Star Ocean 1 & 2 Remake/Port for PSP AND future SO4

[Maxxthepenguin]

I forgot people buy FF games for the characters, and not because of the tradition around those games. I mean, everyone love their design, right? Tidus, Vaan..etc?

Star ocean's 1.5 millions versus FFXII's 4.5m isn't that bad. It's actually better than every other rpg I can think of. You would just piss off the fan of the series if you changed the style, and casual gamers wouldn't buy it more because they don't buy story driven RPG.


And Mass Effect had meathead, and more publicity than any other games on TV.

In reverse order.

There have been more Bioware games than Mass Effect. It's the only one with a meathead mentality. All of them, even the non-linearish Baldur's Gate series, were plot driven.

What star ocean game sold 1.5m with a significant portion in America? Also, not including catgirls doesn't mean a change in style...or not nearly as much as the normal fucking screenshots show. The visual style at least is vastly different that SO2 (idk about 3).
In any case, most movies, games, etc change styles over time.

There have been many characters that have been great in FF history, only rarely the main one. People don't really buy games simply for the name anymore. If one main series game was actually bad, it would greatly hurt the sales for the rest.

[Kaylia]

In reverse order.

There have been more Bioware games than Mass Effect. It's the only one with a meathead mentality. All of them, even the non-linearish Baldur's Gate series, were plot driven.

What star ocean game sold 1.5m with a significant portion in America? Also, not including catgirls doesn't mean a change in style...or not nearly as much as the normal fucking screenshots show. The visual style at least is vastly different that SO2 (idk about 3).
In any case, most movies, games, etc change styles over time.

There have been many characters that have been great in FF history, only rarely the main one. People don't really buy games simply for the name anymore. If one main series game was actually bad, it would greatly hurt the sales for the rest.

Baldur gate isn't my definition of story driven rpg. In fact, I dont think anyone played them for the story. I haven't played the Star Wars games, but I seriously doubt the characters were that great (beside that one robot). Those games usually have great gameplay and a great setting, but characters are rarely involved personally in the story.

FFXII sold 1.7m in america, Star ocean 3 sold 0.8m copy. The sales I gave you in my last post are the one worldwide.

I'm not saying the addition of an almost naked 12 years old catgirl is a great thing. I complained about it before in this thready. However, anime style isn't why people don't play the game. It wouldn't sell more copy if they were using a "north american" character designer.

There have been many characters that have been great in FF history, only rarely the main one. People don't really buy games simply for the name anymore. If one main series game was actually bad, it would greatly hurt the sales for the rest.

I'm not convinced with this. People do buy games for the name (and publicity) more than the content. I'm not saying SE could pump shitty FF game and keep their sales good, but as long they offer quality content and make a lot of publicity, they should have good sales.

[Maxxthepenguin]

Baldur gate isn't my definition of story driven rpg. In fact, I dont think anyone played them for the story. I haven't played the Star Wars games, but I seriously doubt the characters were that great (beside that one robot). Those games usually have great gameplay and a great setting, but characters are rarely involved personally in the story.

I didn't play much BG1, but BG2 was truly story based with a metric ton of sidequests (which often had good stories instead of sidequesty things)

FFXII sold 1.7m in america, Star ocean 3 sold 0.8m copy. The sales I gave you in my last post are the one worldwide.

I'm not saying the addition of an almost naked 12 years old catgirl is a great thing. I complained about it before in this thready. However, anime style isn't why people don't play the game. It wouldn't sell more copy if they were using a "north american" character designer.

Anime style contributes to why a lot of people are turned off. It contributes to a feel and tone that doesn't resonate with as many people as the games otherwise could. The concept of having half-naked preteen catgirls are indicative of the thing that doesn't resonate. Also remember: it's not North American vs Japan, it's Anime vs Other stuff. There is more than one style in Japan. Many that are inspired by standard anime but don't stick to the style completely are successful. Games like the tales series stay too close for people who have tastes like mine (and there are a lot, in this specific case).

I'm not convinced with this. People do buy games for the name (and publicity) more than the content. I'm not saying SE could pump shitty FF game and keep their sales good, but as long they offer quality content and make a lot of publicity, they should have good sales.

The hype machine (including perceived quality from previews and reviews) is far more important than the name brand machine in the gaming world at this point. Now, the name brand can inform the hype, but it's not the main factor.

[Kaylia]

There was no character developments in BG2. BG1 had none either. Story yes, but when you take out character development out of a story, it become much less interesting.


Anyway, you obviously have a bias against animes. None of the 4-5 main characters strike me as being more "anime-like" than your typical japanese video game characters. The minor characters (the one you don't have to keep) look a bit weirder, but it was the case in every Star Ocean. That catgirl you're complaining about is similar to character like Pepitta in SO3, or that girl in SO1 (was she a catgirl? I forgot). Changing the setting after 12 years and 4 games would be a bit weird, unless you're trying to lose long time fans. If they want to make something else, just change the name of the series and start a new one.

But seriously, I can't imagine another style that could portray the same emotion and story. Make it more realistic and all the fantasy stuff would look ridiculous.


