RPG Maker MV (REVIEW)

Kadokawa, and NISA's "RPG Maker MV" is an RPG creation tool that bypasses the tedious task of coding, and lets players do the technical adjustments via a series of tool and value menu screens. You'll be able to create full length RPGs from the ground up. Everything from character and enemy creation to event management, and battle systems. Even the map transitions are at your beckon call. While the game does offer a brief introduction to all of it through a hands on tutorial most of the learning will be done through the HELP menu, and play testing along the way. Through the tutorial you will learn the basics of menus, menu navigation, and the base functionality of all that's available including the ability to upload and share your creation through the companion app that will be made available on launch.

The Lost Child ~ Brief Synopsis Plus Video Review Link

From time to time NISA likes to publish new games that are outside of their flagship series. They sign on with well known Japanese gaming studios such as Kadokawa Games, and publish said titles. Their latest release that is "The Lost Child" follows this usual testing of the metaphorical waters. By that I simply mean they brave the market to see if their game choice pays off among loyal fans. When it comes to the game's presentation, and what it offers I believe "The Lost Child" does good for it's $40 budget price point. While it borrows some influence from other older JRPGs it still manages to do it's own thing at the same time. It harbors many different mixed and matched religious themes including various good deities and interesting evils. All alongside tweaked first person dungeon crawling combat of the turn based sort.

The developer manages to innovate quite decently on the gameplay portion of the story being told. It genuinely coincides with the game's storytelling focus in regards to the religious themes therein, but does so in such a way as to make the given plot the most intriguing point of all. It takes the old first-person dungeon crawling gameplay, and applies a "Shin Megami Tensei" inspired demon capture system in which the protagonist, and accompanying angel are able to team up with purified and strengthened demons (Astrals) in a fight against the hidden evils of the mortal world. The occult journalist Hayato (the protagonist) ultimately gets involved as God's chosen one unwillingly, and must use a demonic gun called the Gangour in tandem with a special tablet utilized by his guiding angel Lua to do God's bidding while simultaneously investigating paranormal goings on for Hayato's co-produced LOST publication. Hayato, through various worldly and otherworldly acquaintances, gets caught up in a tug-of-war for his allegiance. It is a tug-of-war that features some key characters whose motives aren't initially clear. Thus is the hook. The thing that keeps you playing through the sometimes repetitive, and tedious traversing of the demon labyrinths known as layers. Overall it's a good gaming experience for a good price, but is one that will cater more to oldschool JRPG fans than those looking for the more modern action oriented type of JRPG.

GOD WARS Future Past (PS4)

NISA's, and Kadokawa Games' new strategy JRPG, "GOD WARS Future Past" blends the old Disgaea formula with a more straightforward story presentation. That story being one that takes the hero, and heroine of the tale being told on a journey through a land bound by old sacrificial traditions, and against the judgement of Japanese gods. At the beginning, through comic panels and anime sequences, we are clued into the narrative which has a particular shrine maiden named Tsukuyomi sacrificing her own youngest daughter (Sakuya) to the angered gods of Mt.Fuji in hopes that it will calm their imposing wrath, and restore peace to the native villages. Being distraught by losing her young daughter in the act Tsukuyomi breaks down, and eventually turns from her duty assigning Kitsune as the village overseer while eventually vanishing thirteen years after the fact with another of her daughters being held as a potential sacrifice to satiate the anger of the gods should their temper flare up again. This daughter (Kaguya), by fate, meets a concerned villager named Kintaro who promises to free her from her prison so that she can see the world, and the beautiful flowers that reside upon Mt.Fuji. In light of an uprising caused by village famine Kintaro seizes the opportunity alongside his bear-like companion Kuma, and frees Kaguya from her prison fulfilling his promise. It is at this point the two realize they have an uphill battle ahead of them, and that to find out the truth behind the gods' anger they will have to seek Kaguya's missing mother, Tsukuyomi. Along the way Kintaro, and Kaguya's friendship grows as they face off against insurmountable odds to defy the gods, and ultimately free their people from the oppression thereof.

