The Future of JRPGs Lies in Handheld Games

I had written a blog a few months ago in which I had expressed my general discontent towards JRPGs over the past decade or so and it was met with pretty good feedback and praise and I want to thank you all for what turned into a really good discussion. Now then, this blog is sort of a companion piece or a rebuttal to my own work if you will. While my general feelings of JRPGs needing to advance still exist somewhat, here in 2010 there seems to have been a revival of sorts that might show good signs for the genre. Good signs provided you have a handheld at least.

You see, this year I’ve spent more time playing my PSP and my DS more than my Wii or PS3 simply because this is the greatest time ever to be a handheld gaming fan. If you’re a gamer who loved the 90s and the SNES/PS1/Saturn era of gaming then you have to be estatic with the amount of games that have been being released for handhelds over the past few years. This year in 2010, was simply the greatest year for handheld RPGs ever and there’s still more to come. This then is my rebuttal as I said. I shall now direct you to some great fantastic RPGs that have come out in just this year alone and encourage any fan to try these games as examples that hey, maybe there is a future for JRPGs at least on the small screen. I will be employing a new game rating system, one that is flawless and you simply cannot argue with. The Dragon Quest slime rating system! 5 slimes equals awesomeness and if you don't buy it I will come to your house and beat you and greedily grab the gold you leave behind.

1. Glory of Heracles

The Story: While it begins with the usual cliché of the main character having amnesia, this is offset by the unique atmosphere of ancient Greece. Believing himself to be the legendary Heracles, he is believed to be immortal and descended from the Gods themselves and along the way meets several characters who also have amnesia. Once again they get embroiled in the epic clash between Zeus and the Gods vs the Titans and the plot is driven from there. Think Clash of the Titans mixed with Final Fantasy and a little God of War sprinkled for good measure and you’ve got it.

Why Should I Play It, Kenola?: Glory of Heracles is like a nice mix of traditional turn based combat and strategy RPG. After placing your characters on a grid, you can select various commands that have you utilize the DS stylus to get maximum performance for attacks and magic spells. This can vary from touching circles in order or drawing the magic incantations yourself. While it does slow combat somewhat it does present a fresh take on what could have been a very boring battle system.

The Verdict: Not the greatest RPG ever, but definitely worth a look see.

2. Lunar-Silver Star Harmony

The Story: Well, being a remake of the original game on Sega CD and Playstation 1, most gamers are familiar with the plot of this game already, but if you don’t know, the main character Alex has dreams of becoming a Dragonmaster to protect the Goddess Althena. After venturing to the cave of the White Dragon and getting his quest he discovers that members of the Vile Tribe who hate Althena have been capturing girls for whatever reason, his girlfriend Luna being among them.

Why Should I Play It, Kenola?: Lunar was my very first RPG ever on the Sega CD and it holds a special place in my heart to this very day. While this version isn’t quite as good as those other ones, it’s got a entirely new prologue that lets you play as the Four Heroes and updated graphics and sound to make it look even better than before. If you’ve never experienced Lunar, now is the time.

The Verdict: If you’ve never experienced Lunar, now is the time. If you’ve already played through it once, you won’t find this one better, but still, it will be a nice trip down memory lane for you.

3. Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey

The Story: Set in a unique science fiction setting, you and a team of UN Inspectors are sent to investigate the Schwarzwelt, a gigantic portal deep in the Antarctic. Once inside you’ll discover a portal full of demons at which point you’ll eventually have to come to a decision. Save mankind or destroy it?

Why Should I Play It, Kenola?: Hell, it says “Shin Megami Tensei” on the box, that’s why. Ok, what sets this one apart from the others is the unique setting and characters. For the first time ever for this series, this game doesn’t take place in Japan and uses mostly American characters. The plot is more akin to a sci-fi action movie and feels like something James Cameron would have come up with to accompany the usual classic Shin Megami Tensei gameplay of negotitating with demons and recruiting them to make them for your own. If you’ve never played an SMT game, think of it as Pokemon with a bit more challenge and mature storyline.

