Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogobig.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Remembering my favorite RPG: Valkyrie Profile]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/15/remembering-my-favorite-rpg-valkyrie-profile/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/15/remembering-my-favorite-rpg-valkyrie-profile/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/15/remembering-my-favorite-rpg-valkyrie-profile/#comments This is a column by Kat Bailey dedicated to the analysis of the once beloved Japanese RPG sub-genre. Tune in every Wednesday for thoughts on white-haired villains, giant robots, Infinity+1 swords, and everything else the wonderful world of JRPGs has to offer.

Remembering my favorite RPG Valkyrie Profile
Around here, we have a bit of a tradition: If the resident JRPG columnist opts to move on, they finish their tenure by writing about their favorite role-playing game. Since this will be my last column with Joystiq, it's time to discuss how much I love Valkyrie Profile.

Valkyrie Profile has pretty much everything I'm looking for in an RPG. It has solid customization; visual flair; a strong story; great music; and a large cast. But what really takes it above and beyond for me is that little added twist; that certain je ne sais quoi that really makes it something special.

Continue reading Remembering my favorite RPG: Valkyrie Profile

JoystiqRemembering my favorite RPG: Valkyrie Profile originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 15 Mar 2013 20:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>EnixJapanese-RPGsOpinionPlayStationSquare-EnixValkyrie-Profile-LennethFri, 15 Mar 2013 20:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Etrian Odyssey 4: Legends of the Titan review: The warm embrace of exploration]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/12/etrian-odyssey-4-legends-of-the-titan-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/12/etrian-odyssey-4-legends-of-the-titan-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/12/etrian-odyssey-4-legends-of-the-titan-review/#comments Etrian Odyssey 4 Legends of the Titan review The warm embrace of explorationThis year is starting to feel like an embarrassment of riches for RPG fans who own the Nintendo 3DS. Fire Emblem is out, Pokemon X/Y and Shin Megami Tensei: Soul Hackers are on the way, and now we've got Etrian Odyssey 4: Legends of the Titan.

Admittedly, Etrian Odyssey is not a series that I would necessarily recommend to everyone. It has a history of being very tough, and its story (such as it is) is on the sparse side. But despite looking much the same as the original Nintendo DS games, changes are afoot with Etrian Odyssey 4, many of them for the better.

The most important change, arguably, is that it's easier. A lot easier. Not that it's overly simple or anything; but compared to the first three games, the opening areas are a breeze. This is good, because Etrian Odyssey long delighted in simply tossing players into its trademark labyrinths, then watching them die. This way, at least, newcomers have a chance to see what really makes Etrian Odyssey great.

Gallery: Etrian Odyssey IV: Legends of the Titan

Continue reading Etrian Odyssey 4: Legends of the Titan review: The warm embrace of exploration

JoystiqEtrian Odyssey 4: Legends of the Titan review: The warm embrace of exploration originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 12 Mar 2013 13:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsatlusetrian-odyssey-4nintendoTue, 12 Mar 2013 13:15:00 EST<![CDATA[At long last, Fire Emblem and Etrian Odyssey can be recommended to the mainstream]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/08/at-long-last-fire-emblem-and-etrian-odyssey-can-be-recommended/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/08/at-long-last-fire-emblem-and-etrian-odyssey-can-be-recommended/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/08/at-long-last-fire-emblem-and-etrian-odyssey-can-be-recommended/#comments This is a column by Kat Bailey dedicated to the analysis of the once beloved Japanese RPG sub-genre. Tune in every Wednesday for thoughts on white-haired villains, giant robots, Infinity+1 swords, and everything else the wonderful world of JRPGs has to offer.

The average first-time experience with an Etrian Odyssey game goes something like this: You spend some time constructing a team; you venture into the forest for the first time, and you die. Then, unless you're a particular breed of RPG fan, you probably quit forever. Until now, anyway.

After three games worth of trial and error, Etrian Odyssey IV seems to have hit the 'Goldilocks Zone' of RPG difficulty. In other words, it's still pretty tough, but it's not impossible. And for that reason, it's finally reached the point where I can reasonably recommend it to someone other than a hardcore dungeon crawler fanatic.

The crux of EOIV's new accessibility is its casual mode, which makes it to the second high-profile 3DS RPG this year to feature such an option (Fire Emblem: Awakening was the first). The effects are relatively simple: when you die, you'll be whisked back to town, rather than having to start over. In addition, you will be blessed with an item that lets you leave a dungeon at any time.

This would seem to have the effect of making EOIV a tad too easy; but in reality, it makes it compulsive. Rather than getting frustrated by every cheap death and accidental counter with an F.O.E. - minibosses that roam the labyrinth - I've found myself simply rolling up my sleeves and trying again. The result has been much more rapid progress than I've ever experienced before, and a whole lot less in the way of cursing and throwing my 3DS.

Continue reading At long last, Fire Emblem and Etrian Odyssey can be recommended to the mainstream

JoystiqAt long last, Fire Emblem and Etrian Odyssey can be recommended to the mainstream originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 08 Mar 2013 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsAtlusetrian-odyssey-4Japanese-RPGsJRPGsnintendoOpinionFri, 08 Mar 2013 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Why the PlayStation 4 reveal doesn't mean much for JRPG fans yet]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/22/why-the-playstation-4-reveal-doesnt-mean-much-for-jrpg-fans-yet/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/22/why-the-playstation-4-reveal-doesnt-mean-much-for-jrpg-fans-yet/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/22/why-the-playstation-4-reveal-doesnt-mean-much-for-jrpg-fans-yet/#comments This is a column by Kat Bailey dedicated to the analysis of the once beloved Japanese RPG sub-genre. Tune in every Wednesday for thoughts on white-haired villains, giant robots, Infinity+1 swords, and everything else the wonderful world of JRPGs has to offer.

As we look ahead to the next generation of games, a lot of Japanese role-playing game fans figure to be looking somewhere other than the new PlayStation for whatever the future holds for the genre.

Seven years ago, that would have been inconceivable, but times have obviously changed. It's fair to assume that Japanese developers will stick with the PlayStation 3 and Nintendo 3DS for the time being, only occasionally venturing over to the next generation.

A lot of it has to do with the fact that Japan simply doesn't digest their games in the same way they did back in 2006. Mobile platforms have come to dominate what is a centralized culture that spends a lot of its time on trains, with home consoles increasingly relegated to a nerdy niche. The Nintendo 3DS, for instance, has reached 8 million units sold in Japan, and has already surpassed the lifetime sales of the PS3 on that side of the ocean. It's only natural that developers go where the customers are going, and that isn't likely to be the new PlayStation - at least in Japan.

Continue reading Why the PlayStation 4 reveal doesn't mean much for JRPG fans yet

JoystiqWhy the PlayStation 4 reveal doesn't mean much for JRPG fans yet originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 22 Feb 2013 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Japanese-RPGsJRPGOpinionPlayStation-4PS4Fri, 22 Feb 2013 17:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Dear Import Gamer: You can do better than Super Robot Wars UX]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/14/dear-import-gamer-you-can-do-better-than-super-robot-wars-ux/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/14/dear-import-gamer-you-can-do-better-than-super-robot-wars-ux/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/14/dear-import-gamer-you-can-do-better-than-super-robot-wars-ux/#comments This is a column by Kat Bailey dedicated to the analysis of the once beloved Japanese RPG sub-genre. Tune in every Wednesday for thoughts on white-haired villains, giant robots, Infinity+1 swords, and everything else the wonderful world of JRPGs has to offer.

Dear Import Gamer You Can Do Better Than Super Robot Wars UX
Twitter followers have recently asked me: "Is Super Robot Wars UX worth importing?" The short answer is no, but the reason I won't be importing Super Robot Wars UX pretty much cuts to the heart of what irritates me about both the Super Robot Taisen franchise and Namco Bandai in general.

Super Robot Wars UX is filler. It's the game that's meant to bridge the gap while we wait for more entries in the main story arc. I know this because Namco Bandai has been releasing games just like it for roughly 15 years now.

When I think of Super Robot Wars UX, the first thing that comes to mind is Treyarch's early work in the Call of Duty franchise. Games released to plug the gaps between major entries. And being a strategy RPG series that is mostly known for having a lot of licensed mecha anime shows, such filler entries aren't that hard to make.

