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[cj_iwakura]

I like Meguro a lot, but I hate Strange Journey's soundtrack. It sounds nothing like his other work, and it's super boring.

I disagree there. It's great at creating an ominous mood, and stuff like A Land Controlling Roads is just beautiful.

But I think expecting him to be synonymous with SMT is just silly. The SMT IV composer is extremely talented, it's not like they're using the Devil Survivor 1 guy.

 

[TEJ]

Meguro produced my favorite game song ever.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbsGK0lErMs

the ending theme to digital devil saga 1.

It's the most elegant music i've heard from a videogame.

 

[randomkid]

I really loved what Meguro was doing in Strange Journey, the whole guttural demonic/angelic choir thing really worked for me. I'll admit though that SMT4's main theme is the most exciting Megaten track in years and if we can't get Tsuchiya back this Kozuka fella is stepping up to the plate quite nicely.

 

[Snakeyes]

The SMT IV composer is extremely talented, it's not like they're using the Devil Survivor 1 guy.

What are some of his (her?) standout tracks?

 

[Mileena]

Counting only NA releases:


DS RPGS: November 2004-November 2006 (2 years):
Lunar: Dragon Song
Mega Man Battle Network 5
Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time
Tao's Adventure
Lost Magic
Deep Labrinyth
Pokemon Mystery Dungeon
Justice League Heroes
Contact
Magical Starsign
Pokemon Ranger
Children of Mana
Digimon World DS
Final Fantasy III
Eragon

Total: 15



3DS RPGs: March 2011-March 2013 (2 years):
Devil Survivor Overclocked
Tales of the Abyss
Planet Crashers
Kingdom Hearts 3D
The Denpa Men
Code of Princess
"Paper Mario: Sticker Star"
Crimson Shroud
Unchained Blades
Fire Emblem: Awakening
Pokemon Mystery Dungeon
Monster Hunter Tri Ultimate

Total: 12


The DS had more but the 3DS's RPGs are of a much much higher quality.

Code of Princess, Paper Mario and Monster Hunter aren't RPGs though? Either way, I'm not seeing the much higher quality of the 3DS ones. List looks real bad imo.

 

[electroplankton]

I like Meguro, but SMTIV OST sounds great: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GamRLR0QrG0

Code of Princess, Paper Mario and Monster Hunter aren't RPGs though? Either way, I'm not seeing the much higher quality of the 3DS ones. List looks real bad imo.

Outside Mario&Luigi, Contact and Final Fantasy III, the DS list is pretty bad. 3DS has already Fire Emblem, which is astonishing, Devil Survivor and Tales of the Abyss, that are competent porting, and Kingdom Hearts 3D which is great. And yes, Paper Mario is a RPG.

 

[PsionBolt]

Code of Princess, Paper Mario and Monster Hunter aren't RPGs though?

I'd personally cut Megaman Battle Network and Pokemon Ranger from the DS's list. Which is unfortunate, since they're among the better of the titles on that list.

 

[Hero of Legend]

I'd personally cut Megaman Battle Network and Pokemon Ranger from the DS's list. Which is unfortunate, since they're among the better of the titles on that list.

Pretty sure MBN is an RPG, Ranger not as much.

 

[Soriku]

SJ had Kaneko and Meguro.

SJ > SMT4.

SJ is probably Meguro's weakest soundtrack. I like the battle theme and the miniboss theme a lot, and Land of the Way is good...but that's about it. The stuff in SMT IV is much better so far.

And the character designs in SMT IV are way better than the SJ ones.

 

[Data West]

SJ is probably Meguro's weakest soundtrack. I like the battle theme and the miniboss theme a lot, and Land of the Way is good...but that's about it. The stuff in SMT IV is much better so far.

And the character designs in SMT IV are way better than the SJ ones.

Oh no you didn't. The Demonica is in SMT 4 for a reason.

 

[SteeloDMZ]

I thought Strange Journey had excellent music. Very atmospheric and even sometimes creepy.

 

[Soriku]

Oh no you didn't. The Demonica is in SMT 4 for a reason.

Black Demonica woman is designed by Doi anyway.

 

[Data West]

Jimenez was probably the only character design I didn't like. Gore, in particular, was awesome. Super sci-fi cliches everywhere, like it was meant to be.

 

[Oxx]

Can't Atlus just flip a switch and put their games on the euro eshop?

I promise I won't tell PEGI or anyone...

