Xbox 360 getting more JRPGs

Yes. And a bunch of those are going to be presented tomorrow at Microsoft’s Xbox 360 RPG Premiere 2008 (http://www.1up.com/do/blogEntry?bId=8762383&publicUserId=5367991) in Tokyo.

Games rumored to be shown, are:

Infinite Undiscovery (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infinite_Undiscovery)
The Last Remnant (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Last_Remnant)
Cry On (http://www.gamersyde.com/game_943_en.html)
Star Ocean 4 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_ocean_4)

I’m excited to see what this event might bring.

It will only help if they have more JRPG exclusives, else the multi-plats will be bought on the PS3. (I’m speaking in terms of Japan here)

Japanese game sales on PS3 are almost completely irrelevant since the console sells so badly there. If devs want to sell in Japan, they make games on DS, Wii, and occasionally PSP.

Compared to the near non-existence of the 360, the PS3 is doing well.

That’s beside the point. You commented about multi-plat games being bought on PS3 in Japan and I’m pointing out that there’s not enough of a market there for it to matter. Yes, the 360 is a non-entity in Xenophobe Land, but the PS3 isn’t in a very tenable position either, so Japanese game sales are an afterthought for both of those consoles right now.

Oooh, SO4 was confirmed for the 360? Anyone know if it’ll also be released for PS3? I hope they present a bit more than the 2 trailers that have been released at the premiere ;-;

Infinite Undiscovery doesn’t seem too bad either, besides the questionable name. But that might be the tri-Ace fangirl in me.

Can anyone recommend Eternal Sonata? it received great scores from both IGN and GameSpot so maybe I’ll give it a try, it’s been quite some time since I played one of those.
And good to hear about those new games, quite frankly, this gen is too loaded with FPS and action games, now if only there could be more platforms too…

I’ve heard quite a few people say ES is actually pretty awful. Pretentious/lame story, gimmicky battle system etc. That being said, I’ve seen almost as many people say it’s the best JRPG on a 7th gen console.

I’m quite interested in Infinite Undiscovery. The battle system looks like a fusion between Final Fantasy XII and Star Ocean 3. Don’t really know much about the story but since it’s Tri-Ace I’m not really expecting much. I’m fairly cautious when it comes to games that describe themselves as a ‘true evolution’ though, especially in relation to a genre known for anything but.

The others don’t really appeal. Last Remnant seemed alright until I heard the dreaded words "quick time events", we know virtually nothing about Cry On (other then the dubious claim that it will "make you cry every 15 minutes") and I’ve never been altogether pleased with a Star Ocean game. Still, I’m not confident in my ability to judge a game’s quality based on a wikipedia page and two minutes of cutscenes so we’ll have to wait and see.

If Star Ocean 4 goes on the 360 exclusively I’m getting a 360. That was one of the main reasons I wanted a PS3.

Well, like I said, it’s still just rumors. By tomorrow we’ll have some facts. For the time being, I think it’s at least interesting and promising that Microsoft wants to do a press event in Japan solely about RPGs, and that Square Enix is willing to develop for the 360. Even if it is multi-platform.

That’s beside the point. You commented about multi-plat games being bought on PS3 in Japan and I’m pointing out that there’s not enough of a market there for it to matter. Yes, the 360 is a non-entity in Xenophobe Land, but the PS3 isn’t in a very tenable position either, so Japanese game sales are an afterthought for both of those consoles right now.
Kk

Oooh, SO4 was confirmed for the 360? Anyone know if it’ll also be released for PS3? I hope they present a bit more than the 2 trailers that have been released at the premiere ;-;

Infinite Undiscovery doesn’t seem too bad either, besides the questionable name. But that might be the tri-Ace fangirl in me.
I’m pretty sure SO4 has been confirmed multi-plat. Personally IU doesn’t look too good. =/

Well, like I said, it’s still just rumors. By tomorrow we’ll have some facts. For the time being, I think it’s at least interesting and promising that Microsoft wants to do a press event in Japan solely about RPGs, and that Square Enix is willing to develop for the 360. Even if it is multi-platform.
Why is it interesting that SE is developing for 360? Unless it’s a FF title, I don’t see what the big deal is.

I watched the trailer for Infinite Undiscovery a while ago on my 360 and I must say, I’m looking forward to playing it. I haven’t heard of the other games mentioned so I’m looking to see if I can download any trailers to my 360.

