Square-Enix announces new Lufia game.

[dairugger]

http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/12/square-enix-announces-new-lufia-game-platforms-unknown/

We understand Square Enix's desire to branch out, but its latest move is just ... it's incomprehensible. To go from being the world's premier developer of RPGs to creators of shower paraphernalia? It makes no sense, but it's what's happening -- according to a recent Famitsu article, Squeenix is now working on a new Luffa. This is uncharted territory for the company, but we can safely assume that it will be a very high quality Luffa, designed specifically for people with soft skin and outrageously spiky hair.

Update: It's been brought to our attention that the Famitsu article actually reveals that Taito (which Squeenix owns) is working on a new installment in the Lufia franchise (known as Estopolis in Japan), which looks a lot like "Luffa," so you really can't blame us for getting confused. No platforms have been announced, but the team from the original Lufia & the Fortress of Doom will be behind the wheel, so it should be fairly reminiscent of the classic SNES RPGs of yesteryear. Also, it probably won't help you clean yourself in the shower. Sorry about that.

[Fuyukaze]

Mixed thoughts on this. Could be great, could blow chunks. All depends on how much room squarenix gives taito to run with it and how much emo they require the game contain. I suspect for many gamers, this will be their first and only trip thru the lufia series. I look forward to it all the same.

[Aussie2B]

Something about Square Enix publishing a Lufia title bothers me.

I just hope it'll be on a portable and ideally have 2D graphics and no voice acting. And hopefully it won't be too much like the original because Lufia II is infinitely better.

[Fuyukaze]

Funny you say that as I thought the first had a far better story then the second. I enjoyed certain parts in the second more but on a whole thought the first had a better ending. Either way, here's to hoping it's as good a game as either and not an attempt to milk a long forgoten fan favorite.

[kupomogli]

And hopefully it won't be too much like the original because Lufia II is infinitely better.


Funny you say that as I thought the first had a far better story then the second. I enjoyed certain parts in the second more but on a whole thought the first had a better ending.

Lufia gets so much praise, but the reason I think is solely because of how good a game Lufia 2 is(Lufia 2 is one of the better SNES RPGs.) The original Lufia is the king of slow battle systems in RPGs, yet if it was sped up inbetween character and enemy turns, the game would actually be decent. Insanely slow battle system paired with a high encounter rate really doesn't make the game much fun.

So yeah. Fuyukaze. You're correct that the storyline is overall better in the first game than the second, but not too much. The slow ass battle system just fucking kills the game and I can't get much enjoyment out of it because of that. Also the battle music on Lufia sucks balls. With a higher than average encounter rate couldn't there have been better battle music?

But yeah. Gameplay makes the game, and it's a lot more fun on Lufia 2. Lufia 2 also has that badass sinistral battle theme, which alone is better than most of the Lufia soundtrack. *edit* And Lufia 2 also has good regular battle music too. It's like. Yes! I can get into a battle and not hear shitty music. Also great boss music. It's like good battle, better boss music, badass sinistral music, it just keeps getting better.

[Sinteres]

Lufia 2 was an amazing RPG for its time. I even solved all the block puzzles myself in the days before Gamefaqs and the like. Pen, paper and time made all the difference.

[kupomogli]

"The World's Most Difficult Trick" was too hard for me when I originally played the game. I never completed it until I played the game recently, which after trying for about 20 or so minutes and probably not even putting a dent in how far you have to get, used a Youtube video to see how each and every move was to be made.

That's the only time on this game I had to cheat. I hate puzzles like that. They should just make a hard but somewhat quick to finish puzzle, and even some of those I get pissed off at, but I like them better.

[Aussie2B]

Well, considering that Lufia II's story is kind of spoiled from the get-go, I can imagine that would make it feel a bit pointless. I feel really fortunate that I played II first, so I had no familiarity with the characters and no clue what was to happen. Personally, I was surprised by the depth and emotion to the plot, even wonky localization aside. The ending was really gut-wrenching to me, and I enjoyed watching the relationships between the cast members develop. The story in the original felt kind of thin in comparison, although it doesn't help the vast majority of the game is endless palette-swapped dungeons and towers with endless random battles. In retrospect, though, I like the approach they took to telling the stories of the two games; it took some guts.

One thing I'll say is way better about the original is the sound effects. Man, they're so visceral and satisfying. In Lufia II, they're pretty wimpy.

Oh, and I'm proud to say I worked out "The World's Most Difficult Trick" completely on my own, back when the game was new. Nintendo Power helped me through many of the other puzzles, but not that one, haha.

[John_Madden]

This could go either way. If they make a good game it'll be fun to play. If they don't, people will be disappointed. To make a really great game in such a well respected franchise you have to make it fun to play.


BOOM!

[heybtbm]

It can't be worse than the latest GBA version. One of the worst RPG's I've played in recent memory (if you call 2003 "recent" I guess).

[j_factor]

So this means they're finally releasing the Genesis version of Lufia, right? I mean they took out ads saying it was "worth the wait!" -- and I'm still waiting.

[NayusDante]

This could be interesting, based on what platform they shoot for. DS seems obvious, but PSP might work. It'll be interesting to see if they take a lesser-known RPG series and push it on a non-Wii console as an AAA title.

On the luffa/Lufia subject... I'd personally prefer having Lufia in my shower. :P