)..AFAIK its available in regular and DX Pack (http://www.play-asia.com/SOap-23-83-4jgc-71-9f-77-1-49-en-15-Lucky+Star-84-j-70-3guw.html) which is great news!!!

About the DSi LL/DSi XL??Maybe I'll buy that one later next year....

[Suwako Moriya]

Well RPGamer (http://www.rpgamer.com/games/other/nds/windnost/reviews/windnoststrev1.html) just got done hating on Nostalgia, rating it below average. The take away quote is: "lacks charm, soul, personality, and fun." I guess Matrix is even worse at making their own games than they are remaking classics.

I can't confirm or deny anything their saying since I have not tried the game. However if I take everything they're saying to heart then I'd probably be best passing on the game. I speak as if I was going to rush out to get a new DS game.:sweat:

[Senku]

Well RPGamer (http://www.rpgamer.com/games/other/nds/windnost/reviews/windnoststrev1.html) just got done hating on Nostalgia, rating it below average. The take away quote is: "lacks charm, soul, personality, and fun." I guess Matrix is even worse at making their own games than they are remaking classics.

Hm, I've disagreed with their reviews before; or maybe I should say that I've enjoyed games they have given low ratings.

I'm still leaning towards picking this up sometime soon.

[superdry]

Nostalgia - Supposedly, at least with Muramasa, Ignition doesn't do the best translation job. I wonder if that is part of the "lacks soul, charm, etc...." with the game. I was looking forward to Nostalgia too...maybe I'll just borrow it from a friend first.

Lucky Star: Net IdolMeister - The DX pack comes with a Konata figure and a Miku Hatsune T-shirt (strange, though) and something else. I'll be sure to pick this one up when it's released.

[Ryos]

Well RPGamer (http://www.rpgamer.com/games/other/nds/windnost/reviews/windnoststrev1.html) just got done hating on Nostalgia, rating it below average. The take away quote is: "lacks charm, soul, personality, and fun." I guess Matrix is even worse at making their own games than they are remaking classics.

Hm, I've disagreed with their reviews before; or maybe I should say that I've enjoyed games they have given low ratings.

I'm still leaning towards picking this up sometime soon.

Yeah, but it seems like most reviews haven't been kind toward it. That doesn't mean you wouldn't like it (I know I have a few games I love that didn't do well in terms of reviews, notably Shadow Hearts), just it does seem like their opinion is the consensus on Nostalgia. I'll be getting it just because it's a portable RPG and has that feel of Skies of Arcadia to it (even if it doesn't live up to the latter's quality).

[Fencedude]

Oh yeah (http://www.gametrailers.com/video/player/58475)

This may get me back into PC gaming, at least for a bit!

[Suwako Moriya]

Well RPGamer (http://www.rpgamer.com/games/other/nds/windnost/reviews/windnoststrev1.html) just got done hating on Nostalgia, rating it below average. The take away quote is: "lacks charm, soul, personality, and fun." I guess Matrix is even worse at making their own games than they are remaking classics.Hm, I've disagreed with their reviews before; or maybe I should say that I've enjoyed games they have given low ratings.

I've learned long ago that it's essentially up in the air as to whether or not, I'll end up agreeing with a particular reviewer. Which is why one has to hope the review is done well enough that you can see the person's point, but also be able to tell if it's for you or not.

Of course, the challenge can be deciding whether or not you want to risk the money needed to see if you'd have a different opinion. That being said, I tend to buy games not so much based on reviews, but based on information gathered.

On a related subject, the funny thing about complaints that get leveled against games is this. You have some that are highly specific to the game in question. You then have some based on things that are you'd have to be crazy to find good. Such as for example a game crashing all the time.

However there are some things where if I were to pass on game X because of them then I may as well pass on other games in general because I'd essentially be complaining about something that's common to at least the genre in question.

[Suwako Moriya]

Oh yeah (http://www.gametrailers.com/video/player/58475)

Ok, that just got creepy near the end...

[guyverfanboy]

Oh yeah (http://www.gametrailers.com/video/player/58475)

Ok, that just got creepy near the end...

Certainly looks interesting. I would like to see a gameplay video eventually, but that is a ways off.

[guyverfanboy]

Nokia Officially Announces Death of N-Gage (http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3176727)
I thought it died years ago?!

AO-Rated Manhunt 2 Releasing on PC Nov. 6 (http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3176729)
Eh, I'll probably get the console version eventually rather than on PC.

[ColoradoJim]

Well RPGamer (http://www.rpgamer.com/games/other/nds/windnost/reviews/windnoststrev1.html) just got done hating on Nostalgia, rating it below average. The take away quote is: "lacks charm, soul, personality, and fun." I guess Matrix is even worse at making their own games than they are remaking classics.

Hm, I've disagreed with their reviews before; or maybe I should say that I've enjoyed games they have given low ratings.

I'm still leaning towards picking this up sometime soon.

Yeah, but it seems like most reviews haven't been kind toward it. That doesn't mean you wouldn't like it (I know I have a few games I love that didn't do well in terms of reviews, notably Shadow Hearts), just it does seem like their opinion is the consensus on Nostalgia. I'll be getting it just because it's a portable RPG and has that feel of Skies of Arcadia to it (even if it doesn't live up to the latter's quality).

I'm currently playing the game and I hope to post some of my impressions later this week when I get farther in the game. I'm about 6 hours in so far.

[Senku]

Agarest: Generations of War has starting shipping, in case anyone else wanted to import it. I can't wait to find out how crazy this game actually is.

I'm tempted to import it as well. Give us a heads up about pros and cons regarding the localization.

Yo!

My copy of Agarest just came in today! Definitely playing this tonight with comments tomorrow.

Also, for the price of buying PS3 game at a store here (US), I was able to purchase AND ship from the UK to me. That's good, right?

[Ty]

The PSN download version of Agarest is supposed to be coming any time now so I think I'll wait for that.

[Draneor]

The PSN download version of Agarest is supposed to be coming any time now so I think I'll wait for that.

Odd as it is, I prefer a physical copy. Although the downside of importing is that, if any downloadable content is offered, I won't be able to purchase it.

[tadakichi]

The PSN download version of Agarest is supposed to be coming any time now so I think I'll wait for that.

It's been pushed to 2010, according to a staff member posting on the Aksys Games forums. Link (http://www.aksysgames.com/forums/topic/308#post-2550)

[Ty]

It's been pushed to 2010, according to a staff member posting on the Aksys Games forums. Link (http://www.aksysgames.com/forums/topic/308#post-2550)

Guess I won't have to bother looking for it now.

[Fencedude]

It's been pushed to 2010, according to a staff member posting on the Aksys Games forums. Link (http://www.aksysgames.com/forums/topic/308#post-2550)

Guess I won't have to bother looking for it now.

I just broke down and imported it.

*sigh*

I need more PS3 games anyway.

[Fencedude]

And on a completely unrelated note, what does everyone think of Demon Souls? I totally don't need another game, but if, perhaps, the situation were to arise where I needed to name a PS3 game to get, would it be worth my time?

