Disgaea: Hour of Darkness is a tactical role-playing game for the PlayStation 2, which focuses on the story of Prince Laharl as he aims to become the Overlord of the Netherworld.

<h2>Overview</h2><p>Disgaea: Hour of Darkness is a tactical role-playing game developed by <a data-ref-id="3010-617" href="/nippon-ichi-software-inc/3010-617/" slug="nippon-ichi-software-inc">Nippon Ichi Software</a> and published by Nippon Ichi Software (in Japan), <a data-ref-id="3010-442" href="/atlus/3010-442/" slug="atlus">Atlus USA, Inc</a> (in North America) and <a data-ref-id="3010-94" href="/koei-co-ltd/3010-94/" slug="koei-co-ltd">Koei</a> (in Europe) for the Playstation 2. It saw its first release in Japan on the 30th of January, 2003, and was later released in North America on the 27th of August, 2003, and in Europe on the 28th of May, 2004.</p><h2>Plot</h2><p>The game opens with <a data-ref-id="3005-664" href="/laharl/3005-664/" slug="laharl">Laharl</a> rising out of an open coffin in his room after <a data-ref-id="3005-1038" href="/etna/3005-1038/" slug="etna">Etna</a>, one of the castle vassals, attempts to wake him through the use of various weapons. After some complaining from Laharl, she explains that he has been sleeping for two years, far longer than he intended, and that his father, King Krichevskoy, has died. Laharl claims that there's no worries, as he is the rightful heir to the throne, however, Etna tells him that he has mostly been forgotten by the demons in the Netherworld due to his long sleep. Furious, Laharl claims that he will reclaim the throne and show everyone that he is the true heir, and after consulting with Etna and some of the castle vassals, he decides to go to Vyers' castle, as he has gained some notoriety, leading Laharl to believe that if he defeats <a data-ref-id="3005-10228" href="/vyers/3005-10228/" slug="vyers">Vyers</a>, then the Netherworld will have no trouble remembering him.</p><p>After defeating the demon Vyers (who refers to himself as "The Dark Adonis", and is subsequently renamed to "Mid-Boss" by Laharl), he meets Angel Trainee Flonne, who has been sent to the Netherworld by Seraph Lamington, the ruler of Celestia, to assassinate King Krichevskoy (who was already dead). After being told by Laharl that his father is dead, she apologises to him, however, he claims that he isn't bothered by his death. Shocked by this claim, the eternally optimistic Flonne joins Laharl's party to determine if demons are capable of feeling love. However, they fail to notice the paranoid Archangel Vulcanus, who followed Flonne to the Netherworld in order to observe Flonne's actions, who interprets Flonne's decision to remain in the Netherworld as treason and is convinced that she is plotting against Celestia.</p><p>Afterwords, Etna demands that Laharl pay the salary of the <a data-ref-id="3015-380" href="/prinny/3015-380/" slug="prinny">Prinnies</a> that she has hired, using his own claim that her vassals are his vassals against him, so he decides to attack the demon with the most money in the vicinity, which turns out to be Hoggmeiser at Dinero Palace, who is a former vassal of King Krichevskoy that took most of his money after his death. After defeating Hoggmeiser, Laharl is about to kill him, until Hoggmeiser's son rushes out and gets in the way. Flonne convinces Laharl to spare them, and Laharl lets them keep some of the money. In response to this act, Hoggmeiser joins the party.</p><p>After this, <a data-ref-id="3005-1748" href="/flonne/3005-1748/" slug="flonne">Flonne</a> and Etna discover a photograph of Laharl in an embarrassing situation. Hearing their outburst of laughter, Laharl asks them what they're laughing at, only to be shown the photo, which shocks and horrifies him (the contents of the photo are never revealed). They then discover a threat written on the back of the photograph that states that copies of it would be distributed if Laharl did not accept a challenge to fight for the overlordship, which he has no choice but to accept. After traveling to the location specified, Laharl meets Maderas, a vampire, who was banished by King Krichevskoy for stealing the King's favorite snack, black pretzels. Maderas takes advantage of Laharl's two biggest weaknesses – optimism and women with sexy bodies, so as to render Laharl useless, and then he reveals that Etna was working for him as he held her memory in his hands. He goes on to reveal that Laharl's two-year slumber was the result of Etna poisoning him (this poison was originally meant to kill him, though it didn't succeed), and then commands Etna to kill Laharl, however, she refuses, and then reveals her own plan to get back at Maderas and recover her memory. After Maderas begs for his life, Etna spares him, and he joins the party.</p><figure data-align="left" data-embed-type="image" data-img-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/1976/179809-disgaea.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-179809" data-size="small" data-ratio="0.66666666666667"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:66.7%" href="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/1976/179809-disgaea.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-179809"><img alt="Let the massacre begin" src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/1976/179809-disgaea.jpg" srcset="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/1976/179809-disgaea.jpg 450w, https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/1976/179809-disgaea.jpg 320w" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" data-width="320"></a><figcaption>Let the massacre begin</figcaption></figure><p>Not long after this, Laharl issues a challenge to all the demons in the Netherworld, claiming that whoever defeats him before he reaches The Heart of all Evil shall be named the Overlord, however, if he reaches it before anyone defeats him, he will claim the title for himself. After defeating the opposition (which included a mass horde of demons, a Demon Hunter, Etna's own Prinnies, an Overlord from an Alternate Netherworld and the Prism Rangers), he reaches The Heart of All Evil, only to be confronted by Mid-Boss, who is looking for a rematch. After defeating Mid-Boss, Laharl becomes the undisputed Overlord of the Netherworld.</p><p>Waking up later at night, Flonne discovers that several Prinnies are chanting and leaving the castle. Laharl, worried that his reputation will be tarnished if it is discovered that he let his vassals escape, chases after them the next morning. Eventually, he runs into Death, and the player learns that Big Sis Prinny is actually Laharl's mother; she became a Prinny because she gave her life to save him.</p><p>Afterwords, Captain Gordon (The Defender of Earth), Jennifer (his assistant) and the robot Thursday are sent to the Netherworld by General Carter, who has led them to believe that their mission is to assassinate Laharl due to an impending attack on Earth by the Netherworld. After meeting Laharl, Gordon is promised that Earth will not be invaded if Gordon defeats him, however, if Laharl wins, Gordon must become his vassal. Gordon is defeated, and is forced to become Laharl's vassal.</p><p>After this turn of events, the Earth Defense Force appears in the Netherworld, and it is revealed that Gordon was actually sent to secure a path for an invasion of the Netherworld by the humans, who had been tricked by Vulcanus. General Carter sends Kurtis to the Netherworld, and eventually goes there himself on the Space Battleship Gargantua. Kurtis abducts Jennifer, and Laharl engages the EDF fleet of spaceships in a rescue attempt, destroying all but the Gargantua by himself. When Laharl and his party arrive at the Gargantua's bridge, several angels from Celestia appear and attack them. After being defeated, General Carter escapes, only to have Mid-Boss appear to give him a message.</p><p>In response to this turn of events, Flonne and the rest of the party decide to go to Celestia to confront the Seraph. Vulcanus goes to Seraph Lamington declaring that Flonne is a traitor who is leading an army of demons in an invasion of Celestia, and goes to lead a group of angels to repel this "invasion". Vulcanus then reveals to Laharl and his party that he intends to conquer all three worlds and rule over them as a god. After defeating Vulcanus, Laharl finally meets the Seraph and Flonne explains Vulcanus' plan and what she has learned while traveling with Laharl. The Seraph accepts her version of events and agrees that demons are, in fact, capable of feeling love. However, he declares that Flonne must be punished because she fought against other angels, and turns her into a flower. Outraged at this injustice, Laharl attacks the Seraph, initiating the game's final battle.</p><p>The game has multiple endings. Depending on the way the game was played up to this point, the Seraph may or may not survive, Flonne either remains a flower, is restored to her original form, or is transformed into a Fallen Angel, and Laharl either becomes a great Overlord, disappears and leaves Etna in charge of the Netherworld, or dies and becomes a Prinny. It may also be noted that, on the Good Ending, when the spirit of Laharl's mother appears to him, Vyers appears to already know her, and the way he talks to Laharl suggests that he is King Krichevskoy.</p><h2>Gameplay</h2><p>Disgaea: Hour of Darkness is a tactical role-playing game, featuring new elements unique to the genre at the time, such as the throwing mechanic and Geo Panels, which can both heavily affect the outcome of a battle.</p><h3>Laharl's Castle</h3><figure data-align="right" data-embed-type="image" data-img-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/4/41195/1521143-200px_laharl2.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-1521143" data-size="small" data-ratio="1"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:100.0%" href="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/4/41195/1521143-200px_laharl2.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-1521143"><img alt="No Caption Provided" src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/4/41195/1521143-200px_laharl2.jpg" srcset="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/4/41195/1521143-200px_laharl2.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px" data-width="200"></a></figure><p>Lahrl's castle acts as a hub which allows the player to access the other locations in the game without physically having to travel between the castle and a desired map. Each episode of the game gives the player access to a new set of maps, which must be completed in order to make the plot proceed. All maps are accessed through speaking with the Dimensional Gatekeeper (with the exception of the Item World and Dark Assembly). Most maps can be accessed repeatedly, with some of them being altered slightly, such as boss maps, where the boss is replaced by a high level generic enemy.</p><p>Items can only be purchased from the Netherworld Branch of Rosen Queen Co., which consists of two stores: one for armor and regular items, and one for weapons. The overall quality and types of the items sold in these shops can be changed through proposals to the Dark Assembly. There is also a hospital located in the same area of the castle, where characters can be healed in exchange for payment. The player will be rewarded with items from the hospital when a specific amount of money has been payed to it.</p><h3>Combat</h3><p>Battles take place on a map divided into a square grid. Here, the player controls a squad of humanoid units and monsters after deploying them from the base panel, with each of them taking up a single square of the grid, and they do combat with a group of enemies. The player will be able to deal damage/heal a specific unit or a selected area of the map, and the battle ends when all enemy units or all of the player's units are destroyed.</p><p>A throwing mechanic is also featured in the game. Humanoid characters can lift and throw other units across the map in order to allow allies to move further or force enemies to keep their distance. Enemies can be captured like this by throwing them into the base panel, where the enemy will do battle with all the units in the base panel, and if defeated, these enemies then become allies, and can be used on subsequent maps. The chance of capturing an enemy in this manner depends on several factors. If the enemy is not captured, then all the units inside the base panel will be killed, and the base panel will be destroyed.</p><h3>Geo Panels and Symbols</h3><p>Some maps contain Geo Panels, which are represented as squares on the floor of the map of a particular color. Colored objects on the map known as Geo Symbols may be present on either Geo Panels or regular, uncolored squares on the map. When these Geo Symbols sit on a Geo Panel, they give all the Geo Panels of the color it sits on a property, such as healing the HP of the units on those panels by 20% at the end of each turn, or making all units on them invulnerable. These effects can also be combined.</p><p>If a Geo Symbol is destroyed on a Geo Panel of a different color than its own, it causes panels of that color to change to the color of the Geo Symbol and damages units on those panels. If another Geo Symbol is on one of the panels when it changes, it too is destroyed, and the Geo Panels begin to change color and properties again, creating a chain reaction. This chain reaction can be of any length that can be supported by the number of colors of panel and symbols on the map, the amount of "chain" gained with each square increasing by one every Geo Symbol. The higher the chain, the more the bonus gauge fills. Some Geo Symbols have the color "clear" and cause the Geo Panels to become regular map squares when destroyed. Removing all of the Geo Panels from a map will cause a blast of energy which hurts all enemies on the map and results in maximum bonuses for the player, referred to in the manual as the Panel Termination Bonus.</p><h3>Dark Assembly</h3><p>The Dark Assembly must be addressed if the player wishes to perform specific actions outside of combat, such as creating new characters, improving the inventory of the castle store, or unlocking new maps. Most of the time, Laharl or other members of his party must present a proposal to the Dark Assembly, who will vote on whether they should or should not provide aid to Laharl's party. Before voting, the player can view the senate's affinity towards them; if a member of the senate glows blue, it means they favor that character, and if they glow red, it means they do not. If they are glowing red, senators can be bribed with items from the player's inventory to sway their vote in the player's favor. If a proposal fails to receive sufficient votes, the player may attempt to pass the bill anyway by choosing to "persuade by force" and attempting to defeat opposing senators in battle.</p><p>The proposals available to place before the senate depend on the number of promotion examinations that the character has completed. These examinations consist of a battle between a handful of monsters and a single character on the floor of the Assembly, and if all enemies are defeated, the character's promotion level will increase.</p><p>Each proposal to the Dark Assembly costs "mana", which increases over time for individual characters as they defeat more enemies. The amount of mana gained depends on the enemy's level.</p><p><b>Master and Student Relationship</b></p><p>Whenever a new character is a created, a "Master and Student Relationship" is formed. This relationship grants the master additional stat boosts whenever the student levels up, as well as the ability to perform the student's magic (presuming he/she knows any) whenever they're beside each other.</p><p><b>Reincarnation</b></p><p>Reincarnation is a unique feature which allows for a unit to revert back to level one. In doing so, the unit can recieve a class change (unless it's a story character), as well as a stat boost, meaning that all subsequent level ups will provide higher stat boosts than before, resulting in a much more powerful unit.</p><h3>Item World</h3><p>It is possible for Laharl's party to enter the Item World of an item, going inside it in order to increase its attributes. An item can contain up to 100 randomly generated levels. Inside the Item World, the player will encounter monsters knows as "Specialists", who raise the statistics of the item they are in when defeated. Often, the maps are full of Geo Symbols.</p><p>Each floor in the Item World has a gate, a special map square which can be used to go to the next level in the Item World. However, more often than not, this gate will be blocked by an enemy with the</p><figure data-align="right" data-embed-type="image" data-img-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/1679/756909-item_world.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-756909" data-size="small" data-ratio="0.56666666666667"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:56.7%" href="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/1679/756909-item_world.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-756909"><img alt="A typical Item World map, loaded with Geo Panels" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" data-width="320" class="js-lazy-load-image" data-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/1679/756909-item_world.jpg" data-srcset="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/1679/756909-item_world.jpg 480w, https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/1679/756909-item_world.jpg 320w"><noscript><img alt="A typical Item World map, loaded with Geo Panels" src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/1679/756909-item_world.jpg" srcset="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/1679/756909-item_world.jpg 480w, https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/1679/756909-item_world.jpg 320w" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" data-width="320"></noscript></a><figcaption>A typical Item World map, loaded with Geo Panels</figcaption></figure><p>unique class "Gate Keeper", who must be defeated if the player plans on using the gate to progress through the Item World. As many items contain stronger monsters than are ever found outside the Item World, the Item World is often the only way to acquire rare and powerful weapons.</p><p>Every ten levels in the Item World has an item boss. The strongest of each type of weapon and the three ultimate items each contain an Item God 2. Defeating these bosses also increases the attributes of the item. The Item World can only be exited at the end of every tenth level containing an Item Boss, or at any other time by using an item called 'Mr. Gency's Exit', a play on the phrase "Emergency Exit".</p><h3>Cycles</h3><p>The game also features cycles, which permits the player to restart the story after the end has been reached while maintaining each character’s statistics and item inventory from the previous game. Characters that join and leave the party as part of the game's story will only be usable in the same parts of the game that they were before, but they will retain their items, abilities, and stats. This complements the game's high character level ceiling of 9999, while also giving the player additional chances to see the multiple endings, many of which require many playthroughs to attain.</p><h2>Characters</h2><p>Disgaea: Hour of Darkness has a large cast of characters, each having their own unique personality and quirks.</p><h3>Laharl</h3><p><b>Age</b>: 1313</p><p><b>Class</b>: Demon</p><p><b>Title</b>: Demon Prince/Overlord (after the events of episode 6)/Tyrant (after defeating The Lord of Terror, Baal)</p><p>The main character of the game, he is the son of King Krichevskoy. He is furious that the demons in the Netherworld have forgotten about him, and decides that he will take back the throne no matter what.</p><h3>Etna</h3><p><b>Age</b>: 1470</p><p><b>Class</b>: Demon</p><p><b>Title</b>: Vassal</p><p>Etna is the leader of the Prinny squad, and one of the few vassals who remain in the Overlord's Castle after King Krichevskoy's death. When Laharl awakens, Etna becomes Laharl's closest vassal (although not necessarily his most trusted), aiding him in his rise to power.</p><h3>Flonne</h3><p><b>Age</b>: 1509<b>Class</b>: Angel/Fallen Angel</p><p><b>Title</b>: Angel Trainee</p><p>Flonne is an Angel Trainee who comes from the land of Celestia, where the Angels reside. She was sent to the Netherworld by Seraph Lamington to assassinate Overlord Krichevskoy.</p><h3>Vyers (Dark Adonis/Mid-Boss)</h3><p><b>Age</b>: Unknown</p><p><b>Class</b>: Mid Boss</p><p><b>Title</b>: Aristocrat/Baron</p><p>It is unknown where he came from, but he is the top-candidate in the battle for the throne, that is, until Laharl awakens from his slumber. He often refers to himself as the Dark Adonis, however, Laharl, claiming that he is unworthy of any real title, gives him with the name 'Mid Boss', which sticks for the rest of the game.</p><h3>King Krichevskoy</h3><p>The Father of Laharl and the former Overlord of the Netherworld. He is believed to have died after choking on a black pretzel during Laharl's two-year slumber.</p><h3>Captain Gordon</h3><p><b>Age</b>: 35 in Disgaea: Hour of Darkness</p><p><b>Class</b>: Human</p><p><b>Title</b>: (37th) Defender of Earth</p><p>The 37th "Defender of Earth", Captain Gordon is sent to the Netherworld alongside his assistant Jennifer and the all-purpose robot, Thursday, by the Earth Defense Force in order to defeat the Overlord of the Netherworld and to prevent a possible invasion</p><h3>Jennifer</h3><p><b>Age</b>: 27</p><p><b>Class</b>: Human</p><p><b>Title</b>: Sidekick</p><p>Jennifer is the sidekick that makes up for Captain Gordon's flaws. She accompanies Gordon on his mission to defeat the Overlord and prevent his alleged invasion of Earth.</p><h3>Thursday</h3><p><b>Creation</b>: 22 (Built by Jennifer when she was 5)</p><p><b>Class</b>: Robot</p><p><b>Title</b>: Super Robot</p><p>Built by Jennifer when she was 5, Thursday is an All Purpose Robot that has always been by her side. Working together with both her and Gordon, he has become a powerful force on their team. When Gordon is sent out to defeat the Overlord, Thursday willingly joins his struggle.</p><h3>Kurtis</h3><p><b>Age</b>: 29</p><p><b>Class</b>: Human/Prinny (After his death)</p><p><b>Title</b>: Rival</p><p>Another human from Earth, Kurtis works for General Carter and the Earth Defense Force, much like Gordon. However, he believes that he is much more worthy of the title "Defender of Earth".</p><h3>Seraph Lamington</h3><p><b>Age</b>: 9147</p><p><b>Class</b>: Angel</p><p><b>Title</b>: Seraph</p><p>Seraph Lamington is the leader of Celestia, the world of the angels. He is the polar opposite of Overlord Laharl, as he acts much more mature and calm. He never raises his voice, and never bears any ill will, going as far as to accept yelling and threats stoically.</p><h3>Vulcanus</h3><p><b>Age</b>: 3649</p><p><b>Class</b>: Angel</p><p><b>Title</b>: Archangel</p><p>Vulcanus is a full-fledge angel of Celestia. He is an archangel who serves Seraph Lamington as the second-in-command. However, unlike Flonne and Lamington, his ideals and methods are much more extreme.</p><h3>Big Sis Prinny</h3><p><b>Age</b>: Unknown</p><p><b>Class</b>: Prinny (Human Witch before her death)</p><p>Big Sis Prinny is a sort of mother-figure to the other prinnies. The main difference from the other prinnies is her pink color and the absence of the word 'dood' when she normally speaks.</p><h3>Hoggmeiser</h3><p><b>Age</b>: Unknown</p><p><b>Class</b>: Nether Noble</p><p>Hoggmeiser is the former vassal of the late King Krichevskoy. After Krichevskoy's death, Hoggmeiser stole a large amount of treasure and money from the Overlord's Castle, and used it to build his own mansion.</p><h3>Maderas</h3><p><b>Age</b>: Unknown</p><p><b>Class</b>: Nosferatu</p><p>Maderas was a vassal for King Krichevskoy who was exiled after stealing Krichevskoy's black pretzels. He is one of the many demons competing for the throne, with his biggest edge being that he has stolen Etna's memories, promising to return them as long as she works under him.</p><h3>Aramis</h3><p><b>Age</b>: Unknown</p><p><b>Class</b>: Demon</p><p>Aramis is a resident child in Laharl's kingdom that Etna manipulates so as to make Laharl prove himself as a worthy ruler.</p><h3>General Carter</h3><p><b>Age</b>: Unknown</p><p><b>Class</b>: Human</p><p>General Carter is the adoptive father of Jennifer and the acting leader of Earth. Under the guidance of Archangel Vulcanus, he sends Gordon, Jennifer, and Thursday to secure a route to the Netherworld, so that the Earth forces can invade the Netherworld for colonization.</p><h2>Classes</h2><p>Disgaea features a variety of classes for both humanoids and monsters, all of which have 6 forms.</p><h3>Humanoid</h3><figure data-align="right" data-embed-type="image" data-img-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/1976/184147-disgaea_hour_darkness_4.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-184147" data-size="small" data-ratio="0.75"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:75.0%" href="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/1976/184147-disgaea_hour_darkness_4.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-184147"><img alt="The create a character menu" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" data-width="320" class="js-lazy-load-image" data-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/1976/184147-disgaea_hour_darkness_4.jpg" data-srcset="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/1976/184147-disgaea_hour_darkness_4.jpg 400w, https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/1976/184147-disgaea_hour_darkness_4.jpg 320w"><noscript><img alt="The create a character menu" src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/1976/184147-disgaea_hour_darkness_4.jpg" srcset="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/1976/184147-disgaea_hour_darkness_4.jpg 400w, https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/1976/184147-disgaea_hour_darkness_4.jpg 320w" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" data-width="320"></noscript></a><figcaption>The create a character menu</figcaption></figure><p>This race of demons look extremely similar to humans, however, they are much more powerful. To unlock more powerful forms of each class, the player must level them up to specific levels.</p><p><b>Brawler (Male)</b></p><p>Brawlers focus on a high attack and counter rate. Best suited with a fist.</p><p><b>Brawler (Female)</b></p><p>Brawlers focus on a high attack and counter rate. Best suited with a fist.</p><p><b>Warrior (Male)</b></p><p>Warriors are an all-round class, although their main strengths lie in attack and defense. Best suited with a sword/spear/axe.</p><p><b>Warrior (Female)</b></p><p>Warriors are an all-round class, although their main strengths lie in attack and defense. Best suited with a sword/spear/axe.</p><p><b>Mage</b>Mages focus on casting powerful spells to obliterate their foes, as well as buffing up other characters. Best suited with a staff.</p><p><b>Skulls</b>Skulls focus on casting powerful spells to obliterate their foes, as well as buffing up other characters. Best suited with a staff.</p><p><b>Cleric (Female)</b></p><p>Clerics are the ones who focus on healing characters in need, as well as buffing up other characters. Best suited with a staff, however, a bow is recommended so as to level them up easier.</p><p><b>Cleric (Male)</b></p><p>Clerics are the ones who focus on healing characters in need, as well as buffing up other characters. Best suited with a staff, however, a bow is recommended so as to level them up easier.</p><p><b>Archer</b></p><p>Archers are the sharpshooters in the party, using deadly accuracy and speed to deal devastating blows from afar. Best suited with a bow.</p><p><b>Thief</b>Thieves rely on speed above all else, allowing for a high steal rate. They are best suited with a gun.</p><p><b>Scout</b></p><p>Scouts are marksmen of a sort. They have the ability to change the Geo Panel layout of a map, as well as build a turret to wipe out enemy units. Best suited with a gun.</p><p><b>Knight</b></p><p>Knights are a mix between a warrior and mage. They have the ability to cast a spell to deal extra damage to their foes after physically attacking them. Best suited with a sword.</p><p><b>Samurai</b></p><p>Samurai are prominent warriors who are well versed in nearly every territory. They are best suited with a sword/spear/axe.</p><p><b>Ninja</b></p><p>Ninja are deadly killers who rely on lighting fast speed and high counter rates. Best suited with a fist.</p><p><b>Angel</b></p><p>Angels are beings who are adept at both magical at physical attacks. Best suited with a sword/spear/axe/staff.</p><p><b>Majin</b></p><p>Majins are the strongest class in the game. They are exceptionally skilled in all fields, and are suited to almost any weapon.</p><p><b>EDF Soldier</b></p><p>EDF Soldiers are cyborgs who tend to be very balanced. Best suited with an axe/gun.</p><h3>Monsters</h3><p>Monsters tend to be well-versed in one specific field. Unlike humanoids, they cannot lift or throw. Monster classes and their variations are unlocked whenever you defeat one for the first time.</p><ul><li>Prinny</li><li>Spirit</li><li>Faerie</li><li>Winged</li><li>Lantern</li><li>Treant</li><li>Undead</li><li>Beast</li><li>Dark Knight</li><li>Shadow</li><li>Kit Cat</li><li>Succubus</li><li>Gargoyle</li><li>Golem</li><li>Galactic</li><li>Nosferatu</li><li>Dragon</li><li>Nether Noble</li><li>Serpent</li><li>Great Wyrm</li></ul><h2>Ports</h2><p>Disgaea has been ported twice: first for the PSP, and then for the Nintendo DS.</p><h3>PSP Port</h3><figure data-align="right" data-embed-type="image" data-img-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/1/19313/645413-dis_psp_cover_772273.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-645413" data-size="small" data-ratio="1.74"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:174.0%" href="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/1/19313/645413-dis_psp_cover_772273.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-645413"><img alt="Box art for Disgaea: Afternoon of Darkness" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" data-width="320" class="js-lazy-load-image" data-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/1/19313/645413-dis_psp_cover_772273.jpg" data-srcset="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/1/19313/645413-dis_psp_cover_772273.jpg 800w, https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_medium/1/19313/645413-dis_psp_cover_772273.jpg 480w, https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/1/19313/645413-dis_psp_cover_772273.jpg 320w"><noscript><img alt="Box art for Disgaea: Afternoon of Darkness" src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/1/19313/645413-dis_psp_cover_772273.jpg" srcset="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/1/19313/645413-dis_psp_cover_772273.jpg 800w, https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_medium/1/19313/645413-dis_psp_cover_772273.jpg 480w, https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/1/19313/645413-dis_psp_cover_772273.jpg 320w" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" data-width="320"></noscript></a><figcaption>Box art for Disgaea: Afternoon of Darkness</figcaption></figure><p>A port for the PlayStation Portable named Disgaea Portable was released in Japan on 30th of November, 2006. It was later released in the United States on 30th of October, 2007 and in Europe on the 14th of December, 2007 under the name Disgaea: Afternoon of Darkness.</p><p>Afternoon of Darkness features many new extras, such as:</p><ul><li>16:9 format to take advantage of the PSP's widescreen display.</li><li>A new mode where Etna becomes the main character, called Etna Mode. In this mode, Etna kills Prince Laharl by accident when trying to wake him up in the beginning.</li><li>New extra boss battles, such as <a data-ref-id="3005-1070" href="/adell/3005-1070/" slug="adell">Adell</a> and <a data-ref-id="3005-1025" href="/rozalin/3005-1025/" slug="rozalin">Rozalin</a> from <a href="http://www,giantbomb.com/disgaea-2-cursed-memories/61-2652/" rel="nofollow">Disgaea 2: Cursed Memories</a>, and <a data-ref-id="3005-830" href="/lord-zetta/3005-830/" slug="lord-zetta">Overlord Zetta</a> from Makai Kingdom.</li><li>A multiplayer mode available through Ad-hoc connections. This features multiple modes such as a "Defeat the Leader," "Capture the Flag," and the original "Battle." In the Multiplayer mode, each player also has access to "Geocubes" which give different effects to the battlefield.</li><li>Other new additions include a music shop, which allows the player to listen to the game's various songs and even change the Item World theme, and a record keeper, which keeps track of various bits of information such as ally kills and obtained items.</li><li>A dual language option and the option to turn off battle animations. Most of the silent Japanese cut scenes now include voice acting. However, when set to English, the scenes that were originally silent in the PS2 release are still silent.</li><li>To reflect Etna's recent voice actor change, her lines have been re-recorded to match Michelle Ruff's portrayal of Etna in Disgaea 2 and the anime.</li><li>The theme song "The Invasion from Within" by Tsunami Bomb has been removed, as Atlus was the publisher of the original PS2 version and arranged for the licensing of the song, and NIS America (Nippon Ichi's American branch) published the PSP port themselves, meaning they did not have the rights to use the song.</li><li>The song "One With the Stars" is also missing, as it was added into the PS2 version by Atlus themselves.</li></ul><h3>DS Port</h3><figure data-align="right" data-embed-type="image" data-img-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/1/11300/425759-disgaea_ds.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-425759" data-size="small" data-ratio="0.8984375"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:89.8%" href="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/1/11300/425759-disgaea_ds.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-425759"><img alt="Box art for Disgaea DS" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" data-width="320" class="js-lazy-load-image" data-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/1/11300/425759-disgaea_ds.jpg" data-srcset="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/1/11300/425759-disgaea_ds.jpg 640w, https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_medium/1/11300/425759-disgaea_ds.jpg 480w, https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/1/11300/425759-disgaea_ds.jpg 320w"><noscript><img alt="Box art for Disgaea DS" src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/1/11300/425759-disgaea_ds.jpg" srcset="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/1/11300/425759-disgaea_ds.jpg 640w, https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_medium/1/11300/425759-disgaea_ds.jpg 480w, https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/1/11300/425759-disgaea_ds.jpg 320w" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" data-width="320"></noscript></a><figcaption>Box art for Disgaea DS</figcaption></figure><p>A port of the PSP version, entitled Disgaea: The Prince of the Netherworld and the Red Moon was released in Japan on the 26th of June, 2008, and in North America the 23rd of September under the name of Disgaea DS. It features the multiplayer and Etna mode from the PSP version, however, in order to fully utilize the Nintendo DS' capabilities, several key improvements were made to the user interface and game system.</p><p>Disgaea DS features new extras, such as:</p><ul><li>Geo Cubes, which are are magic items that were included to add more depth to multiplayer battles. They can be used to enhance abilities, summon monsters, or to attack the enemies.</li><li>Demon Gadgets, which are randomly generated items that appear on the battlefield, which can power up units. Some demon gadgets can level up a unit by 30 levels at once.</li><li><a data-ref-id="3005-1408" href="/pleinair/3005-1408/" slug="pleinair">Pleinair</a>, the Dark Assembly guide, is now a playable character.</li></ul><h2>Trivia</h2><ul><li>Disgaea: Hour of Darkness features two cameos from previous NIS games. One of these is <a data-ref-id="3005-8035" href="/marjoly/3005-8035/" slug="marjoly">Marjorly</a> from Rhapsody: A Musical Adventure, and the other is <a data-ref-id="3005-1813" href="/prier/3005-1813/" slug="prier">Prier</a> (spelled as "Priere") from La Pucelle: Tactics. They are hidden characters who can be accessed once the player has passed a bill for "Alternate Netherworld" (Prier) and "Mysterious Seal" (Marjoly) and then defeating them.</li><li>An anime of version of Disgaea was made, entitled "Makai Senki Disgaea".</li></ul>

