RPG-centric publisher to bring Operation Darkness and Spectral Force 3 to Microsoft's console in 2008.
While not a high-profile publisher in the West, Atlus has developed a reputation for bringing relatively niche Japanese role-playing and action games to Nintendo and Sony platforms stateside. Today, the Irvine, California-based American arm of the Japanese company announced it would be extending that reach to Microsoft's Xbox 360 as well.
"We are very proud to pledge our support to the Xbox 360 and to officially partner with Microsoft to bring quality titles to their impressive entertainment system," said Atlus USA exec Tim Pivnicny. "Atlus is renowned for its expertise and excellence in the RPG genre with critically acclaimed hits like Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3 and Odin Sphere, in addition to the award-winning Trauma Center franchise."
Along with revealing its agreement with Microsoft to become an officially sanctioned third-party publisher, Atlus has announced two games for the console, both due out in 2008. Operation Darkness is a strategy role-playing game that puts a fantastical spin on the European front during World War II, giving players magical powers to thwart Hitler's advancing tide. Atlus did not attach a developer to the game, though it did launch an official teaser site.
Also slated to arrive in 2008 from Atlus is Idea Factory's Spectral Force 3. Released for the 360 in Japan in 2006, Spectral Force 3 is the first installment in the role-playing series to arrive in the West, and Atlus claims the game features more than 50 hours of gameplay spread out over more than 150 missions. Players assume the role of a mercenary commander and are able to recruit 40 unique characters to their cause.
Neither Operation Darkness nor Spectral Force 3 has been rated.
Tom Magrino has covered the games industry since 2006. He's been compared to Steve Martin by Ozzy Osbourne and Daniel Craig by Tim Schafer. His voice, heard largely on GameSpot's podcast, recalls that of Kermit the Frog. It ain't easy bein' Magreen.
@kensei_kitsune Thanks. I really didn't know anything about that game. From the box art it kinda looked like an action and/or adventure game. I'm not much for the idea of an FPS RPG. RPGs are awesome. FPS are tired. Portal stands out because it's not just the same stuff repeated again. I'd rather play that than Turning Point. Codemasters sucks.
Finally, more RPGs coming to Xbox 360. Atlus is a great game devoloper. Wish they remade Brigandine.
@I_am_dummy; I have, it looks pretty good to me so far. I can see spending a good amount of time slogging through it.
danwarecritic, Bethesda made the Elder Scrolls Series, and Elder Scrolls games rock and I hope they make another one on the Xbox 360, also I'm gonna get Fallout3, looking forward to that one
Wow. Well Atlus made Persona 3, and from what I've heard about that game, I bet these other games Atlus releases for the 360 will be worth playing. I like the idea of WWII combined with fantasy. I have never been able to get used to the Japanese arcade-feel of other Japanese built games, for some reason they feel alien to me. I've yet to find a Japanese game that I can like. I think the closest thing I've come to enjoyment was Armored Core 4 which I completed. I don't think it's fair to bash Fallout 3 as it is based on Bethesda's best-selling RPG Elder Scrolls: Oblivion. I only wish they continued in the tradition of the top-down isomorphic/diorama style of game play that Black Isle had done with its games as well as Neverwinter Nights. One day, perhaps a game designer will be inspired to build a retro version of a modern or post-nuclear rpg for us to enjoy like the old days.
Well, danwarecritic, as absolutely -wrong- you are about Bethesda and US RPG companies, I too am greatly looking forward to anything Atlus pulls out for 360 release. Also, you missed a JRPG there, Enchant Arms, an overlooked and underappreciated JRPG, that is not nearly half so bad as many critics like to say.
I've long thought to myself "Stay away from the 360 for it's lack of JRPGs and family-friendly games." In the latter there's only Viva Pinata. And in the former only three games! Blue Dragon, Eternal Sonata, and Lost Odyssey. Now I've changed my mind. Come on! These games from Atlus! When was the last time a negative review towards this company was actually worth reading. Never!
It's RPGs like this that help a system rather than hinder it like fake RPGs from wannabe US companies like Bethesda and Obsidian who just want to use the genre to gussy up their shooters and hack-and-slashers. Just look at Fallout 3. That's just a role-playing version of the same tired shooters.
I am gonna buy a PS3 when I get that job. But, I'm Gonna get an Xbox 360 just for these two titles. Or anything else Atlus may release out here on that system. Why? Because Atlus has a perfect streak and can't make failing games, that's why.
