Originally scheduled for a Japanese release on March 28, Dragon Quest IX has been delayed until July 11, according to Joystiq (via NeoGAF).

It seems like Square Enix discovered some major bugs in the game's code and delayed the game as an emergency precaution, since they have been advertising the game heavily throughout Japan, which has traditionally been where the series sells the most units.

There's still no news on a North American release date, but we'll keep our eyes peeled. Could there be an announcement at E3, perhaps?

According to CVG, Takashi Sensui, Xbox Japan's boss, has stated in an interview with Jiji Press, the company's strategic goal of doubling the number of Xbox 360 titles in Japan in 2008. The highlight of the titles to be released, could possibly be a sequel to the RPG title, Blue Dragon.

Quoted directly from the news story, Mistwalker president, Hironobu Sakaguchi, has issued this comment:

"We're in talks with Microsoft about development of a sequel. Specifics aren't finalized, but there's a possibility that it will be produced as an online title."

Square Enix has announced that Dragon Quest Monsters: Jokers is now available for the DS. To date, the Dragon Quest series has sold more than 43 million units worldwide. The handheld title is rated "E10+" for "Everyone 10 and older" and has an MSRP of $39.99 in retail stores.

Hit the link to visit the official website.

Microsoft has announced that new downloadable content is available on Xbox Live for their RPG, Blue Dragon. One of the highlights is the "Way of Thieves" item that allows Shu and party to steal rare items from their enemies during battle. The package will cost you 200 Microsoft points and should appease fans until the November release of their "Shuffled Dungeon" package.

Hit the jump for the link to the official site.

“Double Dragon” is the story of Billy and Jimmy Lee, twin brothers who learned to fight on the cold, tough streets of their city. Their expert knowledge of the ancient martial art of Sou-Setsu-Ken, combined with their streetwise outlook, means that they’re two of the most formidable combatants ever to walk the streets. Billy and Jimmy will use their feet, fists, elbows and whatever weapons come to hand to defeat the gang that kidnapped Billy’s girlfriend.

• Two-player co-op multiplayer locally or over Xbox LIVE
• Special extras such as a look at the original Japanese and U.S. “Double Dragon” sales fliers
• Gameplay with either the original graphics or with new high-definition graphics
• All new music
• Hints and tips for newcomers
• Three leaderboards
• Customizable button configurations
• Ability to earn up to 12 Achievements and 200 Gamerscore points

The Legend of the Dragon story begins against the backdrop of China’s sacred temples and just as a new Golden Dragon is selected. The Golden Dragon is the honourable title given to the chosen warrior set to fight the evil Zodiac Master, Woo Yin.

Each of the 12 Chinese zodiac signs has its own temple protected by a guardian; all guardians have individual powers unique to their zodiac symbol to help them defend their temple. The Zodiac Master – Woo Yin - plans to capture these powers; with them he will be unstoppable in his fight for the dark side to reign over China.

Ang Leung has been chosen as the new Golden Dragon over his twin sister Ling, but the surprise and humiliation of this decision is too much for Ling and she quickly defects to the dark side. In her new position as the Shadow Dragon, she will fight against her brother and old friends in a bid for revenge.

Namco Bandai has confirmed that the company is working on a new Dragon Ball game for the Xbox 360, entitled Dragon Ball Online, via a job posting for the Xbox 360 version.

As the name suggests the game is an MMORPG and is set to be published sometime in 2008 for Japan, while a stateside release is anyone's guess. The company has also launched the game's (Japanese) website, complete with first imagery, that you may view here. Dragon Ball Online is also slated for release on the PC.

]]> Mon, 16 Apr 2007 00:12:00 -0500 The Gaming Horizon Archive http://www.gamebump.com/go/gh_review_dragon_ball_z_budokai_tenkaichi_2_ps2 http://www.gamebump.com/go/gh_review_dragon_ball_z_budokai_tenkaichi_2_ps2 http://www.gamebump.com/go/gh_review_dragon_ball_z_budokai_tenkaichi_2_ps2# This review was originally published on Gaming Horizon, GameBump's predecessor. Its format does not match our own but we support its content. It was written by Eric Dayday.

Mention the word anime to a casual viewer and more often than not the words “Dragon Ball” will pop up 90% of the time. Despite being technically 15 years old, the popularity of Goku and friends has endured the test of time. It has also managed to withstand the pressure of delivering games that make proper use of the license. Atari goes back to the well again, giving DBZ fans Dragon Ball Z Budokai Tenkaichi 2.

If you’re unfamiliar with the anime, all you really need to know is that it involves a lot of action – interrupted by lots of talking and balls of energy that take at least five episodes to charge. Despite that though, fighting is the focus of DBZ and all of the DBZ games from this generation deliver it in spades.

The fights tend to play out just like the television series - loads of combos; lots of flying and dashing, smacking an opponent across an enormous battlefield, and destruction of the environment; lots of charging; and tons of brutal looking special attacks. Going full out with every powerful move you have isn’t such a smart idea either because you’ll drain your ki meter. It’s this meter that brings a semblance of balance to the game. Any type of special attack or projectile will reduce this meter and the only way to gain some back is to charge. The problem with that is that it leaves you vulnerable to an attack because you have to stay stationary to do so. This adds a bit of strategy to what can sometimes become mindless button mashing and spamming of specials.