A first person adventure game based on the Goosebumps series of horror themed children's books.

<h2>Overview</h2><p>Goosebumps: The Game is a first person adventure game developed by <a href="/wayforward-technologies/3010-2294/" data-ref-id="3010-2294">WayForward Technologies</a> and published by <a href="/gamemill-entertainment/3010-4547/" data-ref-id="3010-4547">GameMill Entertainment</a> for PC, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo Switch.</p><h2>System Requirements</h2><h3>PC</h3><table data-max-width="true"><thead><tr><th scope="col">PC Minimum</th><th scope="col">PC Recommended</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><ul><li>Operating System: Windows Vista or Windows 7</li><li>Processor: Intel Pentium 4 2.4 ghz with Hyper Threading</li><li>Memory: 1 GB RAM</li><li>Graphics: Intel HD Graphics</li><li>DirectX: Version 9.0</li><li>Storage: 600 MB available space</li></ul></td><td><ul><li>Operating System: Windows 7 or Windows 8</li><li>Processor: Indel Core 2 Duo / AMD Athlon 64 x2 or higher</li><li>Memory: 1 GB RAM</li><li>Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce 200 series or higher, AMD Radeon HD5000 series or higher</li><li>DirectX: Version 11</li><li>Storage: 600 MB available space</li></ul></td></tr></tbody></table><h2>External Links</h2><ul><li><a href="http://game-mill.com/games/goosebumps-the-game/?portfolioID=1620" rel="nofollow">Goosebumps: The Game Official Publisher Site</a></li></ul>

From the creators of the Shank series comes a 2D stealth game featuring a ninja Champion bearing a magical tattoo that brings great power at a heavy price, in order to bring bloody vengeance against his clan's enemies.

<h2>Overview</h2><p>Mark of the Ninja is a 2D stealth action game with an emphasis on using the environment and a selection of limited-use tools to manipulate enemy AI. The game has a hand-drawn cartoon art style very similar to <a href="/shank/3025-2154/" data-ref-id="3025-2154"> Shank</a>. It allows players to approach each level how they see fit, with most situations allowing for multiple ways to solve them. Each level contains numerous hidden items &amp; challenge rooms, which act as currency towards unlocking new equipment and skills.</p><h2>Story</h2><p>A nameless ninja of the Hisomu Clan is awakened by a fellow female companion, as an emergency bell is ringing. They learn that the clan village is under attack by an organization called Hessian Services, who have sent a mercenary team headed by Corporal Kelly. Shortly after being rescued, Azai, the ninja leader, reveals that the attack on the village was orchestrated by Count Karajan, who runs Hessian Services and is seeking to retrieve a stolen item from the Hisomu Clan. Azai then reveals the player to be the current Champion of the Hisomu clan.</p><p>The Champion is a member of the Hisomu clan that is tattooed using a magical ink. It was discovered before "the Restoration," an event that restored the clan although few specifics are given, by a merchant who informed the Hisomu about a rare plant that contains a special ink that is said to give the user great power, at the cost of his sanity. The Champion, therefore, must always be a student, so that his teacher can control him should he descend into insanity, and is expected to sacrifice his own life before the madness sets in, in order to protect the clan and it is secret. The act of creating a Champion is both a great honour to the recipient, but it is also a final option.</p><p>Azai then declares to take the attack to Hessian Services in order to protect the Hisomu clan, using the current Champion as their weapon. Through conversations with his companion, it is learned that privately, among his fellow ninja, Champions are referred to as "the Severed". When carrying the mark of a Champion, he is to be treated as an outcast and be banished until his mission is finished and then expected to die for the clan.</p><p>After Count Karajan is assassinated, the Champion returns to his village to find that Azai has been using him to acquire the weapons and armour from Hessian Services. Before the Champion could commit suicide, spurred on by the comments of his companion, he decides to take revenge on Azai and disappears to regroup with his ally. Searching for the reasons for Azai's betrayal, the Champion discovers that Dosan, the clan's tattooist, has preceded him to the middle east, and been captured by bandits.</p><p>When the ninja catches up with him, Dosan gives him the final part of the tattoo, the Mark of Serenity, which allows him to teleport, and reveals that the flowers whose petals are ground to create the magic ink for the tattoos have all died due to neglect. Optional scrolls that the player can collect reveal that Azai decided to steal the modern equipment from Karajan after he learned of the loss of the flowers, fearing that without the ability to create more Champions, the clan was doomed. The Champion and his companion escape, but Dosan is killed by Azai's "Stalkers", women trained in the ways of the ninja, but using modern technology like motion sensing rigs, night vision goggles, and even laser weapons.</p><p>Escaping the Stalkers and returning to the clan's village, the Champion finds himself rapidly descending into madness; grinning demon faces float in the air and watch him, and armed soldiers like the guards he faced whilst getting to Karajan appear to patrol the village - only to turn into his fellow ninja once they are killed. The Champion makes his way through the village and is faced with a series of sealed doors when he attempts to get into Azai's garden. He unlocks the doors by recreating the final test he went through as a student to become a full-fledged ninja, and then escapes from a group of Stalkers who burst into the room afterwards.</p><p>When the Champion finally confronts Azai, it is revealed that his companion doesn't really exist; she was merely a hallucination, the first symptom of the madness brought on by the tattoo. As Azai implores him to take his own life and regain his honour, the figment tells the Champion "I never lied to you", and says that Azai still needs to be punished for his betrayal and deception. The Champion then walks, unimpeded, to the heart of the Hisomu Clan stronghold, where he retrieves a sacred sword, and experiences an incredibly vivid hallucination reminding him of all that has happened since he got the mark. At the end, he has another moment of lucidity, and is confronted by both his imaginary friend and Azai, who kneel passively on opposite sides of a courtyard. The player must then choose their final target. If they attack the companion, the Champion whirls around and runs himself through with the sword so that the blade strikes her as well, dissipating her image, before he twists the blade, killing himself. Alternatively, the Champion stabs Azai, killing him, and then descends into complete insanity.</p><p>Regardless of which option the player chooses, the repercussions of their actions are not shown.</p><p> </p><h3>Combat</h3><p>Players start out the game with no weapons at all, and must learn sneaking and hiding techniques first. But within the first level, players are quickly awarded a sword, darts, and a grappling hook.</p><table><tbody><tr><td><b>The Sword of Tetsuji</b></td><td>A relic of the Hisomu clan's founder that has upheld their tradition for hundreds of years.</td></tr><tr><td><b>Darts</b></td><td>Basic bamboo darts, good for breaking fragile things and causing distractions. When using the bamboo darts, the player has the ability to tag multiple targets and attack all at once.</td></tr><tr><td><b>Grappling Hook</b></td><td>Allows the ninja to latch onto &amp; spider-dangle from grapple points.</td></tr></tbody></table><p><b>Quick Kills</b> - The player is able to execute quick kill techniques that require they follow an on screen button prompt, which are only available as long as they are not spotted.</p><p><b>Unarmed Combat</b> - It is the Hisomu way to attack with a sword only if the ninja is able to neutralize the enemy in one strike, so when the player attacks an enemy outside of a stealth kill, the ninja relies on kicks and punches. But when an enemy is knocked down using unarmed combat, the player may perform a quick kill while they are incapacitated on the ground. If they knock down and finish off the enemy fast enough, the Champion can kill his opponent before an alarm is raised.</p><h3>Sneaking</h3><p>The ninja is silent while walking, only making noise if the player chooses to run. The ninja also has the ability to hide his enemies bodies as to not alarm the other sentries. Items can be used to create a sound effects within the enemies noise bubble as to distract them while the ninja continues to traverse. Another item that can be used to climb great heights is a grappling hook, allowing the ninja to reach darkened areas that can be used as an escape from the enemies sight. Darts can be used to destroy lamps or emit sound off gongs thus giving a larger range of darkness to hide in or to distract an enemy. Later in the game, they are also granted the Farsight ability, which is a type of x-ray ability that allows the ninja to view all enemies and connections between objects and their functions.</p><h2>Unlockables</h2><p>As players progress through the game, they will gain points that can be used to unlock additional items and abilities. These "loadouts" allow the player to approach the game how they see fit, whether it be pure stealth, or in a more offensive attacking way.</p><h3>Techniques</h3><table><thead><tr><th>Item</th><th>Description</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><b>Hangman's Hymn</b></td><td>Allows the player to kill an unsuspecting enemy while dangling from a grapple point.</td></tr><tr><td><b>Emperors Abyss</b></td><td>Allows the player to kill an enemy while standing or hanging directly below him.</td></tr><tr><td><b>Twilight Gate</b></td><td>Allows the player to kill an enemy through a door.</td></tr><tr><td><b>Bat's Prey</b></td><td>Allows the player to kill an enemy from above.</td></tr><tr><td><b>A Brief Shadow</b></td><td>Allows the player to kill an enemy from a hiding spot.</td></tr><tr><td><b>Bloody Whisper</b></td><td>Allows the player to quickly kill a disabled enemy.</td></tr><tr><td><b>Rising Snake</b></td><td>Allows the player to launch an enemy into the air.</td></tr><tr><td><b>Slide Kick</b></td><td>Allows the player to slide kick, knocking an enemy off their feet.</td></tr><tr><td><b>Superior Lockpicks</b></td><td>Allows the player to unlock locked doors much more quickly.</td></tr><tr><td><b>Grim Harbringer</b></td><td>Allows the player to hang the body of a dead enemy on a perch point.</td></tr><tr><td><b>Softened Cloth Tabi</b></td><td>Reduces noise made while running.</td></tr><tr><td><b>Parachute Cloth</b></td><td>Slows the descent while falling or jumping.</td></tr><tr><td><b>Armored Sleeves</b></td><td>Grants extra protection without compromising agility</td></tr><tr><td><b>Reinforced Cloth</b></td><td>Armored clothing will provide greater protection without sacrificing mobility or speed.</td></tr></tbody></table><h3>Distraction Items</h3><table><thead><tr><th>Item</th><th>Description</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><b>Noise Maker</b></td><td>A small firecracker that will get the attention of any enemy near by.</td></tr><tr><td><b>Noise Maker</b><br /><b>Upgrade</b></td><td>A custom fuse allows the noise makers to be detonated remotely.</td></tr><tr><td><b>Smoke Bomb</b></td><td>Emits a smoke field that has the ability to block laser trip wires and breaks the line of sight of near by enemies.</td></tr><tr><td><b>Smoke Bomb Upgrade</b></td><td>A choking powder has been added to the smoke cloud, disabling enemies within it, unless they are wearing gas masks.</td></tr><tr><td><b>Distraction Flare</b></td><td>An alchemical light that draws the attention of nearby guards facing the flare and blinds enemies that are wearing night vision goggles.</td></tr><tr><td><b>Distraction Flare Upgrade</b></td><td>A custom fuse allows the flares to be detonated remotely.</td></tr><tr><td><b>Cardboard Box</b></td><td>Allows the ninja access to a cardboard box to hide in at any time.</td></tr><tr><td><b>Carboard Box Upgrade</b></td><td>Allows the ninja to perform a stealth kill while hiding in the box.</td></tr></tbody></table><h3>Attack Items</h3><table><thead><tr><th>Item</th><th>Description</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><b>Spike Mine</b></td><td>A throwable mine that kills the first enemy to walk over it. If thrown within earshot of a guard, it will be noticed and disarmed.</td></tr><tr><td><b>Spike Mine</b><br /><b>Upgrade</b></td><td>Lighter Spike Mines that make no noise when they hit the ground.</td></tr><tr><td><b>Terror Dart</b></td><td>Darts coated in a hallucinogenic toxin that terrifies the target, causing them to attack their allies.</td></tr><tr><td><b>Terror Dart</b><br /><b>Upgrade</b></td><td>With a more potent concoction, these darts destroy the victim's sanity and cause them to harm themselves.</td></tr><tr><td><b>Caltrops</b></td><td>Small spikes that will pierce the feet of anyone who steps on them.</td></tr><tr><td><b>Ravenous Insects</b></td><td>Ravenous insects will silently reduce a body to dust in an instant, or noisily devour a living enemy.</td></tr></tbody></table><h3>Styles/Outfits</h3><table><thead><tr><th>Item</th><th>Description</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><b>Path of the Ninja</b></td><td>The well-rounded starting gear, with no special abilities or weaknesses. Allows one distraction and one attack item.</td></tr><tr><td><b>Path of the Mark</b></td><td>The player can use the mark of serenity, allowing the ninja to teleport, but they must leave behind distraction items.</td></tr><tr><td><b>Path of Might</b></td><td>This style features heavier armor, allowing the Champion to take more damage and knock foes down more easily. Additionally, dispatching enemies will refill health. However, with this style the player cannot pause time to aim items. Holds one distraction and one attack item.</td></tr><tr><td><b>Path of the Hunter</b></td><td>With this style, all stealth kills are automatically successful with no need for an additional button prompt. However, it holds two attack items and no distraction items.</td></tr><tr><td><b>Path of Silence</b></td><td>This style is geared towards pure stealth, reducing the sound made as well as visibility. However, the Champion cannot use their sword, making it impossible to kill enemies. Holds two distraction items and no attack items.</td></tr><tr><td><b>Path of Nightmares</b></td><td>Enemies witnessing stealth kills become terrified, as do those that discover a dead body. However, the Champion cannot equip distraction items.</td></tr></tbody></table><h2>Special Edition</h2><p>Mark of the Ninja: Special Edition is a piece of downloadable content for owner's of the standalone game. Released on Steam and XBLA on August 16, 2013, the $5 DLC includes a flashback level, new costumes, and "TONS of" developer commentary.</p><h2>PC System Requirements</h2><p><strong>Minimum:</strong></p><ul><li><strong>OS:</strong>Windows XP SP3, Windows Vista SP2, Windows 7 SP1</li><li><strong>Processor:</strong>AMD Phenom 9750 or Pentium D 800+</li><li><strong>Memory:</strong>2 GB RAM</li><li><strong>Graphics:</strong>NVIDIA® GeForce® 7800 GT or ATI Radeon™ HD 3000+ or better</li><li><strong>DirectX®:</strong>11</li><li><strong>Hard Drive:</strong>2.5 GB HD space</li><li><strong>Sound:</strong>100% DirectX9.0c compatible sound card and drivers</li></ul><p><strong>Recommended:</strong></p><ul><li><strong>OS:</strong>Windows XP SP3, Windows Vista SP2, Windows 7 SP1</li><li><strong>Processor:</strong>Intel Core 2 Duo or AMD Athlon 64 X2 5600+</li><li><strong>Memory:</strong>2 GB RAM</li><li><strong>Graphics:</strong>NVIDIA® 9600GT or ATI Radeon™ HD 5000+ or better</li><li><strong>DirectX®:</strong>11</li><li><strong>Hard Drive:</strong>2.5 GB HD space</li><li><strong>Sound:</strong>100% DirectX9.0c compatible sound card and drivers</li></ul>

