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@Stealth - Well, that's the other problem. I put handhelds in a different category.
Here's another great example: Monster Hunter.
Why in the FUCK will Capcom NOT put this game on a HD console? I know so, so many people that'd love to play Monster Hunter. I'D love to play Monster Hunter. I'm praying to God Capcom will bring HD 3rd on the PS3 to the U.S., because it'll be the smartest move they've made in a while.
Then they wonder why Monster Hunter doesn't sell well. Yeah, the DS and Wii sell a lot of consoles, but not a lot of software is bought on them because most of their owners are children of families.
It's like...Capcom, how stupid are you? Why would you NOT put this series on a system that is easily accessible to the people who are most likely to buy it?
Because they think we'd rather have Bionic Commando.
Jesus, lol.
Here's another great example: Monster Hunter.
Why in the FUCK will Capcom NOT put this game on a HD console? I know so, so many people that'd love to play Monster Hunter. I'D love to play Monster Hunter. I'm praying to God Capcom will bring HD 3rd on the PS3 to the U.S., because it'll be the smartest move they've made in a while.
Then they wonder why Monster Hunter doesn't sell well. Yeah, the DS and Wii sell a lot of consoles, but not a lot of software is bought on them because most of their owners are children of families.
It's like...Capcom, how stupid are you? Why would you NOT put this series on a system that is easily accessible to the people who are most likely to buy it?
Because they think we'd rather have Bionic Commando.
Jesus, lol.
Good read, pretty much agreed with you until you put Persona in the same boat as Final Fantasy. I don't see what is wrong with Persona 3 & Persona 4, both are very creative games different from their predecessors.
Also, Stealth, on a side note, since this is actually something I asked on the forums but haven't gotten much response on:
Would you happen to know of some cool games on the Japanese PSN? I have about 1,000 yen left, but nothing to spend it on.
Would you happen to know of some cool games on the Japanese PSN? I have about 1,000 yen left, but nothing to spend it on.
@Revuhlooshun
Valkyria chronicles? tweny? luminous arc? jeane d arc? just a few of my new ip favs. JUST A SMALL FEW
I agree square has made bone headed decisions that have almost lead them to ruin.......... but on the lighter side theyve made very good games this gen.
Both the west and japan needs to improve on things.........japan has been pretty creative in my book
Yes japan has massive crap. But so does the west is the point.........
For every game like skyrim, mass effect 2, or fall out theres dungeon siege 3, dragon age 2, two worlds 1 or 2
For every game like valkyria, pokemon, fire emblem (11 was incredible) theres shit like hoshigami remix, ff 14, from the abyss.............
Valkyria chronicles? tweny? luminous arc? jeane d arc? just a few of my new ip favs. JUST A SMALL FEW
I agree square has made bone headed decisions that have almost lead them to ruin.......... but on the lighter side theyve made very good games this gen.
Both the west and japan needs to improve on things.........japan has been pretty creative in my book
Yes japan has massive crap. But so does the west is the point.........
For every game like skyrim, mass effect 2, or fall out theres dungeon siege 3, dragon age 2, two worlds 1 or 2
For every game like valkyria, pokemon, fire emblem (11 was incredible) theres shit like hoshigami remix, ff 14, from the abyss.............
I'm not smart, nor am I good with words.
So this is all I can say:
Fuck Japan. I used to like them, now they can fuck off.
So this is all I can say:
Fuck Japan. I used to like them, now they can fuck off.
@Noir - Oh no! That was not my intention at all! In fact, I listed Persona 1 and 2 as examples of classic Japanese PS1 games.
I think you're referring to my comments, about Persona 3 and 4. They're great games, but Persona for some reason has stalled and resorted to just republishing these games over and over.
I mean...I love them, but...how about a Persona 5, you know? Persona seems to be getting milked as well these days.
I think you're referring to my comments, about Persona 3 and 4. They're great games, but Persona for some reason has stalled and resorted to just republishing these games over and over.
I mean...I love them, but...how about a Persona 5, you know? Persona seems to be getting milked as well these days.
Is that why FFXIII is linear? I thought it had something to do with their difficulty in making a full HD FF game. Or, at least, I thought I read something along that excuse in some magazine. oh well,learned something new. Huh.
