That game looks incredible.

@Sal. Add it to my list!

Haven't you heard of it before? If so, I'm surprised as I always thought you're primarily a follower of games on Nintendo systems. The original Ni No Kuni was developed for DS, was released in late 2010 and sold half a million in Japan, but never made it to the west. Unfortunately. Many Level-5 and/or Studio Ghibli fans had been been hoping for a western release since the day of its announcement in autumn 2008. I think I had the DS version on my VGC wishlist for more than 3 years.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ni_no_Kuni
http://www.vgchartz.com/gamedb/?name=ninokuni

Like many others I'm glad that at least the PS3 version will be localized. Best looking cel-shaded game imo since Wind Waker and Okami.

I know, it looks so awesome. I knew about it, I just didn't know when it was coming out and forgot it when I posted, even though Tor mentioned it earlier. Oddest thing I only started to hear about it when it was about to launch on the PS3 in japan. Didn't hear anything about it from DS fans, but had I known what I know now I would have probably imported it. Then again the PS3 version looks much more appealing to me, but for a DS game it looked great.

I also think studio Ghibli is a top quality creative studio, and I watched all the behind the scenes for Spirited Away.

Starhawk didn't bomb, PSN sales were availible day 1 and were pushed if you opened the store. And PSN sales have higher profit. I'm pretty sure Starhawk is in the black. I don't really trust VGC numbers much anymore, ESPECIALLY with Vita games.

It's expected that after so many games in a franchise, the excitement may dwindle. Whatever titles they release for PS4 and continue the popular series, they need to make something new. I don't want the great games we had on PS3 to lack because they might be rushing them out to beat a deadline or because Sony want's them too. Sony and their studios need to take a little break, take a risk and make something new. I suppose in this day and age it's more hard to produce original IP's because it's been done in the past already.

Here's hoping with the PS4, Sony can advertise and spend more to make their games more successful.

Do you not think Sony have had a good mix of old and new IP's this generation?

They've kept PS1 era stuff, like WipEout and Gran Turismo going, as well as resurrecting Twisted Metal.

They've kept a number of PS2 franchises (God of War, Killzone, Ratchet & Clank, Sly Cooper), but it has never felt like an insane amount.

And they've produced a number of great new IP's for this generation: Uncharted, LittleBigPlanet, Infamous, Motorstorm, Resistance.  Some of these will be kept alongside the PS2 ones, some of them wont.  We've had a number of great one-off titles as well, ranging from Heavy Rain to stuff like Demon's Souls or Starhawk.

Idk, I think that Sony have kept a very good mix of old & new IP's this generation, so I see no reason they won't do this for the PS4.  Unless they look back at the sales of some of these new IP's and decide they weren't good enough, then maybe in that case we'd begin to see a bit more franchise milking.

I do agree with you, but when it comes too this generation the only thing that runs it is shooters.

It's not like what it used to be where most of the games were created in Japan and most of it's gamers were from Japan.  Back then ideas were new and platformers ruled because no one had done it before and what tech was available. The gaming market is now strongest in America where shooters are dominant and where XBOX has a strong hold on. Remember, America is pro military, so it's understandable that's the way to go for any developer or publisher.  That is one reason why games that  AREN'T shooters will suffer.

Yeah, I kind of agree with that too.  But I think Sony have been stronger than Microsoft at least in providing 'different' experiences - Sandbox games like Infamous or Gravity Rush, platformers like Sly Cooper or LittleBigPlanet.  Their lineup isn't perfect for me, but it's better than the competition.

On your first point though, I would like to see more Japan games too, especially from their dedicated studio.  They've had dabbles at series this generation (White Knight Chronicles) but they haven't always panned out so well.  I think Japan is in a bit of a flux state when it comes into their games industry at the moment, a lot of people are speaking out about it & the lack of innovation, which is kind of understandable.

Still, interesting topic!