The most impressive thing about Budokai Tenkaichi 2 is the sheer scope of the game. A great variety of modes, fitting the entire 400+ episode story of DBZ, a cast of over 100 characters, and lots of Z-Items to buy/combine. This may not seem much to those who have played the more recent titles, but understand where this reviewer is coming from – I haven’t played a Dragon Ball title since Hyper Dimension on the Super Famicom. So, I was pleasantly surprised to see a dual-language option on top of all that. Thank you, Atari, for returning me to my childhood for a spell.

Ultimate battle plays like your standard arcade ladder mode, working your way through a number of rivals before calling it a day. Dragon tournament allows you to set up tournament brackets, perfect for playing with a large group of friends. Dueling acts as a quick play mode, letting you set up a quick match against either the AI or a friend. Battle training obviously lets you train. Evolution Z and the item shop allow you to fiddle with your Z-items and create your own character with customized skills.

The mode you’ll probably spend most of your time on, however, is dragon adventure. Here, you’ll make your way through each of Dragon Ball Z’s numerous arcs. Each arc is divided into scenarios or battles each complete with narrative to help flesh out the story. Of course, fans already know what’s going on, but those new to the series will really appreciate this. While it’s not a direct substitute for watching the series, considering that this is essentially an interactive version of the DBZ mythos makes it easy to recommend to those just jumping onto the bandwagon.

I mentioned it in passing earlier, but sadly, sometimes the battles do degrading into button mash, knock foe across the field, charge for high damage specials, unleash high damage special, repeat. The higher difficulty settings alleviate that problem to a certain extent, but it’s still a viable tactic.

While it’s definitely a great looking game, I can’t shake the fact that it looks exactly like the last few DBZ games. I understand the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix” mindset, and there’s only so much you can do with Toriyama’s designs, but the look is growing a little stale. This is no fault of the developers; it’s more the well drying up than anything else.

The audio, however, is still fantastic. The latest voice actors lend their voices, and they talk just about everywhere, including menus. And I mentioned the Japanese language track is included too, which I totally adored. However, I still switched between the two tracks for a little bit a variety because, well, sometimes they talk way too damn much, but I don’t want to completely turn the voices off.

One last nitpicky complaint is the restriction of the battlefield. The fields are relatively huge, but when you can dash long distances, it really makes it feel small. And the fact that an invisible wall keeps you in bounds takes away from the fact that you’re fighting across such a great span of the globe. This may not bother many of you, but it bothered me.

Atari and Spike continue the trend of great Dragon Ball Z fighting games with Budokai Tenkaichi 2. An awesome variety of modes, a huge roster, customization, and the entire Dragon Ball story tied up nicely in one package add up to a title that every DBZ fan ought to have. And even if you only have a passing interest in the series, BT2 would be enough to turn you into a fanatic.

Fast frantic fighting is awesome, but can degrade into mashing and spamming.

They’re not ugly; in fact, it’s pretty good looking. I’m just a little tired of the look.

English voice cast reprises their roles; Japanese option included; usual DBZ sounds and music.

Lots of modes to play with; huge roster; fights are fast and furious.

Loads of Z-items to find/buy which are used to customize characters; may not appeal to everyone

]]> Mon, 27 Nov 2006 19:19:00 -0600 Tim Grube http://www.gamebump.com/go/dragon_ball_z_budokai_tenkaichi_2_ships http://www.gamebump.com/go/dragon_ball_z_budokai_tenkaichi_2_ships http://www.gamebump.com/go/dragon_ball_z_budokai_tenkaichi_2_ships# This article was originally published on Gaming Horizon, GameBump's predecessor. Certain formatting, imaged, and embedded content may have been lost in the transition process.

Tips & Tricks Magazine says that this "latest addition to the popular Budokai series can be summed up in three words: bigger, better, badder!" Emily Anadu, Product Manager, Atari, Inc. agrees, "The DBZ video games just keep getting better, and Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2 is the latest testament. Fans will love the incredible interactive environments, the addition of characters never-before-seen in the video games, and the ability to engage in tag battles and new attacks. For those who haven't yet battled in the DBZ universe, Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2 is a great place to start because it incorporates more of the mythology than any other game to date."

For more information on Dragon Ball Z video games, please visit http://www.atari.com/dragonballz.]]> Tue, 07 Nov 2006 15:14:00 -0600 The Gaming Horizon Archive http://www.gamebump.com/go/dragon_quest_heroes_oozes_into_stores http://www.gamebump.com/go/dragon_quest_heroes_oozes_into_stores http://www.gamebump.com/go/dragon_quest_heroes_oozes_into_stores# This article was originally published on Gaming Horizon, GameBump's predecessor. Certain formatting, imaged, and embedded content may have been lost in the transition process.The original author is Evan Lahti.

The latest 9 Dragons clan preview is online!

This weeks' update deals with the sultry, mysterious and deadly Sacred Flower Clan. Comprised entirely of women (many scantily clad, it seems), this clan of beautiful assassins seeks to restore the balance of Yin and Yang in the Middle Kingdom - apparently by killing a whole lot of people.

It is said that, “For every action comes an opposite reaction,” and from that perceived act of discrimination made by Shaolin, there rose a clan of beautiful, deadly, female masters. Hence Sacred Flower’s motto, “If men rule the world, women must rule men!”

