A new promotional movie for Persona 3 Portable became available on the game’s main website.  It is nearly identical to the last promotional movie with the exception of a comical voice-over by both Elizabeth and Theodore.  Theodore you may recall is the new, male host for the velvet room.  Judging by the back and forth between the two, he seems to be somewhat of a pushover, but that could just be in contrast to Elizabeth’s aggressive sarcasm.  I was gonna labor over  a translation, but just don’t have the mental concentration while at work, so here is a translation via. Xcomp:

E: A~TLUS!!
T: Sis, didn’t you overdo it?
E: Teo, it’s already started.
T: Oh, do excuse me.
E: Greetings. It’s nice to meet you all again. This is Elizabeth. Finally, I can introduce the new game without my master’s presence. Lets get started about what’s instore-
T: Sorry, sis. I have yet to give my introduction. This is all voice only so I must insist-
E: And this my not really worthy, silly little brother, Theodore. There you go.
T: What kind of introduction is that!
E: Teo, we have guests before us!
T: Err…
E: Now where were we again? Oh yes, we’ve watched this many times over but, it’s still such wonderful a Persona summoning.
T: It is. But sis, shouldn’t we explain about Velvet Room…
E: Well… Lets talk about how long our Master’s nose is.
T: Why that!
E: Shhh! Quiet! It’s one of those battles that load extremely fast.
T: Wow… Then these are the everyday life scenes. Improvements made to give it a more pleasant gaming experience as well.
E: The PSP is a handheld console so to make it more convenient, we have customised it a lot.
T: Cust… Customize?
E: It means kid.
T: I- I know that! Hahaha…
E: And from this version, we have two kind of visitors.
T: There will naturally be some differences enjoying your youth as a male or female.
E: I will turn male.
T: No you won’t.
E: And Teo will turn female.
T: No. What kind of change is that…
E: Then our Master will turn…
T: Please STOP.
E: This portable version is jam packed with features. Truly it must be worth your money.
T: Why are you suddenly putting on a Jika-net imitation…? Come on, it’s almost over.
E: Well Teo, we should take this seriously until we finish.
T: That’s my line!
E: I will permit you to say the title. Right, 3-2-1 go!
T: *Stumbling* Persona 3 Portable goes on sale November 1 2009.
E: *Sigh* And we were at the most interesting part too.

_source

It’s always refreshing to have some smart humor in your game advertising.  This reminds me a bit of the commercials for Hero 30, which I guess is now known as Half-Minute Hero (see related entries) in the West.  Thanks for giving us all a good chuckle on this Monday morning Atlus!

Related Entries:
Hero 30: Talk-Variety
Hero 30: Talk-Variety Part 2
Hero 30: Talk-Variety Part 3

Roy 0 comments

Chunsoft has revealed key information regarding the 4th installment of their iconic rogue-like series Furai no Shiren.  The newest title, which translates to roughly Shiren the Wanderer 4: God’s Eye and the Devil’s Navel, is for Nintendo DS.  Once again the player assumes the role of adventurer Shiren joined by his lovable talking weasel Koppa.

The duo set off by boat in hopes of exploring a distant desert when a great storm suddenly shipwrecks them.  They wash up ashore a mysterious southern island known as Koh Tang.  By chance they come across the island’s inhabitants who mistakenly take Shiren to be a demon.  Shiren and Koppa are quickly tied to a stake to be burned alive.  At the last moment the game’s heroine, Kamina, steps forward and stops the angry mob from making a terrible mistake.  Shiren and Koppa may be saved, but the mob decides to imprison Kamina believing that she may be conspiring with demons.  A jaguar-headed Shinto priest approaches Shiren and informs him that by acquiring a legendary treasure known as the “Jaguar’s Eye” Kamina may be saved.  Thus the journey begins.

The 4th installment to the Furai no Shiren series is receiving a number of new systems to keep the roguelike game fresh and innovative.  Here are the new systems and what the player can expect:

	DAY & NIGHT: It’s now possible to enter a dungeon during the day and have night fall as you progress.  During the night, Shiren is basically blind unless he has one of a number of tools to light his way.  Different enemies also come out during different times of the day. It’s possible for a dungeon to take several game-days to clear.
	TERRAIN FEATURES: A number of traps, gates, and other mechanisms can both be used to Shiren’s advantage or inconvenience unaware players.
	MONSTER AURA: Some monsters will have a fiery aura around them.  Depending on the color of the aura, a certain ability will be enhanced for that monster.  The player will need to become familiar with the different aura colors to know what monsters to avoid and which ones to attack.
	TECHNIQUES: A new system allows for Shiren to use various techniques which are capable of dealing damage to a large area.  At the moment details are scarce as to how this system works, but more will be revealed by Chunsoft soon.

