I am really enjoying the resurgence of JRPGs. I recently started the Trails series from the beginning and am currently on Cold Steel 1. Sky SC was amazing second only to my all-time favorite, Xenoblade 2, in my opinion.
Atelier, SaGa, Ys, Xeno, Tales, SMT, and Trails all of these series are making a comeback. They’re even reviving the Mana and Star Ocean franchises.
There are so many successful long-running JRPG series that have not quite achieved widespread recognition. Persona’s growing popularity has finally brought some attention to SMT, but I really wish more people knew about Trails/Legend of Heroes.
I was not aware that a new SaGa game came out this year, and the 3D remake of Romancing SaGa 2 is set to release soon.
I am okay with remakes of older games that aren’t otherwise available or those that are entirely rebuilt rather than just upscaled and emulated.
The remakes of DQ 1-3 make sense for maintaining sales and engagement while development on DQ12 is underway.
So, I don’t really mind remakes as long as the developers are also working on new games in the franchise.
I am not sure whether I can speak for others who grew up with the classic SMT games, but there is something lacking, inexplicably, about nocturne when compared to everything that followed later. It seems like four and five can’t quite break free from its gravitational pull, if I were to try.
I recently played the remake of Star Ocean: Second Story, and it was fantastic. I really enjoyed the visual updates, they fit perfectly, even as a big fan of the original game. Plus, there are plenty of quality-of-life improvements.
Bring back Arc the lad Sony. you cowards.
Star Ocean 2R was incredible. Remasters and remakes frequently fail to stand alone as original works of art. It’s like, it is just there for people to play on the latest hardware. Even yet, if you like the original game, 2R is well worth it, it’s a completely new and just as flawed experience.
I am eagerly anticipating Expedition 33 and Penny Blood which is developed by part of the team behind the Shadow Hearts series.
I am hoping that the best is still ahead.
I am really excited for Expedition 33, it seems like FF16 with a turn-based gameplay mechanic.
No, that was the SNES and PSX era in the middle to late 1990s.
Is it more accurate to call this a Renaissance? I know it’s a little ironic with the FF game mentioned, but whatever.
I like that perspective. Renaissance is a much more fitting term, with the mid to late 90s truly representing the golden age of JRPGs.