jrpgs Archives - PSX Extreme

Do Hardcore JRPG Fans Even Care About Final Fantasy Anymore?

Ben-Dutka December 29, 2015 PS4 18 Comments

It has been Square Enix's goal for years: Get as many Western gamers interested in their products as possible.

It's why they snagged Eidos and why so many titles they publish today are of great interest to the Western crowd. But they've also been "Westernizing" Final Fantasy , at least to some extent.

There's no doubt that the upcoming Final Fantasy XV shows evidence of a development team that hopes to cater to both Japanese and Western gamers. The old-school JRPG anime influence has been toned down and altered significantly, and the style of gameplay should also appeal more to those who like standard action/adventure games . In other words, the hardcore JRPG aficionado may not care much about FFXV.

I mean, this person is far more likely to be interested in the likes of Ni No Kuni 2: Revenant Kingdom and Star Ocean 5 , right? And of the long-running JRPG series, there are multiple installments in the Atelier , Tales and Ys franchises that typically appeal to this niche crowd. I'm starting to wonder if that crowd has long since started to ignore Final Fantasy ever since hearing the details of FFXV. Are they?

Don't forget that gamers who live in Japan have been losing faith in FF over the years as well; the last few FF installments haven't fared particularly well in any region. And yet, a few of these JRPGs really seem to be going strong and I think I know why…it's because they actually feel like JRPGs.

JRPG Lovers, Beg For A Lost Odyssey Remaster Or Sequel

Ben-Dutka December 14, 2015 PS4 25 Comments

First, give credit where it's due: This article by Sean Halliday inspired this piece, and reminded me of one irrefutable fact:

Lost Odyssey was not only one of the greatest JRPGs ever made, it also stands tall as an example of how an updated yet still turn-based mechanic can survive and even shine in a new era.

It proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that such combat mechanics were absolutely viable, and not merely constructs of a time when technology was found lacking. The game should've been a beacon to all JRPG developers, as far as I'm concerned, and I honestly thought Square Enix would follow a similar path with Final Fantasy . Had they done so, I've no doubt in my mind that the iconic series would not have taken a steep dive last generation, and would in fact remain atop the RPG world.

Now, granted, I never got a chance to finish Lost Odyssey because the fourth disc turned out to be defective, and I never got around to having it replaced. It was always a bitter disappointment because I put a ton of time into that game, and it was by far and away my favorite Xbox 360 game. A remaster would give me good reason to play it again and to finally complete it, and I guarantee it would rekindle my love of the JRPG genre. I think it would do that for lots of people.

What's important to remember about this game is that it wasn't just about the combat. It was also about the structure, the style, the story, the beautiful dream writing, etc. It was the logical evolution of the JRPG genre back in 2007. No, it wasn't revolutionary but it was simultaneously an homage to a type of gameplay and RPG structure everyone once loved, and a positive step forward. It was published by Microsoft and they don't really do remasters, though, so we'll probably never see it again. And if they did a sequel, it's essentially a guarantee that it would become a standard action-based RPG, the only kind they know how to make these days. Too bad, too.

I just wish a remaster would happen, that's all. It would remind us of a little something that we probably shouldn't forget.

Related Game(s): Lost Odyssey

Japan Popularity Contest: Dragon Quest Tops Final Fantasy

Ben-Dutka November 1, 2015 Archive 10 Comments

While Japanese gaming tastes have shifted in recent years, they still have an affinity for certain genres that have fallen off in other regions.

And you might be surprised at what ranks atop the "Most Popular JRPG" list for gamers in the Land of the Rising Sun.

The poll results were published in a recent Famitsu issue (as cited by HardcoreGamer ). And if you were expecting Final Fantasy to easily take the #1 spot, you were mistaken:

Interesting, no? Of course, Dragon Quest has been running every bit as long as Final Fantasy and it's no surprise to see two of the oldest RPG franchises in the industry sitting atop the list. Still, did you think DQ would really top FF…?

For me, it's interesting. Obviously, FF is #1 but Suikoden is actually my #2 and aside from Dragon Quest VIII , I don't really care about the latter franchise at all. The recently released Dragon Quest Heroes was basically a waste of my time. I'd also maybe put Legaia and Star Ocean up there somewhere as well. What about you?

Could Dragon Quest XI Rejuvenate The Flagging JRPG Genre?

