See screens of Microsoft's JRPG lineup

by Christopher Grant { Jun 12th 2008 at 6:00AM }

Microsoft held a press conference on Tuesday morning Joystiq Time to show off its upcoming Japanese RPGs, including Star Ocean: The Last Hope (just announced for Xbox 360), The Last Remnant (launching "on the Xbox 360 first" this Winter), Infinite Undiscovery (whose "worldwide" release isn't quite simultaneous), and Namco Bandai's Tale of Vesperia (reaching North America in August with an Xbox demo this month). Hit up the galleries below to get a peek at each of these four titles.

click for Star Ocean: The Last Hope gallery

click for The Last Remnant gallery

click for Infinite Undiscovery gallery

click for Tales of Vesperia gallery

Tags: Infinite-Undiscovery, Star-Ocean-The-Last-Hope, Tales-of-Vesperia, The-Last-Remnant

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

mister_d @ Jun 12th 2008 6:25AM

Is it just me, or do SO4, TLR, and IU all look like they could be one game? I used to think JRPGs pretty distinct from game to game, but the character designs I'm seeing here and beyond similar.

It's great that there are so many high production value JRPGs already this generation in the works. Something that could not be said for the last two generations where there was a very noticable gap in quality (mostly visual of course) between the top tier and the other titles. However, if this comes at the cost of varied and unique styles, I'm not sure it's a good thing...

Jakka @ Jun 12th 2008 11:09AM

Well...it's all about cultural difference.

Any Jap would laugh in your face after reading your statement,but at the same time they wouldn't be able to tell the difference between Dark Messiah,Oblivion and Gothic screens.Or GoW and UT3 screens.Or MoH and CoD screenies.

Vegeta (aka Ska Oreo) @ Jun 12th 2008 12:08PM

Welcome to the Jrpg world. You can really say the same about all Jrpgs.

Triforceowner @ Jun 12th 2008 12:27PM

Jakka, I don't know about that. Without playing at least one of the games from each of your lists I would be in the same situation as the Japanese people you spoke of. It's not cultural, but what you expose yourself to. For instance, I might say Shia and Sunni and my History teacher would understand the difference between them because he exposes himself to articles and current events.

Jakka @ Jun 12th 2008 12:32PM

That's pretty much what I meant...those goddamn tiny complicated words...

WMain00 @ Jun 12th 2008 7:20AM

It's just a balancing game is it not. The 360 isn't likely to ever get the FF games, so it gets four other J-RPG's instead.

Saying that, is the FF series really worth that? Considering how delayed and dull the series is becoming? The last true FF games i enjoyed was VIII and X. The rest have been mediocre. XII (for all it's new fangled ideas of combat were different) felt dull.

borland502 (SDF - Macross Ring) @ Jun 12th 2008 7:55AM

"Saying that, is the FF series really worth that?"

*shrug* Just about as much worth as Zelda XX: Cash Cow Edition, or Mario Sunshine Party Kart MCMXVII. You know approximately what you're getting and most original fans are still buying along with the millions picked up when FFVII dropped down in North America.

Still, the 360 is picking up enough RPGs that FF aside, it's becoming a tempting purchase in a year or so.

WMain00 @ Jun 12th 2008 8:06AM

True, but only surely if the J-RPG's we're getting are any good? :P

borland502 (SDF - Macross Ring) @ Jun 12th 2008 8:47AM

"True, but only surely if the J-RPG's we're getting are any good?"

Heh, I dunno. I'm still working through a backlog of excellent PS2 titles. If it weren't for PS2 compat/Blu-ray/DNLA streaming my PS3 would be a lonely machine. I've switched back to PC gaming for anything but RPGs at the moment.

potato @ Jun 12th 2008 2:01PM

Ugh, I couldn't stand FF8, at ALL. I played till about half-way through the second disc and then got frustrated at the constant treadmilling that I just gave it up.

On the other hand, I picked up Lost Odyssey while bored and looking for a game, and I'm fairly satisfied with it. I'm usually a adventure/action gamer, and the combat in LO works very well for that. A bit of strategy, some turn-based stuff, some quick-time events, overall pretty good, the story isn't bad either (though the voice acting is)...

