250°

Five RPGs for 2013: Lightning Returns and Crisis Core

1UP - Common ground between a sequel and a prequel.

Ranma14121d ago (Edited 4121d ago )

This gen the only good JRPG's I played were:
# Tales of Vesperia
# Lost Odyssey
# Eternal Sonata
# Dark Souls
# Disgaea

And the Only epic one I played is:
# Valkyria Chronicles.

*I dont consider Xenoblade as current gen

This gen is like a drought when it comes to console JRPG's compared to previous ones

ForgottenProphecy4121d ago

Does Dark Souls count as a JRPG? I thought all JRPG's had to be turn based, not just be developed in Japan. Dark Souls feels like a Western RPG. I could be wrong, so that is why I'm asking./

Summons754120d ago

Dark souls was made by a Japanese developer therefore it is a Jrpg. When they made Demon Souls it was the intent to make to have a western feel to it.

Jrpgs do not have to have a turn based system but since it's popular they will go with it.

admiralvic4120d ago

Like a lot of these terms, the meaning depends on the individual and not the actual term in question.

Like every Tales game I've played isn't turn based, but people would 100% consider it a JRPG. The same goes for Ni no Kuni, since there isn't any "turns" past cool downs, so it's up to you really.

4120d ago
Summons754120d ago

@ AdmiralSnake

Why yes sir. If it is an RPG and made in JAPAN it is a JRPG. Just like a WESTERN Rpg is called that because it's made by WESTERN DEVLOPERS.

Clearly Japan makes different genres of games but if your fool enough to think that I was talking about ALL japanese games then you must have given me the best laugh of the day....plus the 5 or 6 others who thought I was generalizing instead of clearly talking about rpg's

No FanS Land4120d ago

@summons75

So if a english or french studio develop a turn based final fantasy like rpg, how do you call it?

I consider Demon/Dark souls as both Jrpg and Wrpg (more WRPG though)

JRPG because of their setting, japanese influenced grim setting soundtrack.
However it is also clear the game is build to play more like diablo/ Borderlands / Elder Scrolls than Tales of / FF / Suikoden or Legend of mana series.

DA_SHREDDER4120d ago (Edited 4120d ago )

the dark series isn't a Wrpg but you are right, rpgs have been, for the most part, turn based since the NES days. I miss old school, turn based jrps', especially the ones with open worlds, they were the best.

ForgottenProphecy4120d ago

I don't get all the hate I'm getting with Disagrees. I was just asking a question about something I'm not sure about. If it is only a matter of opinion, my opinion would be that Demon's/Dark souls are not JRPG's. If I didn't know any better, I would assume they were made by a western developer. I'm sure there are some games with a JRPG style that were made in the west, I just can't think of an example.

IMO, JRPG is a genre, just like MMORPG and FPS. It may not have to be turn based, but an RPG with a Japanese feel should be labeled JRPG, not just any Japanese RPG.

brish4120d ago

@ForgottenProphecy
"Does Dark Souls count as a JRPG?"

The definition of a JRPG isn't something that is universally agreed on.

Some people say a JRPG is an RPG made in Japan. Using that definition then yes Dark Souls is a JRPG.

Other people say a JRPG is a specific style of RPG that originated in Japan but can be made elsewhere. Dark Souls has more of a western RPG style so using that definition no, Dark Souls is not a JRPG.

Personally I think the best answer is "who cares?". Dark Souls is an amazing game no matter what type of game you call it.

I've even heard some people say Dark Souls isn't an RPG!

ritsuka6664120d ago

Dark Souls is NOT a Jrpg... --'

DOMination-4120d ago

I always classes it as an action rpg

+ Show (7) more repliesLast reply 4120d ago
Rush4120d ago

It doesn't matter what you consider current gen, Xenoblade and The Last Story are part of the same generation as all of them games you listed and both are brilliant games.

