Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.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[Parasite Eve and the RPG road less traveled]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/03/parasite-eve-and-the-rpg-road-less-traveled/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/03/parasite-eve-and-the-rpg-road-less-traveled/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/03/parasite-eve-and-the-rpg-road-less-traveled/#commentsIn his weekly column, writer Bob Mackey will alternate between two of his passions: the Japanese RPG genre and classic games.

Parasite Eve and the RPG road less traveled
As a lifelong follower of Square Enix - through both good times and bad - Parasite Eve stands as the first of its US-released games that left me feeling pangs of disappointment. Parasite Eve deviates wildly from the prescribed JRPG format, and even though its battle system introduced elements the developer would expand upon in the future, Square's take on Resident Evil features one playable character involved in a story that barely squeaks past the 10-hour mark.

To some, Parasite Eve's focus on streamlining Square's expected RPG design can't be seen as anything but sacrilege, and you can count me in with those who initially felt burned after blowing through the game over the course of a weekend. But it should be noted that Square created this new brand of "cinematic RPG" (as they would call it) to draw in an audience larger than the hardcore JRPG stalwarts who had supported them up to that point. Final Fantasy VII might have sold based on its impressive CGI-laden advertisements, but it did so at the cost of alienating players unprepared for menu-driven gameplay.

Continue reading Parasite Eve and the RPG road less traveled

JoystiqParasite Eve and the RPG road less traveled originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 03 Jun 2013 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Japanese-RPGsJRPGOpinionParasite-EveSquareSquare-EnixMon, 03 Jun 2013 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Class of Heroes 2 available on PSN June 4]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/class-of-heroes-2-in-session-on-psn-june-4/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/class-of-heroes-2-in-session-on-psn-june-4/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/class-of-heroes-2-in-session-on-psn-june-4/#commentsClass of Heroes 2 PSN June 4 Class of Heroes 2, MonkeyPaw's PSP game from 2009, is finally coming to North America on June 4. PSN users can snag the fully localized JRPG dungeon crawler - which is playable on both PSP and PS Vita - for $25 from the PSN store.

The effort to localize Class of Heroes 2 began in 2012 with a Kickstarter campaign seeking $500,000 in funding. Ultimately, only $96,951 was raised, though MonkeyPaw CEO John Greiner wasn't too down in a follow-up interview with Joystiq.

Greiner said that even though the Kickstarter campaign failed, "we were able to educate people about the game and its features. That will help immensely when we release the digital version."

Continue reading Class of Heroes 2 available on PSN June 4

JoystiqClass of Heroes 2 available on PSN June 4 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 24 May 2013 04:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>class-of-heroes-2gaijinworksJRPGMonkeyPaw-Gamesplaystationplaystation-vitapsnpsprelease-datesonyvitaFri, 24 May 2013 04:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Grandia: How a forgotten JRPG solved the problem of repetitive combat]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/12/grandia-how-a-forgotten-jrpg-solved-the-problem-of-repetitive-c/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/12/grandia-how-a-forgotten-jrpg-solved-the-problem-of-repetitive-c/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/12/grandia-how-a-forgotten-jrpg-solved-the-problem-of-repetitive-c/#commentsThis is a weekly column from freelancer Rowan Kaiser, which primarily focuses on "Western" role-playing games: their stories, their histories, their mechanics, their insanity, and their inanity. This week, however, Rowan focuses on a forgotten JRPG: Grandia.

Grandia How a forgotten JRPG solved the problem of repetitive combat
One of the core issues facing most role-playing games is how they deal with repetitive combat. Since RPGs tend to be so much longer than normal games, with a wider scope, it's much more difficult for them to create unique battles like a shorter action game can. So RPGs tend to have constant, similar, repetitive fights. These are often derided by players and critics under umbrella terms like "random battles," "grinding," or in massively multiplayer games, "trash."

Yet RPGs need those regular battles to keep the games interesting. With rare exceptions, the player skills are unlikely to be tested in terms of skill outside of combat, and most RPG stories depend on violence and its consequences. This makes combat an integral component of the pacing of RPGs. Successful RPGs tend to strike a balance between combat, exploration, and storytelling. When one of those three part is left unchecked, the game can become boring - and it's usually excessive repetitive fighting that's the issue.

For decades now, RPGs have attempted to make their regular battles more interesting, and less likely to be described as trash or grinding. Japanese RPGs have historically tended to experiment with different combat forms more aggressively than their Western counterparts. Some games, like the Suikoden series, tries to avoid the combat issue by making combat smooth and unobtrusive, as I wrote about in a prior column. But not every RPG can, or should, de-emphasize combat. When combat works, even in common random battles, it can be the best part of an RPG. How can RPGs avoid having combat be too repetitive and meaningless?

Continue reading Grandia: How a forgotten JRPG solved the problem of repetitive combat

JoystiqGrandia: How a forgotten JRPG solved the problem of repetitive combat originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 12 Apr 2013 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Game-ArtsgrandiaJRPGOpinionplaystationps3PSXSCEAUbisoftFri, 12 Apr 2013 19:15:00 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[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[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[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[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[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[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[Vita and 3DS give RPGs a chance to shine at E3]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/31/vita-and-3ds-give-rpgs-a-chance-to-shine-at-e3/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/31/vita-and-3ds-give-rpgs-a-chance-to-shine-at-e3/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/31/vita-and-3ds-give-rpgs-a-chance-to-shine-at-e3/#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.
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Next week, representatives from Nintendo and Sony will take the stage at E3 with the goal of fostering excitement for the Vita and 3DS. When it comes time for the sizzle reels and the assurances of publisher support, watch closely. For Japanese RPG developers, the time is now to make a splash.

By any measure, Japanese-developed RPGs play an important role on mobile devices dedicated to gaming. It's not just that Monster Hunter dominated the PSP. Many of the best Japanese-developed RPGs of the past few years, The World Ends With You and Dragon Quest IX among them, have been handheld. With the 3DS exploding in Japan, there's little reason to believe that will change any time soon.