There is a lot of love for the Super Robot Wars series, especially in Japan. It's one of Namco Bandai's flagship franchises. It's as if instead of going into a precipitous decline around the time of Star Wars Episode 1, LucasArts turned around and started putting out one to two Star Wars games per year. And not only that, they had found a way to cross it with Babylon 5, Star Trek, and Dr. Who in a way that inspired not rage but glee among the hardcore fans. That's Super Robot Wars in a nutshell - a strategy series that seamlessly mixes a lot of Japan's most beloved mecha franchises.

Continue reading Dear Import Gamer: You can do better than Super Robot Wars UX

JoystiqDear Import Gamer: You can do better than Super Robot Wars UX originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 14 Feb 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsBanprestoNamco-BandainintendoSuper-Robot-WarsSuper-Robot-Wars-UXThu, 14 Feb 2013 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[In search of a more eloquent solution to a second playthrough]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/06/in-search-of-a-more-eloquent-solution-to-a-second-playthrough/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/06/in-search-of-a-more-eloquent-solution-to-a-second-playthrough/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/06/in-search-of-a-more-eloquent-solution-to-a-second-playthrough/#comments This is a column by Kat Bailey dedicated to the analysis of the once beloved Japanese RPG sub-genre. Tune in every Wednesday for thoughts on white-haired villains, giant robots, Infinity+1 swords, and everything else the wonderful world of JRPGs has to offer.

As soon as I finished Persona 4 Golden I thought hard about starting a new game. Saying goodbye to Persona 4's delightful cast after 60 hours was bittersweet to be sure, but I was also thinking about the social links I hadn't been able to complete. I felt like I could make a serious go at getting 100 percent, maybe even fuse a Persona like Thanatos. Of course, that would have required another 70 to 80 hours of my life; and sadly, I just didn't have that kind of time to spare.

So I'm packing away Persona 4 Golden for a while, even though there's plenty more to see and do. It makes me wonder: Is it a good idea to load up an RPG with a lot of content that can't easily be accessed in one playthrough? Especially when that RPG is more than 50 hours long?

My gut reaction is to say, "No, it's not necessarily a good idea." Not that I don't like extra content, or even replaying a really good RPG. It's the time commitment involved. And there are better alternatives than, say, forcing someone to keep multiple save files just so they can see every possible branching point without starting over.

Continue reading In search of a more eloquent solution to a second playthrough

JoystiqIn search of a more eloquent solution to a second playthrough originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 06 Feb 2013 19:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Japanese-RPGsOpinionWed, 06 Feb 2013 19:45:00 EST<![CDATA[GBA's Fire Emblem is a great strategy RPG for beginners]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/01/gbas-fire-emblem-is-a-great-strategy-rpg-for-beginners/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/01/gbas-fire-emblem-is-a-great-strategy-rpg-for-beginners/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/01/gbas-fire-emblem-is-a-great-strategy-rpg-for-beginners/#comments This is a column by Kat Bailey dedicated to the analysis of the once beloved Japanese RPG sub-genre. Tune in every Wednesday for thoughts on white-haired villains, giant robots, Infinity+1 swords, and everything else the wonderful world of JRPGs has to offer.

GBA's Fire Emblem is a great strategy RPG for beginners
In 2001, Nintendo of America had a decision to make that would have a huge impact on what at the time was one of its least known properties in the U.S.: Fire Emblem.

Super Smash Bros. Melee was set for release that fall, and among its cast were Marth and Roy, whom most westerners had never heard of before. Nintendo of America weighed cutting them for a time, but eventually relented and decided to leave them in. In the early going, I had no clue who they were; soon enough, I grew to like them, just like everyone else. The stage was set for Fire Emblem to make a surprise leap to the U.S.

Continue reading GBA's Fire Emblem is a great strategy RPG for beginners

JoystiqGBA's Fire Emblem is a great strategy RPG for beginners originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 01 Feb 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fire-emblemfire-emblem-awakeninggbajrpgOpinionFri, 01 Feb 2013 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Project X Zone and a new beginning at Namco Bandai]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/24/project-x-zone-and-a-new-beginning-at-namco-bandai/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/24/project-x-zone-and-a-new-beginning-at-namco-bandai/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/24/project-x-zone-and-a-new-beginning-at-namco-bandai/#comments This is a column by Kat Bailey dedicated to the analysis of the once beloved Japanese RPG sub-genre. Tune in every Wednesday for thoughts on white-haired villains, giant robots, Infinity+1 swords, and everything else the wonderful world of JRPGs has to offer.

Project X Zone Signal and a new beginning at Namco Bandai
Out of all Namco Bandai's crossover strategy games (and there are even more than you think), I can honestly say that I wasn't expecting to see Project X Zone announced for a North American release.

I knew that it was anticipated in some quarters, mainly for its solid sprite art and crossover with Sega and Capcom. I knew that it would enjoy solid word of mouth with hardcore RPG fans. But Namco Bandai has always been coy with the crossover strategy games, no matter how much buzz they would generate. Seeing one actually get announced kind of makes my head spin.

Now, before I get into why Project X Zone has a chance to be pretty good, I think it's fair to temper expectations a little bit. Namco Bandai has been down this road before, most notably with Namco X Capcom on the PlayStation 2. That game, which is basically the predecessor to Project X Zone, wasn't very good. It had a nice cast, but it took too long to clear individual maps, and it was really repetitive. It had plenty of flash, but no substance to speak of.

Project X Zone borrows a lot from Namco X Capcom, so it's fair to wonder if it will have the same failings. Frankly, the jury is still out on that front. I did, however, get a chance to play it a little bit last week, and I enjoyed what I saw. It may even be a signal of good things to come for Namco Bandai.

Continue reading Project X Zone and a new beginning at Namco Bandai

JoystiqProject X Zone and a new beginning at Namco Bandai originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 24 Jan 2013 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsnintendoOpinionproject-x-zoneThu, 24 Jan 2013 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Comfort and stability: Unraveling the appeal of Tales of Xillia]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/23/comfort-and-stability-unraveling-the-appeal-of-tales-of-xillia/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/23/comfort-and-stability-unraveling-the-appeal-of-tales-of-xillia/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/23/comfort-and-stability-unraveling-the-appeal-of-tales-of-xillia/#comments Comfort and stability Unraveling the appeal of Tales of XilliaIt was around fifteen years ago now that a good friend of mine urged me to try out Tales of Destiny, which had recently come out on the PlayStation.

"I really like the characters, and it's funny," he told me. Pretty soon, he was finding ways to incorporate the characters in his fan-fiction, his favorite being the 16-year-old master swordsman Leon Magnus. He wasn't alone.

The Tales franchise has grown by leaps and bounds over the years, going from bona fide cult favorite to one of the most successful JRPG franchises this side of Final Fantasy. Unlike its competitors, the Tales series has been mostly content to stay the course over the past ten years or so. That remains the case for Tales of Xillia, which will please its now very vocal fanbase, even if it won't make many waves outside of the RPG community.

Gallery: Tales of Xillia (1/22/13)

Continue reading Comfort and stability: Unraveling the appeal of Tales of Xillia

JoystiqComfort and stability: Unraveling the appeal of Tales of Xillia originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 23 Jan 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hideo-babaplaystationps3tales-of-xilliaWed, 23 Jan 2013 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Lightning Returns: Carrying the adventure solo as Final Fantasy's 'first female protagonist']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/18/lightning-returns-carrying-the-adventure-solo-as-final-fantasy/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/18/lightning-returns-carrying-the-adventure-solo-as-final-fantasy/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/18/lightning-returns-carrying-the-adventure-solo-as-final-fantasy/#comments Lightning Returns Attempting to carry the adventure as Final Fantasy's 'first female protagonist'Lightning is Final Fantasy's first female lead, at least according to Square Enix.

This may come as a surprise to fans of Final Fantasy VI, which ostensibly starred Terra, the amnesiac magic user who gradually discovers her roots as an esper. But Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII director and series veteran Motomu Toriyama (who came in on Final Fantasy VII, it should be mentioned) has an explanation.

"We feel that every person within the party [in Final Fantasy VI] is a main character, but we feel Lightning is very impactful as the main female protagonist in the Final Fantasy series." Toriyama says. "Not only is she the first female protagonist, she is very powerful, cool, calm, and collected. So we believe that is another attractive feature of hers."

