Square Enix is doing a Lufia Revival

[EvilHero]

SE (who bought out Taito) are doing another Lufia (Estpolis) game! They're even using the same team for it.

http://www.siliconera.com/2009/11/12/new-lufia-game-coming-care-of-square-enix/

Lufia 1 and 2 were a big part of my childhood growing up, Lufia 2 ranks as one of my favorite games of all time. I'm so excited for this.

[kat_ears_kahrain]

And lo, the skies parted, and there appeared a... Sinistral? Ah hell... not Gades again!

In any case, this is exciting news!

[DamageCity]

I wonder if they'll bring it over here.

[Lorinosan]

OMFG! I freaking LOVE the Lufia games to death!! I was just thinking the other day whether we'd ever see another Lufia game since playing Rune Factory reminded me of it.

Man, I don't know whether to be excited or shed many many tears since Square recently acquired Taito. Also, the music better be composed by Shiono or ELSE! That's one reason why I didn't like Ruins of Lore which wasn't a Lufia game. Period.

They better bring it over here. Sigma Harmonics was bad enough but Lufia? Blasphemy!

[jeffx]

Lufia 2 was just incredible. That 100 floor dungeon, OMG such a good time.

[DamageCity]

Sigma Harmonics was bad enough but Lufia? Blasphemy!

Don't forget Blood of Bahamut.

[Gen Eric Gui]

They confirmed we're not getting Blood of Bahamut? I thought that game was still relatively new, so there was time for us to maybe get it still.

But yeah, if this is being made by the original Lufia team and we don't get it...that's a low blow. I've bought almost all the other Taito games S-E has put out, I expect to see some returns on investment here.

[DamageCity]

They confirmed we're not getting Blood of Bahamut? I thought that game was still relatively new, so there was time for us to maybe get it still.


Well this might be just my opinion but until a game is confirmed to come out in NA, it's not coming out in NA. Of course there are sure sure things but BoB if far from a sure thing and so is Lufia.

[Paranoia Dragon]

Very...happy! Still gotta beat Lufia 3 & RoL though.

[Fatney]

Awesome! I've only played half of Rise of the Sinistrals, but I really enjoyed it. I hope they don't forget to stick to the roots.

[Fuyukaze]

I still love the first game. The ending was great and definitly was one of my top 5 of all time. Second one being right behind it. Knowing the original team is working on it makes me feel somewhat good about it but knowing square will have a part does lead me to worry. I dont want a emo spiky haired punk trying to save the world one stupid looking sword at a time.

Would be nice if Atlus could pick it up. That is if SqureEnix decides to leave it in Japan.

[Lorinosan]

http://www.siliconera.com/2009/11/17/estpolis-square-enixs-new-lufia-game-is-for-ds/

So, the game is set for the DS and the main character is not a tween. That's a good sign...the bad sign is it's looking to be an action RPG in 3D with voice acting...blah! I hope it still redeems its puzzle and/or capsule monster elements at least.

[EvilHero]

http://www.andriasang.com/e/blog/2009/11/18/lufia_ds_remake/

The game is said to be a remake of the second. If so, we don't really have to worry about Tweens saving the world.

A remake makes sense. The female character with blue hair looks alot like Selan, only her name is Selena.

[Lorinosan]

Funny how I always called her Selena since it sounded more feminine. I'm not sure I like that it's a remake of one of my favorite games for the SNES. The FFIV remake wasn't my cup of tea so this...yeah I don't know. My hopes have been killed slightly but let's see where this goes.

[Fatney]

Kinda disappointed knowing that this isn't a new game. It seems like every classic game series these days are getting only remakes and not sequels.

[jeffx]

I'm fine with a Lufia II remake.

the genre has changed from encounter-based RPG to action RPG.

But this kind of disgusts me. Oh well, we still have the original!

[Macheath]

Huh, and there I was thinking that it was going to be a new game.

