Software:Mystic Chronicles

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Short description: 2012 video game
Mystic Chronicles
Mystic Chronicles English PSP PS Vita.png
Artwork for the English-language PSP/PS Vita release
Developer(s)Kemco
Publisher(s)Natsume Inc.
Platform(s)PlayStation Portable, iOS
ReleasePSP
  • JP: September 4, 2012
  • NA: July 16, 2013[1]
  • EU: January 29, 2014
PS VITA
  • NA: August 6, 2013
iOS
  • NA: January 19, 2012
Genre(s)Role-playing video game
Mode(s)Single player

Mystic Chronicles is a Japanese role-playing video game developed by Kemco. While initially released as Fantasy Chronicles for the iOS, the name was retitled as a result of Natsume Inc. providing a new English translation for its release on the PlayStation Portable, released in North America on July 16, 2013.[1]

Gameplay

The game plays as a traditional Japanese role-playing video game. In the game, the player navigates a character through a fantasy world, interacting with non-playable characters and fighting enemies. When engaging enemies, the game utilizes a turn based battle system reminiscent of ones found in the Dragon Quest series of games.[2]

Story

The game stars a boy named Lux, who wishes to protect the village he grew up in, from external threats.[3]

Development

Developer Kemco, while a prevalent maker of video games during the NES era of video games, eventually ceased releasing video games in North America as technology and graphics advanced.[4] In the 2010s, however, they changed their focus to release smaller, retro based games for mobile phones.[4]

The game was originally released as Fantasy Chronicles for iOS.[5] The game was eventually ported to the PlayStation Portable.[6] In February 2013, Natsume Inc. announced they would be releasing the game under a new title, Mystic Chronicles, with a new translation,[5] distancing it from its original release, which was criticized for its translation.[4] The PSP release will also contain an additional storyline.[7]

The game is updated to be compatible with the PlayStation Vita on August 6, 2013.[8]

Reception

Touch Arcade gave the game a 3.5 out of 5 rating, praising the classic gameplay features such as the battle system and crafting, but criticizing the game for being tedious after extended play time, and for its poor English translation,[9] something Natsume Inc. would later address with its complete re-translation with its PSP release.[7]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 GamesPress.com. July 2, 2013. (2013-07-02). "MYSTIC CHRONICLES™ HEADED TO PSP AND PS VITA". Gamasutra. http://www.gamasutra.com/view/pressreleases/195482/MYSTIC_CHRONICLEStrade_HEADED_TO_PSP_AND_PS_VITA.php. Retrieved 2013-07-02. 
  2. "News Bulletin - Natsume Brings Over Mystic Chronicles". RPGamer. 2013-02-22. http://www.rpgamer.com/news/Q1-2013/022213a.html. Retrieved 2013-03-01. 
  3. "RPGFan News - Natsume Brings Mystic Chronicles To North America". Rpgfan.com. http://www.rpgfan.com/news/2013/1106.html. Retrieved 2013-03-01. 
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 Spencer . March 20, 2012 . 1:48am (2012-03-20). "Kemco Keeps 16-Bit JRPGs Alive With Games Like Fantasy Chronicle". Siliconera. http://www.siliconera.com/2012/03/20/kemco-keeps-16-bit-jrpgs-alive-with-games-like-fantasy-chronicle/. Retrieved 2013-03-01. 
  5. 5.0 5.1 Spencer . February 18, 2013 . 1:32pm (2013-02-18). "Natsume Localizing Retro RPG Mystic Chronicles For PSP". Siliconera. http://www.siliconera.com/2013/02/18/natsume-localizing-retro-rpg-mystic-chronicles-for-psp/. Retrieved 2013-03-01. 
  6. Spencer . July 27, 2012 . 6:53pm (2012-07-27). "Fantasy Chronicle Might Be The Cheapest PSP RPG To Date". Siliconera. http://www.siliconera.com/2012/07/27/fantasy-chronicle-might-be-the-cheapest-psp-rpg-to-date/. Retrieved 2013-03-01. 
  7. 7.0 7.1 "Natsume transforms Fantasy Chronicle into Mystic Chronicles | GamerTell". Technologytell.com. 2013-02-19. http://www.technologytell.com/gaming/107774/natsume-transforms-fantasy-chronicle-into-mystic-chronicles/. Retrieved 2013-03-01. 
  8. Morgan Haro, PlayStation Blog, 2013-07-16
  9. "Fantasy Chronicle Review". Touch Arcade. 2012-01-24. http://toucharcade.com/2012/01/24/fantasy-chronicle-review/. Retrieved 2013-03-01.