Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Square Enix To Concentrate On Remaking Their Back Catalog

Posted by timothy on from the burnishing-the-burnish dept.

An anonymous reader writes: You may remember that at E3, the major announcement from Square Enix and Sony wasn't a new game, but rather that Square Enix would be remaking Final Fantasy VII in HD and releasing it for PS4 first. Square Enix's recent annual report indicates that they intend to make more HD remakes of old titles. Like many Japanese developers, they indicate in the report that they also intend to focus more on mobile platforms, including porting more of their back catalog to mobile devices. With the impending release of Final Fantasy XV, Square Enix knows a thing or two about rehashing old content, but Square Enix also owns the Dragon Quest, Deus Ex, and Tomb Raider series, giving them a fairly large library to give the HD treatment to.

103 of 171 comments (clear)

  1. I for one welcome our androgynous gaming overlords by WillAffleckUW · · Score: 5, Funny

    And wish them well in confusing lots of teen boys and girls.

    --
    -- Tigger warning: This post may contain tiggers! --
  2. So ... by gstoddart · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Essentially they've run out of ideas and need to get on with rehashing everything?

    And here I though this might be limited to Hollywood, with their endless reboots because they lack anyone who can up with something new.

    Because, really, we don't need to see the Spider Man origin story again.

    --
    Lost at C:>. Found at C.
    1. Re:So ... by The-Ixian · · Score: 1

      Square Enix has managed to stay around long enough to cash in on their old titles again.... good for them.

      What was old is now new.

      If you don't like it, don't buy it.

      I would be curious to hear what you think of all the Star Wars re-packages, re-makes, re-releases, etc.

      --
      My eyes reflect the stars and a smile lights up my face.
    2. Re:So ... by TooManyNames · · Score: 1

      I don't think that Hollywood (or at least, people creating stories for them) have run out of ideas; I think that they would rather get a fairly stable return on investment for simply rehashing existing stories that people already know and care about than risk an unknown return (or no return) on a new story that is unfamiliar to the public. If they lack imagination, it's at the executive and marketing levels. They've become too reliant on expensive actors and directors to draw crowds (driving up the cost of movies, thereby warranting a conservative approach), and have no clue how to market the actual story-line anymore.

      --
      "Is not a sentence" is not a sentence. Well damn.
    3. Re:So ... by NotDrWho · · Score: 4, Funny

      I hear they're changing their motto:

      Square Enix: We're Not Even Trying Anymore

      --
      SJW's don't eliminate discrimination. They just expropriate it for themselves.
    4. Re:So ... by Darinbob · · Score: 1

      Well, their core stuff is just dumb JRPG. Their acquired stuff I think they're screwing up. Tomb Raider reboot bears no resemblance to the original, is full of idiotic quick time events, etc. Console-itis galore.

    5. Re:So ... by 0123456 · · Score: 1

      However, the UI of the Tomb Raider reboots is much less annoying than the original 'press jump button at precisely the right pixel or fall and have to start over again' games. Agreed about the idiotic 'Press button or die' quick time events, though.

    6. Re:So ... by Darinbob · · Score: 1

      I only got past the intro in new Tomb Raider. I felt the whole thing was insulting my intelligence. Every few feet there'd be a bright icon telling me what to do. No puzzles need solving. Jerk mouse back and forth quickly to break free, etc. It's the sort of crap you expect on consoles when you have limited input options or the game is designed for pre-teens.

      When the Thief reboot was first previewed from Eidos, the fan base erupted in anger over quick time events and other "cinematic" fluff. To their credit, the team at Eidos Montreal revamped a whole lot of the interface and game, including adding a very nice set of detailed gameplay options, just before they were shut down by the mothership for daring to waste money addressing customer concerns.

    7. Re:So ... by operagost · · Score: 1

      Because, really, we don't need to see the Spider Man origin story again.

      Maybe one of these days, some schmuck director will say, "What if Ben Parker doesn't die?" and subsequently die at the hands of an angry geek mob.

      --

      Gamingmuseum.com: Give your 3D accelerator a rest.
    8. Re:So ... by alva_edison · · Score: 1

      The voice acting is going to be tricky. Bad voice acting could ruin the experience, and there have been some questionable voice acting choices in the past <cough>Tidus</cough>.

      --
      He effected a bored affect.
    9. Re:So ... by chmod+a+x+mojo · · Score: 1

      Either that or they realized that, like the AC below me in this thread said, whoever they lost after FFX / FFX-2 was vital to the series. From FFXII onward the stories are weaker, and the battle systems and / or gameplay are absolute shit . In a series as long running as Final Fantasy it is practically always suicide to make huge deviations like Square/Enix did; you will almost NEVER attract new gamers into the series that late, and you will lose the hardcore fan following. The chance that you actually improve on the old system with the new ( completely different, not just tweaked ) system is very slim.

      That was the main complaints about XII and XIII, 12 the battle system was completely changed from all main series systems, and the main complaint was that it didn't even feel like a Final Fantasy game. The story was also pretty weak, and the characters just didn't grow on many people.

      13 had a pretty decent story, and generally likable characters, but you literally ran along hallways between battles and cutscenes. The cutscenes and game looked great, but the play was rather... well boring. It just didn't feel worth it to slog through the "game play" just to get the advanced story when you could eventually go on youtube and watch the cutscene videos that covered the vast majority of the story.

