Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Keiji Inafune on why you shouldn't tease unannounced projects]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/08/keiji-inafune-on-why-you-shouldnt-tease-unannounced-projects/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/08/keiji-inafune-on-why-you-shouldnt-tease-unannounced-projects/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/08/keiji-inafune-on-why-you-shouldnt-tease-unannounced-projects/#comments "I don't think I mentioned anything about PlayStation Vita," Keiji Inafune told me in an interview this morning. His answer -- an outright lie -- elicited laughs from myself and his translator, both of us having attended his state of the Japanese game industry panel yesterday at GDC 2012 -- where he teased a PlayStation Vita project.

"I can say that I got in trouble from Sony," he said. Uh oh! Unsurprisingly, Inafune wouldn't budge on any more details, only adding that, "You should be able to hear something more in detail soon." That's right, folks -- even important devs like Keiji Inafune can't just walk around saying whatever they want about unannounced projects all willy nilly.

But don't fret, fans, as Inafune plans on launching his already announced Nintendo 3DS project, King of Pirates, worldwide. "For all my titles, I'm looking to do worldwide publishing. I can't say who is publishing because it could be Marvelous directly or maybe they're going to find another publisher in the US," he said. "But the plan is to do it worldwide."

JoystiqKeiji Inafune on why you shouldn't tease unannounced projects originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 08 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dscomceptgdcgdc-2012interceptkeiji-inafuneking-of-piratesmarvelousmarvelous-interactivenintendoplaystationplaystation-vitasonyvitaThu, 08 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Little King's Story Vita receives regal Japanese trailer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/31/little-kings-story-vita-receives-regal-japanese-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/31/little-kings-story-vita-receives-regal-japanese-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/31/little-kings-story-vita-receives-regal-japanese-trailer/#comments
Little King's Story, one of the best games of 2009 that nearly nobody played, is coming soon to PS Vita. Hopefully this majestic strategy title with Pikmin-esque combat will find an audience on Sony's fancy new handheld.

Continue reading Little King's Story Vita receives regal Japanese trailer

JoystiqLittle King's Story Vita receives regal Japanese trailer originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 31 Oct 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>KonamiLittle-Kings-Storymarvelous-interactiveplaystationplaystation-vitavitaMon, 31 Oct 2011 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Keiji Inafune reveals 'King of Pirates,' heading to 3DS in 2012]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/05/keiji-inafune-reveals-king-of-pirates-heading-to-3ds-in-2012/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/05/keiji-inafune-reveals-king-of-pirates-heading-to-3ds-in-2012/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/05/keiji-inafune-reveals-king-of-pirates-heading-to-3ds-in-2012/#comments
Ex-Capcom head of production, Keiji Inafune, has yet another pot on the stove. His company, Intercept, announced its next game last night: "King of Pirates" for the Nintendo 3DS, which brings Inafune back into console development (as previously hinted). The game is apparently set on a massive ocean, "where heroes fight for ambition, justice, and their lives," according to a note from Inafune. 4Gamer reports that the game is planned as a trilogy, and features some form of multiplayer.

The teaser trailer, however, doesn't go very far in explaining what the game is actually about, though it seems to indicate some form of ship battle game -- the official website describes it as "pirate action adventure." The trailer does let slip some other information, however, such as who's publishing the game, namely Marvelous AQL, makers of the Harvest Moon series.

Currently, King of Pirates is only slated for launch in Japan, though we'd be surprised if it didn't end up in other territories eventually. In fact, according to Inafune's own development philosophy, it's almost guaranteed to arrive elsewhere.

Gallery: KAIO - King of Pirates

JoystiqKeiji Inafune reveals 'King of Pirates,' heading to 3DS in 2012 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 05 Oct 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsinterceptkaio-king-of-pirateskeiji-inafuneking-of-piratesmarvelousmarvelous-aqlmarvelous-interactivenintendorelease-dateWed, 05 Oct 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Marvelous and AQ Interactive merging]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/10/marvelous-and-aq-interactive-merging/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/10/marvelous-and-aq-interactive-merging/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/10/marvelous-and-aq-interactive-merging/#comments Marvelous Entertainment, the developer of the Harvest Moon series and Japanese publisher of games like No More Heroes, Muramasa, and Deadly Premonition, is entering into a merger with AQ Interactive, the publisher of the Korg DS-10 games, Bullet Witch, Blue Dragon Plus, and the 3DS title Cubic Ninja.

Also included in the merger is Liveware, a mobile games company that was originally part of Marvelous anyway. The new company will be called Marvelous AQL when the merger finalizes on October 1.

AQ Interactive has been doing some merging on its own. Last year, it absorbed its subsidiary Cavia, developer of Nier and the Drakengard games, into itself. It later did the same with developers Artoon and Feelplus.

JoystiqMarvelous and AQ Interactive merging originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 10 May 2011 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aq-interactivedsjapanlivewaremarvelous-interactivemergermicrosoftmobilenintendopcplaystationps3pspsonywiixboxTue, 10 May 2011 09:45:00 EST<![CDATA[No More Heroes: Red Zone packs Move controls, new material in Japan [Update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/20/no-more-heroes-red-zone-packs-move-controls-new-material-in-ja/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/20/no-more-heroes-red-zone-packs-move-controls-new-material-in-ja/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/20/no-more-heroes-red-zone-packs-move-controls-new-material-in-ja/#comments The weekly Famitsu leak has brought early word of another re-release of No More Heroes coming to Japan, called No More Heroes: Red Zone.

This PS3-only version adds material not found in last year's Japanese PS3 release of No More Heroes: Heroes' Paradise, including PlayStation Move compatibility, and five bosses from No More Heroes 2. It also restores the full CERO Z rating. The Japanese PS3 release was cut down to fit a more generally acceptable D rating.

All of this material is included in Konami's upcoming Western release of Heroes' Paradise, but Red Zone also reportedly includes ten missions that were cut from the original Wii version. This could be exclusive content -- or it could just be a bonus that Konami hasn't told us about yet! We're asking the publisher now.

