First Impressions: Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days

Well, it's finally out and I've gotten myself a first taste of it. Mm.. My first Kingdom Hearts game.
Anyway, we all know how big the KH franchise has been and if you guys know me, I'm actually quite skeptical about it. I thought the first game was innovative and the second was nothing more than pure fanservice without a point.
Let's see if this edition will change my mind, shall we?

I can't really comment on the plot for now as I can't read Japanese for the life of me and there aren't any audio cues for me to pick up so... we'll have to wait until the English edition for me to judge the plot.
For now, I'll tell you what I think of the game in terms of graphics and gameplay.

You play as Roxas, a member of Organization XIII and as a member of said Organization, you get to be Xemnas' (At least I think it was Xenmas and not Saix) errand boy and go on different missions with the rest of the Org members. Most of these missions as far as I've noticed involve taking out a certain enemy.

Graphics wise, this is a very impressive DS game. If I didn't know better, I'd say I was looking at a PSX game. Yes, PSX. Not PS2. FMVs are slightly rare after the first day and these are done with full voiceover. Said FMVs are also skippable with the start button. GOOOOD Squeenix. You learned.
During game story sequences, you find yourself with moving characters that have static faces. I still find it slightly strange when you're talking to a guy whose mouth isn't moving.

I have a slight tick with the camera though. It keeps moving around and at times, I've had Roxas slashing right at me in the heat of battle. It gets to be a bit annoying at times but at least it hasn't caused any fatalities yet.
Action happens on the top screen while on the bottom screen, you have your map, a picture of the world you're in (Or your target for the mission) and the mission gauge which tells you if you've done enough carnage for a silver or gold ranking. Also, you can swing the camera around by swiping on the touch screen. Not for the squeamish as the camera swings around REALLY FAST.

The panel system... can't really comment on it since I don't really know the extent of the items. The things you get are segregated into consumables, equips and magic making things easy enough to find when you need to do some sorting.
You're only allowed to access the menu when you're at the Castle Oblivion. Once you're on the field and on a mission, you're pretty much on your own so make sure you're done equipping those panels before leaving.
In the field, your magic is selected by pressing the X button and choosing it from the menu on the corner left. The number of times you can cast a spell depends on how many you have equipped in those panels. You can assign a shortcut to these spells and to your consumables which makes things handy in a pinch.

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So far, it looks like a pretty solid time killer but I can't really enjoy it much without knowing what the hell this is all about so I'll have to wait til the English release to give my final verdict on the matter.
It's shaping up to be a pretty fun ride though!

DS Tidbits!

Alright, first off, I apologize for the lack of news. I've been in a bit of a sticky widget for a while but everything's cool now and it's back to work for me!

FIRST!



Level 5 has somewhat confirmed that the sequel to the first Professor Layton game will be seeing an english port within the next six months.
During a Q&A sesson at GDC, Hino was asked about the future of the series outside Japan. He said he'd like all the games to be released in North America and Europe and that his company is currently working on localising the second game in the series (UK title yet to be confirmed).

The sequel has been out since November 2007 in Japan. Seems that the good Professor and Luke have a bit of a Pandora's Box situation on their hands.

Via [officialnintendomagazine.co.uk]

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NEXT!



Natsume is announcing another Harvest Moon game for this year which is called Harvest Moon: Sunshine Islands. I'm not entirely sure just how different this is to Islands of Happiness but I did hear something about looking for Sunshine Stones to raise up some islands which had sunk during a freak storm.

Via: [Siliconera.com]

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THIRD!
Have some announced games from E3!

Activision:
-Marvel Ultimate Alliance

Atlus:
-Knights in the Nightmare
-Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor

Capcom:
-Megaman Star Force 3: Red Ace/Black Joker

Ignition Entertainment:
-Nostalgia

Koei
-Monster Racers

Sega:
-Mario and Sonic at the Winter Olympics
-Planet 51

XSeed:
-Ragnarok Online DS

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Steal Princess was released this week so expect a review when I get my hands on a copy... and possibly a firsthand look at Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Days.

And finally an update!

And after a slow news run... I finally have something to update about!



