While the release of Final Fantasy XIII may be a long ways off, Microsoft managed to secure a large selection of RPGs for their console. Many are slated to release this year, including a handful of new IPs from Square Enix. Some can be considered traditional RPGs, but they all feature action-based gameplay and look [...]
RPG Clichés: Boss Battles
A typical boss battle in the Xbox 360-exclusive RPG, Lost Odyssey. For anyone who is familiar with the genre, traditional/console RPGs, or role-playing video games are infamous for their trademark gameplay aspects and unspoken “rules” or clichés that many of the games follow. Planned as a recurring column, I hope to provide background information for [...]
Chrono Trigger Makes Triumphant Return on the DS
One of the most beloved, innovative, and lauded console RPGs of all time is finally making a return. Before the merger between Square and Enix, Squaresoft assembled a “dream team” that consisted of big names such as Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi, composer Nobuo Uematsu, and Dragonball/Dragon Quest artist Akira Toriyama. Originally released on the [...]
Square Enix Recreates FFIV Splendor
Dark Knight and Red Wings Commander Cecil with his crew aboard their airship from the SNES (left) and DS versions. Originally released in the US as Final Fantasy II, the fourth title in the series is getting a DS makeover with a graphical overhaul and many enhancements. Final Fantasy IV is one of the more [...]
RPG Clichés: Evil Empires
Final Fantasy VI features the evil Gestahlian Empire. For anyone who is familiar with the genre, traditional/console RPGs, or role-playing video games are infamous for their trademark gameplay aspects and unspoken “rules” or clichés that many of the games follow. Planned as a recurring column, I hope to provide background information for those unfamiliar with [...]
PS3, Xbox 360 Battle For RPG Rights
Final Fantasy XIII is one of the most anticipated RPGs for the current generation of consoles. The current generation console war tells a different story in each region. While just about every region shows the Nintendo Wii on top, the battle between the Xbox 360 and PS3 is a bit different. Europe and Japan show [...]
RPG Clichés: Fetch Quests
Suikoden II allowed you to undertake quests to recruit members to join your party. For anyone who is familiar with the genre, traditional/console RPGs, or role-playing video games are infamous for their trademark gameplay aspects and unspoken “rules” or clichés that many of the games follow. Planned as a recurring column, I hope to provide [...]
RPG Clichés: Stock Characters
Alex and Luna from Game Arts’ Lunar: Silver Star Story are classic examples of traditional characters. For anyone who is familiar with the genre, traditional/console RPGs, or role-playing video games are infamous for their trademark gameplay aspects and unspoken “rules” or clichés that many of the games follow. Planned as a recurring column, I hope [...]
RPG Clichés: Random Encounters
The Final Fantasy series (FFVII pictured above) is well known for its random encounters. For anyone who is familiar with the genre, traditional/console RPGs, or role-playing video games are infamous for their trademark gameplay aspects and unspoken “rules” or clichés that many of the games follow. Planned as a recurring column, I hope to provide [...]
