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[Crash Station]

Biggest tragedy over it bombing is we won't get a new IP out of it like they wanted, which means we won't get another quality turn-based console JRPG series to look forward to when there's so few of those as it is (pretty much just Persona really).


But really, this thread is extremely premature. The game released a day after Christmas, has not even a week of sales tracking, did not have a big shipment, has not released anywhere else but Japan, and other factors that people are ignoring. It's like the "is Final Fantasy irrelevant now" thread before FF13 even released anywhere, but this is arguably worse because it's not even a prediction but a factual "this was a bad idea" statement.

For all we know, the detractors will come around when it's actually available in a language they understand. We're already getting that in the import thread from people that were skeptical.

I imagine it also won't be advertised to the otaku audience by NOA and will actually give a better idea of the tone of the game. It won't light up the charts, but people might be surprised on how well it does. At the very least, I'm expecting it to be well received critically.

 

[SatelliteOfLove]

The only messaging worse than the initial announcement vs the reveal has been the defense in this thread. Con-TROV-ersy always breeds that.

Anywho, there was some rumblings and rumors that the earnestly-told idol lean of this title is heavily influenced by the younger members of Atlus, but I don't know enough to trust the veracity of that assumption.

 

[FluxWaveZ]

The weird pop idol aesthetics aside, its a pretty great game. Although the influences from Fire Emblem is definitely not very obvious. Persona is definitely the biggest influence.

Fire Emblem influences are far more obvious and direct than any Persona influences.

 

[Captainbojanglesiii]

It's far too 'Japanese' for western audiences, but even the Japanese don't seem to care much for the aesthetic.

It doesn't help that they basically took none of the elements from the franchises within the cross-over to make the game. The SMT influence is minimal at best, and the Fire Emblem influences forget that the best thing about Fire Emblem is the actual gameplay. Instead they took the tone of something like Persona 4 and maximized it. Persona 4 was already pushing it in terms of tone and aesthetic for some people (Dancing All Night, for example).

It's essentially a mish-mash that doesn't appeal to SMT fans, FE fans, or the average WiiU owner.

Should have just not announced the game before they were clear what they were doing with the title. Calling it a Fire Emblem spin-off developed by Atlus would probably have helped at least a little bit, but it doesn't change the fact that the game is just not appealing for most people, myself included.

 

[Dantis]

The only messaging worse than the initial announcement vs the reveal has been the defense in this thread. Con-TROV-ersy always breeds that.

Anywho, there was some rumblings and rumors that the earnestly-told idol lean of this title is heavily influenced by the younger members of Atlus, but I don't know enough to trust the veracity of that assumption.

If that's true, I don't think they'll be handing out any bonuses for it.

Obviously, the game will sell more than it has done, but it's not going to turn around significantly. The game is going to be lucky to break 100k at this rate.

 

[OldGangWarily]

Fire Emblem influences are far more obvious and direct than any Persona influences.

I havent really noticed apart from the main characters Mirages being FE characters (as well as bosses), the inclusion of the four types of weapons from FE and some of the sound effects when leveling up/new party member joins. The combat system is very similar to SMT and Persona in my opinion. I agree that none of the social link mechanics are missing.

Im only in chapter 2 though so maybe things will change.

 

[Shenmue]

Don't get all this hate. This game is way better than that shitty xenoblade chronicles x game.

Nintendo made the right decision greenlighting this game. Can't wait until it makes it stateside.

 

[FluxWaveZ]

The only messaging worse than the initial announcement vs the reveal has been the defense in this thread. Con-TROV-ersy always breeds that.

Anywho, there was some rumblings and rumors that the earnestly-told idol lean of this title is heavily influenced by the younger members of Atlus, but I don't know enough to trust the veracity of that assumption.

Baseless rumors. We have an interview from the developers themselves stating the progression went like this:

1. SMT X FE cross-over SRPG
2. Atlus's Shinjiro Takada (producer) wants it to be an RPG with modern drama elements.
3. Atlus's Mitsuru Hirata (chief director) wants it to be an RPG with the modern drama elements to reflect the entertainment industry.
4. Nintendo's Kaori Ando (director) wants it to be an RPG with the entertainment industry elements to represent the music industry, and to contact people who don't typically make game music.

