More Ys & Falcom info:
http://andriasang.com/comybn/Falcom shares latest on Ys Vita, plans continued development for PSP
Falcom has been one of the PSP's biggest supporters, and even with the system's successor coming out later this year, that support won't be letting up. In a Dengeki PlayStation interview this week, CEO Toshihiro Kondo reveals that his company is developing a PSP game alongside PlayStation Vita's Ys Celceta Sea of Trees. Kondo also hints that the PSP title may come out ahead of the Vita Ys game.
Celceta Sea of Trees, which was announced at Tokyo Game Show a couple of weeks back, is the main focus of Dengeki's Falcom coverage this week. A few intriguing points from the Kondo interview include:
- The game will offer a refreshing/invigorating gameplay feel that is far beyond that of Ys VII.
- On PSP, Falcom had to lower their sound quality due to memory constraints. This is not a problem on Vita.
- The camerawork will be more dynamic than that of Ys VII.
- They're planning on improving the visual quality straight through the end of development with things like effects.
Ys Celceta Sea of Trees is targeted for Vita release in 2012.
And some more!
Here's some more info on the touch functionality of the game (and some story tidbits)
http://andriasang.com/comyc4/Ys Celceta Sea of Trees: Use the PS Vita's Rear Touch Screen to Give Commands to your Allies
Here's how Falcom plans on making use of the PlayStation Vita's special hardware features in Ys Celceta Sea of Trees, as detailed by CEO Toshihiro Kondo on the latest issue of Dengeki PlayStation.
Falcom will be putting the system's touch capabilities to full use. The rear touch panel can be used to issue commands to your allies. Touch is also being used for camera perspective, zooming in and out, and puzzle solving.
The Vita's advanced hardware is also benefitting the game. Character modeling is more detailed. Camera work promises to be more dynamic than that of Ys Seven. Music and environmental sound effects will be clearer, as they don't have to downgrade their samples (compared to the limitations they encountered on the PSP).
The more powerful hardware is also adding to gameplay, as the game can show more monsters simultaneously. In addition to having lots of giant beasts on the screen simultaneously, they can also have many minions surrounding giant bosses.
Kondo provided only a few hints about how the game will use the Vita's wireless capabilities. They're currently doing experimentation, but they'd like to have such things as boss time attacks.
Kondo also shared a few bits about the game's story. Main character Adol is still in his teens in Celceta Sea of Trees. This ends up being his second major adventure, and an episode that serves to form his identity as an adventurer.
One key element of the story will be Adol's memory loss. This will also feature in the gameplay, as Adol will recall things as you advance in the maps.
As 2012 is the 25th anniversary of the Ys series, Falcom is targeting a 2012 release for Ys Celceta Sea of Trees.
