Pandora's Tower

[Hanamaru Kunikida]

Pandora's Tower

New Wii game has been confirmed with a teaser, and has been said that it's release date is this Spring for Japan, with no word for us Western gamers.


Here is the official site:
http://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/sx3j/index.html

死(し)んで綺麗(きれい)になるのと、醜(みにく)くても生(い)きてるのって
どっちが幸(しあわ)せなんだろうね？
Between being dead but beautiful, and being ugly but alive,
which one is more blissful?

(Credit to @animeyay: for translating it)

Article:
http://kotaku.com/5745702/nintendos-...ge-back-tattoo
__

With a teaser site, something tells me that this is going to be another RPG to add for the Wii, and with the kind of character presented as well.

[animeyay]

I got curious myself and tried to look up some more info on this game, but nope, there's absolutely nothing about this game right now, not even when I googled in Japanese. Hmmm, if it turns out to be a really good RPG, this might just be the game to finally propel me to get a Wii. =)

P.S. that article is very inspirational. ~sarcasmsarcasm XD

[Hanamaru Kunikida]

I forgot to post this:


Full Artwork
http://gonintendo.com/wp-content/photos/2iuautv.png

[Skylar1]

The Wii could definitely use some more serious titles.

I'm assuming there aren't any trailers out yet though?

[Meteorkeeper]

Games like this really make me seriously think about getting a wii.

[Hanamaru Kunikida]

The Wii could definitely use some more serious titles.

I'm assuming there aren't any trailers out yet though?

It seems it's been under the shadows and it is still under the shadows.

Even with a teaser, still no info about it and what's worse about it..it releases this Spring, we need at least something.

[Shinn Kamiyra]

What a way to capture one's attention and give us absolutely nothing at the same time. >< -Shakes fist angrily-

Be keeping an eye on this one, I will.

[Hanamaru Kunikida]

FIRST TRAILER:

LOTS AND LOST OF LOTS OF INFO:

 

More info: Pandora's Tower is due out on May 26th in Japan. No word on a worldwide release at this time. It is being developed by Ganbarion (One Piece Wii games, JUMP Super Stars).

http://gonintendo.com/viewstory.php?id=155147

Pandora's Tower - tons of details


- game is centered on two characters, Ende and his friend Ceres
- takes place on the Graecia continent
- this is where, in the kingdom of Elysium, the harvest festival has begun
- Ceres has been chosen to sing at this event, but as she takes the podium, a beast appears
- Ende finds Ceres after the beast appears, but she's unconscious
- Ceres is about to be taken into the army's custody as a witness to the beast, but thanks to the help of a merchant named Graiai, the two manage to escape to an isolated tower
- we come to find out that Ceres has been cursed by the beast
- to break the curse, Ende must collect the flesh of beasts that live within the tower
- Ceres: 15 year old girl chosen from many to sing at the harvest event, firm believer in the Eos religion
- Ende: 22 year old former soldier of Athens during a war with Elysium, quiet type
- Graiai: member of the dwarf race, gives you the Orichalcum Chain which lets its possessor know Ceres' state
- the Chain allows you to see a timer that indicates how far along Ceres is in the curse
- use the chain to restrain the servant beasts you encounter in the towers and tear their flesh off for delivery to Ceres
- chain is also used on other items/objects in the tower
- 12 towers with different themes, all different sizes
- tower example: Red Flame Tower, which blocks your progress with fire
- get to the tower's deepest point to fight a boss for his flesh
- must get the flesh of all 12 bosses to stop the curse, as flesh from only one boss will simply slow the curse
- simple control scheme

http://www.andriasang.com/e/blog/201...s_tower_story/
Famitsu pics

 

 

Pandora's Tower Supports Classic Controller and Motion Controls


Retailers have shared a few additional details on Nintendo's new Wii action RPG Pandora's Tower.

The game's control scheme was previously somewhat of a mystery as many assumed the game's chain mechanics meant motion controls. This actually is the case, but only optionally.

Main character Ende wields a chain as his primary means of attack. This special chain is capable of tearing the flesh of the beasts that he encounters, something he must do because Ceres, the game's heroine, requires beast flesh to survive a curse which is slowly turning her a beast, both physically and mentally.

As you make your way to the boss that awaits on the top floor of each of the game's thirteen towers, you can use the chain in the following ways:

Grab and pull flesh and items from beasts.
Restrain the beasts with the chain and then go in for the kill with another weapon.
Restrain one beast with the chain, then swing it around to strike other enemies.
Use the chain to latch on to walls and swing from location to location.
Use the chain to manipulate switches.
You can control the action either with the Wiimote and Nunchuck or with the Classic Controller. When using the Wiimote and Nunchuck combo, the Wiimote directly controls the chain, allowing you to feel like you're swinging a real chain apparently. The Classic Controller option allows for pure button-based play.

