Hot Japanese Imports Review: Sakura Taisen 3 for Dreamcast

Section: Reviews, Exclusives, Originals, Features, Columns, Japanese Imports, Consoles, Consoles-Other, Game-Companies, Developers, Publishers, Genres, 2D, 3D, Adventure, Role-Playing, Sim, Strategy

Title: Sakura Taisen 3: Pari wa Moeteiru ka (Sakura Wars: Is Paris Burning?)
Price: $48.90
System(s): Dreamcast (also for PS2 and Windows PCs)
Release Date: March 22, 2001
Publisher (Developer): Sega (RED Entertainment)
ESRB Rating: N/A. I’d say it’s probably appropriate for ages 13 and up.
Pros: Graphics look great, especially in mech battles, characters are easy to relate to and have very distinct personalities, quite a few mini-games, silly yet fun premise, music is very catchy, multiple endings and, if you can find the limited edition like I did, you get a special VMU memory card.
Cons: Need to know Japanese or have access to the Gamefaqs guides to play,
Overall Score: 10/10

A while back, Hot Japanese Imports looked at the Sakura Wars series to commemorate the fact that the very first Sakura Wars game was going to be localized. Well, Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love comes out this month, so it only seems right to honor the series yet again. Okay, it may also have something to do with my managing to get a limited edition version of Sakura Wars 3 cheap as well.

Let’s defend Paris with mecha!

Paris is threated by attacking demons in Sakura Wars 3: Is Paris Burning?, just like Japan is under attack in the original Sakura Wars and New York is under attack in Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love. Fortunately, Paris also has an assault squad of young women who are members of a theater group by day, as a front, and control mechas and protect the city as the Paris Floral Assault Squad when demons rear their nasty heads.

You follow Ichiro Ogami, who was transfered to Paris from Tokyo to help work with and command the Paris Floral Assault Squad. He must get to know and work with his teammates Erica Fontaine, Glycine Bleumer, Coquelicot, Lobelia Carlini and Hanabi Kitaoji to save the day. And, along the way he may even find love with one of the five girls.

A great blend of strategy game, visual novel and dating simulation.

Sakura Wars 3 has a feature that Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love will be familiar with, the LIPS system. That is, the Live & Interactive Picture system, which is basically the visual novel and dating sim portion of the game. There are many different LIPS situations. For example, the normal LIPS is where you’ll have to answer a character’s question, and can be either timed or untimed. Timed usually happens when you’re talking to someone, and untimed happens when you’re just on your own deciding what to do next. There’s also a LIPS situation where you can click around an area to investigate or instigate conversations, and a LIPS situation where you adjust how much, or energetically, you want to do something. These interactions provide a foundation for the whole game, as the LIPS situations determine relationships between characters and which ending you’ll get.

It’s also interesting how character interaction can have an effect on battles. If you’re being kind to the girls, they’ll actually fight better. It makes sense, when you think about it, but it’s the kind of thing you don’t often expect to see implemented in a game. Surprisingly, it even comes into play to determine how Ichiro will fight! If people like you, you’ll do well. If they don’t, well, you’ll need to work a lot harder to win the strategic battles.

When a battle starts and you choose a battle plan, everything switches to 3D. And, despite the age of Sakura Wars 3, the 3D mechas look really good! It’s a fairly typical strategic RPG once battle starts. Each unit has action points, which you use up moving, attacking, using items and defending. So, you really have to think about what you’re going to do, since each character has his or her limitations. Thankfully, characters have super moves in case things get too difficult. Just make sure they have enough action points to use them!

A great game, and import-friendly thanks to fans.

There’s a reason why the Sakura Wars series has such a strong following, and it’s a shame that fourth entry, So Long, My Love is the first time it appears outside of Japan. Sakura Wars 3:  Is Paris Burning? is a wonderful entry in the series, and if you have a Dreamcast it’s one you should definitely consider picking up. Yes, it’s very text heavy, but there are plenty of fan-created guides and translations out there. The characters, story and strategic battles make it a worthwhile addition to your import library.

Gamefaqs is an invaluable resource, if you’re going to play Sakura Wars 3. People have put together multiple faqs, including an episode-by-episode translation guide and ending translations. So even if you don’t speak or read Japanese, you can probably still find your way through, with guides available.

COMING NEXT WEEK: Hot Japanese Imports talks about the developer Vanillaware and some of its most notable games.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Last week Hot Japanese Imports looked at great fan translations

Site [Play-Asia] Site [YesAsia] Site [NCSX] Site [Himeya Shop] Site [Strapya World]

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Time for more Miku with Hatsune Miku Project DIVA 2nd

Section: Gaming News, Features, Japanese Imports, Handhelds, PSP, Game-Companies, Developers, Publishers, Genres, 3D, Music

Time for more Miku! Sega’s just announced that it is preparing Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA 2nd, the sequel to the PSP music game Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA for a July 29, 2010 release! And, like all sequels, it will have more of what made the first game great.

For example, more Vocaloids. Rin and Len Kagamine both appeared in a few songs of their own in the original Project DIVA, and they’ll be back for Project DIVA 2nd. There’ll also be Vocaloid duets. As you can see from the image at the right there, Luka Megurine joins Miku for a duet. The image is probably from “Magnet,” since that track is confirmed to be in the new game and is a Miku and Luka duet. Another confirmed duet is “Romeo and Cinderella.” Since that track is a duet between Miku and Kaito, I guess that means he’s in the game again too.

The Project DIVA 2nd basic gameplay is going to be the same, that is, pressing the PSP’s X, O, square and triangle buttons when prompted. This time, there’ll also be extended button presses, and at times multiple button presses. Also, the Edit Mode, which lets you import your own mp3s to create your own playable custom tracks and music videos, will be enhanced and improved. There’ll probably be new moves and backgrounds for videos as well. It’ll also be compatible with Project DIVA custom tracks, so you can import those save files and enhance them in the new game.