Toriyama says the goal is to flesh Lightning out and make her more than a high-flying Cloud expy: "Upon considering the development of Lightning Returns, throughout this Lightning Saga she has been depicted as this cool and powerful woman, but by the same measure she's been so cool that she's also come off as aloof. We want to expand on her character some so we can have everyone fall in love with her even more."

"Love" might be a bit strong in this instance. She was certainly one of Final Fantasy XIII's more successful elements, but her overall lack of depth made it too difficult to really become attached to her as a character. Still, when Final Fantasy XIII-2 arrived last year, Toriyama says that Square Enix heard from fans who wondered when Lightning would be back in a starring role. Hence, Lightning Returns.

Gallery: Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII

Continue reading Lightning Returns: Carrying the adventure solo as Final Fantasy's 'first female protagonist'

JoystiqLightning Returns: Carrying the adventure solo as Final Fantasy's 'first female protagonist' originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 18 Jan 2013 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>lightning-returns-final-fantasy-xiiimicrosoftplaystationps3Square-EnixxboxFri, 18 Jan 2013 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Empowering your Fire Emblem: Awakening army with StreetPass]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/11/empowering-your-fire-emblem-awakening-army-with-streetpass/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/11/empowering-your-fire-emblem-awakening-army-with-streetpass/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/11/empowering-your-fire-emblem-awakening-army-with-streetpass/#comments Empowering your Fire Emblem Awakening army with StreetPassDespite the unique and interesting qualities of the 3DS' StreetPass and SpotPass functionality, I've rarely had reason to use it. So far, my favorite example of StreetPass functionality has been found in Theatrhythm: Final Fantasy, where it's possible to swap Dark Notes and custom character cards. When Fire Emblem: Awakening launches next month, however, I expect the mileage I get from those features will increase.

At a preview event on Wednesday, Nintendo demonstrated its upcoming 3DS strategy game, giving the media a glimpse at its secondary features. My time with it left me intrigued. It's rare to see StreetPass bonuses and DLC embedded so deeply in the single-player experience.

Fire Emblem: Awakening's DLC plan, for the most part, has already been revealed. We've been aware that characters such as Marth, Roy, Ike, and other franchise luminaries will be available via an in-game variant of the eShop. What I hadn't realized until now, however, is that there are actual rewards for completing a map in the game.

Gallery: Fire Emblem: Awakening (01/11/2013)

Continue reading Empowering your Fire Emblem: Awakening army with StreetPass

JoystiqEmpowering your Fire Emblem: Awakening army with StreetPass originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 11 Jan 2013 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsfire-emblem-awakeningIntelligent-SystemsnintendoRed-EntertainmentFri, 11 Jan 2013 15:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Why Shin Megami Tensei 4 is my most anticipated JRPG of 2013]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/10/why-shin-megami-tensei-4-is-my-most-anticipated-jrpg-of-2013/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/10/why-shin-megami-tensei-4-is-my-most-anticipated-jrpg-of-2013/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/10/why-shin-megami-tensei-4-is-my-most-anticipated-jrpg-of-2013/#comments This is a column by Kat Bailey dedicated to the analysis of the once beloved Japanese RPG sub-genre. Tune in every Wednesday for thoughts on white-haired villains, giant robots, Infinity+1 swords, and everything else the wonderful world of JRPGs has to offer.


Like many people, my introduction to JRPGs came via the likes of Final Fantasy VI and Final Fantasy VII. Heavily story-based, limited dungeon crawling, turn-based battle systems with an emphasis on flashy animations. I loved them.

Now it's 2013 (wow, I live in the future), and things have changed. I find that the RPG I'm looking forward to most isn't Tales of Xillia or Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII. Neither is it Ni no Kuni, which is as pretty an RPG as you will ever find. It's Shin Megami Tensei 4.

Continue reading Why Shin Megami Tensei 4 is my most anticipated JRPG of 2013

JoystiqWhy Shin Megami Tensei 4 is my most anticipated JRPG of 2013 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 10 Jan 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsatlusjrpgnintendoshin-megami-tensei-4Thu, 10 Jan 2013 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Three interesting trends found in 2012's JRPGs]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/21/three-interesting-trends-found-in-2012s-jrpgs/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/21/three-interesting-trends-found-in-2012s-jrpgs/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/21/three-interesting-trends-found-in-2012s-jrpgs/#comments This is a column by Kat Bailey dedicated to the analysis of the once beloved Japanese RPG sub-genre. Tune in every Wednesday for thoughts on white-haired villains, giant robots, Infinity+1 swords, and everything else the wonderful world of JRPGs has to offer.

As both a columnist and a fan, I've felt relatively lucky this a year with plenty of JRPGs to play and enjoy in 2012, including Persona 4 Golden, Xenoblade Chronicles, and The Last Story.

I'm not exactly drowning in RPGs or anything, but this is probably the happiest I've been since 2008 or so, which was the year I discovered Valkyria Chronicles. I don't want to say that there was something for everyone, because it's a lousy cliché, and not really true either. But for those who were willing to look, it was a good year.

Is this the beginning of a return to form for Japanese developers? Well, maybe not. The accelerated growth of mobile gaming, an aging population back home, and outsized budgets are all substantial obstacles for Japanese studios. But a few interesting trends are taking hold that could have a substantial impact on the industry in the near future:

Continue reading Three interesting trends found in 2012's JRPGs

JoystiqThree interesting trends found in 2012's JRPGs originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 21 Dec 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Japanese-RPGsJRPGJRPGsOpinionFri, 21 Dec 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Crimson Shroud review: A successful roll]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/13/crimson-shroud-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/13/crimson-shroud-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/13/crimson-shroud-review/#comments Crimson Shroud review A successful rollYou may not see them, but dice rolls are pretty much everywhere in RPGs. Even role-playing shooters like Alpha Protocol feature dice rolls to an extent. But Crimson Shroud is one of the few I can think of to literally feature dice. It's one of its most endearing features.

In essence, Crimson Shroud is a one-shot tabletop adventure for the Nintendo 3DS. As with the classic Dungeons & Dragons games, multiple dice are used in everything from rolling for initiative to determining whether the party can launch a surprise attack. Characters are represented by the tiny figurines used to map distance, and the story is told across long tracts of text, as if the Dungeon Master were actually narrating. For longtime tabletop gamers, it's a treat.

Gallery: Crimson Shroud (3DS eShop)

Continue reading Crimson Shroud review: A successful roll

JoystiqCrimson Shroud review: A successful roll originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 Dec 2012 12:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dscrimson-shroudeshoplevel-5nintendoThu, 13 Dec 2012 12:15:00 EST<![CDATA[The real danger in Dark Souls 2 is not 'accessibility']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/12/the-real-danger-dark-souls-2-is-not-accessibility/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/12/the-real-danger-dark-souls-2-is-not-accessibility/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/12/the-real-danger-dark-souls-2-is-not-accessibility/#comments This is a column by Kat Bailey dedicated to the analysis of the once beloved Japanese RPG sub-genre. Tune in every Wednesday for thoughts on white-haired villains, giant robots, Infinity+1 swords, and everything else the wonderful world of JRPGs has to offer.

The real danger Dark Souls 2 is not 'accessibility'
It was only four years ago that From Software's "Souls" series couldn't even find a publisher in the US. It was roundly dismissed by Sony Computer Entertainment America for being too difficult, seemingly dooming it to the status of import gem and not much more. Then Atlus got it at a pittance, saw it sell dozens of times more units than they could have ever expected, and the hounds descended upon what was suddenly a profitable property.

It was a cult hit. It had currency among the so-called hardcore gamer. Other publishers simply had to have it. In the end, it was Namco Bandai that came away with the right to publish more From Software titles in the series across multiple platforms, thanks to the minor name change from Demon's Souls to Dark Souls.

Fast-forward to 2012, and Dark Souls 2 has enough cachet to warrant a debut trailer at the Spike Video Game Awards. Namco Bandai is cashing in on the success of Dark Souls and fans have a bona fide franchise on their hands.

Gallery: Dark Souls 2 (VGAs 2012)

Continue reading The real danger in Dark Souls 2 is not 'accessibility'

JoystiqThe real danger in Dark Souls 2 is not 'accessibility' originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 12 Dec 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dark-souls-2microsoftOpinionpcplaystationps3xboxWed, 12 Dec 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Still finding love in turn-based Japanese role-playing games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/09/still-finding-love-in-turn-based-japanese-role-playing-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/09/still-finding-love-in-turn-based-japanese-role-playing-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/09/still-finding-love-in-turn-based-japanese-role-playing-games/#comments This is a column by Kat Bailey dedicated to the analysis of the once beloved Japanese RPG sub-genre. Tune in every Wednesday for thoughts on white-haired villains, giant robots, Infinity+1 swords, and everything else the wonderful world of JRPGs has to offer.