      --
      To err is human; effective mayhem requires the root password!
    10. Re:So ... by rocket+rancher · · Score: 1

      Well, no. A game, like a movie, is an expensive risk. Going with a proven moneymaker is pretty much why we see sequels and reboots coming out of Hollywood more than we see original work. Ditto games -- the boundary between movie making and game making is getting pretty porous, with game tie-ins for movies and movies based on popular games all too common. All businesses try to reduce and/or mitigate risk, and Squeenix is no exception.

    11. Re:So ... by packrat0x · · Score: 1

      However, the UI of the Tomb Raider reboots is much less annoying than the original 'press jump button at precisely the right pixel or fall and have to start over again' games.

      Yes, but they were BIG pixels!

      --
      227-3517
    12. Re:So ... by packrat0x · · Score: 1

      The Seiken Densetsu series was awesome! Far better than Final Fantasy.

      --
      227-3517
    13. Re:So ... by gohmifune · · Score: 1

      One was announced for Vita forever ago. We're getting a remake + a new Saga.

    14. Re:So ... by RockDoctor · · Score: 1

      What was old is now new.

      My Elite clone stopped working sound-wise last week. Sob. Probably some fucked-up update.

      If you don't like it, don't buy it.

      Actually, this may be the first thing I've seen that might make getting an HD TV worth the effort.

      --
      Birds are not dinosaur descendants;birds are dinosaurs, for all useful meanings of "birds", "are" and "dinosaurs"
  3. I would kill for a Dragon Warrior IV remake by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    Dragon Warrior IV was tied for best NES RPG ever with Final Fantasy III. I would love to see both remade in HD.

  4. Not a bad idea by alvinrod · · Score: 1

    This doesn't seem like a bad idea. The writing from Square really started to go downhill towards the end of the PlayStation era any the majority of roles in their role playing games were those of whinny teens with an absurd sense of fashion. Perhaps in remaking the older games they'll learn something about storytelling and make new games where I'm not cheering for the villain because of my disdain for the protagonists.

    1. Re:Not a bad idea by Coren22 · · Score: 1

      I saw this story, and logged into Google play. I was happy to see this:

      https://play.google.com/store/...

      and can't wait to see Xenogears show up on anything frankly.

      But those might be the type you speak of.

      --
      APK likes to ask for responses to the same things over and over. Maybe he just likes the responses?
  5. Final Fantasy collection by MSG · · Score: 1

    As I recall, Square Enix released a complete collection of Final Fantasy, but only with Japanese language. I'd love to see the same thing translated into English.

  6. Old English by saberworks · · Score: 1

    I loved the old Dragon Warrior games on NES. However, when they remade Dragon Quest III they changed all the old english dialog to modern english. Everything also got all cutesy and I sort of remember a new integrated collectible item deal. All that crap they added on just annoyed me and took away from the core experience of the game. I'd love to play more remakes but stay true to the originals!

    1. Re:Old English by Jason+Levine · · Score: 1

      Apparently, Square Enix has remade the Dragon Quest series for Android (possibly iOS too, but I didn't check). The first one is $2.99 but the price goes up for the sequels.

      Now if only someone could remake Castle of the Winds for Android!

      --
      My sci-fi novel, Ghost Thief, is now available from Amazon.com.
  7. Re:Psh by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    Dear Square Enix,

    I am not purchasing a game where the only change you made is "NOW IN HD."

    No, no, no, no. I will not do so.

    Signed,
    More gamers then you think.

  8. Maaaaaaan by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    Make a real sequel to Chrono Trigger. I didn't get enough time travel yesterday.

  9. Problem by cloud.pt · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Or better, a list of problems:

    1. the population that they are targeting with nostalgic remakes is almost entirely through "the point of no more gaming" - that moment you no longer buy 1/5 the games you did because adulthood catches up

    2. they don't really have that many games that can be salvaged in an economically efficient way. FF7 remake should be proof of that when the production costs come out - you can't reuse the most expensive stuff, which is basically source code, graphical assets and marketing initiatives

    3. remakes might be easier to digest for critics (it's hard to see a game remake getting bad rep), but at the same time, the moment they get one instance of generalized REALLY BAD criticism on a remake (especially the first ones), every project you have on the pipeline with bucks spent is gonna suffer the consequences. This doesn't happen with a single very bad game.

    4. I understand this being a financial decision by a gaming company , but this encumbers human development indirectly - newcomers purchasing these games are gonna face cultural clash with them, since they weren't made for this point of time, especially their stories, while their genres, even despite a rework, will be out of place (time*)

    In any case, I hope for the best. I'm a big fan of anything Squeenix. But I would rather they pay the big bucks, purchase Mistwalker, and bring back old timer Sakaguchi, Uematsu et al, and just play on with the sure win match plan

    1. Re:Problem by basscomm · · Score: 2

      Or better, a list of problems:

      1. the population that they are targeting with nostalgic remakes is almost entirely through "the point of no more gaming" - that moment you no longer buy 1/5 the games you did because adulthood catches up

      Now that I'm an Adult(tm) and have a fair amount of disposable income, I actually buy more games now than I did when I was younger, even though I barely have time to play them like I once did. My backlog is enormous, but I like to think that I'm saving them to play after I've retired. Plus, it's nice to throw some money at developers I like in the hopes that they continue making things.

