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Wii

Pandora's Tower Coming to North America via Xseed?

by Danny Bivens - January 15, 2013, 10:43 pm EST
Total comments: 38 Source: XSEED's Official Facebook Page), XSEED's Official Twitter Account, https://twitter.com/XSEEDGames/status/291377447507..., https://www.facebook.com/XSEEDGames?fref=ts

Rumor: Could Xseed bring the last Project Rainfall game to North America?

A mysterious picture posted on both Xseed Games’ official Facebook page and Twitter account may indicate that the company is bringing Pandora’s Tower to the Wii in North America. The picture shows a tower in the rain with no explanation behind it.

Pandora’s Tower, developed by Ganbarion, was the last of three titles in the Project Rainfall initiative to bring Japanese role-playing titles to the West. Pandora’s Tower was released for Wii in Japan on May 26, 2011, in Australia on April 12, 2012 and in Europe on April 13, 2012. For more information on Pandora’s Tower, be sure to check out our review.

Talkback

Kytim89January 16, 2013

If XSeed is publishing this game then they should do it on the Wii U's eShop as well. The rain in that image might be referring to Operation Rainfall and the tower represents the actual game Pandora's Tower. I really hope this rumor turns out to be true.

You know, I was thinking the same exact thing. Releasing a Wii disc version and/or a downloadable version on the eShop would be rad. I'm not getting my hopes up too high for it, though. It still would be cool.

AdrockJanuary 16, 2013

If this comes out, I know I shouldn't buy it, but I probably will. I recently tried to go back and play Muramasa: The Demon Blade. It's pretty fun; I just don't know if I'll ever finish it. Just seems like a waste to buy all these games and not get the most out of them.

xcwarriorJanuary 16, 2013

Sure hope these rumors are true. Pandora's tower, from what James Jones described on the podcast, sounds like some crazy fun with a bizarre story. I would buy it for sure.

The other two candidates are Valhalla Knights 3 (a yet-to-be-released Vita game, prior games were XSEED's best-selling games before Last Story came along) and Ys Celceta (Vita version of the ARPG series).

So in other words, let's not go too crazy on this. XSEED's scheduled to make an announcement before the end of the month.

Retro DeckadesJanuary 16, 2013

Would that particular picture have any relevance to those games, Shaymin? I don't know squat about either one.

CericJanuary 16, 2013

eShop Pandora Tower release even if that meant it was only for the WiiU would be an instant buy for me and not the procrastination that Xenoblade has been.

broodwarsJanuary 16, 2013

Quote from: Ceric

eShop Pandora Tower release even if that meant it was only for the WiiU would be an instant buy for me and not the procrastination that Xenoblade has been.

I have no idea why you've procrastinated on the best RPG released this generation not named Valkyria Chronicles.  :P:

As Ceric and Shaymin are well-aware, I imported Pandora's Tower and it's...ok. I don't think it's good enough to generate the kind of sales XSEED would need from a dead console like the Wii, but more power to XSEED if that turns out to be what they're doing.

CericJanuary 16, 2013

Quote from: broodwars

Quote from: Ceric

eShop Pandora Tower release even if that meant it was only for the WiiU would be an instant buy for me and not the procrastination that Xenoblade has been.

I have no idea why you've procrastinated on the best RPG released this generation not named Valkyria Chronicles.  :P:
...

Its shear length vs the availability of the platform to play it on vs Opportunity cost to buy it.

ejamerJanuary 16, 2013

Quote from: broodwars

Quote from: Ceric

eShop Pandora Tower release even if that meant it was only for the WiiU would be an instant buy for me and not the procrastination that Xenoblade has been.

I have no idea why you've procrastinated on the best RPG released this generation not named Valkyria Chronicles.  :P: :

As Ceric and Shaymin are well-aware, I imported Pandora's Tower and it's...ok. I don't think it's good enough to generate the kind of sales XSEED would need from a dead console like the Wii, but more power to XSEED if that turns out to be what they're doing.

I really wonder how many copies XSEED would need to move though.  They are still releasing PSP games on PSN, although those games are playable on Vita too.  How different is this type of release for Wii/Wii U?  The translation work is already done, so costs are probably limited to licensing and publishing with very minimal translation/programming work involved.


My first reaction was to dismiss the idea that this is for Pandora's Tower. But now I'm not so sure. Seems like there is a reasonable chance... although far from a certainty.


Plus there was assurance given in the recent NWR podcast episode that it's never coming to North America. The timing of this announcement would be almost too perfect.  lol

TrueNerdJanuary 16, 2013

Yeah RFN's most recent episode just told us to abandon all hope on getting this one localized during their predictions segment. LOLZ.

Pixelated PixiesJanuary 16, 2013

Yay?

I decided not to pick this up when it was released in Europe, so I'm not sure how much of an audience there will be should it finally see a release in North America at this stage in the system's life. Good luck to Xseed if this is true though.

ejamerJanuary 16, 2013

For what it's worth, I like it better than The Last Story (but much less than Xenoblade). Really comparing apples to oranges (to hot fudge sundaes) though.

KhushrenadaJanuary 16, 2013

If only Disaster: Day of Crisis was part of Project Rainfall. I want to fight an angry bear!

Kytim89January 16, 2013

Like I said before, if XSeed releases this game then it will possibly be via the Wii U's eShop so that they can get a quick buck without the hasssle and risk of releasing a game that might not sell that well on the shelves of Gamestop.

Kytim89January 16, 2013

Quote from: Khushrenada

If only Disaster: Day of Crisis was part of Project Rainfall. I want to fight an angry bear!

Once Nintendo realizes how much money is being made from niche titles being put on the Wii U eShop as exclusives then we will see a flood of their own Wii games thta have misses North America in the past.

UncleBobRichard Cook, Guest ContributorJanuary 16, 2013

heh.

SorenJanuary 16, 2013

Just confirmed by Kotaku via XSEED press release. Spring release date. Still no word if it will be physical or eShop.

Ian SaneJanuary 16, 2013

If it's a physical release would it be the only Wii game of 2013 or is there some half-baked multiplatform sports game due to come out?

I've been really busy lately, leaving virtually no time for gaming, but since I'm in no hurry to make a Wii U purchase another decent Wii game would be pretty nice.  I expect to have more free time starting the Spring anyway so the release date would fit perfectly.

TJ SpykeJanuary 16, 2013

Quote from: Ian

If it's a physical release would it be the only Wii game of 2013 or is there some half-baked multiplatform sports game due to come out?

Disney will be releasing Disney Infinity on Wii U, Wii, and 3DS. Also, Little Orbit will release Young Justice: Legacy next month on Wii (and just about every other console).

UncleBobRichard Cook, Guest ContributorJanuary 16, 2013

So... think we'll get this game in-hand before Operation Rainfall gets the collector's boxes out to us? :D

VahneJanuary 16, 2013

Disc and eShop please! I'll be buying it on disc, but there are those who want download only.

broodwarsJanuary 16, 2013

Well, great on XSEED for doing what Nintendo wouldn't, but I really hope you all have reasonable expectations for this game.  I have the NoE version, and while it's the best Zelda game released on years, that's really not saying very much given how poor those games have been.  It's very much a fairly mediocre action/adventure game with some interesting combat ideas (which is more than can be said of The Last Story) and an intriguing setup, but it's brought down by severe repetition and TBH not a great translation from NoE.

So long as you don't go into the game expecting the world, there's a lot of fun to be had in Pandora's Tower.  Just don't expect anything revolutionary.

broodwarsJanuary 16, 2013

Incidentally, folks, unless XSEED gives the game a new text localization, I'll give you fair warning on this: Nintendo of Europe really slacked-off on Pandora's Tower's localization.  There is some very vaguely-worded text on important things in the game, particularly in Mavda's shop.  If XSEED doesn't fix that text, I highly suggest looking up what certain things in the shop do BEFORE you spend almost all your in-game money on them.

CericJanuary 16, 2013

Quote from: broodwars

Well, great on XSEED for doing what Nintendo wouldn't, but I really hope you all have reasonable expectations for this game.  I have the NoE version, and while it's the best Zelda game released on years, that's really not saying very much given how poor those games have been.  It's very much a fairly mediocre action/adventure game with some interesting combat ideas (which is more than can be said of The Last Story) and an intriguing setup, but it's brought down by severe repetition and TBH not a great translation from NoE.

So long as you don't go into the game expecting the world, there's a lot of fun to be had in Pandora's Tower.  Just don't expect anything revolutionary.

