GamerBraves
  • News
    • All
    • 3DS
    • All
    • Android
    • Anime
    • AR
    • Battle Royale
    • Beta
    • BlackBerry
    • Closed Beta
    • Comic Book
    • Concert
    • Console
    • Cookbook
    • Demo
    • Desktops
    • DLC
    • Dota 2
    • Early Access
    • Epic Games Store
    • esports
    • Event
    • Exclusive
    • Expasion
    • Feature
    • Film
    • First Impressions
    • Gadgets
    • Gaming Laptop
    • Giveaway
    • Guides
    • Industry
    • Interview
    • iOS
    • Laptops
    • Launched
    • Linux
    • Mac
    • Malaysia
    • Manga
    • Merchandise
    • Mobile Games
    • Mobile Phone
    • Movie
    • Music
    • New Games
    • News
    • Newsletter
    • Nintendo Switch
    • Nintendo Switch (Platform)
    • NSFW
    • Open Beta
    • Opinion
    • Origin
    • PC
    • pin to top
    • PlayStation VR
    • Podcast
    • Pre-registration
    • Preview
    • PS4
    • PS4 (Platform)
    • PS5
    • PS5 (Platform)
    • PSVita
    • Reviews
    • Rumour
    • Shut down
    • Soft Launch
    • Sponsored
    • Stadia
    • Steam
    • Streaming Series
    • System Update
    • Tablet
    • Tabletop Gaming
    • Tech
    • Television
    • Theme
    • Tournament
    • Unboxing
    • Uncategorized
    • Update
    • VR
    • VTuber
    • Windows
    • Windows Phone
    • Xbox One
    • XBox One (Platform)
    • Xbox Series X
    • XBox Series X (Platform)
    kabam king arthur

    [GDC 2023] Kabam Leads Tyler Black and Nick Anderson Give Us a Sneak Peek of King Arthur Legends Rise

    Nikke PC

    Goddess of Victory: NIKKE Upgrades Email Login to Level Infinite Pass

    Jane Hsu SpatialLabs

    [GDC 2023] Jane Hsu On How SpatialLabs Overcome its Hurdles

    spy family code white

    Spy x Family CODE White Movie Premiers In Late December

    Gunpla scanner custom

    Gundam Gunpla Scanner Will Support Custom Builds, Koji Fujiwara Says

    Gundam Metaverse Release

    Gundam Metaverse Is Getting A Beta This Year

    John Wick 4 Review

    John Wick: Chapter 4 Movie Review – It’s Been A Pleasure, Mr Wick

    Re:Zero - Witch's Re:surrection

    Re:Zero – Witch’s Re:surrection Launches for Mobile

    Park Beyond Release Date Announced

    Park Beyond Release Date Announced

  • Reviews
    • All
    • 3DS
    • All
    • Android
    • Anime
    • AR
    • Battle Royale
    • Beta
    • BlackBerry
    • Closed Beta
    • Comic Book
    • Concert
    • Console
    • Cookbook
    • Demo
    • Desktops
    • DLC
    • Dota 2
    • Early Access
    • Epic Games Store
    • esports
    • Event
    • Exclusive
    • Expasion
    • Feature
    • Film
    • First Impressions
    • Gadgets
    • Gaming Laptop
    • Giveaway
    • Guides
    • Industry
    • Interview
    • iOS
    • Laptops
    • Launched
    • Linux
    • Mac
    • Malaysia
    • Manga
    • Merchandise
    • Mobile Games
    • Mobile Phone
    • Movie
    • Music
    • New Games
    • News
    • Newsletter
    • Nintendo Switch
    • Nintendo Switch (Platform)
    • NSFW
    • Open Beta
    • Opinion
    • Origin
    • PC
    • pin to top
    • PlayStation VR
    • Podcast
    • Pre-registration
    • Preview
    • PS4
    • PS4 (Platform)
    • PS5
    • PS5 (Platform)
    • PSVita
    • Reviews
    • Rumour
    • Shut down
    • Soft Launch
    • Sponsored
    • Stadia
    • Steam
    • Streaming Series
    • System Update
    • Tablet
    • Tabletop Gaming
    • Tech
    • Television
    • Theme
    • Tournament
    • Unboxing
    • Uncategorized
    • Update
    • VR
    • VTuber
    • Windows
    • Windows Phone
    • Xbox One
    • XBox One (Platform)
    • Xbox Series X
    • XBox Series X (Platform)
    kabam king arthur

