Square Enix to announce next Star Ocean title in May

by Nick Doerr { Apr 27th 2007 at 1:15PM }

The latest issue of Famitsu magazine in Japan states that Square Enix is going to reveal something tasty next month -- the next entry into the Star Ocean franchise. It's getting its big reveal at the Square Enix Party 2007 event taking place next month. Next month, get it?

Whether the game will retain the futuristic elements its known for has yet to be announced, but we can only say this: don't let it suck so hard. While critics and fans hailed Star Ocean 2 and Star Ocean: Till The End of Time as great games... they just didn't do it for me. Tri-Ace is normally a fantastic developer in my eyes and Square Enix was smart to snatch them up. However, they've got to learn a few things about making games that Star Ocean generally misses out on:

Don't drag out a story that's ended. Star Ocean 2 did this pretty horribly once you reach the second disc. All you have to do is fight the 13 whatever-they-were, but no. Tons of little nonsensical quests sprouted up to drag the playtime out.
Hire better writers (I'm always available). We're not talking about the basic storyline, here. We mean dialogue. If you play Star Ocean: TTEoT, think about what each character is saying. Here's an example:

Dude: "We need to get the random item to advance the story!"

Lady: "The random item to advance the story?"

Dude: "Yes, it has great power to make this game not suck!"

Lady: "Great power?"

Dude 2: "It is rumored it destroyed Nick Doerr's interest in this title."

Lady 2: "His interest?"

Get the idea? Everyone had to question every single line of dialogue everyone else said. It was stupid.

Feel free to add your own issues to this list, but those are my main concerns. If those are addressed, I'd gladly give Star Ocean IV a shot. We'll come back with more details as they surface.

Tags: Famitsu, PlayStation 3, Playstation3, PS3, Sony, Square Enix, SquareEnix, Star Ocean, StarOcean, Tri-Ace

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

shase @ Apr 27th 2007 2:06PM

I was pretty happy about SO3. It was a pretty interesting game but I dont think SO4 will be in the same universe... unless its a continuation of SO3. I liked the multiple endings in SO3 especially the one with Clare and Nel :). I really didnt have many problems with 3 besides maybe some of the ridiculously hard to get trophies....

Justin @ Apr 27th 2007 2:06PM

I agree with you Nick..the game did play very well though and the creation elements were top notch. They will be getting my monies again.

shase @ Apr 27th 2007 3:02PM

Oh yeah the crafting in SO3 was awful.... they really should have the recipies "remembered" when successfully crafted than going blind every time

acefondu @ Apr 30th 2007 8:33AM

Thank goodness someone can recognize awful dialouge. Xenosaga is a great example of GOOD dialouge. Great conversations, wonderful backstories, and every character was distinguishable.

Blazer82 @ Apr 27th 2007 4:35PM

I just hope that it does come out for PS3 and not for one of Nintendo's technology lacking systems. Im happy Nintendo is doing well again, but I personally dont go for N64 quality graphics.

Todd @ Apr 27th 2007 6:20PM

I thought the maps were way too big. The towns alone were hard to walk through without feeling lost and confused. It was like Jak II. The maps were too big. And if I remember correctly it was hard to get healing items.

3cubedminus3squared @ Apr 27th 2007 5:42PM

I hope they release it for the 360 [but they won't] since thats the system I bought.

Jason B. @ Apr 27th 2007 7:53PM

Squeenix has stated that they were going to announce a huge surprise for PSP owners at their may thing. I guess we just found out what it was.

(And SO3 was the worst of the three. I loved the first two.)

Siro @ May 3rd 2007 5:39PM

What are you guys talking about? It may not have the best dialouge but, the worst game in the series?? Get real, this was the best one. Besides the crafting and multiple endings, the game comtinued far beyond the final boss. It kept me playing the same file for weeks after i initially beat the game.

Why would they put it on the 360, the system sucks. If it was on Xbox do you think they would have put as much time and effort into it? Didnt think so.

Square-Enix didnt snatch Tri-Ace, Enix has always sponsered Tri-Ace.

Xenosaga was a great story, the battles were lacking and bored me to the point i stoped playing and had my friend beat it for me. Great sentances dont make a great game.

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