Update: Konami told Joystiq that this is the same version we're getting in America.

JoystiqNo More Heroes: Red Zone packs Move controls, new material in Japan [Update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 20 Apr 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>feelplusjapanmarvelous-interactiveno-more-heroesno-more-heroes-heroes-paradiseno-more-heroes-red-zoneplaystationps3Wed, 20 Apr 2011 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Three minutes of Hero 30 Second]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/17/three-minutes-of-hero-30-second/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/17/three-minutes-of-hero-30-second/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/17/three-minutes-of-hero-30-second/#commentsHero 30 Second ditches all the gameplay varieties from its predecessor except for the Hero 30 mode -- so no controlling the Evil Lord this time. But that Hero mode is expanded, and playable in five different scenarios. The totally dramatic trailer after the break introduces them all.

Continue reading Three minutes of Hero 30 Second

JoystiqThree minutes of Hero 30 Second originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 17 Dec 2010 04:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hero-30-secondmarvelous-interactiveopus-studioplaystationpspsonyFri, 17 Dec 2010 04:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Konami releasing No More Heroes: Heroes' Paradise on PS3 in Europe, with Move support]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/18/konami-releasing-no-more-heroes-heroes-paradise-on-ps3-in-euro/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/18/konami-releasing-no-more-heroes-heroes-paradise-on-ps3-in-euro/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/18/konami-releasing-no-more-heroes-heroes-paradise-on-ps3-in-euro/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Konami Europe has picked up the rights to No More Heroes: Heroes' Paradise, the Feelplus-developed HD port of No More Heroes -- but seemingly just the PS3 version and not the Xbox 360 release. To make the news even more baffling, Konami is adding PlayStation Move support. That's right, the motion controls that were replaced in the game's transition from Wii to PS3 are back!

Both previous No More Heroes games were published in Europe by Rising Star Games, which was first a subsidiary of -- and then a content partner with -- Japanese publisher Marvelous Interactive. We're following up with Konami's American branch to find out whether Travis Touchdown will appear in HD in North America. The European release is scheduled for 2011.

Continue reading Konami releasing No More Heroes: Heroes' Paradise on PS3 in Europe, with Move support

JoystiqKonami releasing No More Heroes: Heroes' Paradise on PS3 in Europe, with Move support originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 18 Aug 2010 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>EuropeFeelplusgamescom-2010KonamiMarvelous-Interactiveno-more-heroesno-more-heroes-heroes-paradiseplaystationPlayStation-Moveps3Wed, 18 Aug 2010 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Marvelous profits in fiscal Q1 -- by cutting back on game releases]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/09/marvelous-profits-in-fiscal-q1-by-cutting-back-on-game-releas/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/09/marvelous-profits-in-fiscal-q1-by-cutting-back-on-game-releas/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/09/marvelous-profits-in-fiscal-q1-by-cutting-back-on-game-releas/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Marvelous Entertainment has, in the recent past, been reporting disappointing earnings. Well, not even "earnings." Losses. To combat those losses, the company reduced its slate for fiscal 2011, a strategy that appears to have worked.

In its last fiscal quarter (which ended June 30), Marvelous's digital content division had ¥71 million ($829,000) in profit. The same quarter last year saw $1.5 million in losses! According to Siliconera's summary of the report, the boosted performance has more to do with reduced costs than game sales -- sales were actually down 55.4% year-over-year. Marvelous released just three games in the quarter, including No More Heroes: Heroes' Paradise.

JoystiqMarvelous profits in fiscal Q1 -- by cutting back on game releases originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 09 Aug 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>earningsMarvelousmarvelous-interactivemicrosoftno-more-heroes-heroes-paradiseplaystationps3pspsonyxboxMon, 09 Aug 2010 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Marvelous plans new IP, 3DS Harvest Moon for next fiscal year]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/28/marvelous-plans-new-ip-3ds-harvest-moon-for-next-fiscal-year/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/28/marvelous-plans-new-ip-3ds-harvest-moon-for-next-fiscal-year/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/28/marvelous-plans-new-ip-3ds-harvest-moon-for-next-fiscal-year/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The reduction of new IP coming out of Marvelous Entertainment isn't as total as we'd heard. In a recent investor Q&A summarized by air-be and translated by Siliconera, the company revealed that it will have original IP in the next fiscal year, for "new hardware." The current fiscal year ends March 31, 2011.

This hardware is likely to be something other than the 3DS. The company refers to that system explicitly when discussing its plans to release a Harvest Moon game on Nintendo's extradimensional handheld. That Harvest Moon game, by the way, also won't be ready until the next fiscal year, which means that you won't be planting crops deep into the ground -- with visible depth -- at the 3DS's launch.

JoystiqMarvelous plans new IP, 3DS Harvest Moon for next fiscal year originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 28 Jun 2010 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3DSdsHarvest-Moon-3DSMarvelousMarvelous-Interactivenintendooriginal-IPMon, 28 Jun 2010 16:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Marvelous focuses on PSP development in fiscal 2011]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/25/marvelous-focuses-on-psp-development-in-fiscal-2011/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/25/marvelous-focuses-on-psp-development-in-fiscal-2011/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/25/marvelous-focuses-on-psp-development-in-fiscal-2011/#commentsIt shouldn't come as much of a surprise, given the company's recent executive pay cuts and low sales figures, that Marvelous Entertainment is looking to cut costs in fiscal 2011 by reducing its lineup of games slightly. Siliconera points out a slide from the company's latest earnings report (Japanese PDF downloadable at the bottom of the window) that shows only ten releases for the period between April 1, 2010 and March 31, 2011. That's down two from the previous year. The biggest move comes from the DS lineup, which is reduced from six games to just one.

Also unsurprisingly, Marvelous is putting emphasis on PSP games. PSP development was the segment of Marvelous's game business that paid off in the last year, and the publisher is putting out more games there -- four -- than anywhere else in fiscal 2011. That includes the RPG Fate/Extra and the humiliating fighter Ikki Tousen: Xross Impact, as well as two currently unannounced games.