I really like the new art style used for Shiren the Wanderer 4.  It definitely contrasts the traditional feudal era Japanese aesthetic of past games with a more southern island/tropical feeling.  I am nostalgically reminded of Okinawa…  The game’s official Japanese website can be found here.

Atlus’ upcoming localization of Shiren the Wanderer 3 for the Wii makes me pretty confident that we’ll be seeing this game in the West in year or so.  I really think Shiren is probably the most polished and innovative rogue-like series out there, so I am definitely excited to play this game.

Related Entries:
Furai no Shiren 3: The Sleeping Beauty of the Trick Mansion for Nintendo Wii
Furai No Shiren 3 Update
Furai No Shiren 3 New Feature: Dragon Pulse

Roy nintendo ds, preview 1 comment

I sure wish I had this guide a few weeks ago when I was working my way through Devil Summoner 2: Raidou Kuzunoha Vs. King Abadadon.  As you may have read in my review, I really love the game, but trying to figure out where you’re supposed to go isn’t always easy.  Included in Doublejump’s e-guide (electronic guide) is the following:

• Event scenario list
• Maps for every level
• Strategies for all bosses

The first list is the one that strikes me as the most convenient.  Here is a sample of the event scenario list for the first chapter of the game, which I was able to find in the sample given on Doublejump’s site:

Sorry if that is a bit difficult to read, but as you can see this section is pretty cut and dry.  I think the simplicity of it is helpful and really all you would need.  This information is available for all seven chapters in the game and this guide is on sale for $5.99 at DoubleJump’s site.  In my opinion this is a great price considering it is more than enough to thoroughly beat the game.

At first I was a bit weary of DoubleJump’s transition to e-books, but I think as long as all the info is there and the price is right I don’t mind.  I think I may feel different depending on the game though…  If they decide to not make a physical guide for the next Disgaea (or Disgaea-ish game) then I will have some issues.

Still, I highly recommend this guide to anyone who is just starting Devil Summoner 2, or anyone who is too hard up on time to really sleuth their way through it.

Related Entries:
Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner 2: Raidou Kuzunoha Vs. King Abaddon Review

Roy 1 comment

In an attempt to make some money and get rid of some junk for the eventual move to California, Foxes and I have started selling stuff on eBay.  Last night I gathered a bunch of my movies and games and we put them all up for auction starting at .99 cents with free shipping.

Here are some of the games you guys may be interested in (if you don’t already own them):

• The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (Game of the Year Edition)
• Assassin’s Creed (Playstation 3)
• Tekken 5
• Disgaea DS
• Final Fantasy III (Nintendo DS)
• Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift

Anyone who reads my blog will get a random goodie if they win!  Just e-mail me or put “kotowari.org” in the comments section of your pay-pal payment.  Happy bidding!

Roy 5 comments

In celebration of St. Patrick’s Day I decided to make a collage of titles which contain alcohol references that made it through all the lame-ass censors and gave us the games we have come to love.  I in no way condone over-consumption or abuse of alcohol, yada-yada-yada.

	Phantom Brave Walnut, your love of cheap wine and stubborn persona are an inspiration to us all.  Kudos to NIS America for not changing the wine into Putty-juice or some other bullshit.
	Okami You showed us the immense power of sake.  With it, one could become stronger or simply a washed up hack.  Playing this game really made me want sake, but don’t tell the ESRB that.
	Fallout 3 This game proved that come the end of the world, you’ll still be able to get your drink on.  And you have your option of what you would like to drink: vodka, whiskey or beer.  Again, booze gives a stat boost, but with the possibility of addiction.  Just like in real life!
	Patapon While it may have gone under the ESRB’s radar, it was quite clear that these little guys got completely tore up after a victory.  I sure wish I could have joined them…  Pata-pata-pata-pon
	Persona 4 High school students are not supposed to drink, and I am not really if they did or not.  Either way the scene at Club Escapade was hilarious.  People I wanna party with: Rise, Doujima and Chie.

Maybe next St. Patrick’s day I will do a list of games which had alcohol references altered so they now make no sense.  Like the “cider” in Final Fantasy VI/III…

Everyone, please have a safe and happy St. Patricks day.  Also, while you are drunkenly celebrating, take a moment to toast some of your favorite games.

Roy 1 comment