Lost Sphear, like Tokyo RPG Factory’s previous game I Am Setsuna, is a turn-based RPG inspired by the Super Nintendo days. There’s a lot of Chrono Trigger in here, with a large dose of Final Fantasy and even some Xenogears. But Lost Sphear takes the most inspiration from I Am Setsuna, which is perhaps what makes it feel so mundane. Sure, there are inns this time. And world maps. And combat that actually lets you move characters to different positions around the battlefield. But those mechanical improvements fail to infuse Lost Sphear with a personality, and while I Am Setsuna’s somber tone and melancholy soundtrack made it stand out two years ago, Lost Sphear just feels like more of the same.
There are certain smaller studios out there making Japanese games that are gradually growing in notoriety. One of them is Tokyo RPG Factory, a developer that most people probably know as the one that is owned by Square Enix. (Other acceptable answers include “the one that makes sad games” or “the one where all the games look a lot alike.” It’s been five years since its founding in 2014, and the company has kept on trucking. In fact, it has a new game coming out this year! Which means now is the perfect time to figure out more about it and why you may want to take an interest in the team’s games.
Square Enix has kicked off a new sale on the Switch eShop. Titles such as I Am Setsuna, Lost Sphear, and Romancing SaGa 2 have been discounted.
Not at all. Tokyo RPG factories games are average at best. Just try Octopath Traveler. The game is fantastic.
I’ve been thinking about it, but heard that it is also mediocre. I didn’t like Bravely Default either. Been lately playing again Xenogears, Chrono Cross and Final Fantasy Tactics, and none of the new games don’t even come close. I did enjoy Saga Frontier 1-2. Would you say I should still try Octopath Traveler?
Where have you heard Octopath is Mediocre? because everyone praises the game. It's not the same developer as BD. I hated BD. Ocotpath has the best original OST of 2018 bar none. It's truly a great game and the best non 1st party Switch game of 2018
The thing that has personally turned me off of Octopath is how the other party members basically have nothing to do with the story of your currently chosen protagonist. I've not played the game but that's what I've read and seen. I know it's the kind of thing that would take me right out of the experience.
The developer of I Am Setsuna and Lost Sphear just announced their new RPG title Oninaki. Save lost souls in this top down adventure!
Technically it was made in a factory...an RPG factory...in Tokyo
I was very unimpressed with I Am Setsuna, especially for the price they were selling it at.
Will buy for $10.
If i see it on the cheap i might get it.. Too many great titles this year
at first i thought setsuna was cool. until all the ingame backtracking kicked in. i midway through stopped caring. will try this one again for the initial hours of fun. but i guess it will go down the same route as setsuna.