Upcoming Niche Japanese Games

[argyle]

Well, I did it. I finally pre-ordered my first Switch game.

I'm looking forward to playing Atelier Lydie both at home and on the go!

I doubt you'll regret it, it's a great little system that's really starting to work up a lot of support, notably from some big Japanese developers.

Oh, and update! 

[desocietas]

Well, I did it. I finally pre-ordered my first Switch game.

I'm looking forward to playing Atelier Lydie both at home and on the go!

I doubt you'll regret it, it's a great little system that's really starting to work up a lot of support, notably from some big Japanese developers.

Oh, and update! 

I agree - I was having a bit of an argument with a friend about Atlus's choice to put SMTV on Switch only. He said Atlus is losing out on money by not putting it out on PC and PS4, and I said it's just a business decision and goes with the series in general (usually have been on handhelds with exception of Nocturne). He's the sort who doesn't have a Switch and poo-poos it for its "bad specs," but honestly the console is very solid. If the game had come out on PS4, people would've been clamoring for it to come out on the Switch. It's too niche to come out on multiple platforms, imo.

[davifus]

Well, I did it. I finally pre-ordered my first Switch game.

I'm looking forward to playing Atelier Lydie both at home and on the go!

I doubt you'll regret it, it's a great little system that's really starting to work up a lot of support, notably from some big Japanese developers.

Oh, and update! 

I agree - I was having a bit of an argument with a friend about Atlus's choice to put SMTV on Switch only. He said Atlus is losing out on money by not putting it out on PC and PS4, and I said it's just a business decision and goes with the series in general (usually have been on handhelds with exception of Nocturne). He's the sort who doesn't have a Switch and poo-poos it for its "bad specs," but honestly the console is very solid. If the game had come out on PS4, people would've been clamoring for it to come out on the Switch. It's too niche to come out on multiple platforms, imo.

I thought there was like unwritten law within gamers that nobody picks on Nintendo about graphics/spec/FPS. Sounds your friend is being a big jerk about it. 

[desocietas]

I thought there was like unwritten law within gamers that nobody picks on Nintendo about graphics/spec/FPS. Sounds your friend is being a big jerk about it.

Haha, if there is, he doesn't know about it! I always say that specs are not Nintendo's way to getting to the top of gamers's wishlists. The games themselves are.

He keeps comparing the Switch to a cellphone in regard to specs but gets upset because the games he wants are exclusive to Switch. I didn't have high expectations when it was first announced but have been happy with it since getting my hands on one.

[ignition365]

The Switch is a magnificent system, literally my only complaint is the lack of an achievement/trophy system.  It may be petty, but for a game like Yonder, which I loved by the way, I would've spent half the time I did on that game if it weren't for the trophies.

[telly]

The Switch is a magnificent system, literally my only complaint is the lack of an achievement/trophy system.  It may be petty, but for a game like Yonder, which I loved by the way, I would've spent half the time I did on that game if it weren't for the trophies.

I agree. Playing Batman on my Wii U gets me bummed out that there aren't any trophies. They're fun to collect and show off!

[azure]

https://www.gamestop.com/ps4/games/secret-of-mana-only-at-gamestop/156840

So it looks like a physical version of the SoM remake is a Gamestop exclusive? Anyone know anything about this?

[ignition365]

https://www.gamestop.com/ps4/games/secret-of-mana-only-at-gamestop/156840

So it looks like a physical version of the SoM remake is a Gamestop exclusive? Anyone know anything about this?

Ya, was announced earlier.

Limited retail release through Gamestop exclusively.  No word on if EU gets a retail release.

https://gematsu.com/2017/12/secret-mana-ps4-limited-quantity-physical-edition-announced-americas

[azure]

https://www.gamestop.com/ps4/games/secret-of-mana-only-at-gamestop/156840

So it looks like a physical version of the SoM remake is a Gamestop exclusive? Anyone know anything about this?