@Revuhlooshun
Yeah it's generally the non-Tomino series that have problems, but some of them weren't too bad. I was more talking about the Gundam series made during that era though not just the Tomino stuff. Things like G-Savior, G Gundam (despite my enjoyment I'm not going to call it one of the best examples of the series), X Gundam (total WTF series), for some reason a lot of people seem to dislike 0080 so I guess that can count as well. Either way as a whole the Gundam franchise has some ups and downs and the modern series seem to be following that same trend. I hope AGE is a good one.
Yeah it's generally the non-Tomino series that have problems, but some of them weren't too bad. I was more talking about the Gundam series made during that era though not just the Tomino stuff. Things like G-Savior, G Gundam (despite my enjoyment I'm not going to call it one of the best examples of the series), X Gundam (total WTF series), for some reason a lot of people seem to dislike 0080 so I guess that can count as well. Either way as a whole the Gundam franchise has some ups and downs and the modern series seem to be following that same trend. I hope AGE is a good one.
I dont put handhelds in a different category because they are just another game delivery system.
ease of development, and costs are the reasons I believe for monster hunter. And monster hunter tri is the highest selling wii third party game in history
Capcom I can argue is worse than square. But thats another issue
Honestly I dont know since I import all japanese games physically.
ease of development, and costs are the reasons I believe for monster hunter. And monster hunter tri is the highest selling wii third party game in history
Capcom I can argue is worse than square. But thats another issue
Honestly I dont know since I import all japanese games physically.
@Stealth - Again, those are great examples. But none of those games got any support. Not like we saw with Metal Gear and other big hit Japanese games.
Of course, this has always been a problem. Square pretty much sent Front Mission to die over here, which still breaks my heart. And a lot has to do with just simple funding and businesses.
But the problem seems worse than ever. Do you remember the gigantic hype Quantum Theory got? I saw ads for it all the time, EVERYWHERE. Why couldn't Valkyria Chronicles got the same treatment, a game which deserved it way more?
Because Japan thinks making games like Quantum Theory is the best strategy. It's heartbreaking.
Of course, this has always been a problem. Square pretty much sent Front Mission to die over here, which still breaks my heart. And a lot has to do with just simple funding and businesses.
But the problem seems worse than ever. Do you remember the gigantic hype Quantum Theory got? I saw ads for it all the time, EVERYWHERE. Why couldn't Valkyria Chronicles got the same treatment, a game which deserved it way more?
Because Japan thinks making games like Quantum Theory is the best strategy. It's heartbreaking.
@Operative20
Very mis translated statement. ff 13 was linear because of the muse for the game. Like it or not it was COD
That isnt the case for 13-2, hence, the towns, sidequests, ect
Very mis translated statement. ff 13 was linear because of the muse for the game. Like it or not it was COD
That isnt the case for 13-2, hence, the towns, sidequests, ect
Good read, though 3rd Birthday is out been a while now. It is Parasite Eve 3. The name is different, the gameplay too, but Aya and Maeda are there.
Guys, I'm sorry to tell you that but Dragon Age 1 is marvelous to say the least.
Guys, I'm sorry to tell you that but Dragon Age 1 is marvelous to say the least.
And atlus japan is rumored to be announcing a new megaten at tgs
But devil survivor 2 is awesome for me
But devil survivor 2 is awesome for me
And this is exactly why Nintendo is likely to go under in the next 5 years if they don't get it together. They're not appealing to gamers, they're appealing to those who enjoyed Mario, Zelda, SSB, and other popular SNES/N64 games as children but have given up on games that you have to spend a lot of time on.
True gamers enjoy being immersed in a universe completely unlike their own. I agree that Final Fantasy XIII was horrible, and I've almost given up hope on many Japanese franchises that used to be good.
Show us the real you, Japan. Don't be pressured by Call of Duty or Gears of War. Us true gamers are still out there!
True gamers enjoy being immersed in a universe completely unlike their own. I agree that Final Fantasy XIII was horrible, and I've almost given up hope on many Japanese franchises that used to be good.
Show us the real you, Japan. Don't be pressured by Call of Duty or Gears of War. Us true gamers are still out there!
@Stealth - My thing with handhelds though is that they're limited to: The hardcore fan, or children. The big money has always been on consoles. That's not to say developers can't be profitable by only publishing on handhelds, but the golden goose is on consoles. That, and there really isn't a lot of competition on handhelds - it's a lot of shovelware.