All Images, Indie Mega Booth, Klei Entertainment, PAX East 2013 Booth, PAX East 2013

All Images, Klei Entertainment, PAX East 2013 Booth, PAX East 2013

All Images, Indie Mega Booth, PAX Prime 2012 Booth, PAX Prime 2012

All Images, Klei Entertainment, PAX East 2012, PAX East 2012 Booth

Games That Ask You to "Press Start" But Will Accept Other Buttons

2K has confirmed their latest entry in the WWE series will release this coming fall 2018, with WWE Superstar AJ Styles as the cover star, as well as Rey Mysterio and Ronda Rousey as pre-order bonuses.

<h3>Largest Roster Ever</h3><p>As with each year in a flowing annual trend, <a href="/2k-sports/3010-1860/" data-ref-id="3010-1860">2K Sports</a> aims to provide the largest and most comprehensive roster of playable characters, beating out last years monstrous roster count. While it's understandable that recent releases might be removed and recent acquisitions might not make it in, WWE has a deep pool of characters to pull from.</p><h3>The Return of Showcase Mode, featuring Daniel Bryan</h3><p>A beloved game play mode not seen in the past two editions (<a href="/wwe-2k17/3030-54053/" data-ref-id="3030-54053">WWE 2K17</a> and <a href="/wwe-2k18/3030-60015/" data-ref-id="3030-60015">WWE 2K18</a>) in order to focus on other content and modes, makes a triumphant return this year. And unlike previous Showcase modes, features a current active WWE Superstar in the way of <a href="/daniel-bryan/3005-19968/" data-ref-id="3005-19968">Daniel Bryan</a>, a talent who's career is storied, passionate, and wrought with drama including a miraculous return to in-ring action from what was once perceived to be a permanent retirement not long ago.</p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vu21tVRG8o" rel="nofollow">Official Trailer</a></p><h3>Cover Star: AJ Styles</h3><figure data-align="right" data-size="medium" data-img-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_super/0/5240/3040973-dkcyy1luuaavm_p.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-3040973" data-ratio="0.5625" data-width="1024" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 1024px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:56.3%" href="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_super/0/5240/3040973-dkcyy1luuaavm_p.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-3040973"><img alt="AJ Styles" src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_medium/0/5240/3040973-dkcyy1luuaavm_p.jpg" srcset="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/5240/3040973-dkcyy1luuaavm_p.jpg 1024w, https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_super/0/5240/3040973-dkcyy1luuaavm_p.jpg 960w, https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_medium/0/5240/3040973-dkcyy1luuaavm_p.jpg 480w" sizes="(max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px" data-width="480"></a><figcaption>AJ Styles</figcaption></figure><p>Cover stars for WWE games have historically been focused on featuring past or most recognizable talent to grab the attention of fans old and new, which have included the likes of <a href="/brock-lesnar/3005-8576/" data-ref-id="3005-8576">Brock Lesnar</a>, <a href="/john-cena/3005-470/" data-ref-id="3005-470">John Cena</a>, <a href="/steve-austin/3005-581/" data-ref-id="3005-581">Stone Cold Steve Austin</a>, and <a href="/the-rock/3005-1674/" data-ref-id="3005-1674">The Rock</a>. However, starting with last year featuring current WWE Superstar <a href="/seth-rollins/3005-28008/" data-ref-id="3005-28008">Seth Rollins</a> has set a favorable trend to shining a spotlight on deserving talent still working full time with the company.</p><p>This years focus on <a href="/aj-styles/3005-36/" data-ref-id="3005-36">AJ Styles</a> is not only deserved from a talent standpoint, but makes overall sense as the current long-reigning WWE Champion.</p><h3>Kurt Angle and Ronda Rousey as Pre-Order Bonuses</h3><p>Not one but two pre-order bonuses are available this year in the way of two very popular contrasting superstars. Kurt Angle is semi-retired and an acting GM on RAW while Ronda is as of this writing only a few matches deep in her pro wrestling career.</p><figure data-align="left" data-size="medium" data-img-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_super/0/5240/3042249-dkuqyugvsaehamh.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-3042249" data-ratio="0.5625" data-width="2048" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 2048px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:56.3%" href="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_super/0/5240/3042249-dkuqyugvsaehamh.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-3042249"><img alt="Ronda Rousey WWE in game debut" src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_medium/0/5240/3042249-dkuqyugvsaehamh.jpg" srcset="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/5240/3042249-dkuqyugvsaehamh.jpg 2048w, https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_super/0/5240/3042249-dkuqyugvsaehamh.jpg 960w, https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_medium/0/5240/3042249-dkuqyugvsaehamh.jpg 480w" sizes="(max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px" data-width="480"></a><figcaption>Ronda Rousey WWE in game debut</figcaption></figure><p> </p>

An NES golf game starring Mario.  NES Open Tournament Golf features Stroke, Match, and Tournament modes on three different courses.

<h2>Overview</h2><p>NES Open Tournament Golf is a golf game released on September 1, 1991. While similar in many ways to <a href="/golf-us-course/3030-33868/" data-ref-id="3030-33868">Golf U.S. Course</a> released on the <a href="/famicom-disk-system/3045-91/" data-ref-id="3045-91">Famicom Disk System</a>, It features only 3 courses, as opposed to the 5 courses that were featured in the Famicom version. The included Courses are America, Japan and United Kingdom. It is thought that the two cut courses from the Famicom version were removed due to the difficulty. There are also some changes in music between the two versions.</p><h2>Gameplay</h2><p>The first player plays as <a href="/mario/3005-177/" data-ref-id="3005-177">Mario</a> while an optional second player can play as <a href="/luigi/3005-370/" data-ref-id="3005-370">Luigi</a>. There are also appearances by <a href="/princess-peach/3005-709/" data-ref-id="3005-709">Princess Peach</a> and <a href="/princess-daisy/3005-807/" data-ref-id="3005-807">Princess Daisy</a> as Caddies. In the game there are four modes that a player can choose from.</p><ul><li><b>Stroke Play</b>-Stroke play is a leveling system that can be played to raise between ranks. They start out as a beginner and then move up to amateur, semi-pro and professional.</li><li><b>Match Play</b>- Is a versus mode against <a href="/ai/3005-7354/" data-ref-id="3005-7354">AI</a> opponents that increases in difficulty as they progress.</li><li><b>Tournament</b>- Tournament mode allows players to play for position against AI players. After every round they are sent to a higher difficulty player. The player also earns in game money than can be bet against an AI player as you play one hole and compete for the lowest score.</li><li><b>Clubhouse</b>-is an <a href="/options-menu/3015-6644/" data-ref-id="3015-6644">options menu</a> that allows you to view various stats such as money earned, choose clubs and clear saved game data.</li></ul><h2>Courses</h2><p><strong>North American Courses</strong></p><ul><li>US Course</li><li>UK Course</li><li>Japan course</li></ul><p><strong>Japanese version</strong></p><ul><li>Japan course</li><li>Australia Course</li><li>France Course</li><li>Hawaii Course</li><li>UK Course</li><li>Extra Course</li></ul><p>Between some version the holes of courses change and are located on different courses, such as hole 1 in the Australia course is hole 9 on the US course.</p><h2>Player Roster</h2><ol><li>Barry</li><li>Billy</li><li>Bruce</li><li>Carrie</li><li>Colleen</li><li>Dayv</li><li>Denise</li><li>Don</li><li>Earl</li><li>Elizabeth</li><li>Fred</li><li>Gloria</li><li>Jeff</li><li>Jim</li><li>John</li><li>Kim</li><li>Leslie</li><li>Lynn</li><li>Mark</li><li>Mary</li><li>Paula</li><li>Pete</li><li>Steve</li><li>Tina</li><li>Tony</li><li>Miki</li><li>Iwata</li><li>Hiro</li><li>Nakajima</li><li>Onozuka</li><li>Mishima</li><li>Tsuchiyama</li><li>Miyamoto</li><li>Shirota</li><li>Todori</li><li>Uemura</li></ol><p>The players on the roster are the people that Mario and Luigi compete against. Player 27-36 are all named after Nintendo employees that worked on the game. </p><h2>Releases</h2><p>The game was first released on September 1, 1991 for the <a href="/nes/3045-21/" data-ref-id="3045-21">Nintendo Entertainment System</a>. It was re-released on the Wii Shop in the spring and summer of 2007 in Japan, Europe and North America. NES Open Tournament Golf was again released on the <a href="/nintendo-3ds/3045-117/" data-ref-id="3045-117">3DS</a> as part of the Ambassador Program as a way to thank early adopters of the <a href="/nintendo-3ds/3045-117/" data-ref-id="3045-117">Nintendo 3DS</a> handheld system. It was later released to the general public at a price of $4.99.</p>

A fast-paced puzzle-platformer that debuted in arcades, and later moved to home gaming systems; including the Commodore 64, NES, and Nintendo's Virtual Console.

<h2>Overview</h2><p>In Solomon's Key, the wizard Dana adventures through 48 action-puzzle levels (and 15 "secret" levels), searching for items and avoiding danger. Dana uses his magic wand to strategically create or destroy stone blocks, in search of each level's key and exit door. Various monsters block Dana's progress, which he can avoid, trap with blocks, or fight with fire spells.</p><p>The game was first released in the Arcade and was ported to various systems, including the NES. Both the Arcade and NES versions were added to the Wii's <a href="/virtual-console/3015-2925/" data-ref-id="3015-2925">Virtual Console</a>, with the latter version also becoming available for the 3DS's and Wii U's Virtual Console. It was also one of the games selected for the Famicom Disk System <a href="/disk-writer-exclusive/3015-7686/" data-ref-id="3015-7686">Disk Writer</a> service in Japan and added to Hamster's <a href="/arcade-archives/3025-3081/" data-ref-id="3025-3081">Arcade Archives</a> collection. The 2005 compilation <a href="/tecmo-classic-arcade/3030-328/" data-ref-id="3030-328">Tecmo Classic Arcade</a> for Xbox also includes the game.</p><h2>Gameplay</h2><p>The level design becomes increasingly devious as it progresses and often makes it possible for the player to trap themselves, making it impossible to finish the level. Other levels require precise timing to reach the key and the level's door, while enemies become more frequent and aggressive. Players start with three lives, but can continue by holding UP and pressing A + B from the "Game Deviation Value" screen. Once players move beyond level 40, continues return them there. Finishing the game means completing levels 40 through 50 with only 3 lives, a very challenging feat.</p><h3>Abilities</h3><figure data-align="right" data-size="small" data-img-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/2/23093/2902096-solomon%27s+key+%28u%29+%5B%21%5D_005.png" data-ref-id="1300-2902096" data-ratio="0.9375" data-width="256" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 256px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:93.8%" href="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/2/23093/2902096-solomon%27s+key+%28u%29+%5B%21%5D_005.png" data-ref-id="1300-2902096"><img alt="A typical Solomon's Key level." src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/2/23093/2902096-solomon%27s+key+%28u%29+%5B%21%5D_005.png" srcset="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/2/23093/2902096-solomon%27s+key+%28u%29+%5B%21%5D_005.png 256w" sizes="(max-width: 256px) 100vw, 256px" data-width="256"></a><figcaption>A typical Solomon's Key level.</figcaption></figure><p>Players can do three things to help Dana move through each level, search for the key, and avoid danger.</p><ul><li>Create and destroy orange blocks in adjacent spaces, including blocks diagonally above or below.</li><li>Break overhead blocks by jumping into them twice with his head.</li><li>Shoot fireballs at enemies after retrieving red potions that are scattered throughout the levels.</li></ul><p>While movement seems simple at first, the game makes use of its limited mechanics to create ever more difficult puzzles that call for precise jumping and block creation. Players who can place blocks in mid-jump (creating a block below Dana while in mid-air) will find the game's hardest puzzles more navigable.</p><h3>Hidden Items and Game Endings</h3><p>Game levels organize around the Zodiac's 12 houses, with 4 rooms per sign. Level 1 to 4 is Aries, 5 to 8 is Taurus, and so on, through Pisces at 45-48. When players pick up the constellation tile in the last room of each group (level 4, 8, 12, etc.), they enter hidden levels that contain spells and special items. While Solomon's Key ends after level 48 (or the Fairy room, details below), players can earn better endings by collecting Seals of Solomon and these special items.</p><ul><li>Worst ending: failed to collect Seals of Solomon.</li><li>Better ending: collect five Seals (rooms 9, 13, 17, 21, 29), Page of Time (hidden room after 20), and Page of Space (hidden room after 44)</li><li>Best ending: collect seven Seals (rooms 9, 13, 17, 21, 29, 46, 47), Page of Time, Page of Space, and save Fairy Princess (hidden room after 48)</li></ul>

Super Dodge Ball, known as Nekketsu Koukou Dodgeball Bu in Japan, is an action sports game that pits two teams of six players against one another  on a variety of different courts and environments.

<h2>Overview</h2><p>Super Dodge Ball was released for the <a href="/arcade/3045-84/" data-ref-id="3045-84">Arcade</a> and later adapted to the <a href="/nes/3045-21/" data-ref-id="3045-21">NES</a>. It was originally released in <a href="/japan/3035-37/" data-ref-id="3035-37">Japan</a> as Nekketsu Kōkō Dodgeball Bu ("Hot-Blooded Highschool Dodgeball Club"), part of the <a href="/kunio-kun/3025-858/" data-ref-id="3025-858">Kunio-Kun</a> series.</p><p>The game saw some significant changes between its Arcade and NES versions. The Sharp X68000 is a port of the Arcade version, which was later also added to the Ore-tachi Game Center Zoku compilation for PS2. The NES version was later added to the <a href="/kunio-kun-nekketsu-collection/3030-38425/" data-ref-id="3030-38425">Kunio-kun Nekketsu Collection 1</a> for GBA and the Wii's Virtual Console in 2007.</p><h2>NES Port</h2><p>The <a href="/nes/3045-21/" data-ref-id="3045-21">NES</a> port of Super Dodge Ball consists of three modes: Super Dodge Ball mode, Vs. Mode, and Bean Ball Mode. In Super Dodge Ball Mode, one player takes on seven countries and their respective Dodge Ball teams on their way to Dodge Ball supremacy. Each team has their own strengths and weaknesses, as well as their own home court. The countries included in the single player, and Vs. mode, are:</p><p><a href="/england/3035-192/" data-ref-id="3035-192"> England</a>, <a href="/iceland/3035-341/" data-ref-id="3035-341">Iceland</a>, <a href="/africa/3035-284/" data-ref-id="3035-284">Africa</a>, <a href="/japan/3035-37/" data-ref-id="3035-37">Japan</a>, <a href="/china/3035-343/" data-ref-id="3035-343">China</a>, <a href="/india/3035-882/" data-ref-id="3035-882">India</a>, <a href="/russia/3035-38/" data-ref-id="3035-38">Russia</a>, and the <a href="/the-united-states-of-america/3035-396/" data-ref-id="3035-396">USA</a>.</p><p>Additionally, if the player can make it through all of the teams, they will play "Team Shadow." Team Shadow is an evil version of team USA with similar teammates, power throws, and home court advantage.</p><p>Vs. Mode was simple 2 player Super Dodge Ball Mode.</p><p>In Bean Ball mode, players are taken back to their days on the playground. This is less structured, and allows players to run around all over the place. Play continues until there is only one player left standing.</p><p>Currently, the only sequels that exist have yet to be released outside of Japan.</p><p> </p>

<h2>Overview</h2><p>Battle Group 2 was develop by Bane Games and publish by Merge Games on June 13, 2014 for PC, Mac, and Linux on the Steam service. The game was latter publish on IOS and Google Play Store by Right Pedal Studios. The game is currently a IGF China 2014 Finalist. </p>

A 2D sidescroller with elements of both action-RPGs and Castlevania-style games.

<h2>Overview</h2><p>Chasm is a side-scrolling action adventure game being developed by <a href="/discord-games/3010-7730/" data-ref-id="3010-7730">Discord Games</a> for the PC, Mac, Linux and PlayStation 4.</p><p> </p><h2>Story</h2><p>A young soldier Daltyn is sent to investigate a small mining town after it falls silent. Once Daltyn reaches the town of Karthas he soon realizes paranormal powers have cut this town off from the rest of the world. Now trapped, Daltyn must venture into the mines below to discover the source of these disturbances.</p><p> </p><h2>Development</h2><p>Discord Games launched a <a href="/kickstarter-funded/3015-7378/" data-ref-id="3015-7378">Kickstarter</a> for Chasm on April 12, 2013 with a goal of $150,000. The <a href="/kickstarter-funded/3015-7378/" data-ref-id="3015-7378">Kickstarter</a> was a success and was able to raise $191,897 with a total of 6,938 backers.</p><p>The game will release on July 31st on PC/Mac, PS4 and PS Vita</p><p> </p><h2>Links</h2><p><a href="http://www.chasmgame.com/" rel="nofollow">Chasm Website</a></p><p><a href="http://store.steampowered.com/app/312200" rel="nofollow">Steam Page</a></p><p><a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/discordgames/chasm" rel="nofollow">Kickstarter Page</a></p>

All Images, Bit Kid & Thomas Happ, PAX West 2017 Booth, PAX West 2017

All Images, Indie MegaBooth, PAX Prime 2015, PAX Prime 2015 Booth

A downloadable game inspired by classic RPGs with turn-based combat from the creative director of Far Cry 3, made using the UbiArt engine powering the most recent Rayman games.

<h2>Overview</h2><p>Child of light is a role-playing game (RPG) being developed by <a href="/ubisoft-montreal-studios/3010-1559/" data-ref-id="3010-1559">Ubisoft Montreal</a>. It follows the protagonist, <a href="/aurora/3005-31347/" data-ref-id="3005-31347">Aurora</a>, in her adventures to save the mysterious world of Lemuria and rescue it from the grasp of the Dark Queen and her minions. Ubisoft describes Child of Light as a "poetic turn-based RPG."</p><h2>Announcement</h2><p>Child of Light was announced at the Game Developers Conference Europe (GDC) in August 2013 by the game's developer Patrick Plourde. At a panel entitled "Small Projects in AAA Studios: Making of Child of Light", Plourde described the the project as "a game that is a playable painting". He further explained that early 20th Century Swedish artist John Bauer was his primary inspiration for its art style, along with Studio Ghibli founder Hayao Miyazaki and artist Yoshitaka Amano.</p><h2>Gameplay</h2><h3>Combat</h3><figure data-align="right" data-size="medium" data-img-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/11/115839/2617847-2616647-028438.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2617847" data-ratio="0.56222222222222" data-width="900" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 900px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:56.2%" href="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/11/115839/2617847-2616647-028438.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2617847"><img alt="No Caption Provided" src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_medium/11/115839/2617847-2616647-028438.jpg" srcset="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/11/115839/2617847-2616647-028438.jpg 900w, https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_medium/11/115839/2617847-2616647-028438.jpg 480w" sizes="(max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px" data-width="480"></a></figure><p>Ubisoft describes Child of Light's gameplay as "fighting your enemies in an Active-Time Battle System, you will be able to fight alongside the firefly Igniculus and other members of Aurora’s party." The game's combat characteristics appear very reminiscent of earlier Final Fantasy titles. Developer Patrick Plourde also directly quoted Squaresoft's earlier titles as inspiration for the combat system.</p><h2>Soundtrack</h2><p>The music in Child of Light is composed by Canadian singer-songwriter Béatrice Martin, also known as <a href="/coeur-de-pirate/3040-107846/" data-ref-id="3040-107846">Cœur de pirate</a>. The soundtrack was released on the same day as the game on April 29th 2014.</p><table data-max-width="false"><thead><tr><th scope="col"> </th><th scope="col">Song Title</th><th scope="col">Time</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1.</td><td>Pilgrims On a Long Journey</td><td>3:31</td></tr><tr><td>2.</td><td>Aurora's Theme</td><td>3:29</td></tr><tr><td>3.</td><td>Magna's Heart</td><td>2:35</td></tr><tr><td>4.</td><td>Jupiter's Lightning</td><td>2:07</td></tr><tr><td>5.</td><td>Final Breath</td><td>2:04</td></tr><tr><td>6.</td><td>Patches of Sky</td><td>3:18</td></tr><tr><td>7.</td><td>Dark Creatures</td><td>2:05</td></tr><tr><td>8.</td><td>Little Girl, Gen</td><td>2:48</td></tr><tr><td>9.</td><td>Bolmus Populi</td><td>1:29</td></tr><tr><td>10.</td><td>Leave Your Castle</td><td>3:51</td></tr><tr><td>11.</td><td>Metal Gleamed in the Twilight</td><td>4:35</td></tr><tr><td>12.</td><td>Funeral Dirge</td><td>0:46</td></tr><tr><td>13.</td><td>Down to a Dusty Plain</td><td>2:56</td></tr><tr><td>14.</td><td>Woods Darker Than Night</td><td>2:12</td></tr><tr><td>15.</td><td>Path of the Eclipse</td><td>2:23</td></tr><tr><td>16.</td><td><p>Hymn of Light</p></td><td><p>4:38</p></td></tr><tr><td>17.</td><td>Victory</td><td>0:38</td></tr><tr><td>18.</td><td>Off to Sleep</td><td>4:26</td></tr></tbody></table><h2>Release</h2><p>The game saw a physical retail release on Sony PlayStations platforms alongside its downloadable release.</p><p>Dubbed the Deluxe Edition on the PS3 / PS4 this edition of the game included bonus in-game items, a light up keychain and an art book with a download code for both the PS3 and PS4 version of the game.</p><p>The PS Vita release however was called The Complete Edition and includes all of the games DLC and unlike the PS3 / PS4 release included a physical cartridge rather than a download code.</p><p> </p>

Child of Light's Developers Discuss the Making of the Game's Audio

<h2>Overview</h2><p>Dungeon Village is a town building game developed and published by <a data-ref-id="3010-7303" href="/kairosoft-co-ltd/3010-7303/" slug="kairosoft-co-ltd">Kairosoft Co.</a> for the <a data-ref-id="3045-96" href="/iphone/3045-96/" slug="iphone">iPhone</a>, <a data-ref-id="3045-121" href="/ipad/3045-121/" slug="ipad">iPad</a>, and <a data-ref-id="3045-123" href="/android/3045-123/" slug="android">Android</a> platforms.</p>

ELDERBORN is a skill-based slasher infused with ancient heavy metal melee combat.

<h2><strong>Overview</strong></h2><p>Feral Fury is a 2D twin-stick shooter roguelite in the vein of games like Enter<a href="https://www.giantbomb.com/enter-the-gungeon/3030-48332/" data-ref-id="3030-48332"> the Gungeon</a>, <a href="https://www.giantbomb.com/the-binding-of-isaac-rebirth/3030-40865/" data-ref-id="3030-40865">The Binding of Isaac</a> and <a href="https://www.giantbomb.com/nuclear-throne/3030-41999/" data-ref-id="3030-41999">Nuclear Throne</a>. It was developed by Skandivania<a href="https://www.giantbomb.com/skandivania-games/3010-14752/" data-ref-id="3010-14752"> Games</a> and released on Steam for PC, Linux and Mac on May 3, 2017, and Xbox One on August 30, 2017.</p><p> </p><h2>Story</h2><figure data-align="right" data-size="medium" data-img-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/9879/2966646-542660_screenshots_20170501123913_1.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2966646" data-ratio="0.5625" data-width="1920" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 1920px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:56.3%" href="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/9879/2966646-542660_screenshots_20170501123913_1.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2966646"><img alt="No Caption Provided" src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_medium/0/9879/2966646-542660_screenshots_20170501123913_1.jpg" srcset="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/9879/2966646-542660_screenshots_20170501123913_1.jpg 1920w, https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_super/0/9879/2966646-542660_screenshots_20170501123913_1.jpg 960w, https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_medium/0/9879/2966646-542660_screenshots_20170501123913_1.jpg 480w" sizes="(max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px" data-width="480"></a></figure><p>Thousands of years after mankind destroyed itself fighting for oil, the remaining species of the first earth has evolved and spread across the universe looking for new homes. The two dominent powers are the Panda Empire and the Hellhog Horde. The Hogs, once bred for food during the age of humans, have become a proud and fierce warrior race, determined to not let history repeat itself. The Pandas on the other hand, have gone from close to extinction to overpopulating their homes and turning entire planets into bamboo plantations. The game chronicles the beginning of the battle of Hellhog, and opens with the 3d battalion panda marines, aboard the starship Shaanxi IV, preparing for invasion.</p><p> </p><h2>Gameplay</h2><p>Feral Fury is a fast-paced shooter with dodge roll mechanics, procedurally-generated stages, permanent upgrades and +100 items and powerups. Each of the five chapters are split into three stages and a boss fight. The goal in each stage is to find the red keycard which opens the teleporter to the next one. There are treasure chests, item crates, hidden rooms, stores and more to be discovered on each stage in order to gain powers and become stronger.</p><p> </p><h2>Playable characters</h2><table data-max-width="true"><thead><tr><th scope="col">Name</th><th scope="col">Traits</th><th scope="col">Image</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><p>Panda Marine</p></td><td><p>Disposable</p></td><td><figure data-align="left" data-size="medium" data-img-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_super/0/9879/2966648-superpandagun2.png" data-ref-id="1300-2966648" data-ratio="1" data-width="100" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 100px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:100.0%" href="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_super/0/9879/2966648-superpandagun2.png" data-ref-id="1300-2966648"><img alt="No Caption Provided" src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/9879/2966648-superpandagun2.png" srcset="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/9879/2966648-superpandagun2.png 100w" sizes="(max-width: 100px) 100vw, 100px" data-width="100"></a></figure></td></tr><tr><td><p>Admiral Pawgarr</p></td><td><p>Shotgun, Unlimited Ammo, Temporary HP</p></td><td><figure data-align="left" data-size="medium" data-img-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_super/0/9879/2966649-generalp.png" data-ref-id="1300-2966649" data-ratio="1.2" data-width="100" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 100px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:120.0%" href="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_super/0/9879/2966649-generalp.png" data-ref-id="1300-2966649"><img alt="No Caption Provided" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" sizes="(max-width: 100px) 100vw, 100px" data-width="100" class="js-lazy-load-image" data-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/9879/2966649-generalp.png" data-srcset="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/9879/2966649-generalp.png 100w"><noscript><img alt="No Caption Provided" src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/9879/2966649-generalp.png" srcset="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/9879/2966649-generalp.png 100w" sizes="(max-width: 100px) 100vw, 100px" data-width="100"></noscript></a></figure></td></tr><tr><td><p>Rose the Red</p></td><td><p>Pulse Rifle, Unlimited Ammo, Temporary HP</p></td><td><figure data-align="left" data-size="medium" data-img-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_super/0/9879/2966650-idle2.png" data-ref-id="1300-2966650" data-ratio="1" data-width="100" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 100px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:100.0%" href="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_super/0/9879/2966650-idle2.png" data-ref-id="1300-2966650"><img alt="No Caption Provided" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" sizes="(max-width: 100px) 100vw, 100px" data-width="100" class="js-lazy-load-image" data-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/9879/2966650-idle2.png" data-srcset="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/9879/2966650-idle2.png 100w"><noscript><img alt="No Caption Provided" src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/9879/2966650-idle2.png" srcset="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/9879/2966650-idle2.png 100w" sizes="(max-width: 100px) 100vw, 100px" data-width="100"></noscript></a></figure></td></tr><tr><td><p>The Traitor</p></td><td><p>Plasma Rifle, Hand Grenades</p></td><td><figure data-align="left" data-size="medium" data-img-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/9879/2966651-pigrun1.png" data-ref-id="1300-2966651" data-ratio="1" data-width="100" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 100px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:100.0%" href="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/9879/2966651-pigrun1.png" data-ref-id="1300-2966651"><img alt="No Caption Provided" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" sizes="(max-width: 100px) 100vw, 100px" data-width="100" class="js-lazy-load-image" data-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/9879/2966651-pigrun1.png" data-srcset="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/9879/2966651-pigrun1.png 100w"><noscript><img alt="No Caption Provided" src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/9879/2966651-pigrun1.png" srcset="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/9879/2966651-pigrun1.png 100w" sizes="(max-width: 100px) 100vw, 100px" data-width="100"></noscript></a></figure></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><h2>NPC Merchants</h2><figure data-align="right" data-size="medium" data-img-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_super/0/9879/2923927-ffscreen8.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2923927" data-ratio="0.5625" data-width="1920" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 1920px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:56.3%" href="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_super/0/9879/2923927-ffscreen8.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2923927"><img alt="No Caption Provided" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" sizes="(max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px" data-width="480" class="js-lazy-load-image" data-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_medium/0/9879/2923927-ffscreen8.jpg" data-srcset="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/9879/2923927-ffscreen8.png 1920w, https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_super/0/9879/2923927-ffscreen8.jpg 960w, https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_medium/0/9879/2923927-ffscreen8.jpg 480w"><noscript><img alt="No Caption Provided" src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_medium/0/9879/2923927-ffscreen8.jpg" srcset="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/9879/2923927-ffscreen8.png 1920w, https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_super/0/9879/2923927-ffscreen8.jpg 960w, https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_medium/0/9879/2923927-ffscreen8.jpg 480w" sizes="(max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px" data-width="480"></noscript></a></figure><p>Each stage has a store selling three random items. Unlocking the <em>Shop 2.0</em> upgrade, adds more items to the store item pool. Killing the shopkeeper allows the player to take all items for free, but will result in all stores being closed for the rest of the run.</p><p>The middle stage of each chapter also has a second store, unlocked with one of four special keys. Once unlocked, these stores will remain open forever. The special stores uses orbs as currency, instead of coins, and specializes in one type of items each. If killed, the shopkeepers of the special stores will also drop rare helmets.</p><p>Opening the special door on stage 1-1, gives the player access to teleporters which are activated by defeating bosses (normal mode only), as well as unlocking the red panda trader, who may show up in certain locations throughout each run, offering to trade items.</p><table data-max-width="true"><thead><tr><th scope="col">Name</th><th scope="col">Sells/drops</th><th scope="col">Image</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Lion</td><td><p>Regular shopkeeper - The one smoking cigarr drops a special key if killed</p></td><td><figure data-align="left" data-size="medium" data-img-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/9879/2966653-shopkeeper1.png" data-ref-id="1300-2966653" data-ratio="1" data-width="110" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 110px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:100.0%" href="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/9879/2966653-shopkeeper1.png" data-ref-id="1300-2966653"><img alt="No Caption Provided" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" sizes="(max-width: 110px) 100vw, 110px" data-width="110" class="js-lazy-load-image" data-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/9879/2966653-shopkeeper1.png" data-srcset="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/9879/2966653-shopkeeper1.png 110w"><noscript><img alt="No Caption Provided" src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/9879/2966653-shopkeeper1.png" srcset="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/9879/2966653-shopkeeper1.png 110w" sizes="(max-width: 110px) 100vw, 110px" data-width="110"></noscript></a></figure></td></tr><tr><td>Elephant</td><td><p>Sells Scrolls – Drops Farmer helmet if killed</p></td><td><figure data-align="left" data-size="medium" data-img-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/9879/2966654-idle1.png" data-ref-id="1300-2966654" data-ratio="0.75" data-width="200" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 200px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:75.0%" href="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/9879/2966654-idle1.png" data-ref-id="1300-2966654"><img alt="No Caption Provided" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" sizes="(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px" data-width="200" class="js-lazy-load-image" data-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/9879/2966654-idle1.png" data-srcset="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/9879/2966654-idle1.png 200w"><noscript><img alt="No Caption Provided" src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/9879/2966654-idle1.png" srcset="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/9879/2966654-idle1.png 200w" sizes="(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px" data-width="200"></noscript></a></figure></td></tr><tr><td>Bird</td><td><p>Sells Drones – Drops Haggler helmet if killed</p></td><td><figure data-align="left" data-size="medium" data-img-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/9879/2966655-bird.png" data-ref-id="1300-2966655" data-ratio="1" data-width="100" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 100px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:100.0%" href="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/9879/2966655-bird.png" data-ref-id="1300-2966655"><img alt="No Caption Provided" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" sizes="(max-width: 100px) 100vw, 100px" data-width="100" class="js-lazy-load-image" data-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/9879/2966655-bird.png" data-srcset="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/9879/2966655-bird.png 100w"><noscript><img alt="No Caption Provided" src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/9879/2966655-bird.png" srcset="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/9879/2966655-bird.png 100w" sizes="(max-width: 100px) 100vw, 100px" data-width="100"></noscript></a></figure></td></tr><tr><td>Cow</td><td><p>Sells weapons – Drops Obmar helmet if killed</p></td><td><figure data-align="left" data-size="medium" data-img-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/9879/2966657-cow.png" data-ref-id="1300-2966657" data-ratio="0.91666666666667" data-width="120" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 120px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:91.7%" href="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/9879/2966657-cow.png" data-ref-id="1300-2966657"><img alt="No Caption Provided" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" sizes="(max-width: 120px) 100vw, 120px" data-width="120" class="js-lazy-load-image" data-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/9879/2966657-cow.png" data-srcset="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/9879/2966657-cow.png 120w"><noscript><img alt="No Caption Provided" src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/9879/2966657-cow.png" srcset="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/9879/2966657-cow.png 120w" sizes="(max-width: 120px) 100vw, 120px" data-width="120"></noscript></a></figure></td></tr><tr><td>Brother Cow</td><td><p>Plays Guitar</p></td><td><figure data-align="left" data-size="medium" data-img-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/9879/2966658-guitarcow1.png" data-ref-id="1300-2966658" data-ratio="0.66666666666667" data-width="150" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 150px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:66.7%" href="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/9879/2966658-guitarcow1.png" data-ref-id="1300-2966658"><img alt="No Caption Provided" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" sizes="(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" data-width="150" class="js-lazy-load-image" data-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/9879/2966658-guitarcow1.png" data-srcset="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/9879/2966658-guitarcow1.png 150w"><noscript><img alt="No Caption Provided" src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/9879/2966658-guitarcow1.png" srcset="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/9879/2966658-guitarcow1.png 150w" sizes="(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" data-width="150"></noscript></a></figure></td></tr><tr><td>Red Panda</td><td><p>Trades items – May drop HP but dissapears for the rest of the run if killed</p></td><td><figure data-align="left" data-size="medium" data-img-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/9879/2966659-merchant5.png" data-ref-id="1300-2966659" data-ratio="1" data-width="100" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 100px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:100.0%" href="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/9879/2966659-merchant5.png" data-ref-id="1300-2966659"><img alt="No Caption Provided" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" sizes="(max-width: 100px) 100vw, 100px" data-width="100" class="js-lazy-load-image" data-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/9879/2966659-merchant5.png" data-srcset="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/9879/2966659-merchant5.png 100w"><noscript><img alt="No Caption Provided" src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/9879/2966659-merchant5.png" srcset="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/9879/2966659-merchant5.png 100w" sizes="(max-width: 100px) 100vw, 100px" data-width="100"></noscript></a></figure></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p> </p>

A game company simulation game for iPhone OS, Android, and PC by Japanese studio Kairosoft.

<h2>Overview</h2><p>Developed by <a href="/kairosoft-co-ltd/3010-7303/" data-ref-id="3010-7303">Kairosoft</a>, Game Dev Story is a simulation-management game in which the player takes charge of a video game development company. As the president, the player must guide their employees--ranging from coders to artists--to produce top-quality and high-grossing games as the company grows from a tiny group to a major and well-known developer.</p><h2>Gameplay</h2><figure data-align="right" data-img-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/2840/1559291-img_0053.png" data-ref-id="1300-1559291" data-size="small" data-embed-type="image" data-ratio="1.5"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:150.0%" href="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/2840/1559291-img_0053.png" data-ref-id="1300-1559291"><img alt="A video game in development." src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/2840/1559291-img_0053.png" srcset="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/2840/1559291-img_0053.png 320w" sizes="(max-width: 426px) 100vw, 426px" data-width="426"></a><figcaption>A video game in development.</figcaption></figure><p>The game starts off with you owning a company of 2 employees. From there, you can select contracts to complete for external clients (e.g. develop a ring tone, game engine, etc.) or create a video game. Contracts vary by difficulty and pay and must be completed within a time frame. If successful, your reputation increases slightly and you get paid. Video games have much higher rates of return but require more time (typically 3 months) and some initial capital investment. As your fame and fortune grows, you can expand to larger offices where you can hire more employees to increase the quality of your games. Throughout the game, more platforms will be released and discontinued, based on real life consoles (such as the <a href="/playstation/3045-22/" data-ref-id="3045-22">Sammy PayStation</a>). Towards the end of the game, the player is also given the opportunity to develop their own console. This can be very expensive and time consuming, and the success of the console rests on how famous the player's company is.</p><h3>Video Game Development</h3><p>Video games are the main method of earning money in in Game Dev Story.</p><p>Developing a game involves:</p><ol><li>Choosing a platform: If you want to develop games for console, you will have to pay an initial fee for the dev kit as well as a license fee per game. Otherwise, you can develop a PC game but the PC market is far smaller.</li><li>Choose the style and type of game: Some combinations will yield penalties (e.g. Shooter/Reversi) but others will yield bonuses (e.g. Shooter/Robot). Styles and types are unlocked by promoting and training your employees.</li><li>Choose bonuses: You can spend some money upfront to increase the quality, research, speed of development, etc. of the game.</li><li>Choose the direction: You can emphasize various areas like Simplicity, Polish, Approachability, etc. by allocating Direction Points, which are earned throughout the game.</li><li>Choose someone to design the game: This can be an in-house developer or you can contract out for a fee.</li></ol><p>Once development commences, your employees will add Fun, Creativity, Graphics and Sound to the game at a rate based on their skill level. The player can increase the skill level of their employees through training, or by increasing their level using points gained through the development and debug process. The player only has a limited time to complete the game, so the higher the skill level of their employee's, the better the game.</p><p>At various parts of development, the employee will request an attempt to improve a certain area of the game, this costs money and there is a risk the employee will fail. At the 40% and 80% mark, you can choose someone to design the graphics and sound (respectively) of the game, similar to step 5 for the overall design. If the player uses the same employee to develop certain parts of the game over and over, they will become burnt out and will perform poorly.</p><figure data-align="left" data-img-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/2840/1559292-img_0054.png" data-ref-id="1300-1559292" data-size="small" data-embed-type="image" data-ratio="1.5"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:150.0%" href="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/2840/1559292-img_0054.png" data-ref-id="1300-1559292"><img alt="A good game will send fans along in droves." src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/2840/1559292-img_0054.png" srcset="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/2840/1559292-img_0054.png 320w" sizes="(max-width: 426px) 100vw, 426px" data-width="426"></a><figcaption>A good game will send fans along in droves.</figcaption></figure><p>Once the game reaches 100% development, your team fixes bugs. You can launch the game before the bug-count hits 0, but the quality will suffer. When you ship the game, 4 10-point reviews come in. If you score a cumulative 32 or higher, the game becomes a 'hall of fame' game, and you can later create a sequel to it. However, if the sequel fails to reach the 'hall of fame', the player will lose the ability to develop further sequels. The game is then put on the market for 3 months, sales being determined by the quality of the game, reviews, console market share and whether gaming magazines write articles on the game.</p><h3>Advertising and Promotion</h3><p>The player can increase the fame of their company by various means, the most consistent way being advertising. The player can place advertisements in newspapers, all the way to blimp sponsorships and lunar writings. Certain advertisements adhere to different demographics, from 8-12 all the way to 41 and over. As the game progresses, the demographic will age, so the player must make sure he gains fans in as many demographics as possible. Other methods of increasing fame include a yearly video game convention, where the player can choose how much money is spent on their booth, with animal costumes or celebrity appearances. Each year there is also a game awards night, where there are monetary prizes for categories such as best visuals or best sound. The grand prize is $1,000,000, which also brings considerable fame and hype. There is also a $300,000 penalty award given out to the worst game.</p><h3>Staff Skills and Jobs</h3><p>Each member of staff has four different skills and a power meter:</p><ol><li>Programming: Used during the development of a game. It gives bonuses to both proposals and game art.</li><li>Scenario: Used when initially creating a game. It mainly contributes to the "Fun" and "Creativity" of a game.</li><li>Graphics: Used at the 40% milestone of a game to decide the initial boost to "Graphics".</li><li>Sound: Used at the 80% milestone of a game to decide the initial boost to "Sound".</li><li>Power Meter: How long it takes the employee to get tired from working or training.</li></ol><p>There are eight job titles in total:</p><ol><li>Coder: General worker. Not used during the creation process of a new game, but adds points during development of the game.</li><li>Writer: Can draft the proposal for the game. They mainly rely on their "Scenario" skill.</li><li>Designer: Creates the graphics for the game. Main focus is their "Graphics" skill.</li><li>Sound Engineer: Composes the music in the game. They rely on their "Sound" skill.</li><li>Producer: Well rounded members of the team with an extra bonus when performing production tasks.</li><li>Director: Well rounded members of the team with an extra bonus when performing creative tasks.</li><li>Hardware Engineer: This job is essential if the player wants to create their own console. An employee must have level 5 in all six jobs above to become a Hardware Engineer. As a result these workers end up with huge salaries.</li><li>Hacker: An employee must have level 5 in all the other jobs to become a hacker. Hackers get a bonus to all skills.</li></ol><h2>Genres and Types</h2><p>Game Dev Story features a variety of different game genres and types to choose from. The list below is in no way a final list, as there are thousands of different combinations to find.</p><p><b>Genres :</b></p><ul><li>RPG</li><li>Simulation</li><li>Sim RPG</li><li>Tabletop</li><li>Action</li><li>Adventure</li><li>Shooter</li><li>Action RPG</li><li>Racing</li><li>Trivia</li><li>Life</li><li>Online Sim</li><li>Board Game</li><li>Puzzle</li><li>Music</li><li>Audio Novel</li><li>Motion</li><li>Educational</li><li>Card Game</li></ul><p><b>Types:</b></p><ul><li>Exploration</li><li>Martial Arts</li><li>Fantasy</li><li>Dungeon</li><li>Romance</li><li>Pirate</li><li>Train</li><li>Animal</li><li>Robot</li><li>Airplane</li><li>Convenience Store</li><li>Historical</li><li>Art</li><li>Game Co.</li><li>Egypt</li><li>Architecture</li><li>Monster</li><li>Hunting</li><li>High School</li><li>War</li><li>Ninja</li><li>Cutie</li><li>Ogre</li><li>Detective</li><li>Mystery</li><li>Cartoon</li><li>Cosplay</li><li>Mushroom</li><li>Poncho</li><li>Chess</li><li>Checkers</li><li>Reversi</li><li>Fitness</li><li>Wrestling</li><li>Snowboard</li><li>Golf</li><li>Swimming</li><li>Volleyball</li><li>Soccer</li><li>Baseball</li><li>Marathon</li><li>F1 Racing</li><li>Pinball</li><li>Dating</li><li>Spy</li><li>Harbor</li><li>Basketball</li></ul><h2>Game Console Spoofs</h2><p>Game Dev Story lets the player develop games on various game consoles throughout the history of gaming. These consoles are based off of the real life consoles such as the NES, Genesis, Saturn, PlayStation, and even the Wii. Below is the list of each console in the game, with its obvious influence listed in parentheses.</p><figure data-align="right" data-img-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/3/37185/1706118-gamedev_1_use_this.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-1706118" data-size="medium" data-embed-type="image" data-ratio="0.83877995642702"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:83.9%" href="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/3/37185/1706118-gamedev_1_use_this.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-1706118"><img alt="Sonny Announcing the PlayStatus 2" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" sizes="(max-width: 459px) 100vw, 459px" data-width="459" class="js-lazy-load-image" data-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/3/37185/1706118-gamedev_1_use_this.jpg" data-srcset="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/3/37185/1706118-gamedev_1_use_this.jpg 459w"><noscript><img alt="Sonny Announcing the PlayStatus 2" src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/3/37185/1706118-gamedev_1_use_this.jpg" srcset="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/3/37185/1706118-gamedev_1_use_this.jpg 459w" sizes="(max-width: 459px) 100vw, 459px" data-width="459"></noscript></a><figcaption>Sonny Announcing the PlayStatus 2</figcaption></figure><p><b>Consoles By Company:</b></p><p>Intrendo (<a href="/nintendo/3010-90/" data-ref-id="3010-90">Nintendo</a>)</p><ul><li>IES (<a href="/nes/3045-21/" data-ref-id="3045-21">NES</a>)</li><li>Super IES (<a href="/snes/3045-9/" data-ref-id="3045-9">SNES</a>)</li><li>Game-box (<a href="/gamecube/3045-23/" data-ref-id="3045-23">Gamecube</a>)</li><li>Game Kid (<a href="/game-boy/3045-3/" data-ref-id="3045-3">Gameboy</a>)</li><li>Virtual Kid (<a href="/virtual-boy/3045-79/" data-ref-id="3045-79">Virtual Boy</a>)</li><li>Intrendo DM (<a href="/nintendo-ds/3045-52/" data-ref-id="3045-52">DS</a>)</li><li>Whoops (<a href="/wii/3045-36/" data-ref-id="3045-36">Wii</a>)</li></ul><p>Karoisoft (Custom)</p><ul><li>Jupiter 512 (<a href="/rob/3000-3/" data-ref-id="3000-3">R.O.B. The Robot</a>/Mars Rover)</li></ul><p>Microx (<a href="/microsoft-game-studios/3010-340/" data-ref-id="3010-340">Microsoft</a>)</p><ul><li>Microx 480 (<a href="/xbox-360/3045-20/" data-ref-id="3045-20">Xbox 360</a>)</li></ul><p>Nipon (<a href="/namco-bandai-games-inc/3010-382/" data-ref-id="3010-382">Bandai</a>/<a href="/nec-home-electronics-usa-inc/3010-1683/" data-ref-id="3010-1683">NEC</a>/<a href="/snk-playmore/3010-616/" data-ref-id="3010-616">SNK</a>)</p><ul><li>Game Swan (<a href="/wonderswan/3045-65/" data-ref-id="3045-65">Wonderswan</a>)</li><li>Playdion (<a href="/bandai-playdia/3045-127/" data-ref-id="3045-127">Playdia</a>)</li><li>Neon-Geon (<a href="/neo-geo/3045-25/" data-ref-id="3045-25">Neo Geo</a>)</li><li>PC-FQX1 (<a href="/pc-fx/3045-75/" data-ref-id="3045-75">PC-FX</a>)</li><li>Playpopo X (<a href="/turbografx-16/3045-55/" data-ref-id="3045-55">PC Engine RX/LT</a>)</li></ul><p>Senga (<a href="/sega/3010-62/" data-ref-id="3010-62">Sega</a>)</p><ul><li>Uranus (<a href="/saturn/3045-42/" data-ref-id="3045-42">Saturn</a>)</li><li>Exodus (<a href="/genesis/3045-6/" data-ref-id="3045-6">Genesis</a>)</li><li>Harpo Drive (Teradrive)</li></ul><p>Sonny (<a href="/sony-computer-entertainment-incorporated/3010-995/" data-ref-id="3010-995">Sony</a>)</p><ul><li>PlayStatus (<a href="/playstation/3045-22/" data-ref-id="3045-22">PS1</a>)</li><li>PlayStatus 2 (<a href="/playstation-2/3055-1917/" data-ref-id="3055-1917">PS2</a>)</li><li>Mini Status (<a href="/psp/3045-18/" data-ref-id="3045-18">PSP</a>)</li></ul><p>No Affiliation</p><ul><li><a href="/pc/3045-94/" data-ref-id="3045-94">PC</a> Game</li></ul><h2>Custom Console Development</h2><p>Late in the career mode, the player is given the opportunity to develop a custom console. The time that the console spends in development, and the cost to make the console is dependent on the parts used. Below is a list of parts used to make a custom console. Note that the player must have at least one Hardware engineer in order to make a console.</p><p><b>Form Factor</b>: Portable (4,000K), Console (6,000K)</p><p><b>CPU</b>: 16-bit Chip (1,000K), 32-bit Chip (10,000K), 64-bit Chip (50,000K)</p><p><b>Media:</b> Cartridge (3,000K), CD-Rom (5,000K), DVD-Rom (15,000K), BD-Rom (35,000K)</p><p>It's also worth noting that the player can only have one console on the market at the same time, so as soon as the player's second console releases, the first is discontinued. Prices of development can range from 8,000K up to as much as 91,000K, not including employee salaries.</p><h2>Gamedex</h2><p>Gamedex is Game Dev Story's version of <a href="/e3/3015-3168/" data-ref-id="3015-3168">E3</a>. Every year during the first week of the 7th month the player is asked whether or not they wish to participate. If the player chooses to participate they can spend 150K on hiring no staff to man the booth, 600K to hire people in bear costumes, 2.500K to hire booth babes, or 7,000K to hire a guest star to be at the players booth. The people at your booth have varying levels of effectiveness, with the guest star obviously being the most effective at getting attendees to your booth.</p><p>Showing up at Gamedex has its benefits. Increased sales from any game currently on the market is the main benefit of attending Gamedex. It is important however to budget how much the company is spending on attractions with how many sales will be added due to Gamedex.</p>

Hot Springs Story let's the user build and maintain their own personal Japanese spa on their iOS or Android device.

<h2>Overview</h2><p>Hot Springs Story, released for North American cell phones on February 28, 2011, is a follow-up to <a data-ref-id="3010-7303" href="/kairosoft-co-ltd/3010-7303/" slug="kairosoft-co-ltd">Kairosoft's</a> <a data-ref-id="3030-32908" href="/game-dev-story/3030-32908/" slug="game-dev-story">Game Dev Story</a>. Unlike the company's previous title, which charges players with the task of running a game development studio, Hot Springs Story revolves around the management of a Japanese hot springs resort.</p><h2>Targets List</h2><p>Hot Springs Story revolves around the people visiting the player's hot spring. The list below includes all Targets identified so far as well as their bonuses.</p><table class="t-editor with-border full-width"><tbody><tr><th>Target</th><th>Benefit</th></tr><tr><td>Tea Expert</td><td>Facilities</td></tr><tr><td>TV Host</td><td>Advertising</td></tr><tr><td>Novelist</td><td>Votes</td></tr><tr><td>Fisherman</td><td>Items</td></tr><tr><td>Cartoonist</td><td>Money</td></tr><tr><td>Journalist</td><td>Advertising</td></tr><tr><td>Programmer</td><td>Stayers</td></tr><tr><td>Announcer</td><td>Stayers</td></tr><tr><td>Student</td><td>Advertising</td></tr><tr><td>Biz-woman</td><td>Stayers</td></tr><tr><td>Researcher</td><td>Facilities</td></tr><tr><td>Painter</td><td>Facilities</td></tr><tr><td>M. Artist</td><td>Stayers</td></tr><tr><td>Comedian</td><td>Advertising</td></tr><tr><td>Housewife</td><td>Votes</td></tr><tr><td>G. Manager</td><td>Advertising</td></tr><tr><td>Pastry Chef</td><td>Items</td></tr><tr><td>Old Couple</td><td>Items</td></tr><tr><td>Illustrator</td><td>Facilities</td></tr><tr><td>Model</td><td>Advertising</td></tr><tr><td>Fortuneteller</td><td>Items</td></tr><tr><td>Biz-man</td><td>Items</td></tr><tr><td>Manager</td><td>Money</td></tr><tr><td>Young Couple</td><td>Stayers</td></tr><tr><td>Hiker</td><td>Money</td></tr><tr><td>Booth Babe</td><td>Votes</td></tr><tr><td>Landlord</td><td>Stayers</td></tr><tr><td>Young Family</td><td>Votes</td></tr><tr><td>Antique Director</td><td>Votes</td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td></tr></tbody></table><h2>Facilities</h2><p>Hot Spring Story includes a variety of facilities you can use to expand your hot spring. Below is a list of each facility and it's cost.</p><table class="t-editor with-border full-width"><tbody><tr><th>Facility Name</th><th>Price to Build</th></tr><tr><td>Tatami Room</td><td>$150</td></tr><tr><td>Western Room (Requires Store Purchase)</td><td>$150</td></tr><tr><td>Vending Machine</td><td>$100</td></tr><tr><td>Massage Chair (Requires Story Purchase)</td><td>$250</td></tr><tr><td>Bath (Male)</td><td>$360</td></tr><tr><td>Bath (Female)</td><td>$360</td></tr><tr><td>Reception</td><td>$500</td></tr></tbody></table><h2>Stores</h2><p>Hot Spring Story also uses a variety of stores to enhance the player's hot spring, and to ensure the hot spring's maximum amount of luxury. Below is a list of all the stores and their prices.</p><table class="t-editor with-border full-width"><tbody><tr><th>Store Name</th><th>Price to Build</th></tr><tr><td>Restaurant</td><td>$300</td></tr><tr><td>Souvenir Stand</td><td>$350</td></tr><tr><td>Arcade (Requires Investment)</td><td>$320</td></tr><tr><td>Reading Room (Requires Investment)</td><td>$340</td></tr><tr><td>Pachinko Machine</td><td>$220</td></tr><tr><td>Salon (Requires Investment)</td><td>$420</td></tr><tr><td>Cafe (Requires Investment)</td><td>$480</td></tr><tr><td>Fortuneteller (Requires Investment)</td><td>$0</td></tr><tr><td>Ping Pong Table (Requires Investment(</td><td>$500</td></tr></tbody></table><h2>Compatibility</h2><p>Some rooms are more compatible with other rooms stationed near them. Below is a list of rooms that are enhance other rooms.</p><table class="t-editor with-border full-width"><tbody><tr><th>Facility/Store 1</th><th>Facility/Store 2</th><th>End Result</th></tr><tr><td>Tatami Room or Western Room</td><td>Pachinko Machine</td><td>Benefits all guests</td></tr><tr><td>Tatami Room or Western Room</td><td>Massage Chair</td><td>Benefits Adults and Seniors</td></tr><tr><td>Tatami Room or Western Room</td><td>Cafe</td><td>Benefits Men</td></tr><tr><td>Tatami Room or Western Room</td><td>Fortuneteller</td><td>Benefits Women</td></tr><tr><td>Tatami Room or Western Room</td><td>Vending Machine</td><td>Benefits all guests</td></tr><tr><td>Tatami Room</td><td>Tatami Room</td><td>Benefits all guests</td></tr><tr><td>Western Room</td><td>Western Room</td><td>Benefits all guests</td></tr><tr><td>Western Room</td><td>Restaurant</td><td>Benefits all guests</td></tr><tr><td>Souvenir Stand</td><td>Western Room</td><td>Benefits Youth, Hurts everyone else</td></tr><tr><td>Souvenir Stand</td><td>Vending Machine</td><td>Benefits Youths, Adults and Groups</td></tr><tr><td>Pachinko Machine</td><td>Arcade</td><td>Benefits Men</td></tr><tr><td>Pachinko Machine</td><td>Pachinko Machine</td><td>Benefits Adult Men</td></tr><tr><td>Massage Chair</td><td>Salon</td><td>Benefits Women</td></tr><tr><td>Cafe</td><td>Reading Room</td><td>Benefits Adult and Senior Men</td></tr><tr><td>Cafe</td><td>Arcade</td><td>Hurts both Adult Men and Senior Men</td></tr><tr><td>Salon</td><td>Fortuneteller</td><td>Benefits Women</td></tr><tr><td>Salon</td><td>Pachinko Machine</td><td>Benefits Women</td></tr><tr><td>Vending Machine</td><td>Ping Pong Table</td><td>Benefits All</td></tr><tr><td>Vending Machine</td><td>Arcade</td><td>Benefits Youth</td></tr><tr><td>Reading Room</td><td>Pachinko Machine</td><td>Hurts All</td></tr><tr><td>Ping Pong Table</td><td>Arcade</td><td>Benefits Groups</td></tr></tbody></table><h2>Guides</h2><p>Each year the player's hot spring is put against other springs in Japan in magazine guide competitions. Below is a list of each guide, and info about it.</p><table class="t-editor with-border full-width"><tbody><tr><th>Guide Name</th><th>Copies Distributed</th><th>Number of Inns Competing</th><th>Special Focus</th></tr><tr><td>Local Springs (Easy)</td><td>460k</td><td>23</td><td>None</td></tr><tr><td>Prefectural Springs (Moderate)</td><td>9100k</td><td>142</td><td>None</td></tr><tr><td>Touring Japan (Tough)</td><td>18,400k</td><td>230</td><td>None</td></tr><tr><td>Le Nichelin Guide (Hard)</td><td>32,700k</td><td>76</td><td>None</td></tr><tr><td>Glamour Springs (Moderate)</td><td>7,400k</td><td>84</td><td>Focuses on Women</td></tr><tr><td>Top 100 Springs (Tough)</td><td>11,600k</td><td>100</td><td>Focuses on Bath's</td></tr><tr><td>Gourmet Springs (Moderate)</td><td>13,200k</td><td>88</td><td>Focuses on Eateries</td></tr><tr><td>Relaxing Springs (Tough)</td><td>14,100k</td><td>78</td><td>Focuses on Scenery</td></tr></tbody></table><h2>Store Items</h2><p>The Store lets the player buy items that can be used on rooms in the hot spring. Each item's cost is raised with each purchase. Below is a list of each item, and it's recommended use.</p><table class="t-editor with-border full-width"><tbody><tr><th>Item</th><th>Best used on</th></tr><tr><td>Green Tea</td><td>Restaurants, Vending Machines</td></tr><tr><td>Honey</td><td>Restaurants</td></tr><tr><td>Iced Tea</td><td>Vending Machine</td></tr><tr><td>Milk</td><td>Restaurants, Vending Machines</td></tr><tr><td>Comic Books</td><td>Reading Rooms, Stores</td></tr><tr><td>Popularity Seed</td><td>All Rooms</td></tr><tr><td>Price Seed</td><td>All Rooms</td></tr></tbody></table><h2>Special Seeds</h2><p>There are also several special seeds that are only available from winning first place in specific guides.</p><table class="t-editor with-border full-width"><tbody><tr><th>Seed Name</th><th>Seed Effect</th><th>How to Win</th></tr><tr><td>Glamour Seed</td><td>Boost popularity with Women</td><td>1st Place in Glamour Springs Guide</td></tr><tr><td>Gourmet Seed</td><td>Boost popularity and price in all restaurants</td><td>1st Place in Gourmet Springs Guide</td></tr></tbody></table>