For those wondering about progression, the retail listing describes the game as an "exploration-style action RPG." This is causing some speculation that progression could be along the lines of Metroid or Castlevania rather than a linear romp through the towers. We'll have to wait for more details from Nintendo.

Pandora's Tower is due for Wii release on May 26. The game has a C rating from CERO.

http://www.andriasang.com/e/blog/201..._tower_update/

COVER ART:

 

[animeyay]

Oooo more info!
I'll need a more detailed video of the battle system to determine whether I'll like it.
More waiting, I guess.

[Hanamaru Kunikida]

Does the scans or the trailer reveal any info that the articles haven't provided?

[Hanamaru Kunikida]

Pandora's Tower - more details

- Ceres will begin to assume beastlike properties, which will change her appearance
- gameplay should be similar to those that play Zelda titles
- you can aim/fire your chain via Wiimote as well
- join with your sword to attack enemies
- also use the chain to swing from spot to spot, grab enemies and swing them around, and move switches
- rip the flesh right of of beasts with the chain
- the in-game characters are a race of people that don't eat meat, but Ceres must eat the beast flesh collected to return to normal
- if Ceres doesn't eat flesh from all the boss beasts, she will remain part beast
- multiple endings to achieve that depend on choices made during gameplay


http://www.andriasang.com/e/blog/201...r_impressions/

[Shinn Kamiyra]

Interesting. Battle system looks pretty sweet, I have to say; though am I the only one who had a flashback to .hack//G.U.'s Haseo when you saw the main char swinging his sword around like a scythe? Weird. x.X

Not too sure 'bout the story yet. Looks promising. Still be keeping an eye for further developments.

[animeyay]

What I picked up from that trailer: (probably everything you already know but w/e)

The old woman asks the guy to use the chain to bring back the beast's meat, which will be necessary to lift the curse off the girl and restore her back to her former state. He brings back some meat, but it apparently isn't sufficient to completely remove the curse on the girl (who appears to be a priestess), as the tattoo still remains on her back. So, the old woman asks the guy to return to the tower and come back again with some more meat. She hopes that he can come back in one piece...

[Hanamaru Kunikida]

- game features thirteen towers
- two primary attacks: chain and sub weapons
- aim the Wiimote at the screen and your pointer will turn red when you can interact with something via your chain
- when you grab/tug on something, a yellow gauge builds u
- the higher the gauge, the stronger the attack power
- chain can be powered-up by defeating bosses as well
- equip one sub-weapon at a time
- use the chain and sub-weapons together
- sub-weapons are used via button presses
- start the game off with just a sword, but gain a dual sword later on
- gain materials to strengthen your sub-weapons.

[Meteorkeeper]

^What Zelda would look like if Link only used the hookshot.

[Hanamaru Kunikida]

Jump Super Star people are making this game by the way:

Pandora's Tower: The Basics
The spirit of Castlevania lives on.

In order for your friend to survive, she must eat the flesh of foes you slay in towers scattered across a beast-plagued land. Sound grim? That's the concept of Pandora's Tower, the latest Wii exclusive that's coming to Japan next month. With information coming out almost daily, I've gathered the pertinent facts for you to peruse. If you want Pandora's Tower to come to U.S. shores, start telling your friends about it now and get some chatter going.

What is Pandora's Tower?
The latest Wii exclusive, Pandora's Tower is an action-RPG developed by Ganbarion, the studio responsible for Jump Super Stars as well as a variety of One Piece games. Tower is due out in Japan this May.

What's the story?
You play as Ende, a warrior whose friend, Ceres, has become cursed by an ancient evil in the realm of Elysium. The only way to stop the curse from turning her into a beast? Strip the flesh from your enemies and feed it to her to keep the plague at bay or, in some cases, help eliminate it. Pretty grim stuff.

How does the game work?
Pandora's Tower is effectively a cross between Castlevania and Zelda, mixing action, puzzle-solving and exploration with limited RPG-esque concepts. Ende carries a variety of weapons, though his primary mode of attack is his chain whip, which can not only carry out various offensive attacks, but grab, restrain and maneuver objects and enemies. The game can be played with the Wii Remote and Nunchuk, or in a more traditional manner with Wii's Classic Controller.

Curing Ceres is your main goal, which requires you to subdue and tear away meat from your enemies. More routine enemy remnants will only hault Ceres' mutation, but bosses will begin to reverse her condition. Naturally, getting to these big bad guys requires a bit of work. Your battleground consists of a dozen or so towers that contain various tricks, traps and creatures. Each tower has a particular theme or environment, just like the Zelda dungeons we know and love.

Does the curse factor into gameplay?
Not directly, but it does appear to act as a timer. As you progress through the game, Ceres' condition will get worse. That's why you consistently have to work your way back to her to feed her. Presumably you can do more than simply buy yourself more time… perhaps you can slow the curse as well?

