Two Titles for PlayStation Vita system to Hit European PlayStation Store on January 16
Torrance, Calif ., (January 15, 2013) – XSEED Games, an independent-minded publisher, is pleased to announce today that the company will be launching two titles exclusive to the PlayStation®Vita handheld entertainment system in Europe as digital downloads on the PlayStation®Network starting on January 16 – the action platformer Sumioni: Demon Arts (price: €9.99), and the unique music and strategy blend, Orgarhythm (price: €14.99). More information on these titles, which each take full advantage of the PS®Vita Touchscreen, can be found below.
“Both Sumioni: Demon Arts and Orgarhythm provide amazing and fun portable experiences for the PlayStation Vita,” said Ken Berry, Executive Vice President at XSEED Games. “Players will be able to enjoy both offerings soon enough, and we look forward to seeing the reception as we prepare for the launch of these games in Europe.”
About Sumioni: Demon Arts
Sumioni: Demon Arts blends traditional face-button controls with the PS Vita system touchscreen and rear touch pad to create an engaging and visceral 2D platforming experience. Boasting 30 stages and multiple endings, Sumioni: Demon Arts offers gamers plenty of challenge, requiring quick thinking and fast reflexes for success.
Presented in a classical “sumi-e” ink painting style, Sumioni – which is literally translated from Japanese as “Ink Demon” – sees players guiding a lone Inkdemon named Agura through a fictional take on ancient Japan. The apathetic and once exiled Inkdemon has been given a chance to redeem himself by ridding the world of a sinister dictator who’s taken over the capital city and threatens to resurrect an ancient evil.
As players battle through Sumioni’s artistic world, they will be given the ability to directly shape the game’s environment through “brushstrokes,” which are painted on the screen with the drag of a finger. Platforms can instantly be painted into the game’s world, allowing Agura to traverse deadly obstacles and turn the tables on his enemies. Meanwhile, Agura himself is controlled through the face buttons of the PS Vita system, smoothly swinging his sword and leaping with ease through Heian-era Japan’s many deadly locales. The touchscreen can also be used to spawn elemental attacks, allowing players to set fire to opponents or spawn deadly lightning strikes. And if the going gets particularly tough, two Inkgod allies can be summoned to assist: a phoenix and a lion. The accuracy with which players trace shapes onto the screen will determine the length and ferocity of these allies’ attacks.
About Orgarhythm
Orgarhythm offers a unique gameplay experience where rhythm and sound act as the user interface, and traditional real-time strategy elements are blended with touchscreen prompts to create a one of a kind handheld experience. The game was developed in Japan by ACQUIRE in conjunction with Neilo, the new studio founded by Takashi Hirai who is best known for his past work on Space Channel 5 and Rez.
In Orgarhythm, players are tasked with protecting their god from attack by opposing armies, and use a series of taps on the screen in rhythm with the beat to issue commands and gather their forces. Playing as the God of Light, players will battle the forces of the God of Darkness by deploying elemental soldiers for rhythm-based attacks synced to a hypnotic mix of rock, club and tribal music.
Players take control of their followers in Orgathythm through a series of rhythmic inputs where different attacks can be unleashed by matching or manipulating the beat, making the game’s catchy soundtrack dynamic to user input. Each unit type is based on one of the three elements of Earth, Water and Fire, and each elemental troop has a “rock, paper, scissors” relationship with the opposing enemy elements. To maximize their advantage in combat, players must effectively manage these traditional strategy elements while keeping beat with the music. Four attack types can be employed strategically in battle, and as more units enter the battle, the game soundtrack expands with additional layers of music.
Orgarhythm also includes both versus and co-op two-player modes via ad-hoc network play. In co-op mode, control of the God of Light’s soldiers is shared, and in versus mode one player commands the forces of the God of Darkness.
Both Sumioni: Demon Arts and Orgarhythm will be released by XSEED Games as digital download titles via the European PlayStation Network on January 16. Sumioni: Demon Arts and Orgarhythm are both rated PEGI 12. For more information, please visit www.sumioni.com and www.orgarhythm.com.
About ACQUIRE:
Founded in 1994 and based in the Akihabara district of Tokyo, Japan, ACQUIRE Corp. is the creator of the Tenchu series, and is well-known as being one of the top development houses for games set in Feudal-era Japan, also creating fan favorite series such as “Way of the Samurai” and “Shinobido: Way of the Ninja.” With multiple teams, ACQUIRE focuses on PlayStation®3 system, Xbox 360, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system and Nintendo 3DS game development. More information on ACQUIRE Corp. can be found at http://www2.acquire.co.jp
