Ben-DutkaThere was a time when Squaresoft was king.
Just about anything they touched turned to gold. Hell, even Einhander (a side-scrolling arcade shooter, if you're not familiar) was great.
They experimented with various forms of role-playing mechanics, ranging from the real-time/platforming style of Brave Fencher Musashi to the hybrid systems we found in the likes of Vagrant Story , Threads of Fate , and Parasite Eve . Anyone who thinks all they did was present the same turn-based format over and over is just plain clueless. Squaresoft were innovators and creators of extremely high-quality products.
But over the years, as part of their mania to "spread west," their role-playing prowess has fallen off dramatically. Square Enix has their name on plenty of great IPs now (including Deus Ex , Sleeping Dogs and Tomb Raider ) but when it comes to big-budget RPGs for consoles…yeah, not much. Then we hear about Star Ocean: Integrity and Faithlessness and one wonders: Is this the beginning of Square Enix's climb back to RPG glory?
Star Ocean: The 2nd Story is still one of my favorite games of all time, and while I think the series tailed off a little over the years, I welcome a new entry. It could be just what we need. I just hope they can present the gaming public with a worthy effort that appeals to both new and old role-playing aficionados…that's the key.
Related Game(s): Star Ocean: Integrity and Faithlessness
I can't make time for games that target the fantasies of teenage boys anymore. Games like Star Ocean. So it doesn't matter to me anyway.
yep. I suck. gimme the downs!
Last edited by Temjin001 on 4/15/2015 10:35:18 PM
I still play FF9 from time to time, and I'm not a teenage boy. Guess it'll change when I have kids or something? Anyway, no downs for you.
There ain't nothin' rated teen in the fantasies of my teen years. lol Screw age appropriateness. I just want something fun! Star Ocean is the kind of game that could be one of my more favorite experiences of the generation.
Don't you play DOA?
DOA targets the fantasies of every male after puberty.
It's more accurate to say the fantasies of anime junkies… Something like Star Ocean is pretty damn tame for "fantasies" of teenagers, and DOA is even more tame for the fantasies of adults.
Still, thanks for the chuckle.
Last edited by Underdog15 on 4/16/2015 7:35:05 AM
DOA is just good for everyone. Women too.
My gf and I have fought each other in DoA. She thinks it's fun. Doesn't really even notice the bouncy-bouncy and doesn't care that it's there, anyway.
Ben. I have to ask. Was that with or without OMG breast physics enabled?
What
I can only hope. I'm done caring what they do. FFXV isn't terrible nor is it bad, but its not what it was supposed to be. That alone killed every ounce of my desire for them to be redeemed. If they do good, good. If they don't, they won't. I just want some games I can really truly enjoy again.
I feel like FFXV will be a one playthrough thing for me. I hope Star Ocean will be different.
I look forward to the JRPGs with good stories. I miss the games were you could invest 80 – 100 Hrs. This sounds good.
A new star ocean and a new dragon quest I must be dreaming
I'm just stoked. I hope all the JRPG fans come out to play and it kicks off a return of the genre. Make PS4 the new PS2. They could resurrect series and own the generation.
The dark, serious dragon fantasy worlds are piling up. It's time for bright fun and linear plots that stretch over colorful unique characters, varied worlds, battle systems, and the kind of final glory that you can never obtain in a freedom based roaming adventure.
Yes, this is what excites me even more than the news of Star Ocean 5, the notion that JRPG's could be making a comeback! Persona 5, Final Fantasy XV & now Star Ocean 5… things are looking really good.
Also, all the PS1 classics mentioned in the article I'd look to see S-E return to form with other titles as well. We're already getting a console version of Dissida (Even if it has an Arcade run first) so there is plenty to be hopeful for.
Still waiting for an awesome jrpg to make beam a convert, or at least cheat on western ones. 🙂
I dunno what we're gonna do with him, he needs the jrpg love.
Nah it's all good he won't buy them even if they're 8/10's.
I'm thinking that it's the RPGs Square Enix tries to create in-house that don't live up to the glory days.
However, since Tri-Ace is developing this one instead of S-E it gives me a boost of hope.
Y'know what's funny? Even with these cool new sequels or future IPs, nothing in Square Enix's list of potential releases can really generate as much hype, potential revenue, and world-shattering celebration as a release of the much hoped for, much dreamed for, much prayed for, Final Fantasy 7 remake…. at least for those who haven't given up yet (foreveralone) :'(
But yeah, Star Ocean on PS4!!!!!! Day 1 purchase for me!
With ff xv showing some promise and now this, it could be a second wind or a death rattle. "Integrity and faithfulness" is hopefully their nod to their long time fans.
Last edited by trumpetmon65 on 4/16/2015 4:11:41 AM
It seems like everything they touch turns to shit nowadays. I hope they break out of it.
I never played a star ocean game in my life i wonder where to start
the last two were great, though archaic by today's standards.
Archaic my butt. Only long loading times.
Well TriAce is developing it so I think we are in for a treat.
I have loved all the games they put out on the PS3 except maybe for Resonant of Fate, but thats because I feel the combat needed some tweaking.
Eternal Sonata was dope as heck, and Star ocean has always been awesome.
Even if there is no battle screen it sounds like the combat is going to work the same, different attacks depending on your distance to the enemy.
I don't think we have to worry about it being turned into a hack and slash or anything like that.
If FF15 and this turn out to be good I think we should start to see an upward trend with Square, it only took them what a decade?
You know, I've said it before. There was such a surge of shooters that plagued the last gaming Gen with such a drought of Jrpgs. We've been so oversaturated with shooters for so long that, really they're starting to feel lackluster.
Now on the horizon we have Persona 5(which I believe will officially be the FIRST traditional turn-base AAA jrpg on Playstation consoles), Tales of Zesteria, Final Fantasy 15, Xenoblade Chronicles X, and now Star Ocean 5.
Am I missing one?
Why such a resurgence of this genre all of a sudden?
that is a very good question and well its another one of those where only time with tell
happy gaming