[jj984jj]

Full details:
- Square Enix asked them if they would like to do a new Estpolis game The second game’s system was a lot more refined, the scenario and music were well liked, and it took place before the first game too, so we decided to use the second game as the motif (Hajime Kojima)
- We didn’t want to do a straight port (Naoyuki Ukeda)
- Square Enix told us that we’re free to do whatever we want, so that’s what we’ll do! (Ukeda)
- Turn based command battle systems aren’t new anymore, so we’re making it an action rpg now (Kojima)
- It’s not just a remake, we’re rebuilding the story, the characters, and the world settings (Masahide Miyata)
- The hadou weapons will be a key component of the story, the world is different from the SFC version (Miyata)
- The bottom screen will only be used to switch characters (Kojima)
- The game will revolve around the D-pad more than the touch pen (Kojima)
- Boss battles will use two screens, it has its own special code for that part (Ukeda)
- Boss battles will be hard if you don’t know what to do against each one of them (Miyata)
- “It will satisfy action game players, but players that are bad with action games will be okay too” by Kojima
- Scenario is based on the second game, there are parts where we are deliberately letting them say the exact same words as in the original game, but basically, everything is rewritten (Miyata)
- The number of towns that are appearing in the game is different from the original two games (Miyata)
- There will be parts in the game which will make fans of the series smile (Miyata)
- Miyata has surprisingly not changed at all. He’s just embarrassed reading his scenario from 15 years ago (Ukeda)
- The music is being brought over from the original two games (Ukeda)
- We changed the sound quality without messing with the melody line (Ukeda)
- The main staff from the SFC versions are making this game. It’s rare to have something like that 15 years after the last game (Ukeda)
- Stuff such as “Mahou no XXXX Magical XXXXXX” from the original are still in the game (Kojima)
- We changed a lot in the game, but we constantly kept in our minds that “we should keep the parts that made the series what it is” (Kojima)
http://zepy.momotato.com/2009/11/18/new-lufia-game-details/

Scans:
http://thumbnails5.imagebam.com/5673/8b7cca56722601.gif (http://www.imagebam.com/image/8b7cca56722601)http://thumbnails5.imagebam.com/5673/8b893256722603.gif (http://www.imagebam.com/image/8b893256722603)
http://thumbnails20.imagebam.com/5673/13304a56722611.gif (http://www.imagebam.com/image/13304a56722611)http://thumbnails24.imagebam.com/5673/6eb90256722605.gif (http://www.imagebam.com/image/6eb90256722605)
http://www.true-gaming.net/home/?p=6186

By the sounds of it Miyata and Ukeda wanted to take this direction so they wouldn't have to do a straight port/remake. I'm looking forward to it, actually I think it might have just entered my top 10 most anticipated DS RPG list.

[Foobar]

I can't really argue against it being an action RPG.

Hardware's capable of an action RPG and the original team didn't want to to a straight remake, but a reversion with new elements. I'm willing to give the creators of a series the benefit of a doubt.

Unless that series is the Mana series, that guy has no idea what he's doing and SE just needs to let that series die.

[Kakizaki]

Turn based command battle systems aren’t new anymore, so we’re making it an action rpg now

I kind of get a kick out of this statement - as if action rpgs are new....Especially to Neverland over the past 10 years.

They worked on Record of Lodoss War on Dreamcast, and both Shining Force Neo and Exa. Granted I really liked RoLW, but still, come on. That is a silly comment considering what they have and haven't worked on lately.

[Lorinosan]

Okay, where the hell are the character arts for Dekar and Iris? I'm not digging Maxim's design (something about his outfit just bugs me) but Gades I actually like as he's pretty similar to what I had pictured.

[kat_ears_kahrain]

Okay, where the hell are the character arts for Dekar and Iris? I'm not digging Maxim's design (something about his outfit just bugs me) but Gades I actually like as he's pretty similar to what I had pictured.

I like Maxim's design... except for those shoulders... like wannabe spikes they are...

[jj984jj]

Turn based command battle systems aren’t new anymore, so we’re making it an action rpg now

I kind of get a kick out of this statement - as if action rpgs are new....Especially to Neverland over the past 10 years.

They worked on Record of Lodoss War on Dreamcast, and both Shining Force Neo and Exa. Granted I really liked RoLW, but still, come on. That is a silly comment considering what they have and haven't worked on lately.

Hajime Kojima is the producer from Square-Enix, he's worked almost exclusively on tri-Ace games until now. It's a stupid comment though.

