All tagged Square Enix

Star Ocean: The Second Story R Review: A Beautiful yet Imperfect Blend of Old and New

Star Ocean: The Second Story R is short and sweet thanks to great pacing, unique mechanics, and fun if unambitious combat, yet it still retains a lot of artifacts that reveal its age - many of which arise from the game’s lacking story, characters, and dungeon design. This game embodies the snappiness and visual splendor that I’d truly like to see more of elsewhere in the JRPG genre.

It's Time to Rewrite the Narrative About Turn-Based RPGs

We need to rewrite the narrative about turn-based RPGs. Instead of being a genre often obstructed by the scary possibility (as perceived by some publishers, at least) that turn-based games inherently sell less because they’re perceived as outdated by the gaming masses, we should instead be celebrating and empowering developers for having the courage to make the games they truly want to make.

Collection of Mana Review: Mixed Assortment of Action RPGs Shows Glimpses of Franchise Potential

Collection of Mana is a tough sell, given that two of its three games are disappointing messes in my mind. However, I do find it to be worthwhile peek into the series, especially for new fans introduced through the series’ more modern titles. In light of the frustration that I shouldered throughout my time with Secret and Trials of Mana, the optimist within me sees the potential that his collection occasionally gives players glimpses of.

Top 5 Games of 2024

Against all odds, this year still managed to bless us with incredible video game experiences, many of which will be sticking with me for decades to come. This is Derek Ex Machina’s definitive list of the top five video games of 2024.

NieR Replicant Review: Ambitious Storytelling Excellence Marred by Underwhelming, Frustrating Design

Many people love NieR Replicant because of its ambition, unconventional approach to gameplay and storytelling, and such ambition is admittedly alluring. While it doesn’t shield my eyes from the clear issues that hold the game back from true greatness, I still feel that NieR Replicant is a game that deserves to be experienced, if only to get more people thinking about how games can continue to telling captivating stories only capable through the medium of video games.

5 Easily Accessible, Beginner Friendly, and Must-Play JRPGs for Genre Newcomers

The JRPG genre is not as hard to get into as some may think. The games discussed here are proof that the genre is capable of being welcoming to newcomers. Regardless of which JRPG you start with, know that the genre is beloved for a reason. They transport players to other worlds to explore, offer various characters to talk to, and deliver gameplay experiences that can be strategic, stylish, and satisfying.

Final Fantasy VII Remake and Cyberpunk 2077: Two Opposite Sides of Hype Culture

There is no one-size-fits-all strategy to announcing a project, nor is there a one-size-fits-all strategy for promoting a game pre-release. However, the differences in CD Projekt Red and Square Enix’s approach to marketing their biggest titles of 2020 do highlight that some strategies are more healthy and responsible than others. In an age where hype culture is so prevalent in the realm of gaming and in a year where two games suffered significantly different fates in large part due to how they were hyped and presented to the public, the term “hype responsibly” rings ever true.

Octopath Traveler: The Effect of a Frustrating Shortage of Character Interaction

The separation of characters' stories and the frustrating limits of the characters' interactions with one another create a narrative experience that feels very fragmented. This fragmentation causes Octopath to feel like it hosts a party of characters that happen to be going on quests that take them in the same direction, rather than a party of characters that feel like they're going on a quest together.