Atlus shows its hand, reveals Yggdra Union for PSP

ATLUS SHOWS ITS HAND, REVEALS CARD-BASED STRATEGY RPG YGGDRA UNION FOR PSP® SYSTEM
On September 16th, the battle to win back Fantasinia begins

http://www.atlus.com/res/yggdralogoforum.jpg (http://www.atlus.com/yggdraunionpsp)

IRVINE, CALIFORNIA — JUNE 9th, 2008 — Atlus U.S.A., Inc., today announced Yggdra Union, a card-based strategy RPG for PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system. For years, strategy RPG fans have accepted repetitive, non-interactive battle sequences as the genre standard; few games have dared to break the mold. Yggdra Union blows through, shattering the mold into tiny, unrecognizable bits. One reviewer wrote of the game’s ground-breaking mechanics, “It's no easy feat to invigorate a genre that has remained fairly set in its ways for the last few generations, let alone do it with the imagination and energy present here.”* Experience a fresh mix of turn-based strategy and real-time action, constantly engaging the player and providing intense, riveting gameplay combined with tactical card-based combat.

Originally released for Game Boy Advance to warm praise, Yggdra Union is beautifully remade and loaded with enhancements, including: fully remastered audio and visuals (including the artwork of famed character designer and manga artist Satoko Kiyuzuki), dual language voiceovers (Japanese and English), a widescreen aspect ratio, additional difficulty settings, new unlockable content, and more… all exclusive to the PSP® system!

Yggdra Union is currently scheduled for release on September 16th.

Official Trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8ISiTb9kFo

Visit the official Yggdra Union website:
http://www.atlus.com/yggdraunionpsp

About Yggdra Union
Ruled by a royal family believed to be descended from the gods, Fantasinia is a prosperous and tranquil land — until the peace is shattered by the invading forces of the Empire of Bronquia. Led by the young Emperor Gulcasa, who seized power in a brutal coup d’etat, Bronquia’s Imperial Army cuts a bloody swath through the people of Fantasinia and the Royal Armies of King Ordene. Princess Yggdra Yuril Artwaltz, the sole survivor of the royal family, escapes with the kingdom’s only hope: the holy sword Gran Centurio. Fleeing to the southern tip of the continent, she encounters an unusual thief named Milanor, a young man destined to help liberate the people of her kingdom...

Key Features
• Break-the-mold strategy system – Turn-based strategy meets real-time action in this innovative battle mechanic! Build your strongest deck of cards to rain down special attacks, monitor the aggression meter to adjust the power of each hit, and create troop unions that will overwhelm the enemy’s numbers.
• Rebuilt for the PSP® – Yggdra Union is brand new again on the PSP® system, boasting remastered audio and visuals, new playable characters, additional missions, difficulty options, widescreen support, and dual English and Japanese voiceover tracks.
• Unlock even greater rewards – There is more to Yggdra Union than can be revealed in a single game. With 3 different endings plus a hidden ending and secret characters, there’s tons of treasure for a true gamer to uncover.

Yggdra Union has not yet been rated by the ESRB.

###

About Atlus U.S.A., Inc.
Located in Irvine, California and founded in 1991, Atlus U.S.A., Inc. is renowned for its proud tradition of publishing exceptional role-playing games with strong niche appeal. The Atlus library of critically acclaimed video games includes Odin Sphere, Trauma Center series, and the award-winning Shin Megami Tensei series. For more information, visit http://www.atlus.com. For breaking news, special promotions, insider info, and more, visit http://www.atlus.com/faithful to join the ranks of the Atlus Faithful!

©2008 STING. Licensed to and published by Atlus U.S.A., Inc.

*Gamecritics.com review of Yggdra Union (GBA, 2006)

[SickleCellAnemia]

Day ONE.

[Sanctine]

I suggest working on your poker face, Atlus.

[Chronis]

Awesome. I missed Yggdra Union on the GBA so I'll definitely be picking this up on the PSP. Thanks for making it official, AtlusAram.... even thought we kinda already knew. :?

Also, question not having to do with YU. Is Aram Atlus's PR guy or does he just get kicks out of making announcements?

[Voodoo]

Should we act suprised?

[Juanblue85]

I'll pick it up since I did see the original GBA before but never bothered to pick it up but this time I won't overlook it. I seriously have to get this Card-Based system down since I do suck a lot playing it like for example Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories.

[Sei]

Dual Audio = bought.

[Kitsunexus]

So wait, Atlus IS coding games now? I'm confuzled. :?

[Inzaghi]

We don't and never have coded games. But we do work with the original developers when we can to add features (like YU's dual audio) or fix bugs when localizing a game.

[Sayckeone]

Is this getting a completely new localization, or are you just building upon the previous one? I'm assuming Atlus will be building upon the old one, otherwise I'd guess you would have mentioned a new localization.

