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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PopCap Games reveals Zuma’s Revenge!

Zuma’s Revenge! is on the way from PopCap Games and will be released on September 15th, 2009 according to a news blast from the folks at casual games site Gamezebo.com. The sequel to action puzzle game originally released in 2003 will apparently be a marriage of familiar gameplay from with several new features and game modes.

Zuma’s Revenge! will be available on Sept. 15 in retail stores and via download directly from PopCap.com for $19.95.

Gamezebo already has a preview, the very first screenshots and an exclusive first-look video showing off some of the gameplay.

Dead Rising 2 Screens

To go along with today’s Dead Rising 2 announcement, here are some fresh new screenshots:

Ubisoft Reveals New TMNT Game

Ubisoft has announced a brand new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles game tentatively titled Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. This is the first original turtles game that does not have a direct link to a TMNT movie or television show, says Ubisoft. The game is part of the 25 year celebration - when the very first comic book debuted and took it by storm.

The game, which will be released this fall (we assume) as a Wii exclusive, is being developed by Game Arts, the development studio behind Super Smash Bros. Brawl. This is probably a good indication that this will be the same kind game as SSBB. Ubisoft says that the game will offer four-player action, but doesn’t give any solid details A tease about details in the January 2009 issue of Nintendo Power Magazine is how Ubisoft winds up its announcement. Of course, you could just watch this space for the details and save yourself a few bucks. Screenshots below.