NEWS: LEVEL-5 RELEASES THE STARSHIP DAMREY FOR NINTENDO 3DS
Sci-Fi Suspense Horror Game From Kazuya Asano and Takemaru Abiko,
Two of Japan’s Most Innovative and Prolific Creators, Now Available in Nintendo eShop
SANTA MONICA, CA (May 16, 2013) – Renowned Japanese game company LEVEL-5, best known for the critically acclaimed Professor Layton, INAZUMA ELEVEN and NI NO KUNI, has released the suspenseful sci-fi adventure game, THE STARSHIP DAMREY, in North America in the Nintendo eShop on the Nintendo 3DS™ hand-held system. THE STARSHIP DAMREY was previously released only in Japan as part of the GUILD02 collection, featuring masterworks by some of the industry’s most respected game creators.
“The works of Kazuya Asano and Takemaru Abiko as a duo have helped shape an entire genre in Japan, and their pioneering of new genres and play styles are the kind of innovations LEVEL-5 are proud to support and foster in the GUILD series of games,” said Akihiro Hino, President and CEO of LEVEL-5.
THE STARSHIP DAMREY offers a new twist on sci-fi suspense from a dynamic team of Japanese game developers renowned for text-based adventures and known for pioneering the “Sound Novel” genre of games that are wildly popular in Japan. Designer Kazuya Asano (Kamaitachi no Yoru (The Night of the Sickle Weasel), TORNEKO: The Last Hope) and writer Takemaru Abiko (Kamaitachi no Yoru (The Night of the Sickle Weasel), TRICK X LOGIC) have joined forces once again to pioneer new challenges in a disquieting adventure set in the darkness of space.
“Before the project was given a formal name, we called it ‘ALONE.’ Who am I? Where am I? How much time has passed? What am I doing?” said Kazuya Asano, creator of THE STARSHIP DAMREY. “We created the game with a focus on synchronizing the player with the protagonist in a situation where neither one of them knows the answers to these basic questions. I hope you enjoy this state of the unknown.”
In THE STARSHIP DAMREY, players awaken to discover that they are trapped in a Cold Sleep capsule aboard the titular Starship Damrey, with no memory of who they are or how they got there. The game offers no tutorials, explanations, or hints and pushes the player to use self-discovery and experimentation to find their own way through the experience. An inconceivable truth awaits players willing to discover it.
“I’ve worked on many novel-style games that have been difficult to localize, but the world and the style of THE STARSHIP DAMREY is something both Japanese and Western players can appreciate,” said Takemaru Abiko, writer of THE STARSHIP DAMREY. “The game’s text gives players just enough to feel their way through the cryptic nature of this title, and I believe that anyone in any country should be able to enjoy this experience.”
As an added bonus in THE STARSHIP DAMREY, players who previously downloaded LEVEL-5’s LIBERATION MAIDEN™, AERO PORTER™, or CRIMSON SHROUD ™ via the Nintendo eShop and have save data from any of three titles on their Nintendo 3DS™ will receive exclusive “linked content” that includes a special scenario providing deeper insight into the events that unfold aboard the ship. This scenario can only be unlocked at the end of the player’s journey.
THE STARSHIP DAMREY is now available in North America in the Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS™ for $7.99 (USD). More information on THE STARSHIP DAMREY can be found online at http://level5ia.com/blackbox/the-starship-damrey/.
All titles available in English only.
ABOUT LEVEL-5
LEVEL-5 Inc. plans, creates, and markets videogame software in Japan. The company’s flagship PROFESSOR LAYTON series has shipped over 15.0 million units worldwide, while the mega-hit INAZUMA ELEVEN series has shipped over 6.4 million units worldwide. The Little Battlers eXperience animated series, based on the hugely successful games of the same name, will soon make its western debut in Europe and the Americas. The company recently released Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch for North America and Europe, featuring animations by the Academy Award-winning Studio Ghibli, and music by Joe Hisaishi. In September 2010, LEVEL-5 Inc. opened an office in Santa Monica, California. While maintaining its base as a game company, LEVEL-5 Inc. continues to actively explore collaborations with other media, as it strives to become a world-class entertainment brand. More information on LEVEL-5 Inc. can be found at http://www.level5ia.com and http://www.level5.co.jp/.
©2013 LEVEL-5 Inc. Nintendo trademarks and copyrights are properties of Nintendo. All other trademarks are properties of their respective owners. All other trademarks are properties of their respective owners.
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