IGN: E3 '08: Star Ocean IV Details

Though Square-Enix isn't ready to show a live demo of Star Ocean: The Last Hope, the famed RPG publisher is ready to at least provide a few details. The latest in the beloved Star Ocean series -- and first on a Microsoft console -- is actually a prequel. The story takes place before the first Star Ocean and is an origin story for the entire series. Earth has been decimated by World War III and has become uninhabitable. Humanity's last hope is to find a new home among the stars.

[Angelitos]

They better make this game multiplatform to the PS3, after they accepted the bribe from M$ for FF13 and became disloyal to SONY

[LeSouteneur]

have some bubbles. :) Star Ocean will most likely be on PS3 at some point. Square is not stupid enough to ignore Japan.

Also, White Knight Story and Dark Cloud 3 will be at TGS, guarantee it.

[power of Green]

What you said is like saying, devs making PS3 exclusives that the west might like *and* calling then stupid for not making them on the 360 lol.

[Dark vader]

all sign point to this game being multiplatform, but we havent had no official announcement yet. maybe at tgs some light will be shed.

[BIoodmask]

IGN's words:

"Coming exclusively to Xbox 360 spring 2009, Square-Enix is keeping a tight wrap on the game for the time being."

Is this direct quote from the preview part of your 'all signs point to.'.... Just curious.

[LeSouteneur]

about FFXIII. It WILL come to PS3. Mark my words. Square isn't stupid enough to ignore Japan where Star Ocean sells the most.

[mister]

these "signs" you are constantly refer to are nothing, but premonitions... kinda like the ones me moms used to get whenever i failed a test, and didn't tell her about it. (the woman still found out, bless her- gave a nice wallop too).

Anyways, that's cool, let's all be geenies. Either that or we can discuss whether or not the game itself will be any good. Maybe, even read the article? I mean this is a gamer zone, right.

I for one though the trailer was amazing in terms of its gameplay reveals, but didn't do too much as far as story was concerned. Hopefully, the new "sci-fi" experience will be not a corny traditional jrpg, except replaced with jawas.

What I'm saying is that I hope this game utilizes its space settings to make a different kind of jrpg. Like if you use swords (huh?), it should kinda be explained why such weapons aren't disenergrated the moment its unsheathed... just saying.

[rhood022]

@Bloodmask

Kinda like how UT III was billed as being on the PS3 "exclusively" in the Fall 2007? In fact, I seem to recall Epic going as far as saying that it wasn't even started on the 360, despite the fact it had been demoed on the 360 not more than 3 months prior to the announcement.

Or like how Bioshock was "exclusively" on the 360? Even though there were files on the disk of a PS3 version that the developers denied was in production.

Come one, you're smarter than that. It's called fulfilling your contractual obligations. I mean, if a company pays for an exclusive window, you're not going to hear about another version because it will cost the contractee sales.

That is why, when asked about a PS3 version, SE responded with a "we can't comment on a PS3 version at this time," rather than saying "no, there is no PS3 version coming."

[rhood022]

double post..oops

[Real gamer 4 life]

Stop bull $hitting yourself, you know damn well that this game is time exclusive at best, same goes for vesperia and last remanemt. At microsoft press conference, square mention infinity discovery as an exclusive game for the 360 right? But tell me why he failed to introduce star ocean as an exclusive? Come on even an idiot can tell that this game is going to come out for the ps3.

[kazuma]

the most un-biased opinion? star ocean 4 IS coming to ps3. why?
let's review the microsoft conference:
infinite undiscovery only on xbox360
star ocean 4 spring 2009
last remnant first on xbox360 this holiday

see the pattern here ppl?
they didn't mention only on xbox360. or exclusive to xbox360. add that to the "we don't comment on other versions of so4" official response of SE, and it's a given. another point to back me up? ps3 sold more in japan, ofc they will want to release so4 there.

[Mayle]

it will definitely be a xbox 360 TIMED exclusive with the 360 version releasing in the Spring and the PS3 version in the fall....the question is do I want in the Spring or can I wait for a version that will probably have more stuff in the Fall

[testerg35]

hahhaa.. oh wait.. let me do an Angelitos or juuken for you..

I'm so hurt.. SE betrayed us. After what MS has done for them. I will try to get over it, but it may take some time. Damn Sony! They bribed SE because this was originally an MS exclusive! SE should care about loyalty and not making a profit.

Sorry.. I tried.. I couldn't be as pathetic.