[Senku]

And on a completely unrelated note, what does everyone think of Demon Souls? I totally don't need another game, but if, perhaps, the situation were to arise where I needed to name a PS3 game to get, would it be worth my time?

If you have issues with dying countless times, don't buy it.

If you have problems memorizing enemy patterns and spawns, don't buy it.

Granted, playing online will vastly help your chances of staying alive and completing stages; but offline can get depressing at times.

It's one of those games where once you figure out the right way to go about it, replaying becomes easier. But... if you were playing a mage build, then start a new character doing Melee, the game will play totally different.

On the other hand, I can't remember the last time I've felt the kind of satisfaction this game offers. Especially after some of the bosses, you can't help but put the controller down let out a *sigh*.

[Isuzu Inugami]

It's been pushed to 2010, according to a staff member posting on the Aksys Games forums. Link (http://www.aksysgames.com/forums/topic/308#post-2550)

I just broke down and imported it.

*sigh*

I need more PS3 games anyway.

Heh, mine's in the mail as well. (But I'm a physical media guy to begin with.)

It suddenly occurs to me, if the game prompts me to update the PS3 firmware, will I have any problems because it's an EU copy? I can hook up to the net, but it's kind of a pain, so I'm still on 2.8whatever.

[Suwako Moriya]

So it looks like a Lucky☆Star iDOLM@STER parody (http://www.amiami.com/shop?vgForm=ProductInfo&sku=TVG-PSP-1050&template=review.html) is coming out in December for the PSP.

As long as we're on the subject, it seems that on their youtube channel, Kadokawa put up what I believe is a preview of the game as can be seen here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDQCKfdmzRY&feature=sub).

[Consignia]

It suddenly occurs to me, if the game prompts me to update the PS3 firmware, will I have any problems because it's an EU copy? I can hook up to the net, but it's kind of a pain, so I'm still on 2.8whatever.


Nah, you'll be reet. The firmwares are generic across regions. I think I updated my UK PS3 with a US copy of Devil May Cry 4.

[Isuzu Inugami]

Nah, you'll be reet. The firmwares are generic across regions.

Thanks, that's good to know. Agarest girlies, here I come!

[Nork22]

Latest screens from Sega shows Welkin and Alicia showing up (and aged appropriately) to help the whippersnappers out. Seems like they will be part of the storyline.

Also Lamaar is in there (WTF?) as well as the yaoi couple from the manga, Mintz and Julius, make an appearance.

Source (http://blog.valkyria.jp/archives/1163014.html)

Also, seems like Selvaria is back too...

Source (http://www.rpgamer.com/games/valkyria/valkyria2/screens/valkyria2ss110409-1.html)

Checking out the official website, I had a look at Cordelia's (http://valkyria2.jp/character3_01.html) profile (a spoiler if you haven't finish the first game). They aged her nicely and now she now looks like a princess whom you don't want to cross.

[Fencedude]

Latest screens from Sega shows Welkin and Alicia showing up (and aged appropriately) to help the whippersnappers out. Seems like they will be part of the storyline.

Also Lamaar is in there (WTF?) as well as the yaoi couple from the manga, Mintz and Julius, make an appearance.

Source (http://blog.valkyria.jp/archives/1163014.html)

Also, seems like Selvaria is back too...

Source (http://www.rpgamer.com/games/valkyria/valkyria2/screens/valkyria2ss110409-1.html)

Checking out the official website, I had a look at Cordelia's (http://valkyria2.jp/character3_01.html) profile (a spoiler if you haven't finish the first game). They aged her nicely and now she now looks like a princess whom you don't want to cross.

WTF Ramal and Selvaria?

And I wonder if Alicia is still godmodehax

[Legion]

And on a completely unrelated note, what does everyone think of Demon Souls? I totally don't need another game, but if, perhaps, the situation were to arise where I needed to name a PS3 game to get, would it be worth my time?

I think it's a very worthwhile game, and definitely something you'd want to check out when you don't have a lot else on your plate. I picked it up recently and beat the first boss yesterday. There's not much I can say that any half-decent reviewer hasn't already. It's a hard game, even unforgiving at times, but it's not unfair. If you lose a big chunk of your health, or your life, it was almost definitely your fault and not a result of poor game design. Although it's a Japanese game it looks and feels like dark western D&D-type fantasy. The game is more focused on your quest to kill demons than developing a sprawling epic story.

If you do check it out, do play it online if you can. Demon's Souls has some of the most interesting online integration I've ever seen and I don't think you quite get the full experience the developers intended offline.

[broodwars]

http://www.famitsu.com/game/news/1229437_1124.html

Famitsu has revealed that Square-Enix is working on a new Lufia game for as-yet unrevealed platform. Good to hear, as Lufia II (despite its many flaws) is up there on my list of favorite SNES RPGs. At least this game can't be even worse than the GBA Lufia game released near the beginning of that platform's life-cycle.

Also, WTF to Selvaria being in the new Valkyria Chronicles game. Unless they're doing something like "historic missions" or flashbacks or something, that's just not possible and cheapens an event in the first game considerably.

[Mateo_home]

Selvaria is in the next game? Don't tell me she she survived because she's popular among the fans. And Ramal? Who's next, Zombie Isara?

[Andrew Cunningham]

Selvaria is in the next game? Don't tell me she she survived because she's popular among the fans. And Ramal? Who's next, Zombie Isara?

Good thing I don't give a fuck about the story!

[HitokiriShadow]

Also, seems like Selvaria is back too...

Source (http://www.rpgamer.com/games/valkyria/valkyria2/screens/valkyria2ss110409-1.html)

Checking out the official website, I had a look at Cordelia's (http://valkyria2.jp/character3_01.html) profile (a spoiler if you haven't finish the first game). They aged her nicely and now she now looks like a princess whom you don't want to cross.

I saw the Selvaria screenshot a few days ago. Which is awesome, though it does raise all sorts of questions.

I hadn't seen the Cordelia picture. I'm ecstatic that she'll continue to play some sort of role and I love her new look.

[HitokiriShadow]

http://www.famitsu.com/game/news/1229437_1124.html

Famitsu has revealed that Square-Enix is working on a new Lufia game for as-yet unrevealed platform. Good to hear, as Lufia II (despite its many flaws) is up there on my list of favorite SNES RPGs. At least this game can't be even worse than the GBA Lufia game released near the beginning of that platform's life-cycle.


This makes me very happy. I barely played any of the first game and I only played a dozen hours or so on the second as a rental, but I loved what I did play of them and have fully intended to go back and fully play the second at some point. I figured we had seen the last of the Lufia series, but I'm very pleased to see that I was wrong.

[broodwars]

http://www.famitsu.com/game/news/1229437_1124.html

Famitsu has revealed that Square-Enix is working on a new Lufia game for as-yet unrevealed platform. Good to hear, as Lufia II (despite its many flaws) is up there on my list of favorite SNES RPGs. At least this game can't be even worse than the GBA Lufia game released near the beginning of that platform's life-cycle.