AwesomeTown @ Jun 12th 2008 7:23AM

Seems like a good lineup. I haven't played a JRPG since Rouge Galaxy, so I think I'm about ready to jump back in.

I hope they sell well on the 360 in America so we will get more in the future. I don't know, it just seems out of place on the 360. Oh well, I shouldn't worry about it.

Solid Cheif @ Jun 12th 2008 8:02AM

Solid Chief is too macho to play as a wimpy boy/girl in a JRPG on his 360...

I just can't get into them...I'm not just an FPS360 gamer I swear!

Chris @ Jun 12th 2008 8:08AM

@colinbell

They're trying to appeal to Japanese gamers and gamers here who want JRPGs on the 360. The media sometimes leads us to believe that the PS3 is doing really well in Japan, but it's not. It's only selling about 8,000 units a week in Japan. That's piss poor. If MS could figure out how to get more people to buy the 360 in Japan (by releasing exclusive JRPGs!! Shocker!!!) they could gain some ground over there. They'll probably never have the lead, but they can still be respectable. Just because each game won't sell 5 million copies does not mean it's a failure. And for an RPG, Mass Effect was considered a success on the 360. These games sell well over time even if they don't pull Halo numbers right off the bat. Plus, things like exclusive DLC on the 360 for GTAIV panned out really well for MS. GTAIV was not a hardware seller on EITHER SYSTEM, but the DLC put software sales much higher for the 360.

@A Pissed Off English Gamer
The RRoD is far less of a problem these days, at least as far as what I've seen. First of all, I don't see anywhere NEAR as much complaining about it as I used to on the internet. The only time it ever seems to come up is when the 360 gets a game that the PS3 fans want. Then they start bringing up the RRoD. I have several friends with 360s. All of us who have Falcon models have had zero RRoDs. The guys who had launch models I think have all had one RRoD. Now of course, that's just anecdotal, but I think it's pretty safe to say at this point that the Falcon design as well as future revisions will be much more RRoD proof.

jaysins @ Jun 12th 2008 8:13AM

I would assume MS had to throw down a few bucks to secure these first and if that's the case it really shows how badly they want the Japanese market and it's not something they aren't going to shy from yet. They get enough good JRPG's fans of the genre I would think will almost have to start paying attention because as of yet they seem fairly exclusive to the portable market. I think MS is betting/in need of just one of these titles to be a gem. That's what they really need, a RPG to call there own and that stands out like the FF series or monster hunters etc. It'll be interesting to see how this affects the 360's sales in all three regions as it could make it the dominant RPG console platform considering at least one of these games is really good.

xFenixKnightx @ Jun 12th 2008 8:40AM

Star Ocean and Last Remnant, I would like to try those. Maybe when the 360 hits a drought which usually never fricken happens >:( The last JRPG's I finished were FF7 and FF10. I hear (from people who actually played it) that Lost Odyssey is amazing so also been wanting to try that but Gamefly always sais there is a [long wait]

tmacairjordan87 @ Jun 12th 2008 10:07AM

It had a good story but don't bother playing unless you can handle a combat system that's straight out of 1996. I seriously struggled to beat it because the combat was so boring.

xFenixKnightx @ Jun 12th 2008 10:53AM

Boring Combat? Dude I KNOW its not an action RPG a la Mass Effect. I know this and I'm sure you knew what you were getting into right? Err maybe not...

John McPoop (PSN:johnnynumber5) @ Jun 12th 2008 1:47PM

@Fenix

I have the game and actually did enjoy it when I played it ... I think what he meant by boring was probably antequated ... It just seems like an old and bad combat system ... Its also very hard to defeat the big boss enemies with the combat system that is in place ...

It is really a game for hardcore RPG fans ... Its much better than Blue Dragon but no where near as good as Mass Effect even as a different type of RPG

Swifty @ Jun 12th 2008 8:42AM

People complain that the 360 is the shooter box. The 360 proves people wrong by amassing the most JRPGs this generation. Then people complain that MS is moneyhatting for titles.

