Software:Spectral Souls: Resurrection of the Ethereal Empires

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Short description: 2005 video game
Spectral Souls: Resurrection of the Ethereal Empires
Developer(s)Idea Factory
Publisher(s)NIS America
Ghostlight
SeriesSpectral Souls
Platform(s)PlayStation 2
PlayStation Portable
Android
iOS
Windows 8
Windows Phone 8
ReleasePlayStation 2
  • JP: January 27, 2005
PlayStation Portable
  • JP: October 22, 2005
  • NA: September 28, 2006[1]
  • EU: January 26, 2011
Android
  • WW: January 15, 2011
iOS
  • JP: July 11, 2012
  • WW: July 12, 2012
Genre(s)Tactical RPG
Mode(s)Single-player

Spectral Souls II (新紀幻想スペクトラルソウルズII, Shinki Gensou Spectral Souls II) is a tactical role playing game developed by Idea Factory and released for the PlayStation 2 in 2005. In 2011, it was ported to the PlayStation Portable as Spectral Souls II: Unlimited Side (新紀幻想 〜SS II アンリミテッドサイド〜) and to mobile devices as Spectral Souls. The PSP port was published both in the U.S. by NIS America and in Europe by Ghostlight under the title Spectral Souls: Resurrection of the Ethereal Empires.

Development

The opening song is "Blue Sky", performed by Dogschool. It is now sold in the Apple App store. Later on, this game was ported to Android and iOS devices.

The iOS port solves the problem of the extreme long loading time issue from the PSP port.

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic47/100[2]
Review scores
PublicationScore
1Up.comD−[3]
EGM3.33/10[4][lower-alpha 1]
Famitsu(PSP) 28/40[5]
(PS2) 26/40[6]
Game Informer5.5/10[7]
GameSpyStarStarStar[8]
GameZone6.9/10[9]
IGN5.5/10[10]
OPM (US)3/10[11]
Pocket Gamer(AND) StarStarStar[12]

The PSP version was criticized for its long load times. It received "generally unfavorable" reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic. In Japan, Famitsu gave it a score of one seven, one six, one seven, and one six for the PlayStation 2 version,[6] and one seven, one six, one seven, and one eight for the PSP version.[5] GamePro called it "a game which -- while nominally a PSP exclusive -- is a landmark in programming incompetence. Exclusive or not, it's a bigger embarrassment than any retro port could have been."[14][lower-alpha 2]

Notes

  1. ↑ Three critics of Electronic Gaming Monthly gave the PSP version each a score of 4.5/10, 2.5/10, and 3/10.
  2. ↑ GamePro gave the PSP version 4/5 for graphics, 3.5/5 for sound, 2/5 for control, and 2.5/5 for fun factor.

References

  1. ↑ "Spectral Souls: Resurrection of the Ethereal Empires has been released!". September 28, 2006. Archived from the original on October 6, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20081006051415/http://www.gamezone.com/news/09_28_06_12_00PM.htm. Retrieved March 22, 2025. 
  2. ↑ "Spectral Souls: Resurrection of the Ethereal Empires". Fandom. Archived from the original on December 8, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20241208031558/https://www.metacritic.com/game/spectral-souls-resurrection-of-the-ethereal-empir/. Retrieved March 18, 2025. 
  3. ↑ Barnholt, Ray (October 7, 2006). "Spectral Souls: Resurrection of the Ethereal Empires". Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on January 5, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20100105140727/http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3154266. Retrieved March 22, 2025. 
  4. ↑ Donahoe, Michael; Hsu, Dan "Shoe"; Barnholt, Ray (November 2006). "Spectral Souls". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (209): 134. Archived from the original on May 28, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240528004332/https://retrocdn.net/images/7/75/EGM_US_209.pdf. Retrieved March 20, 2025. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "October 20, 2005". October 20, 2005. Archived from the original on November 29, 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20051129030616/http://www.the-magicbox.com/game20051020.shtml. Retrieved March 18, 2025. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "January 19, 2005". January 19, 2005. Archived from the original on February 5, 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20050205000131/http://the-magicbox.com/game20050119.shtml. Retrieved March 18, 2025. 
  7. ↑ Biessener, Adam (November 2006). "Spectral Souls". Game Informer (GameStop) (163): 146. Archived from the original on December 3, 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20071203180455/http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/5F5F161E-1E07-48D7-86E7-9C589CA07E45.htm. Retrieved March 20, 2025. 
  8. ↑ Speer, Justin (September 28, 2006). "GameSpy: Spectral Souls". IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on October 18, 2006. https://web.archive.org/web/20061018143005/http://psp.gamespy.com/playstation-portable/shinki-gensou-ssii-unlimited-side/736445p1.html. Retrieved March 20, 2025. 
  9. ↑ Bedigian, Louis (September 26, 2006). "Spectral Souls – PSP – Review". Archived from the original on October 8, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20081008033307/http://psp.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r28358.htm. Retrieved March 22, 2025. 
  10. ↑ Haynes, Jeff (October 27, 2006). "Spectral Souls Review". Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on November 30, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221130150428/https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/10/28/spectral-souls-review. Retrieved March 18, 2025. 
  11. ↑ Barnholt, Ray (November 2006). "Spectral Souls: Resurrection of the Ethereal Empires". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine (Ziff Davis) (110): 120. https://archive.org/details/official-us-playstation-magazine-issue-110-november-2006/page/n119/mode/2up. Retrieved March 20, 2025. 
  12. ↑ Slater, Harry (August 19, 2011). "Spectral Souls (Android)". Steel Media Ltd. Archived from the original on July 15, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240715184808/https://www.pocketgamer.com/spectral-souls/spectral-souls/. Retrieved March 20, 2025. 
  13. ↑ Rickert, Matthew (May 14, 2007). "Spectral Souls: Resurrection of the Ethereal Empires". Emerald Shield Media LLC. Archived from the original on October 4, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221004042304/https://www.rpgfan.com/review/spectral-souls-resurrection-of-the-ethereal-empires/. Retrieved March 20, 2025. 
  14. ↑ Smith, D.F. (December 2006). "Spectral Souls". GamePro (IDG) (219). Archived from the original on January 24, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080124151050/http://www.gamepro.com/sony/psp/games/reviews/83053.shtml. Retrieved March 20, 2025. 

Features

Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]

Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.

History

Logo used until March 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]

On February 13, 2025, Freyholtz stepped down as the site lead to move onto new projects, leaving operations to Tracy Poff, a veteran coder on the site, and Atari staff.[18]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/. 
  2. ↑ Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/. 
  3. ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  4. ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 
  6. ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521. 
  8. ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media. 
  9. ↑ Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned. 
  10. ↑ Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner. 
  11. ↑ "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
  12. ↑ Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games. 
  13. ↑ "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/. 
  14. ↑ "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/. 
  15. ↑ Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/. 
  16. ↑ Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/. 
  17. ↑ "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames. 
  18. ↑ "An update on MobyGames leadership". 2025-02-13. https://www.mobygames.com/forum/3/thread/269628/an-update-on-mobygames-leadership/#post-269628. 
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