This makes me very happy. I barely played any of the first game and I only played a dozen hours or so on the second as a rental, but I loved what I did play of them and have fully intended to go back and fully play the second at some point. I figured we had seen the last of the Lufia series, but I'm very pleased to see that I was wrong.

Hopefully, we'll see the IP system return, where as you take damage the gauge fills up and then you can perform special attacks or spells depending on your equipment (yes, they're Limit Breaks before FF7 "invented them"). That (along with the Capsule Monsters) was my favorite element from Lufia 2, and one that was sorely missing from the GBA game.

[ADC]

http://www.famitsu.com/game/news/1229437_1124.html
Famitsu has revealed that Square-Enix is working on a new Lufia game for as-yet unrevealed platform. Good to hear, as Lufia II (despite its many flaws) is up there on my list of favorite SNES RPGs. At least this game can't be even worse than the GBA Lufia game released near the beginning of that platform's life-cycle.
This makes me very happy. I barely played any of the first game and I only played a dozen hours or so on the second as a rental, but I loved what I did play of them and have fully intended to go back and fully play the second at some point. I figured we had seen the last of the Lufia series, but I'm very pleased to see that I was wrong.
Hopefully, we'll see the IP system return, where as you take damage the gauge fills up and then you can perform special attacks or spells depending on your equipment (yes, they're Limit Breaks before FF7 "invented them"). That (along with the Capsule Monsters) was my favorite element from Lufia 2, and one that was sorely missing from the GBA game.
Point of order: FF6 was the first in the series to have "limit breaks," though you had no control over when they happened unless you liked to live dangerously and leave all your people in SOS status. In a related development, FF6 predates Lufia II by 10 months. Well, whatever. I'm interested to see what this game's all about, as I missed the Lufia games back in the day.

[broodwars]

http://www.famitsu.com/game/news/1229437_1124.html
Famitsu has revealed that Square-Enix is working on a new Lufia game for as-yet unrevealed platform. Good to hear, as Lufia II (despite its many flaws) is up there on my list of favorite SNES RPGs. At least this game can't be even worse than the GBA Lufia game released near the beginning of that platform's life-cycle.
This makes me very happy. I barely played any of the first game and I only played a dozen hours or so on the second as a rental, but I loved what I did play of them and have fully intended to go back and fully play the second at some point. I figured we had seen the last of the Lufia series, but I'm very pleased to see that I was wrong.
Hopefully, we'll see the IP system return, where as you take damage the gauge fills up and then you can perform special attacks or spells depending on your equipment (yes, they're Limit Breaks before FF7 "invented them"). That (along with the Capsule Monsters) was my favorite element from Lufia 2, and one that was sorely missing from the GBA game.
Point of order: FF6 was the first in the series to have "limit breaks," though you had no control over when they happened unless you liked to live dangerously and leave all your people in SOS status. In a related development, FF6 predates Lufia II by 10 months. Well, whatever. I'm interested to see what this game's all about, as I missed the Lufia games back in the day.

Point of order: I didn't say Lufia 2 invented "Limit Breaks", either. I only said it did them before FF7, the game that supposedly "invented" the concept. ^_-

And you owe it to yourself to play Lufia 2, however you have to acquire it. The story and game flow itself contains just about every RPG cliche ever created, but I think the story is very well-told; the puzzles are clever; the music's very good; and the ending is one of the most touching of any RPG I've ever played. It's also just plain fun, something I can't say about its predecesor.

[ADC]

And you owe it to yourself to play Lufia 2, however you have to acquire it. The story and game flow itself contains just about every RPG cliche ever created, but I think the story is very well-told; the puzzles are clever; the music's very good; and the ending is one of the most touching of any RPG I've ever played. It's also just plain fun, something I can't say about its predecesor.
If NOA puts it up on the Virtual Console or Square gives it a DS refresh or whatever, I'll give it a try. Otherwise I'll let it go. I no longer have a SNES and I don't illegally download ROMs, so acquiring it is the tricky part.

[untoldsorrow]

And you owe it to yourself to play Lufia 2, however you have to acquire it. The story and game flow itself contains just about every RPG cliche ever created, but I think the story is very well-told; the puzzles are clever; the music's very good; and the ending is one of the most touching of any RPG I've ever played. It's also just plain fun, something I can't say about its predecesor.

Agree. One of the better games on SNES. The story was great, ending was a tearjerker, and puzzles were annoying but awesome. Anything after Lufia 2 was garbage. I was hoping for Lufia 3 for sooo long. Back when EGM and Gamepro was still covering SNES games, I kept seeing "Lufia 3" in the coming soon lists almost every month.

[Nork22]

Also, WTF to Selvaria being in the new Valkyria Chronicles game. Unless they're doing something like "historic missions" or flashbacks or something, that's just not possible and cheapens an event in the first game considerably.

Could some sort of historic event, or maybe a bonus character/reskin. She's definitely dead as we have another Valkyria to deal with. So I won't sweat about it... afterall... we have Ramal... and we know what happened to him.

[broodwars]

Also, WTF to Selvaria being in the new Valkyria Chronicles game. Unless they're doing something like "historic missions" or flashbacks or something, that's just not possible and cheapens an event in the first game considerably.

Could some sort of historic event, or maybe a bonus character/reskin. She's definitely dead as we have another Valkyria to deal with. So I won't sweat about it... afterall... we have Ramal... and we know what happened to him.

As far as I know, though, Ramal wasn't in the first Valkyria Chronicles game so it doesn't matter that he's still around, does it? The anime's its own thing.

[Draneor]

Moonstone is releasing an English, all-ages version of Gift for the iPhone for $9.99. (http://blog.livedoor.jp/geek/archives/50933863.html) The translation appears to have issues. An English version of KIRAKIRA is also coming (http://novelnews.net/2009/11/12/girls-on-iphone/#more-988 ).

[HitokiriShadow]

Final Fantasy XIII to be released in U.S. on March 9. (http://kotaku.com/5403678/final-fantasy-xiii-hits-north-america-march-9)

That's a month or two earlier than I was expecting.

[broodwars]

Final Fantasy XIII to be released in U.S. on March 9. (http://kotaku.com/5403678/final-fantasy-xiii-hits-north-america-march-9)

That's a month or two earlier than I was expecting.

That's a good time for it. I'll have just finished Bioshock 2 around that time.

[Consignia]

Final Fantasy XIII to be released in U.S. on March 9. (http://kotaku.com/5403678/final-fantasy-xiii-hits-north-america-march-9)

That's a month or two earlier than I was expecting.

Even more surprisingly Europe also (http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/final-fantasy-xiii-dated-for-us-and-europe).

[LordGeo]

Well, Aksys has a reason as to why Record of Agarest War was delayed: It's because we're getting the expanded Re-Appearance version! (http://www.siliconera.com/2009/11/13/aksys-explains-why-record-of-agarest-war-was-delayed/)

Yeah, so not only is the PS3 download version going to have the extra content from Re-Appearance, but it seems that Aksys will also be releasing the Xbox 360 version as well! Now I have to get this game for the Xbox 360!