So now you understand why Sacred Flower disciples despise both Heavenly Demon and Shaolin, but you should know they are also spiteful of Wu-Tang Clan, who they feel have bastardized the Yin and Yang symbol to suggest that women (symbolized by Yin) encompass all the darker, negative aspects of the universe. Sacred Flower thereby opposes the white clans, and most men in general, as they strive to raise women’s current status in society with their fervent cult-like beliefs. Their revealing clothing is justified as a means to entreat, allure, and conquer men by enchantment. So what is perceived as their feminine weakness becomes part of their strength.

So, what have I learned from this latest update ( aside from the suspicious Sacred Flower / Secret Garden allusion I know you're all laughing up your sleeve about )?

1. The women of 9 Dragons are evil.

2. These women will use their femine mystique to dominate men, and...

3. ... women like to use whips.

MMO? Sounds more like any given night with Mrs. Francis, in all honesty. So, for those of you trying to experience the Sacred Flowers on the cheap, don't bother picking up the game - just check on the cost of a marriage license with your local City Hall.]]> Fri, 11 Aug 2006 08:40:00 -0500 The Gaming Horizon Archive http://www.gamebump.com/go/super_dragon_ball_z_ships_to_stores http://www.gamebump.com/go/super_dragon_ball_z_ships_to_stores http://www.gamebump.com/go/super_dragon_ball_z_ships_to_stores# Atari has announced that they have shipped Super Dragon Ball Z for the PlayStation 2.

The latest game in the series puts players in a completely 3D fighting environment where you'll battle it out on the ground and in mid-air. The game looks to feature 18 characters including five unlockable ones like Goku, Gohan and Vegeta.

Dungeons & Dragons Online: Stormreach is set for a massive influx of new content.

The Twilight Forge module, released today by Turbine, is set to add some major new changes for DDO players, including an ingame mail system, enhanced grouping tools and quest tracking, brand new items, and the Drow as a playable race. I save the Drow for last, of course, to tweak all the scimitar-wielding fanboys out there. You know who you are.

Players will also have access to new dungeons, and have the opportunity to kill many new monsters from the old D&D universe.

No word on PvP yet, though. Curses!]]> Wed, 12 Jul 2006 10:57:00 -0500 The Gaming Horizon Archive http://www.gamebump.com/go/dragons_lair_hd_announced http://www.gamebump.com/go/dragons_lair_hd_announced http://www.gamebump.com/go/dragons_lair_hd_announced# It seems that even old games can join the HD era with the announcement that classic Laserdisc arcade game Dragon's Lair is being remastered in high definition for a new PC version. For Dragon's Lair HD, publisher Digital Leisure has taken the original film of Dirk the Daring's adventure and had it cleaned and digitally remastered in HD with new 5.1 sound.

Elizabeth Foster, President of Digital Leisure said:

"Dragon's Lair HD is an achievement no classic gamer will want to be without. This version is truly a treat to all your senses! With the power of today’s computers, gamers can now enjoy Dragon's Lair the way it was meant to be seen. The quality of the animation is absolutely stunning and the surround sound mix will have you looking over your shoulder!"

Dragon's Lair HD will be available for PC in the fall, with a planned HD remaster of Dragon's Lair II: Time Warp due in the coming months.

In Dragon Ball: Advanced Adventure, players will have the opportunity to relive all of Goku’s childhood adventures through a blend of exciting, authentic gameplay that includes side-scrolling, fighting and flying.  In addition to the most exhilarating aspects of DBZ combat are sequences featuring all of Goku’s childhood techniques and 18 exciting levels in story mode.  Based on the Dragon Ball animated series, this “prequel” to Dragon Ball Z gives players the chance to experience Goku’s ascension to one of the greatest superheroes in animation, manga/comic book history.

In traversing the neon-lit corridors of E3's South Hall, one of the titles that caught my eye immediately at Square-Enix's booth was Dragon Quest Heroes: Rocket Slime. Having played through Dragon Quest VIII on the PlayStation 2, I arrived harboring a few curiosities as to what the developer had planned for extending the franchise onto the DS, but left feeling extremely excited about this upcoming title.

Usually one of the first enemies players encounter in the DQ games, players fill the proverbial shoes of Rocket the slime for the portable diversion. While not the sword-sporting hero we're accustomed to, Rocket's beaming smile and gooey physique carry an immediate appeal for fans of the series, or anyone susceptible to cute characters.

"Tanks For The Memories," was the first game mode I hopped into. The setup between the dual screens was honestly one of the most fun divisions of the gameplay I've witnessed on the DS. Two towering, brightly-colored tanks anchored at each side of the DS' top screen faced each other: one shaped like our friend Rocket himself, and the other a castle-ized version of our platypus foe. The bright, colorful aesthetic that runs through the Dragon Quest series was present here as well, though injected with a bit more cartoon appeal.

While the top screen served as a view of the field of battle, the bottom display was where all the action took place. Here, we had a top-down view of our ooze-textured friend, and we free-roamed around the top deck of our castle/tank alongside two cannons. Both of the artilleries were pointed in different directions: one arced upward, and the other pointed straight at our duck-faced enemy. As items trickled down a slide on the top deck, I'd pick them up by stretching Rocket thin by holding the A button and a direction in unison. Letting go, Rocket sling-shotted towards the objects, bouncing them into the air to land atop his pointy head for carrying. Quickly, I'd deliver them towards the cannon and load them in. Seconds later, they'd launch across the top screen, swirling slowly towards the opposing fort. It was a surprisingly rewarding little minigame – load the cannons, and sit back and watch them do the damage all by themselves.

