Greenpanda
Banned
Especially after TGS, I've been pretty excited about the slate of RPGs for next-gen consoles. I think a number of people, myself included, felt the genre was rather weak during the present generation--but RPGs seem to be set for a comeback next gen!
SO ... I decided to write up a little guide to all the next-gen RPGs coming out (or that have already been released). There ended up being a LOT more than I thought ... I hadn't anticipated needing to spend so much time on this >_>. Big ups to Bebpo and jarrod for their list of next-gen RPGs here.
Systems and games are all listed in alphabetical order to avoid playing favorites. (Wii & Xbox 360 games will follow in the next posts to this thread.)
I'm sure I've made plenty of mistakes and left things, so feel free to yell at me and make any additions necessary . I'm going to bed now and have a busy couple of days coming up, so I don't know when I'll be able to add to this myself, but we can hash things out in the replies, I guess. (Too bad this is isn't a Wii so you could guys could just fix things directly.)
Also, please note that this is a "next- and new-gen" thread, so this is NOT the place to argue about whether the Wii is a "next-gen" system, kthx
---PLAYSTATION 3---
THE ELDER SCROLLS IV: OBLIVION
Developer: Bethesda
Publisher: 2K Games
Style: Action RPG
Release Date: November 10, 2006
After a protracted period of rumors, 360/PC megahit Oblivion is now officially bound for the PlayStation 3. The PS3 version, scheduled as a launch title, will be an upgraded port, with a new guild/set of quests, the Knights of the Nine, joining the existing four. (Other assorted new content will also be added.)
Preview: 1Up
GAF Thread: click
ENCHANTED ARMS
Developer: From Software
Publisher: From Software (Japan) / ??? (elsewhere)
Style: Turn-based RPG
Release Date: TBA
From Software's Enchanted Arms--the first JRPG on the Xbox 360--is no longer an 360 exclusive, as From recently a PlayStation 3 port of the game. There's no word yet on whether the PS3 version will have any features or whether Ubisoft, which localized the Xbox 360 version, will also bring over the PS3 version. (See below in the 360 section for my writeup of the original version.)
GAF Thread: click
FINAL FANTASY XIII
Developer: Square
Publisher: Square Enix
Style: Turn-based RPG
Release Date: TBA
As expected, Final Fantasy trades hands back to the Kitase's team, featuring Motomu Toriyama (FF X-2) as director, Tetsuya Nomura as character designer, and Masashi Hamauzu (FF X) taking over as composer. After the MMORPG-influenced gameplay of FF XII, FF XIII marks a return to the time-honored ATB system, but should feature more cinematic and faster-paced battles. Early screenshots also indicate that actions will now cost some type of "ATB points" rather than simple turns. FF XIII also looks to be the most futuristic Final Fantasy yet. The one character seen thus far is a pink-haired, sword-wielding heroine, but Square insists she might not be the actual protagonist.
Previews: 1Up | Gamespot | IGN
Trailer: click
FINAL FANTASY VERSUS XIII
Developer: Square
Publisher: Square Enix
Style: Action RPG
Release Date: TBA
The second part of the "Fabula Nova Crystalis" FF XIII games, which despite their shared title, will apparently only feature thematic elements (the crystals) in common, not actual characters or settings. This one is an action RPG by Tetsuya Nomura's Kingdom Hearts team. Will Nomura make something remotely playable out of his penchant for paper-thin button mashers with more zippers than humanly countable? Probably not, but since we haven't actually seen any gameplay yet, I shouldn't rag on it too much.
Previews:
1Up | Gamespot | IGN
GENERATION OF CHAOS VI
Developer: Idea Factory
Publisher: Idea Factory (Japan) / ???
Style: Strategy RPG
Release Date: TBA
The latest installment in Idea Factory's long running Generation of Chaos (Shiten Makai) strategy RPG seres. The series has generally been absent from the US, though NIS is bringing over the PSP remake of Part IV as simply "Generation of Chaos" in the spring -- so I guess VI has some localization chances as well. There don't seem to be any details on this particular installment yet, but previous games have apparently included some Civilization-style kingdom building segments between battles; you can research new technologies, trade and negotiate with other kingdoms, and build up cities. So I guess this might be more a straight strategy game than a SRPG? I really don't know anything about this series, sorry =(
MAKAI WARS
Developer: Nippon Ichi
Publisher: NIS America
Style: TBA
Release Date: TBA
Another NIS strategy RPG, this was apparently moved to the PS3 after originally being in development for the PS2. Nothing has been shown so far, but I'm guessing we can expect an unconvential storyline and stat-whoring that NIS has become famous for--but since when has that been a bad thing?