Hopefully importers won't feel too bad...

[HitokiriShadow]

I was hoping they were delaying it because they decided to do a physical release for the U.S. after all. Great, so now I have to decide between importing to get the physical release and LE extras, getting the U.S. download to get all of the game content, or double dipping and getting both.

Aksys is really pissing me off with how they're handling the release of this game. I want it, I want the physical copy and the extras, and I want the entire damn game, but I don't want to have to buy it twice and pay over $100 for it. Ugh. And I can just see them announcing "Hey, we decided we'll do a retail release after all, including all the LE extras and the full game" after I order the UK version.

[LordGeo]

Well, it seems that the 360 version will be a retail disc while the PS3 version is still online only... Yeah, not that great of an idea for gamers who don't own a 360, I know.

[HitokiriShadow]

Well, it seems that the 360 version will be a retail disc while the PS3 version is still online only... Yeah, not that great of an idea for gamers who don't own a 360, I know.

Are you sure about that? The article says there will be a 360 version, but it doesn't specify what kind of release it will be. The 360 box in the article is the Japanese box, so it doesn't mean anything for the U.S. release.

[LordGeo]

Well, it seems that the 360 version will be a retail disc while the PS3 version is still online only... Yeah, not that great of an idea for gamers who don't own a 360, I know.

Are you sure about that? The article says there will be a 360 version, but it doesn't specify what kind of release it will be. The 360 box in the article is the Japanese box, so it doesn't mean anything for the U.S. release.

Read the first sentence. (http://www.aksysgames.com/2009/11/13/record-of-agarest-war-coming-to-playstation-3-and-xbox-360-spring-2010/)

[tadakichi]

Well, Aksys has a reason as to why Record of Agarest War was delayed: It's because we're getting the expanded Re-Appearance version! (http://www.siliconera.com/2009/11/13/aksys-explains-why-record-of-agarest-war-was-delayed/)

Yeah, so not only is the PS3 download version going to have the extra content from Re-Appearance, but it seems that Aksys will also be releasing the Xbox 360 version as well! Now I have to get this game for the Xbox 360!

I wonder what the price difference (if any) will be between the versions. I don't see any reason why they wouldn't charge the standard $60 for the 360's disc version, but there's no single game on the PS3 store that expensive; the highest it goes is $50 (for NFL Head Coach 09, of all things). Is there any precedent for a game being released simultaneously on 360 and PS3, but disc-based on one system and download-only on the other?

[Fencedude]

Well, Aksys has a reason as to why Record of Agarest War was delayed: It's because we're getting the expanded Re-Appearance version! (http://www.siliconera.com/2009/11/13/aksys-explains-why-record-of-agarest-war-was-delayed/)

Yeah, so not only is the PS3 download version going to have the extra content from Re-Appearance, but it seems that Aksys will also be releasing the Xbox 360 version as well! Now I have to get this game for the Xbox 360!

Hopefully importers won't feel too bad...

Blargh. And my copy just shipped.

[HitokiriShadow]

Well, it seems that the 360 version will be a retail disc while the PS3 version is still online only... Yeah, not that great of an idea for gamers who don't own a 360, I know.

Are you sure about that? The article says there will be a 360 version, but it doesn't specify what kind of release it will be. The 360 box in the article is the Japanese box, so it doesn't mean anything for the U.S. release.

Read the first sentence. (http://www.aksysgames.com/2009/11/13/record-of-agarest-war-coming-to-playstation-3-and-xbox-360-spring-2010/)

Ugh, yep, the official site does say it explicitly (I wish the first article would have at least linked to that). It makes absolutely no sense that they could release it as a full retail product, with an LE version at that, in the UK and release it as a full retail product on the 360 here, but download only was the only way they could release it for the PS3.

I'm still going to import the UK version because I want those LE goodies and there isn't yet any reason to believe we'll get those here even in the 360 release or if the PS3 version gets a retail release. I'm hoping the PS3 version will be priced well below the standard retail price for a PS3 game. If its priced decently, I'll double dip. If Askys is charging a full $60 or close to it, they can go screw themselves and I'll do without the extra content. And I'm sure Askys will announce a PS3 retail version with all the goodies as soon as my UK copy ships out.

[Ty]

http://www.famitsu.com/game/news/1229437_1124.html

Famitsu has revealed that Square-Enix is working on a new Lufia game for as-yet unrevealed platform.

This makes me strangely happy despite not having a lot of play time with the franchise. It'll come down to what system it goes on and whether or not they decide to ruin it by making it 3D I guess.

[Ty]

Well, Aksys has a reason as to why Record of Agarest War was delayed: It's because we're getting the expanded Re-Appearance version! (http://www.siliconera.com/2009/11/13/aksys-explains-why-record-of-agarest-war-was-delayed/)

A 3 month delay for different color underwear on the girls? Well, whatever I guess. My gut says this game is going to be average beneath all the fanservice so I'll just wait for the Aksys version next year.

[Suwako Moriya]

Is there any precedent for a game being released simultaneously on 360 and PS3, but disc-based on one system and download-only on the other?

I have no idea, but to be honest the whole situation doesn't make sense to me. Although I guess part of it depends on who ultimately made the situation in each cases.

Was it purely Aksys deciding to go one way in the case of the 360 and the other way in the case of the PS3? Or was Microsoft and/or Sony involved in each decision?

[ADC]

Well, Aksys has a reason as to why Record of Agarest War was delayed: It's because we're getting the expanded Re-Appearance version! (http://www.siliconera.com/2009/11/13/aksys-explains-why-record-of-agarest-war-was-delayed/)
A 3 month delay for different color underwear on the girls? Well, whatever I guess. My gut says this game is going to be average beneath all the fanservice so I'll just wait for the Aksys version next year.
But — But — It's panties! There's nothing beneath all the fanservice! Except … well, except for … uh … It's bringing a tear to me eye. Where's the Kleenex?

[Senku]

I was hoping they were delaying it because they decided to do a physical release for the U.S. after all. Great, so now I have to decide between importing to get the physical release and LE extras, getting the U.S. download to get all of the game content, or double dipping and getting both.

Depending on Aksys's price point for the game, I am probably going to double dip for this game :sweat:

I'm still going to play through Ghostlight's copy of the game and enjoy myself. Then I can see what differences they made to the "updated" version. Besides important issues like panties, I'm hoping the newer version has tweaked some issues I've had with the game. Like balancing how much money you get (read: not enough), or adding an "objectives" screen for each battle. (even if a majority of them says "Defeat all enemies")

[Andrew Cunningham]

Was it purely Aksys deciding to go one way in the case of the 360 and the other way in the case of the PS3? Or was Microsoft and/or Sony involved in each decision?

I thought Games on Demand would allow companies to put games like this as downloads on the 360 as well, but I guess not.