What are these RPG elements?
There isn't too much information about this available, but it appears as though you'll be able to acquire items that will allow you to upgrade your sword, chain and other weapons. Once acquired, Ende will have to visit a merchant, Graia, for some sort of upgrade process.

How does the game play?
Unfortunately, the IGN Nintendo crew has yet to play Pandora's Tower. All the above information is courtesy of our friends over at Andriasang, who have been keeping an eye on all the latest information coming out of Japan.

When are we getting the game in the United States?
That's the real question, isn't it? Though Pandora's Tower is due out May 26, 2011 in Japan, there is absolutely no word about a United States release.

Something tells me the game might be quietly announced for a Stateside release at E3 2011, perhaps alongside a few other outstanding titles like The Last Story. Nintendo certainly needs more titles to propel Wii sales in 2011 until its successor arrives in 2012. Pandora's Tower would certainly be an interesting addition to that lineup.


http://wii.ign.com/articles/116/1164865p1.html

[Hanamaru Kunikida]

Pandora's Tower - more art, screens and details on tower aspects


- towers include a tree tower, a stone tower, a steel tower and more
- an observation tower that stands next to the towers is your base of operations
- this is where the merchant Graiai can craft items and weapons for you using materials that you've gathered while in the towers
- store items here and recover your health by going to sleep
- Ceres is in this observation tower, and you can speak to her
- glowing markers on the ground indicate that something can be picked up
- collect materials from defeated foes
- depending on where you hit enemies, you get different materials
- materials you can collect depend on what time it is in the game, as time progresses while you play
- when aiming at the screen with the Wiimote, you can press and hold B to open up a zooming window
- this allows you to get a close up of the area of interest



http://www.andriasang.com/e/blog/201..._tower_update/

[Shinn Kamiyra]

So free range battle with multiple enemies to take on at once, huh? Reminds me of the original .hack series.

Glad we finally got to hear a bit more of that enchanting piano melody. Still a bit too soon to tell, but the soundtrack certainly sounds promising. Let's hope the rest live up to expectation.

[Hanamaru Kunikida]

Considering the game, I think I am glad that we can use the Classic Controller Pro. I mean, the Wiimote would kill it off for me.

Soundtrack is also great, and of course the gameplay looks really awesome. =3

[Shinn Kamiyra]

If you're talking about how you have to handle the Wiimote horizontally, like we did with Sonic 4, I definitely know what you mean.

Just too awkward to ever really get used to, if you ask me.

[Hanamaru Kunikida]

According to the few presented views, you actually have to point and click...Screw that.

[Shinn Kamiyra]

I guess I understand if they're trying to go for the more interactive approach, but whatever happened to automatic lock-on when you get within a certain distance? More of an annoyance than anything else.

[Hanamaru Kunikida]

Well, in Monster Hunter Tri there we bosses that took zillion of hits to kill, so unless you enjoy swinging the wiimote a zillion times, then it's all good. I'm playing with my classic pro.

[Hanamaru Kunikida]

Pandora's Tower has love sim elements

An unexpected new addition to Pandora's Tower, the new Wii action title from Nintendo and Ganvarion that's due for release next week. An update at the official site reveals that the game has love sim style elements that affect the relationship between main character Ende and heroine Ceres.

In the screenshots above, you can see a vertical meter to the left. This is a representation of the strength of the relationship between Ende and Ceres. The Oreichalkos Chain that Ende uses apparently him the ability to physically see his connection with Ceres.

You can increase the relationship gauge by communicating with Ceres and giving her gifts. Screenshots show Ceres expressing jubilation at receiving a rainbow colored bracelet from Ende. She also looks pretty happy at receiving a carrot.

According to the site, another way of making Ceres like you is to make sure that she doesn't turn into a beast. This, of course, is done by collecting beast flesh from the towers and bringing it back to her in a timely manner. During gameplay, you can keep track of Ceres' beast level, so you'll know when you might need to take leave of a tower and head back to the observation tower where she rests.

http://www.andriasang.com/e/blog/201..._relationship/

WAT IS DIS I DON"T EVEN?

Also, Famitsu reviewed the game;

Famitsu review score

- Pandora's Tower (7/7/9/8, 31 points): "You can do a lot with your chain, picking up enemies and throwing them around. Get used to it, and it's fun elegantly dispatching enemies. The puzzle aspect of play isn't that difficult, and people who aren't that good at action games can enjoy this well enough. The fantasy-like music also sticks in your mind. The nunchuk controls go perfectly with the chain-flail action. The tempo proceeds well enough, and there's more than enough stuff for hardcore gamers to do, from item collection to strengthening weapons. It'd be nice if the graphics were better, though."


http://gonintendo.com/viewstory.php?id=158413

[Hanamaru Kunikida]

Pandora's Tower - commercial 2 and 3 with subtitles






Also the cover art for the game...both front and back: