The Release List for the week of November 2, 2009
editor’s note: I spent a good part of October and early November setting the site up, so I had very little time to dedicate to The Release List. The barebones nature of this week’s column is the result. I will eventually come back to this list and write summaries for some the more important releases once things have settled down. For now, just assume that the titles toward the top are what I consider to be the more noteworthy games and likely candidates for a write-up in the near future.
Sakura Note brings nostalgia to the DS, Persona 3 Portable provides us with another excuse to explore Tartarus, and more!
note: this was first posted at 411mania last month
So, you’re currently working on a game called Sakura Note. Tell us about it.
It’s a game developed by Audio, Inc. They were behind Contact on the DS. It’s an adventure game that takes place in Japan. It has a traditional, nostalgic feel too it, especially for those who grew up in Japan.
What is the story about?
In a city somewhere in Japan, you have a sakura tree. Usually, after the spring, sakura trees lose all of their flowers. But this particular tree, even after spring, during the summer – it’s still pink with flowers on its branches. A boy in the city is suddenly approached by a strange old man who tells him that the sakura tree will die unless he helps him. From there, the story takes off with the hero trying to find a way to save the tree.
How does the game play?
You play this boy in the city – you’re hanging around, trying to find some hints as to the whereabouts of some monsters that are the reason why the sakura tree is actually dying. You do this by finding hints and talking to people. Once you’ve gathered all the hints and you know where to go, you go there and you fight against some monsters. For the most part, the battle parts are pretty simple – you press a to hit and b for defense. What you’re trying to do is make the monsters cry since their teardrops are what you need to save the sakura tree.
Is there anything else you wanted to add?
I would like to add that we have some very talented people working on this project. We have Uematsu-san (Nobuo Uematsu) for the music. For the scenario we have Nogima-san (Kazushige Nojima). Both worked on the Final Fantasy series. And we also have Minaba-san (Hideo Minaba) who was a character designer for the Final Fantasy series as well.
Jigen Kairou (PSP)
Kobun Kanbun DS
Minna no Navi (PSP)
Namco Museum Virtual Arcade (360)
Rika-Chan DS Motto! Onna no Ko Lesson: Oshare Oshigoto Otetsudai Daisuki!
Suugaku Master DS
Tamagotchi no Narikiri Channeru (DS)
Tsunagete Pipemania (DS)
WireWay (DS)
World Soccer Winning Eleven 2010 (360, PS3)
A Christmas Carol (DS)
Academy of Champions: Soccer (Wii)
Agatha Christie: The ABC Murders (DS)
Band Hero (360, DS, PS2, PS3, Wii)
Barbie and the Three Musketeers (DS, Wii)
C.O.P. The Recruit (DS)
Dora the Explorer: Dora Saves the Crystal Kingdom (Wii)
Dragon Age: Origins (360, PC, PS3)
Dreamkiller (360 download)
Food Network: Cook or Be Cooked (Wii)
Football Manager 2010 (PC)
Ghostbusters: The Video Game (PSP)
Hidden Mysteries: Titanic – Secrets of the Fateful Voyage (DS, Wii)
Imagine: Babyz Fashion (DS)
Jak & Daxter: The Lost Frontier (PS2, PSP)
Jewel Master: Egypt (DS)
Jewel Quest Mysteries (DS)
Jurassic: The Hunted (360, PS2, PS3, Wii)
Lego Rock Band (360, DS, PS3, Wii)
My Baby: First Steps (Wii)
Need For Speed Nitro (DS, Wii)
Ni Hao, Kai-Lan: New Year’s Celebration (DS)
Pro Evolution Soccer 2010 (360, PS3)
Rabbids Go Home (DS, Wii)
Safari Adventures: Africa (DS)
Shaun White Snowboarding: World Stage (Wii)
Star Wars Battlefront: Elite Squadron (DS, PSP)
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed – Ultimate Sith Edition (360, PS3)
Style Savvy (DS)
Sushi Academy (DS)
Ultimate Party Challenge (Wii)
We Cheer 2 (Wii)
We Wish You A Merry Christmas (Wii)
WireWay (DS)