Well, I think there's a number of factors at play here. For starters, we're in a transition phase for handhelds. Since those are still the platforms of choice in Japan there's been a lot of late RPG releases on both PSP and DS. Since those aren't a safe bet anymore in the US we've been getting fewer and fewer of them, even missing out on a Final Fantasy title. Since the the 3DS is doing fine here and the Vita seems to have been taken up by the niche RPG audience in the West (I'm basing this on XSEED, NIS America, and Atlus all releasing RPGs for the platform) I think we'll start to see more games brought over (maybe not on the Vita unless it starts doing better in all regions). As for the consoles, I just don't think there's enough good titles in Japan to even bring over. We're getting the Tales games but is there really much else in that department? It's not a fun situation but I think once the newer portable systems are better established we'll see a steady stream of localized games. I just wish they'd stop releasing games on the PSP we'll never see! I mean really Sega? Another 7th Dragon on PSP?!?!!? Why must they hate me? As far as the localizers go, I can assure you they know better than us what sells (most of the time).  Xenoblade and Last Story doing so well should give us hope for the future!

I guess we'll just have to hope for some fan translations of the games we've missed...

  No problem! Don't worry about the first two games, the latest one can be played without ever playing them (though you will miss some jokes referencing the first two games). Final Fantasy Tactics remains one of the best games of all time, and one I can always go back to. I'd be curious as to what classes you liked the best (something for the next time you write in). As far as Bayonetta goes, I've just gotten into Devil May Cry so I'm eager to try that at some point.

Yeah that Yangus game looked quite good regardless of being a a roguelike. It's a shame it was never localized! The Joker games are pretty good. The second Joker game was a lot better than the first, but the first game is still worth playing. If you're curious, be sure to check out Rocket Slime as well, which is a hilarious little action adventure game.

Well, the first game was brilliant, and the only game I've ever put more than twenty hours into despite not being able to read anything. I'll have to get back to you on the second 7th Dragon game. You're right though, were the series on PS3 with HD graphics we probably would have seen a localization!

There's no doubt that Graces f has the best battle system in my opinion. Getting rid of standard MP is what the series needed to do and that's what makes lost classics like the Destiny remake and Tales of Hearts so great. Taking that combat to three dimensions made it that much better. Not sure if the story holds up, but I love it. I also much prefer the style of exploration in it that includes no world map. Vesperia is a good choice as well though I'm not as much of a fan of its combat. I can tell you one thing, both games feature brilliant localizations!

Trust me when I say we aren't missing much with the upgraded versions of Phantasia (and no, nothing is as bad as Tempest).

Wow, the thought of an Eidos Montreal developed Darksiders is actually incredibly enticing. Anyway, I could see Square Enix rescuing the series as they had luck doing something similar with Sleeping Dogs (though that's a bit different). The series hasn't exactly blazed on the sales charts but it has done well enough that it'd be worthwhile for someone to pick up. If you enjoy games like Bayonetta you may want to give the series a try! Especially Darksiders II as it incorporates many more RPG elements.

I agree! Though the prospect of a non-RPG Suikoden is interesting (I'm thinking of something along the lines of the Romance of the Three Kingdom games) I will still much prefer a proper Suikoden VI. Prospects for that seem rather dim sadly, and I doubt a non-RPG title would help its popularity. Anyway, still an interesting idea!

I am a huge fan of the Suikoden series! I have played I, II, and V. I love the whole continuity of the series which is what makes the games so great, and what makes the DS and PSP games not as good sadly. The odd thing about it is that the Suikoden games did sell pretty well. Yes, sales tapered with Suikoden V but I don't see that as a reason to completely throw away what was great about the games. Doesn't seem like either game did very well so I hope they reconsider.

You are of course right about Suikoden V, it is proof they don't need the original creator to continue the main series.

All I can say is that I apparently really need to get down to it and play the third game don't I?

