Random JRPG News Thread

[911 Jumper]

Final Fantasy music legend Nobuo Uematsu doesn’t think he’ll ever compose a whole game again

Asked if he ever felt that one day nostalgia could take over and convince him to write an entire soundtrack for a game again as opposed to just a main theme, Uematsu replied that he didn’t see it happening.

“As far as Final Fantasy is concerned, I’m still involved by writing the main themes for the games,” he explained. “But I don’t think I’ll compose music for a whole game again.

“You would have to give it full throttle for two or three years. And I don’t think I have the physical and mental strength to do it anymore.

“I think I’d rather use the time I have left to work on other projects that I love. Such as compositions like Merregnon or my band Uematsu Nobuo conTIKI .”

Uematsu’s last full game soundtrack was Fantasian, the Apple Arcade exclusive RPG written and produced by his long-time creative partner and Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi.

In an interview in 2021 to promote the game, Sakaguchi said he felt that Fantasian could be Uematsu’s last soundtrack.

“Before we approached him to work on Fantasian, he was going through some health issues, and there were concerns if he was going to be able to compose everything or if was it even possible for him to work on this,” Sakaguchi said at the time.

The composer ultimately pulled through to compose Fantasian’s entire 60-piece orchestrated soundtrack, the director said, adding that it may prove to be an important milestone.

 

[Abu Antar]

Reynatis Announced for PlayStation and Switch; July 2024 Release (in Japan)

During the Japanese broadcast of the Nintendo Direct Partners Showcase, developer Furyu announced a brand-new action RPG, titled Reynatis. The game will be releasing on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PC via Steam on July 25th, 2024. As of the time of writing, it is unknown whether the game will come west.

Reynatis takes place in modern-day Tokyo, Shibuya. There, magicians, who are feared by the people because of their great power, are active. Marin Kirizumi, a young boy, goes to Shibuya in search of freedom. Sari Nishijima, a magician in charge of the police, patrols Shibuya, believing in justice. When these two protagonists from different backgrounds meet, the story begins to unfold. Reynatis allows players to switch between two modes: Supression and Release. Suppresion Mode allows you to hide your identity while exploring the overworld. If you are spotted however, the M.E.A. will immediately rush to their aid.

There will be two editions to the game according to the official website. The Liberators’ Edition and the Standard Edition, with the former including a DLC pack containing an EXP boost item, and collaboration items with Caligula and Monark, two other titles from Furyu. Furthermore, alternative costumes will also be included. Physical copies of the game will also include a soundtrack CD as a pre-order bonus.

The official website also reveals the staff behind the game. The scenario is written by Kazushige Nojima and the soundtrack is composed by Yoko Shimomura. Character design is handled by Yasutaka Kaburaki, with the key art by Yusuke Naora. The pre-rendered movies will be handled by StudioGOONEYS Inc. Takumi Isobe is the director and Natsume Atari Co. is the developer.

Trailer


Source:
noisypixel.net

Interesting that's there's no confirmation of a Western release.

NISA picked this up. Release is slated for fall 2024. PC/PlayStation/Switch.

 

[911 Jumper]

Reynatis Announced for PlayStation and Switch; July 2024 Release (in Japan)

During the Japanese broadcast of the Nintendo Direct Partners Showcase, developer Furyu announced a brand-new action RPG, titled Reynatis. The game will be releasing on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PC via Steam on July 25th, 2024. As of the time of writing, it is unknown whether the game will come west.

Reynatis takes place in modern-day Tokyo, Shibuya. There, magicians, who are feared by the people because of their great power, are active. Marin Kirizumi, a young boy, goes to Shibuya in search of freedom. Sari Nishijima, a magician in charge of the police, patrols Shibuya, believing in justice. When these two protagonists from different backgrounds meet, the story begins to unfold. Reynatis allows players to switch between two modes: Supression and Release. Suppresion Mode allows you to hide your identity while exploring the overworld. If you are spotted however, the M.E.A. will immediately rush to their aid.

There will be two editions to the game according to the official website. The Liberators’ Edition and the Standard Edition, with the former including a DLC pack containing an EXP boost item, and collaboration items with Caligula and Monark, two other titles from Furyu. Furthermore, alternative costumes will also be included. Physical copies of the game will also include a soundtrack CD as a pre-order bonus.

The official website also reveals the staff behind the game. The scenario is written by Kazushige Nojima and the soundtrack is composed by Yoko Shimomura. Character design is handled by Yasutaka Kaburaki, with the key art by Yusuke Naora. The pre-rendered movies will be handled by StudioGOONEYS Inc. Takumi Isobe is the director and Natsume Atari Co. is the developer.

Trailer


Source:
noisypixel.net

Interesting that's there's no confirmation of a Western release.

NISA picked this up. Release is slated for fall 2024. PC/PlayStation/Switch.

Good to hear. Trailer made me think of Astral Chain.

 

[911 Jumper]

Square Enix Wants To Know How Fans Want To See A Chrono Trigger Remake

Square Enix would like to know what sort of a remake of its 1985 role-playing game, Chrono Trigger, fans wish to see.

