Project Exile - New DS RPG!

[AndoCalrissian]

Saw this on Go Nintendo.

Project Exile trailer.

The developer is Studio Archcraft. The game started as a GBA game, but they decided to move it to DS and are currently seeking a publisher.

I watched the trailer, and decided about halfway through that I'd buy this if it was released. It has a whole Final Fantasy VI/Chrono Trigger/Secret of Mana vibe to it, and looks really impressive thus far. I didn't play many RPGs in the 32- and 64-bit era due to not having a PlayStation or Saturn, so my best RPG memories are from the Super Nintendo.

What does everyone else think?

EDIT: Some screenshots!

[Adam Blade]

Nvm

[ShockingAlberto]

By DS, you mean GBA.

[AndoCalrissian]

By DS, you mean GBA.

Yeah, sorry, I updated the main post with more information. They originally created it for GBA, but they're moving it to DS and are looking for a publisher.

[Zeed]

Looks...intruiging, in a nostalgic way. I'll keep my eyes on this one. Those graphics would've been pretty impressive on GBA, but if they're moving it to DS it'll probably look dated. Not that that's nessessarily a bad thing though, given the classic vibes I'm getting from it.

[DeathbyVolcano]

This looks like they actually used the Chrono Trigger engine. Of course they didn't but it looks way way too similar.

[mint]

wow the first thing that came to my mind was chrono trigger.

[ethelred]

Color me impressed. This game looks very, very nice.

[sprsk]

the graphics int his game look like they were ripped straight from FF6

but

while im usually really negative about these "its coming out for a system but we dont have a publisher so we seek publicity on a shitty fan site" games this actually looks like it has an interesting combat system (2d grandia maybe?) the only thing that looks amateur about it is the dialogue, which is pretty damn cliche.

[Mejilan]

Looks... interesting. A Western-made take to a Chrono Trigger like game, it seems.

Graphics are a bit disappointing, but it looks like it could be fun. (And I dug that music, though there's no way that's GBA synth.)

I'm intrigued.

[Illuminati]

Chrono Trigger-esk, that's great. Thanks for bring this to my attention.

[Mejilan]

Then again, this'll probably turn out to be another Mythri. Unless Namco picks it up, perhaps?

[Error]

this looks a lot like chrono trigger even the running animation looks straight out of chrono trigger, with that said I'm interested.

[AndoCalrissian]

I personally am really digging the graphics, as I am such a huge fan of Chrono Trigger, Final Fantasy VI, Secret of Mana, and Secret of Evermore. A new RPG in the same vein as those, looking so similar to those, really gets me hyped.

You're right though, looks a lot like the Chrono Trigger engine. I'm guessing they used Chrono Trigger's style as a starting point and then started creating their own characters, story, and world.

The trailer and another gameplay video are available for download on the developer's site, under the Project tab.

[ethelred]

Then again, this'll probably turn out to be another Mythri. Unless Namco picks it up, perhaps?

I dunno, it looks like they're pretty far along here... I don't recall the Mythri team ever being optimistic enough to put out a date just two quarters away. I generally don't get my hopes up on these games, but this one looks extremely solid developmentally.

Graphics are a bit disappointing

You think? I had no disappointment from looking at them. Looked straight out of Chrono Trigger/Secret of Mana... which is something I'd like to see more, not less of. Old school sprite-based RPGing... really nice sprites, bright, varied, colorful backgrounds, what look like good animations. The only disappointing thing in the video, graphically, was slightly less impressive battle effects, but everything else seemed top notch.

[Deku]

Graphics are good. There are lots of Square-isms in the way the animate the sprites.

When is this game coming out?

Edit: looks like it is now an NDS game.

June 10th, 2006
Project Exile was originally created for the Nintendo Gameboy Advance but we have recently made the decision to port the project over to the Nintendo DS.
We are currently in active discussion with several publishers and are slating the game for release by Q1 2007.

Guess they still don't have a publisher.

[Illuminati]

Graphics are good. There are lots of Square-isms in the way the animate the sprites. When is this game coming out?

We are currently in active discussion with several publishers and are slating the game for release by Q1 2007.

From the trailers it looks like the game has alot done for a 2007 release, but I guess looks can be deceiving.

[Mejilan]

True, it does look quite a bit further along than anything shown off for Mythri. Certainly, they seem to have covered a significant number of different characters, areas, and scenes.

