790°

Can Level 5 De-throne Square Enix? + New Mag Scan

Will level 5's WKC make as big of a splash as Sony hope? Is Level 5 worth acquiring?

Interesting read overall plus a two new magazine scan from a Chinese gaming magazine.

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MainEv3nt 695678d ago

sony should hurry up and buy them

sonarus5678d ago (Edited 5678d ago )

lol with what money?

They should save their money for price cuts but if they can afford it Level 5 would be the RPG studio to buy. They already have quite a few studios with them and with the funds a publisher like sony can pump in for them they will be able to make even better games

RememberThe3575678d ago

but I don't see Sony acquiring them. Level-5 has a good thing going on this gen, they git all those DS games, all the things with Sony, they're on a role right now. If were them I would stay independent. They're a very good dev, and I'm sure they're worth a butt load. Plus, Sony doesn't have to worry about them making games for the 360.

sonarus5678d ago

Yea they were working on an Xbox exclusive but Microsoft didn't let that end too well. But time heals all wounds (time and money:D)

thePatriot5678d ago

Its all up to us and how we spend out money. Anyone up for dethroning the jrpg king? I just ate though.

nbsmatambo5678d ago (Edited 5678d ago )

if WKC turns out to be bad@ss, then Sony should buy them, or at least make them love the PS3 so much that they wont turn back

for lvl-5 to love the PS3 we, the customers, have to buy WKC like hot cakes, then the light will click in their heads..=)

Lanoire5678d ago

In terms of size, its impossible to be bigger than SE as SE is the biggest developer in Japan not just for RPGs.

But looking at art, talent and creativity, SE is no longer on the same level as Squaresoft used to be.

Level 5 on the other hand is showing heaps of talent and creativity and art.

I have no doubt Level 5 is here to make an impact with WKC. WKC will have similar impact as FF7 did for the PS1. Its coming this holiday in Japan.

Its done in Japan. Home, LBP and WKC this holiday season. PS3 has an unstoppable line up.

mikeslemonade5678d ago

Level 5 has more freedom because they make exclusive games. Square Enix's multiplatform games they have sacrifice the potential of the game to make it work on all systems.

Obama5678d ago

No need to buy them since level 5 has a very sour relationship with MS according to its president. He even declared that the company will never work with MS again.

Tetsuryu5678d ago (Edited 5678d ago )

As appealing as that may sound, Level-5 is interested in becoming a publisher.

Chuck Norris5678d ago

Level 5 should remain independent; they will improve more as developers that way. Sony should consider buying a minority stake at Level 5 to help them grow bigger with additional funding.

What Sony needs to do is maintain a good relationship with Level 5 by providing them all the support they need to create games for the PS3 and by giving them the creative freedom that they deserve.

juuken5678d ago

I agree most definitely.
White Knight Chronicles looks AMAZING.

Sarcasm5678d ago

Chuck Norris is right. Infact Chuck roundhouse kicked it and made "Right" into "left"

joking aside I agree.

Sony, don't buy Level-5. But instead, invest as much support as possible into their studio sort of like the relationship they have with Insomniac.

agmsd5677d ago

@Lanoire
I hope so man. It will be a Holiday to celebrate.

Lanoire5677d ago

Sorry but the facts dont lie.

Rogue Galaxy
Dragon Quest
WHITEKNIGHT CHRONICLES
Loads of potential
Great talents

SL1M DADDY5677d ago

Why? Simple. SE has become a bloated, self absorbed developer/publisher and is nothing like the Square that made great games like FFVII and the like. They are now a company that is turning out mediocre games for profit alone and forgetting about the art of gaming. Level 5's WKS is looking to bring back some of the epic feeling that true JRPG's are said to have.

leyego5677d ago

sorta like how EA does it with there games now.
b4 they were great, now its just a name with w/e bs they can take on to the title to make it sell.

i think square is trying to do the same now, low costs, high profit due to name alone.

i wonder what the ff13 reviews will be like when they come out.

LastDance5677d ago (Edited 5677d ago )

Lol you guys are all wrong........
.....

............
....................
...........................
............................. .............................. .
.........
........................squar e enix already dethroned themselves.

macalatus5677d ago

@last dance

Bubbles for you for that best quote of the day!

Squaresoft was better before they merged with their RPG maker rival Enix. I lost faith in Squareenix games since after playing (but never bothered finishing)that over-hyped FFXII.

IMHO, I personally believe that Squareenix knows that their games are going to suck, so that's why they decided to bring their Final Fantasy franchise multi-platform, so they could recoup their money in case the game flops.

+ Show (15) more repliesLast reply 5677d ago
Skyreno5678d ago

I Agree. Buy them media molecule and Also Level-5 ^^ well atleast buy level-5 first

DarkArcani5678d ago

What needs to happen is maintaining a strong relationship. Much like Insomniac. Stay independent so they are free to do what they want. That means more awesome different games, instead of being stuck to making just WKC games.

