The Nintendo DS may be at the end of its lifespan but that doesn’t mean that it didn’t have quality titles released for it. Two sequels and a unique fusion of two RPGs stood out this past year for history’s best selling handheld. Here to talk more about it is oprainfall’s Co-Editing Manager, Charlotte Buckingham.
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BEST DS GAME |
CHARLOTTE: Here are the nominees…
- Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor 2
The latest offering in Atlus’ hit franchise, Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor 2, was released last year in the Americas. It is a sequel to the original Devil Survivor game released four years ago. Devil Survivor 2 is a tactical RPG that follows a group of young people as they attempt to save Japan from a demonic attack. To do this, they must battle alongside demons in a turn-based battle system that will see them using and fusing demons to defeat the ones trying to take over the city. Devil Survivor 2 takes the traits of the first game, improves upon them and even adds all-new mechanics, making the game even better. It’s fantastic for the hardcore RPG gamer.
Pokémon Black 2 and Pokémon White 2 were released last year as the sequels to Pokémon Black and Pokémon White, taking place two years after their predecessors. Team Plasma are back with a vengeance, and once again it falls upon the player to halt their nefarious deeds. The games offer new areas to explore, and places seen in the last game have been changed drastically to make them a whole new experience. The regional Pokedex has been expanded, there are more trainers than ever before, and even some of the legendary Pokémon have had a makeover. But how does it stack up against our other entrants?
An unlikely marrying of Pokémon and Nobunaga’s Ambition saw Pokémon Conquest released globally last year. It follows the tale of a young warrior hoping to lead her kingdom to glory and prevent the tyrannous lord in the north from taking over the land. The game utilises the type advantages and evolution of Pokémon in a strategic turn-based manner. On top of that, the player must ensure their kingdom is faring well, which involves managing the various castles they’ve taken, making sure they’re well-defended from any potential attackers, keeping their resource levels high, and other such needs. A well-designed game, to be sure.
AND THE WINNER IS…
Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor 2
We’re a website of niche gamers; what did you expect? A worthy winner for DS Game of the Year, to be sure. Let’s hope Europe enjoys this game as much when it finally arrives!
JEFF: One good old console award deserves another. The PlayStation Portable may never have had the success that the DS had, but that never stopped it from having good games, even with the launch of the Vita happening this year. These are the three gems that deserve recognition for the PSP’s possible last hurrah.
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BEST PSP GAME |
The nominees are…
- Gungnir
Originally released in Japan in 2011, Gungnir made its way to the West last year. The tactical role-playing game stars Giulio Raguel, a young platoon leader in the resistance army known as Esperanza. They search for the demon lance Gungnir, which they believe will help turn the tide of their fight. But once Giulio gets a hold of it, his destiny begins to take shape.
- Growlanser: Wayfarer of Time
Just the third game in the series to make it over to North America, Growlanser: Wayfarer of Time is a remake of the original Japan-only PlayStation 2 game. A tactical RPG that’s in the same vein as Fire Emblem. A battle was waged between the Angels and an advanced civilization. The humans won but lost many things in battle, such as their technologies from magic and science. The story became myth until main character Crevanille witnessed a six-winged angel in the sky. After this event, he believes he must become the Growlanser, the Savior of Light.
- Hakuoki: Demon of the Fleeting Blossom
Published in North America by Aksys, Hakuoki: Demon of the Fleeting Blossom stars Chizuru, a young woman trying to find her father in Kyoto during a political power struggle. Japan’s Edo period was ending and the imperial court is challenging the rule of the shogunate. From this, a samurai organization called the Shinsengumi rose to prominence. Chizuru joins them as they, too, are looking for her father. Navigate through the political maze and Chizuru may find more than her father.
AND THE WINNER IS…
Growlanser: Wayfarer of Time
Perhaps an obvious choice, given our love for most things Fire Emblem and in similar style. But it’s more than that. Most everything about this game is great and has replayablity in its 40 different endings.