And, of course, there’ll be more new customs for players to unlock and Miku to wear. Perhaps this time we’ll actually see Gakupo in the game.

As you can probably tell from my enthusiasm, I want it. I don’t care about price. I absolutely must own Project DIVA 2nd. The first Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA was probably the best PSP music game I have ever played, and I can not miss the sequel.

Read [Andriasang] Also Read [Siliconera] Site [Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA (Japanese)]

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Capcom’s Japanese promotions for Mega Man are sweet – pun intended

Section: Gaming News, Features, Japanese Imports, Consoles, PS3, Wii, Xbox-360, Gear, Audio, Gear-Other, Game-Companies, Developers, Publishers, Genres, 2D, Action

I’m officially jealous of Japanese gamers. They get access to all the good stuff! It’s not fair. The latest dig is that in Japan, Capcom’s going all out for the PS3, Wii and Xbox 360 debut of Mega Man 10. There’s manjū, a soundtrack and even a contest to win a downloadable copy of Mega Man 3! Of course, the contest is only for Japanese PS3 owners, but still.

The highlight of the promotional blitz is the Mega Man 10 R10 Image Soundtrack CD. It has 21 Mega Man 10 instrumental songs and arrangements, along with two song that will actually have vocals! No word on who the vocalists appear on the album are, though. It isn’t out right away – Mega Man 10 fans will have to wait until April 30, 2010 to buy it. Since it isn’t a limited edition item, it’ll probably appear in online stores that carry video game soundtracks, like YesAsia or Play-Asia.

The other goodie might be a little harder to find outside of Japan. There are going to be Mega Man themed manjū released! Andriasang cleverly points out that they’re being dubbed Rockmanjū, as a play on the game’s Japanese name (Rockman 10) and the food itself (manjū). There are two varieties, which are really just two different kinds (shiroan and koshian) of manjū. My Japanese is far from perfect, but the shiroan should be a rice flour-ish bun willed with a sweet, white bean paste, and the koshian should, again, be a rice flour-ish bun, only filled with a sweet, azuki red bean paste. The boxes look like old SNES or GBA game boxes, and each manjū‘s wrapper has a Mega Man 10 character on it.

Let’s see what Capcom did for the North American release of Mega Man 10! Oh right! Capcom didn’t do anything! Okay, fine, Capcom is holding a launch event at the Nintendo Store in New York on Sunday, March 7, 2010. But all that’s going to be there are a Mega Man 10 t-shirt for people who buy 2,000 Nintendo Point cards and a Mega Man 10 poster with every purchase. Exciting. I’m going to go back to seeing about importing that soundtrack or

Read [Mega Man 10] Also Read [Joystiq] Site [Mega Man 10 (Japanese)]

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Alternate Disc-Tractions: Ponyo on Blu-ray, DVD

Section: Reviews, Originals, Features, Japanese Imports, Opinions, Consoles, PS3, Ads & Media, Movies, Home Video

Title: Ponyo
Release Date: March 2, 2010
Format(s): Blu-ray, DVD
Price: $39.99 (Blu-ray+DVD), $29.99 (DVD)
Company: Walt Disney Studio Home Entertainment (Studio Ghibli)
Rating: “G” (General Audiences)
Length: 1 hour, 43 minutes. (103 minutes)
Pros: Gorgeous visuals, mostly amazing voice acting, beautiful soundtrack and it appeals to the very young target audience.
Cons: A couple annoying voices (especially to older viewers) and a little darker than most Disney movies.
Overall Score: One thumb up, one thumb sideways; 87/100; B+; * * * 1/2 out of five.

Hayao Miyazaki’s films can arguably be described as a bit too weird for American audiences to accept, lacking a clear, super-hero style main character and,  instead focusing on normal people in not-so-normal circumstances. Most times he exudes a mood more than a clear, linear story in his films, though this may be one of the most linear of his productions (thanks to the film’s literary inspiration).

Some elements in Ponyo may not immediately endear older American viewers but the overall story will prove entertaining to its true target: very young viewers.

Under the Sea

Loosely based on Han Christian Anderson’s The Little Mermaid, Ponyo stars a cute but strange looking magical fish and a little boy who finds her stuck in a jar close to shore. Mistaken for a goldlfish, the human-faced fish Brunhilda, aka Ponyo, soon becomes enamored with young Sosuke (and ham, of all things), wanting to leave her magician father’s literally protective bubbles to become a little girl.

That, of course, throws everything out of balance, causing the seas to rise and nature to basically freak out. The only way to set things right is either for Ponyo to return her to her aquatic life or to abandon magic altogether and become a human.

Like most Miyazaki movies, some of the characters are a bit outlandish, emotions run from mellow to explosive and so does the animated action. There’s a strong nature them that gets a little preachy for only a couple minutes and a lot of big-weather action but, ultimately, it’s a cute, emotional story with amazing visuals.

Turning Japanese

The American voice cast includes some rather impressive names: Cate Blanchett (Gran Mamare), Noah Cyrus (Ponyo), Matt Damon (Koichi), Tina Fey (Lisa), Frankie Jonas (Sosuke), Kurt Knutsson (The Newscaster), Cloris Leachman (Noriko), Liam Neeson (Fujimoto), Jennessa Rose (Kumiko), Lily Tomlin (Toki) and Betty White (Yoshie). Only Neeson’s voice seems, at times, too far over the top – although it fits the stripe suited character – and most surprising is Fey, who sounds as if she’s been voicing anime movies for decades. All of the movie’s on-screen old ladies (Leachman, Tomlin and White) are perfect choices for their characters. Cyrus’ Ponyo is often a high-pitched yell which might be an instant turn off to older ears.

As with all Miyazaki’s movies, the soundtrack (like the visuals) is a wonderful blend of subtlety and swelling excitement.

