Sakura Wars Rescheduled For March, Premium Box Is PS2 Only

That doesn't explain why the hell aren't there goodies on the Wii version – including the art book and poster; and the audio thing should be just a matter of swapping the audio files in there, not anything hard to do for someone who has access to the games build structure. Hell hackers have done it dozens of times on PS2 games. Even NIS America should be able to pull it off.

That's not even a plausible explanation for the “sacrifices”. Plus, if idea factory port is turning out bad in any way, or worse than it should, then they should delay it and take it to quality we expect it to have, anything other than that is just a sign that NISA is being half assed about it.

And considering they're giving us a discount of $10 for getting a apparently worse version, with no improvements (if they planned to add 16:9 I think they would have said so already) with english-only voice-overs and no bonus goodies… it's no “killer bargain” at all, it's an insult.

The audio thing isn't so simple, since the JP language bonus disc (yes, it is a bonus) uses original character names and a translation closer to the source material. Y'know, for the hardest of the hardcore. It's not a matter of being simple or not, it's a matter of being cost-effective. It probably wasn't for the Wii.

The Idea Factory port is actually turning out better than anticipated. I personally think the graphics look a little sharper, we've only been playing it in 16:9, but I'm not sensitive enough to know if that's how it should be displayed, and it's got a slightly better sound to it.

Basically, it's anything BUT half-assed. Our asses have been fully on this game for over two years. So we could make it as good as it deserves to be, while allowing as many people as possible the opportunity to play it.

I'm not buying it, give me the same treatment as the PS2 version or give me nothing. If this isn't half-assed, then I don't know why NISA even bothered, after all it's a butchered version, without the Japanese voice-overs (NISA should know their userbase by now) and without the extra goodies we were promised. Yes, they were promised for the Wii version ever since the game was announced.

Delay it, do it as you will… But do the right thing, instead of taking a extra disc, an artbook and a poster and calling it a “killer bargain”, it's not. And what incentive do people have to pick up the Wii version? With that treatment how is NISA doing everything it can to ensure the Wii version has a shot to actually sell? (will they complain about the sales afterwards to justify the fact they aren't developing for it and never will?) Most people who commented in here just canceled the Wii version, most of them preferred it if anything for the 480p and “possible” 16:9 inclusion, but… not anymore. Of course they don't… do you?

16:9 news are a nice adition, and I'm glad to be assured that's in. Shame I'm not glad about anything else at this point. Not trying to be overly negative here, but it's a deal breaker and a showcase of lack of respect in my book. And I really can't cope with that.

No matter what NISA says, it'll always be perceived like that by the Wii owner and by the guy who wanted to give priority to the Wii version. And in the end, I'm sorry, but even while I see your point and “you” might be working your ass off on this one and thus doing all you can with the limited time you have available… I think NISA isn't doing everything they can, which is releasing the game when it's ready with both versions as originally advertised. Anything other than that is being half-assed.

I'm sorry you feel that way lostinblue, I'm in the group that's just very thankful that the Wii is even getting the game, and with additions like 16:9 and possibly 480p (did the PS2 version have 480p?).

It's really not butchered, butchered to me is if they actually remove in-game content, and the lack of the Japanese disc is really not a big deal to me, as the only time I ever cared about it is in the recent Sonic games because 4Kids were awful, and only just gotten decent at around Zero Gravity, Unleashed Wii was good enough voice-wise to forgive the lack of the Japanese voice option in that one. :P

I hate also how you and some others hate the idea of Wii ports of PS2 games, I welcome as many ports of RPGs and what not as possible. The PS2 has a killer line-up that'd I'd LOVE to play with the Wii's cleaner picture quality (I have a PS2 so I can justify saying the picture-quality on it is ass, I'm playing in S-Video for crying out loud it's that jagged).

NickyD, I'm aware that it's not easy getting a straight answer about future projects, but please assure me that there are more Wii ports coming up, Disagea 1's a prime candidate in my opinion! :D Get System Prisma to do it, they did Phantom Brave Wii and Disagea DS.

And I'm very sorry that SOME people just aren't in the grateful mood. Keep up the great work! :D

And no harm done.

Thank you for the positive comment in a thread of mostly disappointed fans. I can't say I don't understand how they feel; bad news is bad news, after all. As for me, I'd buy the Wii version if I had the console since it looks much crisper. Plus, I really don't care about what language the dub is in, haha. I only speak one language and if I don't like it, I'll turn 'em off. Yes, I'm fairly sure there's an option to just turn the voices off.

As for Wii ports… I honestly don't know. I only know of projects we've already started working on (many of which are unannounced), but there's always stuff getting talked about behind closed doors. We like working with Nintendo, so I hope we get more opportunities to bring stuff to their systems.

I was getting the PS2 version anyways, as it was the original version and all. It is unfortunate that the Wii version isn't getting any of the extras, then again the wii port is new and they never had to put out the extras in the first place.
I'll let it slide for this one and support this important release but the next localized Sakura Wars (which would probably be for the Wii or maybe PSP only since I doubt the PS2 will last much longer) they should consider releasing the Japanese disc and such.

By “killer bargain” I hope it means something along the lines of a less than $9.99 price tag. I don't understand; they've developed all the material; is it that hard to transfer it? Or is this some marketing hooplah that I'm not getting?

