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New Lost Sphear Trailer Shows Improvements (and Mechs)

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Aug 302017
 

I’m looking forward to Lost Sphear, the next game from Square Enix’s Tokyo RPG Factory, and the new trailer made me even more excited.

When I played their previous game, I Am Setsuna, I was delighted to have a new turn-based JRPG in a traditional style (complete with a world map), but the story ultimately fell short of its potential.

Other players disliked the repetitive environments, lack of inns, and familiar story premise.

However, I wanted to see Tokyo RPG Factory’s next game, because I felt they could really make something fantastic if given another chance. So far, it looks like Lost Sphear might be that fantastic follow-up I hoped for.

Everything they’ve said about it shows that they’ve made improvements based on feedback about I Am Setsuna, and the trailer shows several of these changes and additions.

Changes from I Am Setsuna

  1. Inns – After a brief scene between two characters and a glimpse of the airship flying across the world map, we see the party running past a building clearly labeled “Inn.” Inns are definitely in Lost Sphear after their absence from I Am Setsuna.
  2. Varied Environments – The entire world of I Am Setsuna was covered in snow, which was pretty but also repetitive. This trailer alone shows several different environments.
  3. New Premise – Lost Sphear’s story revolves around restoring a disappearing world, and we see that in action in this trailer. It seems as though you can restore parts of the world both in towns and on the world map, so it will be interesting to see how that plays out.
  4. Combat Movement – Lost Sphear still features a turn-based/ATB combat system, but you can move on your turn. Since I Am Setsuna’s attacks were affected by your positioning, it was frustrating that you couldn’t choose your position. This should be a welcome change.
  5. Mechs – In this trailer, we can see the characters use mech-like “Vulcosuits” both in the field and in battle. Their full purpose is still unclear, but they look powerful.

Lost Sphear will be out on January 23 for the PC, PS4, and Switch, and I’m confident that it will be an improvement over I Am Setsuna while hopefully retaining its nostalgic charm. Are you interested in playing Lost Sphear?

Hopes for Tokyo RPG Factory’s Next Game

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May 292017
 

Square Enix’s Tokyo RPG Factory studio has updated its website with a new image.

This image (pictured right) shows a grassy cliff very different from the snowy landscape of their first game, I Am Setsuna. Tokyo RPG Factory was formed to work on smaller, more traditional RPGs. Could this be a hint as to their next game?

I Am Setsuna had a lot of potential. In my review for MonsterVine, I mentioned that the game seemed like it should have been longer. I enjoyed its characters and gameplay, but the ending felt rushed.

When I played it, I reached a point where I expected it to expand into the story’s next arc and make use of the hints I’d seen in the worldbuilding and side quests of a bigger picture. Instead, it raced through a few new plot points toward a sudden conclusion.

At the time, I wished they had a large enough budget to make a longer game. I also worried that I Am Setsuna’s mixed reception might mean they wouldn’t make anything else.

My second concern seems to be resolved. That image suggests Tokyo RPG Factory has a new game planned, maybe to be announced at E3. Will it be set in I Am Setsuna’s universe? Will it be something entirely new?

Whatever it is, I hope it keeps turn-based combat and traditional JRPG gameplay, including a world map… but I especially hope it’s a long enough game to tell a good story without feeling rushed.

Update: Tokyo RPG Factory has announced Lost Sphear for the PS4, Switch, and PC, an RPG about rebuilding the world with the power of Memory before it disappears forever.

Did you play I Am Setsuna? What do you hope to see from Tokyo RPG Factory’s next game?