Of course, my enemy put up some defense of his own. As boulders and bullets hurtled towards my tank, I had to begin using my weapons defensively as well and moving more quickly. If my foe fired an arced shot, I could counter it with one of my own, neutralizing the blast. If I saw an opening for a straight attack, I could load the other cannon to try and deal damage there. Even further, characters can hop into the guns themselves, launching across the map and into the enemy fort to lay down some close-range hurt. If you can make it across without getting picked off by incoming fire, landing in enemy territory means you can tear up their home turf, destroying computers and attacking your opponent directly using Rocket's ecto blast attack. It was uncertain exactly how breaking the enemy's equipment had an effect on their battle capabilities, but it added a disruptive quality to the gameplay that made things a little more strategic.

Overall, Dragon Quest Heroes: Rocket Slime seems like it'll bring a fun, uniquely-crafted title to the DS library when it released. Though the game didn't seem to feature any stylus control support, and we'd like to know more about the multiplayer, the one game mode we played was a highly-addictive but simple concept. Comedy-drenched visuals, in combination with the familiar Dragon Quest universe and fun gameplay should make this title a solid buy on the DS when it's released later this September.

]]> Fri, 12 May 2006 02:57:00 -0500 The Gaming Horizon Archive http://www.gamebump.com/go/dbz_budokai_tenkaichi_2_for_revolution http://www.gamebump.com/go/dbz_budokai_tenkaichi_2_for_revolution http://www.gamebump.com/go/dbz_budokai_tenkaichi_2_for_revolution# If you somehow can't get enough of Dragon Ball Z and love the idea of owning a Nintendo Revolution, you're in luck, as Atari has announced that Namco Bandai Games/Spike is currently developing Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2 for the Revolution console.

The game "takes the series' popular acrobatic and intense 3D flying and fighting dynamic... to a whole new level", featuring more than 100 playable characters, 15 3D destructive levels, nine game modes (including single and multiplayer), and now real-time, in-game character transformations that "[make] battles even more dramatic and exciting than ever before".

Said Matt Collins, Director of Marketing, Atari, "The innovative controller featured with Nintendo Revolution is perfectly suited for Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2, which engages players with fast-paced fighting moves. Gamers will be able to play in a very physical way, mimicking several of the show's most popular character moves and pull off awesome combos and attacks."

Currently Budokai Tenkaichi 2 is set to release this holiday season, effectively putting the Revolution on-track for a 2006 launch (it should be noted that the game is also headed to the PlayStation in October 2006). The screenshots below are reportedly from the PS2 version.

In Dragon Ball Z: Shin Budokai, players can take on their friends in intense wireless multiplayer battles employing all the most exhilarating aspects of Dragon Ball Z combat, including counter-attacks, super high-speed bouts, flight and Ki (energy) management, all via an enhanced version of the renowned Saiyan Overdrive Fighting System. In single-player mode, players will be able to challenge some of the most evil characters ever seen in a comic-based video game, or select multiplayer and play as the bad guys themselves, becoming the most feared and powerful warriors in the universe.

“The Dragon Ball Z high-speed, high-energy fighting experience is a perfect fit for the wireless multiplayer capabilities of the PSP,” said Matt Collins, Director, Global Brand Management, Atari. “For the first time ever, players will be able to challenge one another wirelessly and create virtual Budokai tournaments just about anywhere they go.”

This PSP Budokai title will also sport some PSP-exclusive features:

• High-speed WiFi multiplayer battles featuring the universe’s most powerful fighters;
• 18 playable characters, including prize fighter Pikkon;
• Revamped version of the acclaimed “Saiyan Overdrive” fighting system;
• In-game transformations to more powerful forms;
• All-new stage from the Janemba movie;
• Seven game modes, including compelling story mode.

Shin Budokai is currently slated for release in March 2006, so we'll keep you updated. In the meantime, check out some of the first images below.

Originally written by Olly Dean]]> Thu, 09 Mar 2006 14:48:00 -0600 The Gaming Horizon Archive http://www.gamebump.com/go/gh_preview_dragon_ball_z_shin_budokai_psp1 http://www.gamebump.com/go/gh_preview_dragon_ball_z_shin_budokai_psp1 http://www.gamebump.com/go/gh_preview_dragon_ball_z_shin_budokai_psp1# This preview was originally published on Gaming Horizon, GameBump's predecessor. Its format does not match our own but we support its content. It was written by Olly Dean.

The fighting genre is definitely the one that seems best suited as the natural home for the Dragon Ball Z series, with its plethora of characters, epic battles, and fireballs just begging for translation to button combos. Indeed the recent 3D fighters based on the license have come from a shaky start and developed into the excellent Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 3, delivering solid gameplay and enough authenticity to the series to appease the rabid fan base.

Shin Budokai is the first appearance of the franchise on the PSP, and from the looks of things should buck the trend of pretty awful DBZ games on handheld systems. If you’ve played the other Budokai games you’ll probably be familiar with what to expect – characters taken from all over the DBZ universe (there are 15 initially, but three more are unlockable), all in a storyline straight out of the anime. The modes of the console versions also survive the translation, with the "dragon road" story mode providing the meat of the single-player. In this you can choose a character and take him through his side of the story with a few branches along the way to keep things interesting.

