244
rate

Can Level-5 Dethrone Square Enix?

October 12, 2008 in Blog comments 46

We've almost all heard about Square-Enix, but not many people have heard of Level-5, the company that are currently in the process of developing White Knight Story/Chronicles.

The question that diggingtheweb.com have asked is... can Level-5 dethrone Square-Enix? In terms of number of games, that's an obvious no with only 150 employees as at last year, however if you go by quality of games... well it was Level 5 who previously developed Dragon Quest VIII and that in itself says something about their quality. So can Level-5 be the next Square-Enix (or Square-Soft as I should really say... since the quality of games have known to have gone down since Enix and Square Soft merged)... read the full article and make your own minds up.

Krunal via diggingtheweb.com »
Favourite this article Add source
| More
Report!
News story attached to:
Images about this story:
Latest comment:
Most recently commented on by on Oct 17, 2008

Comments

Register as a member to subscribe comments.
  • 1
    Miss Razz Oct 12, 08
    It would be nice if a company did overtake Squeenix as the leading RPG makers, or at least become a major competitor. Squeenix have become too comfortable in the position they're in, and take it for granted that people will hype up and buy their games just because they're known as the best RPG makers. But let's face it, while many of their games are good, they've been releasing a hell of alot of crap in between (as the article says, many fans agree that the quality of their games is on the decline). They're not the company they used to be because they take for granted that people will shell out money no matter what they produce. A bit of competition might do them the world of good.
    • 1
      Krunal Oct 12, 08
      Initially I really didn't agree with people who shouted that the Squeenix merger was the death for good games, however recently, with Infinite Undiscovery barely scoring a 6.5 (from Gamespot, who I believe to have a bias towards XBOX360 games), I'm really starting to think that they're far too comfortable with their lead, and it's allowing other companies to catch up, and I for one am really hoping that Level-5 is indeed the company to catch up.
      • 0
        Cruxis Mana Oct 12, 08
        Infinite Undiscovery was only published by Square Enix.

        It was developed by tri-ace, who also develop the Star Ocean series.
        • 0
          Krunal Oct 12, 08
          I still blame Square-Enix for it.... Though I did actually think that they developed it, since it was them that said "We'll have one exclusive franchise to each platform" with IU being the XBOX360 Exclusive franchise...
  • 0
    Cruxis Mana Oct 12, 08
    Again the generalisation that the quality of Square Enix is declining, yet I still don't see them using any examples other than Final Fantasy XII
  • 1
    Bale Fire* Oct 12, 08
    What about FFX-2? Not to mention all the FFVII crap they've been milking.

    To tell you the truth I really would like Square Enix to be taken down a notch or two, there arrogant and dismissive attitude is really starting to bug me.
    • 0
      Krunal Oct 12, 08
      I actually quite liked the structure of FFX-2, the gameplay wasn't bad either... in fact I really enjoyed the game, albeit, the levels were pretty much the same as FFX (duh) with a few extras...
  • 0
    FinalFantasyFanaticc Oct 12, 08
    If any company is going to overtake square enix it'll be mistwalker.
    • 0
      Cruxis Mana Oct 12, 08
      Speaking of which, WhereTF were they at TGS ?
    • 0
      Newcloud Oct 13, 08
      aren't they the same with a few S-E staff in it
  • 0
    Arcaida Oct 12, 08
    The only good games Square has released since Final Fantasy X have been remakes. They are admittedly losing their touch, or so I've felt.

    I'm just hoping versusXIII lives up to my expectations.
  • 0
    Xenctuary Oct 12, 08
    The White Knight Chronicles boxart shown here is pretty rubbish.
    • 0
      Red 9* Oct 12, 08
      I don't think it's official. L5 hasn't actually released a boxart yet.

      Anyway, L5 could dethrone Squenix, especially looking at the apparent quality of White Knight, which is one of the first RPGs I've been this excited for.
  • 0
    HawkMan Oct 12, 08
    :evel 5 is too small, I don't think they'll take down Square,maybe if level 5 and Mistwalker teamed up.
    • 0
      Krunal Oct 12, 08
      Just because it's small doesn't mean anything. Remember that Square-Enix were once a very small company on the verge of going backrupt. They created Final Fantasy I which went super hit and allowed them to stay on... likewise, with the support of Sony, I'm sure that Level-5 could do a lot more with the current level of technology.

