Level-5 (Professor Layton, Yo-Kai Watch, Nino Kuni, Fantasy Life) shut down in NA

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Level 5 says they have no plans to release their games outside of Japan and virtually shut down their north American operations.

www.gamesindustry.biz

Level-5 has virtually halted operations in North America

Ni No Kuni and Yo-Kai Watch developer Level-5 appears to have all-but-shuttered its North American operations. Accordin…
www.gamesindustry.biz www.gamesindustry.biz

They've also made Harmoknight, Dragon Quest 8 and 9, and Inazuma games

I'm a huge fan of Yo-Kai Watch and the Level 5 developed Dragon Quest games so im super sad, I kinda wish Nintendo would buy them but I don't see that happening

Yo-Kai Watch 4 is likely not coming to the West because the sequels to Yo-Kai Watch sold poorly so late in the 3DS' life

What are your guys' thoughts on Level-5 virtually shutting NA operations? These guys make so many great hidden gems
 
I am a huge fan of the Professor Layton series, and will be heartbroken to not have more content from that universe.
 
I just saw this as well, serious bummer. Love the Ni No Kuni series as well as Fantasy Life.
 
I don't play any of these games but obviously a lot of people do so that's insanely sad for those people who don't get any new games.
 
Damn that's sad :( Always bad when they cease things in other regions cause, "lol bad sales" :/
 
I've never played anything they've put out, but I'm disappointed in this news for the fans of these various series.
 
It appears to be something long overdue, so I suppose it's not entirely surprising - especially given the lack of news for previously upcoming titles.

It's unfortunate this had to be the result as their games are charming, and I'm sure there will be future titles I'd like to see localized. I enjoyed Yokai Watch, DQ IX, Fantasy Life, Ni no Kuni, and Attack of the Friday Monsters. ❤ I've heard great things about the Layton series but have yet to play through one of them.
 
This news definitely makes me quite sad, because I absolutely loved level-5 and the games they produced. I played through all of and absolutely loved Fantasy Life, Dragon Quest IX, and Ni No Kuni 2, and I can confidently say that all 3 of them rank in my top favourite RPG games of all time. Not only that, but at the time of writing this, I'm actually replaying through Professor Layton and the Curious Village, and own almost all of the games in the series, so I will be very sad to see the series end (at least outside of Japan).

However, I can definitely see why they would do so, since their games and even the company in general definitely haven't seen nearly as much attraction and popularity in the recent years, especially when compared to when the DS as a console was at it's peak. However, I do wish that a few more of their games (particularly the professor layton series) get ported over to the switch, like we saw with the original Ni No Kuni. Although at this point i'm not holding out too much hope, since I can't see it happening with the recent news (unless nintendo does end up buying them out somehow).
 
@Corrie @Halloqueen

I'd highly reccomend Fantasy Life to any Animal Crossing fan, a great life sim game
with RPG elements for sure, with lots to do and hours and hours of gameplay. Theres also online trading and multiplayer.

If you guys like Pokemon, Yo-kai Watch is worth a shot. Especially if you're interested in Japanese folklore. Cheesey and weird, but also a ton of fun with lots of quests, exploration, and more personality than any Pokemon game from the 3DS era onward.
 
tumut said:
@Corrie @Halloqueen

I'd highly reccomend Fantasy Life to any Animal Crossing fan, a great life sim game
with RPG elements for sure, with lots to do and hours and hours of gameplay. Theres also online trading and multiplayer.

If you guys like Pokemon, Yo-kai Watch is worth a shot. Especially if you're interested in Japanese folklore. Cheesey and weird, but also a ton of fun with lots of quests, exploration, and more personality than any Pokemon game from the 3DS era onward.
Click to expand...

Fantasy Life is kinda like an MMORPG Lite. Best way to describe it. Super fun.

Its also the only game where you get epic boss music while cutting down a tree.
 
What a shame. I love Fantasy Life, Dragon Quest 8, and the Professor Layton games. It makes sense since their games sell poorly outside of Japan, but it’s hard not to be sad. I hope importing Level-5’s future games won’t be too difficult.
 
tumut said:
@Corrie @Halloqueen

I'd highly reccomend Fantasy Life to any Animal Crossing fan, a great life sim game
with RPG elements for sure, with lots to do and hours and hours of gameplay. Theres also online trading and multiplayer.

If you guys like Pokemon, Yo-kai Watch is worth a shot. Especially if you're interested in Japanese folklore. Cheesey and weird, but also a ton of fun with lots of quests, exploration, and more personality than any Pokemon game from the 3DS era onward.
Click to expand...
I thought about trying Fantasy Life back in the day but worried it was too RPG-ish. It seems basic enough that I'd like it. I'll give it a shot!
I like Pokemon and the art to Yo-kai Watch was always cute. Which game is the best in the series to get?
 
Corrie said:
I thought about trying Fantasy Life back in the day but worried it was too RPG-ish. It seems basic enough that I'd like it. I'll give it a shot!
I like Pokemon and the art to Yo-kai Watch was always cute. Which game is the best in the series to get?
Click to expand...
Probably YKW3 , YKW1 isnt bad either. The second one is still fun but has a really slow start.

Yo-kai Watch 3 is widely regarded as the best, especially you want a more complex battle system. Its nothing overwhelming though, still a pretty easy and lighthearted game. It also has a lot more content, new features, and different Yo-Kai to collect. Id say the story is better too. You dont have to play them in order either.
 
tumut said:
Probably YKW3 , YKW1 isnt bad either. The second one is still fun but has a really slow start.

Yo-kai Watch 3 is widely regarded as the best, especially you want a more complex battle system. Its nothing overwhelming though, still a pretty easy and lighthearted game. It also has a lot more content, new features, and different Yo-Kai to collect. Id say the story is better too. You dont have to play them in order either.
Click to expand...
Is the battling system in the 3rd different from the 1st and 2nd or just more "advanced?"
 
Corrie said:
Is the battling system in the 3rd different from the 1st and 2nd or just more "advanced?"
Click to expand...
Its different from the first two yeah, but still similar. Its pretty easy to get the hang of, you just have more opportunities for different strategies like more offensive or defensive.
 
tumut said:
Its different from the first two yeah, but still similar. Its pretty easy to get the hang of, you just have more opportunities for different strategies like more offensive or defensive.
Click to expand...
Awesome, thanks for all your answers! I'll start off with the first one and go along from there. :D
 
It’s heartbreaking because I loved the Professor Layton series so much, but they just didn’t get the sales they wanted to see in NA. Hopefully another studio can make games similar!
 
Harmoknight was a Game Freak title if I'm not mistaken, but this is still sad news all the same. Loved the Professor Layton games since their first release in the US, liked Yokai Watch okay enough, and really enjoyed playing Fantasy Life with @Thunder and @Cou. Been hoping for a Fantasy Life sequel or port even for the Switch but I guess that may not ever happen unless Nintendo or another company picks the titles up for localization.
 
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