Swear to goodness, MS seriously can't win with these people.

maylon @ Jun 12th 2008 8:52AM

I totally agree with that statement, gamer geeks just seem to have an irrational hatred for MS. Anyways, I will definitely be picking these up.

Ninjakamster (PS360 FTW!) @ Jun 12th 2008 11:25AM

I just have this mentality that JRPGS don't belong on the 360, flame all you want, just the way silly old me feels.

I'd feel more content if the PS3 had most of the Japanes e games and 360 had the Western games, way for segregation????

Vegeta (aka Ska Oreo) @ Jun 12th 2008 12:17PM

That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard and you should feel bad for saying it. All consoles should get all types of games.

Jakka @ Jun 12th 2008 12:22PM

You forgot to add that 360 seems to have expanded the JRPG genre and open it up to some new customers.

I mean,before nobody really gave a shit about JRPG's that weren't "THE" Final Fantasy".Now, a whole bunch of people are praising Lost Oddysey and Eternal Sonata and...well, just look at PS3 owners' reactions.

Forget their bullshit about wrong demographics etc. It's just their way of showing jealousy because the sheer-irony of situation is...ironic.

xFenixKnightx @ Jun 12th 2008 12:51PM

Jakka

I agree 100% with that statement. Good stuff.

riggs @ Jun 12th 2008 9:06AM

sweet, lost odyssey left me wanting more, and now i get it :D. all i need to know is which are the top 2 games out of the 4 and thats what im def buying

Kini Kinetic @ Jun 12th 2008 9:06AM

As much as I initially wanted a Xbox 360, but I can't bring myself to buy one with the Red Ring of Death Looming. I especially don't want to deal with it if the 3 year warranty they added only deals with the Red Ring, and not the other hardware issues.

For me, it has nothing to do with Fanboyism. It has everything to do with consumer trust. I don't trust this product. I didn't trust the initial Playstations or Playstation 2's due to their hardware maladies, and I was not too keen on the Wii's overheating issues.

I am willing to bet that many other people are like me. I am also willing to bet that Japan would be more receptive to an American console that didn't have a history of scratching discs and breaking down.

Cyro @ Jun 12th 2008 10:26AM

You are right. And don't go outside either because a meteor might fall on your head and kill you. There is always that possibility.

xFenixKnightx @ Jun 12th 2008 10:36AM

Well said Cyro, when will they learn. "I'm scared of RRoD, blah blah blah." Get real.

Vcize @ Jun 12th 2008 10:48AM

1) While the 3-year warranty is officially only for RRoD, it actually works on everything as MS doesn't check to see if you really have RRoD or something else. Further, just saying "I got these 3 red lights and then when I turned it back on my xxxxx didn't work" is good enough for them as well. As far as non-RRoD stuff goes you're actually coming out ahead, because if your disc drive or something breaks in year 2 or 3 you can get a replacement console for free, whereas with anything else if you have a disc drive or something like that go you're SOL.

2) If you're so ansy about hardware problems that you're scared of even the Wii then I don't see how you can feel comfortable with any console (or television for that matter). I'm pretty sure the PS3 has a lot higher failure rate than the Wii does (afterall they've been perfecting that gamecube design for 7 years now :P sorry I had to).

Ninjakamster (PS360 FTW!) @ Jun 12th 2008 11:45AM

I wouldn't worry about the 360 failing now. Hell, I bought the PS3 and GTA4 because I was afraid constant playing of GTA4 on the 360 would RROD it.

But GTA4 right now is damaging the Blu-Ray drives on some PS3s which happened to me and I had to sell it at a big loss and got a 360 for now. Ironic no? : (

Kini Kinetic @ Jun 12th 2008 11:01AM

A meteor falling on ones head is very remote and mathmatically improbable. The red ring of death is very real, and very probable. The comparison is flawed.

Still, if you would like to buy me an Xbox 360 with your money, I would be more than happy to accept it. I would like NBA live 09, Dead Rising, Street Fighter IV, Soul Calibur, and an extra controller.

