With the closing weeks of 2016 upon us, it is time to look forward towards what gaming opportunities await us in 2017. Over the past few days, North American video game publisher Nippon Ichi Software America have been unveiled four titles which we can expect to see from them in the New Year. The publisher, most known for their work on JRPG and niche titles, will be offering ports, returning series and new creations over the coming months. More information on each can be found below:
Cladun Returns: This is Sengoku
Release Date: Spring 2017
Format: PlayStation 4 (Physical/Digital), PlayStation Vita (Digital), PC (Digital)
Developer: Nippon Ichi Software
Based on: Cladun Series
About
Set in Japan’s Sengoku Era, you wake up in the mysterious land of Arcanus Cella where the souls of the dead gather as they await reincarnation. However, some souls have unfinished business that needs to be settled before they can reincarnate. As the player, you will assist these souls by traveling to real-world locations in feudal Japan and fighting your way through dangerous dungeons filled with monsters and traps.
Promoted Features
Pixel-Perfect Customization – Design your character’s appearance and equipment down to the individual pixel with the pixel editor! Once you’re done, share the data to let other players add them to their own game!
Magic Circle Power – With the Magic Circle system, your allies can empower and protect your character! Assign artifacts and arrange them into formations to maximize your power and abilities.
Madcap Multiplayer – Team up with your friends in Co-op Mode to take on dungeons, or compete in Versus Mode to collect the most points! Speed-run lovers can also try to secure a spot in the online leaderboards by clearing dungeons as fast as possible!
Screenshots
A Rose in the Twilight
Release Date: Spring 2017
Format: PlayStation Vita, PC (TBC)
Developer: Nippon Ichi Software
About
A girl awakens in a castle void of color and time, affixed with the Curse of Thorns upon her back. After meeting a sleeping giant, the two work together to escape. Help them unravel the mystery of the thorns and the history behind the somber castle.
In A Rose in the Twilight, use Rose’s power to absorb blood and transfer it to static objects. By doing so, colorless objects become red and regain the essence of time. You will also need to make use of the giant’s super strength by lifting and throwing objects to clear your path.
Every stage is a puzzle waiting to be pieced together. The further you get, the harder it becomes, but the greater the risk, the bigger the reward. Discover how to solve each stage as you delve deeper into the story’s grim origins.
Promoted Features
Color & Time – Without color and time, the player cannot progress, but with Rose’s power you can take advantage of both these key elements.
Blood Memories – Splatters of blood are waiting to be found all throughout the castle, and each one contains a gruesome death.
Visual Storytelling – Collect Blood Memories to unlock the past by watching a series of vignettes pieced together by each victim’s death.
Live, Die, Repeat – Utilize both Rose’s and the giant’s power to solve each stage, but if death happens to cut your journey short, be careful not to make the same mistake twice.
Screenshots
Operation Babel: New Tokyo Legacy
Release Date: Spring 2017
Format: PlayStation Vita, PC
Developer: Experience
Based on: Sequel to Operation Abyss: New Tokyo Legacy
About
Continue the story of Operation Abyss and defend near-future Tokyo from a new threat in this dungeon crawling RPG. When a mysterious object – dubbed ‘the Embryo’ – appears in the sky, the CPA and the Xth Squad are mobilized to face the new threat. Venture into challenging new labyrinths and create the perfect team to challenge each threat. Featuring a mysterious new story, unprecedented character customization through the new ‘Sub-Blood’ system, and itembased character ability modifications, Operation Babel: New Tokyo Legacy will give you a world to lose yourself in.
Promoted Features
Extensive Character Customization – Expanding on Operation Abyss’ Blood Code system, you’ll now be able to assign characters supplemental Blood Codes to create hybrid job classes.
Item-Attached Skills and Spells – Add new skills and spells to perfect your squad by equipping items that bring with them new abilities.
Balanced Challenge and Reward – With the return of the Rise & Drop system you’ll be able to recover increasingly powerful drops – if you’re willing to risk increasingly powerful enemies.
A New Operation to Complete – After a short period of peace in near-future Tokyo, dive into the battlefield once again and continue the story of the Xth Squad in a new mysterious adventure.
Screenshots
Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls (PS4)
Release Date: Summer 2017
Format: PlayStation 4
Developer: Spike Chunsoft
Based on: A PS4 port of Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls, first released on the PlayStation Vita earlier this year.
About
Komaru Naegi, little sister to Makoto Naegi, has been imprisoned inside a mysterious apartment for over a year. One day, she is rescued by Byakuya Togami of Future Foundation, but the rescue is derailed by a sudden attack of hundreds of Monokumas. Komaru soon discovers that the city has been taken over by a group of children calling themselves the Warriors of Hope. Their leader, Monaca, declares that the city will be the site of a Children’s Paradise, and to accomplish this, all the adults will be exterminated. Komaru teams up with Toko Fukawa to try to survive the rampaging Monokumas, escape the crafty Monokuma Kids, and uncover the secrets of the city.
Promoted Features
Third Person Shooter Action Sequences – Use Future Foundation’s Hacking Fun to have a fighting chance against the hordes of Monokumas as you traverse Towa City.
Riddles and Puzzles – The Monokuma Kids will challenge more than just your trigger finger; you’ll need your smarts to survive as well. There’s a lot to discover in the city, with a number of familiar faces and mysteries to unravel.
Tons of Different Types of Ammo – Tackle challenges with multiple kinds of Truth Bullets, such as Paralyze and Link. Upgrade your firepower with special Bling Bullet modifiers.
Screenshots