Gaming NDS RPG Preview! - part 2

[CockroachMan]

Hello again!
Here's part 2 of my preview of RPGs for the DS! Saved the best for the second part, a lot of Square-Enix games and a lot of pretty games pushing the DS to its limits, seems like the developers are finally learning how to handle the DS hardware.

If you missed it, part 1 is <a href="http://gbatemp.net/index.php?showtopic=98283" target="_blank">here</a>.

Now, to part2:



<b>Infinite Line</b>

<b>developer:</b> Platinum Games <b>Japan release date:</b> 2009 <b>Europe release date:</b> Hopefuly 2009 too
<b>publisher:</b> SEGA <b>US release date:</b> 2009? Let's hope so

A Sci-fi RPG that lets you become the captain of your own spaceship and travel through the galaxies! There are no much details about this game yet..
You'll be able to customize the parts of your spaceship (the bridge, control room, etc), more than 150 different ship designs will be available.
I have high hopes for this one since it's being made by Platinum (the remains of Clover Studios).. if you like space ships, sci-fi and RPGs.. keep an eye on this!

<img src="http://infinite-line.sega.jp/images/1.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /> <img src="http://infinite-line.sega.jp/images/2.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /> <img src="http://infinite-line.sega.jp/images/3.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

<hr />

<b>RIZ-ZOAWD</b>

<b>developer:</b> Media Vision <b>Japan release date:</b> tba <b>Europe release date:</b> tba
<b>publisher:</b> D3 Publisher <b>US release date:</b> tba

Based on the story of the Wizard of Oz, this is one of the prettiest games on the DS. Unlike most RPGs, the control on the game seems to be played from a third person view, behind the character..
On the other hand, the battles are turn based with a classic first person view like Dragon Quest. Couldn't find much info about it but, anyway, it's the Wizard of Oz, the yellow brick road is there, the classical characters are there: Dorothy, the Lion, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and even Toto!
Aside from the Western based story, the art is all pretty much manga style!
No information about this release on non-japanese territories but I'll be downloading it anyway since I won't be able to pronounce it's name at the store (and that's my excuse, you can't use it!).

<img src="http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/game/docs/20080620/rz07.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /> <img src="http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/game/docs/20080620/rz32.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /> <img src="http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/game/docs/20080620/rz62.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

<hr />

<b>Valkyrie Profile - Toga wo Seou Mono</b>

<b>developer:</b> tri-Ace <b>Japan release date:</b> 10/02/2008 <b>Europe release date:</b> who knows?
<b>publisher:</b> Square-Enix <b>US release date:</b> One day..

The third game in the Valkyrie Profile series, I never played any of them so I have no idea what they area about, but according to Wikipedia, in this game <i>"The protagonist is a young soldier named Wylfred who holds a grudge against Lenneth Valkyrie. Lenneth chose Wylfred's father, Thyodor, to become an Einherjar, taking his soul into her possession when Wylfred was a mere ten years old."</i>
Has a lot of nordic names and is about vengeance.. looks like a Manowar song to me.. well, it's a tactical RPG, the sprites background is 3D rendered and the items and characters are all 2D sprites.

<object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/UEH9V0c8870&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/UEH9V0c8870&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>
<img src="http://www.gamekyo.com/Webmasters/Images/66861020080522_144719_0_big.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /> <img src="http://www.gamekyo.com/Webmasters/Images/66861020080522_144721_14_big.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /> <img src="http://www.gamekyo.com/Webmasters/Images/66861020080522_144719_1_big.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

<hr />


<b>Sigma Harmonics</b>

<b>developer:</b> Square-Enix <b>Japan release date:</b> 08/21/2008 <b>Europe release date:</b> Hopefuly, next year
<b>publisher:</b> Square-Enix <b>US release date:</b> Hopefuly, next year

After TWEWY, S-E brings us another very unusual RPG. Sigma Harmonics brings a weird combination of rhythm, RPG and card games.. It tells the story of Sigma, a young student who suddenly discovers that his past was rewritten!
To solve this mystery, Sigma and his friend Neon have to fight monsters using cards in a certain rhythm! What those people at Square-Enix been smoking?
The game is played with the DS side-ways (like Ninja Gaiden), the upper screen is used for animations while the touch screen is used for menus and battle commands.
TWEWY showed me that Square usually knows what they're doing, even if it sounds extremely weird.. so.. I'll keep an eye on this one.

