Square-Enix to buy out Tecmo

[Kaoru Hitachiin]

They made Blue Dragon, which is like a Classic FF/ChronoTrigger-esque nostalgia trip... Lost Odyssey, which is best described as Hironobu Sakaguchi's original intentions for FFX... Archaic Sealed Heat, a DS Tactical RPG where the fight scenes are directed at the bottom and turned into FMVs on the tops screen... A Blue Dragon downgrade is being made for DS, if I remember right... Then Cry On is in development on 360, a JRPG guaranteed to toy with the players' emotions.

Blue Dragon has pretty cliche story, but other than that, it's only flaw, really is being old-school, like a DragonQuest/ChronoTrigger fusion.

Lost Odyssey is another JRPG where the story is more prominent, even including novellas within the contents of the game's 4 discs. (Read the novellas in the game as they come up, they're expertly written, with emotion emphasized with the graphical and sound effects as you read.)

Those two games are meant to be Full-fledged series to rival Final Fantasy, Blue Dragon II currently in development.

I haven't played A.S.H., I've merely seen screenshots and info.

Cry On will hit it's goal as an emotional thrillride of an RPG, if they use the writer from Lost Odyssey's Novella sections.

[Terminal Est]

I've not heard many good things about Blue Dragon, hearing tell that it was pretty mediocre, and does not justify the hype it spawned forth. Lost Odyssey seems interesting though, at least from what I had read of it, but I can never seem to recall the damned title. XD

Well, Hironobu is the creator of FF, perhaps he shall be able to rival his own creation, after all, however legions of fanboys will be ready to fight, though I would assume that they would embrace anything else made by Hironobu to begin with.

Also, Nubuo does not work at Square anymore, does he? He also has his own studio, I believe.

[Kaoru Hitachiin]

Nobuo works primarily alongside Sakaguchi in Mistwalker now. (Though he still does the occasional couple of songs for Square-Enix.) And, I know Blue Dragon has mediocre reviews, but to me, it is very refreshing... Definitely a must-own if you liked any Dragon Quest/Dragon Warrior games or ChronoTrigger. It's not as serious or innovative as most RPG's nowadays, but it's the most charming and whimsical RPG I've played since FFIX.

[MidgarFanatic]

Originally Posted by Kaoru Hitachiin

They made... Lost Odyssey, which is best described as Hironobu Sakaguchi's original intentions for FFX...

This is one of the most recent games I have been playing, and this is exactly what has come to mind most as I have been playing it. It feels very much like an improved version of FFX. I am not sure if this is a good thing or not, haha, but yes I am glad other people have noticed this too.

The battles are similar, the art design is similar, the map/travelling methods are similar... it's just all so SIMILAR.

I think it's been kind of fun. Nowhere near a favorite, but it has an interesting story, a well-set challenge level, and it does all look very polished. It has been a good first RPG for my XBOX, but I am interested in moving on to other games soon, like Last Remnent andd Infinite Undiscovery. *crosses fingers they both don't suck*

Originally Posted by Kaoru Hitachiin

Lost Odyssey is another JRPG where the story is more prominent, even including novellas within the contents of the game's 4 discs. (Read the novellas in the game as they come up, they're expertly written, with emotion emphasized with the graphical and sound effects as you read.)

Those novellas are so freaking long, I couldn't even bother reading them. LOL

Originally Posted by Kaoru Hitachiin

Nobuo works primarily alongside Sakaguchi in Mistwalker now. (Though he still does the occasional couple of songs for Square-Enix.) And, I know Blue Dragon has mediocre reviews, but to me, it is very refreshing... Definitely a must-own if you liked any Dragon Quest/Dragon Warrior games or ChronoTrigger. It's not as serious or innovative as most RPG's nowadays, but it's the most charming and whimsical RPG I've played since FFIX.

I don't know about this game. I just can't seem to get into cartoony games anymore like I used to. I too have read many of the negative reviews of Blue Dragon, but that has never stopped me before from trying a title that nonetheless interested me. So I suppose what is mostly keeping me from trying this game is the art direction... I'm just not sure it'll hold my interest/attention.

But perhaps I should... after all I might enjoy it. Thanks for all the info KH.

[Kaoru Hitachiin]

Well, with all the brutally pessimistic RPGs I play, like the Demon-filled Shin Megami Tensei Games and the Post-Apocalyptic, doomed future of Fallout, I appreciate these childish RPGs all the more.

Yes, SMT and Fallout are two of the best RPGs ever made, but the down and dirty point of views really need to be given a break for more light-hearted things. Beside, I wouldn't want EVERY game I play to be realistic, or what would be the point in playing more than one? ^^

Seeing as I plan to be a game designer, I have to think about the content and overall feel it gives. Just future job reference... The most fun future job references in the world! :P