JRPGs I Played in December 2017

When playing a big open world JRPG both at home and out of the house, it’s hard to imagine playing much else during the month. My December JRPG time was full of the two releases I intended to fill it with and not much else on the side, apart from finishing my November JRPG .hack//G.U. Last Recode and the very occasional stray into other games I’ve put to the side during my open world journey with Xenoblade Chronicles 2. With it being the holiday season in December though, it felt good to sink my teeth into a big open world and get immersed in mostly one game before a year full of new ones, so here are all the JRPGs I Played in December to round off 2017.

My 3 JRPG New Year Resolutions for 2018

Since 2015, it’s been my own tradition to make a few JRPG resolutions to improve my gaming life for the year ahead. I do this to encourage myself to play the experiences I think I don’t have time for and to finally catch up with any JRPG urges I had throughout the previous year that I didn’t take the time to cater to. These resolutions always come with mixed levels of success, but they always help me improve my gaming time and are a fun way to start planning what I want to play each year. While keeping up with new releases is a challenge in itself, there are a few things in my JRPG life I’ve been wanting to do since I found some new things I liked last year and also things I’ve been wanting do for a while and never got around to. With those things in mind, these are my three JRPG resolutions for 2018.

Five JRPGs I Like With Different Visually Appealing Styles

Since playing games on PS4, I’ve really come to appreciate how far graphics have come and just how beautiful some games can look. Even the simplest games are expected to look polished and pretty, and I really enjoy games that go the extra mile to make their menus, text dialogues and cutscenes all look like cohesive, good-looking experiences. Most JRPGs incorporate nice art is some way, with the expectation of nice anime visuals and character art often being a minimum for these kinds of games. The games I’m talking about today take this to the next level, whether it be with their art style, cohesiveness or beauty that make them just as fun to look at as they are to play.

This Week's PSN EU/AU PSN Releases, JRPG Style! (12/4/15)

Hello, hello!

Super sorry this is late again! As I mentioned on Twitter, while it's no excuse, I've been in a little funk as of late. Don't know if it's lack of sleep or other problems getting to me, but I've been super sluggish and lame lately. Gotta fix that! I have been enjoying Final Fantasy Record Keeper a lot lately though, so I'll write something about that soon for you guys. :)

Onto the topic of this post - this week's PSN updates! This week feature's the new Atelier game and also Tokyo Twilight Ghost Hunters arriving on PS Vita. There are plenty of deals, most of them finishing on the 16th, so if you see something you like and don't want to miss out on the deal, you know what to do!

Have a good week everybody!

New Releases

• Atelier Shallie ~Alchemists of the Dusk Sea~ (PS3)
• Tokyo Twilight Ghost Hunters (PS Vita)

DLC

Atelier Shallie ~Alchemists of the Dusk Sea~ (PS3)

Paid

• Additional Character: Escha
• Additional Costume: Colseit Uniform
• Additional Costume: Flower Pareo
• Additional Costume: Passion Dress
• Atelier Series Special BGM Pack
• Costume Pack 2

Dynasty Warrior 8 Empires Free Alliances Version (PS3, PS4)

Paid

• Custom Character Slots 5
• Custom Character Slots 6
• Edit Parts - Female Equipment 1'
• Edit Voice - All Set
• Edit Voice - Female Set
• Edit Voice - Female 1
• Edit Voice - Female 2
• Edit Voice - Male Set
• Edit Voice - Male 1
• Edit Voice - Male 2
• Edit Voice 3

Hatsune Miku - Project Diva F 2nd (PS3, PS Vita)

Free

• Genius (Intelligence) UI Skin (Free until 5/12/15)
• Kaito (Gothic & Snow) UI Skin (Free until 5/12/15)
• Requiem (Blue Rose) UI Skin (Free until 5/12/15)

Paid

• Campus Module (For Kaito)
• Classic Module (For Kaito)
• Hatsune Miku Cute Module
• Kagamine Rin Cute Module
• Promise (Song)
• Rosary Pale (Song)

