My 2012 Localization Checklist

Another post, another few months gone by.  Sorry for the delay!

The woes of being a lover of Japanese games in this day and age are often staggering.  With less and less of interest to me coming out of Western companies, these are the games I'm counting on to fill the void.  Sadly, rather than responding accordingly to the emergence of a global economy and Information Age, Japanese developers seem to be losing touch with their Western fans via an unwillingness to even localize some of their most fascinating and unique games.  Recently, we've seen the effects with social networking movements such as Operation Rainfall, the Gallian Liberation Front, and a handful of fan pages devoted to various Tales games.

The situation isn't entirely bleak.  Japanese developers have many interesting things to offer Western fans this year so far*.  These include Xenoblade Chronicles, The Last Story, Tales of Graces f, Zero Escape: Virtue's Last Reward, Spirit Camera: The Cursed Memoir, Pokémon Conquest, and Ni No Kuni:  Wrath of the White Witch.  With all that on its way, it may be hard to see what J-game lovers still have to complain about.  So without further ado, here are the rest of the games I'd love to see localized in 2012.

*This post goes strictly by North American release dates and announcements, since that's where this blogger is from.


Professor Layton vs. Ace Attorney (Level-5 & Capcom - 3DS)

I named it my #1 most anticipated 3DS game back in January, but the jury is still out on a localization for this inevitably epic crossover.  There isn't much to say about Layton vs. Ace Attorney that I haven't said already; the very premise is pure genius, it's a collaboration of two of the very best series on the DS, and I want it yesterday.  If Capcom doesn't come through for the Western fans on this one, it will just be one more item on my laundry list of reasons why I loathe that dastardly publisher.  But considering the popularity of both series in the West, it shouldn't come to that... I hope.

Pandora's Tower (Ganbarion & Nintendo - Wii)

Best video game couple of 2012, perhaps?

Pandora's Tower has been described as both a refreshingly mature title for the stereotypically "kiddie" Wii system, and a competent Zelda clone with love sim elements.  Interestingly, this dark hack n' slash, wherein you feed poor Elena the raw, pulsing organs of twisted monsters in order to repel her curse, was conceived from the theme of "true love."  This striking thematic contrast is reminiscent of my favorite game of last year, Catherine.  Pandora's Tower is the "black sheep" of the Operation Rainfall trio, lacking the RPG elements and rock star pedigree, yet there are many reasons to be excited for this game.

Bravely Default:  Flying Fairy (Silicon Studio & Square Enix - 3DS)

After getting over the strange title, this is one of the most interesting games in the 3DS's solid 2012 line-up.  It was first described by Square Enix as a throwback to Final Fantasy V in terms of its job and battle systems.  It won't merely rest on the laurels of nostalgia, however; the scenario writer of the acclaimed visual novel Steins;Gate, Naotaka Hayashi, is behind Bravely Default's story, which is reportedly a tale of independence.  Other enticements are its post-"disaster" setting, impressive concept artwork and in-game art, and multiple endings.  With all that in mind, it seems this game can only be amazing.


Time and Eternity (Imageepoch & Namco Bandai - PS3)

Hey!  You got your anime in my video game!

The most obvious appeal of Time and Eternity is that it's "the world's first HD animation RPG."  The battles and traversing the field are presented with hand drawn art and animations, with cutscenes by anime studio Satelight.  Imageepoch is literally blurring the line between anime and gaming--which are pretty much two of the best things ever.  The story may or may not set the world on fire, but from an artistic point of view, this one has a huge opportunity to innovate, so I dearly hope I'll be able to play it in English.

Tales of Xillia (Namco Bandai - PS3)

I'd be hard pressed to think of a franchise more hostile to its own fans than the Tales series.  But if there's one recent installment Westerners need, it's Xillia.  There are two main characters, and both have their own story arc--a first for the series.  It also seems darker than past Tales games, both in terms of the spirit- and demon-infested setting and the color palette.  The perspective is behind-the-back instead of the classic overhead view, and buildings and objects are sized more proportionally to the characters, evoking an aesthetic of more "modern" JRPGs as opposed to the traditional look.  Finally, the battle system of Xillia is widely praised, offering its own little innovations.

Despite all these changes, the producer referred to Xillia as a return of the series "to its fundamentals."  It looks like it's a perfect balance of tradition and experimentation; the Japanese fans seemed to love it, and the game's more "lifelike" approach has a potential to attract newcomers who might have avoided the series in the past due to an aversion to anime and "chibi" character models.  With Xillia also created in commemoration of "15 years of Tales," it's especially crucial that Western fans don't have to sit this one out.  Thankfully, we may not have to; European and U.S. trademarks were reportedly found for Xillia.  While not a confirmation, things are finally looking up for this game and the franchise in general.

Fire Emblem:  Awakening (Intelligent Systems & Nintendo - 3DS)

Awakening's protagonist, Krom (left) and series veteran Marth.

Nintendo of America has remained conspicuously silent on a release for the next entry in one of their strongest first-party franchises.  Frankly, it would suck not to experience the new game's Dual System, Dual Tag mode, and 40+ jobs.  Awakening also allows players to create their own custom characters, and to share them via StreetPass.  For me, the prospect of missing out on this title is especially distressing because you can play matchmaker, marry off your characters, and have your kids "fight alongside you as party members."  Classic Fire Emblem strategy, love sim elements and a touch of Conception (which is sure to never make it stateside)?  Sign me up!

There you have it.  Truthfully, my list of demands go well beyond these six picks.  Honorable mentions include Ace Attorney 5, Rodea the Sky Soldier, Ni No Kuni: The Jet Black Mage, and Earth Seeker.  What games are you desperately hoping get localized this year?  Let me know in the comments below!