When Japanese role-playing games come up in casual conversation, one word that I hear a lot is "nostalgic." As in, it's a genre that brings people back to a childhood spent playing old SNES RPGs, or maybe PlayStation classics like Final Fantasy VII. Traditional JRPG storytelling and gameplay tropes are seen as outdated, none more than the turn-based battle systems that drove all those 8 and 16 and 32-bit RPGs.

It's a sentiment shared by many in the industry itself. Responding to the repeated drumbeat for change, for example, Square Enix has broadly hinted that the next numbered Final Fantasy will be an action RPG. In Japan, the action-based co-op RPG Monster Hunter has become something of a holy grail for the industry - the series that everyone aspires to emulate.

This is where I take a stand though. Much as I like Ys and a handful of other action RPGs, I like good old-fasionhed turn-based RPGs that much better. Not every RPG has to be as frenetic as a Call of Duty. In fact, I rather prefer it when they're not. Case in point? The turn-based Persona 4 Golden, which remains as relevant now as it was when it first arrived on the PlayStation 2 in 2008.

Gallery: Persona 4 Golden (9/18/12)

Continue reading Still finding love in turn-based Japanese role-playing games

JoystiqStill finding love in turn-based Japanese role-playing games originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 09 Dec 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Opinionpersona-4-goldenplaystationplaystation-vitavitaSun, 09 Dec 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Recommendation shortlist for rookie JRPG players]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/28/recommendation-shortlist-for-rookie-jrpg-players/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/28/recommendation-shortlist-for-rookie-jrpg-players/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/28/recommendation-shortlist-for-rookie-jrpg-players/#comments This is a column by Kat Bailey dedicated to the analysis of the once beloved Japanese RPG sub-genre. Tune in every Wednesday for thoughts on white-haired villains, giant robots, Infinity+1 swords, and everything else the wonderful world of JRPGs has to offer.

It used to be so easy to get people to try Japanese role-playing games. If they asked where they should start, all I had to say was, "Let me tell you about this little game called Final Fantasy VII." In the end, I would almost always have a convert.

But times have changed. Many of the old PlayStation standbys have aged rather poorly, and modern RPGs are more complicated and time-consuming than ever. There are more high-quality JRPGs out there than the average person might think, but many of them are tough to recommend to newcomers.

But from time to time, I'm approached by a gamer who has barely even played Pokemon, let alone Xenoblade Chronicles, and they ask me to recommend a good JRPG. It's a moment that can be every bit as delicate as recommending a good entry point into something like Star Trek. The goal is to recommend something that starts fast and makes sense, but also highlights the genre's relative strengths.

Continue reading Recommendation shortlist for rookie JRPG players

JoystiqRecommendation shortlist for rookie JRPG players originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 28 Nov 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>JRPGOpinionWed, 28 Nov 2012 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo's Wii U may be an attractive device for Japanese RPG fans]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/22/nintendos-wii-u-may-be-an-attractive-device-for-japanese-rpg-fa/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/22/nintendos-wii-u-may-be-an-attractive-device-for-japanese-rpg-fa/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/22/nintendos-wii-u-may-be-an-attractive-device-for-japanese-rpg-fa/#comments This is a column by Kat Bailey dedicated to the analysis of the once beloved Japanese RPG sub-genre. Tune in every Wednesday for thoughts on white-haired villains, giant robots, Infinity+1 swords, and everything else the wonderful world of JRPGs has to offer.

I didn't manage to get a Wii U over the weekend. By the time I got around to ordering one, pre-orders were closed, and I wasn't willing to camp outside in the rain or add my name to the wait list. I'm still getting a Wii U though, and not because of Nintendo Land, New Super Mario Bros. U, or even The Legend of Zelda. I'm getting a Wii U because I'm intrigued by the potential of its RPG library.

[Ed. Note: For more on the Wii U, check out Joystiq's comprehensive coverage.]

As I've discussed before, this is not a new development for Nintendo. Toward the tail end of the Wii years, it made a concerted effort to woo RPG developers. The result was the "Operation Rainfall" games - Xenoblade Chronicles, The Last Story, and Pandora's Tower. Last week, I listed the Wii's Top 10 RPGs for 1UP, and I didn't even have to include Shiren the Wanderer or Tales of Symphonia 2. That platform's RPG selection is deeper than many people know.

Continue reading Nintendo's Wii U may be an attractive device for Japanese RPG fans

JoystiqNintendo's Wii U may be an attractive device for Japanese RPG fans originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 22 Nov 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsjrpgnintendoOpinionrpgwii-uThu, 22 Nov 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Deja Review: Persona 4 Golden]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/22/deja-review-persona-4-golden/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/22/deja-review-persona-4-golden/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/22/deja-review-persona-4-golden/#comments This is a Deja Review, a quick look at the new features and relative agelessness of remade, revived and re-released games.

Try explaining Persona 4 to a friend sometime - it's not easy. Any explanation inevitably begins with: "Well, it's about Japanese high schoolers who fight demons in an alternative dimension that can be accessed through a TV." And it only gets crazier from there.

Back in 2008 though, it was Persona 4's slightly insane premise and its unique format - the story follows a high schooler from April to December as he tries to keep up with his studies, make friends, and solve supernatural murders - that helped it stand out against the drab backdrop of the declining Japanese game industry. It's no less charming on the PlayStation Vita, where it benefits from redrawn high-definition art and some very interesting online functionality. Then, as now, it stands among the best Japanese-developed RPGs of the past decade.

Gallery: Persona 4 Golden (9/18/12)

Continue reading Deja Review: Persona 4 Golden

JoystiqDeja Review: Persona 4 Golden originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 22 Nov 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>persona-4-goldenplaystationplaystation-vitavitaThu, 22 Nov 2012 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[How RPGs can avoid descending into early game hell]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/16/how-rpgs-can-avoid-descending-into-early-game-hell/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/16/how-rpgs-can-avoid-descending-into-early-game-hell/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/16/how-rpgs-can-avoid-descending-into-early-game-hell/#commentsThis is a column by Kat Bailey dedicated to the analysis of the once beloved Japanese RPG sub-genre. Tune in every Wednesday for thoughts on white-haired villains, giant robots, Infinity+1 swords, and everything else the wonderful world of JRPGs has to offer.
Whenever I want to get in some quality procrastination, I turn to one of two sources. Either I while away the hours messing around with my team on Pokemon Online, or I start hitting "random" on Television Tropes & Idioms. The other day, I went in for the latter, and I came across an article titled "Early Game Hell."

Early Game Hell, as you might imagine, refers to games that are really difficult at the outset, but eventually get easier. Fire Emblem, for example, is even tougher than usual in the early going due to the main characters' lack of hit points and skills. In fact, almost every entry in the Early Game Hell page is an RPG. That's not exactly a surprise - every fan has struggled through the early game of an RPG at least once. But I also wonder if an RPG can't be entertaining and deep without being excruciatingly difficult to get into.

To wit, as you may recall from my previous entry, I'm currently playing Persona 4 Golden - an RPG that is well-known for being a slow starter. It's a good 90 minutes before anything of note occurs; and when the action finally arrives, it doesn't pull any punches. For the unprepared, the Avenger Knight mini-boss is quite capable of knocking out the main character in one or two hits. And without the Fox to offer any meaningful healing, it's not easy to grind.

Gallery: Persona 4 Golden (9/18/12)

Continue reading How RPGs can avoid descending into early game hell

JoystiqHow RPGs can avoid descending into early game hell originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 16 Nov 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>JRPGsOpinionFri, 16 Nov 2012 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Capturing the grandeur of the hunt in Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/15/capturing-the-grandeur-of-the-hunt-in-monster-hunter-3-ultimate/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/15/capturing-the-grandeur-of-the-hunt-in-monster-hunter-3-ultimate/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/15/capturing-the-grandeur-of-the-hunt-in-monster-hunter-3-ultimate/#comments Capturing the grandeur of the hunt with Wii U's Monster Hunter 3 UltimateThe sheer scale of Monster Hunter can be overwhelming at times, full of moments spent looking off into what seems like a never-ending horizon while chasing monsters three or four times your size. It's meant to make you feel like one tiny participant in a massive ecosystem - which you are also trying to destroy.