Joggernauts is an indie couch co-op arcade autorunner videogame that is coming soon! Created by developers Zachary Johnson and Tommy Sunders from Minneapolis, MN.

Tricky Towers is a multiplayer, physics-based, tower-building puzzle game.

<h2> Overview</h2><p>Tricky Towers is a physics-based tower-building game with single player challenges and both local and online multiplayer modes. In it, players use tetromino bricks to build their tower, while using magic spells to aid their own construction or disrupt the construction of their opponents.</p><p>It is being developed by <a href="/weirdbeard/3010-11708/" data-ref-id="3010-11708">WeirdBeard</a>, an Amsterdam-based independent game development studio, and is scheduled for an August 2016 release on PS4 &amp; Steam.</p><h2>Gameplay</h2><p><span>Single player</span></p><p><span>Race trial</span></p><p>In the race trials, the objective is to reach the finish line before the time runs out.</p><h4>Survival trial</h4><p>In the survival trials, the player has 3 lives and a set number of bricks. The objective is to place all bricks on the tower without losing all three lives.</p><h4>Puzzle trial</h4><p>In the puzzle trials, the player has a set number of bricks to place under a laser line. If a brick is placed (partially) above the line or a brick is dropped, the trial has been failed.</p><h4>Endless survival</h4><p>The player has three lives to stack as many bricks in a single tower as they can. This mode has a global and friends leaderboard.</p><h3>Multiplayer</h3><p>All multiplayer modes have an easy, normal &amp; special mode. Easy is meant for beginning players, normal for more experienced players and special brings a twist to each game mode.</p><p>In some multiplayer modes the player will receive 2 spells every time they reach a checkpoint; one light spell to help themselves, and one dark spell to direct at their opponents. A player can use only one, not both.</p><h4>Race</h4><p>First player to get to the finish wins. Race special takes place in stormy weather, so the player has to take care of strong winds taking down their tower.</p><h4>Survival</h4><p>Every player has three lives, the first player to use all their bricks wins. Alternatively, the last player standing when no player has reached that goal wins. Survival special gives all players waves of dark spells to overcome at the same time.</p><h4>Puzzle</h4><p>Every player gets the exact same bricks and base, the player that stacks the most bricks under the laser line wins. Puzzle special has all players start with a tiny base with holes in the sides, bricks need to be nudged in horizontally to widen the base to allow for more bricks to be placed.</p>

Call of Duty: Black Ops IIII
Call of Duty: Black Ops IV
Call of Duty 15

The Call of Duty release for 2018 ditches a traditional single-player campaign in favor of an expanded zombies mode and a battle royale mode known as Blackout.

<h2>Overview</h2><p>Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 (stylized as "Call of Duty: Black Ops IIII") is a sci-fi military first-person shooter in development by <a href="/treyarch/3010-1488/" data-ref-id="3010-1488">Treyarch</a>, with a planned release by <a href="/activision/3010-78/" data-ref-id="3010-78">Activision</a> for the <a href="/xbox-one/3045-145/" data-ref-id="3045-145">Xbox One</a>, <a href="/playstation-4/3045-146/" data-ref-id="3045-146">PlayStation 4</a>, and <a href="/pc/3045-94/" data-ref-id="3045-94">PC</a> (digitally via <a href="/battlenet/3015-2077/" data-ref-id="3015-2077">Battle.net</a>) on October 12, 2018.</p><p>The fifteenth installment of the <a href="/call-of-duty/3025-82/" data-ref-id="3025-82">Call of Duty</a> franchise (and the fourth in the studio's <a href="/black-ops/3025-2275/" data-ref-id="3025-2275">Black Ops</a> series), Black Ops 4 is the first to not include a traditional <a href="/campaign/3015-4011/" data-ref-id="3015-4011">campaign</a> mode. Rather, the narrative of the game is focused on the series's competitive multiplayer mode (based on the Specialist system from <a href="/call-of-duty-black-ops-iii/3030-48754/" data-ref-id="3030-48754">Call of Duty: Black Ops III</a>). It takes place between the events of the <a href="/call-of-duty-black-ops-ii/3030-38039/" data-ref-id="3030-38039">second</a> and <a href="/call-of-duty-black-ops-iii/3030-48754/" data-ref-id="3030-48754">third</a> games in the Black Ops series.</p><p>Along with standard multiplayer and co-operative <a href="/zombie/3015-79/" data-ref-id="3015-79">Zombies</a> mode (the latter of which includes new customization options and three maps at launch, two of which are built on a brand new storyline), the game includes a new <a href="/battle-royale/3015-9111/" data-ref-id="3015-9111">survival-shooter</a> mode. Called Blackout, this new mode brings together classic Black Ops characters, weapons, and locations onto one very large battlefield.</p>

Luigi's Mansion is a Gamecube launch title that features Luigi as the main character as opposed to his more famous sibling. In the game, Luigi must explore a mansion that he supposedly won in order to save his brother Mario.

<h2>Overview</h2><figure data-align="right" data-img-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/2/27545/1063568-luigi_s_mansion_title_screen.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-1063568" data-size="small" data-ratio="0.75" data-width="320" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 320px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:75.0%" href="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/2/27545/1063568-luigi_s_mansion_title_screen.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-1063568"><img alt="The game's title screen (USA version)" src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/2/27545/1063568-luigi_s_mansion_title_screen.jpg" srcset="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/2/27545/1063568-luigi_s_mansion_title_screen.jpg 320w" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" data-width="320"></a><figcaption>The game's title screen (USA version)</figcaption></figure><p>Luigi's Mansion is a horror-themed action-adventure game and was one of the launch titles for the Nintendo GameCube. It was released on November 17, 2001 in North America; on September 14, 2001 in Japan; and on May 3, 2002 in Europe. Luigi's Mansion was developed by Nintendo EAD and published by Nintendo. It focuses on <a href="/luigi/3005-370/" data-ref-id="3005-370">Luigi</a>'s mission to clear a haunted mansion, that he 'won' in a contest he didn't enter, of ghosts to save Mario from their clutches. To do so, he hooks up with <a href="/professor-e-gadd/3005-1776/" data-ref-id="3005-1776">Professor E. Gadd</a>, who gives him a special vacuum, called the " <a href="/poltergust-3000/3055-599/" data-ref-id="3055-599">Poltergust 3000</a>", and a special Game Boy, called the <a href="/game-boy-horror/3055-1266/" data-ref-id="3055-1266">Game Boy Horror</a>, to help with the job.</p><p>Despite its short length, Luigi's Mansion was received relatively well, and sold over 2.5 million copies. Due to this, Luigi's Mansion was later released as a Player's Choice title (and was one of the first title to be granted this status).</p><p>A Nintendo 3DS version of the game, developed by <a href="/grezzo/3010-6765/" data-ref-id="3010-6765">Grezzo</a>, released in 2018.</p><h2>Plot</h2><p>Luigi's Mansion takes place in a large mansion, just outside of a creepy forest. The game opens with <a href="/luigi/3005-370/" data-ref-id="3005-370">Luigi</a> exiting said forest to arrive at the mansion. Upon heading inside, Luigi encounters a bunch of ghosts and a mysterious scientist who attempts to save him with a mysterious device. Upon fleeing from the mansion, the scientist is found to be Professor E. Gadd, who lives near the mansion because he has been studying it. Explaining how he won the mansion in a contest he didn't enter, Luigi finds that his brother, <a href="/mario/3005-177/" data-ref-id="3005-177">Mario</a>, went into the mansion and hasn't come out. E. Gadd equips him with a special ghost-hunting vacuum, called the " <a href="/poltergust-3000/3055-599/" data-ref-id="3055-599">Poltergust 3000</a>", and sends him to clear the mansion of ghosts, and to rescue Mario.</p><h2>Gameplay</h2><p>Luigi's Mansion has Luigi hunting through a large mansion to save his brother, armed with a vacuum and a special Game Boy. To capture ghosts, Luigi must first make the ghost show their heart. This is accomplished by shining Luigi's flashlight on the ghost, appropriately stunning the ghost, and allowing Luigi to suck them in with the Poltergust, his vacuum.</p><h3>The Poltergust 3000</h3><figure data-align="right" data-img-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/3067/338639-a_med_03b.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-338639" data-size="small" data-ratio="0.81923076923077" data-width="260" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 260px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:81.9%" href="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/3067/338639-a_med_03b.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-338639"><img alt="Luigi Fighting a Ghost" src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/3067/338639-a_med_03b.jpg" srcset="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/3067/338639-a_med_03b.jpg 260w" sizes="(max-width: 260px) 100vw, 260px" data-width="260"></a><figcaption>Luigi Fighting a Ghost</figcaption></figure><p>The process of sucking them doesn't happen in an instant, and the ghost can fight back; Luigi has to keep pulling them in until their health hits zero, then they'll be sucked into the vacuum for all time. The ghosts can remain in the vacuum, but the 'boss ghosts' are put into portraits that go up in E. Gadd's gallery. Boss ghosts are extracted from the vacuum at the end of every area Luigi completes. The Poltergust can also be upgraded with medallions as the game goes on, allowing Luigi to shoot fire, ice, and water instead of just blowing air. This is used to complete puzzles, and can also be used as a weapon.</p><h3>The Game Boy Horror</h3><p>The special Game Boy is known as the Game Boy Horror. Luigi can use it to research items in the mansion, contact E. Gadd, navigate using its map, look at items, and even check if a Boo is in a room. The Game Boy Horror will also tell Luigi what room he has the door-key to on the map, making it easier to navigate. Additionally, if Luigi uses the Game Boy Horror to scan any of the mirrors in the mansion they will warp him back to the foyer, providing a convenient short cut when needing to save game progress with Toad.</p><h3>The Mansion</h3><figure data-align="left" data-img-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/844499-mansion.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-844499" data-size="small" data-ratio="0.75" data-width="1024" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 1024px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:75.0%" href="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/844499-mansion.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-844499"><img alt="Luigi creeps up to the mansion." src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" data-width="320" class="js-lazy-load-image" data-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/7465/844499-mansion.jpg" data-srcset="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/844499-mansion.jpg 1024w, https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_super/0/7465/844499-mansion.jpg 960w, https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_medium/0/7465/844499-mansion.jpg 480w, https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/7465/844499-mansion.jpg 320w"><noscript><img alt="Luigi creeps up to the mansion." src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/7465/844499-mansion.jpg" srcset="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/844499-mansion.jpg 1024w, https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_super/0/7465/844499-mansion.jpg 960w, https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_medium/0/7465/844499-mansion.jpg 480w, https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/7465/844499-mansion.jpg 320w" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" data-width="320"></noscript></a><figcaption>Luigi creeps up to the mansion.</figcaption></figure><p>The mansion itself is full of many surprises. It stays in the dark most of the time, unless Luigi clears a room of ghosts. Many rooms when completely cleared will also have treasure chests or keys, allowing Luigi to continue his search of the mansion. The mansion is five floors in all, including a basement and the roof, with the player starting in the foyer. Each floor has a boss to defeat, and certain objectives must be completed to reach the next floor.</p><p>Once the player has beaten the game, Luigi will use the money he's earned over the course of the game to build a new mansion in place of the old one. The size and grade of the mansion depends on how much money Luigi made over the course of the game.</p><table><thead><tr><th>Rank</th><th>Money</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Rank A</td><td>100,000,000G +</td></tr><tr><td>Rank B</td><td>70,000,001G - 99,999,999G</td></tr><tr><td>Rank C</td><td>60,000,001G - 70,000,000G</td></tr><tr><td>Rank D</td><td>50,000,001G - 60,000,000G</td></tr><tr><td>Rank E</td><td>40,000,001G - 50,000,000G</td></tr><tr><td>Rank F</td><td>20,000,001G - 40,000,000G</td></tr><tr><td>Rank G</td><td>5,000,001G - 20,000,000G</td></tr><tr><td>Rank H</td><td>5,000G - 5,000,000G</td></tr></tbody></table><h3>The Ghost Gallery</h3><figure data-align="right" data-img-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/1/12337/2301755-Vincent_Van_Gore.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2301755" data-size="small" data-ratio="1" data-width="300" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 300px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:100.0%" href="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/1/12337/2301755-Vincent_Van_Gore.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2301755"><img alt="No Caption Provided" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" data-width="300" class="js-lazy-load-image" data-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/1/12337/2301755-Vincent_Van_Gore.jpg" data-srcset="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/1/12337/2301755-Vincent_Van_Gore.jpg 300w"><noscript><img alt="No Caption Provided" src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/1/12337/2301755-Vincent_Van_Gore.jpg" srcset="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/1/12337/2301755-Vincent_Van_Gore.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" data-width="300"></noscript></a></figure><p>Professor E.Gadd has a gallery of ghost portraits in his workshop, unfortunately they all escaped when King Boo let them free. As Luigi catches the portrait ghosts they will be turned back into portraits using E.Gadd's Ghost Portrificationizer. Depending on how well Luigi captures the ghosts, the portraits will have either a bronze, silver or gold frame.</p><p>The frame is based on how much HP Luigi takes of a ghost in one go:</p><p><b>Bronze:</b> If Luigi only manages to suck up less than 50HP.</p><p><b>Silver:</b> If Luigi sucks up more than 50HP in one go.</p><p><b>Gold:</b> If Luigi can suck up 90HP or more in one go.</p><p>To determine the frame of one of the 4 boss ghosts, it is based on how much HP Luigi had left after the fight:</p><p><b>Bronze:</b> If Luigi fails to keep his health over 50HP.</p><p><b>Silver:</b> If Luigi manages to keep his health over 50HP.</p><p><b>Gold:</b> Luigi must enter the battle with 100HP and keep it over 90HP to get the gold frame.</p><h3>The Hidden Mansion</h3><p>Once the final boss is defeated, Luigi is given a rating based on how much treasure he gathered throughout the game. This only effects a small portion of the ending sequence. Also, the Hidden Mansion is unlocked. What the Hidden Mansion is depends on the player's version of the game. Bosses may be switched, the entire Mansion may have been mirrored, there may be more ghosts, or maybe even faster Boos; but, it all depends on the player's version of the game.</p>

Game Tapes Raw: Nintendo Space World 2001 GameCube B-roll (08/18/2001)

How does Japanese fashion collide with a pin that grants psychic powers? Square and Jupiter find out in The World Ends With You.