Continue reading Vita and 3DS give RPGs a chance to shine at E3

JoystiqVita and 3DS give RPGs a chance to shine at E3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 31 May 2012 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dse3-2012fire-emblem-awakeningjrpgnintendopersona-4-goldenplaystationplaystation-vitavitaThu, 31 May 2012 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Among Japanese developers, Sting quietly thrives]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/23/among-japanese-developers-sting-quietly-thrives/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/23/among-japanese-developers-sting-quietly-thrives/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/23/among-japanese-developers-sting-quietly-thrives/#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.
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In late 2008, Sony released the PSP-3000, giving me the perfect excuse to finally pick one up. When I got home later that day, I did what anyone with a new system does - I started downloading demos.

Yggdra Union was among that early handful of downloads. I picked it because I liked the art style, not knowing what I was getting into. I soon discovered Yggdra Union is quite the complicated strategy RPG. There are different character types, and there are cards that dictate movement and status effects, and positioning matters too. And it didn't help that I was trying to play it in its native Japanese (though I eventually relented and found an English copy).

As I later discovered, Yggdra Union is the rule rather than the exception to Sting Entertainment's ... unique design sensibilities. Almost every modern Sting RPG has some sort of interesting twist on the traditional RPG formula. Riviera: The Promised Land is part dating sim and part menu-driven point-and-click adventure, for example. Knights in the Nightmare is a strategy RPG, but it also has sequences in which you must guide a tiny wisp while avoiding a hail of bullets. Rather than simply going with what works, or the cheapest alternative, Sting has traditionally been extremely experimental, and its reward has been a small but fervent fanbase.

Gallery: Gungnir (4/11/12)

Continue reading Among Japanese developers, Sting quietly thrives

JoystiqAmong Japanese developers, Sting quietly thrives originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 23 May 2012 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>columnJRPGStingWed, 23 May 2012 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Great Moment: Climbing Final Fantasy IV's Mt. Ordeals]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/great-moment-climbing-final-fantasy-ivs-mt-ordeals/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/great-moment-climbing-final-fantasy-ivs-mt-ordeals/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/great-moment-climbing-final-fantasy-ivs-mt-ordeals/#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.
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I find Cecil interesting, which is not something I can say for many other video game protagonists. For instance, he's in a solid, mature relationship with a strong woman right off the bat. And from the very beginning, he's grappling with a clear moral dilemma--break his oath and step down or continue slaughtering innocents in the name of the Empire? It's evident that Cecil has a lot in his mind right from the beginning, which is all the more impressive for the fact that he's only a tiny 16-bit sprite.

In fact, there was a lot going on with Final Fantasy IV's story in general. The cast is huge, and the heroic sacrifices and heroic twists almost constant. But the best moment happens early on, when Cecil climbs Mt. Ordeals with the twin mages Palom and Porum in a quest to shed his darker half and become a Paladin.

Continue reading Great Moment: Climbing Final Fantasy IV's Mt. Ordeals

JoystiqGreat Moment: Climbing Final Fantasy IV's Mt. Ordeals originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 May 2012 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>FF4final-fantasyFinal-Fantasy-4jrpgTue, 15 May 2012 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The delightful smoothness of classic Japanese role-playing games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/12/the-delightful-smoothness-of-classic-japanese-role-playing-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/12/the-delightful-smoothness-of-classic-japanese-role-playing-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/12/the-delightful-smoothness-of-classic-japanese-role-playing-games/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

This week, Rowan Kaiser and Kat Bailey have switched roles -- with Rowan taking lead in this week's column focusing on the wonderful world of Japanese role-playing games.
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I was only defeated once in Suikoden. Even that was an accident - I thought it was a fight I was supposed to lose. Calling the game "easy" is something of an understatement. With a little bit of planning, you can win virtually every fight in the game, including the final boss battle on auto-pilot using the "Free Will" option in the combat menu. Yet, despite this easiness, Suikoden is one of my favorite Japanese role-playing games. "Easy" isn't the right term for it exactly. Instead, Suikoden is smooth.

"Smoothness" isn't a common criteria used to judge games. If anything, it's the opposite. Getting the difficulty level just right, so that the game seems like a challenge but is completable with practice, seems like it's an ideal. Or, you can use Sid Meier's model of games as "interesting choices" - but if the game isn't challenging, those choices don't seem to matter, right? I think acceptance theories like those are part of the reason that Japanese role-playing games are considered less important than they used to be.

Continue reading The delightful smoothness of classic Japanese role-playing games

JoystiqThe delightful smoothness of classic Japanese role-playing games originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 12 Apr 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chrono-triggerfinal-fantasygolden-sunjrpgradiant-historiarowan-kaisersuikodenThu, 12 Apr 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[What can Japanese RPG developers learn from Rayman: Origins?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/09/what-can-japanese-rpg-developers-learn-from-rayman-origins/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/09/what-can-japanese-rpg-developers-learn-from-rayman-origins/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/09/what-can-japanese-rpg-developers-learn-from-rayman-origins/#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 wish more Japanese RPGs were like Rayman: Origins.

Alright, I'll give you a moment to wrap your brain around that statement, then I'll explain. As most of you know, Rayman: Origins is a completely beautiful platformer that captures everything that is great about the genre -- precise controls, expansive levels, and high challenge. It's at the forefront of the genre's mini-renaissance, which has been ongoing for a few years now.

I want all that for Japanese RPGs. More to the point, I think that it can happen, if only an enterprising publisher or developer were to pick up the baton.

At the moment, I think there's something of a taboo against the classic form, at least among the larger developers. Even Dragon Quest -- long the bastion of reliability -- has been shaking things up with its multiplayer innovations. The unspoken mandate is that the genre must evolve or die.