The only window to this massive world over the past few years has been the PSP. In North America, the lone exception has been the Wii's Monster Hunter Tri, while the PlayStation 3 port of Monster Hunter Portable 3rd has remained exclusive to Japan.

But North America will finally be able to explore Monster Hunter's creature-filled worlds in high-definition in Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate for Nintendo's Wii U. Ultimate is an HD update of the aforementioned Monster Hunter Tri that includes a large amount of new content. Playing the upgraded version after spending time with the game on 3DS felt right; it was like suddenly being able to see after being locked in a dark room.

Gallery: Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate 3DS - 11/15/12

Continue reading Capturing the grandeur of the hunt in Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate

JoystiqCapturing the grandeur of the hunt in Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 15 Nov 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsCapcommonster-hunter-3-ultimatenintendowii-uThu, 15 Nov 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Persona 4 Golden takes an interesting page from Dark Souls]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/07/persona-4-golden-takes-an-interesting-page-from-dark-souls/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/07/persona-4-golden-takes-an-interesting-page-from-dark-souls/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/07/persona-4-golden-takes-an-interesting-page-from-dark-souls/#commentsThis is a column by Kat Bailey dedicated to the analysis of the once beloved Japanese RPG sub-genre. Tune in every Wednesday for thoughts on white-haired villains, giant robots, Infinity+1 swords, and everything else the wonderful world of JRPGs has to offer.
It's always around the month of May that I take a look at the lengthy list of daily decisions in Persona 4 and start to sweat a bit.

"Should I be going to the sports club so much? Shouldn't I be building my relationship with Yukiko?"
"Crap, I forgot to buy a book to read."
"Exams are coming up and I still haven't hit the first Knowledge threshold. I'm screwed."

More than most RPGs, Persona 4 is about the long game. It's set over the course of a full Japanese school year - from April to December - and there are important decisions to be made almost every day. Most of the time, you end up hanging out with various non-player characters, some of whom won't become friendly until you get to know a specific character. It's big, complicated, and stressful.

Gallery: Persona 4 Golden (Making Decisions)

Continue reading Persona 4 Golden takes an interesting page from Dark Souls

JoystiqPersona 4 Golden takes an interesting page from Dark Souls originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 07 Nov 2012 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AtlusDark-SoulsJRPGsOpinionpersona-4-goldenplaystationplaystation-vitavitaWed, 07 Nov 2012 19:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Which RPGs are a good fit for mobile devices?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/02/which-rpgs-are-a-good-fit-for-mobile-devices/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/02/which-rpgs-are-a-good-fit-for-mobile-devices/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/02/which-rpgs-are-a-good-fit-for-mobile-devices/#commentsThis is a column by Kat Bailey dedicated to the analysis of the once beloved Japanese RPG sub-genre. Tune in every Wednesday for thoughts on white-haired villains, giant robots, Infinity+1 swords, and everything else the wonderful world of JRPGs has to offer.
Between Final Fantasy XIII-2, Xenoblade Chronicles, and The Last Story, it's been a surprisingly good year for RPG enthusiasts who prefer the home console experience. It's been nice to sit on the couch and really dive into a console RPG outside of the Mass Effect and Elder Scrolls franchises.

But it's November now, and things are getting back to normal. I've put more than a hundred hours into Pokemon Black 2/White 2 and I've just downloaded Persona 4 Golden. As usual, I will be playing a lot of handheld RPGs through the holidays.

And yet, not all handheld RPGs are created equal. Depending on the sub-genre, it can be a great fit for your mobile device of choice, a better fit for home consoles, or both. I got to thinking about the differences while downloading Persona 4 Golden, itself an odd fit for handhelds, and decided to break them down a bit.

Continue reading Which RPGs are a good fit for mobile devices?

JoystiqWhich RPGs are a good fit for mobile devices? originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 02 Nov 2012 20:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidiosipadiphonemobileOpinionFri, 02 Nov 2012 20:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Genius Sonority's Denpa Men reaches back to the company's 16-bit roots]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/24/genius-sonoritys-denpa-men-reaches-back-to-the-companys-16-bit/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/24/genius-sonoritys-denpa-men-reaches-back-to-the-companys-16-bit/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/24/genius-sonoritys-denpa-men-reaches-back-to-the-companys-16-bit/#commentsThis is a column by Kat Bailey dedicated to the analysis of the once beloved Japanese RPG sub-genre. Tune in every Wednesday for thoughts on white-haired villains, giant robots, Infinity+1 swords, and everything else the wonderful world of JRPGs has to offer.
Genius Sonority's Denpa Men reach back to the company's 16bit roots
Genius Sonority made its debut under that name in 2003, with Pokemon Colosseum. It was billed as a successor to Pokemon Stadium, and I ended up putting in more than a hundred hours before eventually souring on the recycled sprites and Colosseum's grinding "purification process."

Since then, Genius Sonority's name has mostly been a byword for "outsourced" among Pokemon fans, bringing the same shudders that Backbone does for retro gamers. But with the recent release of Denpa Men: They Came by Wave, a kind of augmented reality RPG for the Nintendo 3DS, I've found that their roots go back further than Pokemon.

Gallery: The Denpa Men: They Came By Wave (3DS eShop)

Continue reading Genius Sonority's Denpa Men reaches back to the company's 16-bit roots

JoystiqGenius Sonority's Denpa Men reaches back to the company's 16-bit roots originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 24 Oct 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsdenpa-mengenius-sonorityjrpgnintendothe-denpa-men-they-came-by-waveWed, 24 Oct 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[A call for a U.S. release of Guild01's shopkeeping RPG]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/18/a-call-for-a-u-s-release-of-guild01s-shopkeeping-rpg/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/18/a-call-for-a-u-s-release-of-guild01s-shopkeeping-rpg/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/18/a-call-for-a-u-s-release-of-guild01s-shopkeeping-rpg/#commentsThis is a column by Kat Bailey dedicated to the analysis of the once beloved Japanese RPG sub-genre. Tune in every Wednesday for thoughts on white-haired villains, giant robots, Infinity+1 swords, and everything else the wonderful world of JRPGs has to offer.
Whenever I sit down and read an ostensibly hilarious article about JRPG cliches, I can always count on someone making a snarky observation about the in-game economy.

"Isn't it funny that shops actually charge heroes trying to save the world? Don't they get a hero's discount?"

These sorts of observations are as cliche as the JRPG tropes they try to skewer, but there is a kernel of truth to them. Hence my interest in Rental Bukiya de Omasse - a Yoshiyuki Hirai-developed "fantasy rhythm" RPG which unfortunately may end up being the odd game out in the upcoming eShop release of games from the Guild01 collection. We have enough snarky fan observations to last us a lifetime. Self-awareness and a real sense of humor on the part of developer is something far more rare.

Continue reading A call for a U.S. release of Guild01's shopkeeping RPG

JoystiqA call for a U.S. release of Guild01's shopkeeping RPG originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 18 Oct 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsguild-01JapannintendoOpinionThu, 18 Oct 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Pokemon's World Tournament is rich with nostalgia]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/10/pokemons-world-tournament-is-rich-with-nostalgia/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/10/pokemons-world-tournament-is-rich-with-nostalgia/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/10/pokemons-world-tournament-is-rich-with-nostalgia/#commentsThis is a column by Kat Bailey dedicated to the analysis of the once beloved Japanese RPG sub-genre. Tune in every Wednesday for thoughts on white-haired villains, giant robots, Infinity+1 swords, and everything else the wonderful world of JRPGs has to offer.
My first experience with Pokemon was on Christmas Morning 1998. I was visiting my Grandmother in Minot, North Dakota, and there was nothing to do but play as much Game Boy as humanly possible (it's true - I've never been very social, even with family).

I was rolling right along with my Charmander until I ran into Brock - the franchise's very first gym leader. For those wielding a Squirtle or a Bulbasaur, he wasn't much more than a speed bump. For a novice trainer with an under-leveled fire-type, he and his Onix were nigh invincible. I beat my head against that stone for an entire morning, only stopping when I was finally dragged out to breakfast.

