Growlanser: Heritage of War
| Growlanser: Heritage of War | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Career Soft |
| Publisher(s) | |
| Composer(s) | Kenichi Tsuchiya Eisuke Seki |
| Series | Growlanser |
| Platform(s) | PlayStation 2 |
| Release date(s) | |
| Genre(s) | Tactical role-playing |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Growlanser: Heritage of War (known as Growlanser V: Generations in Japan) is a tactical role-playing video game for the PlayStation 2. It was developed by Career Soft, and published in Japan by Atlus in 2006. Atlus USA published the game in North America on September 18, 2007, and Rising Star Games released it in Europe on June 13, 2008.[1]
Gameplay
The game uses strategic party based combat and has player manageable character ability tree. It uses hand drawn animation and character portraits by Satoshi Urushihara. It has the ability to cultivate intimate relationships with characters.[2]
The North American version has a new engine not present in the Japanese version, which makes the game run more smoothly.[3][4]
Battle
Battles take place in real-time, and there is no transition to a separate battle map (which is usually found in traditional Japanese RPGs). As such the game forces players to come up with strategies and tactics immediately as the situation calls for it.
Story
Once, an isolated island continent was plunged into war. The people who wished to end the warring revived a powerful weapon called the "Admonisher" and threatened the participants of the war with it. Thus all of the wars were ended by force. The people behind this called themselves the "Peace Maintenance Brigade." 20 years later the old men of the Brigade are no longer able to maintain the peace.
Now war has once again broken out among the inhabitants of the continent. A mysterious famine has appeared, leaving the citizens to fight over what little fertile land is left, while the cities are constantly attacked by fierce amphibious monsters known as "Screapers."[5][6]
Characters
Peace Maintenance Brigade
Haschen
The main character. Haschen is an orphan who grew up in the town of Warslee, which was under the control of the PMB. Haschen joined the Peace Maintenance Brigade a year earlier when tragedy struck his village. Surviving the attack, he underwent an operation that now gives him an ability, 'Ultrasonic Aura' that weakens nearby Screapers and enhance his hearing senses. Even so, should he fail to take his Medication, his life will be at risk. He wields two twin lances. He is named Zeonsilt on the Japanese version, and voiced by Suzumura Kenichi in the original character song's album, even though his character is not voiced in the game.
Players mold the personality of Haschen through dialog choices in the game and are also able to name him after finishing the individual roles.
Fanille
A young and timid Peace Maintenance Brigade Researcher who specializes in energy research. She is originally a Grangalian but moved to Jaergen in Neylern territory with her aunt when something happened to her parents. She usually has her head in her books. She is voiced by Kari Wahlgren in the English version and by Mayuki Makiguchi in the Japanese version.
Melvina
A devoted, calm, and able adjutant to one of the commanders of the Peace Maintenance Brigade. She works for commander Isaac. She is calm and collected, however, she sometimes lets her sadness through. It is revealed that Commander Issac is her father, and that Melvina was initially assisting her village by infiltrating the PMB. She is voiced by Mary Elizabeth McGlynn in the English version and by Sayori Ishizuka in the Japanese version.
Krious
A skilled fighter and an excellent negotiator. He is Seldous' son, the Chief Commander of the Peace Maintenance Brigade. He works towards his father's goal of bringing peace to the entire continent. He is funny and gets to the bottom of things. He is voiced by Sam Riegel in the English version and by Shinichiro Miki in the Japanese version.
Elessa
A childhood friend of Fanille, and a Peace Maintenance Brigade researcher. She researches on ancient ruins in the PMB. She met Fanille when they were young in Jaergen, she was the maid's daughter of Fanille's home. She is voiced by Barbara Radecki in the English version and by Hitomi Nabatame in the Japanese version.
