Aksys Game Announces New Titles for Localization for 2017

Today at Anime Expo 2016, Aksys Games named several games that are to be localized for the 3ds, PS4, PS Vita and PSN for 2017. Per retweets via RPG Gamer here are the titles:

Tokyo Xanadu
@RPGSite: Proof Aksys Games is handling Tokyo Xanadu #AX2016 http://twitter.com/RPGSite/status/749711362499063809/photo/1

@RPGSite: Tokyo Xanadu will get both a physical and digital release on Vita. Out hopefully the first half of 2017. #AX2016

Collar X Malice:
@RPGSite: Aksys Games is localizing Collar X Malice in 2017 for Vita. Otome fans here went wild #AX2016

Period Cube:
@RPGSite: Aksys Games is localizing Period Cube for Vita in 2017 #AX2016

Bad Apple Wars:
@RPGSite: Bad Apple Wars will be out in 2017 for the PS Vita #AX2016

Code Realize Future Blessings:
@RPGSite: Code: Realize Future Blessings fan disk being localized by Aksys Games. New routes #AX2016

Exist Archive:
@RPGSite: Aksys Games now showing a trailer for Exist Archive. A good reminder how many games they're localizing. #AX2016

Shiren the Wanderer:
@RPGSite: Shiren the Wanderer trailer. Very excited for this one! #AX2016

They have also announced a few titles for the 3ds:

Chase Cold Case Investigations:
@RPGSite: Aksys Games is localizing Chase Cold Case Investigations - Distant Memories for 3DS eShop, out this Fall. From makers of Hotel Dusk. #AX2016

Ninja Usagimaru:
@RPGSite: Aksys Games is localizing Ninja Usagimaru, a title for the Nintendo 3DS eShop this Fall #AX2016

Aksys also reported that they are trying to localize Hakuoki: Sweet School Life but there hasn't been confirmation of it coming over as of yet.

This is a shit load of titles coming for next year and I haven't even gotten thru my current patch of games. I look forward to trying to tackle them all and so can my Vita. I'll update you guys on the information as it comes out.

Until Next Time,
DreaPoetic

Sources:

Twitter:
RPGSite: @rpgsite

Website:
www.RPGSite.net

Aksys Games:
Twitter: @aksysgames

Website and Image:
www.aksysgames.com

Adventure of Mana Stealth Release on Vita NA and EU

According to our friends at Kotaku by way of Siliconera, Secret of Mana has been stealth released by SE for a digital release on the Play station Store. Apparently this game was released on the mobile market which means that I completely ignored it. But now we get to experience this on Vita too! I will continue to contend that Vita s far from dead and is doing quite well of your a fan of JRPGs and visual novels. I definitely hate that they are screaming that these titles are available from the rooftops but I will do my part and spread the word.

Secret of Mana is available for 14.99 on PSN NA/EU today so go pick yours up now if you aren't too busy playing Star Ocean of Zero Time Dilemma.

Until Next Time,

DreaPoetic

Sources:

Image:
http://www.technobuffalo.com/2013/12/12/square-enix-working-on-a-new-secret-of-mana-game/

Articles:

Kotaku:
http://kotaku.com/surprise-adventures-of-mana-appears-on-vita-1782735084

Play station Blog:
http://blog.us.playstation.com/2016/06/28/adventures-of-mana-is-out-today-on-ps-vita/

To Buy A Collector's Edition or Not?

I remember when I was a young gamer searching through all of my magazines for any information on upcoming JRPG releases I would always come across the collector's editions (CE) from the East. The amount of jealousy I felt knowing that none of these glorious bundles were going to come this way would fill me such sadness. Unfortunately at my age then, even if they had made it this way I couldn't have afforded them anyway lol.

But these sets, they were filled with pretty much useless stuff to someone on the outside looking in. Usually soundtrack CDs, figurines, art, plushies etc. All of these things were standard fare you could find at any convention. Nowadays, more of these sets are coming to the West if not all of them. We have our picks of all of these sets for a wide range of games and to make things more interesting, a lot of Western games are also adopting these sets.

I would say if there is two major differences its that now a lot of these sets contain Downloadable Content (DLC) that used to be obtainable in game. and sometimes a "free" copy of its predecessor. I will probably cover my issue with DLC later but my issue today is when is a getting a Collector's Edition worth it?