      More on that, if Sony are to buy them, it's clear that they'd no longer be "too small". Remember that not every company is massive... Insomniac creators of the R&C seris and Resistance, aren't as big as Square Enix either, yet they are one of the best in their field (well definitely in the case of R&C).
      • 0
        HawkMan Oct 13, 08
        Level 5 has been around for awhile if there was any interest for Sony to buy the company they would've done so by now.


        and I stick to my original post about 5 being small. thats like saying you're gonna over take MS in the OS business.good luck with that.
        • 0
          Krunal Oct 13, 08
          Not necessarily. If the company is freely making games for them there's no reason for them to do it. However, I'm sure eventually when they start making more and more money, and they remake all the money they lost on the PS3, they'll be able to once again invest in a company like this and use it to make exclusives for the PS3 and PSP.
  • 1
    Kim Jong Il Oct 12, 08
    Bleh, I haven't enjoyed any Squeenix games (bar the Kingdom Hearts games) for a long time. The FF's on the PSone are the last ones I remember really enjoying.
    • 0
      Newcloud Oct 13, 08
      i agree they where 100% better the lose of the world map was a downfall for me
  • 0
    BANDITO ATTACK Oct 12, 08
    wtf is level-5? i dont think i've ever even played any of their games. @_@
    • 1
      Salvador_Dog Oct 12, 08
      quick list of games
      Dark Cloud 1 & 2, Dragon Quest 8, Rouge Galaxy, and Jeanne d'Arc

      i really do hope level 5 does well, they do have good games and if they can be a good competitor to SE then thats better for everyone.
      We really don't want a Madden type thing happen, where because they have no competition they choose to never add innovative things to the games
  • 0
    kokushishin Oct 12, 08
    This is wishcasting, not news.
    • 0
      Krunal Oct 13, 08
      Hence it's classed under Blog rather than News. Because it is at the end of the day, a bloggers thoughts on the matter, and I happen to agree with it, as do many others.
  • 1
    kik36 Oct 13, 08
    I really dig Level 5's direction and games. Overall, I think they have the potential to step-up and dethrone SE......even if they only release one RPG per year. Quality over quantity.
    • 0
      Red 9* Oct 13, 08
      Besides, White Knight looks like it could last a very long time in replayability.
      • 0
        Krunal Oct 13, 08
        100 Hours + Single Player, not forgetting an Online Mode that you can play with people, with additional DLC slated.... can be the next big RPG I think.
  • 0
    Duality_18 Oct 13, 08
    Square enix will be in there thrown for atleast another 5 or 10 years before anyone pushes them off of it. But I do agree with the majority of opinions pointing at the decline of quality in there work.
  • 1
    Newcloud Oct 13, 08
    S-E needs a BIG kick up the ass there starting to think there bigger the everything eles producing crap like IU and shit final fantasy events... and level 5 have remained loyal to sony after everything they done for them
  • 1
    Zaek Oct 13, 08
    White Knight looks amazing! SE should get its act together and start producing something with substance or let someone else take over and feed my RPG hunger! I've played most to if not all of Level-5's games and I loved Dark Cloud so I hope White Knight sends a message right on SE's door saying it is time.
    • 1
      Red 9* Oct 13, 08
      quote
      it is time
      *Said in an Arnold Schwarzenegger voice*
    • 0
      Krunal Oct 13, 08
      I just didn't like one aspect of that game - the fact that weapons broke I didn't actually own that game (borrowed it from a friend), and I must admit though I enjoyed it, the fact that I knew my weapons would break, it made me not care about weapons as much as I do in other games....
  • 1
    Zaek Oct 13, 08
    Lmao Red, my point exactly ^.^!
  • 1
    Killosity Oct 13, 08
    Square-Enix can go to hell. Between their wish-wash attitude to the PS3, and the hypocritical talk about exclusives, they need to get a dose of reality; they are not what they once were.

    Level 5 could, and hopefully will put a dent in SE. White Knight looks to be a killer app in the RPG libary of the PS3.
  • 0
    Newcloud Oct 14, 08
    if white knight story sales very well i can see S-E jump back to sony
    • 0
      Red 9* Oct 14, 08
      Wouldn't be surprised. White Knight'll be out before they even start on the 360 version of FFXIII, so if they see this become a success I wouldn't be surprised if they ended up doing so. They're greedy bastards they are.
  • 0
    Killosity Oct 14, 08
    quote
    Wouldn't be surprised. White Knight'll be out before they even start on the 360 version, so if they see this become a success I wouldn't be surprised if they ended up doing so. They're greedy bastards they are
    360 version of what!? Is White Knight multiplatform!?
    • 0
      Newcloud Oct 14, 08
      know he means final fantasy 13
      • 0
        Red 9* Oct 14, 08
        Yeah, sorry, should've made that clearer. Sorry for any unnecessary tension lol.
  • 0
    Final Blade Oct 14, 08
    Im going to save myself the trouble of a rant to Killosity comment with saying I disagree with you.

