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XSEED is a publisher I have little to no experience with. Mind you, this is due to the fact that before I began working for RPGamer, I was generally someone who walked into a game store, looked at the back of an RPG of interest and based my purchase solely off of what information had been provided. Unfortunately, the Wild ARMs series was never able to capture my interest, while Shadow Hearts: From the New World was impossible to find in any of my games stores. I was someone who never paid attention to who published the game, and often supported publishers without actually knowing I was doing it. Since I began working for RPGamer, I've come to learn about how the industry works, and what is most important to publishers.
As RPGamers, we see games that come out of Japan and constantly contemplate if we were likely to see these titles hit North American shores. In most cases we are often able to pinpoint games that we know for sure will grace our shores, and other titles that we are convinced will stay exclusive to the land of the rising sun. However, despite XSEED's hardships in losing title such a big name title as Muramasa: The Demon Blade, this publisher has jumped back into the fray and has managed to acquire games that we in North America would likely never see.
I have to give XSEED credit for the fact that they license very unique RPGs with engaging stories and quirky game mechanics. Sometimes this can work in one's favor, and in other cases it can completely blow up in one's face. While I'm still a virgin to XSEED titles, I've adored what I've played of Retro Game Challenge and Avalon Code, and as I look at the games XSEED had at E3, I cannot help but be optimistic with the titles they are localizing for this year. Who ever thought that XSEED would acquire the new Lunar remake? Or bring Fragile, a game we thought for sure might have been "too Japanese" to be brought over? And then there is Half-Minute Hero (Yuusha 30), another title that we thought for sure wouldn't cross to North American shores, though it had been rumored awhile back for a European release. These three titles along with Little King's Story, Arc Rise Fantasia, Valhalla Knights: Eldar Saga, and Ragnarök Online show that XSEED has become a true contender in RPG genre.
As you can see, XSEED is trying to become a household name for RPGs, and while they've struggled over the years to have a games that they are recognized for, I cannot help but commend them for all their efforts for constantly bringing RPGamers new and unique titles. The line-up they had for E3 is incredibly strong, and you cannot ignore its attempts to lure fans into some new and strange RPG worlds. With the death of Working Designs since 2005, I think the acquisition of Lunar: Harmony of Silver Star may be a step in the right direction for XSEED to acquire a flagship series to now call their own. However, they have rather large shoes to fill considering Working Designs previous legacy. I do have faith that XSEED will do a magnificent job, but considering how fickle we as fans can be and Lunar's popularity, they will really have impress us and give the series the proper treatment it deserves.
I am very optimistic, but it is because I believe that XSEED has so much potential that they haven't showcased yet. I think with the solid line-up they have for this year they are out to prove themselves and show that whatever losses they have taken in previous bouts will allow them to come back strong in the final round and be victorious.
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