Sumioni!

[Wyrdwad]

Can't believe we never made one earlier!

And since I'm the one who created it, I got to write the pun-filled description for it as well. Mwa ha ha.

So, who's totally stoked for Sumioniage on their shiny new Vitas?!

-Tom

[Raguna]

Can't believe we never made one earlier!

And since I'm the one who created it, I got to write the pun-filled description for it as well. Mwa ha ha.

So, who's totally stoked for Sumioniage on their shiny new Vitas?!

-Tom

This is great having a little information on the game (While laughing my head of) and with a new PSVita coming this is great. Your puns better be extra funny Tom because I'm still on the maybe 50-50 chance on buying that game. I don't have much money to spare.

[Ventara]

Atm, I'm planning on getting it, but I haven't really seen anything that compelling. I saw that Gamespot interview with an XSEED employee where they talked a bit about the game and showed some gameplay. He didn't really seem that excited about it. I'm hoping it'll be a $30 title.

Anyways, I like action games, and the drawing elements seem to allow for various ways to defeat your enemies and make it through the level. I also like that story is affected by this, though I'm not really certain on this part as I haven't really seen anything storywise.

[Terro]

I'm hoping it'll be a $30 title.

With some games already being at that price mark, it`s a possibility. $40 might be a little more realistic, but I guess we`ll just have to wait and see...

[Wyrdwad]

I saw that Gamespot interview with an XSEED employee where they talked a bit about the game and showed some gameplay. He didn't really seem that excited about it.

Really? I thought Jimmy seemed QUITE bubbly, personally. (:

I also like that story is affected by this, though I'm not really certain on this part as I haven't really seen anything storywise.

The story is surprisingly verbose for a platformer (though it CAN be skipped if you just want to play the game), and is presented with very flowery language and some great sumi-e art. But like any good platformer, the gameplay is really where Sumioni shines. Basically, there are multiple paths through the game, leading to several different endings... but more importantly, each path has a totally different set of stages to play. Depending on your performance in the earlier stages (speed, damage taken, etc.), your path to the end will be completely different. The better you play, the better the game will assume you to be, and you'll be presented with much harder stages -- and will also get a better ending as a result.

-Tom

[Ventara]

Really? I thought Jimmy seemed QUITE bubbly, personally. (:

I guess I was just comparing the interview to the one you had for Corpse Party. Just hearing you talk about the game made me want to buy it, lol.

The story is surprisingly verbose for a platformer (though it CAN be skipped if you just want to play the game), and is presented with very flowery language and some great sumi-e art. But like any good platformer, the gameplay is really where Sumioni shines. Basically, there are multiple paths through the game, leading to several different endings... but more importantly, each path has a totally different set of stages to play. Depending on your performance in the earlier stages (speed, damage taken, etc.), your path to the end will be completely different. The better you play, the better the game will assume you to be, and you'll be presented with much harder stages -- and will also get a better ending as a result.

-Tom

It's good to read that the story will be presented in such a fashion. Is it safe to assume there will be some sort of level select that will allow completionists to easily go back and try to get the other routes?

[Shizuka]

Thank you Tom! Also, the game is slated for March everybody!

[Wyrdwad]

Is it safe to assume there will be some sort of level select that will allow completionists to easily go back and try to get the other routes?

Not a level select, per se, but there is a feature that allows you to select a "lesser" path on subsequent playthroughs.

For example, if you get the third-best ending and restart the game, and you've just done well enough to put yourself on the third-best ending path AGAIN, the game will ask you if you want to continue, or if you want to switch to the FOURTH-best ending path instead.

But if you want a BETTER ending than any you've gotten previously, you have to do well enough to EARN it on subsequent playthroughs. There's no selecting your way onto a better ending path.

...Hope that all made sense. It's kinda hard to explain without visual aids.

Thank you Tom! Also, the game is slated for March everybody!

Well, technically, it's "launch window." Jimmy stated in his Today On The Spot interview that it will *most likely* be March, but we haven't officially given a date yet. Since this is our first title on a brand new system, we don't want to commit to a date until we're absolutely certain there won't be any problems getting the game released ON that date.

But I do think it's safe to assume March. There exists a possibility it'll get pushed back beyond that, but that possibility is very slim.

-Tom

[Shizuka]

*Most likely* is the closest we've got so far, that's why I thought I should warn everybody.

[Doom Kvlt]

I saw that Gamespot interview with an XSEED employee where they talked a bit about the game and showed some gameplay. He didn't really seem that excited about it.

He seemed a bit nervous.

Anyway, Sumioni looks fairly repetitive form the videos I've seen. Hopefully there is more to it.