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In the February 2007 issue of Game Informer, Game Informer had the opportunity to not only give their hands-on impressions with Blue Dragon, the Xbox 360 RPG game that Microsoft hoped would generate more 360 sales (which it did…slightly), but also interview the father of Final Fantasy himself, Hironobu Sakaguchi. When poised with the question of whether or not it was difficult for Blue Dragon’s battle system to be turn based due to many RPGs now taking the real-time/action route, Hironobu Sakaguchi replied with the following;
"I had no desire to be swayed by a fad. Conversely, if there are less turn-based games now, then the project may have scarcity value".
Whether or not this has any signifance to you is based on your preference when it comes to JRPGs; but for many people who’ve watched gameplay videos of Blue Dragon and few who’ve personally gone out of their way to import an Xbox 360 with Blue Dragon, turn-based gameplay wasn’t exactly their cup of tea anymore in this generation of gaming. Furthermore, with the Xbox 360 being a current-gen console (since next-gen is current-gen already), many people expected more from this RPG, preferably a real time nature that manages to exploit the system’s full potential if not some of it.
This, of course, begs the question as to whether or not turn-based JRPGs are even suitable now with the power of current-generation consoles. With Final Fantasy XII being the major RPG that cast away traditional turn-based gameplay and combined MMO elements with the turn-based formula to create something both real-time and new, should traditional turn-based RPGs cease to be and just remain a gameplay formula of the past; or should developers continue to experiment in various ways of incorporating new formulas within turn-based gameplay formulas and hopefully keep turn-based gameplay alive? Are action/real time RPGs really just a fad that cater to those who easily lose interest in the repetitious nature of turn-based battle systems, or do they offer the same deep, strategic feel as traditonal turn-based battle systems?
Personally, I feel traditional turn-based battle systems are superior to those of an action/real-time nature.
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8 Responses to “Turn-Based RPGs aren’t dead…yet”
January 26th, 2007 at 3:08 pm
Hmmm, I think it’s too hard to pick one, as both have their own unique ups and downs to them. I like FFXII, but I also enjoy FF X and those that came before it. I like Dragon Quest VIII, and I love Kingdom Hearts. Personally, I can’t wait to get my hands on Blue Dragon, I’m sure if it’s turn-based, then they’ve made sure to perfect the system enough to make it a unique and interesting turn-based experience.
January 26th, 2007 at 4:54 pm
I think there’s going to be a place for both genres too. There are games that are strictly action RPGs (Kingdom Hearts) and games that blend in action like the Tales series or FFXII. Then there are the “traditional” turn based RPGs like Dragon Quest and to some extent Final Fantasy X. Squaresoft has been slowly making RPG battles more reactive, think back to the addition of the ATB that was revolutionary and the push button commands in Super Mario RPG. So it’s no suprise that Final Fantasy XII is more action oriented than other RPGs. Maybe there will be a branch of psuedo action-RPGs similar to how there’s a branch of strategy RPGs. If you’re into the classic turn based stuff you’ve got to give the Shin Megami Tensei games a try. The press turn battle system is the pinnacle of turn based fighting systems.
January 26th, 2007 at 6:28 pm
I was one of those who imported the 360 to just play Blue Dragon, I would say it’s very much worth it. It’s a hit in Jpn, the old school gamers ther feel a lot of nostalgia from the familiar yet refined gameplay w/ next-gen graphics. I guess you could say it was a little similiar to Chrono Trigger, at least the look & feel. The Uematsu music is okay. One big minus is the game could “freeze”, it froze on me 3 times during my whole game (I spent a month on and off to finish it). But I’m all for turn-based RPGs, too many action ones nowadays and this one feels like a gem, like Sakaguchi says.
January 26th, 2007 at 7:12 pm
Okay, first of all, FFXII is SO a turn based RPG. It just doesn’t LOOK like one. If they wanted to make it more than just a turn based RPG they would make it so position actually affected the enemy’s ability to hit you.
I think turn based RPGs can still be great games, but not if they don’t do anything more than the typical Final Fantasy formula.
Take every Final Fantasy game since VI. The strategy is basically…hack away, hack away, cast some super powerful spell, hack away, heal occasionally. This is mindless and boring. But if you look at games like Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne, suddenly the turn based RPG genre looks fruitful and vivacious. If turn based RPGs would actually force you to use different strategies in different fights, and give you other useful combat options besides just doing damage and healing damage done to you, they wouldn’t be getting dull.
Any genre gets dull when the people who produce within the genre start to blatantly coast as much as the Final Fantasy crew has.
Every genre has started to go for production value over gameplay substance, and has drifted away from any sort of challenge toward just mindless button tapping. This is a problem plaguing the entire industry; not just RPGs.
January 26th, 2007 at 7:43 pm
@Chris
he didn’t say FFXII wasn’t a turn based RPG; he simply said it incorporate real time MMO aspects with turn based gameplay to provide something real time and turn based, hence a new formula of turn based. the post isn’t supposed to attack such games; the post is asking whether or not TRADITIONAL turn based RPGs are even suitable for this generation of gaming.
read the entire post next time please.
February 22nd, 2007 at 1:15 am
I personally can’t find enough turn-based rpg’s for my ps2 so if anyone knew of some or where I could get a list that would be nice.
Answer your question?
March 11th, 2007 at 7:31 pm
Dragon Quest 8 is the most traditional old fashioned turn-based RPG you can get. I absolutely loved it. It took me 80 hrs to beat it and I spent another 20 hrs after I beat it to play the alternate ending. More weapons, armors, and items you can find in any game. I only wish they made more RPGs like this!
Gaming Map
January 26th, 2007 at 2:20 pm
Neither one will ever go away no matter how far the pendulum swings in a given generation. I really prefer the Turn-based approach, even if detractors says it makes a game “slower.” I personally like the slower pace, as it allows me to think a bit more strategically. One of my favorite RPGs is FFX for this exact reason. I could be a bit more methodical about how I battled without worrying about the recourse of taking too long (as opposed to Kingdom Hearts 2 which simply became an exercise in button-mashing).
That being said, I do like the occasional Action-oriented RPG, like Tales of Symphonia, Kingdom Hearts, and (I’m hoping) Rogue Galaxy. The extra excitement is nice every now and again.