As for the other modes, there’s the basic arcade mode in which you fight a series of CPU-controlled enemies without the story to get in the way of some quick action, "z trial" which contains the obligatory survival and time attack modes, a training mode, and the network battle multiplayer mode. This unsurprisingly allows players to link up their PSPs wirelessly for some basic ad hoc multiplayer battling with any of the standard characters.

If you’ve played Budokai 3 on the PS2 then you’ll find Shin Budokai to be pretty familiar as the gameplay mechanics are essentially the same. As well as your basic attacks, you can charge your ki (that’s your energy, for those who aren’t in the know) to allow you to perform various unpronounceable special moves. Ki is also needed to transform your character into his more powerful forms such as the famous Super Saiyan, which will give you an opportunity to really pummel your opponent for a limited time.

Graphically the game is similar to the rest of the series, with cel-shaded characters which go a long way to matching the style of the show. The vivid colours and sharp models and backgrounds really work well on the PSP screen so this could definitely turn into a game to show off the graphical prowess of the Sony handheld. The characters are accurate likenesses of their animated counterparts and the in-game versions of their signature attacks are similarly faithful. On the audio side, the hardcore fans have the option to choose between the original Japanese voices or the English dub, and can also enjoy a selection of tunes from the series. Fans should definitely enjoy the loyalty to the source material that Dimps is showing.



Like Budokai 3 last year, Dragon Ball Z: Shin Budokai looks like an obvious purchase for fans of the series while still having enough fun and appeal in the gameplay to make it worth a look for people with little interest. The excellent presentation means that it feels like an episode of the anime, and while the combat isn’t particularly deep, the attraction of the fast paced and over-the-top battles is universal. What remains to be seen is just how much it has to offer for those who’ve played the previous games, besides being a capable portable conversion. Look for more on the game as it nears release. ]]> Thu, 02 Mar 2006 16:11:06 -0600 Shiva Stella http://www.gamebump.com/go/dragon_quest_yangus_video_live http://www.gamebump.com/go/dragon_quest_yangus_video_live http://www.gamebump.com/go/dragon_quest_yangus_video_live# This article was originally published on Gaming Horizon, GameBump's predecessor. Certain formatting, imaged, and embedded content may have been lost in the transition process.

In more interesting Square Enix news, the company has launched the official site to Dragon Quest Yangus, an RPG probably being developed by Level 5 that pulls from ]]> Mon, 19 Dec 2005 13:20:00 -0600 The Gaming Horizon Archive http://www.gamebump.com/go/dragon_ball_z_2in1_pack_ships_for_gba http://www.gamebump.com/go/dragon_ball_z_2in1_pack_ships_for_gba http://www.gamebump.com/go/dragon_ball_z_2in1_pack_ships_for_gba#

"The Legacy of Goku games have been long-standing favorites of DBZ fans, but for new fans they have been hard to find lately," said Matt Collins, Director of Global Brand Management, Atari. "Now, new DBZ fans can join in on the fun and get these best-selling games on a single cartridge with Dragon Ball Z: Legacy of Goku I & Legacy of Goku II 2-in-1 Pack."

The game is rated E for Everyone and is available nationwide for a suggested retail price of $29.95

"Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 3 Greatest Hits has become one of the best-selling fighting games because of its dynamic collection of characters, combat, and story," said Matt Collins, Director of Global Brand Management, Atari. "Millions of fans worldwide have discovered how great the game is, and the addition of the Japanese voice cast will give US fans a whole new way to enjoy the game. Budokai 3 is a fantastic gift this holiday season for newcomers and collectors alike."

The game is rated T for Teen and can be purchased at retail stores nationwide for a suggested retail price of $19.95.

“With audio and visual effects complimenting the flawless art style of the animated TV series, the video game brings the Dragon Booster™ property to life in a fully interactive medium,” said Wyman Jung, Associate Product Manager, Konami Digital Entertainment – America. “Fans of the series as well as newcomers to the property will enjoy its creative storyline and unique anime style that lends itself perfectly for a fun, entertaining video game.”

Dragon Booster is rated “E” for Everyone by the ESRB and is available for the suggested retail price of $29.99

"The release of Dragon Ball Z: Supersonic Warriors 2 signifies the inaugural release of a Dragon Ball Z title for the Nintendo DS," said Matt Collins, Director of Global Brand Management, Atari. "We are pleased to partner with FUNimation to deliver authentic DBZ content for Nintendo's innovative handheld system, and we are certain that the unique features and thrilling battles will excite both DBZ and Nintendo fans alike."

The game is rated 'E10+ and has a suggested retail price of $29.95.]]> Thu, 17 Nov 2005 18:44:00 -0600 Shiva Stella http://www.gamebump.com/go/gh_review_dragon_quest_viii_journey_of_the_cursed_king_ps2 http://www.gamebump.com/go/gh_review_dragon_quest_viii_journey_of_the_cursed_king_ps2 http://www.gamebump.com/go/gh_review_dragon_quest_viii_journey_of_the_cursed_king_ps2# This review was originally published on Gaming Horizon, GameBump's predecessor. Its format does not match our own but we support its content.

Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King is the latest installment in the famed Dragon Quest series, originally helmed by former company, Enix, and now distributed under the Square Enix moniker. The game was developed by Level 5, the people behind Sony’s Dark Cloud series (most notably Dark Cloud 2), and features characters designed by Akira Toriyama of Dragon Ball Z fame. DQVIII also marks the series’ transition to full 3D, making the game one of the last and finest visual treats we’ll probably encounter on the PlayStation 2. From the simple gameplay mechanics to the splendid presentation and the dozens upon dozens of hours you’ll spend just playing through the main plot, DQVIII is a definite winner this holiday season – despite its lack of inventiveness and originality.

DQVIII begins with a cozy introduction of the primary cast; you’ve the silent, heroic youth; the hero’s bigger, uglier sidekick, Yangus; the giant toad, King Trode; and the lovely Princess Medea, who is presently a horse. Some grave misfortune has fallen upon King Trode, as his entire kingdom has been ravaged by uncontrollable thorn bushes and he and his daughter have obviously been cursed – transformed into creatures – and the soul survivor of the incident is our nameless hero. The fiend responsible for the curse is a jester-mage called Dhoulmagus, and King Trode has employed our hero’s aid in ascertaining Dhoulmagus’ whereabouts and forcing the maniac to reverse the spell, which of course Dhoulmagus has absolutely no intention of doing.

During the initial stages of their quest King Trode’s little gang stumbles upon two other characters who have set their sights on Dhoulmagus as well – lovely Miss Jessica, the game’s sex appeal, and the wanton Angelo, who is much more interested in gambling and having a good time then acting out the duties of his templar knights – and so the gang grows from a common goal: the painful defeat of the sinister Dhoulmagus. Though the story’s premise is simple and direct, numerous twists and turns (which I won’t spoil for you) abound, and plot progression is presented via lively, shortened cutscenes. Those tired of extensive, dramatic dialogue in the Final Fantasy/Star Ocean franchises will find this a welcome addition, while those who crave more engaging plots will still be satisfied with DQVIII’s offering.

The gameplay is as simple as DQVIII’s plot– players run around the stunning environment in search of the next town and leads of Dhoulmagus’ location. En route you encounter random battles that pit numerous opponents – usually three to five – against the party of four. Upon entering the battle gamers can opt to fight, flee, intimidate (attempt to frighten monsters away), or set tactics for the rest of the team (if desired, the remaining three characters can be set to various battle stratagems other than the default “follow orders” selection, like “show no mercy”, “don’t use magic”, and “focus on healing”). Party status is displayed along the top of the screen while attack commands are on the bottom, and these consist of attack, defend, items (i.e., health), abilities (learned weapon skills), spells, and psyche-up (raise attack power). Attacks are quick slices or thrusts with an equipped weapon, and all attacks are shone in bright orange figures while remaining health for the party briefly displays in subtracted white text.

For a slight twist, you can target a single opponent with certain weapons while others enable you to select all of them, inevitably dealing less damage overall but weakening all the foes on the field. Although this is hardly innovative for an RPG, it does make random battling easier, as some of the foes quickly wipe your party. The game makes use of some very difficult, random opponents strewn between masses of easy victories, which keeps players on their toes. Monsters also increase in difficulty when night approaches, and this is a significant draw of the in-game clock; if you really want to level-up, just go out at night and prompt a lot of random battling. The whistle command, which summons foes to the group, is very convenient during leveling sessions and enables you to avoid all the unnecessary running around to trigger fights.

One unique aspect that breaks the repetitiveness of random battling is the different twist in status effects. Rather than stick to the plain poison, paralysis, or cursed effects that every RPG includes, DQVIII also makes use of dancing fevers and hand puppets. It’s humorous to catch characters laughing uncontrollably or snapping their fingers as they do a little dance. Yet another intriguing difference between DQVIII and many recent RPGs is the methodology for acquiring skills (abilities) and spells, as they’re learned in a different manner; after a character levels, the gamer is granted stat points to distribute among five selections, i.e. Yangus features a “humanity” selection along with “axe, club, scythe” and “fisticuffs” (barehanded fighting). After so many points are allotted to a selection, it grants the bearer additional attack abilities and spells (heal, fire, etc). Each character has a unique fifth listing akin to Yangus’ humanity; the unnamed hero utilizes courage while Jessica aims for sex-appeal and Angelo focuses on (much needed, and probably often used) charisma. It’s a light, straightforward twist that keeps the focus on the gameplay and plot premise rather than on stat manipulation and skill acquisition, which is very fitting giving the game’s simplistic atmosphere.

As this is the first DQ game entirely done in 3D, it’s important to note that Level 5 has managed to maintain the stylistic, anime feel of the characters on a realistic backdrop. The game has a fantastic, familiar presentation that adequately and aesthetically transitions the series to full 3D, with cell-shaded characters reminiscent of the Dragon Ball series thanks to the employment of Akira Toriyama, the anime’s character designer. The party is detailed if not stereotypical, and all characters perform even the slightest of movements fluidly. The hero’s orange coat flutters as he walks, characters blink their eyes and breathe easily, Jessica’s hair blows in the subtle breeze, and a slight shadow follows our hero’s footsteps.

The immensity and beauty of DQVIII’s world is simply astounding. The game features a non-demanding in-game clock with regular days and nights, such that you can trace the sun’s path as it rises in the east and sets in the west to a glorious display of orange skies. During the night the skies appropriately darken, a thousand stars appear, and the moon shines brightly down upon the party. In the daytime light, fluffy clouds float overhead and the sun’s rays strike the camera. The landscape is a lush, vivid green dotted with detailed trees, blades of grass, flowing waterfalls, and superb ground texturing. As the player explores the pleasant countryside he glimpses stray animals lazily grazing across the hills, small streams and ruins, tiny cottages, and the typical dirt road. Dust kicks up from our hero’s feet as he runs along in search of the nearest town, and foliage rustles in the gentle wind. To say that the series has successfully transitioned into the 3D world is an unbelievably crude understatement.

