Top 10 Games by Marvelous USA [Best Recommendations]

For those that are unfamiliar with this company, most of you will probably be more familiar with its former name - XSeed Games. Only recently in 2013, did XSeed Games decide to rename itself as Marvelous USA after forming up with Marvelous Entertainment. Now under a new name, Marvelous USA's core business is the publishing and the localization of games to the North America region, bringing several Japanese games to American soil. Popular games published by the then XSeed games includes Corpse Party and The Legend of Heroes. Today on this list, we will feature 10 of the top games that were ever published by Marvelous USA and if you're a fan of classic consoles, you may very well find them on this list! Let's get to it!


10. Unchained Blades

  • System/Platform: Nintendo 3DS, PSP
  • Publisher: XSEED Games (Marvelous)
  • Developer: FuRyu
  • Release Date: June 26, 2012 (PSP), July 14, 2011 (3DS)

-Fang is the world's most powerful dragon. He is unparalleled in his realm but pride got the better of him as he yearns to seek out a worthy opponent to prove his worth. His attention came to that of the Goddess, Clunea. Barging into her castle, Fang demanded a showdown with her, boasting of his abilities. Annoyed by his arrogance, the Goddess sealed his powers away, forcing Fang to embark on a quest to regain his powers with various individuals along the way until he can finally have his fated confrontation with Clunea...

Unchained Blades is a dungeon crawler type game so it hits off really well with gamers looking for a grind game. Perhaps one of the unique aspects of this game would be its progressive introduction of new characters to fuel the plot. Unchained Blades further adds on to interactivity by having a very diverse and complex battle system with numerous features and facets to it. Don't worry though as it will all be covered in a comprehensive tutorial, which after a while of playing, would probably be second nature to you. All in all, the storyline of Unchained Blades coupled with its diverse battle system mechanics equates to a rather long but enjoyable game, one of the better games published by Marvelous!


9. Rune Factory 4

  • System/Platform: Nintendo 3DS
  • Publisher: XSEED Games
  • Developer:
  • Release Date: October 1, 2013

You are a lost wanderer who had just been attacked by rogue soldiers on your airship trip to a city named Selphia. You can't remember much, only that you were supposed to send a gift to a god. You found your way to Selphia where you were mistakenly greeted as a royalty. The real prince soon appears, clearing the confusion but gives you the task of helping the city to prosper. Managing a city is no easy task, and the mysteries of the surrounding dungeons around the city adds more work to your plate. Hurry on then! Your life as a city planner is just beginning.

The Rune Factory series has a Harvest Moon aspect to it where you can grow crops and manage your land. The most recent addition to the franchise, Rune Factory 4 did not disappoint. Adding a new dimension to the game known as Orders, players are now able to issue an official edict to your citizens such as crafting, expansion and town events adding new elements to the game. Original core elements from the previous games are retained as well such as marriage, farming, and dungeon exploring. The open world concept of Rune Factory and its roleplaying-management style is perhaps what made it a beloved game.


8. Nitroplus Blasterz: Heroines Infinite Duel

  • System/Platform: PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Windows
  • Publisher: Marvelous USA
  • Developer: Examu
  • Release Date: February 2, 2016 (PS3,PS4), December 8, 2016 (WW)

Take control of your favorite Nitro+ characters in this all out battle royals fighting action game! Choose from an even more extensive list of support characters that represent the various anime that Nitroplus plays a part in. String combos after combos with the game's unique action and attack function. More of a deflect and parry person, try out the game's evasive maneuvers and actions! Channel enough of your combos and you may just be able to unleash your Lethal Blaze, the game's version of an ultimate combo.

If you're into fighting games, we'd definitely recommend this game to try. Nitroplus Blasterz incorporates different anime characters from various series. You'd definitely find a recognizable character in this game. There's no better feeling than controlling your favorite character adding much more enjoyment to the experience. The different evasive actions are also what makes the game unique, adding a new dimension to the conventional fighting game, akin to Tekken. So what are you waiting for? Jump straight into the fighting world of Nitroplus today!