      --
      http://crummysocks.com
    2. Re:Problem by vix86 · · Score: 1

      but this encumbers human development indirectly - newcomers purchasing these games are gonna face cultural clash with them, since they weren't made for this point of time, especially their stories, while their genres, even despite a rework, will be out of place (time*)

      It has already been stated by Square that the FF7 HD remake is going to undergo changes to the story. I expect the same thing to happen with many of their other games as well. Compared to older games though on the (S)NES, FF7's story is less in need of modernizing.

    3. Re:Problem by KGIII · · Score: 1

      The last game that I paid attention to was Fallout 2 and it was awesome. I then tried Fallout Tactics. I've not played games since.

      --
      "So long and thanks for all the fish."
    4. Re:Problem by mattack2 · · Score: 1

      Then you should try the Uncharted games, God of War games, and though I haven't played it yet, Last of Us sounds great (I'll eventually get it).

  10. While they're at it... by __aaclcg7560 · · Score: 1

    Remake the Final Fantasy movie using today's animation technology. While the version looked stunning back in 2001, it looks dated and overdue for a remake.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Final_Fantasy:_The_Spirits_Within

    1. Re:While they're at it... by Wraithlyn · · Score: 1

      I dunno... I think the major problems with The Spirits Within were more to do with the cliche, dull, and emotionally flat storyline, not "the CGI wasn't good enough".

      I mean sure a modern remake would probably reduce the Uncanny Valley effect it had going, but that's really not why the movie tanked.

      --
      "Mind, as manifested by the capacity to make choices, is to some extent present in every electron." -Freeman Dyson
  11. Re:Psh by gangien · · Score: 3, Insightful

    yeah, but i will. Why? because it's fun. And I don't have to break out an older system and hook it up, and try to get it working.

  12. Re:Psh by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    I have too many new games waiting in my steam list for me to play to even think about replaying old games. I especially will not pay full price to replay an older game, that is not fun. If they expect to try and sell old games with facelifts for 50 or 60 dollars I think they are going to find themselves disappointed.

  13. Re:Psh by truck_soccer · · Score: 1

    The power of nostalgia boners is stronger than you think.

  14. Give me higher-rez ass, Enix! by Type44Q · · Score: 1

    Square Enix also owns... Tomb Raider

    Anyone here ever enable hardware acceleration on Tomb Raider for DOS? (I had a patch for the Matrox Mystique). When you stepped from software-rendered 320x240 to 640x480 (or 800x600 if you were able to run 3Dfx Glide), the way Lara Croft's ass twitched as she walked... *sigh*

    1. Re:Give me higher-rez ass, Enix! by KGIII · · Score: 1

      Of course it does. Have you seen HD porn? It's actually porn that sometimes doesn't make me want to touch myself! What's the point of that?!?

      --
      "So long and thanks for all the fish."
  15. Not Ideas; Trust by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Essentially they've run out of ideas

    It's not ideas video game companies have run out of. It's consumer trust.

    Gamers are increasingly reluctant to shell out full price for even "AAA" software these days. We're now into, by my personal reckoning at least, at least 7 years of declining standards and/or patchy product quality from even the most trusted studios. 15 years ago Square released FFX which, despite its flaws, was leagues above anything they've done recently, in terms of value, design, and innovation. So, when faced with a choice of the newer dus, or the proven older titles, I think a lot of gamers are simply choosing to go with the classics they know are good, verses the new titles which are increasingly becoming a crap shoot.

    It's the same for practically every major studio, declining game quality across the board. Konami with the MGS series, Ubisoft with Assassin's creed, EA with Battlefront, Bethesda with ES, ID with Doom 3 and Rage, EA with Mass Effect 3, the list goes on. Valve have basically stopped making games. Recent years have seen an increasing rate of high profile, high priced duds being released by top studios and gamers as consumers have become increasingly skeptical and wary of new and even existing IPs.

    We're now seeing AAA games release with zero-day patches on consoles -- consoles. In 2006 on 6th gen you couldn't patch the game, but now consumers are routinely expected to not only pay for but in fact pre-order what may well be a public late beta. There are only so many times people can get burned before they become permanently skeptical and consequently over-cautious with their money, and I think the game industry past that point several years ago. Square is simply reaping the consequences of it's failure to maintain its brand reputation for quality and value over the last 10 years. So is the entire industry.

    1. Re:Not Ideas; Trust by 0123456 · · Score: 2

      Don't forget that we all know the game we buy will be incomplete and there'll be $300 of DLC to buy afterwards, which will be released in a 'Game Of The Year' pack after twelve months, and we'll be able to buy that in a Steam sale for $5 the Christmas after next.

      And it will probably be consolized, on-the-rails, checkpoint-save-only crap anyway.

      I have precisely zero incentive to buy most modern games at release now. Few are worth more than that $5 in entertainment value.

    2. Re:Not Ideas; Trust by mattack2 · · Score: 2

      Yeah, wait for the GOTY/greatest hits edition.. That way, all of your console games are $20 or under.

  16. The X HD / X-2 HD remakes were very good by sandytaru · · Score: 2

    Granted, converting a PS2 game to a PS3 game was a significantly easier task since they were able to re-render all the environments and models for 1080P and recycle those, but they went above and beyond and recreated all the menus too. X was a beautiful game and it showed in the remake.

