Rune Factory 2 and Princess Debut Among Titles to Make First Public Appearances At Show

July 14, 2008



Rune Factory 2 and Princess Debut
Among Titles to Make First Public Appearances At Show

Natsume Inc., a worldwide developer
and publisher of family-oriented video games, announced today their lineup for
the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), which begins tomorrow, Tuesday, July 15,
and runs through Thursday, July 17. The company will be holding one-on-one
meetings in room 517 at the show with select media representatives. The majority
of the titles showcased will be shipping this summer and fall on a variety of
video game systems, including the Nintendo DS, Nintendo Wii and the PSP
(PlayStation Portable).

"We are very excited to share the
details on all of the titles that fans and consumers can expect to see from us
later this year," said Hiro Maekawa, President and CEO at Natsume. "From all-new
games that expand on the Harvest Moon series to an original-IP, Princess Debut,
a dance and adventure game for girls, we will have plenty of family-friendly
interactive entertainment for everyone in the household."

 

Harvest Moon: Island of Happiness
(DS)

Harvest Moon: Island of Happiness
brings the largest portable Harvest Moon experience ever to the Nintendo DS.
Starting off with an abandoned farm, a handful of seeds, and the determination
to start a new life, it’s up to the player to develop a mysterious, abandoned
island into a bustling tropical paradise. By harvesting crops, raising animals,
and mining for precious gems, players will help the island grow into a vibrant
town filled with people, businesses, and eligible bachelors and bachelorettes.
Players can take on the role of a male or a female, and choose who they want to
fall in love and start a family with. Players can also test their farming skills
against each other and compete for prizes via the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection.

Harvest Moon: Tree of Tranquility
(Wii)

In Harvest Moon: Tree of
Tranquility, players find themselves in a troubled island town which once
prospered with life and energy, but is now in serious trouble. The mystical
Mother Tree that once watched over the island has disappeared, and the Harvest
Goddess is nowhere to be found! The island has lost its connection with nature
and the inhabitants don’t know what to do – it’s up to the player to save the
island! You must help to rebuild the island by tending to the earth, befriending
and raising animals, nurturing friendships, and creating a family. Long-time
Harvest Moon fans as well as new players will find an exciting, involving
storyline and plenty of activities including cultivating crops, caring for
animals, and participating in festivals. All-new controls for the Nintendo Wii
Remote give players the chance to feel like they’re really farming!

Rune Factory 2: A Fantasy Harvest
Moon (DS)

Rune Factory 2 is set several years
after the first game. The evil Sechs Empire has been defeated, and the Kingdom
of Norad is once again at peace. Things may not stay that way for long, however,
as dark premonitions foretell of dangers to come. It’s up to player to uncover
the source of these premonitions and bring peace to the kingdom once more. In a
first for the Rune Factory series, the story of Rune Factory 2 is
multigenerational. Players begin the game as Kyle, a strange man who comes to
Alvarna Village. Eventually, players will take on the role of Kyle’s child,
opening up a whole new adventure. It’s an innovative feature that allows players
to follow the story of their family and the townsfolk over two generations! Rune
Factory 2 offers innovative Touch Screen controls, easy-to-use menus, and an
all-new compelling storyline.

Princess Debut (DS) In
Princess Debut, players find themselves in a fantasy world where they have 30
days to get ready for the big ball. They’ll have to master their dance moves and
win over one of the six handsome, charming princes to be their partner. They’ll
meet and woo the princes through the game’s large, branching storyline and
exciting events. Once the player convinces a prince to be their dancing partner,
it’s time to go out on the dance floor! Players will use the Touch Screen to
guide their character gracefully across the dance floor while matching their
partner’s rhythm. All of the dances in the game are taken from motion-captured
professional dancers, so the game is just as impressive to watch as it is fun to
play.

Hamtaro (DS)

Join Hamtaro and all his friends in
a variety of fun and educational brain-training games designed for elementary
school children. Children will develop their memory, word comprehension, math
skill, and many other abilities as they play through 12 engaging, interactive
games. Parents can monitor their child’s growing abilities, adjust the
difficulty level to match their child’s skills, and reward them with special
items. Hamtaro and his friends make learning fun!

Yumi’s Odd Odyssey (PSP)

Yumi’s Odd Odyssey is a fast-paced
puzzle platformer for the PSP. Trapped in a bizarre world filled with spikes,
pitfalls, and giant, hostile fish with nothing but her wits and her trusty
rubber fishing line, Yumi will have to run, jump, climb, and swing her way to
freedom. Yumi’s fishing line isn’t just handy for fending off fish–it also
works like a grappling hook, allowing Yumi to latch onto and swing from just
about any part of the environment. The game’s advanced physics allow players to
pull off remarkable feats of grappling acrobatics and find new, creative ways
through the open-ended levels. With its colorful graphics, wild worlds, and
ingenious grappling gameplay, Yumi’s Odd Odyssey will have players hooked!

For more information on any of these
titles, please visit
www.natsume.com


 


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