[LordGeo]

Today's weekly Nintendo Download has revealed the beginning of the WiiWare demo service. Today, free demos for World of Goo, NyxQuest: Kindred Spirits, BIT.TRIP BEAT, and FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES: My Life as a Darklord, and Pokémon Rumble (which is a brand new title) will be uploaded to the Wii Shop Channel and will apparently stay available until sometime in January 2010.

Also, in related news, the Virtual Console gets yet another two titles today in the forms of Indiana Jones' Greatest Adventures for the SNES (800 Points) and Street Fighter II': Champion Edition for the PC-Engine/TG-16 [complete with the original Japanese name placements!] (700 Points); unless we were to get the Brazil-only Master System version of Street Fighter II on the VC, today's addition should be the final version of Street Fighter II that the service will get.

[ADC]

VGChartz estimates (http://news.vgchartz.com/news.php?id=5887) (and their estimates are usually pretty good) that NSMBW shifted about 550,000 units on Sunday, bested this year only by Modern Warfare 2 and Halo ODST. They think it'll make it to 1 million units by week's end. These numbers include mine, of course, which arrived from Amazon.com today even though I chose free media mail shipping. And the verdict? FUN!!

[Ty]

In the store I now begrudgingly work at Modern Warfare 2 completely kicked its butt. By at least a 10:1 ratio. I'd say the interest has been moderate and steady. Nintendo obviously expects it to do well over the next few weeks though, because they shipped a mountain of copies.

[Fencedude]

In the store I now begrudgingly work at Modern Warfare 2 completely kicked its butt. By at least a 10:1 ratio. I'd say the interest has been moderate and steady. Nintendo obviously expects it to do well over the next few weeks though, because they shipped a mountain of copies.

I still have yet to have it adequately explained to me why MW2 is so amazing. Isn't the military FPS pretty much honed down into a well oiled machine by now? What more could they possibly have done to it?

[ADC]

In the store I now begrudgingly work at Modern Warfare 2 completely kicked its butt. By at least a 10:1 ratio. I'd say the interest has been moderate and steady. Nintendo obviously expects it to do well over the next few weeks though, because they shipped a mountain of copies.
I still have yet to have it adequately explained to me why MW2 is so amazing. Isn't the military FPS pretty much honed down into a well oiled machine by now? What more could they possibly have done to it?
It's a military FPS. American gamers by and large have bad taste. Explanation over.

[Betenoire]

In the store I now begrudgingly work at Modern Warfare 2 completely kicked its butt. By at least a 10:1 ratio. I'd say the interest has been moderate and steady. Nintendo obviously expects it to do well over the next few weeks though, because they shipped a mountain of copies.

I can see over the next few weeks. With the Wii in so many households and the Mario name carrying weight there are probably anticipating that the Christmas season will have parents buying it (along with Mario fans who are old enough to buy their own games so they don't have to wait). I met a gamer last Thur who was operating on lack of sleep which I believe he pined on MW2.

[Fencedude]

It's a military FPS. American gamers by and large have bad taste. Explanation over.

Silly me.

[broodwars]

In the store I now begrudgingly work at Modern Warfare 2 completely kicked its butt. By at least a 10:1 ratio. I'd say the interest has been moderate and steady. Nintendo obviously expects it to do well over the next few weeks though, because they shipped a mountain of copies.

I still have yet to have it adequately explained to me why MW2 is so amazing. Isn't the military FPS pretty much honed down into a well oiled machine by now? What more could they possibly have done to it?

Include a level where you slaughter civilians and enough explosions to make Michael Bay take pause, from all accounts. Yeah, I seriously don't see the big deal either. I'd still like to play the first Modern Warfare, though, just to see if the supposedly-awesome singleplayer campaign really is my cup of tea.

[Senku]

In the store I now begrudgingly work at Modern Warfare 2 completely kicked its butt. By at least a 10:1 ratio. I'd say the interest has been moderate and steady. Nintendo obviously expects it to do well over the next few weeks though, because they shipped a mountain of copies.

I still have yet to have it adequately explained to me why MW2 is so amazing. Isn't the military FPS pretty much honed down into a well oiled machine by now? What more could they possibly have done to it?

Like Uncharted, the first MW (and presumably MW2) have several "set pieces" that people liked. I really enjoyed the end, where you basically escape from getting executed. But I probably like FPS games more then your usual RPG gamer, so YMMV.

That doesn't sound like an adequate explanation though :sweat:

[Senku]

Looks like Atlus is getting the next From Software game as well:

Atlus announces 3D Dot Game Heroes for PlayStation 3 (http://www.atlus.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5265)

I really have no idea what this game is about, beyond that it's an RPG.

[Betenoire]

Looks like Atlus is getting the next From Software game as well:

Atlus announces 3D Dot Game Heroes for PlayStation 3 (http://www.atlus.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5265)

I really have no idea what this game is about, beyond that it's an RPG.

Wow, they are really pushing the retro thing. When a company pushes the visuals elements over all else that can be a troubling sign.:sd: But it is Atlus and they have a good deal of rope with me so I guess it's a we'll see thing.

[Citizen Klaus]

Like Uncharted, the first MW (and presumably MW2) have several "set pieces" that people liked.

Pripyat FTW. The thing that made the original Modern Warfare so great wasn't anything to do with the mechanics, it was all in the presentation.

The military FPS is indeed well-trodden territory, but Infinity Ward stands alone among developers in that they've honed the pacing and flow of their level design to a point where it approaches mastery. There were no points in MW where your forward progression stopped, and you were left confused about what to do next. Most FPSes have at least one point like that; MW literally had none. It was always pushing you forward.

Add to that a genuinely interesting story, where you play as multiple characters -- one of whom gets killed off halfway through, in one of the most indelible scenes in recent memory -- and you have an experience that, if it didn't differ from other military FPSes in kind, it certainly did in degree. Modern Warfare was a genre game for genre fans, pure and simple.

[MadL]

Apparently the latest issue of Famitsu has scans from a No More Heroes port for the PS3 and 360:

Story from Joystiq (http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/17/famitsu-no-more-heroes-headed-for-ps3-and-xbox-360-in-some-form/)

[broodwars]

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=20364

Apparently, the new Lufia game is not only looking like a quasi-remake of Lufia 2, but it is headed to the Nintendo DS. Well, if you're going to remake a Lufia game, you might as well pick the best one. Thing is, the last time this franchise went to a handheld it was utter shit, and I have little reason to believe this one will be much better (especially since it's going to be an "action" game this time instead of turn-based).

*sighs about yet another much-desired console game going to a ****ing handheld, especially one he no longer owns.*

Also, because this looks to be a remake of Lufia 2 my hopes of Square-Enix actually releasing Lufia 2 on the Virtual Console has fallen dramatically.

[ADC]

Who missed out on the Phoenix Wright games? (A tumbleweed rolls through the thread.) Well, now's your chance to fix it: They're coming to WiiWare (http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/18/phoenix-wright-summoned-for-duty-on-wiiware-this-january/)!

Take that!!