As for the graphics, it doesn't look as good as Chrono Trigger, and that game is quite old. It's a welcome look, but the GBA can do more. Also, much of the animation looked rough, particularly the spells.

It's definitely on my radar.

[tehrafe]

The first thing I thought was Chrono Trigger, the games looks very good though, I hope they'll find a publisher soon.

[JoshuaJSlone]

this actually looks like it has an interesting combat system (2d grandia maybe?)

I was thinking the same thing. After half of the video I was thinking to myself "No battle gameplay yet... are they trying to hide it?" but that looks pretty decent.

[Luckett_X]

Oooh, plagurism! Awesome, my favourite of tastes.

More chance of this getting picked up by a publisher than Sadness or all those other amateur projects listed as real games. Certainly interested to see if it was all working on GBA, or if its just PC based currently.

Oh and to all the people thinking theyre picking up nostalgic vibes of Chrono Trigger and FF6... thats because you are. Welcome to the wonderful world of sprite editing! Such naivity at GAF. disappointment total in all of you!

[PhoenixDark]

Atlus pick this up plz!

[Zeed]

From the trailers it looks like the game has alot done for a 2007 release, but I guess looks can be deceiving.

They said on their site that they're reworking it for DS. It seemed to imply that this process would be more of a complete retooling than a port, which would of course take time.

[Yann]

That grass is straight out of FF6.

[ethelred]

They said on their site that they're reworking it for DS. It seemed to imply that this process would be more of a complete retooling than a port, which would of course take time.

Project Exile was originally created for the Nintendo Gameboy Advance but we have recently made the decision to port the project over to the Nintendo DS. We are currently in active discussion with several publishers and are slating the game for release by Q1 2007.

The Q1 07 release timeframe came along with the GBA --> DS conversion.

[Aurora]

Sold.

[slayn]

I would hazard a guess that the top right picture is, pixel for pixel, ripped straight out of ff6, from that cave near the end of the world of balance.

[Jiggy]

Map screen looks good due to blatant ripoffs from some combination of Chrono Trigger, Secret of Mana, and Final Fantasy 6. Not that I mind ripping off 1993-1995 Square since that was where about 65% of Square's good game output ever came from. (The rest being SMRPG, FF9, and FFT.)
Gameplay (i.e. battle) seems to have potential, although those hideous NES-level character icons and command icons are begging for updating.
The info given seems okay--eight characters, okay, hundreds of skills.
Dialogue needs loads of reworking; too many grammatical errors for comfort.
Worth at least passing consideration, I guess. Just give me the right price, enough female characters, and please fix that dialogue.


Edit:

I would hazard a guess that the top right picture is, pixel for pixel, ripped straight out of ff6, from that cave near the end of the world of balance.

I'm almost certain the ground textures and ladders are from Chrono Trigger's Tyrano Lair.

[ethelred]

Weird, the two posters I thought would be most enthusiastic about this (besides me) -- Mejilan and Jiggy -- seem pretty lukewarm on it. GAF surprises me sometimes. :)

[Mejilan]

Weird, the two posters I thought would be most enthusiastic about this (besides me) -- Mejilan and Jiggy -- seem pretty lukewarm on it. GAF surprises me sometimes. :)

It would take a lot to turn me off to this game. Portable + RPG - Vaporeware = near-sell.

I expect improvement for the DS version however!

I'm just a little jaded about these "fan-games".

[White Man]

If I were a publisher, I'd be nervous about touching this. Some of those art assets look too close to FF6 for comfort.

[Terrell]

It would take a lot to turn me off to this game. Portable + RPG - Vaporeware = near-sell. I expect improvement for the DS version however! I'm just a little jaded about these "fan-games".

The only reason we have "fan-games" making the rounds like we do now is because we actually DIG for them now, for some reason. Under ordinary circumstances, they wouldn't get a moment's notice until they get a publisher. At least this way, if a cool game idea comes out that doesn't get published, we can flaunt our fury at publishers' exclusionary business practices.

[Soul4ger]

This game better get a publisher. Looks pretty interesting. If shit like Tao and Lunar: Dragon Song can come out, then so should something like this. Come on, publishers, have a heart.