The Verdict: SMT fans, you owe it to yourself to play this one. It’s every bit as great as Nocturne in my opinion and will keep you busy for quite some time. New fans to the series, don’t fret, this is a great introduction to the series and prior knowledge of past SMT games is not required. Check it out!

4. Persona 3 Portable

The Story: You are a high school student who recently moved into town with a very special ability. With a gun called an “Evoker” you can bring out our power known as Persona. You and others like you will combat what’s known as the Shadows that prey upon human souls during the Dark Hour, a hidden hour at midnight between one day and the next. Of course during the day you still have to go to school and carry on a social life. Time rests for no one.

Why Should I Play It, Kenola?: Well, anyone who’s played any of the PS2 versions of this game will give you plenty of reason. Fantastic story, great gameplay and a great challenge for one of the best games in the SMT franchise. Anyone who already has played the PS2 games should still check this one out as an all new female storyline complete with new social links to develop as well as many of the improved play mechanics from P4 such as the ability to control all party members show up here.

The Verdict: The best version of Persona 3 there is. Check it out!

5. Valkyria Chronicles 2

The Story: Set 3 years after the original game (or something like that, I dunno), you play as Avan of a Gallian Military Academy who leads a squadron known as Class G. Class G is called to defend Gallia against rebels who do not like this current era of peace, nor the idea that their country has fallen under Darcsen rule. Calling themselves rebels and declaring their intent to take back Gallia, they seek to rekindle the flames of war.

Why Should I Play It, Kenola?: Well, anyone who’s played the original game can see why you should play this one. The same gameplay that made the original so great returns, mixing action game elements with RPG strategy. The ability to command multiple vehicles as well as assign different classes to your troops is a natural expansion upon the original game. Everything is generally improved here and the game boasts some of the best graphics the PSP has to offer.

The Verdict: Even if you’ve never played Valkyria Chronicles 1, this game is still worth checking out as it has a plot that not only caters to fans of the original but is structured in such a way that it’s a standalone story as well. Those looking for an SRPG fix need look no further.

6. Lufia Curse of the Sinstrals ( Oh what, I just reviewed the damn thing don’t judge me! Okay fine I’ll tell you how many slimes it gets!)

7. Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies (Yes, you must type the subtitle as well.)

The Story: You are a Celestrian, a guardian angel of sorts who performs good deeds from upon high in the Observatory overlooking the world. The fyggs of the Yggdrasil Tree must come to full bloom before all Celestrians can ascend to the realm of the almighty. In order to accomplish this task, you must venture toward the world below and collect benevolescence or the crystallized gratitude of the humans below.

Why Should I Play It, Kenola?: It’s very simple. This is in my opinion the best Dragon Quest in the series. Your entire party can be created from scratch, from their appearance to their name to what class they areto how many. You can choose to go it solo if for some reason you desire. The options in DQIX are unlimited. Random encounters have mercifully been abolished and enemies can now be seen on the adventure map. New quests and items are available through the online shop and there’s never any real dull moment in the game. It’s the perfect blend of Western and JRPG concepts and not just one of the best RPGs you can play this year, its one of the best JRPGs period.

The Verdict: Buy it if you haven’t done it yet. I told you so and that’s why, don’t argue with me.

So there you have it. There’s 7 great RPGs I’ve played for handhelds this year alone. The future looks bleak on consoles but I’m glad developers are still committed to providing a fun JRPG experience on the go and there's more to come with a new Golden Sun being released for the DS as well. Don’t miss out on this stuff!

Curse of the Expectations (Lufia DS review)

Often times when something is remade it feels like a cheap cash in; simply nothing more than a way to make a quick buck and be done with it. Using a popular brand name to sell an otherwise inferior product. Then there are times such as when Neverland remakes Lufia II for the DS in the form of Lufia: Curse of the Sinistrals. While not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, Curse of the Sinistrals at least feels as though some love and effort was put into the project to present a brand new product that keeps the spirit of the original intact.





