Topic: Overnight News: Dragon Quest Returns And Free-To-Start Pushmo

[Shaymin]

One of which will actually be localized.

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/40236/overnight-news-dragon-quest-returns-and-free-to-start-pushmo

Lots of news hit overnight, so let's dive right in.

Dragon Quest VIII Remake Announced For 3DS

The last DQ holdout has finally come to Nintendo platforms, as Dragon Quest VIII will release in Japan on August 27.

Western gamers originally saw DQVIII release in 2005 on the PlayStation 2, and the new version promises two new companions, voice acting, an orchestrated soundtrack, new story elements and StreetPass functions.

As of yet, there is no word on a localization. Given the status of recent Dragon Quest titles, it would mark a change of strategy to bring the game west.

Free-To-Start Pushmo Launches In Japan

More Pushmo/Pullblox could soon be coming our way after the Japanese launch of Pushmo: Hippa Land.

The free download comes with 28 levels in four different themes - regular Pushmo, enemy based, regular objects and NES sprites. 100 regular Pushmo levels can be added for 500 yn and 50 for the other three modes for 300 yn, which also unlocks the level creator. Discounts are available for buying multiple packs, including all of the levels for 1000 yn.

If you're hardcore enough to beat all of the levels, a special challenge mode will unlock as well

Imageepoch Forced Into Bankruptcy

The savior of the JRPG wasn't able to save itself.

Following recent events including major company executives going radio silent on social media, Imageepoch has officially declared bankruptcy.

The developer of the Luminous Arc series, Sands of Destruction, Arc Rise Fantasia and the unlocalized 7th Dragon declared bankruptcy citing 1.1bn yen worth of debts. Their last project, Stella Glow for the 3DS, is being finished by Sega in Japan and is still on track to be localized by Atlus later this year.

[broodwars]

The orchestrated soundtrack in DQ 8 is only a new feature in Japan. The North American PS2 version also had an orchestrated soundtrack, because even the Square-Enix of the mid-2000s knew that 8-bit MIDI music and sound effects (which is what the Japanese PS2 version had) had no place in a modern game and Westerners didn't have the series nostalgia to overlook it.

[Adrock]

I like how Nintendo has no delusions over titles with in-game purchases and openly calls them "free-to-start."

[TOPHATANT123]

I was reading GAF early in the morning and couldn't work out why someone would necrobump such an old thread. Then I started counting 5, 6, 7 ... 8!? Why Square Enix, why do you torture me so?

[Mop it up]

The orchestrated soundtrack in DQ 8 is only a new feature in Japan. The North American PS2 version also had an orchestrated soundtrack, because even the Square-Enix of the mid-2000s knew that 8-bit MIDI music and sound effects (which is what the Japanese PS2 version had) had no place in a modern game and Westerners didn't have the series nostalgia to overlook it.

I believe this also holds true for the voice acting as well.

I'm curious what the two new companions will be and the new story elements. Probably not enough for me to buy the game if it released in the US, and it might actually have more chance of releasing here than VII did since I think VIII was better received.

[Ian Sane]

I like how Nintendo has no delusions over titles with in-game purchases and openly calls them "free-to-start."

I admire their honesty actually.  It's a much more accurate name.  "Free-to-play" sounds like an outright free game.

[leahsdad]

Ha ha!   Donald, that was a nice understated ending to your DQ8 write up.  "..mark a change in strategy.."

[jarodea]

Kind of interested in DQVIII, would be nice not to have to rearrange the wires behind the TV in my bedroom most times I want to play.  We'll see if it comes over.  I like the Pushmo idea, and agree the name is admirably accurate, but don't know if it's the game for me.  Nice not to have to pay to find out.