Overr8ed5677d ago

N they Should buy Mm first since LBP is a Hit! Lvl 5 should be reconsidered in buying, Or Sony + Lvl 5 can have the same relationship with each other like MS and Bungie.

Myze5677d ago

The reason I wouldn't mind seeing Sony purchase either company, and why I believe at least one of the two wouldn't mind being bought (aside from the obvious security factor), is because Sony DOES allow freedom and support to it's 1st party developers or to companies making games they are publishing (ie., LBP), which is why you never hear a game company complain about their relationship with Sony. In fact, most companies in this situation are constantly praising the support Sony gives them.

TOO PAWNED5678d ago

they have no wish 2 sell as president said many times

jkhan5678d ago

Its not about dethroning a company. Its about whether White Knight Chronicles can beat FF-XIII or FF-versus XIII offerings this generation. We know next to nothing about FF-XIII and versus, but we do know WKC will be one tough competitor to beat.

shine13965678d ago

how do we actually know that?
Its going to be released in a couple of months, and they didn't have a playable build. And this was tgs, japan's biggest games conferance, and the last one till the game releases.
I suppose it goes to show, if you build top quality rpgs you can rise meteorically...They really have only been going on for ten years...

Rock Bottom5677d ago (Edited 5677d ago )

Just because that stupid forum guy said they didn't have a playable build doesn't mean they don't, go to WKC's page in GameTrailers and see for your self, there was a playable build in last year's TGS, and there is an ON-LINE playable build this year.

One more thing, when L5 first started they were developing one game at a time, now they're working on WKC, two psp games and three DS announced games at the same time, and there's a rumor about working on a new Dark Chronicles game.

spectyre5677d ago

and he only gets a disagree? I know what the problem is, you didn't post a link. http://www.gametrailers.com...
White Knight was at TGS '08 in playable form. End of story.

TheColbertinator5678d ago

I have no doubt that Level 5 will beat Fabulla Nova Crystallis.Final Fantasy has grown stagnant in the past few years and Star Ocean 4 and WKC will dethrone FFXIII

Harry1905678d ago

definitely won't, but WKC has a chance/ It reminds me of FF9 a little.

TheColbertinator5678d ago

No I think SO4 is plenty capable.You'll see.

Lanoire5678d ago

Not with those bullshots, average character design, average rpg storyline and combat system that befits the average RPG.

SO4 will not be any triple A status whatsoever. Let alone have any chance to rival FF13.

Shane Kim5678d ago

Seriously Steven, SO4 looks like dog turd.

Rock Bottom5677d ago

I love Level-5 games but I don't think they're as good as FF yet, also what's this SO nonsense you're talking about, SO3 was a stupid game with good graphics, SO4 have nice graphics but uses an improved SO3 fighting system, it has no chance of ever coming close to FF with that.

TheColbertinator5677d ago

Never mind then.You guys play WKC.I will play WKC and S04 so whatever

leyego5677d ago

SO is just repeats of the other installments.
same story line, same battle system (somewhat).
i got bored of every SO so far. ive played pretty much all of them from the PS, PS2, to the SNES.

they need to change it up a bit.

TheColbertinator5677d ago

I said never mind.Lets drop this

mfwahwah5677d ago

I don't like being told what to do.

SO4 doesn't look as good as FF13 or Versus 13.

WKC looks better than all, but the FFs may be tough competition.

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120°

Ar Tonelico Qoga: Knell Of Ar Ciel Retro Review – Love Conquers All

Gary Green said: You’ll be forgiven if you haven’t heard of the Ar Tonelico trilogy. The previous two games arrived so late in the PS2’s life-cycle that they simply went unnoticed. While most were tinkering with their shiny new PS3s, Ar Tonelico: Melody of Elemia and Ar Tonelico II: Melody of Metafalica were being ‘returned to sender’ by your local Game stores. Luckily, you won’t need to have played them to understand and appreciate this third and final chapter, Qoga (pronounced k-yoga) tells the story of a racial war between humans and Reyvateils, a breed of biologically produced female cyborgs capable of reproduction, while still having a digital mind.

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Giga_Gaia2d ago

Oh my god. I kinda wish this would get a remaster on PS5, it would be awesome. One of my favorite games on PS3.

That and 3D Dot Game Heroes. It's a shame that some stuff is stuck on PS3.

Knightofelemia2d ago

Ar Tonelico 3 is good I still prefer the first AT game. The music is solid in all the games and Akiko Shikata is a very talented singer bringing life to the game. Only annoying part is well I find is Saki I always choose Finnel or Tyria. KOEI so needs to HD remaster the franchise along with Ar Nosurge and Ciel Nosurge since it never came to North America. I would day one the Ar Toneliceo games and Ar Nosurge if they were remastered.

TheColbertinator2d ago

I still have the limited edition of Qoga unopened. Unfortunately it never went up in value like I had hoped all these years.

