While Western RPGs have pretty much taken over the home consoles, you need only to look to the PSP to find out where most of the Japanese RPGs went. While the PSP had a more diverse library last year, a glance at the top games for next year shows that this handheld has a clear lead when it comes to Eastern RPG design. Whether it's new takes on established franchises (i.e. Final Fantasy), or loving remakes of cult classics (Tactics Ogre), or just plain new titles, this is easily the system for JRPG fans.
The titles of Square's Final Fantasy spin-offs grow more arcane by the year, but don't let this brawler's pompous Latin name deter your interest. By all appearances, Dissidia 012 (so named because it represents the 12th conflict between Chaos and Cosmos, we're told) refines the first game's combat mechanics while bringing new and beloved characters into the mix. The inclusion of favorites like Laguna Loire and Terra Branford should keep the fanservice level high, while the addition of an actual RPG-style story mode should satisfy gamers who want a more traditional take on the series.
Though Final Fantasy IV has been ported and remade several times already, Square Enix is doing it again. This is no mere port, however, as they're giving the game a bit of a face lift from its 16-bit roots, as well as packaging it along with the stand-alone sequel, titled "The After Years" (previously only available in Japan and on WiiWare), and some new content bridging the gap between IV and the sequel. This should make the collection something to look out for in 2011.
Of the three Final Fantasy XIII titles originally announced at E3 2006 -- nearly five years ago, foiks! -- two are still outstanding. And of the two, we're willing to wager that the most likely to ship in 2011 is Agito, the multiplayer PSP game that began life on cell phones. So far, it's the one that has something resembling gameplay (think Crisis Coremeets Monster Hunter), and more importantly its key staff (including Crisis Core/The 3rd Birthday's Hajime Tabata) has a demonstrable record of sealing the deal on their PSP blockbusters. Of course, all bets are off if Square decides to move the game to PSP2.
The combination of Falcom, PSP, and Xseed has already proven to be a winning one with not one but two great Ys games gracing the second half of 2010. 2011 could be even more satisfying, though, as the partnership moves along to Falcom's other big RPG franchise, The Legend ofHeroes. Trails in the Sky has a reputation among importers for being a huge, well-told tale full of meaty combat and great characters. At the very least, it should wash away the bitter memories of Namco's horrible mishandling of the first three Legend of Heroes games a few years back...
Year after year the Monster Hunter franchise enjoys epic levels of success in Japan, and Monster Hunter Portable3rd continues the series long term grasp on the portable action RPG market by adding more monsters, weapons, and Feline companions to the mix. With many new additions, including stuff from the excellent Wii exclusive, Monster HunterTri, and an increased emphasis on graphical fidelity and sound, there's never been a better time to go huntin' after some huge ol' monsters.
Pyramid's spectacular action-rhythm Patapon series is back for the PSP with Patapon 3. In this installment, you control the Superhero Patapon, given special powers after evil spirits turn his Patapon brothers and sisters to stone. Using eight new beats, you must drive your Patapon warriors to victory, gaining experience and abilities through an all-new point/reward system. The biggest changes from earlier Patapon gameswill arrive in multiplayer functionality: current plans include a four-way competitive mode, and every level will be available for play by up to eight players at a time, locally, or with another PSP.
For some reason, there were actually two games called Persona 2: Innocent Sin and Eternal Punishment. And, for some reason, only the latter of the two was ever localized into English. Happily, Atlus is giving Innocent Sin a full-on PSP remake in the style of the original Persona, with improved graphics, a revised interface, and new music. It hasn't been announced for a U.S. release yet, but Atlus has been pretty vigorous about localizing every Persona game to come down the pipeline these past few years -- and fans have been making it worth their while. We're going to be optimistic here and hold out hope for justice! And love! And Sin!
Playing the world's weakest main character in Prinny 2: Dawn of Operation Panties, Dood! and running chores for a Demon Lord may seem like a chore for inhabitants of the Prinny's Netherworld, but even the oddest jobs need a hero. Operations Panties brings another whimsical plot to the hardcore action platformer, and another 1000 penguin minions to help your cause. Plus developer Nippon Ichi has added easier difficulty modes to tone down one of the most brutally challenging games of 2009.
This remake of Super Famicom classic Tactics Ogre may not look like much of an improvement at first glance, since it's using the same graphics as the 16-bit version of the game. But then you start noticing the added visual effects, and the beautifully redesigned interface, and the upgraded music, and the added classes, characters, and story events... and then you realize you can rewind both battles and the branching storyline, and suddenly everything clicks. Not only is this one of the best tactical RPGs ever made, it's a greatly improved version designed to be played at your own pace and explored inside and out. And did we mention the gorgeous new localization that brings to mind Vagrant Story? A must-have for RPG fans.
For the third adventure of tough paranormal cop Aya Brea, Square cheaped out and didn't bother to re-up the license to use the Parasite Eve name. But make no mistake, this is a Parasite Eve sequel -- even if the game mechanics are totally different from anything that's come before. The 3rd Birthday is more a third-person shooter than an RPG, giving players control of a virtual squad of soldiers and civilians whom Aya can direct using her highly evolved brain (and a handy virtual reality device). It's gorgeous, reputedly challenging, and a little bit naughty; Aya's health is reflected in the state of her clothing, which grows more revealing as she takes damage.
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