The rest of Marvelous's lineup includes the already-released No More Heroes: Heroes Paradise on PS3 and 360, Harvest Moon: Twins' Village on DS, one unknown PS3 game, and two unknown Wii games.

[Via Siliconera]

JoystiqMarvelous focuses on PSP development in fiscal 2011 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 25 May 2010 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DSfate-extraharvest-moonharvest-moon-twins-villageikki-tousen-xross-impactjapanmarvelousmarvelous-entertainmentmarvelous-interactivemmvNintendono-more-heroes-heroes-paradiseWiiTue, 25 May 2010 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PSN Tuesday: Test drive Split/Second, ModNation Racers]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/11/psn-tuesday-test-drive-split-second-modnation-racers/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/11/psn-tuesday-test-drive-split-second-modnation-racers/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/11/psn-tuesday-test-drive-split-second-modnation-racers/#comments
PSN Tuesday's big draw this week is kickin' the tires on Split/Second, developed by the same folks that brought us the equally gorgeous Pure. For those interested in DLC, there's new stuff for BioShock 2, Batman: Arkham Asylum and, naturally, LittleBigPlanet.

PSP owners can pick up Harvest Moon: Hero Of Leaf Valley and Worms: Battle Islands. Split/Second isn't the only racing game with a demo -- ModNation Racers is also available for a test drive. Check out the full update after the break.


Choose your platform to view the corresponding release list:
(Note: Continue past the break to view both release lists.)

Continue reading PSN Tuesday: Test drive Split/Second, ModNation Racers

JoystiqPSN Tuesday: Test drive Split/Second, ModNation Racers originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 11 May 2010 20:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Harvest-MoonHarvest-Moon-Hero-of-Leaf-ValleyMarvelous-InteractiveNatsumePSN-Storepsn-tuesdaypsn-weeklySimulationsplit-secondTue, 11 May 2010 20:21:00 EST<![CDATA[Jikan de Fantasia lets you play as a more-than-Half-Minute Hero]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/28/jikan-de-fantasia-lets-you-play-as-a-more-than-half-minute-hero/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/28/jikan-de-fantasia-lets-you-play-as-a-more-than-half-minute-hero/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/28/jikan-de-fantasia-lets-you-play-as-a-more-than-half-minute-hero/#comments It appears Jikan de Fantasia, a new RPG hitting PSP this summer in Japan, is taking some heavy inspiration from Half-Minute Hero. Makes sense, considering this new adventure is from Opus Studio, the same team responsible for Marvelous's quirky action RPG. Like its predecessor, Jikan de Fantasia blends hack 'n slash RPG gameplay with a time-bending twist. However, instead of condensing an RPG to thirty seconds, you can set the amount of time you want to spend. Have only five minutes on the subway? Have a thirty minute bus commute? You'll be able to set your own time limit, and the game will create an adventure that fits your schedule.

According to Famitsu, Jikan de Fantasia deconstructs the core mechanics of an RPG, from leaving your hometown, meeting NPCs, and exploring dungeons to fighting a final boss, and reassembles them to create an experience that fits the time you want. For those that found the thirty second gameplay of Opus's last adventure a bit too manic, this experience should be far more compelling.

JoystiqJikan de Fantasia lets you play as a more-than-Half-Minute Hero originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 28 Apr 2010 16:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>half-minute-heroHero-For-30-Secidea-factoryjapanjikan-de-fantasiaJRPGMarvelous-Interactiveopus-studiorpgXSEEDYuusha-30Wed, 28 Apr 2010 16:10:00 EST<![CDATA[No More Heroes 2 set for May 28 in Europe]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/06/no-more-heroes-2-set-for-may-28-in-europe/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/06/no-more-heroes-2-set-for-may-28-in-europe/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/06/no-more-heroes-2-set-for-may-28-in-europe/#commentsOkay, now we have an official European release date for No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle. Rising Star Games has finally announced what we hope is the final date: May 28. Rising Star didn't mention a reason for the delay, though at least you can take heart in the fact that none of the extra time was spent removing blood from the game.

If you're feeling put off by the four-month wait -- or if you're having a flashback to the past of European game publishing, when everything came out half a year or more after the North American release -- at least you don't have it as bad as Japan. There, No More Heroes 2 still has no release date at all.

JoystiqNo More Heroes 2 set for May 28 in Europe originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 06 Apr 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ActioneuropeGrasshopper-Manufacturemarvelous-interactiveno-more-heroesno-more-heroes-2No-More-Heroes-2-Desperate-Strugglerising-star-gamesUbisoftTue, 06 Apr 2010 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Harvest Moon: Hero of Leaf Valley coming stateside in April]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/31/harvest-moon-hero-of-leaf-valley-coming-stateside-in-april/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/31/harvest-moon-hero-of-leaf-valley-coming-stateside-in-april/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/31/harvest-moon-hero-of-leaf-valley-coming-stateside-in-april/#comments Considering the extent to which Farmville has enraptured the hearts and minds of 95 percent of the Facebook-using populace, we're not surprised that Natsume has decided to bring yet another installment in the Harvest Moon franchise to the States. According to the publisher, American store shelves will play host to Harvest Moon: Hero of Leaf Valley for the PSP in April.

The game will task you with staving off the expansion of The Funland Corporation's chain of amusement parks into your home town of Leaf Valley. You'll do so in the most logical manner imaginable: by repeatedly performing various agricultural chores. Yeah, that'll show 'em!

Editor's Note: This announcement was posted earlier on Joystiq PlayStation. We apologize for the excessive publication of this news.

JoystiqHarvest Moon: Hero of Leaf Valley coming stateside in April originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 31 Jan 2010 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Harvest-Moon-Hero-of-Leaf-ValleyMarvelousMarvelous-InteractiveNatsumeSun, 31 Jan 2010 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Harvest Moon: Hero of Leaf Valley coming to PSP this April]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/28/harvest-moon-hero-of-new-leaf-coming-to-psp-this-april/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/28/harvest-moon-hero-of-new-leaf-coming-to-psp-this-april/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/28/harvest-moon-hero-of-new-leaf-coming-to-psp-this-april/#comments Natsume continues milking the Harvest Moon franchise, with a new game coming to the PSP later this year. Hero of Leaf Valley promises to be "the biggest PSP Harvest Moon adventure yet." This time around, players must farm their hearts out in order to save Leaf Valley from the evil Funland Corporation. Multiple endings are promised -- we hope one of them involves your vegetables combining to form a mech that destroys Funland Corp. (That might be unlikely, though.)