I havent really noticed apart from the main characters Mirages being FE characters (as well as bosses), the inclusion of the four types of weapons from FE and some of the sound effects when leveling up/new party member joins. The combat system is very similar to SMT and Persona in my opinion. I agree that none of the social link mechanics are missing.

Im only in chapter 2 though so maybe things will change.

But then what are the Persona influences? Obviously it will have a Megaten combat system because of the developers, but I'm still seeing more Fire Emblem influences than Persona here. Just the fact that there are actually Fire Emblem characters in the game does that.

 

[『Inaba Resident』]

Don't get all this hate. This game is way better than that shitty xenoblade chronicles x game.

lol why are you talking shit about another game that has nothing to do with this?

 

[mdubs]

Fire Emblem fan since they started coming here, my hype levels are through the roof for this game. It's like they took everything I wanted and mashed it into one title

 

[Halabane]

May want to check out what the bilinguist has to say about it, includes a review and gameplay (no spoilers)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKMXJCjGApc

 

[Numb]

I'm curious what the idea was as well. When you see the collab, what we got is not what anyone would have thought.

It being something new has it's positives too. Was expecting SMT crew and FE crew main characters all over the place.

 

[Shenmue]

lol why are you talking shit about another game that has nothing to do with this?

Because OP is asking what Nintendo were thinking when they greenlit this? It's a way better decision than they made with greenlighting XCX. The game likely cost way less to make too. Atlus, SMT and FE all pretty hot names when it comes to the core right now.

 

[FluxWaveZ]

Because OP is asking what Nintendo were thinking when they greenlit this? It's a way better decision than they made with greenlighting XCX. The game likely cost way less to make too. Atlus, SMT and FE all pretty hot names when it comes to the core right now.

Xenoblade Chronicles X opening sales in Japan were 85k.
Genei Ibun Roku #FE opening sales in Japan were 23k.

Not sure appealing to financial success is that great an argument here. And we don't know about how much the games cost to make; #FE is probably the Atlus RPG released with the most production values to date.

 

[GuessMyUserName]

The game is much more interesting to me for doing something new and unexpected instead of being some non-canon JRPG character crossover with flanderized characters from both series.

Absolutely this for me. When I see the game I just think it looks incredibly exciting and fresh - I love more creative approach to the series, but I guess a lot of people just see idols and instantly can't stand it which I guess isn't surprising. But my god they could at least lay off dumb shit like calling it Idolmaster.

 

[Blood Diamonds]

Because OP is asking what Nintendo were thinking when they greenlit this? It's a way better decision than they made with greenlighting XCX. The game likely cost way less to make too. Atlus, SMT and FE all pretty hot names when it comes to the core right now.

Xenoblade Chronicles X will sell far more than this ever will.

 

[Shenmue]

Xenoblade Chronicles X will sell far more than this ever will.

How about we wait for the game to release here before even making these kinds of statements?

Xenoblade Chronicles X opening sales in Japan were 85k.
Genei Ibun Roku #FE opening sales in Japan were 23k.

Not sure appealing to financial success is that great an argument here. And we don't know about how much the games cost to make; #FE is probably the Atlus RPG released with the most production values to date.

You're looking at this in hindsight, we are talking about what were Nintendo thinking prior to knowing the sales numbers.

 

[Quote]

How about we wait for the game to release here before even making these kinds of statements?

Move them goal posts.

 

[Makoto Yuki]

I havent really noticed apart from the main characters Mirages being FE characters (as well as bosses), the inclusion of the four types of weapons from FE and some of the sound effects when leveling up/new party member joins. The combat system is very similar to SMT and Persona in my opinion. I agree that none of the social link mechanics are missing.

Im only in chapter 2 though so maybe things will change.

