Just a few minutes ago, one of the most anticipated games of Tokyo Game Show was formally unveiled to the media: White Knight Chronicles (called Shirokishi here in Japan). I sat in on the session and, um, chronicled it for you here:
Kentaro Motomura, Producer of White Knight Chronicles, first runs down some key points – Level-5 created this RPG especially for the PLAYSTATION 3, with a key differentiating element of a transforming hero. They’re trying to do something new with this mechanic. You can play solo, or in a group of up to 4 online (more on that later).
Motomura-san gives a quick rundown of the story and then plays a trailer detailing these scenes: During the princess of Balandor’s coming of age ceremony, a group known as the “Wizard” raids the kingdom looking for the power of “Knight.”
A young man named Leonard escapes into a cellar and finds a mysterious set of armor, which transforms him into the White Knight, and he defeates the Wizard’s enormous monster. However, the princess was kidnapped during the battle. Leonard sets off with his newfound power to find the kidnapped princess.
The trailer also reveals a number of other characters, huge beastly monsters, even larger armored creatures, and Leonard’s transformation into the titular White Knight (who is clearly a bad ass). The trailer concludes with a bat-winged airship flapping off into the stratosphere.
Motomura-san now describes the concept of the world – an authentic fantasy world created on an enormous scale. One of the characteristics is that there are lot of enormous creatures in the game, such as a monster so large, it has a town on its back.
Next, character transformation designs are shown – the White Knight, the Black Knight, and the Dragon Knight, which has a pair of wings. All are huge (7 meters high).
More details on who these powerful characters are *before* they transform: Leonard is a young man who works for a wine merchant before being drawn into the events detailed above. Cisna is the aforementioned princess. Yulie and Eldore provide support to Leonard. Yulie is a childhood friend of Leonard, while Eldore is a mysterious warrior lending advice to Leonard.
There are many more major foes shown as well.
OK, now what you were really pining for: the Battle System. Players can freely register commands into the “function palettes”. You can create and name your own combos to be used in an active-time battle using simple controls. Many, many combinations are possible.
Motomura-san talks more about the Knights for which the game is named. Sometimes you (and your friends) are going to come face-to-face with incredibly large enemies, impervious to most of your attacks. But you’ll likely want to transform into one of the huge Knight characters. But it’s possible to fight successfully with a mix of small and transformed warriors.
There will be significant character customization in WKC as well. The created avatar will take part in the epic story Leonard’s companion
Online vs offline mode: When offline, Leonard is the main character and plays through the story. When online, up to 4 players cooperate to battle as their created character. A video demonstrates a number of characters traveling together through the countryside, the customization options. Male and female characters are shown, with vastly different looks. The type of character (warrior, magic user, etc) is customizable as well. Players can invite others from within the game, and another joins.
The group is then shown taking on a huge troll with a giant club. More areas are then shown, countryside, towns and castles, and other vistas and landscapes.
Now Motomura-san explains the fusion of offline and online modes. Players share money, items, and levels that are earned in one mode into the other. Motomura-san mentions that there are many more new elements to this that will be revealed later.
During the Q&A, Motomura-san assures “a huge number” of online quests, and reiterates that it’s different from the offline “story” mode. It’s basically 2 RPGs in one title.
Shirokishi hits Japan on Christmas Day. There’s not yet a set release date for North America or Europe, but you can be sure we’ll announce that information on the PlayStation.Blog when it happens. Look for more on White Knight Chronicles throughout TGS – we’ll be sure to link out to the best coverage. In the meantime, we’ve got lots of screens here.
(Average: 4.83 out of 5)
150 Comments // 3 Replies
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101
Chrisrahosiris | October 10th, 2008 at 5:02 am
I am importing this game. Don’t worry though, I’ll buy it again when it is released stateside.
102
solidreid | October 10th, 2008 at 5:06 am
I can’t wait for this game!
103
neo_bahamut | October 10th, 2008 at 5:19 am
Awesome! just awesome!
104
TheZed | October 10th, 2008 at 5:21 am
Woo hoo! Finally the flow of JRPGs for the PS3 is in sight. I can’t wait.
105
Rayziel | October 10th, 2008 at 5:28 am
I’ve been waiting for this game since it was first announced(White Knight Story back then).
106
FFObsessed | October 10th, 2008 at 5:29 am
This is what we need more of SONY, Japanese RPGs! It’s what made PlayStation so special in the first place, and now Microsoft are paying for them all.
I know SCEA listen, but do Sony Japan care what their fans want?
Why havn’t they secured FFVII Remake which PS fans have been begging for since 2005!