Consoles are more easily accessible, and the people who tend to buy lots of software have them. And when they do, they get virtually no support.
It's just this "We gotta be like the West! So we'll make lots of money!" mentality, and it's ruining them.
Consoles are more easily accessible, and the people who tend to buy lots of software have them. And when they do, they get virtually no support.
It's just this "We gotta be like the West! So we'll make lots of money!" mentality, and it's ruining them.
Previous comment: And when Japan does publish creative games on consoles, they get virtually no support.*
@Revuhlooshun
Handhelds are loved by everyone which is why they have the highest game attach rates, and highest sales of the gen.
For the most part the big money has been portables....pokemon, monster hunter, dq, and more.......profit.......
The portables have gotten more support than any of the consoles this gen in terms of exclusives.
Handhelds are loved by everyone which is why they have the highest game attach rates, and highest sales of the gen.
For the most part the big money has been portables....pokemon, monster hunter, dq, and more.......profit.......
The portables have gotten more support than any of the consoles this gen in terms of exclusives.
I half agree with this. The best anime of recent years has been ripped from short novels that never had any intent on a market outside of Japan. Those are the stories that culturally pure, and thus the most interesting. Likewise, El Shaddai, Catherine, Ghost Trick, Layton, Infinite Space and Radiant Historia are all appealing to me because they are unlike Western games.
On the other hand, I wouldn't say no to Japanese developers trying to expand certain gameplay mechanics or even reign themselves in a little. The most common complaint I've heard about Catherine is that it doesn't end when it should have, and throws away its core themes for a crazy bullshit "typical JRPG" ending. There are certain quirks in Japanese games that irk me as well, like how even though you skip over repeated conversation in Radiant Historia quickly, characters acting the scene and showing their expression bubbles are still in normal time. This greatly hinders the flow which is absolutely infuriating to me. Why is it that JRPG characters can't express themselves WHILE they're talking like real people do? The stereotypical pause, expression, talk cycle doesn't even exist within actual Japanese conversation /rant.
But I digress. I really think you need to look towards handhelds for the innovation you seek. Infinite Space and Layton were my favourite gaming experiences of 2010, and that includes Mass Effect 2 (they had better story imo). Likewise Ghost Trick is a phenomenal puzzle game nearly on par with Portal 2, it just happens to be in the handheld space.
If you want Japan to have critical success and acceptable commercial success it is simply too financially risky to aim for the unwieldy budgets that a full console release requires. This is why the "dream" titles are on handhelds. And if the quality of The World Ends With You compared to FFXIII is anything to go by, this is where companies like Square should remain.
On the other hand, I wouldn't say no to Japanese developers trying to expand certain gameplay mechanics or even reign themselves in a little. The most common complaint I've heard about Catherine is that it doesn't end when it should have, and throws away its core themes for a crazy bullshit "typical JRPG" ending. There are certain quirks in Japanese games that irk me as well, like how even though you skip over repeated conversation in Radiant Historia quickly, characters acting the scene and showing their expression bubbles are still in normal time. This greatly hinders the flow which is absolutely infuriating to me. Why is it that JRPG characters can't express themselves WHILE they're talking like real people do? The stereotypical pause, expression, talk cycle doesn't even exist within actual Japanese conversation /rant.
But I digress. I really think you need to look towards handhelds for the innovation you seek. Infinite Space and Layton were my favourite gaming experiences of 2010, and that includes Mass Effect 2 (they had better story imo). Likewise Ghost Trick is a phenomenal puzzle game nearly on par with Portal 2, it just happens to be in the handheld space.
If you want Japan to have critical success and acceptable commercial success it is simply too financially risky to aim for the unwieldy budgets that a full console release requires. This is why the "dream" titles are on handhelds. And if the quality of The World Ends With You compared to FFXIII is anything to go by, this is where companies like Square should remain.
Well yeah, I'm sure Tri has sold a lot. The Wii market is a little sparse in quality games. But even though it's the highest selling 3rd party title, it hasn't broke even a million.
If they put that game on the 360 or PS3, it'd be able to put those numbers up. But Capcom has yet to do it.
And it is so. Fucking. Stupid.
If they put that game on the 360 or PS3, it'd be able to put those numbers up. But Capcom has yet to do it.
And it is so. Fucking. Stupid.
