New Lufia: Estpolis DS Screenshots

Over 65 new screenshots from the upcoming DS game Lufia: Estpolis are now available for viewing here. The game is a remake of the classic Super Nintendo RPG Lufia II: Rise of the Sinistals. A release date for the title has not yet been set.

New Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey Screenshots

New screenshots for the upcoming DS game Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey are now available for viewing here. The newest game in the popular Shin Megami Tensei series puts dungeon crawling style gameplay into a story with a modern setting. Strange Journey comes out March 10, 2010.

Ragnarok DS Pre-Order Bonuses

Thinking about picking up  Ragnarok DS? You may want to pre-order your copy. Gamers who pre-order their copy of Ragnarok DS from a participating retailer will receive a "Ragnarok Online Prepared for Adventure Pack" which will contain these exclusive items:

• Audumra's benefit: increased experience points and damage from monsters
  
  
• Odin Mask: additional damage against certain monsters
  
  
• Hermode Cap: increased attack speed
  
  
• Bijofnil's wing decoration: chance of increasing minimum and maximum weapon attack
  

Ragnarok DS comes out in February 2010.

Glory of Heracles Cover Art Released

The official cover art for the North American release of the upcoming DS game Glory of Heracles is now available for viewing above. The game has a story based on Greek myths, and a deep RPG battle system. Glory of Heracles comes out January 18, 2010.

Etrian Odyssey 3 Confirmed

This week's issue of Famitsu confirmed what many games were hoping- there will be an Etrian Odyssey 3! The staff announced for the game are as follows:

• Shigeo Komori as director
  
• Yuzo Koshiro as sound composer
  
• Shin Nagasawa as monster designer
  
• Yuji Himukai as character designer.
  

The game will still feature the dungeon crawling that the series is famous for, but now it will also have sea exploration and new character classes. Etrian Odyssey 3 comes out in Japan on March 4, 2010. A US release date has yet to be announced.

Glory of Heracles Confirmed For the US

For the first time, the popular Japanese RPG series Heracles will be hitting shelves in the US. The game's 5th title will be coming out in North America on January 18. The game's script will be written by Kazushige Nojima of Final Fantasy fame, and will feature a Greek motif. To see screenshots from the game, go here.

More New Dragon Quest VI: Realms of Reverie Screenshots

More new screenshots from the upcoming DS game Dragon Quest VI: Realms of Reverie are available for viewing here. The game is a port of the classic Super Nintendo title of the same name, and features a story about two parallel worlds. Dragon Quest VI: Realms of Reverie does not have a release date set.

Yggdra Unison: Seiken Buyuuden Screenshots

Screenshots for the upcoming DS game Yggdra Unison: Seiken Buyuuden are now available for viewing here. The game is an offshoot of Japan's popular Yggdra Unison series and will feature new DS exclusive gameplay. Yggdra Unison: Seiken Buyuuden comes out later this month in Japan. A US release date has yet to be set.

New Puzzle Chronicles Screenshots

New screenshots for the upcoming DS game Puzzle Chronicles are now available for viewing here. Puzzle Chronicles combines puzzles with action RPG gameplay in an exciting fantasy world. Puzzle Chronicles comes out February 2010.

Sands of Destruction Gameplay Trailer

A gameplay trailer for the upcoming DS RPG Sands of Destruction is available for viewing above. Sands of Destruction is about a young man who inexplicably possesses the power to destroy the world. The game's battle system is turn-based with time-based elements. Sands of Destruction comes out January 12, 2010.

More New Dragon Quest VI: Realms of Reverie Screenshots

New screenshots from the upcoming DS Game Dragon Quest VI: Realms of Reverie are now available for viewing here. Dragon Quest VI is the third in a series of Dragon Quest remakes coming to the DS. This title lets players explore two parallel worlds. A release date for Realms of Reverie has not yet been set.

New Lufia: Estpolis DS Screenshots

Several new screenshots for the upcoming DS game Lufia: Estpolis DS are now available for viewing here. The game is a fully 3-D remake of the popular Super Nintendo RPG Lufia II: Rise of the Sinistrals.Lufia: Estpolis DS comes out in Japan on February 25. A North American release date has not yet been set.

Foto Showdown Announced for the DSi

An unusual new RPG has been announced for the DSi. Titled Foto Showdown, the game will take full advantage of the DSi's camera function. Players can take photos that will then be used in the creation of the game's monsters. Foto Showdown will also boast over 100 levels and 152 different kinds of monsters, which will each have unique abilities. Foto Showdown comes out for the DSi early in 2010.