Level 5 included a beautiful, lovely orchestral soundtrack to accompany the game’s splendid visuals, and the two combine for a spectacular presentation. Sweet violin music fills the air as the party wanders from town to town, and each village has its own theme. Little ambient noises – characters running, doors opening, monsters snarling, etc – support the audio along with superb voiceacting. Characters in DQVIII occasionally feature heavy accents, and while they’re all varied – Jessica has a proper British speech while Yangus uses a thick, slum-British (nearly Australian, complete with “crimey” and missing consonants) – they also aptly fit their characters, and none appear too overdramatic or out of context. Overall, Level 5 has done a magnificent job in localizing the game.

Though DQVIII is cited as having more than 50 hours of gameplay, Level 5 again went a step farther and included some side-quests and various minigames. You can scour the land for mini-medals for a particular princess, exploit King Trode’s alchemy pot for some fun item creation, and even prowl the casino grounds for honest, high-betting action. The alchemy itself deserves particular mention, as players can spot item recipes (which the game automatically logs for you) from most any bookshelf, which makes fashioning any number of special, more powerful items incredibly convenient.

Considering how wonderful the game has turned out, you really have to forage for its faults, the primary of which for DQ fans is that the game offers nothing terribly groundbreaking for either its series or genre; if you’ve played any other turn-based RPG, the reason you're so instantly at home with DQVIII is that it’s an upgraded game of yore, better tailored for the nostalgic than those demanding a more innovative way to spend 50 hours.

The game’s small cast and stereotypical characters aren’t as engaging as those found in other, modern RPGs, which you may forgive depending on how well you take to each character. The previously mentioned voiceovers, while very well-done, do make abundant use of accented dialogue, which could easily drive those more comfortable with typical, American English completely insane.

I’m also not a fan of DQVIII’s more personal save system, as it involves trekking to church every single time you need to save. Churches are dotted throughout the countryside, and while there’s usually one less than ten minutes away from the current field location, why spend a minute rushing to a church to fly through some chatty nun’s dialogue every half hour? Save-anywhere systems work best when they’re placed inside a simple save menu or activated through an automatic checkpoint; however, it’s understandable that the game’s cozy atmosphere is amplified by the church “adventure log” system which, if you’re a theologian, makes perfect sense – where else would you go to “get saved”?

My last gripe concerns the random battles and the intentionally dumbed-down AI. As swarms of easy battles are strewn with the occasional difficult batch of foes, you’re sometimes going to die just by stepping outside of town (and when you die, you lose half your money). To combat this, Level 5 has opponents that will actually stop attacking to groom themselves or get jiggy while your team stands there, weapons at the ready. This system is rather functional, so I’ve no idea why Level 5 also has opponents that literally recast spells that can’t affect your team members because they’re already affected or immune. If this is to further counteract the super difficulty of some random battles, why not just make all the worse foes nocturnal? Enemies that recast the same ineffective spells over and over are just stupid.

Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King is going to please series fans with its gorgeous transition to 3D while newcomers to the franchise will be astounded by the pleasant visuals, welcoming atmosphere, direct plot, and simple gameplay. Unfortunately the game doesn’t have an innovative leg to stand on, which may disappoint some DQ (and RPG) fans. The accents are a little overdone, but add to the title’s atmosphere. Overall, Dragon Quest VIII is just an extremely enjoyable, beautiful, nostalgic, and engaging RPG for the PlayStation 2. This charming, atmospheric RPG is not to be missed.

Not original, but still very solid and fun to play through. A good (but not dramatic) plot.

Extremely good. A beautiful transition to 3D. Cute character/enemy design. Gorgeous environs.

Not as intense as the visuals, but still very solid. Heavily accented characters aren’t for all

You’ll really enjoy playing through it and probably get addicted very quickly.

High for an RPG, but I’m also counting draw-in factor and side-quests.

]]> Tue, 15 Nov 2005 21:16:00 -0600 Shiva Stella http://www.gamebump.com/go/gh_preview_dragon_quest_viii_journey_of_the_cursed_king_ps21 http://www.gamebump.com/go/gh_preview_dragon_quest_viii_journey_of_the_cursed_king_ps21 http://www.gamebump.com/go/gh_preview_dragon_quest_viii_journey_of_the_cursed_king_ps21# This preview was originally published on Gaming Horizon, GameBump's predecessor. Its format does not match our own but we support its content.

Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King is the latest installment in the famed Dragon Quest series, originally helmed by former company, Enix, and now distributed under the Square Enix moniker. The game is being developed by Level 5, the people behind Sony’s Dark Cloud series (most notably Dark Cloud 2), and we were fortunate enough to receive an English build to update us on the basic plot, visuals, and gameplay mechanics. Needless to say, we’re impressed – very.

