In another interesting poll, it seems the majority of our readers do believe that Japanese developers may need to "expand Westward" so-to-speak, but they shouldn't abandon their roots entirely.
Developers like Square-Enix have long since been saying they need to acknowledge the shift in power in the video game industry, and make a concerted effort to appeal to the ever-expanding group of Western gamers. This is why S-E just opened a new studio in Los Angeles this year, and why other Japanese designers have flat-out admitted that Western devs have surpassed the Japanese in many aspects of game making. But those who have always enjoyed the distinct Japanese flavor, and those who kinda like the significant difference between Eastern and Western projects, would miss the dichotomy. Many still long for the days of the good ol' JRPG (which seems to be falling by the wayside), and other quirky Japanese titles that have captured our interest in the past. Furthermore, one has to remember that Japan remains a huge region for video games, and their local developers might risk alienating an entire country in order to appeal to another demographic. It's a difficult situation, to be sure, but it's certainly good for discussion.
Now, we shift our focus to E3, which kicks off this week. Our question is simple: what game, which will either definitely or likely be on display, are you most looking forward to? Is it God of War III ? Uncharted 2: Among Theives ? Kojima's mystery game? What?
What is it that western dev's have surpassed our Japanese developers in? Graphics? Gameplay? FPS? Because none-of-the-above really apply when making an amazing RPG, well other than gameplay…, because Story wise I still think Japan is farther along. =)
Last edited by LegendaryWolfeh on 5/31/2009 10:19:44 PM
Hey Ben, can't you make the poll allow multiple options? There are a couple of games that are on my "most anticipated" list, so I can't decide on just one.
Last edited by WolfCrimson on 6/1/2009 12:07:36 AM
Sorry, just one. 🙂
uncharted and ratchet comes close but my pick is definitely
GOD OF WAR 3
Last edited by kratos17 on 6/1/2009 12:42:40 AM
All of them for sure but I'll pick Heavy Rain since it's the underdog from those titles.
I'm not sure, I'm a bit unhappy with Heavy Rain after finding out the video we saw where th egirl investigates the house of the man who taxadermies woman was just a gameplay test. I thought that was a really good idea, so im alittle disapointed, but out of all th egames i can think of that still the one which has my interested.
JRPG comedy and style is unmatched, and what if we got stuck with ONLY tough gritty fantasy titles?
Last edited by WorldEndsWithMe on 6/1/2009 1:24:29 AM
Thousand Arms, Skies of Arcdia, and Tales of Symphonia come to mind
Comedy, romance, and all that
If all jrpgs start to become more and more like Fallout 3 we're doomed.
If that ever happened I would cease playing RPGs all together.
Have you seen the latest S-E game, Nier, Im not keen on it, its a DMC/GoW game. but on the site it mentions "…The company announces new portfolio of games across action, SHOOTER (-_-) and RTS genres Developed from around the world".
Maybe S-E is at the end of the road….
and here you were there big defender
i do think that there new CO sold his soul for big cash
wonder how much M$ paid for it
my fear thou is FFXII vs gets on MS press event
not one mult plat game can hold up to the PS3 only games
Well i do think people go over the top on flaming S-E, I really enjoyed Crisis Core, Star Ocean 3 and Kingdom Hearts II, some people make it out like since Sqaure has mixed with Enix they've become incompetent, which is incorrect, yes i prefer the games one the PS1 and some on the PS2. but they do still make good games which i think we'll see in the next couple of years.
thing is they have yet to make a good next gen RPG
and they show no class talking to the press
changing there story every day its just sad
Havent You played 'Lost Odyssey', it was on the 360 but pretty good
If they try too hard when expanding westward, they may lose what it is that we like about their games.
Me and my friend/neighbour figured out last month (whilst playing Infinite Undiscovery) that the best factor of a RPG is:
MUSIC
Think about it, what do you remember most about an RPG. Music is like the most universal thing ever. You can't hate it 😉
The other two are:
2. Story (including humour)
3. Gameplay (cool, fun flashy moves).
Simple ass that ^_^
BTW I voted for White Knight Chronicle. And I love Ratchet & Clank so that is 2nd.
Oh yeah and Art goes with Music.
Someone should really tell Square Enix, that the reason westerns like there games, is because of the eastern influence.
At this rate, it's only a matter of time until they release a FPS featuring space marines, westerns like those kind of game, right?
btw – I voted for Kojima also. Don't let me down Kojima!
: o
Someone tell me why ma Damn Gran Turismo is that far behind?
Just voted for it
It was damn hard…with all those other great games…
So true…at least we have that variety. Everything I hear on E3 from the Xbox camp is something to do with a future Halo.
Ive already heard peeps say they have to buy another Xbox to play the new MGS! lol Some people just don't learn.
Last edited by Wage SLAVES on 6/1/2009 6:30:05 PM
I have a few on my must have list but my first choice is GOW 3 unless they announce KH3 then well i'm screwed to choose my first 🙂
I chose Hideo Kojima's game. I heard that would be another Metal Gear for the PSP. I didn't like the Portable Ops for the PSP though, but maybe this one will be awesomer?
As for the last poll, I think Barnabee Jones is right. The reason these games do so well is BECAUSE they're culturally different. Of course I want all developers to keep an open mind, but changing for the sake of changing just isn't going to work (for quality's sake, anyway).
And regarding the new poll:
I'm absolutely torn in two between 'Heavy Rain' and Hideo Kojima's new game. For those two, I will do just about ANYTHING to ensure I own them.
Ultimately, I voted for 'Heavy Rain' because I'm seeing a disheartening lack of enthusiasm for what appears to be a magnificent title.
And it's pretty stiff competition among the other choices, with 'M.A.G.' being the only game that I would even consider missing out on as of right now (and that's only because I'm not all that fond of online gaming).
Last edited by Jalex on 6/1/2009 10:37:05 AM
That poll really opens our eyes to how good ps3's 2009-2010 lineup is.
Specially when you have to choose which's the best(tells you they're ALL great titles).
Gran Turismo all the way! Though GOWIII right there next to it.
I voted Kojima, everything he's done so far has been golden.
Last edited by BikerSaint on 6/1/2009 5:50:02 PM