I eventually defeated Brock and collected all eight badges. Then I did it again and again. If I'm not mistaken, there are 48 badges in all now. Forty-eight gym leaders! All of them different; all of them serving as the backbones of their respective games.

Gym leaders serve all sorts of different purposes. In the fiction, they are sort of like the town sheriff, serving as both a pillar of the community and a bulwark against troublesome villains like Team Plasma. Frequently, they help to advance the story in some way by helping the player solve a problem. In gameplay terms, gym leaders are convenient bottlenecks that keep players advancing through the game at the pace Game Freak prescribes.

Gallery: Pokemon Black 2 and White 2 (5/15/12)

Continue reading Pokemon's World Tournament is rich with nostalgia

JoystiqPokemon's World Tournament is rich with nostalgia originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 10 Oct 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dsGame-FreaknintendoOpinionpokemon-black-2-white-2The-Pokemon-CompanyWed, 10 Oct 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Vita's Persona 4 Golden is both exciting and worrisome]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/03/vitas-persona-4-golden-is-both-exciting-and-worrisome/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/03/vitas-persona-4-golden-is-both-exciting-and-worrisome/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/03/vitas-persona-4-golden-is-both-exciting-and-worrisome/#commentsThis is a column by Kat Bailey dedicated to the analysis of the once beloved Japanese RPG sub-genre. Tune in every Wednesday for thoughts on white-haired villains, giant robots, Infinity+1 swords, and everything else the wonderful world of JRPGs has to offer.
I can't tell you how excited I am for Persona 4 Golden. In a holiday that's relatively barren of RPGs (unless you like MMOs), it immediately stands out.

As RPGs go, it's pretty much a perfect fit for the Vita. It's lengthy, the art looks sharp on the OLED screen, and it plays out in discrete chunks that mesh well with the portable experience. It's just the sort of fully-fleshed portable RPG that the Vita needs.

It's also a port, something that's become an unfortunate trend for the PlayStation Vita. In fact, all three of the system's most anticipated RPGs - Final Fantasy X, Persona 4 Golden, and now Muramasa: The Demon Blade - are ports or updates from aging release lists. I'm not going to lie: This was exactly what I was afraid of when the Vita first arrived. Publishers appear to be playing it safe on the platform, to the detriment of RPG fans.

Granted, it's always a bit of a battle between the desire to take the path of least resistance and the desire to make something new at the outset. Early adopters are typically more willing to go out and try something new when the library is still small, but the smaller install base makes heavy investment in a new platform risky. It's very much a chicken-and-egg scenario - platforms need dynamic new properties to sell systems, but publishers want to see a large userbase before they are willing to leave their comfort zone. And it appears this is a bigger problem for the Vita than the 3DS.

Gallery: Persona 4 Golden

Continue reading Vita's Persona 4 Golden is both exciting and worrisome

JoystiqVita's Persona 4 Golden is both exciting and worrisome originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 03 Oct 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AtlusOpinionpersona-4-goldenplaystationplaystation-vitarpgvitaWed, 03 Oct 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Pokemon Black and White 2 review: A generation's true form]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/02/pokemon-black-and-white-2-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/02/pokemon-black-and-white-2-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/02/pokemon-black-and-white-2-review/#comments With Pokémon Black 2 and Pokémon White 2, developer Game Freak has finally decided to stop beating around the bush and give us a "true" sequel instead of a Pokémon Platinum-esque expansion pack. The series is better for it too, even if the much touted emphasis on storytelling remains largely superfluous.

Set two years after the events of the original Pokémon Black and White, it features a new silent protagonist, a new rival, and a handful of new gym leaders. More importantly, there are new Pokémon - or should I say, old Pokémon. Unova is now rife with Pokémon from previous generations - a welcome sight for fans of the series. It makes the world of Pokémon feel bigger and more connected than it already is, and makes the Unova Pokémon feel like they're "part of the family."

Disappointingly, the returning Pokémon aren't the only familiar component. As usual, Black 2 and White 2 rigorously follows the badge/Elite 4 formula that has long since worn out its welcome but will never go away. What a pity that Game Freak didn't use this opportunity to experiment a bit with the formula and trim down the usual rote badge quest (or make it entirely optional). As a franchise, Pokémon can be at once really smart and innovative, and annoyingly set in its ways.

Gallery: Pokemon Black 2 and White 2 (5/15/12)

Continue reading Pokemon Black and White 2 review: A generation's true form

JoystiqPokemon Black and White 2 review: A generation's true form originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 02 Oct 2012 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dsgame-freaknintendopokemon-black-2-white-2Tue, 02 Oct 2012 10:15:00 EST<![CDATA[What a Pokemon MMO would be like]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/27/what-a-pokemon-mmo-would-actually-be-like/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/27/what-a-pokemon-mmo-would-actually-be-like/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/27/what-a-pokemon-mmo-would-actually-be-like/#commentsThis is a column by Kat Bailey dedicated to the analysis of the once beloved Japanese RPG sub-genre. Tune in every Wednesday for thoughts on white-haired villains, giant robots, Infinity+1 swords, and everything else the wonderful world of JRPGs has to offer.
Here's What a Pokemon MMORPG Would Actually Be Like
Could the Pokemon series translate into a good MMORPG? For fans, the answer is almost always, "Yes. Definitely. It's perfect for the MMO genre. What's taking so long?"

When Pokemon Black 2 and White 2 arrive next week - a game I've written about before - someone, somewhere will probably writing a column saying that very thing. But I think it's time that we debunk this idea that a Pokemon MMORPG would automatically be amazing once and for all. Here's the completely hypothetical scenario that would probably happen if a Pokemon MMORPG were to actually be announced.

Continue reading What a Pokemon MMO would be like

JoystiqWhat a Pokemon MMO would be like originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 27 Sep 2012 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Game-FreakNintendoOpinionPokemonPokemon-CompanyThe-Pokemon-CompanyThu, 27 Sep 2012 17:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Can Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate break through in the U.S. and boost the Wii U at the same time?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/19/can-monster-hunter-3-ultimate-break-through-in-the-u-s-and-boos/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/19/can-monster-hunter-3-ultimate-break-through-in-the-u-s-and-boos/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/19/can-monster-hunter-3-ultimate-break-through-in-the-u-s-and-boos/#commentsThis is a column by Kat Bailey dedicated to the analysis of the once beloved Japanese RPG sub-genre. Tune in every Wednesday for thoughts on white-haired villains, giant robots, Infinity+1 swords, and everything else the wonderful world of JRPGs has to offer.
I just finished a viewing of the fabulous Shin Megami Tensei 4 trailer. In a month I'll be playing Pokemon Black 2 & White 2, and Dragon Quest X and Monter Hunter 3 Ultimate are set for the Wii U. Once again I'm reminded that Nintendo's platforms might not have all of the Japanese RPGs, but they have most of the good ones.

On the subject of Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate: What does the announcement that it will be released on the Wii U mean for Japan? Is the series finally ready to make the leap in the U.S. now that it's about to released on a (presumably) mainstream console? The answers may not end up deciding the Wii U's ultimate fate, but they should offer some insight into how the system's library will shape up.

Most of you have probably heard about the Monster Hunter frenzy in Japan by now, since it's a good five years old at this points. Thanks to a unique combination of urban density, falling PSP prices and peer pressure, Monster Hunter has become a cultural force in Japan. In the face of this cultural climate, any new Monster Hunter game brings with it a certain amount of pressure to join in with the group.

Monster Hunter has enjoyed niche success in the U.S., but the factors that propelled its meteoric rise in Japan have been largely absent on this side of the Pacific. Put simply, it's tough to find another Monster Hunter fan in the west, which is a problem for a game that puts so much stock in its multiplayer experience. If you're really dedicated, you can attend meetups organized over the internet, but not many gamers seem persistent in that effort. I know I'm not.

Continue reading Can Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate break through in the U.S. and boost the Wii U at the same time?

JoystiqCan Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate break through in the U.S. and boost the Wii U at the same time? originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 19 Sep 2012 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsCapcomCapcom-Production-Studio-1monster-hunter-3-ultimatenintendoOpinionwii-uWed, 19 Sep 2012 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Evolving Pokemon: How Black 2 and White 2 points to the future of 'catching them all']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/18/evolving-pokemon-how-black-2-and-white-2-points-to-the-future-o/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/18/evolving-pokemon-how-black-2-and-white-2-points-to-the-future-o/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/18/evolving-pokemon-how-black-2-and-white-2-points-to-the-future-o/#comments Who says Pokemon never changes? Until recently, the franchise's story wasn't much more than an afterthought. Its main virtue was its consistency - you could always count on an evil organization showing up to destroy the world for no real reason at all. With Pokemon Black and White, a sliver of change was added to adjust the formula and pointed the series toward the possibility of more deft storytelling.

