Sequels and Innovations

It seems to me Squeek has been majorly concentrating their collaborative and creative "gunpowder" toward firing round after round of Final Fantasy numbers and spinoffs into the crowds.

Square in itself is mostly focusing on continuing with new installments of the older classics that got it its start (Kingdom Hearts aside) and Enix seems to be going in the same direction.

I honestly believe they should add new installments to Parasite Eve (on systems beside PSP), send more Front Mission releases stateside, Ehrgeiz should be made into a series (maybe change the name as Namco did with Soul Blade), and I personally hope to see more than one Dissidia since it seems the first one is pretty much just focusing on primary protagonists and priority villains.

I'm not a champion for the otaku of Dragon Quest, in fact, there really isn't much draw in the series for me, but other than that Enix's options are limited to what tri-Ace is developing. Naturally, I'm a fan of Star Ocean, Valkyrie, Radiata, and am also looking forward to this Infinite Undiscovery (for which I need a damn X3). I can't really think of many other options than that.

I really want another VP game to play~ I look forward to the next =]!

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Originally Posted by Mercen-X

I honestly believe they should add new installments to Parasite Eve (on systems beside PSP)

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I have a PSP so it doesn't bother me. Considering there were rumours of a PE3 for the PS2 prior to it's release we should be glad we're getting anything.

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Originally Posted by Mercen-X

Ehrgeiz should be made into a series (maybe change the name as Namco did with Soul Blade)

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No it shouldn't. Honestly, it sucked. Einhander, on the other hand, is a game that needs a sequel.

There have been several excellent Square/Enix RPGs over the years but nothing I would really like to see again. Judging by the Parasite Eve and Valkyrie Profile sequels, it's probably best to just leave them be.

Man, this argument is so...one year ago. FFIV DS is done, Dissidia is about to be released, FNC finally seems to be going full steam ahead.

At the same time we just got Infinite Undiscovery, Last Remnant is coming, Star ocean, parasite eve, are comin, I wouldn't be surprised if the Hiroshi Minagawa of the Ivalice team announced something new relatively soon.

I've been dying for a Threads of Fate sequel forever, but it didn't sell well in the US, and wasn't released outside of North America and Japan. TWEWY was an absolute masterpiece, and I have a feeling that I'll never see a sequel to it. I'd love to play one, though. Especially since the ending sort of implies (SPOILER)that Neku had to go through the game a FOURTH time before he met up with everyone. My guess is his partner would have been Rhyme.

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Originally Posted by Vivi22

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Originally Posted by Mercen-X

Ehrgeiz should be made into a series (maybe change the name as Namco did with Soul Blade)

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No it shouldn't. Honestly, it sucked. Einhander, on the other hand, is a game that needs a sequel.

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I don't believe the concept sucked. I believe the battle-system needed extensive work. Shooters, to me, are like Coke. I prefer Pepsi. If Einhander deserves a sequel, Ehrgeiz deserves another chance.

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Originally Posted by Karellen

Judging by the Parasite Eve and Valkyrie Profile sequels, it's probably best to just leave them be.

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The sequels are what got me into those games in the first place. I bought the original PE because of PE2 although I haven't actually been obsessed with playing it.

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Originally Posted by Bolivar

FFIV DS is done, Dissidia is about to be released, FNC finally seems to be going full steam ahead.

Last Remnant is coming, Star Ocean and Parasite Eve are coming, and I wouldn't be surprised if Hiroshi Minagawa of the Ivalice team announced something new relatively soon.

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DS=does suck. FNC?
You scored a point with Last Remnant (I'd forgotten about that one)

I feel that its rather sad that most of the more innovative games SE has worked on have been failing (mostly in Japan) and getting overshadowed. Not to mention restricted to the DS. Hell, am I the only person who feels its sad that Dissidia is being released on the PSP? Its hardly built for an optimal control scheme for a fighting game. It really needs a console release.

I can't say any of SE's efforts for the consoles have caught my attention. Infinite Undiscovery, Star Ocean 4, Last Remnant, and even the FNC XIII project just seem to lack that creative spark. Frankly, the first three titles from that list all look very similar to me (well I know Tri-Ace did IU and SO4, so that's a given). Hell even the combat systems sound like variations of each other, borrowing from the conceptual designs for XII's system.

FNC is unique cause the only title that has caught my interest is oddly enough Agito which ironically is for a handheld. XIII looks like its story entails the same things as previous Nojima written FFs. It can go either way cause we know very little concerning it but I can't say I've been very impressed with anything I've seen concerning the game. vXIII is up in the air. I still get the odd feeling it will be like AC and KH series where it will be more visually spectacular rather than actually having a good plot. Of anything, it will probably be the most fun to play though.