[Solid_Snake666]

please explain.....

[juuken]

Cute but no.

U FAIL AT TEH INTERNETZ!

[Aclay]

The only place where Star Ocean IV will sell impressive numbers is on the 360 in Japan. SquareEnix should know better than to put a JRPG on the Xbox 360 and not the PS3 because JRPG's just belong on the PS3 and the Playstation platform because that's where the userbase for JPG's are.

If Final Fantasy XIII is being put on the 360, Star Ocean IV had better be on the PS3, that's for damn sure. What is SquareEnix thinking? Doesn't Square know that the Star Ocean fans are PS3 owners in Japan? Releasing Star Ocean 4 as a 360 exclusive is just stupid on SquareEnix's part.... but Microsoft probably had something to do with it and paid for it anyways.

[mistertwoturbo]

Square Enix isn't thinking anything at all. They see money, they react. That's it.

[Bnet343]

Awesome, Xbox 360 has a lot of RPG's this time around.

[Esena]

I just don't understand SE's philosophy. They create RPGs only for 360 now? The 360 has RPGS...the PS3 doesn't. Maybe they don't realize they are making more than one game at a time. "O wait! I thought you said my game was going to be the 360 one..." (employee at SE) :)

[thereapersson]

They bring FFXIII to the 360 because they want to reach as many people, and yet they continue to make RPG's like this for the 360 and not the PS3...? It doesn't matter to me because I own a 360, but it's just a little counteractive to their original statement, don't you think?

[tako2000]

Well...we pretty much know now SE is MS's bit*h ^_^

Seriously, SE took side with X360 is pretty much for sure now. Surprised and confused at the same time, their strategy is understandable.

They will have their X360 team work on LR and SO4, while almost all the PS3 team on FF13 (thus no SO4 and LR delay on PS3). After FF13 is done, X360 team can work on FF13 ports and PS3 team will split to work on FF13 US/EU version and FFversus13.

So SE pretty much screwed PS3 over X360 on both development and game release. Personally I think SE outdone Capcom on screwing PS3, one more remarkable event in Square-Enix corporation history aye?

[meepmoopmeep]

SE's goal right now is trying to expand in the west. they already know their games will sell in JPN. so it's part of their plan on trying to get more western gamers.

they never said anything about all-exclusive at the MS conference while at the same time mentioning the exclusivity of the other two games they presented. (one exclusive, one timed)

SO4 still needs to be decided if it's going to PS3 and i'm pretty sure it will.

[tako2000]

@meepmoopmeep
Well, one can only hope~

Even though I got both consoles, I still prefer company which hold on to their word...

beside if they just want to expand their western market, PS3 still got US 5.31M and EU 6.56M install base and isn't it a good addition to add onto X360 install base?

Though I kind of want to know how MS persuasive SE to side with them

[LightningPS3]

Thanks to XBOX 360, I'll have some extra money from my PS3 trade in, and my games.

XBOX 360 is getting loaded, look at all the exclusive RPG's, and now Final Fantasy XIII.

There isn't a reason to touch a PS3 now.

I finally have a console of choice. I use to be broken because PS3 still had Final Fantasy but no more.

[Esena]

I disagree that there is no reason to touch the ps3 now...well there isnt in terms of RPGs that for sure. It seems like MS and Sony switched what their focus would be this Gen. Ms takes RPGS and Sony gets shooters now.

Weird...

[rhood022]

I hope you didn't have your heart set on playing FF Versus then.

[Xiru]

PS3 still has the majority of Japanese next gen support. Microsoft got into bed with Square but that's about it. Expect the rest of Japanese developers to focus on Wii/PS3 and hopefully PSP.

[BISHOP-BRASIL]

Wow Lightning, still trying to pretend being a PS3 owner or a once PS3 owner?

Almost two years on the same, every time PS3 get a bad new you say you gonna sell it and buy a 360, even not rarely praising 360's features and games over PS3's (which is OK for non-fanboys, but then again you do it so much and in such faith in being right that in such a position you would never bought a PS3, but a 360).

I heard this like thousand times now man, don't you think it's pretty much pathetic?

[B-Rein]

you r forgettin about LEVEL 5, Atlus, team ico and loads of rpg compaines that have made rpgs for ps3, wait for those there must be rpgs made by all them companies, wait till tgs and the otehr europe 1 and white knight chronicles looks freakin awesome

[ceedubya9]

If for nothing else, for the exclusive games. There are some pretty interesting games coming at retail and on PSN from Sony's own studios between now and next year that are definitely worth taking a look at. And although there aren't many RPGs yet, they are coming eventually.