    Anyway I don't want Level-5 to compete with SE, what I want them to do is just make good RPG's and expand the genre more. Thats it. SE will always be the top dog, like Rockstar with the sandbox genre, but as long as more RPG's are being made, thats all that matters. Thats my requirements. A small healthy competition between them won't hurt, but I don't want them to make it a goal or focus to take them on. Just make your games and thats it.
    • 0
      Red 9* Oct 15, 08
      SE is only top dog because they've milked a series much longer than was necessary. As mentioned countless times, I've yet to see a game from SE that rivals the ones from the good ol' Square days (without Enix).
      • 0
        Killosity Oct 16, 08
        quote
        SE is only top dog because they've milked a series much longer than was necessary. As mentioned countless times, I've yet to see a game from SE that rivals the ones from the good ol' Square days (without Enix).
        Exactly. The FF7 collective is horrible now for me. It has actually made me enjoy FF8 a whole lot more, simply because the story is tightly woven and kept together within the 1 title.

        SE havent really produced anything sufficient to my liking since Final Fantasy X-2. God I love games from the older days better haha.
        • 0
          Final Blade Oct 16, 08
          Red, Nintendo has milked Mario far longer then Square with Final Fantasy, and apparently people still like it.

          @Killosity, I don't care if you hate the FF7 collection nor do I care what other thinks. Im an old gamer, I love RPG's as a whole and I love Final Fantasy. So far the games I've played FF7 and others I have loved. You don't like FF7 compilation, fine, but many like myself do. To say its horrible(as its fact) is wrong, cause many love it like myself. FF8 I never liked it that much like 7.

          Also Red you missed my point anyway. Point is, plain and simple, just make your games Level 5 and don't directly want to compete with SE. Let it come naturally. Take Volitions with Saints Row, sure their game is similar, but they're not trying to compete directly with Rockstar, just trying to make a good game. And thats why the games are good and giving R* some good competition. Its coming naturally.
      • 0
        Red 9* Oct 16, 08
        Yes I understand your point. I suppose I wasn't responding directly to it. So yes, your point is valid and good. L5 should indeed concentrate on just making their own games. Because as far as I can see, once you fall into competition with someone else, your products begin to become akin to each other because you're trying to outdo the other.

        So yes, independancy FTW.
  • 0
    Killosity Oct 15, 08
    quote
    Im going to save myself the trouble of a rant to Killosity comment with saying I disagree with you.
    Thank heavens for small mercies.
  • 1
    Killosity Oct 16, 08
    quote
    @Killosity, I don't care if you hate the FF7 collection nor do I care what other thinks. Im an old gamer, I love RPG's as a whole and I love Final Fantasy. So far the games I've played FF7 and others I have loved. You don't like FF7 compilation, fine, but many like myself do. To say its horrible(as its fact) is wrong, cause many love it like myself. FF8 I never liked it that much like 7.
    You have this constant mindset of talking to me when you reply Final Blade. And in my post, I never once referred to you. Make no mistake, I do not care for your opinion. I find you quite hypocritical and you change your mindset like I change my underwear. Its challenging to have a mature conversation with you because of your blatent incompetence when it comes to certain topics. I applaude your use to grammar and sentence structure in an attempt to come across as somewhat informed. Kudos to you.

    And do not ever, tell me what I can and cannot say on a board, when what I DO say is well within my rights as a member of the Gamegrep community. In the future, be more conservative, or at least more competent in your replies to avoid future stupidity. Thanks in Advance.

    You have a right to an opinion. However you have no right to command, lecture, or attempt to audit how I, or any other Gamegrep members act on these boards. Even if that position was avaiable, Hell would need to freeze over twice because your pedantic ways got merited...Loosen up seriously.

    I am probably going to be flamed and ridiculed for my statements, but so be it. For all the flaming, arguing and insults that sometimes fly across these boards, I respect most peoples opinions enough. Certainly not yours. Arrogant bitch.
  • 1
    Zaek Oct 17, 08
    I had a dream... *insert Killosity's speech here*

This news story is archived and is closed to comments now.