Harvest Moon: Hero of Leaf Valley will be available in April for $29.99.

Gallery: Harvest Moon: Hero of Leaf Valley

JoystiqHarvest Moon: Hero of Leaf Valley coming to PSP this April originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 28 Jan 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>harvest-moonharvest-moon-hero-of-leaf-valleyMarvelous-InteractivenatsumeSimulationThu, 28 Jan 2010 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Marvelous execs take pay cuts in the face of losses]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/27/marvelous-execs-take-pay-cuts-in-the-face-of-losses/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/27/marvelous-execs-take-pay-cuts-in-the-face-of-losses/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/27/marvelous-execs-take-pay-cuts-in-the-face-of-losses/#comments Marvelous Interactive executives have taken a pay cut in response to a bad earnings forecast due to the publisher's low sales figures. Executives will take a 15-17 percent cut in pay, directors will be hit 25-43 percent, while the CEO will take a 77 percent reduction.

What's unclear is if this is a sign that executives are taking responsibility for what happened, or if there simply isn't enough money in the coffers to pay them.

[Via Siliconera]

JoystiqMarvelous execs take pay cuts in the face of losses originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 27 Jan 2010 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businessMarvelousmarvelous-interactiveNintendoWiiWed, 27 Jan 2010 05:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Play a Half-Minute Hero demo for a few minutes next week]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/26/play-a-half-minute-hero-demo-for-a-few-minutes-next-week/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/26/play-a-half-minute-hero-demo-for-a-few-minutes-next-week/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/26/play-a-half-minute-hero-demo-for-a-few-minutes-next-week/#commentsIf the thought of buying before trying seems as alien as making a sandwich out of textbooks and old toilet paper tubes, then you'll want to keep reading: Rising Star has announced that a demo of Half-Minute Hero will hit the EU PSN next week. Dubbed "Hero Mode," the demo will allow players to select between three missions included in the final game.

Half-Minute Hero features a series of quick challenges blending together a menagerie of genres, such as RPG, RTS and even shoot-em-ups. It's currently set to release in Europe on February 12.

[Via Videogamer]

JoystiqPlay a Half-Minute Hero demo for a few minutes next week originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 26 Jan 2010 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>demoeuropehalf-minute-heroHero-For-30-SecMarvelousmarvelous-entertainmentMarvelous-InteractivePSN-Storerising-starrising-star-gamesrpgXSEEDYuusha-30Tue, 26 Jan 2010 14:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Half-Minute Hero finds time for Europe]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/14/half-minute-hero-finds-time-for-europe/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/14/half-minute-hero-finds-time-for-europe/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/14/half-minute-hero-finds-time-for-europe/#comments If you've been following Joystiq, you should be familiar with Half-Minute Hero, the zany RPG in which the apocalypse threatens to arrive every thirty seconds. Rising Star Games is taking care of the European release of the game, which will be readied on February 12th, 2010.

A press release describes Half-Minute Hero as a "love-letter to 8-bit classics," thanks to its retro inspired graphics. Disturbingly, Rising Star Games' Martin Defries says "it's a game which keeps on giving - but like an inexperienced teenager: 30 seconds at a time." We're not entirely sure what that's supposed to mean, but we would advise not keeping your kids around this guy.

JoystiqHalf-Minute Hero finds time for Europe originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 14 Jan 2010 12:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>europehalf-minute-heroHero-For-30-SecmarvelousMarvelous-Interactiverelease-daterising-star-gamesRPGXSEEDYuusha-30Thu, 14 Jan 2010 12:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Marvelous lost money on most of its Wii releases]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/19/marvelous-lost-money-on-most-of-its-wii-releases/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/19/marvelous-lost-money-on-most-of-its-wii-releases/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/19/marvelous-lost-money-on-most-of-its-wii-releases/#commentsPretty much everyone can guess why No More Heroes is being released again -- Marvelous needs money. During a Q&A presentation (PDF link, Japanese) about its fiscal Q2 2010 earnings, Marvelous boldly revealed that three out of its four 2009 Wii releases lost money, though it didn't say which was the winner.

Muramasa sold 47,000 units in Japan, the company said, not specifying American sales. Arc Rise Fantasia, which will be published Stateside by Ignition, sold 45,000 copies. Little King's Story sold 26,000 copies in Japan, 37,000 copies in North America, and 67,000 in Europe. Valhalla Knights: Eldar Saga, which came out in September in North America, sold just 16,000 copies (Japanese sales, which started in October, are not mentioned). Harvest Moon: Tree of Tranquility on Wii somehow sold 57,000 units in 2009 despite being a 2007 release in Japan, a 2008 release in America, and not out until October in Europe and Australia.

Because of lower development costs, Marvelous said, PSP software was more successful, with four out of five releases making money on similar sales numbers. Half-Minute Hero was Marvelous's overall best-performing title, at 70,000 copies sold.

[Via Siliconera]

JoystiqMarvelous lost money on most of its Wii releases originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Cingearningshalf-minute-heroHero-For-30-Seclittle-kings-storymarvelousMarvelous-InteractivemuramasaNintendoRPGRTSsalesWiiXSEEDXSeed-JKSYuusha-30Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Rising Star's Q1 lineup for Europe includes Fragile, Way of the Samurai 3]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/29/rising-stars-q1-lineup-for-europe-includes-fragile-way-of-the/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/29/rising-stars-q1-lineup-for-europe-includes-fragile-way-of-the/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/29/rising-stars-q1-lineup-for-europe-includes-fragile-way-of-the/#commentsRising Star Games has announced a European release for Fragile (as Fragile Dreams), Namco Bandai's action-adventure game about exploring a haunted, post-disaster Japan, in March 2010. That's around the same time XSEED plans to bring the Namco Bandai title to North America.

