Ben-DutkaWhen it was announced, Ragnorak Odyssey was only confirmed for Japan.
But apparently, action/RPG fans really wanted to see it come out in the US and Europe, so publisher XSEED Games has opted to deliver the anticipated Vita title to those regions.
You can learn more about Ragnorak Odyssey over at the PlayStation Blog , and you can also check out our recent preview . In the Blog post, they break down the classes and give you some extra gameplay info and although we don't yet have a release date, we do have a price: $39.99, and the special Mercenary Edition is $49.99.
In the comments, XSEED production assistant Brittany Avery answered a few questions, including one from someone who asked why the game was coming…because it looks like it's for "five-year-olds." Avery's response:
"We definitely feel there’s an audience for Ragnarok Odyssey- in fact, it caught our eye because of the high demand for the game! It has a monster hunting feel, which is very successful in Japan, and being the first monster hunting title on the Vita -as well as having a relation to a very popular MMO- RO has a lot of love surrounding it."
Yeah, well, that's a pretty standard feeling among the new generation of gamers. If it isn't dark and violent, they're not playing it. Yay.
Related Game(s): Ragnorak Odyssey
An assassin using a katar! Haha! the good old days. Sonic Blow!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSUJt2Q0HzQ
I hope this game is fun. Going to get it.
I'm a bit confused… is it Ragnarok or Ragnorak?
Either way, it sounds interesting.
Ragnarok.
This game looks about the same level of "childishness" as Kingdoms Of Amalur, so I'm not so sure what the heck this poster that Ben refer to means with "for five-year-olds".
Last edited by Beamboom on 10/6/2012 2:01:45 PM
Uh this is not a JRPG. Its more action/adventure than RPG.
Sorry cLoudou, I edited the posts after I saw the video of the game and realized it was unsuitable as an example for this discussion. 🙂
But one question while we're at it, Cloudou: A while ago, during another jrpg-discussion on this site, I asked what really was the difference between jrpgs and wrpgs. And then I got the explanation that basically it was so simple as to jrpgs were made in Japan, while wrpgs were made in western. That's it.
Therefore, surely this game must by many be classified as a "jrpg"?
Last edited by Beamboom on 10/6/2012 2:13:56 PM
sure this game could basically be classified as a JRPG since it is made in japan and has RPG elements but I myself wouldn't classify this as a JRPG, I wouldn't even call it an RPG.
As for the differences, I think it might take a group effort to explain, but it can be something as simple as where it was made but it isn't. It just has a certain flair that WRPGs lack, to me. To me, in JRPGs, stories, and characters, just seem so much more interesting than what I find in WRPGs. Maybe because most JRPGs have more of a fantasy element while WRPGs tend to go towards being realistic. Obviously my explanations have "to me" in them because it is subjective. All of what I said can also be said about the other.
@cloudou
This game was based on Ragnarok Online, a Korean made MMORPG. Ragnarok Online is inspired by traditional JRPG, so it is basically rooted in JRPG. Just take a look of the link that I've shared above. And by the way, the kiddie graphics may look like it's for kids but that's a traditional JRPG look and the level of customization in Ragnarok Online is in my opinion one of the best in MMORPG.
Last edited by homura on 10/6/2012 8:02:36 PM
An example of War of Emperium in Ragnarok online.
LittleBigPlanet looked like it was for 5 year olds too but hey, it's fun for everyone.
I don't agree there, World. I'd classify LBP to be more like the Pixar movies… For the whole family. 🙂
Last edited by Beamboom on 10/6/2012 2:01:22 PM
You should know I consider Pixar movies to be for children.
The visual presentation of JRPGs isn't for everyone, it's just sad to see people don't understand it anymore and that these games have many complex existential themes.
Last edited by WorldEndsWithMe on 10/6/2012 1:56:12 PM
@Beamboom finding a great JRPG this Gen is doing the genre a great disservice. They don't compare to the JRPGs of past gens, going back to even the NES.
Sorry both of you, I edited my original posts after looking more into this game and discover it was a horrible example for this topic of mine.
But now, just to try to untangle the mess I have created here, here's a mix of my original posts that Cloud and World reply to above:
* * *
"If it isn't dark and violent, they're not playing it."
This is the sentiment I've seen repeatedly from many jrpg fans around here over the years, as some sort of explanation as to why jrpgs don't sell like they used to.
But I gotta say: there is a middle ground here, folks. It does not *have* to either look like a childrens show or else it must be something with huge "parental guidance" stickers on and banned in several states. There *is* a middle ground to be found, and that ground is pretty darn huge.
Many of the videos I've seen from jrpgs *do* look like something designed "for five-year-olds". It looks like something that could be aired on childrens channels. But that does not mean that I refuse to play anything that's not dark and violent.
A game can be deep and complicated and challenging as hell, but I must admit I prefer if I can play such games without angel choirs singing children songs in the background while Disney-cute toons are dancing little moves and pink my-little-unicorn with purple hearts dancing whenever I level up, to put it that way.
And even though I am *dying* to get to know JRPGs better, I must admit that I am hesitant in getting me Ni No Kuni, and that is purely due to the visual presentation who for me appear to be "for five-year-olds".
