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Blue Dragon winging its way to DS

RPG fans, prepare to be spoilt for choice

Blue Dragon winging its way to DS
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DS
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According to Japanese magazine, Jump, Xbox 360 role-playing game Blue Dragon is coming to DS.

Blue Dragon has an impressive heritage, being a product of Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi and his Mistwalker development team. The game was snapped up as an exclusive by Microsoft prior to the launch of its 360 console, with the company hoping the RPG would help the console succeed in eastern territories.

Now – just two months after Microsoft announced it's bringing Viva Piñata, previously a first-party Xbox 360 game, to DS, comes word of Blue Dragon. Is there a strategy of DS releases emerging for the handheld-less console manufacturer?

With Blue Dragon not really selling the huge numbers of units predicted by Microsoft since its release in Japan in late 2006 – despite its many positives the game was criticised for lacking originality and pace – perhaps the company is hoping for renewed interest from DS owning RPG fans, of which there are plenty.

There are so far no details on how the game will be adapted for Nintendo's handheld, just that it's being converted by FeelPlus, a Japanese studio also working with Mistwalker on Sakaguchi's other Xbox 360 RPG, Lost Odyssey.

Certainly, the FMV-heavy title (which was the first Xbox 360 game to come on three DVDs), will need some scaling back. There is some suggestion the price of the game will be high – approximately $53 – which has led to speculation it will come on a monster-sized cart. But it remains to be seen if any of this is accurate.

Mistwalker anticipates the game will hit Japanese stores in March 2008, and western audiences should expect it considerably later in the year.

Meanwhile, the acclaimed developer also told Jump it was working on a second DS RPG going by the title AWAY: Tsuresarareta Hitobito. Again, details are scarce but its Japanese name translates as 'Kidnapped People'.

Intriguing but, more importantly, good news for RPG fans who are guaranteed two epics coming their way in 2008. We'll keep you posted.

Kath Brice
Kath Brice
Kath gave up a job working with animals five years ago to join the world of video game journalism, which now sees her running our DS section. With so many male work colleagues, many have asked if she notices any difference.