The missing features of Shiren the Wanderer

Atlus U.S.A. has released new details on Shiren the Wanderer, the upcoming “rogue-like” RPG for Wii - including three online features from the Japanese version of the game will not be included in the North American release. According to Atlus U.S.A. public relations manager Aram Jabbari, “the North American version of Shiren will not include the Rescue, Versus, or Item Transfer.” He did note that the downloadable dungeon content from the Japanese version will be included on the disc.

While Jabbari understands that these omissions may upset some North American players, he points out that he still thinks the game is a fantastic RPG experience without them. What he does not explain is why these features are being omitted in the first place.

For those not familiar with the game, Shiren the Wanderer is an action RPG that lets you play as a wandering samurai named Shiren, who explores different time periods in a colorful and historic Japan. The North American version of the game offers variable difficulties including a new easy mode that lets new players ease into the game and a normal mode for more seasoned players. Post-game activities will offer additional quests, super dungeons, a tournament, and the ultimate challenge of the Millennium Dungeon, a 1,000 floor dungeon crawl. Players can take control of their party directly or let the game’s A.I do the heavy lifting by setting “attitude and tendency.” Players can also modify equipment through the new Dragon Orb system, giving them with special abilities via more than 100 Seals and use new spells that allow for targeted effects on enemies and more.

Shiren the Wanderer is currently scheduled for release on February 9, 2010. For more details on the game, check out the very first blog entry about it over at www.atlus.com. Check out some nifty screenshots after the break.

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No More Heroes coming to Xbox 360 in Japan

While we’re not sure when or if it will make its way to North America, we do know that an Xbox 360 of No More Heroes is in development for Japan. Developed by Marvelous Entertainment, the Xbox 360 version, roughly translated as “No More Heroes: Heroes Paradise,” will be released on Xbox 360 February 25, 2010 in Japan.

We do not know whether or not the game is a straight port of the original Wii game, nor if it will offer more than just the cursory graphics overall, Xbox 360 refined control scheme and achievements. You can see some screenshots from the game at the Japanese Xbox 360 game page.

One thing we do know from the game page is that it is still a single player game and will feature more cut scenes and voice acting to enhance the bizarre storyline of the original as concieved by Suda51. More information when we have it.

Torchlight two-hour trial released

Perfect World Entertainment is offering a two-hour trial version of Runic Game’s excellent action-RPG, Torchlight. After trying out the game for a few hours, players will then be prompted to purchase the game for $19.99. I can tell you that you don’t need two hours with this game to know that it is a lot of fun and worth a mere $20, but for those that don’t want to believe me, you can grab the demo at torchlight.perfectworld.com.

If you need more proof, you can check out my ill-prepaired and executed review of the game.

Blood Bowl: Dark Elves Edition dated

Blood Bowl: Dark Elves Edition will be released on Steam November 26, according to Focus Home Interactive. Blood Bowl is an ultra-violent team sport set in the Warhammer fantasy universe that lets players compose a team of Orcs, Elves, Humans, Dwarves and many other fantasy creatures before jumping into the bloodiest arenas in the realms. The sport game is both strategic and violent and requires tactics, and a lot of self-confidence.

Recently released in Europe where it reached first place on the PC charts, Blood Bowl will be launched in the United States on the Steam digital platform starting November 26. Preorders started on November 19th. A brand new version of the game will be available for American players via Steam. The new version features the original eight races and an additional playable race: the dreadful Dark Elves. The Dark Elves will have their own star player, cheerleaders, and play style.

More details, including a video of this new race , can be found at www.bloodbowl-game.com.

Resident Evil 5 DLC, Gold Edition details

Capcom revealed a variety of details on the downloadable content and a brand new Gold Edition of Resident Evil 5 for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. The downloadable content will be released as two new episodes, along with new costumes, and a new mode called The Mercenaries Reunion. The Mercenaries Reunion mode will offer 8 new playable characters and some weapon load outs. The DLC along with the original game will be released at retail as Resident Evil 5 Gold Edition. Resident Evil 5: Gold Edition will be available for $49.99 as a single Blu-ray disc for the PlayStation 3 or as a DVD with a token for the downloadable content for Xbox 360.

