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RPGs fulfill many gamers with gratifying storylines and grueling side quests. The success of the genre has expanded into a variety of other fields, such as next generation platforms. However, the constant creation of new tales that excite many fans, ultimately take a toll on gamers' wallets. Many a franchise that expands into the double digits begins to desensitize RPG players through the sheer amount of games that emerge every month. Newer and future releases entice and excite RPG enthusiasts, but the constant reusing of a series in order to provide more entertainment, as well as gain a profit, causes the franchise to appeal even more than the first time around. The creating of new sequels, though, will cause a series to become dull, until the next installment.
Final Fantasy, Tales of, and various other series offer new experiences to gamers through their stories and characters that accompany each new game. Each new product presents another event that follows the typical cliches of good versus evil and the perils that the protagonists face. Creating a new story is great for fans, but the frequent sequels come with a price. Final Fantasy X-2 was the first game in the series to spawn a direct sequel in the franchise. Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World is the first technical equal in the Tales series as well. The decision to create a sequel, based off a previous installment, is a strategy to ensnare newer fans and tempt the palates of older veterans.
The problem with the sequels, though, has caused a series like Final Fantasy to wither in terms of its uniqueness. It is true that making the anticipated Final Fantasy XIII for multiple systems is a good move by Square Enix to help re-inovate the series provide more availability to others. But why make Final Fantasy XIII: Versus? Many RPGs are becoming victim to the frequent manifestations of sequels or side stories that result in hurting the stability of a gamer's income. To be honest, when a new game comes out that sounds intriguing, it does not matter about the price on it, as many fans have become followers of a series no matter what system it lands on. Even I do it. Games that stand the test of time and create new ways to view the world and interaction, inspire designers to craft the next new franchise.
TChrono Trigger's revival onto the Nintendo DS has awakened many a nostalgic RPG fan's memories that eagerly await its release. The game's release sports some new features along with a new ending. Yet it is exactly the same as it was when it got released on the SNES and re-released on the PlayStation with new anime style scenes. Chrono Trigger's appearance onto the DS will allow folks, that did not play the renditions before it, to now sample the game that helped forge a new path in changing the history of the gaming world...without having to time travel.
Shin Megami Tensei's Persona 4's upcoming US release is a side story that uses the Shin Megami Tensei name in order to help spike sales as well as give loyal fans a new taste. The success of the previous installment has made many fans have high expectations. The differences from the new game to the older ones is evident, but why does the tweaking of a franchise's motifs work so well? The answer lies within the storytelling, characters, and for Persona 4, demon summoning. If something works well once, it will probably work well again.
Recreations and newer manifestations of products within a franchise will cause gamers to buy the merchandise no matter what it is. What makes the games sell are the groundbreaking stereotypes and motifs that appear in the first installment. Having set a positive and strong fan base from the beginning, many veterans will flock to the title. Even though companies gain profits from marketing established games such as Final Fantasy and Kingdom Hearts, the newer RPGs that do appear, will eventually shine when the gamer either beats or tires out from the RPG he or she is currently playing. The milking market of RPGs is a strain on our time and money. But having fun with the RPGs is what makes games worth spending on.
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