MONSTER HUNTER 3
Developer: Capcom
Publisher: Capcom
Style: Action RPG
Monster Hunter Freedom proved to be a huge hit for Capcom on the PSP, but the series began on the PlayStation 2 with two home console installments, so it's not surprising there's going to be a third. The Monster Hunter games are all freeroam action RPGs in which you track down and kill various super-monsters (as the title implies). The home console versions all included online play; I don't think it's been announced yet whether MH3 will have online features as well, but it seems pretty likely. Localization prospects for this may be somewhat iffy, though: Monster Hunter Freedom and the original PS2 Monster Hunter were/will be translated, but not Monster Hunter 2.
MONSTER KINGDOM: UNKNOWN REALMS
Developer: Game Republic / Gaia
Publisher: SCE (Japan) / Unknown (USA)
Style: Action RPG
Release Date: TBA
After leaving Atlus, Megami Tensei creator Cozy Okada released Monster Kingdom: Jewel Summoner for the PSP (coming to the US next year via Atlus), and Unknown Realms is the PS3 followup, albeit apparently by a different developer. (I haven't played the PSP game, so I don't know if they're connected in story or anything.) Unknown Realms, at least, looks to be a pretty battle-heavy action RPG. Defeated monsters can be absorbed to collect their powers; the new ability you acquire is then assigned to the four main controller buttons. The game also incorporates tilt control; to absorb a monster, you have to waggle the controller in accordance with on-screen directions.
Previews: IGN | Gamespot
Trailer: click
GAF Thread: click
SHIN MEGAMI TENSEI
Developer: Atlus R&D1
Publisher: Atlus
Style: TBA
Release Date: TBA
Atlus has announced that there's a MegaTen game in development for the PS3. It might be Shin Megami Tensei IV, or it could be another spin-off -- we actually don't know anything at all about this yet.
WHITE KNIGHT STORY
Developer: Level 5
Publisher: SCE (Japan) / unknown (USA)
Style: Action RPG
Release Date: TBA
Level 5, the developer behind Dark Cloud, Rogue Galaxy, and Dragon Quest VIII's graphics, has another new action RPG franchise in the works: Shirokishi Monogatari, or White Knight Story. Its battle system is apparently similar to FF XII's; you move one character around directly in real-time while issuing commands to the others. The protagonist also has the power to turn into the titular White Knight, a gigantic mecha-like knight that smashes up the enemies. But enough about the gameplay! Most of the attention to WKS so far has gone to its insane graphics.
Previews:
1Up |IGN | GameSpot
Trailer: click
GAF Thread: click
SO ... I decided to write up a little guide to all the next-gen RPGs coming out (or that have already been released). There ended up being a LOT more than I thought ... I hadn't anticipated needing to spend so much time on this >_>. Big ups to Bebpo and jarrod for their list of next-gen RPGs here.
Systems and games are all listed in alphabetical order to avoid playing favorites. (Wii & Xbox 360 games will follow in the next posts to this thread.)
I'm sure I've made plenty of mistakes and left things, so feel free to yell at me and make any additions necessary . I'm going to bed now and have a busy couple of days coming up, so I don't know when I'll be able to add to this myself, but we can hash things out in the replies, I guess. (Too bad this is isn't a Wii so you could guys could just fix things directly.)
Also, please note that this is a "next- and new-gen" thread, so this is NOT the place to argue about whether the Wii is a "next-gen" system, kthx
---PLAYSTATION 3---
THE ELDER SCROLLS IV: OBLIVION
Developer: Bethesda
Publisher: 2K Games
Style: Action RPG
Release Date: November 10, 2006
After a protracted period of rumors, 360/PC megahit Oblivion is now officially bound for the PlayStation 3. The PS3 version, scheduled as a launch title, will be an upgraded port, with a new guild/set of quests, the Knights of the Nine, joining the existing four. (Other assorted new content will also be added.)
Preview: 1Up
GAF Thread: click
ENCHANTED ARMS
Developer: From Software
Publisher: From Software (Japan) / ??? (elsewhere)
Style: Turn-based RPG
Release Date: TBA
From Software's Enchanted Arms--the first JRPG on the Xbox 360--is no longer an 360 exclusive, as From recently a PlayStation 3 port of the game. There's no word yet on whether the PS3 version will have any features or whether Ubisoft, which localized the Xbox 360 version, will also bring over the PS3 version. (See below in the 360 section for my writeup of the original version.)
