Written by D'Marcus Beatty  on March 01, 2004

Role-Playing Games On-Target in 2004:

Tweet

Comments

Although 2003 did bring gamers one of the greatest RPGs of all time, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, there was a relative dearth of great role-playing games. Only the most hardcore console role-players really felt it, since there were so many other great games of other genres. However, besides Dark Cloud 2, Final Fantasy X-2, and a few other, smaller titles, there were really not a lot of exemplary role-playing games out there. Even the aforementioned RPGs really deviated from the norm, as none of them had any turn-based combat, even though they did prove that wasn't necessary to make a great RPG. However, 2004 seems to be picking up the slack from 2003, as gamers have a veritable deluge of high-profile RPGs to look forward to.

Star Ocean 3: Till the End of Time
Platform: PlayStation 2
Scheduled Release: August 2

Star Ocean 3 is the long awaited sequel to the much lauded and sleeper hit Star Ocean 2: The Second Story for the Playstation. Although the original Star Ocean never saw a U.S. release, its sequel was well received by Sony's RPG fans. The game had an incredible amount of endings based on the relationship of the characters to one another. There was also a great storyline, wonderful characterization, a dynamic hybrid of real time and turn based combat, and numerous opportunities to create your own weapons and items. The in depth customization of the character's abilities in addition to the "Private Actions", which allowed the player to interact with (and help shape) the main characters relationship to the other characters.

Since Star Ocean 2 was so well received, bringing the sequel to the U.S. was inevitable, and masses of fans are anticipating its release. The game still has the dynamic combat, though the series is now in a beautiful, anime-style 3-D environment. The story is science fiction based and follows main character (and oddly named) Fate Linegod on a galaxy-spanning quest.

Star Ocean 3 has seen multiple delays, as it was originally supposed to ship in early 2003, but bugs in the overseas releases caused the developers to have to do some tweaking to the game. Hopefully the previous delays will be the last and gamers will finally get their hands on a copy come August.

Fable
Platform: Xbox
Scheduled Release: June 1

What can be said about Fable? Creator and producer Peter Molyneux confidently claims that it will be the best RPG ever made. The screenshots that are being shown and the gameplay details are doing little to refute his claim. Probably one of the most anticipated RPGs of 2004, Fable tells the tale that the gamer wants it to. Players will start out as a young boy whose parents are killed. From there, players will choose their own path, much like the now classic Knights of the Old Republic. Players can become a warrior, a magician, a thief, an archer, or some weird heretofore-unseen hybrid of the character classes. What makes Fable so amazing is that not only can you choose your class, you can also choose whether you are good or evil, which will depend on the choices you make. In addition to that, your body and environment change based on the choices you make. Should you kill indiscriminately, you will become an outlaw. Slaughter bandits and thieves, and the townsfolk will revere and worship you. Woo ladies, get married, have children, all the decisions are up to you. Your physical appearance even changes. Use a sword all of the time as a warrior, and you'll develop muscles. Stick to the night as a wily thief, and your character will develop pale skin. The customization and interactivity is staggering. Characters can even acquire permanent scars from battling!

Molyneux, as the maker of the famous Black & White, as well as Populous, and Dungeon Keeper, is definitely qualified to bring a project this ambitious to life, although he is known for delaying a game until he considers it complete. Hopefully, Fable will be ready for its June release date, because anticipation of this high-profile title is already taxing many gamers.

Sudeki
Platform: Xbox
Scheduled Release: June 23

Sudeki is another Xbox RPG that has seen its share of delays. This game was expected to fill the void that Microsoft had for RPGs on their glowing green console. The game will tell the story of two worlds at war and some four citizens of the worlds being caught in the middle. Players will be able to control Tal, a young soldier and more than likely the group's muscle, Ailish, a sexy and very well endowed sorceress, Elco, a scientist, and Buki, a martial artist who also is some strange mutant beast.

