Wednesday, February 29, 2012

While I was away ...

I may have been tending to my dad (and mom) for the past week or so, but that doesn't mean I've been completely oblivious to the goings on in gaming world while I've "been away." Here are some of the stories that have popped onto my radar over the last few days:

* A bunch of Bravely Default demos are about to hit the Japanese eShop--If you're like me, you groaned when you read that they're only hitting the Japanese eShop for the time being. Here's hoping Square-Enix announces a western release for this 4 Heroes of Light-esque 3DS RPG soon--and pops the aforementioned demos onto the Australian, European and North American eShops tout de suite, too.


* Etrian Odyssey IV was announced--For the 3DS, of course. And, as of now, only for Japan. I have a feeling the folks at Atlus will bring Etrian Odyssey IV to North America eventually, though, and hopefully to Australia and Europe, too. Although I've yet to buy, let alone play, Etrian Odyssey II or III, I'm planning to pick up this sequel on day one--assuming it's released in my particular region, of course.


* Goodbye Extreme Escape Adventure: Good People Die, hello Zero Escape: Virtue's Last Reward--I don't know about you, but my 3DS wish list is currently about a mile long. One of the games that has been on said list for some time now: The Chunsoft-developed title, released just a few weeks ago in Japan, that's known in that territory as Extreme Escape Adventure: Good People Die. When it hits North America (via Aksys Games) later this year, though, its title will be changed to Zero Escape: Virtue's Last Reward. I prefer the Japanese name, to be perfectly honest, but I promise it won't keep me from pre-ordering this spooky successor--which is being prepped for the PS Vita, too--to the DS-based sleeper hit, 999: Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors.


* The Last Story is coming to North America this summer via Xseed Games--I have to admit, I wasn't all that shocked to read that the second of the three "Operation Rainfall" titles (Xenoblade Chronicles and Pandora's Tower being the other two), The Last Story, will be released in the States this summer (June 19, to be exact). What did shock me was the news that Xseed Games, and not Nintendo of America, will be publishing this Wii-based RPG in my neck of the woods. Now I just have to decide if I'll pick it up or not. (You can pre-order it here, if you're so inclined.)


* Mario Tennis Open finally has a North American release date--I've been waiting for this sporty 3DS title to get an official name and release date since it was announced during the most recent Tokyo Game Show. Well, both of those boxes were checked--the name can be seen in the bolded portion of this particular bullet point, while the release date is May 20--during the Nintendo Direct conference held a few days ago. I've already pre-ordered a copy for myself (via Amazon). How about you?


* Who's ready to return to the world of Pokémon Black/White?--Did you expect the folks at Game Freak to announce Pokémon Grey sometime this year? I sure did. That is the company's m.o., after all. As such, most people likely were taken aback when it announced Pokémon Black 2/ White 2 instead. (The games will hit the streets in Japan this summer and everywhere else this fall.) I'm still not sure what these sequels will bring to the table, but I'm hoping they'll bring enough to entice me into buying yet another copy of this maddeningly addictive game.

Did any of the announcements or reveals above pique your interest, too? If so, which ones--and why?

20 comments:

Viewtiful_Justin said...

Dang. Lots to report, then! While you've been away, I bought myself a PS3! Skyrim has been eating my life, honestly. I haven't played anything else for more than maybe an hour...but I've pumped about 20 hours into Skyrim and I'm STILL only scratching the surface. It's amazing.

But I've been thinking about you, wondering what games you'd recommend I check out, whether retail releases or downloadable titles.

Bryan Ochalla said...

Ah, I saw on FB that you got a PS3, Justin. That's great. Do you only have Skyrim for it at the moment? Regardless, sounds like you're loving it. I'm jealous! Someday, someday...

As for recommendations, let me think about it and get back to you (via a comment) later today, OK? There are a ton of games I've added to my PS3 wish list over the years, but I can't think of many of them now.

LottieTwintails said...

I'm excited about all these things, too! Bravely Default being first and foremost, since I loved 4 Heroes of Light so much. Between that game and Etrian Odyssey IV, my 3DS is going to (hopefully, assuming they're both localized) begin to show its true potential! Which, to me, means "RPGs" xD

Bryan Ochalla said...

If Bravely Default isn't brought to the US, I'm going to buy an import 3DS. No question. I love 4 Heroes of Light so much that I'm willing to stumble my way through Bravely Default even if I can't understand what's going on. As for Etrian Odyssey IV: I'm sure that'll be released outside of Japan. Can't wait to get my hands on it!

Bridgeport Cat said...

I'm actually REALLY looking forward to Etrian Odyssey IV. I'm not a huge fan of first person dungeons but I adored Etrian Odyssey III (even though I never finished it, which I should). This announcement (along with the new Animal Crossing and swapnotes) is definitely edging me toward getting a 3DS

Bryan Ochalla said...