Kingdom of Cyriltia
Sherris
One of the few Slayers on the continent, and the Princess of the Kingdom of Cyriltia. Her skills have earned her the title of Captain of the Royal Guard. She is always concerned about the citizens. She wishes deep down that she could be a normal woman instead of royalty and hopes for the day when her brother can re-assume the royal throne. She is voiced by Kari Wahlgren in the English version and by Yū Asakawa in the Japanese version.
Randall
A well known historian and doctor who specializes in the history of the continent. He has a wife and daughter, and loves them both dearly. Very caring and knowledgeable when it comes to the war.
Kingdom of Grangale
Rufus
A mild-mannered Captain of the Grangale Army. He is one of the three Slayers of the Grangale Kingdom. Is in the same army as Gaerik and often fights alongside him. Rufus is the kinder of the two. He is voiced by Sam Riegel in the English Version and by Sōichirō Hoshi in the Japanese version.
Gaerik
A brash and rude Captain of the Grangale Army. He is one of the three Slayers of the Grangale Kingdom. Does not get along well with others, but seems to a bit with Rufus. He is voiced by Yuri Lowenthal in the English version and by Nobuyuki Hiyama in the Japanese version.
Other
Korin
A cheerful and curious fairy who seeks a savior of light. She accompanies Haschen on his journey, and is looking for a legendary hero to become her owner. She is often challenged by other faries, and is how she ends up joining the Fairy Contests. She can be rude, but lovable at times.She has sporting blue hair and a pale light teal dress shirt and dark teal shorts. She is voiced by Amanda Winn Lee in the English version and by Ai Matayoshi in the Japanese version.
Seldous
An explorer who is trying to bring peace to the continent. He is search for information about the "Paradise Legend", which he believes will aid him. Does not want war, but also wants to end it in a nonviolent way. He is voiced by Kirk Thornton in the English version and by Kōichi Nagano in the Japanese version.
Isaac
An explorer who despises all wars, and wishes to put an end to them. To achieve this goal, he joins Seldous in his journey. He can be very rude and harsh. He is friends with Seldous and helps end war with him. He is voiced by Dave Wittenberg in the English version and by Nobuaki Kanemitsu in the Japanese version.
Ziekwalt
A mysterious man who aids you during your first encounter; however, the questions of who he is and what his intentions are remain questionable for some time.
Vanette
An explorer who comes from the same orphanage as Seldous. Married to Seldous and gave birth to Krious. Not long after, she died. Once visited Totuwa and left her diary there. At the present, Krious retrieved the diary back. She is voiced by Julie Ann Taylor in the English version and by Rie Kanda in the Japanese version.
Rockbein
A former General of the Neylern Kingdom, and Knight Slayer. His Kingdom was subjugated by another country, and now he seeks to lead his people back to independence. At one point he was the mightiest Slayer on the continent.[6] He is voiced by Louis Gossett, Jr in the English version and by Ryūzaburō Ōtomo in the Japanese version.
Release
Limited Edition
Along with the actual game disc itself, the North American limited edition was packaged with: a 100 page artbook, a multi-media disc containing music and artwork, a keychain, two lenticular cards, and three pins.[4]
The Limited Edition is the only edition of Growlanser V published in North America. It was released in a single print and then discontinued.[7]
References
- ↑ Lemon (April 8, 2008). "Rising Star Games Announces Growlanser: Heritage of War". Spawnpoint.com. Retrieved June 29, 2012.
- ↑ "GROWLANSER: HERITAGE OF WAR ANNOUNCED" (PDF). Atlus USA. May 10, 2007. p. 1. Retrieved June 29, 2012.
- ↑ Siliconera » Atlus at Anime Expo
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Growlanser: Heritage of War Interview". RPGamer. Retrieved June 29, 2012.
- ↑ Growlanser: Heritage of War Limited Edition
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Official Growlanser: Heritage of War
- ↑ Siliconera » Growlanser: Heritage of War and the super limited edition
External links
- Official website (Japanese)
- Official website (English) (North America)
- Growlanser: Heritage of War at Growlanser Realm (fan site)
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