Need I say DFM1?

[Bid]

So wait, Atlus IS coding games now? I'm confuzled. :?

No, they licensed this game for North America from Sting. Sting already remade this for the PSP.

[Inzaghi]

Is this getting a completely new localization, or are you just building upon the previous one? I'm assuming Atlus will be building upon the old one, otherwise I'd guess you would have mentioned a new localization.

The old one has been tweaked in a few places (particularly in areas related to the Dept. Heaven aspects), but it's not a ground-up rewrite. There wasn't really a need for one.

[Robo Chr]

Awesome. Thanks, Atlus!

[Sagadego]

is Bang Zoom doing the english dub or PCB?

[Voodoo]

Is it true we'll have to play through an easier difficulty before we can access the GBA / Hard difficulty?

[Manly Biceps]

Also, question not having to do with YU. Is Aram Atlus's PR guy or does he just get kicks out of making announcements?

It's a bot. Advertising Resources And Marketing. A.R.A.M.

He's not a real person. :)

[Sei]

Is it true we'll have to play through an easier difficulty before we can access the GBA / Hard difficulty?

Hope not. Make hard available from the start, please.

[Sayckeone]

^lol Nice.

The old one has been tweaked in a few places (particularly in areas related to the Dept. Heaven aspects), but it's not a ground-up rewrite. There wasn't really a need for one.
Sounds good. Thanks.

Is it true we'll have to play through an easier difficulty before we can access the GBA / Hard difficulty?

Hope not. Make hard available from the start, please.
PSP users = wusses. GBA users = hrdcoore.

[DMG]

May 23: "You're getting greedy, dear readers! All we ask is a little patience..."

Aram, you cheeky little monkey, you.

[Maxine MagicFox]

<_< I really should try to get me a PSP. I wonder how much they sell for used? This game looks good.

[Voodoo]

Is it true we'll have to play through an easier difficulty before we can access the GBA / Hard difficulty?

Hope not. Make hard available from the start, please.
PSP users = wusses. GBA users = hrdcoore.

God I hope im not forced to play through a wussed out version before I can play a decent difficulty

[Voodoo]

<_< I really should try to get me a PSP. I wonder how much they sell for used? This game looks good.

$129.99 Fat
http://www.gamestop.com/Catalog/ProductDetails.aspx?product_id=22259

$149.99 Slim
http://www.gamestop.com/Catalog/ProductDetails.aspx?product_id=69369

[Sayckeone]

<_< I really should try to get me a PSP. I wonder how much they sell for used? This game looks good.
$130 used for a fat PSP, $150 for the slim.

Voodoo, YU's GBA difficulty can get pretty hairy at some parts. Overall, it does provide a decent challenge.

EDIT: You suck, Voodoo.

[Voodoo]

Voodoo, YU's GBA difficulty can get pretty hairy at some parts. Overall, it does provide a decent challenge.

EDIT: You suck, Voodoo.

LOL your slow

Yeah I heard it was a pretty decent challange. I read somewhere though that the psp makes you play through an easier version before the normal GBA difficulty can be selected. Supposedly a lot of the extra content can only be accessed on this difficulty too.

[Saishu]

That's a cool banner for the forum here.

[cj iwakura]

I honestly thought the supposed crash and burn of Riviera PSP would stop this from happening, but I'm glad it's getting localized anyway.

Except I've beaten Riviera GBA; I'm not far at all into Yggdra GBA. :?
Color me torn.

[Futomimi]

<_< I really should try to get me a PSP. I wonder how much they sell for used? This game looks good.

$129.99 Fat
http://www.gamestop.com/Catalog/ProductDetails.aspx?product_id=22259

$149.99 Slim
http://www.gamestop.com/Catalog/ProductDetails.aspx?product_id=69369

If you're going to try to get one used, you should try other avenues like eBay and Craigslist first, though... GS is pretty much a ripoff for used systems, IMO.

[NuclearConvoy]

I still need a PSP, lol.
They're still bloody expensive though. Man, too much to buy...

[Flußkönig]

Yeah I heard it was a pretty decent challange.

YU is definitely a challenge, but I think most of the challenge stems from the morale system. The game can really be really unforgiving when you mess up even a little bit. Many times it makes more sense to restart a battle when something unexpected happens (enemy units pop up out of nowhere/critical hits ect.) rather than trying to figure out a strategic way to fight through a battle.

I can understand how an easy mode would appeal to people, as the regular gba gameplay is probably a little too frustrating for casual gamers.

[Dead to Rights]

I will buy YU to support Sayckeone's localization.

[Maxine MagicFox]

<_< I really should try to get me a PSP. I wonder how much they sell for used? This game looks good.

