Trinity Universe (video game)
Encyclopedia
is a 2009 console role-playing game
, co-developed by Nippon Ichi Software, Idea Factory
and Gust Corporation exclusively for the PlayStation 3
. The game is published by Idea Factory
in Japan and NIS America in North America and Europe and was released in Japan on October 1, 2009 and in North America and Europe on June 2010. The game features characters from the Atelier
and Disgaea
series from Gust Corporation and Nippon Ichi Software respectively, with fully 3D character models for the first time.
Nippon Ichi characters from Disgaea: Hour of Darkness
Gust characters from Atelier Viorate: Alchemist of Gramnad 2
The game features two different scenarios, Goddess side which features Gust characters, and a Demon Lord side with Nippon Ichi characters. The protagonist in the Demon Lord story line is a devil dog named Kanata, while the Goddess side stars the Valkyrie Rizelea.
had this to say, "This series has a rich history and compelling characters, but the story wound up being yet another young hero with amnesia that is thrust into saving the universe. We've seen this roughly a thousand times before and it is old and stale."
Role-playing video game
Role-playing video games are a video game genre with origins in pen-and-paper role-playing games such as Dungeons & Dragons, using much of the same terminology, settings and game mechanics. The player in RPGs controls one character, or several adventuring party members, fulfilling one or many quests...
, co-developed by Nippon Ichi Software, Idea Factory
Idea Factory
is a Japanese video game developer and publisher founded on October 26, 1994 headed by company president Koichi Ota and vice president Shingo Kuwana.-Games published:-Games developed:-External links:* * * * from IGN* from GameSpot...
and Gust Corporation exclusively for the PlayStation 3
PlayStation 3
The is the third home video game console produced by Sony Computer Entertainment and the successor to the PlayStation 2 as part of the PlayStation series. The PlayStation 3 competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
. The game is published by Idea Factory
Idea Factory
is a Japanese video game developer and publisher founded on October 26, 1994 headed by company president Koichi Ota and vice president Shingo Kuwana.-Games published:-Games developed:-External links:* * * * from IGN* from GameSpot...
in Japan and NIS America in North America and Europe and was released in Japan on October 1, 2009 and in North America and Europe on June 2010. The game features characters from the Atelier
Atelier (series)
The Atelier series is a series of role-playing video games developed by the Gust Corporation since 1997, primarily for the PlayStation consoles , though portable versions for the Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS, and PlayStation Portable have also been made. Two of the games in the...
and Disgaea
Disgaea
is a video game series of tactical role-playing games created and developed by Nippon Ichi. The series debuted in Japan on January 30, , with Disgaea: Hour of Darkness, later re-released as Disgaea: Afternoon of Darkness and Disgaea DS. One of Nippon Ichi's most popular franchises, it has branched...
series from Gust Corporation and Nippon Ichi Software respectively, with fully 3D character models for the first time.
Characters
Original characters- Also known as , Kanata hails from a lineage that was tasked with sacrificing themselves to become "Demon God Gems". These gems are capable of emitting energy that repels drifting objects in space, so as to prevent them from crashing into the Netheruniverse's capital, Empyria. He resists his fate during the ritual and becomes a Demon Dog King instead, his vassal Tsubaki frees him from his prison cell, and they both flee his family castle. He now lives a carefree life instead.
- Also known as , Rizelea has worked for the Goddess Union as a Valkyrie in order to keep peace and order in the universe. During her last mission to restore peace in the Netheruniverse, she decides to take action independent of the Goddess Union and starts an investigation about the drifting objects that travels towards Empyria. Prefers people to call her "Riz" (リゼリア Rizeria in the Japanese version).
- Also known as , she is Kanata's caretaker that is always by his side. Always behaving like a Yamato NadeshikoYamato Nadeshikois a Japanese term meaning "personification of an idealized Japanese woman", "ideal" in the historical context of the patriarchal, traditional culture of Japan...
, her true, scary nature slips out occasionally when she gets angry. No one knows of her secret ambitions. - Also known as , an arrogant human who used to be a Hero of Light, but a certain incident caused him to fall and become a Dark Hero instead. He aims to usurp the throne to the Netheruniverse. Takes pride in his ahoge (lit. fool's hair, an antennae-like hair that is a typical anime feature), and becomes mad and needlessly defensive whenever someone makes fun of it.