    I also enjoyed the release of FFIII and FFIV on the DS. If they give the same care and attention to the other games they wish to remake, they'll do really well.

    --
    Occasionally living proof of the Ballmer peak.
  17. From a financial standpoint, XI beat it by sandytaru · · Score: 1

    Poor old Final Fantasy XI, the red headed stepchild of the MMO world, brought them a solid 120 million profit over all its years of operation. So, need to remake VII to let it reclaim the title of most profitable game ever.

    --
    Occasionally living proof of the Ballmer peak.
  18. Makes sense by rsilvergun · · Score: 1

    there's an entire generation of gamers who haven't played these games. They've got a ton of design work already done and there's a hardcore fan base that'll generate buzz (good or bad, it's still buzz). This is what happens when modern games get too expensive to make. Pixel Shaders are a bitch to program and that's how you do HD and not have it look awful.

    I did get a chuckle out of EA's boss calling out Ubisoft for all their HD remakes though. EA, the company that cranked out the same damn Madden/Fifa/NBA Live game every year since 2009. Companies live and die on either their back catalog or strong licenses that keeps 'em going (remember THQ?). Capcom and Sega have managed to get by, but Konami? Their weak back catalog has sadly doomed them to a live time of Pachinko machines & mobile...

    --
    Hi! I make Firefox Plug-ins. Check 'em out @ https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/youtube-mp3-podcaster/
    1. Re:Makes sense by chispito · · Score: 1

      there's an entire generation of gamers who haven't played these games

      And I don't think they'll have the patience for old school JRPGs, either. Nowadays, the grindy, repetitive, random battles are just called "bad design."

      --
      The Daddy casts sleep on the Baby. The Baby resists!
    2. Re:Makes sense by Stormwatch · · Score: 1

      >Konami
      >doomed

      People get this wrong. Konami is a rather large corporation. They're getting out of gaming because their other business are safer and more profitable: real estate, vacation resorts, fitness clubs, and so on.

      --
      Circumcision is child abuse.
    3. Re:Makes sense by tepples · · Score: 1

      Then why can't Konami just sell its video game division to Capcom or someone like that? At least then we won't have a "dog in the manger" situation of a video game publisher that owns copyrights but refuses to exploit them the way the founders intended.

    4. Re:Makes sense by Stormwatch · · Score: 1

      They'd rather just exploit those famous brands on pachinko machines, I guess.

      --
      Circumcision is child abuse.
  19. Re:Psh by sandytaru · · Score: 1

    My lovely 40" Samsung television was hooked up to the PS2, and finally said, "I'm sorry. I do not speak the Olde Tongue." Gave up trying to get it to work.

    --
    Occasionally living proof of the Ballmer peak.
  20. Re: Psh by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Hey. C'mere. There's these things called "emulators", and you don't have to hook up shit. You don't even have to buy anything.

  21. Enough already by U2xhc2hkb3QgU3Vja3M · · Score: 3, Interesting

    What we really need is Einhänder 2 on modern consoles.

  22. Re:Psh by zlives · · Score: 1

    yes thats why maybe they should focus on FF8 or something like that

  23. I'm happy with that by MBGMorden · · Score: 1

    Honestly - I've played a lot of good games "back in the day", and skipped over just as many that were good back then but I just never got around to playing (and whose interfaces I just can't play nowadays). I'm happy with remakes of those games, as long as they're true remakes like what Square is doing (I'm less interested and the "HD Remix" concept - I want completely new graphics not just uprezed stuff).

    I personally have zero interest in "mobile gaming". I can understand that as a company they have to "follow the money", but I personally have little interest in games on a ~5 inch screen whose controls usually are just variations on "Turn device or touch the screen". I've embraced a whole bunch of "new media" with open arms. I love podcasts, most social media, and I've gotten to where I find myself viewing Youtube far more often than watching traditional television shows, but I'd completely give up gaming way before I'd play most of what passes for games on a phone.

    --
    "People who think they know everything are very annoying to those of us who do."-Mark Twain
    1. Re:I'm happy with that by 0123456 · · Score: 1

      The problem is that most 'remakes' aren't content to just update the graphics and keep the gameplay, but feel they must 'update' the gameplay, too.

      Like the recent Carmageddon remake that added new graphics, but removed most of the fun. I can drive around minding my own business, get hit once by another car, and SPLAT. I'm smashed into pieces all over the ground. That never happened in the original... even a police van wouldn't destroy me in one hit.

    2. Re:I'm happy with that by chispito · · Score: 1

      but I personally have little interest in games on a ~5 inch screen whose controls usually are just variations on "Turn device or touch the screen".

      Do you really need tactile controls for menu- and turn-based combat?

      --
      The Daddy casts sleep on the Baby. The Baby resists!
    3. Re:I'm happy with that by MBGMorden · · Score: 1

      Need it from a functional standpoint? No, but games are entertainment, not a task to to simply accomplish like sending an email or text. To make it an actual enjoyable experience, yes I need tactile controls.

      --
      "People who think they know everything are very annoying to those of us who do."-Mark Twain
    4. Re:I'm happy with that by Wraithlyn · · Score: 1

      "Need" is a pretty poor metric when we're talking about a good player experience.