[Kakizaki]

Yeah, I mean I am not totally dissing the game before it is out, but like I said, given what Neverland has worked on in the past, it is an odd comment.

[Foobar]

Well, we don't know how well translated the comment was anyway. The last two RPGs I've played on DS have been action RPGs (KH and Phantasy Star), so it certainly can work ln the DS.

Turn-based combat and random encounters are something that will be turned away from more and more, its not really a bad thing. These old styles of play came from limitations we had back then. Those styels are still valid, but at the same time technology no longer limits us to those ends, so I can't fault people for going with fields full of critters and real time play.

You're still a victim of statistics and dice rolls either way.

[Enzeru]

I've...never heard of Lufia, actually. Comes with being a new gamer, I guess. This looks interesting, though. I'll make sure to keep up on the info.

[EvilHero]

Is that the Gratze Tank I see in those scans? lol, that's awesome.

I'm a bit more excited for this game, still prefer it was a traditional rpg though. Thankfully it's still the same team.

They really need to keep the same boss music in it though.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45uvU1ta8WE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBnYGYa6l3M

I can do anything better in real life, if i'm listening to the sinistral theme. :P

[Kakizaki]

I would like Neverland to handle a remake / port of Chaos Seed on DS or PSP. Of course, there is no guarantee that would make it here anyway...

[Fuyukaze]

I was excited, now I'll just wait on it before I go crazy or meh and continue browsing p.....

[Lorinosan]

New trailer...

http://www.siliconera.com/2009/11/24/estpolis-trailer-takes-lufia-ii-to-third-dimension/

So now her name is Serena? I still don't like her design (I prefer the high fantasy look) and the name doesn't suit her at all now. Now it's like, "let's add sex appeal because it's all the rage in games" nonsense. The one character I wanted them to get right and...wow what a huge disappointment.

There's practically zero source material that resembles the original game and I'm not feeling the charm the original game had. 3D tends to do that to me I guess... They really could have just changed the name of the game and no one would be the wiser. This is just a slap in the face to fans of the series.

I'll give it a shot if it comes overseas but I'm not holding my breath that I'll like it more then the original (I know for a fact I won't). I actually like the music a great deal if that's how it's going to sound. It's updated but not given the full orchestrated treatment which I like.

[EvilHero]

New trailer...

http://www.siliconera.com/2009/11/24/estpolis-trailer-takes-lufia-ii-to-third-dimension/

So now her name is Serena? I still don't like her design (I prefer the high fantasy look) and the name doesn't suit her at all now. Now it's like, "let's add sex appeal because it's all the rage in games" nonsense. The one character I wanted them to get right and...wow what a huge disappointment.

There's practically zero source material that resembles the original game and I'm not feeling the charm the original game had. 3D tends to do that to me I guess... They really could have just changed the name of the game and no one would be the wiser. This is just a slap in the face to fans of the series.

I'll give it a shot if it comes overseas but I'm not holding my breath that I'll like it more then the original (I know for a fact I won't). I actually like the music a great deal if that's how it's going to sound. It's updated but not given the full orchestrated treatment which I like.

Actually, I think 'Serena' is just the Japanese version of 'Selena' if the game does come over here, i'd be willing to wager they would go with 'Selena' (either name is better than Selan IMO anyway.)

I don't see how they're adding any sex appeal to her either. She's actually wearing MORE clothing than she wore in the SNES game, her voice sounds appropriate too.

Zero source material? The original game was an SNES game with a story that revolved largely around fetch quests, with horribly generic over world map, cities and sprites. Outside of the main characters themselves, everyone else usually used a recycled sprite.

I'm not going to cry foul if they leave out the quests that required me to get some useless artifact for a King just so he would open a gate to the next continent. Just leave in the events that involved the sinistrals (even those you can change around a bit, most were dull) and it will be fine.

I think most people are just pissed that this is an action RPG. I would still be able to recognize this game if you changed the name. Gades is still easily recognizable. The other cast members never were very detailed outside the instruction manual anyways, Maxim, Selena and Guy would be difficult to recognize seperatly, but seeing them together in one game makes it pretty easy to identify. Dungeon exploration looks kind of similar to what it used to be (puzzle elements, use of tools, ie. hookshot.) Even one of the bosses is recognizable.