[chrysostom]

I just can't be bothered with RPGs like this anymore, they're a dime a dozen. Although, I suppose the DS is one of the few systems actually lacking a deep RPG library so I guess its release couldn't hurt.

[djtiesto]

Wow, I can't believe a game like this is coming from a Western developer... looks fantastic, I really hope it comes out but who knows? Leave it up to the amateurs to do stuff better than the professionals.

[Cronox]

Looks interesting :)

[ethelred]

I just can't be bothered with RPGs like this anymore, they're a dime a dozen. Although, I suppose the DS is one of the few systems actually lacking a deep RPG library so I guess its release couldn't hurt.

RPGs like this almost never come out anymore; what are you talking about? And a huge number of the ones that did (mainly on the SNES, Saturn and such) never reached the US.

Though thankfully the DS is getting a nice lineup of these kinds of RPGs.

[Symytry]

hot damn, this looks wicked!

[Soul4ger]

I just can't be bothered with RPGs like this anymore, they're a dime a dozen. Although, I suppose the DS is one of the few systems actually lacking a deep RPG library so I guess its release couldn't hurt.

What the **** are you talking about, you shaved anus? Which system has a deep RPG library? The PS2? Yes, Xbox, PSP, Xbox 360, and GameCube are just ****ing LOADED with games like this. Even the GBA could use more games like this.

[ethelred]

What the **** are you talking about, you shaved anus? Which system has a deep RPG library? The PS2? Yes, Xbox, PSP, Xbox 360, and GameCube are just ****ing LOADED with games like this. Even the GBA could use more games like this.

You said what I was thinking, only more nicely.

[Jax]

that looks REALLY nice. Wow. If the gameplay holds up, definitely a buy.

:)

[Jiggy]

Weird, the two posters I thought would be most enthusiastic about this (besides me) -- Mejilan and Jiggy -- seem pretty lukewarm on it. GAF surprises me sometimes. :)

The thing is, I love 2D and I love RPGs, but it's extremely rare for a copycat game to be anywhere near as good as the original. I just worry, especially since this developer in particular is being so blatant about ripping off Square's later SNES games graphically, that maybe they'll get complacent and think that the nostalgic art style is enough of a selling point that the gameplay doesn't need to be there as well.

And, of course, it's not like good knockoff games/styles haven't happened in the past, but usually they're with large companies. For example, Castlevania copying the Metroid series, or Alundra blending Zelda and Secret of Mana, or Earthbound using the Dragon Quest menu interface.
The only time I can remember a small (now dead) company successfully copying a pre-existing formula was a series of three "chapters" in a PC game called Neophyte that did a good job of working with the Secret of Mana style. (Or at least from what I remember. It's been like 10-11 years and I may be blinded by the fact that I was somewhere between 11-13, but I'm too lazy to go find and re-download them to find out.)

But, again, those games are exceptions to the rule. "Zelda killers" have never been Zelda killers (I haven't played Okami), Mario Kart knockoffs haven't worked (even DKR only blew away MK's single-player at the expense of much less hectic multiplayer), console FPSes don't compare to PC FPSes, movie license games generally try to copy a formula and fail in every way possible, etc...
...so, just by statistics, I think it's probably true that a game trying to live up to Secret of Mana, Final Fantasy 6, and Chrono Trigger can't pull it off. Plus I'm disillusioned from games like Sword of Mana or the GBA Lufia or Final Fantasy Tactics Advance where even a company that already has a perfectly great gameplay engine in place manages to weaken (at best) or butcher (at worst) a classic GB/SNES/PS1 RPG. (And that's just RPGs. There have also been lots of non-RPG followups like Yoshi's Story or Star Fox Assault or post-No Mercy wrestling games where a sequel to awesomeness ends up being mediocrity.)

But it's definitely possible for Project Exile to succeed in ways that other games haven't, so I'll keep watching the game's progress. I hope it does work out, but the last thing I want to do is to dream that I'm finally getting another FF6/CT-level classic only for the game to turn out a bomb. It's just a case of not getting my hopes too high.

[JRPereira]

Damn man, similarities and almost-plagerisms don't look like such a bad thing in this case. This game looks awesome.

Imagine if they used the touchscreen for the battle system.

[Dragona Akehi]

While I hate to say this about someone's work (the person who has done the sprite artwork is very talented), they're stealing from Suikoden II, FFVI and Chrono Trigger for sure.