Continue reading What can Japanese RPG developers learn from Rayman: Origins?

JoystiqWhat can Japanese RPG developers learn from Rayman: Origins? originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 09 Mar 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsjrpgmicrosoftnintendopcplaystationplaystation-vitaps3rayman-originsrpgvitawiixboxFri, 09 Mar 2012 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Etrian Odyssey IV coming to the 3DS in Japan, classes detailed]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/28/etrian-odyssey-iv-coming-to-the-3ds-in-japan-classes-detailed/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/28/etrian-odyssey-iv-coming-to-the-3ds-in-japan-classes-detailed/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/28/etrian-odyssey-iv-coming-to-the-3ds-in-japan-classes-detailed/#comments Atlus has officially confirmed that Etrian Odyssey IV is on its way to the Nintendo 3DS in Japan later this year. The fourth in the series of popular RPGs (Etrian Odyssey 3 arrived in North America last year) will have an easier casual difficulty setting, and will boast seven different classes, including Rune Masters, Medics, Snipers, Swordsmen, Fortress units, and Dancers.

Art for the game is being provided by Nizo Yamamoto (one of the artists on Princess Mononoke). Etrian Odyssey veterans Yuji Himukai, Shin Nagasawa, and Yuzu Koshiro are also on board. Daisuke Kaneda, taking reins as game director, served as battle advisor on the original game and directed Trauma Team.

Atlus says the game will be out in Japan on July 5. Since older Etrian Odysseys have eventually found their way over to North America, there's a chance we'll see this one here too.

JoystiqEtrian Odyssey IV coming to the 3DS in Japan, classes detailed originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 28 Feb 2012 02:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsartatlusdsetrian-odysseyetrian-odyssey-3-the-drowned-citygamejapanjapanese-releasejrpgnintendorpgTue, 28 Feb 2012 02:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Do Japanese RPGs need good stories?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/15/do-japanese-rpgs-need-a-good-story/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/15/do-japanese-rpgs-need-a-good-story/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/15/do-japanese-rpgs-need-a-good-story/#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 have to offer.

I'm going to sum up all of the cliches about Final Fantasy XIII in one sentence: "The battle system is pretty good, but the story is laughable." Gamasutra's Christian Nutt even went so far as to compare the direction of the series to the Star Wars prequels. I wish I could disagree.

For all that though, I'm willing to stick out Final Fantasy XIII-2's jaunt through time and space, banal anime archetypes and all. Whenever one of the cutscenes pop up, I just go and check my email. Either that, or I pick up a book. It's mostly the battles that keep me going. I'm also a big fan of putting hats on monsters, and Final Fantasy XIII-2 has that in spades.

The dirty secret is that I've always been more fascinated by RPG battle systems than the story within the game. In many ways, a character's mechanical growth is a story in and of itself. When the game begins, your character is a scrub with a wooden sword and a few potions. By the end, they can call down comets from the heavens and instigate supernovas. That's what I call a character arc.

Continue reading Do Japanese RPGs need good stories?

JoystiqDo Japanese RPGs need good stories? originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 Feb 2012 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>columndsfinal-fantasy-xiii-2jrpgmicrosoftnintendooriginalplaystationps3xboxWed, 15 Feb 2012 15:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Remembering the best JRPG ever]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/27/remembering-the-best-jrpg-ever/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/27/remembering-the-best-jrpg-ever/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/27/remembering-the-best-jrpg-ever/#commentsThis is a column by Jason Schreier dedicated to the analysis (and occasional mocking) of his favorite genre, the Japanese role-playing game. Whether it's because they're too antiquated or just too niche, he believes JRPGs don't get enough attention in the gaming industry today. It's time to change that.
Good news and bad news.

The bad news is that today's column will be my last. I've accepted a full-time job elsewhere and I won't be able to write for Joystiq anymore. It's been a blast talking about JRPGs with you all, and I hope you enjoyed reading my articles almost as much as I enjoyed writing them.

The good news is that I'm taking this opportunity to write about one of the best JRPGs of all time, a game I always fervidly rank at the top of every "Best Games Ever!!!" list. Few games know how to tell a story this poignant, this engaging, this memorable. Few games blend narrative and mechanics together this smoothly. Few games are so powerful that they convince you to ignore some significant flaws, like bizarre bugs and a terrible translation effort. But this one is.

It's called Suikoden II.

Continue reading Remembering the best JRPG ever

JoystiqRemembering the best JRPG ever originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 27 Jan 2012 18:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>columnjrpgkonamiplaystationsuikoden-2suikoden-iiFri, 27 Jan 2012 18:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Why silly JRPG dialogue may not be a problem]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/20/why-silly-jrpg-dialogue-may-not-be-a-problem/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/20/why-silly-jrpg-dialogue-may-not-be-a-problem/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/20/why-silly-jrpg-dialogue-may-not-be-a-problem/#commentsThis is a column by Jason Schreier dedicated to the analysis (and occasional mocking) of his favorite genre, the Japanese role-playing game. Whether it's because they're too antiquated or just too niche, he believes JRPGs don't get enough attention in the gaming industry today. It's time to change that.
I've been playing a lot of Final Fantasy XIII-2 lately. I can't post my full thoughts until the embargo's up (January 30), but there's one question I've been pondering ever since I popped in the disc: What's up with this dialogue?

Thanks to a lot of silly jargon and awkward phrasing, a large chunk of Final Fantasy XIII-2's conversations elevate it into the "wouldn't want anyone to watch me playing this" category, alongside titles like Star Ocean: The Last Hope and any Tales game.

"Become an arrow through time and speed your way to Serah," one of the game's characters says in the game's intro sequence. Other bits of dialogue are similarly awkward, mixing metaphors, dropping strange proper nouns and completely confusing whoever's playing (read: me).

(Another choice line: "If the paradox is eliminated, spacetime will return to normal.")

