This weekly section on IGN will keep you up to date on what games were released over the previous week in Japan. If you want to keep informed of the import scene, be sure and check back every week.
The following games were released between 10.25.04 and 10.31.04. Click on the name to see all of IGN's current coverage on the title.
PLAYSTATION 2
Ao no Mama De
Publisher: Idea Factory
Genre: Suspense, Love, Adventure; Release: 10.28.04
Price: 7140 yen, Memory: 368K
Other: Limited edition includes drama CD (9240 yen)
This latest in Idea Factory Made In Japan gaming sees your school sucked away into an alternate dimension. You and a group of five female schoolmates happen to be in the school at the time. Your goal is to find a way to get the school back to its original dimension over a period of one year. Gameplay is centered on speaking with the girls, attempting to listen for the five key words possessed by each girl that reveals their past. You're free to move around the school... even the girls' locker room, it seems.
Apocripha/0
Publisher: GN Software
Genre: Fantasy, Adventure; Release: 10.28.04
Price: 7140 yen, Memory: 924K
Other: Limited first edition includes special CD and booklet (9240 yen)
Your goal is to become king of the world in this adventure game. You begin the game by answering a few questions which leaves you in control of one of a pair of twin royal siblings, Alec and Platina. You'll be competing with another sibling for the throne. The game features interactive conversations through which you can build your favor level with characters. There's also a card-based battle system where you make use of elemental attack cards and recovery cards in order to defeat rivals.
Armored Core: Nine Breaker
Publisher: From Software
Genre: Robot, Action; Release: 10.28.04
Price: 6090 yen, Memory: 220K
The latest Armored Core game is all about battles. Players aim for the number one ranking as they work their way through test matches and official battles in the game's arena mode. A training mode offers up tests in attack accuracy, movement and defense, with 160 tests available in all. All the expected modifications are included, allowing you to select from over 400 parts as you build a mech all your own.
DRIV3R
Publisher: Atari
Genre: Hard Boiled Car Action, Action; Release: 10.28.04
Price: 7140 yen, Memory: 81K
This game got surprisingly good ratings in Japan. One source even gave it a 10. Shock!
Hard Luck
Publisher: Spike
Genre: Rescue, Action, Adventure; Release: 10.28.04
Price: 7140 yen, Memory: 50K
Spike's latest is a fire fighting game with an anime flare. Main characters Douglass, Max and Scott are each featured in the game's nine episodes as you work your way up a burning tower and attempt to free victims. Depending on the number of people you free and your actions in the missions, the game's ending will change. The game has a time limit before the building goes boom, with five hours allocated for hard mode and seven allocated for easy mode. Gameplay involves guiding victims to safety, making sure they avoid flames, and fighting fires directly with a hose and hammer. A story builds up in the background involving the fire fighters and victims.
Kita e Diamond Dust + Kiss is Beginning
Publisher: Hudson
Genre: Love, Adventure; Release: 10.28.04
Price: 7140 yen, Memory: 85K
Hudson and Red's original Dreamcast conversation game returns on the PS2. In this series, you play as a Tokyo resident who, one Spring, went to Hokkaido and scored with some chick. In Kiss is Beginning, you return to Hokkaido for Summer Break in order to get more action with your girl. You start off the game by selecting one of the seven heroines who've been with the series since the start. Gameplay centers on interactive conversations and the CBS System ("Communication Break System") in which you can interrupt dialogue with the press of a button.
Pochi to Nya
Publisher: Bandai
Genre: Comical, Puzzle; Release: 10.28.04
Price: 5040 yen, Memory: 49K
This puzzle game from the original makers of Puyo Puyo is coming to the PS2 straight from the arcades. The God of Dogs and the God of Cats are facing off against one another and you must support them by lining up colored blocks and stringing together combos. The PS2 version adds new characters, new modes and improved special moves. Two player is also included, with both combatants using the same controller.
Sentimental Prelude
Publisher: Interchannel
Genre: Love, Adventure; Release: 10.28.04
Price: 7560 yen, Memory: 36K
The next chapter in the Sentimental series arrives at last. In this love simulation, you play as a student who resides in a town just off the coast. Your childhood sweetheart Ayumi Nishima has just returned home after seven years. The game's story paints the home coming and the events surrounding it as you and a group of nine other heroines get cuddly. Gameplay involves choosing paths through conversations.
Shrek 2
Publisher: D3 Publisher
Genre: Move, Fantasy, Action; Release: 10.28.04
Price: 6090 yen, Memory: 65K
This game's out in America, so we're not going to give it any new words. It already has enough words.
Stella Deus
Publisher: Atlus
Genre: Fantasy, Simulation, RPG; Release: 10.28.04
Price: 7329 yen, Memory: 183K
In this simulation RPG, you play as a character called Suveeda and, working with a group of RPG party members, must free the world from the clutches of Deegnis. Battles are set up in turn-based strategy style. Characters have an AP (action point) meter which gradually fills up. When this meter reaches 100, a character can be moved, but when the meter has been depleted down to 0, the character's turn ends. You can build up your characters using items and take part in team attacks featuring up to six characters attacking simultaneously.