[broodwars]

Who missed out on the Phoenix Wright games? (A tumbleweed rolls through the thread.) Well, now's your chance to fix it: They're coming to WiiWare (http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/18/phoenix-wright-summoned-for-duty-on-wiiware-this-january/)!

Take that!!

Objection!

Your honor, the defendant is obviously guilty of once again milking a franchise instead of actually taking the opportunity to do something interesting with it on the new format. Like say...new episodic Phoenix Wright WiiWare titles, which could be produced on a ridiculously small budget with a pretty profitable turnaround. Hell, they're even selling the DS-exclusive chapter of Phoenix Wright 1 at an added cost outside the original game. There's also no sign that they're taking even the most basic of steps to make this work on Wii, such as redrawing all the sprites and backgrounds so they work on the Wii's larger resolution.

Phoenix Wright is awesome, but even by Capcom's already low standards on Wii this is disappointing.

[Fencedude]

Who missed out on the Phoenix Wright games? (A tumbleweed rolls through the thread.) Well, now's your chance to fix it: They're coming to WiiWare (http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/18/phoenix-wright-summoned-for-duty-on-wiiware-this-january/)!

Take that!!

I sold my copies, but I may just buy these.

[Betenoire]

Who missed out on the Phoenix Wright games? (A tumbleweed rolls through the thread.) Well, now's your chance to fix it: They're coming to WiiWare (http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/18/phoenix-wright-summoned-for-duty-on-wiiware-this-january/)!

Take that!!

I've got these three. I just don't have the newer one. :sd:

[Ty]

I still have yet to have it adequately explained to me why MW2 is so amazing.

It's the perfect formula for an easily exploitable demographic. The flood of buyers for the game continues, all of them age 14-22 and all of them for the 360. Seriously I've had like one guy ask for the PS3 version. I think shooters is all people actually play on the 360 sometimes. You wouldn't believe how many sales I deny because it's M rated too.

[Ty]

(especially since it's going to be an "action" game this time instead of turn-based).

Fail. Man, this poor franchise hasn't been treated well in the last decade or so.

[stfram]

Add to that a genuinely interesting story, where you play as multiple characters -- one of whom gets killed off halfway through, in one of the most indelible scenes in recent memory -- and you have an experience that, if it didn't differ from other military FPSes in kind, it certainly did in degree. Modern Warfare was a genre game for genre fans, pure and simple.

You nailed it.

And I loved MW and MW2. Will be in line to buy MW3, too.

There were a couple of scenes/stages in MW2 that had me howling "fuck yes!"...and no, one of them wasn't the famous "No Russian" airport stage. That actually made me incredibly uncomfortable, and I fired my weapon over the heads of the civilians, not that it mattered...your comrades cut them down even if you do not.

Edit: and I should also say that COD 5: World at War left me cold. It was almost boring, the Japanese levels became tiresome with all the Banzai charges, and the Russian levels had all been played to death in the previous three COD WWII games. In fact, WWII in general has been done to death, with the exception of the excellent Brothers in Arms: Hells Highway game (picked that up for cheap on the PS3, and had a complete blast with it).

[Citizen Klaus]

I still have yet to have it adequately explained to me why MW2 is so amazing.

It's the perfect formula for an easily exploitable demographic. The flood of buyers for the game continues, all of them age 14-22 and all of them for the 360.

But... but... I'm 25, and I like the series... :shy:

[Betenoire]

I still have yet to have it adequately explained to me why MW2 is so amazing.

It's the perfect formula for an easily exploitable demographic. The flood of buyers for the game continues, all of them age 14-22 and all of them for the 360.

But... but... I'm 25, and I like the series... :shy:

Statistical outlier. means somewhere out there their is an 11 year old balancing you out. :sdsmiley:

[ADC]

I still have yet to have it adequately explained to me why MW2 is so amazing.
It's the perfect formula for an easily exploitable demographic. The flood of buyers for the game continues, all of them age 14-22 and all of them for the 360.
But... but... I'm 25, and I like the series... :shy:
Late bloomer. So sad. Now excuse me while I go back to playing NSMBW. ;)

[Senku]

I still have yet to have it adequately explained to me why MW2 is so amazing.

It's the perfect formula for an easily exploitable demographic. The flood of buyers for the game continues, all of them age 14-22 and all of them for the 360.

But... but... I'm 25, and I like the series... :shy:

Statistical outlier. means somewhere out there their is an 11 year old balancing you out. :sdsmiley:

My cousin buys these games for his kids on their DS... so there you go.

[ColoradoJim]

In fact, WWII in general has been done to death, with the exception of the excellent Brothers in Arms: Hells Highway game (picked that up for cheap on the PS3, and had a complete blast with it).

I wish developers would try and do a game based on WWI sometimes. I have really been into reading WWI history and keeping track of the last remaining vets. Only 3 at this point and only one of them saw combat. I'm not sure they can actually make a FPS game out of the ground combat sections due to the mostly static nature of trench warfare although I suppose they could add stuff for the heavy guns, dispatch riders, sappers etc. The only good games that I'm aware of would be the various flight sims featuring combat with biplanes.

[Citizen Klaus]

I still have yet to have it adequately explained to me why MW2 is so amazing.
It's the perfect formula for an easily exploitable demographic. The flood of buyers for the game continues, all of them age 14-22 and all of them for the 360.
But... but... I'm 25, and I like the series... :shy:
Late bloomer. So sad. Now excuse me while I go back to playing NSMBW. ;)

That would explain why I can never find a girlfriend. :relief:

But heck, that's the whole reason these games exist: stress relief. :devil:

[Citizen Klaus]

In fact, WWII in general has been done to death, with the exception of the excellent Brothers in Arms: Hells Highway game (picked that up for cheap on the PS3, and had a complete blast with it).

I wish developers would try and do a game based on WWI sometimes. I have really been into reading WWI history and keeping track of the last remaining vets. Only 3 at this point and only one of them saw combat. I'm not sure they can actually make a FPS game out of the ground combat sections due to the mostly static nature of trench warfare although I suppose they could add stuff for the heavy guns, dispatch riders, sappers etc. The only good games that I'm aware of would be the various flight sims featuring combat with biplanes.

One dev did try making a WWI trench-warfare FPS. I can't remember the title, but it was a bargain-binner right from day one. The quality was about what you would expect, considering the price.

[Suwako Moriya]

Who missed out on the Phoenix Wright games? (A tumbleweed rolls through the thread.) Well, now's your chance to fix it: They're coming to WiiWare (http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/18/phoenix-wright-summoned-for-duty-on-wiiware-this-january/)!


Does it count as missing out if you had absolutely no intention of ever trying the game? In any case, it's quite clear to me that the real reason for this is they wanted an excuse to show characters from the game holding wii-motes.

[Ty]

I still have yet to have it adequately explained to me why MW2 is so amazing.

It's the perfect formula for an easily exploitable demographic. The flood of buyers for the game continues, all of them age 14-22 and all of them for the 360.

But... but... I'm 25, and I like the series... :shy:

I have a habit of speaking in absolutes when usually I'm referring to majority. :sweat:

[guyverfanboy]

I still have yet to have it adequately explained to me why MW2 is so amazing.

