Japanese developer Level 5 (Dark Cloud series, Rogue Galaxy, Dragon Quest VIII) is quickly moving up in the public eye with the recent launches of successful titles. They're making the games that people are enjoying, always shoveling them full of TLC. What's more is that their upcoming titles are ones that gamers want to get thier hands on.
Does that sound familiar? It reminds me of Square in their heyday, and apparently I'm not alone, as Next-Gen's Tim Rogers (a fellow game music freak) is coming out and saying it in his article called "Japan: Level 5 the Next Squre Enix."
He cites the polish and craftsmanship of new titles like Professor Layton and the Devil's Box and soccer RPG Inazuma Eleven, both of which were shown off at a media even earlier this week. We're also reminded of the title that no one forgot about, White Knight Story (Shirokishi Monogatari), which Sony will be showing off at TGS this year.
Speaking of TGS, Level 5 will have a booth there (check their pre-TGS Web page), and they will be handing out DS cartridges of Inazuma Eleven to those who wait in line to play Professor Layton and the Devil's Box. It's not like we needed a bribe to wait in line, but we'll take it!
With these titles, the upcoming Dragon Quest IX, and alliances with Nintendo, Sony, and even Square Enix, it is obvious that Level 5 is going somewhere. Let's hope they stick to fresh, new material, and don't get caught up in making countless sequels and spin-offs like some other company we know.
Contest:
4:07 PM on 08.31.2007
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and while nothing will ever be able to hold a flame to FFT. Jeanee D'arc has been enjoyable thus far.
That being said I Already hold L5 far above SE ever since the diluting of the FF franchise. and though I don't give a rats ass for those new DS games. White Knight Story is looking like a system seller. cause I'm ready to drop 600$ the instant that game goes gold
Level 5 has got a pretty flawless track record and , as far as gameplay goes, their RPG's are on par or better than the work of the other two greats, Square Enix and Atlus. My one little complain is that their stories are always a little cliche. I'd love if they tried somthing that was truly as epic as a Final Fantasy (And no, rogue Galaxy was not that) or darker like a Shin Megami Tensei title. From the looks of it Whote Knight may be both.
More power to developers that are both talented and have a passion for what they do. That's the kind of developer I want to support.
Level 5, to me, it pretty much Square before they started watching Soap Operas and started adding belts and zippers to every piece of clothing.
Like, Dragon Quest IX? ;)
I haven't played any of these Level 5 games, but Prof. Layton sounds pretty interesting. Perhaps I'll take it for a spin.
I hope they continue to make great games, and that football RPG sounds good too.
Square Enix are great and I love them, but they have forgotten they used to make other games besides FF series. This kind of overkill, is what has me playing rpgs etc, from smaller developers with different visions, as well as kind of having me bored with FF (never thought I'd say that)
Professor Layton should be groovy and the soccer game I'd also check out.