Atlus to bring The Dark Spire, Steal Princess to US

[Evil Avnovice]

Or so ESRB says: (GoNintendo (http://gonintendo.com/?p=64679), ESRB (http://www.esrb.org/ratings/search.jsp#))

Steal Princess
Platform: Nintendo DS
Rating: Everyone 10+
Content descriptors: Language, Mild Fantasy Violence, Suggestive Themes

Rating summary: This is an action game in which players assume the role of a princess who traverses lands, solves puzzles, and battles creatures in order to save a prince and her kingdom. Players progress from map-to-map and sometimes face creatures that use axes, projectiles, and rockets against them. Players usually blink when attacked, while creatures fall down and disappear when struck. Some female characters wear outfits that reveal cleavage, and there is one still image that depicts the main character bending over in a short skirt with her underwear showing. Profanity (e.g., “bastard,” “hell,” and “damn”) is used within the dialogue of the story.


The Dark Spire
Platform: Nintendo DS
Rating: Everyone 10+
Content descriptors: Alcohol Reference, Fantasy Violence, Language, Suggestive Themes

Rating summary: This is a role-playing game in which players traverse through a dungeon to look for a stolen treasure. Players encounter monsters throughout the dungeon and can choose from a list of actions such as “attack,” “defend,” and “run.” Some story elements have graphic descriptions of violence (e.g., “…cut his own wrists and sprayed his blood” and “the sword impaled her through the chest”). Character accessories can include “bikini armor” and a “frilled codpiece,” while one scene mentions an “erotic panda.” Expletives (e.g., “bastard” and “hell”) can be seen in the dialogue, as well as references to alcohol products (e.g., “breath that reeks of rum”).

I've especially been waiting for Steal Princess. :D

[Variable Gear]

Oh, Steal Princess should be nice! Thanks again, Atlus!

[Superman's Dead]

...can you actually play as the erotic panda?

[BLeeP]

Wow, I just played what is possibly a flash version of The Dark Spire, and the music was freaking awesome. If you follow the links, you can find it on GoNintendo.

[Disgustipated]

http://www.legendra.com/media/artworks/nds/steal_princess/steal_princess_art_2.jpg

The bending over picture in question.

[Variable Gear]

Thanks, D. I was furiously looking for that picture. Now I've gotta get back to 4chan.

[NoName]

Awesome news. More Atlus games for the DS always make me happy.

[Purple Santa]

I love Atlus.

And thank you Disgustipated for that pic. That is panty pic thread worthy :)

[BLeeP]

Atlus just sent out a Dark Spire email, and I have to say it has some of the greatest artwork I've ever seen in a DS game. I can not wait for this game, as I love the idea of giving text descriptions of what's going on.

The game is so beautiful, I can't see myself wanting to play in the "classic mode".

http://www.atlus.com/res/thedarkspire_screenshot_02.jpg

http://www.atlus.com/res/thedarkspire_screenshot_07.jpg

http://www.atlus.com/res/thedarkspire_screenshot_10.jpg

It really gives me a Ralph Bakshi vibe. I need it!

[Evil Avnovice]

Those are some sweet pics, Katslover. After Etrian Odyssey II, this will be my next fix. :D

[BLeeP]

Those are some sweet pics, Katslover. After Etrian Odyssey II, this will be my next fix. :D

I would pick up Etrian Odyssey II, but I didn't finish one, and that is mostly because I can't find my cartridge >_< (seems to be the only game unaccounted for at this point in time, and that makes me a sad panda). This game looks like ten shades of awesome, though. Did you try the flash demo from the Japanese site posted earlier in this thread?

[Evil Avnovice]

I would pick up Etrian Odyssey II, but I didn't finish one, and that is mostly because I can't find my cartridge >_< (seems to be the only game unaccounted for at this point in time, and that makes me a sad panda). This game looks like ten shades of awesome, though. Did you try the flash demo from the Japanese site posted earlier in this thread?

I'm in a computer lab here, so that's out of the question. (rules, etc.) :o

Edit: However, let me post the press release: (GoNintendo (http://gonintendo.com/?p=66789))

Calling all fans of classic, first-person role playing games! The Dark Spire™ for Nintendo DS™ is an RPG of exploration and character development in the purest sense. Parties will be assembled, stats will be rolled, items, weapons and armor shall be equipped, and monsters will be slain (and let’s face it, some player characters, too).

