http://www.gamespot.com/news/6153748.html
Wild Arms debuted on the Japanese Sony PlayStation in 1996. The game's blend of Wild West drama, fantasy, combat, and puzzles has earned it several sequels and a PlayStation 2 makeover of the original title. To celebrate the series' 10th anniversary, Media Vision Entertainment is developing a new sequel, Wild Arms: the Vth Vanguard, scheduled for this winter, with Sony Computer Entertainment as publisher. The latest issue of Famitsu Weekly offered a sneak peak of the game in the form of an interview with series writer/coordinator Akifumi Kaneko.
On Wild Arms turning 10, Kaneko said he was amazed to find out who some of the game's fans were. Specifically, he was surprised to discover that current members of his staff were previously fans of the original Wild Arms.
"As a producer, it was interesting to get their take on the game," Kaneko said. "I can always rely on them to come up with things I hadn't thought of, and to point out places where my own rules were restricting my actions... My most important task this time around is to back up the staff on their ideas and the details they obsess over. As a result, the game may include some non-traditional elements, but I want to approve these as much as possible, so long as they're offered with enthusiasm and passion."
This desire to give free reign to his staff's creativity is directly related to the word "vanguard" in the game's title.
"We were strongly influenced by this word in that it can mean 'forerunner,'" Kaneko said. "This was mainly because although [it's] the fifth game in the series, Vth Vanguard is completely different from the previous games, and we regard it as a first game... In the previous titles I managed the entire process as the total game designer. This time I left that work up to the other staff. As a result this game will have a different flavor; they're achieving a Wild Arms that I couldn't have created myself."
One difference will be in the writing. Kaneko enlisted a novelist to write the game's story, and a new character designer as well. While the graphics will retain the illustrative quality of the fourth title, special attention has been given to the characters' gestures and facial expressions, and will give the players cues about game events.
While the previous stories followed more or less linear plots, Vanguard will offer more choices and opportunities for players to think things through. That doesn't necessarily mean multiple endings for the game, but Kaneko said it will give players more flexibility in how they develop their characters.
"I can't say anything specific yet, but players will have the freedom to train their warriors like magic users," Kaneko said. "Of course there will be merits to doing this. For example, you could change your character type in order to defeat a boss with certain attributes."
The game's combat system will also be changed. In an effort to make the game more user-friendly, players will be able to continue even if they are defeated in battle. However, Kaneko said the dungeons will be just as difficult as ever. As for what the future holds for the series after Vth Vanguard, Kaneko he'd like to go back and give the second Wild Arms a remake, time permitting.
Less linear style, a different development style and non-traditional elements (not having to win battles?), I can't wait to see how this will work. I was surprised by his mention of a possible WA2 remake.
Full Version: WA writer talks . . .
Very interesting read. I like the fact that some of his new staff are Wild Arms fans. That bodes more well for the creativity of the production. Enlisting a novelist for the script writing sounds like a great idea, because the only thing Wild Arms was never really great at was having a strong main plot.
Giving the player more choices sounds very good as well. Developing character relations is something I liked a lot in games like Legaia 2 for example.
The only thing I didn't like the sound of was "continuing after you've been defeated", but I hope they know what they're doing.
A Wild Arms 2 remake sounds great to me, since I never played that game before. I just hope that they don't remove equipable weapons/armor/accessories like they did in Alter Code F.
Giving the player more choices sounds very good as well. Developing character relations is something I liked a lot in games like Legaia 2 for example.
The only thing I didn't like the sound of was "continuing after you've been defeated", but I hope they know what they're doing.
A Wild Arms 2 remake sounds great to me, since I never played that game before. I just hope that they don't remove equipable weapons/armor/accessories like they did in Alter Code F.
Nice find. I used to check Gamespot all the time...but now it has become a hassle. =D
This is encouraging. I especially like him opening up the writing to one: his staff and second, a novelist. Now, as long as we don't get a bad translation, I can't wait to play this game.
A Wild Arms 2 remake would be cool. It could fill in a lot of the unseen happenings, maybe some history notes, etc. (More Knight Blazer attacks too) =D
This is encouraging. I especially like him opening up the writing to one: his staff and second, a novelist. Now, as long as we don't get a bad translation, I can't wait to play this game.
A Wild Arms 2 remake would be cool. It could fill in a lot of the unseen happenings, maybe some history notes, etc. (More Knight Blazer attacks too) =D
QUOTE (Rudy06 @ Jul 12 2006, 09:21 AM) 
A Wild Arms 2 remake would be cool. It could fill in a lot of the unseen happenings, maybe some history notes, etc. (More Knight Blazer attacks too) =D
i just hope they don't strip it down like they did with Alter Code F. because if they only give Tim the ability to summon- oh, there will be hell to pay!
I've readen a little bit about the story of WA5 from bluelaguna they had it from IGN
Damn hex system >.> I dont like it, the wild arms before wa4 were 10x better, and play time of wa4 seriously lacks compared with WA3 >.< hope it doesn't with WA5 I know i'won't be good though.
Damn hex system >.> I dont like it, the wild arms before wa4 were 10x better, and play time of wa4 seriously lacks compared with WA3 >.< hope it doesn't with WA5 I know i'won't be good though.
the biggest flaw with the WA4 Hex-grid was the size of the grid itself... only seven spaces... positioning everybody was key, especially keeping Yulie out of the line of fire; but since you Arnaud and Jude couldn't attack after they move, they'd be left in the open...
the best thing they could do is expand the HEX-Grids and try to play it off like the Fire Emblem games, or any other Strat-RPG.
they might make it better in WA5... or it could be something that makes WA5 just as big a disappointment as WA4.
the best thing they could do is expand the HEX-Grids and try to play it off like the Fire Emblem games, or any other Strat-RPG.
they might make it better in WA5... or it could be something that makes WA5 just as big a disappointment as WA4.
QUOTE (Wild ARMs 5: The Vth Vanguard story and gameplay details. Filed on 07-06-2006)
If you played the last entry in the series, The Fourth Detonator, you'll be familiar with many of the gameplay systems featured in Vanguard. Dungeons and fields of play feature the same action elements that made wandering around the world so much fun in that title. Just like in the last game, you can make your character jump and slide, and also use a special move that slows down the passage of time around you.
The HEX battle system of Fourth Detonator returns in Vanguard as well. As part of this system, the battle field is split into five areas, each with special properties. You and the enemy are free to move between each area between turns. Vanguard brings the party count down from four to three, making each characters' attacks count all the more.
The HEX battle system of Fourth Detonator returns in Vanguard as well. As part of this system, the battle field is split into five areas, each with special properties. You and the enemy are free to move between each area between turns. Vanguard brings the party count down from four to three, making each characters' attacks count all the more.
Doesn't seems like they gonna change much about the HEX-system. Also, they're still planning to make it Half-platform-RPG again >.<
QUOTE (Wild ARMs 5: The Vth Vanguard story and gameplay details. Filed on 07-06-2006)
Dungeons and fields of play feature the same action elements that made wandering around the world so much fun in that title. Just like in the last game, you can make your character jump and slide, and also use a special move that slows down the passage of time around you.
Does this mean...There's no world map to walk on?
Cuz I like wlking on world map more then choosing city and just walk some parts. Finding stuff on the map just like WA3 there were a few sidequests on it.
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