The high definition of the Blu-ray makes the disparity in the film’s artistic styles obvious, occasionally making the lined edges and solid coloring of the main characters a bit too bright against the lush and intricately detailed backgrounds. It gives it a slightly older-than-it-really-is feel but this is a hand-drawn animated feature and not an uber-computer shaded creation. It’s rarely an issue in terms of overall film enjoyment and may even lend itself well to Miyazaki’s tendency to create a purposefully mixed-up era on screen.

After watching the extra features – which primarily consist of interviews with Miayazaki or interviews with Disney execs about him – it’s clear that the most critical audience of this movie is not the target. Instead, he was trying to make a movie for 4-year-olds, featuring slightly older-than-that main characters and more fish than you can find in a 3D release of Finding Nemo. And there he certainly succeeds.

Another success of this release is the interview with Miayazaki. He’s not only offers decent insights into the film but is also rather candid about his own failings as a filmmaker, admitting that most of his movies have taken several years, in some more than a decade, to gather fans and acclaim. These bonus features will help to make this release much more entertaining to older audiences, especially Miayazaki’s US fans.

I’m Turning Japa-Three

This is one of those instances where an adult cannot properly pass judgment. It’s simultaneously cute, weird, strange and magical. It’s not my favorite Miyazaki movie but, then again, it’s not supposed t be.

Ponyo is, at times, a bit scarier and creepier than most Disney movies (maybe Dark Crystal aside) but my 3-year-old certainly didn’t seem to mind. Instead, he asks for the movie by name almost daily.

Your kids may, too, if you give it a chance. (Trust me, it won’t be anywhere as annoying as Barney or the Teletubbies).

ALSO OUT: To coincide with the Blu-ray-DVD release of Ponyo, Walt Disney Studio Home Entertainment has also released three other Hayao Miyazaki-Studio Ghibli films as Special Edition DVDs: My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki’s Delivery Service and Castle in the Sky.

Photo Gallery [Ponyo @ Gamertell] Read [Ponyo Movie Review @ Gamertell] Site [Ponyo]

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Hot Japanese Imports: Notable fan translation projects

Section: Exclusives, Originals, Features, Columns, Japanese Imports, Lists, Mods-Hacks, Nostalgia, Consoles, PS1, Wii, Consoles-Other, Handhelds, DS, GBA, PSP, Genres, 2D, 3D, Action, Adventure, Horror & Suspense, Role-Playing, Sim, Strategy

Sometimes video game companies just don’t listen to what fans want. It’s understandable. Publishers are focused on making money and working on games that will give them some kind of guaranteed return, and that often means games that people desperately want don’t get picked up for worldwide releases because financial success isn’t guaranteed.

That’s when fans step up, and get to work on fan translations. Ordinary people who happen to be fluent in Japanese, or know a bit about hacking, take on the task of preparing games for an English speaking audience. While actually getting to play the fan translations may be a questionable act (Piracy is very, very bad. Support your developers and publishers.), there are some situations where it is the only way to play a game that will never, ever see a worldwide release.

This week in Hot Japanese Imports, we’re looking at some particularly notable fan translations that have either been completed, or are currently being worked on. Most of the headers below also double as links to the translation project or translation group’s pages, so you can read more about their endeavors.

Mother 3 GBA

The Mother 3 fan translation is undoubtedly one of the best known fan translations in existance. When Nintendo GameBoy Advance owners everywhere by failing to release the latest entry in what Americans know as the Earthbound series overseas, fans rose up and the Starmen.net team began work on the Mother 3 Fan Translation.

The group worked for years on the project, who’s lead translator Tomato, is even a professional video game translator, released the first patch in 2008, and a second patch with slight fixes in 2009. The first was downloaded over 100,000 times in the first week. The group even created and released a Mother 3 Handbook that fans could purchase to help them through the game and appreciate it more.

If you visit the site, you’ll find walkthroughs, information about the process, the patch, game analysis and encouragement to support and purchase the actual Mother 3 game. Spanish, French, Italian and other translations of Mother 3 are currently in the works, and it’s one of the few translation projects where even people in the game industry were happy and didn’t object.

Fatal Frame 4 Wii

The Fatal Frame 4: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse is honestly one of the most impressive and ambitious fan translations I have ever seen. Plus, it doesn’t require users to turn to piracy to take advantage of it!

Once you apply the simple patch to your Wii, it will not only allow you to run the official Japanese Fatal Frame 4 disc, a feat that’s normally impossible due to region protection, but it will also automatically translate the game into English. The Fatal Frame 4 Translation Team even created multiple versions of the patch, to work with different Wii firmwares, and state on the website that they will update the patches should future Wii firmware block them.

Soma Bringer DS

The fan translation for Soma Bringer is slightly less organized, as it’s an open translation headed by a devoted fan named Darth Nemesis, but that doesn’t mean it’s any less spectacular than the two already mentioned. It isn’t a full, 100% translation, but it’s over 97% done and anyone who patches the game will have no problem playing it in English.

Soma Bringer is a loved DS game that was adored in Japan, and has developed quite a cult following online. It was developed by Monolith Soft and published by Nintendo, but unfortunately it seems the company has forgotten about it after it’s February 28, 2008 release. It’s an action RPG that’s charming and looks absolutely beautiful. Unfortunately, it seems

<a href="http://www.tsukuru.info/tlwiki/index.php?title=Idolmaster_SP" target="external"Idolm@ster SP PSP

I actually had no idea this project existed, until I started writing this article, but I’m quite happy and pleased to see that it does! There’s an open translation project going on for the Idolm@ster PSP games Perfect Sun, Missing Moon and Wandering Star. While all three games are being translated, Perfect Sun is the furthest along and the only one with a patch released.

Tokimeki Memorial Girl’s Side 1st Love Plus DS

I’m mentioning this little gem of a fan translation in today’s column simply because I know a lot of otome and simulation fans are frequent readers. This is an open fan translation that is currently in the works, and no patches have been officially released yet. The group of fans working on it are doing very well though, and you can see their progress by visiting the project page’s website.