Here is some table breaking image to keep the thread interesting. If you get turned off by screenshots like this and don't want to give the game a shot, what can I do.
[spoiler
http://image.com.com/gamespot/images..._screen007.jpg
http://image.com.com/gamespot/images..._screen001.jpg
http://image.com.com/gamespot/images..._screen006.jpg
http://image.com.com/gamespot/images..._screen010.jpg
http://image.com.com/gamespot/images..._screen011.jpg
http://image.com.com/gamespot/images..._screen014.jpg
http://image.com.com/gamespot/images..._screen018.jpg
http://image.com.com/gamespot/images..._screen019.jpg
http://image.com.com/gamespot/images..._screen001.jpg[/spoiler]


[edit]
Bah, those pictures were too big I guess. Gonna put them in spoiler

[Hyan]

Those characters are extremely anime-like >_>; Not that it's a bad thing, but it's very clear..

[Kaylia]

Not much more than FFXI imo.

[Maxxthepenguin]

There was no character developments in BG2. BG1 had none either.

...what? Either you played BG2 wrong or you didn't play it. If you ignore your characters and don't talk to them, they wont develop. If you talk to them and take them to places where they'll be relevant, they will. Viconia, for one, can completely change if you pay attention to her.

Anyway, you obviously have a bias against animes. None of the 4-5 main characters strike me as being "anime-like". All of them are humans, and look like your typical japanese video game characters. The minor characters (the one you don't have to keep) look a bit weirder, but it was the case in every Star Ocean. That catgirl you're complaining about is similar to character like Pepitta in SO3, or that girl in SO1. It's not like it's the first time this series does it.

If by bias against animes you mean I don't enjoy the style most of the time then yes. I've liked a few here and there, but in general I find them grating. I also only played SO2. It was before I got really sick of anime and was still thinking "hey this is interesting and different."

But seriously, I can't imagine another style that could portray the same emotion and story. Make it more serious looking and all the fantasy stuff would look ridiculous.

Aside from the anime portraits I've seen in the JP version and the existance of catgirls, it doesn't look like a strong anime style. I was making general comments.

[Kaylia]

I don't remembers those parts in BG2, but I had to rush through the game (didn't play the expansion either). I'm not bashing the game itself, but compared to other game like Final fantasy, and Xenogears, those characters always felt bland to me. Maybe I would think differently if I was beating those game again now, but it probably won't happen.


By bias, I'm saying you're brushing it off before giving the games a try. Or at least, it's the impression I get from your post. It's like people who refuse to play Nintendo games for w/e reasons, when most of them are great games (well, the major one).

On catgirls topic, every Star ocean had a "beastman" kid. Either a dogboy, or a catgirls, and like I said before, none are important in the story. They are easy to ignore if they bother you so much.
http://www.rpgclassics.com/shrines/s...es/perisie.jpg
http://www.rpgclassics.com/shrines/s.../perisie-o.jpg
http://www.rpgclassics.com/shrines/p...mages/leon.jpg
http://media.giantbomb.com/uploads/0...oger_large.gif
http://en.gamers.com/_file/news/1081...060731Ifaa.bmp

[Arnwulf]

[Gamespot link/contnet removed]

Gamespot interview with the developers.

I found this interesting -

[avelle]

Man, they weren't bashful with that Elf looking character at all.

[Kisamoo]

[Gamespot link removed]

Gamespot interview with the developers.

I found this interesting -

TriAce has always been ambitious with their statements... remember what they said about Infinite Undiscovery?

[Ziegus]

That catgirl you're complaining about is similar to character like Pepitta in SO3, or that girl in SO1 (was she a catgirl? I forgot).

Pericci (the catgirl from SO1) is a lesser Fellpool just like the new catgirl from SO4. From my understanding Lesser Fellpool are supposed to be more cat than person though which would explain why Pericci was practically naked except for fur here and there.

[Doombear]

A live stream right now, if anyone is interested in some random gameplay.

Live Stream at Ustream.tv

Looks like he is on a 2nd playthrough now.

[Ziegus]

A live stream right now, if anyone is interested in some random gameplay.

Live Stream at Ustream.tv

Looks like he is on a 2nd playthrough now.

Some serious rape going on in the stuff I saw. They were in the coliseum fighting some kind of clown monsters and the player's team was constantly dying. Also a remix of SO2's battle theme was playing <3

On a related note, turns out the elf chick is a caster. I was hoping she'd be a melee character.

[Elcura]

It looks painfully obvious that she's a caster type.

[Okan]

All that matters now is Tuesday... Is it Tuesday yet? GODDDDDDDDDDDD

[Weltall]

I can't wait for this game, esp with SF4's letdown.

The style/graphics are awesome imo.

Please, never again put Mass Effect in the same thread as the mighty Xenogears.

[killerx]

oh good i wasn't losing my mind and this does come out tomorrow yay. But i dont think i can wait for them to open in the morning for me to buy it lol

[Okan]

Wonder if they're doing a midnight release? Probably not...

[killerx]

Wonder if they're doing a midnight release? Probably not...

I just called mine and got a no but then again im in a pretty small town.