That trend continues in Pokemon Black and Pokemon White 2, which takes the time to examine some of the consequences of the previous game. The somewhat deeper story isn't the only new element either. The franchise's first ever numbered sequel brings with it a few other interesting trends, which are apt to continue once the Pokemon series leaps into the Nintendo 3DS market.

Gallery: Pokemon Black 2 and White 2 (5/15/12)

Continue reading Evolving Pokemon: How Black 2 and White 2 points to the future of 'catching them all'

JoystiqEvolving Pokemon: How Black 2 and White 2 points to the future of 'catching them all' originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 18 Sep 2012 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dsGame-FreakJunichi-MasudanintendoPokemonpokemon-black-2-white-2Takao-UnnoThe-Pokemon-CompanyTue, 18 Sep 2012 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[These Western-developed JRPGs deserve your time]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/12/these-western-developed-jrpgs-deserve-your-time/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/12/these-western-developed-jrpgs-deserve-your-time/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/12/these-western-developed-jrpgs-deserve-your-time/#comments These Westerndeveloped JRPGs deserve your time In my drawer is an unopened copy of Muramasa: The Demon Blade. Having really enjoyed it at E3, I made a point to pick up a copy for myself, then proceed to completely forget about it following a trip to Japan. It's still there, waiting for me to finally start clearing out my backlog.

I thought of Muramasa recently while playing another 2D action RPG - Dust: An Elysian Tail. Dust was developed by a westerner named Dean Dodrill, but it has much in common with Japanese-developed RPGs. The art style and the storytelling are just two elements that seem to take after Dust's Japanese counterparts.

That Dust has so much in common with Muramasa is a reminder that an RPG doesn't have to be developed by the Japanese to be a "JRPG." I've heard arguments to the contrary, but there is definitely a certain style at work in JRPGs, which is most apparent in their console-friendly accessibility, animated look, and their focus on storytelling. These are all traits that can be readily replicated by western developers.

Continue reading These Western-developed JRPGs deserve your time

JoystiqThese Western-developed JRPGs deserve your time originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 12 Sep 2012 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dust-an-elysian-tailjrpgpcWed, 12 Sep 2012 17:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Pressure's off: What Square can accomplish with Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/05/pressures-off-what-square-can-accomplish-with-lightning-return/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/05/pressures-off-what-square-can-accomplish-with-lightning-return/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/05/pressures-off-what-square-can-accomplish-with-lightning-return/#commentsThis is a column by Kat Bailey dedicated to the analysis of the once beloved Japanese RPG sub-genre. Tune in every Wednesday for thoughts on white-haired villains, giant robots, Infinity+1 swords, and everything else the wonderful world of JRPGs has to offer.
Pressure's off What Square can accomplish with Lightning Returns Final Fantasy XIII
It's been a long, strange ride for Final Fantasy XIII. From long delays and substantial disappointment, it has lately seen its stock fluctuate wildly between the improved reception afforded Final Fantasy XIII-2 and the rumors of Final Fantasy Versus XIII's demise. Now Square Enix has a chance to make its definitive statement on the series with Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII - an ambitious sequel that defies the accusations that Square is only out to squeeze a few more dollars out of its expensive engine.

As 1UP's extensive preview points out, this is pretty much Lightning's show now. The battle system has been completely rebuilt to showcase her specific talents. The rest of the cast is out, and so are the battle menus. Lightning Returns isn't quite a full-on action RPG, but it looks pretty close. The only real holdovers are the omnipresent Active Time Battle gauges that moderate the use of each of Lightning's moves, which are mapped to the face buttons on the controller.

It's a move that will prove divisive as always, but I can't hate the reasoning behind it. The pressure's off. Final Fantasy XIII is very much a known quantity. If this is truly to be the grand finale for an already controversial set of games, why not be as experimental as possible?

Continue reading Pressure's off: What Square can accomplish with Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII

JoystiqPressure's off: What Square can accomplish with Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 05 Sep 2012 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>lightning-returns-final-fantasy-xiiimicrosoftplaystationps3rpgsquare-enixxboxWed, 05 Sep 2012 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The World Ends With You's Solo Remix: A small step toward something greater]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/29/the-world-ends-with-yous-solo-remix-a-small-step-toward-someth/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/29/the-world-ends-with-yous-solo-remix-a-small-step-toward-someth/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/29/the-world-ends-with-yous-solo-remix-a-small-step-toward-someth/#commentsThis is a column by Kat Bailey dedicated to the analysis of the once beloved Japanese RPG sub-genre. Tune in every Wednesday for thoughts on white-haired villains, giant robots, Infinity+1 swords, and everything else the wonderful world of JRPGs has to offer.
Well, that was a little anti-climactic, wasn't it? For a second there, I really thought that we were going to get an actual sequel to The World Ends With You. But no, we're getting a port instead - an iOS port at that.

As always, the backlash was predictable, and Square Enix didn't help themselves with their countdown or the price point ($20 or $18 depending on iOS device - yikes). But I'm sure Square Enix had its reasons; those reasons being:
  • It's a relatively easy way for Square Enix to continue gauging popular interest in the series.
  • The World Ends With You was originally designed with touchscreen support in mind, which translates nicely to mobile devices (the lack of a second screen for Neku's partner is another matter).
  • It will probably turn a profit. I hear businesses like money.
Basically, it's a way for Square Enix to exhume the series after shoveling dirt on it and moving on four years ago. This isn't Square Enix dashing hopes of a sequel; it's Square Enix raising those hopes up a notch. At a guess, it's hoping to raise The World Ends With You's profile with mainstream gamers in such a way that the sequel will be a bona fide success, and not just a cult hit. Right now, there's no better way to reach the masses than to put something out on iOS, which might answer why the game hasn't found life on the Vita.

Continue reading The World Ends With You's Solo Remix: A small step toward something greater

JoystiqThe World Ends With You's Solo Remix: A small step toward something greater originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 29 Aug 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>iosipadiphonemobileOpinionSquare-EnixThe-World-Ends-With-YouWed, 29 Aug 2012 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[We can build on this: Why ideas in The Last Story should be embraced by RPG devs]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/22/we-can-build-on-this-why-ideas-in-the-last-story-should-be-embr/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/22/we-can-build-on-this-why-ideas-in-the-last-story-should-be-embr/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/22/we-can-build-on-this-why-ideas-in-the-last-story-should-be-embr/#commentsThis is a column by Kat Bailey dedicated to the analysis of the once beloved Japanese RPG sub-genre. Tune in every Wednesday for thoughts on white-haired villains, giant robots, Infinity+1 swords, and everything else the wonderful world of JRPGs has to offer.
When Hironobu Sakaguchi set out to make The Last Story, one of his main goals was to make something new. It was an approach that made him nervous.

"With this title, I felt strongly that as the creator of the game, I was laying myself bare, and I was anxious about how the customers would respond to my ideas," Sakaguchi said in an Iwata Asks feature released by Nintendo. "At the same time, there are certain unique things I want to do and express, and in the end, I don't think that my approach is mistaken."

In the end, Sakaguchi was indeed vindicated. The Last Story was met with solid reviews, and was praised in large part because of its creative battle system. All told, it's a nice story of a developer breaking out of its comfort zone to create a new and interesting game, and it's worth reading the full interview to see how The Last Story ultimately came out. I don't think it needs to be the whole story though.

It's in part because The Last Story incorporates so many new elements that I would like to see it adopted in some way by other RPG developers - especially strategy RPG developers. The Last Story can't really be pegged in any particular genre; but it does have a fair amount in common with strategy RPGs. It's not grid-based, or even turn-based, but it does place a premium on enemy placement, for example, by making it possible to knock out casters or other hazards using alternative methods.