I don't play my PS3 as much as my 360 right now, but I have no plans on trading it or selling it. Still some games coming that I want to play on this console, and its the only Blu-Ray player I have. I say if you have it, you may as well hold on to it.

[ceedubya9]

Game looks awesome. There was even some gameplay thrown into the mix. Keeping my eye on this one.

[Esena]

Does SE think that PS3s are only in Japan and 360s are what all NA gamers play? Seriously? Why are all these RPGs not going on the ps3?

I am just curious.

[rhood022]

Well, if you believe SE..its to "reach the hardware strength of each region..blah, blah, blah"

But if you (the general use of "you") have an IQ above 70, its called "paying a s*** load of money" for, at the very least, timed exclusives.

[Esena]

I understand the business standpoint...I am just confused as to why there are seriously NO Rpgs on the PS3 -- and SE isn't doing much to remedy that (SE being Sony's top dog for RPGs last gen)

I guess we'll have to wait and see. Luckily my roommate has a 360 so I'll get the best of each console. I just dont understand what sony is thinking...

[xboxLOLnewayz]

This game looks sick.
hopefully it will come to the PS3.
Wasnt "Till the end of time" on PS? or was it Xbox?
i havent played the previous one, but i wanted to.

[rhood022]

Star Ocean III was on PS2. It's a good entry, but could have been much better. Still a good game though.

Also, I say pick up 1 and 2 for the PSP (if you have one). They are a little old school but totally worth it.

And SO IV will be on the PS3, despite what the 360 fanboys say. I mean, it just takes a little logic and a reading comprehension level above 1st grade to note that during the MS conference it basically confirmed it. I mean, Infinite Undiscovery was billed "xbox exclusive," yet SO just said "coming 2009"

Also, when asked about a PS3 version, SE said "we cant comment on that now."

[Jikla]

star ocean 4 was announced for the ps 3 wasn't it? MS got the other star ocean...what was the name again?

[BISHOP-BRASIL]

This is Star Ocean: The Last Rope. Being a prequel it's probable not the Star Ocean 4, this one shall come someday in the future... This 360 games is more likely a Star Ocean 0.

But I really don't know nothing on what you are talking about announcing SO4 to PS3, really.

As far as I know, this is the only Star Ocean in development for next-gen systems at the moment and was only announced to 360 'till now (even if much probably will become multiplatform later).

But then again, it's not like if I live with a internet plug in the back of my head...

[DJ]

None of the other star oceans have let me down. Hopefully the PS3 version isn't released too far off from the 360 version (assuming their current behavior, it's hard to believe there isn't one).

[Xiru]

As long as PS3 gets a few more JRPGS than the 360 I will be happy. Its one of the primary reasons I bought and supported the PS3. So far its about equal with NIS just now announcing a new exclusive for PS3. Take that along with White Knight Story and the RPGS available are about the same for both systems. Star Ocean will come to PS3, but probably a lot later than the 360 version.

[Sprudling]

This one game might make me buy a 360 in the future. It all depends on how delayed the PS3 version is gonna be. I'm not buying broken hardware however, so they better fix the RROD issue by then.

[power of Green]

LOL at the PS3 fanboys crying in this thread screaming *Timed Exclusive* as if there was a deal between all three companies and they agreed that MSFT will have it first then PS3 lol, you do know what the true meaning of Timed Exclusive right?.

SE and TA said no PS3 version is planned they have not worked on the PS3 version and do not plan to, they did say basically that it is not out of the question.

[SaiyanFury]

Both MS and Sony are fast to tout a game as an exclusive to praise their own consoles. Neither company was chest thumping regarding Star Ocean 4 as an exclusive. With Square taking FF13 cross platform, SO4 on the PS3 wouldn't surprise. Eternal Sonata on PS3 was consistently denied by Namco that it would appear on PS3 for almost a year. Then boom, all of a sudden, they announce a PS3 version in the west. I think it will happen.

[xboxLOLnewayz]

I thought it was, but that is good news that it will come to the PS3.
yeah i nver really played it but it looked good, and this one looks awesome. && yeah i want to get the whole collection like i did with Devil may cry, and God of War, but i cant find 1 or 2.

Do you injoy FF games??