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Info
Title: Crimson Shroud
Release Date: December 13 2012
Price: $7.99/7,99€
Platform: Nintendo 3DS eShop

Official Site: http://level5ia.com/blackbox/us/crimson-shroud/
Launch Trailer (w/Gameplay): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgFzlxMzJzs


Staff

Director/Writer: Yasumi Matsuno
Character Design: Hideo Minaba
Music: Hitoshi Sakimoto
Developer: Nex Entertainment
Publisher: Level 5


Game Overview

LEVEL-5 and Yasumi Matsuno have brought together the industry's most venerated creators in the world of RPGs to take up the challenge and lend their support to the production of CRIMSON SHROUD.

A tribute to the table-top RPG, crucial decisions hinge on the roll of a die. Players roll dice in real time and chain skills together to earn bonus dice of greater and greater face value. Use your dice strategically though, or your foes may yet get the best of you!

Follow the tale of a young "Chaser" named Giauque, as he and his team find themselves drawn into the mystery of the Original Gift, the Crimson Shroud. A bold new adventure awaits!


Features

• A brand new story from veteran creator, Yasumi Matsuno
• Roll dice to make crucial choices that alter your fate
• A classic RPG infused with modern elegance

Reviews

http://www.insidegamingdaily.com/2012/12/10/crimson-shroud-review/

Simply saying “Yo dawg Matsuno’s back” will be enough to send many gamers to The Crimson Shroud, especially at its surprisingly low price. Even still, there’s an extra spark in this game that will rub a lot of gamers the right way. The Crimson Shroud is a game that’s completely comfortable to be exactly what it is: an extremely hard, dense celebration of what makes tabletop RPGs so fun. There are gameplay issues that will aggravate some, but any gamer who’s spent a Friday night rolling dice will be more than willing to forgive them.

http://www.gamesradar.com/crimson-shroud-review/

Crimson Shroud is clearly Matsuno’s labor of love, but it’s a shame so many of its features failed in execution and proved more annoying in practice. Its redeeming qualities lie in its presentation, but that barely makes coping with repetitive and tiresome battles any better. If you want to experience something close to what Crimson Shroud should have been, you’re better off playing Vagrant Story and a tabletop RPG at the same time. It’s bound to be far more exciting.

http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/eshop/crimson_shroud_eshop

As an RPG that digs into the table-top history of the genre, Crimson Shroud is both a great deal of fun and an artistic triumph. While there are issues — mainly a steep learning curve and an almost frustratingly brief campaign — they're easy to overlook in the face of such charming presentation, fantastic music, and near-endless replayability. Crimson Shroud isn't a game that does a lot of things, but rather a game that does a small number of things extremely well. Crimson Shroud is absolutely a dungeon worth crawling.

http://www.1up.com/reviews/love-hate-crimson-shroud-takes

I love the idea behind Crimson Shroud, and I love its trappings. But -- perhaps in a first for a Matsuno-helmed project! -- it could really benefit from being a lengthier game. Five hours and four floors of a dungeon just doesn't give all the ideas on offer here sufficient room to breathe. Even so, any RPG fan should consider checking it out if only to enjoy the chance to see the genre's roots explored in such a fascinatingly literal form.

http://www.siliconera.com/2012/12/12/crimson-shroud-playtest-an-enhanced-visual-novel/

Overall, I really enjoyed Crimson Shroud. The still action, even in battle, never really bothered me, as it reminded me of an old-school RPG where there was only limited animation (except in 2D, not 3D) or of a tabletop RPG with figurines. The figurines are beautifully designed, and I like how the graphics change instantly to reflect changes in equipment.

Screenshots

 

[Eteric Rice]

I saw the character designs and almost pooped myself. Looks so much like Vagrant Story.

 

[Ryuukan]

Tell me more

 

[robotzombie]

I don't understand why I can't find a single gameplay video for this... Did anyone ever end up playing it and giving impressions?