Also in March, the publisher will release Rune Factory Frontier on Wii, and Avalon Code and My World My Way on DS. Before that, in February, Rising Star will release Half-Minute Hero on PSP, and, through "affiliate label" Gamebridge, the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions of Way of the Samurai 3. We've got Rising Star's full lineup listed after the break.

Continue reading Rising Star's Q1 lineup for Europe includes Fragile, Way of the Samurai 3

JoystiqRising Star's Q1 lineup for Europe includes Fragile, Way of the Samurai 3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>avalon-codeDSeuropefragilefragile-dreamshalf-minute-heroHero-For-30-SecMarvelous-InteractiveMicrosoftmy-world-my-wayNintendoq1-2010release-daterising-starrollin-rascalsRPGrune-factory-frontierway-of-the-samurai-3WiiXbox-360XSEEDYuusha-30Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Half-Minute Hero can't rescue Quebec]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/29/half-minute-hero-cant-rescue-quebec/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/29/half-minute-hero-cant-rescue-quebec/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/29/half-minute-hero-cant-rescue-quebec/#comments If you're looking for a UMD version of Half-Minute Hero in Quebec, stop trying. A Destructoid reader looking for the game was surprised it had skipped a release altogether in the Canadian province -- and it's all thanks to the law. "Canadian distribution is always tricky because of the bilingual law that Quebec enforces, so for titles with limited distribution we do not create a second bilingual version specifically for Canada because it's too expensive. Unfortunately, that's what happened to Half-Minute Hero," an XSEED representative stated.

Thankfully, digital distribution offers a workaround. PlayStation Network appears to be exempt from Quebec's bilingual laws, so a simple visit to the PlayStation Store is all it takes to bypass the French language police.

JoystiqHalf-Minute Hero can't rescue Quebec originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>frenchhalf-minute-heroHero-For-30-SecMarvelousMarvelous-InteractivequebecRPGumdxseedYuusha-30Thu, 29 Oct 2009 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Spend a few minutes with this Half-Minute Hero trailer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/09/spend-a-few-minutes-with-this-half-minute-hero-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/09/spend-a-few-minutes-with-this-half-minute-hero-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/09/spend-a-few-minutes-with-this-half-minute-hero-trailer/#comments Okay, Half-Minute Hero is finally seeing release. In addition to launching an official site for the game, XSEED has released one last trailer for the game that gives you a good overview of all the wackiness you can expect from the game. Does it look familiar? Yeah, but now this one's in English, a language commonly used by Joystiq writers and readers.

Half-Minute Hero hits UMD next week, and PSN a week thereafter.

JoystiqSpend a few minutes with this Half-Minute Hero trailer originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 09 Oct 2009 20:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>half-minute-heroHero-For-30-SeclaunchMarvelousMarvelous-InteractivepsnRPGtrailerxseedYuusha-30Fri, 09 Oct 2009 20:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Half-Minute Hero rushes to UMD on October 13, PSN one week later]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/05/half-minute-hero-rushes-to-umd-on-october-13-psn-one-week-later/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/05/half-minute-hero-rushes-to-umd-on-october-13-psn-one-week-later/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/05/half-minute-hero-rushes-to-umd-on-october-13-psn-one-week-later/#comments Okay, so it's pretty clear all of us are going to buy Half-Minute Hero. The only questions left are: when? And how? XSEED's bringing the clever micro-RPG game to retail stores on October 13, with a digital PSN release to follow one week later on October 22. "Timing is just off for whatever reason," we were told by a PR representative.

Half-Minute Hero's bite-sized gameplay makes it an ideal game to throw on your Memory Stick. But, will gamers have the patience to wait an entire week for the PSN version? By our calculations, you could play Half-Minute Hero over 25,000 times on UMD before the PSN version comes out!

JoystiqHalf-Minute Hero rushes to UMD on October 13, PSN one week later originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 05 Oct 2009 15:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>half-minute-heroHero-For-30-SecMarvelousMarvelous-InteractivepsnreleaseRPGumdxseedYuusha-30Mon, 05 Oct 2009 15:15:00 EST<![CDATA[First Half-Minute Hero demo coming tomorrow]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/09/first-half-minute-hero-demo-coming-tomorrow/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/09/first-half-minute-hero-demo-coming-tomorrow/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/09/first-half-minute-hero-demo-coming-tomorrow/#comments If you read the headline carefully enough, you'll notice that there is more than one demo coming out for the upcoming PSP Half-Minute Hero. However, the first demo will be available on the PlayStation Store tomorrow. It's quite possibly the zaniest game to hit the platform in a long time, forcing players to vanquish evil in 30 second bursts (seriously!). Hero mode is just one of four different modes hidden in the full game.

It's hard to effectively describe the frantic gameplay through words. Thankfully, you can completely ignore our opinions and just give the demo a spin.

JoystiqFirst Half-Minute Hero demo coming tomorrow originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 09 Sep 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>demohalf-minute-heroHero-For-30-SecMarvelous-Interactiveplaystation-storepsnRPGxseedYuusha-30Wed, 09 Sep 2009 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Half-Minute Hero may be PSN exclusive, demo coming in August]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/20/half-minute-hero-may-be-psn-exclusive-demo-coming-in-august/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/20/half-minute-hero-may-be-psn-exclusive-demo-coming-in-august/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/20/half-minute-hero-may-be-psn-exclusive-demo-coming-in-august/#comments There were three letters that went through our heads when we played XSEED's English adaptation of the upcoming Half-Minute Hero. For those not in the know, the PSP-exclusive "RPG" has a clever twist: the gameplay occurs in frantic thirty second chunks. (For detailed impressions, read our hands-on here.) The English demo we played retained the same action and charm as the Japanese original -- only this time, we could understand what was going on.