- Also known as , a Treasure Hunter who travels all over space and believes that going on adventures is the duty of all men. He is very passionate and friendly to his friends, but he has a complex over his name Recit because it sounds like 'receipt'. Designed by Kazuyuki Yoshizumi, character designer for Gust's Mana Khemia series.
- Also known as , Miyu is a snow cat spirit whose job is to draw Managraphics, magic symbols, on weapons. She works very hard in order to send money to her poor family which lives on the other side of the universe. Cries easily in all kinds of situations, from being sad or happy, to confused or nervous. Designed by Yoshihiko Imaizumi, character designer for Nippon Ichi's Jigsaw World game.
- Also known as , Mizuki is literally a super idol and assassin combined. She can sing, dance and assassinate, and is pretty famous in the Netheruniverse. Very positive and optimistic, but a little selfish. Her catchphrase is 'Are you prepared for your beautiful assassination?!' ("覚悟せよ♪" in the Japanese version, literally "get ready!").
- Also known as (the Japanese title, Last Boss Suzaku, is most likely a reference to Disgaea'sDisgaea: Hour of Darknessis a tactical role-playing video game developed by Nippon Ichi Software and published by Nippon Ichi Software in Japan, Atlus USA, Inc. in North America, and Koei in Europe for the Sony PlayStation 2 video game console...
Mid Boss Vyer). A mystic that serves at Kanata's castle. Speaks with a feminine tone (an okama accent in the Japanese version), which sometimes conflict with his appearance. Because of his household's and castle's economic deficits, he works several jobs such as being Mizuki's manager and an Innkeeper. He juggles these jobs with fighting with Kanata and Rizelea's party as well.
Nippon Ichi characters from Disgaea: Hour of Darkness
Disgaea: Hour of Darkness
is a tactical role-playing video game developed by Nippon Ichi Software and published by Nippon Ichi Software in Japan, Atlus USA, Inc. in North America, and Koei in Europe for the Sony PlayStation 2 video game console...
- Also known as . A witch girl traveling around the universe in a spaceship on a quest to fill the world with love. She is currently chasing Etna, who stole her spaceship. from Disgaea: Hour of Darkness
- Also known as . The pretty captain of a stolen ship, currently on a journey to find legendary sweets and conquer the world. The latter is her secondary goal. from Disgaea: Hour of Darkness
- Also known as . Etna's servants who toil solely for money, while continuing to work for Etna because they fear her as well. Frequently launched as cannonballs from the cannons in Etna's spaceship since they explode when thrown.
Gust characters from Atelier Viorate: Alchemist of Gramnad 2
- Also known as , Pamela works at an inn on Empyria. As usual, she enjoys pulling pranks on people by suddenly appearing around them (especially the Prinnies and Lucius). Despite being a ghost, she is merry and cheerful all the time, though she often sounds flat or without any real opinion at all. from Atelier Viorate: Alchemist of Gramnad 2
- Also known as , she prefers people to call her simply Vio (ヴィオ Vio). A cheerful and active girl, Vio is very sociable and can make friends with anyone instantly. She creates a lot of things using materials from all over the Netheruniverse, as part of her alchemy training. She thinks that carrots are the ultimate ingredients in cooking. Her goals are to become a great alchemist and to make the best food using carrots as her main, if not only, ingredient. This also marks Violet's first appearance in the U.S. since the game she originates from was not localized (much like with Marie in Cross Edge).
Gameplay
In Trinity Universe's battle system, each attack uses a certain amount of AP, and skills are assigned to three different buttons. If players execute a string of skills, they can deal more damage. Time is said to be an important element, with players having a set period in which to destroy a gravitation field and escape a dungeon.The game features two different scenarios, Goddess side which features Gust characters, and a Demon Lord side with Nippon Ichi characters. The protagonist in the Demon Lord story line is a devil dog named Kanata, while the Goddess side stars the Valkyrie Rizelea.
Reception
Trinity Universe received mixed reviews, with a current metacritic score of 61. Robert Townslend of Game InformerGame Informer
Game Informer is an American-based monthly magazine featuring articles, news, strategy, and reviews of popular video games and associated consoles. It was formed in August 1991, when FuncoLand started publishing a six-page magazine, free in all its retail locations...
had this to say, "This series has a rich history and compelling characters, but the story wound up being yet another young hero with amnesia that is thrust into saving the universe. We've seen this roughly a thousand times before and it is old and stale."