I will also need your phone number and address so you can send my system back in when it breaks. I may need your credit card number. I am not sure how that works. I was unable to understand the foreigner that was handling my customer service claim, but I am sure that I can handle anything that comes up with that information. Thanks, in advance... You are so generous with your money. ^_^

Kini Kinetic @ Jun 12th 2008 11:30AM

Vcize,

I thank you for your analysis. I do appreciate it. I just don't believe in buying products that I know will almost certainly fail me prematurely. I am not knocking the hardware or the games. I am only knocking the reliability of the hardware.

The 3 year warranty is great. I was unaware that I could just fudge on the details of the hardware malfunction and get a replacement. That's cool. I just don't want to deal with it if I don't have to. This problem is so pronounced and widespread that it is a major concern for me and many other people.

Its like buying a car known to have a faulty fuel pump. While it may not go out on your vehicle, the fact remains that it is more likely to go out, at some point with that make/model, than if it was another make/model of the same vehicle.

Perhaps the falcon models are more reliable. I really don't know. I only know that my cousin's system is no longer with him, and two of our friends no longer have their original systems either. That is enough to put me on the fence. I will not ever KNOWINGLY buy a product that has such a low reliability rate.

Zsavior @ Jun 12th 2008 12:12PM

Don't feel bad I got one for my birthday and I am always scared to turn it on haven't really bought a game for it, because I don't want to get into the thing and then it fail on me. I am the same way, I don't believe I should have to fear a product I am using. Still I did enjoy DMC4. Same story with me also, two of my friends Xbox360s broke. One sent his back it broke again, the other decided he wouldn't go for another one.

ComicShaman @ Jun 12th 2008 11:37AM

You can fault Microsoft for many things, but not for a lack of ambition. Sony got complacent on the JRPG front, thinking it was their territory, and Microsoft saw an opening.

Sony recently announced they're changing their policy about paying for exclusives. You can bet that this shift was a reaction to the news about these JRPG acquisitions that Microsoft has landed. The PS3's lineup of RPGs, traditionally a strong suit for the Playstation brands, has been pretty sparse so far.

It's trench warfare in this generation.

Ninjakamster (PS360 FTW!) @ Jun 12th 2008 11:46AM

I wonder how these games will boost 360 sales in Japan or how much better they will sell if they were on the PS3 instead? At least release them for the PS3 in Japan for many more Japanese to enjoy.

Swifty @ Jun 12th 2008 12:02PM

Scorched Earth: If I can't have it, no one can.

Maverick Saturn @ Jun 12th 2008 12:03PM

They should do well, I mean they have everything there, the only reason I can see really for them underperforming is if they were multiplat, people in Japan would simply go for the PS3 version.

Maverick Saturn @ Jun 12th 2008 12:01PM

Are these Jrpgs the typical slash and wait type games or have they improved to be action rpgs where you can actually control your characters movement, slash ans wait is so dated ¬_¬

Jakka @ Jun 12th 2008 12:26PM

Truth...any variation on this one, like real-action turn based combat a la KOTOR would be appreciated.

In fact I wouldn't mind if more western RPG's used this combat system.Shootouts in Mass Effect sucked.Period.

Zsavior @ Jun 12th 2008 12:30PM

I actually like turn base, What I don't like about JRPGS, or console rpgs mostly is the laziness. Only being able to use 3 characters out of the one hojillion in your party. Getting various armor and weapon upgrades only not to see them in the game. That kind of stuff annoys me. Other than that, I don't mind Turn based at all.

Jakka @ Jun 12th 2008 12:45PM

Yep...that bugs me too.In most Western RPG's, the characters are a lot deeper than their JRPG's counterparts.However since it's a lot "less linear" you need to spend hours with the same characters to learn more about them and you end up neglecting your other party members.

For example: In KOTOR 2 I focused on Handmaiden and Kreia/Bao-Dur so I never focused much about other characters.In fact I never learned anything about Atton nor did I realize that Canderous = Mandalore.

Maverick Saturn @ Jun 12th 2008 1:46PM

My issue with JRPGS is the fact that they are more like a bloody fashion show then a game, who does the coolest flips, who has the coolest hair, who says the coolest shit, who has the most innovative and exciting clothing, who has the biggest / longest sword to make up for the tiny winkie (oh dear, did I say that?)

