With E3 happening in less than a week, there are a lot of people wondering how many RPG games are expected to be showcased on the show floor.
From the line-up that the publishers revealed in the past couple of days, we mostly see shooters and action adventure titles. Where are the RPG games? The beginning of 2010 was a good one for hardcore RPG gamers as they were graced by a plethora of RPG games namely; Mass Effect 2, Final Fantasy XIII, and Alpha Protocol. Now that we’re in the middle of the year and E3 just around the corner, what RPGs should we expect to be announced at E3?
Let’s take a quick look on the list of RPG games that we are excited to see at E3 2010. At the end of the article, we will list the RPG games we are hoping to see, even though the chances are slim.
Fallout: New Vegas
Publisher: Bethesda Softworks
Developer: Obsidian Entertainment
Release Date: Fall 2010
From the minds who created the original Fallout and Fallout 2, Fallout: New Vegas is one of the most highly anticipated games to come out this year. By the screenshots we have seen so far, it is something to look forward to as some of the great features from Fallout 3 will be included in this game. New Vegas is set to take place in the barren wasteland of Las Vegas, Nevada.
Dungeon Siege 3
Publisher: Square-Enix
Developer: Obsidian Entertainment
Release Date: TBA
The Project X that Square-Enix has been hinting for the past month turned out to be Dungeon Siege 3 on the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC. The Dungeon Siege series was originally a PC exclusive but for the first time, it is now coming to home consoles. The game seamlessly blends intuitive action gameplay, a robust RPG system featuring a large selection of abilities, an expansive multiplayer component with an in-depth story that Square-Enix and Obsidian Entertainment are renowned for. We now have two RPG games to look forward to from Obsidian; Fallout New Vegas and Dungeon Siege 3. Please don’t disappoint us!
Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep
Publisher: Square-Enix
Developer: Square-Enix
Release Date: September 7, 2010
A year after the release in Japan, the highly acclaimed Kingdom Hearts game on the PSP will finally make its way this September. Forget the crappy Kingdom Hearts on the DS, Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep is the follow-up title to the award winning Kingdom Hearts on the PlayStation 2. Long before Sora was chosen by his Keyblade, the worlds’ safety lay in the hands of the true Keyblade Masters. Three youths- Terra, Ventus, and Aqua – have been training long and hard under Master Eraqus to prove that they, too, exhibit the Mark of Mastery. Throughout the game, the characters will soon find themselves in the middle of crisis beyond their own – another Keyblade Master, Xehanort, has gone missing. Kingdom Hearts fans can now unravel the mysteries surrounding Xehanort in Birth By Sleep.
Kingdom Hearts Re:coded
Publisher: Square-Enix
Developer: Square-Enix
Release Date: TBD
Originally released on mobile phones, Square-Enix is bringing the mobile version of the game on the Nintendo DS. After the story of Kingdom Hearts II, Sora will embark on a grand adventure of his very own once again in Kingdom Hearts Re:coded. Little is known as to how this game will play out. It is confirmed that this game will be shown on E3. Should we expect the same experience we’ve had from Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days? I hope not as the game is bad! Real bad!
Final Fantasy: The Four Heroes of Light
Publisher: Square-Enix
Developer: Square-Enix
Release Date: October 5, 2010
The latest Final Fantasy game on the Nintendo DS will be going back to its roots as the four warriors of light that we’ve seen from Final Fantasy I will be making an appearance; but in a whole new storyline. From the creators of Final Fantasy III and IV on Nintendo DS, Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light will take gamers into a charming storybook setting as they embark on an epic adventure with Brandt, Jusqua, Yunita and Aire.
Final Fantasy XIV
Publisher: Square-Enix
Developer: Square-Enix
Release Date: 2010
Little is known about the game but it is confirmed that Final Fantasy XIV will be appearing on E3. Following the success of Final Fantasy XI on the Xbox 360, PS2, and PC, Final Fantasy XIV will start shedding its light once again this year. The game is now coming out on the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC.
DEUS EX: HUMAN REVOLUTION
Publisher: Square-Enix
Developer: Eidos Montreal
Release Date: 2011
Eidos Montreal and Square-Enix team up to bring Deux Ex: Human Revolution on the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and PC. Following the story of Adam Jensen, he must use his new-found power to unravel the truth behind the conspiracy rooted in the foundation of the world as it incites a new revolution.
Xenoblade
Publisher: Nintendo of America
Developer: Monolith Software
Release Date: TBA
From the creators of the Xenogears and Xenosaga series, Xenoblade is one of the most-sought RPG games to be graced on the Nintendo Wii this year. Releasing this month in Japan, Xenoblade features an action based battle system that are new to the fans of the Xeno series. The game received a straight 9 from Famitsu Magazine recently, does that mean this game is really good?
Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies
Publisher: Nintendo of America
Developer: Level-5
Release Date: July 11, 2010
After selling millions of copies in Japan, Dragon Quest IX will finally make an appearance in North America. For fans who played Dragon Quest VIII on the PlayStation 2, Dragon Quest IX is the game you should look forward to as the game itself was developed by the highly acclaimed Level-5 studios. The game has been confirmed to have a weekly quest online that was also featured in Japan. For attendees of E3, this is a game that you should look forward to!