While they simply could have given the game 3D graphics and slapped the name “Lufia” on the box and been done with it, Neverland instead attempted to present the original story of the game in a new fashion. In fact, “inspired by” Lufia II would be a more apt description of the title. The plot for the most part has been largely left untouched, a few noteworthy tracks from the original game including the beautiful world map music have been retained and the same familiar characters return as well, despite each of them receiving a more updated, contemporary design. Evil beings known as the Sinistrals, hell bent on destroying the world are challenged by a lone hunter named Maxim, who quickly gets destroyed but is later saved by a mysterious woman named Iris who announces him as a chosen one to defeat Gades and save the world. While not the most complicated story ever, the plot is driven by likeable characters such as Lexis the eccentric scientist, Tia the kind, somewhat jealous close friend of Maxim and Selan, a somewhat silent female warrior. There are other characters and personalities you’ll meet along the way and the game interjects enough light heartedness and humor which breathes enough personality and life into what could have been a very stale, clichéd story.

Characters have been given a fresh, new look to supplement the game.

For starters, whereas the original was a traditional turn based RPG, this one is more of an Action game with RPG elements and puzzle solving. Think a cross between Kingdom Hearts and Legend of Zelda and you’ve just about got it. Many of the areas have been trimmed down and the world map has been wiped from existence; instead you just select each area from a menu (The old world map music mercifully was thankfully kept however.) and travel between areas that way. While areas have been condensed in this title new puzzles are made available for you to solve and they are every bit as challenging as the ones from the original game. Like the original game your party will grow to up to six playable characters who not only have a unique combat style, but each has a special ability they must use to solve the various puzzles. Using each character in conjunction with one another, playing to strengths and weaknesses is the key to advancement.

No world map this time. Just press a button and you're there. But the music is still there.

Great Scott, Marty! That guy looks just like me!

But like in an RPG, characters gain levels and experience and can be strengthened through the use of Mystic Stones. Mystic Stones work much like the license board in Final Fantasy XII, placing different shaped blocks on a certain portion of a large grid with space for each character to occupy that will unlock various stat boosts and elemental resistances. While stones can be placed from just about anywhere as long as they connect to one another, it would be more beneficial to actually pay attention to the different type of stones being used to upgrade characters. Upon first glance character differences may seem simply cosmetic or personal preference, but after a few hours you’ll quickly start to realize how each character differs and play as them accordingly, as some characters are better suited for particular enemies than most others. While this game could have easily fell into the trap of “mash the Y button” all day; and for awhile, it does, by the time you get to your first battle with Gades you’ll quickly realize how to utilize knock downs and air combos to attack the opponent and get free hits unopposed. You’ll learn the merits of rolling out of the way and dodging and when to move in for the kill and unleash your special moves, carefully managing your IP meter so you don’t run out. Well, unless you like the Game Over screen that is.

Boss battles are fun and challenging and make use of both screens.

Then again if all of that sounds too challenging for you, the game does show mercy. If you don’t feel like spending the time to properly place your Mystic Stones or do the dreaded “grind for money and equipment” that takes place in most RPGs, the game allows you to restart 5 levels higher than you were when you died. While there is no real penalty for this, it does significantly remove most of the challenge of the game and simple button mashing will be all that is required to see it to the end. Still, not a bad option for casual players and those wanting to enjoy the story.



All in all Curse of the Sinistrals is a fairly competent reboot of the game despite it’s shortcomings. No, it isn’t perfect. The voice-overs are spotty. Many areas are too small, some expansion would have been preferred. Some animations are a bit lousy, particularly ones where you’re knocked off of your feet; camera angles cannot be adjusted making for a few hard to place jumps and while you can dodge, you cannot block, which can lead to some truly frustrating battles as dodging doesn’t seem to work quite as well as it should. All the same, with an open mind any fan of the original will have plenty to like about this updated version as well as anyone who is new to the series and just wants to play a fun Action RPG on the go. This game is best suited for those who enjoy fast paced combat and puzzle solving. If a more traditional RPG game with exploration and hours of character building is more what you’re looking for from your DS, seek it elsewhere. Stick with Dragon Quest IX or Shin Megami Tensei Strange Journey for your fix.

Thumbs in the middle.