Monday, June 25, 2007

Simoun: Shoubi Sensou - Fuuin no Remersion

Take a jaunt to the planet of Daikuriku where the children are all female. When they hit the age of 17, the young adults then decide if they want to be male or stay female. Now, focus your attention on the land of Simulacrum which is patrolled by flying machines known as Simoun. Within the machines are young pilots called Sibyllae who haven't reached their 17th birthday yet. The Simoun have a unique magical attack that is capable of laying waste to wide swaths of enemy forces. When ancient ruins are found on the border territory of Simulacrum, the Sibyllae and their ships are sent to secure the area but are met by forces from a neighboring principality. Conflict arises and the Simoun airships are marshaled into war against the malcontents.
The Playstation 2 game follows the general storyline of the animated source material where the girls are caught up in a war but also have time for a little interaction and possible romance. The adventure is broken up into 14 chapters where a scenario is presented followed by a turn-based tactical-strategy game where forces are sent into battle. In addition to the aerial Simoun, the game features a seafaring model that is an original machine designed for the PS2 game's storyline.

Simoun: Shoubi Sensou - Fuuin no Remersion LE

The limited edition of Simoun: Shoubi Sensou ships in a cardboard slipcase with alternate artwork for the cover. The slipcase houses the game DVD and three bonus items as follows:

» Art booklet which contains character illustrations by Asako Nisida

» A Simoun: Shoubi Sensou manga

» A data CD which contains desktop accessories for your PC and a collection of background music from the game.

Simoun: Shoubi Sensou tells the story of a group of girls who pilot mighty airships to defend their nation against would-be usurpers. In the world of the Simoun, all children are born female but decide their final sex at age 17. In the animated series,
a nation known as Argentum invades Simulacrum and the Simoun are sent into war to protect the homeland from the attackers. Since the girls are almost of age but their skills are needed to wage war, they are granted an extension upon which to decide their sex.

Mana-Khemia: Gakuen no Renkinjutsushi Tachi

Vain Aureolus is a student at a school of alchemy where younglings learn the ways and means of mixing reagents with over 400 assorted bits to craft new and wonderful creations. Together with his fellow students Philomel Hartung, Gunnar Damm, and Titil Mimi Nike Mele, Vain goes to class in weekly increments and then stalks out into the wilds to gather ingredients and battle monsters. Vain's interaction with party members serves to strengthen the bond between them which leads to a cohesive battle unit. Quests serve as homework in the world of Mana-Khemia and a passing grade is granted upon each quest's successful completion.
In addition to Vain's core group of friends, a cast of characters provide conflict as well as support during the school semester. Pamela Ibis, a ghost who first appeared in the Atelier games also makes appearances on the grounds of the school. The battle system features the use of conventional attacks as well as special abilities and skills to defeat enemies. An updated version of the Burst Mode originally used in Atelier Iris 3: Grand Phantasm is used in the game sans the spam. When exploring dungeons, the appearance of the underground areas change depending on whether it's daytime or night.

Mana-Khemia: Gakuen no Renkinjutsu Shitachi LE

The Premium Box edition of Mana-Khemia includes a 1/8 scale figure of the pink-haired alchemist named Philomel Hartung that's made of PVC and ABS plastic alloy. Philomel is seated on the floor with a white and beige colored schoolbag to her right. She holds an opened book on her right hand while her left hand is used to prop up her frame from behind.
Mana-Khemia is a new brand from the makers of the Atelier series so the Philomel figure won't be in demand currently. However, if Mana-Khemia becomes a long running and popular franchise similar to the Ateliers, Philomel will be in demand... perhaps a decade from now.

Caltoy UJ Elephant Plush

Elephants have remarkable memories. A study published in 2001 established that matriarchs of elephant herds are able to recognize other elephant faces from years and even decades ago. Elephants may all look the same to you and me but an elephant is able to distinguish pachyderm tics, tusk nuances, trunk notches, and other little details that mere humans would miss. Since elephants aren't usually found in the plush toy realm, Sega's Caltoy has decided to show them some love.
The elephants are set to march in September 2007 and measure 40cm or 15.74" in length. Three color variants are on offer: Grey, Blue, and Pink. We're partial to the blue one and we'll throw up photos when they arrive.

