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Coming Attractions: MMOs & RPGs Article
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by
Oli Welsh
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This week we've already guided you through the coming year's hot picks for Indie and Esoterica and Sports and Music games. Still to come are Fighting, Strategy, Action, Adventure, Shooters and Racing. But today we're looking at two sectors with the same dice-rolling roots that are heading in more than two different directions in 2009 - role-playing games (RPGs), and massively multiplayer online games (MMOs).
RPGs
You could argue, without much difficulty, that the role-playing game has never been more influential. RPGs' core of customisation and character-building now informs everything from sports games to deathmatch shooters, hybridisation abounds, and Fallout 3 and Fable II stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the biggest and bravest blockbusters of 2008. Yet RPGs' heartlands are under threat; Japanese console RPGs suffer from a lacklustre run of form and dwindling home audience, while their Western PC cousins are cannibalised by the massively multiplayer monster. 2009 is all about reclaiming home turf for role-players.
Star Attraction
Final Fantasy XIII
On: PS3, 360 / Developer: Square Enix / Publisher: Square Enix / Release: 2009 (Japan)
The chances of a US or European release in 2009 are relatively slim, but Final Fantasy XIII still towers over this year's turbulent RPG landscape. In the eyes of many, this is the only game that can save the JRPG from stagnant marginalisation. Of course, its radical and brilliant predecessor already made a persuasive case for how to do that back in 2006, but nobody listened.
Anxious to tread carefully between the stifling traditionalism of FFX and FFXII's daring departures, Squenix is playing its cards close to its chest. We know that combat will retreat from real-time back into the traditional Active Time Battle, but still be more fast-paced and flashy. We know that the setting leans towards the futuristic third of Final Fantasy's stylistic triptych of sci-fi, steampunk and high fantasy. We know that it will be nothing short of immense - a grand-standing Japanese super-game of the sort only Metal Gear could muster in 2008.
Until we see the game running - it's due to surface in a playable demo in March - Final Fantasy's defection to Xbox will remain the talking point. But there's so much more going on here, not least two whole other games, action-RPG variations Agito XIII for PSP, and Versus XIII for PS3. There's no doubt that this is 2009's biggest, most exciting, most heart-in-mouth roll of the dice.
Supporting Cast (in alphabetical order)
Borderlands
On: 360, PC, PS3 / Developer: Gearbox / Publisher: 2K Games / Release: 2009
Surprise surprise, it's shooter everymen Gearbox who propose the most complete synthesis of FPS and RPG since Deus Ex. Dusty and fusty its post-apocalypse may look, but the online co-op's more complete than Fable II's - and half a million procedurally-generated guns must be the loot table to end them all. A trigger-happy Diablo?
Dragon Age: Origins
On: PC, 360, PS3 / Developer: BioWare / Publisher: EA / Release: "early" 2009 (PC), "late" 2009 (consoles)
BioWare fans recently discomfited by space, Sonic and the prospect of other people can draw deep draughts of comfort from Dragon Age's handsome revivalism. It might not bear the Baldur's Gate name, but this is straight from the D&D old school and proud of it. Choose your own adventure - as long as it's epic enough to trump Tolkien.
Dragon Quest IX
On: DS / Developer: Level 5 / Publisher: Square Enix / Release: March 28th (Japan)
All butter-wouldn't-melt bucolic charm, this is the quieter half of Square Enix's twin franchise attack. But it's also on the world's most popular games machine, and stands a good chance of being out here in time for Christmas. The PS2 predecessor lovingly restored JRPG traditionalism in our hearts, and this year we get to carry it with us.
The Witcher: Rise of the White Wolf
On: 360, PS3 / Developer: CD Projekt / Publisher: Atari / Release: Autumn
Strange as it may seem to highlight a platform port, this transposition of the Polish low-fantasy yarn from PC to console looks like it might be the glorious culmination of the one of the longest, most ardent labours of love in RPGs. Pared-down and polished, the strong story will breathe easier and the combat flow faster than before.
