Highlighting A Studio I love: Team Asano
So, this is an impromptu post... essay...? Glaze session...? not sure how long this is going to end up... About a game developer that I've become a huge fan of over the last seven years. Which is Square Enix's Team Asano also known as Creative Business Unit ||. Now before I continue, I just want to say because many of the games these guys work on are large scale, story-rich JRPGs, I will potentially be spoiling thing for these games. I'm gonna try not to, but I can't make promises. So read at your own risk.
First things first, why did I feel compelled to make this? I mean gaming content on this blog that isn't Fire Emblem or Persona related doesn't really get that much attention. Well, its honestly just something for my own sanity because it feels like we are in a weird turbulent time in the gaming industry and we as gamers can feel it. Often, it seems many of the large scale publishers that survived the transition into the seventh generation of gaming have either slowed down their output, lost touch with their creativity, burned goodwill with consumers, or just seem to have created games that are just not as good as their previous ones. And while you could say, just stick to indie developers and their games, its worth noting the concept of indie is rising and its no longer your one man development projects, now we have guys like Sandfall making Expedition 33. Not only that, but multiple indie developers still walk a fine line when it comes to sustainability, there's a high amount of risk with their games not reaching enough in sales either to keep their teams and studios together.
So I decided to say screw it and actually talk about something positive from a major publisher like Square Enix. And that is that within in this conglomerate, there is a highly passionate team that have delivered quality gaming for years now. I think most big publisher have that one studio that's super recognizable style or has a defined brand while being part of a larger group: Sega has Atlus, Nintendo has Monolith Soft, Sony has Team Asobi etc. And for Square Enix it is undoubtedly Team Asano.
Now a little bit of background on Team Asano is that they didn't formally consolidate into the team that we know them today until 2019. Before that, they were known as Business Unit 11 with their head being long time Square Enix Producer Tomoya Asano. This team would end up working on the Bravely series, a series that unfortunately I haven't had the opportunity to play as I just missed them on the 3DS. Now I've heard nothing, but good things about these games and when you look at them, you can start to see the seeds of what this studio be known for (and I'm not just talking about the logo having the soon to be signature underline).
Yeah, I'm not gonna be some hipster and fib about how I was playing Asano games since Fullmetal Alchemist and the Broken Angel, no I got into this team around the same time as many other people did with the 2018 title, Octopath Traveler. And since then I've been hooked. Playing basically every game released from the team and I thought that this post be one big love letter as to why I appreciate these games as well as some short little mini reviews.
What is there to be said about Octopath Traveler 1 that hasn't already been said before. The game is almost the ultimate combination of old school turn-based RPG s in the vein of Dragon Quest and the technological advancements and quality of life adjustments afforded by the leaps forward in game development of the new school. It also spearhead the HD-2D game, a form of presentation that I know in recent months has begun to drag on some people, but honestly I feel like that HD-2D is still incredible, from the depth of the overworld, to the lighting, to the special effects. I think its a shame more major studios haven't tried their hand at this. HD-2D is something I've been begging for Pokemon to get into more than 3D high fidelity. And that's just the in-game graphics, the art and character designs for this game were done by Naoki Ikushima, who in my opinions is one of the modern-day GOATs of video game art. His art style is so filled with life and expression, but also color. The detailing on his pieces whether it be a character or environment almost feels timeless. Like it captures this sort of legend that has past, but will remain a beautiful memory forever.
But Octopath isn't simply just a pretty picture and coasting by on emulating stuff you like from the past, the gameplay is genuinely innovative. Break and boost add this level of depth to the combat that pushes you to experiment and not just go with the heaviest attack you can muster. But for me the biggest thing is the premise-Octopath Traveler is a game in which eight distinct characters are on their own journeys, they are the protagonists of their own stories. And yet, conveniently all eight of them are traveling together across the continent when their paths cross. Now multiple protagonist stories aren't anything new for video games, but it was incredibly ambitious to commit to not only eight stories, but that these stories would center on their respective character.
Now, at the time of Octopath's release it got a lot of praise for these aspects and being genuinely fresh, but as Asano has gone onto work on more games and hone their craft, its definitely easy to look back at Octopath 1 and have some negative opinions. Afterall, eight stories means that there are eight chances to write a bad story, right? Well, I'd say there isn't a bad story in Octopath, but there are definitely ones stronger than others: Primrose and Olberic were super strong for me, while Tressa is a fun but more episodic tale. Then there's Therion which I felt was played a bit too straight for my taste. Again, no story is bad, but considering how much time you'll be sinking into this game, I will say that some paths to have their flaws. Speaking of flaws, one of Octopath's biggest is that despite these eight fleshed out and defined characters being in a party, they don't interact.
