It’s no secret that the follow up to Square Enix’s traditional JRPG callback has been censored heavily. Ranging from covered up costumes to one altered class that could be seen as “offensive”, the Bravely franchise is no stranger to this line of work. The original Bravely Default was also censored, modifying certain costumes to be less revealing so these kinds of changes in the sequel shouldn’t come as a surprise.
Unfortunately, the alterations don’t just stop at costumes because the localization for Bravely Second: End Layer has now cut out legitimate content. In the original Japanese release of the game, side quests consisted of decisions that could alter the way each quest would play out. There could be a total of up to four endings for these side quests. Consequence played a big role, seeing as characters could die in these possible outcomes. Sides had to be taken. The western localization, however, has removed all of that.
TNS: Expedition 33 was the wake-up call Square Enix needed, telling it turn-based RPGs are still popular, but that shouldn't have been the case.
True, but if it does get it through their thick skulls, then that works.
Although, the Dragon Quest 1 + 2 HD remakes will be turn-based and (the worst kept secret) Final Fantasy IX remake should be turn-based I would imagine. Let's see if any newer games go turn-based too.
DQIII HD Remake was turned based and very successful. Then there was a really obscure turn based game came Balder's Gate 3. I heard it might have done well.
It won't get through to them though, despite E33's success, they still won't risk going fully turn based for their big budget projects simply because they are still in the mindset that it needs to be action combat to appeal to the mainstream audience. I hope I'm wrong but don't underestimate just how stubborn Japanese execs can be
Ya'll are hyping up Expedition 33 too much. Reminder that FF XVI sold 3 million in a week and it took Expedition 33 approximately a month to get to that (33 days to reach 3.3 million).
While it is true that Sqaure Enix has moved away from turn based games compared to how they were in the past, there is a good reason for it.
Older gamers will know this but during the ps2 era, we were flooded with turned based games from Japanese studios and this created a form of fatigue back then going into the next generation.
When Square released FF13, they received heavy criticism for making the game turned based like every other FF game and not doing enough to innovate. This is why they made FF15, FF7 Remake and FF16 have real time combat. It gave the series a fresh spin and has brought in new fans to the series.
I personally would be happy with either turned based FF or the real-time combat version we see today.
Dang wish I saw your post before I made mine because we definitely feel the same way lol
Yeah hit the nail on the head but its like ww2 games we get hundreds of them then a decade of nothing and people start missing them i think we're going to start seeing them return
Claire, dragon quest even yakuza have seen turn based return
Only need to look at their own game DQ 11 approaching 10 million to show there's a market. And that's not as big of a name as FF
Another article about Expedition 33 and Square Enix and turn-based games? This is starting to sound like propaganda.
The game didn't sell because it's a turn-based game; it sold and is enjoyed because it's a really freaking good game that released completed at a good price without gamer drama attached to it. No Mtx, no wait-until-it's-patched, minimal bloat, a self-contained story, no multiplatform BS. Just a solid original game that absolutely nails what it intended to do.
Maybe try actually listening to the fans who have supported the series for decades. This habit of ignoring your core audience just to chase people who were never interested in Final Fantasy in the first place makes no sense. And when that approach fails, doubling down on it is beyond baffling.
The battle system has never been the main reason non-FF or non-JRPG players stayed away. Gutting the series’ identity to chase a broader market doesn’t attract new players. It just alienates the loyal ones.
Keep going down this road and we’ll end up with Final Fantasy Fortnite abomination or a F2P Battle Royale game.. Oh wait…
Do not miss the Final Fantasy IX lottery commemorating its 25th anniversary and see the new merch release by Square Enix.
I’m hoping Xbox Showcase will be where the Remake gets announced… freaking all this stuff with FF9’s anniversary and still nothing on the Remake…
Square Enix announced its financial results and the continued strategy for the Medium-Term Business Plan that will span two more years.
Reminds me of the days where I played the Ace Combat series only to find out, as I grew older, the huge amount of content removed in their Western releases (Ace Combat 3 and 4 being the most heart breaking due to huge story elements vanishing.) We have people in the game industry shouting door to door (internet wise of course) of how gaming needs to mature yet they censor the very things they are asking for......
it's 2016 Square Enix... please stop giving a handjob for SJW-tards and feminazis, they're not your demographic m8
Wow this is so sad....it's like we're regressing back to the pilgrim days. What I don't get is why bring these games to Nintendo when you know they will butcher your game for the sake of kids. What scares me is that Nintendo has influence in the industry they keep getting these games and butchering them for questionable content as if trying to set an example for other companies to follow. This is like the fourth game in a few months they did this to. If you have to do this to a game to have it on your system why bother? I find this to be a huge disrespect to the creators all for the sake of profit margins and maintaining your squeaky clean image while capitalizing on a game that frankly shouldnt even be on your system.