Valkyria Chronicles was a great game but it's more a strategy game than an RPG, the same way I wouldn't call XCOM an RPG other than that the list is OK in my books

3-4-54120d ago (Edited 4120d ago )

Dragon Quest 9 ? ahh..this year...

user39158004120d ago

Jrpg? ever since they got rid of Hironobu sakagushi, the entire fantasy been a disaster. The creator knew jrpg and ever since they fire him, squaresoft aka square enix now has lost the touch of a master piece creating nothung short than garbage. FF13 COMES TO MIND PLAYED THAT GARBAGE AND ITS ONLY LINEAR front with the lack of ingenuity and no direction, trying to make look like a western style and failed to capture both, the west and east a like. A failure produce by the lack of direction is the result. Square started its downfall ever since their savorand now after the last ff I'm no longer interested on anything they can make.

N4GDgAPc4120d ago (Edited 4120d ago )

Really the reason they got rid of Hironobu Sakagushi because he is the big reason Square-Enix almost had to shutdown. He was the director of Final Fantasy Spirits within. That was more of a flop than Final Fantasy 14. He thought it was a great idea to make the movie towards more westernize movie. Thats the reason why they merged with Enix. He made great games but the sametime they could of been called Square-Soft still. Maybe they would of still merged with enix but who knows.

Edit..
I loved Lost Odyssey but I couldn't get into Last Story. I tried so hard but didn't like it. Xenoblade is one or close to my top 5 rpg's of this gen though.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 4120d ago
Kratoscar20084120d ago

Sorry but LR: FFXIII wont redeem FNC, it doesnt matter if its good or bad, why? Because none of these games are worth of the FF name.

Root4120d ago

It will be bad, it's pretty obvious, it's a shame that most people don't get that still

FF13 was bad
FF13-2 was bad
FF13-3 will be bad

It's common sense really, all your doing is learning from past mistakes.

Square Enix will try and big this up as much as they can just like they did with FF13-2....tricking people into buying the game again.

silkrevolver4120d ago

Oh, I'm sorry that I liked 13 and 13-2.

I guess I must be wrong.

N4GDgAPc4120d ago

@Root

Your so right. Thank u for speaking the truth. U showed me the light and my wrong ways that FF13 is a bad game!

.................
or not

There u go again not telling us your opinion but telling us what everyone else thinks about the game. Like my mind is blinded by love of this game and there is no way I can love ff13 and ff13-2.

N4GDgAPc4120d ago

I don't understand how that could be a disgree unless its by Root. There is a difference between saying a fact compared to a opinion. Instead of telling his opinion he always gives false facts. He always complains about us tring to defend the game when he has an opinion. Never has he said WHY he hates the game. Only that supposly EVERYONE hates the game. Even me. Like the statement he said here "tricking people into buying the game again" I'm sorry rephrase that to "tricking me into buying the game" Then that would be a opinion. I never got tricked into buying it. I knew I would love FF13-2.

iamtehpwn4120d ago

You realize that Type-0 and Versus XIII are still FNC titles though, right? Type-0 was highly critically acclaimed. I think you should place your blame on how Toriyama's team handled FNC.

Root4120d ago

Erm....

Type-0 tried to move away from the FNC mytho but it was nearly done so they couldn't change that much to it other then the name. If they had more time they would of got rid of all the FNC refrences

With Versus it's been in development so long that they've probably reworked it to seperate it from the FNC series aswell. All those old videos with refrences to FF13 stuff were old builds of the game.

FF Versus will probably get a name change and won't have anything to do with FNC or FF13

iamtehpwn4120d ago (Edited 4120d ago )

No. have you actually PLAYED Final Fantasy Type-0?

All these games are still intended to be FNC games as much as possible. In fact, there is an FNC Logo when booting up the game if I recall correctly. Also, the mythology is so heavily tied into the story.

L'cie play JUST as big of a role Final Fantasy Type-0 that they do in Final Fantasy XIII. In fact, toward the end of the game the main characters are faced with the option of becoming L'cie. You have no idea what you're talking about.