7. Ys Seven

  • System/Platform: PSP, Windows
  • Publisher: Marvelous USA
  • Developer:
  • Release Date: August 17, 2010 (PSP)

Adol and Dolgi are two adventurers looking for a bit of action. In search of something to engage them, the found themselves entering the city of Altago. While they were meddling around in the city, they happened to rescue two sisters who were being harassed by the city's guards. Unfortunately for them, these guards imprisoned them soon after. It was only through their reputation that the king requested their aid to investigate a series of earthquakes where they later found out to be due to the awakening of the Five Dragons. At long last, an adventure worthy of their name has unfolded itself in front of them.

Ys Seven presents a new kind of battle system in which the parameters are not determined by level and skills. Rather, the game takes on the form of using an enemy's type against it. Three different enemy types and three weapon styles that will ultimately calculate your damage output. The game's soundtrack was also highly praised, blending really well into the mood of the game. It is little surprise that Ys Seven earned its spot at the top JRPG PSP game for its year and a spot on this list!


6. Senran Kagura Shinovi Versus

  • System/Platform: Vita, Windows
  • Publisher: XSEED Games (Marvelous)
  • Developer: Tamsoft
  • Release Date: October 14, 2014 (Vita), June 1, 2016 (Windows)

Hanzo Academy is known to be the best preparatory school. However, deep behind the walls of this school lies an ominous secret. Hanzo Academy has been training spies and assassins over many centuries. Even today, it still churns out shinobi during modern times. Join 5 female shinobi trainees as they embark on their training, uncovering the secrets and darkness behind the mysterious world of the ninjas.

Senran Kagura is a fan-service type of game that appeals to a niche market for males. Despite its limited demographics, however, it managed to sell well, reaching a million copies sold globally. Players take the lead in this side scrolling beat em up style adventure game. The interesting part for Senran Kagura is that it also has a story component, meaning to say that it combines a fighting game inside a visual novel. That and the excessive fan service contributed to its major success. If you're looking for something with 'spice', we'd recommend giving this game a try!



5. Fate/Extella: The Umbral Star

  • System/Platform: PlayStation 4, Vita
  • Publisher: XSEED Games (Marvelous)
  • Developer: Marvelous
  • Release Date: January 17, 2017

Taking place right after the events of Fate/Extra, we see Nero and her master gaining complete control of the Mooncell Automaton computer. Gaining possession of the computer confers both Master and Servant the right to a single wish along with dominion of the previous servants that they have fought. With the conflict ending, it would appear that peace is finally here. However the appearance of another Master holding a Regalia, the same power that Nero and her master have threatened the peace. Now the 3 servants, Nero, Tamamo no Mae, and Attila, set off to counter this new threat.

Fate/Extella is just like Fate/Extra ported over to the consoles. It comes with improved graphics and redesigned battle system. With the popularity of the Fate series, it's no wonder that the game received rave reviews even before its release date. Even before its official release date worldwide, it's looking to be a potential success. With all the anticipation for the game, we are sure that it will be amongst one of the better games released and developed by Marvelous USA!


4. Story of Seasons

  • System/Platform: Nintendo 3DS
  • Publisher: XSEED Games (Marvelous)
  • Developer: Marvelous AQL
  • Release Date: March 31, 2015

Bored of life, you, the player, decided that enough is enough. Tired of the normalcy of life, you decide to risk it and settle with life on the farm. After receiving a flyer calling for farm help, you respond and moved into Oak Tree Town. With 4 other farmers by your side, expand your farm and reap the profits! Turn Oak Tree Town into an international city of trade together with your farmer friends!

If the premise of the story does not sound familiar to you, it's none other than the famous Harvest Moon. The game is currently named Story of Seasons and inspired further games such as Rune Factory and Innocent Life. The amount of options the player can take is limitless due to the open-world nature of the game. If the story does not intrigue you, the various side objectives are sure to. For a DS game, the original Story of Seasons offers much more than anyone expected and till this date remains as a hit series despite the console that it is released on.


