11.20.06
Is Kirby angry where you are?
Those of us who follow the Mana series are looking avidly for any little tidbit of info to be had on the next game, available on PS2. As seen here, the graphics look brilliant, and it’s the usual action RPG, as opposed to those infinitely annoying (I’m sure some RPG fans would beg to differ) turn-based ones. Out on 21st Dec. in Japan for approx. £35.70, titled only as Legend of Mana 4. Their website announces that when pre-ordered, there’s a freebie in the form of a CD with 5 titles (’Breath of Mana’ and ‘Rising Sun -piano solo version’ is only to be included with this pack, and no other – so collector’s item).
Another Tales of series from Bandai/Namco is set to be released 21st Dec. also, for approx. £140. Pricey, you say? Indeed. Though as can be seen, it’s a bundle. The game itself is for the PSP, and no doubt can be purchased separately, but for collectors, Tales of the World Radiant Mythology Bundle Pack offers the metallic blue PSP, AC Adapter, Battery Pack, Memory Stick (32MB), Original Pouch, Original Strap, Original Cloth, on top of the game itself. Whether that’s worth that much, is open to discussion.
Hardly appropriate for my readership, but one I’d like to mention anyway, is a new game for the DS that’s verging on being educational, especially for junior high students in Japan. タッチで楽しむ百人一首DS 時雨殿 seems unique in its focus. Aside from aforementioned students, 百人一首 (100 poets of old, and their poetry to be recited/memorized) is something that is considered ‘entertainment’ in a form that’s likened to Scrabble – and therefore all the family to enjoy. From what I can tell of the screenshots, it basically helps you to memorize each poem via some game references. Perfect for kids :) Mind, the meaning of the poem itself may be lost in translation, so to speak, but interesting nonetheless. The game comes with a map of Kyoto (Japan’s old capital, and many of those poets lived in and around the area) and marked places of interest. If you do have a fairly good knowledge of the language, it might be something to give a try, if only for the mapped out guides. Out 14th Dec. for approx. £19.
Angry Kirby? It is apparently possible. In all those promotional stuff for Japan, Kirby is certainly happy and looking benign, whereas looking at the American versions, well, he looks far from happy, if not angry. I can offer a fairly simple explanation for this phenomenon. In Japan, it’s customary to always have a fairly non-expressive face outwardly… or an expression that conveys to others that you are polite. So, Kirby, cannot be seen to be angry. Cute is ok though. In America however, people are perhaps more honest – if you’re angry, why not show it? Plus, it makes cute Kirby look more like the hero he’s meant to be – he’s tough, he’s macho, he’s angry. Simple differences in perception. I wonder if most Japanese exports are treated this way, not that I noticed anything happening outwardly to those Transformers of old.