New RPGs for the Wii

Since the release of the Nintendo Wii, the smattering of RPG entrees has turned into an after-the-wedding selection of hors d'oeuvres. This year, however, Nintendo may just redeem itself. At least two new RPGs (that I was able to read published reviews about) are set to release sometime this year. Arc Rise Fantasia, developed by relatively unknown-in-America Image Epoch. The other is Muramasa:The Demon Blade, developed by Vanillaware.

Arc Rise Fantasia has the standard save the world rpg plot, but adds enough of its own details to make it unique. Monsters invade the land, causing turmoil and strife throughout the land. The player must journey throughout their world and set things right again. The game won't incorporate the Wii's motion controls that I know of, utilizing the classic controller instead. I predict that the game will allow you to play with the GameCube controller if you choose as well. The battle system is traditional turn-based, but with a twist. Instead of each player having their own mp, ap, or other points to draw from, using an ability takes point from a community point pool. Because of this, strategy and planning will be important. Depending on strategy, the player could either have everyone attack, or have one player do a super attack. But what happens if the enemy attacks and there are no points to heal the characters? .........game over? Maybe. Not enough details have been released about the game to know for sure. Curious about Arc Rise Fantasia? Check out IGN for screen shots and other reviews. The game has a rather nebulous release date of summer in the states, so keep your fingers crossed Wii RPG fans!

Muramasa: The Demon Blade has my slavish devotion and it's not even released yet. Vanillaware was responsible for Odin Sphere, a game on the PS2 that garnered major approval points across the board, and Muramasa looks set to do the same. The 2-D visuals are gorgeous and colorful. The action will likely be simple, perhaps a little like Valkryie Profile on the original playstation. However, I did read a review in GameInformer that said weapons could break against certain bosses, so that could add a difficult twist.
The basic story is the current shogun of Japan in the Genroku era wants to use objects called the Demon Blades for his own power. By doing so, he unleashes evil into the land. Demons and dragons run amok, wrecking bath houses and the like....sorry, that's my imagination running rampant. You can choose to play as a male or female character, each with their own special abilities and attacks probably. The different levels and areas of the game each have their individual look, so gameplay wouldn't get boring. Again, IGN has a great outline of the game, so check them out for more details!