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Lucas-Rio on 05 January 2016
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TheLastStarFighter said:

The topic at hand is "elite studio", and to me that is one that makes ground-breaking, impressive, system-selling AAA games. At the present time, I think there is no question that the leader there is Monolithsoft. Right now they are at the leading edge of RPG gaming, better than S-E. Retro's last title, meanwhile, is one that seems a bit derivative, and hardly had the gaming world buzzing.

Further, when you look at the original mission of Retro, it was to make non-Nintendo style games, games that appeal to the west. I would argue that Monolith is actually doing a better job of that now. DKC is more like a game Nintendo would make in-house, while Xenoblade is the type of title you would see on XBox or PS; the type of game that non-Nintendo fans would talk about.

Ideally I'd like to see both studios expand to two or three full teams, making regular titles. I think Monolithsoft could be the new Squaresoft, with two skilled groups making RPGs. Retro could be the new Rare, making platformers and FPS or TPS/adventures... but they both need more staff. Retro may also need more creative freedom. Monolith, I think, operates with a great deal of autonomy under the lead of Tetsuya Takahashi. I think Retro lacks a clear independent leader, far too often answering to Japan.

What games on PS4 or Xbox are similar to the Xenoblades games? I can't think of one. Monolith Software isn"t making the kind of games that release on these other consoles, they are making very special games in their own leagues that can't be compared to the generic western RPGs.

Monolith made Nintendo a great RPG maker on home console, they perfectly complement Nintendo's offer. Xenoblade went from being an under the radar game announced quickly , not even sure to released in the West, to Xenoblade X, a game launched like the major title it is, with bundles and limited editions.

As for the studios, Monolith seems to me like a place where the group of people from SquareSoft and Namco who left are still fully together. It's easier when everyone stays at the studio  and you don't have to replace people often.