Another Japanese SRPG is making its way to the DS, known as Spectral Force: Genesis. If you haven't heard of the Spectral Force series, it's probably because the games usually don't get released outside of Japan. With the exception of Innocent Rage, an Xbox 360 game that's being brought to North America by Atlus, most Spectral Force titles don't get localized. There is hope for Genesis, though; since it's coming out for the Nintendo DS, aka "the system that a lot of people own with a lot of niche titles," it's not impossible. We're pulling for it, at least. Yes, we say that about almost every game released in Japan, but we really mean it! If you read this far, you're probably wondering right about now why we're so intrigued by this Idea Factory game.
Aside from our love for tactical RPGs, Genesis seems to have some neat features. For one, the game isn't all about the battles. While it does have a Risk-like feel to it (pick one country, dominate the rest), your strategy relies on diplomacy, too. Also, the game involves more than attacking, as you have to make sure your home kingdom is amply protected in case others try to invade it.
As pointed out by Siliconera's Spencer Yip, the battles are in real time. The player draws paths in the battlefield to get his or her troops to attack. Yip compares this use of the touchscreen to "American football," which could be interpreted as a good or bad thing. As big football fans, though, we're excited. There will also be some voice acting in the game, although, it will likely be a minimal amount. Spectral Force games tend to be very story-driven, too, meaning that we can probably expect something epic.
If none of this interests you at all, we must be even bigger nerds than we thought -- which, now that we think about it, is probably the case. But, if you are hyped for this game, you can check out some screens and character art below.
[Images via Famitsu]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
2-19-2008 @ 9:25PM
Anticrawl said...
I worry about the Japanese. The girls are always underage and the guys are always ambiguously gay or have a heavily feminine sex appeal.
So we have tough guys with a soft touch who secretly want to be a woman and little girls. Sounds like some sort of perverted sexual fantasy. No offense...
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2-19-2008 @ 9:38PM
FoliathR said...
Mind you, this is not an h-game.
And regarding the guy, where did you read that he wants to be a woman? If you even bothered checking up what he said, he even used a masculine tone in his sentence.
The inclusion of young girls in the story is totally normal and there is nothing wrong with it. In this world there are millions of little girls walking the streets. Is there anything wrong with that?
I strongly advise you to take a breather outside your house, run a few miles, calm your mind and read this article again. Take this article with a healthy mind and you'll see there's nothing wrong with the characterisations and artwork in this gorgeous-looking game.
2-19-2008 @ 9:44PM
Anticrawl said...
Haha, it was meant to be taking somewhat jokingly. There is some truth to the open attraction and worship of young girls in Japan but that is beside the point. I found the pics above to be a tad bit disturbing, didn't actually read much of the article. I've been working all day and I reserve my daily physical activity to before I shower/go to work in the morning and when the lady friend is in the mood.
2-19-2008 @ 9:47PM
Anticrawl said...
Now that I've read through the article entirely I don't know what to believe anymore, the game is all across the board. Well atleast the visuals will be appealing to some people.
2-20-2008 @ 12:03PM
melody said...
I see your point in a way. Since I'm usually turn off by these kind of 'otaku-appeal' anime style, no matter how good the gaming aspect would be, it's something I will never ever pick up. The obvious harem parade of preteen looking girls ridiculous super geeky appeal costumey outfit (all interchangable anyway)...etc. just looks too embarrassing for me. I like SRPG, too bad there's so few not-so-embarrassing package ones for DS.
2-20-2008 @ 1:08PM
Anticrawl said...
Ah yes, preteen harems, I meant to point that out. Anyway I love the anime style but this is just a big turn-off for me as well.
2-19-2008 @ 9:26PM
Tom said...
Aside form the generic anime characters, that looks liek it could be really cool.
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2-19-2008 @ 10:40PM
driven2sin said...
geez look at all the 'generic' backlash to anime here... take it both ways guys
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2-20-2008 @ 1:42AM
Ahrel said...
Looks like it could be a nice alternative to the other tactics games on the DS. Reminds me a bit of a RTS, or I guess like FFXII Revenant Wings from the one gameplay screen shot.
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2-20-2008 @ 2:32AM
ArmiMaan said...
Sounds pretty cool. I'm surprised there aren't more RTS games on the DS, but now that's slowly changing. Too bad IGN doesn't think Spectral Force will come to North America, because I'm liking what I read about the overall gameplay and battle system.
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2-20-2008 @ 10:37AM
MonoDiabloLoco said...
It looks interesting. On a different but related note, I would love to see more RPGs, JRPGs, SRPGs, etc coming out of Japan. There are tons that they just never release here. Heck, one of my favorite western RPGs; Wizardry was taken in by the Japanese and they ran with it! There were a ton of animated movies and even some new games that NEVER got released here! There is a Wizardry for the DS that looks like a marvelous remake of the original, but never found it's way to the US or Europe. C'mon, Japan! Share your toys!
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2-20-2008 @ 12:19PM
Kia said...
Oh, man, this looks great. I'm a huge Spectral Force fan, but I doubt we'll get it. NIS hasn't shown a single ounce of support for the DS (WHY!?), Atlus gives mediocre offerings at best, and XSEED, the last of the niche publishers, also hasn't touched any DS titles.
Between the lack of Summon Night, the Atelier Series, and even both Tales games here, I"m not getting my hopes up at all. ~_~
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