Certainly, Half-Minute Hero has a niche appeal. However, anyone who tries it out should be able to understand what makes the game so brilliant by giving it a try. We were told by an XSEED representative that a downloadable demo is planned, and that it should be available some time next month. The demo will feature two stages from the "Hero 30" mode, where you have 30 seconds to level up and destroy a wizard that threatens to destroy the world.

Those expecting a UMD version of Half-Minute Hero may be disappointed to know that XSEED is looking into making the game a PlayStation Network exclusive. Games like Patapon 2 and Holy Invasion of Privacy Badman! both skipped the UMD format. A game that's as pick-up-and-play as Half-Minute Hero does seem ideally suited for PSN distribution.

Continue reading Half-Minute Hero may be PSN exclusive, demo coming in August

JoystiqHalf-Minute Hero may be PSN exclusive, demo coming in August originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 20 Jul 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>demohalf-minute-heroHero-For-30-SecMarvelous-InteractivepsnRPGXSEEDyuusha-30Mon, 20 Jul 2009 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Half-Minute Hero was based off a side project Flash game]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/29/half-minute-hero-was-based-off-a-side-project-flash-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/29/half-minute-hero-was-based-off-a-side-project-flash-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/29/half-minute-hero-was-based-off-a-side-project-flash-game/#comments Half-Minute Hero wasn't always meant to be a commercial title; it was originally just an ordinary flash game until producer Kenichiro Takaki saw its potential. Takaki, along with the game's director Kotaro Yoshida, explained in the latest issue of Famitsu PSP+PS3 (via PSP Hyper) that Half-Minute Hero was inspired by some of Yoshida's work he had done during his spare time, specifically a Flash game that only took him a day to make.

Takaki was amused with the concept and pitched the idea of making a retro game for PSP, liking the fast-paced gameplay and old-school art style most of all. From there, the rest was history. If you've yet to see Half-Minute Hero, be sure to check out our gameplay clips. We instantly fell in love with it and we think you just might, too.

JoystiqHalf-Minute Hero was based off a side project Flash game originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 29 Jun 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>half-minute-heroHero-For-30-SecmarvelousMarvelous-Interactiverpgx-seedXSEEDyuusha-30Mon, 29 Jun 2009 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[XSeed brings localized Half-Minute Hero, Lunar: Silver Star Harmony to E3]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/29/xseed-brings-localized-half-minute-hero-lunar-silver-star-harm/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/29/xseed-brings-localized-half-minute-hero-lunar-silver-star-harm/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/29/xseed-brings-localized-half-minute-hero-lunar-silver-star-harm/#commentsXSeed just announced its E3 line-up, which includes two PSP games we've heard about before: Half-Minute Hero and Lunar: Silver Star Harmony. You might remember Half-minute Hero as Hero for 30sec (the new name sounds so much better), which was that bizarre micro-RPG we've been drooling over for the past couple of months. As for Lunar: Harmony, it's a remake of the original Lunar game from Sega CD.

Both games were previously Japan-only titles but are now coming to North America. Expect both to arrive sometime in the fall.

JoystiqXSeed brings localized Half-Minute Hero, Lunar: Silver Star Harmony to E3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 29 May 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3-2009half-minute-herohero-for-30-seclunarlunar-silver-star-harmonyMarvelous-InteractiveRPGxseedYuusha-30Fri, 29 May 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Being a 30 second hero ain't easy]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/17/being-a-30-second-hero-aint-easy/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/17/being-a-30-second-hero-aint-easy/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/17/being-a-30-second-hero-aint-easy/#comments
Yuusha 30 looks to be quite a remarkable game. This action RPG has a rather unique twist: you have 30 seconds to do everything. Having so little time in an ever-present countdown really transforms the genre. Seeing our hero scuttle around trying to fight monsters, level up and find towns in 30 second increments is quite amusing -- we're sure with a PSP in our hands, we'd be sweating at the game's relentlessly chaotic pace.

See gameplay footage after the break.

Continue reading Being a 30 second hero ain't easy

JoystiqBeing a 30 second hero ain't easy originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 17 Feb 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Half-Minute-Herohero-30Hero-For-30-SecmarvelousMarvelous-InteractiverpgXSEEDyuusha-30Tue, 17 Feb 2009 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq hands-on: Hero for 30sec]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/13/joystiq-hands-on-hero-for-30sec/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/13/joystiq-hands-on-hero-for-30sec/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/13/joystiq-hands-on-hero-for-30sec/#comments Ever heard of 15 minutes of fame? Sure you have. But what about 30 seconds of being a hero? We've reported a bit on this oddly-named RPG known as Hero for 30sec (Yuusha 30), but its unique concept on short bursts of gameplay had left us baffled. How does this work? How does this translate into an engaging RPG experience? These were questions we've been wondering for quite some time now.

However, after having played it for ourselves this afternoon, we finally understand what the game is trying to achieve. Or, should we say, what one-fourth of the game is trying to achieve as Hero 30 still contains three other heroes and individual play-styles. The overall experience of the demo we've tried out is a refreshing, fast-paced take on the traditional J-RPG genre. If you like RPG exploration, but want to cut out the fat of boring random encounters and grinding, then this game might be for you.

Continue reading Joystiq hands-on: Hero for 30sec

JoystiqJoystiq hands-on: Hero for 30sec originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 13 Feb 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Half-Minute-Herohero-for-30-secmarvelousMarvelous-InteractiverpgXSEEDyuusha-30Fri, 13 Feb 2009 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Yuusha 30: Meet the 30sec squad]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/30/yuusha-30-meet-the-30sec-squad/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/30/yuusha-30-meet-the-30sec-squad/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/30/yuusha-30-meet-the-30sec-squad/#comments In Yuusha 30 -- a.k.a. Hero for 30sec -- players take on the role of four heroes, each with their own minigame based on distinctive genres: role-playing, action, shooting and real-time strategy. Developer Marvelous Entertainment hopes to pull players into the experience with short bursts of 30-second gaming.

Beyond the description in an old issue of Famitsu and this teaser trailer, the rest of Hero for 30sec is a mystery. But we should expect to see more of this PSP title soon, as it hits stores in Japan this May. Meet the squad after the break.

