Kuon

[cheapass Gundam]

I saw this on the shelves of EB and picked it up on impulse when I went to pick up Shadow Hearts: Covenant yesterday (thanks to the OP from the $29.99 Shadow Hearts: Covenant at EB thread). I heard about it coming out in Japan but didn't know Agetec picked up the game's US distribution rights.

Popped in the game last night and it brings back memories of playing the first Fatal Frame. Thjs game contains extras that were removed from its Japanese release and offers plenty of gore and scary ambience just like the first Fatal Frame. The game could use a bit more polish, but it definitely has a higher production value than something like Siren.

Fans of the first Fatal Frame who found its sequel was somewhat lacking might want to try Kuon out. Highly recommended!

[kaji7p56]

Kuon, eh?

[postaboy]

man I was about to pick up fatal frame 1 and 2 @ GS, each $24.99. They were both complete, but its in a BB rental case.

[drone8888]

Kuon will be a $5 game this summer.

Agetec is poop with their marketing strategies.

Paying $50,.........shame on you.

[cheapass Gundam]

Kuon will be a $5 game this summer.

Agetec is poop with their marketing strategies.

Paying $50,.........shame on you.

I got all the other games cheap, so it all averages out... :lol:

[JohnnyDrama]

I'll pick up Kuon when it drops way down in price

[cheapass Gundam]

I didn't even see this game at places like BB, Target, TRU or Walmart. Will this game became rare/valuable? :lol:

[imamario02]

it just came out give it some time to make it to the other stores

[Rozz]

It might become rare in the future, who knows?

[ManChowder]

it's been out since early December if I remember right. Most stores only received a few copies(if they carried it at all).... None of the EBs, Gamestops, walmarts, TRUs or targets in my area have any in stock(most never received any)... nor have they received any since the original batch.
I'm not sure what the deal is with this because you can find it online at a lot of places. I'm curious exactly how many they made of this game... I doubt if it's ever going to be truly valueable considering the poor reviews it got.
Personally I love horror games so I'm planning on getting it but $50 is a bit much for a game that might not be that great. I'm hoping EBgames.com or gamestop.com will drop the price soon.

[cheapass Gundam]

I asked the guy at EB when did the game come out and was told it's been out for about a month. Prior to last weekend I never saw this game anywhere, not even Toys R Us, which usually keeps a good selection compared to BB or Target.

I read some reviews, as usual the "professional" ones miss the mark completely and expect it to be another RE or Silent Hill clone and punishes the game for not being one that they expected. :roll:

All I can say is this game is not for the mainstream media. It's more like an R-rated version of Fatal Frame, which got diluted down to a PG-13 with its sequel. Those who enjoyed the FF games should find this game fun.

Kuon US homepage (http://kuon.agetec.com/)

[evilmax17]

Ooo From Software. Same guys that did Otogi.

[MaxBiaggi3]

It might become rare in the future, who knows?

If you buy it and keep it sealed for ten years, you'll be rich! :roll:

[MaxBiaggi3]

it definitely has a higher production value than something like Siren.

Unfortunately, gamerankings.com gives Siren an overall higher score (72%) than Kuon (61%). It's not a big difference, but I waited for Siren's price to fall before purchase, and I'll probably do the same with Kuon. I'm definitely interested in checking it out, just not at full price. Hopefully, the limited marketing and consumer recognition will help interested gamers score a copy for cheap in the near future.

[cheapass Gundam]

Siren was well stocked in mass consumer chains like Target, it was backed by SCEA in the US, unlike Kuon. I picked up my copy of Siren for cheap and still thought I overpaid for it. I'd give Kuon a solid 80% based on initial impressions. Having played about halfway into Siren and quit it out of boredom, I wouldn't give it more than 60%.

I don't know about you, but if I buy my games based on reviews, I'd have missed out on a lot of great games that were universally panned by "professional" reviewers. Case in point: Illbleed. This game has the steepest learning curve I've ever seen in a game and was extremely tough for noobs, but after you play through it once, you start to have some real fun with your upgraded characters. Most reviewers who wrote all the negative reviews probably never even passed the first stage, let alone finished the game once before they wrote their o-so-unbiased deadline-sensitive reviews. :roll:

Incidentally, Kuon was the first game I've paid full price for in about a year or so. Last time I did it was for Silent Hill 3.

[Masterkyo]

SIREN (PS2) $11 at TRU

Shadow Hearts 2: Covenant (PS2) $30 (New Price) maybe, they will release Shadow Hearts 2: Covenant Direct Cut here in the US.

Kuon is great scary game but i wait till it hit $20-$30 instead $50.

[terribledeli]

Ooo From Software. Same guys that did Otogi.

But they are the same people that brought us King's Field as well. Lest we never forget that bit of...stuff.

Still, maybe if I find it in the bin.

[donssword]

Agetec's problem is heavy reliance on their inconsistant distributor Tommo.

It seems that other than minimal pre-orders in EBs and GameStops, Tommo is incapable of putting games at any other retailer. By and large you won't find Kuon, or this summer's release of "Echo Night Beyond" made it to any of the major outlets.

From Software develops most of the games Agetec localizes for the US. From is known for making games in a very cost, efficient manner, delivering niche titles that are profitable at small sales volumes -- and making their reasonable licensing fees more affordable for US localization and niche US sales.

Agetec has brought some great and unusual titles to the US, and the PS2 in particular:
Space Channel 5: Special Edition
Disaster Report
Echo Night Beyond
Armored Core
Magic Pengel
The RPG Maker series
the upcoming Wild Arms Code F...
...titles that otherwise may not have made a US appearance.

Tommo sucks bad, and I wish the Agetec folks would dump them, or align themselves with Mastiff, who seem to be able to get their games in just about everywhere.

[donssword]

And while the Agetec titles don't rate in the 90% range with reviewers, they are damn fine games, distinct in their personality and gaming experiences.

Echo Night Beyond was a very solid and enjoyable game, with a non-violent adult appeal that really needed more mainstream exposure. I really believe it was a title that could have brought more non-gamers to consoles.

But, Tommo screwed the pooch on distribution and promotion.

[cheapass Gundam]

From Software also made Tenchu 3, which was a huge improvement over Tenchu 2, developed by the same company that came up with the original.

[donssword]

Spike did the orig Tenchu game, and is also responsible for the Way of the Samurai series -- they have some brilliant ideas, but sometimes inconsistant execution.