Tactic Gamers Rejoice, Final Fantasy Tactics A2 Is On It's Way

As the title says, Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift is coming to your Nintendo DS on June 24th, 2008.

It will be somewhat of a sequel to FFTA way back on the GBA, so it'll feature the same same universe but no prior-knowledge of the games is required to hop right in; however, you may want to go back and try it out to catch some of those quirky references and easter eggs that Square Enix is so well known for. Check out the press release after the break for more detailed information.

DIVE INTO THE WORLD OF IVALICE THIS SUMMER WITH FINAL FANTASY TACTICS A2: GRIMOIRE OF THE RIFT

The Latest Square Enix Tactical RPG Enters the Ivalice Alliance on June 24, 2008

LOS ANGELES (March 19, 2008) – Square Enix, Inc., the publisher of Square Enix™ interactive entertainment products in North America, announced today that the latest entry in the IVALICE ALLIANCE™ series, FINAL FANTASY TACTICS® A2: Grimoire of the Rift™ is set to transport players to the fantastical world of Ivalice on June 24, 2008.

Embark on a journey through the vibrant world of Ivalice this summer with FINAL FANTASY TACTICS A2: Grimoire of the Rift. As the third entry in the Ivalice Alliance series, this follow-up to the 2003 Game Boy® Advance release brings the popular tactical franchise to the Nintendo DS™ for the first time. FINAL FANTASY TACTICS A2: Grimoire of the Rift will introduce newcomers to an engaging turn-based, grid-oriented battle system as they make new discoveries alongside the hero in this lighthearted adventure. Long-time fans will enjoy exciting new content and enhancements, including polished game mechanics, intuitive stylus control, and new jobs and classes.

“FINAL FANTASY TACTICS A2: Grimoire of the Rift makes the tactical RPG genre accessible to fans who may be unfamiliar with the grid-based battle system,” said Director Yuichi Murasawa. “While maintaining the classic functionality of the much-loved gameplay, this newest release boasts upgrades that enable a more engrossing and fulfilling tactical RPG experience.”

STORY

School is out for the summer, but mischievous Luso Clemens must first face detention to make up for his misbehavior. Alone in the library, he stumbles upon an ancient book with magical powers that summons him to the mystical land of Ivalice. Warped into the middle of a battlefield, Luso joins Cid and his clan to set off on an adventurous journey looking for a way home.

FEATURES

* Explore the fantastic world of Ivalice and join forces with famous heroes from FINAL FANTASY® XII – Vaan, Penelo and Al-Cid
* All-new content and enhancements, including polished game mechanics, new jobs, new classes, and a new clan system that enrich the Ivalice experience for fans and newcomers alike
* The North American release will allow players to command characters in battle and navigate through menus all with a tap of the stylus
* Witness vibrant and colorful visuals in dual-screen presentation, made possible by Nintendo DS
* Increased replay value with up to 400 available quests, allowing players to immerse themselves in a multi-faceted storyline

FINAL FANTASY TACTICS A2: Grimoire of the Rift is not yet rated. Please visit the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) website at www.esrb.org for more information about ratings. FINAL FANTASY TACTICS A2: Grimoire of the Rift will be available at North American retailers for the suggested retail price of $39.99 (USD). The official website can be found at http://na.square-enix.com/ffta2

Sweeeeet, Cid will be featured in it again.



-Undrallio

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Sega and Obsidian's RPG Love-Baby

A "modern day espionage RPG" is what it's being described as by Sega whom, together with Obsidian (parent of Neverwinter Nights) are bringing us Alpha Protocol for the 360, Ps3, and the PC.

Feargus Urquhart, CEO of Obsidian says “Alpha Protocol blends Obsidian’s knack for intricate stories, engrossing characters, and significant character advancement with fast-paced modern combat."

The press release tells us the following.

"Loyalty carries a price and no one knows this more than agent Michael Thorton. A talented young agent cast out by his government, Thorton is the only one with the information needed to stop an impending international catastrophe. To do so means he must cut himself off from the very people he is sworn to protect. As players determine how to accomplish different objectives, the decisions made and actions taken in each mission will ultimately transform the type of secret agent Michael Thorton will become. Every choice the player makes as Michael Thorton will carry consequences for his future and the fate of the world."

