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That's it, I simply cannot bite my tongue anymore - leave the roots of the RPG genre alone, you torturers! Okay, I feel marginally better. But I still want my random, original battles and world map back to where it belongs in my games! Ever since critics branded Final Fantasy X and Kingdom Hearts 'broad', there seems to have been a sever renew of the RPG genre. Innovations means tweaks and bypass surgery to traditions that really don't to be hacked at. Be it the hybrid laden Breath Of Fire V (and you thought the series couldn't get any worse) or fair enough, empty Final Fantasy X-2, something funny is happening in the heart of the RPG kingdom an it smells pretty fishy.
"RPG players are sick of the epic storyline's that have paraded the scene ever since RPG's began" blasts a certain critic - and he's right. People have often spoken of the cliche that has infested RPG's. My response? Without an epic plot, what is there to love about an RPG exactly? Look at Square's evolution in their games for example. Be it the schizophrenic tale of Cloud Strife, the gripping love story between Squall and Rinoa, the time warping adventure of Chrono Trigger or the period drama in the SaGa series - varied plots with acute gameplay. What about Wild Arm's western setting or Alundra's dream walking? And then you have the ultimate twist in stereotyping plots with Shadow Hearts - a blend of gothic and horror volumes that have satisfied critics and fans. But notice the main criticism itself: the storyline. There was no mention of anything else, and I'm pointing out gameplay for one. I'm teething on my nails as I look at RPG's either becoming vastly located online or near enough to the platform genre - it's daunting.
We all think change is good. Yeah, it is good. But look at what has happened to games who have tried this. Do you think The Bouncer wouldn't have been pelted with manure if it was an RPG instead of a bizarre conversion to a action/fighting game? Breath of Fire V's macabre digestive of dungeon interfaced role playing with yet again under developed characters and plot and more recently, Front Mission 4's lack of mileage. Again, I direct to Shadow Hearts' inventive battle system that indicates change without drastic measures. Or even Dark Cloud 2 - its Zelda-esque battle system and childish plot was a surprising win over for many fans. However, the perfect example is Disgaea: Hour of Darkness. Look at what a few innovations in gameplay and quirky theme can do for the reputation of the game.
Square, in particular, has recently come under pressure since merging with Enix. Their trademark graphics may be glossier than the rest, but I for one wish they'd take a new direction in visual presentation alone after the rather dismal Lara Croft syndrome that cursed Final Fantasy X-2 - have we really come to the pitiful means that to sell an RPG we have to have three uncharismatic floozies prance around changing costumes for no apparent reason? Hardly. Their onslaught of MMORPGs was a wasted Final Fantasy title and XII looks to be hampered with delays and latest victim to change as Final Fantasy VIII was (we all remember the horrid Junction System, right?). Their name may be on the titles, but we all know that they aren't initially responsible for great titles this year from Star Ocean: 'Til The End Of Time and the wonderful looking upcoming Dragon Warrior VIII. Also, at such a crucial moment for Square to shine when under such heated competition, they have lost perhaps one of their most valuable weapons; Nobuo Uematsu. And here is praying that they Takahito Eguchi and Noriko Matsueda fill in the post for good.
Bring back the good old days when RPG's didn't have to change. And when everybody loved them for what they were without anything else. Please?
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