First off: XSeed has announced that it'll be bringing Ragnarok Online DS over as an English release! For those unaware, the Japanese version was released some time ago. It plays like a sort of Zelda game where you point at enemies to attack them or to walk to a certain location. It's your typical RO fare with a plot and a couple more character classes thrown in: the dark knight and the shaman.

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In other news, more details for Pokemon Heart Gold and Soul silver have come up. Here's what I understand so far:

I was right about the whole thing with the starter Pokemon following the trainer around! Apparently though, this may hold true not only for the starter but for any specific pokemon in the party. Not too sure about that, though..
The menu's gone a significant change, too if visible from the screenshot below. Everything's more touch screen oriented and most likely ala PDA style.



Also, the female protagonist has gone through a really big change. I dunno if it's for the better. See for yourself.



I'm not too fond of the big hat myself...

Also, there seem to be some preorder bonuses for the upcoming Arceus-centric movie. You get a Pikachu colored Pichu (??) and a notch eared Pichu which trigger a cutscene in Crystal's Celebi location as well as a special Arceus that brings up some sorta history lesson on the world of Pokemon!

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Source:
DS @ Joystiq.com
Siliconera

Pokemon Sunday Reveal

And S.S. delivers! Here's said episode of Pokemon Sunday where Pokemon Heart Gold and Soul Silver were revealed. Along with the reveal, a few seconds of gameplay was shown. Seems that Gold was being followed by Chikorita. Are we looking at something like Pokemon Yellow again?
Of course, things can change when the actual game comes along but... this is pretty exciting news!
The entire video is in Japanese without subtitles so... I apologize to those who don't speak Japanese but as far as I understand, the release date is set to Fall of 2009 as early speculation gave out.

A Witch's Tale Trailer

And after a long period of no news from this game... we finally have a trailer and a speculated release date!



You play as the witch in training, Lidell and battle through the six kingdoms to save the Princesses and do some odd jobs for the citizenry on the side. Battle is done by sliding runes around and tracing them using the stylus.
Already, the art style reminds me of Disgaea which is a good thing. I had a bit of a Disgaea obsession a few months back.
It's NIS so we can expect something quirky and fun. The game itself has a gothic overtone with the horror theme and the dolls you have to find in each Kingdom.

The game is set to release by Fall so... perhaps around Halloween?

CONFIRMED

According to IGN and several other sources, Nintendo has confirmed the release of a Pokemon Gold and Pokemon Silver remake. Entitled Pokemon Heart Gold and Soul Silver, the release has been dated in Japan by Fall of 2009. Prediction of an American release by... oh, say, 2010.
As well as updated graphics and system, there was something about a new element being released as well.

It's been ten years since Gold and Silver was released. Only fitting a remake would come out by now. Since its release in 1999, the game has sold over 23,000,000 copies worldwide.

Personally, I'm pretty excited about this. One of my favourite Pokemon of all time have come from the Kanto region and I have pretty fond memories of this game. I'm expecting more than just a graphical overhaul but I'm sure Nintendo knows better. Yes, I've also added a Pokemon tag seeing as it's not really a dying genre and I am a self confessed Pokemaniac.
Now if you'll excuse me... I have to squee.

Sources:
Original article on Official Japanese Pokemon site

Well this is interesting!

Hang on to your hats, people. It seems Pokemon Gold and Sliver might get a remake! Of course, this is all speculation stemmed from this little screenshot:



This was taken from last week's Pokemon Sunday which is a Pokemon themed variety show in Japan. They have reruns of episodes, answer viewer questions... the like.
Anyway. See the two balls?
Yes, the large gold and silver ones up there.
No, I will refrain from making any large shiny ball comments.

This May 10, Pokemon Sunday has announced that those balls shall be opened and will reveal the new major Pokemon game.
Many (much like myself) are hoping for a Gold and Silver remake... seeing as those balls up there are, well, gold and silver.
Personally, I'm pretty excited about the remake.