      I mean have you played Final Fantasy I on iOS vs the original Nintendo version? There's no comparison at all in terms of ease of play. Sure you can "get by" with the touchscreen version but actual buttons provided vaster superior gameplay, no contest.

      --
      "Mind, as manifested by the capacity to make choices, is to some extent present in every electron." -Freeman Dyson
  24. Re:Psh by GuB-42 · · Score: 1

    At least, there is a lot of work involved in a HD remake. From a technical standpoint, it is almost as hard as making a new game.
    What I hate is when they just run the old game in an emulator without even adjusting the controls, like with the iOS version of FF7.

  25. I Look Forward . . . by hduff · · Score: 1

    . . . to seeing Laura Croft's boobs jiggle in HD.

    --
    "I believe in Karma. That means I can do bad things to people all day long and I assume they deserve it." : Dogbert
    1. Re:I Look Forward . . . by Aboroth · · Score: 1

      Unfortunately they have been getting smaller over time. They won't be stressing any physics simulation systems, that's for sure.

  26. That wasn't twiching by rsilvergun · · Score: 1

    it was texture deformation :P. Seriously though, there are glide emulators out that that'll run Tomb Raider 1 in hardware accel mode. Sadly the Gog doesn't use the best of the bunch (nGlide) so if you want that you'll have to hack it in yourself.

    --
    Hi! I make Firefox Plug-ins. Check 'em out @ https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/youtube-mp3-podcaster/
  27. Re:Psh by Stormwatch · · Score: 3, Informative

    There are composite / S-Video to HDMI converters, have you tried those? Check on eBay, they're not too expensive.

    --
    Circumcision is child abuse.
  28. Re:jesusfuckmesideways by Daetrin · · Score: 1

    "fuck these out-of-ideas morons. fire the execs and start fresh FFS"

    Final Fantasy S? I don't think i've heard of that one!

    --
    This Space Intentionally Left Blank
  29. More like re-imagining by HalAtWork · · Score: 2

    If their Final Fantasy 7 "remake" is anything to go by, they'll be making liberal changes to the entire thing anyway. Final Fantasy 7 is getting action-focused combat instead of its excellent active time turn based system. It will be less of a strategic affair as a result. Very different from what veterans of the franchise are expecting, buy perhaps we're not the target audience. Maybe these changes are being made to appeal to a new generation of gamers. Be warned and temper expectations.

    --
    Twinstiq, game news
    1. Re:More like re-imagining by Faust6 · · Score: 1

      Well it begs the question, what is the target audience? Millennials? I'd have thought anyone so ga-ga about the old series has already played them to death. There must a vocal group saying "we haven't played these, but we'd kind of like to, but we want a graphical overhaul, but the games are already great, but GRAPHICS".

    2. Re:More like re-imagining by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      I hope they don't screw with it too much. The ATB system is awesome. Only a couple of things to change:

      1. Ability to skip or fast-forward summons - so when you cast Quad-Knights-of-the-Round, then the next character Mimics it, you fly to America and back, and it's alomost done (12 hours from New Zealand, one way)

      2. Less grinding to AP to level up Materia, although some would say that add some charm to the game :)

      Square-Enix, I'll give you that advice for free.

    3. Re:More like re-imagining by CronoCloud · · Score: 1

      so when you cast Quad-Knights-of-the-Round, then the next character Mimics it, you fly to America and back, and it's alomost done

      Quadra Magic doesn't work with KOTR, at best you can do is W-Summon it. The most powerful Summon that DOES work with Quadra Magic is the final Bahamut, and you really need 3 Mimic materia because W-Summoning KOTR is 500MP. Sure, you could always do an MP-Absorb, but that would require mastering ANOTHER KOTR, and eating up two more Materia slots.

      Less grinding to AP to level up Materia,

      Don't remind me, Movers, Pots, and Tonberries in the Final dungeon, or the forest outside of Mideel, that's easier but slower, or the Crashed Gelnika, which is annoying.

  30. Re:Psh by Coren22 · · Score: 1

    https://play.google.com/store/...

    It all depends on what you call full price. I will be buying that when I am not at work, and look forward to the rerelease of Xenogears.

    --
    APK likes to ask for responses to the same things over and over. Maybe he just likes the responses?
  31. Re: Psh by Coren22 · · Score: 2

    Though a gamepad is highly recommended, playing these oldies with a mouse and keyboard is...weird....

    --
    APK likes to ask for responses to the same things over and over. Maybe he just likes the responses?
  32. Re:games I'd want to be remade by Coren22 · · Score: 1

    https://play.google.com/store/...

    I agree, it is nice to see it finally available on Google Play.

    --
    APK likes to ask for responses to the same things over and over. Maybe he just likes the responses?
  33. Re:I for one welcome our androgynous gaming overlo by operagost · · Score: 1, Insightful

    I'm pretty sure your post contains a microagression of some kind, but I'll need to consult my local university first.

    --

    Gamingmuseum.com: Give your 3D accelerator a rest.
  34. Nothing new , really by Kinwolf · · Score: 1

    They have been redoing their back catalog since forever! How many remake of FFIV are out there already?

