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The Crossover Action RPG Nobody Asked For: Ys vs Legend of Heroes

Falcom combines its two banner franchises.

Posted Nov 26, 2009 at 02:47, By Anoop Gantayat

Remember that Dengeki PlayStation surprise Falcom mentioned in a recent blog update? It would have been pretty sweet even if it were just the PSP port of Ys: The Oath of Felghana. But it turned out to be a lot more than that.

Falcom is working on possibly the most unlikely crossover action RPG ever (or, maybe that should be "the only crossover action RPG ever"). Titled Ys vs Sora no Kiseki (that's not a tentative name!), the game combines the Ys series with the Sora no Kiseki (Legend of Heroes) series.

Ys vs Sora no Kiseki is played in the 3/4 perspective of the recent Ys games. But instead of adventuring through the land of Ys, you're battling it out with characters from the Ys and Sora no Kiseki series. Combatants confirmed for inclusion include Adol, Dogi and Olha (Ys VI) from the Ys side and Estel, Tita and Joshua from the Sora no Kiseki side.

In an interview with Dengeki, Falcom CEO Toshihiro Kondo explained how the project came to be. During the development of Ys Seven, explained Kondo, Falcom wanted to make something that used the PSP's ad-hoc wireless capabilities. Even though they weren't able to fit a multiplayer component into Ys Seven, they were still left wanting to make something with cooperative or competitive play.

But that's only one of the reasons why we're getting Ys vs Sora no Kiseki. The other reason, Kondo said, is because Sora no Kiseki, while an RPG, has a fighting game feel for its action patterns. Falcom felt that the game would work fine if made into an action title.

Development on the title appears to be early, but Kondo was able to give a general description. The gameplay screen will resemble Ys Seven, he said. The designers are looking into including breakable objects and warp points on the maps, and also have the maps change with the progression of time. Picture an evolved version of Ys Seven's maps.

Getting into the combat system, Kondo said to expect a simple control scheme and a feeling of speed. The developers are currently running through tests, so he wouldn't say if the control scheme will resemble Ys VII or Oath in Felghana more closely. There will be some sort of character growth system, including skills, equipment, armor, and even support characters.

In addition to multiplayer play, the game will have a single player scenario mode where you select one character and progress through a series of fights, complete with before and after dialogue sequences. Kondo wouldn't share any details on the scenario, but promised to not let fans down.

Dengeki managed to get a couple of sample screens of Ys vs Sora no Kiseki. The screens showed four characters fighting, but looked pretty rough overall, even lacking icons.

It does look like this unlikely crossover is a ways off from release. The magazine lists a planned 2010 time frame.

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Reader Comments (showing 7 of 7)

  • So the main focus will be on multiplayer? Fail.

  • I just wish they could move to consoles for a game or two. That would be a lot better for this game as they could incorporate online play that way.

  • This one seems like some kind of the Fan Game for Falcom fans who have PSP... Dunno how good it'be, but the idea wasn't exciting for me...
    Seeing the hint on the blog, I thought for sure it's going to be Eiyuu Densetsu 7...
    According to some blog, there's a comment from the Dev, mentioning they'll announce the info on the everyone's awaited (expected) title after this one and the port of OiF released... So, this time, will it for sure, be the Eiyuu Densetsu 7?

  • Okay, now that I've overcome how bad the title is and how far my expectation slammed away, I can say that, this one is pretty interesting. Especially for those who love the system of Ys Seven. So, I'll wait for more info to come.

    Seems like, on the interview, there're about 40 candidate characters. And discussing about, "How about making the heroine of Ys Series fighting over Adol, etc" ^^'.
    And next year, they wish to challenge another console beside PSP. 'The awaited title' will come after this and OiFp. Don't know what kind of 'surprise' they'll give next time ^^''

    BTW, who's the ilustrator? Is it the same as Seven (Enami), the same as Sora no Kiseki, or someone else?

  • "...they wish to challenge another console beside PSP."

    Ys 7 Wii port then? Seriously, I wonder what they're looking to? As PC-centric devs, the 360 is a logical technical choice, but it has a tiny userbase. The Wii has a huge userbase, but they don't buy hardcore games. The PS3 is a technical obstacle course, but offers the largest hardcore userbase combined with a robust platform. Then, of course, we have the shovelware ghetto of the DS. I guess just the sheer userbase numbers are enough to entice most devs to slap crap together, call it a day, sit back and watch the millions roll in. I hope that Falcom, being old school devs, have more self respect then that though. I'd be perfectly happy with them sticking to the anemic PSP, as long as they try to bring their A-game, instead of ripping off Monster Hunter.

  • Dunno what kind of challenge (game) they'll take on another console, but looks like they wish to expand their consumer console market.
    Maybe we'll see next year. Though it's not look like they'll abandon PSP or PC which they already have their share of market on them even if they challenge on another console.
    They're a fine developer. Wish them luck ^^

  • "BTW, who's the ilustrator? Is it the same as Seven (Enami), the same as Sora no Kiseki, or someone else?"

    I didn't see any illustrator mentioned in the Dengeki story.

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