Some adventurers will choose to play using the “modern” interface, its bold, stylized textures and palettes delivering a fresh, up-to-date adventure. Others may opt for the “classic” mode, guaranteed to evoke overwhelming sensations of nostalgia as it perfectly recreates the style and simplicity of the fathers of the genre. Two different presentation modes, two different ways to experience The Dark Spire!

The powerful Archmage Tyrhung resides in a tower of mist and shadow. He holds in his possession a jewel of great worth and power. A group of adventurers assemble. Will they be able to conquer Tyrhung and his nefarious tower? The party sets out, its fate yet to be determined…

Continuing the tradition of Etrian Odyssey, Atlus’s The Dark Spire is the next great homage to the RPG classics of old. Look for it to hit Nintendo DS™ on March 10, 2009 with an MSRP of $29.99.

Will you face the peril, or will it be too perilous?

[BLeeP]

Pffft, I GUESS I should have posted the words, but I thought it would be more fun to just supply the pizazz. Do you work at a school, or are you learning at one?

[Evil Avnovice]

Pffft, I GUESS should have posted the words, but I thought it would be more fun to just supply the pizazz. Do you work at a school, or are you learning at one?

I use the computer lab [on base] here to get some peace and quiet. My mom always gets on my case about the gaming sites I mostly frequent. :o

[BLeeP]

I use the computer lab [on base] here to get some peace and quiet. My mom always gets on my case about the gaming sites I mostly frequent. :o

Ah, I gotcha. Moms. If only she knew how awesome the people at Colony are.

[Gorvi]

These look so good. I swear, I should just sell off my consoles and game exclusively on the DS and PSP. :p

[Purple Santa]

I would pick up Etrian Odyssey II, but I didn't finish one, and that is mostly because I can't find my cartridge >_< (seems to be the only game unaccounted for at this point in time, and that makes me a sad panda). This game looks like ten shades of awesome, though. Did you try the flash demo from the Japanese site posted earlier in this thread?
You need to play EO II. Avnovice introduced me to the series and I can't thank him enough for that. I am only half way done, but I hear it's such a much improved version over the first it's a must if you are a fan.
I use the computer lab [on base] here to get some peace and quiet. My mom always gets on my case about the gaming sites I mostly frequent. :o
Well if your mom saw that very creative siggy...yeah I can see her concern for the sites you are visiting :).

[Wraitheist]

I've never heard of these games, but most Atlus games are gold. Bring'em on!

[MagGnome]

I really need to try out some Atlus titles. I see you guys raving about them, but I don't think I've ever played a single one. :o

[frederec]

I really need to try out some Atlus titles. I see you guys raving about them, but I don't think I've ever played a single one. :o

Some are better than others. Start with one of the recent Persona games, see how that hits you. Or Etrian Odyssey as has been mentioned if you're after old school dungeon crawling on the DS. If you like it, as for recommendations from there.

[MagGnome]

Some are better than others. Start with one of the recent Persona games, see how that hits you. Or Etrian Odyssey as has been mentioned if you're after old school dungeon crawling on the DS. If you like it, as for recommendations from there.

I might get Etrian Odyssey at some point. I'd love to play Persona 3 and 4, but I don't have a PS2 or a PS3.

I do, however, have a very dusty DS.

[frederec]

I might get Etrian Odyssey at some point. I'd love to play Persona 3 and 4, but I don't have a PS2 or a PS3.

I do, however, have a very dusty DS.

Ah, that would be the trouble. Most of Atlus's best games are on the PS2 (MegaTen stuff and Odin Sphere in particular). Give Etrian Odyssey a shot. The second one is $30 at amazon now, but I know I've been seeing it go on sale periodically lately, so you may be able to find a better deal.

[Gorvi]

The only warning I'd give about Etrian Odyssey, at least the first game, is that it can get very, very hard. Money can be a huge issue early on, and even later in the game you'll run into monsters that can destroy your party (and kill all the progress you've made since you were last in town) before you can even take a turn. It's a good game, but it can be very frustrating at times.