Tales of Innocence DS

Since Namco Bandai has been a bit lax in releasing entries in the Tales of series overseas, quite a few fan translations have popped up for various entries over the years. One of them is Absolute Zero’s fan translation of the second DS Tales of game, Tales of Innocence. An amazing thing about the Absolute Zero Tales of Innocence translation is that the team is not only patching the game, they’re also fixing bugs and glitches! So this patch, when completed, will not only translate it into English, it’ll also make the game more playable and enjoyable.

Fire Emblem: The Sealed Sword GBA

This is a somewhat hard to find fan translation, but quite comprehensive. It’s an English translation of the GBA game Fire Emblem: Fuuin no Tsurugi, also known as Fire Emblem 6 or Fire Emblem: The Sealed Sword. It’s actually the sequel to the Fire Emblem GBA game released in North America. Though it was released first, chronologically the events in Fire Emblem: The Sealed Sword take place after the events in Fire Emblem. The translation isn’t complete, but the Dark Twilkitri Net Translation Division has done a wonderful job so far and there has been a patch released. The same team is also working on a patch for the SNES Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu game.

Policenauts PS1

The Policenauts Translation Project came together to bring Hideo Kojima and Konami’s PS1, science fiction adventure game to English speaking gamers. It’s a first person adventure where players help a policenaut, an astronaut policeman, solve the murder of his ex-wife and disappearance of her current husband. The PS1 patch was released in 2009 on Hideo Kojima’s birthday.

Sailor Moon: Another Story SNES

The Bishoujo Senshi Translations team and Niche from FuSoYa translated this surprisingly amazing SNES RPG. True, it’s probably not everyone’s first choice when it comes to import games, but it was the very first fan translation I was exposed to, and it really is a good SNES-era RPG, so I figured it’d be worth mentioning. The Bishoujo Senshi Translations team’s page is down, but there are plenty of screenshots showing just how much work went into the game and what an admirable translation it is online. If you’re an anime fan, or just like well-made, classic RPGs, then look into what a good job they did.

Aeon Genesis

Not a fan translation, but rather one of the most well known and notable fan translation groups. Aeon Genesis has completed translations for 70 games, and is working on translations for almost 40 more. Many of the games are classics for earlier systems like the NES and SNES. Some of their best known works include English translations for Cave Story (PC), Live-A-Live (SNES), Shin Megami Tensei (SNES), Shiren the Wanderer: Mysterious Dungeon 2 (SNES), Rockman & Forte (SNES) and Ys V (SNES).

COMING NEXT WEEK: Hot Japanese Imports reviews the Sakura Taisen 3 Dreamcast game.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Last week Hot Japanese Imports talked about Gundam games

Site [Play-Asia] Site [YesAsia] Site [NCSX] Site [Himeya Shop] Site [Strapya World]

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Genterprise bringing DSiWare games to the DS

Section: Gaming News, Features, Japanese Imports, Handhelds, DS, Game-Companies, Developers, Publishers, Genres, 2D, Action, Casual, Shooter, Puzzle, Racing, Sports

DSiWare games aren’t so exclusive anymore. Genterprise, which has worked with Suzak to create 14 DSiWare games in Japan, has just announced it will be releasing all the games on a DS cartridge! The G.G. Collection + is your standard mini-game collection, only made up of mostly games that originally appeared on the DSi for 200 Nintendo Points each. The collection comes out May 27, 2010 and will cost around ¥4,800 ($53).

Tiny Cartridge has a full list of the 30 games that will be included with G.G. Collection +. Don’t worry if you don’t recognize, well, any of them. Only 14 were released as DSiWare in Japan, and, after taking a quick look through the list and comparing it to DSiWare games I’ve seen released in the US, seems like none were released outside of Japan.

Here’s the list from Tiny Cartridge below – I went through and added genres, when possible, to the games that didn’t have a genre indicated in the original list.

1. Energy Chain (puzzle)
2. Conveyer Konpou (puzzle)
3. Wonder Land (shooting)
4. Z-ONE (shooting)
5. Ninja Karakuri-den (action)
6. Chou Hero Ouga (shooting)
7. Tetsubou (action)
8. Drift Circuit (racing)
9. Black X Block (action)
10. Vertex (puzzle)
11. Dark Spirits (shooting)
12. D-Tank (action)
13. Assault Buster (shooting)
14. Drilling Attack (action)
15. The Last Knight (action)
16. Variable Arms (action)
17. Whipper no Daibouken (action)
18. Kakure Ninja Kagemaru (action)
19. All Breaker (action)
20. Nyokki (action)
21. Shadow Army (shooting)
22. Score Attacker (shooting)
23. HarisenBON! (shooting)
24. Bekutoru (puzzle)
25. Hero Puzzle (puzzle)
26. Throw Out (sports)
27. Exciting River (sports)
28. Run & Strike (sports)
29. Uchuu Race (sports)
30. Air Pinball Hockey (sports)

No plans for a stateside release just yet, but the DS is region-free and it seems like many of the puzzle and shooter DSiWare games in the G.G. Series Collection + will be import friendly. Perhaps if Genterprise’s endeavor is well received, we’ll see other DSiWare publishers putting games on cartridges for everyone to enjoy. It’d probably be cheaper too!

Read [Siliconera] Also Read [Tiny Cartridge] Also Read [C3 News] Site [G.G. Collection +]

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Gamertell Review: Last Escort: Club Katze for PSP

Section: Gaming News, Reviews, Exclusives, Originals, Features, Japanese Imports, Consoles, PS2, Handhelds, PSP, Genres, Adult, Bishoujo, Hentai, Role-Playing, Sim

Title: Last Escort: Club Katze
Price: $59.90
System: PSP*, Playstation 2
Release Date: February 18, 2010
Publisher (Developer): Mobile & Game Studio (D3 Publisher)
ESRB Rating: N/A, CERO D for Ages 17+
Pros: Slick and polished character designs, skippable dialogue and cutscenes, simple gameplay and fully voiced (aside from the main character’s dialogue).
Cons: Painfully linear, lack of character customizable options, intermediate Japanese skills recommended (but not required).
Overall Score: One Thumb Sideways, One Thumb Down; 67 out of 100; D+; *1/2 out of *****. 