3. The Legends of Heroes: Trail in the Sky

  • System/Platform: Windows, PSP, PlayStation 3, Vita
  • Publisher: XSEED Games (Marvelous)
  • Developer: Nihon Falcom
  • Release Date: March 29, 2011 (PSP), July 29, 2014 (Windows)

Estelle is the daughter of Cassius Bright, a legendary man in his nation. When his nation was attacked, it wasn't long before they pushed their attackers away. Thereafter, he retired from the army and joined the Bracers Guild. His leadership enhanced the guild's position to S Rank, the highest rank available. All this was unknown to Estelle as she now sets off with her adopted brother to join the Bracers Guild. Along the way, they'll discover the hidden factions of the government that want to overthrow the monarchy and other hidden agendas of the government...

This three part trilogy is a hit success in Japan generating volumes of sales. It was so successful that it was even remade for the PlayStation 3 and Vita! Perhaps what made the game success is its extensive character background and development. Every character has their own unique traits and is not simply a side character that you recruit into your party. The extensive world, interesting storyline, and unique combat systems are amongst some of the reasons for its success as well. If you ever needed a game to represent the JRPG genre, this may very well be that game.


2. Akiba's Trip: Undead and Undressed

  • System/Platform: PlayStation 3, Vita, PlayStation 4, Windows
  • Publisher: XSEED Games (Marvelous)
  • Developer: Acquire
  • Release Date: August 12, 2014 (PS3), November 25, 2014 (PS4)

The setting for this game is none other than Akihabara - the otaku's dreamland. Unfortunately, not all is well however as mysterious creatures known simply as Synthesisers are feeding off the energy of the patrons there. You play as Nanashi, an unlucky otaku that was forced to turn into a Synthister. There, you join the Akihabara Neighbourhood Watch Group to rebel against the new threat and keep Akihabara safe. You will use the Synthister’s only weakness, sunlight to defeat them and the only way to do so is well, stripping them down.

What makes this game impressive is its on point depiction of Akihabara. It is as though as you are traversing through the very streets of Akihabara itself! The light-hearted theme of the game and its quirks within the story is enough to make you enjoy the game casually and makes for a good evening game. Your character is also fully customizable with the style of fashion originating from the very culture of Akihabara - anime! If you're an anime and Manga fan, this game is definitely for you!


1. Corpse Party

  • System/Platform: PSP, Vita, Windows, Nintendo 3DS, iOS
  • Publisher: Marvelous USA
  • Developer: Team GrisGris(original), MAGES (Reboot)
  • Release Date: April 22, 1996

Kisaragi Gakuen is the now former Tenjin Elementary School. The grim history of the school is forever sealed until one day, a bunch of high schoolers decided to perform the Sachiko Forever After Charm, a charm designed to make friends remain friends forever. Sadly for them, this is a release for the cursed school and they found themselves sucked into an alternate dimension of Tenjin Elementary. Separated and with some of them alone, they must find each other and escape the terrifying school before its inhabitants claim their lives. And at the very end, lies the true answer to the mystery of the elementary school killings and the vengeful spirits of Tenjin Elementary.

At the top of the list, we have the infamous Corpse Party. The reputation is extremely high due to its gory content. However as much as it should turn people off, it's the complexity and its ability to tempt gamers into its story that shot it to fame. Corpse Party may just be a visual novel with pre-modern graphics, but the sudden deaths, twists, and mysteries the game has are on a whole new level. This 90s game has gotten numerous remakes, spin-offs and even a film adaptation and the reason why we rank this game as Marvelous' top game. Not bad for a 90s game!


Final Thoughts

So that's our take on the top 10 Games by Marvelous Games. Did you recognize the renaming of the company? Does XSeed Games sound familiar to you? Maybe some of your favorite games were from XSeed Games. If so, do share some of the games you'd have heard of from the XSeed era! Do also share with us if you enjoyed any of the games listed and how much you would recommend it to your friends! Until next time then!

Fate-Extella-The-Umbral-Star-wallpaper-700x394 Top 10 Games by Marvelous USA [Best Recommendations]

Writer

Author: Araragi

Writing from a little island known as Singapore. It is through my articles that I want to show that the world of anime reaches out beyond the boundaries of Japan. From different age groups to individuals coming from different walks of life, everyone and anyone can be a lover of anime. To quote from Kingdom Hearts, 'There are many worlds out there, but they share the same sky.'

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