@Manthai - Part of the problem with console games and Japan though, as I mentioned earlier, is the fact that a lot of developers insist on building their own in-house engines from the ground up. It's why every Final Fantasy title takes two presidential races to finish.
Demon's Souls, ironically, is one of the few Japanese games I've seen use Havoc, and it's probably why Dark Souls isn't taking a decade to develop either.
This refusal to adapt to new technology also eats into development costs greatly, and make it hard to fix faults in design when so much work has been built on top of them.
Demon's Souls, ironically, is one of the few Japanese games I've seen use Havoc, and it's probably why Dark Souls isn't taking a decade to develop either.
This refusal to adapt to new technology also eats into development costs greatly, and make it hard to fix faults in design when so much work has been built on top of them.
@Revuhlooshun
Handhelds are loved by everyone which is why they have the highest game attach rates, and highest sales of the gen.
And youd be suprised. Only 20 percent of games make profit in total. Most console games dont make any profit at all........
Well thats hypothetical if it would or it wouldnt.......
The profit on the wii vs the cost of putting it on hd systems
Personally I think the game on the ps3 and 360 wouldnt make as much profit
Handhelds are loved by everyone which is why they have the highest game attach rates, and highest sales of the gen.
And youd be suprised. Only 20 percent of games make profit in total. Most console games dont make any profit at all........
Well thats hypothetical if it would or it wouldnt.......
The profit on the wii vs the cost of putting it on hd systems
Personally I think the game on the ps3 and 360 wouldnt make as much profit
@Stealth - Well, with Tri only selling roughly 450,000 copies, and around 30 million Wiis being sold in the U.S....
That's a pretty low and fucking miserable attachment rate for the Wii's largest selling third party game, lol.
I'm willing to bet money it could do way better on the consoles, if Capcom will just man up.
Come on Capcom! Give me the chance to lose so money!
That's a pretty low and fucking miserable attachment rate for the Wii's largest selling third party game, lol.
I'm willing to bet money it could do way better on the consoles, if Capcom will just man up.
Come on Capcom! Give me the chance to lose so money!
@Allistair - I mean no offense, but did you even read the whole article? Or did you read the first sentence, flip into a rage, and started picking out things you wanted to attack?
"Does the art direction in Valkyria Chronicles, Demon's Souls, Persona 3/4, Catherine, Half Minute Hero, Rogue Galaxy, Mother 3, Katamari or even the superficial visuals of Cave shooters mean so little?"
Because I actually mentioned both Demon's Souls, Catherine, Persona, and Katamari as examples of games Japan needs to support more and bring over to the U.S.
And even with those great games: They do not outweigh the floating sea of turds we have to dig through to play them.
"Does the art direction in Valkyria Chronicles, Demon's Souls, Persona 3/4, Catherine, Half Minute Hero, Rogue Galaxy, Mother 3, Katamari or even the superficial visuals of Cave shooters mean so little?"
Because I actually mentioned both Demon's Souls, Catherine, Persona, and Katamari as examples of games Japan needs to support more and bring over to the U.S.
And even with those great games: They do not outweigh the floating sea of turds we have to dig through to play them.
@Revuhlooshun
For a jrpg thats pretty good and likely made more profit than most shooters
And again.........
costs vs profit is the issue
For a jrpg thats pretty good and likely made more profit than most shooters
And again.........
costs vs profit is the issue
I also want to point out Japan is still living in it's old mentality without any of the additional "creativity" it use to have. Aka the games are still rated at childrens level due to being sold in toy stores. They never changed like the US into full blown game stores (although yes they have them, why cling onto the old ways of censorship for children?). They seem so desperate to change, yet can't instead buying Western studios or bringing in Western games to their market. There is something seriously wrong.