[Purple Santa]

The only warning I'd give about Etrian Odyssey, at least the first game, is that it can get very, very hard. Money can be a huge issue early on, and even later in the game you'll run into monsters that can destroy your party (and kill all the progress you've made since you were last in town) before you can even take a turn. It's a good game, but it can be very frustrating at times.

Wait, that sounds a lot like the second EO too :p. Except the mapping is easier. EO will try your patience. It has a steep learning curve but once you get it it's engrossing. But you learn early on...go so far..then run back and save...a lot!

Edit: Mags, are you interested in a PS2? I know you have enough in your backlog so not sure you would want one. If you know you would use it...let me know.

Edit x2: It's a PS2 with the capability of going online. Which means you can play FF XI with Gorvi :)

[Gorvi]

Wait, that sounds a lot like the second EO too :p. Except the mapping is easier. EO will try your patience. It has a steep learning curve but once you get it it's engrossing. But you learn early on...go so far..then run back and save...a lot!
EO just had so many unfriendly design decisions that I had to put it down. In the beginning, it was so hard to make any significant progress with money it was nuts. I was having trouble just paying for the Warp Wires to get myself back to town safely in the beginning. If it weren't for all the backtracking and forced random battles I probably would have enjoyed the game more, but every time you warp back to town you need to trudge back to where you were last in the dungeon from the beginning of the strata (or whatever the levels were called) that you were in, running into annoying random encounters the entire time. If it even just let you go straight back to were you warped out from it would have been a huge help.

I really wanted to like EO, but that and the stupidly unbalanced FOEs really turned me off from the game.

[MagGnome]

Edit: Mags, are you interested in a PS2? I know you have enough in your backlog so not sure you would want one. If you know you would use it...let me know.

Edit x2: It's a PS2 with the capability of going online. Which means you can play FF XI with Gorvi :)

I've thought about picking up a PS2 at some point along with several games that I missed out on. I'm not sure when I would have the time to play them all though!

I saw Persona 3 and 4 on Amazon the other day, and I was sorely tempted to pick them up.

[Purple Santa]

EO just had so many unfriendly design decisions that I had to put it down. In the beginning, it was so hard to make any significant progress with money it was nuts. I was having trouble just paying for the Warp Wires to get myself back to town safely in the beginning. If it weren't for all the backtracking and forced random battles I probably would have enjoyed the game more, but every time you warp back to town you need to trudge back to where you were last in the dungeon from the beginning of the strata (or whatever the levels were called) that you were in, running into annoying random encounters the entire time. If it even just let you go straight back to were you warped out from it would have been a huge help.

I really wanted to like EO, but that and the stupidly unbalanced FOEs really turned me off from the game.
That was my experience in EO 2. I picked it up although I knew how tough it was. But over at EvAv, Avnovice and Spigot and co. kept talking about it and well...I caved. I played it and damn I got bitch slapped badly. Now I don't feel so bad if an experienced RPG player like yourself struggled with the same issues I had. Eventually I found a way to make money. I think I created characters then sold off their armor then deleted them :). So I finally had enough money to get me by. I stopped playing though, I am on floor 11. Eventually i'll go back and try to finish. But hearing how Avnovice finished that game...he has some sadistic side to his gaming tastes...
I've thought about picking up a PS2 at some point along with several games that I missed out on. I'm not sure when I would have the time to play them all though!

I saw Persona 3 and 4 on Amazon the other day, and I was sorely tempted to pick them up.
Buy them. Seriously. You will like them. I have a PS2 if you want it. I can have my parents retrieve it from their attic and will be seeing them on Saturday. You just need to pick up a controller though. My old one had the wires burned from a candle...it's a long story...but if you want it...it's yours.

[MagGnome]

Buy them. Seriously. You will like them. I have a PS2 if you want it. I can have my parents retrieve it from their attic and will be seeing them on Saturday. You just need to pick up a controller though. My old one had the wires burned from a candle...it's a long story...but if you want it...it's yours.


That's an offer I certainly wouldn't turn down. :)

I don't know when I'd get the time to play it, but I'd definitely make time at some point.