We do need more great writers working on JRPGs, that is certainly an issue. Considering how great Atlus has done in that department, I wish they would all just go work for Atlus instead of fussing with other companies that might not use them to their full potential. It would mean Suikoden wouldn't get that help but who knows what other amazing series Atlus could come up with? Anyway, thanks for the great questions! I hope to hear from you again soon.

Oh dear, how in the world do I complete this challenge? I guess if you're fed up with Final Fantasy and want a series that is the exact opposite of it in every conceivable way then Agarest is a great series to turn to! The music isn't as good, the combat is more archaic, the graphics are from a bi-gone era and the stories are ... different. So there you go, if you want something that is NOT Final Fantasy then try Agarest! I can say at the very least they are well localized.

That is a good question! I'm going to have to guess a ballpark of around age 3 or 4, probably after watching me play some Mario games and what not for a while. Then once he's reading I can let him try some New Super Mario Bros. WiiU where I can assist him from the gamepad. I'll of course try and sway his preference towards RPGs after that, perhaps with Pokémon or Rocket Slime. Then I could of course try some Zelda and perhaps some early Final Fantasy games. I think Pokémon will really do the trick though. This should be fun in a few years!

1) I hope so too, after the amazing Resonance of Fate I'd really like to see them work on some more original material. They did some portable projects with Konami but they've always been known for doing console games so I wonder if they've got a secret project in the works. I know it's not Resonance of Fate II but I can dream dang it!

2) On first look they seem unexpectedly low but you have to remember the series has never been known for selling millions of copies, with most of the main titles selling under a million in Japan. They sell quite well to be sure, and certain titles in the series have even done well here in the US. So all things taken into account it's actually not bad at all and it will continue to go up. Hopefully we fans in the West can help add to that total quite often in the future.

3) I can't really argue that in the slightest, many games would be much better with Final Fantasy VI's soundtrack.

4) I've never played the Fatal Frame series but I've heard great things about it. My personal game of the year would be Persona 4 Golden despite the fact that it's an updated port (yes it is that good). If we take ports out of the equation then I would have to go with either Devil Survivor 2 or Tales of Graces f both of which have brilliant battle systems. Mass Effect 3 would also be in consideration but I'd give a slight edge to the other two.

5) I've never read Watership Down but based on the Wikipedia page I think it could make a fantastic RPG!

Oh, it's Beat. I can tell because of the all caps. I tried calling you but the Gorlax must block your cell signal.

WHAT? CAN'T HEAR YOU OVER DUBSTEP. DUBSTEP IS MAGIC MAN!

My dance moves aren't sick, I would describe them as exceptionally healthy.

Baby.

Only if he has a bunch of other dads with him and I'm guessing he does not!

Do you take check or credit?

He would if such an unlikely thing were ever to happen.

Because despite originally coming out four years ago the updated version for Vita shows that the game is as relevant and amazing as ever. Not just a shining standard for Japanese RPGs, but a model for all RPGs. It may be some time before we see a Persona 5 but we'll all be watching with much interest when it does arrive.

I would have as much faith that you would stay on script as I do that Sega will localize the first 7th Dragon.

I don't think you could drink that much booze.

I recommend a nice Long Island iced team, the Q&A drink of choice.

That was quick.

Well actually, since Sega published Resonance of Fate they could actually turn Vectorman into a cool RPG like that. It could use stylish turn-based shooting combat perhaps with some sort of new companions. Maybe they could even throw in some secret party members from other lost Sega games like Alex Kidd. Get on top of this Sega!

Well number one, buddy cop comedies are still extremely popular. Number two, you could get actors from popular buddy cop films to play the Turks to raise the profile of the game. Finally, Final Fantasy VII would just be much better off with less Cloud.

I can't think of one?

Was it?

Only if it's not one of those really endangered rhinos...wait is that all of them?

Bomb the Music Industry is clearly the better group with a much larger variety of music. Still, ASOB did produce some great tunes so you can't go wrong with either. The fact both groups' music is available for free helps of course.

I think it's hilarious and amazing that they would actually go through the trouble of doing that. I think they also did for the original game but I can't recall. Hopefully this is the start of many localizations for the Al Bhed speaking audience!