Also, @Allistair:
"Beyond FFXIII, I can't think of another game that even falls into this imagined category -- even then comparing the depth and originality of FFXIII's combat system to "this month's military shooter" is wrong. COD might push you down corridors, but it doesn't give the you tactical options/customization of FFXIII. "
First of all, you're just wrong on this one. The developers themselves cited FPSes as the reason FFXIII is so linear.
http://kotaku.com/5470533/final-fantasy-xiii-creators-on-the-influence-of-call-of-duty-card-games--the-toyota-prius
"Beyond FFXIII, I can't think of another game that even falls into this imagined category -- even then comparing the depth and originality of FFXIII's combat system to "this month's military shooter" is wrong. COD might push you down corridors, but it doesn't give the you tactical options/customization of FFXIII. "
First of all, you're just wrong on this one. The developers themselves cited FPSes as the reason FFXIII is so linear.
http://kotaku.com/5470533/final-fantasy-xiii-creators-on-the-influence-of-call-of-duty-card-games--the-toyota-prius
The way I see it creativity is a game by game issue
I will take something like luminous arc 2 over dragon age 2 any day of the week
I would take portal 2 over something like kirby epic yarn
It just depends on the game
I will take something like luminous arc 2 over dragon age 2 any day of the week
I would take portal 2 over something like kirby epic yarn
It just depends on the game
@Revahlooshun
As much as I'd hate to see further proliferation of UE3, I'll agree with you there. Atlus just took 5 years to release their first HD game. I really doubt Persona 5 will come out before the PS4.
As much as I'd hate to see further proliferation of UE3, I'll agree with you there. Atlus just took 5 years to release their first HD game. I really doubt Persona 5 will come out before the PS4.
@Stealth - Of course, it's definitely on a game by game basis.
But the fact is, this blog wasn't to slam Japan and say they are inferior. I want them to wake up. I want them to devote more energy into bringing and developing games like Demon's Souls, Catherine, Persona, Valkyria Chronicles, what have you.
And not necessarily sequels to those games. I don't want endless sequels and spin offs like we're seeing with Final Fantasy.
I want them to wake up, and stop spending time on this garbage they've been pushing out. Yeah, there are still SOME good games. Not all of Japan is asleep, but the big guns that matter, and can influence the market: They are asleep at the wheel.
I want them to take the creativity they have, and multiply it. To how it used to be nearly 20 years ago. And not only that, but actually bring it over here. I want them to stop chasing the West's shadow.
This blog wasn't an obituary - it was both a warning, and a call to arms.
Because for all the games cited in this discussion...they're either not supported, not localized, or simply surrounded by way too much other crap.
But the fact is, this blog wasn't to slam Japan and say they are inferior. I want them to wake up. I want them to devote more energy into bringing and developing games like Demon's Souls, Catherine, Persona, Valkyria Chronicles, what have you.
And not necessarily sequels to those games. I don't want endless sequels and spin offs like we're seeing with Final Fantasy.
I want them to wake up, and stop spending time on this garbage they've been pushing out. Yeah, there are still SOME good games. Not all of Japan is asleep, but the big guns that matter, and can influence the market: They are asleep at the wheel.
I want them to take the creativity they have, and multiply it. To how it used to be nearly 20 years ago. And not only that, but actually bring it over here. I want them to stop chasing the West's shadow.
This blog wasn't an obituary - it was both a warning, and a call to arms.
Because for all the games cited in this discussion...they're either not supported, not localized, or simply surrounded by way too much other crap.
I Have some though about western video games. Also starting western feel the seem too call of duty, Modern warfare,and more war first person shooters ,every Bioware game God of war ripe off.
Well, Vanquish had a very futuristic look, and had a great setting that reminded me of 90s Japan media.
Still, that's not much, and I'd love for game creators to go more to absolutely ridiculous sci-fi, which was (for the most part) far more creative than most of what we have today. Oh well.
I still love me some western games, though. Not Call of Duty, but I'm always down for a game like Guild Wars, Halo or The Elder Scrolls.
Still, that's not much, and I'd love for game creators to go more to absolutely ridiculous sci-fi, which was (for the most part) far more creative than most of what we have today. Oh well.
I still love me some western games, though. Not Call of Duty, but I'm always down for a game like Guild Wars, Halo or The Elder Scrolls.
I just don't think this is what's going on at all. Japan stopped dreaming? I mean, this is solution in search of a problem if I've ever seen one. (I think its safe to say that the whole "East vs. West" thing is going to be little more than "West tells East why they're wrong.")
Your lists of games are totally inconsistent. For one thing, FFXIII is one of the most innovative JRPGs this generation. It has a totally original battle system for the genre. It assessed current trends and made the exact same decision that Mass Effect 2 did - they streamlined RPG elements, cut out delays in battle, and made the game more action oriented, exactly like Mass Effect 2. The only people who criticized the game complained that it was so wildly different from the rest of the series, that it was nearly unrecognizable. How is this the game you use as an example of cookie-cutter mediocrity and lack of innovation, when it's literally the exact opposite?