[Purple Santa]

That's an offer I certainly wouldn't turn down. :)

I don't know when I'd get the time to play it, but I'd definitely make time at some point.

Awesome! I wanted it to go to a good home. I know you are a good home. Were you also looking for gamecube component cable? I thought it was you...I found them...if you want those too..they are yours as well...and the cables can be used for the PS2 as well...

[MagGnome]

Awesome! I wanted it to go to a good home. I know you are a good home. Were you also looking for gamecube component cable? I thought it was you...I found them...if you want those too..they are yours as well...and the cables can be used for the PS2 as well...

I would love a Gamecube component cable! I need to hook up my Gamecube again sometime and go through that backlog.

You are way too nice. You should at least let me give you something in return. :)

[Purple Santa]

I would love a Gamecube component cable! I need to hook up my Gamecube again sometime and go through that backlog.

You are way too nice. You should at least let me give you something in return. :)

The cable for the PS2 is an all in one, which includes a Gamecube and xbox component cable. So it will do dual service :).

All I want in return is for you to be not so hard on yourself :)

[BlackPete]

I really wanted to like EO, but that and the stupidly unbalanced FOEs really turned me off from the game.

The FOEs were really meant to be more like road blocks than actual enemies you're supposed to fight. In EO2, they emphasized this by making all FOEs give 0 xp when you kill them.

Still worth it to get their items for better gear, though.

[Evil Avnovice]

And now Steal Princess has been given a North American release date. :D (GoNintendo (http://gonintendo.com/?p=69351))

IRVINE, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 15, 2009 - Atlus U.S.A., Inc. today announced that it has secured the North American publishing rights for Steal Princess™ for Nintendo DS™, a puzzle/platformer hybrid on a mission to break the mold and redefine a couple of genres in the process. Over 150 levels of increasing complexity eagerly look forward to pushing your central processing unit (i.e., your brain) to its limits. When you’ve completed the stages provided, wipe your well-earned tears of joy away and jump into the powerful level creator to design your own devilishly tough maps, placing enemies, constructing moving platforms, and even setting custom victory conditions! Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection support allows your custom creations to be shared online with anyone across North America!

Steal Princess is scheduled for release on March 24, 2009, with an MSRP of $34.99.


For more information about Steal Princess, visit the official website:
http://www.atlus.com/stealprincess

About Steal Princess

While exploring the thought-to-be-long-abandoned palace of the Ancient Demon King, the young thief Anise stumbles upon a startling discovery: the palace isn’t abandoned at all, and it’s crawling with demons, no less! Equally startling is the deadly booby trap she triggers in the process of opening a locked door. She barely outruns the giant boulder bearing down on her, escaping the palace only to fall into a surging river, unconscious.

The fairy Kukri, imprisoned for centuries in the chamber Anise inadvertently unlocked, rescues her and takes her to the Castle of Albyon. Anise awakens in the presence of the King, whose son is being held by demons in the very palace Anise narrowly escaped from. Recent events have unshakably convinced the King that this thief is descended from the Legendary Hero of Albyon, he who slew the Ancient Demon King centuries ago, and so he commands her thusly: free the Prince from the vile demons… or be tried and convicted as a thief and locked away for life. Not much of a choice, one way or the other…

Key Features

* 3-D puzzle platformer - Dive into a playing field of simple design, but deceptively complex challenge, that combines action elements with puzzle-solving skills on a 3-D, isometric plane. Jump, swing, climb, and attack as you search for the key to complete each level.
* Over 150 levels to beat - Levels spanning different geographies and requiring different strategies deliver on the promise of true breadth. Play them again to beat your best times, earn higher rankings, earn better endings, and collect more gems to unlock items.
* Create and trade custom levels - A robust custom map maker lets you construct levels with any enemies, items, and victory conditions you want. Trade maps with other players over Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection and local wireless for a never ending challenge!

Steal Princess has been rated “E10+” for Everyone 10 and older with Language, Mild Fantasy Violence, and Suggestive Themes by the ESRB.

[Evil Avnovice]

Official trailer.

hZzAZX7M2vo

[Evil Avnovice]

IGN's hands-on (http://ds.ign.com/articles/948/948560p1.html) with The Dark Spire.