Continue reading Yuusha 30: Meet the 30sec squad

JoystiqYuusha 30: Meet the 30sec squad originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 30 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Half-Minute-Herohero-for-30-secmarvelousMarvelous-InteractiveRPGXSEEDyuusha-30Fri, 30 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New RPG Yuusha 30 gives only 30 seconds of play time ...]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/21/new-rpg-yuusha-30-gives-only-30-seconds-of-play-time/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/21/new-rpg-yuusha-30-gives-only-30-seconds-of-play-time/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/21/new-rpg-yuusha-30-gives-only-30-seconds-of-play-time/#commentsFiled under: ,

That's really 30 seconds of play time allotted to clearing a particular game mode. You see Yuusha 30 (not to be confused with Yuusha no Kuse ni Namaikida) from Marvelous is a "new vibe RPG" according to the leaked pages of Famitsu due out later this week. It has four game modes which revolve around 30 seconds of microburst gameplay. Though it's not entirely clear, we'd assume each mode would have multiple "levels" of these 30-second trysts because a two-minute game just doesn't sound all too enticing ... or is it?

Each mode will focus on different characters and will have unique gameplay. This includes a princess in a shooter, a fighter in a side-scrolling action title, a "devil king" in a strategy game and finally a knight in some regular action. What any of this has to do with one another and exactly how does this "new vibe" and 30 seconds of gameplay jive are all beyond us at the moment. Perhaps we'll know more once the new issue actually hits stores.

JoystiqNew RPG Yuusha 30 gives only 30 seconds of play time ... originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 21 Jan 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Half-Minute-HeroHero-For-30-SecmarvelousMarvelous-InteractiverpgXSEEDyuusha-30Wed, 21 Jan 2009 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Muramasa: The Demon Blade cuts down Japan this April]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/16/muramasa-the-demon-blade-cuts-down-japan-this-april/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/16/muramasa-the-demon-blade-cuts-down-japan-this-april/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/16/muramasa-the-demon-blade-cuts-down-japan-this-april/#commentsFiled under: ,


Word on the street is that the highly stylish and, well, one of our most-watched games, Muramasa: The Demon Blade, will hit Japanese retail in April of this year. We've got no firm date yet, however an April release in Japan means that we could be seeing it localized in North America this holiday season. It is coming to Europe in November, after all (not taking into account summer placeholders).

It's a long wait, but one we'll gladly suffer for what we're sure is going to be a wonderful game.

JoystiqMuramasa: The Demon Blade cuts down Japan this April originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 16 Jan 2009 19:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2dmarvelousmarvelous-interactivemuramasamuramasa-the-demon-bladexseedFri, 16 Jan 2009 19:09:00 EST<![CDATA[New Harvest Moon title coming March 2009 in Japan]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/10/new-harvest-moon-title-coming-march-2009-in-japan/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/10/new-harvest-moon-title-coming-march-2009-in-japan/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/10/new-harvest-moon-title-coming-march-2009-in-japan/#commentsFiled under:


According to Weekly Famitsu, a brand new Harvest Moon title will be making its way onto on the PSP this upcoming March in Japan. In Harvest Moon: Sugar Village, the third PSP title of the farm simulator franchise, you are responsible for the fate of a ... you guessed it, village. Gameplay elements include the ability to make home improvements to your house and to woo girls -- honestly, this sounds just like every other Harvest Moon game. No word yet on whether this game will see a release in the Western market.

[Via PSPHyper]

JoystiqNew Harvest Moon title coming March 2009 in Japan originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 10 Dec 2008 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>harvest-moonmarvelous-interactivenatsumeWed, 10 Dec 2008 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Harvest Moon: Welcome to the debut trailer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/22/harvest-moon-welcome-to-the-debut-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/22/harvest-moon-welcome-to-the-debut-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/22/harvest-moon-welcome-to-the-debut-trailer/#commentsFiled under: ,


Can you keep up with all these Harvest Moon games? It's getting pretty difficult, but the recently-announced Harvest Moon: Welcome to the Wind Bazaar should be memorable, thanks to the multiplayer elements ... but it's still Harvest Moon, and that means farming.

As with Animal Crossing, you can invite friends to visit your farm, but in Welcome to the Wind Bazaar, you can put them to work! You know someone's a good friend when they start taking care of your business.

JoystiqHarvest Moon: Welcome to the debut trailer originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 22 Oct 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>farmingharvest-moonmarvelous-interactivemultiplayersimulationWed, 22 Oct 2008 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Vanillaware's Muramasa: The Demon Blade coming stateside]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/03/vanillaware-s-muramasa-the-demon-blade-coming-stateside/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/03/vanillaware-s-muramasa-the-demon-blade-coming-stateside/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/03/vanillaware-s-muramasa-the-demon-blade-coming-stateside/#commentsFiled under: ,


The publishing duo of XSEED and Marvelous Entertainment announced plans to bring Vanillaware's Wii-exclusive ninja-action title, Oboro Muramasa Youtouden, to the US sometime next year. The game, which will be redubbed as Muramasa: The Demon Blade for the local market, marks the second title to emerge from a co-publishing deal inked in May, following this week's release of Valhalla Knights 2 for the PSP.

Muramasa looks to continue the tradition of Vanillaware's eye-poppingly gorgeous titles, Odin Sphere and Grim Grimoire, promising hand-drawn 2D sprites and side-scrolling levels. Beyond this, details are scarce, though more is expected to be revealed next week when the game is officially unveiled during TGS.

JoystiqVanillaware's Muramasa: The Demon Blade coming stateside originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 03 Oct 2008 15:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>marvelous-entertainmentmarvelous-interactivemarvelousinteractiveMuramasaMuramasa-the-demon-bladeoboro-muramasa-youtoudenvanillawareWiixseedFri, 03 Oct 2008 15:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Harvest Moon: Waku Waku Animal Puppets]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/30/harvest-moon-waku-waku-animal-puppets/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/30/harvest-moon-waku-waku-animal-puppets/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/30/harvest-moon-waku-waku-animal-puppets/#commentsFiled under: ,


Our Japanese is not quite good enough to ascertain the nuances of this dramatic scene, but what we could understand was self-evident anyway. In this ad for Harvest Moon: Waku Waku Animal March, the frog wants the cow to give him a ride like the animals in the game do.

