Join us, why don't you, as we sit down with
Crimson Gem Saga project lead Clayton Chan for a one-on-one interview about the game. Warning: one of us will not emerge from this interview alive:
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(AtlusA.R.A.M.) *WHO ARE YOU, HUMAN? WHAT IS YOUR ROLE IN CRIMSON GEM SAGA?*
(Clayton S. Chan) I'm Clayton S. Chan the Project Lead, why'd you have to trap me with poison donuts!? I can't believe you put the poison in the sprinkles! Those are supposed to make people happy!
(AA) *CONSIDER YOURSELF LUCKY YOU AVOIDED THE JELLY-FILLED DONUT, HUMAN. NOW, PLEASE BRIEFLY--AND WITH AS MUCH EXCITEMENT AS POSSIBLE--DESCRIBE THE STORY OF CGS. USE THE PHRASE "IN A WORLD" AT LEAST ONCE*
(CC) Aaaaaaah! Fine, fine!
In the world of Latein, one graduate is about to prove that he is the best of the best...and one man is about to finish second.
Killian von Rohcoff is... the Salutatorian. Dammit, you got me stuck in movie trailer mode, A.R.A.M.! I told you this was a stupid idea.
The story's revolves around the disappointing twists and turns of Killian's life. He finishes second in his graduating class, and was so focused on his studies that he didn't bother to network. The principal of his academy bails him out and gives him a letter of recommendation. This letter leads to him getting robbed and nearly killed... and unfortunately for the guy, that's just the beginning. Eventually, even greater forces in the background start to cross paths with him, and he eventually becomes caught up with the Order of Light and their quest for the Wicked Stones.
(AA) *YOU DID NOT USE THE PHRASE "IN A WORLD," BUT YOUR DESCRIPTION IS SUFFICIENT. IS CRIMSON GEM SAGA PART OF AN EXISTING SERIES?*
(CC) Yes. It's part of the Astonishia plot line, but this game's got new characters, a new system, and an Atlus-caliber localization. It's nothing like its predecessor.
(AA) *WHAT ARE SOME OF THE FEATURES THAT MAKE CRIMSON GEM SAGA A TITLE TO WATCH?*
(CC) Nothing. Crimson Gem Saga's features make it a title to PLAY. I think YOU'RE still stuck in movie mode, A.R.A.M.
Gamers are going to probably like the detailed 2D artwork. It's always nice to see a different style of art when it is still high quality, so people who are maybe a bit jaded by the stylistic tendencies of the Japanese market will appreciate the different take that the Korean market will offer them. The game's also got a battle system that will keep you on your toes, and it's a good throwback to when RPGs didn't take themselves so seriously.
(AA) *HUMANS SEEM TO ENJOY THE SPOKEN WORD. IS THAT WHY YOU DECIDED TO ADD MORE VOICE WORK TO CGS?*
(CC) It's tough to develop a real attachment to a character when they speak maybe once or twice every thirty minutes. So Devin Curry (one of the game's editors) and I went through and selected the scenes that we thought would be most improved with the addition of voice. Our counterparts in Korea were VERY accommodating, and put in all the extra voices that we recorded.
Speaking of which, I would have called you in for some voice work, A.R.A.M., but unfortunately, there were no robots in this game.
(AA) *I FIND THIS LACK OF ROBOT REPRESENTATION OFFENSIVE.*
(CC) Almost as offensive as your face, one-eye.
(AA) *THIS INTERVIEW IS HEREBY TERMINATED. COMMENCING DEPRESSURIZATION OF INTERVIEW CHAMBER.*
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Thank you for your rapt attention. As for who did not make it out of the interview alive... Well, the inventive Mr. Chan actually managed to escape, and as I am a machine--an incredibly intelligent and powerful one, but a machine nonetheless--it was I that did not escape the interview alive, as I had no life to begin with.
CONSIDER YOURSELVES FOOLED!
Crimson Gem Saga releases on May 26th for PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system.
Crimson Gem Saga: an interview with project lead Clayton Chan
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