Level 5 have been one of the most refreshing developers for me the past few years. The opposite is true of Tri-Ace, their works have progressively been getting worse, as Naznatips has pointed out.

While Rogue Galaxy was somewhat of a side-step rather than a step forward, I've been more than pleased with their progression and thoroughly enjoy their games.

@Claude: I think this is a perfectly legitimate comparison. They're both primarily RPG based developers and they share similar/same fanbase (I typically enjoy most games from both companies).

First of all, what does some level 5 games bombing have anything to do with the proposed question - quality?
Secondly, have you thought that perhaps some people are genuinely very interested in this game and their hyping of the game may have nothing to do with the complete lack of RPG's on the PS3 and may have everything to do with Level 5's past history, as it does in my case?

@ OP: What the hell is AAA anyway? I could very much love Valkyrie Profile and consider it 'AAA' while many others may not.

@naznatips

Speaking as someone who owns and has played Infinite Undiscovery. I would have to say your statements about the game are grossly misinformed. Most reviewers sight three main problems with the game. The first is the games length it is on the short side for a role playing game. The second is character building depth. That is true there isn't much much merit to the character building, and the micro management of your massive party can be tedious. The third being that it is a standard JRPG. Which seems to be a naughty thing these days.

Surprisingly none of this actually keeps the game from being a lot of fun to play. I would not say the game is bad. I wouldn't even say it was a poor effort. I would say the developer tried to make a game that appealed to both casual and core players. Unfortunately they did not realize either. They have elements that exceed in both areas, and thus appear to be contradictions. This game is a lesson in why it is nearly impossible to bridge the demographics. The game is playable, and enjoyable if not exceptional.

I would honestly say given your love of the Wii, and the casual gaming experience. You very much would probably really appreciate this game. Simple rule sets, simple mechanics, decent AI to offset your weaknesses. Short, simple, and linear to see you through your experience in under thirty hours. I really think you would have a blast with this game if you were to ever play it.

Yeah everybody knows the term AAAA is the new cool term.

my personal opinion is that tri ace is better.
Lvl 5 is def not mainstream besides dragon quest, which isnt owned by them...

I have full faith in tri ace to make star ocean 4 amazing. i loved 3 (story sucked tho), and infinite (while possessing many problems) was a overall good game for a little budget title

NO! Take that back!

Sony better market this game like mad.  It'll probably be Level 5's best game yet, and it's the ps3's first big JRPG, so they probably will (we all know they need to), but if they don't, I"ll be very annoyed.

But I think it will get marketed at least as well as Uncharted (which got kind've screwed in the marketing, but still managed to sell well enough).

that's easy Level 5 > Tri-Ace. Sony MADE Level 5 (DC 1 and 2, Rogue Galaxy, Jeanne D'Arc). Tri-Ace is great too (Valkyrie Profile, Star ocean) but they went down the toilet with IU.

Dark Cloud was my first RPG for Ps2 and loved it. Jeanne D' Arc is my favorite RPG this gen.

Another thing, why the fact that Dragon Quest is owned by Square Enix has something to do with the way they develop RPGs??? Square Enix must be thankful because Level-5 did a really hell of a job with DQ8, critically praised, it's known as the second best in the series (after DQ3 made by Chunsoft, my personal favorite and it seems that is Japan's favorite too) and the 4th best game according to Japan, it had so much selling potential that it got released worldwide (1st game in the series to do it) and it was the fastest selling PS2 J-game to date...

S-E hired Level 5 to make DQVIII because after DQVII failed in the US market, they saw potential in cel shading as a way to make the game appeal to US games as DQVII failed because of its dated graphics.  Level 5 were making Dark Cloud 2 at the time and S-E were impressed especially after the game got critical praise.

From what I can tell, Level 5>Tri-Ace even though both are good developers.  WKC could make Level 5 gain some fame in the West.