    [GDC 2023] Kabam Leads Tyler Black and Nick Anderson Give Us a Sneak Peek of King Arthur Legends Rise

    Nikke PC

    Goddess of Victory: NIKKE Upgrades Email Login to Level Infinite Pass

    Jane Hsu SpatialLabs

    [GDC 2023] Jane Hsu On How SpatialLabs Overcome its Hurdles

    spy family code white

    Spy x Family CODE White Movie Premiers In Late December

    Gunpla scanner custom

    Gundam Gunpla Scanner Will Support Custom Builds, Koji Fujiwara Says

    Gundam Metaverse Release

    Gundam Metaverse Is Getting A Beta This Year

    John Wick 4 Review

    John Wick: Chapter 4 Movie Review – It’s Been A Pleasure, Mr Wick

    Re:Zero - Witch's Re:surrection

    Re:Zero – Witch’s Re:surrection Launches for Mobile

    Park Beyond Release Date Announced

    Park Beyond Release Date Announced

  • Interviews
    kabam king arthur

    [GDC 2023] Kabam Leads Tyler Black and Nick Anderson Give Us a Sneak Peek of King Arthur Legends Rise

    Jane Hsu SpatialLabs

    [GDC 2023] Jane Hsu On How SpatialLabs Overcome its Hurdles

    Vertigo games

    [GDC 2023] Vertigo Games CFO John Coleman Speaks About Bringing Different Genres To VR

    PICO Peter Li

    [GDC 2023] PICO Head Peter Li Talks Third Party Partnerships and The Future of The VR Industry

    Paul Brady Interview

    [GDC 2023] Paul Brady Talks About Resolution Game’s Upcoming Mixed Reality First Person Shooter Game In Interview

    Zhang Jian Interview

    [GDC 2023] Zhang Jian Talks About PICO’s Role in Moving The VR Industry Forward in Interview

    resident evil knife

    Resident Evil 4 (2023) Interview: The New Knife Parry Was Made Specifically For The Krauser Fight

    World of Warcraft Embers of Neltharion

    Maria Hamilton And Patrick Dawson Promise Incredibly Slow Snail Mounts In Embers Of Neltharion

    Warwick PlayStation Malaysia

    Warwick Light Talks Getting More PlayStation 5 Units To Malaysians, Spider-Man In Bukit Bintang and His Love For Nasi Lemak

    Trending Tags

    • Sister Sites
      • Wanuxi
      • Gamer Santai
      • GamerWK
    No Result
    View All Result
    • News
      • All
      • 3DS
      • All
      • Android
      • Anime
      • AR
      • Battle Royale
      • Beta
      • BlackBerry
      • Closed Beta
      • Comic Book
      • Concert
      • Console
      • Cookbook
      • Demo
      • Desktops
      • DLC
      • Dota 2
      • Early Access
      • Epic Games Store
      • esports
      • Event
      • Exclusive
      • Expasion
      • Feature
      • Film
      • First Impressions
      • Gadgets
      • Gaming Laptop
      • Giveaway
      • Guides
      • Industry
      • Interview
      • iOS
      • Laptops
      • Launched
      • Linux
      • Mac
      • Malaysia
      • Manga
      • Merchandise
      • Mobile Games
      • Mobile Phone
      • Movie
      • Music
      • New Games
      • News
      • Newsletter
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch (Platform)
      • NSFW
      • Open Beta
      • Opinion
      • Origin
      • PC
      • pin to top
      • PlayStation VR
      • Podcast
      • Pre-registration
      • Preview
      • PS4
      • PS4 (Platform)
      • PS5
      • PS5 (Platform)
      • PSVita
      • Reviews
      • Rumour
      • Shut down
      • Soft Launch
      • Sponsored
      • Stadia
      • Steam
      • Streaming Series
      • System Update
      • Tablet
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Tech
      • Television
      • Theme
      • Tournament
      • Unboxing
      • Uncategorized
      • Update
      • VR
      • VTuber
      • Windows
      • Windows Phone
      • Xbox One
      • XBox One (Platform)
      • Xbox Series X
      • XBox Series X (Platform)
      kabam king arthur