DQVIII begins with a cozy introduction of the primary cast; you’ve the silent, heroic youth; the hero’s bigger, uglier sidekick, Yangus; the giant toad, King Trode; and the lovely Princess Medea, who is presently a horse. Some grave misfortune has fallen upon King Trode, as his entire kingdom has been ravaged by uncontrollable thorn bushes and he and his daughter have obviously been cursed – transformed into creatures – and the soul survivor of the incident is our nameless hero. The fiend responsible for the curse is a jester-mage called Dhoulmagus, and King Trode has employed our hero’s aid in ascertaining Dhoulmagus’ whereabouts and forcing the maniac to reverse the spell, which of course Dhoulmagus has absolutely no intention of doing.

During the initial stages of their quest King Trode’s little gang stumbles upon two other characters who have set their sights on Dhoulmagus as well – lovely Miss Jessica and the wanton Angelo – and so the gang grows from a common goal: the painful defeat of the sinister Dhoulmagus. Though the story’s premise is simple and direct, numerous twists and turns (which I won’t spoil for you) abound, and plot progression is presented via lively, shortened cutscenes. Those tired of extensive, dramatic dialogue in the Final Fantasy/Star Ocean franchises will find this a welcome addition, while those who crave more engaging plots will still be satisfied with DQVIII’s offering.

The gameplay that we sampled is also extremely simple – players run around the stunning environment in search of the next town and leads of Dhoulmagus’ location. En route you encounter random battles that pit numerous opponents – usually three to five – against the party of four. Upon entering the battle gamers can opt to fight, flee, intimidate (attempt to frighten monsters away), or set tactics for the rest of the team (if desired, the remaining three characters can be set to various battle stratagems other than the default “follow orders” selection, like “show no mercy”, “don’t use magic”, and “focus on healing”). Party status is displayed along the top of the screen while attack commands are on the bottom, and these consist of attack, defend, items (i.e., health), abilities (learned weapon skills), spells, and psyche-up (raise attack power). Attacks are quick slices or thrusts with an equipped weapon, and all attacks are shone in bright orange figures while remaining health for the party briefly displays in subtracted white text.

One unique aspect that breaks the repetitiveness of random battling is the different twist in status effects. Rather than stick to the plain poison, paralysis, or cursed effects that every RPG includes, DQVIII also makes use of dancing fevers and hand puppets. It’s humorous to catch characters laughing uncontrollably or snapping their fingers as they do a little dance. Yet another intriguing difference between DQVIII and many recent RPGs is the methodology for acquiring skills (abilities) and spells, as they’re learned in a different manner; after a character levels, the gamer is granted stat points to distribute among five selections, i.e. Yangus features a “humanity” selection along with “axe, club, scythe” and “fisticuffs” (barehanded fighting). After so many points are allotted to a selection, it grants the bearer additional attack abilities and spells (heal, fire, etc). Each character has a unique fifth listing akin to Yangus’ humanity; the unnamed hero utilizes courage while Jessica aims for sex-appeal and Angelo focuses on (much needed, and probably often used) charisma. It’s a light, straightforward twist that keeps the focus on the gameplay and plot premise rather than on stat manipulation and skill acquisition, which is very fitting giving the game’s simplistic atmosphere.

As this is the first DQ game entirely done in 3D, it’s important to note that Level 5 has managed to maintain the stylistic, anime feel of the characters on a realistic backdrop. The game has a fantastic, familiar presentation that adequately and aesthetically transitions the series to full 3D, with cell-shaded characters reminiscent of the Dragon Ball series thanks to the employment of Akira Toriyama, the anime’s character designer. The party is detailed if not stereotypical, and all characters perform even the slightest of movements fluidly. The hero’s orange coat flutters as he walks, characters blink their eyes and breathe easily, Jessica’s hair blows in the subtle breeze, and a slight shadow follows our hero’s footsteps.

The immensity and beauty of DQVIII’s world is simply astounding. The game features a non-demanding in-game clock with regular days and nights, such that you can trace the sun’s path as it rises in the east and sets in the west to a glorious display of orange skies. During the night the skies appropriately darken, a thousand stars appear, and the moon shines brightly down upon the party. In the daytime light, fluffy clouds float overhead and the sun’s rays strike the camera. The landscape is a lush, vivid green dotted with detailed trees, blades of grass, flowing waterfalls, and superb ground texturing. As the player explores the pleasant countryside he glimpses stray animals lazily grazing across the hills, small streams and ruins, tiny cottages, and the typical dirt road. Dust kicks up from our hero’s feet as he runs along in search of the nearest town, and foliage rustles in the gentle wind. To say that the series has successfully transitioned into the 3D world is an unbelievably crude understatement.

Level 5 included a beautiful, lovely orchestral soundtrack to accompany the game’s splendid visuals, and the two combine for a spectacular presentation. Sweet violin music fills the air as the party wanders from town to town, and each village has its own theme. Little ambient noises – characters running, doors opening, monsters snarling, etc – support the audio along with superb voiceacting. Characters in DQVIII occasionally feature heavy accents, and while they’re all varied – Jessica has a proper British speech while Yangus uses a thick, slum-British (nearly Australian, complete with “crimey” and missing consonants) – they also aptly fit their characters, and none appear too overdramatic or out of context. Overall, Level 5 has done a magnificent job in localizing the game.

Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King is going to please series fans with its gorgeous transition to 3D while newcomers to the franchise will be astounded by the pleasant visuals, welcoming atmosphere, direct plot, and simple gameplay. This will definitely be a “must-have” game this holiday season. Expect to pick this one up come November 15 and be amazed. ]]> Wed, 26 Oct 2005 16:22:00 -0500