Wait, I was led to believe this was a Dating Sim with Action and Gathering Components. :P:

broodwarsJanuary 16, 2013

Quote from: Ceric

Quote from: broodwars

Well, great on XSEED for doing what Nintendo wouldn't, but I really hope you all have reasonable expectations for this game.  I have the NoE version, and while it's the best Zelda game released on years, that's really not saying very much given how poor those games have been.  It's very much a fairly mediocre action/adventure game with some interesting combat ideas (which is more than can be said of The Last Story) and an intriguing setup, but it's brought down by severe repetition and TBH not a great translation from NoE.

So long as you don't go into the game expecting the world, there's a lot of fun to be had in Pandora's Tower.  Just don't expect anything revolutionary.

Wait, I was led to believe this was a Dating Sim with Action and Gathering Components. :P: : :

It is, but the dating sim aspect is about as fleshed-out as such features are in a Harvest Moon game.  The Zelda side of the game is much more pronounced, as you well know.  ;)

SorenJanuary 16, 2013

Physical release confirmed by XSEED Marketing on Gaf.

Ian SaneJanuary 16, 2013

"Best Zelda game released in years" doesn't sound that bad to me.  If anything that makes more interested.  It's not like I didn't enjoy TP and SS.

broodwarsJanuary 16, 2013

Quote from: Soren

Physical release confirmed by XSEED Marketing on Gaf.

And good luck to them in finding a retail store that wants to stock a niche Wii game in 2013.

broodwarsJanuary 16, 2013

Quote from: Ian

"Best Zelda game released in years" doesn't sound that bad to me.  If anything that makes more interested.  It's not like I didn't enjoy TP and SS.

It's not a bad game, just a very average one. Like I said, set your expectations accordingly. I think we all had ours set way too high for The Last Story, and that turned out to be a major disappointment (at least for me).  I went into the game expecting a fairly mediocre game with interesting concepts, and I've enjoyed the game.  But of the 3 Rainfall games, it's definitely the least-polished and probably wouldn't have been thought particularly notable if Nintendo hadn't decided not to release it outside Japan.

AnGerJanuary 16, 2013

Good call. This game needs more attention.

Evan_BJanuary 16, 2013

Oh gosh, Broodwars, don't try to dissuade people from having fun. Heaven forbid someone actually likes the game as a full package.

That being said, I'm happy that this title will be seeing release over here, as it definitely has potential to become a solid action series for Nintendo, in my opinion. The Last Story was brilliant and Xenoblade was an epic, so if this one is even underwhelming in comparison it will still be a good title. I like the art style and the combat mechanics, so I'm looking forward to it eagerly.

I hope this also gives Nintendo of America the hint- people will buy a Japanese-made console for JAPANESE GAMES, and that the RPG genre is greatly appreciated by Nintendo fans.

Quote from: Retro

Would that particular picture have any relevance to those games, Shaymin? I don't know squat about either one.

Kind of irrelevant now, but some people were holding out hope since the tower resembled the ones here. Ys was more of a longshot. (These theories were floated at another prominent messageboard.)

I'm definitely picking this up even if I have to *shudder* preorder at EB. Xenoblade was my GOTY and although I'm not too far into TLS, it certainly got off to an interesting start.

Kytim89January 17, 2013

Perhaps XSeed can bring over that Zangeki no Rengilev game as well?

broodwarsJanuary 17, 2013

Quote from: Evan_B

Oh gosh, Broodwars, don't try to dissuade people from having fun. Heaven forbid someone actually likes the game as a full package.

Dude, if you want to get your hopes up & believe that this game is the end-all, be-all...go ahead and be disappointed when you actually play the game. You see, I have played the game. It's sitting on my shelf right now in all its Limited Edition Steelbook glory.  And all I'm saying is that the game really isn't that spectacular, and to have your expectations in check before you play it.

I'm not saying it's bad game or a game you can't have fun with, but it's certainly a very rough game built on a severe amount of lazy repetition and a less-than-stellar NoE localization.  It certainly doesn't deserve this mythic reputation it's gotten as part of the Operation Rainfall trio.  But if you set your expectations accordingly, it's a game with some interesting ideas and some fun combat mechanics.

So go ahead and get hyped, but don't say you weren't warned.

OblivionJanuary 17, 2013

Well, you've said similar thing about games I absolutely loved, so I really can't take your assessment of the game seriously.

broodwarsJanuary 17, 2013

Quote from: Oblivion

Well, you've said similar thing about games I absolutely loved, so I really can't take your assessment of the game seriously.

Yes, because I actually have taste. I can't help it if so many of you don't.  :P: ;)

OblivionJanuary 17, 2013

You must be a blast at parties.

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