This partially a product of the design ethos, as having all characters being the main character of their own story and be characters that you can basically choose any at the start and come across later at any time, its hard to foresee writing the group as a group. Unfortunately, this means we miss out on one of the best things about a big RPG party and that's the characters bouncing off each other, building a raptor, and allowing them to help each other grow as people together. I don't think Final Fantasy 9 would be as loved as it is if it hadn't been for its amazing cast and their interactions. It's unfortunate too, because had this been a cohesive group, I could see so much coming from characters interacting like Alfyn and Olberic or Primrose and Therion. But in the end there is an attempt to reveal that after playhing all eight stories, these characters are more interconnected than they thought as various villains they've met along the way are all working for a witch.
Overall, Octopath Traveler is still a good game that was a delightful preview of what was to come.
Okay, perhaps I spoke a bit too soon.
I struggled a bit with wondering if I should put this on here as it was actually developed by the company DokiDoki Groove Works, however multiple people from Team Asano including the man himself contributed to this game. And because this is a highlight of a studio, its only fair to look at them at their best and their worst.
For those unaware, Various Daylife was made as an iOS game before being ported to some concsoles in 2022 and to be honest, it does feel like a game that was meant to be played on a phone first and foremost. The combat and RPG mechaics are extremely simple and clearly made to fit the new operating software its on. I was extremely confident in downloading it at the time because I was going through a phase of playing games like Fire Emblem Heroes, Dragalia Lost, and Fate Grand Order. But even at this point in my life, I felt like this was mostly a small project. I can't really recommend this game, there's certainly flashes of writing brilliance, but I didn't connect with at all the way I did with Octopath.
But I assure you, after this, its all uphill from here.
I love this game. I cannot tell you how much I loved Triangle Strategy.
So, the premise of Triangle Strategy is pretty easy to get, just take that marriage of old and new school design and apply it to a strategy RPG instead of an adventure RPG. And as someone who is a massive Fire Emblem fan, this is something I was ready for. HD-2D was back AND we'd be integrating in different heights and terrains for maps and combat? Sign me up!
Like with Octopath, there is a multiple route story, expect instead of it being from different POV characters, your choices and decisions effect the game and which alignment you ultimately go into at the end. Again, as someone who is a Fire Emblem fan, I had been getting increasingly frustrated with how games that were pitched about being all about choice only really had one route that once you picked you were locked into, but in Triangle Strategy, your choices are always happening, just speaking with the towns people or even playing the game a certain way can cause your MC Serenoa to edge in a certain direction be it utilitarianism, morality, or liberation. And because this is a game without permadeath, it allows the core war council of House Wolffort all get character development and build a cohesive dynamic. With various other side characters picked up along the way of course.
I think to this game's benefit (and somewhat its detriment) is it is extremely meticulously written. Accounting for many different scenarios of where your characters would be and how the world would change thanks to the choices you make. And they are certainly proud of the writing because there will almost be entirely cutscenes of different areas of the continent and characters acting or reacting to events happening in the main plot. However, this has led to the game being labeled as "boring." Personally, I disagree and in my opinion, its not the game is boring, but rather this feels like an actual war novel given life as a video game. As opposed to a more anime-esque strategy game that may just go with its premise for the sake of getting the player onboard as soon as possible.
I don't think that this was the only reason this game had getting over with some fans, as Triangle Strategy is somewhat infamous for its dub. Now I love dubs, I think English voice acting is an unsung and underappreciated part of the entertainment industry. With a good dub making these characters come to life. Joe Zieja was able to breathe so much life into the character of Claude from Three Houses its hard to imagine him sounding any other way. Unfortunately, the same could not be said for Triangle Strategy. For its dub is majorly ridiculed for its direction, laughable delivery, and just overall stiffness of the lines. Now, let me be clear, I don't believe any actors were at fault, as many of them have proven their chops on other projects: Shai Matheson the voice of Serenoa showed off how hard he could go with Cammuravi in Xenoblade 3 that same year, Erica Mendez has made her mark on anime from Gon in Hunter x Hunter to Ryuko in Kill la Kill, same could be said for Stephen Fu who has been Doma in Demon Slayer and Iron Fist in Marvel Rivals, and this game even featured the late great Billy Kametz. So I do not believe the issues with the game's performance was merely "the actors were not good." It was most likely the direction given to them and they made do with what was asked. But its sad, as Octopath Traveler was pretty well acted, that this instead felt like an obstacle for some to get into.