 

[18-Volt]

I really want Camelot to do something for 3DS. Golden Sun sequel, a new Shining Force game, anything. I hope Nintendo isn't wasting their time by having them make another Mario Golf game.

 

[Munin]

Can't Atlus just flip a switch and put their games on the euro eshop?

I promise I won't tell PEGI or anyone...

The reason I've been looking into importing a 3DS from NA and just getting everything digitally...

Is there a definitive list somewhere of the games available in NA that haven't been released in Europe yet?

 

[Glass Rebel]

It's looking good if you're Japanese or American but I fear for European localisations. I hope there's a price-drop or a Fire Emblem bundle so me and my brother can get one after E3 when there's more announced.

 

[Hero of Legend]

I really want Camelot to do something for 3DS. Golden Sun sequel, a new Shining Force game, anything. I hope Nintendo isn't wasting their time by having them make another Mario Golf game.

Their output is very small, only one real Wii and DS game (not counting NPC Power Tennis...), and now they have Mario Tennis Open out, I too hope for a GS for 3DS, and from what I saw, pretty much most of the folks period from the GBA games worked on MTO, and the ones who weren't accounted for in MTo worked on Dark Dawn (character designers and whatnot.

So what was wrong with Dark Dawn for most? Is it a change in ideas even though the same people worked on it? I guess tastes in the team change even when it's identical people, so it's not like they changed designers and such.

I remember they said they lost a lot of the RPG folks around 2006-2007, but I also think they said they roped them back and it shows.

 

[cj_iwakura]

What are some of his (her?) standout tracks?

You can hear the main theme here:

http://megaten4.jp/

 

[Glass Rebel]

Their output is very small, only one real Wii and DS game (not counting NPC Power Tennis...), and now they have Mario Tennis Open out, I too hope for a GS for 3DS, and from what I saw, pretty much most of the folks period from the GBA games worked on MTO, and the ones who weren't accounted for in MTo worked on Dark Dawn (character designers and whatnot.

So what was wrong with Dark Dawn for most? Is it a change in ideas even though the same people worked on it? I guess tastes in the team change even when it's identical people, so it's not like they changed designers and such.

I remember they said they lost a lot of the RPG folks around 2006-2007, but I also think they said they roped them back and it shows.

I can only speak for myself here (quoted from a different thread):

As someone who played the first 2 games 4-5 times each (could be even more but I forget) I can try to explain what was wrong with Dark Dawn from my perspective:

- Game was too cramped when it came to characters. GS1 and 2 worked well with 8 because it gave the player enough time to grow accustomed and actually use all characters. It was a bit difficult for them to go from GS1 to GS2 and then to Dark Dawn because fans usually expect you to build on that but I wouldn't have minded a reset.
- Pacing in Dark Dawn was a bit messed up. GS1 and especially GS2 had a nice flow from dungeoning, fighting, story and overworld "gameplay". Admittedly, some of the dialogues were way too long but it always knew how to switch things up before you got bored of something.
- Puzzles/dungeons were too easy and too short, didn't really feel like dungeons anymore. I'm pretty certain there's about the same amount but they aren't as good as in the previous games. Especially GS2 has some ridiculous dungeons that rival Zelda games. I'm not sure about this but I don't remember using Psynergy outside of battles all that much either.
- World was smaller and not as open. I loved walking around and discovering stuff in the GBA games but Dark Dawn felt much much smaller. Points of no return can die in a fire.
- Battles were improved over the original from a technical perspective e.g. Sveta being able to change forms, multiple Unleashes with various effects, several new subclasses for weapons etc. But it has 2 flaws: First, in the previous games if two characters targeted one enemy and the first defeated it before the second could strike the latter character would automatically defend. It's a minor thing but it made you approach battles a bit differently and more cautiously. Second, the battles are way too easy. GS was never that hard to begin with, the prequels never required any grinding at all but Dark Dawn is almost insulting. The only fights even worth mentioning are against the post-game bosses which are really good.

 

[Yuterald]

3DS will be the ultra real deal when SMT: IV drops. Right now it gets a pass for just simply being the real deal because of Crimson Shroud. I'd have to echo the sentiment that the system's got some pretty important players on it already and the shit that's coming out will only make it hotter.

 

[Hero of Legend]

I can only speak for myself here (quoted from a different thread):

Sounded like they dumbed down some aspects, maybe to make it (ugh) casual-friendly?

Hopefully they learned from this and will apply the lessons learned in GS4.

