Take a look.
20.Dragon Quest VI: Realms of Reverie (First-person RPG) (Similar games: Dragon Quest IV, 8.0. Dragon Quest VI, 8.5)
The DS has always been characterized by its slew of great RPG's, so why not start off with one? Realms of Reverie is a remake of the conclusion of the Zenithia trilogy (IV, V, VI), games that were Japan-exclusive up until now. They introduced series innovations like monster catching and the caravan, and while "innovative" might not be the best word to describe Dragon Quest Vi, "traditional" might -- and "traditional" is what has made the series the best-selling, critically lauded franchise it is today.
19.Glory of Heracles (RPG) (Similar games: --)
Yes, this game involves a main character with amnesia. It also involves a deep, mythologically-based plotline that spans all the main locations of Ancient Greece and a surprisingly brutal hero. Hell, the game rewards you for obliterating opponents more than you need to. With the potentially intriguing narrative and fast-paced battle system, Nintendo's first game of 2010 looks to be surprisingly solid.
18.Ragnarok DS (Online RPG) (Similar games: Ragnarok)
Ragnarok Online has a fanbase of over three million -- a testament to the game's addictive gameplay, allowing for a lot of customization and exploration. The transition to DS might not be perfect, but with a really long development time from Gravity Corporation, it's bound to get some things right.
17.Sands of Destruction (RPG) (Similar games: Etrian Odyssey, 7.8. Xenogears, 9.0)
Created by the minds behind Etrian Odyssey and Xenogears (and a staff of more than 50), Sands of Destruction boasts distinctive dual-screen fun -- and a rather peculiar story. The goal of the game is to destroy the world, and the "protagonist" knows just how to do it. Yay?
16.KORG DS-10 Plus+ (Music-Maker) (Similar games: Korg DS-10, --)
The original KORG DS-10 was a fairly impressive music-maker, but Plus+ looks to significantly improve on it. The 6-track/16-step sequencer allows for a wide variety of musical possibilities, and the editing options are robust for portable music-making. Plus, it's DSi-enhanced.
15.Shantae: Risky's Revenge (Platformer) (Similar games: Shantae, 7.7. Mighty Flip Champs!, --)
Wayforward fans have been begging for a new Shantae game for years, and it is finally arriving on DSiWare. The series' sexy protagonist takes on her nemesis in what scans show to be a gorgeous platformer with some tricks up its sleeves (Nintendo Power has 6 pages on it), and with Wayforward's Mighty Flip Champs! boasting an 85 Metacritic, any download they're releasing for DSi should have the attention of all early adopters.
14.Ghost Trick (Adventure) (Similar games: Phoenix Wright, 8.8. Apollo Justice, 7.0)
Takumi-san has a lot to live up to with his next project. His fans expect a hilarious, quirky adventure in the vein of his Pheonix Wright series, and Ghost Trick looks to deliver. We can expect a great localization effort by Capcom, and the plot is unconventional, if nothing else. Sissler is a dead man with the powers of the supernatural; what does he aim to do with these abilities? "Get out of the gutter."
13.Lufia: Estpolis (Action RPG) (Similar games: Lufia, --)
Action RPG's are generally not very good on DS, but as Kingdom Hearts 358/2 proved earlier this year, they can be done -- and if anyone is to do it, it may as well be developers with experience in the genre. Many of the original Lufia staffers are working on this remake of Lufia II, which thrusts you into the role of Maxim, a young monster hunter blessed with mysterious powers.
12.Again: Eye of Providence (Adventure) (Similar games: Hotel Dusk: Room 215, 8.2)
Hotel Dusk was a cult c l assic. Hopefully, Cing's next project will reach the same status. It has similar themes and feel, with ancient crimes causing problems for a detective in the here and now, and incorporates impressive tech that makes characters actually look good (on the DS!). The protagonist will have to unravel the mystery by understanding characters' pasts. If the studio's writers haven't lost their touch, this should be an adventure no genre enthusiast should miss.
11. Picross 3D (Puzzle) (Similar games: Picross, 8.0)
The original Picross was an incredibly addictive and unique puzzler, forcing players to use their brains and logic to conquer it.It combined pictures and crosswords to create one of HAL's best works in recent memory. The sequel makes the jump to glorious 3D, making players use the stylus and a slightly different thinking process to obtain that wonderful sense of satisfaction.
10.Professor Layton 3 (Puzzle Adventure) (Similar games: Professor Layton, 9.0. Professor Layton 2, 8.5)
I predicted the then-unannounced Professor Layton 2 to be released this year in 2008, and I was right. I expect the third to make it by next year, then, and it will be as chock-full of queer Brits and tough puzzles as the rest of the games. And since it's the trilogy finale, I'd expect some fireworks to elevate it above and beyond the greatness of the first two games.
9.Infinite Space (RPG) (Similar games: none)
PlatinumGames is arguably one of the best Japanese developers around -- their next game, Bayonetta, has already received 10's from behemoth sources like Famitsu and EDGE, and certainly puts Square Enix's sexually confused Nier to shame. But Infinite Space is perhaps their most ambitious project, as it gives the player heavy customization options for over 150 ships, 150 blueprints and 200 crewmembers. This menu-intense RPG takes standard customization, and then multiplies that by around 150,000,403 so that you can have a great experience while blasting other captains' airships out of space. Take into account the extremely long journey through an epic sci-fi narrative (with a lot of animated cutscenes), and it's hard not to wonder just what PlatinumGames is compensating for.
8. Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgeworth (Adventure) (Similar games: Phoenix Wright, 8.8. Apollo Justice, 7.0)
The Ace Attorney series has seen mixed critical reception, with the latest game being the worst received in series history. Fortunately, Capcom has listened to series fans and has abandoned Apollo in favor of the beloved prosecutor Miies Edgeworth. They've also added to the admittedly stagnating formula, with the real action taking place at the crime scene (as opposed to the courtroom). Critics have already lauded it as yet another hilarious adventure, and when a game is being worked on by one of the best localization teams around, that's not hard to imagine. Expect pop culture references, witty dialogue and a return to form for the Ace Attorney series.
(Gamespot flash demo)
"No one makes me bleed my own blood. Nobody!"
7.Dementium II (First-Peson Shooter) (Similar games: Dementium, 7.5. Moon, 7.0)
Renegade Kid has developed one of the most -- if not the most -- impressive 3D engines on the DS, but have never been able to back it up with great gameplay. But with a 12+ hour campaign, a wide variety of weapons, enemies, bosses, etc. and some glowing previews (that claim all of the game's first issues have been fixed), this could be what saves their reputation as a fairly middling developer. DS FPS fans, rejoice!
6. Golden Sun DS (Turn-based RPG) (Similar games: Golden Sun, 8.6)
A return of the clas-sic GBA franchise, this is Camelot's first big game since 2003. But even with our lack of knowledge of the game, the name, developer/publisher track record and excellent showing at E3 this year has made it one of the most anticipated DS games of next year. It will be controlled fully with the stylus, but with the familiar level designs, characters and summons in the trailer, it looks to be a throw-back to the best 2D RPG on a portable -- how could they possibly screw it up?
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