It's the perfect formula for an easily exploitable demographic. The flood of buyers for the game continues, all of them age 14-22 and all of them for the 360.

But... but... I'm 25, and I like the series... :shy:

I'm 26 and I like Modern Warfare also. :) I'll probably ask my parents to get me MW2 for PC for Christmas. :D

[ADC]

I'm 26 and I like Modern Warfare also. :) I'll probably ask my parents to get me MW2 for PC for Christmas. :D
The last time I received a video game as a gift, it was Jordan vs Bird One on One for the NES. I stopped asking for video games as gifts. :(

[Andrew Cunningham]

I'm 26 and I like Modern Warfare also. :) I'll probably ask my parents to get me MW2 for PC for Christmas. :D

If you're still asking your parents to get you shit, you are still a child, regardless of your legal age.

[Ryos]

I'm 26 and I like Modern Warfare also. :) I'll probably ask my parents to get me MW2 for PC for Christmas. :D

If you're still asking your parents to get you shit, you are still a child, regardless of your legal age.

I've never been one to look a gift horse in the mouth. Although I prefer to go with the whole give me money route so I can spend on what I want, be it video games or whatever.

[Betenoire]

The last time I received a video game as a gift, it was Jordan vs Bird One on One for the NES. I stopped asking for video games as gifts. :(

Bah! My parents bought ET for the 2600 for Christmas way back when. You can't top that. :sd:

[ADC]

The last time I received a video game as a gift, it was Jordan vs Bird One on One for the NES. I stopped asking for video games as gifts. :(
Bah! My parents bought ET for the 2600 for Christmas way back when. You can't top that. :sd:
Could be worse. Could have been Adventure.

[guyverfanboy]

I'm 26 and I like Modern Warfare also. :) I'll probably ask my parents to get me MW2 for PC for Christmas. :D

If you're still asking your parents to get you shit, you are still a child, regardless of your legal age.

My wife and I don't have much money at the moment, so I can't get it. :P

[Draneor]

If you're still asking your parents to get you shit, you are still a child, regardless of your legal age.

You don't exchange presents with family members for Christmas? It is easier for me to buy my own Christmas present (Kanon BD box set this year), but I can understand the utility of making a list (for me, I'll just be happy with whatever they want to give--too much trouble to inform non-otaku relatives of what I really want. Also, I can buy it myself). Well, I know the tradition of some families is to only give presents to kids. But many also exchange them among adults too, I think.

[Andrew Cunningham]

If you're still asking your parents to get you shit, you are still a child, regardless of your legal age.

You don't exchange presents with family members for Christmas?

Sure, maybe, if I actually bothered going home for the Holidays (but why travel when everyone else is?)
But asking for a specific thing? Most I can see is putting stuff on an Amazon Wish List, and letting them pick. No point in a gift if the giver can't play a role in the choice.

[Ty]

But asking for a specific thing? Most I can see is putting stuff on an Amazon Wish List, and letting them pick. No point in a gift if the giver can't play a role in the choice.

It only seems to be this way when you're a child and I think that is a shame. I can't pry a list out of my family members, it's always just one specific thing I am instructed to get. Kind of defeats the purpose, but I'm labeled a grouch when I point out that in such a case it'd just make more sense for people to get their own stuff.

[Ryos]

I can't pry a list out of my family members, it's always just one specific thing I am instructed to get. Kind of defeats the purpose, but I'm labeled a grouch when I point out that in such a case it'd just make more sense for people to get their own stuff.

I'm not a big fan of a range of gifts because in my experience my parents always ended up asking me for a prioritized list and went through it accordingly, making the whole experience an exercise in tedium. Worse than that, if I happened to come across a sale price that's pretty good prior to when they get around to buying the gift, I just shortened my haul. Seeing as how this is a common case with anime and video games, I'd just as soon be the master of my own destiny in terms of Christmas.

[Draneor]

Kind of defeats the purpose, but I'm labeled a grouch when I point out that in such a case it'd just make more sense for people to get their own stuff.

Personally, it's much more convenient for someone to tell me what they want and then I go and select an item. There's nothing wrong with surprise gifts, but I'd rather be more certain it's actually wanted. But it's not like there's a right or wrong way to go about Christmas shopping.

[Citizen Klaus]

I'm 26 and I like Modern Warfare also. :) I'll probably ask my parents to get me MW2 for PC for Christmas. :D

If you're still asking your parents to get you shit, you are still a child, regardless of your legal age.

I've never been one to look a gift horse in the mouth. Although I prefer to go with the whole give me money route so I can spend on what I want, be it video games or whatever.

My parents and I do a variation on the money thing: I pick out some big-ticket item that I've been saving for (new MP3 player or whatnot), and they spot me a portion of the purchase price. (I pay for the rest, natch.) That way, they can still put something impressive under the tree without spending too much.

[guyverfanboy]

Valve Bans Gray-Market Modern Warfare 2 Keys (http://kotaku.com/5409642/valve-bans-gray+market-modern-warfare-2-keys)

[Zeether]

So we may get a port of After Burner Climax after all... (http://www.gamerbytes.com/2009/11/after_burner_climax_coming_to.php)

[stfram]

Could be worse. Could have been Adventure.

I got Adventure for Christmas (or maybe it was a birthday). Back in the day, that was state of the art until I got an Atari computer and started playing games like Temple of Apshai/Gateway to Apshai.

Loved it. I played it enough that I still have the mazes memorized.

[DiGiKerot]

Hey, it looks like they are finally making a Saki Mah-jong game (http://www.famitsu.com/game/news/1230010_1124.html) for consoles - in this case the PSP.

It's being dubbed an "Anime Mah-Jong Adventure" game, which presumably just means it's a visual novel with some Mah-Jong games thrown in for good measure. Curiously, it would appear that Gonzo's Studio5 is doing the artwork for the game, which I guess means that the company isn't entirely dead.

All I need to do now is actually learn to play Mah-Jong :sweat:

[Ryos]

Hey, it looks like they are finally making a Saki Mah-jong game (http://www.famitsu.com/game/news/1230010_1124.html) for consoles - in this case the PSP.

It's being dubbed an "Anime Mah-Jong Adventure" game, which presumably just means it's a visual novel with some Mah-Jong games thrown in for good measure. Curiously, it would appear that Gonzo's Studio5 is doing the artwork for the game, which I guess means that the company isn't entirely dead.

Wow, Gonzo really is scraping at the bottom of the barrel.

[Zeether]

Could be worse. Could have been Adventure.

I got Adventure for Christmas (or maybe it was a birthday). Back in the day, that was state of the art until I got an Atari computer and started playing games like Temple of Apshai/Gateway to Apshai.

Loved it. I played it enough that I still have the mazes memorized.
Did you discover the easter egg room in Adventure?