<h2>Overview</h2><p>The World Ends With You is a <a data-ref-id="3045-52" href="/nintendo-ds/3045-52/">Nintendo DS</a> game developed by <a data-ref-id="3010-566" href="/jupiter-corp/3010-566/">Jupiter</a> and <a data-ref-id="3010-6492" href="/square-enix-ltd/3010-6492/">Square Enix</a>, published by Square Enix ( <a data-ref-id="3010-82" href="/ubisoft-entertainment/3010-82/">Ubisoft</a> in Australia). The game was well-received upon its release, garnering great critical reception for its music, graphics, unique gameplay, style, and setting. The World Ends With You was a bestseller in both Japan and North America for several weeks after release. The game was released in Japan on July 26, 2007, in North America on April 22, 2008, and in Europe on April 18, 2008.</p><h2>Gameplay</h2><figure data-align="right" data-img-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/3699/499742-167408_10_2.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-499742" data-size="small" data-ratio="1.5" data-width="256" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 256px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:150.0%" href="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/3699/499742-167408_10_2.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-499742"><img alt="The game has been hailed for its complex and unique dual-screen combat." src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/3699/499742-167408_10_2.jpg" srcset="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/3699/499742-167408_10_2.jpg 256w" sizes="(max-width: 256px) 100vw, 256px" data-width="256"></a><figcaption>The game has been hailed for its complex and unique dual-screen combat.</figcaption></figure><p>The World Ends With You makes extensive use of the stylus and dual screens, splitting the action-based gameplay between the two. In combat, players fight the Noise, which exist simultaneously on both screens, and share health between the two. <a data-ref-id="3005-863" href="/neku-sakuraba/3005-863/">Neku</a>, the main character, fights on the lower screen and is controlled by the stylus; the player uses different stylus motions to execute attacks called Psychs (inflicting damage, inflicting status effects, or restoring health). Neku's partner fights on the upper screen and is controlled by the d-pad or face buttons; partner Psychs are performed by navigating a combo map, attacking to the right or left.</p><p>Partner characters also develop extra combat skills, such as jumping or dodging, which can enhance their offensive and defensive abilities. Each partner character's combo map also contains a unique minigame, allowing the player to earn Fusion Stars by choosing the correct combos in the correct sequence. With enough Stars, Neku and his partner can perform a devastating Fusion attack. Unlike Neku, partner movement is not directly controlled by the player. Battles also feature a "light puck" that is transferred between players upon the successful completion of a combo, granting the current holder a damage bonus. As in most role-playing games, The World Ends With You rewards the player with experience points at the conclusion of each successful battle; with enough experience points, Neku will level up, gaining stat boosts.</p><p>Past the fast-paced combat and basic leveling system, The World Ends With You features a collection system based around Pins. Pins are items obtained as loot drops, received through story progression, or bought in shops. Pins serve primarily as Neku's weapons. Neku can only execute Psychs granted by his equipped Pins. Some Pins do not grant Psychs, but have other functions (such as boosting the abilities of other equipped Pins). Pin abilities are quantified by their stats, which can include brand (which decide trend bonuses) offensive power, limit (the number of uses or temporal duration of use before rebooting), boot time (initial cooldown), and reboot time (cooldown). Like Neku gains experience points, Pins gain pin points (PP) through use in battle and can be leveled-up to boost their stats; some can evolve, achieving more radical growth bonuses in the process. Between three and six Pins can be equipped at a given time. The game features over 300 unique Pins and over 60 Psychs, allowing for very wide customization options.</p><figure data-align="right" data-img-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/938261-twewy.png" data-ref-id="1300-938261" data-size="small" data-ratio="1.5084033613445" data-width="238" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 238px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:150.8%" href="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/938261-twewy.png" data-ref-id="1300-938261"><img alt="Shops feature a dynamic favor system, rewarding players for their purchases." src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/938261-twewy.png" srcset="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/938261-twewy.png 238w" sizes="(max-width: 238px) 100vw, 238px" data-width="238"></a><figcaption>Shops feature a dynamic favor system, rewarding players for their purchases.</figcaption></figure><p>The World Ends With You includes an equipment system, with which the player can equip clothing (called Threads) to Neku and his partner. Threads primarily affect characters' stats, but also feature special abilities (ranging from more stat boosts to to alterations in the partner's combo map). Each Thread's ability must be discovered by winning favor from shopkeepers around Shibuya; favor is earned by spending money at the shopkeepers' stores. Each shopkeeper has a specific set of Threads about which he or she can tell Neku. Only one Thread of each type (hat, shirt, pants, etc.) and only four overall can be equipped simultaneously. Also, characters cannot equip Threads if their Bravery stat is lower than the Thread's Required Bravery stat. Bravery grows through similar means to other stats.</p><p>Though HP regenerates after each fight, food is still a feature in The World Ends With You. Food can be bought at restaurants and serves two purposes. When food is consumed, it immediately grants a temporary boost in the characters' sync rate (sync rate determines the ease with which the characters can pass the light puck). However, every food item must be fully digested before the consumer reaps its true benefit. Food digestion is measured in units called bytes; one byte passes with each successful battle, and the post-digestion effect (generally a permanent stat boost) is granted once all bytes are gone. No food can be consumed by a character while he or she has undigested bytes.</p><p>Mingle Mode is a meta-feature with which players can connect wirelessly to other DS owners, earning rewards such as bonus PP or character stats. In addition, Neku's equipped Pins will receive PP every time the game is turned on, the quantity of the PP determined by the duration of elapsed time since the last recorded play session.</p><h2>Story</h2><figure data-align="left" data-img-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/3699/499778-169768_18_2.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-499778" data-size="small" data-ratio="0.75" data-width="256" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 256px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:75.0%" href="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/3699/499778-169768_18_2.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-499778"><img alt="Neku discovers the Player Pin's abilities." src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" sizes="(max-width: 256px) 100vw, 256px" data-width="256" class="js-lazy-load-image" data-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/3699/499778-169768_18_2.jpg" data-srcset="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/3699/499778-169768_18_2.jpg 256w"><noscript><img alt="Neku discovers the Player Pin's abilities." src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/3699/499778-169768_18_2.jpg" srcset="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/3699/499778-169768_18_2.jpg 256w" sizes="(max-width: 256px) 100vw, 256px" data-width="256"></noscript></a><figcaption>Neku discovers the Player Pin's abilities.</figcaption></figure><p>The game takes place over the period of three weeks, following the quest of Neku Sakuraba, an introverted Japanese teenager, to win the Reapers' Game. The first week begins as Neku wakes up in Shibuya's scramble crossing. He is initially confused, with no recollection as to how he got there and vexation as to why he cannot be seen. He also finds an odd pin on his person, which has granted him the ability to "scan" the thoughts of other people. Soon, he meets <a data-ref-id="3005-867" href="/shiki-misaki/3005-867/">Shiki Misaki</a>, who excitedly persuades him to "forge a pact" with her.</p><p>Though Neku resents her happy-go-lucky attitude, she teaches him the nature of the Game. Neku is horrified to learn that he must remain her partner for seven days, he will die if he abandons her. On the second day, Neku and Shiki meet another Player pair: a similarly-aged boy named Beat and a younger girl named Rhyme. Later, a Harrier named Uzuki Yashiro orders Neku to erase Shiki, but the enigmatic Sanae Hanekoma steps in at the last second, reminding Uzuki of this action's illegality. Neku and Shiki converse with Hanekoma, who displays considerable knowledge of the Game, though he appears to be neither a Player nor a Reaper.</p><p>On the fourth day, Rhyme is erased by an attacking Noise. Though Beat has only seven minutes to live after the erasure of his partner, Hanekoma appears and takes him to a safe haven as Neku and Shiki fight the</p><figure data-align="right" data-img-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/9791/238750-twewy2.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-238750" data-size="small" data-ratio="1.5" data-width="638" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 638px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:150.0%" href="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/9791/238750-twewy2.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-238750"><img alt="Uzuki and Kariya, two prominent Harrier Reapers." src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" sizes="(max-width: 426px) 100vw, 426px" data-width="426" class="js-lazy-load-image" data-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/9791/238750-twewy2.jpg" data-srcset="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/9791/238750-twewy2.jpg 638w, https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/9791/238750-twewy2.jpg 426w"><noscript><img alt="Uzuki and Kariya, two prominent Harrier Reapers." src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/9791/238750-twewy2.jpg" srcset="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/9791/238750-twewy2.jpg 638w, https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/9791/238750-twewy2.jpg 426w" sizes="(max-width: 426px) 100vw, 426px" data-width="426"></noscript></a><figcaption>Uzuki and Kariya, two prominent Harrier Reapers.</figcaption></figure><p>Noise. On the fifth day, Neku and Shiki meet Yodai Higashizawa, the Game Master, who reveals the deep jealousy within Shiki. Neku learns more of Shiki's past. On the sixth day, the mission requires that Neku and Shiki spread the popularity of a red pin, similar in pattern to the Player Pin, across Shibuya. On the seventh day, Neku and Shiki race to defeat Higashizawa after Beat inexplicably runs off from Hanekoma. They do so, completing the mission and winning the Game. Neku, Shiki, and Beat (the only surviving Players) meet with Megumi Kitaniji, the Conductor.</p><p>According to him, the Composer has mandated that only one Player will be reincarnated, based on the Composer's judgment. To the shock of Neku and Shiki, Beat requests to become a Reaper. Possibly even more shocking is that Shiki is chosen over Neku for reincarnation; Neku elects to replay the Game, rather than joining Beat as a Reaper. Kitaniji returns his previous entry fee (his memories), but to Neku's horror, takes Shiki's life as his new entry fee.</p><p>Neku reawakens in the scramble crossing and resolves to win the game again, for both his and Shiki's sakes. He is somehow forced into a pact by a boy named Joshua Kiryu, whose intelligence and arrogance annoy Neku. Oddly, Neku is able to scan him; he witnesses a segment of Joshua's memories, which seem to include the circumstances surrounding Neku's death. Neku and Joshua also meet Sho Minamimoto, the math-obsessed new Game Master. On the second day, Neku scans Joshua again, raising suspicions that Joshua is, in fact, his murderer. Meanwhile, Kitaniji orders Beat to erase Neku. On the third day, Minamimoto fails to assign a mission. Neku and Joshua visit Hanekoma's cafe, WildKat. Hanekoma outfits Joshua's phone with a tracking device; he also tells Neku about Joshua, who was apparently able to see the UG in life. Joshua refuses to clearly define the tracker's target; while searching for it, Neku and Joshua are nearly erased by Beat.</p><p>On the fourth day (no mission again), the pair find Minamimoto engaged in somewhat suspicious activity. Beat attacks, but relents again, dropping Rhyme's pendant as he leaves. Neku scans Joshua once again; now sure that he was killed by</p><figure data-align="right" data-img-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/938479-realshiki.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-938479" data-size="small" data-ratio="1.1943127962085" data-width="211" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 211px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:119.4%" href="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/938479-realshiki.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-938479"><img alt="Shiki in the Realground; her true appearance was her entry fee." src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" sizes="(max-width: 211px) 100vw, 211px" data-width="211" class="js-lazy-load-image" data-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/938479-realshiki.jpg" data-srcset="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/938479-realshiki.jpg 211w"><noscript><img alt="Shiki in the Realground; her true appearance was her entry fee." src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/938479-realshiki.jpg" srcset="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/938479-realshiki.jpg 211w" sizes="(max-width: 211px) 100vw, 211px" data-width="211"></noscript></a><figcaption>Shiki in the Realground; her true appearance was her entry fee.</figcaption></figure><p>Joshua, Neku decides to bide his time, as he needs Joshua to win the Game. Meanwhile, Kariya and Uzuki find a Taboo Noise refinery sigil drawn by Minamimoto; his actions are strictly forbidden, and they report their findings to their superiors. On the fifth day, Hanekoma fixes Joshua's apparently broken tracker. Beat attacks for a third time, but backs off when Neku returns Rhyme's pendant. Neku and Joshua follow the tracker's signal to an impassable wall, and Joshua finally tells Neku of his target: the Composer. He hopes to find and erase the Composer, taking his position.</p><p>As they retreat fromt the wall, they are attacked by a Taboo Noise (a Noise that does not discriminate between Player and Reaper, and that will attack unprovoked); close to death, Joshua erases it with incredible power. Observing, Kariya concludes that Joshua is still alive, and therefore an illegal Player. On the seventh day, the pair finds Minamimoto, hoping to defeat him and win the Game. Neku remembers more of his death, leading him now to believe that Minamimoto is his true killer; the three fight. In his last seconds of life, Minamimoto erases Joshua; Neku survives as the only winner. Because Joshua was alive, Kitaniji rules Neku's victory void. However, in thanks for defeating the rebellious Minamimoto (who was trying to find and supplant the Composer), the Composer allows Neku to reenter again.</p><p>Neku reawakens. He is informed by the Reapers that he is the only Player in this Game. In addition to Shiki's life, still in limbo, the lives of all other Players were taken as his entry fee. Sympathizing with his plight, Beat defects from the Reapers and becomes Neku's new partner. Neku learns that Beat, like Joshua, wants to kill the Composer. On the second day, Kitaniji announces an Emergency Call in the wake of Beat's betrayal; this protocol calls for direct Reaper hostility toward Players, as well as the use of special O-pins (the same pins promoted by Neku and Shiki in the first Game).</p><p>The third week again begins the same way. For the third week, Neku awakes in the scramble crossing. He quickly realizes that he is the only Player this game, as the other Players are decided to be his entry fee. Beat becomes a Player again (his only motivation for becoming a Reaper was to try and bring back Rhyme). The Game Master for the final week is Mitsuki Konishi, who was previously Kitaniji's assistant. Somebody has also been creating Taboo Noise, and it is revealed to be a resurrected Sho Minamimoto. When Neku and Beat finally make it to the Composer's room (with Shiki in tow), Joshua runs in, revealing himself to be the Composer. He says that all Games are actually a test about whether or not humanity should be allowed to continue to exist. Joshua decides, however, to let Shibuya continue to exist. The game ends with a reunion of Neku, Shiki, Beat, and Rhyme in the Realground.</p><h3>Secret Reports</h3><p>The Secret Reports are reports about each day written by Sanae Hanekoma, the Producer. They help fill in plot holes, as well as explain more about the world of the game, and the nature of the Reapers' Game. They are only available upon beating the game, and then completing certain requirements in each specific day (such as defeating certain Noise, collecting a special item, or defeating a boss Noise on a harder difficulty).</p><h2>Characters</h2><h3>Neku Sakuraba</h3><figure data-align="left" data-img-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/938886-neku.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-938886" data-size="small" data-ratio="1.1625" data-width="800" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 800px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:116.3%" href="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/938886-neku.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-938886"><img alt="Neku Sakuraba" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" sizes="(max-width: 550px) 100vw, 550px" data-width="550" class="js-lazy-load-image" data-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/7465/938886-neku.jpg" data-srcset="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/938886-neku.jpg 800w, https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/7465/938886-neku.jpg 550w"><noscript><img alt="Neku Sakuraba" src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/7465/938886-neku.jpg" srcset="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/938886-neku.jpg 800w, https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/7465/938886-neku.jpg 550w" sizes="(max-width: 550px) 100vw, 550px" data-width="550"></noscript></a><figcaption>Neku Sakuraba</figcaption></figure><p>Neku is an unsociable fifteen year old who happens to be the main protagonist of the World Ends With You. He is a huge fan of graffiti artist CAT, whose work is all around Shibuya. He is mainly antisocial, claiming that he doesn't "get people", and wears headphones (he is referred to by Beat and Mr. H as "'phones"), which he puts on in the beginning of the game. Neku is one of the most skilled users of psychs in the game, as Shiki notes several times. Despite having a hard time forging lasting relationships, throughout the game he forms great friendships with Shiki, Joshua, Beat, Rhyme, and even Mr. H.</p><h3>Shiki Misaki</h3><figure data-align="left" data-img-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/938887-twewy_shiki_misaki2.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-938887" data-size="small" data-ratio="2.2" data-width="500" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 500px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:220.0%" href="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/938887-twewy_shiki_misaki2.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-938887"><img alt="Shiki Misaki, Neku's first partner" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" sizes="(max-width: 290px) 100vw, 290px" data-width="290" class="js-lazy-load-image" data-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/7465/938887-twewy_shiki_misaki2.jpg" data-srcset="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/938887-twewy_shiki_misaki2.jpg 500w, https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_medium/0/7465/938887-twewy_shiki_misaki2.jpg 436w, https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/7465/938887-twewy_shiki_misaki2.jpg 290w"><noscript><img alt="Shiki Misaki, Neku's first partner" src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/7465/938887-twewy_shiki_misaki2.jpg" srcset="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/938887-twewy_shiki_misaki2.jpg 500w, https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_medium/0/7465/938887-twewy_shiki_misaki2.jpg 436w, https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/7465/938887-twewy_shiki_misaki2.jpg 290w" sizes="(max-width: 290px) 100vw, 290px" data-width="290"></noscript></a><figcaption>Shiki Misaki, Neku's first partner</figcaption></figure><p>Shiki loves clothing, trends, and anything else fashionable. She is fifteen, but she still carries around a stuffed animal. Mr. Mew is what she attacks the Noise with; she sewed him when she was younger, and it sparked her love for sewing. It was also her first meeting with her best friend Eri, who she is most jealous of. Because of this, her appearance is her entry fee; she takes on Eri's appearance in the game. Shiki grows close to Neku during the game, becoming his entry fee about halfway in the game and then disappearing for just about the rest.</p><h3>Yoshiya "Joshua" Kiryu</h3><figure data-align="left" data-img-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/938888-joshua.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-938888" data-size="small" data-ratio="1.0843373493976" data-width="830" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 830px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:108.4%" href="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/938888-joshua.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-938888"><img alt="Yoshiya "Joshua" Kiryu, Neku's second partner" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" sizes="(max-width: 590px) 100vw, 590px" data-width="590" class="js-lazy-load-image" data-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/7465/938888-joshua.jpg" data-srcset="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/938888-joshua.jpg 830w, https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/7465/938888-joshua.jpg 590w"><noscript><img alt="Yoshiya "></noscript></a><figcaption>Yoshiya "Joshua" Kiryu, Neku's second partner</figcaption></figure><p>Joshua is an incredibly intelligent fifteen year old who is obviously much older than he appears to be. He knows much about the Reapers' Game, and is close friends with Mr. H. He reveals that he can exist in both the Realground and the Underground simultaneously, thus being an illegal Player. He causes Neku quite a bit of trouble because of this, forcing him to play for a third time because of "cheating." Joshua saves Neku from sure death by jumping in the way of one of Minamimoto's attacks, but later returns and reveals his identity as the Composer.</p><h3>Daisukenojo "Beat" Bito</h3><figure data-align="left" data-img-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/938889-twewy_beat2.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-938889" data-size="small" data-ratio="1.8333333333333" data-width="600" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 600px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:183.3%" href="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/938889-twewy_beat2.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-938889"><img alt="Daisukenojo "Beat" Bito, Neku's third partner" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" sizes="(max-width: 349px) 100vw, 349px" data-width="349" class="js-lazy-load-image" data-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/7465/938889-twewy_beat2.jpg" data-srcset="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/938889-twewy_beat2.jpg 600w, https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_medium/0/7465/938889-twewy_beat2.jpg 523w, https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/7465/938889-twewy_beat2.jpg 349w"><noscript><img alt="Daisukenojo "></noscript></a><figcaption>Daisukenojo "Beat" Bito, Neku's third partner</figcaption></figure><p>Beat acts tough, but he is actually kindhearted; especially towards his younger sister, Rhyme. He is a hotheaded, quick-tempered fifteen year old who isn't quite intellectually there. After the first week (and the death of Rhyme), he volunteers to become a Reaper. His motivations are eventually revealed; he became a Reaper to try and revive Rhyme, but only succeeded in turning her into a Noise. He then becomes a Player to assist Neku, and to achieve the goal of defeating the current Composer, thus becoming a Composer himself (and hopefully gaining enough power to resurrect Rhyme).</p><h3>Raimu "Rhyme" Bito</h3><figure data-align="left" data-img-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/938890-twewy_rhyme1.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-938890" data-size="small" data-ratio="2" data-width="500" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 500px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:200.0%" href="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/938890-twewy_rhyme1.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-938890"><img alt="Raimu "Rhyme" Bito" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" data-width="320" class="js-lazy-load-image" data-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/7465/938890-twewy_rhyme1.jpg" data-srcset="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/938890-twewy_rhyme1.jpg 500w, https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_medium/0/7465/938890-twewy_rhyme1.jpg 480w, https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/7465/938890-twewy_rhyme1.jpg 320w"><noscript><img alt="Raimu "></noscript></a><figcaption>Raimu "Rhyme" Bito</figcaption></figure><p>Rhyme's age is unsure, but is probably somewhere around twelve to fourteen. Rhyme is a sweet young girl--Beat's younger sister--although all of her memories of Beat was Beat's entry fee, so she has no recollection of him. She is very intelligent for her age, and good at calming down and explaining things to Beat. She is erased during the first week. However, since Beat technically wins during the third week, she--and her memories of Beat--are returned, and she is seen alive at the end of the game. One of Mr. H's reports stated that since she lost the game, she cannot have her entry fee returned, which is her dreams and ambitions.</p><h3>Uzuki Yashiro</h3><figure data-align="left" data-img-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/938892-uzuki.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-938892" data-size="small" data-ratio="0.85" data-width="360" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 360px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:85.0%" href="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/938892-uzuki.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-938892"><img alt="Uzuki Yashiro" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" data-width="320" class="js-lazy-load-image" data-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/7465/938892-uzuki.jpg" data-srcset="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/938892-uzuki.jpg 360w, https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/7465/938892-uzuki.jpg 320w"><noscript><img alt="Uzuki Yashiro" src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/7465/938892-uzuki.jpg" srcset="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/938892-uzuki.jpg 360w, https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/7465/938892-uzuki.jpg 320w" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" data-width="320"></noscript></a><figcaption>Uzuki Yashiro</figcaption></figure><p>Uzuki is a recurring Harrier Reaper. She is always hanging around Koki Kariya. Uzuki is seventeen years old. She is quick to anger, arrogant, and powerful. In the beginning of the game, she tried to convince Neku to shoot Shiki (promising that he would "win the Game"), but Mr. H showed up just in time as a rulekeeper. She is very obsessed with her job as a Reaper, always trying for a promotion (but never getting one).