“We” in the case being the hungering masses for actual, man-pants-wearing games for the Wii. We were lucky a couple of weeks ago when it was announced that Xenoblade Chronicles was finally coming to our shores, but today it was revealed that Nintendo will be releasing The Last Story, another huge RPG, this year as well!
The press release has this to say about it:
Nintendo is loading 2012 with surprises for all kinds of gamers. Today Nintendo can confirm that the acclaimed role-playing game The Last Story™ will come to North America for the Wii™ console in 2012, published by XSEED Games. Nintendo also can reveal that Xenoblade Chronicles™ will launch on April 6, complete with fan-chosen artwork that will be featured in the game’s packaging.
“Together, these two games level up the excitement for RPG fans in America,” said Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime. “Whether roaming the vast landscape of Xenoblade Chronicles or choosing crossbows to battle with or against companions in The Last Story, gamers will recognize these titles as benchmarks for the genre.”
Developed by Mistwalker, whose head comes from a background at Squre-Enix, The Last Story‘s setting is, according to Wikipedia:
The game takes place on Ruli Island (Lazulis Island in the English translation), governed by Count Earl Arganan and located at the entrance of a harbor which serves as the only entrance to a mountainous continent. The player controls a group of mercenaries that have come from the desolate continent to the island seeking work. The production staff is trying to limit science fiction elements in the game.
The Last Story has, so far, garnered positive reviews, with notably a 38/40 from Famitsu.
Look for the game to release sometime in 2012. It’s a good thing that’s so vague because otherwise it would be rather painful to have to wait on a specific date. Between this and Xenoblade, it’s going to be a good year for the Wii, even though this time last year Nintendo probably thought Zelda would be the last game anyone gave a flip about for the console. WELL WE SHOWED THEM.