Sachiko, we beg of you…

Sachiko, we beg of you…

Sachiko, we beg of you…





…That’s how it all began. And so it begins again…

We’ve just announced a Corpse Party double bombshell: a release date for the digital PC version of the game (April 25th via Steam, GOG, and Humble Store, for a list price of $14.99) as well as release plans for the 3DS version, which will be dropping in both digital and limited edition physical forms in North America this summer (nothing to report yet for Europe; sorry!). Counting our previous digital PSP release, this means the very first Corpse Party title will now be available in English on three major gaming platforms, widening the spread of Sachiko Ever After all the more (truly, we are doing Sachiko’s work here!).

But this brings up a crucial question: if you can only pick one version of the game to play, which will it be? Each of the three has something unique to offer, despite all being fundamentally the same game. And there have been a lot of concerns and misconceptions surfacing on this and other topics since our announcement went out yesterday morning – so I’d like to take a moment to assuage the most commonly voiced worries, as well as provide a general breakdown of the three editions to help you figure out which team you’re on.

Let’s start with the worries:

– Worry the First: The 3DS version has no voice-acting, right?

Wrong! The 3DS version is fully voiced, utilizing the exact same Japanese-language voice recordings as the PSP version of the game, in all their 3D binaural glory. I think the origin of this rumor may have been the four 3DS-exclusive Extra Chapters – new content created specifically for this version of the game. These four Extra Chapters are not voiced (save for flashbacks to other parts of the game), but every other Chapter and Extra Chapter is, with not a single voice file from the PSP version missing or unaccounted for.

– Worry the Second: The 3DS version has to be censored, right?

Nope! All versions of Corpse Party released by XSEED Games are presented to you with no content removed or altered whatsoever (save for the small handful of sniggly things we had to change for legal reasons, like a Nokia ringtone). The ESRB M rating exists for a reason, after all, and our M rating for Corpse Party 3DS has already been secured.

– Worry the Third: No physical for 3DS, right?

Incorrect! The 3DS version will be available either digitally via the Nintendo 3DS eShop for $29.99, or physically in a “Back to School Edition” for $49.99 (pictured above). The Back to School Edition includes figurines of the characters Naomi Nakashima and Seiko Shinohara (with interchangeable faces), as well as a nearly 80-minute music CD containing all the remaining PSP/3DS version Corpse Party music we couldn’t fit on our “Songs of the Dead” compilation (as well as a few tracks unique to the 3DS version of the game!). So physical Corpse Party 1 is a go, for the first time ever in English!

– Worry the Fourth: I heard some of the PC version content was too gruesome for the PSP version of the game! Is that true? And is that gruesome content present in your PC release?!

We’ve heard that too… from you guys! The rumor is, some of the content from the PC version was removed for the handheld ports solely to prevent the game from getting too high a CERO rating in Japan, but I’m… honestly not sure if that’s true or not. There are definitely some endings unique to the PC version, but none of them seem any more gruesome than some of the endings present in all versions of Corpse Party. There’s a rather unsettling insect-related scene in the PC game that isn’t present in the PSP version, but that’s likely because the PC game was released episodically in Japan, and Chapter 5 (where the scene in question plays) didn’t actually come out until after the PSP game, meaning it’s more of an addition for PC fans than an omission for PSPers. (This is supported by the scene’s subsequent inclusion in the 3DS version of the game.)

Other than the odd ending here and there, the only thing I know for certain that was removed from the PC version when it made the jump to PSP is… a trail of blood on the hallway floor during one particular scene. I can’t say for certain why that was removed, but I don’t see how it would’ve affected the game’s content rating when other parts of the game are far, far more disturbing.

And either way, once again, you needn’t worry about things being removed or altered on our end: everything present in the final Japanese PC release of the game will be present in our PC release as well, just as everything present in the Japanese 3DS game will be present in our 3DS release. We will be making absolutely no content changes on either front.

And now, the moment you’ve all been waiting for: the three iterations of Corpse Party face off in a battle royale!





PSP



Number of Extra Chapters: 10. None exclusive to this version of the game.

Main benefits of playing this version: Vita and PSTV compatibility, making it overall the most accessible version of the game. Same platform(s) as its sequels.

Main benefits of playing another version instead:

- 3DS: Four more Extra Chapters, higher-res character sprites, 3D support for art stills, omnipresent Touch Screen menu, message log feature.

- PC: Completely different Japanese voice track with different nuances, one notably exclusive Extra Chapter, additional scenes and endings, original indie art, Steamworks features (achievements, trading cards, wallpapers, etc.), fast-forward feature, swanky text boxes.

Tagline: If you want to easily play Corpse Party on your living room TV, or you own a Vita or PSTV and want the entire Heavenly Host trilogy (Corpse Party, Corpse Party: Book of Shadows, Corpse Party: Blood Drive) in one place, the PSP version is for you!

3DS

Number of Extra Chapters: 14. Four exclusive to this version of the game.

Main benefits of playing this version: Exclusive Extra Chapters of considerable length and interactivity, which help fill in some gaps in the story and develop side characters who don’t otherwise get a lot of screen time. Higher resolution character sprites than its PSP counterpart, perfectly matching the resolution of the game’s background art (if this bothered you in the PSP version, you know exactly why this is so notable; if it didn’t, you’re probably just scratching your head right now!). Some new music tracks, including a really awesome arrangement of the classic Chapter 1 BGM.





Main benefits of playing another version instead:

- PSP: Vita and PSTV compatibility, parity with sequels.

- PC: Completely different Japanese voice track with different nuances, one notably exclusive Extra Chapter, additional scenes and endings, original indie art, Steamworks features (achievements, trading cards, wallpapers, etc.), fast-forward feature, swanky text boxes.

Tagline: If you’re the type of gamer who values high-fidelity visuals and the most up-to-date, top-of-the-line presentation, or you’ve already played the PSP version to death and want to experience something new on your next replay, the 3DS version is for you!

PC



Number of Extra Chapters: 4. One exclusive to this version of the game (but it’s a doozy!).

Main benefits of playing this version: Completely different Japanese voice track with different nuances, to such an extent that much of the game’s dialogue was re-edited to account for subtle shifts in mood and tone. The “Tooth” chapter from Corpse Party: Book of Shadows, fully recreated here in classic 2D adventure style; easily the biggest and most involved Extra Chapter in any Corpse Party game to date, thoroughly expanding upon its Book of Shadows counterpart and providing lots of new content both in terms of story and gameplay alike. The presence of a genuinely fast fast-forward feature, making ending collection a breeze. And last but not least… those beautiful, beautiful text boxes! Seriously, those have to be the swankiest, most mesmerizing text boxes I’ve ever seen. Observe in our trailer:







Main benefits of playing another version instead:

- PSP: Vita and PSTV compatibility, parity with sequels.

- 3DS: Significantly more Extra Chapters, much higher-res character sprites, 3D support for art stills, omnipresent Touch Screen menu, message log feature.

Tagline: If you’re the type of gamer who would pick a quality indie title over a AAA game, or you’ve played another version of Corpse Party and want to hear some wholly different takes on some of your favorite characters, the PC version is for you!

No matter which of the three versions you choose, you’re going to have a gruesomely good time. Get ready to be corpsed once more, as the party begins anew in 10 days, then continues this summer.

Your invitation awaits. You need only r.s.v.p.

-Tom