N1's next SRPG: Soul Cradle

[Soala]

Official website: http://soul-cradle.jp/index.html

From IGN: http://ps2.ign.com/articles/731/731744p1.html

Currently, only the story section of the site is accessible. Soul Cradle takes place in the land of Prodest. Following a lengthy war between man-kind and the other creatures of the world, all countries were brought together under the leadership of a Median, a human with great knowledge when it comes to war.

The peace lasted for only 10 years. Median and his young prince died, and the world began to fall back into a state of war. But Median's daughter, Lena, rose to take charge and gets all countries to sign a peace agreement. The world was once again back at peace.

Fifty-years after Lena's peace treaty, nine mysterious beings appeared in the world: a shadow and eight giants. These creatures begin wrecking havoc upon the land. All hope seems to be lost until Lena formed an army to defeat the shadow. The giants entered a period of silence, and become known as the "Creatures Who Swallow the World" from the story.

Soul Cradle begins 200 years after these events. The giants are still around and maintain their silence, while serving as a symbol of fear in the people. One giant stands tall over the kingdom of Raid, where the game begins. The main character, a human, lives along side Danet and other membrs of the Sepu race in the outskirts of Raid. Together with Lena, who's now over 200 years old, they protect the village.

One day, the main character and Danet are summoned to Lena's side. Danet is given a dagger, and the main character a long sword. The long sword is known as Gigu and contains the spirit of the shadow that Lena defeated 200 years earlier.

The story sounds okay so far. Although, I wonder if the story's going to be serious or more of a comedy. If I remember correctly, a lot of the talk and advertising about Makai Kingdom made it seem pretty serious early on. Then it turns it that MK has an incredibly silly (although neat and sort of absent) storyline. Hopefully this game isn't filler, like MK was for Disgaea 2.

Also, the character designs seem okay. It looks like they have someone else doing the designs, or Harada is doing his non-chibi style for the art.

Personally, I want some Phantom Brave cameos. :<
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get out

[Viewtiful Starman]

Sounds kinda interesting... Looks a lot more serious than their previous stuff, but I like the backstory they have so far.

Was kind of surprised by the art style too, but judging by the official site they still have the same sprite style, so I don't think it'll really be that huge a departure.

Art aside, I like the character designs though.