Other Players
Yet more DS Dragon Quest, with remakes of V and VI; Puzzle Quest returns to eat the future in Galactrix; SEGA and Obsidian try the spy-RPG in Alpha Protocol on 360 and PS3 this spring; Level-5 summon medieval mechs on PS3 with White Knight Story; SEGA tries valiantly to hold back Monster Hunter with DS Phantasy Star Zero and PSP Phantasy Star Portable; the impenetrable PlayStation cults of Persona 4 and Disgaea 3 come to Europe at last; new Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles for both Wii and DS; console versions of Sacred 2 are a poor substitute for Diablo III coming out; last but definitely not least, a new Mario & Luigi RPG for DS.
Are you excited about The Witcher: Rise of the White Wolf on PlayStation 3/Xbox 360?
View Eurogamer readers most anticipated games
Related Games
Final Fantasy XIII
Dragon Age: Origins
Borderlands
The Witcher: Rise of the White Wolf
Latest News
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Final Fantasy XIII dated for US/Europe [68]
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FFXIII's Crystarium system detailed [14]
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International FFXIII out before April? [9]
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Square targets six million sales of FFXIII [28]
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FFXIII PS3 Slim bundle shown at TGS [23]
Latest Screenshots
Friday [2]
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PearOfAnguish
14/01/09 @ 14:00
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Alpha Protocol only got a passing mention...it's more interesting than several of the other games on that list.
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andywilkie35
14/01/09 @ 14:02
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er....Star Ocean 4 and Tales of Vesperia? Two massive franchises that have been missed in this article...
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chessboxer
14/01/09 @ 14:09
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There is no way in hell that FFXIII will hit NA or EU in 2009. Never going to happen.
Versus XIII may come out in 2010 if SE finish it in time and Agito XIII cannot be released until Versus is out. |
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designerheadache
14/01/09 @ 14:11
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No White Knight Story? Considering the big business its doing at the moment in Japan it deserves more than a foot note. It's outsold DS games for 2 weeks running for christ sake!
Also no Disgea 3 or Guildwars 2 mentions? mental! Plus FF13 hasn't "defected" to the xbox, its gone multi-platform which is rather different. Unless you added it in for Fanboy fury, in which case "achievement unlocked" that is all. /rant. |
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retr0gamer
14/01/09 @ 14:11
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Square Enix are dead to me. I don't hold out much hope for Final Fantasy XIII. White Knight Chronicles will probably be the defining JRPG of next year. Level 5 just seem to be able to do no wrong.
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Vertical Stand
14/01/09 @ 14:26
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Would've mentioned Demon's Soul as well, looks rather spiffy and would probably make it out in 2009 if it is translated *fingers crossed*. Surprised by the sheer number of MMOs being made, sure its a large market but they all play the same few titles, tough to break the WOW deadlock.
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"there just aren't enough opportunities to sit in the cockpit of a space fighter and shoot stuff these days."
Hear hear. Out of desperation i bought Freespace 2 on GoG.com a month ago. I've been having wet dreams about space sims reimagined in current-gen technology ever since. Also, Mass Effect 2? Although this omission is probably because the game hasn't even been oficially confirmed yet.
Edited 2 times,
most recently on 14/01/09 @ 14:41
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PearOfAnguish
14/01/09 @ 14:58
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Mass Effect 2 may not be out this year though. Deus Ex 3 wasn't on there either, but that's probably not out till 2010.
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"I would say that FF will be the least exciting of all those. JRPGs are just a genre that has had its time IMHO."
That's a pretty harsh view of JRPG's. They still pull in serious business, and as has been said, SquareEnix have tried to diversify from the old mould. The problem is, the mould wasn't broken - the old FF games demonstrate that it's as good now as it has ever been. FFX was just a bit overkill and complex, FFX-2 tried to go back but the cast and script were just awful, and FFXII - well, I loved FFXII but it was a radical departure from established rules and conventions and even though I thought it was a very well planned out system, FF purists hated it (and did hate it, we had plenty of hate on that system if I remember). That's not to say the ATB system we know and love isn't due a little sweet romance though. Other games have been doing this for years, just tweaking the system. Obviously the most notable of these is Shadow Hearts and its Judgement Ring system, which is probably the more successful mutation. So it can be done, and indeed, should be done. JRPG's have been trying to evolve away from ATB's, which is fine as we all need variety and to experiment. But it wasn't broken, and we can see some attempts to get away from it have actually ended up being pretty disasterous. So why exactly run away from a convention that has been proven to work? For the sake of being different? We can see how well that has worked for some... In short, we CAN live with ATB. I'm sure SE have tricks up their sleeves to make this ATB system something really rather special and bring it bang up to date. Sometimes, to move a genre forwards, you have to take a step or two backwards... |
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Sacred 2: Fallen Angel gets dismissed with a brief mention at the end?! Me and the Mrs can't wait for that one... It's certainly ahead of FFXIII for me, though I am sure that will be great when it comes out in 2010.