As for sequels of other franchises, where is Front Mission? We got the excellent FM4 and finally a port of FM1 but where is FMO? It was promised to us 4 years ago...Oh yeah, Sony bailed on the PS2's online plan. :rolleyes2 Mana seemed to be doing ok but most people feel the franchise has finally bit the dust. Especially after the disastrous Mana 4 bombed.

As for Ehrgeiz... that was a terrible game Mercen-X. Perhaps not as bad as Tobal no.1 but it sure as hell was no Bushido Blade. I'm with Vivi22, Einhander was an underrated gem that just needed some more polish. Dew Prism 2 would be interesting to see, especially on today's hardware. Besides, I want my Vagrant Story 2 dammit! :mad2:

I think SE has been doing better lately with coming up with more original IPs but it just feels like the console ones follow established JRPG formulas. Even FFXIII sounds like its looking back on the golden age of JRPGs to find some ideas. The real innovations are coming to the handhelds and sadly are being overlooked by many people.

I sometimes wonder if SE would do better if they stopped using Japan as a guideline for the success of a title. Many of the SE's best titles in the last few years have done better outside its own country. Made only more outstanding considering SE has this obnoxious policy of only letting FF and KH get any real PR. The World Ends With You did surprisingly well considering its PR went no further than a paragraph or two in the Japan Now preview sections of gaming media. :rolleyes2

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Originally Posted by Mercen-X

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Originally Posted by Vivi22

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Originally Posted by Mercen-X

Ehrgeiz should be made into a series (maybe change the name as Namco did with Soul Blade)

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No it shouldn't. Honestly, it sucked. Einhander, on the other hand, is a game that needs a sequel.

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I don't believe the concept sucked. I believe the battle-system needed extensive work. Shooters, to me, are like Coke. I prefer Pepsi. If Einhander deserves a sequel, Ehrgeiz deserves another chance.

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If you mean the concept of a fully 3D fighting game needs another chance, well I'd say games like Soul Calibur got 3D fighting done right a long time ago. Besides, there'd be no way another Ehrgeiz could top Capcoms Power Stone anyway, so why even bother. I'd rather not see another crappy fighting game with FF characters tacked on so it'll sell (which is what I worry Dissidia may end up being).

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Originally Posted by Wolf Kanno

As for Ehrgeiz... that was a terrible game Mercen-X. Perhaps not as bad as Tobal no.1 but it sure as hell was no Bushido Blade. I'm with Vivi22, Einhander was an underrated gem that just needed some more polish. Dew Prism 2 would be interesting to see, especially on today's hardware. Besides, I want my Vagrant Story 2 dammit!

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Amazing how you remind me of two other games I need to buy in one paragraph. I missed Vagrant Story when it came out due to being broke and unfamiliar with the genius that is Matsuno at the time, and never played Bushido Blade though I want to. I also wish I had bought Einhander when it was first released for that matter. At least Vagrant Story and Bushido Blade are decently priced on Ebay. $70 for Einhander though? That's almost as bad as the number of perfectly great IP's Square has been just sitting on the past 10 years or so. :cry:

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Originally Posted by Vivi22

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Originally Posted by Wolf Kanno

As for Ehrgeiz... that was a terrible game Mercen-X. Perhaps not as bad as Tobal no.1 but it sure as hell was no Bushido Blade. I'm with Vivi22, Einhander was an underrated gem that just needed some more polish. Dew Prism 2 would be interesting to see, especially on today's hardware. Besides, I want my Vagrant Story 2 dammit!

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Amazing how you remind me of two other games I need to buy in one paragraph. I missed Vagrant Story when it came out due to being broke and unfamiliar with the genius that is Matsuno at the time, and never played Bushido Blade though I want to. I also wish I had bought Einhander when it was first released for that matter. At least Vagrant Story and Bushido Blade are decently priced on Ebay. $70 for Einhander though? That's almost as bad as the number of perfectly great IP's Square has been just sitting on the past 10 years or so. :cry:

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Missed out on Einhander and Bushido Blade myself actually. I got a chance to play them but then they both quickly disappeared off shelves. Front Mission 3 is another game I kick myself for not actually going out and buying.

When I think about all of the stuff I missed in my middle and high school days due to being broke, it makes me sad that I'm now out of University, gainfully employed, and still can't afford to get them all. Front Mission 3 is another game I need to get a hold of someday. I never did play it because I wasn't into strategy games at the time, but I always heard it was pretty awesome.

Ah. Fabula Nova Crystallis. Thank you for saying "FNC XIII", WK. I was confused at first.

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Originally Posted by Vivi22

When I think about all of the stuff I missed in my middle and high school days due to being broke, it makes me sad that I'm now out of University, gainfully employed, and still can't afford to get them all. Front Mission 3 is another game I need to get a hold of someday. I never did play it because I wasn't into strategy games at the time, but I always heard it was pretty awesome.

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FM3 is awesome, think of a FFT crossed with Armor Core and you have a fair idea of what it was like.

I also lost out on a few games cause I spent my HS days paying off my car and other expenses. At least I could say I bought and owned my own car in my freshmen year of college :jess:

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Originally Posted by Mercen-X

Ah. Fabula Nova Crystallis. Thank you for saying "FNC XIII", WK. I was confused at first.

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Your welcome, though I can never understand why anyone should bother calling it that. The title always sounded utterly pretentious to me and I feel SE needs to understand they don't carry the same reputation they did 10 years ago. :rolleyes2

I couldn't even remember the title until you connected the dots. I guess I'll stick with FNC from now on since it seems like basically no one would bother with the whole title anymore.

I've heard of Tobal No.1, heard bad things. Honestly, Ehrgeiz isn't as bad as people would make it seem. The only problem is that Square seems to have pretty much ditched out on making any real innovations, so when it tries to branch out to new areas, they end up becoming clones or doing something that's just weird. I would definitely buy Ehrgeiz now if I could find it (and had money).

I had Vagrant Story in my head but forgot to mention it. I've played Front Mission 3 and remember it being a solid game which I wish I could see more of. I played Bushido Blade 2 never bothering with the original. I loved the sequel and have always wished that I had bought it. What's Dew Prism?

I used to be part of anti-establishment pop-crowd that hated sell-outs. Now, if I feel it's done well enough, I tend to like companies and celebrities that sell-out. I tend to like better graphics, better battles, better stories, better characters, better designs. If the game features half of those qualities, it works for me. I don't trust many games on handhelds to satisfy that condition. I'm still trying to cobble together the funds to buy Crisis Core, since no one will rent out games for GBA, DS, or PSP (f**kwipes).

Maybe Squeek should create a game with some classic superheroes or something. I don't know, I'm not well versed in the entirety of the game universe but I've never heard of a game of this variety.

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Originally Posted by Mercen-X

I couldn't even remember the title until you connected the dots. I guess I'll stick with FNC from now on since it seems like basically no one would bother with the whole title anymore.

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Its much easier isn't it? :D

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I've heard of Tobal No.1, heard bad things. Honestly, Ehrgeiz isn't as bad as people would make it seem. The only problem is that Square seems to have pretty much ditched out on making any real innovations, so when it tries to branch out to new areas, they end up becoming clones or doing something that's just weird. I would definitely buy Ehrgeiz now if I could find it (and had money).

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Ehrgeiz was a pretty lousy 3D fighter but then again, most 3D fighting games were bad back then and well, very little has improved since then... ;) I guess I have issues with it cause its rare to run into someone who genuinely liked it like yourself. Most people I've met who talk about it bash the gameplay yet stated they bought it cause it had VII characters. :rolleyes2 As for Tobal... its bad... really bad. Main strategy to win with any character? Side step, punch. That's all it takes and the controls are clumsy and unresponsive to boot making even that strategy difficult to pull. I've heard the sequel is a big improvement but it never saw outside its homeland.

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What's Dew Prism?

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Sorry, its the original title to Threads of Fate. It was a pretty good game and quite creative. Its ending opens up the plausibility of a sequel but alas it never came :(

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I used to be part of anti-establishment pop-crowd that hated sell-outs. Now, if I feel it's done well enough, I tend to like companies and celebrities that sell-out. I tend to like better graphics, better battles, better stories, better characters, better designs. If the game features half of those qualities, it works for me. I don't trust many games on handhelds to satisfy that condition. I'm still trying to cobble together the funds to buy Crisis Core, since no one will rent out games for GBA, DS, or PSP (f**kwipes)

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I generally don't mind selling out as long as its quality. Its why I don't mind the remakes and ports so much but lately it seems its all they do. I guess I'm annoyed cause Square dominated my gaming life for the SNES and PS1 generations. We saw alot of really solid games, innovation, and generally creativity. This all disappeared in the PS2 era where SE's fell back on rehashing, remaking or generally whoring out the main FF series. There were some solid games in this whole mess but in the PS1 generation, I fell in love with most of SE's non-FF titles.