Eurogamer takes Blue Dragon for a spin
by Richard Mitchell 
{ Jun 27th 2007 at 5:00PM }
Eurogamer got its hands on the English version of Blue Dragon and took the time to write up some impressions. Overall, the gist of the preview is that Blue Dragon tries to recreate classic Japanese role playing game design without reinventing it. As noted by the preview, everything seems as though it was pulled from classic RPGs and made to mesh with modern console aesthetics. The graphics look like old school 2D characters and worlds come to life, the characters are broadly drawn, and the combat is solidly turn-based. About the only concession the game makes to modern game design (or "progress" as Eurogamer calls it) is that battles are not random. In the end, it seems that Blue Dragon was meant as a nostalgic trip down memory lane with a new coat of paint. The only problem, according to Eurogamer, is that such nostalgia may be in limited supply outside of Japan. We'll find out when Blue Dragon hits North America this August.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Tony @ Jun 27th 2007 5:06PM
I don't know how limited it is considering the general success of FF games in this country... I'd hardly call many of those innovative or unusual besides, say, XII. For any interesting aspect of the previous ones, they're still fairly traditional.
I'm excited for it, either way. I think if nothing else it will benefit from a decided lack of Japanese style RPGs on the system in the west.
John @ Jun 27th 2007 6:54PM
Is this Chrono Trigger 2? I've been calling it for a while. Cross was trash.
Ninegauger @ Jun 27th 2007 8:06PM
Modern game design? Chrono Trigger had non-random battles over 10 years ago.
Furthermore, Chrono Cross was rad (though not as good as Chrono Trigger of course).
sanctus17 @ Jun 28th 2007 2:10PM
If the story is good and well told through excellent gameplay that includes strategy, this title could be an interesting diversion.
Cr1ckt @ Jun 28th 2007 9:57PM
Sakaguchi himself stated in an interview that the game he looked to the most for inspiration was Chrono Trigger. The games have a similar asthetic because Akira Toriyama contributed to the art for both of them. So far, Blue Dragon looks to be cut from the same mold as Chrono Trigger, and that has me pretty excited.