Knights in the Nightmare
Publisher: Atlus
Developer: Sting
Release Date:TBA
Knights in the Nightmare on the PSP is the remake of the game that was originally released on the Nintendo DS over a year ago. The PSP version will have graphical improvements and so much more. Little is revealed on this title; expect to see more next week.
Etrian Odyssey III: The Drowned City
Publisher: Atlus
Developer: Atlus
Release Date:TBA
If you enjoy the first two Etrian Odyssey game that was released on the Nintendo DS a few years ago, The Drowned City is something you need to look forward to. Gamers who played the first two in the series, The Drowned City will follow the footsteps of its predecessors as it will have a 3D view showing on one screen while the other screen will show an overhead display of the map.
Ys SEVEN
Publisher: XSEED Games
Developer: Nihon Falcom
Release Date: Summer 2010
Ys SEVEN is one of the first Ys game that XSEED games will publish for the PSP. Taking advantage of the widescreen format and the hardware for beautiful graphics, Ys SEVEN is one of the PSP games that everyone should look forward to and play this summer. Ys Seven will follow the story of Adol and Dogi as they set forth on another epic adventure to find the and awaken the Five Dragons to summon their help for the final battle to determine the fate of the world. The battle system will consist of a three-member battle party with enemies engaged on the field map in real-time fast paced combat.
The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky
Publisher: XSEED Games
Developer: Nihon Falcom
Release Date:TBA
The Legend of Heroes games are usually localized by Namco Bandai but due to the poor sales that the game generated with its three titles, XSEED Games picks the game up hoping it will be a success. The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky is the latest LoH game to be coming on the PSP console.
RPG WE WANT TO BE ANNOUNCED
Suikoden VI
Ok, it feels like a decade since the last time we’ve seen a Suikoden game on a platform. The one that was released on the Nintendo DS wasn’t that good and RPG fans like myself, are hoping that Suikoden VI will be announced. If not at E3, then hopefully at the Tokyo Games Show.
Valkryia Profile 3
I know this is coming but I’m just not sure when this will be announced. If my hunch is correct, Valkyria Profile 3 is one of the games that Square-Enix has been keeping a secret from us. Most likely this game will be a PlayStation 3 exclusive.
Persona 5
A new Persona is already set but what we don’t know is when this game will be announced. Rumors have been spreading that this game will be coming on the PlayStation 3. Until we see Atlus announce this game this year, that’s the only time I’ll believe it.
Wild ARMS
Media Vision has been looking for PS3 programmers to work on a new PS3 RPG title. Chaos Rings on the iPhone was indeed successful, and now we’re hoping for Wild ARMS 5 on the PlayStation 3. The probability of this getting announced is slim but hey, we just want it to be announced already!
Legend of Dragoon 2
Another RPG game that we are hoping so bad to be announced. Legend of Dragoon is one of the RPG games that I played so many times that I want to a sequel of it already. Hell, a prequel will even be better. I want to see a story between Rose and Zieg!
Lost Odyssey 2
I must admit, Lost Odyssey on the Xbox 360 is pretty good. Despite Sakaguchi leaving Square, Lost Odyssey managed to bring the spirit of the Final Fantasy series into this game. Now, are we going to see a follow up title from Mistwalker?
Kingdom Hearts 3
Nomura said that they will be announcing a new Kingdom Hearts game. Could it be Kingdom Hearts 3? Let’s hope so!
RPGs that We Won’t See at E3 but have been Announced
– Final Fantasy Versus XIII
– Atelier Rorona
– Ar Tonelico 3
RE:coded’s gameplay, from what I’ve seen of it, is a mix between action and puzzles, with puzzles taking place during the action. I’ve read most fo the story (Not the end as to save myself from spoilers) so I know how the game plays out, more or less, and it is nothing like Days. Why does that game get so much hate though? >:
Also, we WON’T see anything for Kingdom Hearts III. The game that Nomura mentioned will be announced likely was RE:coded. Nomura has mentioned that two other games, one of these being RE:coded, OTHER than KHIII are in production, and I’m not even sure if III is in pre-production yet, since proper work on it won’t be starting until FFVXIII is finished.
I’m also hoping Valkyrie Profile 3 is announced, hopefully with the subtitle ‘Hrist’. Even though I know the chances of this happening are less than Krillin’s winning streak, I want Squeenix to announce a Final Fantasy: Mystic Quest remake. God I love that game. D:
Demons Soul’s 2. Seriously no one?
there’s no elders scrolls 5 in the list and i don’t understand because oblivion was a great rpg
You missed golden sun ds, Pokemon B/W, Valkyria 2, Phantasy star P 2
Oh and its Wild arms VI, V was a ps2 game
I want ToV to be announced for a western release, along with Neptune. I also want to see Disgaea 4 officially announced!
I don’t know why they’re being so secretive about anything concerning The Legend Of Dragoon. I mean, really, it’s almost as if they’re expecting us to forget about it or something.