Seriously geared up for The Agency as well, though I think that's another 2010 offering unfortunately... |
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justanotherdave
14/01/09 @ 15:29
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Im quite looking forward to JumpGate.. But Ive only got a laptop with a shitty graphics card in it so won't beable to play it unless I buy a new PC or they do a console release.
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insincere_dave
14/01/09 @ 15:37
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I wouldn't get too excited about APB, you'll just end up disappointed.
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dynatronic
14/01/09 @ 15:54
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"Obviously the most notable of these is Shadow Hearts and its Judgement Ring system, which is probably the more successful mutation. So it can be done, and indeed, should be done."
@Kami Agreed. As one of the genre's unsung heroes, Shadow Hearts is often conveniently overlooked when people harp on about the ATB system being stale and tired. Look at Lost Odyssey and even Last Remnant, it's quite clear that the Square Enix's and Feelplus' of this world are making moves to breathe new life into the system and I fully expect FFXIII and the other titles associated with it to deliver in this area. |
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designerheadache
14/01/09 @ 16:32
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@Oli
Cheers for the reply, Missed the GW2 mention, shame to hear its unlikely to be this year, the original was a fantastic experience. @merkdot Famitu's scores are regularly bonkers and don't reflect the buying public, which has had it at the top of the charts for 2 weeks running, which in the Nintendo conquering capital is a pretty amazing feat. |
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tomkuryakin
14/01/09 @ 17:09
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I just don't have the time to play RPGs, especially JRPGs, anymore. After FFXII, I can't say that I'm that bothered because it was an ultimately tedious dungeon crawler with barely enough story to make me care. After the sheer joy that was FFX, I found that rather sad. As far as FFXIII goes, it just looks like the same old same old. Even if it is very pretty I feel as though I've seen it all before.
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Weird that the few RPG's I'm following closely at the moment were barely mentioned in the margin (Alpha Protocol), or not mentioned at all (Risen, for example, my most anticipated game right now). And how about Arcania: A Gothic Tale? Or Drakensang? Or Divinity 2?
It feels like, if you're going to write a piece like this, please do some research outside the Guitar Hero press releases. Or don't bother at all, that's fine too. But regurgitating the most hyped titles for the hundredth time gets old. |
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Slipstream
14/01/09 @ 17:37
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FFXIII will be nothying short of epic, it's one of those few games that wont allow your concience to state otherwise.
White Chronicles is doing extremely well and is looking like great fun! Aion: Tower of Eternity will by MMORPG of '09
Edited 2 times,
most recently on 14/01/09 @ 19:17
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Hmmm, no mention of The Last Remnant...great JRPG, 9/10, imo.
Despite the technical difficulties, Ive played TLR more than Fable 2, Gears Of War 2 and Fallout 3 combined. I'm on my 2nd playthrough right now. It may have only sold a half million in NA and definitely has to be installed to the 360 hard drive but this game and Tales Of Vesperia have sated my JRPG addiction in 2008. |
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FenderMaster
14/01/09 @ 18:13
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FFXII absolutely sucked, I don't know why the critics loved it so much. So long and bland...
FFX on the other hand was an absolute genre masterclass, it had everything that FFXII didn't: Story, music, battles etc |
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FFXII had a great plot. That wasn't the problem. The problem was half the characters in the game had the personality of a block of ASDA mild cheddar. Basch was really well thought out, and Fran... umm... well, did she need a personality with THAT thong? But the rest - Penelo especially - were bland as hell.
Still, I enjoyed it. I still play RPG's, I have a few on the go, old ones and new. But I do like ATB, and I'm not at all sad that FFXIII is going back to it... as good as FFXII's system was, I think we'll likely see that again in a future SE MMO rather than a single-player experience. |
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hiddenranbir
14/01/09 @ 18:58
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I actually applied to Realtime Worlds. They lol'd at my lack of experience.
I can't wait for APB! |
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