State of RPGs: Xbox 360
Last week we revealed to you the great set of RPGs coming to PlayStation 3. This week we tell you what’s on the horizon for the Xbox 360 as well. Once again, we’re talking about real role-playing games here, meaning Japanese games. However, with the list not as big, we decided to throw in Mass Effect 2 as well considering it’s one of everyone’s most anticipated games for the Xbox 360.
Read on for the state of RPGs on the Xbox 360. Games marked with a red star are exclusive to the console and games marked with a green star feature exclusive content.
Cross Edge Dash*
Publisher: NIS
Developer: Compile Heart
Hype Meter: 1/10
Just announced in a recent Famitsu for Xbox 360 is Cross Edge Dash, for some reason. The Xbox 360 version of the former PlayStation 3 exclusive will feature the same story and gameplay, however will add a coliseum, new events and other additional content.
There’s no reason to go in-depth or get excited about this one and that’s why we’re hyping it at a level of one. Read our review to understand why.
Final Fantasy XIII
Publisher: Square Enix
Developer: Square Enix
Release Date: Spring 2010
Hype Meter: 10/10
Perhaps the most anticipated RPG for not just the Xbox 360, but the PlayStation 3 as well is Final Fantasy XIII. In the world of Pulse lies a floating city named Cocoon where Final Fantasy XIII takes place. Battle as Lightning, Snow, Vanille, Sazh and possibly more using a newly enhanced active-time battle system. Summon a Shiva who becomes a motorcycle or an Odin with a powerful finish. Enter the next-generation Final Fantasy.
Final Fantasy XIII is hyped at a level 0f 10 because it’s been the most anticipated role-playing game of this generation since it was announced at E3 during 2006.
Magna Carta II*
Publisher: Namco Bandai Games
Developer: Softmax
Release Date: 2009
Hype Meter: 7-8/10
The first Magna Carta released on the PlayStation 2 and didn’t do so great. However, this second next-generation Magna Carta is planning on doing just the opposite. The upcoming Xbox 360 exclusive boasts a completely new storyline, new custom built battle system, and the visuals you would expect from a next-generation RPG.
Taking a place in the war ravaged Lanzheim Continent, a boy named Luto is suffering from Amnesia. The game’s battle system is a combo of both real-time and turn-based elements, comparable to the ATB system in Final Fantasy XIII.
Magna Carta II is hyped at a level of 7-8 because the first game in the series didn’t do so well, but things are looking good for the second game.
Mass Effect 2*
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Developer: BioWare
Release Date: 2010
Hype Meter: 10/10
Mass Effect 2 is yet another sequel role-playing game coming to the Xbox 360 in early 2010. BioWare continues the epic story presented in the first game, allowing you to continue the game the way you played it in the first by reading your save game data.
The second Mass Effect takes players to the darker depths of space, exploring darker themes. The mystery of the disappearance of humans across worlds will be discovered, and a mission to save mankind will be done.
Mass Effect 2 is hyped at a level of 10 because the first game was amazing and from what we’ve seen and heard so far, the second game’s set to be even greater.
Resonance of Fate
Publisher: Sega
Developer: tri-Ace
Release Date: 2010
Hype Meter: 8/10
Sega and tri-Ace are teaming up for a brand new next-gen RPG. Resonance of Fate is a “gun battle” RPG taking place in a colossal machine city known as Basel. Millions of citizens live in this tower due to poisonous gases contaminating the Earth. While the upper class is living on the top of the tower in luxury, the lower class is scattered through the many sectors of the lower half.
Resonance of Fate is hyped at a level of 8 because the developer tri-Ace are the same team behind the Star Ocean and Valkyrie Profile series and have already earned the title of a great RPG developer.