Host clubs are no secret in Japan. Interested parties will find the streets of Kabuki-cho in Shinjuku (Tokyo, Japan) swarming with sharply dressed young gentlemen bombarding women of all ages in hopes of luring them back to their love nest that is one of their host clubs.

Last Escort is a unique series, usually on the PS2, that has enjoyed success on the Japan thanks to many a fine lady interested in getting a glimpse of what the host club scene in Japan is like without committing oodles of real-world monetary funds.

A Girl and Her Host

The main goal of Club Katze, as with Last Escort titles, is to woo a host through conversation and gift giving, while also helping him to achieve the number one spot of the club by spending all your hard-earned cash on ridiculously overpriced bottles of liquor.

Players take control of a young woman starting out in her career. Oddly enough, she’s given the task to “spy” on a local host club called Club Katze but she finds her trips become increasingly personal and less about business.

The game progresses over the course of approximately one calendar year where, week by week, players have the ability to pick activities to increasing attributes and encourage a host to fall for you by appealing to his interests. For example, maxing out the sports stat will increase your chances of capturing the heart of a particular host whose hobby may be sports (go fig’). Also, leveling up also unlocks different homemade items that players can choose to create in order to give to hosts as gifts in hopes of raising their affection level.

There are six hosts (possibly more to unlock), each playing to the heartstrings of a different girl. Visiting Club Katze is the only controllable way to interact with a host, however there are still yet events that are triggered outside of the club environment. Players choose one of three actions per visit to interact with a host: Conversation (correct responses yield better results), order a drink (help the host become “Number One”) and give a gift (homemade is best). Of course, everything, including your siple visit, costs yen, so you have to watch your wallet.

This Eye Candy is a Little Sour

Club Katze takes a step back from what was enjoyable in Last Escort 2 (LE2). While Last Escort 2 was linear, Club Katze is painfully linear. The formula for success remains the same but the amount of customizability has been removed. In LE2, players could decorate their rooms which would, in turn, effect host visits. While this was a small aspect of the game play, it was surprisingly amusing.

The majority hosts at Club Katze are pretty yummy in appearance, whereas some look downright sleazy. In any case, their personalities pale in comparison to their LE2 predecessors who were a lively and often comical bunch. Instead of paying attention I instead skipped through a good majority of the dialogue. Even the action of visiting Club Katze becomes a mundane chore instead of a thrilling venture. It would have been nice if visiting the club triggered specialized mini-games opposed to overused one-liners and dull babble.

This love simulation is no more than a plain text adventure with absolutely any frills. There’s no challenge in the game play since players are easily able to save at any time which would prevent them from committing to any mistakes. The art of stat raising provides about half of the gameplay yet requires no compelling strategy whatsoever. The most difficult part of this action is simply discovering what the host’s hobby is and then maxing out that stat as soon as possible which, in turn, provides neither balance nor customization. Where the main challenge of this game should be triumphing many hurdles that usually stand in the way of love, the lack of money in the game is the only real menacing pothole screwing up the lovebus on its road to the stale infatuation that the boys of Club Katze have to offer.

It may be that Club Katze attempted to provide an extremely serious approach for this installment of which it succeeded regarding the character designs (see lack of huge glossy, sparkly eyes), but miserably failed in creating a game that’s actually fun to play.

To Date or Not To Date?

I would urge interested parties – even fans of otome dating-sim games – to wait to invest their money in Konami’s impending Tokimeki Memorial Girl’s Side (TMGS) 3rd Story due out later this year (2010). I dare say that TMGS may be the perfect dating simulation geared for the female market and, if you can’t wait for 3rd Story, buy the previous versions of TMGS for the Nintendo DS: 1st Love/Plus, 2nd Kiss. Not Club Katze.

I would only suggest picking up Club Katze for those who want to know what the bottom-of-the-dating-sims barrel feels like.

However, if you don’t mind being hand fed a story by slick and attractive boy toys, then you may enjoy Club Katze’s eye candy.

Site [Last Escort -Club Katze-] Purchase [Play-Asia] Read [Gamertell]

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Hot Japanese Imports: A brief look at Gundam games

Section: Exclusives, Originals, Features, Columns, Japanese Imports, Lists, Consoles, GameCube, PS1, PS2, PS3, Wii, Xbox-360, Consoles-Other, Handhelds, DS, GBA, PSP, Genres, 2D, 3D, Action, Fighting, Shooter, Strategy

Mecha anime and manga series are popular around the world. Gundam is the best known among all the series, and even helped kick off all mecha animes. All of the series feature humans piloting huge mechanized suits in the future, battling against one another.

Gundam first began as an animated TV show back in 1979 called Mobile Suit Gundam, and was originally created by Yoshiyuki Tomino and Sunrise. Since then, there have been movies, animated tv shows, ovas and movies, mangas, novels, light novels, trading card game and tons of video games all based on the series. Japan’s even used Gundam as a cultural mascot, creating stamps featuring the mechanized units, creating a RX-78 monument at the Kamiigusa Station, using it as a nickname for Japan Self-Defense for equipment and even using Gundam mechas as promotional tools.

So this week, let’s take a brief look at all the Gundam animated series out there and some games that are available. If you decide to get interested in the series, prepare to do a lot of research, as there are multiple timelines and things can get quite complicated unless you’re really paying attention to the characters and situations.

A brief look at the Gundam series.