Speaking during the My Perfect Console podcast with host Simon Parkin, Chrono Trigger director Yoshinori Kitase asked the host and fans what the best way would be for the development team to approach a Chrono Trigger remake for the gaming audiences of today.

Kitase described three different routes for a potential Chrono Trigger remake: a port, a graphical remaster or a remake of the scope of Final Fantasy VII Remake. Parkin shared his view on the matter, stating that he appreciated what Nintendo did with its remake of The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening. Kitase responded by thanking Parkin for his great input.

A Chrono Trigger remake along the lines of The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening certainly sounds compelling, especially for fans who would rather not see the game’s core storytelling and gameplay tampered with. On the other hand, a re-imagining in the vein of Final Fantasy VII Remake could also have some very enticing prospects. The shift from a turn-based combat system to a party-based real-time combat similar to that of Final Fantasy VII Remake could resonate well with a wider audience.

Kitase currently has his hands full with the Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy, but once work on it has been completed, perhaps the development team will work on a Chrono Trigger or even a Final Fantasy VI remake.

The original Chrono Trigger was originally released for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. Players assume control of the protagonist and his companions within a two-dimensional world comprising forests, cities, and dungeons. Exploration takes place on an overworld map, offering a scaled-down overhead view of the landscape. Detailed areas such as forests and cities are presented as smaller, realistic maps, allowing players to interact with NPCs for items, services, puzzles, challenges, or encounters with enemies. Chrono Trigger diverged from traditional Japanese RPGs by featuring visible enemies on field maps and initiating battles directly on the map rather than transitioning to a separate battle screen.

Source: Game Infinitus

 

[deuxhero]

Talk about shit timing.

 

[911 Jumper]

Final Fantasy XVI for PC in ‘final stages of optimization,’ demo planned before release

 

[deuxhero]

Trailer for new Metal Saga will be dropping soon. Already aired as part of an IRL paid ticket music festival in Nippon.

 

[911 Jumper]

GRANDIA HD Collection Launches March 26, 2024 on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One


Source: GungHo online

 

[Shinji]

Recent interview with Nobuo Uematsu

On modern video game music

Uematsu goes on to muse as to why recent game music has become less interesting in his opinion. He suggests that the problem might be that directors and producers are “satisfied with movie soundtrack-like music in games,” adding, “I think people need to have more freedom when creating (game music).” Uematsu thinks that if games keep using Hollywood movie-style scores, then the genre of “game music cannot develop further.” On the other hand, he comments that “game music will become more interesting if composers consider ‘what is something only I can do?’ and use their own knowledge and experience to be truly creative.”

On To Zanarkand:

“To Zanarkand” was actually not meant to be the theme for FFX. There was a flute player from France who originally asked me to write a song for them to play during a recital. When I wrote the piece, I thought perhaps this sounded a bit too sad for a recital. So I set it aside for the time being. Sometime after, when I was making the score for FFX, I was falling behind all the while the Producers were hounding me. So since that flute piece was unused, I just kinda meekly handed it to them. They listened to it and said “Yes! This is brilliant!”

Sources:
https://nichegamer.com/nobuo-uematsu-to-zanarkand-wasnt-meant-to-be-the-theme-of-final-fantasy-x/
https://automaton-media.com/en/news...r-nobuo-uematsu-recent-game-music-boring-why/


Video interview (in japanese, incomplete -- full version behind paywall in their website)

 

[911 Jumper]

Not just soundtracks that have become uninteresting and forgettable, video game sound effects have gone the same way. With the exception of Nintendo games, it's hard to think of modern video games that have memorable sound effects. What's the PlayStation or Xbox sound effect equivalent of Mario going down a pipe or Link obtaining a Heart Container?

 

[mediocrepoet]

Not just soundtracks that have become uninteresting and forgettable, video game sound effects have gone the same way. With the exception of Nintendo games, it's hard to think of modern video games that have memorable sound effects. What's the PlayStation or Xbox sound effect equivalent of Mario going down a pipe or Link obtaining a Heart Container?

Final Fantasy battle victory is pretty iconic and mostly associated with Playstation these days, Nintendo previously. Still, it's a pass me down from a long running franchise so probably more proving your point than not.

 

[911 Jumper]

Final Fantasy battle victory is pretty iconic and mostly associated with Playstation these days, Nintendo previously. Still, it's a pass me down from a long running franchise so probably more proving your point than not.

Oh yeah, just thought of the FF victory fanfare. I think FF's distinctive menu navigation sound effects have gone, though – not sure haven't played FF beyond the FF13 trilogy.

(Btw, still no access to reactions/buttons so can't upvote your post.)

 

[911 Jumper]

 

[Hobo Elf]

Recent interview with Nobuo Uematsu

On modern video game music

Uematsu goes on to muse as to why recent game music has become less interesting in his opinion. He suggests that the problem might be that directors and producers are “satisfied with movie soundtrack-like music in games,” adding, “I think people need to have more freedom when creating (game music).” Uematsu thinks that if games keep using Hollywood movie-style scores, then the genre of “game music cannot develop further.” On the other hand, he comments that “game music will become more interesting if composers consider ‘what is something only I can do?’ and use their own knowledge and experience to be truly creative.”