KH 358/2 Days Storefront Trailer

Obviously, this trailer is in Japanese but this is what I've gathered.
-The black haired girl is Xion.
-There is much existencial angst to be had all over the place.
-I see Sora (Yes, not Roxas. Sora.) somewhere in a screen there. Playable in Multiplayer mode, perhaps?
-I feel much Axel abuse from yours truly. Hm.
-Final release date for Japan is March 30, 2009.

In my honest, unbiased, Squeenix skeptic, KH hating opinion...
This game looks like an interesting ride. For a fandom I've billed as nothing but bull and fanservice, my interest has been piqued. I want to see how they'll pull this off. Maybe after this game, I won't hate the franchise so much...
Maybe.

EDIT: Thanks to the people over at Nico for the subbed version of the video. Sorry about the lack of news, people. Slow news week. Who knows though. When the Japanese version of KH 358/2 Days comes out, I might post a little preview here...
When June comes along, though, things are going to be WAY more lively.
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In other news:
Ace Attorney Investigations has been rumored for a release by Winter in America. (Possibly around Q4)
Here. Have an English trailer.



Miles Edgeworth gets his hands dirty by going to the crime scene and digging in dumpsters! Alright, maybe he doesn't... but he does go to the crime scene.

-Players will interact with witnesses and dig around for evidence.
-There's a new Logic system which makes you piece two pieces of information together and combine them to create new clues.
-The new character's name is Kay Faraday and she seems to be a phantom thief of sorts.
-We get to see actual crime scenes... with bodies.. and blood.
-The trailer soundtrack is pretty kicking and the last few seconds on the trailer = major lolz.

Interestingly enough, Miles runs around the screen rather than the first person POV that was used during the past 4 Ace Attorney games. I still see some sort of defense part is present in play but instead of being in court, you go face to face with the criminal?
Either way, we'll see come Q4.

Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days Updates!

In this entry, I bring you a somewhat long rant... and a couple of pages of translated Fanmitsu scans!


Page 1
Page 2

Other information:
- Roxas is shown using the Bond of Flames keyblade
- Xion was the only member not appearing in the multiplayer select screen
- Donald and Goofy made appearances


- The style graphics have changed since Jump Festa like:
- Addition of names under character's face icons
- The limit gauge

- Scenes concerning Xion's connections are replace with ones reflecting her character
- At the Castle That Never Was, Xion picks up a seashell like that of Destiny Island and puts it to her ear, saying she can hear the sounds of the ocean
- In the back alley of Twilight Town, Hayner, Pence, and Olette gather at the side of Axel and Roxas
- Axel and Xion talk in the Castle of Oblivion, was Roxas there too?
- At the Castle That Never Was, Xion hangs her head low and says, "I... I'm not me..?"
- In the white room of the mansion in Twilight Town, Xion faces Namine and asks, "What should I do?"
- Xion appears to be crying in her bed at the Castle That Never Was
- Xion and Axel appear to be be looking for something on a computer then they both collapse
- Only Xion rises and leaves Axel behind
- Xion places a pebble/shell beside Roxas who is sleeping and then leaves silently
- After that, a scene where Xion encounters and speaks with Riku in Twilight Town

Taken from Heartstation.org

There is no specific release date as of late but there have been rumors of a Japanese release come September 2009. Of course, when a date has been officially announced, you can bet I'll post it here.

IMHO, I'm a bit skeptical about this. It smells like a large chunk of steaming fanservice fodder like most of Squeenix's productions as of late. Yes, I'm not a big fan of the Kingdom Hearts franchise. I think after the first game, the sequels have been nothing more than cheap attempts to produce a game that is nothing more than a collection of HOMG CUTE BOIZ and POPYEWLUR CHARAKTURS WHO CAN BE GHEY FOR EACH OTHUR.
Yes. I don't like it.
HOWEVER!

I will gladly review this game when it comes out in the most unbiased manner possible. Looking it over as an adventure/RPG game, it does sound quite promising. I'm curious as to how they'll manage to port a PS2 game over to the DS.

Review: Kuroshitsuji Phantom and Ghost

One hell of a butler... and pretty much one hell of a game, too! Alright, maybe I was fishing for a connection to Sebastian's catchphrase there but it's a pretty good description for this game!

