Rogue Galaxy released in Japan on Dec. 8, 2005, and following a year of work, the game is set to release on North American shores Jan. 30.

Fortunately for NTSC gamers, the game's yearlong waiting period will present players with more than just a mere translation. The following includes all of the changes and additions gamers will find in the North American version of Rogue Galaxy.

• Rogue Galaxy is now a dual-layer DVD.
• All the text has been translated and converted. There were more than 800,000 words to convert.
• All of the game’s audio has been translated and changed. In all, the game features more than eight hours of cut scenes.
• There is now a completely new synthesis functionality and graphical user interface. To account for this, the rare recipe and item functionalities have been completely re-worked.
• The Japanese version had four galactic planets players journeyed to and from. The North American version has an entirely new planet, bumping the total number up to five.
• The ability animations for every character are completely re-worked. This means there are about 160 new animations for the characters in the North American version.
• The character’s special combo attacks (cut scene combos which require Legend of Dragoon-type inputs) have also been reworked. Not only has the animation for each changed, but the North American version introduces orbs that fill up a combo meter in order to execute the attacks. The orbs are picked up from defeated enemies in battle.
• A total of 140 new weapons are introduced in the North American version.
• The version introduces completely new revelations and is now interlaced with the combo attack system (scrolls must be placed into a character’s revelation chart in order for the attacks to be available).
• The number of insectron species has been raised by two for a total of 16 total new insects as they grow during training. The version now allows players to name each of the 144 total possible insects individually. Insectron tournaments are now voiced-over, have a password system and players can also watch AI battles. The password system allows players to post online so other players can input them and battle another user’s insect team.
• There are now new monster types. The new monster types are not only found on the new planet, but also on the planets from the original version.
• A number of environmental graphics and map layouts were changed for various levels and planets.
• Various characters have received new armor sets.
• There are now three completely new abilities introduced to the game.
• Mob spawn locations and shop locations throughout the game have changed.
• Transporter charging functionality has been completely re-worked.
• A new sub-menu in battle allows players to quickly change armor and weapons better suited for the current enemy.
• The amount of live talk (one-liners from the characters while navigating environments outside of battle) has increased dramatically and the conditions that trigger the feature have been modified.