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Next-Gen's Top 20 From Tokyo
Next Generation has a rundown on the 20 games they think defined TGS 2006. Leading the pack is Microsoft's double-barrel RPG action, Lost Odyssey and Blue Dragon, their current great white hope for the Japanese market. From the article: "The weight of the bigger names involved -- artists Takehiko Inoue and Akira Toriyama, and writer Kiyoshi Shigematsu -- might even draw in completely uninitiated gamers. Blue Dragon, coming this year, as a pack-in with the console, will help make the machine a more familiar sight in homes that purchase PlayStation 2s for Dragon Quest; Lost Odyssey, coming next year, looks like something that could be advertised in cinemas." White Knight Story clocks in at number 3, and everyone from Ars Technica to Tycho is praising this Level 5 game as being the first PS3 title they're really getting excited about.
My precious japanese rpg's (the major ones) which were usually concentrated on one system per generation (SNES, PSX, PS2) seems to be divided into two and maybe three consoles this time around. Microsoft bought out Hironobu's or payed them a truckload of cash to be 360 exclusives and sony also has talented studio's (level 5, square enix also have at least some talent left) in their wing.
I miss the time I could go on with only one console. Unless the 360 folds and Blue Dragon/Lost Odyssey either suck or come out of the ps3 I can't seem myself without it.
Hmmm... Pie...
It seems microsoft may have finally figured out what it takes to get some hype in japan: rpgs, and quirky, somewhat off games. It's a shame there is no Wii titles in the top 5, but Phoenix Wright for the DS did manage to break that group. I honestly hope that these rpg titles match up to the hype, and allows for a true three system battle in Japan. Because nothing generates innovation more than competition.
How Jaded Are You?
Some tidbits: Lost Odyssey and Blue Dragon (both XBox 360) share first place, and of the 20 (21 counting both first placers) 7 are for XBox 360, 1 PC, 4 NDS, 2 PS2, 1 Wii, 5 PS3 (I keep recounting and still get 20 - clearly I keep missing an entry). -Trillian
Be excited. Oh yes. I just wish I could be arsed with consoles...
Meta will eat itself
That link doesn't actually have any info, but this one does even though it's just the article for a play of the same name.
/. If you don't like what was said, then mod it overrated, or better yet, argue.
The term Great White Hope is used today to describe something which people are hoping for and putting all their weight behind (in this case Microsoft with these RPGs) but that has little chance of succeeding (I assume because Japan is Sony land).
The original Great White Hope was any white boxer who could beat black Jack Johnson. It carries racist implications becasue
a) It was a racist time period where people rooted for a particular boxer just because they didn't like the colour of the other boxer's skin.
b) Since no Great White Hope came along to beat Jack Johnson, the term implies a lost cause and reminds us of the stereotype that whites are no good at boxing.
I don't think it's considered particularly offensive by anyone, but it's still a weird phrase to use nowadays. Without the context, it doesn't really get the point across. It probably is apt for the situation here though.
To the people who modded this guy down: commenting on the prose of the summary is a well accepted tradition here at
I probably won't ever buy a PS3, because I am a huge 360 fanboy.
.48% of my income. For something that should last 4-5 years, who cares?
But...your comment about not buying it unless you rich, or have no responsibilities....wrong.
I've commented before that it seems like a lot of poor people are on Slashdot. But remember, we aren't all poor.
My wife and I both work, neither of us makes a ton of money. But, our combined salary is about $125,000/year. So a PS3 would be
Not a big deal- you don't have to be rich. I'm not rich, and I sure don't sweat $600. I would say that my income level is pretty average, and I do have responsibilities (House, cars, family, etc.) but the price does not concern me.
I'm just amazed that on Slashdot, with so many people working in the tech field, people cry poor all the time. What do these people do, write free code for non-profits?
No reason to lie.
Sure, it's a big niche, but...
I, for one, would like to play an RPG, even a japanese style one, where the character was an adult! Seriously, I'm fed up with those angsty kids.
When looking that video I was thinking "Can I skip that animation? Oh, I like this character. Oh noes! The main character is surely that other one that is a Cloud-Clone. The fighting is half nice and half phony. What is that? A Dragon? Ah, it must be the fire invocation that is in every game. Oh, in this FF the invocations are transformations, cute."
Yep, nice FF-like game, but is just that. But what about old-fart gamers?
I am a mature gamer, hear me roar!