Set to be followed by a European release on February 6th, Nippon Ichi Software America have today confirmed that their dungeon crawling JRPG Criminal Girls: Invite Only is now available for purchase on the PlayStation Vita in North America.
Having first been released on the PSP in 2010 and followed by the PS Vita edition in 2013, the game has taken its time receiving any form of international release. However for reasons you will quickly discover when playing it, I am genuinely surprised that Nippon Ichi Software America decided to localize this title – given the significant compilation of “motivation” mini-games which are several levels above the bathing scenes which NIS America cut from Mugen Souls and Mugen Souls 2.
Criminal Girls: Invite Only sets you as a personification of yourself, who is expecting that his new job involves looking after animals. Although, rather than looking after animals you are taking care of seven girls who have died as delinquents…. and rather than a zoo you are tasked with helping them escape from the pits of an underworld prison for another chance at life. Their only hope to survive this ideal is for you to assist them through the four trials of the “Redemption Program”, featuring dangerous battles against foes, and “motivating” them to learn new skills. And by motivate… they mean several different forms of punishment.
While I will save further details for my upcoming review of this English localized release, you can check out my review of the original Japanese PS Vita edition HERE. Currently there are only plans to release Criminal Girls: Invite Only in North America and select areas of Europe, with NIS America ruling out any plans for a retail or digital release in Australia or Ireland.
