3D Dot Game Heroes - A New RPG by From Software

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3D Dot Game Heroes is a unique JRPG for the ps3 from From Software and Silicon Software that harkens back to the days of 2D Zelda, Final Fantasy, and Dragon Quest.  It takes the sprites of old, and translates them into 3D.  It has a rather interesting look.  Check out the official website to get a taste of the music.  It's reminiscent of old Zelda and Final Fnatasy tunes.  I'm half expecting them to do a horribly translation when (if?) they bring this to the West, just for nostalgic purposes. Find out more below.

From IGN:

3D Dot Game Heroes is set in the Kingdom of Dotnia. This world was once made up of 2D sprite art like something out of an old school game. However, wanting to attract more people to the kingdom, the king decided to use technology to make everything 3D. This is where something goes horribly wrong, although just what that is has yet to be specified.

From Andriasang:

3D Dot Game Heroes' background story starts off in the Kingdom of Dotnia, a world not unlike a 2D 16-bit era sprite-based RPG. Long ago, the Kingdom was protected by six wise men and six orbs which contained the power of the gods. However, the Dark Demon King, seeking their power, stole the orbs and captured the wise men. Demons began to flood the Kingdom, whose end was thought to be near. But it was at that time that a young warrior appeared from seemingly nowhere, saved the wise men and returned the orbs to their rightful place. Following a great battle, the warrior and the wise men combined the orbs into one and sealed the Demon King away.

The Kingdom prospered for some time after that. However, as time passed, and the story of the young warrior became a legend, visitors stopped coming to the Kingdom. It was then that the King made the decision: "From now on, it will be the 3D era." Under orders from the King, the Kingdom was changed from 2D to 3D, and began progressing towards a restoration of past grandeur. But just as people began to get used to their new life, something happened.

What that "something" is has yet to be detailed by From. It does appear to be a pretty big happening, though, as your goal in the game is to save the world. To do this, you'll have to go about the Kingdom and gather the ancient orbs.

You play as the grandchild of the young warrior of legend, the only person in the Kingdom who can wield a sword of legend. Incidentally, your character doesn't have a name -- you're free to set it at the start of the game.

While your character is nameless, 3D Dot Game Heroes does have a full cast of characters. In addition to King Dotnia, there's also Princess Iris, who, upon learning of the dangers to the Kingdom, left the castle on her own and is now missing. Also introduced in Famitsu is the Dark Priest, the official Priest of the Kingdom who's been possessed by evil and has hidden the orbs that sealed away the Demon King.

All the characters in 3D Dot Game Heroes look like sprites brought into the third dimension. This includes enemies and bosses. Screens in Famitsu show the main character facing off against giant golems and fire breathing dragons. The only time when the game appears to break from its sprite theme is in the fire effects, which look like actual fire effects.

Just how you'll go about fighting all the foes is a bit of a mystery right now. Famitsu says that the game offers a simple control scheme which allows you to defeat enemies by simply swinging your sword. Once you've defeated an enemy, it explodes as a mass of blocks.

3D Dot Game Heroes is being developed by Silicon Studio, the developer of June's Onore no Shinzuru Michi wo Yuke. According to Famitsu, the studio also does middleware development for consoles, perhaps explaining why 3D Dot Game Heroes looks so great.

The wait to play 3D Dot Game Heroes won't be long. From Software plans a release in November. The game is currently 80% complete.

Here are some screens.  Right click the images and click "View Image" to see them in full resolution.

Here are the initial scans revealing the game: