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Blue Dragon: Awakened Shadow coming to DS in Spring 2010
by Ludwig Kietzmann 
{ Oct 29th 2009 at 2:30PM }
Dubbed Blue Dragon: Ikai no Kyojuu in Japan (and published by Namco Bandai, which owns the majority of D3Publisher), the second DS entry in the Mistwalker's role-playing franchise stars a new protagonist, with gender, facial features and clothing determined by your input. Awakened Shadow is set two years after the events of the Xbox 360 game and finds Shu and the gang returning to Blue Dragon's "contemporary" RPG gameplay. Expect to upgrade weaponry, tactically change shadows and skip every scene featuring Marumaro.
Blue Dragon: Awakened Shadow is scheduled for release in Spring 2010.
Free Blue Dragon anime appears from the shadows
by Dustin Burg { Feb 25th 2009 at 2:00PM }
The Blue Dragon anime's pilot episode, "The Shadow Comes Forth", can be grabbed from the iTunes Store for free, through March 10. That's a savings of $1.99. We can only hope that watching an episode of Shu search for the Night Master, while attempting to prove he isn't a child, doesn't involve any form of digital disc swapping.
Source - iTunes Store
Source - What They Play
Japanese 360 sales: Blue Dragon on top, console sales on the up
by Dustin Burg { Jan 28th 2009 at 2:45PM }
It is no secret that the Xbox 360 is not Japan's gaming console of choice. Just look at 2008's software sales and you'll spot just one Xbox 360 game in Japan's top 100. But that doesn't mean Microsoft's Japanese situation is a complete lost cause, because console sales are actually on the rise (year over year) and some games have sold rather well.
Gamezine.co.uk put together a list of the top 30 Xbox 360 games sold in Japan, and sitting proudly on top is none other than Blue Dragon and its 203,740 lifetime unit sales. Rounding out the rest of the top five are Tales of Vesperia, The Last Remnant, Infinite Undiscovery and Lost Odyssey. As far as 360 hardware is concerned, Microsoft has been able to steadily increase console sales year after year, with 2008's total Japanese sales peaking at around 317K units. But don't get confused, the Japanese Xbox 360 situation is still very, very bleak and very, very depressing. These numbers are one of a few "bright spots."
Sakaguchi would 'love to make a Wii game'
by David Hinkle { Jan 14th 2009 at 12:49PM }
During an interview with IGN about Blue Dragon Plus, Sakaguchi spoke about a variety of subjects, including bringing his RPG to the Wii, as well as his thoughts on the system overall. "I think the Wii is a wonderful system," he said. "It's very unique, starting with its iconic controllers." When asked about making a game for Wii, he said that Mistwalker has "no plans at the moment," but he "would love to make a Wii game in the future." We hear you. "Dude, go for it," you say. "Please make it?" you ask. "Love that mustache!" you exclaim. He's a talented guy. We totally get it.
But, what's stopping Mistwalker from undertaking a Wii project? His company has already worked with Nintendo in bringing multiple titles to the DS, so why not make the leap to Wii? Personally, we'd appreciate the injection of JRPG goodness that he'd bring to the Wii. Let's hope he gets around to it sooner rather than later.
Blue Dragon: Blurry Beasts of the Underworld
by Chris Greenhough { Jan 8th 2009 at 6:00PM }
We first discovered Blue Dragon: Beasts of the Underworld last month, and now these rather blurry scans from Famitsu have appeared on the interblag. It's difficult to glean much new information from these dim images -- indeed, the original Shonen Jump scans were much clearer -- but Gamekyo whipped out its magnifying glass and located one crucial nugget of information: a Japanese release date of March.
Obviously, whether we even get this Blue Dragon game in the west could depend on whether anybody buys Blue Dragon Plus, so prep your wallets for February 24!
Mistwalker and Namco team up for new Blue Dragon game
by David Hinkle { Dec 12th 2008 at 1:56PM }
Blue Dragon: Beasts of the Underworld is currently slated for release sometime next year.
Source - Siliconera translation
Source - Scan from Shonen Jump
New trailer, website bring Blue Dragon Plus out of the shadows
by Alisha Karabinus { Dec 4th 2008 at 11:00AM }
Along with this video -- which does an admirable job of capturing an epic feel -- the English-language website is up and is stuffed full of content you can actually read. That's always helpful!
Blue Dragon Plus is slated for March 2009 in both Europe and North America.
Gallery: Blue Dragon Plus
Blue Dragon Plus flaps our way next March
by Chris Greenhough { Sep 16th 2008 at 3:00PM }
Only the twin juggernauts of Wii Fit and Rhythm Tengoku Gold could prevent Blue Dragon Plus from seizing top spot in the latest Japanese charts. Ignition Entertainment will be hoping for similar results when it publishes the big-haired, monster-summoning JRPG to not-Japan, and today it announced a North American and European release date of March 2009, falling in line with its promise of a release this fiscal year. That's still quite a wait (you could say it will drag on, if you were a blogger looking for a lame joke to brighten up a dry story), though should nicely pad out a traditionally quiet time of the year.
