The Release List 08.04.09: Tales of VS., Hearts of Iron III, Singstar Queen, and MagnaCarta II Posted by Tommy Coloma on 08.04.2009
Namco Bandai allows us to pit characters from thirteen different Tales games against each other, Paradox gives every country a chance at world domination, London Studio shows us that Bohemian Rhapsody isn't the only Queen song that's worth singing along to, and Softmax provides 360 RPG fans with another quality title.
Unless you are someone who enjoys music or strategy games, it's yet another slow summer week. Importers have it a little easier as there are two high-profile releases in MagnaCarta II and Tales of VS. for those who are into RPGs and RPG spinoffs. In addition, they can also choose from quite a few titles that exemplify how diverse the releases in Japan really are, including Hayarikami 3, the final game in a Nippon Ichi series that does not feature exploding penguins, Pop'n Music, Konami's Beatmania alternative, Irodzuki Tingle no Koi no Balloon Trip, Nintendo's next Tingle game, and a UMD version of Strikers 1945 Plus Portable. You probably have a huge backlog of games that have yet to be finished, so you should be able to hold out for the next few months of non-releases, right?
This week's highlightsNote: Release dates are subject to change
MagnaCarta II (360 Import)
Even though the title indicates that this is the second MagnaCarta game, it is actually the third in the series, the first being for the PC and the second for the PS2. Unfortunately, Atlus' release of the PS2 sequel a few years ago wasn't very well received - some were impressed with the visuals and a lot of people liked the story, but many found the combat system off and most agreed that the voicework was bad. Luckily, MagnaCarta II features a whole new cast of characters, a new storyline, and a different fighting system, so knowledge of the previous games is not necessary.
Unless there's a delay, we should be getting this over here in October, so importing isn't really necessary unless you like using translation guides. But if you want to see the game in action earlier, you can download the demo from the Japanese LIVE Marketplace right now.
the US trailer
Tales of VS. (PSP Import) Tales of VS. is fighting game mash-up for the PSP that takes thirty-five popular characters from thirteen Tales games and allows fans to either play through a story mode or duke it out with three others through local multiplayer. There is a strong possibility that we will get the game here as Namco Bandai has already trademarked the name in the America, but, since the fighting system is fairly Smash Bros.-like (at least the videos make it appear that way), it should be easy to pick up and play the import with little hassle (unless you really want to go through the story mode).
As of this writing, there is no confirmation on whether or not there is Ad-Hoc Party compatibility, but considering how Namco Bandai's other PSP games have no trouble with the system, it's safe to assume that people will be playing others online in four-player brawls as soon as the game comes out.
According to Siliconera, this is the complete roster:
Tales of Phantasia - Arche, Chester, Cress, Dhaos, Mint Tales of the Abyss - Anise, Asch, Jade, Luke, Tear Tales of Destiny - Mighty, Leon, Philia, Stan Tales of Destiny 2 - Barbatos, Harold, Kyle, Nanaly Tales of Rebirth - Eugene, Mao Tales of Eternia - Farah Tales of Legendia - Senel Tales of the Tempest - Caius Tales of Innocence - Luca, Iria Tales of Hearts - Kohak, Shing Tales of Symphonia - Colette, Lloyd, Kratos, Presea Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World - Richter Tales of Vesperia - Judith, Rita, Yuri
gameplay footage set to the Tales of VS. theme song, Be Your Wings
SingStar Queen (PS2, PS3)
I've never actually tried any of the Singstar games, but if I were to get into the series, this would be my gateway game as Queen just happens to be one of my favorite bands ever.
Contrary to popular belief, Queen does have other good songs beyond Bohemian Rhapsody, We Are the Champions, and We Will Rock You. Thankfully, SingStar Queen's playlist features a lot of the songs that pre-Wayne's World fans would probably have asked for, so those picking it up will be well versed in many of the group's lesser known though well liked tracks by the time they're sick and tired of the game. I still see some glaring omissions which would have suited this title perfectly, namely Bicycle Race, Flash, and Friends Will Be Friends, but overall, the lineup is fairly impressive. Here is the track list:
A Kind Of Magic (PS3 only) Another One Bites The Dust Bohemian Rhapsody Breakthru Crazy Little Thing Called Love Don't Stop Me Now Fat Bottomed Girls Hammer To Fall (PS3 only) I Want It All I Want To Break Free Innuendo Killer Queen (PS3 only) One Vision Play The Game Radio Ga Ga (PS3 only) Save Me Somebody To Love The Show Must Go On (PS3 only) These Are The Days Of Our Lives Tie Your Mother Down Under Pressure We Are The Champions We Will Rock You Who Wants To Live Forever You're My Best Friend
the SingStar Queen "debut" trailer
Hearts of Iron III (PC)
In Hearts of Iron III, you take control of virtually any country that existed during World War II and use its economic pull, diplomacy, technology, politics, intelligence, and its military might to gain power. The game starts before the war actually begins, giving you a chance to build your resources and position yourself so that when things start going downhill, you're ready to take advantage of the situation. Once war begins, you must take what you've got and do whatever you can to bring your country prosperity.
The biggest improvement that this sequel offers over its predecessors is the ability to put certain aspects of the war effort on autopilot, allowing you to focus your efforts on specific tasks instead of wearing yourself thin worrying about every detail. For instance, if I decided to play as Canada and wanted to attack the US, I could make it so that the computer keeps an eye on Alaska while I focus my efforts on the American border. I'm not sure if you can actually pull that scenario off in the game (your citizens might not go for it), but that's the gist of it. This feature gives newcomers the ability to mess around and learn how things work without getting completely annihilated in the process. Considering how complex the game is, this is one of the biggest advancements in not only the series, but the genre (if done right, of course), and is reason enough to give the series a shot if you are even a little interested in world conquest strategy games.
According to a post in Paradox' forums, a demo should be available on Tuesday. It is supposed to allow you to play the 1939 scenario for four in-game months as either Germany, Poland, France, or the United Kingdom with access to all of the gameplay features. There's also a manual and a quickstart guide in the same forums for those who want more in-depth information.
Hearts of Iron III's "debut" trailer
The other US releases ATV Quad Kings (Wii)
Brave: A Warrior's Tale (360, Wii)
Daisy Fuentes Pilates (Wii)
G.I.Joe The Rise of Cobra (360, DS, PS2, PS3, PSP, Wii)
Pennzoil Build'n Race (Wii)
World Championship Athletics (Wii)
The Import SceneJapanese localizations of domestic games, "Asia" versions of games that do not have English options, and "Best" (greatest hits) versions of already released games are ignored.
Akogare Girls Collection: Suteki ni Nurse Days (DS)
Bleach DS 4th: Flame Bringer
Blood of Bahamut (DS)
Hayarikami 3 (PSP)
Hottarake no Shima Kanata to Nijiiro no Kagami (DS)
Irodzuki Tingle no Koi no Balloon Trip (DS)
Item Getter: Bokura no Kagaku to Mahou no Kankei (DS)
Janline R (PS3)
J-League Winning Eleven 2009 Club Championship (PS2)
Kamen Rider: Climax Heroes (PS2)
Monster Hunter 3 (Wii)
Neko Neko Bakery DS
Pop'n Music (Wii)
SD Gundam G Generation Wars (PS2, Wii)
Sekai Fushigi Hakken DS: Densetsu no Hitoshi-kun Ningyou o Sagase
Shugo Chara! Norinori! Chara-Nari Zumu (DS)
Strikers 1945 Plus Portable (PSP) - release last week in the US on PSN
Tsuki Bit (DS)