Of course, it'd be unfair to only pick on the latest Final Fantasy for this issue. Japanese role playing games -- even moreso than other game genres -- are not known for their fluid, witty dialogue. JRPG scripts are more infamous for mistranslations ("This guy are sick.") than smart or clever bits of writing.

But does it matter? Can a JRPG still be awesome even if its dialogue sucks?

Continue reading Why silly JRPG dialogue may not be a problem

JoystiqWhy silly JRPG dialogue may not be a problem originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 20 Jan 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>columnfinal-fantasy-xiii-2jrpgmicrosoftnintendoplaystationps3wiixboxFri, 20 Jan 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Why Final Fantasy XIII just didn't work]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/13/why-final-fantasy-xiii-just-didnt-work/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/13/why-final-fantasy-xiii-just-didnt-work/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/13/why-final-fantasy-xiii-just-didnt-work/#commentsThis is a column by Jason Schreier dedicated to the analysis (and occasional mocking) of his favorite genre, the Japanese role-playing game. Whether it's because they're too antiquated or just too niche, he believes JRPGs don't get enough attention in the gaming industry today. It's time to change that.
On January 31, Square Enix will release Final Fantasy XIII-2, a direct sequel to Final Fantasy XIII, which the developer shipped several years ago to mixed reactions. Some fans adored the game's gorgeous aesthetics and flashy combat; others cursed Square Enix for daring to defile their beloved series.

Perhaps because of that fan ambivalence, a large part of Square Enix's marketing plan for Final Fantasy XIII-2 has revolved around the message "This is not Final Fantasy XIII!" During preview events and demos, the developer has been careful to show off all of the new elements that the first game did not have: towns, NPCs, sidequests, and so forth.

Will Final Fantasy XIII-2 be worth playing? I'll tell you in a few weeks. But while we wait to see whether or not the newest Final Fantasy is worth our time, let's figure out why Square Enix is so eager to make it feel different than its predecessor.

Just where did Final Fantasy XIII go wrong?

Continue reading Why Final Fantasy XIII just didn't work

JoystiqWhy Final Fantasy XIII just didn't work originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 13 Jan 2012 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>FFXIIIfinal-fantasy-13Final-Fantasy-XIIIjrpgmicrosoftplaystationps3square-enixxboxFri, 13 Jan 2012 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[In defense of Xenogears]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/06/in-defense-of-xenogears/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/06/in-defense-of-xenogears/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/06/in-defense-of-xenogears/#commentsThis is a column by Jason Schreier dedicated to the analysis (and occasional mocking) of his favorite genre, the Japanese role-playing game. Whether it's because they're too antiquated or just too niche, he believes JRPGs don't get enough attention in the gaming industry today. It's time to change that.

When it comes to grandiose adventures, there are few games like Xenogears. Few games' stories are as stirring, as twisty, as poignant. Few games' characters are as bizarre and entrancing.

But fans have skewered the sci-fi masterpiece for its second disc, a potpourri of cutscenes and monologues that may have been the consequence of rushed development. While the game's first 50 hours gave you access to a world map filled with towns, dungeons, and secrets, Xenogears' final act was more book than game, unfolding like a visual novel with very little player interaction outside of the final dungeon and a few boss fights.

Gamers took umbrage at this sudden shift in pace. As one GameFAQs reader points out, "Xenogears would have been great... if it had been finished."

Which is too bad, because I loved every minute of it.

Continue reading In defense of Xenogears

JoystiqIn defense of Xenogears originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 06 Jan 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>columnjrpgplaystationps3pspsonysquaresoftxenogearsFri, 06 Jan 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Remembering an underappreciated JRPG trilogy]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/30/remembering-an-underappreciated-jrpg-trilogy/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/30/remembering-an-underappreciated-jrpg-trilogy/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/30/remembering-an-underappreciated-jrpg-trilogy/#commentsThis is a column by Jason Schreier dedicated to the analysis (and occasional mocking) of his favorite genre, the Japanese role-playing game. Whether it's because they're too antiquated or just too niche, he believes JRPGs don't get enough attention in the gaming industry today. It's time to change that.
As gamers, we spend a lot of time playing God. Whether it's building worlds in Minecraft or destroying them in Skyrim, we're always looking for ways to manipulate forces that are normally beyond our control.

Some games even allow us to play God in less subtle ways. Simulation games like Ubisoft's From Dust and 2K's Civilization series allow us to steer the course of history and directly guide the fates of entire populations.

These deity simulators are all well and good, but what if you want a more personal holy adventure? What if instead of playing as a god, you want to work for one? Or destroy one?

Well then, you need to check out the Soul Blazer trilogy.

Continue reading Remembering an underappreciated JRPG trilogy

JoystiqRemembering an underappreciated JRPG trilogy originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 30 Dec 2011 19:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>enixillusion-of-gaiajrpgquintetsoul-blazerterranigmaFri, 30 Dec 2011 19:40:00 EST<![CDATA[The beginner's guide to JRPGs]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/23/the-beginners-guide-to-jrpgs/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/23/the-beginners-guide-to-jrpgs/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/23/the-beginners-guide-to-jrpgs/#commentsThis is a column by Jason Schreier dedicated to the analysis (and occasional mocking) of his favorite genre, the Japanese role-playing game. Whether it's because they're too antiquated or just too niche, he believes JRPGs don't get enough attention in the gaming industry today. It's time to change that.

The JRPG is an intimidating genre. For gamers accustomed to short sessions of turtle-hopping or soldier-blasting, it can be tough to commit to a sprawling, complex role-playing game.

It's also a gigantic genre. There are hundreds of games out there with bizarre titles like Suikoden and Ar tonelico that are as hard to tell apart as they are to pronounce.

So if you want to get into JRPGs but you've never so much as touched a Final Fantasy or Dragon Quest before, how do you know where to start? How do you know where to spend your time? How can you differentiate between silly tedium and fantastic adventures?

