Random JRPG News Thread

[LESS T_T]

Lost Dimension is out now:

 

[yes plz]

.hack//G.U. Last Recode is out in a few days, though the new vol.4 coming with it is apparently just a playable OVA. You can't transfer your vol.3 save into it, most of the game's features are disabled (e-mail, the forums, news, visiting non-story dungeons, and a ton of other stuff), and is reported to be only a few hours long.

 

[Siveon]

.hack//G.U. Last Recode is out in a few days, though the new vol.4 coming with it is apparently just a playable OVA. You can't transfer your vol.3 save into it, most of the game's features are disabled (e-mail, the forums, news, visiting non-story dungeons, and a ton of other stuff), and is reported to be only a few hours long.

Well that at least keeps my hopes in check. That's not a deal breaker, I wanted to replay the series anyway, but man. Bummer.

 

[LESS T_T]

English release of Chinese Paladin: Sword and Fairy 6 (aka The Legend of Sword and Fairy 6) is coming soon:

　　Since the birth of the ancient god Shen Nong, the nine springs of Jiuquan have anchored the Heavens and Earth. Each of the Jiuquan possess supernatural powers, and each are a fountain of energy and life for the universe. In the War of the Three Tribes, the Beasts were defeated by the coalition of Humans and Gods. The tribe of the Beasts retreated to the Demon World and since then Gods, Demons and Men have lived in isolation. After the war, Shen Nong and the Jiuquan disappeared from the world, and as time flowed on… the legend of the Jiuquan was lost.

　　Yue Jinzhao and Yue Qi arrive in the West Side, searching for something they had lost -- what they will find instead is an ancient secret uncovered. Elsewhere, a gargantuan slumbering beast awakens in the sea -- soaring to the skies, and bewildered at the voice in its head.

　　In the martial world, factions struggle for control: True Martial Alliance, Risen Soul Saints, Hengdao Society and the demonic Piscis… who are the true masterminds behind the traps within traps, the devious plans and evil designs? Destinies will unfold and become undone, as sacrifices are made… in the celebration of life.

• [Dual Combat System]：features a fusion of real-time and turn-based dual combat modes, with both modes able to be freely selected by players.
  
  
• [Combat Formations]：adds more variety to enemy battles. In normal combat, players can control one character, and use formations to execute skills to break through enemy defense or deal damage. Players can go commands for such things as a focused attack, priority to heal, etc. There are also special modes such as aerial fights and ranged shooting.
  
  
• [Difficulty ]：Easy, Normal and Hard difficulties are available for selection. Hard difficulty will be available after the first playthrough. Players can also lower the difficulty during gameplay -- once the difficulty is lowered, it can not be changed. (Players who lower their difficulty can not challenge the Hard final boss in their first playthrough.)
  
  
• [Charged Attack]：features a new special attack system. Using MP accumulated during battle, players can use either “Technique,”“Harmony,”or “Slash” Charged Attacks and turn the tide of battle!
  
  
• [Surprise Attack]：players can surpised attack enemies during combat encounters. Players will deal surprise attack damage based on the difference between player and enemy levels. If the party leader is of a much higher level than the average level of the enemies, a surprise attacks can even be an instant victory, without going into battle.
  
  
• [Scenario Battles]：During scenario Boss fights, combat can occur directly after the cutscene ends, without switching modes or going into an encounter screen. This is a new storytelling mechanic introduced for the first time in the series.

• [Exploration Jumps]：Characters can freely explore the map, seeking out secret spots and paths. Maps and stages are larger and have more vertical space than ever before, with mysterious items waiting to be found. These items not only have special effects, but also increase player reputation, which can be used to exchange costumes and titles.
  
  
• [Weapon Transmogrify]：players can mold the appearance of their weapons to their desire. Players will be able to change the look of their weapon to another that they already have, while the basic stats of the weapon remain unaffected. As the weapons are shown in real-time in the game, players dictate not only the fashion, but also how their battles and skills look during combat.
  