Lufia Remake for the DS Confirmed

The rumors of a DS bound Lufia remake we posted about here have been confirmed. In the latest issue of Famitsu, Square Enix reveals their plans for a fully 3-D remake of the game. The remake will be of Lufia II, not the original Lufia, and will be titled Lufia: Estpolis. Estpolis is the Japanese name for Lufia. In addition to the revamped graphics, the game will also feature a full voice cast as well as all-new action RPG gameplay. You can get a sneak peek of the game above. We should have proper screenshots soon. The game will come out in Japan on February 25. A US release date for Lufia: Estpolis has not yet been set.

Is Lufia Coming to the DS?

Square Enix has announced that they are remaking the classic Super Nintendo RPG Lufia and the Fortress of Doom. However, they've yet to announce what platform the remake will be released on. The DS has been getting remakes of many classic RPGs, so it seems very likely that DS owners will get to enjoy the first Lufia game on their handhelds. We'll know for sure later this month when the newest issue of Famicom comes out. Check back here for more news!

New Dragon Quest VI: Realms of Reverie Screenshots

New screenshots for the upcoming DS game Dragon Quest VI: Realms of Reverie are now available for viewing here. The game is a port of the classic Super Famicom game. Dragon Quest VI will come out on the DS on January 28, 2010 in Japan. A North American release date has not yet been set.

Namco Bandai Reveals New RPG

Information about Namco Bandai's mysterious new RPG has finally been revealed. In the latest issue of Famitsu, Keroro RPG: The Knight, the Warrior, and the Legendary Pirate was announced for the DS. The game will feature gameplay similar to that of the Tales games and will feature characters from the Sgt. Frog anime. It will star Sergeant Keroro along with members of the Keroro Platoon, and the storyline of the game is expected to have the same feel as the Sgt. Frog Anime.

Keroro RPG will come out in Japan in 2010. There's no word on whether or not the game will get a North American release.

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Atelier Annie: Alchemists of Sera Island Review

Gust's Atelier games are wildly popular in Japan, but most have never had a chance to succeed in the US. Hoepfully all that will change with the release of Atelier Annie: Alchemists of Sera Island for the DS. Atelier Annie puts gamers in the shoes of Annie, a lazy young girl who finds herself entered in an alchemy competition.

Atelier Annie is similar to the Harvest Moon games in that it provides gamers with a large variety of gathering and resource management based gameplay. Players are tasked with participating in the game's main alchemy contest, using their prize money to help rejuvenate Sera Island, and also with building relationships with other characters in the game and creating items for them. Because of all the things to do in the game, Atelier Annie is great for playing in short bursts, but it can also be incredibly addictive. As I played I often kept telling myself "just one more quest" only to find myself playing for another hour.

Atelier Annie also offers a traditional turn based battle system. While questing for materials, players will often encounter monsters that they must either flee from or fight off. Players can build a three-person party out of other characters in the game, and can outfit them with weapons and armor than they purchase or synthesize. The battle system is very basic, but is full of cute character quips that help to spice things up.

Atelier Annie really could've benefited from more in-depth character interactions, but it still is a great game with tons of replay value. If you're not a fan of this sort of game, Atelier Annie won't win you over, but this is a great game for anyone who enjoys games like Harvest Moon. Atelier Annie: Alchemists of Sera Island  is available in stores now.

Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey to Get a US Release

Fans of the Shin Megami Tensei series will be pleased to hear that the series' latest DS offering will be coming out in the US. Titled Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey, the game takes place in the near future and involves a mysterious anomaly at the South Pole. The game will feature the classic bribing gameplay that the series has become known for. Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey comes out in March 2010.

Blue Dragon: Awakened Shadow Announced

 Another Blue Dragon title will be making its way to the DS. D3Publisher announced that they are releasing a game called Blue Dragon: Awakened Shadow in 2010. Awakened Shadow will be a JRPG like its predecessors, but this title has many new things to offer as well. Players are now able to completely customize the main character, choosing their sex, features, and more. They'll even be able to customize their clothes.

"We are thrilled to bring Blue Dragon: Awakened Shadow to DS," says D3P Product Development vice president Peter Andrew. "In the two previously released games, Shu was the main character, but now players can create their own hero and even choose to journey as themselves. We believe returning fans and new audiences will enjoy this unique element in the series."

 Blue Dragon: Awakened Shadow comes out in the US in Spring of 2010.