</p><h3>Koki Kariya</h3><figure data-align="left" data-img-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/938893-kariya.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-938893" data-size="small" data-ratio="0.89066666666667" data-width="375" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 375px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:89.1%" href="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/938893-kariya.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-938893"><img alt="Koki Kariya" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" data-width="320" class="js-lazy-load-image" data-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/7465/938893-kariya.jpg" data-srcset="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/938893-kariya.jpg 375w, https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/7465/938893-kariya.jpg 320w"><noscript><img alt="Koki Kariya" src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/7465/938893-kariya.jpg" srcset="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/938893-kariya.jpg 375w, https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/7465/938893-kariya.jpg 320w" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" data-width="320"></noscript></a><figcaption>Koki Kariya</figcaption></figure><p>Kariya is another recurring Harrier Reaper. Kariya is a more laid-back Reaper; the counterpart of Uzuki. This nineteen year old is said to be incredibly powerful, but he doesn't show this great power until a couple weeks into the Game. He takes a much more playful approach to his job as a Reaper, often playing games with Uzuki for "a bowl of ramen." He is almost always seen with a lollipop, and is called "Lollipop" by Neku and Beat. Several of his statements in the game could indicate that he has been participating in the Game for a long time.</p><h3>Yodai Higashizawa</h3><figure data-align="left" data-img-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/938894-higashizawa.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-938894" data-size="small" data-ratio="0.79353233830846" data-width="402" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 402px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:79.4%" href="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/938894-higashizawa.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-938894"><img alt="Yodai Higashizawa, the first Game Master" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" data-width="320" class="js-lazy-load-image" data-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/7465/938894-higashizawa.jpg" data-srcset="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/938894-higashizawa.jpg 402w, https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/7465/938894-higashizawa.jpg 320w"><noscript><img alt="Yodai Higashizawa, the first Game Master" src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/7465/938894-higashizawa.jpg" srcset="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/938894-higashizawa.jpg 402w, https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/7465/938894-higashizawa.jpg 320w" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" data-width="320"></noscript></a><figcaption>Yodai Higashizawa, the first Game Master</figcaption></figure><p>Higashizawa is the Game Master during the first week of the World Ends With You. He refers to Players with references to food, and even taunts with things such as, "Time for a taste test," or "I'll mince you!" Notable things about him are the fact that he is the only high ranking Reaper to have visible wings and the fact that he congratulates Neku and Shiki for erasing him. His noise form is Ovis Cantus.</p><h3>Sho Minamimoto</h3><figure data-align="left" data-img-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/938895-minamimoto.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-938895" data-size="small" data-ratio="1.94" data-width="500" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 500px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:194.0%" href="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/938895-minamimoto.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-938895"><img alt="Sho Minamimoto, the second Game Master" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" sizes="(max-width: 329px) 100vw, 329px" data-width="329" class="js-lazy-load-image" data-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/7465/938895-minamimoto.jpg" data-srcset="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/938895-minamimoto.jpg 500w, https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_medium/0/7465/938895-minamimoto.jpg 494w, https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/7465/938895-minamimoto.jpg 329w"><noscript><img alt="Sho Minamimoto, the second Game Master" src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/7465/938895-minamimoto.jpg" srcset="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/938895-minamimoto.jpg 500w, https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_medium/0/7465/938895-minamimoto.jpg 494w, https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/7465/938895-minamimoto.jpg 329w" sizes="(max-width: 329px) 100vw, 329px" data-width="329"></noscript></a><figcaption>Sho Minamimoto, the second Game Master</figcaption></figure><p>Minamimoto is a math-obsessed Game Master (in fact, the youngest Game Master to ever be in the Game). He uses high-level mathematical equations and references to taunt the Players, and any other opponents. For example, he uses the term "yoctogram," "hectopascals," "stupid 000s," or the first 156 digits of pi. During the second week, he begins creating Taboo Noise (which can attack Reapers as well). Later, when Neku and Joshua manage to erase him, he turns himself into Taboo Noise (but is later defeated easily by the Composer). He is often referred to as "Pi-face" by Neku and Beat. His noise form is Leo Cantus.</p><h3>Mitsuki Konishi</h3><figure data-align="left" data-img-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/939037-konishi.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-939037" data-size="small" data-ratio="2.1111111111111" data-width="450" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 450px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:211.1%" href="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/939037-konishi.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-939037"><img alt="Mitsuki Konishi, the third Game Master" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" sizes="(max-width: 303px) 100vw, 303px" data-width="303" class="js-lazy-load-image" data-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/7465/939037-konishi.jpg" data-srcset="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/939037-konishi.jpg 450w, https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/7465/939037-konishi.jpg 303w"><noscript><img alt="Mitsuki Konishi, the third Game Master" src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/7465/939037-konishi.jpg" srcset="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/939037-konishi.jpg 450w, https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/7465/939037-konishi.jpg 303w" sizes="(max-width: 303px) 100vw, 303px" data-width="303"></noscript></a><figcaption>Mitsuki Konishi, the third Game Master</figcaption></figure><p>Konishi is the Game Master during the third week of the Game. She is crafty and scheming, although at first she appears to be incredibly loyal to the Conductor and the Composer. In reality, she wants to be Composer herself. She is manipulative of her Harrier Reapers, promising them things to trick them into doing certain things. Her Noise form is Tigris Cantus.</p><h3>Megumi Kitaniji</h3><figure data-align="left" data-img-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/939038-kitaniji.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-939038" data-size="small" data-ratio="1.8" data-width="500" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 500px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:180.0%" href="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/939038-kitaniji.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-939038"><img alt="Megumi Kitaniji, the Conductor" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" sizes="(max-width: 355px) 100vw, 355px" data-width="355" class="js-lazy-load-image" data-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/7465/939038-kitaniji.jpg" data-srcset="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/939038-kitaniji.jpg 500w, https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/7465/939038-kitaniji.jpg 355w"><noscript><img alt="Megumi Kitaniji, the Conductor" src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/7465/939038-kitaniji.jpg" srcset="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/939038-kitaniji.jpg 500w, https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/7465/939038-kitaniji.jpg 355w" sizes="(max-width: 355px) 100vw, 355px" data-width="355"></noscript></a><figcaption>Megumi Kitaniji, the Conductor</figcaption></figure><p>Kitaniji is the Conductor, and even a Player himself. The Game Masters (Yodai Higashizawa, Sho Minamimoto, and Mitsuki Konish) all report directly to him. The Composer is absent during the period of three weeks in the game, so he is the supreme authority. Later, it is revealed that Kitaniji is actually a Player, playing for the fate of Shibuya. His Noise forms are Anguis Cantus and Draco Cantus.</p><h3>Sanae Hanekoma</h3><figure data-align="left" data-img-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/939039-twewy_sanae_hanekoma1.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-939039" data-size="small" data-ratio="2" data-width="500" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 500px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:200.0%" href="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/939039-twewy_sanae_hanekoma1.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-939039"><img alt="Sanae Hanekoma, the Producer" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" data-width="320" class="js-lazy-load-image" data-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/7465/939039-twewy_sanae_hanekoma1.jpg" data-srcset="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/939039-twewy_sanae_hanekoma1.jpg 500w, https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_medium/0/7465/939039-twewy_sanae_hanekoma1.jpg 480w, https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/7465/939039-twewy_sanae_hanekoma1.jpg 320w"><noscript><img alt="Sanae Hanekoma, the Producer" src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/7465/939039-twewy_sanae_hanekoma1.jpg" srcset="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/939039-twewy_sanae_hanekoma1.jpg 500w, https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_medium/0/7465/939039-twewy_sanae_hanekoma1.jpg 480w, https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/7465/939039-twewy_sanae_hanekoma1.jpg 320w" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" data-width="320"></noscript></a><figcaption>Sanae Hanekoma, the Producer</figcaption></figure><p>Hanekoma, lovingly referred to as Mr. H is a café owner, CAT, and the Producer all in one. He is a rule-keeper of sorts; the Producer watches the Game, and can interact with Players and Reapers. He is also famed graffiti artist, CAT, whom Neku is a large fan of. He owns the coffee shop WildKat, and constantly offers Neku a cup of coffee; for a fee. Mr. H also shows up on Another Day in the Noise form Panthera Cantus.</p><h2>Development</h2><p>Jupiter (developer of <a data-ref-id="3030-16706" href="/kingdom-hearts-chain-of-memories/3030-16706/">Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories</a>, from which The World Ends With You derives several core concepts) assisted the development team at Square Enix that created the original <a data-ref-id="3025-414" href="/kingdom-hearts/3025-414/">Kingdom Hearts</a> games. Development began about two and a half years before its initial release; during the development of <a data-ref-id="3030-4763" href="/kingdom-hearts-ii/3030-4763/">Kingdom Hearts II</a>, and slightly before the release of the Nintendo DS. Square Enix had been pushing the team to create a handheld specific title. The team consisted of people such as <a data-ref-id="3040-16557" href="/tatsuya-kando/3040-16557/">Tatsuya Kando</a> (director), <a data-ref-id="3040-16707" href="/tomohiro-hasegawa/3040-16707/">Tomohiro Hasegawa</a> (co-director), <a data-ref-id="3040-16710" href="/takeshi-arakawa/3040-16710/">Takeshi Arakawa</a> (planning director), and <a data-ref-id="3040-637" href="/tetsuya-nomura/3040-637/">Tetsuya Nomura</a> (character design). The team tossed around ideas relating to dual-screen gameplay (as the team had been able to try out the DS during the Touch DS event in 2004), resulting in the conceptualization of the game's battle system.</p><p>The Japanese title, "It's a Wonderful World", could not be used overseas due to issues with the copyright, so it was released as The World Ends With You in North America and Europe. The game was announced on September 13, 2006, shown at the Tokyo Game Show 2006, announced for European release on December 5, 2007, and then announced for North American release several days later on December 17, 2007. For the Japanese release of the game, a special Gloss Sliver edition of the DS Lite was created, with the game's iconic Reaper emblem imprinted on the casing. A manga of the game's plot was also released by Shiro Amano, which lasted two issues. The manga was released online in North America.</p><h2>Setting</h2><figure data-align="left" data-img-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/938885-800px_shibuya_tokyo.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-938885" data-size="small" data-ratio="0.75" data-width="800" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 800px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:75.0%" href="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/938885-800px_shibuya_tokyo.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-938885"><img alt="The development team, wanting to base the game in a real-life location, decided on Shibuya." src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" data-width="320" class="js-lazy-load-image" data-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/7465/938885-800px_shibuya_tokyo.jpg" data-srcset="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/938885-800px_shibuya_tokyo.jpg 800w, https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_medium/0/7465/938885-800px_shibuya_tokyo.jpg 480w, https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/7465/938885-800px_shibuya_tokyo.jpg 320w"><noscript><img alt="The development team, wanting to base the game in a real-life location, decided on Shibuya." src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/7465/938885-800px_shibuya_tokyo.jpg" srcset="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/938885-800px_shibuya_tokyo.jpg 800w, https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_medium/0/7465/938885-800px_shibuya_tokyo.jpg 480w, https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/7465/938885-800px_shibuya_tokyo.jpg 320w" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" data-width="320"></noscript></a><figcaption>The development team, wanting to base the game in a real-life location, decided on Shibuya.</figcaption></figure><p>The setting of the World Ends With You is one of the most unique aspects of the game. The entire game takes place in the <a data-ref-id="3035-500" href="/shibuya/3035-500/">Shibuya</a> district of Tokyo, Japan. In the game, Shibuya exists on two planes; the Realground (RG) and the Underground (UG). The Realground is where all of real life takes place; normal people wander Shibuya and go about their lives. The Underground is where the Reapers' Game, a core event in the fiction of the game, takes place.</p><p>Several aspects of the game are derived from parts of Shibuya culture and lifestyle. For example, missions for each day are presented via a short text message. All menus are also controlled accessed through Neku's cellphone. Clothing and fashion trends also play a significant role in the game. The music of the game also complements the Japanese setting; the soundtrack is largely comprised of fast-paced J-pop and upbeat hip hop.</p><p><b>Reapers' Game</b></p><figure data-align="right" data-img-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/938260-the_world_ends_with_you_shibuya_neku_closeup.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-938260" data-size="small" data-ratio="1.5" data-width="256" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 256px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:150.0%" href="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/938260-the_world_ends_with_you_shibuya_neku_closeup.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-938260"><img alt="Neku awakens on the first day in the heart of Shibuya." src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" sizes="(max-width: 256px) 100vw, 256px" data-width="256" class="js-lazy-load-image" data-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/938260-the_world_ends_with_you_shibuya_neku_closeup.jpg" data-srcset="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/938260-the_world_ends_with_you_shibuya_neku_closeup.jpg 256w"><noscript><img alt="Neku awakens on the first day in the heart of Shibuya." src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/938260-the_world_ends_with_you_shibuya_neku_closeup.jpg" srcset="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/938260-the_world_ends_with_you_shibuya_neku_closeup.jpg 256w" sizes="(max-width: 256px) 100vw, 256px" data-width="256"></noscript></a><figcaption>Neku awakens on the first day in the heart of Shibuya.</figcaption></figure><p>The Reapers' Game is a week-long game that takes place in the Underground of an area (Shibuya is one of several settings of the Game). Players participate by completing daily missions, generally within given time limits. The Players are recently deceased residents of the Realground; they are unknowingly chosen to participate after their deaths, and cannot be seen by those in the Realground (save certain store clerks). A Player's entry fee, forcibly taken by the Reapers, is his most prized possession, be it physical, emotional, or spiritual. Victory in the Game results in a second chance at life (and the return of the entry fee), while failure results in erasure, the loss of the right to exist. In addition to completing the daily tasks, Players must deal with Noise, hostile creatures that can be dispatched by the Reapers as obstacles.</p><p>The Reapers' Game is directed by the eponymous Reapers, a mysterious, multi-tiered organization. Common Support Reapers can deny access to certain areas with walls, forcing Players to fulfill lesser tasks (defeating Noise, finding certain items, etc.) before granting them passage. Stronger Harrier Reapers can create Noise to attack the Players, but are not permitted to attack the Players directly until the Game's final day. The Conductor is the leader of the Reapers, but before each Game, he appoints a Game Master from the ranks of the Harrier Reapers. This Game Master possesses direct (but temporary) leadership for the duration of the Game, choosing missions and directing his subordinates, while the Conductor generally takes a hands-off approach.</p><p>Outranking the Conductor, however, is the Composer, a god-like entity who rules the Underground, setting rules for the Reapers' Game and judging any surviving Players at its end. The Composer can be supplanted by a Player or Reaper, should he or she be defeated by said person. Angels, powerful denizens of a higher plane, observe the Game's progression, appointing one of their own as the Producer. This person is neither Player nor Reaper, but is tasked with regulating the Game and preventing rule-breaking. The Producer's power rivals or surpasses that of the Composer, the only non-angel who is aware of the Producer's existence and identity.</p><h2>iOS Port</h2><figure data-align="right" data-img-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/3/31089/2302252-imglarge04.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2302252" data-size="small" data-ratio="0.66666666666667" data-width="750" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 750px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:66.7%" href="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/3/31089/2302252-imglarge04.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2302252"><img alt="Screen from the iOS version of The World Ends With You" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" data-width="320" class="js-lazy-load-image" data-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/3/31089/2302252-imglarge04.jpg" data-srcset="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/3/31089/2302252-imglarge04.jpg 750w, https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_medium/3/31089/2302252-imglarge04.jpg 480w, https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/3/31089/2302252-imglarge04.jpg 320w"><noscript><img alt="Screen from the iOS version of The World Ends With You" src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/3/31089/2302252-imglarge04.jpg" srcset="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/3/31089/2302252-imglarge04.jpg 750w, https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_medium/3/31089/2302252-imglarge04.jpg 480w, https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/3/31089/2302252-imglarge04.jpg 320w" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" data-width="320"></noscript></a><figcaption>Screen from the iOS version of The World Ends With You</figcaption></figure><p>On August 26, 2012, Square Enix announced an iPhone/iPad port of the game, entitled <i>The World Ends With You: Solo Remix</i>. The iOS version does away with the two screen format of the DS, and tweaks the battle system so that both Neku and his partner are on the same screen. The game feature's higher-res artwork and re-drawn sprites to take advantage of Apple's retina display.</p><p>In the music department, <i>Solo Remix</i> adds back in a handful of tracks which were Japan-only in the DS version, as well a few new remixes of old tunes. Also included are a Tin-Pin Slammer wireless battle mode, and twitter integration into the thought bubbles of the denizens of Shibuya.</p><h4>Potential Sequel</h4><figure data-align="right" data-img-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/3/31089/2308108-2306567_ocjx9.jpg.png" data-ref-id="1300-2308108" data-size="small" data-ratio="0.66666666666667" data-width="960" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 960px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:66.7%" href="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/3/31089/2308108-2306567_ocjx9.jpg.png" data-ref-id="1300-2308108"><img alt="No Caption Provided" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" data-width="320" class="js-lazy-load-image" data-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/3/31089/2308108-2306567_ocjx9.jpg.png" data-srcset="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/3/31089/2308108-2306567_ocjx9.jpg.png 960w, https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_medium/3/31089/2308108-2306567_ocjx9.jpg.png 480w, https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/3/31089/2308108-2306567_ocjx9.jpg.png 320w"><noscript><img alt="No Caption Provided" src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/3/31089/2308108-2306567_ocjx9.jpg.png" srcset="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/3/31089/2308108-2306567_ocjx9.jpg.png 960w, https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_medium/3/31089/2308108-2306567_ocjx9.jpg.png 480w, https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/3/31089/2308108-2306567_ocjx9.jpg.png 320w" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" data-width="320"></noscript></a></figure><p>The 'secret' ending in the iOS release includes a still image which suggests a possible sequel. It features a new character; a young girl wearing headphones and carrying a stuffed animal which looks like Shiki's trusted cat/pig companion 'Mr. Mew'. Behind the girl is the familiar 104 building and a screen which displays the words 'New 7 Days'.</p><h2>The World Ends With You Original Soundtrack</h2><figure data-align="right" data-img-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/938623-1030_448727_small.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-938623" data-size="small" data-ratio="1" data-width="200" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 200px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:100.0%" href="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/938623-1030_448727_small.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-938623"><img alt="The World Ends With You Original Soundtrack" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" sizes="(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px" data-width="200" class="js-lazy-load-image" data-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/938623-1030_448727_small.jpg" data-srcset="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/938623-1030_448727_small.jpg 200w"><noscript><img alt="The World Ends With You Original Soundtrack" src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/938623-1030_448727_small.jpg" srcset="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/938623-1030_448727_small.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px" data-width="200"></noscript></a><figcaption>The World Ends With You Original Soundtrack</figcaption></figure><ol><li>It's So Wonderful (1:39)</li><li>Twister (1:17)</li><li>Underground (0:49)</li><li>Long Dream (3:12)</li><li>Calling (3:25)</li><li>Despair (0:27)</li><li>Hybrid (3:04)</li><li>Fighting For Freedom (2:06)</li><li>オーパーツ / Ooparts (3:34)</li><li>Forebode (0:28)</li><li>Give Me All Your Love (4:21)</li><li>サムデイ / Someday (3:40)</li><li>Satisfy (4:01)</li><li>Someday (3:39)</li><li>ツイスター / Twister (3:38)</li><li>Let's Get Together (0:17)</li><li>Slash and Slash / Slam Brothers (1:03)</li><li>Amnesia (0:49)</li><li>Rush Hour (0:34)</li><li>imprinting (1:07)</li><li>オワリハジマリ / Owari-Hajimari (2:17)</li><li>psychedelic (2:24)</li><li>Game Over (2:50)</li><li>Dancer In The Street (0:34)</li><li>ハイブリッド / Hybrid (3:05)</li><li>Detonation (2:33)</li><li>Black Market (0:33)</li><li>Junk Garage (1:27)</li><li>It Is Fashionable (0:34)</li><li>Noisy Noise (2:14)</li><li>Economical Shoppers (0:28)</li><li>Shibuya (2:08)</li><li>Make or Break (4:08)</li><li>Twister-Remix (4:32)</li><li>Secret Track (3:03)</li></ol><h3>Subarashiki Kono Sekai The World Ends with You (Remix Album)</h3><figure data-align="right" data-img-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/938622-970_97382_small.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-938622" data-size="small" data-ratio="0.985" data-width="200" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 200px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:98.5%" href="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/938622-970_97382_small.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-938622"><img alt="Remix Album" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" sizes="(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px" data-width="200" class="js-lazy-load-image" data-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/938622-970_97382_small.jpg" data-srcset="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/938622-970_97382_small.jpg 200w"><noscript><img alt="Remix Album" src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/938622-970_97382_small.jpg" srcset="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/938622-970_97382_small.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px" data-width="200"></noscript></a><figcaption>Remix Album</figcaption></figure><ol><li>Twister -Original ver- (2:12)</li><li>Calling -1960s- (4:02)</li><li>Give Me All Your Love -All my love- (4:17)</li><li>Long Dream -1980s- (3:36)</li><li>Someday -Unplugged- (4:35)</li><li>Make or Break -Black box- (4:09)</li><li>Game Over -Busy Dizzy and Lazy- (2:52)</li><li>Ooparts -Give me a chance- (3:57)</li><li>Hybrid -New born- (4:07)</li><li>Twister -That Power is Yet Unknown- (3:54)</li><li>Déjà vu (4:08)</li><li>Transformation (3:24)</li><li>Three Minutes Clapping (3:14)</li><li>Twister-Gang-Mix (3:33)</li><li>The One Star (3:28)</li><li>OWARI-HAJIMARI (2:26)</li><li>Three Minutes Clapping -Live- (3:20)</li><li>Transformation -Transformed- (3:44)</li><li>Déjà vu -Discoteque- (4:50)</li></ol>