I love the Lufia series, but it really could use a revisioning like this, otherwise it is pretty generic. It can't be too much worse, after all, Lufia fans already received a slap in the face when ROL came out. :P

I would like Neverland to handle a remake / port of Chaos Seed on DS or PSP. Of course, there is no guarantee that would make it here anyway...

I would love to see Chaos Seed brought over here, remake or not. I really wanted to get into the SNES game but couldn't since the language barrier is quite large.

[OmegaZero]

Goodness gracious great balls of caffeine fueled gameplay!
Such entertaining games being allowed a new life? Huzzah, I say!!
And you say the same old team?!
Take my money now and I shall await the amazement patiently.

[Lorinosan]

This is the third time I've typed this post. Really hate losing longer posts after a power failure or some such. -.-

I don't see how they're adding any sex appeal to her either. She's actually wearing MORE clothing than she wore in the SNES game, her voice sounds appropriate too.

Adding clothing does not make one lose sex appeal. Adding clothing to further accentuate the assets can actually INCREASE it (which is being the case here). This is all subjective anyway and that's all I have to say about that.

Zero source material? The original game was an SNES game with a story that revolved largely around fetch quests, with horribly generic over world map, cities and sprites. Outside of the main characters themselves, everyone else usually used a recycled sprite.

Sounds a lot like 90% of the SNES library, or RPG library in general. Recycled sprites are common in every single game including today's games such as Lost Odyssey (which recycles character models) What's your point? The game was anything but generic as it had lots of inspiration and it still does. I'm sorry if simplicity means "generic" to you but that's how I like my games...simple. :D

As far as source material goes, go take a look at the FFIV remake...that's the kind of remake I wanted to see. A 3D update of the same game and nothing more. I don't recognize a darn thing in this new remake and I'm still trying to figure out some of the character art. That to me is bad as far as character design goes. If I can recognize the characters for a game like FFIV but not in this one, something is very wrong here.

I'm not going to cry foul if they leave out the quests that required me to get some useless artifact for a King just so he would open a gate to the next continent. Just leave in the events that involved the sinistrals (even those you can change around a bit, most were dull) and it will be fine.

I'm sure there will be worthless filler quests in this new remake and then you'll cry foul about those. Some of the best remakes still suffer from older game mechanics because if you change too much, it's no longer considered a remake.

I think most people are just pissed that this is an action RPG. I would still be able to recognize this game if you changed the name. Gades is still easily recognizable. The other cast members never were very detailed outside the instruction manual anyways, Maxim, Selena and Guy would be difficult to recognize seperatly, but seeing them together in one game makes it pretty easy to identify. Dungeon exploration looks kind of similar to what it used to be (puzzle elements, use of tools, ie. hookshot.) Even one of the bosses is recognizable.

Oh you can bet the change to an Action RPG did ruffle some feathers but I disagree that you could recognize the game without the name attached. Even I didn't at first and this is coming from someone who has played the Lufia games over 100 times. It's nothing new except to perhaps the Estopolis franchise but it wasn't needed and I feel that this is a redundant change since the game isn't opting for realism anyway.

That was my whole point about the character design. They AREN'T recognizable on their own and that is what is called terrible design. The ONLY character I recognized was Gades as he looks almost exactly what I pictured him to be after analyzing his "battle" sprite. That's it! There was no other character that I recognized one bit.

I still haven't seen Guy, Dekar, Tia, Jessie, Hilda, Lexus, Artea, Iris or any of the other sinistrals just to name a few so someone please let me know if there's any character art for them.

I love the Lufia series, but it really could use a revisioning like this, otherwise it is pretty generic. It can't be too much worse, after all, Lufia fans already received a slap in the face when ROL came out. :P

Really? If that's the case then why didn't they just create a new game in the sinistrals timeline? Hell, they had source material for the supposedly canned Lufia 3 so why not use that instead?

I guess my definition of generic differs from yours since I find lots of enjoyment out of even the simplest of details. Which is the way things should be in all honesty but hey to each their own...

[Soushi_Grapple]

Ive almost finished Lufia 1 but I never could afford or play Lufia 2, so I guess this wont bug me as much... Shame about the turn based. Its my fav battle system and apparently everyone thinks it cant be improved on anymore...