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Whether building onto previously existing worlds or creating new ones on unexpected systems, Square Enix is delivering game after game with great success. Love them or hate them, you cannot deny that tons of RPGamers buy and enjoy their games. Let's see what's new in the World of Square Enix.
Dragon Quest IX
My initial thoughts when I heard it was going to be on the DS were those of joy. I love handheld gaming, since I don't have near as much time to sit in front of a TV as I once did. The combat system is truly the make or break for me when it comes to RPG, so I would really like to see how this change to action-based combat turns out. Considering the combat system of Dragon Quest VIII was the one thing that I thought fell short of perfection, I think this change has potential. It's not that I hated DQVIII's battle system, but it was just the least interesting aspect of the game to me. I did enjoy the faster paced combat in Final Fantasy XII, so I will be interested to see how DQIX's system works.
There are some things that do concern me. I love the multiplayer potential, but I hope that it has some replay value to it. Many times developers will just tack on a multiplayer feature as what seems like an afterthought, but since the multiplayer announcement is coming at the beginning, I'm not as worried. However, many games featuring single and multiplayer capabilities seem to focus more on one area than another, so I hope that the single player game and story don't suffer. Also, I know the DS can do in-game voice, but after the high quality of voice acting that Dragon Quest VIII brought to the table, I would hate to see this game do without or greatly downgrade in this area. All in all, I'm looking forward to future updates on this title.
Ivalice Alliance
Now this is a very interesting move here. Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings was already on my "excited to know more about" list, but with the addition of the PSP updated version of Final Fantasy Tactics, now subtitled The Lion Wars, and Final Fantasy Tactics A2, it is even more interesting. The first screens of Revenant Wings are quite beautiful. Seeing Final Fantasy XII locations, or at least the snowy stage that looks like Paramina Rift, in there helped as I feel that FFXII could easily expand beyond what the PS2 game offered.
Final Fantasy Tactics: The Lion Wars will finally give me the excuse that I need to replay Final Fantasy Tactics, being portable and all. I find tactical RPGs very fitting in the portable environment. Even though this is basically the same game, the addition of new jobs, newly styled cutscenes, and the potential of an improved translation makes this a game that could help the PSP. It sure beats a plain port via a cumbersome (read: requires a PS3 to play a PS1 game on the PSP) purchase via the Playstation Store.
The mystery of this latest announcement is Final Fantasy Tactics A2. Now this title really seems like it will be a follow up to Final Fantasy Tactics Advance, maybe not directly, but in spirit. A2 = Advance 2? I would be willing to stake money that it will be on the DS. They use A2 instead of Advance 2 because it's most likely not for the GBA (come on people, anyone that expects it for the GBA...well, they are most likely wrong), but still follows in the footsteps of FFTA. Not that I would be bothered by that, because despite its childish story, FFTA was an addictive handheld game. I still want Final Fantasy Tactics 2, but I seriously doubt that Final Fantasy Tactics A2 will be that game. Though Matsuno-less, maybe this will help pave the way for a true attempt at FFT2. The potential is there.
The Rest
The expansion doesn't stop with Ivalice. It seems like all of the Square Enix series' are getting bigger and bigger. Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core, Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fate, Heroes of Mana, Dragon Quest Monsters - Joker, Dragon Quest Swords: The Masked Queen, Dragon Quest Yangus and Chocobo and the Magic Picture Book are also still in the picture. Will it ever end? No, most likely not while these games are still a success. Though maybe that's best left for another editorial.
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