Rodea the Sky Soldier (3DS)

Kadokawa's "Rodea the Sky Soldier" has an interesting history that began in 2011. It's one that started on a rocky road of development, and has only since came to fruition this year. Interestingly enough this sky oriented action game that takes hints from the "Sonic the Hedgehog" franchise, and "Nights Into Dreams" began as an ambitious Wii title. You heard me right. Rodea's adventures in the sky kingdom of Garuda was meant to be released only on the Wii. Through delays as well as development, and publishing issues though it ended up not only switching intended release dates, but also which consoles it was to be released on. Instead of being a Wii exclusive it became a WiiU, and 3DS exclusive for the sake of being console generation relevant. Though the time, and transition phase was geared towards making the game what it was meant to be on the newer consoles it did not seem to change all that much.

After having gotten my hands on a 3DS copy of the soon to be released game it was more than obvious that the game was dated both in the graphical, and functional sense. The animations definitely looked like Wii era visuals, and the controls just did not jive with the 3DS control layout. Despite the the 3DS including a console tilt/movement function similar to what you'd get using a Wii Mote, and accompanying nunchuck it failed to make the tedious tasks of objective fulfilling, and point "A" to point "B" traversing a manageable ordeal. If you strayed from the beaten, and often times unapologetic linear paths you'd struggle just to regain your bearings, and would have trouble getting back on track where you needed to be. This along with some targeting, and movement issues only served to hurt my opinion of the game as you will find out ...

Demon Gaze (PS VITA)

Demon Gaze is what you would call a minimalist's JRPG. You are given a very vague story, are introduced to only a handful of different main characters, and are thrust into the adventure with a bare minimum of tasks to take on. As you progress both the story, character interactions, and the chance encounters expand in greater detail though. It's like becoming a hero with amnesia, and trying to remember exactly what it is that you should be doing. When the game opens up, and the initial maze encounter ensues along with it's theatrical credits you will find that you have been descended from the heavens into a den of demons. Upon opening your eyes for the first time you are greeted by a frightened mercenary who tells you to RUN! Try as you might though you end up facing your first demon regardless of your attempt to flee the decrepit dungeon-like castle you happened to wind up in.

With the aid of a battle scarred female you stand your ground, and triumphantly capture your first demon with your "Demon Gaze". Little by little things are explained to you by your female savior. The "Demon Gaze" is among the many revelations that are learned during your one-on-one conversations. As the title suggests you are a chosen "Gazer" who has the inherent ability to capture demons with a special ability known as the "Demon Gaze". With this ability you can either be mankind's savior, or use your powers for evil purposes. Lorna, the retired mercenary who saved you hopes that you will aid them in their quest to rid the world of demons instead of the latter choice.

Killer is Dead (PSN/PS3)

Like a modern day grindhouse film, SUDA51's story about a hired American killer with a mysterious past unfolds in a way that is not unlike Quentin Tarantino's "Kill Bill" movie series, or some of his other more recent films. This game, or interactive experience as I've grown to know it was given the uniquely appropriate title of "Killer is Dead" by it's collaboration of developers, and publishers (XSEED, Grasshopper Manufacture, Kadokawa Games & SUDA51). In the simplest of explanations that I can think of I'd say that  it is an over-the-top hyper stylized gorefest filled with flirtatiously sexy mini-games, epic boss battles, combo based combat, and an interesting cast of individuals who are all a part of a mythology like none other.

Mondo Zappa who just so happens to be the main protagonist of this otherworldly plot is a guy with a mysterious past, an augmented arm, and several unanswered questions. As a hired killer Mondo willingly does the bidding of another gangster looking gentleman who also deals in the profitable business of executions. This employer who looks an awful lot like the gun armed Barrett of FF7 (Final Fantasy VII) goes by the name Bryan. Along with his interest in taking on contracts Bryan also has an odd, and often times unreadable sense of humor about him. With Bryan's guidance, the assistance of a female accountant named Vivienne, and the help of a younger "moe" style female secretary named Mika, Mondo sets forth time, and time again to fulfill contracts as well as earn a living so that he can support his more perverse hobbies.