  
• [Reputation]：awarded by completing quests from NPCs, items can be exchaged with different factions if the reputation requirements are met. Faction-specific items can be exchanged with especially high reputation.
  
  
• [Meridian System]：Each character in the game has 3 souls, with their own different attributes. Players can customize the characters by choosing different attributes in those souls. Each node selected has different effects, and special hidden effects may be found if the right nodes are selected.
  
  
• [Event Mini-games]：various mini-games are scattered throughout the game. Puzzles, traps and games can be played using character-specific stage skills. With the free exploration that the game world offers, players can discover hidden events, and possible even find secret items.
  
  
• [Stage Skills]：Each of the six main characters have their own “stage skills” that can be used. Players will need to utilize these skills to overcome certain puzzle and traps. Yue Jinzhao’s “Flight of Sword” allows players to fly over obstacles to reach places impossible to travel to otherwise.

 

[getter77]

What a surprise---I really, really hope there's ample effort and budget on getting the translation right this time so this has a real chance at breaking out.

 

[LESS T_T]

Zwei 2 is out now:



GOG: https://af.gog.com/game/zwei_the_ilvard_insurrection?as=1649904300

 

[Jinn]

What a surprise---I really, really hope there's ample effort and budget on getting the translation right this time so this has a real chance at breaking out.

While the English translation of Gate of the Firmament (by the same company) was supposedly pretty bad at release, I have played it recently and they have improved it to a much better state. It's definitely still rough, but much MUCH better than the likes of Tales of Wuxia. This gives me confidence that Sword and Fairy 6 will release with at least a passable translation.

 

[Jinn]

So I've been given an advance copy and the joyful opportunity to play-test and offer editing advice on Chinese Paladin: Sword and Fairy 6 for the next couple weeks before release! So far in the opening parts of the game, the translation is looking on par or slightly better than Gate of the Firmament's, which is very good news indeed.

Not sure how much I'm allowed to talk about, but I'm not under a non-disclosure agreement or anything, so I might start a thread about it in the near future with some initial impressions. Really lucky and happy to be getting an early look at this game.

 

[IceyD]

what ya'll picking up this month? i'm grabbing nioh and star ocean 4 (please let these ports be functional).

 

[Ausdoerrt]

then imho I kinda feel sorry for you but to each his own

I feel sorry for me too. Videogames are already kinda of kitsch as is, and turning them into cartoon sex games just makes me too self-aware of what I'm doing to enjoy myself, even if there are really cool mechanics to be found.

With Oyari Ashito as the artist, the game's probably worth it just for the art, TBH.

 

[LESS T_T]

.hack//G.U. Last Recode is out now:

 

[Reinhardt]

40$ even for my thirdworldian shithole.

 

[lightbane]

I am a simple man,I see metal max I brofist.

Only if they release this title outside of Japan, for once.

 

[LESS T_T]

Only if they release this title outside of Japan, for once.

Well recent Kadokawa RPGs have been published by NISA, so...

 

[Vorark]

.hack//G.U. Last Recode is out now:

Gives me hope someday we will get a remastered IMOQ with improved battle system.

 

[Jinn]

.hack//G.U. Last Recode is out now:

Does anyone know if this is good? I remember playing a couple from the original series (infection and mutation), and while the concept was always handled in in interesting way, I felt the gameplay was rather lacking. It's been a very long time since I've played them however.

 

[yes plz]

The original .hack// series' gameplay was pretty basic and clunky even for the time of its release. The G.U. series is a lot more polished and faster paced, though still not particularly deep and it can get kinda repetitive after a while. Each of the original three volumes of G.U. is about 20~ hours long plus another ten hours each if you want to grind and complete everything. Last Recode adds in a 4th volume but it's apparently only a few hours long.

