At today's media briefing in Shibuya, Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi took the stage to show off his two new RPGs for Xbox 360 -- Blue Dragon and Lost Odyssey. But rather than just playing a video or two of cinema clips, he actually got up and played through a little bit of the demo versions that'll be on the Tokyo Game Show floor.
I was surprised at just how much Lost Odyssey looks like a Final Fantasy game, only much more dramatic. The cinema scene led directly into the battle -- a Final Fantasy style menu with Fight/Magic/Item popped up right where it should be, and the transition was seamless. Sakaguchi really is the man, as far as I'm concerned -- I'm glad he's back developing games.
Blue Dragon, appropriately enough, seems like Dragon Quest fused with Chrono Trigger. Fused with Grandia, maybe? The battles aren't random; you can see enemies on the map screen and encounter them or run if you want. Sakaguchi mentioned that (yes!) the Job Change system from such games as Final Fantasy V would be in BD, meaning you can change the girl to a fighter or put the boy in the back casting support magic if you want (his explanation).
Honestly, I'm excited to play these. Look for impressions once I get onto the show floor Friday -- I'll be making a beeline for the Microsoft booth.