Excellent news! at weiz: is too bad Working Designs is gone but not forgotten I do hope they get titles like Lunar on the 360. I hope they do get Taito one of these days too I like their shooters games.
i own both 360 and ps3 --the benifit of having a job -the only choice i have to make -is the order in which i play the games i buy :) mass effect has been enjoyable..not impressive..but entertaining -hated eternal sonata -blue dragon is a boring grind fest but the various -many- games for ps2 and by proxy my ps3 are all very nice of course the lists for rpgs all around is pretty slim so my advice would be -get both systems eventually :) BUT i myself..if i didnt already have both --might-- be swayed to 360 bcuz of --culdcept saga-- if you like card games..or board games..GET IT ! then again..it might just be me :) of course anytime there is one game for both systems -i always always always go sony..always -the ps3 does not meltdown..it has better functionality..i prefer the controller if you do not already have at least a ps2.... -you have missed a ton of great rpgs..but if you do have a ps2 -then you have some time to save up the ole green -to prepare for the eventual PS3 purchase..which i highly advise the only real way to win..is to own both..honestly :) enjoy
Well... I was torn between which system I was going to ask for this x-mas... This pretty much deicdes it for me. If 360 has atlus support they may sway japan. Which would be huge, and PS3 would drop off the map. They already have mistwalker, its all over now, oh and squenix is dead and greedy so who cares about them and their constant FF spin offs, just give me the ds remakes and im happy.
Idea factory is known for bunch hardcore strategy RPG. It is not popular here, but Japan have strong dedicated fanbase.
Lumenadducere "Atlus is behind the Golden Sun series, correct?" No, Atlus doesn't have anything to do with GS, that's Camelot.
weiz I don't think Dragon Quest will go to the 360 or PS3 yet, because Dragon Quest IX is for the DS, but if sales pick up Dragon Quest X might be for either console.
This is the kind of news I like to hear. Hopefully Microsoft can continue to get Japanese developers on board... Atlus is one of my favorite companies. It'd be cool to have a port of Persona 3 in addition to these two. I'd love to see them snag Working Designs, even if its to get the Lunar series on XBLA. Maybe we can see some other good franchises coming over... maybe a new Breath of Fire or Suikoden. They should talk Square Enix into putting the old Dragon Quest games on XBLA, that would be great. jjdomo - Yes, there are a few of us out there. I actually bought my 360 for Eternal Sonata, Mass Effect and Lost Odyssey. Now we're also getting Last Remnant and Infinite Undiscovery. I'd love to see a new Dragon Quest on the 360... or the PS3 for that matter.
zgreenwell said: "I'm hoping for a new Ogre Battle for the 360." I just fired up March of the Black Queen for PS1 last night. I'd kill somebody to get a new Ogre Battle, but I don't have a 360 so it'd better come out for PS3 as well, ha ha. Besides, do 360 owners even like RPGs? I thought they only played FPS games and Madden.
spacemartian79: "Great news for the Xbox 360. Now if only Atlus would bring Super Robot Taisen OGs to the US." Funny you should mention Super Robot Taisen because I'm currently playing through the first one. They have OG1 & 2 available for the Gameboy Advance. I don't know if that's what you were talking about or the PS2 version that we may never see here.
Yes, a new Ogre Battle would be great. No, it is not developed by Atlus. Atlus has been bringing them stateside since the re-release of the SNES Ogre Battle on PS1. The original SNES version was brought to us by Enix but the real developer is/was Quest. If you still have the originals, check em.
Great news for the Xbox 360. Now if only Atlus would bring Super Robot Taisen OGs to the US.
Awesome. I was hoping these titles wouldn't be forgotten here. The 360 has gotten a decent amount of Japanese support, but clearly some of the bigger stuff is just going to wind up on systems that are a safe bet there. MS has improved noticeably in Japan over the last generation (even if they still have a ton of problems) and hopefully the next generation that will improve even more.
I don't understand why people still like turn based RPG's...in my opinion, they suck! Play good games like Call of Duty 4, Legend of Zelda, Metroid, or Super Mario Galaxy, games with depth in the gameplay. "Oh, I cannot attack yet because it isn't my turn..." That's exciting...
It will take too much convincing on Microsoft to have the kind of clout as Nintendo and Sony in Japan. Frankly I respect the Japanese for supporting their own companies. I don't care about exclusives so much---just give us ports for our Xboxes and the West will be happy and appreciative!
Great news, I especially loved Odin Sphere so I hope we see something similar to that in the future on the 360.
Funny. These titles were meant to expand the 360 market in Japan, but more than that they're diversifying the US game lineup instead. I can't complain. If the titles are good, that is.
Wow. Some more Japanese games coming to the 360. I hope they make sense! They tend to be confusing to me, something lost in translation.
this will finally get RPG gamer to pick up the 360 (somewhat?) if they make tactic orge for it
Oh count me in! I love Atlus' games, even the ones that receive plenty a bad review. Always been a fan. Makes me wonder if we'll see a Persona or SMT for the 360. Either way, the more Atlus the merrier.
Nice, two tactical RPG's. Hm, the idea of casting Firaga on Hitler sounds interesting. But really, this is great news. Trauma Center, Disgaea, Super Robot Taisen, and just about everything Atlus touches have become my favorite games. To know that such a publisher is helping to diversify the shooter/action-ridden 360 makes me happy.
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