Anyway, I've been playing Last Recode for the past few hours. It seems to be really well optimized (looks pretty nice for an HD update to a PS2 game and runs silky smooth) but the config options are *extremely* basic. Video options are limited to: resolution, brightness, v-sync, anti-aliasing, texture filtering, and shadow detail. I haven't been able to find any external config file to tweak either.

 

[LESS T_T]

Ciel Fledge, a Princess Maker-like raising sim from the Indonesian team behind Nusakana (remember?):





Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1275858615/ciel-fledge

Alpha demo is available on Steam and itch.io.

 

[flyingjohn]

Oh look another castlevania fan game:

Wait a moment,it is a castelvania doom mod?
Here is the website if the video gets taken down:https://forum.zdoom.org/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=57800

 

[CryptRat]

Looks more fun than actual 3D castelvania games.

 

[LESS T_T]

Interesting bit from interview about Demon Gaze 2 (Chikami is President of Experience and Kouno is a producer at Kadokawa Games): https://www.dualshockers.com/demon-gaze-2-interview/

Both Kouno-san and Chikami-san started playing dungeon RPGs with the Wizardry series on PC, and that kind of game required players to make time and really get involved in the gameplay while sitting in front of their screens. They would like Demon Gaze II players to go back to that same feeling with the PS4 version.

Funnily, when I asked about a possible port on Steam, Kouno-san wondered if there are any dungeon RPGs on the platform nowadays. At that point, Chikami-san intervened by mentioning (with a touch of hilarity) that his studio has quite a few titles on Steam. That being said, while they have thought about it, there are no plans for a Steam release for now.

Someone send him a link to Girmoire Steam page.

 

[duanth123]

Interesting bit from interview about Demon Gaze 2 (Chikami is President of Experience and Kouno is a producer at Kadokawa Games): https://www.dualshockers.com/demon-gaze-2-interview/

Both Kouno-san and Chikami-san started playing dungeon RPGs with the Wizardry series on PC, and that kind of game required players to make time and really get involved in the gameplay while sitting in front of their screens. They would like Demon Gaze II players to go back to that same feeling with the PS4 version.

https://gematsu.com/2017/09/interview-demon-gaze-ii-hajime-chikami-jyuntaro-kohno-tgs-2017

Any last messages before we sign off?

Jyuntaro Kouno: “We were really happy to hear that Demon Gaze 1 sold well overseas, so that’s how Demon Gaze II came about. We designed Demon Gaze II to be more approachable. If anyone thought the first was too hard, Demon Gaze II will be a better stepping stone. Anyone who stopped playing Demon Gaze 1 because they found it hard may find Demon Gaze II a better suit because the difficulty is on a more gradual curve. The beginning of Demon Gaze 1 was easy, but then the difficulty spiked. When making these games we didn’t have a chance to take in western audiences’ feedback and wants, so this time if there is any feedback about what you want to see in the next Demon Gaze we’d love to see that.”

Chikami Hajime: “We faced a lot of challenges when making Demon Gaze II, more than Demon Gaze 1, I hope it pays off and we look forward to hearing feedback from the western audience.”


Read more at https://gematsu.com/2017/09/intervi...i-jyuntaro-kohno-tgs-2017#L8LmjuWYV1eRwtHB.99

Hmm...we"ll see

 

[LESS T_T]

In case you didn't hear yet, latest official Touhou game (shmup) is coming to Steam:



What this potentially means to the JRPG people here is that, now unofficial fangames can be released on Steam, and look, apparently the developer of Touhou roguelike (Mystery Dungeon-like to be specific) series is already preparing Steam release:



This developer's game Genso Wanderer was released on PS4/Vita early this year via NISA:



So, the thing is...did the developer of Labyrinth of Touhou got the memo?

 

[getter77]

Hopefully---the JP Roguelike scene, Touhou adjacent or otherwise, definitely has a few things kicking around even if not on the same scale in absolute terms despite the likes of, say, Elona+ somehow winding up on Steam would just be as surreal as baffling.

 

[Expon]