The cow (spoilers!) relents, and the frog gleefully hops on, only to find the ride slow. The cow complains about being out of energy, and the frog cheers him on, telling him to summon his "cow power." Then the frog takes off on a date with Keromi-chan.

In the second part, after the break, the frog and cow decide to make use of Waku Waku Animal March's photo features. Wackiness ensues, culminating with the frog asking the cow to take some "sexy" shots.

And that's why you should buy Harvest Moon: Waku Waku Animal March.

Continue reading Harvest Moon: Waku Waku Animal Puppets

JoystiqHarvest Moon: Waku Waku Animal Puppets originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 30 Sep 2008 09:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>harvest-moonHarvest-Moon-Animal-ParademarvelousMarvelous-InteractivenatsumepuppetsSimulationwaku-waku-animal-marchTue, 30 Sep 2008 09:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Grab your hair gel and weapons: new Arc Rise Fantasia shots]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/29/grab-your-hair-gel-and-weapons-new-arc-rise-fantasia-shots/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/29/grab-your-hair-gel-and-weapons-new-arc-rise-fantasia-shots/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/29/grab-your-hair-gel-and-weapons-new-arc-rise-fantasia-shots/#commentsFiled under:


Square Enix's Marvelous and Image Epoch's Final Fantasy XI Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a King Arc Rise Fantasia is looking pretty good, despite the thin layers of cotton everything seems wrapped in. Good and more than a little bland and recycled, but so long as it plays well and has a decent story, we'll probably accept it. Considering the source, there will probably be more than a few quirks to keep us going.

But seriously, we can handle the generic characters, weapons, and enemies -- we're used to that in RPGs -- but can we dispense with that very soft, very muted look for Wii games? We can do better than this.

JoystiqGrab your hair gel and weapons: new Arc Rise Fantasia shots originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 29 Sep 2008 12:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arc-rise-fantasiaimage-epochjrpgmarvelous-interactiverpgMon, 29 Sep 2008 12:46:00 EST<![CDATA[Harvest Moon: Waku Waku Animal March uses WiiConnect24]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/22/harvest-moon-waku-waku-animal-march-uses-wiiconnect24/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/22/harvest-moon-waku-waku-animal-march-uses-wiiconnect24/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/22/harvest-moon-waku-waku-animal-march-uses-wiiconnect24/#commentsFiled under: ,

The official website for Bokujou Monogatari: Waku Waku Animal March has updated with new screens and art of all the super-adorable animals that will be featured -- the ones above can even be kept as pets. But even more heartwarming than cartoon pandas is the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection logo on the front page. The game supports WiiConnect24 in some as-yet-unspecified way -- sharing crops? Sending pictures of yourself riding a goat along the beach?

Marvelous has also announced the Japanese release date: October 30. Since this is a Harvest Moon game, we expect Natsume to pick it up for release here, but they've got to finish with Tree of Tranquility first. Less likely to leave Japan is the promotional campaign associated with Animal March, in which lucky winners will receive Harvest Moon stickers ... or yogurt.


[Via NeoGAF]

JoystiqHarvest Moon: Waku Waku Animal March uses WiiConnect24 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 22 Aug 2008 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>farmingharvest-moonHarvest-Moon-Animal-ParademarvelousMarvelous-InteractivenatsumeSimulationwaku-waku-animal-marchFri, 22 Aug 2008 19:29:00 EST<![CDATA[E308: Wii Fanboy tends farm in Harvest Moon: Tree of Tranquility]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/24/e308-wii-fanboy-tends-farm-in-harvest-moon-tree-of-tranquility/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/24/e308-wii-fanboy-tends-farm-in-harvest-moon-tree-of-tranquility/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/24/e308-wii-fanboy-tends-farm-in-harvest-moon-tree-of-tranquility/#commentsFiled under:

Harvest Moon: Tree of Tranquility is a big game. The first thing that I noticed was just how large the game world is. You aren't restricted to just one farm, instead able to spread many a seed across many a land. Aside from that, the game very much feels like all of the other Harvest Moon titles, which can be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on whether you're a fan of the series or not.

Continue reading E308: Wii Fanboy tends farm in Harvest Moon: Tree of Tranquility

JoystiqE308: Wii Fanboy tends farm in Harvest Moon: Tree of Tranquility originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 24 Jul 2008 21:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3-2008e308harvest-moonHarvest-Moon-Tree-of-TranquilityjoystiqfeaturesMarvelous-InteractivenatsumesimSimulationtree-of-tranquilityThu, 24 Jul 2008 21:47:00 EST<![CDATA[E308: DS Fanboy raises its spirits with Harvest Moon: Island of Happiness]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/24/e308-ds-fanboy-raises-its-spirits-with-harvest-moon-island-of/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/24/e308-ds-fanboy-raises-its-spirits-with-harvest-moon-island-of/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/24/e308-ds-fanboy-raises-its-spirits-with-harvest-moon-island-of/#commentsFiled under:

To be honest, the last time I played a Harvest Moon game, it was on the GameCube. We're talking years ago, folks. But, like riding a bike, Harvest Moon is an experience that doesn't change much over time. Fans like it that way, I imagine. And, just as I expected, Island of Happiness featured a lot of the same things previous titles in the franchise offered.

Continue reading E308: DS Fanboy raises its spirits with Harvest Moon: Island of Happiness

JoystiqE308: DS Fanboy raises its spirits with Harvest Moon: Island of Happiness originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 24 Jul 2008 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3-2008e308harvest-moonHarvest-Moon-DS-Island-of-Happinessisland-of-happinessjoystiqfeaturesMarvelous-InteractivenatsumesimSimulationThu, 24 Jul 2008 20:00:00 EST