XSEED Localizing Ragnarok Odyssey (Maybe)

I don't generally like linking to places that aren't Joystiq or Siliconera because, well, I've just used both those sites for a while now and they seem pretty reliable.  (Despite my whinging here and there about them)  Which is why I've used them for a while.  But every now and then, there's something that gets announced elsewhere that grabs my interest enough that I just have to go for it.  This would be one of those such times because GamesRadar seems to think that XSEED has announced localizing Ragnarok Odyssey for North America (as well as another title that I haven't looked into).  I say 'seems to think' because I can't find info about it elsewhere quite honestly.  Joystiq and Siliconera hasn't mentioned it, despite the even apparently happening last night, nor does their official site (which...hasn't been updated lately it seems) or their Facebook page mention it in an official capacity.  And even then, XSEED has already broken some hearts lately regarding localization, so I'm not exactly bursting with excitement.  Basically, I'm saying that I'm not going to trust this one right off.

For the sake of argument and posting, however, let's assume that this is totally legit, both in announcement, as well as XSEED following through.  Because that would be pretty awesome.  (Also, it would make sense on cancelling GKH in that case, if they're working on two projects)  I haven't really followed Ragnarok Odyssey a whole lot because I worried that it would stay Japan-centric since, well, that seems to happen with good games.  Regardless, from what I've seen (Skip to 8:17 for actual gameplay), it looks like a Monster Hunter game with a really interesting art style and battle system.  And by really interesting art style, I mean it looks gorgeous from what can be seen on a camera recording a held Vita.  And by interesting battle system, I mean a really fast-paced one.

The thing about Ragnarok Odyssey is that it really is a game that we -need- since it is, as I said, basically Monster Hunter, which the Vita still lacks because Capcom is dumb.  Monster Hunter is a big deal, especially with the PSP, so having something of its kind, even if it's not MH itself, will be a huge boon.  Of course, Ragnarok Odyssey probably won't be the first by the time it comes out, nor the last, but the reason I bring it up, why I pin any hope on it is because it honestly just looks good.  On top of that, if the Japanese release is anything to go by (which it should be), the game will have a proper online system for multiplayer which was the real main draw for MH as a series.  Coupled with the Vita's in-built capabilities for online play, and it should be a real hit, or at least do decently while we await Monster Hunter 3 HD or Monster Hunter 4 or something.

For me personally, I'm probably going to end up snapping this up, depending on when it comes out.  While I'm not really a fan of Monster Hunter games (I've only had a little exposure, mind, without Online) I am interested in this simply because it seems like it takes the slowness out of MH (one of the things that has me iffy about the series for me) and, with any luck, it might have a single-player campaign worth a damn.  Probably not, but, well, there's a chance I guess.  Considering it's out in Japan, I imagine I could just look around for the answer but that requires effort - not only as a base, but for yet another game that I just don't have the time nor money for that I will end up buying anyway (likely).  It's like when you tell yourself you're on a diet but just keep buying cookies or stuff anyway because, hell, who are we kidding, they're delicious.  Also, because I'm sure if I don't get it (again, depending on when it comes out), I will have very annoyed friends with Vitas, because I will be unable to Hunt Monsters with them.

Update!:  A minor update here, but XSEED has confirmed not only the game, but the fact that it will be a retail title.  Which, by the very nature of Vita releases means that it will be a Retail and Digital title rather than simply digital, which XSEED has stated that they are going to do more of and is proving that with Way of the Samurai 4, ensuring that I'm not going to bother with the game.  Because I can't download a gig on my PS3, much less however the hell big WotS4 will be.

Noooooow it Makes a Little More Sense

So, last week I wondered just what in the hell this whole Second Analog add-on for the 3DS was, and why Nintendo thought this was a thing that was a good idea.  I mean, granted, a second stick -is- a good idea, in theory and generally only works well enough when it's on the system to begin with, not added less than a year after it was released.  I mean, the 'official' reason, I guess is that it was for Monster Hunter Tri G which was just announced, and since it was brought up a few other games have announced they'll support it as well.  But it never really felt right, like a thing that was tossed out this....cavalier-like.

Well, Monster Hunter 4 on the 3DS on top of Monster Hunter Tri G makes it all make just a little more sense.  Signing on for not only one, but two Monster Hunter games and 'first crack' at 4 which was previously unannounced (but will most certainly be announced for other things) seems like enough of an incentive to make a no-doubt conditional add-on this early on in the 3DS' lifespan.  While I'll swear up and down that the 3DS is not doing as badly as everyone wants to believe for some reason, and that the thing will eventually take off of its own merit more than anything, a sure-hit like this will be a kick in the pants that the 3DS 'needs'.

It feels a little cheap being the guy sitting here saying that the 3DS is going to take off because it's going to and when it does, I won't even be the one to say "I told you so", more like "Yeah, big surprise" because, again, Monster Hunter 4 isn't what the 3DS 'needs'; all it needs is time.  The DS had enough this go-around that they've got a lot of devs who won't be switching over to the Vita (with their series at least, they might make something new), so as soon as the 3DS gets the equivalent to the DS line-up of the same games (as is Nintendo's style) everyone and their uncle will have a goddamn 3DS and I honestly don't get how people don't see this.

