If you have a comprehensive knowledge of Japanese literature or flight combat games that never saw an American release, you probably already know about The Sky Crawlers. We fell in love with Namco-Bandai’s book-to-game adaptation when we were teased with tons of gameplay footage last year — sadly, the game was never visited by the localization fairy, and never made it to the States. Since then, we’ve been sad all over.
Fortunately, a recent XSEED press release has turned our melancholy into melan-jolly (ugh) — the capitalized company has purchased the North American publishing rights for The Sky Crawlers: Innocent Aces, due out this holiday season on the Wii. The game, which was developed by Ace Combat veterans Project Aces, will have players using the Wiimote and Nunchuck to simulate actual flight controls. It’s a bit overdue, but we’re thrilled about the Americanization of this aeronautical gem nonetheless.
The tri-Crescendo-developed Namco Bandai RPG, Fragile, will eventually make its way to Europe, GameSpot reports. Sometime in early 2010, Europeans will be able to get their own taste of this post-apocalyptic title following Seto, who is believed to be the last living human being. It’s kind of like I Am Legend, but, like, bearable.
Made by the same team behind Eternal Sonata, Fragile is currently set to release in North America during the holidays courtesy of XSEED, and will arrive in Europe via Rising Star Games.
Oh good — we hadn’t “pulled a Samuel Taylor Coleridge” when we wrote this morning’s post about Namco’s new WiiWare game, Muscle March. It wasn’t a dream and it’s even weirder in action than we could have imagined. Namco: please make a US release of this game happen, ‘kay? Thanks.
Namco-Bandai, we have a tip for you. If you’re going to send out trailers for your upcoming game, Klonoa, then make our job a little easier and send out one long video, as opposed to the 6 incredibly short videos you sent our way. Don’t get us wrong, we want to check out the game, and we know some readers feel the same way. But, get a clue, because stashing 5 criminally short videos past the break isn’t part of our job description.
Get used to it now, because you’re going to read the Pac-Man / Katamari comparison a lot regarding Namco Bandai’s The Munchables for Wii. Check out this latest trailer and you’ll instantly see why. Essentially, the goal of the game is to eat everything in sight — that’s the Pac-Man part, see — which in turn causes the main character to grow larger — and there’s the Katamari part. Watch closely and you’ll even notice areas that require players to reach a specific size before they can be accessed, which is also similar to Katamari. The opening cinematic also shares some of Katamari’s distinctive eccentricity.
On a side note, we’re really digging the old-school cartoon sound effects employed by the game. They really help to offset the grisly reality that this thing is eating every living creature in its vicinity … and it’s the good guy.
The latest issue of Famitsu reveals two new titles for Japan’s DSiWare download service, both from Namco Bandai. Korogashi Puzzle Katamari Damacy is a falling-block puzzle game starring the cast of Namco’s classic rolling-stuff-up game, seemingly involving animals between the blocks and a black hole in the distance. In classic Katamari style, we have no idea. But it says Katamari Damacy in the title, so we’re inclined to FREAK OUT — while also being a bit sad about the milking of the series. Korogashi Puzzle Katamari Damacy will be out in Japan on March 25 for 500 Nintendo Points.
In more easily-accessible news, Famitsu also revealed two more Mr. Driller games.Mr. Driller: Drill Spirits was Namco’s first DS game; now the company is returning to the well for its inaugural DSiWare title, and throwing in a WiiWare version as well! Mr. Driller for DSiWare (whose full title we can’t read in the Famitsu scan) includes a mission mode, time attack, and a Dristone mode, featuring less oxygen to pick up, and more special powerup items around the stage. This mode was removed from the North American release of Drill Spirits. The game comes out in Japan next Wednesday for 800 Points!
Mr. Driller World looks like a basic implementation of Mr. Driller on WiiWare, with a tutorial mode and some kind of “simple” play — possibly a new control scheme. It’ll be out Tuesday in Japan, also for 800 Points.
Okay, so We Cheer is a game about cheerleading, and that immediately raises the hackles of most Wii gamers sensitive to the system’s relative lack of games about men firing guns at each other in space. Yes, this game was probably designed for someone other than males aged 18-35.
However, we can’t help but admire the soundtrack. Aside from a few diversions into modern “we had to put this stuff on here for the kids” territory like the Ataris’ “In This Diary”(which makes no sense for cheerleading), it’s a greatest-hits compilation of our high school pep rallies, full of vintage ’90s music designed to make EVERYBODY DANCE NOW.
We don’t really know the nuances of cheerleading, but we imagine that were we to try to rouse a crowd, “It Takes Two” by Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock would be a good start. Head past the break for the full track list.
Even though there are only four new screens of Namco Bandai’s Fragile ~ Farewell Moon Ruins, their beauty warrants an update. Besides, we can’t have been the only ones who thought of Yorda, of Ico fame, when we first clapped eyes on the slight, barefooted girl above (also seen here). We currently know nothing about this waifish character, though some Ico-style hand-in-hand gameplay wouldn’t go amiss; Fragile’s post-apocalyptic wasteland certainly seems like the ideal location for a bit of cooperation!
The above video is the opening cinematic to Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World. Considering that’s what video we started off with in this very post, you can safely assume that there will be more videos, full of spoilers. Sure, all the text is in Japanese, but we’re sure at least one thing will be spoiled for you, should you watch them. So, before you head past the break, keep that in mind.
Gallery: Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World
If the time is just crawling for you until Sky Crawlers comes out, at least there’s now an official website for the game to keep you busy. The site is in Japanese, but it’s not too hard to click on buttons and hope for the best.
There’s not much to see at the moment, though, except for the snazzy screens we’ve conveniently added to the gallery below. So, those of you who are afraid of the cold, harsh arms of the internet don’t even have to leave the safety of Nintendo Wii Fanboy for now.
Reminder: Make sure to click on the “Hi Res” button when viewing the photos, or else you’re just a fool.
XSEED bringing The Sky Crawlers to North American Wiis originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 05 Jul 2009 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