The Gundam series is somewhat notorious for being quite involved, and often complicated. While the Gundam games often have their own storylines, and just feature mechas from the anime series, familiar characters may also appear and certain wars or political altercations are often referenced. The best way to learn about these is to sit down and actually watch the anime. Sure, you can try just sitting and reading some viewers’ reports online, but those could get a bit dry and you may get factions and dates mixed up.

So here’s a list of all of the main anime series. Be aware that the first four series are all related and take part in the same timeline. (There are multiple timelines, so you may find it difficult to keep track unless you take notes between series or reference and online site. Even I have trouble figuring it all out and keeping it straight.) If you decide to start watching these series, make sure you have a lot of free time! Many of the series have 40-50 episodes, so becoming a fan requires quite an investment.

• Mobile Suit Gundam: (1979 – 1980) It was also made into a two volume manga and inspired three animated movies called Gundam: The Movie, Gundam II: Soldiers of Sorrow and Gundam III: Encounters in Space. It also inspired films and OVAs like Char’s Counterattack The anime is available in English.
• Zeta Gundam: (1985 – 1986) It also inspired a manga series and three animated movies, Zeta Gundam A New Translation: Heirs to the Stars, Zeta Gundam A New Translation II: Lovers and Zeta Gundam A New Translation: Love is the Pulse of the Stars. The anime is available in English.
• Gundam ZZ: (1986 – 1987), It’s story was only told in the anime series.
• Mobile Suit V Gundam: (1993 – 1994) It also inspired a manga series called Mobile Suit V Gundam Side Story.
• Mobile Fighter G Gundam: (1994 – 1995) It inspired three manga series, one called Mobile Fighter G Gundam, and then two others called Mobile Fighter G Gundam Gaiden: Shouryuu Densetsu and Mobile Fighter Gaiden: Gundam Fight 7th. The anime is available in English.
• Mobile Suit Gundam Wing: (1995 – 1996) It inspired an Gundam Wing: Operation Meteor OVA, Gundam Wing manga and Gundam Wing: Battlefield of Pacifists manga. The anime and manga are available in English.
• After War Gundam X: (1996) It inspired two manga series, one called After War Gundam X and one called After War Gundam X: Under the Moonlight.



• Turn A Gundam: (1999 – 2000) It inspired an animated film, Turn A Gundam II: Moonlight Butterfly and four manga series.
• Mobile Suit Gundam SEED: (2002 – 2003) It also inspired an OVA called Gundam SEED After Phase: In the Valley of Stars and a manga series. Both the anime and manga were released in the US.
• Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny: (2004 – 2005) It also inspired a manga called Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny: The Edge. Both the anime and manga were released in the US.
• Mobile Suit Gundam 00: (2007 – 2009) . It inspired a movie and OVA. The anime is available in the US.

Notable Gundam games released in Japan.

There have been tons of Gundam</i

< games released in Japan, so if you search you'll have no trouble finding one. There are strategic, general action, shooting and fighting games all available and featuring your favorite mechas, and sometimes pilots too. To assist in your searches, here are some releases you may want to check out. They may be special because they're some of the first

Gundam games released, or they’re on region free systems. I tried to do my best to also look into which Gundam anime series each game corresponds to, but since I haven’t had the opportunity to watch much Gundam aside from the occasional Gundam Wing or Gundam Seed episode.

• Mobile Suit Z-Gundam: Hot Scramble (NES) – released in August, 1986 and takes place during the Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam series.
• Mobile Suit Gundam Wing: Endless Duel (SNES) – released March, 1996 and takes place during the Gundam Wing series.
• Mobile Suit Z Gundam: Zenpen Zeta no Kodou (Saturn) – released April, 1997 and takes place during the Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam series.
• Kidou Senshi Gundam: Senshitachi no Kiseki (GC) – released in March, 2004 and takes place during the Mobile Suit Gundam anime series.
• Mobile Suit Gundam Seed: Rengou vs. Z.A.F.T. Portable (PSP) – released April, 2007 and takes place during the Gundam Seed series.
• Gundam Suit Gundam: MS Sensen 0079 (Wii) – released in July, 2007.
• Gundam Battle Royale (PSP) – released in August, 2007.
• Mobile Suit Gundam 00 (DS) – released March, 2008 and takes place during the Mobile Suit Gundam 00 anime series.
• Emblem of Gundam (DS) – released in May, 2008 and takes place during the Mobile Suit Gundam, Mobile Suit Gundam: 08th MS Team, Mobile Sit Gundam 0080, Mobile Suit Gundam 0083 and Mobile Suit Gundam Z anime time period.
• Mobile Suit Gundam 00: Gundam Meisters (PS2) – released in October, 2008 and takes place during the Mobile Suit Gundam 00 anime series.
• Mobile Suit Gundam Senki Record U.C. 0081 (PS3) – released in September, 2009.
• Mobile Suit Gundam: Gundam vs. Gundam Next (PSP) – released in December, 2009 and features Gundam mechas from nearly every series.

NotableGundam games released outside of Japan

Fortunately, since Gundam is such a popular series, many of the video game entries have been released outside of Japan. In case you’re looking to experience the Gundam world in a whole new way, here are some of the more recent entries you can easily find in your local game store or at your favorite online retailer. Again, I’ve also tried to mention, when possible, which anime series each game corresponds to, in case there’s a particular Gundam series you love and want a game that is related to it.

