Gaming Xbox RPGs

[BlueYoshi]

[color=teal]Like I mentioned before for the PS2, the Xbox has also got a massive line-up of RPGs coming round the corner. It's a treat more than anything because not often do we see many RPGs for this system, not to mention that they're usually lame or at least not up there with Tales or Dragon Warrior, but some of them sound pretty cool and original.

I've not been able to look them all up so far, they're primarily written as long stories short and obviously have their good and bad sides, though with Tales of Symphonia and a few other high-standard RPGs already out, I don't think anyone will give a keen eye regarding the vast majority of these, heh. Not surprising either; the only Xbox RPG that had any sense of charm to me is Panzer Dragoon, a game I thoroughly enjoyed while it lasted.

Again, some of the games have already been brought up around here, and others are just ports from the PS2, which I've already paid a tribute to in the other thread, so I'll leave them be.

[b]Sudeki:[/b] As always, a cliché as far as any tasteful story would go, but that's hugely besides the point. To give it a heading, Sudeki is mainly about action and indirectly stresses that character design and visuals don't really interfere with what it really has to show. It doesn't use a turn based battle-system either, which is a new fashion amongst today's RPGs as they're all moving away from their ancestors' roots... then again, change could be good. It'll diminish the Xbox's little break from RPGs since it's set for a near-release date, but whether or not it's worth the buy I couldn't really say.

[b]Fable:[/b] This is where the better half of the Xbox kicks in. I've been chasing Fable around from when I first heard about it a long time back, and had to bare the painful pressures of its numerous hold-backs, however, like Star Ocean 3, I suspect they'll be most beneficial.

The concept is original for a game, I'll give it that, and even though it's a tale of revenge, the story helps to incorporate a slight footprint of uniqueness. You take control of your character starting from his childhood days, and as he matures, you get to make choices that determine his outcome, thus reintroducing the good/evil alignments that you'd find in a few other games. Obviously, you can play this game over and over without the possibility of repeating yourself because of the way every little detail amounts to the end result, and being able to get married sounds just as fun. Definitely one to look out for.

[b]The Roots:[/b] I can't believe how The Roots resembles Final Fantasy VII's story. It tells of a Tree that's slowly dying away at the hands of the evil Demon Lord, and you, as its guardian, must stop that from happening. Apparently, this was inspired by Golden Sun and Final Fantasy, so the fantasy element should really glaze here in both graphics and gameplay, particularly the spells. If the spells are resourceful enough then maybe they could serve as an inspiration to other RPGs and make them more in depth.

[b]Resonance:[/b] Very little is known about Resonance right now. Even its development team is unknown, lol. What's in light though is that it's a survival horror based RPG, very much like Eternal Darkness, and has promised a hell of a lot of smooth new traits that actually indulge in components that make horror elements scary.

Like Shin Megami Tensei 3, Resonance brings religious aspects into the plot with the main character as a witch -- very biblical. SMT3 amazingly admitted straight up that God and the Devil would make an appearance in it, and didn't disguise it at all. I'd like to see that in Resonance; a fully polished story with extreme personifications. Hopefully, there'll be a subtle battle system that embellishes everything Resonance has going for it.

I'm under the impression that people see the Xbox as a chunky system that's only good for displaying insanely detailed graphics. A lot of the new RPGs here have potential and seeing that graphics is a segment that a few of them lack makes me kind of glad, really; it gives me hope that it's not living up to people's intuitions. How do you guys feel about them?[/color]

[Charles]

[quote name='BlueYoshi][color=teal']I'm under the impression that people see the Xbox as a chunky system that's only good for displaying insanely detailed graphics. A lot of the new RPGs here have potential and seeing that graphics is a segment that a few of them lack makes me kind of glad, really; it gives me hope that it's not living up to people's intuitions. How do you guys feel about them?[/color][/quote]Well, I don't know that the Xbox is seen in such a way currently. This year, more so than any other year, has been a good year for the system. Up to this point in 2004, it's arguably seen the most quality software come to market.

When it comes to RPGs, I'm looking forward to [b]Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords[/b] and[b] Jade Empire[/b] above all else. KOTOR II appears to be little more than an expansion pack. Obsidian Entertainment seems content in retaining the same overall look and feel of the original while offering standard tweaks in the engine and new force powers. But, I don't mind the fact, as long as the story and characters are as strong as those found in the original.

Jade Empire will be mind-blowing; I have no doubt about it. This is the next logical step in the evolution of the engine they created with KOTOR. Only now, they're not restricted by the boundaries of an already existing license. Everything from the combat to the art style is intriguing. It's a bit odd that Jade Empire and KOTOR II will both release so close to one another next year, but I won't mind picking them up if I have the cash.

Those two games, along with [b]Fable [/b](which should be amazing in its own right if things have come together properly) demonstrate just how far western RPGs have come. Japanese RPGs, for the most part, seem to have fallen into sort of a rut.

I'm definitely staying away from [b]Sudeki[/b], however. The strange meshing of western and eastern art styles looks hideous and from what I've seen of the game itself, screams generic. It's gone gold, so we'll find out soon enough.

[Semjaza]

Fable is all I care about. Despite the fact that I find the character models atrocious, the game still does look good graphically. Obviously what's more important is the gameplay, though. If everything goes according to what I've read, the game will be amazing (even after all the stuff they wound up cutting out). I think it will possibly prove how weak KotOR's dark side/light side system really was.

Jade Empire could be interesting, but at this point it's really nothing more than ideas and movies for the average game player. I can't be that interesed at this point.

[BlueYoshi]

[quote name='Charles']Well, I don't know that the Xbox is seen in such a way currently. This year, more so than any other year, has been a good year for the system. Up to this point in 2004, it's arguably seen the most quality software come to market.[/quote]

[color=teal]Statistics wise, yes. I was referring to what I knew on the inside, like amongst friends and stuff. You'd be surprised by how many of them prefer any mentioned Nintendo system over it because of their on-going franchise and name. Simple as. They couldn't give an intelligent answer stating [i]why[/i], just "I like the games better", which doesn't really qualify.

Ah yes, Jade Empire. I found it tough to choose between that and Fable, mainly because they both outstandingly clear up the mishaps of other RPGs to make them so much more, but the urge to pick Fable over it was always there. Tough decision, though. It'll be interesting to see how Jade Empire compares to KOTOR as it's the next Xbox RPG to be made by Bioware. Like whether certain themes from KOTOR have been implemented into it, or how new features would adapt with it.[/color]

[Guest ScirosDarkblade]

It's probably just me, but I don't think any of the RPGs coming out for Xbox will outdo Morrowind: Game of the Year edition. Fable looks like it might come the closest. I still have to play through KOTOR, but based on Bioware's other RPGs (which I've played and enjoyed immensely, but nevertheless) it won't outdo Morrowind for me either... well I have it for both Xbox and PC and I played it mostly on PC (my brother on Xbox) but it's the same game exactly.

I'm looking forward to KOTOR II and Jade Empire and Fable. Sudeki... eh, I've played the demo and I wasn't that impressed. The fighting takes way too long, at least for a real-time system where you can't take your eyes off the screen. The first battle in the demo took forever and bored me to tears.