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Square Enix E3 lineup loaded with sequels, remakes
With 2008's edition of E3 just days away, the role-playing steam engine that is Square Enix has revealed what titles that it will spring on press types as they shuffle past. Of the eleven titles on display, the company's lineup this year is noticeably remake and sequel heavy, with over half of the games representing a return to the well for another drink. Boasting "simultaneous global releases for several platforms," the company has also re-confirmed dates for much of its lineup as well, with the following games also noted as being playable during the show: Chrono Trigger (DS; Holiday 2008) Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen (DS; September 16) Final Fantasy IV (DS; July 22) Infinite Undiscovery (Xbox 360; September 2) Song Summoner: The Unsung Heroes (iPod; Now Available) In addition, the remainder listed below will be shown in non-playable form: The Last Remnant (Xbox 360, PS3; Winter for Xbox 360, TBA for PS3) Star Ocean: First Departure (PSP; October 21) Star Ocean: Second Evolution (PSP; January 6) Star Ocean: The Last Hope (Xbox 360; 2009) Exit DS (DS; October 7) The Legend of Kage 2 (DS; October 7) And coming soon to a grocery store near you, Star Ocean: Whole Wheat Clusters.
'Star Ocean: The Last Hope' announced for Xbox 360
Are role-playing games the last hope for a struggling Xbox 360 in Japan? It's not really a question so much as a trite joke we'll be abusing over the next several months, as Square Enix and Microsoft have announced a new endeavor that's actually called, "The Last Hope." Oh, and those words are preceded by ones that may excite you: "Star Ocean." Now we know what all that "lineup" business was about.According to IGN's liveblog of the announcement, made yesterday at a press conference in Japan, Star Ocean: The Last Hope has a "science fiction feel to it," with humanity heading into the universe after completely wrecking planet Earth, as usual. Important things like customization and battle systems were apparently not mentioned, but there's plenty of time for that yet. For now, Star Ocean: The Last Hope is slated "for Xbox 360," but common sense tells us if a PlayStation 3 version is in the works (and funnily enough, this game looks just like the PS3's "Star Ocean IV"), it probably wouldn't be trumpeted at a Microsoft conference. [Trailer via X3F]
Star Ocean 4 scans unveil main character artwork
If you've watched the Star Ocean 4 trailer posted last Monday, perhaps you were a little annoyed seeing the main characters' faces purposefully cropped out of the picture. If that's the case, then be happy for today's Famitsu scans; they are equally pretty and most of all crop-free. The scans reveal character artwork for protagonists Edge Maverick and Reimi Saionji. Aside from that, however, nothing else major has been revealed about this Star Ocean prequel. We do get a brief look at the in-game graphics though. As far as we can tell, the game is shaping up nicely. See the other scans at Gamersyde.
Star Ocean 2 accessories for Japan, new trailer for you
Japan, as usual, is getting even more extra goodies with the upcoming release of Star Ocean: Second Evolution on the PSP. Game peripheral company Hori will be coming out with a new set of Star Ocean: Second Evolution themed accessories. The set consists of: headphones with a Star Ocean art design, screen cleaner, two UMD cases (one for SO1 and SO2 each), and a slip-on back-casing. It's actually a pretty nice collection to go along with that special First Departure PSP.While our friends over seas can enjoy their soon-to-release game and complementary accessories, the rest of us will just have to settle for a brand new trailer. By all means, it's not a lousy consolation prize ... and hey, it's free! Check out the trailer right after the break.[Via RPG Land]
More screens of Star Ocean: Second Evolution
Star Ocean: Second Evolution will be the next big thing after Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G hits Japan next week. And just like the screenshot update Monster Hunter received earlier today, this title is getting its own reciprocal visual update. Have a look at more than 30 new Second Evolution screens here.While neither PSP remakes of Star Ocean: First Departure nor Star Ocean: Second Evolution have been announced for western release, we're still thinking it's coming. Any day now. Yep ... any day now. Is localization the reason why these titles are not traversing continents? If that's the case, we're willing to offer our exquisite translation expertise to Tri-Ace and Square Enix. Just look at our translation in the screenshot above. Purely accurate, we swear!
Square Enix in your pocket: PSP edition
This week marks the release of the Final Fantasy remake on Sony PSP, the first Square Enix title to make it to the US. The RPG powerhouse showed a multitude of appetizing titles coming to the portable earlier this summer at their massive party at Tokyo's Makuhari Messe. Long-time Square Enix fans will find yourselves either dismayed or curiously nostalgic (probably a bit of both) by the sheer number of enhanced remakes -- five of the seven PSP titles are ghosts from the company's past with upgraded visuals and new content. What's left is a brawler with an assortment of fighters from the Final Fantasy universe and a long-in-development (though visually impressive) extension of the Final Fantasy VII lore. Take a gander at the upcoming games after the break.
