News
FF XIII Director Defends Game Against Review Scores
And Insults Every Western RPG Maker in the Process
There’s been a lot of talk recently about Japanese developers and publishers being out of touch with the gaming world; especially with the Western market, which makes up the vast majority of the world’s gamers. In his efforts to defend the early, surprisingly underwhelming reviews of his highly anticipated RPG, Final Fantasy XIII director Motomu Toriyama may have just shown us the best example of this yet.
Speaking with Xbox World 360 Magazine, Toriyama says, "We think many reviewers are looking at Final Fantasy XIII from a western point of view," adding, "When you look at most Western RPGs, they just dump you in a big open world, and let you do whatever you like... [It] becomes very difficult to tell a compelling story when you're given that much freedom."
So not only is Toriyama essentially disregarding the entirety of western gaming critics, he apparently doesn’t have faith in Japanese outlets, like Famitsu, who also pointed out the game’s linearity as a negative. The last time we heard someone whine about the critical reception for their game was Tony Hawk, who stated that reviewers had unfairly written off his mess of a game before playing it. I expect this from Tony Hawk, not from an accomplished game director.
Perhaps more telling of Toriyama’s lack of understanding is his statements about Western RPGs. To imply that stories in Western RPGs are inherently less compelling than Japanese RPGs is utterly ridiculous, and a little bit insulting. Especially when you consider the unforgettable, epic narratives found in Knights of the Old Republic, Fallout 3, and the Mass Effect series. And ESPECIALLY when you consider that Toriyama also directed Final Fantasy X-2.
Comments
some people just believe in a good old linear game and others believe in a game where you discover the story on your own terms. just like people like scripted television vs. reality tv. don't get me wrong, he shouldn't be bashing his fellow gamers, i'm just saying, he should see the whole scope
To be fair, the reviews aren't underwhelming so much as mixed--there are some high scores and some lower ones. Also, I don't really think that traditional Japanese gaming aspects need to be eliminated, nor should it be the goal of any Japanese producer to simply "Westernize" a game--just update and innovate the gameplay mechanics. Some of the best RPGs of the last ten years have been thoroughly Japanese.
That being said, I don't really think developers need to knock reviewers, because they're just doing their jobs. It's a hard enough gig without being told "you're doing it wrong" by the game makers.
"When you look at most Western RPGs, they just dump you in a big open world, and let you do whatever you like... [It] becomes very difficult to tell a compelling story when you're given that much freedom."
As opposed to the JRPG school of design:
"The Kingdom needs help, will you help us?"
Yes or No
>>No
"The Kingdom needs help, will you help us?"
Yes or No
>>No"The Kingdom needs help, will you help us?"
Yes or No
>>No"The Kingdom needs help, will you help us?"
Yes or No
>>No"The Kingdom needs help, will you help us?"
Yes or No
>>No"The Kingdom needs help, will you help us?"
Yes or No
>>No
ad nauseum.
Square's RPGs' and Western RPGs' storytelling are equally garbage. Video games should be about abstract tactical finesse and cunning , just like any other traditional games like sports , chess , and bridge. Best implementation of it is in Digital Devil Saga's Press-Turn combat (No, RTS is also garbage).
Still Remain I'm just going to say it right now, I hate everything you post on here.
All you do is state obtuse platitudes while continuing to develop an astounding inability both to present an argument, and to understand the arguments of others.
Thanks, Still Remains. It's always nice when someone tells you that the things you enjoy are garbage. I thought I liked JRPGs and Western RPGs, but if you say they're garbage, that must be the case.
Also, you aren't AT ALL a narrow-minded loudmouth troll d-bag. Not in the least.
The whole "reviewers just don't get it" mantra is getting a little tired, no?
The story in Fallout 3 is garbage . It's a unilateral consesus. In Mass Effect, you have to nurture bunch of fucking crybabies with their dull revenge loyalty missions just to show how corrupt and deprived that universe you have to save. If you say those stories are great , the only thing that can be greater is the damage on your synapses.
Someone want to handle this for me?
Yeah, call out your hommies in your turf.
Karoshi pretty much said everything that needed to be said below. But I'd like to thank Still Remain for the insightful and witty commentary, as always.
all RPG stories are equally ridiculous in both scope and believability, but that doesn't mean that both western and eastern rpgs can't be enjoyed for their differences. he's right though, it is hard to tell a compelling story, and that's why so few games are remembered for their narratives, but the ones that are are cherished and acclaimed.