But for those who do get into it, you are given one of the best multi route stories I've seen in a SRPG, we see people we love and care about on this journey either show their more darker or more concerning aspects of their personalities as tension and feelings rise to the point that for three routes, you always lose one key party member because your choice is just something they cannot compromise on. With character conflict that only through multiple playthroughs were you ultimately able to find the answers that could give you a chance to satisfy everyone.
I wish this game took the world by storm and brought in a bunch of new fans into the strategy RPG genre the way Fire Emblem three houses did, but forthose who are already into strategy games, you owe it to yourself to try Triangle Strategy.
Live A Live Remake (2022)
This is a peculiar one. I'll admit up front I have an extreme bias towards this game as I actually had played the 1994 original years before this game and I loved it, so I was extremely predisposed to liking this one.
For those unaware, Live A Live is RPG made for the SNES/Super Famicom that had the unique premise of being a game that had seven stories starring a new character in each. The twist being each of the seven stories would be scattered across seven distinct time periods. With a reoccurring villain known as Odio. Think Cloud Atlas, but a video game. This is also known for being the directorial debut of Takashi Tokita, who would go on to direct games such as Chrono Trigger and Parasite Eve.
The game would also feature a grid-based battle system for encounters and... It's not for everyone. Personally, I love it, but I've heard some find it complicated or unengaging. But even if the combat was weak, what stands out to me for how good this game is the diversity of its cast and its scenarios. It be one thing if this was a game where you played a pretty RPG boy/girl in a new time period, but no there's so many different people you play as: An old sifu, a robot, a shonen protagonist, a gruffy cowpoke, etc. And with each story being a unique scenario means you really see a level of genre fiction on display here. A love story in the prehistoric era that sees you defy the gods, a space faring monster movie, a Clint Eastwood esque wanderer who saves a beleaguered town.
Now, where does Team Asano come into all of this? Afterall, they didn't make these games, simply rebuilding it on top of the great work Tokita did. Well first of all, they not only changed the graphical style, added some quality-of-life improvements to the combat, and a radar system that can be turned on or off. But I think what's important about all of this is that it proves that Team Asano weren't just skilled in making original projects but are also trusted hands to put a remake into. While as a media preservationist, I do always endorse the original game being in some way accessible alongside the remake, this high-quality remake of a classic exposed not only a new generation to imo an underrated gem but built off and improved the game in the way you would want from a remake.
Octopath Traveler II (2023)
Behold, my favorite game Team Asano has made. I cannot express to you how much I fell in love with this game when I got it in February of 2023. Remember how I said that Octopath Traveler 1 was a good game, but over the years, it easy to look back on its flaws as Team Asano have built upon the foundation it had laid? Well, Octopath Traveler 2 is the game that in my opinion takes everything great about the first game, and super charges it.
Once again, the premise is still the same. Eight travelers, each with their own story, who all conveniently come across one another. SO, what's so different? Remember when I said there were no bad stories in Octopath 1, but some were stronger than others? Well in 2 every story is fantastic. Every character is three dimensional and their journey takes them and challenges them in ways that the previous game didn't. Whether you pick Partito a merchant on his quest to destroy poverty and bring prosperity that can be shared with others, Castti the amnesiac apothecary who is part of a guild that is reviled and hated as she pieces together why, Osvald a wrongfully convicted man on a quest to find the ones who killed his wife and daughter, or Hikari the prince of a conqueror kingdom that must defeat his older brother while grappling with his bloodline darker aspects.
And you know that lack of interaction criticism? While Octopath 2 doesn't have a fully fleshed out character interaction system as I had hoped, we now get characters making exchanges during combat, and the new crossed path stories. stories that specifically star two of the eight travelers. And it does wonders for fleshing out cast while giving them all a chance to interact. I am of course bummed there isn't more because had this cast been allowed to be totally cohesive as a whole, I think you have a party that would be on the level of Final Fantasy 7's that how much I loved these guys.