Regardless, this is pretty much a huge boon for Nintendo since they got 'first crack' at MH4, like I said before.  I'm not even going to 'predict' that MH4 is going to be on other things; it's going to, because I have not seen one mention of exclusivity anywhere and we all know that would be trumpeted from the rooftops if it were the case.  But being able to be the first people to say "Hey.  Hey.  We've got this game from this series." to everyone is huge in the industry.  So even come Sony's day with TGS when they're like "Hey, we have Monster Hunter 4 too", it likely won't get as much coverage or as much mindshare.  Now, whether or not people buy it for Vita or 3DS is the point where it'll matter and that's just what we'll have to wait and see on.

Speaking of the Vita, Monster Hunter 4 isn't going to be the only game announced for it soon.  Army Corps of Hell was just revealed from Famitsu as a Squeenix project for the Vita.  Keeping with the theme, it's apparently going to be a Monster Hunter style of game with 4-Player Co-op in...er....hell.  I guess.  Of course, Squeenix isn't making it, just publishing or producing it for the Vita; a company called Enter Sphere has the honor of making this....wonderfully named game.  That's basically all I wanted to do, was point out that there was going to be a game named "Army Corps of Hell" on the Vita.  Keep.....keep on truckin', Squeenix.

Two Completley Opposite Handheld Updates

So, thanks to Famitsu, we now have a better idea of a few of the games we might see come TGS for the Vita, but my suggestions aren't among them, which isn't much of a surprise, as I would have had a hard time suggesting any of these games.  I highly doubt all nine of the games in the Famitsu article will be shown at TGS, mainly because a few of them are previously announced, but like I said, it's hard telling what the unannounced games would/will be, so we might see a few repeats in it.  Especially now, since a few of these new games have been so informally announced.

First up in the line-up, and possibly the one most harped on, is the upcoming Ragnarok Odyssey, which seems to be a game designed to take on the mantle of "Monster Hunter when you don't have a Monster Hunter game to play" as Squeenix and a few others have tried on the PSP already.  (And done fairly well at, apparently.  God Eater and Lord of Arcana sound like they did well for PSP games.)  Whether Ragnarok Odyssey will crib directly from the formula of "Receive order, destroy monster" of Monster Hunter, or expand on it some remains to be seen, but either way if they do it well, they'll surely carve out a nice niche....so long as Monster Hunter for Vita doesn't get announced to launch relatively close to it.

Also announced in the article were:

• Sumioni – from Acquire, it’s a 2D ink action game. 
• Shinobido 2 – from Acquire and Spike, read our developer interview here.   
• Dream Club Zero Portable – from D3Publisher, port of the Xbox 360 game 
• Moe Moe Taisen Gendaiban ++ – from SystemSoft Alpha, slated for a spring 2012 release.  
• Michael Jackson: The Experience HD – from Ubisoft. 
• Dark Quest – from Ubisoft. 
• Lumines: Electronic Symphony – from Ubisoft, Q Entertainment is the developer. 
• Rayman Origins – from Ubisoft.

 Of those, we already know Shinobido 2 quite well, as it was more or less announced alongside the Vita, and while Vita ports weren't in the clear cards, Michael Jackson:  The Experience and Rayman Origins ports from Ubisoft seem relatively easy to digest....even if I wonder how in the world you're supposed to play a dance game on a portable.  And of course, we already knew about Lumines from a relatively recent announcement.  The rest, however, especially Sumioni, were unexpected, mostly new, and more than welcome.  (seriously, look at the article for Sumioni, it looks really neat.  Someone in the comments mentioned it reminded them of a combination of Muramasa and Okami, which I'm sure will interest some people.)

So that's all pretty neat, really.  A little insight into possibles for TGS, and, if nothing else very clearly cool new games for the Vita which really needs to establish a lot of new IPs to interest people who might harp on the Vita by stating the only thing it has going for it is watered down console ports.

Now, for something completely different.  (though appropriate, considering I brought up Monster Hunter already)

The above picture is apparently the peripheral attachment anyone looking forward to playing Monster Hunter Tri G or whatever wacky name it has can look forward to using to play the game on.  Aside from the added bulk and the second stick, the attachment apparently adds three shoulder buttons (I imagine the left shoulder button is still accessible) and...well, a lot of uncomfortable feelings.  Now, while this still could be an incredibly well done fraud, it's all-but been confirmed through various outlets.  Though, like a multitude of Handheld attachments, this thing could never see the light of day in America or anywhere that isn't the land of glorious Nippon.

Now while not implicitly a sign of something terrible, this has just been another in a long line of signs from Nintendo saying that maybe the 3DS wasn't all that well-thought out and was, perhaps, a little rushed.  Now while I'm still of the opinion that Nintendo hardly has to worry about people not buying a goddamn 3DS, since everyone will, eventually, I will continue to hope that this, on top of everyone else, will just turn more people towards the Vita and Sony gets to see a full Handheld success this time around, rather than just a great Japan showing.