• Gundam Side Story 0079 (DC) – released in April, 2000, and set during the Mobile Suit Gundam anime series.
• Gundam: Battle Assault (PS1) – released in November, 2000 and set during the Gundam Wing anime series time period.
• Mobile Suit Gundam: Zeonic Front (PS2) – released January, 2002 and takes place during Mobile Suit Gundam.
• Mobile Suit Gundam: Journey to Jaburo (PS2) – released August, 2001 and takes place during Mobile Suit Gundam.
• Gundam: Battle Assault 2 (PS1) – released in July, 2002 and takes place during the G Gundam, Gundam Wing and Mobile Suit Gundam series.
• Mobile Suit Gundam: Federation vs. Zeon (PS2) – released September, 2002 and takes place during Mobile Suit Gundam.
• Mobile Suit Gundam: Encounters in Space (PS2) – released in December, 2003 and contains suits from pretty much every Gundam anime series.
• Mobile Suit Gundam Seed: Battle Assault (GBA) – released August, 2004 and takes place during the Gundam Seed anime time period.
• Mobile Suit Gundam: Gundam vs. Zeta Gundam (PS2) – released in June, 2005.
• Mobile Suit Gundam Seed: Never Ending Tomorrow (PS2) – released September, 2005 and takes place during the Gundam Seed anime period.
• MS Saga: A New Dawn (PS2) – released February, 2006.
• Dynasty Warriors: Gundam (PS3, Xbox 360) – released in August, 2007.
• Dynasty Warriors: Gundam 2 (PS2, PS3, Xbox 360) – released April, 2009.

Hope you all learned something today, and maybe you’ll want to consider looking into the Gundam series and becoming a fan. I know I learned something – never decide to write a column on a series when you’ve only seen two segments (Gundam Wing and Gundam Seed), and haven’t watched one of them since high school. Ha ha. I’m not kidding.

COMING NEXT WEEK: Hot Japanese Imports looks at notable fan translation projects.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Last week Hot Japanese Imports reviewed Poupee Girl DS.

Site [Gundam.info (Japanese)] Site [GundamOfficial.com] Site [Play-Asia] Site [YesAsia] Site [NCSX] Site [Himeya Shop] Site [Strapya World]

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PlayStation Home Update: Help us Obi Wan Kenobi, aliens are attacking Home

Section: Features, Collecting, Japanese Imports, Nostalgia, Consoles, PS3, Gear, Accessories, Clothing, Displays, Figures & Toys, Furniture, Gear-Other, Genres, 3D, Casual, Online, Role-Playing, Sim, Game-Genres-Other

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Alien Invasions on Home

Aliens vs Androids

Androids are now being recruited to defend Home from a new alien threat. Aliens have been spotted abducting small animals and threatening Home residents. In much the same fashion as the zombie vs humans and hamster vs humans battles, there’s going to be a dance-a-thon to see who stays and who goes on PS Home. Check out this new HOME News broadcast and decide which team you wish to join. Afterwards, visit the new LOOT store at the mall to grab your alien or android costumes:

New Real Estate, New Spaces, Events, Updates and Issues

New Real Estate

Planetland Personal Space
This futuristic personal space is set on a strange planet and is guarded by a giant plant. It overlooks a gorgeous alien landscape complete with waterfalls for $4.99. This space offers very little (if any) spaces to hang personal photos, but does have an exit to central plaza. Check out the PlanetLand Personal Space:

 
Loco Island Personal Space
Fans of the LocoRoco series will love this interactive personal space available for $6.99. This island paradise is filled with adorable little creatures from the game. Players can fill the island with more Loco or MuiMui inhabitants by collecting Piktories. Piktories are little purple bugs that buzz around the island or on the MuiMui King’s ship (see new spaces) and tend to hide in tall grass. Simply dance in front of one of the little yellow guys and take him over to the grass to find the Piktories and collect them. There’s a personal reversi game table, bar, dance floor and more on this personal island. Check out the Loco Island Personal Space available now at the Real Estate store located on the second floor of the Mall:

New Spaces

MotorStorm Carrier
The old MotorStorm space has been replaced with a more interactive MotorStorm Carrier. It features an arcade game called Lunatic Launcher, a huge dance floor and a NPC Treasure Hunt mini-game that unlocks MotorStorm virtual items. It also has a DJ turntable game that allows players to act as the dance floor DJ by mixing or playing with music from the Listen@Home center. Check out the new MotorStorm Carrier:

MuiMui King’s Ship

This large ship has several interactive creatures that react to you simply by dancing. There are several games to participate in such as the Domingo Races and Loco Reversi. Players can save the Piktories they have been collecting in their personal space to purchase virtual items or shop the shopping area. They can purchase LocoRoco series games, demos or special items like extra MuiMuis or Luche’s for their island. Not sure what your personal island inhabitant’s are doing? You can spy on them from the ship using the binoculars near the Domingo Race upstairs or dance with the MuiMui’s in the club area downstairs near the gift shop gazebo.

Events

Make dot Believe
In Central Plaza players will find floating black orbs of electricity near the apartment complex. This is part of Sony’s new “Make.Believe” campaign. This week’s campaign is about music and the freebie is a full drum. It will look exceptionally cool next to the Guitar Hero 5 Guitar obtained from the Guitar Hero 5 VIP area.

Freebies at the Movies Today
The trailers for SOCOM: Fire Team Bravo 3 are now playing at the Theater located in Central Plaza. The last virtual t-shirt will be available until February 23, 2010, so visit the theater now to claim your freebie before they disappear forever.

Updates and Issues

Issues

• Those players who had issues receiving free individual Loot space items without purchasing the bundles will no longer be able to do so without purchasing the personal space.
• Those who could not visit or access their LocoIsland Personal Space after purchase or place individual LocoRoco items in other apartments can do so now as the issue has been resolved and all items should be unlocked and available for use properly.

Updates

• All Valentine’s Day Event items and games have been removed from the Mall.
• New 3rd Party shops have been added to the Mall, new stores include Loot, LucasArts, Sodium One and EA Sports.
• Ligne Roset Furniture Store has been removed and items have been merged with Furniture store.
• Threads 2 has been removed and items have been merged into the Sodium One store.
• There is now only one Real Estate Store in the Mall and is located on the second floor.
• Furniture Store is now located on the second floor next to the new EA Sports Store.
• Home Exclusives Store has opened on the first floor and will feature all discounted or limited time feature items.