$129.99 Fat
http://www.gamestop.com/Catalog/ProductDetails.aspx?product_id=22259

$149.99 Slim
http://www.gamestop.com/Catalog/ProductDetails.aspx?product_id=69369

If you're going to try to get one used, you should try other avenues like eBay and Craigslist first, though... GS is pretty much a ripoff for used systems, IMO.

Thank you for the advice, Mimi. I've actually never bought a "used" system. ... :\ I got some saving to do *sigh* Perhaps I'll put myself on a buying ban after I get Izuna 2.

[Gen Eric Gui]

Just let me know where to park this wheelbarrow full of money, guys.

CANT WAIT

Edit: Also: I sacrificed a goat for you today, Atlus, just like I promised.

[theGerf]

It's electric!

[Doc Kesubei]

Damn. I haven't even finished the GBA version yet.

Also, I got one of those deep, rainbow-colored scratches on my PSP screen. That will no doubt harm the experience of not having to squint while I play Yggdra Union.

Still, looks good. Can't wait for the dub.

[Sayckeone]

YU is definitely a challenge, but I think most of the challenge stems from the morale system. The game can really be really unforgiving when you mess up even a little bit. Many times it makes more sense to restart a battle when something unexpected happens (enemy units pop up out of nowhere/critical hits ect.) rather than trying to figure out a strategic way to fight through a battle.
Yeah, except you lose out on MVP status if you retry a battle, which can be really helpful. Though, I wouldn't worry about retrying battles the first time through and just do it. It's probably best that way.

I will buy YU to support Sayckeone's localization.
<3 DTR

Thank you for the advice, Mimi. I've actually never bought a "used" system. ... :\ I got some saving to do *sigh* Perhaps I'll put myself on a buying ban after I get Izuna 2.
You have until September, so start saving. :P

[RayFoxSith]

Day one even if I don't have a new PSP yet.

[TheMagicHat]

Damn...this game actually looks and sounds good! I never did get around to picking it up for the GBA, so I'll have to take this chance!

I'm still leery of the card battle system, though. Then again, I never gave it a fair chance either.

[Gen Eric Gui]

Yeah, except you lose out on MVP status if you retry a battle, which can be really helpful. Though, I wouldn't worry about retrying battles the first time through and just do it. It's probably best that way.

If you completely restart the battle, you don't lose the MVP and it doesn't count as losses for those special items later in the game. Of course, a complete restart also means you don't get to carry over your EXP or Card power ups that you've earned so far.



I'm still leery of the card battle system, though. Then again, I never gave it a fair chance either.

It's not really a "card-based battle system", they just use cards as the way of selecting your ability for the turn.

[Flußkönig]

YU is definitely a challenge, but I think most of the challenge stems from the morale system. The game can really be really unforgiving when you mess up even a little bit. Many times it makes more sense to restart a battle when something unexpected happens (enemy units pop up out of nowhere/critical hits ect.) rather than trying to figure out a strategic way to fight through a battle.
Yeah, except you lose out on MVP status if you retry a battle, which can be really helpful. Though, I wouldn't worry about retrying battles the first time through and just do it. It's probably best that way.



I always just turned off the ds and loaded the last save back up. I am thinking of just starting the game from the beginning again since Yggdra is way under-leveled and getting her ass kicked by just about everything.

[Sayckeone]

If you completely restart the battle, you don't lose the MVP and it doesn't count as losses for those special items later in the game. Of course, a complete restart also means you don't get to carry over your EXP or Card power ups that you've earned so far.
Yeah, I didn't mean that kind of restart though.

[teekun]

It's not really a "card-based battle system", they just use cards as the way of selecting your ability for the turn.

True, but cards are still one-use, aren't they? It's been so long since I played the original that I've forgotten.

If I remember it correctly, you build a deck of up to 30(?) cards, then use each one for either its movement value, or as an ability. Then it's removed from your hand.


Anyways, I loved what I played of the original. I'll be picking this up on day one. Fantastic game that really deserved more exposure.

[DamageCity]

day One

[PLA]

Missed the first YU, and now I don't have PSP. :cry:

[TheMagicHat]

I'm still leery of the card battle system, though. Then again, I never gave it a fair chance either.

It's not really a "card-based battle system", they just use cards as the way of selecting your ability for the turn.
Okay. I went through the site yesteday so I see what you mean now. I'll just have to learn as I go. :P

I'm sold, though!

[RayFoxSith]

Missed the first YU, and now I don't have PSP. :cry:

You can find it for a good $12 in a lot of Gamestops. It's not as rare as some Atlus titles.

[shimo]

Yggdra Union for GBA was hard.
I hope they make it easier for PSP.
Oh yeah awesome Atlus. :)

[System_Error]

Elminage now plz? >_>

[Sayckeone]

^Not gonna happen.

