Itachi∞’s Weblog

YA RLY

Subarashiki Kono Sekai is one of the most (or maybe most) highly anticipated DS games this year. Actually, it was released in Japan on July 27 2007 but because of some copyright issues, it was delayed (If you noticed, subarashiki kono sekai directly translates to “It’s a wonderful world” not “The world ends with you.”)

The story begins as this seemingly anti-social kid (Neku) wakes up in the middle of the streets without memories of his past. Soon after, he realizes that he can read people’s minds with the help of a pin that he found on the palm of his hand. Confused, he receives a message from an unknown sender asking him to reach “10-4″ within a certain time limit or face erasure. Suddenly, some half graffiti, half monster like creatures (”Noise”) attacks him. Not being able to fight back he runs for it until he meets a girl named Shiki and reluctantly forms a pact with her to face the “Noise.”

The game features a totally different fighting interface as compared to the other ds fighting games that i’ve seen so far. Basically, you have to control Neku with you stylus on the bottom screen and his partner with your D-pad on the top.

Juggling 2 screens may be hard at first but once you get used to it you will be able to do some special moves with your partner (the special move above looks weird huh).

These are some of the “psych” pins Neku uses in battle.To unleash the power of the pins, you have to move your stylus in a specific way. Some of these movements include rapidly tapping the screen, slashing the screen, drawing circles and even yelling into the DS’s microphone (yes, i was the retard screaming on the bus).

Other then all that, they have different brands for the items in the games. What do the brands do? Basically, if you keep up with the trends in that certain area of the game you get attack damage bonuses. However, if you do not keep up with the trends you get penalties but do not fret the “unfashionable” clothes or pins you have on may start a new trend so you won’t get such a heavy penalty after a while.

You can buy clothes and pins from these shops scattered all over the game. However to unlock certain items, you have to buy more stuff from the shops in order to “be friend” the salesperson.

Oh and if you haven’t noticed by now Subarashiki Kono Sekai is not set in some imaginary kingdom like most of the Square Enix games (or all of the Square Enix games). It is set in modern day Shibuya and you may be able to see some of Shibuya’s landmarks like the Hachiko statue as shown above, Tokyo FM spain slope studio, the Shibuya 109 building and many others.

and lastly if you love the art and design concepts of this game do check this page out.

http://wewy.deviantart.com/

well, i will give this game a 9.5 out of 10 for its uniqueness for trying a modern day setting kinda thing and its pure awesomeness. So do support the game and i heard theres a promo pack for the game as shown above.

“Modern art is what happens when painters stop looking at girls and persuade themselves that they have a better idea.” –John Ciardi

SAWA - Twister

This is the song that plays at the start of the game. The American version (the world ends with you) made another version of the song. I can’t find a video link for it but you can listen to it from the American website (i so prefer SAWA’s version). http://www.theworldendswithyou.com/