Why is it interesting that SE is developing for 360? Unless it’s a FF title, I don’t see what the big deal is.

Well, besides FFXI, the Xbox family never had a SE game. Basically every previous gen console had an exclusive FF Franchise. FF series for the PS2. FF:CC series for the gamecube. FF remakes for the DS, etc. etc. So it’s exciting to see that’s SE’s bringing it’s games to the 360 platform.

With both that, and the fact that the 360 already has some good JRPGs, (be it exclusive or not) in mind, it’s not unthinkable that the 360 might land an exclusive SE franchise.

Obviously, this is all just pure speculation. Not everything’s clear yet. Some developers and publishers don’t seem to be in a rush to put their cards on the table just yet. But that’s what makes it interesting. We might be in for a few surprises along the way.

Honestly, I couldn’t care less. I’ll start caring about "JRPGs" again when they catch up to western games. It’s weird how Jap developers won’t even consider the idea of a game that includes actual role-playing and choose instead to stick with a model that was outdated a decade ago. I’d love to see what they’d do with more modern gameplay and narrative techniques.

Well, besides FFXI, the Xbox family never had a SE game. Basically every previous gen console had an exclusive FF Franchise. FF series for the PS2. FF:CC series for the gamecube. FF remakes for the DS, etc. etc. So it’s exciting to see that’s SE’s bringing it’s games to the 360 platform.

With both that, and the fact that the 360 already has some good JRPGs, (be it exclusive or not) in mind, it’s not unthinkable that the 360 might land an exclusive SE franchise.

Obviously, this is all just pure speculation. Not everything’s clear yet. Some developers and publishers don’t seem to be in a rush to put their cards on the table just yet. But that’s what makes it interesting. We might be in for a few surprises along the way.

I see what you’re saying. Are you a big SE fan? As far as I know the only exclusive 360 game that SE has planned is Infinite Undiscovery.

I’m not too certain on a FF title making its way to the 360 in the near future. I think SE and Sony have an exclusivity contract regarding FF.

Honestly, I couldn’t care less. I’ll start caring about "JRPGs" again when they catch up to western games. It’s weird how Jap developers won’t even consider the idea of a game that includes actual role-playing and choose instead to stick with a model that was outdated a decade ago. I’d love to see what they’d do with more modern gameplay and narrative techniques.

Well yeah. You’d probably agree when I say that that goes for every genre. Maybe I could play another Devil May Cry installment, another Resident Evil installment, etc., etc. Same old working formula, buffed up graphics. But the lack of innovation in most Japanese productions leaves me disappointed to the point where I might not want to pick up a certain franchise anymore. At least Kojima was right about that (http://kotaku.com/390267/kojima-western-devs-have-surpassed-us?cpage=2)

I see what you’re saying. Are you a big SE fan? As far as I know the only exclusive 360 game that SE has planned is Infinite Undiscovery.

I’m actually not that big a fan of SE or JRPGs in general. I just like to play the guessing game. See how the current gen ends up, make some predictions as to what the industry will do. Best game, imo. 🙂

quite honestly, i could care less for games im not going to see.
and i live much better not knowing that X game is being released and will never leave japan.
i cried my heart out after reading certain games of an anime i love so much were not gonna be released outside japan.

More bad news for the PS3 I see. Those games I’m sure was meant to be on that system, not the Xbox360. The gaming industry is about money, and the PS3 ain’t making third party developers a lot of it. It’s getting to the point that MGS4 and FFXIII no longer matter. Personally, I wasn’t considering an Xbox360, but if developers keep jumping ship, I might not have a choice.

Press conference photo. ()

The plot thickens.

The plot thickens.

oho!

Star Ocean set for Xbox 360
Next entrant to the series is on its way to Microsoft’s machine.
by Erik Brudvig

June 10, 2008 – At a press conference held by Microsoft in Japan, Square Enix and Microsoft announced that the next Star Ocean game will be released on Xbox 360 in 2009. The game, officially titled Star Ocean: The Last Hope, is in a playable state right now and will have a science fiction feel to it. Though a trailer for the game presented by Yoshinori Yamagishi, producer of the game, ended with the words "for Xbox 360," there was no mention of the title being exclusive to the system.

Hmm…

full story (http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/880/880407p1.html)

Umm, I think Square-Enix is testing the waters. Looking to see where there maximum profit shares come from. Sure they plan to make a lot of money from the FFXIII games, but they want to see how much money they can make with the 360 too, and if they even make more money with the 360.

North America release for Tales of Vesperia will be in August some time. Europe will be in 2009.
Oh Namco, we love you too. Thanks for not giving us Tales of the Abyss, by the way.

Interesting that The Last Remnant is coming to the 360 first. Perhaps not though, since I seem to remember SE saying that LR was specifically aimed at Western audiences. No Mistwalker is kind of disappointing, especially since Cry On was announced some time ago and this would have been a great time to show it off. Kind of makes me wonder if it’s anywhere close to being in a playable state yet.

You know guys, none of this matters at all because the best JRPG is FFXII.

Just sayin’…

edit: FTR Star Ocean 4 and Star Ocean: The Last Hope are two different games. It’s not Star Ocean 4 renamed to Star Ocean :The Last Hope.

It was described as Star Ocean 4 in that article and the trailer (http://youtube.com/watch?v=SgcZH4ZWTes) that’s just been released has a few scenes from the original SO4 trailer. It’s definitely Star Ocean 4.

Also, new Last Remnant trailer (http://youtube.com/watch?v=NRUfz4zyxWA).

FTR Star Ocean 4 and Star Ocean: The Last Hope are two different games. It’s not Star Ocean 4 renamed to Star Ocean :The Last Hope.

Nothing I’ve seen supports this claim. Back it up or it’s bullshit.

In other news, Last Remnant is coming to 360 first (http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/880/880435p1.html).

Actually it’s horseshit.

FFXII still rules.

omg yay @ SO4 coming to 360. SO4 and a few other titles are some of the only reasons I want to get a next gen console, and I was debating over a 360 and a PS3. This has helped seal the deal. And I’m pretty certain that "The Last Hope" is just the extended title of SO4 — look at the previous games (sans the original). The Second Story, Til the End of Time. They are just referred to by SO2/3 for the sake of not having to write everything out.

oh man, I hope it doesn’t suck. 2009, though 🙁

lawl @ main character looking like a cross between fayt/claude. And what is it with Japs and their floating islands/continents?

Also, I wonder if this means that the game is 360-exclusive?

Cassie, the devs say maybe or maybe not coming to PS3.

Prak, do you think this could be due to the rumor of the PS3 version of Last Remnant coming packaged with a FFXIII demo?

I was under the impression that was just speculation rather then an actual rumor.

Prak, do you think this could be due to the rumor of the PS3 version of Last Remnant coming packaged with a FFXIII demo?

I think it’s totally unrelated. This is probably another case of the PS3 version of a multi-platform game requiring more time for optimization.

Honestly, I couldn’t care less. I’ll start caring about "JRPGs" again when they catch up to western games. It’s weird how Jap developers won’t even consider the idea of a game that includes actual role-playing and choose instead to stick with a model that was outdated a decade ago. I’d love to see what they’d do with more modern gameplay and narrative techniques.

I whole-heartedly agree and find myself slightly curious concerning the RPG situation in Japan. Does Japan ever get releases of Western RPGs? A cursory perusal of Wikipedia seems to refute that notion. Still, I would hope so just to know Japanese gamers have at least some degree of familiarity with some of our far less linear RPGs.

However it is satisfying to see Square finally developing for the 360 though like All Seeing Eye (or whoever) stated, I highly doubt any ulterior motives lurk underneath the obvious explanation: SE wants to exploit of the comparative lack of JRPGs on the system for fun and profit. At least that’s what the non-committal interviews I’ve read here seem to suggest.

omg yay @ SO4 coming to 360. SO4 and a few other titles are some of the only reasons I want to get a next gen console, and I was debating over a 360 and a PS3. This has helped seal the deal. And I’m pretty certain that "The Last Hope" is just the extended title of SO4 — look at the previous games (sans the original). The Second Story, Til the End of Time. They are just referred to by SO2/3 for the sake of not having to write everything out.

oh man, I hope it doesn’t suck. 2009, though 🙁

lawl @ main character looking like a cross between fayt/claude. And what is it with Japs and their floating islands/continents?

Also, I wonder if this means that the game is 360-exclusive?

everything I wanted to say in a nutshell.