Sega finding their way again in RPG's?

[Original_Name]

Sega may be doing a terrible job as far as action titles lately (Sonic series, Golden Axe, Viking game, etc.), but it looks like their work in the RPG field is picking back up. Valkyria Chronicles has proven to be a great title, and the DS has been attacked with really promising Sega RPG's lately, and they're all being slated for English translations: Phantasy Star Zero, Sands of Destruction, 7th Dragon, and Shining Force Feather (it's actually strategy based!)! It's almost like they're the same company that created those great games in the past! Is the house of Phantasy Star, Shining Force, Panzer Dragoon Saga, and Skies of Arcadia finally returning to us?

As far as everything else, I'd like to see more cooperation between Sega, Treasure, and Dimps. Sega + Treasure or Dimps has always yielded spectacular results. Just look at what those partnerships accomplished on the GBA alone (Astro Boy: The Omega Strain, Gunstar Super Heroes, and the Sonic Advance series). Maybe even SNK could get in on the action! These smaller companies need to unite, but keep their strengths and originalities. Like, have a spiritual merger where the companies don't own one another, but they have a sort of creative and productive (and of course fiscal) union.

Sorry, the second paragraph goes on a tangent. Anyway, great Sega RPG's lately and upcoming! Thoughts?

[MrPopo]

I'm excited by the possibilities. Shining Force Feather is definately a game I'm looking foward to, although if they screw it up I"ll end up having to completely write off any future games called Shining Force, unless they do something awesome like Shining Force III remake. But I've got confidence, since Valkyria Chronicles was so awesome.

[General Chaos]

It does seem like Sega is proving to be quite strong on the RPG front as of late. I'm anticipating every one of the games you mentioned. It wouldn't bother me in the least if Sega began to gain a reputation as and RPG developer/publisher.

[thejamessea]

Sonic Unleashed, Golden Axe, and Viking are all good to great games. The reviews are wrong, plain and simple.

[marurun]

You know, with the capabilities of the DS and PSP what the are, I'd love to see a Shining Force III remake, perhaps the story condensed into a single game, for either platform.

[timewarpgamer]

Wow, didn't even realize that I have Shining Force Feather to look forward to. Good call. Valkyria Chronicles is currently my #1 reason to buy a PS3. Sadly, the game is performing terribly in terms of sales. I'm thrilled to see that Sega is digging itself out of the game developing rut its been in, but are they really going to make any money on these RPGs? I sure hope so.

[Original_Name]

As far as making money on the games, all they need is a little bit of advertisement. They advertise their Sonic stuff to hell, but tend to ignore their more original releases. The premise of Sands of Destruction makes for easy advertising because the concept is so unique; just showing gameplay footage of Phantasy Star Zero will sell it for A.) PSO fanatics and B.) People impressed by beautiful 3D graphics on the DS. Seems like easy marketing to me. Only reason Valkyria Chronicles isn't selling well is because Sega hasn't made the name known. I've only seen one print ad for it. That's it. Advertise your good shit, Sega!

Anyway, I'm stoked for Sands of Destruction more than the rest. Though 7th Dragon has one incredible team running it.

[MrPopo]

I agree on the lack of advertisement. Sega needs to work on building up their brand again, and to do so they need to create good games and advertise them well. A company like Atlus USA doesn't need heavy advertisement to sell well because they have a very strong brand. Thus, people follow what they are localizing and know about it without an expensive advertising campaign (though it would have been awesome to see Etrian Odyssey TV ads).

[NebachadnezzaR]

Sonic Unleashed, Golden Axe, and Viking are all good to great games. The reviews are wrong, plain and simple.

Indeed. Sonic Unleashed was pretty good (at least when compared to the previous games) and Viking was downright awesome. Best large-scale battles I've ever seen (in third-person, so Medieval II doesn't count).

[thejamessea]

Yeah Viking is a fantastic game.
Unleashed is good as well. People just expect too much from a Sonic title. The game is good.

Valkyria Chronicles is amazing. Buy a PS3 to play it. As a side perk you also can play the fantastic Uncharted.

As far as the upcoming Sega RPGS, I think 7th Dragon looks good. Shining Force feather is somewhat less known to me. Anyone have a link to a good Preview or something?