Nippon Ichi (Disgaea, Makai Kingdom, etc.)

But without the Pokemon. Well, another game to add to my watch list.

I think you keep your levels in PMD. They were referring to Shiren The Wanderer in the article, which it shares it's core mechanics with (Lose your levels after every dungeon, lose all of your equipment if you die). And yes, that's not as "hardcore" as some other roguelikes, where you have to start from the very beginning, retaining absolutely nothing, if you die.

Siliconera seems to be working double time recently. Well, it seems we get more screens either way.

The art style looks oddly reminiscent of Etrian Odyssey.

OK that still looks cute and rad.

Disgaea is finally adding a new weapon category in the Disgaea D2, BOOKS! But you won't be throwing the book at them, you'll be summoning out of them. I hope they bring back the Katina if they are going to be bringing weapons back from Makai Kingdom.

...oookay, so apparently the new healer is basically the Priest class redesigned into being the new Alraune. Better than nothing, I suppose.

Definitely nice to see more accommodations for INT and the different personality types, though for the latter I hope they avoid going overboard on the goofiness for the voice sets.

They brought the female brawler back which I am happy about. Going to be naming my brawler Jam.

Book? OK!

Personality thing has the potential to be rad.

...Why does the male healer get redesigned every game he appears in? Do they just not like any of the designs?

Oh hey, color option! I wonder how deep in the game it's going to be buried this time! I still haven't found it in D4!

edited 10th Jan '13 3:11:33 AM by Otherarrow

Based on what I've seen of the previous game's unlocks, it'll require going through a long set of maps in a row at max level, giving you a 0.01% chance of getting the privilege of spending lots of in-game cash on it.

...I'm pretty sure that was what he was referring to^* And max level...?.

Now bow before the Flying Mushroom Crab Monster, your new Lord and Saviour. Really, this game keeps looking better and better.

OK, that seems like tons of fun.

Interesting.
There'd better be a way to become Gig.

He is heating up to summon his Persona. Sorry couldn't help myself.

Double posting for notice. Laharl is having political problems as well as a flower problem. Wait, what about that last one?

So apparently Stella got downgraded into a generic. Odd.

Barbara looks pretty cool. Though it's pretty telling that the K. Faction wants to put someone who doesn't think for themselves on the throne. Can you say "puppet ruler"?

I wonder which of the three K. Faction guys is going to be important. Clearly not the one who isn't just an edit of a monster class (On the flip side, Hugo was just a Reaper with a different head in his battle form)

And on top of everything else, Celestial flowers. Laharl can't win.

By the way, do we know what kind of monster that female cloud thing is?

She was the one I was referring to as the one who is going to be important. I presume she is either a unique character or a whole new monster class.

Disgaea 2 will be available on PSN on January 22nd.

So we get half of the port for half the price?

Anyway, we also get some more details about the Item World-esque dungeons and trials our other ruler-in-training will face.

edited 11th Jan '13 8:32:44 PM by Demonfly

Disgaea Hour of Darkness will also show up on PSN soon. Hoping Makai Kingdom, Phantom Brave, and Soul Nomad make it to the network soon.

I'm hoping Ar tonelico 2 gets put up, for obvious reasons.

The ESRB won't be going nuts over Neptunia V.

I am vaguely amused about how dry the ESRB description is. Like "yeah, whatever".

I know they are all like that, which is what makes it hilarious to read.

I for one welcome our new physically confused overlord.

edited 15th Jan '13 8:44:26 PM by Demonfly