Suizuki Mayoi Gokoro
Publisher: Kid
Genre: Love, Adventure; Release: 10.28.04
Price: 7140 yen, Memory: 104K
In this love simulation, you play as a character who's lost his memory. Throughout the game, you'll deepen your relationship with your maid and female classmates. One of your classmates resembles a girl who frequently appears in your dreams; what is the meaning of this? The game's conversation system allows for multiple paths. You can select key words from dialogue and have expanded conversations about them.
The King of Fighters 2003
Publisher: SNK Playmore
Genre: Fighting, Action; Release: 10.28.04
Price: 7140 yen, Memory: 150K
The latest King of Fighters game brings 3 on 3 team battles to the mix. A new "Multi Shift" system lets you switch out fighters in mid battle. The PS2 version also adds the ability to use bosses, a gallery mode featuring end demos and illustrations, 3D backgrounds and arranged music.
True Crime: Streets of LA
Publisher: Capcom
Genre: Hard Boiled, Action; Release: 10.28.04
Price: 7140 yen, Memory: 120K
Other: Dolby Pro Logic II, Progressive, Wide Screen
Following up on the success of Grand Theft Auto, Capcom picks up another American license involving guns and violence.
Waga Ryuu wo Miyo
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, RPG, Simulation; Release: 10.28.04
Price: 6090 yen, Memory: 571K
Spirits have gone wild, and only dragons can defeat them. You play as a newcomer dragon master who must lead his young dragon out on spirit hunts in an alternate dimension. Defeat spirits in RPG-style menu-based battles and your dragon will grow, learning new skills and getting bigger. Cooperative and competitive play are included in the game.
GAME BOY ADVANCE
Fruits Mura no Doubutsutachi
Publisher: TDK Core
Genre: Communication, Adventure, Variety; Release: 10.28.04
Price: 5040 yen; Includes backup feature
In this "communication" game, you build up your relationship with a group of friends who've come from across the seas to Fruits Village. To strengthen your relationship, you'll have to win at the over forty mini games included in the game. Friends who've gotten really fond of you will build a home, open stores and help make Fruits Village a fun place for all! How fun can you make Fruits Village before the start of the big festival?
Ochaken Kururin ~ Honwaka Puzzle De Hottosho? ~
Publisher: MTO
Genre: Character, Puzzle Action; Release: 10.28.04
Price: 4179 yen; Includes backup feature
Other: Compatible with communication cable
The tea-leaf-eared dogs of Ochaken return on the Game Boy Advance for puzzle fun. As you experience a story involving seven types of Ochaken (Tea Dogs) and three types of Ochaneko (Tea Cats), you'll work your way through falling blocks-style puzzles, where the blocks are Ochakens! The game also includes two player link up and a challenge mode.
Patroller X
Publisher: Bandai
Genre: Comic, Action; Release: 10.28.04
Price: 5040 yen; Includes backup feature
Other: Compatible with communication cable and wireless adapter
Vatroller X is based on a future sport called Patrolling. The main mode of play is an RPG mode in which you become a member of the Patrolling Club and attempt to defeat the ultimate Patroller. The game also includes a "Comic Mode" which serves as a training mode. Gameplay involves making use of weapons and special attacks. You can also customize your character by making purchases in a shop.
GAMECUBE
Mario Tennis GC
Publisher: Nintendo
Genre: Tennis, Action; Release: 10.28.04
Price: 5800 yen; Memory: 3 Blocks
Mario returns to the tennis courts for his latest appearance on GameCube. Known as Mario Power Tennis in America, this game builds upon the successful N64 title with new special shots and some sweet GameCube visuals. Courts can be played with wild gimmicks on or off. Included are a number of characters from the Mario universe, stages set in Luigi's mansion and Koopa's castle, and mini games which help to improve your tennis form.
XBOX
True Crime: Streets of LA
Publisher: Capcom
Genre: Hard Boiled, Action; Release: 10.28.04
Price: 7140 yen; Memory: 19 Blocks
Other: Custom Soundtracks
Hmm... we already gave this game too many words for its PS2 rev. We'll give it no more words here.
DREAMCAST
Baldr Force EX
Publisher: Alchemist
Genre: SF, Action, Adventure; Release: 10.28.04
Price: 7455 yen; Memory: 25 Blocks
Other: Compatible with Puru Puru Pack and Arcade Stick
In this PC game gone Dreamcast, you play as a member of an anti terrorist army division in the not so distant future where computer networks have run wild. Your goal is to investigate the death of your friend. To do so, you'll make use of a humanoid weapon known as the Shukram. Between the game's action-based battle sequences, you'll work to further your relationship with a six female members of your battalion who occasionally appear in provocative outfits.
Suizuki Mayoi Gokoro
Publisher: Kid
Genre: Love, Adventure; Release: 10.28.04
Price: 7140 yen, Memory: 45 Blocks
Silly reader! We wrote about this in the PS2 section.
That does it for this week's list. Remember, if you want to keep ahead of the Japanese game scene, be sure and check out our weekly Gaming Life in Japan article. In addition to the week in review, the latest charts, an up-to-date release schedule and a letters section, the latest issue features a look at the Entama show of suck, commercials for Naruto 3, Super Robot Wars GC and DS, and a continuing look at the PSP and NDS launches. Check out the latest issue by browsing here.
