Sony and Level-5's latest role-playing collaboration, White Knight Chronicles, has been out in Japan since December, but we recently got a chance to check out a partially localized version of the game at Sony Gamers Day 2009.

Starting up the demo, we were treated to an intro cinematic featuring final English voice-over. The sequence, featuring the game's hero Leonard and his party gearing up for their quest, immediately dispelled any doubt that Level 5 -- known for a typically more anime or cel-shaded art style -- could pull off an immensely detailed, more "mature" looking RPG. The cutscene also left us hopeful the voice acting we were hearing remained as solid throughout the entirety of the final game.

Speaking of sound, Sony confirmed to us that it's planning to implement voice chat in the US and European versions of White Knight Chronicles, something that was painfully absent from the Japanese release. We're told it's not 100% set in stone, but the dev and localization teams "really want to make it happen."

Gallery: White Knight Chronicles

Continue reading Joystiq hands-on: White Knight Chronicles

Joystiq hands-on: White Knight Chronicles originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 29 Apr 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Japanese gaming magazine Famitsu has reviewed the upcoming Level-5 RPG White Knight Chronicles and they weren't too impressed it, giving the PS3 exclusive a score of 29/40 (7,8,7,7). The reviewers didn't care for a number of elements in the game, such as the in-game menus, battle controls, chatting (apparently it was difficult to chat while moving around) and overly simplistic battle system. However, they did praise the game's customizable combos, epic battles and gorgeous looking world. Finally, the game length is said to clock in at about 30 hours.

This doesn't bode well for White Knight Chronicles -- but do keep in mind that Famitsu has had rather strange opinions in the past -- they gave the universally panned Haze a 34/40 (9,8,9,8).

[Via PS3Hyper]

White Knight Chronicles receives a 29/40 from Famitsu originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 17 Dec 2008 13:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

White Knight Chronicles prequel manga goes live originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 10 Dec 2008 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

While we await official confirmation of a rumored Dec. 25 release date for Sony and Level-5's top-tier console RPG, White Knight Story, Japan's Dengeki PlayStation reports that the game will feature online co-op for up to four players. As detailed in the magazine's latest issue, the online component will employ a lobby system for match-making, with each room maxing out at 16 players.

Up to four players can then form an adventuring party and tackle quests with the aid of in-game chat. Whether these are online-specific quests - or if the chat is voice-based - is unclear; hopefully we'll get some answers when Tokyo Game Show gets underway tomorrow (late tonight for us in the States).

White Knight Story gets four-player online co-op originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 08 Oct 2008 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Japanese gaming magazine Dengeki PlayStation reveals in its latest issue an online co-op mode for the Level-5 RPG White Knight Story. This online mode is independent of the story mode, but will feature characters from the single-player mode. Here is how it works: a lobby will accommodate 16 players, who will then be separated into groups of up to four in order to tackle quests and challenges. This mode will also give players a way to chat with one another. White Knight Story will be playable at TGS, so we'll let you know our thoughts on the game when we get some hands-on time with it.

White Knight Story will feature online co-op mode originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 08 Oct 2008 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

10 brand new White Knight Story screenshots originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 19 Sep 2008 10:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

First there was the "day of awakening" teaser. Next up: a report that Famistu had dated White Knight Chronicles (White Knight Story for the States) for December 11 in Japan. Now there's yet another report that Famistu has interviewed the game's director, who purportedly confirms a Christmas day release for the game, now subtitled "Wave of the Ancient."

The magazine scan at the source link has what looks like an altered info box, and, until we can get a hold of the issue in question ourselves, we're waiting on official word out of the game's publisher - that would be Sony - before getting our hopes up. Anyway, it's a Japanese release date we're talking about here ... even if it makes a 2008 launch across the Pacific, the necessary localization steps might not put it on these shores until mid- to late 2009.

[Via PS3 Fanboy]

Rumor: White Knight Story hits Japan Dec. 25 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 18 Sep 2008 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Famitsu: White Knight Story coming to Japan on Christmas day originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 17 Sep 2008 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Oops! Looks like we were a bit too eager to report on White Knight Story's release date. Yesterday we stated that the latest issue of Famitsu pegged the PS3 exclusive RPG's Japanese release date as December 11th. A flip through the actual magazine doesn't reveal the same date; in fact, the date is still unannounced.