First Impressions:
Mhmhmm... Kuroshitsuji as a DS game. Might not be too interesting seeing as it's a Japanese visual novel. Peh. I suck at reading Japanese. But then... it is a rather epic anime an I do like my chibi-centric mini-games... Let's check it out, shall we?

Storyline:
Alright. This is what I garnered from VERY bad Japanese vocabulary and basic knowledge of the anime. Ciel Phantomhive is the young earl of the Phantomhive house. They own a candy/toy company and seem to be pretty influential around England. Ciel needed to strike a deal with a demon in order to avenge his parents' deaths and find the killer. This game has you going off to some manor or something off in the countryside in the company of the Rose family. Somehow, there is a curse and a ghost named Stella who posesses Ciel's rabid fiancee, Elizabeth. There is much lulz to be had somewhere along the way.
Typical Kuroshitsuji fare, I'd like to think but quite enjoyable nontheless!
TL;DR: There's a mystery and Ciel's been called on to investigate for the queen again.

Gameplay:
As with any Japanese visual novel, this one is CHOCK FULL of dialogue. You have your audio clips every now and then (which... kind of help) but no full motion videos or completely voiced over scenes. In each chapter, you get to choose Ciel or Sebastian's point of view. Picking a certain POV at a certain time will net you key items and mini games. Between scenes, there is also a Tanaka Search mode where you can go looking for the chibified senior citizen in certain rooms of the manor. This can net you other items and sometimes, you'll be able to unlock sound clips and CGs for your collection.
As far as I know, there are around six minigames to unlock: a mouse catching minigame, a dancing minigame, a dish washing one (This one had been revealed before), a battling...kind of first person shooter where you use knives.. and... this:



I... was actually stuck because of this blasted game. Good thing you can actually skip it if you make the right dialogue decision. I'm still trying to figure out how to win. I think you have to get rid of all those red pieces.
Anyway, post game, you unlock the CG gallery, the audio gallery, the minigame gallery and a special chapter. It'll take a few playthroughs to actually unlock everything so there's plenty of replayability there especially if you want to replay your favourite minigames and if you happen to be a fan of the anime.

Last Words: It's a Visual Novel. Expect a lot of text and groping in the dark. You'd probably appreciate this game if you're a fan of the series... or a fan of victorian era costumes at any rate. Wouldn't reccomend it to someone who knows nothing of the series. All in all, the minigames are pretty fun and a good reason to try and unlock em all. After that, though, there's not much else to be done for the non-Japanese reading crowd... but like I said. It's a visual novel.

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Rating:
Graphics: 4/5
Typical graphic novel fare. Characters are static pictures which change every now and then in attire and emotion. The look is close to the anime and the backgrounds are nice and crisp.

Gameplay: 4/5
Stylus clicks through dialogue and is used for the various minigames. Those are pretty fun and are a good reason to play the game.

Soundtrack: 4/5
Fitting for the scenarios. Some lines of dialogue are voiced.

The Look and Feel: 5/5
It's a fun, short VN with sprinklings of minigames. Unlocking the minigames and the CGs are a good reason to keep playing.

Rating: 8/10

Review: Lux Pain

Well, I suppose the visual novel genre isn't for everyone. Fortunately, I rather like it!

First Impressions:If you don't like reading, you probably won't like it either. Well, maybe. Visual novels are a big hit in Japan. Some examples are the infamous H-game and the not-so-innocent dating sim. Thankfully, Lux Pain is neither one. If it was, I doubt there would even be a translation.
So where do I begin with this review...