      [GDC 2023] Kabam Leads Tyler Black and Nick Anderson Give Us a Sneak Peek of King Arthur Legends Rise

      Nikke PC

      Goddess of Victory: NIKKE Upgrades Email Login to Level Infinite Pass

      Jane Hsu SpatialLabs

      [GDC 2023] Jane Hsu On How SpatialLabs Overcome its Hurdles

      spy family code white

      Spy x Family CODE White Movie Premiers In Late December

      Gunpla scanner custom

      Gundam Gunpla Scanner Will Support Custom Builds, Koji Fujiwara Says

      Gundam Metaverse Release

      Gundam Metaverse Is Getting A Beta This Year

      John Wick 4 Review

      John Wick: Chapter 4 Movie Review – It’s Been A Pleasure, Mr Wick

      Re:Zero - Witch's Re:surrection

      Re:Zero – Witch’s Re:surrection Launches for Mobile

      Park Beyond Release Date Announced

      Park Beyond Release Date Announced

    • Reviews
      • All
      • 3DS
      • All
      • Android
      • Anime
      • AR
      • Battle Royale
      • Beta
      • BlackBerry
      • Closed Beta
      • Comic Book
      • Concert
      • Console
      • Cookbook
      • Demo
      • Desktops
      • DLC
      • Dota 2
      • Early Access
      • Epic Games Store
      • esports
      • Event
      • Exclusive
      • Expasion
      • Feature
      • Film
      • First Impressions
      • Gadgets
      • Gaming Laptop
      • Giveaway
      • Guides
      • Industry
      • Interview
      • iOS
      • Laptops
      • Launched
      • Linux
      • Mac
      • Malaysia
      • Manga
      • Merchandise
      • Mobile Games
      • Mobile Phone
      • Movie
      • Music
      • New Games
      • News
      • Newsletter
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch (Platform)
      • NSFW
      • Open Beta
      • Opinion
      • Origin
      • PC
      • pin to top
      • PlayStation VR
      • Podcast
      • Pre-registration
      • Preview
      • PS4
      • PS4 (Platform)
      • PS5
      • PS5 (Platform)
      • PSVita
      • Reviews
      • Rumour
      • Shut down
      • Soft Launch
      • Sponsored
      • Stadia
      • Steam
      • Streaming Series
      • System Update
      • Tablet
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Tech
      • Television
      • Theme
      • Tournament
      • Unboxing
      • Uncategorized
      • Update
      • VR
      • VTuber
      • Windows
      • Windows Phone
      • Xbox One
      • XBox One (Platform)
      • Xbox Series X
      • XBox Series X (Platform)
      kabam king arthur

      [GDC 2023] Kabam Leads Tyler Black and Nick Anderson Give Us a Sneak Peek of King Arthur Legends Rise