Fear not though, with the teaser message that appeared on the official website, we should have a lot more information on White Knight Story soon -- hopefully during Tokyo Game Show. Stay tuned!

[Thanks, Jake C.!]

White Knight Story Japanese release date still unannounced originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 05 Sep 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

White Knight Story tells its tale this December in Japan originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 04 Sep 2008 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

White Knight Story release still unknown [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 04 Sep 2008 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Japanese you see in the above image reads "The day of awakening is coming soon." So, that either means that Level-5's long-delayed coffee shipment is finally on the way, or we're about to (also finally) get a fresh look at its mighty big PS3-exclusive RPG, White Knight Story.

Last we heard of the game, it was still on for release (in Japan, at least) before March 31, 2009. The last time we played the game was at Tokyo Game Show 2007. It's about time for an update, and, oh ... TGS 2008 is just around the corner on October 9.

Sony awakens hope for White Knight Story update originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 02 Sep 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Some have been complaining lately that the PS3 is lacking in JRPGs, but most people forget that White Knight Story was mentioned in a Sony presentation as a game that will launch this fiscal year ending in April 2009. All we have from the PS3-exclusive Level-5 RPG thus far has been infrequent updates of screenshots and concept illustrations. But a tease on the official websites at Sony Japan and Level-5 tells us that's all about to change: "The days of wakening are coming soon." (translation courtesy of PS3Hyper) Speculation range from an announcement at Tokyo Game Show or some information in an upcoming issue of Famitsu. Stay tuned!

[Via PS3Hyper]

'Days of awakening' coming soon to White Knight Story originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 29 Aug 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

A small spread of White Knight Chronicles screenshots originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 30 Jun 2008 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

White Knight Story to be told in Sony's fiscal 2008 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 27 Jun 2008 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Sony's Strategy presentation today revealed more than just a video download service. Some other little tid-bits of info spilled out as well. Firstly, as seen above, White Knight Story is aiming to be out this fiscal year. That means sometime between now and April 2009. No doubt we'll be seeing more of the game, as well as a less-vague release date at E3 next month.

A weather and news service was also revealed as part of a new Life With PlayStation brand. This will feature an interactive globe showing real time weather reports and headlines from all over the world. This feature will also support geo-tagged photos (awesome) and other features which will be released over time. Again, we'll probably hear more about this whole Life With PlayStation brand at E3.

Finally, it's been confirmed that the PSP will gain direct access to the PlayStation Store at some point during this fiscal year. Sadly, there are no more details than that. While this is definitely getting us excited for E3, we have to wonder whether Sony are keeping back any actual surprises for the event. Is it possible that they could have all this and more to reveal to us next month?

Source - PS3Attitude
Source - IGN

Sony presentation reveals some nice surprises originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 26 Jun 2008 09:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Rumor: Dark Cloud 3 in the works for PS3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 19 Jun 2008 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

White Knight Chronicles magazine screenshot bonanza originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 24 May 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Hungry for more White Knight Story scans? originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 23 Nov 2007 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Another handful of White Knight Story shots originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 09 Nov 2007 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

A couple more fuzzy White Knight Story images originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 05 Nov 2007 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

• Several new pieces of concept art, including some airships, castles, and what we assume is a dungeon etched into the side of a mountain, akin to Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.
• Pretty much everything under the System menu is new -- character creation details we can't read (it is now touted that you can create female characters, too apparently), the battle/combo system is explained as well as your White Knight transformation ability.
• Under the Character tab, you can see what seems to be the bad guys, led by the stereotypical long, white-haired badass. Lame, but we'll forgive Level 5 for now as we're basing this on assumption. There's a girl with a big ugly frog pet, A dude, and a Moogle-like creature. Oh, also a neat picture of some of the big Knights.

White Knight Story site gets an update originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 20 Oct 2007 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

White Knight Story gets some fresh ink, fresh faces originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 17 Oct 2007 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

1UP chatted with Level-5, developers of hit RPGs like Dragon Quest VIII and the upcoming White Knight Story. In this interview (which includes game footage), see why the developers chose a single action button for battles. Get a better look at the henshin battles, and the beautiful CG-like graphics that the magicians at Level-5 have somehow managed to conjure up.

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TGS hands-on: White Knight Story

Level-5 chats White Knight Story originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 01 Oct 2007 23:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading TGS hands-on: White Knight Story

TGS hands-on: White Knight Story originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 20 Sep 2007 18:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.