Shopping

*Unless specified in (parenthesis) all clothing items are available for both male and female avatars.

Threads located on the first floor of the Mall

Threads Section

• The Testers: Unhappy Face Bag Mask is free

Costume Shop located on the second floor of the Mall

Costume Section

• Futuristic Male Casual Wear Outfit Pack cost 99 cents (Male)

Individual Items Include:

• Futuristic Male Casual Top, Bottom and Feet cost 49 cents each (Male)

• Futuristic Combat Outfit Value Pack cost $1.49

Individual Items Include:

• Futuristic Combat Outfit Hands, Top, Bottom and Feet cost 49 cents each
• Futuristic Combat Outfit Hairband cost 49 cents (Female)

• Futuristic Female Casual Wear Outfit Pack cost $1.49 (Female)

Individual Items Include:

• Futuristic Female Casual Wear Hat, Top, Bottom and Feet cost 49 cents each (Female)

• Leprechaun Outfit Value Pack cost $1.99

Individual Items Include:

• Leprechaun Hat, Shirt and Shoes cost 49 cents each
• Leprechaun Pants cost 49 cents (Male)
• Leprechaun Skirt cost 49 cents (Female)

Furniture Store located on the second floor of the Mall

Ligne Roset Section

• Facett 2-Seater Footstool cost $1.99
• Facett 2-Seater Sofa cost $1.99
• Facett 3-Seater Sofa cost $1.99
• Malhoun Chaise in choice of Left or Right Corner Arm cost $1.99 each
• Armchairs in choice of Moel, Neo, Pop or Tip Up Style cost $1.99 each
• Footstools in choice of Neo, Pop or Togo Style cost $1.99 each
• Togo Sofa in choice of One-Seater, Two-Seater or Three-Seater Style cost $1.99 each
• Togo Corner Sofa cost $1.99

Planetland Section

• Futuristic Chair in three different styles cost 49 cents each
• Futuristic Ornamental Bowls in four different styles cost 49 cents each
• Futuristic Tables in three different styles cost 99 cents each
• Futuristic Potted Plant cost 99 cents
• Futuristic Sofa in choice of Blue, Purple, Red and Orange or Green cost 99 cents each
• Futuristic Lamps in choice of two different styles cost 99 cents each
• Futuristic Rug cost 99 cents
• Futuristic Shower/Tub Station cost $1.49
• Futuristic Bed cost $1.49
• Futuristic Shelving Unit cost $1.49

Warhawk Section

• Warhawk Chair cost 99 cents
• Warhawk Jeep cost 99 cents
• Warhawk Table cost 99 cents
• Warhawk Flamethrower Display cost 99 cents
• Warhawk RPG Display cost 99 cents

LOOT Store located on the second floor of the Mall

• Android Outfits in choice of Adam (Male) or Eve (Female) is free
• Bag of Gold Coins is free
• Red Director’s Chair cost 25 cents
• Ghostbusters™ Logo Picture Frame cost 25 cents
• Gold Moose Head Wall Hanging cost 49 cents
• Angels and Demons Statue cost 49 cents

• Alien Invasion Bundle cost $2.99

Individual Items Include:

• Free Android Outfits
• Alien Avatars in choice of Fornax (Male) or M81 (Female) Alien cost 99 cents each
• Limited Edition Alien Avatar abducting an animal in choice of Cooper (Male) or Paris (female) cost 99 cents each

LucasArts Store located on the first floor of the Mall

• Yoda T-Shirt cost 99 cents (Male)
• Obi-Wan T-Shirt cost 99 cents
• Jedi Order T-Shirt cost 99 cents
• Indiana Jones Hat and Hair cost 99 cents (Male)*
• The Force Unleashed Poster cost 99 cents
• Sith Banner Wall Hanging cost $1.49
• Jedi Banner Wall Hanging cost $1.49
• Imperial Officer Outfit Torso, Pants and Shoes cost $2.49 (Male)**
• Indiana Jones Outfit Torso, Pants and Shoes cost $2.49 (Male)**
• StormTrooper Outfit cost $4.99
• Blue Lightsaber cost $4.99

*Item goes with Indiana Jones Outfit Value Pack
** Outfits are sold as whole Value Pack.

Sodium One Shop located on the first floor of the Mall

Lockwood Section

• Moon Light Cube in choice of Sun Set, Daybreak, Ocean, Lavendar or Fire cost 49 cents each
• Animated Electric Spiral Lamp with Black Base in choice of Blue, Green or Red cost 99 cents
• Animated Electric Spiral Lamp with Silver Base in choice of Blue, Green or Red cost 99 cents each

Sodium Section

• VICKIE Statue cost $2.49

MuiMui Shop located on the MuiMui King’s Passenger Boat Space

• LocoBeanie in choice of Kulche or Pekerone Style cost 49 cents each
• Kulche LocoSlippers cost 49 cents
• LocoRoco T-Shirt in choice of Kulche, Priffy, Tupley, Pekerone, Chavez, Budzi or Viole Character Shirt cost 49 cents each
• Swimwear Set in choice of MuiMui King, MuiMui or Budzi set cost 99 cents each (Male)
• Kulche Swimwear in choice of two different sets cost 99 cents each (Female)
• Mat in choice of Sir Sun or Lady Moon Style cost 99 cents each
• Kulche Design LocoSofa cost 99 cents
• Kulche Design LocoMat cost 99 cents
• Kulche Design LocoTable cost 99 cents
• Wooden Picture Frame cost 99 cents
• Hohoh Chair cost 99 cents
• Chuppa Vasa cost 99 cents
• Domingo Stool cost 99 cents
• Nyokki Stool Combo cost $2.49*
• LocoBlock Combo cost $5.99*

*Individual Items are not sold separately at this time.

Site [PlayStation Blog] Site [Sony Make dot Believe] Site [PlayStation.com]

Image Source:Poster was found on PlayStationLifestyle.net

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