  35. Re:They did that. by Lendrick · · Score: 1

    Xenosaga wasn't a remake, and it wasn't done by Squeenix. A true remake of the original (where they actually make a complete game, rather than running out of money 2/3 of the way through) would likely do a lot better.

  36. Aeris by operagost · · Score: 1

    keeps Phoenix Down in her purse this time.

    --

    Gamingmuseum.com: Give your 3D accelerator a rest.
  37. Re:Psh by ProzacPatient · · Score: 1

    I'd like to play an HD remake of Tomb Raider II but I don't trust Square Enix to not screw up such a beloved title like they did with Thief.

    I think Crystal Dynamics did an excellent job with a remake of the first Tomb Raider and had a good thing going but Square Enix decided to reboot the TR franchise as an angsty teenage girl adventure discarding everything CD built up in the process.

  38. what a disappointment by Faust6 · · Score: 1

    I'm surprised SE see so much value in regurgitating old, but already great, content. The required investment is still high, and there's no guarantee they will sell as well as a new entry. But I guess SE knows something I don't. The ones who've been clamoring for a FF7 remake are the most naive dolts. We're not "just" getting FF7 with "updated" graphics. We're getting full 3d motion, a new action-rpg battle system, and likely INCESSANT voice over and cut-scenes in keeping with the latest trends. Pacing completely, utterly destroyed. That already sounds awful. Frankly if the original was so damn great in their minds I don't see why a remake would make a difference - you've already played it how many times??? - nor why the new generation should care. But there you are. As punishment I hope they shell out the $60+ at launch, I look forward to the whining.

    1. Re:what a disappointment by damnbunni · · Score: 1

      I was shocked that FF7 didn't have voice acting to begin with.

      My first JRPGs were Lunar 1 and 2 on the Sega CD, so I thought voice acting and full-animated-with-speech cutscenes were something JRPGs just *had*.

      At least if they were on CD instead of cartridge.

    2. Re:what a disappointment by Faust6 · · Score: 1

      And what a rarity that was. Mind you those games had responsive text dialog you could skip through. And cutscenes were few and far between. The average Assassin's Creed game is an offender today in terms of sheer excess and FF games are even worse.

  39. Forget Square, gimme Enix by Stormwatch · · Score: 1

    I'd rather have a modern remake of the Soul Blazer series. (Yeah, I know it was actually developed by Quintet.)

    --
    Circumcision is child abuse.
  40. Squeenix has lost their touch. by Lendrick · · Score: 3, Interesting

    There was a time, back in the SNES and PSX era, that Squaresoft could do no wrong. That time has passed. Their new games are a mess, and they've realized that the only way they're going to stay in business is to remake their old ones. That being said, they're fixing to fuck up FF7 the same way they've fucked up their more recent offerings.

    I think part of the problem may be that Squeenix doesn't have the slightest fucking clue about the American market. As far as I can tell, they're trying to go for the action gamer market and sell a gazillion copies the way the big third person action franchises do, but by and large, those people aren't really the ones who are interested in JRPGs. And in the process of *trying* to appeal to that market, they alienate their core audience (most of which has walked away by this point).

    Now, it's entirely possible that the JRPG core audience just isn't big enough to support the development of AAA titles, but I judging by their surprise at how well Bravely Default did in the states, I have a feeling they're vastly underestimating how many people would be interested in a more classic JRPG feel.

    1. Re:Squeenix has lost their touch. by damnbunni · · Score: 1

      Final Fantasy XIV is the #2 subscription-based MMO.

      It's behind World of Warcraft, of course, but has more paying subs than EVE.

      Not continuing to run it would be pretty stupid.

    2. Re:Squeenix has lost their touch. by Grim+Beefer · · Score: 1

      As someone who grew up playing 90's era Squaresoft titles, I think this is pretty much the case, but I think it's worth elaborating on.

      Whether intentional or not, older Squaresoft titles had a decent mix of western and Japanese cultural influences. The original FF games, for example, largely pulled from D&D for their bestiary, and by and large reflected the western medieval fantasy atmosphere with a Japanese take on character development and storytelling. When you took a game like FFVI, it really felt like the best of both worlds. Fantastical, but cohesive, despite having several influences. I'm not saying that they need to go back to these medieval roots - it's just that Squaresoft was more willing, then, to fuse multiple cultural influences. Obviously, it's their games and they can do what they want.

      For me, it's not really the mechanics of the games, it's the culture of them. I'm not knocking it if it's your thing, but I really have no interest in all of the whiny, teenage, anime, emo, costume, hairdo stuff that seems to make up modern Jrpgs, which is a shame because I really like Jrpg gameplay mechanics. I've tried, mind you. There was a point in FFXII when a character pulls out a pair of "cool" sunglasses...for some reason. It just made no fucking sense. Wait...this universe has plastic? And they apparently ONLY use it to make cool sunglasses? Early on in FFXIII - the only game in my very nerdy history I've ever returned because I've hated the game so much - there's a moment when you encounter some kid with the most ludicrously impractical giant blue hairdo I've ever seen. It must have taken, like 5 hours to get that right. It would have been awesome if I were watching a John Waters movie, but there was no way I was going to put with an entire game's worth of self-important drivel with crap like that just being part of the norm. I decided then that I was done with Square. Way too much style, fashion, and attitude, anachronisms be damned. That, and irritating porcelain supermodels instead of actual characters.

      These types of things aren't the challenges I want my suspension of disbelief to overcome when I play rpgs. To be fair, every game is going to have to bend logic to a certain extent, but you can handle it one of two ways - you can either tread carefully around the liberties you're taking and attempt to give your universe some kind of well crafted internal logic and reasonable justification, or just say fuck it and put in whatever teenagers think is cool at the time. Modern FF games feel way too much like they want to have their cake and eat it too - we want a SERIOUS, emotionally engaging gameworld with swords, monsters, magic, and so on...but we also want cell phones, pop-star singing, sports cars, and modern technology - when it's cool. Just put in whatever's cool. Like sunglasses. No wait! - cars! Vrrroooommmm! It just seems like an 11-year old is coming up with this shit.

      I guess what I'm saying, is that they're way too Japanese for me, no offense to anyone. It makes sense. I don't like 95% of the anime I've tried to watch for similar reasons. Square game were increasingly a battle for me to enjoy them, having to look past the hairdos, fashion, and skimpy/big-titty nonsense to appreciate them. I can't do it anymore though, because it seems like they just keep cranking the dial up at every turn. It's not a concept unique to Squaresoft, there are similar debates going on right now about the gun-toting stripper they shoehorned into MGSV for "reasons", in what is considered to, otherwise, be a stellar game.

      If you want to look at an example of a Japanese rpg that doesn't pull this crap, look at the Souls series. These are some of my favorite games, primarily, I think, because they are a great mixture of multiple influences. Sure, they have some of the annoying impracticality found in Japanese tropes, like swords about 50 times too heavy to ever be used or "costumes", but on the whole, it's negligible and very optional. No annoying teenage emo characte

    3. Re:Squeenix has lost their touch. by PPalmgren · · Score: 1

      I have to give them some credit on Tomb Raider. The newer Tomb Raider was an absolutely fantastic game, and I wish the next one wasn't a XBox exclusive as i'd like to play it on the PC.

      I don't mind franchise reboots or remakes, as long as its done in a tactful and entertaining way. One of the biggest and best franchises in video game history - the Zelda series - is littered with remakes. Its just that they were done in a way that makes a new game out of the same story.

  41. Re:Alternate ending by PopeRatzo · · Score: 1, Funny

    non-anti-climatic

    Why not just say, "climactic"?

    Or are you a little non-anti-unsmart?

    --
    You are welcome on my lawn.
  42. Not Deus Ex. Please. by rocket+rancher · · Score: 1

    It took a decade for Deus Ex to get right. DE:HR was game of the year for a reason. It is in HD, a golden-hued, blade-runner-invoking, ridley-scott homaging, glorious meld of FPS and RPG. Don't try to gild this lily, guys. Fuck with FF if you must, but not this franchise, please.

  43. Dumping NES games by tepples · · Score: 1

    That's fine for CD games. But how would you go about dumping an authentic NES or Super NES Game Pak with a Square, Enix, or Taito game on it so you can play it on your emulator? For Super NES, Genesis, and Game Boy, you can buy a Retrode adapter from DragonBox. But what for NES games such as Final Fantasy and Rad Racer?

    (Before you suggest "download", please read about UMG v. MP3.com.)

  44. Re:Alternate ending by RavenLrD20k · · Score: 1

    Had I mod points I would mark this post as double-plus-ungood just for your benefit, citizen.

  45. Obviously by argStyopa · · Score: 1

    Because look how successful Hollywood has been rehashing old crap, right?

    They too avoid new projects out of an abject fear of failure, it's not like theater revenues are plummeting or anything.

    --
    -Styopa
  46. Begin with a village simulator by tepples · · Score: 1

    Make something where you actually get to go about life in your home town for a long time if you never bother to set out on the adventure. Run an orchard, catch fish and sell them at market, buy clothes, decorate your home, and more. Not only could a Harvest Moon-type simulation side quest provide extra content for the early game and set up relationships that will become important later on, but the investment by players in a village that gets destroyed could rival the <spoiler>murder of Aeris Gainsborough</spoiler>. They could call it Chrono Crossing.

  47. Kingdom Hearts vs. Disney Infinity by tepples · · Score: 1

    I think Disney and Pixar have to put out a few more movies to act as source material before there can be another Kingdom Hearts. Besides, it'll be complicated to integrate Disney's recent acquisitions (Marvel Super Heroes and Star Wars) in a way more story-driven than the "toy box" style juxtaposition of Disney Infinity.

  48. Re:Alternate ending by alva_edison · · Score: 2

    non-anti-climatic

    Why not just say, "climactic"?

    Or are you a little non-anti-unsmart?

    Emphasis, although the same emphasis could be achieved with the phrase "truly climactic".

    --
    He effected a bored affect.
  49. Deus XXX: Rated H by tepples · · Score: 1

    But could it get any worse than a Deus Ex-themed eroge subtitled Pronounced Day of Sex?

    1. Re:Deus XXX: Rated H by Antique+Geekmeister · · Score: 1

      I'm afraid it could. I just played "Thief", and was horribly disappointed at the sequel to the best stealth RPG games I've ever seen. Any game that gives you climbing puzzles, rope arrows, and _no way to use the rope arrows for the climbing puzzles_ is so scripted it's simply broken.

