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Joystiq hands-on: White Knight Chronicles

by Randy Nelson { Apr 29th 2009 at 2:00PM }

click to enlarge

Sony and Level-5's latest role-playing collaboration, White Knight Chronicles, has been out in Japan since December, but we recently got a chance to check out a partially localized version of the game at Sony Gamers Day 2009.

Starting up the demo, we were treated to an intro cinematic featuring final English voice-over. The sequence, featuring the game's hero Leonard and his party gearing up for their quest, immediately dispelled any doubt that Level 5 -- known for a typically more anime or cel-shaded art style -- could pull off an immensely detailed, more "mature" looking RPG. The cutscene also left us hopeful the voice acting we were hearing remained as solid throughout the entirety of the final game.

Speaking of sound, Sony confirmed to us that it's planning to implement voice chat in the US and European versions of White Knight Chronicles, something that was painfully absent from the Japanese release. We're told it's not 100% set in stone, but the dev and localization teams "really want to make it happen."

Gallery: White Knight Chronicles

Continued →

White Knight Chronicles receives a 29/40 from Famitsu

by Alan Tsang { Dec 17th 2008 at 1:05PM }

Japanese gaming magazine Famitsu has reviewed the upcoming Level-5 RPG White Knight Chronicles and they weren't too impressed it, giving the PS3 exclusive a score of 29/40 (7,8,7,7). The reviewers didn't care for a number of elements in the game, such as the in-game menus, battle controls, chatting (apparently it was difficult to chat while moving around) and overly simplistic battle system. However, they did praise the game's customizable combos, epic battles and gorgeous looking world. Finally, the game length is said to clock in at about 30 hours.

This doesn't bode well for White Knight Chronicles -- but do keep in mind that Famitsu has had rather strange opinions in the past -- they gave the universally panned Haze a 34/40 (9,8,9,8).

[Via PS3Hyper]

White Knight Chronicles prequel manga goes live

by Andrew Yoon { Dec 10th 2008 at 10:15AM }

Level-5's first big PS3 RPG, White Knight Chronicles, is hitting Japan very soon. In order to get the populace ready for this epic adventure, the official Japanese site now features a beautifully illustrated prequel manga. Simply click on "Special" at the top of the site to get a peek at the first issue. Sure, it's in Japanese, but for fans that are eagerly awaiting this game, this is a nice way of seeing the expansive world of WKC.

White Knight Story gets four-player online co-op

by Randy Nelson { Oct 8th 2008 at 4:30PM }

While we await official confirmation of a rumored Dec. 25 release date for Sony and Level-5's top-tier console RPG, White Knight Story, Japan's Dengeki PlayStation reports that the game will feature online co-op for up to four players. As detailed in the magazine's latest issue, the online component will employ a lobby system for match-making, with each room maxing out at 16 players.

Up to four players can then form an adventuring party and tackle quests with the aid of in-game chat. Whether these are online-specific quests – or if the chat is voice-based – is unclear; hopefully we'll get some answers when Tokyo Game Show gets underway tomorrow (late tonight for us in the States).

[Via PS3 Fanboy]

White Knight Story will feature online co-op mode

by Alan Tsang { Oct 8th 2008 at 11:45AM }

Japanese gaming magazine Dengeki PlayStation reveals in its latest issue an online co-op mode for the Level-5 RPG White Knight Story. This online mode is independent of the story mode, but will feature characters from the single-player mode. Here is how it works: a lobby will accommodate 16 players, who will then be separated into groups of up to four in order to tackle quests and challenges. This mode will also give players a way to chat with one another. White Knight Story will be playable at TGS, so we'll let you know our thoughts on the game when we get some hands-on time with it.

[Via PS3Hyper]

10 brand new White Knight Story screenshots

by Majed Athab { Sep 19th 2008 at 10:45AM }

Click for high-res image

With a Japanese release date finally hammered down for White Knight Story, expect to see a barrage of new info and media pouring in the following months. To kick start this impending influx of cavalier RPGness, we've found some delectable screenshots of Level-5's new adventure. You can see the new images in our gallery below; be sure to check them out.

Gallery: White Knight Chronicles

Rumor: White Knight Story hits Japan Dec. 25

by Randy Nelson { Sep 18th 2008 at 1:00AM }

First there was the "day of awakening" teaser. Next up: a report that Famistu had dated White Knight Chronicles (White Knight Story for the States) for December 11 in Japan. Now there's yet another report that Famistu has interviewed the game's director, who purportedly confirms a Christmas day release for the game, now subtitled "Wave of the Ancient."

The magazine scan at the source link has what looks like an altered info box, and, until we can get a hold of the issue in question ourselves, we're waiting on official word out of the game's publisher – that would be Sony – before getting our hopes up. Anyway, it's a Japanese release date we're talking about here ... even if it makes a 2008 launch across the Pacific, the necessary localization steps might not put it on these shores until mid- to late 2009.

