While Japan will be getting the PS3 version of the Level-5 and Studio Ghibli RPG collaboration known as Ninokuni on November 17, no one knew whether an English version would be made. RPG fans and Studio Ghibli enthusiasts can now rejoice as Ninokuni: Shiroki Seihai no Joou (subtitled "Queen of the White Ashes") for the PS3 will be out in North America in early 2012.
During the Sony Computer Entertainment Asia press conference on September 16 held near Tokyo Game Show 2011's venue, Level-5 president Akihiro Hino mentioned during an interview panel that an English version of the game is in production right now as well as announced the above release window of the title. This PS3 version of the game starts off the same as the DS version, but the story is told differently after the game's midpoint. According to Hino, the PS3 will have additional story content that will pick off where the DS version ended.
The game will also be launched in Asian markets in Japanese. Level-5 hasn't made plans for a Chinese text version, but Hino said that if there is a huge demand for it, his company will consider it. The game will also feature downloadable content post-release, but Hino can't make an official announcement about it until a later date.
In the game, players control Oliver, a 13-year old boy who is transported into the world called Ninokuni which is a parallel reality of his own world. He is on a quest to revive his recently-deceased mother and is accompanied first by a male fairy called Shizuku. The game is an RPG, in which combat is settled in turn-based format.
http://www.gamespot.com/events/tgs-2011/story.html?sid=6335002&pid=998014