A few weeks ago on Twitter, user @gurpreet_kambo suggested that I write a guide for inexperienced role-players, helping you all sort through the dreck and ease into the genre one over-sized sword at a time. So I've put together a list of charming, accessible adventures that all make perfect entry points for JRPG newbies. They also make great holiday gifts (and excuses to get away from your family).

Continue reading The beginner's guide to JRPGs

JoystiqThe beginner's guide to JRPGs originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 23 Dec 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>columndsjrpgnintendoplaystationps3pspsonywiiFri, 23 Dec 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[What makes JRPGs worth playing]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/09/what-makes-jrpgs-worth-playing/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/09/what-makes-jrpgs-worth-playing/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/09/what-makes-jrpgs-worth-playing/#commentsThis is a column by Jason Schreier dedicated to the analysis (and occasional mocking) of his favorite genre, the Japanese role-playing game. Whether it's because they're too antiquated or just too niche, he believes JRPGs don't get enough attention in the gaming industry today. It's time to change that.
It's easy to think of a role-playing game as an amalgamation of two main components, narrative and gameplay, jammed together like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. Sometimes they fit together nicely; other times they're as awkward and frustrating as that one weirdly-shaped Tetris block that always falls into the gap where you need an L.

I'm sure you've seen the message board posts. Declarations like "well, the mechanics are OK but the story is great" or "the characters suck but I love the combat" are frequently dropped everywhere from NeoGAF to GameFAQs. Gamers have this tendency to turn games into mathematical equations, breaking them into lists of components like "presentation" and "mechanics" and judging each one on its own merits.

The problem with this attitude is that it ignores everything that makes Japanese role-playing games great. When you cut a JRPG into sections, it is resoundingly subpar. Books have better stories. Platformers have more engaging mechanics. Movies have much more elegant presentation.

So why do we play JRPGs? Because the good ones are better than the sum of their parts.

Continue reading What makes JRPGs worth playing

JoystiqWhat makes JRPGs worth playing originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 09 Dec 2011 18:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>editorialjapanese-role-playing-gamejrpgjrpgsrpgFri, 09 Dec 2011 18:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Why JRPGs should look at the NFL's playbook]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/25/why-jrpgs-should-look-at-the-nfls-playbook/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/25/why-jrpgs-should-look-at-the-nfls-playbook/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/25/why-jrpgs-should-look-at-the-nfls-playbook/#commentsThis is a column by Jason Schreier dedicated to the analysis (and occasional mocking) of his favorite genre, the Japanese role-playing game. Whether it's because they're too antiquated or just too niche, he believes JRPGs don't get enough attention in the gaming industry today. It's time to change that.


Joystiq's Ben Gilbert once bemusedly pointed out that my taste in games oscillates between "kawaii!" and "yeah bro!" This is true. Two of the games I enjoyed most this year were Radiant Historia and Madden NFL 12, which is about as huge a disparity as you can get without diving into the terrifying click fields of games like FarmVille.

But wait a minute. Are they really all that different? Sure, the National Football League athletes who lend their images to Madden might not have much in common with the anime-like sprites of a Japanese RPG, but in terms of game design, there are some striking similarities.

As Kill Screen Editor-in-Chief Chris Dahlen pointed out in a GameSpy article last year, football is, at its core, a strategy role-playing game. Each team gets several turns to move the ball down the field, during which they can select from a variety of different attacks. Competing teams match wits over field position and strategy in an attempt to wrest an advantage. At the end of the game, whichever team does the most damage -- or scores the most points -- wins.

Though it has been tweaked quite a bit over the past century, the core rules of football have remained the same since the forward pass was introduced over 100 years ago. It is America's most popular sport for a reason: it is an extraordinarily well-designed game.

Perhaps it could teach JRPG developers a thing or two about combat.

Continue reading Why JRPGs should look at the NFL's playbook

JoystiqWhy JRPGs should look at the NFL's playbook originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 25 Nov 2011 16:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dsfootballjrpgmicrosoftnflnintendoplaystationps3pspsonywiixboxFri, 25 Nov 2011 16:16:00 EST<![CDATA[Virtual Console's classic JRPGs: What holds up?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/18/virtual-consoles-classic-jrpgs-what-holds-up/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/18/virtual-consoles-classic-jrpgs-what-holds-up/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/18/virtual-consoles-classic-jrpgs-what-holds-up/#commentsThis is a column by Jason Schreier dedicated to the analysis (and occasional mocking) of his favorite genre, the Japanese role-playing game. Whether it's because they're too antiquated or just too niche, he believes JRPGs don't get enough attention in the gaming industry today. It's time to change that.
Last week, we dug into the PlayStation Network's library of old-school JRPGs, suffering through blocky graphics and annoying voice acting in a valiant effort to figure out what games are still worth playing in 2011.

This week, we attack the Wii's Virtual Console. Granted, Nintendo hates American JRPG fans, as evidenced by the publisher's refusal to localize critically acclaimed games like Xenoblade, but its Wii Shop Channel has a surprisingly robust selection of classics, mostly thanks to the Super Nintendo and Sega Genesis. We had it good during the 16-bit era. Real good.

Like last time, I'll be spending 30-60 minutes with each JRPG -- certainly not enough time to properly review a game, but enough to get a feel for whether it holds up today, and how it compares to my memories of it. (I've played each game to completion at various points over the past two decades. Some of them multiple times.)

Let's roll.

Continue reading Virtual Console's classic JRPGs: What holds up?

JoystiqVirtual Console's classic JRPGs: What holds up? originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 18 Nov 2011 15:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>final-fantasyfinal-fantasy-iiijrpglandstalkerphantasy-star-ivsecret-of-manavirtual-consoleFri, 18 Nov 2011 15:15:00 EST<![CDATA[PSN's classic JRPGs: What holds up?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/11/psns-classic-jrpgs-what-holds-up/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/11/psns-classic-jrpgs-what-holds-up/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/11/psns-classic-jrpgs-what-holds-up/#commentsThis is a column by Jason Schreier dedicated to the analysis (and occasional mocking) of his favorite genre, the Japanese role-playing game. Whether it's because they're too antiquated or just too niche, he believes JRPGs don't get enough attention in the gaming industry today. It's time to change that.