Star Ocean remakes to feature extensive voice work
The newly unveiled Star Ocean remakes are getting a significant (and chatty) rehaul. According to GameSpot, these remakes will feature significant new content. Producer Yoshinori Yamagishi intends on making "the remake[s] to feel as though they're completely new games." According to the game's voice actors, they haven't been able to record dialog yet, because the scripts aren't finished yet -- tons of new scenarios and characters are being added to the game. For those interested, the Japanese vocal cast has been announced: Star Ocean: First Departure Ratix Farrence - Mamoru Miyano Milly Kiliet - Hitomi Nabatame Marvel Frozen - Houko Kuwashima Fear Mell - Megumi Toyoguchi Star Ocean: Second Evolution Claude C. Kenni - Daisuke Namikawa Rena Lanford - Nana Mizuki Dias Flac - Tomokazu Sugita Precis F. Neumann - Rie Kugimiya
Star Ocean 1 and 2 ride Square Enix's PSP wave
We knew Square Enix and tri-ace were going to announce another installment of the Star Ocean series. What we didn't know was the target platform or, apparently, the quantity. According to slides from a Japanese press conference, they'll be releasing two remakes (surprised?) in addition to a new title.Star Ocean 1 and 2 -- originally released on the SNES and PlayStation respectively, will be making their way to the PSP while Star Ocean 4 (tentative title) is under development and will be coming to an unspecified platform. With tri-ace also working on Infinite Undiscovery, an Xbox 360 RPG, will SO4 be a PlayStation 3 exclusive or the first multiplatform Star Ocean title?[Via PSP Fanboy]
Square Enix press conference: Last Remnant screens + Star Ocean 4
Square Enix have confirmed that The Last Remnant will be released for both the PS3 and the Xbox 360 at a press conference in Japan yesterday. It will be the first Square Enix game to be released in America and Japan simultaneously. While we already expected this, it's always nice to hear it from the horse's mouth. On top of this confirmation Square Enix released some screen shots and art from the game. They look gorgeous, of course. The battle scene showing the Japanese character, Rush, fighting on a battlefield is perhaps the most interesting as it gives various hints towards the potential gameplay mechanics involved. Gemaga took photos of all the slides during the press conference. One that really caught our eye was the third one down in this post. It simply says 'Star Ocean 4 (tentative title) under development' with the Square Enix and tri-Ace logos at the bottom. It seems the console the game will eventually arrive on has yet to be determined. Hopefully we will find more out at the Square Enix party. If not, then there's this ominous 'May 30th' date which is mentioned in all of Gemaga's posts.As a final treat, one slide shows some information on Final Fantasy XII: International, which will be released on the 9th of August in Japan and will feature something known as the 'Zodiac Job System'. Sounds intriguing. What is it? We'll let you know when we find out.PSP owners, make sure you check out this post on PSP Fanboy for some more Star Ocean news.
Star Ocean 1 and 2 destined for PSP rerelease
During a recent press conference in Japan, Tri-Ace (in conjunction with Square Enix) have revealed that they will be remaking Star Ocean and Star Ocean: The Second Story for the PSP. Originally on the SNES and the PSX, respectively, these titles should get some decent spit-and-polish treatment before their release. Though from the look of the presentation slides, I wouldn't expect any Final Fantasy III style 3D-ification. But that's ok, 2D better suits the anime style of the game.While the short blurb is beyond my limited Japanese knowledge, there is mention of the 30th of May. I'm doubtful that will be the release date, though there's the possibility that we'll see some more information being released on that day.Though there's little more to say than that, we'll let you know of any developments. Be sure to check out the slides captured from the conference over at Gemaga 1985. With Dissidia and now the first two Star Ocean games on the way, it looks like RPG fans are going to have a tough time putting their PSPs down.PS3 owners, be sure to check out this post over at PS3 Fanboy for more Square Enix news.[Via GamesAreFun]
New Star Ocean forthcoming, reveals Famitsu
According to the latest issue of Famitsu, a very credible Japanese gaming periodical, Square Enix will announce a new chapter in the Star Ocean series at the Square Enix Party mid-May. The party is also purported to be showing off 10 Final Fantasy titles, including a "Final Fantasy that is not known by anyone," according to ad for the event.As for which console the next Star Ocean will appear on is unknown. Developer tri-Ace, who is also known for Valkyrie Profile and Radiata Stories, has predominantly worked with Sony hardware. Their most recently-announced project, Infinite Undiscovery, is the anomalistic Xbox 360 title.[Via Wii, PS3 Fanboy]
Wii Warm Up: Will Wii get Star Ocean?
According to the latest Famitsu, a new Star Ocean will be announced at the upcoming Square Enix party, but beyond that, we don't know anything else -- including which platform will have the honor of the title. With the Square Enix-Nintendo romance of late, we wouldn't be too surprised to see Star Ocean venture Wii-ward, but we're not ready to call this one for our camp just yet. As much as we might hope for it, it seems likely SE will throw some sort of bone to the other guys. Then again, it's Nintendo that's collecting all the Dragon Quest love, and that's a pretty big deal. Perhaps Star Ocean could be a nice fit on the Wii. Where do you see it going?
Square Enix to announce next Star Ocean title in May
The latest issue of Famitsu magazine in Japan states that Square Enix is going to reveal something tasty next month -- the next entry into the Star Ocean franchise. It's getting its big reveal at the Square Enix Party 2007 event taking place next month. Next month, get it?Whether the game will retain the futuristic elements its known for has yet to be announced, but we can only say this: don't let it suck so hard. While critics and fans hailed Star Ocean 2 and Star Ocean: Till The End of Time as great games... they just didn't do it for me. Tri-Ace is normally a fantastic developer in my eyes and Square Enix was smart to snatch them up. However, they've got to learn a few things about making games that Star Ocean generally misses out on: Don't drag out a story that's ended. Star Ocean 2 did this pretty horribly once you reach the second disc. All you have to do is fight the 13 whatever-they-were, but no. Tons of little nonsensical quests sprouted up to drag the playtime out. Hire better writers (I'm always available). We're not talking about the basic storyline, here. We mean dialogue. If you play Star Ocean: TTEoT, think about what each character is saying. Here's an example: Dude: "We need to get the random item to advance the story!" Lady: "The random item to advance the story?" Dude: "Yes, it has great power to make this game not suck!" Lady: "Great power?" Dude 2: "It is rumored it destroyed Nick Doerr's interest in this title." Lady 2: "His interest?" Get the idea? Everyone had to question every single line of dialogue everyone else said. It was stupid.Feel free to add your own issues to this list, but those are my main concerns. If those are addressed, I'd gladly give Star Ocean IV a shot. We'll come back with more details as they surface.