[Evil Avnovice]

To make up for the fact that The Dark Spire's been pushed back from March to April:

IRVINE, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 9, 2009 - Atlus U.S.A., Inc. today continued its Atlus Spoils fan appreciation program with the news that The Dark Spire™, an upcoming RPG of exploration and character development for Nintendo DS™, will be a premium boxed release, with each and every copy of the game’s initial launch run including a soundtrack CD featuring 24 tracks of music from the game. Brooding yet lively, The Dark Spire’s score, laden with synth and sharp chords, complements the game’s foreboding style perfectly. Songs from both the contemporary and retro modes are included on the bonus disc.

“Our census data indicates that given the choice between only a game, and a better-packaged game with a free bonus soundtrack, a significant number of our fans seem to prefer getting free extras,” analyzed Aram Jabbari, Manager of Public Relations and Sales. “We don’t want to rush to any conclusions here, but it seems possible that people enjoy free bonus things along with their games. Hopefully, we’re actually reading the data correctly this time, unlike that study on whether or not our fans enjoyed bonus live scorpions with their games. We really blew it on that one, and we apologize to those affected.”


Parties will be assembled; stats will be rolled; items, weapons and armor shall be equipped, and monsters will be slain. The powerful Archmage Tyrhung resides in a tower of mist and shadow. He holds in his possession a jewel of great worth and power. A group of adventurers assemble. Will they be able to conquer Tyrhung and his nefarious tower? The party sets out, its fate yet to be determined…

The Dark Spire is scheduled for release on April 14, 2009 with an MSRP of $29.99.

For track samples from the bonus soundtrack CD:
http://www.atlus.com/darkspire/bonus/

Also, anyone get that "Confidential" e-mail from Atlus? ;):cool:

[Gorvi]

Yep, I got that too. I'm really looking forward to this, I need my dungeon crawling fix.

[Evil Avnovice]

Yep, I got that too. I'm really looking forward to this, I need my dungeon crawling fix.

Looks like my month of March is getting ruined. I guess there's Infinite Space if Sega doesn't push that one back. :p

[Gorvi]

Looks like my month of March is getting ruined. I guess there's Infinite Space if Sega doesn't push that one back. :p
It'll give you time to catch up with the games from February. :)

[Evil Avnovice]

It'll give you time to catch up with the games from February. :)

Or Fragile. ;)

[Gorvi]

Or Fragile. ;)
That too. :) How you're not playing that more I don't get, though I know I wouldn't be able to play it in Japanese, so that may be a sticking point.

[Evil Avnovice]

That too. :) How you're not playing that more I don't get, though I know I wouldn't be able to play it in Japanese, so that may be a sticking point.

Like I already mentioned, there were/are some titles this month that I'm waiting for, and the next two weeks will see the release of Dragon Quest V and Puzzle Quest: Galactrix.

After that, good luck with me getting the time to fire Fragile back up! :)

[Evil Avnovice]

Steal Princess has been pushed back from April to May. (GoNintendo (http://gonintendo.com/?p=77686))

IRVINE, CALIFORNIA — APRIL 2, 2009 — Atlus U.S.A., Inc. today announced that Steal Princess™, the genre-bending puzzle-platformer for Nintendo DS™, has been delayed until May 19th. Unrelated to the delay but serving as a special treat to fans that either pre-order or pick up the game at launch, each and every copy of Steal Princess will include a special mini-poster with beautiful art inspired by the game.

“Releasing a few weeks later gives us more time to familiarize gamers with this creative, original title,” stated Tim Pivnicny, VP of Sales and Marketing at Atlus. “Because Steal Princess will be available through fewer sales channels and in smaller quantities than other Atlus releases, finding the optimal launch conditions is critical to ensuring that this daring new release avoids getting lost in an already busy April.”

The mini-poster extra, selected by fans through online voting, will be tucked behind the cover art, ensuring it reaches pre-order and launch date customers in perfect condition. This continues the Atlus Spoils program that provides fan-favorite extras with many Atlus games at launch.

[Evil Avnovice]

A new trailer for The Dark Spire.

47679

[Panthera]

Dark Spire got a 5/10 in Nintendo Power. Ouch. Gamepro gave it 3.5/5 though.