Avatars

Tokyo Twilight Ghost Hunters - Character Avatars

Paid

• Sawako
• Tomokiyo
• Yuki

Deals

• Akiba's Trip: Undead and Undressed (PS3, PS4, PS Vita)
• Arcana Hearts LOVE MAX!!!!! (PS3, PS Vita)
• Ayesha Atelier Plus with Bonus (PS Vita)
• Demon Gaze (PS Vita)
• Digimon All-Star Rumble (PS3)
• Dragon Ball Z - Battle of Z (PS3, PS Vita)
• Dragon's Crown (PS3)
• Dynasty Warriors 8: Xtreme Legends Complete Edition (PS4, PS Vita)
• Dynasty Warriors 8: Xtreme Legends (PS3)
• Fairy Fencer F (PS3)
• Hyperdimension Neptunia: Producing Perfection (PS Vita)
• Hyperdimension Neptunia: Victory (PS3)
• Jojo's Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle - Joestar offer (PS3)
• One Piece: Pirate Warriors (PS3)
• One Piece: Pirate Warriors - Grand Line Edition (PS3)
• One Piece: Pirate Warriors 2 (PS3)
• One Piece Unlimited World Red (PS3, PS Vita)
• Muramasa Rebirth (PS Vita)
• Natural Doctrine (PS3, PS4, PS Vita)
• Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch (PS3)
• Resonance of Fate (PS3)
• Sonic Generations (PS3)
• Sonic Unleashed (PS3)
• Sorcery Saga: Curse of the Great Curry God (PS Vita)
• Sword Art Online: Hollow Fragment (PS Vita)
• Tales of Hearts R + 6 Tales of franchise Costumes Set! (PS Vita)
• Tales of Symphonia (PS3)
• Tales of Symphonia Chronicles (PS3)
• Tales of Symphonia Dawn of a New World (PS3)
• Tales of Xillia (PS3)
• Tales of Xillia 2 (PS3)
• Tears to Tiara II: Heir of the Overlord (PS3)
• Touch My Katamari (PS Vita)
• Under Defeat HD: Deluxe Edition (PS3)
• Virtue's Last Reward (PS Vita)
• Virtue's Last Reward: Complete Collection (PS Vita)
• Yakuza: Dead Souls (PS3)
• Zone of the Enders - HD Collection (PS3)

You can check out these games and more at the Playstation Network Store.

___________________________________________________________________

What's your pick of the week from the PSN? I would pick Atelier Shallie or picking up some of the Tales of games that are on sale this week.

I love hearing your thoughts, so please comment below or send a tweet to @JRPGJungle and follow if you want to keep up the content we post. Thanks for stopping by!

Please note the content available is subject to change by region and the content listed in this post is based on the European/Australian PSN at the time of writing.

This Week's PSN EU/AU PSN Releases, JRPG Style! (27/3/15)

Hello, hello!

This week's PSN update includes two new releases, including a JRPG dungeon-crawler I've been excited for - the sequel to the Guided Fate Paradox, the Awakened Fate Ultimatum (although...still need to finish the first one). Along with that, there's a some good games on sale right now as Easter is coming up and the PSN does amazing seasonal sales.

My main recommendation for the Easter sale would be Freedom Wars for it's addictive and complex action game mechanics, but there are definitely other good games in there too so check it out, especially if you're a fan of anime games.

Have a good week and enjoy the update!