The graphics in Sudeki are beautiful, with images that have been described as a sort of Western take on anime. The environments are wonderfully detailed and seem alive. However, one of the main things that will make Sudeki stand out is its innovative combat scheme. Instead of being turn-based, Sudeki has real time combat. However, players can choose their spells or skills from a menu, a la Kingdom Hearts. While players are choosing their spell or action, combat time slows down, Matrix like, giving the gamer a chance to pick their action without rushing them or stopping the flow of battle. There is also the opportunity for combos and team attacks, so depth in battle is assured.

Although Sudeki may be too late to be called the game that filled the Xbox RPG void, gamers are still anticipating it nonetheless. Look for Sudeki to hit store shelves in June.

Jade Empire
Platform: Xbox
Scheduled Release: TBA

Bioware is one of the hottest RPG creators out right now, especially with the success of Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. Star Wars fans, RPG lovers, and a somber mixture of the two gobbled up massive quantities of this title, making this title Game of the Year and RPG of the Year on many gamers' lists. Jade Empire is the next project on the plate of super developers Bioware, and is being described as KotOR with martial arts and an Eastern flair.

Instead of the galaxy-spanning storyline of KotOR, Jade Empire will focus on a mythological China, based in myths because all of the Chinese legends will be true here. Players will have access to magic and supernatural abilities, and will encounter gods and demons and dragons. Your character will start out at a stronghold, which will house the characters that you defeat and/or recruit, much like the Suikoden series. You'll be able to utilize these followers for a number of things, including sending them out on missions to accomplish on your behalf.

The fighting will be a variation of KotOR's real time battle, although in Jade Empire, you'll fight using weapons, magic, or a number of different martial arts styles. There is smooth animation as well, and the characters and backgrounds look much better than KotOR, boasting up to three times as many polygons in the character models.

With the success and excellence of KotOR, Jade Empire has piqued many gamers' attention. Though the release date hasn't been set yet, Bioware is trying to release it in 2004.

Tales of Symphonia
Platform: Gamecube
Scheduled Release: July 1

Since the release of Knights of the Old Republic for the Xbox, the Gamecube has officially become the RPG-starved system. Even Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles although well received, isn't quite the RPG fans were looking for. Enter Tales of Symphonia, the RPG that most Nintendo loyalists are waiting for to sate their RPG hunger.

Tales of Symphonia is the eagerly anticipated RPG by Namco, who won't have much RPG competition as the other RPG for Gamecube, Baten Kaitos, is also going to be produced by them. Tales of Symphonia has a beautifully unique artistic style, with what seems to be a mixture of watercolored backgrounds and anime based characters that work together with a fluid gorgeousness. The battle system also is different, with a real time control over one character while the others are controlled by A.I. commands that the player sets. There is also a great deal of interactivity with NPCs as well as your own party, which you can engage in conversation while traveling on the world map.

Tales of Symphonia looks beautiful, and seems as if it will have comparably superior gameplay. Look for this Gamecube-exclusive later on this summer.

True Fantasy Live Online
Platform: Xbox
Scheduled Release: September 18

This game is incredibly anticipated by owners of Microsoft's Large Green console. Set to release in late 2004, True Fantasy Live Online, or Tflo, as it's affectionately called, will be one of the first (and largest) Massively Multiplayer Online RPGs to grace a console. Second probably only to Final Fantasy XI, which will debut over six month prior, TFLO will bring online role-playing to the Xbox. Made by Level-5, who were responsible for the critically acclaimed Dark Cloud 2, True Fantasy shares a lot in common with its predecessor. First, it shares the beautiful cel-shaded look that will set it apart from other MMORPGs. Secondly, it has the depth and immersion of DC2, which sported a large number of mini-games and side quests, all of which were unessential, but addictive and fun.

Of course, there will be job classes and quests, as well as guilds that characters can join. It has even been said that characters can forego adventuring altogether, and become a chef or a cook to provide income. Character appearance will be affected by actions, such as a worker or a smith gaining muscle mass but losing speed. There are a number of means of travel, including walking, riding animals, ships, troll-drawn carriages, and even broomsticks for witches!

One way that True Fantasy is attempting to differentiate from other MMOs is the idea of world history, which can actually change during gameplay. It was even hinted that players might witness the fall of a kingdom while playing!