Gallery: The Last Story

Continue reading We can build on this: Why ideas in The Last Story should be embraced by RPG devs

JoystiqWe can build on this: Why ideas in The Last Story should be embraced by RPG devs originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 22 Aug 2012 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AQ-InteractiveHironobu-SakaguchiMistwalkernintendoOpinionthe-last-storywiiWed, 22 Aug 2012 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Five RPG extras that would probably be DLC in 2012]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/15/five-rpg-extras-that-would-probably-be-dlc-in-2012/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/15/five-rpg-extras-that-would-probably-be-dlc-in-2012/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/15/five-rpg-extras-that-would-probably-be-dlc-in-2012/#commentsThis is a column by Kat Bailey dedicated to the analysis of the once beloved Japanese RPG sub-genre. Tune in every Wednesday for thoughts on white-haired villains, giant robots, Infinity+1 swords, and everything else the wonderful world of JRPGs has to offer.
When the enhanced edition of Final Fantasy VII for the PC was announced, I spent some time imagining achievements. In the comments, a lot of people pointed out that Yuffie's sidequest (and indeed, Yuffie herself) would probably be downloadable content in the modern era of video games. This, I thought to myself, is probably true.

I brought up that point with Polygon's Phil Kollar the other day, and we ended up chatting at some length about DLC. What other classic RPG bonuses, I wondered, would probably be downloadable content today? The two of us had a few ideas (full credit to Phil for reminding me of this idea). Let's explore, shall we?

Continue reading Five RPG extras that would probably be DLC in 2012

JoystiqFive RPG extras that would probably be DLC in 2012 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 Aug 2012 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DLCDownloadable-ContentJRPGOpinionWed, 15 Aug 2012 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Last Story review: Sakaguchi's experimental side]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/15/the-last-story-review-sakaguchis-experimental-side/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/15/the-last-story-review-sakaguchis-experimental-side/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/15/the-last-story-review-sakaguchis-experimental-side/#comments The Last Story appears to flip the script on Dragon Quest. Where Square Enix's seminal RPG series normally seeks to tell new stories within familiar mechanical frameworks, Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi's latest effort offers a very (very) familiar narrative while experimenting wildly with its battle system.

The story is vintage Final Fantasy - a collection of traditional role-playing tropes set amid a world featuring an effective mix of medieval and steampunk elements. The hero Zael has a lot in common with the likes of Cloud and Cecil, and his infatuation with a runaway princess brings to mind Final Fantasy IX. There's even a flying fortress ala Balamb Garden from Final Fantasy VIII. For some, it will be charming (I'm in that camp), though others may find it distracting.

Gallery: The Last Story (8/14/12)

Continue reading The Last Story review: Sakaguchi's experimental side

JoystiqThe Last Story review: Sakaguchi's experimental side originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 Aug 2012 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aq-interactivemistwalkernintendothe-last-storywiiWed, 15 Aug 2012 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Can RPG fans enjoy Persona 4 Arena too?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/08/can-rpg-fans-enjoy-persona-4-arena-too/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/08/can-rpg-fans-enjoy-persona-4-arena-too/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/08/can-rpg-fans-enjoy-persona-4-arena-too/#commentsThis is a column by Kat Bailey dedicated to the analysis of the once beloved Japanese RPG sub-genre. Tune in every Wednesday for thoughts on white-haired villains, giant robots, Infinity+1 swords, and everything else the wonderful world of JRPGs has to offer.
I've had Persona 4 Arena in my house for a week now, and I'm still trying to wrap my head around what a glorious oxymoron the game is. Has there ever been a more contradictory mash-up than fighting and role-playing?

Fighting games, of all genres, have proven the most resistant to the "RPG elements" embraced by shooters, puzzlers, and even rhythm games. It's a genre predicated on the notion of a level playing field. Street Fighter and its ilk are hard enough to balance as it is without throwing in added variables like stat bonuses and special equipment.

That's to say nothing of the fact that the play styles are oil and water. Fighting games are competitive, twitch-based affairs - not the best fit for the average RPG fan who enjoying whiling away the hours constructing an optimal party. Probably the closest thing we've had to a true fighting game/RPG hybrid is Dissidia Final Fantasy, which was definitely an interesting spinoff with some solid RPG elements, but couldn't really be called a traditional fighter. Persona 4 Arena, by contrast, is a classic 2D fighter that wholly embraces its setting and even adds to the overall lore. It's also more or less devoid of RPG mechanics though, which might be a tough sell for traditional fans of the series.

So will fans of the Persona series find this unlikely spinoff to their liking? Here are a few thoughts from the perspective an RPG enthusiast who happens to be pretty bad at fighting games.

Gallery: Persona 4 Arena (7/23/12)

Continue reading Can RPG fans enjoy Persona 4 Arena too?

JoystiqCan RPG fans enjoy Persona 4 Arena too? originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 08 Aug 2012 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftOpinionpersona-4-arenapersona-4-the-ultimate-in-mayonaka-arenaplaystationps3xboxWed, 08 Aug 2012 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Why Kingdom Hearts must return to consoles]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/01/why-kingdom-hearts-must-return-to-consoles/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/01/why-kingdom-hearts-must-return-to-consoles/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/01/why-kingdom-hearts-must-return-to-consoles/#commentsThis is a column by Kat Bailey dedicated to the analysis of the once beloved Japanese RPG sub-genre. Tune in every Wednesday for thoughts on white-haired villains, giant robots, Infinity+1 swords, and everything else the wonderful world of JRPGs has to offer.
Why Kingdom Hearts must return to the console
It's time for Kingdom Hearts to go back to home consoles. Square Enix have scrunched four of these games onto tiny handheld screens now - five if you want to count the oddball Chain of Memories. That's five games worth of parsing the shadows of Traverse Town in the glare of the sun while riding the bus. Five games worth of Kingdom Hearts' nausea-inducing camera on those tiny screens.

Enough already. If Final Fantasy Versus XIII is actually dead and buried (which Square Enix says it isn't - but whatever), then shift all those internal resources to Kingdom Hearts 3 and be done with it. It's a disservice to the franchise, the source material and the platforms to keep squeezing these games into such ill-fitting confines.

Okay, I've got the light rage out of my system. The sky is not falling. Birth by Sleep and now Dream Drop Distance are perfectly serviceable games. But is the series reaching its potential on those platforms? I don't think it is. Barring some drastic change, Kingdom Hearts is always going to be better-suited for home consoles than handhelds. It's in the franchise's DNA. It's even evident in additions like Dream Drop Distance's new "Flowmotion System," for instance, which sends Sora bouncing off walls and objects, like lamp posts and even enemies. It's not a bad idea and would be a nice addition to a console game. On the 3DS screen though? There's just too much going on.

Gallery: Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance (7/17/12)

Continue reading Why Kingdom Hearts must return to consoles

JoystiqWhy Kingdom Hearts must return to consoles originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 01 Aug 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>kingdom-hearts-3dkingdom-hearts-3d-dream-drop-distanceOpinionSquare-EnixWed, 01 Aug 2012 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Does The World Ends With You really need a sequel?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/25/does-the-world-ends-with-you-really-need-a-sequel/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/25/does-the-world-ends-with-you-really-need-a-sequel/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/25/does-the-world-ends-with-you-really-need-a-sequel/#commentsThis is a column by Kat Bailey dedicated to the analysis of the once beloved Japanese RPG sub-genre. Tune in every Wednesday for thoughts on white-haired villains, giant robots, Infinity+1 swords, and everything else the wonderful world of JRPGs has to offer.
In about a week, Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance will feature characters from The World Ends With You - one of my favorite RPGs of the past several years. In some circles, it's considered to be the prelude to a sequel, and a follow-up has been hinted at.

I feel like I should be happier at that prospect than I am. Actually, I was pretty happy to get more The World Ends With You for a while, even if it came in the form of Kingdom Hearts. Now though, I'm feeling a little more ambivalent.

Some of my reticence stems from the fact that The World Ends With You didn't exactly end on a cliffhanger. It is very much a complete, self-contained story, with very little in the way of loose ends. Even the nature of the Director - the all-powerful being that runs the game at the heart of the story - and the fate of Shibuya is pretty much explained. Short of a prequel, or a whole new cast of characters in Kansai or something, there aren't a lot of places that a new The World Ends With You can go.

Continue reading Does The World Ends With You really need a sequel?

JoystiqDoes The World Ends With You really need a sequel? originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 25 Jul 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dsnintendoOpinionSquare-EnixThe-World-Ends-With-YouWed, 25 Jul 2012 17:00:00 EST