Alpha Protocol is said to have a third-person real time gameplay much like Mass Effect, and should be coming to us by Spring of '09. Hopefully with more information and screens as well.




-Undrallio

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Valkyria Chronicles, Arr Pee Gee On the Pee Ess Three

Sega has announced a Ps3 exclusive RPG, Valkyria Chronicles, that will be invading your homes by the end of 2008. The project's head developer will be the devs from Skies of Arcadia, Shuntaro Tanaka.

The game will be set in a futuristic Europe based in the 1930's. Which will surely cause gleeful confusion from us RPG lovers.

For more information on what's known from the game read the article from Sega themselves below.

SEGA's Valkyria ChroniclesTM Journeys To The West

Visually Stunning Role-Playing Game Heads to the PLAYSTATION® 3

LONDON AND SAN FRANCISCO (February 25, 2007) - SEGA® of America, Inc. and SEGA® Europe Ltd. today announced that Valkyria Chronicles™ a fresh new take on the traditional role-playing genre, is coming exclusively to the PLAYSTATION® 3 computer entertainment system. Soon to be released as Valkyria of the Battlefield: Gallian Chronicles in Japan, where it has already gathered the interest of legions of gamers, Valkyria Chronicles combines strategy elements of tactical role-playing games with real-time action sequences. All of this is played out in an innovative and beautiful visual style.

Valkyria Chronicles is set in a fictitious continent reminiscent of 1930s Europe - divided in two and ruled by the Empire and the Federation. The Empire has set its sights on invading a small neutral country called Gallia, which is situated in the middle of the two great empires. The game follows a hero named Welkin and his fellow soldiers of the Federation's 7th Platoon as they engage in a series of epic battles.

Built upon the new "CANVAS" engine, developed internally by SEGA Game Studios Japan, Valkyria Chronicles' stunning 3D graphics resemble a watercolor painting in motion, taking full advantage of the processing capabilities of the PLAYSTATION® 3. The power of the PLAYSTATION® 3 also allows the development team to exploit the full potential of this new engine, giving players many different stunning environments to explore. A new type of tactical battle mechanic has been specifically designed for Valkyria Chronicles. Known as "BLiTZ," this gives players freedom to strategically move around the environment and attack enemies using real-time controls, something never before seen in the tactical role-playing game genre. The new "CANVAS" engine technology, the "BLiTZ" battle concept and an epic storyline offers players hours of exciting gameplay.

"Valkyria Chronicles has been enthusiastically requested by European fans" said Gary Knight, European Marketing Director SEGA Europe ltd. "The unique graphics and compelling gameplay are just two reasons why we're delighted to bring it to them."

Valkyria Chronicles will be available for the PLAYSTATION® 3 computer entertainment system in Autumn 2008.

-Undrallio

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Dragon Quest Swords New Release Date

Square Enix has just announced that their first Wii title, Dragon Quest Swords: The Masked Queen and the Tower of Mirrors (what a mouthful) is being pushed up to a release date of February 19th, from a previous date of February 26th...

Dragon Quest Swords: The Masked Queen and the Tower of Mirrors is a Wii-exclusive RPG that will follow in Dragon Quest's footsteps but adapting the Wii's motion sensor for battle, which should be super fun if they play it out right.

Look forward to this one, I know I am.



-Undrallio

source

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...Lol whud?

The end of the world is coming and Sonic is the harbinger of doom!


Bioware, creator of RPGs such as Mass Effect and Jade Empire have teamed up with Sega to make a sonic RPG. Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood, is scheduled to be released on the DS sometime in 2008. The game will feature 11 playable characters and all the things you've come to expect from past Sonic games, such as chaos emeralds, golden rings, annoying flying sidekicks, and portly villains with a fetish for putting small animals into robots.



Does anyone remember the good old days? Y'know, when sonic games were about running really fast through 2-D levels, trying to get away from that loser tails.

...Yea...those were the days...

-ryizzel

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