
	Platform PSP Genre Strategy RPG Publisher NIS America Developer Idea Factory ETA February 28, 2006
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Generation of Chaos

As far as the PSP is concerned, the handheld’s library has primarily consisted of fast-paced, twitchy games. This is all well and good, but for PSP owners with a hankering for a nice RPG or strategy game, they haven’t had a whole lot to choose from. However, Idea Factory, a developer whose games have largely stayed in Japan to this point, are bringing a new game in the genre to the PlayStation Portable in the form of Generation of Chaos, courtesy of NIS America.

Unlike other recent games that NIS has brought to the PS2, this game is on a much grander scale. In games like Disgaea and La Pucelle, players lead a relatively small party, and controlled the members individually as they navigated various dungeons. In Generation of Chaos, players will choose a kingdom to represent (one basic for beginners, and the other a much more challenging scenario for SRPG veterans), and proceed to build massive armies from their various cities all in the name of conquest.

Putting all of the conflict swirling around in the game into context, the world of Generation of Chaos has been plunged into war by an aggressive, power hungry kingdom, now players must bring peace…by mercilessly conquering their enemies and bringing the whole of the game world under one flag.

What will likely prove interesting to long-time fans of SRPGs is how Idea Factory is taking a lot of the elements that have proven popular in the genre, adjusting them to give the game a much broader scope. Forget about having maybe a dozen characters engaged in battle at once. In this game, battles will see up to 60 soldiers having at it at once. That being said, players won’t micromanage every single unit during battle, as this could prove incredibly tedious as the game wears on. Instead, players will hand out orders on what sort of tactics they want their troops to do, and they’ll work as a group to execute them.

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That being said, these armies still need generals, and there will be plenty of options on this front. Generals in Generation of Chaos are more of a reflection of the various characters players have been able to create in games like Disgaea. There will be several different types of classes at players’ disposal ranging from wizards, to healers, to knights, and Vikings. There’ll even be various monsters to choose from. Looking at this, it’s very reminiscent of the broad range of character classes that Nippon Ichi

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likes to include in their games. Variety isn’t the only thing associated with these generals. Since they’re the people in charge, players will be able to control them individually from the rest of the units in a particular army, allowing one to hit trouble spots quickly, as well as perform super attacks. However, what makes these special attacks unique is that they become more powerful as generals take damage. If a general is at full health, their special attack won’t be all that strong. On the other hand, if he or she is near death, they’ll unload a much more vicious attack.

But the game won’t be purely focused on large armies clashing on the battlefield. There will also be empire building as they improve infrastructure, and perform espionage.

Those familiar with the art found in Nippon Ichi's strategy games will feel right at home looking at the motif in Generation of Chaos. Here, Idea Factory uses a similar blend of pre-rendered anime drawings during the game's narrative and an isometric view while actually playing the game.

As of late, it's been Nippon Ichi who has been largely enjoying the SRPG spot lot in these parts. Hopefully, Generation of Chaos can prove equally as fun as games like Disgaea and Makai Kingdom, perhaps helping Idea Factory to develop a beach head for themselves on these shores as well.

Mr. Nash

February 15, 2006