Yup, honestly the only things "Fire Emblem" I see are the inclusion of the primary FE weapons (Sword, Lance, Axe and Bow), some sound effects, and the Mirages vaguely look like FE characters. Though the main character's blue hair is a signature of most Fire Emblem protagonist's hair. Is there class changing like in FE? that would be rad.

I see an SMT-like battle system, Mirages might as well be Personas, and a high school aesthetic akin to P3/P4. Hopefully there's more to it. The whole Idol thing would have been unique if P4 DAN didn't already explore Idols and what not.

 

[Shenmue]

Move them goal posts.

Lol.

Didn't even set goal posts what did i move? Learn what moving the goal posts means.

 

[Metalingus5150]

 

[Shenmue]

Absolutely this for me. When I see the game I just think it looks incredibly exciting and fresh - I love more creative approach to the series, but I guess a lot of people just see idols and instantly can't stand it which I guess isn't surprising. But my god they could at least lay off dumb shit like calling it Idolmaster.

There's no point in trying to argue with these kinds of people. Go look at the Gravity Rush thread for the most embarrassing examples of these kinds of people.

 

[KTallguy]

I like that the art style is really consistent, bubblegum pop style visuals. I commend them for doubling down on the style, and I think the menus and presentation are beautiful...

But watching that youtube, the game is so noisy... battles are in a pop arena, the characters sing and dance, things flash and confetti flies. It's about idols and singers in ridiculous outfits... fighting something? I don't know how they expect anyone to relate to this.

I have no problem with Persona games, and I enjoyed Dancing All Night (mainly because I love the P4 characters, I wouldn't have gotten it otherwise). But this is just a bit too out there for me to be able to enjoy. It's definitely a B game in a lot of ways... very niche, but a small few will love it.

 

[Taruranto]

Actually they are now advertising it as Atlus x FE

 

[tanooki27]

sure it's not brilliant?

 

[Blood Diamonds]

How about we wait for the game to release here before even making these kinds of statements?

Why? You had no problem going off about XCX being a "bad decision" by Nintendo when you have no evidence to back that up at all.

 

[Arc Christelle]

Nintendo rarely intends for their games to sale, they just want to release great games.

Yes they are a business and whatnot, but they've always approached from a "Let them games speak for themselves" sort of view.

 

[Shenmue]

Why? You had no problem going off about XCX being a "bad decision" by Nintendo when you have no evidence to back that up at all.

Yeah they took the good things about xenoblade chronicles and completely removed them and then magnified the things people hated about the first game. I'd call that a bad decision.

I called it shitty i wasnt commenting about sales directly but since you raised it and didnt keep it limited to just Japan (you said better than it EVER will) maybe you should at least wait until it releases in the rest of the world?

 

[DR2K]

Because OP is asking what Nintendo were thinking when they greenlit this? It's a way better decision than they made with greenlighting XCX. The game likely cost way less to make too. Atlus, SMT and FE all pretty hot names when it comes to the core right now.

Without figures or numbers you're blowing smoke out of your ass.

This title was supposed to be a combination of franchises that are much more established than Xenoblade. It's neither of them from what it looks like. How this happened I have no idea, but this was probably too far into development and Nintendo needed software to just cancel it.

 

[FluxWaveZ]

Yup, honestly the only things "Fire Emblem" I see are the inclusion of the primary FE weapons (Sword, Lance, Axe and Bow), some sound effects, and the Mirages vaguely look like FE characters. Though the main character's blue hair is a signature of most Fire Emblem protagonist's hair. Is there class changing like in FE? that would be rad.

I see an SMT-like battle system, Mirages might as well be Personas, and a high school aesthetic akin to P3/P4. Hopefully there's more to it. The whole Idol thing would have been unique if P4 DAN didn't already explore Idols and what not.

The game has:

- Fire Emblem characters as protagonists.
- Fire Emblem enemies as antagonists.
- Anna as a shopkeeper.
- The Fire Emblem Weapon Triangle system.
- Fire Emblem classes.
- Fire Emblem Class Change.
- Fire Emblem music.
- Fire Emblem stat distribution.