 

[Skilletor]

This is relevant to my wallet.

 

[terrisus]

Really glad this is actually making its way over here.
Day 1.

 

[vazel]

Very happy to see Matsuno's part of Guild01 making it to the US. Now I definitely have a reason to get a 3DS.

 

[Peff]

Do we know if it's Alexander O. Smith yet?

I don't understand why I can't find a single gameplay video for this... Did anyone ever end up playing it and giving impressions?

There's this. From what I remember reading back then a lot of people thought the game was very slow.

EDIT: This too.

 

[vagabondarts]

Going to relish every moment. Its the fusion of two of my favorite things, Matsuno games and Tabletop RPG's.

Also, how often do we have a new Matsuno game to play?

 

[batbeg]

Buying the fuck out of this.

 

[djplaeskool]

Oddly enough, this might have been the least liked game from Guild01.

 

[Zee-Row]

This came out of nowhere! i didn't even know this game existed! Looks pretty cool!

 

[DJSharpeCheddar]

Buying completely blind. Matsuno is God.

 

[Neuromancer]

Sounds neat. I look forward to impressions.

 

[BorkBork]

At least this looks better than Liberation Maiden or Aeroporter.

 

[Vossler]

Awesome, one of the reasons I bought a 3ds over a vita....but then bought the vita as well. Loves me some Matsuno.

 

[GDGF]

Buying completely blind. Matsuno is God.

 

[Jinfash]

I've already decided to buy this regardless of price, but there's a dearth of impressions from Japanese 3DS users. Can anyone share some thoughts or the general consensus of this game?

Mainly I'm interested in length, depth, and overall enjoyment.

 

[Reluctant-Hero]

Yup, definitely downloading this.

Should I get Aeroporter as well?

 

[billy beane]

Nice. Good price too. About how long is the game?

 

[Tex117]

For the love of goodness...Get Matsuno involved in some big console projects...geesh.

Better yet...see if he and a wRPG maker can officially blend the two styles of RPGs.

(Ok, it will probably feel like the Souls games, and thats a good thing IMO).

 

[thetrin]

I'm pumped for this. I love the idea of virtual dice rolling. Been waiting for this since Guild 01 was announced.

I've heard the game is very much the video game version of a D&D game, where the game is the Dungeon Master.

 

[Meccanical]

For the love of goodness...Get Matsuno involved in some big console projects...geesh.

So he can have another breakdown?

 

[Aeana]

I'm looking forward to giving it a shot.

 

[djplaeskool]

I've already decided to buy this regardless of price, but there's a dearth of impressions from Japanese 3DS users. Can anyone share some thoughts or the general consensus of this game?

Somewhat interesting story hampered greatly by a slow, plodding pace and poor visuals.

 

[jgmo870]

Oddly enough, this might have been the least liked game from Guild01.

This is what I keep hearing too. The writing isn't all that sharp from that first pic. Kind of sounds like the beginning of an amateur erotica.

 

[Alexios]

Neat!

 

[Khrno]

No Euro date yet

 

[MrT-Tar]

Getting when it sees a PAL release, easily my most hyped of the Guild01 games.

 

[Schopenhauer]

Will definitely be downloading CS on the 13. Just trying to figure out a place to buy a points code online in preparation.

 

[duckroll]

No Euro date yet

The Euro date is the same as the US date. Eurogamer confirmed it iirc.

 

[aidan]

Any impressions from Japan GAF? I mean, it's Matsuno, so I'll buy it sight unseen, but I'd love to hear from someone who has played it.

 

[RPG_Fanatic]

Buying completely blind. Matsuno is God.

Same here.

 

[grimshawish]

Might wait for reviews. Liberaton Maiden was a bit of a mess for the price paid.

 

[duckroll]

Any impressions from Japan GAF? I mean, it's Matsuno, so I'll buy it sight unseen, but I'd love to hear from someone who has played it.