"Hey Jason," you say, an innocent twinkle in your eye. "I've never played any old-school JRPGs. Where should I start? Which are the best ones? Do any of them hold up in 2011?"

Excellent questions, my hypothetical friend. There are plenty of ways to get your paws on the classics, but it can be tough for newbies to tell exactly which ones are worth playing. You could try asking a more experienced JRPG fan, but he might be too blinded by nostalgia to discern whether or not his favorite game has aged well.

So to help you sort through the chaos, I'll be delving back into a whole bunch of old JRPGs over the next couple of weeks. I'll spend about 30-60 minutes with each one -- certainly not enough time to properly review a game, but enough to get a feel for whether it holds up today, and how it compares to my memories of it.

Today we'll start with the PlayStation Store, a veritable treasure trove of classic JRPGs.

Continue reading PSN's classic JRPGs: What holds up?

JoystiqPSN's classic JRPGs: What holds up? originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 11 Nov 2011 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chrono-crossgrandiajrpgplaystationps3pspsonysuikodenxenogearsFri, 11 Nov 2011 15:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Hey Japan, stop making me save the world]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/04/hey-japan-stop-making-me-save-the-worl/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/04/hey-japan-stop-making-me-save-the-worl/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/04/hey-japan-stop-making-me-save-the-worl/#commentsThis is a column by Jason Schreier dedicated to the analysis (and occasional mocking) of his favorite genre, the Japanese role-playing game. Whether it's because they're too antiquated or just too niche, he believes JRPGs don't get enough attention in the gaming industry today. It's time to change that.
You've seen this play before. Some ragtag heroes are standing at the edge of some interdimensional space portal or subterranean crystal labyrinth or evil god's castle. They're holding powerful weapons -- acquired after hours of tedious mini-games -- and staring down some nasty monster or deity or demon squirrel.

Their goal? Save the universe from imminent doom.

If you're anything like me, you're probably already yawning. The go-forth-and-save-the-world trope is so worn out in video games by now that it's hard to muster up even an iota of compassion for all of the artificial people that need rescuing. Japanese role-playing games are the worst offenders of all, spitting out bombastic villains and supernatural events with reckless abandon and little regard for reality. Games like Tales of Vesperia and Lost Odyssey might start you off with small tasks and adventures, but at the end of the day, you know you're going to have to prevent the apocalypse.

Continue reading Hey Japan, stop making me save the world

JoystiqHey Japan, stop making me save the world originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 04 Nov 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dragon-questdsjrpgjrpg-columnmicrosoftmobilenarrativenintendopcplaystationps3pspsonywiixboxFri, 04 Nov 2011 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The best JRPG you haven't played yet]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/28/the-best-jrpg-you-havent-played-yet/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/28/the-best-jrpg-you-havent-played-yet/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/28/the-best-jrpg-you-havent-played-yet/#commentsThis is a column by Jason Schreier dedicated to the analysis (and occasional mocking) of his favorite genre, the Japanese role-playing game. Whether it's because they're too antiquated or just too niche, he believes JRPGs don't get enough attention in the gaming industry today. It's time to change that.
Every good game has moments of euphoria, those revelatory points in an interactive adventure when we realize just how much fun we're having. They're different for everyone - some of us might be enamored by a combat system or nutty plot twist while others might find themselves romantically attracted to a main character's hair spikes - but everybody feels them.

These moments are usually short and ephemeral, showing up every once in a while just to remind us that we're enjoying ourselves. As a general rule, the more time we spend thinking "Wow, this is great," the better the game. When something really blows us away, we're aware of it the whole time.

Few JRPGs blow me away nowadays. For a while, I figured this was because I am cranky and cynical. Maybe this genre just isn't for me anymore, I thought to myself. Maybe I'll never enjoy Japanese role-playing games as much as I did when I was growing up. Maybe I'll never reignite that bliss I felt when I first delved into games like Suikoden and Xenogears. Maybe I'm too old.

Then I played The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky.

Gallery: The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky (PSP)

Continue reading The best JRPG you haven't played yet

JoystiqThe best JRPG you haven't played yet originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 28 Oct 2011 16:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>columnjrpgnihon-falcomplaystationpspsonythe-legend-of-heroes-trails-in-the-skyxseedFri, 28 Oct 2011 16:55:00 EST<![CDATA[How nostalgic JRPGs trick us into loving them]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/21/how-nostalgic-jrpgs-trick-us-into-loving-them/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/21/how-nostalgic-jrpgs-trick-us-into-loving-them/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/21/how-nostalgic-jrpgs-trick-us-into-loving-them/#commentsThis week, we debut a new column by Jason Schreier dedicated to the analysis (and occasional mocking) of his favorite genre, the Japanese role-playing game. Whether it's because they're too antiquated or just too niche, he believes JRPGs don't get enough attention in the gaming industry today. It's time to change that.

It's hard to find an RPG fan who doesn't have fond memories of the "16-Bit Golden Age," that revered era when developers seemed to release nothing but instant classics. Twenty- and thirty-somethings all over the world love to wax poetic about the early 90s, a time when videogame production was driven more by creativity than graphical power, more by innovation than formula, more by TLC than DLC.

Take a moment to flip through the App Store or Xbox Indie Marketplace and you'll find striking evidence of this obsession with the old-school; today's indie RPGs are packed to the brim with sprites and textures that wouldn't be out of place on a Super Nintendo or Sega Genesis. The obvious explanation might be money - powerful graphics are expensive, and indie developers not named Notch are always broke. But is that the only reason iPhone RPGs like Guardian Saga and Ash aim to emulate that 16-bit style? Or is there something inherently appealing about classic turn-based gameplay?