Gallery: Blue Dragon Plus
Blue Dragon Plus website adds a new trailer
by Phil Larsen { Jul 16th 2008 at 3:30PM }
Blue Dragon Plus is only a few months away (if you happen to live in Japan). It's not too much of a stretch to expect a delay in North America, despite the vague "fiscal year" confirmations we've been hearing about. The artwork of Akira Toriyama must be acknowledged on a tiny screen real soon, or RPG fans are going to start dishing out angry mob justice.
The "promise" we experienced with the Blue Dragon Plus website has been somewhat fulfilled, after being updated with a new Japanese trailer. While this isn't especially handy for English speakers, it does run for over three minutes, giving fans a good deal of gameplay footage, CG cutscenes and character art. We've managed to circumvent the awkward media player on the website and rustle up the trailer in all of its YouTube glory, so check it out and get your Blue Dragon nerve twitching.
[Via videogaming247]
The "promise" we experienced with the Blue Dragon Plus website has been somewhat fulfilled, after being updated with a new Japanese trailer. While this isn't especially handy for English speakers, it does run for over three minutes, giving fans a good deal of gameplay footage, CG cutscenes and character art. We've managed to circumvent the awkward media player on the website and rustle up the trailer in all of its YouTube glory, so check it out and get your Blue Dragon nerve twitching.
Gallery: Blue Dragon Plus
[Via videogaming247]
Deals time: Alone in the Dark, Battlefield and more
by Dustin Burg { Jun 22nd 2008 at 3:00PM }
It's Sunday and that means it's time to open up the newspaper and analyze those Sunday retail ads. Joy! And if you're in the market for Alone in the Dark this week, you're in luck, because there are numerous deals to be had. So, let's get to it ...The only 360 deal Best Buy has going this week is a free $10 gift card with Alone in the Dark and, well ... that's it. Circuit City on the other hand is giving away a $10 J!nx gift card with Alone in the Dark, a free $10 gift card, weapon unlock code and grenade keychain with Battlefield: Bad Company, a free Hellboy II movie ticket with Hellboy: The Science of Evil, and either Bully: SE or SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 for $30. Also, if instant discounts are more your thing, Gamestop is offering Alone in the Dark for the discounted price of $50. Finally, (for our Canadian shoppers) Best Buy Canada is giving away Guitar Hero III with any Xbox 360 console purchase and either Shadowrun, Blue Dragon, Viva Pinata Party Animals or Project Sylpheed for $20. Enjoy Sunday and enjoy shopping.
Blue Dragon Plus in Japan this September with uninspiring box
by JC Fletcher { May 19th 2008 at 8:45AM }
We're slightly less enthused by what AQ Interactive decided to do with the box. It's less "grand adventure" (which is the feeling that most Blue Dragon artwork evokes for us) and more "horrific See 'N Say." The giant, blue, snake-tailed, winged horse says "Neigh! See you in your nightmares!"
Gallery: Blue Dragon Plus
Blue Dragon selling for $20
by Terrence Stasse { Apr 17th 2008 at 8:00AM }
Mistwalker's first outing on the 360 wasn't exactly a break-out hit when it was released. Despite rumors of a sequel, it's not considered to be much of a success in the community. Now it's time to take advantage of that, considering that the game is actually pretty good if you can stand the pure Japan of the thing. Both Amazon and Toysrus had the game up for $19.99, but Amazon is currently sold out, so if you want a deal on a good JPRG you're going to have to make your purchase at Toysrus. And if you care to take a chance and hoof it on over to a brick and mortar Toysrus we hear that it's twenty percent off in-store. (Oh, for any Canadian gamers out there, here ya go)
[Via NeoGAF]
Blue Dragon Plus touch screen equals new battle system!
by JC Fletcher { Mar 31st 2008 at 10:30AM }
Blue Dragon Plus's combat interface has been revealed in the latest set of screens. It involves a set of three icons that appear on the right side of the touch screen. The top icon allows you to set one particular character's movement, and the bottom icon moves everybody. The middle icon allows you (we believe) to highlight multiple characters by drawing a circle around them.Each character has a selection of "killer techniques" accessible via the bottom left of the touch screen. Players cycle through them with the shoulder buttons and then must wait for a countdown before they are activated.
We're encouraged by the presence of a new battle system in the DS game. It shows evidence of thought toward the platform, at least.
Gallery: Blue Dragon Plus
Best RPGs are on Xbox 360 Play & Win giveaway
by Dustin Burg { Mar 6th 2008 at 1:00PM }
Didja know that the best RPGs are on the 360?
by Dustin Burg { Feb 28th 2008 at 3:15PM }
Microsoft just launched a new marketing campaign whose main aim is to get you trained so that when someone mentions the letters RPG your instant response will be Xbox 360. The Best RPGs Are On Xbox 360 is the campaign's name and highlights some of the best of the best RPGs that grace the Xbox 360 including Blue Dragon, Lost Odyssey, Mass Effect, Oblivion and of course Fable 2. Simply head to Xbox.com to get the dish on these super RPGs and if your interest is piqued, make your way to Gamestop. There you will find a free retail disc that comes packed with information on these "Best RPGs" as well as never before seen videos of Fable 2 and the complete Sci-Fi channel "Sci vs Fi" episode featuring Mass Effect. Now how can you not agree? The Xbox 360 is hands down the best place to find RPGs ... just none that are on the Playstation platform.