New Releases

• The Awakened Fate Ultimatum (PS3)
• Toukiden: Kiwami with Bonus (PS4 and PS Vita)

DLC

Atelier Shallie:

• Free:
  
  Additional Character: Solle
  Additional Collection Area: Abyss
  Additional Cos: Lily Classical and Glamourster
• Paid:
  
  Additional Costume: Magical Ribbon
  Additional Costume: Natural Frill
  Additional Costume: Sky Vacation
  Additional Costume: Wild Bikini
  Costume Pack 1

Deals

Akiba's Trip: Undead and Undressed (PS4, PS Vita)

Arcana Hearts 3 LOVE MAX!!!!! (PS3)

Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Z (PS Vita)
Freedom Wars (PS Vita + extra discount for PS Plus members)

Muramasa Rebirth (PS Vita)
Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch (PS3)

Sword Art Online: Hollow Fragment (PS Vita)
Tales of Hearts R + 6 Tales of franchise Costume Set (PS Vita)

You can check out these games and more at the Playstation Network Store.

___________________________________________________________________

What's your pick of the week from the PSN?

I love hearing your thoughts, so please comment below or send a tweet to @JRPGJungle and follow if you want to keep up the content we post. Thanks for stopping by!

Please note the content available is subject to change by region and the content listed in this post is based on the European/Australian PSN at the time of writing.

This Week's PSN EU/AU New Releases, JRPG Style! (3/8/14)

From Phantom Breaker: Battlegrounds

Are those two localised games I see released on the PSN this week? Why yes! This week you can either enjoy two new games or look at the Winter sale. Here's what's new!

(Side note: I haven't posted on here in like 4 days. Boy does that feel strange. Good to be back!)

• Atelier Rorona Plus: The Alchemist of Arland (PS3 and PS Vita): I'm throughly confused here as I posted about this release weeks ago! But the date says it was released 30/7/14 and it's in the new releases. I can't be crazy - other sites also reported it's release on PSN earlier. But here's a quick description anyway:
  Atelier Rorona Plus is the first game in Atelier's Arland series. Rorona is working with a master alchemist to pay off her parent's debt when she is challenged with the possibility of the alchemy shop closing if she does not prove herself. The game revolves around three years where Rorona attempts to complete the tasks to prove her worth.

• Phantom Breaker Battlegrounds (PS Vita): Phantom Breaker Battlegrounds is a side-scroller/beat em' up game by 5pb. The game features 18 characters and two unique fighting styles to explore.

DLC

• Atelier Rorona Plus - Various DLC
• Destiny of Spirits - Destiny Orbs 1000
• Mugen Souls Z - Various Paid and Free DLC
• One Piece Unlimited World Red - Various DLC

Discounts

Oh me, oh my, it's Winter Sale time! Not a lot of Japanese games to talk about, although half price on these games is never a bad thing!:

• Conception II: Children of the Seven Stars
• Mind Zero
• One Piece: Pirate Warriors

___________________________________________________

Did I miss something important? Or maybe you found a game on PSN that you think fellow JRPG fans would enjoy? Comment below, send a tweet to @JRPGJungle or email jrpgjungle@gmail.com to let me know!

Deals Ahoy!: Play-Asia's Weekly Special (Includes Tales of Graces, Conception II, Bravely Default and more!)

I posted my first 'Deals Ahoy!' post and then more amazing deals appeared on Play-Asia. Pro tip: if you like JRPGs, check Play-Asia every Monday/Tuesday (depending where you are in the world) for their weekly deals. There's always something I want and for us English speakers, it usually involves localisations!

Here are the deals!:

Eternal Sonata
(Playstation 3 - English)

Price: $19.99 US

Save: $10.00 US

Buy Eternal Sonata for PS3: Play-Asia

A JRPG using and based on the music by famous classical composer Chopin. The story revolves around a dream that Chopin has on his death bed involving a girl with a terrible fate and the boy who is trying to save her.

(Fun fact - I have the Xbox360 version of this. I don't own an Xbox. If anyone wants an Xbox version and wants to do a game swap, email me: jrpgjungle@gmail.com)

Tales of Graces F
(Playstation 3 - English)

Price: $29.99 US

Save: $13.00 US

Buy Tales of Graces F for PS3: Play-Asia

Tales of Graces F is a remake of the original Wii game. The story revolves around Asbel who makes friends with a girl called Sophie who has amnesia. He witnesses her death , but then years later, he meets her again when she protects him from an attack. Once Sophie is healed, her memories return and her motives are revealed.