Hokuto no Ken Bottle Opener

Have you ever busted out a bicuspid because you used your teeth to pop the cap on a bottle of cola? Chomping on the jagged edge of a bottle cap is a dangerous proposition in the first place but wrenching it open with mouth strength can cause major damage. That's where the Hokuto no Ken bottle opener comes into play. Jam the clenched Hokuto fist on top of a bottle cap and let it do the hard work and save your teeth. You know, those teeth that you'll have to rely on for the rest of your life. Preorders ship in November 2007 at US$9.50 per fist.

Hello Kitty Speakers

Hello Kitty is sort of like the matron saint of womankind. She's attractive, politically inert, has no opinion on abortion, and accessorizes with everything. From little girls to old mature women, Kitty potentially serves as a stamp of femininity that just about everyone can approve of.
Hello Kitty generally isn't found in technology products but Sega has announced a pair of speakers that are housed within the simple facial structure of a Kitty toy. The clamshell design allows for compact storage and a retractable cord can be reined in when the speakers aren't in use. Preorders are welcome to ship in mid-late November 2007.

General Updates

X360 Trusty Bell Bundles
All remaining backorders for the Trusty Bell (aka Eternal Sonata) Xbox 360 bundles will ship today. We're sold out again as of this morning however.
NDS Zelda Phantom Hourglass
Restock arrived this morning and backorders, new orders will ship this afternoon. Pricing remains at US$45.90.
Wii Hajime no Ippo: The Fighting Revolution
A restock shipment of Hajime no Ippo that arrived today included the bonus booklets and we'll package them again with all new orders.

Japanese Import Outlook

PS2 Super Robot Wars OG leads import preorders for the week.
NDS Chuukana Janshi Tenhoo Painyan Remix Jaleco

Katekyoo Hitman Reborn! DS Frame Rumble Takara
PS2 Baroque Sting

Busou Renkin Marvelous

Getsumento Heiki Mina: Futatsu no Project M IFactory

Getsumento Heiki Mina: Futatsu no Project M LE IFactory

Neon Genesis Evangelion Battle Orchestra Broccoli

Neon Genesis Evangelion Battle Orchestra DX Pack Broccoli

Super Robot Wars Original Generations Banpresto

Tales of Fandom Vol. 2 - Luke Version Namco

Tales of Fandom Vol. 2 - Tia Version Namco
PSP Chu~Kana Janshi Tenno Painyon Remix Jaleco

Secret of Evangelion Portable Gainax

Secret of Evangelion Portable Limited Edition Gainax
Wii Donkey Kong Taru Jet Race Nintendo

USA Release Outlook

PS2 GrimGrimoire leads export preorders for the week.
GBA Horsez Ubi Soft

Ratatouille THQ
GC Ratatouille THQ
NDS Chicken Shoot Destination

Harry Potter & the Order of the Phoenix EA

Hoshigami Remix: Ruining Blue Earth Aksys

Lifesigns Dreamcat

Nervous Brickdown Eidos

Ratatouille THQ

Touchmaster Midway
PS2 Bigs, The 2K Games

GrimGrimoire Koei

Harry Potter & the Order of the Phoenix EA

Ratatouille THQ

Taito Legends 2 Destineer

Transformers Activision
PS3 Bigs, The 2K Sports

Darkness, The 2K Sports

Harry Potter & the Order of the Phoenix EA

Rainbow Six Vegas Ubi Soft

Transformers Activision
PSP Bigs, The 2K Sports

Final Fantasy Square

Harry Potter & the Order of the Phoenix EA

Hot Wheels Ultimate Racing Destination

Ratatouille THQ

Steel Horizon Konami

Super Collapse 3 Mumbo

Taito Legends Power Up Destineer

Traxxpad Eidos
Wii Bigs, The 2K Sports

Chicken Shoot Destination

Driver Parallel Lines Ubi Soft

Harry Potter & the Order of the Phoenix EA

Pokemon Battle Revolution Nintendo

Ratatouille THQ

Transformers Activision
X360 Bigs, The 2K Sports

Darkness, The 2K Games

Harry Potter & the Order of the Phoenix EA

Hour of Victory Midway

Overlord Warner

Ratatouille THQ

Transformers Activision