And more on Kadokawa Games’ Sony-exclusive SRPG
At a Sony Japan press conference earlier this month, Kadokawa Games, known recently for its publishing efforts on Grasshopper titlesLollipop ChainsawandKiller is Dead, announcedNatural Doctrinefor PS3, PS Vita, and PS4.
In the latestWeekly Famitsu, Kadokawa president Yoshimi Yasuda noted, “the need to create and nurture a flagship title” and “the need to build a team that has all the collected know-how needed to help the company set and meet their loftier goals.” That’s where the idea to make a SRPG came from. Producer Kensuke Tanaka noted, “With this genre, you tend to see someone build up a gameplay system, then use the same one for many years to come…. The legacy of these well-made systems has created what’s considered the standards for the genre. I thought that, if I ever tackled this genre, then even if I didn’t come near all these great titles, I wanted to try creating a new standard.”
I’m more confident inNatural Doctrine‘s chances after aGematsu reportthatPatapondirector Atsushi Ii would be directing this game.Pataponwas a fantastic, wildly original and inventive strategy game.Natural Doctrinemakes its home in a seemingly typical fantasy world wherein different races live tenuously side by side. You play as protagonist Jeff and party members Vasilisa and Anca.
Early explanations of the turn-based system read a bit likeValkyria Chronicles, eschewing a grid. Tanaka emphasized the “size of the areas” you do battle in, noting “you’re able to move around anywhere you like within the area, which makes positioning important.” There also appears to be unit-specific skill trees.
Still no word on a Western release, butNatural Doctrinewill come to PS3, PS Vita, and PS4 when the latter releases in Japan, February 22. Here’s hoping it comes over. Sounds promising.
Kadokawa Games on Natural Doctrine and making a “new standard” for strategy RPGs[Polygon]Natural Doctrine directed by Patapon series director[VG24/7]