Root4120d ago (Edited 4120d ago )

Did you even read my comment

I said...

"Type-0 tried to move away from the FNC mytho but it was nearly done so they couldn't change that much to it other then the name"

Meaning the FNC still played a big part in it BECAUSE it was nearly finished they couldn't do anything to it. Thats why they changed the name, they WANTED to move away from it but because it was nearly done and had so much FF13 related stuff in it there was nothing they could do. Which is why the game contains heavey amounts of FNC references...so did the old Versus trailers.

With FF13 Versus it's differnt since they have time...a lot of it.

So please don't play the "You have no idea what you're talking about" crap when you can't even read my comment properly. I never said FF Type-0 had nothing to do with FF13 so you know...it's obvious you don't know what your talking about.

Kratoscar20084120d ago

Last time i checked FFXIII was acclaimed by the critics and it has its fanbase that talk wonders about it.

I dont know anything about Type Zero but im leaning that is the same deal here, so far until i play it and judge it myself i put Type Zero and Versus in the same train and more if they reference to FNC.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 4120d ago
Root4120d ago

Lightning Returns...no thanks the only RPG for me so far is Ni no Kuni

4120d ago
8bitHero4120d ago

crisis core is one of my favorite games this gen. it was the first game i played in the FF7 universe. i still want to play derge of Cerberus(i know i spelled that wrong), i was disappointed to find out it was the last in the FF7 universe, simply because of the cliff hanger ending(i couldnt resist so saw it :3)

anyway, cant wait for ni no kuni. itll be the last game i buy till i make a huge dent in my backlog.

Pozzle4120d ago (Edited 4120d ago )

I wouldn't bother with Dirge of Cerberus tbh. It's an atrocious game with clunky controls, generic characters, repetitive battles, and practically nothing to do with the FFVII universe. Such a disappointment. :(

Show all comments (34)
280°

The Final Fantasy XIII Trilogy Deserves a Remaster

Final Fantasy 13 was first introduced to us back in 2009, almost four years after Final Fantasy 12 was released, and fans had been eagerly anticipating the next installment. But when it finally arrived, there were mixed reactions, including complaints about its linearity, the lack of towns and NPCs, and the limited control over the characters. At the time, Square Enix kept its game production behind closed doors and didn't take in a lot of feedback — especially from Western fans.

The game has been revisited by many different Final Fantasy fans since then, and some, like myself, have come to love it again. Almost all staple entries in the series have found their way to modern consoles, so it's about time that the FF13 trilogy gets a remaster

Read Full Story >>
dualshockers.com
shinoff2183323d ago

I've been thinking about this. I agree. While I really disliked it at first I never played it again. After hating ff15 so damn much I just think it can't be worse then 15 and if I'm not mistaken atleast it's turn based. I need more of that in my life.

nitus10323d ago

I actually finished FFXIII and on the second playthrough found I actually liked the game.

Actually I have liked most of the FF games (I have not played FFIX unfortunately) and I do agree with you with regards to FFXV. Graphically IMHO FFXV is excelent but for some reason I just could not get enthusiastic in playing it.

As for "turn-based", I prefer active and real time although to be fair "turn-based" is a real plus especially when confronting a difficult protagonist. I found this to be especially the case when playing FFXXII where you could switch rapidly between "turn" and "active" although having a resonable knowledge of simple Boolean Algebra is IMHO essential when playing this game.

