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Valkyrie Profile 2 SilmeriaThe prequel to the original PSOne game, Valkyrie Profile, has recently shipped in Japan. Published by Square-Enix and developed by tri-Ace, Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria, is set 100 years before the events in the original. US gamers who missed the first game on the PSOne can pick up the PSP port, Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth. The game is due for release in the US in September, and IGN recently talked to the series producer, Yoshinori Yamagishi about what to expect.

Yamagishi summarizes a bit of the plotline for the game, and gamers should expect that some of the lingering questions from the original will be answered in this prequel. Also discussed are some of the gameplay changes being made to the game, including the battle system and special attacks. Some gamers have expressed concern over the changes, since much that is changed takes away from the original game. Despite this, the sequel has gotten strong scores from respected reviewer Famitsu.

IGN also features a preview of the introductory cut scene for the game.

Read More | IGN

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Contact DSGaming blog Siliconera got a hold of Atlus US to talk to them about their upcoming Nintendo DS release, Contact. Atlus is handling the localization of the game originally developed by Grasshopper Manufacture, the developers of the quirky and unique Killer 7.  Given its heritage, gamers should expect the unusual from this RPG. The game has a similar look to the Earthbound RPG series. The main game offers a point-and-click interface for most of the in game actions, and there are a bunch of mini-games included as well. Atlus also talks about the use of the Nintendo DS Wi-Fi connection in the game. Those gamers looking for an RPG that is a little off the beaten path would probably find it worth their time to look at Contact when it is released in September.

Read More | Siliconera

Marvel Ultimate Alliance

Fresh from the San Diego Comic-Con, TeamXbox has a couple of high resolution trailers from the upcoming action RPG, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance. The first trailer shows off more of the expanded character set in the new game. The character models look to be a mix of the more updated Marvel Ultimate look and the classic comic book conventions. Some characters are shown merely as introduction, but gamers also get a look at some of the superheroes in action as well.

In addition to the generic trailer, an introduction movie for the Human Torch is provided. The flame effects seem fairly strong, but the character modeling is somewhat uneven. Ultimate Alliance seeks to vastly expand the game world from the previous X-Men Legends games, and offer much stronger online co-operative game play. The developers have slowly been revealing the characters included in the game, so Marvel aficionados should be able to find one of their favorite heroes to play. The game should ship some time before the holidays, and has been announced for a number of platforms, from the Game Boy Advance to the Playstation 3.

 

Read More | TeamXbox

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It may seem like forever and a day until the US can get its hands on the English version of FF III for the Nintendo DS, but I think we can safely say that it’ll be worth the wait. The above footage shows off what looks to be near the beginning of the (Japanese version) game, and it looks great - the characters are quite detailed, the animations seem very smooth, and some of the enemies like the turtle-y one at the end of this demo look really gorgeous on the small screen. It appears to be quite reminiscent in many ways to the look and feel of FF VII for the Playstation, and that can only be a good thing.

It’ll be only about 60 days until the US release, at which point the DS will finally have (hopefully!) its killer RPG. Now, if Nintendo would just throw us a bone about what you can do over Nintendo WiFi Connection…

Read More | YouTube via Kotaku.com


Tingle RPGFamitsu has a ton of new screenshots from the upcoming Tingle RPG. As befitting an adventure featuring a portly middle-aged fairy, the shots are completely bizarre. The gameplay shots apparently focus on rupee collection and donation in the game. Apparently, Tingle’s life is somehow tied to rupees collected and this will play a major factor in gameplay. The game will ship on September 2, 2006, in Japan for 4800 Yen. It doesn’t seem likely that the game will be released in the US, but one never can tell.

Read More | Famitsu

Deep LabyrinthDS owners are eagerly anticipating Final Fantasy III, but there are other RPGs that DS owners might want to investigate. Siliconera talks to Atlus about one release, Deep Labyrinth. The game is of interest for a few reasons; First, Masato Kato was involved with its creation. Kato might be better known for his involvement with games like Chrono Trigger, Xenogears, and Final Fantasy XI. Second, the game was originally a popular cell phone game in Japan. Third, the graphics and game play are being updated for the DS, with a totally new storyline added to the original. The RPG will also make extensive use of the touch screen, for both melee attacks and magic spells. Gamers looking for a good dungeon exploration game might want to look at Deep Labyrinth this August.

Read More | Siliconera

PSM Cover “Mercenaries 2: World in Flames,” a new game by Pandemic Studios due to be released next year, is already igniting controversy. With tensions high at present between the United States and Venezuela, news of the game’s plot, which revolves around a group of mercenaries invading Venezuela to guarantee oil supplies for the US, received a less than favorable welcome in Caracas. Venezuelan Vice President Jose Vicente Rangel called the Bush administration “a government of gangsters, drug traffickers, and criminals” upon hearing about the game. However, the game’s developer insists that “Mercenaries 2: World in Flames” is merely a game and not a commentary on the state of world affairs, even though startling similarities exist between its plot and current events.

Read More | My Broadband

Final Fantasy XIIGamespot reports that the latest in the Final Fantasy saga, Final Fantasy XII will hit the US on October 31, 2006. The game will be released in both Regular and Collector’s Editions, priced at $49.99 and $59.99 respectively. The Collector’s Edition will be available exclusively at Gamestop and EBGames. The package includes a steel case and a Collector’s DVD that features:

  • Developer’s Interviews
  • History of Final Fantasy featurettes
  • Final Fantasy XII U.S. Trailers
  • Final Fantasy XII Japan Trailers
  • Final Fantasy Art Gallery

So, gamers that are anxiously awaiting the release of this Holiday season’s next generation consoles will have a new Final Fantasy to keep them occupied.

Read More | Gamespot.com

Sims While video gamers are stereotypically portrayed as slackers and losers in the media, it is the growing contingent of middle class children who play video games that push titles into the realm of mass sales. These same children are the reason that “The Sims” has not only become the best-selling game of all time but also continues to be popular today.  The game has been particularly popular with girls. Girls as young as five may like playing with “The Sims” because it’s like playing “Barbie” but on the computer – you get to control the life of virtual people much like one would with a doll. Boys play “The Sims” too, but often the way boys play will differ from that of girls, mirroring real life differences. Adults and experts may spend time analyzing why this is so, but the kids just want to play.

Read More | Whittier Daily News

Tales PSP

Today, Bandai Namco announced the next games in their Tales RPG series, with new screen shots of the games. Siliconera has some details, and Game Watch Japan has full coverage of the announcement by Bandai Namco in Japan. There are a few remakes in the list, including a “full voice edition” release of Tales of Phantasia for the PSP, a remake of the Playstation 1 game, which itself was a remade version of the original Super Nintendo release. The Playstation 2 will see another remake, this time of the original Playstation game, Tales of Destiny, with redone 2D graphics. Tales of Destiny 2 should also see a home on the PSP, some time in 2007, as a remake of the Playstation 2 game. The PSP also gets a new game in the Tales of the World series. Finally, the DS game, Tales of the Tempest was also previewed.


Read More | Game Watch Coverage

Read More | Siliconera.com

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