Finishing Luminous Arc and beginning the New Game+ has been an odd experience so far in regards to character continuity. It’s one thing to have the usual ‘slogging through the tutorial in spite of superior levels,’ experience, but characters who change classes and titles over the course of the game stay in their ‘endgame’ forms for the purposes of battle. It’s clearly another to have to go through all the early-game “THE WITCHES ARE SO EVIL” drivel only to have Cecille the priestess return to her goth-witch getup upon the battle’s start. Or “Rym Hero” Alph demanding to know what a Rym is. You also have free use of the entire cast in non-story battles.

Word of warning though, if you level up characters you have to fight against, they’re going to be the level you left them at last, as I found out facing Vanessa at Level 60 surrounded by Level 3 or so henchmen.
In other gaming news, it’s been brought to my attention that there’s going to be a DS sequel to the obscure Treasure shooter Bangaioh. I can only hope it’s localized (or dumped to the web…) in a timely manner, since I’m getting a craving for action. Contra 4, Megaman ZX Advent, and Phoenix Wright: Trials and Tribulations are already coming out by the end of next month. I may explode.

(comic’s running late btw don’t hit me)