Preview: Knights in the Nightmare PSP

Posted on August 25, 2010 by geelw

“Are You READY…?” For those of you who missed it, 2009's Knights in the Nightmare on the Nintendo DS was an innovative mix of isometric tactical JRPG, RTS, a bit of chess and fast-paced stylus driven “bullet hell” style shooting with a deep, complex (and often quite dramatic) storyline. The often brutal level of difficulty in the game thanks to many factors that required actual thought pre-battle and deft dancing of the stylus hand in battle made KITN a bit of a sleeper for the handheld (and a slightly expensive collectible these days). Developer Sting has taken the game and reworked it for the PSP into what's looking like one of those truly hardcore experiences for those that love their games to bite back hard.

Review: Shin Megami Tensei Persona 3 Portable (P3P)

Posted on August 4, 2010 by geelw

Platform: PSP/PSP Go

Developer: Atlus

Publisher: Atlus USA

# of Players: 1

Official Site

Rating: M (Mature)

Score: A

Not surprisingly, one of the best PS2 RPGs of recent years ends up as one of the best PSP RPGs to date. Persona 3 Portable not only raises the bar for these types of ports, it sets plenty of standards for portable games on its own merits. Of course, you'd expect no less from Atlus these days, right? Granted, the Shin Megami Tensei series has been pretty much critic-proof from the very beginning and Persona 3's excellently addictive mature plot and gameplay are as perfect a fit as they were back in 2007. Once you're hooked into the world and its engaging characters, it's easy to be swept up for countless hours trying for those perfect Social Links, tacking some tough enemies or shopping for the best gear for your party members.

Review: 3D Dot Game Heroes

Posted on May 14, 2010 by geelw

Platform: PlayStation 3

Developer: Silicon Studio/From Software

Publisher: Atlus

# of Players: 1

ESRB Rating: T (Teen)

Official Site
Score: A

Without a doubt one of the best “retro” games to date that’s not a homebrew creation, 3D Dot Game Heroes perfectly blends old-school gameplay elements and today’s console technology with the end result being an instant classic no PS3 owner should miss. It’s easy to look at screen shots or poke around on a message board and read about simplistic comparisons to The Legend of Zelda or other favorite 8-bit adventure RPGs, but the game is a lot more rewarding than a mere clone if you know your gaming history. Obvious plot and gameplay elements aside, 3DDGH is a pretty darn funny trip through the 8-bit era with a decidedly modern spin.

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Gallery Update: 3D Dot Game Heroes

Posted on February 27, 2010 by geelw

Lock up your daughters (well, unless they’re kidnapped princesses that need rescuing)! Atlus USA is letting loose a few more screens from its upcoming PS3 exclusive 3D Dot Game Heroes. Before you take a peek down there, you need to ask yourself a few important questions.

Do you like HUGE swords? Er, in a non-threatening, but increasingly screen-filling manner, that is? Well, take a gander at these big’uns, read the descriptions and try not to lose an eye in the process…

Yeah, this game is going to be a total blast (er, try not to take that the wrong way, folks).

Ancient Sword: The sword of the legendary hero, left in the Sacred Woods should evil arise again.

Claymore: A massive blade that cuts down your foes!

Excalibur: A sword of legend that will require you to gain favor with King Block to obtain it.

Holy Sword: A sword forged in sacred water.

Katana: A sharp, thin blade from the east!

Rare Fish: …? Really?

Preview: 3D Dot Game Heroes – Atlus Gets Retro, Yet Modern With A Sweet Zelda Vibe

Posted on February 19, 2010 by geelw

Thanks to the power of WebEx (craaaak-BOOM!) and the ridiculously fun folks at Atlus USA, 3D Dot Game Heroes has jumped to the front of my must-play list for early 2010 releases. I’ve been interested in this PlayStation 3 exclusive ever since seeing screens from Japan last year and upon hearing Atlus wisely snapped up the US publishing rights, I was more than a little ecstatic at the localization possibilities. Based on the hour-long web demo/presentation, the guys and gals out in sunny Irvine, California have done another super job of bringing US gamers one more surefire hit. From the excellently stylized 3D “block art” to the head-boppingly nostalgic soundtrack and simple yet challenging Action/RPG gameplay, this could be one of those cool “sleepers” that hopefully wakes up a few jaded gamers from their usual purchasing patterns.

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Hey Kids! Atlus STILL Wants You To Be A Better Badass, Round Two

Posted on October 14, 2009 by geelw

This week’s Kenka Bancho: Badass Rumble entry is even funnier than last week’s. Shabai vs. Shibui, indeed… hilarious. November 11, 2009 is the date to remember, folks… pre-order it or else some punk dressed up all in black with a big slicked back pompadour is going to be kicking your butt down the street, into the nearest game store and all the way back up to your house. Meaning you’ll be too sore to play the game sitting down…

Anyway, here are a bunch of new screens to pore over below the jump, also funnier than last week’s batch:

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Review: Shin Megami Tensei: Persona

Posted on October 13, 2009 by geelw

Platform: PSP/PSP go

Developer: Atlus

Publisher: Atlus

# of Players: 1

Rating: T (Teen)

Official Site

Score: A

Revised back into its original version with the bonus Snow Queen quest and reworked to include new over world maps, anime cut scenes and music, Shin Megami Tensei: Persona is one of the deepest, most cerebral RPGs currently available on the PSP. Atlus went all out with this updated version of the 1996 classic that introduced US audiences to the SMT series, making it accessible to players who came late to the party with Persona 3 and 4 while retaining its distinct visual style and gameplay. New players to the series should absolutely grab this version for its memorable characters and the offbeat mix of dramatic and humorous elements while those gamers who have played the original should also snap up the game, as familiarity absolutely won’t breed discontent.

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Hey Kids! Atlus Wants You To Be A Better Badass!!

Posted on October 4, 2009 by geelw

Sometimes all you need is a little push. But if you’re already there, you can always learn some more handy tips, right? Well, courtesy of Atlus and its upcoming PSP/PSPgo beat ’em up Kenka Bancho: Badass Rumble, here you go:

November 10, 2009. Be there… after school, of course.

Review: Demon’s Souls

Posted on September 13, 2009 by geelw

Platform: PlayStation 3

Developer: From Software

Publisher: Atlus

# of Players 1 (Online: 1 – 3)

Rating: M (Mature)

Official Site

Score: A+

Console (and to some extent, PC) role-playing fans have been subject to some pretty darn disappointing games this generation thanks to a few too many developers and publishers playing it safe by merely rehashing familiar anime-style adventures, cooking up oddball battle systems that just don’t gel completely or copying top-rated western-style games with a few new ideas here and there. Sure, graphics have improved tenfold this cycle and there have been more than a few memorable games released during this period. However, other than stunning visuals and larger game worlds, not too many of these titles have done all that much to raise any new bars for the genre. Continue reading →

Atlus Announces Shin Megami Tensei Persona: Digital Devil Delays Download (Saga)!

Posted on September 12, 2009 by geelw

Oh Noes! Well, in case you didn’t pre-order the retail version of SMT: Persona and were hoping to look all cool sliding open your PSP GO! on the subway to play the game you downloaded early the morning of September 22… you’re in for a bit of a shock. The digital download version of the game has been slightly delayed to an October 1, 2009 launch over the PlayStation Network.

Which sort of means if you DON’T have a PSP GO!, it might make a whole lot of sense to drop by your local game emporium and snag the cool pre-order bonuses that come with the boxed version (as the press release below kind of hints at…)

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