Father__Merrin1d 22h ago

Used to own all these quirky JRPG on ps3 good times. Wish I would have kept them all

50°

Mugen Souls Retro Review – Sexy Demon Space Adventure

Gary Green said: We have a juxtaposition of 2D and 3D visuals, flashy turn-based combat, quirky anime characters with cheeky dialogue with plenty of partial nudity; Yes, this is a Compile Heart JRPG. Whilst the engine is borrowed from Hyperdimension Neptunia mk2, Mugen Souls is more of a Disgaea spin-off. It’s not a strategy RPG as such, it merely sits within Disgaea’s ever-expanding universe (Multiverse? Netherverse? Your guess is as good as mine). You won’t find cameos though, since Mugen Souls is a franchise which aims to stand on its own two feet.

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130°

Looking Back At 2008, An Unbelievably Incredible Year Of Video Game Releases

Huzaifa from eXputer: "2008 was home to the likes of Call of Duty: World at War, Dead Space, GTA 4, Far Cry 2, Left 4 Dead, and many other hits, which is outright remarkable."

ChasterMies3d ago

Some of these low paid video game “news” writers weren’t born before 2007.

just_looken3d ago

Here here

Those that were around before 2000's i am sure are like me that think we entered a world of non readers or those that follow without question.

I can not wait to see fallout 3 a goty game even though it was about water with non content until you add the dlc/updates then you got the performance/crashing

CrimsonWing693d ago

I don’t think anything can compare to 2023

lucasnooker3d ago

1998 - the best year in gaming! Metal gear solid, crash bandicoot 3, medievil, half life, ocarina of time, thief, tenchu, resident evil 2, Spyro, tomb raider 3, oddworld abes exodus, banjo kazooie.

It was a different breed of a gaming era. You’ll never understand what it was like back then. The aura of gaming, it was different!

KyRo3d ago (Edited 3d ago )

I second this. Gaming was a lot more varied and fun than it is today. I'm 35 so getting on compared to some here but I got to see all the changes from NES up to now but I've never felt so disappointed in any generation than I have this current gen. I was expecting more from this generation rather than prettier versions of games that came before it. Game mechanics have become so refined that alot of games feel the same and has done for a while now.

Maybe it's time to have a break for a while. I love gaming but I don't feel I get much fun in the traditional sense out of it anymore.

CrimsonWing693d ago (Edited 3d ago )

Metal Gear Solid, Resident Evil 2, Abe’s Exodus, and Ocarina of Time are the only things from that list that I liked.

Here’s the 2023 game releases that I personally liked… and big releases that I didn’t care for:

- Dead Space Remake
- Wo Long Dynatsy
- Resident Evil 4 Remake
- Diablo 4
- Fire Emblem Engage
- Hogwarts Legcay
- Street Fighter 6
- Hi-Fi Rush
- Like a Dragon: Ishin
- Octopath Traveler 2
- Final Fantasy Pixel Remasters
- Final Fanatsy XVI (actually ended up not liking this, but it was still a big deal release)
- Baldur’s Gate 3
- Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon
- Lies of P
- Mortal Kombat 1
- Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
- Starfield (Ended up hating this one, but big release)
- Super Mario Bros. Wonder
- Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (I’m an old-school Zelda fan, but didn’t really enjoy this game)
- Alan Wake 2

I mean, honestly I’ve never seen a year of major IP releases like that, ever.

Profchaos3d ago (Edited 3d ago )

Isn't it just a generational thing realistically.

I've been gaming since way back and I some of my favourite games go as far back as the late 80s for me each generation has a year or two of game changing releases one after another before an inevitable dry spell.

I kind of agree gaming had a different feel games hit different because we didn't have the internet nothing got spoiled and you really had to put in the effort to beat a puzzle which could set entire groups of people looking for a solution. But most importantly games were experimental and not as cookie cutter as today even basics like controls were not universal today r2 is shoot l2 is ads garunteed you can't deviate from that in a shooter back then it could of been square, R1 or R1 and circle nothing was standard.

But as time moves on a new generation picks up their controller they are going to be interested in different things that PS1 demo disc with the t Rex blew our primitive 16 bit brains back on launch but to kids today it's laughable.
The new gen of kids coming into to hobby seem to value different things to us there seems to be a huge focus on online play, streamers, gaming personalities, and social experiences, convience of digital downloads. To me I value none of that but that's ok like my parents not liking the band's I would listen to its just the natural cycle.

Gameseeker_Frampt3d ago

Just about every year in the 7th generation was great and something we most likely won't experience again.

2009 for example had Assassin's Creed 2, Batman: Arkham Asylum, Dragon Age: Origins, Uncharted 2, Halo 3: ODST, Killzone 2, Borderlands, Bayonetta, and Demon's Souls to name a few.

just_looken3d ago

It still amazes me we got over 7 rockstar games ps2/ps3 but 3 for the ps3/ps4/ps5

Dragon age 1-3 and mass effect 1-3 in 7ish years what a generation.