 

[Aeana]

What are some of his (her?) standout tracks?

Just pulling from the Trauma Team soundtrack at the moment, some of my favorites:

Sense of Helplessness
Light and Shadow
One Disaster After Another
Glimpse of Fear
Pandemic
Spread of Rosalia

He also did the new Soul Hackers 3DS opening song.

I really think he's going to do a great job with SMT4.

 

[Psycho_Mantis]

Its getting better for sure but I would still put it below the ps3 at this moment in time but not by far especially considering that the ps3 has been out for 7 years.

However I don't think it will reach the God-like status of PSP and DS or even PS2 for JRPG's.

 

[Glass Rebel]

Sounded like they dumbed down some aspects, maybe to make it (ugh) casual-friendly?

Hopefully they learned from this and will apply the lessons learned in GS4.

I don't know what Nintendo's plans for the franchise are but they made GS3 with a sequel in mind.

Dark Dawn really soured me on the franchise though and I don't know if they can fix what they broke. Even as a huge Golden Sun fan, I'd rather Camelot work on a new series.

 

[Labadal]

Its getting better for sure but I would still put it below the ps3 at this moment in time but not by far especially considering that the ps3 has been out for 7 years.

However I don't think it will reach the God-like status of PSP and DS or even PS2 for JRPG's.

I think it will in Japan. It already seems to have some great games over there.

 

[Dantis]

I disagree there. It's great at creating an ominous mood, and stuff like A Land Controlling Roads is just beautiful.

But I think expecting him to be synonymous with SMT is just silly. The SMT IV composer is extremely talented, it's not like they're using the Devil Survivor 1 guy.

I'm not saying that it will be bad, but what small amount we've heard so far doesn't compare to Nocturne, let alone something like DDS.

 

[Mauricio_Magus]

The 3DS is already amazing with EO4/FE/SoulHackers

 

[Soriku]

I'm not saying that it will be bad, but what small amount we've heard so far doesn't compare to Nocturne, let alone something like DDS.

I thought the comparison was SJ...

 

[Aeana]

I'm not saying that it will be bad, but what small amount we've heard so far doesn't compare to Nocturne, let alone something like DDS.

And Strange Journey doesn't even begin to compare musically to those, either, so what's your point? Meguro isn't some infallible being, and he also can't compose for every single game Atlus puts out. He's most likely working on Persona 5, which is the game people really want, anyway.

 

[Yuterald]

I disagree there. It's great at creating an ominous mood, and stuff like A Land Controlling Roads is just beautiful.

But I think expecting him to be synonymous with SMT is just silly. The SMT IV composer is extremely talented, it's not like they're using the Devil Survivor 1 guy.

This is a pretty cool track, actually. From what I've played of SJ I hated the OST. The battle music was so boring to me, like sleepy-ville express. Didn't care too much for the dungeon music either. Nothing tops Noctune, personally. Show me something in SJ that rivals Isamu's music and we'll talk, lol!

I hope SMT IV has a good OST. Music is so important to me in games. The little I've heard from the teaser site for IV has me pumped, but we'll see.

 

[Dantis]

And Strange Journey doesn't even begin to compare musically to those, either, so what's your point? Meguro isn't some infallible being, and he also can't compose for every single game Atlus puts out. He's most likely working on Persona 5, which is the game people really want, anyway.

This is true. I'd be pretty devastated if he wasn't heading up P5's OST.

 

[Data West]

An Honor Befitting That Name is one of the best SMT songs ever. SJ's soundtrack isn't that good? pft.

I don't understand the big appeal of Snowflakes though, so what do I know.

 

[Soriku]

An Honor Befitting That Name is one of the best SMT songs ever. SJ's soundtrack isn't that good? pft.

I don't understand the big appeal of Snowflakes though, so what do I know.

Not sure about "one of the best SMT songs" since there's so many good ones but that track is great, and so is the battle theme, Fear of God.

 

[Dantis]

An Honor Befitting That Name is one of the best SMT songs ever. SJ's soundtrack isn't that good? pft.

I don't understand the big appeal of Snowflakes though, so what do I know.

One of the best SMT songs ever is a stretch, but it's one of my favourites from the SJ OST at least.

Also, Snowflakes is amongst Meguro's best vocal tracks. It is amazing.

 

[lunchwithyuzo]

I really want Camelot to do something for 3DS. Golden Sun sequel, a new Shining Force game, anything. I hope Nintendo isn't wasting their time by having them make another Mario Golf game.