[Via PS3 Fanboy]

Famitsu: White Knight Story coming to Japan on Christmas day

by Alan Tsang { Sep 17th 2008 at 9:30AM }

According to this Famitsu scan, the PS3 exclusive White Knight Story will be released on Japan on December 25th. The four-page story features an interview with producer Akihiro Hino. A subtitle has been unveiled, which translates to Ancient Beat. Aino tells us development is nearing the end but not completed. The producer claims this is the most epic title he has worked on and mentions an aspect of the game that is only possible on the PS3. Unfortunately, no word yet on a release date outside of Japan.

[Via PS3Hyper -- thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

White Knight Story Japanese release date still unannounced

by Alan Tsang { Sep 5th 2008 at 3:00PM }

Oops! Looks like we were a bit too eager to report on White Knight Story's release date. Yesterday we stated that the latest issue of Famitsu pegged the PS3 exclusive RPG's Japanese release date as December 11th. A flip through the actual magazine doesn't reveal the same date; in fact, the date is still unannounced.

Fear not though, with the teaser message that appeared on the official website, we should have a lot more information on White Knight Story soon -- hopefully during Tokyo Game Show. Stay tuned!

[Thanks, Jake C.!]

White Knight Story tells its tale this December in Japan

by Andrew Yoon { Sep 4th 2008 at 1:30PM }

We were getting worried about White Knight Story. The yummy PS3-exclusive RPG from Level-5 looked incredible ... but then it disappeared off everyone's radars since its last showing at TGS 2007. Looks like it's a lot farther along than any of us could've imagined, with the RPG getting a Japanese release later this year. Famitsu reports that White Knight Story will be available in Japan on December 11th, just in time for the holiday season.

We're eagerly awaiting TGS next month so we can get our grimey Western hands on the upcoming game. With the game nearing completion, we're hoping to be very impressed by what we see.

[Thanks to everyone that sent this in!]

White Knight Story release still unknown [update]

by Justin McElroy { Sep 4th 2008 at 1:29PM }

Update: Ack! It seems the release date is still unconfirmed. Why are you doing this to us, Sony? Why?

Is this what the "day of awakening" was hinting at? Just a couple of days after we got that promise of new info from Sony, we hear that Famitsu has nailed down a date for White Knight Chronicles (that's White Knight Story to you and me): December 11.

Now, does that mean that you'll be getting your hands on this terrifically sexy PS3 RPG anytime soon? Well, no, not necessarily. But it's certainly not bad news if you've been salivating since our 2007 hands-on with the game.

[Thanks, erico316]

Sony awakens hope for White Knight Story update

by Randy Nelson { Sep 2nd 2008 at 4:00PM }

The Japanese you see in the above image reads "The day of awakening is coming soon." So, that either means that Level-5's long-delayed coffee shipment is finally on the way, or we're about to (also finally) get a fresh look at its mighty big PS3-exclusive RPG, White Knight Story.

Last we heard of the game, it was still on for release (in Japan, at least) before March 31, 2009. The last time we played the game was at Tokyo Game Show 2007. It's about time for an update, and, oh ... TGS 2008 is just around the corner on October 9.

[Via Wired]

'Days of awakening' coming soon to White Knight Story

by Alan Tsang { Aug 29th 2008 at 10:00AM }

Some have been complaining lately that the PS3 is lacking in JRPGs, but most people forget that White Knight Story was mentioned in a Sony presentation as a game that will launch this fiscal year ending in April 2009. All we have from the PS3-exclusive Level-5 RPG thus far has been infrequent updates of screenshots and concept illustrations. But a tease on the official websites at Sony Japan and Level-5 tells us that's all about to change: "The days of wakening are coming soon." (translation courtesy of PS3Hyper) Speculation range from an announcement at Tokyo Game Show or some information in an upcoming issue of Famitsu. Stay tuned!

[Via PS3Hyper]

A small spread of White Knight Chronicles screenshots

by Nick Doerr { Jun 30th 2008 at 11:30AM }

Level 5's ambitious and mysterious RPG, White Knight Chronicles, has undergone a bit of a face-lift since its first trailer shown a couple of years ago. It's difficult to explain -- the graphics haven't necessary gotten better (we won't say either way until we stare at the game itself on a 1080p screen), but the style seems to have gotten a few tweaks. These screenshots from TGBus show the new style in an old context: most of them seem to come from the old trailer, but with the new style. A few screens appear new, also: the gigantic Knight battles a nasty enemy. In motion, we're sure it looks cooler, but that's all we can say for now.

White Knight Story to be told in Sony's fiscal 2008

by Ross Miller { Jun 27th 2008 at 10:30AM }

Capping off the plethora of good information from Sony Computer Entertainment CEO Kaz Hirai's business briefing, White Knight Story (known in Japan as Shirokishi Monogatari) is expected to arrive during Sony's Fiscal Year 2008, which is the period between now and April 2009. We haven't heard much about Level 5's epic since its showing at Tokyo Game Show in September 2007. Here's hoping we see more at next month's E3 Media and Business Summit.

The other titles listed were already confirmed for FY08: MotorStorm: Pacific Rift (this Fall), Killzone 2 (February 2009), Resistance 2 (this Fall), LittleBigPlanet (October 2008), AFRIKA (August 28 for Japan) and Secret Agent Clank (already out in North America, due next month in Europe).

[Via PS3 Fanboy]

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