  50. Re:Alternate ending by KGIII · · Score: 1

    Stop picking on the kids, Pope. Sheesh. ;)

    --
    "So long and thanks for all the fish."
  51. Re:Psh by khellendros1984 · · Score: 1

    My 40" Samsung works fine with everything going back to my Atari 2600. What's wrong with yours? *Looks at current Samsung TVs* Hmmmm, really? 2-4 HDMI ports, 1-3 USB ports, and no other connection options? What a sorry selection =( Mine has 2 A/V, Coax, 1 Component, VGA, 3.5mm audio, Toslink audio, 4 HDMI, and 2 USB ports. I'm not looking forward to buying extra conversion hardware when it eventually gives up the ghost...

    --
    It is pitch black. You are likely to be eaten by a grue.
  52. Re:Psh by khellendros1984 · · Score: 1

    Looks like they've got more than most sites will list. Samsung's site shows that they've got more connection options than were listed on the two sales sites that I looked at. I'd still need more splitters than I already have, for most of the TVs listed.

    --
    It is pitch black. You are likely to be eaten by a grue.
  53. Re:Truth-bomb by CronoCloud · · Score: 1

    [joke] You are DEAD to me[/joke]

    And you don't get any of my Phoenix Downs, and no Final Attack-Revive combo for you!

    Overall X is the best of the series, though I've got plenty of nostalgia for VII. VIII I didn't care for, except for the Triple Triad card game VI is good if you take in account the limitations of the SNES and Nintendo's rules. IX is all right in it's Crystals and Airships homage to the past sort of way even if it's strategy guide sucks donkey balls.

    XII is MMO-ish, much different feel, and IIRC has one of the toughest "ultimate" bosses ever that requires stupidly excessive amounts of grinding to even have a chance with.

    VI, VII and X are probably the most accessible to new players. (X has some seriously annoying mini-games...lightning dodging and the chocobo race)

  54. Re:Alternate ending by PopeRatzo · · Score: 1

    Stop picking on the kids, Pope. Sheesh. ;)

    Brother, I spent two decades teaching English composition to university freshman. It's too late for me to change my ways.

    --
    You are welcome on my lawn.
  55. Re:Truth-bomb by PopeRatzo · · Score: 1

    lightning dodging and the chocobo race

    The mind reels.

    Could it be because Final Fantasy was mainly a console-centric series and I've always been a PC gamer? I see that there are a bunch of FF games on Steam. Maybe I'll take another shot. No promises, though.

    --
    You are welcome on my lawn.
  56. Re:Alternate ending by KGIII · · Score: 1

    I feel for you. When I retired, I spent a few years teaching some maths to college students down at UMF. I was thinking that I should stay busy as I was only 50. Holy shit... Well, you know... I suspect I needn't tell you, it'd be like preaching to the choir.

    --
    "So long and thanks for all the fish."
  57. Re:Alternate ending by Hognoxious · · Score: 1

    non-anti-climatic

    I'm not sure weather I get your meaning.

    --
    Confucius say, "Find worm in apple - bad. Find half a worm - worse."
  58. The minutes of that meeting again by Hognoxious · · Score: 1

    CEO: So, guys. We've like totally run out of new ideas, right?

    [they mumble and fidget nervously]

    VP of Marketing: Hey, why don't we just do the same old shit ...

    [they mumble and fidget nervously again] ... only BIGGER!

    [they start to smile]

    VP of product development: Yeah, and with newer hardware how about MORE EFFECTS!

    All: Brilliant!

    CEO: Make it so. Bonuses all round, and the chocamochmochachoccas are on me!

    [Massive group hug]

    I just hope Hollywood don't get the same idea or we'll have to go back to making our own entertainment like we did in the war when there were no bananas.

    --
    Confucius say, "Find worm in apple - bad. Find half a worm - worse."
  59. Re:Truth-bomb by CronoCloud · · Score: 1

    Could it be because Final Fantasy was mainly a console-centric series and I've always been a PC gamer?

    Yeah. The inverse is that us console gamers never got ports of those classic isometric 80's/90s PC RPG's like Wasteland, Baldur's Gate, Planescape, or the original Fallout. I'm glad the PS4 is getting Wasteland 2, Divinity: Original Sin, and Sword Coast Legends

    I see that there are a bunch of FF games on Steam. Maybe I'll take another shot. No promises, though.

    Start with VII. Sadly they don't have VI or X up there. I'd actually recommend Chrono Trigger over the Final Fantasies, but it's not on Steam. And what I wouldn't give for a re-master of Secret Of Mana with network play and a proper translation.

  60. Re:They did that. by SuiteSisterMary · · Score: 1

    Only if they get rid of the sewer section. Which is sage advice that applies to ANY game with a 'sewer section.'

    --
    Vintage computer games and RPG books available. Email me if you're interested.
  61. XI's time had come by sandytaru · · Score: 1

    See that username? (Yeah. San D'Oria Tarutaru.) I played XI for a decade. Ran a successful Dynamis linkshell for four years. Finished 99 Gjallarhorn. Last December, my friends quit and moved to XIV.

    XI's graphical limitations were really beginning to show, and short of a massive engine overhaul, there was little they could do to improve it any more. It held on strongly for so long for a PS2 era game, but it just wasn't as fun any more.

    --
    Occasionally living proof of the Ballmer peak.