I don't think it's Japan that "stopped dreaming," instead I think it's western consumers who have not only stopped dreaming, but stopped thinking. The market has totally changed. Now carbon copy first person shooters lead the industry, with games so similar, it's hard to tell one from the other in a single screenshot.
Why in the world is the conversation always about why Japan is so stale and unoriginal, when there is so much blatant evidence to the contrary?
I'll just leave this with one final question. How will you guys know when the "decline" in Japanese games has finally happened? What specific benchmark do they need to clear to end the slump once and for all? I don't think any of you have any idea. Vanquish can be a more compelling and original shooter than anything in the west, Valkyria Chronicles can rival Chrono Trigger for longevity and replayability, Nier can make Bioware's claims of being emotional engaging sound like a pathetic joke compared to its emotional content, Dragon's Dogma can make Bethesda's animations look like stick figures, Bayonetta can make the western developed DMC look like the worst game ever made, Ninja Gaiden 3 can run laps around God of War's combat engine, and still ... Japan will be in a perpetual "decline" simply because no one has any fucking clue when or how this supposed decline will be over. So the story marches on, carried by its own momentum with little reason or rationale ...
Your lists of games are totally inconsistent. For one thing, FFXIII is one of the most innovative JRPGs this generation. It has a totally original battle system for the genre. It assessed current trends and made the exact same decision that Mass Effect 2 did - they streamlined RPG elements, cut out delays in battle, and made the game more action oriented, exactly like Mass Effect 2. The only people who criticized the game complained that it was so wildly different from the rest of the series, that it was nearly unrecognizable. How is this the game you use as an example of cookie-cutter mediocrity and lack of innovation, when it's literally the exact opposite?
I don't think it's Japan that "stopped dreaming," instead I think it's western consumers who have not only stopped dreaming, but stopped thinking. The market has totally changed. Now carbon copy first person shooters lead the industry, with games so similar, it's hard to tell one from the other in a single screenshot.
Why in the world is the conversation always about why Japan is so stale and unoriginal, when there is so much blatant evidence to the contrary?
I'll just leave this with one final question. How will you guys know when the "decline" in Japanese games has finally happened? What specific benchmark do they need to clear to end the slump once and for all? I don't think any of you have any idea. Vanquish can be a more compelling and original shooter than anything in the west, Valkyria Chronicles can rival Chrono Trigger for longevity and replayability, Nier can make Bioware's claims of being emotional engaging sound like a pathetic joke compared to its emotional content, Dragon's Dogma can make Bethesda's animations look like stick figures, Bayonetta can make the western developed DMC look like the worst game ever made, Ninja Gaiden 3 can run laps around God of War's combat engine, and still ... Japan will be in a perpetual "decline" simply because no one has any fucking clue when or how this supposed decline will be over. So the story marches on, carried by its own momentum with little reason or rationale ...
@Revuhlooshun
The west has to wake up too. Which is the point. They also put out tons of garbage, and unoriginal boring stuff........
But you are right theres this notion that japan has to do what the west does.
But kojima came out and said. "NO"
This gen like ive said has had more awesome games localized from series/games we havent seen here.
Theres been alot of amazing stuff.
The west has to wake up too. Which is the point. They also put out tons of garbage, and unoriginal boring stuff........
But you are right theres this notion that japan has to do what the west does.
But kojima came out and said. "NO"
This gen like ive said has had more awesome games localized from series/games we havent seen here.
Theres been alot of amazing stuff.
I completely disagree on your take about FFXIII. The game was not that good, I agree, but it was due to the game play. The world, in the other hand, is extremely well realized, and crazy like all Japanese games that you would expect. I would say the world in FFXIII is even more japanese-like than the world in FFVII. But the rest of your article is spot on.
Well in response to Shadow and Shinta, look: I am not saying the West is perfect, not by a long shot. My criticism of one does not absolve the other.
But what am I to do? Devote equal time to both subjects? And fully detail each one?
It's the nature of a blog. The West is the KING of over saturation and worn out ideas. No contest, at all.
So why the hell does Japan think that's a good strategy as well? Because it makes money for the West. The problem is that copying the West isn't going to work.
