In many ways, Square Enix could be considered the most unashamedly 'Japanese' of Japanese game developers, with a long history of titles, created for the Japanese market first and foremost, which seem to have become internationally successful almost by surprise. Overseas releases have generally only come after months of slow localisation, with few changes to suit local tastes outside of bug and interface fixes.
But that position doesn't seem sustainable in the modern marketplace. President and CEO Yoichi Wada has spearheaded a big change in the company's direction, from its takeover of an unashamedly western publisher, Eidos, to planning the global release of Final Fantasy XIII for within three months of the Japanese launch – a record for the series. We sat down with Wada to discover the origins of this impetus for change, the future of Square Enix and Eidos, and the personal tastes in gaming of this otherwise enigmatic industry force.
Ever play a game a game only to discover at some point it transforms into a horror game? No? Well Netto's Game Room shares six games that do just that!
Not necessarily a ‘horror’ moment, but I remember feeling really tense and anxious when the Flood were first introduced in the original Halo. I never felt more on edge or nervous in that whole game as that moment. I think it was the whole buildup that something terrible was coming but you didn’t know exactly what.
Another non-horror game that had me feeling it was Subnautica. The deep dark depths, and knowing that sea monsters were lurking nearby, had me jumping at every sound.
I remember being scared of the Asylum level in the most recent Thief game from 2014.
Kazuyuki Shindo, who worked on games including Legend of Mana, Final Fantasy XIII, and SaGa: Emerald Beyond, has left Square Enix.
A new datamine of game files from Final Fantasy XV has revealed a cut scene from Chapter 14 that didn't make it into the final release.
always liked 15, but the development was shch a shitshow. it could have been so much more.
but Tabata did a good job with what he had regardless
Ff15 was a missed opportunity from square as they transitioned from turn based to real time.
One of the issues is that it was 30 fps. The combat mechanics required precision dodges to activate Noctis teleport ability and it was difficult to do at 30 fps. I am glad they rectified that in FF16. The story and flow also felt like it went through a chopshop similar to how some live service games end up when they are trying to meet a deadline. Those extra episodes they sold as dlc should have been in the maingame.
FF15 is one of the weaker entries in the series.
Dodges don't activate the teleport ability. Teleport was R1 + O. Dodge was just the O button. Explain the Black Hood (the item that automatically Dodges for you)
Ah yes; FF XV.
The beginning of me coming to the realization the series was no longer for me.
16 was a lot better, I think 15 was just a big mess with how development went and all. The music though, one of the best in the series, probably the only reason I finished the game.
At least FF15 had RPG elements . 16 was just an action game from beginning to end.
Then call it something else then FF. I got scammed with FF16. Nothing of what i expected it to be.
Even the action is bad in it, especially after the demo section where absolutely nothing happens until the very end.
FF15 isnt a great game but it has some variety at least.
That initial trailer with the Leviathan fight was the game I wish we got. The actual retail release was watchdogged to all Hell and while there’s enjoyment to be had in the game, it’s such an incomplete product and so many elements feel so slapped together without any cohesion.
Like, don’t get me wrong, I loved fishing, cooking, and the first third of the game, but I much rather they made a story that didn’t feel barely there and the the last third of the game didn’t feel so rushed and unfinished.
Every time a party member left for a period of time screamed future paid dlc. It was horrible.
Imagine Dagger and Steiner making the party go to sleep in Lindblum in FF9 disc 1 and then taking off to Alexandria by foot themselves, but then never playing their side of the adventure in disc 2 when they smuggle her through the South Gate in pickles, take the cable car and fight the Waltz, head to Treno and start the quest to find Supersoft. They just eventually reunite with the main party in the future without explanation of what went on in their adventure.
Or Sephiroth's backstory in the famous Kalm flashback being added as a dlc pack. Same goes for Vincent, Cid, or Yuffie for that matter.
Oh and anything to do with Jenova, the Ancients, Aerith, her mom and Gast, shoved into a 2 hour CG movie or 5 hour anime ministries that's considered required viewing for anything in the main game to make sense or have characters actually be interesting.
I enjoyed FF15 at the time, and finished it, but it's bright spots are marred by a bad development cycle and a worse marketing scheme.
What’s sad is when I watched a vid on the entire story (that wasn’t properly told in the actual game)!it was really solid and could’ve been one of the most epic stories in any FF. I think a lot of the compilation and cross-media stuff really f*cked it all up.
FFXV was underrated in my opinion
I have played all of the final fantasy games, and I loved this game
turn based to me takes too long, I like active battle
the extra dlc and chapters should have been included in the original release, but it is nice that they fixed the game later
Great a interview with the man that ruined squaresoft...
We as i mean all xbox360 owners are happy and looking forward to playing Final Fantasy XIII on our xbox360. Sales will have a say also.
'I just finished Uncharted 2, and when I get back home from this business trip I’m looking forward to playing Modern Warfare 2.'
LOL XD
I still hate the guy.