The main thrust of this news article is that developer-localizer Carpe Fulgur has released a demo for its first project, Recettear: An Item Shop's Tale. To understand why that's kind of interesting and cool, though, you'll need some background:
Released by Japanese doujin groupd EasyGameStation last year, Recettear is about an eponymous shop owner who must raise money to pay off her father's arrears under the watchful, but not altogether benevolent, eyes of Tear, a fairy come to collect. In Carpe Fulgur's own words:
Playing the game involves gathering items -- either by playing the markets in the city of Pensee, or grabbing an adventurer and delving into the dungeons that dot the country side -- and selling them to the customers who come through your doors. ...
Selling items and dungeon diving isn't all there is to do, however. There's quite a cast of characters to me in Recettear, so friendly, some less so.
GameSetWatch writer Eric Caoli mentions that Recettear seems conceptually similar to Rune Factory, and I'm inclined to agree. (I'm also inclined to parrot his keen observations, but whatever.) I'm more interested in the fact that Recettear's mechanics extend past simple item management: you'll become a better salesman by getting to know the people of Pensee, and the dungeon crawling takes the guise of an action-role playing game, complete with competing guilds hoping to get their share of the spoils.
It's a downright clever concept -- dungeon crawling turned on its ear -- and I love that the scope is relatively limited and centralized. No crystals or ancient prophecies here.
The game will go on digital sale soon, though Carpe Fulgur aren't forthcoming with the details. While you wait, though, you can download the demo here, and Carpe Fulgur have provided a relatively thorough breakdown of how the game actually works.
Joseph Leray is a founding Destructoid editor and lives in Nashville with his girlfriend, cats, and Final Fantasy XII obsession. He speaks French and plays a mean coronet. His favorite games are Pokemon, Final Fantasy IX, Dragon Age: Origins, Killer 7, and Katamari Damacy.
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It sounds exactly like Rune Factory, but instead of running Raguna's farm, you're running Rosetta's shop. In other words, it seems like exactly the sort of thing Natsume would make if they decided they were tired about games revolving around hoes (hope they never do).
The dungeon crawl is definitely an interesting take. Instead of the questing hero, you're the quest-giver. It's certainly refreshing to see other perspectives from the fantasy RPG genre.
I can't get the demo to work. I've downloaded it and every time I try to unzip it I get an error saying I can't move the EXE. If I try to open the EXE i get another error and the game crashes immediately...
Wait, this is a PC game? I'm not sure why in retrospect but I was under the impression it was a console (most likely PS3). This game is now officially on my radar.
Also, as a side note, from the FAQ: "...given the choice between potentially poor English voice work and no English voice work, we opt for the latter." Too bad the Arc Rise Fantasia localization team didn't have the same conclusions.
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1:00 PM on 07.20.2010 | 
DOWNLOADING NOW.
The dungeon crawl is definitely an interesting take. Instead of the questing hero, you're the quest-giver. It's certainly refreshing to see other perspectives from the fantasy RPG genre.
Aggravating
Also, as a side note, from the FAQ: "...given the choice between potentially poor English voice work and no English voice work, we opt for the latter." Too bad the Arc Rise Fantasia localization team didn't have the same conclusions.