322d ago
Levii_92322d ago

Ridiculous comment, first of all i think you should replay 15, second of all that game is 10 times better than the XIII games especially the royal edition. And third .. turn based combat is a dying (almost dead) style of gameplay and i personally wont miss it at all so don’t act like that is some sort of big plus because XIII has it.. it is not.

jambola322d ago

Somebody needs to learn about subjective taste

shinoff2183322d ago

Ff15

Sucked imo. I don't need to give it another try. Last time was the 3rd time and I had 34 hours into it. It just wasn't good imo

Chriswynnetbh322d ago

How is turn based dying or almost dead? Pokémon is one of the biggest RPGs in the world and is and has always been turn based. To some it is a plus especially when it comes to FF since the first 10 of them all are and are arguably better games than any FF to come after

CDbiggen322d ago

XV was rubbish, but understandable given the development hell. That overworld for me is the biggest example, so strangely designed and empty. And parts of the story awkwardly cut for DLC, most egregious being that prompto part where he's like "I'm a clone", or whatever he was (it was that forgettable), and the other guys basically shrugging it off.

Tapani322d ago (Edited 322d ago )

Turn-based is alive and well: Pokemon, Dragon Quest, XCom, Civilization, Homeworld, Age of Wonders, Total War, Original Sin, Baldur's Gate, Warhammer, Yu-Gi-Oh, Company of Heroes, Wasteland, Pathfinder, Disco Elysium, Octopath Traveler, Chained Echoes and many, many more great games, both new and old, franchises and new IPs are selling well, reviewing well and sequels are coming.

If you don't play the game, maybe the turn-based has just died in/for you, but certainly the genre has never been so alive as in 2023! Plus, when you look at Final Fantasy franchise, it started going down in quality when it left turn-based combat behind. FFXVI may redeem some of the glory (and FFXIV was great), but the turn-based games were higher rated and deeper in terms of gameplay and had more interesting things to do in the world.

DarXyde322d ago

I'd say Persona 5 is one of the best of the best games in a couple of decades.

I don't think you manage that with a dying gameplay format.

shinoff2183322d ago (Edited 322d ago )

Levii92

Turn based is way funner imo then just some hack n slash rpg. I like both but prefer turn based.

Far as dying I doubt it. It's also kinda funny cause the best final fantasy have been turn based. Ff still to this day can't top ff6 through ff9. Interesting.

Far as someone who brought up persona 5. I dislike the art style so I've yet to play it but I'd throw dq11 in there. Best jrpg I've played in fkin years. Over a decade.

Last I was a bit iffy on chained echoes because of the sp and no traditional leveling system. I recently bought it. Looks gorgeous, story is fantastic so far, but I cannot for the life of me get over how much I truly hate the leveling system. It's just flat out whack to me. I'm still going to finish it cause unlike ff15 atleast chained echoes doesn't feel like a chore

goldwyncq322d ago

The XIII series (especially Lightning Returns) has far better combat than XV, and you don't need to watch an anime and a movie to make sense of the story.

FinalFantasyFanatic321d ago (Edited 321d ago )

15 was only fun for derping about in the wilderness, at least FF13 had a better story and was more coherent overall (plot, characters, gameplay, world, ect...).

15 was just beautify garbage, so much wasted potential, the Duke Nukem Forever of the FF franchise.

I really loved Persona 5, can't wait for P6 to be announced, I'd love ports of the first few games (we already have P3P/P4G/P5R available on almost everything now).

+ Show (6) more repliesLast reply 321d ago
sadraiden322d ago

People act like XV killed one of their family members. It wasn't the best FF ever, but it certainly wasn't a bad game. You "hated it so damn much"? Chill.

FinalFantasyFanatic321d ago

I agree, FF13 is better than FF15, but I don't think I can play through that trilogy again, I'd rather play one of the older games.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 321d ago
-Foxtrot323d ago

Not really

Let them move on and focus on good FF games

Hofstaderman322d ago (Edited 322d ago )

Thank you. A ton of FFXIII articles recently. Most of the people who like this game are not old enough to have played 4 to 9. Even 10 and 12 are vastly superior to this game. That being said a remaster would then make all the FF titles available on the PS platform.

jambola322d ago

Citation needed
Do you have some kind of official survey of ff 13 fans ages?
Would love a link
Also, all games are available on multiple systems, re released many times
"Not old enough" doesn't even make much sense

shinoff2183322d ago (Edited 322d ago )

That was part of what I was trying to say. I've gave 15 3 try ff13 deserves atleast a second. And like I said I could use some turn based in my life

I've also played through or played all of the ff games starting with ff1 way way way back.

goldwyncq322d ago

"Good" is subjective. I love FFIX but I know many fans who don't like it for the art style and the slow combat.