Etc. I feel like some of you really are forcing the Persona association more than it actually warrants.

You're looking at this in hindsight, we are talking about what were Nintendo thinking prior to knowing the sales numbers.

You said:

It's a way better decision than they made with greenlighting XCX.

With no hint of that it referred to "at the time."

 

[Danny Dudekisser]

Okay, this is actually kind of amazing. I still think #FE looks cool, but... yeeeaaaahhh...

 

[-Horizon-]

I like that the art style is really consistent, bubblegum pop style visuals. I commend them for doubling down on the style, and I think the menus and presentation are beautiful...

But watching that youtube, the game is so noisy... battles are in a pop arena, the characters sing and dance, things flash and confetti flies. It's about idols and singers in ridiculous outfits... fighting something? I don't know how they expect anyone to relate to this.

I have no problem with Persona games, and I enjoyed Dancing All Night (mainly because I love the P4 characters, I wouldn't have gotten it otherwise). But this is just a bit too out there for me to be able to enjoy. It's definitely a B game in a lot of ways... very niche, but a small few will love it.

I like the fact that its so over the top and in your face about it. I mean they're all performers so in battle they'll stand out to keep in line with the theme.

I don't want to remember Dancing All Night right now. The rhythm gameplay was fine but the story, haha.

 

[KTallguy]

Here's what Fire Emblem looks like:

Here's the Persona 4 Dancing All Night aesthetic:

Throw the exact mechanics out the window for a second... what does #FE look like more?

I like the fact that its so over the top and in your face about it. I mean they're all performers so in battle they'll stand out to keep in line with the theme.

I don't want to remember Dancing All Night right now. The rhythm gameplay was fine but the story, haha.

Yeah it's in your face. I do respect that they doubled down, for sure. Just... I'm not interested. It's too Sentai looking, or too Moe, depending on the character.

And Dancing All Night, the side characters were all pretty shitty. I did end up liking the new character but she's total fan service. Story was... well it was what it was. The actual gameplay made up for it.

 

[LifeBrandRobot]

Well their best selling games are Persona 4 and Catherine sooo... Can you blame them?

 

[Sumio Mondo]

P4 and Catherine were great aesthetically though and weren't as pandering as this is.

How about we wait for the game to release here before even making these kinds of statements?

With those awful sales figures in their home market, they may just release it digitally in the West.

 

[Enter the Dragon Punch]

the ending is the most atrocious thing I've ever seen

 

[KarmaCow]

Come back from the field of flowers Kaneko.

 

[Infinite]

Okay, this is actually kind of amazing. I still think #FE looks cool, but... yeeeaaaahhh...

Would argue that the games Atlus are producing now are far more polished and overall better than the ones made back then.

 

[Lumination]

Count me as one of the salty, anti-waifu people.

Watched an hour of a stream with an open mind. On one hand, I liked the art style (super colorful, stylized, etc) and the game seemed mechanically sound as an RPG.

On the other hand, the current boss(?) they were hunting was some paparazzi dude that ejected them out of the dungeon because he was too busy photographing some lady.
The party's solution was to dress up the female protag in various bikinis to entice the boss. Sigh.

Spoiler

Also loading before every battle might be the deal breaker

 

[Shenmue]

The game has:

- Fire Emblem characters as protagonists.
- Fire Emblem enemies as antagonists.
- Anna as a shopkeeper.
- The Fire Emblem Weapon Triangle system.
- Fire Emblem classes.
- Fire Emblem Class Change.
- Fire Emblem music.
- Fire Emblem stat distribution.

Etc. I feel like some of you really are forcing the Persona association more than it actually warrants.



You said:

With no hint of that it referred to "at the time."

I didnt talk about time whatsoever.

I'm comparing their thought process before either game sold a single copy.

They greenlit a game that at first they werent even willing to localize. When they finally did and the game discovered relative success to the core they decided we're gonna greenlight a sequel with almost no story to drive the extra grindiness that most people disliked about the first game. I think that shows in the critical reception of the first game vs the second.