Ya, was announced earlier.

Limited retail release through Gamestop exclusively.  No word on if EU gets a retail release.

https://gematsu.com/2017/12/secret-mana-ps4-limited-quantity-physical-edition-announced-americas

Great, I try to avoid GS when possible.

[kashell]

Le sigh. For Secret of Mana, I'll do what it takes. Still...I was hoping for a quick and easy Amazon pre-order.

UPDATE: And it has been pre-ordered. I had a nice chat with the guy behind the counter to boot.

[azure]

I went ahead and pre-ordered as well, since it is physical. Never played any "Mana" games, but the gameplay looks fun.

[kashell]

I went ahead and pre-ordered as well, since it is physical. Never played any "Mana" games, but the gameplay looks fun.

Well, if you're interested in getting your feet wet with the series...

I think Secret of Mana has aged well, so I definitely recommend that.

Sword of Mana is a remake of the first Mana game/Final Fantasy Adventure. It gets a lot of flack, but I think it's an enjoyable little game.

Secret of Mana 2 is usually regarded as the best. It's a great game and has the highest replay ability. Another one that I highly recommend.

I'd avoid Dawn of Mana and Heroes of Mana. Neither of them are fun; both for their own reasons.

Children of Mana is the Mana game I recommend when you run out of other games in the series to play.

Legend of Mana is another fun one, but it doesn't feel like it's a part of the Mana universe.

[azure]

I went ahead and pre-ordered as well, since it is physical. Never played any "Mana" games, but the gameplay looks fun.

*snip*

I actually ended up reading through the Wiki on my break getting familiar with all the games in the series yesterday. I appreciate the feedback from a fan though. I'm drawn to Sword of Mana, being on the GBA and all. It also seems to be a remake of sorts to the first game in the series from what I understand. So my question is, should I play these bad boys in order?

[kashell]

I went ahead and pre-ordered as well, since it is physical. Never played any "Mana" games, but the gameplay looks fun.

*snip*

I actually ended up reading through the Wiki on my break getting familiar with all the games in the series yesterday. I appreciate the feedback from a fan though. I'm drawn to Sword of Mana, being on the GBA and all. It also seems to be a remake of sorts to the first game in the series from what I understand. So my question is, should I play these bad boys in order?

Yep. Sword of Mana is a complete overhaul of Seiken Densetsu/Final Fantasy Adventure. It generates a fair amount of backlash, but I enjoyed it. It can be finished in about 10 hours, so it's not a major time sink.

I think playing them in release order would serve you well. There aren't any connections with the stories, so you can also enjoy the series by playing them in an order of your liking. It just might be hard to go back to earlier releases if you do that.

Well...scratch that. Heroes of Mana takes place a few years before Secret of Mana 2. Buuuut, Heroes of Mana isn't fun.

[azure]

I went ahead and pre-ordered as well, since it is physical. Never played any "Mana" games, but the gameplay looks fun.

*snip*

I actually ended up reading through the Wiki on my break getting familiar with all the games in the series yesterday. I appreciate the feedback from a fan though. I'm drawn to Sword of Mana, being on the GBA and all. It also seems to be a remake of sorts to the first game in the series from what I understand. So my question is, should I play these bad boys in order?

Yep. Sword of Mana is a complete overhaul of Seiken Densetsu/Final Fantasy Adventure. It generates a fair amount of backlash, but I enjoyed it. It can be finished in about 10 hours, so it's not a major time sink.

I think playing them in release order would serve you well. There aren't any connections with the stories, so you can also enjoy the series by playing them in an order of your liking. It just might be hard to go back to earlier releases if you do that.

Well...scratch that. Heroes of Mana takes place a few years before Secret of Mana 2. Buuuut, Heroes of Mana isn't fun.

For the time being I'll go Sword of Mana -> Secret of Mana -> Secret of Mana Remake. After that, I will just go from there, thanks for the info Kash.