      Nikke PC

      Goddess of Victory: NIKKE Upgrades Email Login to Level Infinite Pass

      Jane Hsu SpatialLabs

      [GDC 2023] Jane Hsu On How SpatialLabs Overcome its Hurdles

      spy family code white

      Spy x Family CODE White Movie Premiers In Late December

      Gunpla scanner custom

      Gundam Gunpla Scanner Will Support Custom Builds, Koji Fujiwara Says

      Gundam Metaverse Release

      Gundam Metaverse Is Getting A Beta This Year

      John Wick 4 Review

      John Wick: Chapter 4 Movie Review – It’s Been A Pleasure, Mr Wick

      Re:Zero - Witch's Re:surrection

      Re:Zero – Witch’s Re:surrection Launches for Mobile

      Park Beyond Release Date Announced

      Park Beyond Release Date Announced

    • Interviews
      kabam king arthur

      [GDC 2023] Kabam Leads Tyler Black and Nick Anderson Give Us a Sneak Peek of King Arthur Legends Rise

      Jane Hsu SpatialLabs

      [GDC 2023] Jane Hsu On How SpatialLabs Overcome its Hurdles

      Vertigo games

      [GDC 2023] Vertigo Games CFO John Coleman Speaks About Bringing Different Genres To VR

      PICO Peter Li

      [GDC 2023] PICO Head Peter Li Talks Third Party Partnerships and The Future of The VR Industry

      Paul Brady Interview

      [GDC 2023] Paul Brady Talks About Resolution Game’s Upcoming Mixed Reality First Person Shooter Game In Interview

      Zhang Jian Interview

      [GDC 2023] Zhang Jian Talks About PICO’s Role in Moving The VR Industry Forward in Interview

      resident evil knife

      Resident Evil 4 (2023) Interview: The New Knife Parry Was Made Specifically For The Krauser Fight

      World of Warcraft Embers of Neltharion

      Maria Hamilton And Patrick Dawson Promise Incredibly Slow Snail Mounts In Embers Of Neltharion

      Warwick PlayStation Malaysia

      Warwick Light Talks Getting More PlayStation 5 Units To Malaysians, Spider-Man In Bukit Bintang and His Love For Nasi Lemak

      Trending Tags

      • Sister Sites
        • Wanuxi
        • Gamer Santai
        • GamerWK
      No Result
      View All Result
      GamerBraves
      No Result
      View All Result

      Interview With Live A Live Director Takashi Tokita: Why The RPG Classic Took So Long To Leave Japan

      In this interview, Director and Producer Takashi Tokita tells us more about returning to Live A Live and its international following despite being Japan exclusive for so long

      Alex Daud Briggs by Alex Daud Briggs
      8 months ago
      in All, Console, Interview, New Games, News, Nintendo Switch (Platform)
      Reading Time: 6 mins read
      live a live interview
      Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on TelegramShare on Whatsapp

      After almost three decades, Square Enix’s cult classic Super Nintendo RPG Live A Live will be released outside of Japan with a new remake later this week after 27 years of Japan exclusivity. We were fortunate enough to have the opportunity to have an email interview with the producer of the Live A Live remake and director of the original game Takashi Tokita.

      The original Live A Live was the first game Takashi Tokita directed however he’s had quite the career since then. He would later co-direct the critically acclaimed RPG classic Chrono Trigger and the cult hit Parasite Eve.

      Related Posts

      [GDC 2023] Kabam Leads Tyler Black and Nick Anderson Give Us a Sneak Peek of King Arthur Legends Rise

      Goddess of Victory: NIKKE Upgrades Email Login to Level Infinite Pass

      In our interview, Tokita told us more about what Live A Live meant to him, the struggles he had with bringing it overseas and to new consoles, as well as what it was like making the original game.


      Follow @GamerBraves

      Bringing Live A Live outside Japan in HD-2D

      The first notable aspect of the Live A Live remake is that it was made using the same HD-2D art style that previous Square Enix titles Octopath Traveler and Triangle Strategy used. The style has become popular among fans and revitalized interest in old-school RPGs. For our first question of the interview, we asked Tokita if he could tell us more about the decision to use HD-2D for Live A Live.

      He ended up telling us about how he always wanted to bring the game outside Japan and has attempted to remake it in the past, before being finally given an opportunity after seeing Octopath Traveler.