Last edited by Beamboom on 10/6/2012 2:10:50 PM
Beamboom: Ni no Kuni wouldn't be the best option. It really is quite kiddie, even for (older) JRPG fans. I might love it just because there are some traditional elements but I too would prefer an environment and art style more geared toward adults.
The problem is that JRPGs are, of course, Japanese. And as such, most, if not all, have heavy anime inspiration. And as it happens, that particular design style tends to focus on very young-looking characters; they'll tell you they're 18 or 21 but they look 12. That's sort of a hallmark of the style.
I'm one of those very rare individuals who always HATED anime and yet, I loved JRPGs. The reason being that the gameplay was just too amazing to ignore for me. If you want the best examples of JRPG glory without that extra cutesy-ness, just play an old Final Fantasy. FFVII is the obvious pick but really, FFVIII, IX, X…whatever. The characters still look young but the rest of the environment isn't really age-oriented. It's just fantasy.
You can go even further back to the sprite days on the 16-bit systems (FFVI and before), but that can be tough for those who aren't nostalgic for that time. 😉
I wonder why they always seem to make their RPGs anime style. If we look at other Japanese games, from Katamari to Vanquish to Lollipop Chainsaw and a hundred more just this gen, they feature loads of different artstyles – as they rightfully should.
But it seems as soon as they start on a RPG project it's like they suffer an acute creative block and grasp for the anime formula and the age-old story of the prince and the princess. I really wonder why.
@Ben:
I did buy an old FF a while ago, but I think you need to have the emotional roots back to that time to fully appreciate them; in my eyes the age were too apparent for me to enjoy it.
I think need to get recruited on the jrpg-craze with a current day title. And then from there work my way back once I'm bitten.
@World:
Have you seen the Pixar movies or do you base your opinion on the trailers? They really are quality works. Their movies like Up! and Wall-E feature stories on such a philosophical level that I'd call them "kid friendly" adult movies. You need to have lived a while to fully appreciate all the nuances in those stories.
Or how about The Incredibles. It's jam-packed with references to classic super-heroes and making so much fun of the super-hero comics that it's a pure delight. It's a ride for those of us who are adults today and spent all our pennies on comics back in the 80s.
Last edited by Beamboom on 10/7/2012 5:10:01 AM
@Beamboom
There are many settings that has been used by JRPG like steam punk, sci-fi, futuristic and norse mythology. As for the art design, they are rooted in Manga and Anime. But there are also who breaks out from the norm like the creator of Katamari, he used to draw traditional manga style. Of course there is Hayao Miyasaki and his Studio Ghibli, they are the ones behind Ni No Kuni.
As for WRPG, they also cling to the age old formula of Dragons, Mage and Knights. They started only mixing shooter with a bit of RPG just this generation.
I can recommend to you Eternal Sonata or Valkyria Chronicles. Eternal Sonata is about the dream of Chopin in his final hours. Despite the cuteness of the Characters, the story tackles Death, Life, Regrets and some political issues as well. And it has a beautiful music collection and some renown pieces by Chopin. It also has a mixed of traditional and real time battle system. Check it out. Maybe it can convince you to get Ni No Kuni.
@Humora,
Do you really think Studio Ghibli break out of many norms with Ni No Kuni? To my untrained eye it looks ultratraditional and very, very cutesy Japanese.
As for western rpgs there's always been those that's not fantasy-themed at least for as long as I've been a rpg fan. None of my favourite rpgs are fantasy-themed. But you are right, far too many wrpgs are sticking to the formula of dragons, mages and gnomes. Absolutely true, and that's something I've also commented on many times. I hate it.
I dunno… I hope someday there will be released a jrpg that makes me go, "DANG I *need* that game"! Something that is distinctively Japanese, like the Katamari games (I *love* those games), but still hold – dare I say it – the western level of production and narrative qualities.
The only jrpg so far that seriously ignited my interest were White Knight Chronicles. But unfortunately it fell short on too many areas for me to really enjoy it – and that has nothing to do with the art style.
WKC is the closest to a "jrpg kickstarter" for me so far.
Last edited by Beamboom on 10/7/2012 7:17:00 AM
@beamboom
I'm sorry but I didn't meant Hayao Miyasaki and Studio Ghibli to be associated with the ones who breaks out of the norm. I meant to emphasize that of course there is also Hayao Miyasaki and his Studio Ghibli. My fault. haha.
And you should try my recommendation, Eternal Sonata, cause if you did like it there's a big chance you will like Ni No Kuni. And also watch some animated films by Hayao Miyasaki. Spirited Away and Howl's Moving Castle.
Aha – gotcha.
I'll keep Eternal Sonata in mind. I also see it received a very good metascore, so this might indeed be a good place to start.
Thanks for your inputs!
OMG If I don't get Monster Hunter or even something close to it like RO soon I'm going to flip! lol But seriously I can't wait for this game to come out. Capcom really dropped the ball on not having something MH related for the Vita. On top of that RO has online play. Sweet geebus
For those who are not familiar with old JRPG the videos below may look like a kid's game but for me who loved traditional JRPG this is the best MMORPG which Ragnarok Odyssey is based on.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNr5RKN2c6Q
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-c8VZx63MmM&list=LP3PPA75FFoYA&index=1&feature=plcp
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kLtzKDEHW4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlTCqmTel2w
(Kid's Game my ass!)
I want this game…badly.