Bebpo has been telling me some pretty negative things about the game. I'm still excited to try it myself though, since it's Matsuno, but apparently it's really low budget, designed to be rather repetitive and grindy because of the small nature of the game, and longer than the content warrants.

I dunno though, maybe he should come in and give us more detailed impressions if he has time this weekend!

 

[moozoom]

The Euro date is the same as the US date. Eurogamer confirmed it iirc.

Cool. I like the "Lead-RPG-figure" look of the characters, with the square stand. Brings me back to my role playing days, when I spent hours painting skavens, skeleton armies and chainsaw warriors.

 

[Santiako]

The reception on this one was pretty cold iirc, but liberation maiden was well received and I thought it was awful, so I'll try this.

 

[thetrin]

Cool. I like the "Lead-RPG-figure" look of the characters, with the square stand. Brings me back to my role playing days, when I spent hours painting skavens, skeleton armies and chainsaw warriors.

Aside from Matsuno, a lot of the tabletop similarities are what draw me to the game as well.

 

[Jinfash]

Somewhat interesting story hampered greatly by a slow, plodding pace and poor visuals.

:\

I can stomach the understandably poor visuals, as long as their cut by more interesting menus and presentation, but the slow is kind of worrying. The game is supposed to emulate table top RPGs, so I'm wondering whether the pace is stems from that or if it's of a different nature.

Bebpo has been telling me some pretty negative things about the game. I'm still excited to try it myself though, since it's Matsuno, but apparently it's really low budget, designed to be rather repetitive and grindy because of the small nature of the game, and longer than the content warrants.

I dunno though, maybe he should come in and give us more detailed impressions if he has time this weekend!

And now my stomach hurts.

 

[Celine]

Crimson Shroud, Cave Men and Nano Assault Ex are my planned purchases for 3DS this holiday.

Tell me more

 

[MagiusNecros]

All Guild01 games were basically mega short so don't expect much. I really liked the tabletop simulator idea. Reminded me of DnD.

 

[Hero]

Tabletop - RPG hybrid? Didn't know the game was like that, was going to be in day one regardless since it's Matsuno but now I'm even more pumped.

 

[vareon]

I love tabletop RPG.
I love Matsuno's works.

No reason not to buy this, even if it sucks somehow. Here goes my first eShop purchase!

Edit: Should be noted that Sakimoto is composing.

 

[Tex117]

So he can have another breakdown?

For brilliance, sacrifice.

 

[Skilletor]

For brilliance, sacrifice.

This needs to be the tagline of some epic fantasy novel. lol

 

[Celine]

Edit: Should be noted that Sakimoto is composing.

Yeah I've listened to the OST before and it's very good.

 

[SatelliteOfLove]

Lord Matsuno, Hallowed be thy name!

I saw the character designs and almost pooped myself. Looks so much like Vagrant Story.

You're more right than you think.

So he can have another breakdown?

Depends, is SE brass going to hand him $20m and no oversight then start backseat-drive constantly?

 

[jooey]

Bebpo has been telling me some pretty negative things about the game. I'm still excited to try it myself though, since it's Matsuno, but apparently it's really low budget, designed to be rather repetitive and grindy because of the small nature of the game, and longer than the content warrants.

I dunno though, maybe he should come in and give us more detailed impressions if he has time this weekend!

Bebpo doesn't like a game, tells duckroll, world half-smiles and nods

 

[ScreenSplitter]

The eShop continues to be way more interesting than the 3DS's retail offerings. This, Denpa Men, (and if there is a God, Harmo Knight) I am looking forward to.

 

[M3d10n]

I've already decided to buy this regardless of price, but there's a dearth of impressions from Japanese 3DS users. Can anyone share some thoughts or the general consensus of this game?

Mainly I'm interested in length, depth, and overall enjoyment.

Ha! I've already decided to buy this regardless of impressions.