NIS has released a second, epic trailer for their upcoming PSP title: Absolute Hero Remodeling Plan. The video comically touches on every aspect of the game that we know about thus far, as well as a few new topics.

It looks like the game’s BGM will change based on the accessories your main character is wearing.  I am not sure how many different songs there are, but I have  seen an insane number of accessories suggesting an equally insane number of possible songs.  If you want to hear a few tracks you can check out the main website for the game and listen to 10 different songs.  They all tend to be a play on any tokusatsu theme you’ve ever heard.

At around the seven minute mark the trailer mentions that you can don accessories to assume the appearance of some popular characters from ASCII Media Works fame.  The characters are as follows:

• Dokuro-Chan from Bokusatsu Tenshi Dokuro-Chan (Bludgeoning Angel Dokuro-Chan)
  
• Shana from Shakugan no Shana
  
• Aisaka Taiga from Toradora (one of the anime that NIS America has licensed)
• Holo from Okami to Kyoshinryo (Spice and Wolf)

Dokuro-Chan wielding her trademark kanabo

Since this system requires certain parts to take on the appearance of a character, unique abilities will also be unlocked which relate to each character’s specific manga/anime.  Fans of the aforementioned series’ should definitely be excited!  Considering that Toradora is being brought over by NIS America I would say the chances are good that the West will still be getting this content despite some rather niche titles.

Absolute Hero Remodeling Plan definitely proves that in the face of some financial hardships, NIS has not lost their creative edge.  The game will be released in Japan next week, let’s hope we hear something concerning a Western release soon!

Related Entries:
NIS Reveals Absolute Hero Remodeling Plan for PSP
Absolute Hero Remodeling Plan Promotional Movie

Roy nis, psp, videos 1 comment

Sega announced that a new DLC mission will be released for Valkyria Chronicles 2 on the Japanese Playstation network today.  The DLC mission, simply dubbed “Ultimate Challenge” is said to be quite difficult.  In the above image you may notice that the level of the mission is capped out at a whopping 99.

To make things a little easier for the player, this is a co-op mission.  I am pretty sure this is limited to local co-op, but I am not sure exactly how it works since not many details are revealed.  The mission takes place aboard an enormous enemy battleship and the player will face off against a number of V2’s, or artificial Valkyria.  I could see why that may present a challenge…

While researching this I stumbled upon a list of passwords for various free DLC for the game.  If anyone imported this game, here are some links:

Valkyria Chronicles 2 Character DLC Passwords (note that some are only available through purchase of the anime and manga series)
Valkyria Chronicles 2 Sticker DLC Passwords (stickers can be placed on your tanks)

I totally want that toro/kuro sticker!  I am sure the Bayonetta one would be popular as well.  Some don’t appear to be released yet and may coincide with other major Sega releases.  These characters and items are unlocked by going to “EXTRA” from the main menu of the game.  On the off chance that Sega doesn’t change the passwords we may be able to unlock some or all of this content right off the bat!

I am glad the password system has been cleared up, I just hope that upon the game’s Western release the content requiring purchase of the anime or manga will still be available in some way, *cough*Selvaria*cough*.  I am also happy to see multiplayer is finally being incorporated into the series, although I wish I knew more about it.

Roy psp, sega 1 comment

English self proclaimed designerds, Bag of Bees, have released a pair of tee-shirts themed after Half Minute Hero.  Both are available for 18 GBP or around $30 USD.  There is shipping available for both Europe and America so everyone can purchase this pixely goodness.  American consumers should bare in mind that the cost for shipping is also calculated in GBP meaning you’ll wanna convert that price as well.  Just to give you an idea, delivery to my address came to 5 GBP or around $8 USD.  Ultimately it’s not a bad price for a truly unique shirt to celebrate a truly unique game.  Personally I prefer the red shirt on the left since it focuses a bit more on the game’s art.

