Handheld RPG Goodness from Japan

[Kamalot]

4ColorRebellion ( http://www.4colorrebellion.com/archives/2006/08/09/famitsu-roundup/) is reporting news from the recent Famitsu magazine.

Here are the highlights:

PSP is getting a port of the awesome GBA RPG, Riviera ( http://www.atlus.com/riviera/ ). The PSP version will have new voice acting, events and character illustrations. Since it is not yet determined that this game is coming to the USA; if you can find it for GBA, I recommend it.

DS is getting a new RPG called Lunamis Ark. Not too much is known aside from Stylus control for either righties or lefties and all of the characters have voice acting like the upcoming MegaMan ZX game. Music by Mitsuda ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yasunori_Mitsuda) (Chrono Cross/Chrono Trigger/ Deep Labyrinth) and character designs by Shibano Kaito.

GBA is getting a remake of Final Fantasy V which is coming October 12, in Japan of course. It will have a whole new opening and two new job classes, Gladiator and Demo Expert.

Famitsu also reviewed two new Nintendo DS RPGs. Final Fantasy III ( http://youtube.com/watch?v=mzr2C7GotBU) did very well with a 34/40 (9/8/9/8) as did Rune Factory ( http://media.ds.ign.com/media/695/695645/imgs_1.html) with a 33/40 (8/9/7/9).

Looks like handhelds are the place to be for upcoming JRPG goodness.

[Deathbane27]

Looking forward to FFIII's US release.

[Mozgus]

Riviera only held me for a couple hours. It felt like an RPG for a first grader. There was virtually no gameplay. Get in a fight, bring only 4 items, rinse and repeat. You also won't like it if you can't stand anime cutesy bullcrap.

[noxa]

You also won't like it if you can't stand anime cutesy bullcrap.

I'm so there ^_^
So was the story any good? I can stand boring fights if the story is at least somewhat decent...

[Kamalot]

I'm so there ^_^
So was the story any good? I can stand boring fights if the story is at least somewhat decent...
The story is very good. You end up building emotional attachment to the characters in your party depending on how much time you spend with each and your interactions with them. Eventually, you need to make some REALLY difficult decisions about who lives...and who dies.

[Rirath]

Looking forward to FFIII's US release.

Can't come soon enough. Tempting to import it just to practice my Japanese on it, then replay when it comes out in English.

[Spigot]

Can't wait for the FFIII release either.

Riviera is one of the GBA games that I'm really tempted to get at some point. I've heard some pretty good things about it.

Any word on when or if we're getting the FFV port over here? I played the translated ROM ages ago but would love to play a proper version of it. The Job system is one of my favourite JRPG character systems of all time.

[Pinku!]

Ohh, more RPG love for the DS makes me a happy gamer. Love Riviera to death and back, though I can't imagine what it'd be like on the PSP. If I remember correctly there was a slight load time between zones. I'd imagine it'd be exponentially higher on the PSP version...yipes. Also I wonder why they're changing the illustrations?

Yasanori Mitsuda's doing the music for Lunamis Ark? There hasn't been a game yet he's done music for that I didn't like, issues with Chrono Cross's story aside...so I'm excited. And I'm definitely tempted to import Rune Factory after seeing it randomly on Play-Asia's site but importing Children of Mana made me realize the sorry state my kanji ability has deteriorated to post college. :(

Edit: Spigsy, FFV is set to come out to the states in November. ;)

[Deathbane27]

Dang, I just checked my brother's EGM, and not only do we have FF3 coming out in September and FF5 in November, but there's also Castlevania and Zelda coming out this fall/winter too.

With all these portable titles and the Wii and PS3 release, it's going to be a good season for gamers. :)

[Spigot]

When is the FFVI remake out then? Too many FF's this fall. FFXII, FF3, FF5, FF6... yarg!

[Kamalot]

Also very good is the recently released Summon Night: Swordcraft Story (http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/722/722684p1.html). I've been playing it all week long and can't get enough.

It is available now on the GBA and looks FABULOUS on the DS Lite!

[Spigot]

Grr... the rental service I used just discontinued supporting GBA titles. It's kind of annoying given that they already have a huge library of the games, but they're moving on to DS titles and that means some of these games, like Summon Night and Riviera won't be in my hot little hands for some time. Bah.

[devicelimit]

With all these portable titles and the Wii and PS3 release, it's going to be a good season for gamers. :)

And a bad season for their wallets.

[Heretic Machine]

Personally, I loved Riviera. It plays out like a Choose Your Own Adventure book, but with JRPG fights. You have to manage points to perform actions (like opening a chest, or checking a bush), and the constant interaction of the party even while in a dungeon added a lot to the story. I still haven't finished it because I have a hard time staying interested in one game for very long, but if you can find a copy, buy it. Check the used games section of EB Games and Gamestop.

EDIT: Oh, and I have to add this... FFV is the worst of the FF games. I thought X was, but I was wrong. I had to stop playing after the first half-hour because of how badly it was scripted.

[Deathbane27]

And a bad season for their wallets.

Unless you stick entirely to these GBA/DS titles. Yay $35 cap! :D