Ray Gigant (Japanese: レイギガント, Hepburn: Rei Giganto) is a role-playing video game developed by Experience. The game was published in Japan by Bandai Namco Entertainment in 2015, and published digitally in North America, Europe, and Australia by Acttil on May 3, 2016.
| Ray Gigant | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Experience |
| Publisher(s) | |
| Director(s) | Motoya Ataka[2] |
| Producer(s) | Hajime Chikane[2] |
| Engine | |
| Platform(s) | PlayStation Vita Microsoft Windows |
| Release |
|
| Genre(s) | Role-playing |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Gameplay
editThe game plays as a dungeon crawler JRPG.[2] Contrary to genre standards, the game will contain no random battles, and a heavier focus on narrative than usual.[2] The game's battles are turn-based and similar to the system found in the game Bravely Default, where the player has a certain allocation of moves that can be made, which can either be saved up into a large number, or used up all at once, leaving the player unable to act for a period.[2] Certain segments in the battles called "Slash Beat Mode" have beat-driven mechanics similar to Rhythm Heaven series of games.[3]
Story
editThe game takes place in a fictional, future version of Tokyo that has been left in ruins due to the invasion of space aliens called "Gigants".[4] While the entire Earth has been largely laid to waste, before complete destruction, the game's primary character, Ichiya Amakaze, is finally able to defeat a Gigant with a mysterious power called "Yorigami".[5] However, at the same time, the uncontrollable nature of the power also accidentally destroys an entire city, leaving the characters of the game to figure out how to handle this ability".[5] The game is split into three separate chapters, each focusing on a separate protagonist,[6] Ichiya Amakaze, Kyle Griffin, and Nil Phineas.[4] Each protagonist will also team up with two other side characters during their side of the story, Ichiya teaming up with two characters named Mana Isano and Kazuomi Miwa.[4]
Development
editThe game was first announced in February 2015 in an issue of Famitsu.[7][8] The game is being developed by Experience, the company that had previously developed the game Demon Gaze[9] and Operation Abyss: New Tokyo Legacy.[10] The game was published by Namco Bandai in Japan[11] on July 30, 2015.[12] In November 2015, video game publisher Acttil announced that they would release the game digitally in North America on the PlayStation Network in early 2016.[13] The English version of the game was made playable at Sony's "PlayStation Experience" event held in December 2015.[10] The game will be compatible with the PlayStation TV as well.[10] The game was released on May 3, 2016 via the PlayStation Store in North America and Europe.[14] A physical PlayStation Vita version release was distributed by Limited Run Games on April 14, 2017.[15]
Reception and sales
edit| Aggregator | Score |
|---|---|
| Metacritic | VITA: 72/100[16] PC: 55/100[17] |
Ray Gigant holds a score of 72/100 at the review aggregator Metacritic, indicating generally positive reviews.[16] The game debuted at number 9 on the Japanese sales charts, selling 8,673 copies in its first week of release.[12] Hardcore Gamer was generally favorable in its assessment of the game, concluding that the game "takes some risks in game design to create a unique JRPG experience. Some of these are executed better than others, but the overall game is solid. It does take about two hours to really show its potential, but the payoff is worthwhile for JRPG fans... the developers were able to combine the influences and create a fresh experience. The storytelling emphasis may seem excessive to some, but it was able to hold this reviewer’s interest..."[18] RPG Site was similar in their assessment; while they praised the game for being "an interesting mesh of dungeon crawling and visual novel elements" while containing unique combat and great presentation, but chided the game for its "repetitive nature" and "lack of challenge".[19] Kotaku specifically praised the game's fluid animations and two-dimensional art style.[9]
References
edit- ^ "Ray Gigant coming to PC via Steam on August 10". Gematsu. 2016-08-01. Retrieved 2016-08-01.
- ^ a b c d e "Ray Gigant's Battle System Takes A Leaf Out Of Bravely Default's Book - Siliconera". Siliconera. 22 May 2015.
- ^ "Ray Gigant Goes Rhythm Heaven With Its Ultimate Attacks". Siliconera. 6 July 2015.
- ^ a b c "A Vita Dungeon Crawler About Fighting Giant Monsters From Space". Siliconera. 26 February 2015.
- ^ a b "Ray Gigant coming west via PSN in spring 2016". Gematsu. 19 November 2015.
- ^ "RPGamer - News Bulletin - Ray Gigant Takes Up the Spotlight". Archived from the original on 2017-07-05. Retrieved 2016-03-16.
- ^ "Bandai Namco And Dungeon Crawler Makers Experience Announce A New Vita Game". Siliconera. 24 February 2015.
- ^ "RPGamer > Japandemonium (March 6th, 2015)". Archived from the original on 2016-06-10. Retrieved 2016-03-16.
- ^ a b Toshi Nakamura (4 June 2015). "The Ray Gigant Trailer With English Subtitles". Kotaku. Gawker Media.
- ^ a b c CJ Andriessen (21 November 2015). "PS Vita RPG Ray Gigant heads west next spring". Destructoid.
- ^ "RPGamer > Ray Gigant". Archived from the original on 2017-04-28. Retrieved 2016-03-16.
- ^ a b "Media Create Sales: 7/27/15 – 8/2/15". Gematsu. 5 August 2015.
- ^ "Ray Gigant Is Getting A Western Release In Spring 2016 For PS Vita". Siliconera. 20 November 2015.
- ^ "Ray Gigant Is Releasing In North America And Europe In May 3, 2016 - Siliconera". www.siliconera.com. Archived from the original on 2016-04-17.
- ^ "Ray Gigant to Get Physical PS Vita Release via Limited Run Games - Hardcore Gamer". 13 March 2017.
- ^ a b "Ray Gigant for PlayStation Vita Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 2021-05-10.
- ^ "Ray Gigant for PC Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 2021-05-10.
- ^ "Review: Ray Gigant". 29 April 2016.
- ^ Adam Vitale. "Ray Gigant Review".