Links:
Half Minute Hero,Retro (gray)
Half Minute Hero, Knight (red)

Roy merchandise, psp, xseed 1 comment

At this point it’s common knowledge that when NIS makes a PSP game, there will be a alternate scenario which somehow exceeds the main story in hilarity.  It looks like the upcoming sequel to Prinny: Can I Really Be the Main Character? is no exception to this formula.

The name of the secret scenario is “Asagi Wars”, and as the name would suggest, the story largely revolves around Asagi.  You could say she is the main character… but there is one tiny difference: due to a certain accident, Asagi finds herself transmigrated as a Prinny living and toiling in the overlord’s castle.  She bravely goes about her many choirs as any Prinny should, until one fateful day.

While watching MHK (a parody of NHK) Prinny-Asagi learns that there are a number of impostors calling themselves Asagi, presumably in the wake of the true Asagi’s demise.  Asagi Wars is being held, and televised, to determine who the true Asagi is via a last-man-standing  (AKA ultimo hombre) all out war.  Naturally it’s up to Asagi-Prinny to clobber the truth out of each impostor.

Prinny-Asagi learning the news

Some of the impostors include a zombie Asagi, a Macho-male Asagi, and a mech-pilot Asagi, an Enka singer Asagi, and an 8-bit Asagi:

One major difference between the standard game and Asagi Wars is the implantation of a rating system. Note the bar in the middle of the screen displaying a percentage, that is the rating gauge.  Basically the better the player does the higher the ratings, after all your exploits are televised. When your ratings reach zero, Asagi is literally bombed by the network (I am sure Coco could relate to such abuse).  When the rating gauge is full, more powerful, flashy techniques become available.

There are also a number of unique weapons that Asagi-prinny can use that the Hero prinny cannot.  These include a gatling gun, drill, flamethrower, shotgun, etc.  Hey, it is a war after all!

Part of me is loving the uniqueness and creativity of this scenario and the attention that Asagi is getting.  The other part of me is hoping that Asagi is not gonna get stuck in Prinny form forever — that would actually make me madder than her not getting her own game!

Related Entries:
Prinny 2: The Battle for Panties at Dawn

Roy nis, psp 0 comments

The Japanese release of Metal Gear Solid Peace Walker is about two months away so it’s time to start baiting fans with some bundles, that’s right plural: bundles.   The first bundle (pictured above) is the Konamistyle version, aka the more expensive version.  Included in the set is the following:

• MGSPW Themed PSP-3000XZC System
• Metal Gear Solid Peace Walker UMD
• Snake-skin PSP pouch and strap
• MGSPW Stand complete with engraved serial number
• Camouflage screen cleaner (no one will see you wiping)
• MGSPW Dogtag keychain with serial number
• Artbook (no picture available)
• MILITAIRES SANS FRONTIERES patch

The cost for this fine collection of battle-ready accessories is 36,980 yen, which converts to a staggering $400 USD.  Is there anything more “modestly-priced” you ask?  I have just the thing for you:

The second bundle is not Konamistyle, but is certainly for the more money-conscious consumer.  Included in this set is the following:

• MGSPW Themed PSP-3000XZC System
• Metal Gear Solid Peace Walker UMD
• Camouflage screen cleaner (no one will see you wiping)
• MGSPW Cloth Pouch and strap
• MILITAIRES SANS FRONTIERES patch

This set will run you 26,980 yen, or $300 USD — that’s still about $100 more than the average PSP bundled with a game, but I am sure hardcore fans of the series are already blinded by all that facial hair and camouflage to care about a measly $100.

If you plan on importing Peace Walker, it’s likely these sets will be on Play-Asia or etc. in the near future.  If money is no object and you want to purchase the konamistyle version, act fast since there are only 1,974 of them being made (that’s also the year the game takes place, durp!).  I sure do want this, but I am not even going to pretend I have that kind of money.

Roy consoles, japan, konami, psp 7 comments