I_am_Batman323d ago (Edited 322d ago )

Recently replayed them and I agree a remaster would be great. The complaints about linearity are fair, but they only really apply to the first half of the first game and while I agree that it would've been nice to have proper towns, minigames and subquests, it didn't detract from the intriguing story, interesting characters, tactical gameplay and amazing soundtrack in my opinion.

XIII-2 fixes a lot of the issues of XIII and expands on the story in interesting ways. The combat and progression builds on top of the systems of XIII and the nonlinearity and discoverability of secrets is a big inprovement over the original game. It's easily the best game of the trilogy.

Lightning Returns was probably a bit too experimental for it's own good. It tried to reinvent the wheel for no reason. The solo party for most of the game and the outfit based combat felt like a downgrade over XIII-2 combat system. It does have a unique vibe, but the plot kinda goes off the rails and many of the story beats didn't land as much for me as they did in the first two games. The race against time aspect was an interesting idea, but it never felt like it mattered, because it wasn't much of a challenge to manage the remaining time even while doing all the subquests.

Eonjay322d ago

XIII-2 is one of the greatest games ever.

Snookies12322d ago (Edited 322d ago )

XIII-2 is by far the best of the trilogy. Went out of my way to get the Platinum trophy on it. Which is actually a fun one to go for. Didn't take too long, only about 70-80 hours to accomplish. Loved every second of it though.

Youngindy21322d ago

I don't think linearity is a fair critique, when every FF up until that point was fairly linear esp. in the first half of the game. People herald FF VII(including the remake), but it is just as linear as FFXIII was. The linearity complaints came at a time when open-world games were just starting to become a thing and people thought every game should be open-world, but now that every game is, people now want more linear experiences. Go Figure.

shinoff2183322d ago

Ff10 was pretty linear to. Haven't played through all of 13 but 10 was linear as fk until the end

I_am_Batman322d ago

Totally agree. I never fully understood why 10 was so universally praised when it had many of the same design philosophies xiii is criticized for.

CDbiggen322d ago (Edited 322d ago )

I felt the same for the most part except the LR combat system. I thought it was an upgrade on the party of three system the previous two games had as now you had more control over your moves with different sets being an L1/R1 click away, and could move the single character around in battle and attack limbs or tails of certain enemies, or reduce the distance between you and an enemy you're after saving ATB.

I_am_Batman322d ago

LR combat certainly has it's merits. I would've preferred it if it wasn't tied to the costumes which can make Lightning look quite ridiculous and out of place sometimes though.

But mainly I would've preferred to see an evolution of XIII-2 systems. Since they are so different it's obviously just a preference. Can't really compare them objectively.

CDbiggen322d ago

Yeah I get ya, and I can totally see why the costume part got to people. I'm someone that doesn't care what the character looks like as long as I'm happy with the stats (looking at Xenoblade). LR to me is just one of those odd games that I can't help respect for mixing things up, even if the outcome wasn't the best lol. But yeah too different to compare.

sadraiden322d ago

Why would a remaster be great? They exist in HD, on a console that is still compatible with modern televisions, and you just replayed it.

I_am_Batman322d ago

I replayed them on my PS3. I just think it would make sense for those games to be more accessible to Playstation gamers, which is where the majority of the modern FF fanbase is (due to the exclusivity deals of VII Re and XVI).