The first new episode, “Lost in Nightmares, finds BSAA agent Chris Redfield and partner Jill Valentine investigating Ozwell E. Spencer’s hideaway. Spencer, the evil mastermind and co-founder of Umbrella Corporation, has been hiding a new evil deep within the basement of his mansion. Chris and Jill discover this and enter into the catacombs beneath the mansion. To be released at about the same time, are new costume for Chris and Sheva. They don’t do anything other than make you like poretty,

The new mode, reimagining of Mercenaries Mode, gives players new playable characters and weapon load outs which provide additional challenges. Each piece of downloadable content will contain two new playable characters, while the Gold Edition will offer all eight.

Lost in Nightmares and Costume Pack 1 will be released Feb. 17, 2010 in Europe and the U.S. on Xbox 360 and Feb 18 on PS3. The Xbox 360 versions of Episode 2 and Costume Pack 2 will be released on March 3, 2010 in both regions; while the PS3 versions will be released March 4, 2010. Resident Evil 5: Gold Edition hits North America on March 9 and Europe March 12, 2010.

Dragon Age DLC in Dec.

Most of us haven’t even scratched the surface of BioWare’s Dragon Age: Origins, and yet BioWare seems overly anxious to gives us more content to play. The company is kind of like an overly excited parent rushing their child through presents on Christmas morning. Meanwhile, we’re still trying to enjoy the original game’s various nuances and secrets.

But despite that, BioWare is moving forward with downloadable content in Dec. The first bit of DLC, Return to Ostagar, allows players to go on a quest to collect the mighty arms and armor of the once great King Cailan in Ostagar, the site of the Grey Wardens’ darkest hour. Besides these mythical arms and weapons, players will learn the secrets of Ferelden’s fallen king. Players will discover King Cailan’s secret political agenda and go behind enemy lines to revisit a place that many believed was forever lost to history. This location is particularly forboding because it was here that the Grey Wardens were almost wiped out.

Return to Ostagar will be available for $4.99 on the PlayStation Store, for 400 BioWare Points on the PC (yeah, BioWare points. Really) and 400 Microsoft Points on the Xbox 360 in North America. Return to Ostagar will be released this Holiday season worldwide.  Figure out what BioWare Points are by visiting dragonage.com.

Dynasty Warriors: Strikeforce coming to Xbox 360, PS3

KOEI announced that it plans to bring Dynasty Warriors: Strikeforce to Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 on February 16, 2010. Before the snobs start crying about yet another Dynasty Warriors game, let’s make with the details. The Strikeforce vein in the series takes place in a mystical version of ancient China where warriors possess the power of Fury. This power gives them superhuman strength, lightning fast speed and the ability to fly. Taking the role of one of the 40 playable characters, players can take on single-player scenarios or up to four friends can go online to launch raids as a team or battle it out competitively.

Using voice or text chat to coordinate assaults, players go on campaigns to infiltrate heavily-armed enemy strongholds, clash with armies comprised of thousands of soldiers, or slay mythical, massive beasts like dragons. In single-player mode, players have the option to choose and command up to three AI-controlled officers to join them.

Earlier this year at the 2009 Tokyo Game Show, producer Kenichi Ogasawara of Omega Force took to the stage with Team Ninja’s Yosuke Hayashi, producer of Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 to reveal details about a crossover within Strikeforce. As part of their collaboration, characters from TECMO’s Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 will appear exclusively in Strikeforce for PS3, while characters from KOEI’s Warriors Orochi 2 will make guest appearances in Strikeforce for Xbox 360. By completing guest character challenges, players can win the right to use that guest character’s signature weapon in combat.

Look for the game in February 2010.