E3: Lufia GBC receives another title, story change
[05.13.00] » Third Lufia title now takes place 100 years after original, while Natsume steps in as European and Japanese publisher.
Easily one of the most self-confused titles ever, Natsume announced at the Electronic Entertainment Expo that the upcoming Lufia sequel for the Game Boy Color has been significantly altered once more. The game, now titled "Lufia: The Legend Returns", takes place 100 years after the end of the first Lufia title for the SNES. Unsurprisingly, the change means another delay for the title -- Natsume expects to ship the game sometime in the fourth quarter of this year.
Storywise, mankind has prospered and begun to "realize their enormous power" after the end of the Second Doom Island War. With the world at peace, the four Sinistrals begin to rise once again -- of course, bringing the submerged Doom Island up from the sea with them. The four Sinistrals appear to be aided by the "God of Fire", Balzak; it's not known if the enigmatic and unexplained Arek from Lufia 2 will make a return in the third Lufia title. To combat the new menace, the red-haired Wein (and undoubtably the decendant of hero Maxim) must gather with 11 other characters around the world who have "inherited the seal of spiritual force" and head for the "Tower of Judgement." (Full character descriptions below.) Lufia: The Legend Return's gameplay engine closely mirrors previous titles -- expect challenging puzzles and a battle system with the party's characters positioned at the screen's bottom.
Natsume explained the reason behind the game's latest change: the development group behind Lufia at Japan's Never-Land Company, a team of 8 people, has remained constant through the series' life, with the exception of the third installment. The writer from the first two titles was not responsible for the creation of the previous two story drafts (Ruins Chaser and The Beginning of a Legend), but has now returned to the project and has crafted a story consistent with his original vision. It's believed that the characters and plotlines from the previous two Lufia GBC blueprints will be scrapped entirely, though Natsume hinted that Never-Land has established plans to continue the series on future next-gen platforms.
Additionally, Natsume outlined its plan for distribution and publication of the title. A North American release will hit first in the fourth quarter, followed by a European release shortly thereafter. Meanwhile, over in Japan, Lufia GBC has remained without a publisher since the original publisher, Nihon-Flex, went bankrupt -- to fill this gap, Natsume asserted a "99% chance" that they would publish the title to the Japanese market sometime after the US release, especially since the game is first being developed internally in Japanese.
Below, we've duplicated the character descriptions from Natsume's press release. Look for artwork of the new title's characters shortly.
Wein - Age: 17 - Sex: Male - Race: Human - Occupation: Magic Warrior
"I would like to see all of the world. That's all!"
Wein was living a boring life in a small local village with no excitement. A girl by the name of Seena having hair of cerulean blue appeared in front of him. Wein decided to go on a journey with Seena. Wein, having a genuine heart and full of curiousity, now beings his adventure.
Seena - Age: 16 - Sex: Female - Race: Human - Occupation: Magician (Fortune Teller)
"I can't see your future...perhaps you are stupid?"
The beautiful girl, Seena, challenges the riddle of the four towers which have mysteriously appeared. Seena, strong-minded, and a little sentimental has begun her journey alone with a certain destiny. Soon after Seena happened to meet Wein, she felt something inside of him that she has never felt in others. Seena asked Wein to join her on her adventure...a journey which would determine her life span.
Randorf - Age: 72 - Sex: Male - Race: Human - Occupation: Swordsman (The Guards)
"It is my last duty to rescue the Princess."
Randorf is a faithful vassal of Princess Melfis. Ralforf was called "The Master of Twin Swords" when he was young and people were afraid of him. He is now old and not strong as he once was, but his loyalty to the Princess never faltered.
Melfis - Age: 20 - Sex: Female - Race: Human - Occupation: Princess (Magician of Recovery)
"I did not know that the outside world was so grand. I would like to experience as much as possible."
Princess Melfis was confined to an underground jail due to a betrayal of a subordinate. Due to this experience, she starts to become curious of the world outside her castle. She starts her journey throughout the world in disguise.
Dei - Age: 24 - Sex: Male - Race: Human - Occupation: Robber
"There is nothing that I cannot steal in the world. I can even get into the Cremond Palace, if I want!"
He is a likeable robber. His skill of robbery is not as high as he claims it to be. He is a man of compassion and gives all that he takes to the poor, leaving nothing to himself.
Aima - Age: 26 - Sex: Female - Race: Human - Occupation: Monk
"The grass and stars are my bed and blanket. Some people call it camping out."
Aima is a monk training herself to be a Master of the Fist. Aima's Master points out that she must first work on her mental weakness to become a Master of the Fist, thus she decides to go with Wein and his friends on their journey. She is big-hearted and likes to live naturally.
Deckard - Age: 32 - Sex: Male - Race: Human - Occupation: Pirate
"Yes, the sea is great!"
Deckard, the wandering, long pirate. His motto is "I do what I want when I want." His business is pirating, but he never attacks the boat of a good person. He has no self-awareness of his criminal nature. His past is mysterious and a big bounty is put on his head.
Ruby - Age: 21 - Sex: Female - Race: Human - Occupation: Gambler
"Let's bet, head or tails. What's the bet? Am I, myself not enough?"
Ruby is a very glamorous female gambler. Her beautiful, small eyes give an impression that she is cold, bewitching, and tricky, but in fact she is emotionally and sentimental. Sometimes she cheats on a bet, but has never been found out.
Milka - Age: 25 (Human years) - Sex: Female - Race: Elf - Occupation: Magician (Naturalist)
"I feel a flow of spiritual forces...a fondly-remembered wave."
She is a descendent of the elf race, who are rare now. She witnessed all the Doom Island Wars. Elves love nature more than anything else, and regret the industrialized human society.
Isac-Shia - Age: 43 - Sex: Male - Race: Human - Occupation: Illusionist (Inventor)
"What should this be called without being called an illusion?!"
He is an inventor and a magician. He is a descendent of the great inventors of the Shia family. He is always invention something wacky, and there tends to be explosions in his laboratory. His ideas are too eccentric for people to understand.
Chelsee - Age: 13 - Sex: Female - Race: Human - Occupation: Idol
"I'll do my best!"
Her dream is to be an idol. She is tough and always tries her best, usually not with the best results. She takes everything positively and is very sweet. She continues dreaming of being a star some day.
Bareia - Age: 28 - Sex: Male - Race: Vampire - Occupation: Vampire
"I shall have red wine tonight, too."
He is half Human and half Vampire. Lately he has been feeling weak because he hasn't drank any blood. He thinks that he is a gorgeous count, however he is the only one.
Yurist - Age: 27 - Sex: Male - Race: Human - Occupation: Wanderer
"The wind tells me where to go...look, a good wind is blowing."
A mysterious wanderer and a poet. He seems to have some knowledge of medical science. He lives the way he likes. What would he have in his eyes?
Panapas - Age: 11 - Sex: Male - Race: Human - Occupation: Artist
"That reminds me of you...a sweet melody."
He is an artist and a musician. He is very young, but he speaks the way a wise man would. Because of that, he has no friends his own age. In fact, he is very lonely, but he does not want to admit it.
Moose - Age: ? - Sex: ? - Race: ? - Occupation: Capsule Monster
"Moo...moo...moo..."
Moose, the Capsule Monster. It can not speak, but seems to have the power to understand the will of humans. It lives far inside the woods and seems to be a creature of deep sympathy.
Balzak - God of Fire
He is the mighty God of Fire that covers the entire sky. Once he steps on the ground, nobody can stop him from burning everything.
|