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 322d ago
gold_drake322d ago

yes.
remaster collection.

not sure why the hell we never got one.

sadraiden322d ago

Just dying to give SE money for nothing eh?

gold_drake322d ago

i enjoyed the games.
so it wouldn't be for "nothing".

Show all comments (75)
170°

Why The Final Fantasy XIII Trilogy Has Some of The Best Music In The Series

As we celebrate Final Fantasy’s 35th anniversary, let’s look back at the underrated soundtracks of the Final Fantasy XIII trilogy.

Read Full Story >>
game-grooves.com
goldwyncq480d ago

It really does. Caius’ theme is still one of the best villain themes ever.

SeTTriP479d ago

Barthandelus is a great boss theme to.

Snookies12480d ago

Come on... Even haters of Final Fantasy XIII have to admit the soundtrack really was great. There are some parts of the OST that stand out among even Nobuo's work.

CrimsonWing69479d ago

The battle themes are pretty amazing, man.

gold_drake479d ago

sat what you want about the games, but the soundtrack has always been good.

MehmetAlperTR479d ago

Agreed... Legendary Nobuo Uematsu was not involved with FF13.. So that has got terrible musics.

jambola479d ago

so any game without no Uematsu has terrible music?

MehmetAlperTR479d ago (Edited 479d ago )

@Jambola nope... But in PS1 era we played FF7-8-9 and in a PS2 era FF10... They were all involved with Uematsu San. We grove up with him and his musics.. SO FF means, him and his music to us.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 479d ago
-Foxtrot480d ago

It's alright but I mean with so many other FF games it's not even in the top 10 for me

You just can't beat IX, VII, X and my personal favourite VIII when it comes to music

Even the theme song sucks, instead of just having an English version of the Japanese theme they got X Factors Leona Lewis to do the song which didn't sound like FF theme song.

FinalFantasyFanatic479d ago

Yeah, that ending song was terrible, I'll never be able to fathom why that was chosen, it feels so out of place with that game.

RedDevils479d ago

Lol is was my wtf moment.

SoulWarrior480d ago

I agree, regardless of the general consensus of the game itself, FF rarely lets down when it comes to the music at least.

porkChop480d ago

Nah. VIII has the best music in the series. IX is a close second.

Hofstaderman480d ago

Yes; eyes one me, man with the machine gun, waltz to the moon, the oath, maybe I’m a lion…FF8 has the best music in the series by far. I have the original OST, the orchestra arrangement, the piano arrangement, the Black Mages tracks and a few other albums. My four disc original OST is my pride and joy.

ManMarmalade480d ago

I agree on VIII. I've started growing really fond of X's lately.

GoodGuy09480d ago

Music was pretty good yes. Pretty much all FFs do even the crappy ones lol.

Show all comments (40)
180°

Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII Steam Version Patched for Some Reason

After about five years since the last patch was released for Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII Steam version on PC, Square Enix released a new patch today.

Read Full Story >>
infinitestart.com
Sephiroushin1010d ago

Probably because it didnt work on some amd gpus, same goes for FF13!

antikbaka1010d ago

what about Nier Automata...

vergilxx31009d ago

Read the article maybe?
It clearly says they updated Nier too

gold_drake1009d ago

i find it sich a waste that they didnt release them on the ps4.
i know alot of ppl dont like 13, but 13-2 is amazing ha.

DeathTouch1009d ago

I love 13-2. Addictive battle system, Serah and Noel are pretty cool, the story is a bit all over, but it can be endearing, the villain is interesting and the ending is somber. Good game!

gold_drake1009d ago

ahh the music, dont forget the music! haha

autobotdan1009d ago

They are 4k enhanced on Xbox One X and Xbox Series X

solideagle1009d ago

13-2 battle system was great. Collecting monster and upgrading them was fun. I liked FF X-2 gameplay as well because of monsters.

rpvenom1009d ago

Interesting.. I am one of the few I guess who actually enjoyed 13.. never tried 13-2 though.. maybe I should give it a shot.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 1009d ago