It's comforting to hear about the attention to detail. See, if NISA's customer service department were as communicative as you, I'd be thrilled.

I plan to get the PS2 version with the Japanese vocal track, myself. I don't really have any interest in Sakura Wars right now, but I'll try it out to support NISA. Personally, I'm OK with the Wii version only having the English track because I have access to a PS2, but I can imagine disappointment for the fans that only have access to a Wii and want the JP track.

One thing I will say for NISA, they go way out of their way to please their fanbase. That's something that you definitely don't get from most companies.

I'm well aware. I should specify that I was talking specifically about NISA's official communication channels. (e.g. An announcement on their site insisting that the Disgaea 3 Trophy patch was going to destroy previous save data, left up for months after this was proven to be false.) As I mention elsewhere in this thread, I wish NISA's customer support department was as helpful as Nick, here. Unfortunately, there seems to be a bit of a communications breakdown between them and the people actually doing the localization.

Seems odd that they couldn't fit two voice tracks onto one dual layer dvd. You must be able to compress a squillion hours of audio into a dvd, and how large can the game itself be?

Ah well, I like giving my PS2 an airing anyway, so it's no big deal for me to pickup that version.

Hmm, as far as I'm aware, the same (or similar) game mechanics are used between IL and DI. But as you said, the story and characters really make the visual novel engines turn, so I can see what you mean now.

Let's see, La Pucelle… I think the issue there is acquiring the voices from Mastiff, since they were the ones who brought it over initially. But to assuage worries, Atlus handled the original PS2 Disgaea and that all worked out. So who knows? I don't have an answer for you, unfortunately, but I don't think it's a lost cause, personally.

The Disgaea 2 DLC thing was a huge clusterfudge of tiny errors. Sapphire was supposed to be free; only two or three characters were supposed to go up at a time (the others were incomplete). So, for some reason, they were all released… despite all that… *sigh*.

NISA is known for [almost] always including two vocal tracks in their games. A few exceptions aside (Annie for no EN, Sakura Wii for no JP), there's no cause to worry. That's just one of NISA's branding efforts. We try really hard to always give players that choice. Not many other companies do… but when we don't include it, we're chastised far more than these other companies who rarely make it an option. It's a double-edged sword, but one we forged ourselves.

Thanks, Nick! I feel a little better now. Thanks for responding despite my cynicism. It's much easier for me to cut people (and companies) slack when I know a bit more about what's going on.

Sometimes it's too easy to forget all the great things NISA has done and concentrate on their errors. So, sorry for my negativity! I know you guys are trying as hard as you can, so keep up the good work.

No, the PS2 version doesn't have 480p.

And I don't hate PS2 ports, I'm just tired of them and how they're pulled out systematically on the Wii because a company has nothing else in the pipeline for the Wii and truthfully doesn't want to have a Wii development pipeline at all.

I'd be all over a lot of ports with my money (like I was with this one), but if there's no follow up support I think developers are just taking advantage of us. Buying time and not delivering and of course not maximizing their product capability of selling.

Nobody complained when Capcom ported Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 3 for the Gamecube with PSone graphics, and Resident Evil Code Veronica with Dreamcast graphics… Of course not, we were getting Resident Evil Zero and Resident Evil Remake and Resident Evil 4. Just like nobody complained when Capcom recently ported Monster Hunter G to the Wii, we were getting Monster Hunter 3.

Then there's games that deserve another shot at selling, like Okami did (and I'll argue, Grim Grimoire with Wii controls deserved) but those are few in between, after all who's gonna port a game that flopped? it takes balls.

Disgaea you say? Will we get Disgaea 3 then? will a Disgaea port be yet another “test”? Will we ever get a Wii game actually developed by Nippon Ichi instead of outsourced? Because if we're getting Nippon Ichi ports that's only fair.

Plus, considering the times Disgaea has been ported they surely could bundle Disgaea 1+2 and make it $10 more expensive than the PSP version of Disgaea 2… or something. I already have Disgaea 1 for the PS2 and PSP so I really wouldn't be exactly on queue to buy it, they'd have to give me killer value, rather than a “killer bargain” with no extras nor japanese voice-overs. (yes, throwing jabs)

We need an ignore/dislike/block-all-unintelligent chatter button on here. I'm almost ashamed that I even read half the comments on here.

Glad to know there is going to be a LE for PS2. Shame for the folks who ONLY own a Wii, but at least NISA is bringing a port to the Wii at all. They could have just released it for PS2. A lot of you are acting awfully high and mighty no matter which side of the argument you're on. =) I'd be interested to know how much some people actually put into this market…

Why are the annoying people who post around the internet (read: People who only know how to use Fallacy) starting to flock here?

I'd like Gust to continue doing 2D graphics on the Wii, to be honest, there's nothing wrong with Ar Tonelico 1/2 graphics… I actually prefer them to the 3D path they've taken once they took the HD development offer, which is precisely why I was hoping they would transition to Wii development instead of going there.

Their biggest strength was the fact they were pulling 2D graphics at a time everything was 3D.

Not that I'd complain, though.

Your feedback is noted! Keeping an open and thoughtful community is paramount.

Now to figure out a technical solution!

Your feedback is noted! Keeping an open and thoughtful community is paramount.

Now to figure out a technical solution!