We need more games like Demon's Souls and Valkyria Chronicles!
Again: A handful of creative titles doesn't clean out the sea of turds, so to speak.
But what am I to do? Devote equal time to both subjects? And fully detail each one?
It's the nature of a blog. The West is the KING of over saturation and worn out ideas. No contest, at all.
So why the hell does Japan think that's a good strategy as well? Because it makes money for the West. The problem is that copying the West isn't going to work.
We need more games like Demon's Souls and Valkyria Chronicles!
Again: A handful of creative titles doesn't clean out the sea of turds, so to speak.
I find it hilariously ironic that people are clamoring for a handful of very specific Japanese games over their own in light of this article. I think those people need to look at what they have.
I agree with the general sentiment of this post.
When a video game developer begins developing their game with a particular contingency or market in mind, they have already lost the battle. They aren't going to make something that anyone is going to like because they aren't going to be producing a product of quality and imagination.
Final Fantasy XII remains one of my favorite games in the series (top four, at least). Let's ignore the ire that statement raises among many Final Fantasy fans and look at this -- what's one of the main criticisms levied against the game? Basically, Vaan (and, to a lesser extent, Penelo).
Those two characters were shoe-horned into the narrative (one as a "lead," no less) by Square Enix bigwigs later in the game's development because they were worried a game filled with adult, complex characters wouldn't "appeal to the youth." The result? Final Fantasy XII has to be a great game IN SPITE OF those two characters, instead of it just being a great game. (They were never in MY party -- just ignore them. Though it's funny and fitting that Vaan, as the forced "lead," acts as the errand boy while in towns!)
And that's just one aspect of the game. What happens when a development team has that sort of mindset from the onset, or it fully permeates development? At best, it will come off as a functional combination of disparate elements, but there won't be any heart behind it. The same can be said about ANY developer, not just the Japanese. Unfortunately, the Japanese development sect seems to have stagnated to a degree and have mistakenly turned to "appeal to the West!" as their method to catch-up, which just puts them further in a hole.
Catherine and Valkyria Chronicles are two of my favorite games in this generation. The Japanese are not lost -- that's a silly generalization. However, many development companies are going about this creative process all wrong.
When a video game developer begins developing their game with a particular contingency or market in mind, they have already lost the battle. They aren't going to make something that anyone is going to like because they aren't going to be producing a product of quality and imagination.
Final Fantasy XII remains one of my favorite games in the series (top four, at least). Let's ignore the ire that statement raises among many Final Fantasy fans and look at this -- what's one of the main criticisms levied against the game? Basically, Vaan (and, to a lesser extent, Penelo).
Those two characters were shoe-horned into the narrative (one as a "lead," no less) by Square Enix bigwigs later in the game's development because they were worried a game filled with adult, complex characters wouldn't "appeal to the youth." The result? Final Fantasy XII has to be a great game IN SPITE OF those two characters, instead of it just being a great game. (They were never in MY party -- just ignore them. Though it's funny and fitting that Vaan, as the forced "lead," acts as the errand boy while in towns!)
And that's just one aspect of the game. What happens when a development team has that sort of mindset from the onset, or it fully permeates development? At best, it will come off as a functional combination of disparate elements, but there won't be any heart behind it. The same can be said about ANY developer, not just the Japanese. Unfortunately, the Japanese development sect seems to have stagnated to a degree and have mistakenly turned to "appeal to the West!" as their method to catch-up, which just puts them further in a hole.
Catherine and Valkyria Chronicles are two of my favorite games in this generation. The Japanese are not lost -- that's a silly generalization. However, many development companies are going about this creative process all wrong.
@Hateful Steve - Because things can be both similar and dissimilar at the same time.
For instance: I have found a new, undiscovered fruit, unlike anything seen before! It is like a pineapple!
But it also has fangs. And bites dicks.
See? Bet you've never seen that shit before!
For instance: I have found a new, undiscovered fruit, unlike anything seen before! It is like a pineapple!
But it also has fangs. And bites dicks.
See? Bet you've never seen that shit before!
This is getting kinda personal...........
For the record now that Ive spoken to Revuhlooshun. I like him. I just didnt like the article
For the record now that Ive spoken to Revuhlooshun. I like him. I just didnt like the article
@Revuhlooshun: To be fair, I think the only thing specifically directed at you was the bit about XIII. I think I kind of transitioned after that into addressing the entire concept of the "East vs. West" series. So, sorry if it got too personal.
