Xbox 360 Fanboy

We have mixed feelings about this game. On the one hand, it's named Zoids Assault, which means that we must abhor it. On the other, it appears to be some sort of grid based strategy RPG, which means that we must love it. This one's been (understandably) flying under the radar a bit, but if it can pull of the depth and complexity of combat that Atlus is promising it could be a great little game to play on the side or take up time as the summer winds down. As long as the cutscenes are skippable and the gameplay isn't too slow, we'll probably be willing to give it a shot.

A few months ago the demo for Operation Darkness, one of the first Xbox 360 titles from famed Japanese publisher Atlus, hit the Far East Live Marketplace; last night the same demo has made its way Stateside for Western gamers to take it for a spin.

Featuring 4-player online co-op, the strategy RPG is set in an alternate World War II universe where you must do battle with mystical creatures and the many minions of Hitler. That's right, no sugar coating this final boss. Strategy RPG fans tired of their lack of options on the Xbox 360, unless you're an XBLA fiend, should check this one out.

A few days ago Atlus launched the official website for Spectral Force 3, the second Xbox 360 title from the acclaimed (niche) publisher based out of Japan. Developed by Idea Factory, of PSP Generation of Chaos fame, Spectral Force 3 takes place in the fantasy world of Neverland during the first Neverland War. Although we haven't heard for sure we are holding out for a playable Peter Pan or, at the very least, a Michael Jackson boss battle. The Xbox 360 exclusive strategy-RPG is expected to hit shelves this May.

In the past few years the team at Atlus have etched their name into role-playing history books as a niche Japanese publisher that has quickly invaded the West with the unique brand of titles. Having announced two titles for the Xbox 360 in late 2007, Atlus has revealed new information on one of the two titles with an updated website and a slew of fresh screens. Visiting the newly updated official site for Operation Darkness reveals updated game information and that a demo is scheduled for May 5 on the Xbox Live Marketplace, months after the release of a Japanese demo that went live in December 2007.

With third party support from a team like Atlus maybe Microsoft can claim to be one helluva RPG-player's console after all. Operation Darkness, which has recently been rated M by the ESRB, is an RPG / small-squad tactics hybrid from developer SUCCESS that supports up to 4 players cooperatively over Xbox Live and is set to hit retail later this year.