      Tokita: “We originally intended to launch a global release, but as the sales prospects in Japan did not seem particularly promising, we did not localize the game there. We attempted several times to remake the game and port it to other platforms, but we did not see those through to completion.

      While it has been a long time since the launch of the original version, we noticed that many fans have continued the legacy of this title on the Internet in their own special ways. I understand that translations have been created by fans from all around the globe, and other fans have approached us at events overseas to commend the game — notably, sharing that it’s a legendary RPG.

      A few years ago, when I joined the Asano team that is known for their hit title, Octopath Traveler, I saw an opportunity for the HD-2D remake for LIVE A LIVE. I’m glad to say that after around 30 years since the original plot was released, fans can enjoy the global release soon. I hope everyone in the world will play this game!”

      Returning the Live A Live

      The cover art for the original Live A Live (1994)

      Tokita made his directorial debut with the original Live A Live all the way back in 1994 for the Super Famicom (Super Nintendo). We asked him how it felt to be returning to such an important game for him all these years later.

      Tokita: “I could not be happier and was so deeply moved to be returning to the game.

      The title’s name was set as LIVE A LIVE with the will to express various ways of life, but I soon realized that it became my way of life itself. As mentioned earlier, we attempted several times to remake the game and port it to other platforms, but the remake was never realized. However, it is thanks to the enthusiastic support of our fans that made the remake possible.

      It has been around 30 years since the game’s original development, and we couldn’t have completed the remake without the unwavering support of everyone involved in the creation of the game. My deepest appreciation to everyone!”

      The unique gameplay of Live A Live

      The original Live A Live was a unique take on RPGs, being split between multiple stories which implement the battle system in different ways. For example, only one chapter actually has random encounters and another has no combat at all outside of the final boss.

      Tokita told us more about making this more unique gameplay style compared to other RPGs at the time.

      Tokita: “Games nowadays are very diverse, as they differ in genres, settings, and gameplay. However, looking back, I feel that many games followed a certain format.

      During the RPG movement created by Family Computer and Super Nintendo Entertainment System, we were aiming to express the genre and game feel more in the title, which did not exist in RPGs. However, by dramatically changing the story, maps, and battle elements, we strived to achieve a never-before-seen gaming experience.

      I think there were pros and cons to our approach at the time of the original work, but in this modern, diverse world, I believe our intention to make the game different than the others can be enjoyed by many.”

      The Dark Eighth Chapter 

      live a live interview

      Another feature that made Live A Live memorable was that after completing the initial seven chapters, a new secret chapter was unlocked that was known for its darker tone and surprising plot twist that you wouldn’t often see in the generally more lighthearted games of that time.

      We asked Tokita if he could tell us more about developing this chapter and the decision to give it such a somber tone.

      Tokita: “While there are many unhappy endings and dark plots featured in games that are popular today, it wasn’t that common in RPGs back then as many of them adopted a simple hero tale.

      The intention ties back to when I was younger and was dreaming of becoming a manga artist. When anime was getting popular, I then took up drama and acting in order to become a voice actor.

      At that time, there were a lot of manga, anime, and dramas that featured a dark progression in their storyline, which in turn induced deep emotions within me. This influenced me to become the creator that I wanted to be. I think that the challenges included in the game had contributed to the title’s popularity over the years since its launch.

      I also believe that as the game is an RPG, players can become one with the protagonist and are able to enjoy the game in a much more immersive way as compared to other genres.”

      Live A Live’s International Debut

      live a live interview

      We’ve already briefly mentioned that this will be the first time the game is available outside Japan. For our final question of the interview, we asked Tokita his thoughts on Live a Live finally being available to people around the world.

      He mentioned that despite being Japan exclusive, the game had quite a following overseas and that people had even fan-translated the game, acknowledging their passion for the title.

      Tokita: “Back when the original title was in the works, I was shocked that we could not localize the game for our international audience. However, I was deeply moved when I found out that people overseas played the game in Japanese, and there were volunteers who had translated it to other languages as well. There were also a lot of people who talked about LIVE A LIVE with such passion and enthusiasm at events overseas too.

