NewNews - The Last Story confirmed for localization

Source: Youtube Channel IGNentertainment

According to Gamasutra, publishing company Xseed Games will be bringing "The Last Story" for the Wii to North America.  To have Xenoblade Chronicles confirmed for localization was a special treat, but this announcement was mind blowing!  From before, the decision to "not" bring it over to stateside seem adamant and irrevocable, but I suppose seeing the strong support from the fans in the West convinced Nintendo to bring Xenoblade Chronicles over to North America.  Upon seeing the overwhelming positive reaction by the community, publishers might have felt a bit more optimistic about taking the responsibility to bringing the other games over.

For those unfamiliar with "The Last Story", it is an Action-RPG developed exclusively for the Nintendo Wii with Hironobu Sakaguchi of "Final Fantasy" leading the project with Takuya Matsumoto along with renowned videogame composer Nobuo Uematsu.  Sakaguchi takes on the Action-RPG genre by formulating a new and unique combat system that mixes tactical planning with fluid hack 'n slash attacks.  As always, there is a focus on story, the environment, and character development to keep the game's progress moving and the player involved.

The game has received high ratings and praise by critics and players who played through the Japanese version.  One of the major arguments pointed out by a lot of supporters of the petition to bringing the 3 JRPGs (Xenoblade Chronicles, The Last Story, Pandora's Tower) to the western market was that they are possibly the last few games developed for the Wii considered worth buying anymore for the aging console who has failed to come out with anything new or interesting other than those developed directly by Nintendo (The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword).  Judging from 2011's abysmal list of game releases, I'd say that seems to be the situation.  So Wii owners and JRPG fans rejoice as 2 out of 3 of the petitioned games have now been confirmed for a stateside release.  The Last Story does not have a release date yet.

GameLight - The Last Story

Official Japanese Site: http://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/slsj/

Source: Youtube Channel IGNentertainment

I never made a post about "The Last Story"?  Wow I'm surprised I didn't since I've been so excited about it.  Two reasons being two people behind the project.  Hironobu Sakaguchi and Nobuo Uematsu of Final Fantasy Fame are teamed up in this project at "Mistwalker" to deliver what is said to be Sakaguchi's last project before he retires....oh wait, just found something:

In July 2010, Sakaguchi announced on Mistwalker's blog that The Last Story may be the final title of his career. However, this turned out to be a translation error in which he meant that he was working on this as if it was his last game.[9] -Wikipedia

That's good to hear, but there's still a problem.  This amazing Action-RPG exclusive to the Nintendo Wii isn't seeing a U.S. release from speculations in the past half year.  It's already out in Japan, and there has been word that it's going to have an English translation for Europe; however, it seems that Nintendo of America doesn't seem keen on bringing it over to the U.S.  This is very VERY sad news indeed as it was one of the most anticipated games coming out for the Wii (if not the only one).  Aside from "The Last Story", it seems "Pandora's Tower" and "Xenoblade Chronicles" won't be seeing a U.S. release either.  It's very sad to hear and I really hope that changes in the future as I'm very anxious to play those games (my Wii needs some love).

So about "The Last Story".  I was thinking that it was going to be another turn-based RPG with lots of story and great music (which I don't mind, but am eager for change); however, Sakaguchi and team has surprised me with an incredible Action-RPG with unique elements that mixes several elements of other games into a cohesive adventure showcasing what the Wii is capable of.  So there's the story and RPG elements that creates the basis for the game, and then there's the combat system.  In combat, there's tactics that allows the player to plan ahead and control the AI of their comrades for flanking strategies and such.  Characters can hide behind cover and spring out to attack an enemy when they least expect it.  There's a 3rd-Person perspective when aiming with a crossbow to be able to fire at an enemy at a distance.  I'm not sure how multiplayer works yet, but it allows the ability to team up to 6 people for cooperative play and competitive play.  The combat isn't so much run up and mash buttons like a hack-n-slash as it is like a tactical shooter where things are planned, stealth is used, and maneuvering is recommended.  With such a different take on the Action-RPG genre, I became even more interested in it.  Even better with Nobuo Uematsu composing the music to the game.  The main theme reminds me of the main theme from "Lord of Arcana" (also composed by Uematsu).  Someone has uploaded the first hour of the game for us to see, and it only makes me want to play the game even more!

Source: Youtube Channel NiNTENDOMiNATi0N

Nintendo of America has received the Trademark Rights to "The Last Story", but no word has been said about localizing the game over to the U.S.  I can only hope that they do and then buy it the first day it comes out if it ever does.

Source:
-Kotaku - Nintendo of America, You Are Really Smart (Or Mean!)