<object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/yWr_V9qQeyY&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/yWr_V9qQeyY&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>
<img src="http://www.famitsu.com/game/coming/__icsFiles/artimage/2008/08/01/pc_fc_n_gs/04.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /> <img src="http://www.famitsu.com/game/coming/__icsFiles/artimage/2008/08/01/pc_fc_n_gs/03.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

<hr />


<b>Avalon Code/b]

developer:</b> Matrix Software <b>Japan release date:</b> 10/16/2008 <b>Europe release date:</b> tba
<b>publisher:</b> Marvelous Entertainment <b>US release date:</b> tba

In Avalon Code, you control 2 youngsters in a world just on the brink of destruction. Using the "Book of Prophecy", you're able modify monster attributes and weapons during the battle, and you do that by hitting them in the head with it.
The book information is showed all the time in the bottom screen, while the upper screen shows the game action. It's being made by the same people responsible for the FFIII and IV remakes (Matrix Software), and it's looking a lot like those, but with less kiddy characters.
Can't wait for it!

<img src="http://www.gamekyo.com/Webmasters/Images/70661020080716_023724_0_big.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /> <img src="http://www.gamekyo.com/Webmasters/Images/70661020080716_023724_2_big.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /> <img src="http://www.gamekyo.com/Webmasters/Images/70661020080716_023724_6_big.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

<hr />

<b>Dragon Quest IV, V and VI</b>

<b>developer:</b> ArtePiazza <b>Japan release date:</b> IV and V are already out, no date for VI yet <b>Europe release date:</b> 09/12/2008 for DQIV (V and VI dates TBA)
<b>publisher:</b> Square-Enix <b>US release date:</b> 09/16/2008 for DQIV (V and VI dates TBA)

IV and V are already out in Japan. All of them have US and Europe releases confirmed!
There's not much to say about those, they're remakes of the original SNES games (NES in the case of DQIV) with 3D backgrounds, IV and V already had one of those on the PS2 but it's the first time for VI. Also, for the first time DQV and VI will be available (officially) in english!

<object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/vapavu5DjcE&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/vapavu5DjcE&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object> <object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/nJStlMr1AQE&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/nJStlMr1AQE&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>


<hr />

<b>Dragon Quest IX - Protectors of the Starry Sky</b>

<b>developer:</b> Level-5 <b>Japan release date:</b> 11/30/2008 (rumored) <b>Europe release date:</b> TBA
<b>publisher:</b> Square-Enix <b>US release date:</b> 11/20/2008 (rumored)


Japan's best selling series ever getting a new game on the best selling system! When this game launches, Square-Enix will be able to give a Ferrari to every employee!
Ok, maybe not so much.. anyway, not many details about this one are out.. but, considering the other games in the series.. Dragon Quest is famous for it's tradition of keeping almost the exact gameplay game after game.. so, if you played any game in the series, you know what to expect here.. only news here is that the game is supposed to have Wi-fi multiplayer with 4 people. There are rumored release dates for US and Japan, but nothing confirmed by S-E yet..
The trailer below is old btw.. ignore the "Coming in 2007" thing <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="" border="0" alt="tongue.gif" />

<object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/O6kZi4qFAAI&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/O6kZi4qFAAI&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>
<img src="http://www.gamekyo.com/Webmasters/Images/55451020070926_131138_8_big.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /> <img src="http://www.gamekyo.com/Webmasters/Images/55451020070926_131138_7_big.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /> <img src="http://www.gamekyo.com/Webmasters/Images/55451020070926_131137_2_big.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

<hr />

<b>Ragnarok DS</b>

<b>developer:</b> Gravity <b>Japan release date:</b> 12/18/2008 <b>Europe release date:</b> maybe one day..
<b>publisher:</b> GungHo <b>US release date:</b> no plans yet..

The famous life-destroyer korean MMORPG is now on your DS! The graphics and gameplay are faithful to the PC game (but with a stylus in the place of the mouse), but, unlike the PC game, this is no MMO.
You'll play as Ares, "a mild-mannered kid who wants to start up his own guild and be a great adventurer like his father", you can recruit party members and get different jobs and skills.. There is an online mode where you can play with 3 more people on a 50 floor random dungeon called "The Tower of Mirages".
If you like the MMO, you'll probably enjoy this one..

<img src="http://www.famitsu.com/game/coming/__icsFiles/artimage/2008/07/28/pc_fc_n_gs/l4.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /> <img src="http://www.famitsu.com/game/coming/__icsFiles/artimage/2008/07/28/pc_fc_n_gs/l5.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /> <img src="http://www.famitsu.com/game/coming/__icsFiles/artimage/2008/07/28/pc_fc_n_gs/l6.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />


<hr />


<b>Chocobo and the Magic Storybook : The Witch and the Girl and the Five Heroes</b>

<b>developer:</b> Square-Enix <b>Japan release date:</b> 2008 <b>Europe release date:</b> 2009 probably
<b>publisher:</b> Square-Enix <b>US release date:</b> 2009 probably

This is not exactly an RPG but.. hey, it's Final Fantasy so.. why not? This is a sequel to Final Fantasy Fables - Chocobo Tales, as expected it has minigames and card battles. The first game was actually really good.. the battle system was simple yet satisfying and the minigames were fun and mostly optional.. not a bad addition to the DS library.


<object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/o6zaSGFOsTc&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/o6zaSGFOsTc&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>
<img src="http://www.gamekyo.com/Webmasters/Images/72621020080708_202430_1_big.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /> <img src="http://www.gamekyo.com/Webmasters/Images/72621020080708_202430_3_big.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /> <img src="http://www.gamekyo.com/Webmasters/Images/72621020080708_202430_2_big.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

<hr />

<b>Cid and Chocobo's Mysterious Dungeon : Maze of Time DS+</b>

<b>developer:</b> Square-Enix <b>Japan release date:</b> 10/30/2008 <b>Europe release date:</b> 2009 probably
<b>publisher:</b> Square-Enix <b>US release date:</b> 2009 probably


Another Chocobo game! Now, I'm not sure if it's a sequel or a remake of the Wii game.. the animations look the same and the places and characters too.. All the information I could find is in japanese.. anyway, unlike the other DS games, this one is a dungeon crawler, a true RPG.. no minigames and card battles!

<object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/gBZgr6obqzU&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/gBZgr6obqzU&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>
<img src="http://www.gamekyo.com/Webmasters/Images/72631020080708_141045_1_big.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /> <img src="http://www.gamekyo.com/Webmasters/Images/72631020080708_202210_1_big.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /> <img src="http://www.gamekyo.com/Webmasters/Images/72631020080708_202210_3_big.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

<hr />

<b>Chrono Trigger DS</b>

<b>developer:</b> Square-Enix <b>Japan release date:</b> Holydays 2008 <b>Europe release date:</b> early 2009
<b>publisher:</b> Square-Enix <b>US release date:</b> Holydays 2008

Considered by many (me included) the best RPG ever made, Chrono Trigger gets a DS remake! Graphicaly, the remake is looking exactly like the original SNES version (not a bad thing since it was one of the most beautiful games on the SNES, pushing the hardware to the limit).
The music is also supposed to be exactly the same from the SNES version. However, this version will get a new dungeon and stylus controls (the battle menus are now in the touch screen). The animated sequences from the PSX version are also confirmed to be here!
For those who never played it, Chrono Trigger is the story of Crono and his friends traveling through time trying to save the world from it's destruction caused by Lavos in the year 1999 AD, you visit 5 different times including pre-history and a post-apocalyptic future!
If you never played, don't let this chance slip out! <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink2.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="" border="0" alt="wink2.gif" />

<object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/8HI5pI0IZgo&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/8HI5pI0IZgo&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>
<img src="http://gonintendo.com/wp-content/photos/thumb_ct03_1.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /> <img src="http://gonintendo.com/wp-content/photos/thumb_ct05_1.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

<hr />

<b>Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days</b>

<b>developer:</b> Hand <b>Japan release date:</b> End of 2008 <b>Europe release date:</b> TBA
<b>publisher:</b> Square-Enix <b>US release date:</b> TBA

The Disney/Square RPG is back! Unlike the previous games, this one has it's plot centered on the so called Organization XIII, and you play as one of it's members: Roxas.
A 4 players multiplayer mode is included where the other players take control of other Organization XIII members.
The title reminds me of those Naked Gun movies <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="" border="0" alt="tongue.gif" />

<img src="http://www.gamekyo.com/Webmasters/Images/61161020071027_193514_6_big.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /> <img src="http://www.gamekyo.com/Webmasters/Images/61161020071027_193516_10_big.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /> <img src="http://www.gamekyo.com/Webmasters/Images/61161020071027_193513_5_big.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />







<b>And.. if that's not enough for you.. these RPGs are already out in Japan, but not yet in english, you might want to try <strike>downloading</strike> importing the japanese versions to check them:</b>





<b>Soma Bringer</b>
No information about a US/Europe release yet.. the game has some beautiful graphics for the DS and plays like Secret of Mana.
There's a translation project going on if you're into that stuff..

<a href="http://gbatemp.net/?showtopic=76654" target="_blank">Japanese Release thread</a>
<a href="http://www.gbatemp.net/index.php?showtopic=78947" target="_blank">Translation Project thread</a>

<hr />

<b>Disgaea - Hour of Darkness</b>

US Release: 09/23/2008
Europe Release: TBA

A remake of the first Disgaea game, a tactical RPG if you don't know it. The DS version is supposed to have everything the PSP version has and some extra characters and additions.

<a href="http://gbatemp.net/?showtopic=92457" target="_blank">Japanese Release thread</a>

<hr />

<b>Archaic Sealed Heat</b>
US Release: TBA
Europe Release: TBA

A tactical RPG by Mistwalker, the biggest game on the DS with a 256MBytes cartridge. The game has a lot of movies and pre-rendered 3D graphics, it doesn't have a US/Europe release date yet but it was already rated by ESRB, so, an english release is coming soon.

<a href="http://gbatemp.net/?showtopic=61834" target="_blank">Japanese Release thread</a>

<hr />

<b>From the Abyss</b>

US Release: 08/26/2008
Europe Release: TBA

Another action RPG similar to Secret of Mana, the US version is out in the end of the month!

<a href="http://gbatemp.net/?showtopic=72025" target="_blank">Japanese Release thread</a>

<hr />


Hope you people enjoyed reading this..
A lot of great games coming out for the RPG fans! If you're one and have a DS, you should to be pretty happy by now! <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/yaynds.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":yayds:" border="0" alt="yaynds.gif" />

PS: This thing is a lot harder to do than it looks.. I respect Hadrian a lot more after doing this XP

 

[silent sniper]

Looks like we're gonna be happy for some time after these are all released!




What I don't get is that DQ 4,5,6 have a different developer than 9.

 

[PanzerWF]

Yay, there's at least one Tactical RPG =)

Thanks for keeping us informed, CMan

 

[Vague Rant]

I like the look of that Wizard of Oz game, sounds interesting. Not particularly excited about anything Square-Enix are doing, especially after the maddeningly awful TWEWY. After all the talk of how revolutionary and exciting that game was supposed to be, instead we get this ridiculous gen-Y whoring tripe. I've never played an RPG where I could so clearly see the focus groups.

 

[Satangel]

Tnx again for this great topic CockroachMan!
I really enjoy these.

I'm looking forward to all the Dragon Quest games, and some other games.
But mainly the Dragon Quest games, I love the style

 

[Kaos]

So many good looking games...

*explodes with excitement*

*respawns*

The DS could do with some more good RPGs. I can't wait for all these to be out.

 

[GeekyGuy]

It's mind boggling just how many awesome RPGs are now coming to DS. When I first got my DS, Tao's Adventure was about as good as it got in terms of fantasy RPGs. Now the DS is becoming on par with the PS2 when it comes to the variety of RPGs to choose from. I couldn't be happier about that. RIZ-ZOAWD looks great -- a sort of Dragon Quest battle view with a "Tales of" overworld style. And of course, Avalon Code looks awesome. It will be nice to see what Matrix can do with an all-original RPG.

But Dragon Quest IX -- oh mama! Can't wait for that one.

 

[Mei-o]

YAY FOR SIGMA HARMONICS!


The Wizard of Oz game looks rather interesting, but the battle system looks a bit simple, Avalon code also looks like it's worth a try.

 

[Private|Par]

Thanks for the topic, CMan. I'm definitely waiting for Infinite Line.

:FFTOPIC:: VagueRant, welcome! Nice to see another Melbournite.

 

[Kaos]

Thanks for the topic, CMan. I'm definitely waiting for Infinite Line.

:FFTOPIC:: VagueRant, welcome! Nice to see another Melbournite.

Wow, now I know of three people from Melbourne on this forum.

 

[thedicemaster]

i'm really excited for the sigma harmonics battle graphics. they look far better than that of any other 3D rpg.

 

[GeekyGuy]

BTW, here is a promo trailer for RIZ-ZOAWD. Game looks pretty amazing in action. Now that I've seen it, I'd say the overworld is more like Fable, but with a better frame rate.

 

[pasc]

And here is a cut together Kingdom Hearts Video I made off the IGN Feed:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dodqaOoTJDc

 

[Hadrian]

Again a nice thread, I wish there was more Western RPG's to add some variety though Bioware are wanting to do more on the DS which is great.

 

[Vague Rant]

Awesome, we're taking over. Let's petition them to move to gbatemp.net.au.

Again a nice thread, I wish there was more Western RPG's to add some variety though Bioware are wanting to do more on the DS which is great.

Yeah, that's great news. I'm actually looking forward to a Sonic game for the first time in ... over a decade, and it'll be nice to see what else they're planning.

 

[MagNetCZ]

BTW, here is a promo trailer for RIZ-ZOAWD. Game looks pretty amazing in action. Now that I've seen it, I'd say the overworld is more like Fable, but with a better frame rate.

GORGEOUS! It's so nice and runs so smooth and there are even enemies in the over-world, yay

. Looks a bit more like a sprinting game about dodging things tho

 

[ojsinnerz.]

This is why I bought a DS to begin with over a psp. Thanks Cockroachman!

 

[kazuki_pl]

Sigma Harmonics seems to be the most interesting. Reminds me a bit Persona series, which i am a fan of... Fights seems to be crazy there, same storyline :3 i want it >_< hope it wont bore me after 30 mins. like its happening lately T__T