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PSP Fanboy review: Dragoneer's Aria

Nippon Ichi hasn't had the best history on the PSP -- every game was plagued with bugs, load time problems, and an overall case of the Mediocres. Perhaps that's why they decided to take a very different approach, stylistically and gameplay wise, with Dragoneer's Aria. The game boasts an "epic" storyline of love and adventure and has what, at the surface, could be seen as fantastic graphics and an interesting twist on the turn-based RPG. Did they pull it off? Did Nippon Ichi finally get it right on the PSP? That's what our review will reveal, so go ahead and take the jump.

Gallery: Dragoneer's Aria

Continue reading PSP Fanboy review: Dragoneer's Aria

New Dragoneer's Aria vid shows how to summon help

Nippon Ichi released a new trailer of their upcoming PSP RPG, Dragoneer's Aria and it showcases the ability to summon captured spirits to defend you. It looks like the way you capture souls is by continually fighting a type of monster until you finally get access to their sweet, tasty soul. Once captured, you can equip the soul orb and summon it during a battle to fight by your side. Nothing like summoning a huge rock golem out of nowhere to make the lizardmen you're fighting scared witless.

Dragoneer's Aria is looking more and more entertaining everytime we see it. With the lack of high quality RPGs on the PSP in the past, is this a title you're interested in picking up?

Dragoneer's Aria an "epic" departure for Nippon Ichi


Nippon Ichi isn't known for epic 3D games -- but that's exactly what they're trying to with the upcoming PSP RPG, Dragoneer's Aria. Sohei Niikawa, producer at NIS, is afraid that people will say: "But you're Nippon Ichi Software!" Regardless, in a new blog on Gamespot, he admits "Even so, I feel that this title will help support us as we take a shot at something that's a little step away from the usual NIS titles."

To help create the "epic" feeling that NIS is trying to achieve, they hired some high-profile talent for the game. Juno Jeong, artist of Lineage II, is contributing his art to this PSP exclusive RPG. In addition, "the number one blog idol in Japan," Mimika, will be singing the game's theme song.

Getting killed by demons in Dragoneer's Aria

Oh silly RPG explorer. Don't you know that fighting demons gets you killed? Watch as this hapless GameTrailers player rushes headlong into a dungeon and gets quickly destroyed by a single fire demon. The video seems to demonstrate some classic RPG stylings: is it refreshingly old-school, or is it boringly formulaic? You decide.

First screenshots of Dragoneer's Aria


Last month, we unveiled NIS and Hitmaker's newest RPG, Dragoneer's Aria. The concept art looked a bit edgier and darker than usual PSP RPG fare. While we were excited to see a RPG on our handheld take a slightly more mature approach to the genre, we're admittedly disappointed by these new screenshots of the game, provided by Degenki Online. The graphics look primitive, with blocky character models and barren environments. The game is due out soon, so it doesn't look like this game will have the chance to improve much before its release.

[Thanks, Saigon!]

NIS & Hitmaker team up to make Dragoneer's Aria

More Nippon Ichi news this morning. NIS and Hitmaker are working together on a new RPG called Dragoneer's Aria. In the game you take the role of Valen who is a novice dragoneer. He is tasked with protecting the elemental dragons from a dreaded evil monster. The game focuses on friendship and has a good chance of having a dragon or two in it. NIS and Hitmaker first got their relationship started when NIS released Blade Dancer for PSP. The mutual respect has resulted in this project.

Dragoneer's Aria will satisfy PSP RPG fans in July.

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