Are we going to get the next Suikoden? The next Phantasy Star? Persona? Shin Megami? Is Star Ocean ever gonna hit PS3? Tales of…?
It’s a ridiculous situation for PS3 to be in, and if Sony want the PS3 to be a success in Japan AND in the West, they need to sort it out.
107
Davitr0n | October 10th, 2008 at 5:39 am
Thanks for the info. *wipes the drool from his mouth*
I am very excited about this game.
The news about online play is icing on the cake.
108
Andronix | October 10th, 2008 at 5:53 am
Although I’m STILL playing Oblivion, I’m desperate for a new Japanese RPG. So I’m very excited to hear about the new play mechanics and that White Knight Chronicles will play like two games in one. Hopefully the western localisation will be quick!
109
big_king_kill | October 10th, 2008 at 6:01 am
Thanks for the update this game looks sweet!
110
indigovenom | October 10th, 2008 at 6:02 am
this sounds awesome. I am more excited about this than FF. To be honest i almost feel that we should get together and boycott square enix. They really aren’t showing any love for their fans. I know many people bought ps3’s thinking that they would get all this SE goodness. but square has quickly jumped ship. i may start a blog petition.
111
indigovenom | October 10th, 2008 at 6:06 am
oh sorry to comment again but since this is exclusive is it possible for them to give it the non-region specific treatment. you know like how uncharted and R&C and R:FOM are. they change based on your region settings.
112
wu-stix | October 10th, 2008 at 7:11 am
2009 is going to be the year for sony. Can’t wait for this one.
113
LokeSTL | October 10th, 2008 at 7:18 am
At last, let’s get the PS3 RPG’s rollin’! I think that this will be a day one buy for me. Now I just need to know when day 1 is…
114
Modster79 | October 10th, 2008 at 7:21 am
I’m not usually into RPGs but this looks REALLY good :p
115
Trieloth | October 10th, 2008 at 7:56 am
Sounds and looks Great! Four player sounds even better. :)
116
babybluedb | October 10th, 2008 at 7:57 am
you guys are breaking my bank aocount and wallet please stop making these awesome games that you know ill buy. im already buying and secong PS3 and a second PSP 3000 built in mic whoooooo.
wow i remember when i was one of the blog people shouting for more are RPG’s this should hold me over until the bigest RPG game of all time comes out and you know which one.
117
RandomEarthling | October 10th, 2008 at 8:05 am
Wow. I haven’t been into RPG’s lately (not a lot of time to play games) but this one looks different and interesting. This looks and sounds better than Final Fantasy so SqeEnix better work a little faster. Thanks for the update.
118
Drackir | October 10th, 2008 at 8:09 am
Wow. This game looks awesome. I hope it doesn’t take too long to come to NA.
119
WilliaM | October 10th, 2008 at 8:09 am
I have never pre-ordered a game but im pre-ordering this game. It looks so damn beautiful and its an RPG.
Absolutely stunning.
120
d3adpool75 | October 10th, 2008 at 8:10 am
Finally a promising RPG. I thought there was no light at the end of the tunnel for a while here.
Keep up the good work guys!
121
jorgiex | October 10th, 2008 at 8:28 am
I must admit this looks like one of those games that would only work on the PS3. Great graphics, unique gameplay conrols and a vary japanese feel to the whole package.lol
That’s not a bad thing, it’s the reason you would buy a PS3. I really hope things go well for this game.
122
Daver | October 10th, 2008 at 8:29 am
This game is gonna be awesome!! cant wait for the release date XD
123
Toast | October 10th, 2008 at 8:37 am
Game looks amazing, can’t wait until it’s out stateside =D
124
Keith K | October 10th, 2008 at 8:52 am
Looks awesome! I’ve been skeptical about this game thus far and remain slightly so until I see it in motion. However Im genuinely gaining excitement. I do love Level 5’s PS2 offerings.
The game clearly does not run in the rumoured 1080p, however I never believed that, for a second, to be the case. Chances are the HUD will be output in 1080p and they will claim the game to be 1080p based on that. Lies, but fairly common lies these days.
The game does appear to be looking very nice in its native 720p, let’s hope their PR just leaves it at that.
125
Alcachofa | October 10th, 2008 at 9:21 am
An half an hour session specifically for this killing app ? check ;-)
http://www.jp.playstation.com/tgs2008/tgstv/index.html
U will wind here :
http://www.jp.playstation.com/movie/tgs08/sp/Session_Shirokishi01.asx
http://www.jp.playstation.com/movie/tgs08/sp/Session_Shirokishi02.asx
http://www.jp.playstation.com/movie/tgs08/sp/Session_Shirokishi03.asx
Japanese audio w/o subs of course, this is @ TGS !
