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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
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.