      It has been around 30 years since the game’s original development, and now fans and newcomers can finally play LIVE A LIVE at its best! The localization of the game has also received excellent reviews for its quality, with careful translations and casting made for each chapter.

      I’d like to express my deepest gratitude to everyone who has been supporting us for a long time, and I’m sorry to have kept all of you waiting for such a long time! We hope that all HD-2D fans of Octopath Traveler and TRIANGLE STRATEGY, who will be playing LIVE A LIVE for the first time, will also enjoy it too.”

      The original Live A Live was fan translated into English by the translation group Aeon Genesis. It’s always nice to see creators acknowledging fan works and translations.

      While we have no confirmation, it wouldn’t be surprising if this international fan following played a part in allowing the remake to happen, showing that the game has an audience that wants to play Live A Live even after all of these years.

      Live A Live, Alive Again

      live a live interview

      We’re very thankful to Takashi Tokita for taking some time to write to us about Live a Live for this interview. As a veteran of Square Enix and classic RPGs, hearing his thoughts on developing the game and finally, seeing it reach the global market was fascinating.

      For a game all about telling different stories, it seems Mr. Tokita has lived quite a life of his own.

      The Live a Live Remake will be released for Nintendo Switch on July 22nd.


      Check This Out Next


      Tags: Live A LiveSquare Enix
      ShareTweetShareSend
      Previous Post

      Reliving My Awkward Teenage Life in The Sims 4 High School Years – Preview

      Next Post

      Holostars English Debut – Introducing TEMPUS

      Alex Daud Briggs

      Alex Daud Briggs

      A gamer, movie buff and anime fan who enjoys seeking out obscure cult classics, and proceeding to find no one to to talk to about them. A big fan of JRPGs, Visuals Novels, and Nintendo games even if he has trouble affording them half of the time. Twitter: @Aleph_Daud.

      Related Posts

      kabam king arthur
      Interview

      [GDC 2023] Kabam Leads Tyler Black and Nick Anderson Give Us a Sneak Peek of King Arthur Legends Rise

      March 27, 2023
      Nikke PC
      News

      Goddess of Victory: NIKKE Upgrades Email Login to Level Infinite Pass

      March 27, 2023
      Jane Hsu SpatialLabs
      Interview

      [GDC 2023] Jane Hsu On How SpatialLabs Overcome its Hurdles

      March 27, 2023
      Next Post
      Holostars English Debut – Introducing TEMPUS

      Holostars English Debut - Introducing TEMPUS

      Discussion about this post

      Follow us on Facebook

      Our Youtube Channel

      Our Twitter

      Tweets by GamerBraves

      GUIDE

      Higan Eruthyll Tier List

      [Guide] Higan Eruthyll – Tier List

      by Lucas
      March 22, 2023
      0

      [Guide] GODDESS OF VICTORY: NIKKE - Should You Pull For Biscuit

      [Guide] GODDESS OF VICTORY: NIKKE – Should You Pull For Biscuit?

      by Azrul
      March 24, 2023
      0

      epic seven eligos

      [Guide] Epic Seven – Should You Pull For Eligos?

      by Alex Daud Briggs
      March 16, 2023
      0

      space donut

      [Guide] Cookie Run Kingdom – Should You Use Space Doughnut

      by Alex Daud Briggs
      March 13, 2023
      0

      genshin dehya

      [Guide] Genshin Impact – Dehya Kit and Build Overview

      by Alex Daud Briggs
      March 2, 2023
      0

      • About GamerBraves
      • Contact Us
      • Privacy Policy

      © 2016 - 2022 Digital Braves Media Group Sdn Bhd

      No Result
      View All Result
      • News
      • Reviews
      • Interviews
      • Sister Sites
        • Wanuxi
        • Gamer Santai
        • GamerWK

      © 2016 - 2022 Digital Braves Media Group Sdn Bhd