126
blazndragon0 | October 10th, 2008 at 9:43 am
I want it!
127
King_James | October 10th, 2008 at 10:09 am
This game looks GREAT!
128
King_James | October 10th, 2008 at 10:24 am
I’m really impressed with this game. Consider it purchased
129
Wollan | October 10th, 2008 at 10:56 am
Must say I really appreciated this report.
I’m glad it was posted from the audience angle as I can see how it can be troublesome for one media employee to arrange international meeting schedules across the company and so forth.
What I’m saying is I’m glad this was posted at all instead of waiting for whatever official US PR or Sony internal meeting to get whatever info.
If you have info, directly from speaking with the source or slightly off-hand, get it on the blog.
130
GGCAN | October 10th, 2008 at 11:07 am
Thanks Jeff…looks interesting.
131
zeke2040 | October 10th, 2008 at 11:39 am
this is great news… now co-op on a RPG finally… now i can’t play RPG with friends too… yahoo!
132
Ortohinco | October 10th, 2008 at 11:44 am
Even after so many years of development, the game looks worse then Star Ocean 4.
Honestly, this game will disappoint.
133
eric1018 | October 10th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
I WANT THIS GAME SOOOO BADLY!!! :) LOL!
134
afrosheen | October 10th, 2008 at 12:23 pm
I’m still wondering how Sony lost the RPG crown to Microsoft. Especially considering how Japanese companies don’t like doing business with them. Didn’t anyone at Sony talk to SE and others before the PS3 was released?
135
moe24 | October 10th, 2008 at 12:41 pm
Thanks?
136
samrican | October 10th, 2008 at 3:47 pm
sweet i cant wait to play this game. 100hrs of awesomeness.
137
IceBow | October 10th, 2008 at 3:50 pm
I need a good RPG, haven’t played one in a while, due to the fact that there are none for the PS3.
138
MadmanVol2 | October 10th, 2008 at 4:49 pm
So John,
Now that Bionic Commando has been pushed back to 2009, and you’ve been proven a liar twice over now…
…are you going to apologize to the masses that you conned into purchasing BC Rearmed before it was finished, or are you going to continue to delay the trophy patch and pretend like this was the plan all along?
139
hehe1 | October 10th, 2008 at 6:13 pm
Finally some more info on the game… Now I want it even more than before…
140
mrnagy88 | October 10th, 2008 at 9:40 pm
Christmas day, that’s pretty mean :-p
141
Protopet | October 11th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
Make sure this game at least supports keyboard functionality(plug in a keyboard through USB) for text chat.
While keyboard functionality is necessary, voice chat is also crucial. I don’t think anyone wants to type on the keyboard while they are fighting some huge monster. This is much more efficient, effective, and modern. All games now support voice chat and it would be disappointing if WKC didn’t have it.
Also, try to higher the squad/group count. It would be really cool to work with 10-20 guys online all trying to complete goals, defeat huge enemies, leveling up, etc. This game should have a really good party system.
Otherwise, the game is looking great! I hope we don’t have to wait to long before it comes out in NA.
142
Darkness57 | October 11th, 2008 at 2:11 pm
We really do need some more RPG’s.
143
Joakim Hagdahl | October 12th, 2008 at 1:29 am
Jeff: Is there any chance more footage of the gameplay will be released?
While the footage shown was good it was a bit bare, I think it was just one fight against that large troll.
144
kenshinhimura | October 12th, 2008 at 5:52 am
PS3 really needs a JRPG killer to restore the confidence of Japanese.
To me this time round, PS3 is losing most of the exclusivity to XBOX360 unlike during PS/PS2 period.
What’s going on this time? Sony is not interested in PS3 anymore and trying to speed up for PS4?
145
Heavenly_King | October 12th, 2008 at 10:34 am
The first and second pic look so AWESOME!!!! Hopefully the whole game will look like that when it is finished.
146
Johnny5-1985 | October 12th, 2008 at 11:45 am
The graphics remind me of Kingdom Hearts. The White Knight does look like one of those Big “Nobodies” boses from Kingdom Hearts 2. Can’t wait for this game to come out. Online play does look great…No other RPG games will do this for quite sometime. Thanks to Square-Enix Final Fanstasy XIII could have had online play.
147
Split | October 12th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
Looks like it could be quite a good game for 2009.
148
40cal | October 12th, 2008 at 7:26 pm
I think I might be more excited for White Night than FFXIII. Yeah I said it!
149
40cal | October 12th, 2008 at 7:27 pm
oops! Knight. :)
150
B-Rein | October 13th, 2008 at 6:30 am
white knight chronicles is just the best looking rpg so far, i cant wait for this game!!!!
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