The tricky thing about localizing Ceil No Surge (if it even happens) is the simple fact that the game's core mechanics and gameplay systems really don't appeal to the west; the game will sell very badly
.
The gameplay for anyone wondering is a very interesting mixture of Life Simulator X Dating Sim X Visual Novel. Very bizarre mix and a fascinating experiment but they work together due to the story in place (you are helping Ion, the main character, recover her memories after losing them, so that means interacting with her in helping her memories come back and going through her memories via the Visual Novel portions of the game).
.....But that is an issue in trying to sell the game in the west X(. Most games from JP with Visual Novel elements that are localized have interesting elements that help attract the game to people looking for more gameplay; Dangrompa having its Phoenix Wright trial elements and its mini games to complement its VN elements, Zero Escape series having puzzle elements to complement the VN portions, Persona 3/4 having JRPG systems and the SMT/Pokemon demon collecting.
What made Ar No Surge come over was doing exactly what those games I listed do; have JRPG systems, fun combat mechanics and interesting ways to unlock the Song abilities to help make the VN portions have some gameplay significance. With Ceil No Surge, its gameplay is segregated from the VN portions (with those portions being literal VN's and getting through them is rewarded with a Song scene).
But keep in mind this; why did Persona explode in the west? Why did the Dangrompa series get such a strong following? Why did Zero Escape hit so strong with people? It was their interesting gameplay elements complementing the VN Story sections
. Ceil No Surge didn't do that so despite it having a very strong story and fantastic presentation, its gameplay elements distract from the core appeal (the story portions).
If and this is a big if, the game does get localized, Koei would have to do something to make it appeal to the west and in my head, they could do one of the following:
-Make it a literal Visual Novel and release it on as many systems as they can
-Convert the game into a movie ala the KH's Collections conversion of the DS games (358 Days/2 and Re:Coded)
-Take the VN portions of the game, plant them in the Ar No Surge engine, and convert that into a complete JRPG that plays similar to Ar No Surge
All of these would cost a good amount of money and while I would love for the third option to happen.....Gust is to busy with other projects right now to re-visit a three year old game for localization to the west
.
I am very interested in seeing where this goes but I'm not holding my breath for any localization news :l. But I am grateful that
someone put the time into making this grand summary of the game so that people that want to play Ar No Surge can be caught up with everything
.