Once again there is also a massive conspiracy in the background that weaves into each character's story, but honestly, I think I like this one better than 1's. As this collection of characters you've met have been harvesting relics and ways to snuff out the sacred flames and cover the world in darkness. While the theme of light vs dark could come off as juvenile, the campfire motif of this game is what really sells me on it. You see night fall upon the world, but in the dark, there's this warm light that people from all different paths gather to and huddle together. It genuinely gives who a hopeful outlook on what we as people can overcome. I almost wish if like every time you gathered at a campfire and interaction played for like a specific group of characters like say a Tales game. That could be fun.
Also gonna show my super bias here because I started with him as my first traveler, but I personally think Hikari is kinda the main character of Octopath Traveler 2. Maybe it's just because he fills out a lot of the archetypes for a JRPG prince/warrior protagonist or the fact that Kazan in Hikari's story plays a big role in the end game, but it's also the fact his story starts at the western most half of the world and his journey to "find allies and depose his brother" takes him all the way across the continent's eastern half which if you did the journey almost counter clockwise you'd bump into ever character along the way. Obviously not where every single traveler needs to go as their own stories take them zipping across the continent, but if there was ever like an anime or adaptation of Octopath 2, I could easily see it being Hikari focused.
If I had one criticism, it's that the game is a bit too big. Now that sounds like a humble brag, but I can understand that a JRPG of this size with all this content from the main campaigns to the side quests, to the requirements to get the last chapter could be very overwhelming for some people. But if you are willing to knuckle down, this game is one I highly recommend.
Dragon Quest III/Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake (2024/2025)
Yeah so I know I'm kinda cheating lumping these all together. Full disclosure, I'm actually not that big a fan of Dragon Quest. It's a series that I respect, and I have reverence for all the things it did for the JRPG genre, as well as its beautiful Toriyama art and iconic music. It's a series that I appreciate way more than a series that I enjoy.
But I was still willing to try these because of Asano's handiwork. Once again, the studio shows off their skill in recreating a classic JRPG in their signature HD-2D style. With updates that keep the spirit of the original game alive while implementing the conveniences of the modern gaming age. I think that between these titles, I & II remake is one you'll get a ton of value out of for what you pay for, and if you are looking to sink your teeth into some classic JRPG comfort food, I cannot think of any better way to start with this series.
Octopath Traveler 0 (2025)
Now this was an unexpected surprise. So Octopath Traveler 0 seems like what you'd expect to be the third mainline OT game (not counting the app game), but in actuality it's a brand-new spin on a familiar story. Instead of eight unique travelers all with their own stories, this time you are creating your own protagonist who has the opportunity to recruit at least 30 characters on this journey each with their own sub quests. You can create parties of at least 8 at a time.
What's causing this is actually rather unique as your main character's home has been ravaged so they are looking to restore their lost town. Which introduces the newest feature of the game-a town building mechanic. And I'll be perfectly honest, this type of gameplay just doesn't appeal to me. I've never been a fan of games like Stardew Valley or Animal Crossing or the Sims. Rebuilding a living space just does nothing for me in terms of enjoyment. However, I think if you are someone who likes those sorts of things, you'll love how dense the number of building you can construct.
If there is a positive, I can give this entry. The character writing is still as strong as ever AND I think it has the most compelling villains out of any Octopath. Overall, this is a strange entry, but it's still really good and I'm still playing it right now.
The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales (2026)
Okay so kinda unfair to give this a full run down as it's just a demo, but from what I've played so far and from what has been announced, I'm super hyped. So, if Octopath Traveler was bringing that HD-2D magic to turn based RPGs and Triangle Strategy was doing that for Strategy RPGs, Elliot is doing that for real-time action RPGs.
So far, the game play is super easy to pick up and understand. And if you aren't big into turn based game play, this is probably more your speed as its closer to say a Zelda with its gameplay, various weapons and puzzle solving. But the big reveal is that this game will take place in the same town, but in four different time periods.
Gives me a very Slow Chocolate Autopsy vibes with building a story around space being stagnant, but time being malleable.
Elliot himself is also an extremely likeable protagonist with a pretty great navi. Let's just say I am super invested.
So why did I make this? Why devote so much time to glazing a developer that I like? Well like I said at the start, it feels like in the current game landscape there's a feeling of larger game companies losing a sense of their artistic vision and a mishandling of long time IP. But it's always worth remembering that there are still flashes of the artistic integrity and are completely trustworthy with remaking an existing game. That not everything in the big game industry is bad and terrible all the time.
Team Asano are great. And I really hope that this has gotten some people to try them out.