I want them to patch an RPG campaign mode into Mario Tennis Open. :[

 

[Glass Rebel]

I want them to patch an RPG campaign mode into Mario Tennis Open. :[

Biggest crime ever. The Golden Suns and Mario Tennis were my favourite games on the GBA and look what happened to them. Either Nintendo isn't giving them enough time/funds or they really have changed a lot since Golden Sun: TLA. bummer.

 

[Colonel Mustard]

I'm pretty happy with everything we know of. I would really enjoy a new Ogre Battle or a remake of March of the Black Queen. That would make the 3DS king of RPGs for me. The input almost seems made for Ogre Battle.

If I can't get that. An upgraded port of Persons of Lordly Calibur with touch-screen input on the WiiU VC would do nicely as well. basically, more Ogre Battle. (Less Tactics Ogre.)

 

[Jathaine]

Why not more of both?
TO, especially the LUCT remake, is great too!

 

[katkombat]

Don't forget Monolith Soft's 3DS RPG!

I will buy a 3DS for this game alone. Nice avatar pic, too.

 

[Silvawuff]

I agree it's getting better, but we're not there yet. The future lineup of JRPG games for 3DS looks sparse to me.

 

[bennyc12]

Nah, something that might be worth playing.

This hits me somewhere between my "Studio Ghibli" muscle and my "Last Guardian" bone.

 

[Hero of Legend]

From Mistwalker, I want them to revive Cry On for Wii U and as said to make Blue Dragon for 3DS.

Whoever is left of Cavia at MAQL can do Cry On, and The Last Story team can get on Blue Dragon, hell if MS is fine with it, just go a head with a remake or a sequel to the original (a real Blue Dragon 2 that is similar to the original, the DS games changed things up).

Mistwalker and MAQL can do great things together, as shown with The Last Story, but perhaps their output can be a bit higher.

I'm also excited to see what perhaps Matsumoto and MAQL can create without Mistwalker, since it's Matsumoto who was always vocal about Wii U RPGs, why doesn't he just come up with something on his own?

Though all of Marvelous' Wii RPG aside were from outside devs (Rune Factory Frontier = Neverland, Arc Rise Fantasia = imagepoch, Valhalla Knights: Eldar Saga = K2) and same for 3DS (Rune Factory 4 = Neverland, Dragon Marked for Death(?) = Inti Creates).

Surely Matsumoto and the folks behind TLS at MAQL in-house can do one themselves.

 

[Eusis]

Biggest crime ever. The Golden Suns and Mario Tennis were my favourite games on the GBA and look what happened to them. Either Nintendo isn't giving them enough time/funds or they really have changed a lot since Golden Sun: TLA. bummer.

While I thought Golden Sun was always overrated anyway I know I would've grabbed Mario Tennis sooner than later if they did put an RPG mode in. Instead... man, who cares.

 

[SatelliteOfLove]

All I know is many companies are calling the goddamn thunder down on my poor wallet and free time in the future via the 3DS.

 

[Glass Rebel]

While I thought Golden Sun was always overrated anyway I know I would've grabbed Mario Tennis sooner than later if they did put an RPG mode in. Instead... man, who cares.

Talk to the hand.

 

[ohlawd]

This hits me somewhere between my "Studio Ghibli" muscle and my "Last Guardian" bone.

Nooo, not the Last Guardian feel.

 

[khaaan]

Talk to the hand.

I've only played Dark Dawn and if that game is a good representative of the series in general, it feels like the series would make a better Zelda-esque puzzler adventure game.

Here's my controversial(?) opinion:

If Nintendo is going to help out with bringing any JRPG over, I'd rather it be Bravely Default than DQ7.

But I just started a collection =(

 

[Jathaine]

I've only played Dark Dawn and if that game is a good representative of the series in general, it feels like the series would make a better Zelda-esque puzzler adventure game.

While much of the core gameplay of Dark Dawn is the same as the original entries and it is every bit as needlessly wordy... it is almost universally considered the worst entry in the series.

Its an "okay" game whereas the first two were pretty darned okay.

 

[SatelliteOfLove]

I disagree there. It's great at creating an ominous mood, and stuff like A Land Controlling Roads is just beautiful.

But I think expecting him to be synonymous with SMT is just silly. The SMT IV composer is extremely talented, it's not like they're using the Devil Survivor 1 guy.

The big question of mine is "will Tsuchiya compose some too as he is right awesome".