[Senku]

I'm usually pretty adamant about not changing character names, but for Sakura Wars V I'm split between the two major name changes:

"Sagitta Weinburg" has been changed to "Cheiron Archer". Personally, I can't remember the last time I met or read about a black Jewish female from Harlem; and there's no indication that she's married. Since "Archer" sounds like a more believable last name from that area, this change gets a pass from me.

But, "Plum Spaniel" to "Cherry Cocker" seems quite unnecessary. Unless NISA wants the adolescent jokes to fly left and right. The original name also sounds and flows better, at least when I say her name.

[broodwars]

http://www.destructoid.com/new-prince-of-persia-to-premiere-at-spike-vga-156423.phtml

Well, Ubisoft has officially confirmed their next Prince of Persia, subtitled "The Forgotten Sands" and...*sigh*...it's going to be yet another continuation to the goddamn Sands of Time universe (which I love, but 3 games in it was enough and it ended well). I'm just disgusted with Ubisoft for abandoning the promising new Prince of Persia (2008) universe just because so many people bitched and moaned that "it's not the Sands of Time!" Waah!" Well, that and the new Sands of Time movie. Hopefully we'll eventually see a true sequel to the 2008 Prince of Persia, because despite a few major design flaws that was a very good game with a promising future.

[tadakichi]

I'm usually pretty adamant about not changing character names, but for Sakura Wars V I'm split between the two major name changes:

"Sagitta Weinburg" has been changed to "Cheiron Archer". Personally, I can't remember the last time I met or read about a black Jewish female from Harlem; and there's no indication that she's married. Since "Archer" sounds like a more believable last name from that area, this change gets a pass from me.

But, "Plum Spaniel" to "Cherry Cocker" seems quite unnecessary. Unless NISA wants the adolescent jokes to fly left and right. The original name also sounds and flows better, at least when I say her name.

What really gets me is that they changed those two names (and "Rikaritta Aries" to "Rosarita Aries"), but left "Ratchet Altair" alone. "Sagitta Weinberg" is actually one of the only Western names in the cast that doesn't make me want to giggle.

[DiGiKerot]

What really gets me is that they changed those two names (and "Rikaritta Aries" to "Rosarita Aries"), but left "Ratchet Altair" alone. "Sagitta Weinberg" is actually one of the only Western names in the cast that doesn't make me want to giggle.

Ratchet's got prior in the US market, though, with the Sakura Taisen movie having been released on DVD R1-side. Changing a bunch of names is one thing, but changed those which the intended market is more familiar with is quite another.

[tadakichi]

What really gets me is that they changed those two names (and "Rikaritta Aries" to "Rosarita Aries"), but left "Ratchet Altair" alone. "Sagitta Weinberg" is actually one of the only Western names in the cast that doesn't make me want to giggle.

Ratchet's got prior in the US market, though, with the Sakura Taisen movie having been released on DVD R1-side. Changing a bunch of names is one thing, but changed those which the intended market is more familiar with is quite another.

Hmm... I thought she looked familiar. The few minutes I watched of the movie are my only experience with the franchise to date.

[Nork22]

I'm usually pretty adamant about not changing character names, but for Sakura Wars V I'm split between the two major name changes:

"Sagitta Weinburg" has been changed to "Cheiron Archer". Personally, I can't remember the last time I met or read about a black Jewish female from Harlem; and there's no indication that she's married. Since "Archer" sounds like a more believable last name from that area, this change gets a pass from me.

But, "Plum Spaniel" to "Cherry Cocker" seems quite unnecessary. Unless NISA wants the adolescent jokes to fly left and right. The original name also sounds and flows better, at least when I say her name.

Oh NISA... again with the name changes... Cheiron Archer? That's taking Sagitta's first name into something other than "literal". FYI all the girl's has some part of the constellations in their names.

[Senku]

Oh NISA... again with the name changes... Cheiron Archer? That's taking Sagitta's first name into something other than "literal". FYI all the girl's has some part of the constellations in their names.

Ah, I see. Didn't pay attention to that before :sweat:

Actually, NISA isn't paying attention either, as the trailer they're running on the home page have the original names still.

[cxt217]

What really gets me is that they changed those two names (and "Rikaritta Aries" to "Rosarita Aries"), but left "Ratchet Altair" alone. "Sagitta Weinberg" is actually one of the only Western names in the cast that doesn't make me want to giggle.

Ratchet's got prior in the US market, though, with the Sakura Taisen movie having been released on DVD R1-side. Changing a bunch of names is one thing, but changed those which the intended market is more familiar with is quite another.

Julie Ann Taylor, you are needed in the recording studio...

Assuming PCB is dubbing Sakura Wars (And the VAs that have worked on dubs for them in the past.)...The casting for the dub could get really interesting...

C.T.

[Fencedude]

Via Kotaku (http://kotaku.com/5416419/assassins-creed-ii-dlc-raises-questions-possibly-fills-gaps)

Completely unsurprising, I've said all along the sequences 12 and 13 would be DLC covering the adventures of Caterina Forza in Forli, and the death of Lorenzo Di Medici in Florence. And that seems to be exactly what this is.

[Andrew Cunningham]

Via Kotaku (http://kotaku.com/5416419/assassins-creed-ii-dlc-raises-questions-possibly-fills-gaps)

Completely unsurprising, I've said all along the sequences 12 and 13 would be DLC covering the adventures of Caterina Forza in Forli, and the death of Lorenzo Di Medici in Florence. And that seems to be exactly what this is.

Yeah, the narration filling in the gaps between sequences made it pretty clear.

[Ryos]

I'm usually pretty adamant about not changing character names, but for Sakura Wars V I'm split between the two major name changes:

"Sagitta Weinburg" has been changed to "Cheiron Archer". Personally, I can't remember the last time I met or read about a black Jewish female from Harlem; and there's no indication that she's married. Since "Archer" sounds like a more believable last name from that area, this change gets a pass from me.

But, "Plum Spaniel" to "Cherry Cocker" seems quite unnecessary. Unless NISA wants the adolescent jokes to fly left and right. The original name also sounds and flows better, at least when I say her name.

Oh NISA... again with the name changes... Cheiron Archer? That's taking Sagitta's first name into something other than "literal". FYI all the girl's has some part of the constellations in their names.

Wouldn't be a NISA translation without at least several serious botches.

[Senku]

Wouldn't be a NISA translation without at least several serious botches.

I wouldn't put these particular changes in the "serious" folder, we can save that for the (hopefully not) bad translations and complete omissions.

[Fencedude]

Via Kotaku (http://kotaku.com/5416419/assassins-creed-ii-dlc-raises-questions-possibly-fills-gaps)

Completely unsurprising, I've said all along the sequences 12 and 13 would be DLC covering the adventures of Caterina Forza in Forli, and the death of Lorenzo Di Medici in Florence. And that seems to be exactly what this is.

Yeah, the narration filling in the gaps between sequences made it pretty clear.

Yeah, you'd think. But you'd be surprised at how many people can't connect dots like that.

[Kaikou]

Please look at the new Gaming forum rules for why this was closed.

http://www.mania.com/aodvb/showthread.php?t=97067