Operation Backlog Completion 2024

Astral Chain, Dragon Quest XI S, and More!

 Video games  2 Responses »  Tagged with: , , ,
Feb 152019
 

The recent Nintendo Direct had some great announcements, and one of the biggest surprises was Astral Chain from PlatinumGames.

When the trailer started up, I wasn’t too interested at first. It just struck me as another action mech sort of thing.

Then as it went on, I realized there was more of a focus on the story than I expected. It started to look like a game I might enjoy. I even wondered at one point if it was some sort of Xenoblade Chronicles X thing, except the combat and buildings didn’t seem quite right.

Then the credits showed Kamiya’s name and PlatinumGames, and I was in.

Astral Chain is a new action game for the Nintendo Switch from PlatinumGames, set in a near-future world where a special police force is set up to fight mysterious creatures attacking the world.

It’s also coming out on August 30, so most likely before both Bayonetta 3 and Babylon’s Fall.

(PlatinumGames had also been working on Granblue Fantasy: Relink, but they’ve departed from that project under unclear circumstances.)

I’m a little disappointed that we still haven’t seen anything more from Bayonetta 3, and I keep expecting them to announce a Wonderful 101 port/sequel, but Astral Chain looks really cool and I can’t wait until they reveal more details about it.

The Nintendo Direct also included the official reveal of Dragon Quest XI S… or its full title, Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age – Definitive Edition, which will have the ability to switch between the HD graphics and the 16-bit style, as well as new content.

I have Dragon Quest XI for the PS4 and planned to start it as soon as I finished God of War, but I held off because I didn’t want to have it in progress when Kingdom Hearts III came out. Now I’m conflicted over whether I should wait for the Switch version or not.

It also turns out that the Rune Factory series isn’t dead! Rune Factory 4 is being remastered for the Switch, and Rune Factory 5 is in development. I’ve never played a Rune Factory game before. Should I?

And Tokyo RPG Factory is trying its hand at an action RPG with Oninaki. I’m a little disappointed they moved away from turn-based, but I’m cautiously optimistic.

What did you think about these games, and the Nintendo Direct overall? What are you looking forward to the most? And when will we learn more about Bayonetta 3?

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Dragon Quest XI Comes West on September 4

 Video games  No Responses »  Tagged with: , ,
Mar 282018
 

We’ve been eagerly awaiting Dragon Quest XI news, and now it has a western release date: Dragon Quest XI will be out for the PS4 and PC (Steam) on September 4 in North America and Europe.

What about the mysterious Switch version? Well, Square Enix told IGN that it is coming “much later,” although it is planned for the west.

Sadly, the 3DS version isn’t being localized.

That’s disappointing to me, because the 3DS version’s two styles looked really cool. On the other hand, I’m perfectly fine with the PS4 version (which the PC version should be like) ever since we learned for sure that it is turn-based.

Dragon Quest XI’s western release will also include English voice acting, a hard mode called Draconian Quest, improved UI and menus, a Camera Mode, and a Dash function, in addition to other improvements.

Let’s check out some newly-released English gameplay footage.

Okay, 3DS version or not, I’m definitely getting this.

There will also be a special edition of the PS4 version sold through the Square Enix Store, but details haven’t been announced yet. PlayStation Store pre-orders will give you a PS4 theme along with some sort of in-game content.

Are you excited for Dragon Quest XI? Which platform are you planning to get it for?

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Dragon Quest XI Localization Confirmed

 Video games  4 Responses »  Tagged with: , ,
Jul 282017
 

The Japanese release of Dragon Quest XI is imminent, and many JRPG fans like me have been waiting patiently in the hopes of localization news.

Well, it’s finally happening!

Dragon Quest XI will be brought to the West as Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age, as revealed in a special announcement. It’s due out in 2018, with more details to follow this Fall.

So far, they haven’t said which versions will be localized, but I’m hoping for both. While both the PS4 and 3DS versions of Dragon Quest XI are turn-based JRPGs, they have several differences. One of the most noticeable differences is the art style, because the 3DS version actually lets you switch to a retro 2D-style appearance.

Then there’s the mysterious Switch version, which we know nothing about… will that finally be shown this fall, when we learn more about the English release?

I’m pretty excited about this news, although I really should play more Dragon Quest games. Are you excited for Dragon Quest XI? Which version(s) do you think will be localized?

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