Kairu's "run" animation is taken directly from Marle's run animation. His sword stance is from Crono, and the forest scene is from Suikoden/Suikoden II tiles. There are definite signs of Narshe, and other tiles from FFVI, along with some from Chrono Trigger. Mode 7 flying is from FFIV and V. Just about every character's fighting animation is a derivative of a Crono Trigger animation. Hell, the one boss on the grass they had is a spitting animated image (obviously drawn over) of Giga Gaia...!

The original sprites and tilesets, (such as the soldiers on ambush or the first castle area in the trailer) are very good, so it is doubly irritating/saddening that they've obviously "borrowed" and drawn their characters overtop. I know why they did it: 100% to save time.

On one hand, I'm really happy to see someone get SO far with their work. The stuff that is 100% original, I'm really impressed with. But no publisher is going to touch that with a 50-foot pole. Unless S-E themselves somehow decide to pick it up. For god's sake, they're using the FFVI english font!

[bluemax]

Looks like straight rips from CT, SD2 and SD3, FF6 and probably more. Could be cool but the plagiarism is so obvious.

[speedpop]

Looks nice, but pretty much on key with the ones who are stating that the publishers probably won't try at it simply because it might lead to something worse.

[ethelred]

Stuff

Ah, well, that makes sense. I see where you're coming from now... and why your reaction to it is a bit more lukewarm than mine is. I'm not expecting this to be anywhere near the level of a Chrono Trigger/FF6 classic, really. I don't have any hopes that it will be.

I'm not even hoping for it to reach that level, as I recognize that these games were true rarities that may never be topped when it comes to their respective styles and approaches to gameplay, visuals, and story. The position I'm coming from, though, is that even if a new game doesn't meet or exceed those extremely high standards, they can still create an excellent game that does an admirable job emulating that style and approach. And that's still more than enough to make me a happy gamer.

While I'll always have my eye out for the next "CT/SD3/FF6-type game that tops CT/SD3/FF6," I'm not going to let that stop me from enjoying games that emulate them but do things differently and, even if not as good overall, are still excellent. If I get high quality 2D sprite-based SNES-style RPGs, it doesn't have to be the BEST 2d sprite-based SNES-style RPG for me to get some solid enjoyment out of it.

But, yeah, I know where you're coming from here. I'd like to see the DS genuinely surpass the SNES in terms of quantity and quality of RPGs... I think the potential exists, but it just is not likely to be realized potential, and that's disappointing. There is a strong drive to hope for each game to be the next SOM or SD3 or ALTTP or CT... but it almost certainly won't happen.

While I hate to say this about someone's work (the person who has done the sprite artwork is very talented), they're stealing from Suikoden II, FFVI and Chrono Trigger for sure. Kairu's "run" animation is taken directly from Marle's run animation. His sword stance is from Crono, and the forest scene is from Suikoden/Suikoden II tiles. There are definite signs of Narshe, and other tiles from FFVI, along with some from Chrono Trigger. Mode 7 flying is from FFIV and V. Just about every character's fighting animation is a derivative of a Crono Trigger animation. Hell, the one boss on the grass they had is a spitting animated image (obviously drawn over) of Giga Gaia...! The original sprites and tilesets, (such as the soldiers on ambush or the first castle area in the trailer) are very good, so it is doubly irritating/saddening that they've obviously "borrowed" and drawn their characters overtop. I know why they did it: 100% to save time. On one hand, I'm really happy to see someone get SO far with their work. The stuff that is 100% original, I'm really impressed with. But no publisher is going to touch that with a 50-foot pole. Unless S-E themselves somehow decide to pick it up. For god's sake, they're using the FFVI english font!

Well, I'll bow to your knowledge here, which is far superior to my own in this area. I didn't think they'd have stolen anything when the stuff that was clearly their own original work was so very, very good.

That's disappointing. I'm still really impressed with it (I think their artwork is extremely good), but as you say, having lifted stuff in there makes it very unlikely that any publisher would touch this.

[demi]

Looks hot, don't care if it's stolen.


Leak it to ROM plz

[JRPereira]

Looking at it again, I have to say that it's suprising how similar the sprites are. Regardless, if the gameplay and story are both good, then we have a winner.

[Parallax]

it looks like they used some elements from star ocean as well. its a very good looking fan title.