Ben-Dutka July 28, 2015 PS4 22 Comments

Remember Dragon Quest VIII ? JRPG lovers kinda love that game.

It came out during a time when JRPGs were just starting to decline, in my estimation. The golden era was between the SNES and original PlayStation days (with a few years of carryover into the PS2 generation) and DQVIII sorta reminded us of those days.

I'm wondering if the newly announced Dragon Quest XI will do the same thing. Of course, it's much more difficult now, as the JRPG – and unfortunately, Japanese games in general – have definitely declined in terms of appeal and in some cases, quality. Perhaps it falls to Dragon Quest to once again rejuvenate an ailing genre, which is ailing now more than it ever has. I think the new Star Ocean could help as well but for some reason, I believe the next DQ has a better shot. It fits the mold.

There's just something about these games, you know? They have that traditional fantasy vibe mixed with Japanese influence and it makes for a perfect role-playing adventure. If done correctly, if the gameplay is there, if it's distinctly Japanese and an updated RPG (yeah, I know it has to have a modern combat mechanic), I think it'll work. I believe it could go a long way toward resurrecting my interest in the genre, that's for sure. Can't count on Final Fantasy to do that anymore.

Is There Any Room Left For JRPGs?

Ben-Dutka November 18, 2014 PS4 41 Comments

It's a new generation and while I suppose some are looking forward to Final Fantasy XV (certainly nobody I know, but whatever), it seems like the JRPG is slowly dying out.

Oh, I imagine it'll continue on in the mobile and handheld realm, but the days of big-budget JRPGs may be gone.

I've wondered about this as the new generation has advanced. All the current trends we're seeing in the industry are trends JRPGs have never really embraced. Story-driven adventures are still around, of course, but linearity is widely viewed as a negative thing. That couldn't be further from the truth but it's starting to sound like accepted fact in the gaming industry. Furthermore, with Western developers sort of kicking the crap out of Japanese devs over the past few years, the impact of Japanese culture has started to fade.

I'm just not sure I can envision a scenario where a new JRPG would be considered a "big-budget blockbuster" or a true "AAA" release. Until the designers step up and produce something that doesn't look and feel outdated, I'm afraid there's not much room for the JRPG in today's market. Don't forget that as genres continue to expand and grow, some genres may inevitably get left behind…

What JRPG Would You Recommend To An Intrigued JRPG Virgin?

Ben-Dutka August 25, 2013 Archive 81 Comments

It goes without saying that there's a strong JRPG following here at PSXE.

However, as the years have passed, the genre's popularity has declined (and unfortunately, so has the quality), and gaming has become more and more mainstream. There was a time when most all video games were made by Japanese companies, but no longer.

What we're seeing is a chasm between long-time JRPG fans – specifically, those who enjoyed the heights of the sub-genre and credit JRPGs with delivering some of their most memorable experiences – and the JRPG virgins. Essentially, they're either members of a younger generation who simply don't understand the appeal, or older gamers who never signed on to the JRPG craze in the first place. But if you are a JRPG lover, and you're adamant in your belief that certain games in the genre deliver that which can't be delivered anywhere else, what's the one title you would recommend? Remember, you're dealing with someone who, while mildly curious, has never touched any such title.

I think it would have to be something that still retains a little of what they know (i.e., Western influences) while still remaining true to the JRPG structure and style. You also have to consider that the JRPG's heyday was some time ago; the very best titles will appear significantly outdated by today's standards. And that can be difficult to promote. It's actually a much more difficult task than it may seem on the surface, isn't it? Me, I'd go with Final Fantasy XII . It's a late-gen PS2 game that certainly does appear dated, but it has some of that open-world exploring that's so common these days, and the combat is a blend of real-time and turn-based elements. We still see that system today in games like Dragon Age , so it wouldn't seem too archaic. It's actually incredibly fluid and deep.

One might also want to recommend Lost Odyssey , but I'm not sure pure turn-based would fly with today's crowd, regardless of age. Eternal Sonata isn't a bad option, though, because it's unique, the combat is a blend, and there are distinct Japanese styles that you don't find anywhere else. The writing isn't too bad, either. Oh, and don't forget about Vagrant Story , although I still say that's closer to a standard action/RPG rather than a JRPG. Still, an amazing story and a compelling atmosphere… Which game would you choose in order to bust a JRPG virgin's cherry?