JRPG

Crimson Nocturnal, an English translation group, has released an English patch for Saga 2 Hihou Densetsu: Goddess of Destiny, the DS remake of Final Fantasy Legend II (Game Boy) released in Japan two years ago.

If this remake slipped your radar, a 2009 1UP preview may whet your appetite:

Given the original’s lasting appeal, it’s hardly surprising that Square Enix has decided to revisit the game with a remake. What is surprising is that this new remake is no slapdash cell phone game, but rather a full-on DS game with gorgeous 3D graphics and stirring audio quality. SaGa 2: Goddess of Destiny marks the first time a Game Boy title has been reworked to this degree — and it’s an impressive reworking indeed.

Final Fantasy XIII was released last year, and Final Fantasy Versus XIII is forthcoming. Now might be as good a time as any to clean the slate and start over.

In the West, Mass Effect has become a benchmark of sorts, offering the one-two punch of immediacy and innovation. Should Final Fantasy move away from its traditional Japanese role-playing element and ape, say, Mass Effect? Or Fallout 3? Is it necessary to hire a new character designer to give the games a fresh look?