Ah, another Etrian Odyssey fan! I know the series isn't for everyone, but I really, really like it. I haven't played the third one yet, sadly, but I hope to pick it up soon. Also, I'm glad to hear you, too, like Animal Crossing, Bridgeport Cat. Hopefully we'll be able to visit each other's towns when the 3DS version finally hits store shelves :)

Unknown said...

It's really nice to see you posting again, Bryan! I felt like something was missing from my day :)

Anyways, I'd have to say I'm most hyped for the Good People Die/Virtue's Last Reward NA release! And (forgive me for saying this) that they confirmed they will also be localizing the Vita version, too. I'm way overdue for a post, but suffice it to say I'm totally in love with my Vita. Doesn't mean I'll be casting the 3DS aside, but I think I'd prefer to play some titles on the Vita, given the option's there.

Also, I think it's high time I tried 4 Heroes of Light! Bravely Default looks great and I know how much you liked 4 Heroes

chaosyoshimage said...

I hope we see Bravely Default in the other regions too. While I haven't played Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light, I have wanted to for some time and this looks like the best looking 3DS game thusfar. Good People Die is also in my "haven't played the predecessor yet, but it looks great" pile. So are the Etrian Odyssey games, the new one seems to have an easy mode which for someone like me that loves games, but kinda sucks at them, is a godsend.

The Last Story was my favorite bit of news lately. I've been really excited for that one and I was worried Nintendo was going to release it only if Xenoblade did well over here (Which I want too, but probably won't be able to buy). Really great to see Nintendo partnering with XCEED to release stuff, maybe we'll see some other games that Nintendo thought were too risky to release over here like Captain Rainbow or Soma Bringer. Well, a boy can dream...

Bryan Ochalla said...

Hey there, Anne. I'm glad to be back, too. Things are still very up and down with my dad, but just sitting here worrying isn't good for me. So, I'm trying my best to write and publish some posts again. They'll likely be a bit less frequent than they were in the past, but just for a while. Anyway, I'm glad to hear you look forward to them.

As for looking forward to the Vita version of Virtue's Last Reward: You don't have to feel bad about that. Also, I'm glad to hear you're loving your Vita. Will you be writing about it on your blog soon? I hope so! I really want to hear what you think of it, what your favorite aspects of it are, etc.

If you do wind up picking up 4 Heroes of Light, I'll be curious to hear what you think of it. I absolutely loved it, of course, but there definitely are people out there who didn't like it at all. Anyway, Bravely Default can't come out soon enough, in my opinion.

Bryan Ochalla said...

chaosyoshimage: I'm glad to hear you're excited about all of these games even though you haven't yet played their predecessors. You're not alone in being like that, by the way -- I do it all the time!

I was really happy to see Nintendo allow Xseed to bring The Last Story to the States, too. Here's hoping they continue down that path in the future and allow third parties like Aksys or Atlus or Xseed release some of the titles Nintendo is unwilling to take a chance on...

GameOverYeah said...

I own the Last Story. :-)

Bryan Ochalla said...

Oh, sure, dste, rub it in. Have you enjoyed it? I know you've probably told me about this, but I can't remember :|

diaglyph said...

- I'm looking forward to Bravely Default (quite a strange name) and hope a demo does come soon everywhere :)
- I've played Etrian Odyssey before and I found it a little tedious.
- Speaking of Last Story I think its currently sitting at the post office waiting for me to pick it up :p (I got the special ed, and for a great price too!)
- Pokemon - disapoint! I was hoping they would actually have a 3DS version. I think this will just be the same ol' same ol'. Though I must just be too old for Pokemon LOL I find the grind VERY boring and tedious. I don't know if pretty graphics on 3DS (whenever that version comes out) will help to cover that aspect of Pokemon.

Bryan Ochalla said...

Thanks for sharing your thoughts, diaglyph. I'm jealous that you've already gotten your hands on a copy of The Last Story. Hope you like it -- and share your opinions on it with me :) Also, I fully understand the Pokemon Black 2/White 2 disappoint. I wanted it to be for 3DS, too. I'm also not sure Pokemon is for me anymore, but I can't keep myself from picking up the games anyway :P

diaglyph said...

I will let you know how I go :)
You guys are only getting it in June right?
But first I need to finish Xenoblade!! I think I'm getting close. My characters are around lvl 60 and I'm making my way up the mechonis.

Bryan Ochalla said...

diaglyph: Yes, I believe Xenoblade comes out in April (already pre-ordered it) and The Last Story comes out in June. Glad to hear you're still playing Xenoblade, by the way!

GameOverYeah said...

I haven't had a chance to play Last Story yet unfortunately, only received it on Tuesday.

I have for your pleasure though taken a photo of the limited edition version and put it on my blog.

Bryan Ochalla said...

Oh, you bought the limited edition, dste? Consider me jealous! I'll have to go take a look at your photo(s) of it now...

GameOverYeah said...

Yes mate. The limited edition was only £3 ($4.75) dearer than the normal edition so couldn't resist.

The photo is of my copy. :-)

Bryan Ochalla said...

Oh, that definitely is a pretty limited edition, dste! I sure wish such a package would be made available here...