Demon Gaze
(PS Vita - English)

Price: $34.99 US

Save: $10.00 US

Buy Demon Gaze for PS Vita: Play-Asia

Demon Gaze is a dungeon crawling JRPG that revolves around Oz, who holds the power to seal demons. He awakens in the land of Misred, which holds labyrinths full of demons and treasure. Playing as Oz, you will go between dungeon crawling in labyrinths and building relationships at the inn.

Conception II: Children of the Seven Stars
(PS Vita - English)

Price: $33.99 US

Save: $13.00 US

Buy Conception II: Children of the Seven Stars for PS Vita: Play-Asia

Half dungeon crawler and half dating sim, Conception II revolves around the new students at a school that specialises in creating Star Children to battle the threatening monsters in Dusk Circles. You happen to play as 'God's Gift', which basically means you are the most likely student to create and battle with strong Star Children. The game will having you going back and forth between bonding with girls and battling in a fun turn-based battle system.

Read my First Impressions/Demo review for Conception II here!

Atelier Escha and Logy: Alchemists of the Dusk Sky
(Playstation 3 - English)

Price: $36.99 US

Save: $16.00 US

Buy Atelier Escha and Logy: Alchemists of the Dusk Sky for PS Vita: Play-Asia

In Atelier Escha and Logy: Alchemists of the Dusk Sky you can choose to play as Escha, who deals with the day-to-day alchemy activities or as Logy, who deals with more complicated situations from the world.

Bravely Default
(Nintendo 3DS, US Region - English)

Price: $34.99 US

Save: $10.00 US

Buy Bravely Default for the US Nintendo 3DS System: Play-Asia

Bravely Default provides the essence of old school JRPGs with new mechanics such as the Brave or Default system and a charming story. With over 20+ jobs to explore, Bravely Default is perfect for anyone looking for a beautiful game that stands up to the quality of classic RPGs.

_________________________________________________________

Did you find some good deals you'd like to share? Comment below! Or you can tweet @JRPGJungle or email jrpgjungle@gmail.com

Please note: This post does include affiliate links. To read JRPG Jungle's policy on affiliate links, please read our 'About' page.

This Week's New Releases in Localised and Importable Japanese Games (14/7/14)

Each week, a lot of new games come out. At the start of the week, I read through all of the video game new release lists I can find and look for the weekly new Japanese games. Then I post them for your convenience! This list includes descriptions and links to both English localised games plus the new release games you can import.

Here are this week's finds!

Localisation

Sadly, I couldn't find any new localisations for this week :'( If you happen to find any, please comment below and I'll add them in.

Import

For people who know Japanese, are learning the language or don't mind playing a game in a foreign language, here are Japan's new release games for this week.

July 17th 2014

Shallie no Atelier: Koukon No Umi No Renkinjitsu (PS3)

In the 16th installment of the Atelier series, you can choose to play as Shallistera or Shallotte in Shallie no Atelier. The game is also the third installment in Atelier's 'Dusk' storyline, placed after both Atelier Ayesha and Atelier Esha & Logy. Promising larger fields and a wider variety of mixing items, Shallie no Atelier offers two different story lines that intertwine and offers different ways to play based on how you want to play the game.

Pre-order/Buy it (Standard Edition): Play-Asia

Hoppe Chan Minna de Odekake! Wakuwaku Hoppeland! (3DS)

I'll be straight up here - I couldn't find any reliable English information on this one! All I found was it's listed as an 'Action' game on some sites. My recommendation from watching the above trailer - if I had a Japan region 3DS, I would buy this for it's cuteness and it's younger-level Japanese to help my language learning.