Feels like this applies more to western games than JP releases. Even sublimely questionable games like Blue Reflection: Second Light can end up having really good soundtracks that are also very different from anything you can find in a western release.

 

[Reinhardt]

Recent interview with Nobuo Uematsu

On modern video game music

Uematsu goes on to muse as to why recent game music has become less interesting in his opinion. He suggests that the problem might be that directors and producers are “satisfied with movie soundtrack-like music in games,” adding, “I think people need to have more freedom when creating (game music).” Uematsu thinks that if games keep using Hollywood movie-style scores, then the genre of “game music cannot develop further.” On the other hand, he comments that “game music will become more interesting if composers consider ‘what is something only I can do?’ and use their own knowledge and experience to be truly creative.”

Feels like this applies more to western games than JP releases. Even sublimely questionable games like Blue Reflection: Second Light can end up having really good soundtracks that are also very different from anything you can find in a western release.

it's gust. they generally tend to have good soundtracks. still not as good as their music from ps2-3 era tho. ar tonelico music -

 

[Gerrard]

Inomata Mutsumi, illustrator and character designer of many of the Tales games, passed away on March 10

 

[Shinji]

Inomata Mutsumi, illustrator and character designer of many of the Tales games, passed away on March 10

Even Michael Jackson appreciated her work, apparently

 

[911 Jumper]

Japanese Charts: Unicorn Overlord Maintains Its Lead Over Final Fantasy VII Rebirth

The latest Japanese charts are in courtesy of Famitsu (thanks, Gematsu) and it's another victory for Atlus' Unicorn Overlord, which comes in at number one again after selling a further 16,012 copies. Not bad considering how difficult it's been to picked up a physical edition recently.

It's another resounding success for the Switch as a whole, actually, with the only representation for the PS5 being Final Fantasy VII Rebirth at number two. Elsewhere, we've got Mario Kart 8 Deluxe at number three, Super Mario Bros. Wonder at number four, and Splatoon 3 even pokes its head in at number ten.

The only newcomer this week is Macross: Shooting Insight at number seven, selling a respectable 6,961.

Here's your look at this week's top ten in full:

[NSW] Unicorn Overlord (ATLUS, 03/08/24) – 16,012 (56,003)
[PS5] Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (Square Enix, 02/29/24) – 11,497 (298,635)
[NSW] Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (Nintendo, 04/28/17) – 9,031 (5,748,900)
[NSW] Super Mario Bros. Wonder (Nintendo, 10/20/23) – 8,257 (1,787,466)
[NSW] Mario vs. Donkey Kong (Nintendo, 02/16/24) – 7,680 (124,441)
[NSW] Fitness Boxing feat. Hatsune Miku: Isshoni Exercise (Imagineer, 03/07/24) – 7,011 (21,139)
[NSW] MACROSS Shooting Insight (Bushiroad Games, 03/14/24) – 6,961 (New)
[NSW] Momotaro Dentetsu World: Chikyuu wa Kibou de Mawatteru! (Konami, 11/16/23) – 5,947 (1,011,957)
[NSW] Minecraft (Microsoft, 06/21/18) – 5,872 (3,470,376)
[NSW] Splatoon 3 (Nintendo, 09/09/22) – 5,626 (4,251,794)

Source: Nintendo Life

 

[Jermu]

released, 50€

 

[Rahdulan]

Honestly, just like with The Alliance Alive this HD remaster doesn't really bring anything new to the table beyond porting said games from 3DS. If you can in any way play it there just do it.

 

[Tse Tse Fly]

I found Alliance Alive quite mediocre and uninspired to be honest, dropped after ~3 hours. Is this one better?

 

[Abu Antar]

I say avoid this one. I played through this LoL) on 3DS, and it's really not worrh anyone's time.

 

[911 Jumper]

More signs that an FF9 remake is in the works?

 

[deuxhero]

Trailer for new Metal Saga

 

[Val the Moofia Boss]

More signs that an FF9 remake is in the works?

FFXIV has become heavily reliant on memberberries over the past several years. Starting with the Stormblood expansion, rather than due new original lore raids, they started doing rehashes of iconic FFs. In Stormblood, you had the Tactics wanking with the Return to Ivalice raids (with Matsuno being heavily promoted as the writer of that storyline) and the SNES FF nostalgia with the 8-man raid series where you fight SNES FF bosses like Exdeath, Kefka, etc. The next expansion, Shadowbringers, was about milking FF8 and Tactics Ogre nostalgia. With Endwalker it was FF4 wanking. And with the upcoming Dawntrail, they announced that the alliance raid would be yet more wanking of prior FF games (in this case, 11) instead of original content. With the announcement of the FF9 minions, I'm guessing the raid or patch trials will be FF9 wanking.