Their thought process for #FE was hey FE awakening was fairly successful and Persona 4 golden did well, even if smt 4 wasnt quite as successful, Atlus is the bee's knees with core gamers right now. Let's combine everything that is in right now.

 

[Astral Dog]

It seems like a good game...
Not what people expected based on a few seconds of teaser and a tentative name, but a good game nonetheless, that Atlus wanted to make.

 

[KTallguy]

As long as Atlus delivers with P5, they can do as many weird spinoffs as they want. Do all your weird experiments elsewhere, and put the learnings in P5, please!

 

[Astral Dog]

Count me as one of the salty, anti-waifu people.

Watched an hour of a stream with an open mind. On one hand, I liked the art style (super colorful, stylized, etc) and the game seemed mechanically sound as an RPG.

On the other hand, the current boss(?) they were hunting was some paparazzi dude that ejected them out of the dungeon because he was too busy photographing some lady.
The party's solution was to dress up the female protag in various bikinis to entice the boss. Sigh.

Spoiler

Also loading before every battle might be the deal breaker

That sounds awesome.

 

[FluxWaveZ]

Atlus Now:

 

[RM8]

The evolution of JRPGs.

 

[Shenmue]

Count me as one of the salty, anti-waifu people.

Watched an hour of a stream with an open mind. On one hand, I liked the art style (super colorful, stylized, etc) and the game seemed mechanically sound as an RPG.

On the other hand, the current boss(?) they were hunting was some paparazzi dude that ejected them out of the dungeon because he was too busy photographing some lady.
The party's solution was to dress up the female protag in various bikinis to entice the boss. Sigh.

Spoiler

Also loading before every battle might be the deal breaker

Sounds like a hilarious parody/satire of the ridiculous paparazzi culture in the west. While people here might be creeped out by idols and moe, maybe people in the east are creeped out by the West's fascination with TMZ and shit? I know I am.

 

[Blood Diamonds]

Yeah they took the good things about xenoblade chronicles and completely removed them and then magnified the things people hated about the first game. I'd call that a bad decision.

I called it shitty i wasnt commenting about sales directly but since you raised it and didnt keep it limited to just Japan (you said better than it EVER will) maybe you should at least wait until it releases in the rest of the world?

The game got a bunch of praise for what it managed to do, it sold well considering the console it's on, and further cemented Xenoblade Chronicles as a possible franchise for Nintendo.

You want to talk Japan? Okay. Xenoblade Chronicles X sold more in Japan than #FE ever will. Happy? It's still true, and you still have no evidence for XCX being a bad decision other than "I didn't like it "

 

[Elaugaufein]

Did they get a new artist ? Yukilko's face looks a bit off model in that clip. She's not the only but by far the most pronounced.

Spoiler

Also the plaid is as always terrible and doesn't follow the fabric its supposed to on. The PLAID DIMENSION WILL CONSUME US ALL. RUN!

 

[MrDaravon]

Count me as one of the salty, anti-waifu people.

Watched an hour of a stream with an open mind. On one hand, I liked the art style (super colorful, stylized, etc) and the game seemed mechanically sound as an RPG.

On the other hand, the current boss(?) they were hunting was some paparazzi dude that ejected them out of the dungeon because he was too busy photographing some lady.
The party's solution was to dress up the female protag in various bikinis to entice the boss. Sigh.

Spoiler

Also loading before every battle might be the deal breaker

Yeah this is kind of where I'm at. I think the vast majority of the backlash/salt against this game is just the complete disconnect between the original announcement and the final product; if the game had originally been announced/shown as what we got there probably would have been some initial disappointment that it wasn't something else but that's it.

Honestly wondering if in the US it's going to be digital only; I don't think it's reception here is going to be very kind at all, and I just checked and can't find any sort of physical version of the game for pre-order at any major online retailer.

 

[Worldshaker]

This is how I see a lot of JRPGs going these days. The days of old are long gone.