And then there's that million-dollar question: Were all those old-school RPGs really all that great, or is our perception just tainted by nostalgia?

Psychologist Jamie Madigan, writing on his blog "The Psychology of Video Games," argues the latter, saying that we tend to have selective memory when it comes to our favorite old games. We only remember the good parts.

Continue reading How nostalgic JRPGs trick us into loving them

JoystiqHow nostalgic JRPGs trick us into loving them originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 21 Oct 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>columndragon-fantasyiosiphonejrpgmobilenostalgiaFri, 21 Oct 2011 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Lord of Apocalypse commands you to check out his screens, trailer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/17/lord-of-apocalypse-commands-you-to-check-out-his-screens-traile/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/17/lord-of-apocalypse-commands-you-to-check-out-his-screens-traile/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/17/lord-of-apocalypse-commands-you-to-check-out-his-screens-traile/#comments
One of the two new games Square Enix announced for the Vita (in this case, also for the vanilla PSP), Lord of Apocalypse looks to be another JRPG affair, full of love, loss and betrayal -- at least, that's what we assume. All of this stuff is in Japanese!

Gallery: Lord of Apocalypse (TGS 2011)

JoystiqLord of Apocalypse commands you to check out his screens, trailer originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 17 Sep 2011 02:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>jrpglord-of-apocalypseplaystationplaystation-vitaps-vitapsprpgsonysquare-enixtgs-2011vitaSat, 17 Sep 2011 02:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Black Rock Shooter is actually an RPG, and NIS America is publishing it on PSP]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/25/black-rock-shooter-is-actually-an-rpg-and-nis-america-is-publis/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/25/black-rock-shooter-is-actually-an-rpg-and-nis-america-is-publis/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/25/black-rock-shooter-is-actually-an-rpg-and-nis-america-is-publis/#comments Black Rock Shooter: The Game is a PSP RPG, one of Imageepoch's "JRPG" line of games. It's based on a growing media empire (anime, music manga) featuring a young woman who carries a cannon that fires rocks. So it's not just a clever name!

As you might expect of a game with a cannon-wielding protagonist, Black Rock Shooter has elements of third-person shooting (like ... shooting), but it's alongside RPG-style leveling.

NIS America plans to release Black Rock Shooter in America and Europe as part of its deal with Imageepoch. The company has yet to date these releases, "but we are working hard to get it out as soon as possible," said NIS's Jack Niida in the announcement. "Please look forward to this amazing game."

JoystiqBlack Rock Shooter is actually an RPG, and NIS America is publishing it on PSP originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 25 Aug 2011 18:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>black-rock-shooterimageepochjrpgnis-americaplaystationpspsonyThu, 25 Aug 2011 18:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Aksys bringing 'otome' genre stateside with Hakuoki: Demon Of The Fleeting Blossom]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/03/aksys-bringing-otome-genre-stateside-with-hakuoki-demon-of-th/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/03/aksys-bringing-otome-genre-stateside-with-hakuoki-demon-of-th/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/03/aksys-bringing-otome-genre-stateside-with-hakuoki-demon-of-th/#comments

Since this is the internet, most of you are probably aware that Japan produces a lot of games for genres that don't necessarily exist in other parts of the world. These games can get a little ridiculous at times, sure, but Aksys believes that the "otome" sub-genre of JRPGs is worth bringing to the western hemisphere.

Idea Factory's historical RPG Hakuoki: Demon Of The Fleeting Blossom will be North America's first widely available "otome." The game follows the story of Chizuru Yukimura, who encounters the Shinsengumi samurai clan while traveling through Edo-period Japan on a quest to find her missing father. As luck would have it, the Shinsengumi are also searching for her father, and together they to travel to the city of Hakuoki, which contains "supernatural secrets." (Read: ghosts or something.)

So, sounds like a JRPG, right? Why does this game land in the otome sub-genre, while others don't? Put simply, the "otome" (or "maiden") game is a romance novel for you PSP. In order to be considered an otome, a game must A) have a female protagonist, and B) also make obtaining the affections of a love interest as important as other main story goals. Unlike male-targeted dating sims, otome games contain little to no sexuality, as they are generally intended for female gamers in the pre-teen/tween/teenage demographic.

Aksys plans on bringing big-haired samurai lovin' to any PSP owner interested in that sort of thing sometime during the first quarter of 2012. Who knows, maybe this will finally pave the way for that When Harry Met Sally game we've always wanted from Telltale.

JoystiqAksys bringing 'otome' genre stateside with Hakuoki: Demon Of The Fleeting Blossom originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 03 Jul 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aksysAksys-GamesHakuoki-Demon-Of-The-Fleeting-Blossomidea-factoryJRPGotomeplaystationpspsonySun, 03 Jul 2011 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Imageepoch working on a ton of games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/18/imageepoch-working-on-a-ton-of-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/18/imageepoch-working-on-a-ton-of-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/18/imageepoch-working-on-a-ton-of-games/#comments Last year, upon the foundation of its "JRPG" label, developer Imageepoch announced eight projects, including the PSP RPG Final Promise Story, a Black Rock Shooter game, two Chevalier Saga Tactics games and four other works mentioned only in teaser form.

Speaking at a pre-launch event for Final Promise Story (which comes out on April 28), CEO Ryoei Mikage upped the number of total projects in development at Imageepoch to eleven-ish: Final Promise Story and roughly 10 more.

New details about Final Promise Story were revealed at the event as well. Mikage wants the game to be as hard as '80s-era RPGs, such that it will be difficult to complete the game on Normal with all the characters surviving. FPS features two types of death: the normal variety, in which a character can no longer fight and must be revived, and the state of being "Lost," which takes the character out of the game permanently.

