SquareEnix Talk PlayOnline Games, FFXII

Thanks to RPGFan for their coverage of SquareEnix's new product announcements at the Tokyo Game Show, which include two new PlayStation 2 PlayOnline MMORPG titles - Ambrosia Odyssey, which has "environments [that] will be inspired by Medieval Europe", and "seems to be a lot like Phantasy Star Online" (in terms of more arcade-style gameplay?), according to IGN, and Front Mission Online, a "a drab looking mech game that is part action and part simulation. The gameplay looks a lot like MechAssault, except that as well as piloting mechs, you'll also be able to take control of tanks." Unfortunately, the only news on Final Fantasy XII was 'wait and see', as "the company will reveal new information on the next game on November 19th" in Tokyo. New promo art for the earlier mentioned Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children CG movie and for the Kingdom Hearts PS2 and GBA titles has also surfaced.

Comments

FFXII MMORPG or single player?

[Kethinov]

I'm eager to find out if FFXII will in fact be another MMORPG or single player. Does anyone have any official info? I'm not against Square making an MMORPG, but I really wish they had chose not to make it a numbered Final Fantasy. It defies tradition!

Re:FFXII MMORPG or single player?

[sladelink]

Everything I've read in game magazines in the past has said that FFXII would be a standard single-player RPG, instead of letting FFXI take the series into a MMORPG only standard.

Re:FFXII MMORPG or single player?

[MMaestro]

True, but the fact that they haven't said a thing about FFXIII (FF13) could be a hint of Square (now SquareEnix) considering the MMO course. SquareEnix is getting ragged on quite a bit by RPG purists who think the FF series has been a downward progression in terms of gameplay and storyline (read FF8 and FF9.)

Re:FFXII MMORPG or single player?

[PainKilleR-CE]

SquareEnix is getting ragged on quite a bit by RPG purists who think the FF series has been a downward progression in terms of gameplay and storyline (read FF8 and FF9.)

Personally, I thought FF9 had a lot of 'back to roots' elements after FF8.

At the same time, I don't see how them getting ragged on by FF purists could be helped at all by considering the MMO course. I think SquareEnix is just trying as many different courses as possible. Perhaps another game down the line will be MMO as well, but I doubt they'll do every other game like that (just based on the normal progression of MMO games, very few have sequels as quickly as FF usually progresses through 2 or 3 games).

Another point about FFXIII might be that they're considering killing off the main series, or waiting for contractual obligations to close while they consider what platform that game may be released on. The PS2 is showing it's age, and there hasn't been much sign of what the PS3 will be, they might not want to commit the title to the PS2. As it is, 12 was announced at one point as an XBox title.

Re:FFXII MMORPG or single player?

[Metal_Demon]

As another poster said everything I have read, some of which claims to be official, says XII will be single player. As far as the future of FF goes we will see, based on the success of XI. Personally from what I've heard it seems many FF fans may not buy XI. Personally I'm buying two, one for PC and one for PS2. I don't want to wait for the PS2 release to start playing it, but I am buying that version as part of my collection (also for the HD). So basically if the FF fans don't abandon XI without giving it a chance we will likely not see another FF MMORPG. Also the fact that they are making other MMORPGs means they can make sequels to those or expand in other ways than using the FF series (which is always risky).

Re:FFXII MMORPG or single player?

[MMaestro]

Not my words, my opinions, nor my thoughts. I asked a couple friends what they thought about FF9 and the FF games prior to 7 and they generally disliked those type of games. I guess the old truth remains the same. The first time you sample something, its always a better experience than the original or the following versions.

Re:FFXII MMORPG or single player?

[PainKilleR-CE]

I guess that's why I feel the way I do, since the first one I played was FF1 on the NES.

Thank god

[evilspyperson]

Thank go it's going to be single player, FF online seems to somehow lack 90% of the elements that make it final fantasy (deep storyline, etc.)
i don't argue that square shouldn't have made FFXI but in my mind, unless it ends up being fantastic, one MMORPG is enough

Re:Thank god

[Kethinov]

FF online seems to somehow lack 90% of the elements that make it final fantasy (deep storyline, etc.)

Exactly my point. Apparantly the mods don't agree with us. Just like my parent post, the mods must think deep storylines etc are overrated.

Re:Thank god

[Anonymous Coward]

Exactly my point. Apparantly the mods don't agree with us. Just like my parent post, the mods must think deep storylines etc are overrated.

Or maybe they realize that FF storylines are about as "deep" as Little Golden Books.

Kingdom Hearts Story?

[PaleZer0]

Does anyone know how the two new Kingdom Hearts games fit into the story line....Obviously Kingdom Hearts 2 is the sequel, but where does the GBA game fit in?

Re:Kingdom Hearts Story?

[grahamwest]

From what I had read elsewhere (IGN perhaps) the GBA game, Chain of Memories, is a direct sequel and picks up the story right after the end of the first game. Kingdom Hearts 2 on PS2 is set several months after the events in Chain of Memories.

what a reject

[Anonymous Coward]

apparently whoever made that comment about "a drab looking mech game" has never played *any* of the front mission games.

So since few people do, I'll explain. Front mission is very fun/hard strategy game, similar to Ogre Tactics, with the exception that it plays a little bit more like a dumbed down version of battletech. It's fun.

I can't wait to see how an Online version(and in full 3d) will play out.

Re:what a reject

[skyknytnowhere]

Amen. The Front Mission series has been one of the most consistently great bunch of games released anywhere. Front Mission 3, the only official American release of any of them, is in my opinion, the best tactical RPG for the PSX.

The two storylines, mech-building mode, and New Game+ features rounded out an excellent combat system and the game's own "internet."

The images I saw of the FM Online game made me wet my pants in anticipation.

skye

Re:what a reject

[evslin]

Front Mission's a hell of a series. It's unfortunate that it pretty much slipped through the cracks when FM3 was released in 2000. Probably because there were way too many other RPGs being released around the same time frame (including sequels to Chrono Trigger, Secret of Mana, and Saga Frontier).

I'd definitely be interested to see an online version.

Note to SquareEnix

[darkmayo]

Look at the game Disgaea Hour of Darkness by Atlus... and steal as much as you can. :P

Attention Collectors!

[May Kasahara]

Square Enix already has Kingdom Hearts 2, KH: Chain of Memories, and FF7: Advent Children merchandise available! Sick, ain't it?

Re:FF9, the most underappreciated FF

[Rayonic]

I just wanted to say that I agree. As far as gameplay goes, the party members were more than just materia slots (FF7), and the magic and GF systems weren't damned annoying (FF8).