Pre-order/Buy it: Play-Asia

Hamatora: Look at Smoking World (3DS)

With the same universe and characters from the Hamatoma series, Hamatoma: Look at Smoking World will have you solving the mystery of a group of people who hold magic powers called "Minimum" in the town of Kobe. You will solve mysteries as a fellow "Minimum Holder" and with Minimum, you will unravel the mystery.

Pre-order/Buy it: Play-Asia

Sora Yume (PS Vita)

This one was also hard to write about as I only found two sources to go off: one in English on a wordpress site (that also featured some NSFW content, hence why I haven't linked it) and on the official Japanese site for the game. The game's heroine finds a ring in her attic and tries it on. What she probably didn't expect is for a devil who has been stabbed by a sword to appear. Sora Yume is listed as an 'Adventure' game on Play-Asia.

Pre-order: Play-Asia

Sayaka Buccaneer (PS Vita)

Previously a drama CD franchise, Petit Rave are taking their franchise to the PS Vita in Visual Novel form. Set in the Age of Discovery, the Buccaneers arrive with a mission to go beyond the impressive achievements of Drake, the Pirate of the Dawn. To do this, the Buccaneers go their own adventures.

Pre-order/Buy it (Standard Edition): Play-Asia

Pre-order/Buy it (Limited Edition that includes Original Drama and more on CD): Play-Asia

Ore no Shikabane o Koete Yuke 2 (PS Vita)

Also known as Oreshika: Tainted Bloodlines or Over My Dead Body 2, Ore no Shikabane o Koete Yuke 2 comes a long way from it's 1999 predecessor. The game is set 100 years after the original and presents a new story. Upgrades to the game include 3D graphics and utilisation of the PS Vita's camera, but the game will still keep the basic gameplay mechanisms from the original game such as the common RPG random encounters while introducing new mechanisms as well.

Pre-order/Buy it (Standard Edition): Play-Asia
Pre-order/Buy it (Limited Edition): Play-Asia

July 19th 2014

Mobile Suit Gundam: Try Age SP (3DS)

Based on the Japanese arcade game, Mobile Suit Gundam: Try Age SP is a card-battling strategy game that can be played by a single player or with local multiplayer. The game will include Gundam series such as Mobile Suit Gundam, Gundam Build Fighters, Gundam UC, Z Gundam and more.

Pre-Order/Buy it: Play-Asia

_________________________________________________

Did I miss something important? Or maybe you found one you think fellow JRPG fans would enjoy? Comment below, send a tweet to @JRPGJungle or email jrpgjungle@gmail.com to let me know!

Want your JRPG style game included in this list? Email jrpgjungle@gmail.com with a link to the game and anything else you'd like to tell us about for consideration!

Made official: Atelier Rorona Plus Announced for June release in the West

You may have read a few days ago that Atelier Rorona Plus had been rated by the Australian Classifications Board, basically meaning the game was a 99% possibility. Following this news, Tecmo Koei have officially announced the Western release of Atelier Rorona Plus: the Alchemist of Arland for June 20th 2014.

The new version will include new 3D modeling and graphics, improved synthesis system and added chapters featuring Totori and Meruru from previous Atelier games.

The game will be available physically on PS3 and digitally PS Vita. If you're interested in the physical PS3 copy, you can pre-order on Amazon.

Ah Australian Classifications, You've done it again: Atelier Rorona Plus potentially leaked

This isn't the first time this has happened.

Atelier Rorona Plus for PS Vita was released in Japan in November 2013 and at this point in time no official English release has been announced. However, according to this post by Gematsu, the Australian Classification Board has rated the game R18+. If you put two and two together, they probably wouldn't spend their professional time rating a game that wasn't going to be released. This of course is just speculation until a real announcement is made, but I would say there is a good chance of this game appearing in the West in future.

Thank you to Gematsu for their original post on this!

(Side note: I've never actually played an Atelier game, however they have always intrigued me. Let me know your favourites and I may review one in future!)