JoystiqImageepoch working on a ton of games originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 18 Apr 2011 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>final-promise-storyimageepochjrpgmobilepcplaystationps3pspsonyMon, 18 Apr 2011 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Dragon Quest VI: Realms of Revelation arrives in North America on Feb. 14]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/20/dragon-quest-vi-realms-of-revelation-arrives-in-north-america-o/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/20/dragon-quest-vi-realms-of-revelation-arrives-in-north-america-o/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/20/dragon-quest-vi-realms-of-revelation-arrives-in-north-america-o/#comments 15 years ago, Dragon Quest VI: Realms of Reverie launched in Japan, with a Nintendo DS remake of that game arriving last January. This coming February 14th, Dragon Quest VI: Realms of Revelation will launch in North America, effectively ending the 15-year exclusivity the game has endured and completing the trilogy of DQ remakes on Nintendo DS. The game arrives for Nintendo DS on Valentine's Day, bringing with it "new character options and enhancements."

Nintendo gets more specific in the announcement, citing updated graphics as the main difference between the original release and the forthcoming update. But then, if the North American release is the same as the Japanese re-release on Nintendo DS, we expect to see an improved map system, a slime curling minigame, and several other revisions.

Oh, and of course, there will be plenty of slimes. Relax.

Gallery: Dragon Quest VI: Realms of Revelation

Continue reading Dragon Quest VI: Realms of Revelation arrives in North America on Feb. 14

JoystiqDragon Quest VI: Realms of Revelation arrives in North America on Feb. 14 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 20 Dec 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dragon-quest-vi-realms-of-revelationdsjrpgnintendoq1-2011release-dateremakerereleasesquare-enixMon, 20 Dec 2010 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Imageepoch launches 'JRPG' publishing label]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/24/imageepoch-launches-jrpg-publishing-label/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/24/imageepoch-launches-jrpg-publishing-label/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/24/imageepoch-launches-jrpg-publishing-label/#commentsImageepoch, developer of RPGs like Luminous Arc and Sands of Destruction, announced a move into publishing at a press event in Tokyo today. The company detailed the first three games to be published under this new "JRPG" label, the first of which will be a strategy RPG for PSP, called Saigo no Yakusoku no Monogatari, or "Final Promise Story" -- yes, an "FPS" by JRPG. Imageepoch CEO Ryoei Mikage said that game is being designed around the concept of permanent character death (so the story changes if and when you lose a character). Final Promise Story has been dated for release in Japan on April 28, 2011.

Later in 2011, Imageepoch will release another PSP RPG, this one based on the Black Rock Shooter anime, and then will come Chevalier Saga Tactics -- first as a free-to-play PC game, then later as a mobile and PS3 release (Imageepoch's first HD effort). In addition to these three games, Imageepoch teased four more projects, including a Type-Moon collaboration and a remake of a classic PC game; announced plans to work on smartphone apps; and confirmed that it will continue to develop for other publishers even as it self-publishes some titles. Currently, Imageepoch is working on a game for Sega, which will be assisting with distribution of the "JRPG" releases.

Trailers for the first three JRPG ... RPGs are posted after the break.

Continue reading Imageepoch launches 'JRPG' publishing label

JoystiqImageepoch launches 'JRPG' publishing label originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 24 Nov 2010 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>black-rock-shooterchevalier-saga-tacticsfinal-promise-storyimageepochjapanjrpgplaystationpsppublishingrelease-daterpgsegasonyWed, 24 Nov 2010 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Japanese Fallout: New Vegas ad pokes fun at JRPGs]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/03/japanese-fallout-new-vegas-ad-pokes-fun-at-jrpgs/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/03/japanese-fallout-new-vegas-ad-pokes-fun-at-jrpgs/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/03/japanese-fallout-new-vegas-ad-pokes-fun-at-jrpgs/#commentsFiled under: , ,

In a fairly cheeky Japanese advertisement for its upcoming open-world action-RPG, Fallout: New Vegas, Bethesda Softworks assembled a group of mock protesters who have some mock concerns with a few JRPG tropes. Andriasang provided translations to some of their crudely-fashioned signs, which display such complaints as "when did games become something that you watch," "what's the point of playing again if there's no change to the story," and "I think it would be nice if the main character had a mission aside from just wiping out evil."

It's a pretty clever advertisement, but we wonder if Bethesda has considered the possible repercussions. Like, for instance, Square Enix could run a similar advertisement where like, five million Dragon Quest IX players hold up signs which simply say, "yeah, so what?"

JoystiqJapanese Fallout: New Vegas ad pokes fun at JRPGs originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 03 Aug 2010 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advertisingBethesda-SoftworksFallout-New-Vegasjapanjrpgmicrosoftpcplaystationps3xboxTue, 03 Aug 2010 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PSP RPG adopts 'freemium' model in Japan]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/28/psp-rpg-adopts-freemium-model-in-japan/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/28/psp-rpg-adopts-freemium-model-in-japan/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/28/psp-rpg-adopts-freemium-model-in-japan/#comments Acquire and Zero Div are working on a new PSP RPG -- and it'll be completely free. Bakumatsu Revolution will be free to download via PlayStation Network and will feature a full ten-hour quest, which can be played solo or cooperatively with up to three others (Monster Hunter style). According to IGN, players will even be able to freely distribute the game through PSP-to-PSP wireless connectivity.

Of course, there's always a catch. While the core game will be free, for-pay add-ons, such as downloadable items and quests, will be available after release. Essentially, this is the "freemium" model that's been successfully utilized by many PC MMOs and casual titles, especially in Asian markets.

Bakumatsu Revolution will be available on June 25 in Japan; but no plans for a North American release are currently in the works.

JoystiqPSP RPG adopts 'freemium' model in Japan originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 28 May 2010 12:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acquirebakumatsu-revolutionfreemiumjrpgpsnzero-devFri, 28 May 2010 12:15:00 EST