They need to concentrate on gameplay more then cool over the top Devil May cry copying cgi scenes where people dodge bullets (FF ¬_¬) or moan about the bloody princess needing to be saved, or the brotherhood letting them down, or the lost dragons of la moe attacking the tiny village of jazanbaad....ya know, the last couple I mentioned didn't sound to bad :O They actually sounded ORIGINAL.

Just fed up of my characters either looking cool or cute, I don't care about big round anime eyes, I love a plot with explosion, sorta like FF7 did when it came out although its become DBZ now, I agree, I wanna see clothing changes, weapon changes, less hair!!!!! Less winging about the girl of the main characters dreams.

Oh, and while theres a place for turn based fighting, there should be more of a focus on action RPG, you can still have more then one charater, but it is frustrating having to go through an entire battle sequence for every small monster, if I wanted to do that, I'd play chess ¬_¬ It requires careful placement, consideration and 1 winner.

Besides, action rpgs allow more space for co-op, turn base doesn't allow much sapce at all :(

Rant over.

Velops @ Jun 12th 2008 4:01PM

The Tales series has always been an action-RPG hybrid since it's start on the SNES.

Getting rid of turned based combat isn't a simple matter. RPGs gained popularity because they didn't require a high level of skill and reflexes to play. Adding more action elements that require skill dilutes the elements that separated RPGs from other genres.

Triforceowner @ Jun 12th 2008 12:27PM

alejandro179 @ Jun 12th 2008 1:45PM

ps3 too http://gamersyde.com/news_6628_en.html#forum

Overgauss @ Jun 12th 2008 4:03PM

If you own a PS3 and want a refreshing change of pace in your RPG that also happens to be testament to SEGA's return to Greatness, I suggest importing Senjou No Valkyria: Gallian Chronicles.

Especially if you are jonesing for srpg action nao. If not, it's scheduled to be released in the fall for english speaking audiences complete with dual audio.

It's import friendly as you don't need mastery of the Japanese language even though it is a Strategy RPG.

It's a realtime turn based hybrid and is a serious breath of fresh air.

Interestingly enough it was originally scheduled for the xbox360 which imo means it cannot live up to it's full potential.

No slight intended as the xbox is a pretty generic PC-based platform which by definition cannot lead to the same hardware inspired innovation as proprietary systems have traditionally provided imo.

This is why I don't really care for multiplatform games as they average the strengths and weaknesses between the platforms, instead of creating something unique and original.

So bioshock makes me think, great I just bought a pc game. I shoulda just played system shock 2 instead.

Overgauss @ Jun 12th 2008 4:05PM

Not to imply that bioshock is out now btw, just saying.

Superstar90 @ Jun 12th 2008 8:52PM

Tales looks awesome, as does SO4. I don't really care for the other two because they looks to generic and dark. Tales should be incredible, I wonder what ridiculously named combat system they will use?

Einlander @ Jun 12th 2008 10:45PM

As a PS3 owner I'm sort of miffed. The console that I chose and spent money on is being passed over. As pissed as I am, I can't fault the 360 as a machine. I have to place the blame on the developers. Yes Square-Enix you. I remember one of the executives at S-E saying that they have to see the system preforming well before they can get behind it. I have to say, why would a console preform well if those who are supposed to be making the software for the system are not making the software at all. This I'll wait for someone else to do it is not the answer. Albeit I do not know if these are timed exclusives or not, or if they haven't announced the PS3 version or not, but if they think i will readily go out and get another console, they are mistaken. I will get the 360, but not soon, for as I am not made of money. Sadly as a gamer all I can do at the moment is relegate myself to forums and sites such as this and voice my disappointment/distaste. Well enough babble from me if it make sense at all...

A Pissed-off English Gamer @ Jun 12th 2008 7:06AM

"I can't fault the 360 as a machine."

Actually, it breaks down more than any other console so you kind of can. However, that's not the point; I was just thinking i need a decent JRPG to play, and then these 4 go and drop for the 360. Seems quite at odds with the 360 target demographic, when it's PS3 and Wii owners who are more likely to be relying on their console's Japanese library. Now I have to hope for a Wii or PS3 port of these Japanese games from an American console? Has the world gone mad?!

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