Editor's note: In the market for an RPG this month? You've come to the right place. Hell, even I'm thinking about picking up Dragon Quest 9, and the last JRPG I played was Final Fantasy 8…. -Demian
Fans of role-playing games have plenty of options these days. RPGs come from most corners of the world and with different styles. This can make it hard for gamers to makes sense of the multitude of games. But take heart! This monthly column breaks down each month's new RPGs, including gameplay descriptions and word on the street about a game's quality.
July looks to be shockingly fruitful for RPG fans. We've got fewer releases than some months, but almost every game looks to be worth someone’s dollars. And that’s not even taking into account the latest entry in Japan’s largest JRPG phenomenon appearing on our shores….
Most Promising:
Dragon Quest 9: Sentinels of the Starry Skies (DS)
Release Date: July 11
I can't overstated how much of a big deal Dragon Quest is in Japan. Lifetime worldwide sales for the series come in at around 47 million, and Japan's responsible for most of that. It has influenced countless JRPGs since the series debuted on the NES, and set a bar for narrative that few games have passed.
The different systems from game to game make for experiences that are at the same time unique and familiar. Dragon Quest 9's tweaks include a robust job system and numerous missions to complete. The segmented structure might be the most telling aspect of the game, as it joins the trend of Japanese games hoping to capitalize on the success of Monster Hunter. But that works in the game’s favor here, as you can pick it up and play a mission or two before putting it down again. And the multiplayer aspect can enrich the experience quite a bit, provided you can find people to play with.
And then we have the question of whether Nintendo can sell Dragon Quest 9 to America. The content is unchanged from the Japanese release, which is a shame as online play would smooth over the fact that this game was made with densely-populated Japanese cities in mind. Finding three (local) people to go adventuring with isn’t going to be so easy here. However, the marketing seems to be a step above that of Dragon Quest 8. GameStop has advertisements all over the store, and Nintendo’s opted for the tried-and-true method of using a celebrity to demonstrate the game in a commercial. Bear witness to Seth Green shilling Dragon Quest:
[embed:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGKR1Jgj7W4 ]
Will it work? Dunno. In the meantime, rest assured that those who do buy Dragon Quest 9 will get a robust, charming JRPG experience.
Biggest Risk:
Arc Rise Fantasia (Wii)
Release Date: July 20
Calling Arc Rise Fantasia a risk is a bit of a misnomer. You know exactly what you’re getting with this title: a solid, traditional JRPG for the Wii. Also not risky is its quality, as it is, by all accounts, good at what it does. Fantasia is comfort food to fans of the genre, and will also satisfy Wii players who don’t have a ton of RPGs for the system.
The localization is probably the only thing that is in question about this game. Ignition have proven competent in their latest releases, but they sometimes show a lack of polish and finesse, like you might find in an Atlus or Xseed translation. Still, go ahead and take the plunge if you’re a JRPG fan. The only risk you’ll find with this game is if you’re expecting it to surprise you in any way.
Also this month:
DeathSpank (XBLA/PSN)
Release Date: July 13 (PSN), July 14 (XBLA)
Now this one’s an interesting combination. Ron Gilbert, famous for his work on Maniac Mansion and Monkey Island, is making a downloadable Diablo clone for consoles. That’s not your normal RPG credentials, but the developer he’s currently working with, Hothead Games, has already had a pair of RPG hits with the two Penny Arcade games, which leveredged point-and-clink adventure game sensibilities as much as turn-based combat.
Still, Diablo and its many clones aren't known for their writing. DeathSpank will try to change that with advanced dialogue trees interspersed throughout the game, which should provide many opportunities for excellent one-liners in the tradition of Monkey Island’s insult sword fighting. Will this be another case of two great tastes that taste great together? It’s too soon to tell. But you can bet that you’ll have a laugh or two along the way. And it’s hard to argue with downloadable release prices.
The Rest:
Persona 3 gets another release this month in the form of Persona 3 Portable for PSP. While the last rerelease, FES, added some social links and a new epilogue, the portable version instead provides a new playable female character, which changes how Social Links play out and provides different options, creating a slightly different narrative. It seems to change the game enough to justify playing again, though many elements, such as town exploration, have been simplified for easy portable access. Though it might seem like a downer at first, it fits in with the rest of the game’s visual novel-like sections. Regardless, this is the chance to play one of the finest JRPGs ever made on the go.