I'll agree that anime has definitely gone downhill, for the most part. And there's less sci-fi. But we did get The 3rd Birthday, Infinite Space, Star Ocean, Vanquish, Front Mission Evolved, Sin and Punishment 2, Project Sylpheed, FFXIII, and Lost Odyssey that were all kinda sci-fi.
The cost of games development has hit everyone in the industry really. No two console generations are going to look alike. I think we're over-diagnosing a problem, to the point of turning the Japanese into hypochondriacs.
I'll agree that anime has definitely gone downhill, for the most part. And there's less sci-fi. But we did get The 3rd Birthday, Infinite Space, Star Ocean, Vanquish, Front Mission Evolved, Sin and Punishment 2, Project Sylpheed, FFXIII, and Lost Odyssey that were all kinda sci-fi.
The cost of games development has hit everyone in the industry really. No two console generations are going to look alike. I think we're over-diagnosing a problem, to the point of turning the Japanese into hypochondriacs.
@Shinta - Again, I don't take anything personally. Especially online. It's fine, lol.
You know though, that is the one thing I have defended about FFXIII until I was out of breath: The combat system. I thought that combat system was fucking outrageously awesome. It is very demanding. It chokes your attention.
But the game as a whole...
It's hard to stand by it. At least for me.
You know though, that is the one thing I have defended about FFXIII until I was out of breath: The combat system. I thought that combat system was fucking outrageously awesome. It is very demanding. It chokes your attention.
But the game as a whole...
It's hard to stand by it. At least for me.
I totaly agree about the Anime part. To much fan service and not story. I guess that's the same with Japanese games of late. But I do live how Atlus and Koei keep releasing what they won't with out compamaise.
@Revuhlooshun
The comment is exactly what I was referring to. Made it sound like you were grouping it with the other "dead" franchises. Persona 3 had FES and a portable version, plus there is that new version of Persona 2 coming out, but P2 deserves it since it has been years. Oh, and the Persona remake, but like P2 it was old and needed it (even if the remake sucked). The Persona series, or better yet the Shin Megami Tensei series, still has plenty of life in it.
Personally I think sticking to old franchises is fie as long as quality doesn't falter. Final Fantasy didn't start to turn bad until IX, in comparison Persona is pretty good. I don't care if old series continue to go on if they're kept fresh and each title puts forth some differences and originality from the last.
The comment is exactly what I was referring to. Made it sound like you were grouping it with the other "dead" franchises. Persona 3 had FES and a portable version, plus there is that new version of Persona 2 coming out, but P2 deserves it since it has been years. Oh, and the Persona remake, but like P2 it was old and needed it (even if the remake sucked). The Persona series, or better yet the Shin Megami Tensei series, still has plenty of life in it.
Personally I think sticking to old franchises is fie as long as quality doesn't falter. Final Fantasy didn't start to turn bad until IX, in comparison Persona is pretty good. I don't care if old series continue to go on if they're kept fresh and each title puts forth some differences and originality from the last.
Anyone who says japanese games stink hasnt played
pokemon, radiant historia, okamiden, and more this year......
pokemon, radiant historia, okamiden, and more this year......
I have to agree with this article on the part of what message it's trying to send. And to Steven Hansen. I have to say that you took any word that would've come out of my mouth is in that post there.
As a gamer to the heart and soul; Catherine, Demon's Souls, and Valkyria Chronicles are my favorite JP games released to NA (And I do so hope that Xenoblade makes it over). I feel that many designers today, in either region, are not really being imaginative anymore, taking those risks, or dreaming of their own games.
I keep hearing "It's a great time to be a gamer this year of 2011," but I just can't help but disagree since more than half the games coming out this year don't get me even the slightest bit excited.
As a gamer to the heart and soul; Catherine, Demon's Souls, and Valkyria Chronicles are my favorite JP games released to NA (And I do so hope that Xenoblade makes it over). I feel that many designers today, in either region, are not really being imaginative anymore, taking those risks, or dreaming of their own games.
I keep hearing "It's a great time to be a gamer this year of 2011," but I just can't help but disagree since more than half the games coming out this year don't get me even the slightest bit excited.
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