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Posts with tag konami

Suikoden Tierkreis getting localized with a quickness

Konami is wasting no time in bringing us grateful westerners Genso Suikoden Tierkreis. Siliconera's Spencer was informed by a representative of Konami's North American arm that localization was already underway, and that the U.S. would see the difficult-to-pronounce RPG in "early 2009,″ which Spencer took to mean Q1 2009. We should have all wrapped up Chrono Trigger by then, right?

What we probably won't get are the incredibly expensive two special editions of the game, which will be available from Konami's Japanese online store. For ¥10,550 ($104), the Konami Style special edition (as seen here) will include the game, an artbook, the original soundtrack, a book cover, a bookmark, and a drama CD. The second bundle will throw in all of that and Genso Suikoden Volume 1 and Volume 2 drama CDs, a 2009 calendar, and a set of four cards, and will set you back ¥19,200 ($190!). Two for the fans, we think.

TGS08: Castlevania: Order of Awesome Trailer


With Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia due out in Japan and the U.S. later this month, the Tokyo Game Show represents the last major event at which Konami can show the game off; and shown it off they have, with this spectacular trailer.

The first minute and thirteen seconds consists of Order of Ecclesia character/location art, so if it's gameplay you're after, you'll want to skip to around one-third of the way through. Though why you'd want to skip Castlevania art is utterly beyond us.

Gallery: Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia


Like Castlevania? We do -- to an embarrassing degree. Check out our impressions of Order of Ecclesia from E3, settle in for a trailer, or go Behind the Boxart with a Konami graphic designer. But enough talk -- have at you!

DS Daily: Castlevania: Double Order of Games


Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia looks to be another in a long line of perfectly wonderful side-scrolling handheld Castlevanias -- possibly, even, a slightly fresh take on the series. Pretty much the best thing we can say about Castlevania: Judgment on the Wii is that it connects with Order of Ecclesia. In fact, even as ridiculous Castlevania fans, we're on the fence about Judgment, yet we're tempted to buy it just because it gives us bonuses in Ecclesia.

Does the promise of Ecclesia's awesomeness make Judgment any more of a purchase candidate for you? Or are you willing to do without the connection bonuses?

Gallery: Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia

Elebits: The Screens of Kai and Zero


Konami just sent over a press release, chock full of fresh screens from Elebits: The Adventures of Kai and Zero. We're just as excited for the game as you all are, and these latest screens show off more of what got us excited in the first place: a fusion between the scavenger hunt gameplay of Elebits on Wii and the RPG mechanics of the Pokémon games. Check out the fresh screens in our gallery below.


[Via press release]

Point/Counterpoint: Does Castlevania need new blood?


We're about a month away from getting our hands on the third Castlevania game on the DS, and yes, we are enthused. We loved the last DS game, as we did the one before it ... and the three Game Boy Advance games before that.

Producer Koji Igarashi has definitely found his recipe for Vanias, and he's changed very little since hitting upon the combination of side-scrolling action, free-roaming exploration, and light RPG elements that made Symphony of the Night such a startlingly new experience ... back in 1997.

Let's be clear: both of the bloggers participating in this debate love them some Castlevania. But the issue of the series' increasing potential for staleness is a real one, and worth discussing even just as a thought exercise. Has Metroidvania run its course? Read on and find out ... what two people think.

Gallery: Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia



Killer Fish and the Order of Ecclesia

Konami really wants us to get accustomed to Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia, for some reason. It's as though they think we won't embrace the title or something, since they keep waving around screenshots and soundtracks. We're surprised they're not shipping free demos and complimentary massage oil or something to potential buyers at this point. But listen, we're not complaining. We'll watch Shanoa beat down fish any day of the week. It's very important to keep those killer fish under control, you know.

Gallery: Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia

IGA talks Castlevania, plays Castlevania


IGN has several minutes of new gameplay footage of Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia, showing off new environments, new enemies, and new glyphs, which include a hammer, a giant scythe, and magical attacks like ice and fireballs. According to IGN, it's Koji Igarashi himself on the controls, playing his own game. Surprisingly, his playthrough looks like pretty much anyone else's -- Igarashi takes damage from normal enemies fairly regularly. Maybe he was just nervous with a bunch of IGN guys staring at him.

He also spoke in a video interview (available via the sidebar in that video player) in which he describes the premise behind Order of Ecclesia, including who the Order is and what Shanoa is doing invading the demon castle. While describing the differences between this and past Castlevanias, IGA also says that the animation of the enemies has improved. He must be referring to the ones that have new sprites!

IGA reveals the extra modes in Ecclesia: a hard mode accessible by completing the game, and a mode with a higher (255) level cap unlocked by beating that hard mode -- or by connecting Judgment on the Wii with Order of Ecclesia.

Suikoden: Tierkreis to feature 'rich' online experience



We've got roughly a gazillion RPGs to look forward to on the DS, and Genso Suikoden: Tierkreis is near the top of the pile. The game was first revealed last month in Famitsu, but since then an official site has opened (though is not exactly bulging with content yet, aside from the occasional character profile, as seen above) and Konami has dropped further details on the title.

The meat of the new press release is the news that Suikoden: Tierkreis will feature all-new online elements, which (Konami hopes) will spawn a "rich online community." How does it work? Apparently, players will be able to dispatch their characters on quests that other members of the community will then complete for them, before their character is returned to their party with new equipment, abilities and treasures. Make that two forthcoming DS RPGs with awesome online modes!