GAF Thread: click
FINAL FANTASY XIII
Developer: Square
Publisher: Square Enix
Style: Turn-based RPG
Release Date: TBA
As expected, Final Fantasy trades hands back to the Kitase's team, featuring Motomu Toriyama (FF X-2) as director, Tetsuya Nomura as character designer, and Masashi Hamauzu (FF X) taking over as composer. After the MMORPG-influenced gameplay of FF XII, FF XIII marks a return to the time-honored ATB system, but should feature more cinematic and faster-paced battles. Early screenshots also indicate that actions will now cost some type of "ATB points" rather than simple turns. FF XIII also looks to be the most futuristic Final Fantasy yet. The one character seen thus far is a pink-haired, sword-wielding heroine, but Square insists she might not be the actual protagonist.
Previews: 1Up | Gamespot | IGN
Trailer: click
FINAL FANTASY VERSUS XIII
Developer: Square
Publisher: Square Enix
Style: Action RPG
Release Date: TBA
The second part of the "Fabula Nova Crystalis" FF XIII games, which despite their shared title, will apparently only feature thematic elements (the crystals) in common, not actual characters or settings. This one is an action RPG by Tetsuya Nomura's Kingdom Hearts team. Will Nomura make something remotely playable out of his penchant for paper-thin button mashers with more zippers than humanly countable? Probably not, but since we haven't actually seen any gameplay yet, I shouldn't rag on it too much.
Previews:
1Up | Gamespot | IGN
GENERATION OF CHAOS VI
Developer: Idea Factory
Publisher: Idea Factory (Japan) / ???
Style: Strategy RPG
Release Date: TBA
The latest installment in Idea Factory's long running Generation of Chaos (Shiten Makai) strategy RPG seres. The series has generally been absent from the US, though NIS is bringing over the PSP remake of Part IV as simply "Generation of Chaos" in the spring -- so I guess VI has some localization chances as well. There don't seem to be any details on this particular installment yet, but previous games have apparently included some Civilization-style kingdom building segments between battles; you can research new technologies, trade and negotiate with other kingdoms, and build up cities. So I guess this might be more a straight strategy game than a SRPG? I really don't know anything about this series, sorry =(
MAKAI WARS
Developer: Nippon Ichi
Publisher: NIS America
Style: TBA
Release Date: TBA
Another NIS strategy RPG, this was apparently moved to the PS3 after originally being in development for the PS2. Nothing has been shown so far, but I'm guessing we can expect an unconvential storyline and stat-whoring that NIS has become famous for--but since when has that been a bad thing?
MONSTER HUNTER 3
Developer: Capcom
Publisher: Capcom
Style: Action RPG
Monster Hunter Freedom proved to be a huge hit for Capcom on the PSP, but the series began on the PlayStation 2 with two home console installments, so it's not surprising there's going to be a third. The Monster Hunter games are all freeroam action RPGs in which you track down and kill various super-monsters (as the title implies). The home console versions all included online play; I don't think it's been announced yet whether MH3 will have online features as well, but it seems pretty likely. Localization prospects for this may be somewhat iffy, though: Monster Hunter Freedom and the original PS2 Monster Hunter were/will be translated, but not Monster Hunter 2.
MONSTER KINGDOM: UNKNOWN REALMS
Developer: Game Republic / Gaia
Publisher: SCE (Japan) / Unknown (USA)
Style: Action RPG
Release Date: TBA
After leaving Atlus, Megami Tensei creator Cozy Okada released Monster Kingdom: Jewel Summoner for the PSP (coming to the US next year via Atlus), and Unknown Realms is the PS3 followup, albeit apparently by a different developer. (I haven't played the PSP game, so I don't know if they're connected in story or anything.) Unknown Realms, at least, looks to be a pretty battle-heavy action RPG. Defeated monsters can be absorbed to collect their powers; the new ability you acquire is then assigned to the four main controller buttons. The game also incorporates tilt control; to absorb a monster, you have to waggle the controller in accordance with on-screen directions.
Previews: IGN | Gamespot
Trailer: click
GAF Thread: click
SHIN MEGAMI TENSEI
Developer: Atlus R&D1
Publisher: Atlus
Style: TBA
Release Date: TBA
Atlus has announced that there's a MegaTen game in development for the PS3. It might be Shin Megami Tensei IV, or it could be another spin-off -- we actually don't know anything at all about this yet.
WHITE KNIGHT STORY
Developer: Level 5
Publisher: SCE (Japan) / unknown (USA)
Style: Action RPG
Release Date: TBA
Level 5, the developer behind Dark Cloud, Rogue Galaxy, and Dragon Quest VIII's graphics, has another new action RPG franchise in the works: Shirokishi Monogatari, or White Knight Story. Its battle system is apparently similar to FF XII's; you move one character around directly in real-time while issuing commands to the others. The protagonist also has the power to turn into the titular White Knight, a gigantic mecha-like knight that smashes up the enemies. But enough about the gameplay! Most of the attention to WKS so far has gone to its insane graphics.
Previews:
1Up |IGN | GameSpot
Trailer: click
GAF Thread: click