Autumn of cautious optimism: Pat’s picks for the rest of 2010

Pete was surprisingly psyched about the many games coming in the next 2 or 3 months (see post below). Me? I’m slightly less optimistic. A lot of that has to do with my taste in games (RPGs are the entrees, everything else is appetizer or dessert). Among the items on Pete’s hefty list, the only ones that really draw me in are two E3-announced titles from Nintendo: KIRBY’S EPIC YARN and DONKEY KONG COUNTRY RETURNS.

But it’s not all bad. Check out the RPGs, and other titles, that may end up being worth our while during leaf-death 2010.

I want to live here. Uber pretty uber win.

Probably the most exciting entry in the semi-niche realm of the Japanese RPG (JRPGs, when did you become your own classification?) is GOLDEN SUN: DARK DAWN for Nintendo DS.  This particular title was announced at E3 2009, which I attended. It’s been a long, anxious awaiting for me, but the product is looking to be mighty fine. For those unaware, this is the third game in the series (Golden Sun and its sequel Golden Sun: The Lost Age were GBA titles released in 2001 and 2003, respectively).

These traditional turn-based RPGs are all developed by Camelot Software Planning, the folks responsible for all of the good titles in the “Shining” series (including SHINING FORCE I-III). Sega ran that franchise, like so many others, right into the ground. But that’s a tale for a different day. The point is, this game is shaping up to satisfy all my level-grinding, sappy-engaging-storytelling cravings. It comes out just after Thanksgiving.

There are 3 other Nintendo DS JRPGs coming in this same season, though I am more concerned about the quality of these next titles. First, there’s LUFIA: CURSE OF THE SINISTRALS from Natsume. This is a completely overhauled remake of the SNES title LUFIA II. To give you some dev history, this title (and whole series) was developed by Taito. It’s a Taito property. As you may know, Square Enix now owns Taito, and when this DS title was published in Japan earlier this year, it was by the hands of Square Enix. In North America, however, Natsume is the publisher.

Why? Well, let’s just put it this way: Square Enix decided to forego publishing DRAKENGARD 2 (PS2) in the US, likely because it didn’t sell well in Japan and was an all-around-mediocre game. Ubisoft published it instead. When Square Enix decides not to publish something regionally, it’s usually because they’re thinkin’ it’s not worth their time. Natsume is taking a risk here. It’s also worth noting that in this overhaul, the game that was once a hybrid action RPG (for dungeon puzzles, akin to WILD ARMS) / traditional RPG (combat) is now fully action RPG. Doesn’t bode well.

The other titles are RUNE FACTORY 3 (an RPG sub-series based on the Harvest Moon series) and FINAL FANTASY: THE 4 HEROES OF LIGHT (this one hits stores tomorrow). If I had to choose between the two, I’d choose the FF game. I have high hopes for both titles, but not high enough to preorder.

And here’s the best game that will ever land on the PSP. YS: THE OATH IN FELGHANA comes to the US, official and legal, after a six-year wait. I’ve actually reviewed this game (favorably) based on a fan-translation patch for the original PC version. The PSP port is just as good, if not better. And thanks to XSEED Games, it’s coming in November! This is one where we don’t need “cautious” optimism. Just get psyched and buy the game. It’s like YS SEVEN, except simpler, shorter, and in many ways better. You’ll love it.

There are some other JRPGs coming, but none worthy of note. Well, a PSP port of KNIGHTS IN THE NIGHTMARE is exciting, but I was satisfied with the DS version. Western RPGs, on the other hand, have some AAA heavyweights on the way.

FABLE III and FALLOUT: NEW VEGAS to be precise.

The former? I’ll tell ya, if I owned a 360, I really would buy it. I think it stands to reason that FABLE II‘s improvement over the original could carry further with this third title. Trailer speaks for me:

As for New Vegas … “cautious optimism” is definitely apt here. I want it to be good, but there’s no telling what will happen. This is being developed by Obsidian. You know, the same folks who did the good-in-concept, bad-in-execution ALPHA PROTOCOL.

There’s really only one non-RPG I desperately want this fall. SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 4. I’m fine with its episodic distribution. I just want retro reboots in the same vein as MEGA MAN 9, so this is a real win for me.

Well, what among these games hold any interest for you? C’mon, you know deep down you’re excited about a new Golden Sun game. Right? Am I right guys?