[Via press release]

An audible peek at the Order of Ecclesia

Castlevania soundtracks are often so delicious, and from the taste Konami has offered up, Order of Ecclesia will take its rightful place as the successor to the franchise's long legacy of awesome. Check out the soundtrack page, and be sure to click the links (in white) that allow you to sample the tracks. They're all catchy, but number 10 on disc one is a good place to start. Conveniently, it's also likely to be the first link you'll click.

[Via 4cr]

Like Castlevania? We do -- to an embarrassing degree. Check out our impressions of Order of Ecclesia from E3, settle in for a trailer, or go Behind the Boxart with a Konami graphic designer. But enough talk -- have at you!

Support your Order of Ecclesia

Dearest Shanoa,

We cannot tell you how pleased we were to see new pictures from the front. It has been too long since we were able to gaze upon your icy features and battle prowess, and we are happy to be afforded this new opportunity. We can only hope you are safe and warm, especially at night. We don't hear much of your battles against the eternal and unnameable evil here and we are hungry for any details on the Order of Ecclesia. Please send word when you can. Keep your eyes out for glyphs, and stay safe.

Love forever,

Your fans, who are, as ever, awaiting your release

P.S. We have enclosed a turkey and some pot roast, as we have heard that food is scarce in the field.

Gallery: Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia


Like Castlevania? We do -- to an embarrassing degree. Check out our impressions of Order of Ecclesia from E3, settle in for a trailer, or go Behind the Boxart with a Konami graphic designer. But enough talk -- have at you!

GC 2008: Elebits and Enchanted Folk trailers magically appear


Elebits: The Adventures of Kai & Zero may diverge almost totally in style and presentation from the first Elebits game on Wii, but, thankfully, it still employs the same iridescent-looking, dreamy artwork found in that game and in Dewy's Adventure.

This trailer for the DS sequel, from Konami's Leipzig Games Convention media, uses that artwork to convey the game's premise, in which the title characters are taken away in what appears to be a magic bus. And then a bunch of gameplay footage ensues!

After the break, we've got a German trailer for another magical-type Konami game: Enchanted Folk and the School of Wizardry. It really looks a lot like Animal Crossing. We just can't see it without thinking Animal Crossing.

Continue reading GC 2008: Elebits and Enchanted Folk trailers magically appear

GC 2008: Konami news roundup


Konami sent out three new DS game announcements for Europe at the ongoing Games Convention, so we thought we would provide it all at once in digest format. Along with the announcements, there's a bunch of art and screens to look at as well. You'll find galleries after the break.

Before we get started, however, check out that Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia art. It's easily among the best Castlevania art we've ever seen.
  • Time Hollow, the time-traveling adventure game from Shadow of Destiny creator (and Suikoden IV producer) Junko Kawano, is coming to Europe this November!
  • The magic-themed Animal Crossing-esque communication game Tongariboushi to 365-nichi no Mahou is being released in Europe as Enchanted Folk and the School of Wizardry.
  • Winx Club Secret Diary 2009 -- pretty much Diary Girl in a Winx Club theme -- coming out in Q4 of this year.
  • Media: new screens for Elebits: The Adventures of Kai and Zero and Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia, in addition to the new games!

Continue reading GC 2008: Konami news roundup

Suikoden Tierkreis: the beloved RPG series comes to DS


Genso Suikoden Tierkreis is a new entry or spinoff in Konami's Suikoden series ("Tierkreis" is German for "Zodiac"). The name showed up in a trademark registration recently, but the platform was unknown until now. Take that, other platforms, we've got this one!

This game uses a similar look to the Final Fantasy remakes: chibi-ish 3D characters on lovely, detailed backgrounds. The story is wildly different from other Suikodens, starting as the assembled crew of 108 heroes is already in combat with the villain, and all but four are defeated. Your job is to gather the group again.

As if Dragon Quest IX didn't already seal the deal, it seems fairly clear that the DS is the platform for RPGs this generation.

[Via NeoGAF]

Castlevania: Preorder of Ecclesia


Konami's Japanese special edition of Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia, consisting of the game, a soundtrack CD, and a leather book cover with a notebook, is way awesome. It's currently only available for preorder from the Japanese Konamistyle store at a cost of 8,410 yen ($77), but the use of the English title and logo on the book cover is a very promising sign.

This is just the latest piece of leather to be associated with the series -- Simon Belmont's original costume was totally leather, as is the original form of Vampire Killer (and the version sold online) and, of course, Koji Igarashi's hat.

See also: Promotional Consideration: Behind the Boxart

Gallery: Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia


[Via Famitsu]
Like Castlevania? We do -- to an embarrassing degree. Check out our impressions of Order of Ecclesia from E3, settle in for a trailer, or go Behind the Boxart with a Konami graphic designer.

Castlevania boxart: Order of Colada



Further proof that Konami's decision to dump its anime-inspired art direction was the right choice for the Castlevania series! This boxart for Order of Ecclesia, revealed at the game's Amazon product page, puts the previous two entries' covers to shame, especially the Konami's Best packaging for Dawn of Sorrow.

Also, we're amazed (and a bit confused) to see that the game will feature a giant plastic cocktail sword as a wieldable weapon! Why fumble with a vampire slaying whip when you can brandish a rapier that doubles as a drink stirrer?

Jump past the post break for comparison shots of the previous two Castlevania DS games' boxarts!

See also: Promotional Consideration: Behind the boxart

Gallery: Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia

Continue reading Castlevania boxart: Order of Colada

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Gaming to Go!

This Month's New Games

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Oct 14
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Oct 21
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Oct 21
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Spyro: Dawn of the Dragon
Oct 21
What's Cooking? With Jamie Oliver Oct 21
MySims Kingdom
Oct 28
Ninjatown Oct 28

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