This whole topic is probably subjective honestly. Its like, do you like soundtracks and art? The get this set. Do you want to get a rare collectible and DLC? Get this one. I guess my issue is that one, I'm running out of space for all of this awesome stuff and sometimes the CE's don't really justify having a CE at all lol. Just art and a soundtrack? Is that really worth it? I think that the CE's need to be updated to either include more or fit with the demographic. What could they include? I guess all of the above all at once but then I guess the issue would be the price point. Sigh.

Well, I definitely preordered the Persona 5 set and I have no regrets. I guess this is something to think about but definitely let me know your thoughts.

Until Next Time,

DreaPoetic


Source:

Image:
http://www.ign.com/articles/2016/06/07/e3-2016-persona-5-us-release-date-collectoras-edition-announced

Why Don't We Have More Visual Novels?

In the recent years I have become acquainted with visual novels. I'm an avid reader on a good day so when I discovered that I could play a game that was actually a story and I didn't need to "play" the game I'm like sign me up. So i delved into my first visual novel which was Hakuoki: Demon of the Fleeting Blossom on my PS3 published by Aksys Games. It was an otome game meaning that it was a reverse harem. For those not familiar with that concept it means that the main protagonist is female and she is the one surrounded by gorgeous men who are trying to woo her. Needless to say, the game had all of the typical anime tropes as well as a bit of history, although not entirely factual, along with romance. It took me hours to finish that game and it was worth every second.

Fast forward to now. I have managed to play 4 other visual novels that were all on the Vita. There is at least one that I know of that is coming out this year but I haven't heard of too many more. From my research there are a ton of visual novels on Steam which is probably the only reason why I would explore PC gaming but even those have to be fan translated into English. I also tried to play one of the many mobile offerings but those are pay to progress which I refuse to spend my money on (read: again lol).

I guess my question about it is why is that the case? I suppose the reason for it would be that there isn't an audience for it here but I disagree. We want these games but they just aren't coming out as frequently as they other titles and genres from Japan. My only other thought is that because they are so text heavy that they have been having issues justifying the cost of localization for a few thousand sales. I already play a ton of games with only Japanese voices so to me they don't even need to be voiced in English.

Are visual novels not really wanted in the West? Are they only for weeaboos like me? What can we do to get them to bring over more titles besides supporting kickstarters and complaining on official forums? Let me know what you guys think?

Until next time,

Drea Poetic

Sources:

All images are owned by Aksys games.

Image:

https://www.google.com/search?q=hakuoki+demon+of+the+fleeting+blossom&prmd=visn&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjD2d7smrzNAhUCbB4KHYTzBmIQ_AUICCgC&biw=360&bih=560#imgrc=UBgW-oofaTWkyM%3A

Niche Corner: I am Setsuna

Platform: PS4, PC, Steam, Vita
Release Date: 7/19/16
Genre: JRPG

There is a lot of hype surrounding this game which is considered to be the spiritual successor to Chrono Trigger, a classic JRPG made from this publisher SquareEnix. As I perused the official website it even said that it's battle system was inspired by the game. They aren't even trying to be coy about the similarities lol. For those of you that don't know, the community has been clamoring for a sequel to Chrono Trigger and what we got was Chrono Cross. Chrono Cross was a great game in it's own right but not quite what people were looking for.

The story of I am Setsuna follows a girl aptly named Setsuna who was gifted with enchanted powers and chosen to be a human sacrifice to pacify a fiend. A mercenary was chosen to guard Setsuna and make sure she arrives to her destination and that's where the adventure begins.

The lastest trailer was shown off at E3 which I will link for you guys. From the video clip I can say that the art is beautiful. While the games graphics are more polished than the above mention title, its safe to say where the inspiration comes from. I am super excited for this game and can't wait to play it next month. I'll definitely keep you updated on any new information I find.

Until Next Time,

DreaPoetic

Sources:

Image:
http://d2.christiantoday.com/en/full/46139/i-am-setsuna.jpg

Youtube Clip:
https://youtu.be/4txT2EicrHE

Official Game Website:
http://www.iamsetsuna.com/us/