Gameplay:
Lux Pain starts off at a rather confusing point. You're an agent for this group called Fort which seems to be getting rid of things called Shinen which reside in humans and cause them to have moments of violence. You control a pretty boy named Atsuki who has the powers of Sigma which lets him see these Shinen.
I can see why most of the reviewers were turned off by this game.
It shoves you right into the thick of things with no tutorial, no explanation and no introduction whatsoever. You have to figure out for yourself just what you can do and what happens when you press this button on this here doohickey.
Atsuki ends up enrolling in the local highschool in order to continue his investigation. There, you end up introduced to the rest of the cast who will eventually take part in said case.
Strangely enough, a fortune telling place opens some time by chapter 3 or so and charts how your relationships are going. Hmm.. possible dating sim aspect? Maybe. But a minor and a few males are included in said list.
The mind boggles.
Another charming aspect to the game is a BBS of sorts where people comment on certain things that you uncover during the course of the game. The first thread posted is a rumor about a transfer student. Yes, you. Here, you read about several female students starting to gush about how gorgeous you are and how you made their heart stop.
When interacting with the other characters, at times, you are given the ability to choose your responses, either from a couple of sentences or from a range of emotions, from anger to joy. You also have laughter, sadness and playing it cool. I suppose this sort of thing changes your relationship with them.

Apart from the high school drama you have to endure, there's also the Original and Silent investigation. You go through the usual mess of using your Sigma ability to seek out Shinen which come out as keywords you can use to unconsciously draw information out of your subject. This is timed and you get experience points when you've uncovered all the Shinen. The Shinen reveal to you phrases and fragments of sentences which sometimes make no sense but give you an insight into the character's mind. Some are sad, some are interesting... but there are those that are downright disturbing.
At times, the subject you may have uncovered might be a bit too touchy and you'll be faced with a "boss battle" against a Silent. At the end of the day, you report to your superiors and the chapter ends.
As far as localization goes, I do have a few gripes with the script. There were a few visible typos but nothing so annoying as to distract you from the story. I can't comment much on the voice acting because I had partaken of one option most games have forgotten to give us: the ability to turn off the voice acting.

Last Words:
It seems I have quite a way to go with this game. It's not the sort of thing that turned me away. The story starts off as quite confusing seeing as you start off in the dark but it's half the fun trying to figure out things for yourself. The social aspect of Lux Pain made me wonder if this is the sort of game that ends like a Dating Sim and I'm also rather curious as to who you can end up with.
I fully disagree with what Gamepro and IGN have said about this. With a little patience, I believe Lux Pain is an enjoyable experience for those who prefer to do some thinking and reading rather than mindless carnage.

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Rating:
Graphics: 3.5/5
Typical graphic novel fare. Characters are static pictures which change every now and then in attire and emotion. The colors are nice but there's something a bit off putting about it.

Gameplay: 4/5
Stylus clicks through dialogue, map and used to battle Silent. Pretty sensible and responsive. There was a relationship meter between characters that didn't really do much.

Soundtrack: 3.5/5
Er... ya can't really hear much often but there is some background music during boss battles and some scenarios.

The Look and Feel: 4/5
Fun little VN. Could use some improvement in the translation department. Scratch that. A LOT of improvement. Otherwise, the story is quite interesting..

Rating: 8/10

Release Dates: 2009

Alright, alright. I know it's a little late in the year but this list isn't quite done yet. Still plenty to look forward to in the coming months.
Note: Some dates are subject to change.

Avalon Code - March 10
Suikoden Tierkreis - March 17
Valkyrie Profile: Covenant of the Plume - March 17
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars - March 17
Pokemon Platinum - March 22
Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles - Echoes of Time - March 24
Lux Pain - March 24
Tokyo Beat Down™ - March 31
Gardening Mama - March 31

Rhythm Heaven - April 5
The Dark Spire™ - April 14
Dokapon Journey™ - April 14
Steal Princess™ - April 21
101 in 1 Explosive Megamix - April 21
Super Robot Taisen® OG Saga:Endless Frontier™ - April 28

X-Men Origins: Wolverine - May
Magician's Quest: Mysterious Times™ - May 5
Yu-Gi-Oh!™ 5D's Stardust Accelerators World Championship 2009 - May 19

Treasure World™ - June
Mega Man Starforce 3 Black Ace - June
Mega Man Starforce 3 Red Joker - June
Knights in the Nightmare™ - June 2
The Legendary Starfy - June 8
Shin Megami Tensei®: Devil Survivor™ - June 23

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince™ - Summer (Please don't epically fail.)