Support NeoGAF

[Loudninja]

What do fallen gods and iconic ninjas have in common? Bandai Namco, of course! Earlier this week, the publisher held a showcase in San Francisco to exhibit its 2014 lineup. A diverse sampling of games made an appearance — some for the first time since their announcement.

Dark Souls II and Lords of the Fallen won special attention at the event, thanks to their striking art direction and uncompromising combat systems. But there was much more than tales of dark fantasy to entertain and entice attendees. The latest in Naruto’s long-running Ultimate Ninja Storm series was featured, along with a new side-scrolling platformer from developer Suda 51.

If you’re craving a punishing challenge and twisted story, look no further than Sid’s hands-on experience with Dark Souls II. And read on for the highlights from the rest of Bandai Namco’s impressive showing.

Lords of the Fallen
PS4 — 2014
Thousands of years before the beginning of Lords of the Fallen, the people of the world fought and defeated their god, imprisoning him beneath the soil. In his last moments, he thrust his fingers upwards in an attempt to escape, leaving five unsettling mountains above as a reminder of his reign. But people have largely forgotten this legend, and eye the menacing rocks with indifference.

This ancient conflict sets the stage for the dark fantasy in Lords of the Fallen, by CI Games. In it, players control Harkyn, a man of immense stature bearing strange markings across his face. As the fallen god’s power returns, Harkyn works against the demons that are rising again.

Lords of the Fallen requires a patient and tactical state of mind to play, as Harkyn’s enemies — the Rhogar — can make quick work of the man. Players must study enemy behavior, move in and out of attack range carefully, and dodge often.

Good timing is a foundation of play in Lords of the Fallen, though players will also explore devastated ruins for loot, and wield powerful, class-specific magic. Harkyn can take the role of the Warrior, Cleric, or Rogue, which affects his performance in combat and the types of spells he employs.

Ranko Tsukigime’s Longest Day
PS3 — Spring, 2014
High school girl by day, assassin by night. The perfect setup for this frantic side-scroller directed by Suda 51 of Grasshopper fame. This PS3 exclusive follows the story of the titular Ranko Tsukigime as she evades the clutches of a shadowy power that’s clawing at her heels.

Each level is a race to outrun Ranko’s enemies while also dodging obstacles and defeating baddies who get in her way. Fall behind, and Ranko will be swallowed up by darkness before beginning the level anew.

Longest Day is an explosion of movement and color, where players never rest in their mad dash from one side of the stage to the other. Slashing through enemies will unleash debris that in turn can defeat other opponents. Longest Day caters to gamers who obsess over perfecting their run through a level, eliminating every superfluous jump and missed attack.

Clearing missions will eventually unlock new costumes for Ranko, and unlockable art is scattered throughout the campaign.

Tales of Symphonia Chronicles
PS3 — February 25th, 2014
The Tales JRPG series has garnered a massive global following throughout the years, thanks to its colorful characters, unique battle systems, and overall charm. Tales of Symphonia Chronicles brings two Tales adventures to PS3 for the first time: the original Tales of Symphonia, and Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World.

For the first time in the series, Chronicles features both the Japanese and English voice work. The original Japanese openings have also been included, for gaming purists who were disappointed by their absence in previous versions.

The visuals of Chronicles have been enhanced, and the collection comes packed with additional content like new artes, costumes, character titles, events, and monsters. Both games boast 30 to 50 hours of play, so even devoted JRPG enthusiasts will have a lot of questing to do next month.

http://blog.us.playstation.com/2014...len-on-ps4-leads-bandai-namcos-2014-showcase/

 

[Jimmyfenix]

I am intrigued with Lords of the fallen.

 

[salromano]

Xillia 2 isn't coming in 2014 anymore? =(

 

[Soriku]

Xillia 2 isn't coming in 2014 anymore? =(

Of course it is lol. It just hasn't been shown yet I guess.

 

[necrolysis]

Xillia 2 isn't coming in 2014 anymore? =(

I hope that isn't the case. I was looking forward to playing it later this year.

Both Lords and Longest Day sound intriguing, though. I'll give them a go when they get here!

 

[BakedYams]

Lords of the Fallen, please be what I want you to be.

 

[Dimentionalist]

Xillia 2 isn't coming in 2014 anymore? =(

That's a hasty assumption to make. Alvin's voice actor said they finished recording the English voice work for game late last year.

 

[LilWayneSuckz]

Lords of the Fallen looks amazing. I really hope it comes out soon

 

[Shin-Ra]

Damn it Namco, I read "Lords of" and immediately got excited about Castlevania on PS4.

 

[ReaperXL7]

So what happened to the PS4 gundam game? All they showed was that tiny teaser, but if it's decent I would probably import it if I can play it with little knowledge of Japanese.

Lords of the fallen sounds like it could be decent, but I want a gameplay trailer/walkthrough before bother being interested.

 

[MKP64]

Any gameplays vids of Lords of the Fallen?

 

[The Dutch Slayer]

Please I really hope that BN let people tape direct footage from Lords of the Fallen.

 

[Takao]

So what happened to the PS4 gundam game? All they showed was that tiny teaser, but if it's decent I would probably import it if I can play it with little knowledge of Japanese.

There was no teaser. It was just "Yes, we're going to bring a Gundam game to PS4 eventually". The last non-Dynasty Warriors Gundam to get localized was back in 2006, so a PS4 one probably wouldn't come over anyways.

 

[Yaoibot]

Lords of the Fallen, please be what I want you to be.

I doubt that it will be a GoTY (though those rewards are mostly PR fluff and marketing anyway), but it looks like a solid hackn'slash. Who knows it could be a sleeper-hit. I'll get it, and I'm certain that I'll like it, as I'm a fantasy nut.

 

[Waylon Drums]

I wonder how long it'll take for me to stop calling them Bando-Namcai. EVERY time I see the new name!

 

[Loudninja]

I like the sound of Lords combat.

 

[Sendou]

Namco's true showcase for 2014 will be Super Smash Bros. for Wii U.

 

[Dedication Through Light]

Still hoping for a Konohamaru on the Naruto Shippuden Storm Revolution cast and an eventual Naruto PS4 game someday, has CC2 not experience ps4 interest or something?

 

[Grief.exe]

Lords of the Fallen is coming to PC and XBO as well, is Bandai only publishing the PS4 version in Japan?

 

[Loudninja]

Lords of the Fallen is coming to PC and XBO as well, is Bandai only publishing the PS4 version?

Its the PS blog,they don't mention other platforms.

 

[Grief.exe]

Its the PS blog,they don't mention other platforms.

That would make sense then.

 

[antibolo]

And not a single Vita game localization announced, of course.

 

[zeopower6]

Ranko is coming here? Digitally, right?

 

[MarkMan]

Lords of the Fallen, please be what I want you to be.

It is definitely what I want it to be.

 

[TC McQueen]

And not a single Vita game localization announced, of course.

Bandai doesn't really give a damn about the fanbases its portable games cater to. Maybe if they get the Gundam rights sorted out, they might localize some games that aren't Dynasty Warriors Gundam games, but that's going to be a long time coming.

Then again, at this point, their non-Japanese fanbases would probably kill for text-only localizations.

 

[boinx]

Add Dark Souls 2 and Tales of Xillia 2 to that lineup and they seem to have a pretty fantastic 2014 for us.

 

[Kojirospath]

Lords of the Fallens story really reminds me of Malazan: Book of the fallen. Must be the whole fallen god thing.