Operation Backlog Completion 2026
Sep 272023
 

The recently-released Final Fantasy VII mobile game Ever Crisis is also coming to PC, as recently announced by Square Enix.

The PC version has no set release date yet, but it’s in development.

Now, you might have noticed that even though we’re coming up on three weeks since Ever Crisis launched, I haven’t said anything about it. That’s partly because Ever Crisis forces you to alternate between the available stories. I played through the start of the Final Fantasy VII story, but the next chapter is locked until I play through the start of Crisis Core.

Since it’s just the start for now, I might do it, but I’d rather play the Crisis Core remaster before experiencing its story in abridged mobile game format.

That is my strongest impression of Ever Crisis right now. It gives you shortened versions of Final Fantasy VII scenes to play through, so it’s a fun refresher but not the best way to experience the story. I do find its version of the ATB combat system pretty fun, though.

The gacha hasn’t been too intrusive in the little bit I’ve played, but it certainly does like showing me ads to let me know I could be spending money right now.

Even more than not wanting to start Crisis Core yet, I’ve just found myself not feeling any pressing need to play Ever Crisis. All the gacha game trappings just drain my motivation away and make me want to play a regular JRPG instead, despite liking the combat. I do want to experience the original stories, though, so maybe I’ll get back to it.

Anyway, are you playing or planning to play Ever Crisis? Are you more interested in it knowing it’ll get a PC release?

Sep 202023
 

When we talked about Granblue Fantasy Relink coming out on February 1 and Persona 3 Reload on February 2, I commented on how Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth were also set for “early 2024.”

Then Final Fantasy VII Rebirth was announced for February 29, turning February into an insane month for JRPGs…

…and last night, at the RGG Summit, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth was confirmed for January 26, which is far earlier than I expected.

While the RGG Summit didn’t have any new surprise announcements, it did show a lengthy story trailer and a fun-filled gameplay trailer for Infinite Wealth, and all I could think while watching them is that this has the potential to be one of the best games ever.

The story trailer was emotional, with one shocking reveal that you’ve probably seen posted all across social media by distressed fans by now unless you’re good at avoiding spoilers, and the gameplay trailer looks like it’ll be so much fun.

I’ve been playing Yakuza: Like a Dragon now in the hopes of catching up ahead of Gaiden, and my one criticism of the combat so far is that your position matters but you can’t actually manually move your character. So the gameplay trailer confirming that you can move in combat in Infinite Wealth is all I needed to see. It’s actually the one thing I was hoping for from a combat reveal!

They showed so many mini-games that look fun, too. When Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth was first announced, they said it would be the largest game in the series so far, and I believe it after seeing these trailers.

In short, I’m excited, terrified (of the story), and desperately trying to figure out how to manage my backlog in early 2024!

Like a Dragon Gaiden is out on November 9, with Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth to follow on January 26. Since they had no other surprise announcements, that just leaves me wondering what RGG Studio might have in store next… hopefully with a long enough break in between for us to catch our breaths.

Aug 302023
 

With TGS approaching in less than a month, it might have occurred to you that it’s been a long time since we heard anything about the Suikoden I & II HD Remaster announced at TGS 2022.

Indeed, despite it being announced with a 2023 release window, we’ve heard next to nothing since then.

We finally have an update now, although it’s unfortunately a delay. Konami announced that additional time is needed to work on the Suikoden remasters, so they won’t be out this year after all.

I was surprised when I read that, because a year since the announcement already felt like a long time for a remaster.

However, since they were not only remastering the graphics but also making improvements to the gameplay and translation, I can see how it might take longer than a more straightforward remaster. Hopefully this delay means the eventual release of Suikoden I & II HD Remaster will be a high-quality product.

It’s a bit ironic, though, that this follows the news from a month ago that Eiyuden Chronicle was also delayed to 2024. Suikoden and its spiritual successor just can’t be separated, it seems.

Like I said in my reaction to the Eiyuden Chronicles news, this is fine with me. I have a lot of games in my backlog to play while I wait, after all.

Speaking of which, the Suikoden announcements were a welcome surprise at TGS last year. Here’s hoping we have many new exciting announcements on the way this year!