[RayFoxSith]

You said the same thing about EOII and YU PSP. Or is this your strategy?

[Olethros]

^ His strategy, IMO. Seems to be working pretty well so far.

[Sayckeone]

Heh. This one really isn't coming here though.

[teekun]

Yggdra Union for GBA was hard.
I hope they make it easier for PSP.
Oh yeah awesome Atlus. :)

The PSP version unfortunately defaults to an easier mode, from what I've heard. It needs to be completed once before hard mode is unlocked, which equals the difficulty of the GBA version. :(

[mjemirzian]

If by 'a less difficult mode' they mean 'less annoyingly random enemy crits and less needing to read a guide to spot a fraction of the items hidden around the map', the game might actually be somewhat fun instead of a luck based chore.

[Constraint]

Elminage now plz? >_>

Have you even seen the gameplay video?
Look ####ing horrible.and slow paced.and boring.

[Olethros]

Elminage now plz? >_>

Have you even seen the gameplay video?
Look ####ing horrible.and slow paced.and boring.

Sentence fragments. are. annoying. as are people. who use. them.

[RayFoxSith]

I don't think you're off to a good start here, Constraint.

[Sayckeone]

If by 'a less difficult mode' they mean 'less annoyingly random enemy crits and less needing to read a guide to spot a fraction of the items hidden around the map', the game might actually be somewhat fun instead of a luck based chore.
What? No.

[Gen Eric Gui]

If you want to see yourself get Critted less, boost your luck. There are a million items that do it, and at 6 Luck it hardly ever happens.

I will agree that there should be some kind of clue as to where some of the stranger items are hidden. A bunch of items are nearly impossible to find without a map guide. Even just a town or something that gives you a hint that there might be something on the map would be enough, honestly. Something like "I hear this special kind of Potato grows in those woods" or whatever. And it's not like there's no precedence for it, as a couple of towns in and around Paltina castle clue you in on item locations.

[teekun]

I will agree that there should be some kind of clue as to where some of the stranger items are hidden. A bunch of items are nearly impossible to find without a map guide. Even just a town or something that gives you a hint that there might be something on the map would be enough, honestly. Something like "I hear this special kind of Potato grows in those woods" or whatever. And it's not like there's no precedence for it, as a couple of towns in and around Paltina castle clue you in on item locations.

I kind of agree with that, but I never found the need to get every item in what I played of the GBA version. It's the same with Riviera. There's a lot to be said for randomly stumbling across a great item instead of having someone point you to it.

[conversationaut]

I have the GBA version of YU, but was seriously tempted to plunk down for a PSP solely to get this version. :D I wish it had been remade for the DS instead of the PSP, but I understand the marketing decisions there.

[Rune]

Elminage now plz? >_>

Have you even seen the gameplay video?
Look horrible.and slow paced.and boring.

You can boost the speed of battles. And if that's not enough, after you beat the game once you unlock the ability to boost the speed by an insane amount.
Normal>High>Hyper

[Rune]

Is it true we'll have to play through an easier difficulty before we can access the GBA / Hard difficulty?

You have to beat the game once to unlock the hard difficulty. I don't know how the difficulty levels compare to the GBA, though, having never played that version.

[Dark_Chaotic_Nightmare]

Yeah, I missed the GBA Yggdra Union (and Riviera's as well, though I had more than enough time to get them at the time of their NA release...O_o;;) but I checked at my local Game Crazy store a fewy days ago and they had only one copy of each of Atlus' Riviera and Yggdra (PSP version and these have been out for quite some time back then and I didn't have a PSP-borrowing one from a friend right now lol) so I hurried and picked them both up. I love Riviera and Yggdra equally but found myself playing Riviera just because it feels really cool. I do also really like Yggdra Union. The opening anime feels like it could have its own anime series (hmmm, you never know *hoping* that would be kinda cool, actually). The card battle system is a little confusing and yes, you get outnumbered by the Empire pretty bad in some maps but this looks like a pretty cool game.

[faithfulfanboy]

I bought the PSP version from amazon.ca for 20$ and it's a great improvement over the GBA. The larger screen makes the chunky, flashy interface seem a lot less cluttered, and speeding up the battles is great!

[Vagabundo]

this game is actually easy,my strategy is simple to defeat bosses milanor+gravity chaos+steal=win

[Rev]

Hmm...probably should have spoilered that Vagabundo.

Anyway, I might pick this game up. I'm always up for more good Atlus PSP games.

[MugenNoFrontierFan]

This game is awesome~ I was glad to have it, and it kept me busy for a while (not to mention tended to through me for a loop on multiple occasions). It was my first Atlus PSP game (first PSP game in general, actually), and I can't wait to play some more. I heard that Knights in The Nightmare and Blaze Union are in the same universe, right?