True Fantasy appears to be shaping up to become a rather formidable MMORPG, even in the face of Final Fantasy XI. Look for it to go Live in fall.

Final Fantasy XI
Platform: PlayStation 2
Scheduled Release: March 23

Final Fantasy XI is the latest in the long and loved Final Fantasy series, and perhaps the most unique Fantasy of all. Although all of the FF staples are there, including Cid and chocobos, Final Fantasy XI is an online experience. And what an experience it is.

Players will choose from a number of nationalities, then they will choose their class. Because of the fact that gamers will only control one player, these distinctions become especially important, as it would be nearly impossible to adventure alone as a offensively-deficient white mage. However, as gamers level up and grow, they will have access to other gamers to form a party, as well as eventually chocobos and airships to travel.

The graphics are gorgeous, and Final Fantasy is already being called the most beautiful MMORPG ever. Character models are proportioned correctly and spells and battle animations are as aesthetically pleasing as always. However, gamers will pay for the experience. Final Fantasy XI is being packaged as part of the long awaited PS2 hard drive that will sell for approximately $99, which is probably at least forty more dollars than most Final Fantasy fans ever paid for the latest addition to the FF mythos. In addition to that, there is also a monthly subscription fee per character. Even despite these financial liabilities, if gamers can afford it, then more than likely they should (and will) try it. There is little doubt in the RPG community, especially among the lovers of the Final Fantasy series, that FFXI will be an incredible experience. Look for it (preprogrammed in the Sony Hard Drive) in late March.

X-Men: Legends
Platform: PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube
Scheduled Release: October 5

Almost without fail, games based on a license are bad. However, X-men: Legends looks to be trying to defy that infamous trend. This is the RPG based on Marvel's favorite mutant team that fans have been clamoring for since long before the superhero team saw the silver screen. With the ability to select a team from over fifteen X-men (classic and current), role-playing elements, and lovely graphics, this game is on many gamers' radars for 2004. The game will also support multiplayer as well as team attacks, such as the Fastball Special, where the super-strong metal giant Colossus throws the feral, fan-favorite, claw wielding Wolverine at enemies for a swift and vicious attack.

Much like the majority of RPGs, you'll be able to accumulate experience points, which can be used to upgrade the varied X-men in a number of categories, including strength, speed, body, mind, and the individual's mutant power. You'll gain experience points by going on missions as part of a team of up to four mutants, and based on the mission type, you'll want to utilize strategy in choosing who will go and who will stay. For example, the behemoth Colossus wouldn't be well suited for a mission that needs speed or puzzle-solving abilities.

Activision, the game's developer, appears to be attempting to stay true to the feel of the comic heroes while offering a great role-playing experience. Gamers are hoping that they can pull it off, and come October, they'll get a chance to find out.

Suikoden IV
Platform: PlayStation 2
Release Date: TBA

Though not as high profile as the Final Fantasy or Dragon Quest series, the games of Suikoden have a loyal following. The last installment, Suikoden III, was fairly well received, introducing the innovative Trinity system in addition to the other Suikoden staples, such as the 108 Stars and the castle building. One of the most fun elements of the Suikoden titles is the searching for the 108 Stars, which are actually people who aid you on your quest and join your team, some as actual playable characters while others may set up shops and mini-games at your castle.

This year, the hunt is going to begin anew. Suikoden IV will be the latest addition to the popular series, and there will be a few changes to the series formula. The series will forsake the interesting Trinity system that debuted in Suikoden III, which allowed the point of view to shift between three major characters, so that in effect, there wasn't a main protagonist. Another change will be actual voice acting, instead of the eerie silence gamers experienced while reading their character's dialogue, especially in the last installment. This game will also take a cue from the popular Wind Waker, as ship travel will be the primary means of transportation. More than likely, the developers will also remove the awkward and ill-received pair battling.

Although no date has been set, Suikoden IV has a 2004 release date for Japan and a late 2004 U.S. release date if everything goes as planned.