They published the game in North America at least, but localization was handled by Active Gaming Media, Inc. It's a company in Osaka that works closely with numerous Japan-based companies to localize games for English-speaking audiences. They've worked as pretty effective subcontractor for a variety of localizations.

The Hundred Line was published by Aniplex in Japan, but as I understand it, they don't have a physical publishing arm in America. So physical publishing of games published by Aniplex in Japan tends to be all over the place outside of there.

I've been interested in checking out Ys for a long time now, from my underestanding, it has that bump combat like Hydlide, and I kind of liked that. I tried buying the original PC-88 version of the game on Switch but little did I know it was NOT english translated. Only the menus were in english, which I guess why they are allowed to sell it on USA e-shop??? I dunno but I was pissed. But Steam had actual updated remakes of the first two games in a bundle, and they were on sale for dirt cheap. So I picked it up.

It takes a minute to get going, but this game is very simple fun. Once you get strong enough you just tear through everything like a force of death. The main character is a cute redheaded dude and the pixel art is very good. The game gives you the option of using new modern anime art for the character portraits or some more retro looking art, and it's got three different soundtrack options. This remake is banging, I wonder why it's not on Switch??

This game really fired my neurons for "ADVENTURE", yeah it's not the most intricate world to explore but man, I'm just a sucker for these wooded plains full of monsters, caves, and dungeons. Story was interesting but kind of flew over my head a little. And it apparantly continues into the 2nd game. So I guess i'll play that next.

Actually this has me wanting to check out more games in the series. I've heard they don't all keep the bump mechanic, which makes me a little sad, I think it's fun.

My only gripe, aside from some things being just a little cryptic, is that the bosses are kinda fucked. Not all of them are bad but most of them are just bullet hell bullshit. Luckily this game pretty much has Doom style saving where you can just save anywhere, anytime. Just not during actual boss fights.

A bit like Dragon Quest, this game is very short, I wager I could beat it in a day now that I know where everything is.

Famitsu released an interview with Producer Sakakibara about Super Danganronpa 2x2. The important information revealed is as followed:

The reason SDR2 was chosen and not DR1 is because, quote, "we realized that Danganronpa 1's story creates the very fundamentals of "Danganronpa", and so altering it would have had way too much of an impact."

The remake (the original game, not the new scenario) will feature re-recorded voice lines for everyone. They got all the original voice actors back with the exception of Monomi and Monokuma, as both VAs have since sadly passed. As of writing, we do not know who the new VAs for either will be.

The 2x2 in the name is officially to be pronounced as "Two by Two" not "Two times Two" or "Two ex Two"

Furthermore, The game is being developed by Gemdrops, who only have 3 other games to their name, along with the newly established Too Kyo Games, which is founded by Kazutaka Kodaka. Kodaka left Spike Chunsoft in 2017 which explains why nobody from the original Danganronpa 2 is on the project.

Because of the company switch-up, Super Danganronpa 2x2 may be the first Danganronpa game not translated by NISA. This remains unconfirmed, but there is a good chance, following the pattern, that XSEED will translate the game (They translated Hundred Yard Line).

This is both good and bad news. Followers of mine will know I have been very critical of NISA for their sub-par translations including extremely literal translations that take away from the meaning of the actual text, as well as an abundant of mistranslations.

XSEED, however, is a bit of a toss-up. They are a polarizing figure when it comes to game translation. Some applaud them for prioritizing localization and a natural feeling in English. Others criticize them for being too lax, and oftentimes making things up that only sort of resemble the Japanese text. Many say XSEED feels like a "fan translation" group, and all the good and bad that comes with it.

I do not know how good or bad Hundred Yard Line's translation was as I did not play the game. If you are a HYL fan and can speak on the translation, please add your thoughts.

But, for example, XSEED translated Trails in the Sky. This translation is somewhat famous for many amusing lines.

I won't pretend that I know the first thing about this game, but I did watch the opening scene in English and in Japanese. Our main character, Estelle, yells at her father when he claims he got her a gift from his travels, only to reveal said "gift" is a little boy.

In Japanese, Estelle says,

Which roughly means,

"What the heck, a child!?" (Or even more literal): "What is up with this child!?"

XSEED's translation choice here obviously prioritizes English sensibilities over Japanese literal text. For what it's worth, here at least, I think it was a good choice. This scene is supposed to be somewhat humorous, so amping it up to conform with English humor makes sense.

Trails in the Sky got a remake so it seems, or at least the Demo is out. This Demo, translated by GungHo, changes all the dialogue to be more faithful. This is the new line:

All things considered, this is more accurate to the Japanese version if you want to be technical. But, if I were a fan who grew up with the original, I would be very upset to see the line changed, I imagine.

Anyways, all this to say that XSEED is a bit polarizing. I can see being attached to the company if you grew up with their entertaining translations, but as someone coming in for the first time, you may be annoyed at their liberties.

While this line in particular I would argue is a fine translation, I hear sometimes they can really go off the mark.

...So, I wonder where this will leave Danganronpa 2x2 if XSEED does get their hands on it. Or, I could be totally wrong and it may just be NISA again. To be honest, I wouldn't mind if we got a new studio to translate the game. I would be curious to see how they go about it, since I'm a little, well, sick of running into so many issues with NISA...

Would you say this set a series precedent?

8/17/2010, we got Ys SEVEN on the PSP! This SOUNDS big, because for the first time, YOU'RE NOT JUST USING ADOL! There's a party! For the first time, there's also attack (not element) attributes & the Extra skill! PLAYABLE DOGI, TOO!

So apparently London Detective Mysteria was PULLED from steam and GOG about 2 weeks ago. So unless you already bought it and download it, lucky you! If you have the LGR ps Vita, your REALLY lucky.

Physical is forever!

You can still buy this game on the ps vita network but you will need a ps vita and to load up funds on your account to buy it. I have no idea how long this game will be on here.

XSEED Games has announced that Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana is now officially available for Nintendo Switch, Ps4 and PS5. The press release mentions that the game is available digitally on all three platforms for $29.99. Also, just for PS5 and Nintendo Switch there is a physical Refined Edition available for $59.99, at both the Marvelous USA Online Store and various participating retailers.…