I loved Blue Dragon. It wasn’t perfect, but it was one of the first great role-playing games of this generation. The second installment in the series, Blue Dragon Plus, moved the gameplay from the 360 to the DS, and ditched traditional turn-based battles in favor of more strategic gameplay. While this was okay, it didn’t really measure up to the charm and addictive nature of the first game. However, the next Blue Dragon game, called Blue Dragon: Awakened Shadow, will bring back the JRPG gameplay we all know and love, and it’s coming in spring 2010.

Oh yeah, and it’s also coming to the DS.

It’s not that I mind a good handheld RPG, but the DS is overflowing with them, while console JRPGs have been few and far between this generation. Maybe I’m being nitpicky, but it would have been nice to get a sequel on the 360 or PS3. It will be nice to see what Shu and his friends have been up to, as well as learn more about the game’s mysterious new protagonist, which will apparently be determined by character customization. That’s an interesting feature, and I’m excited to see how it will affect the game’s story. It might not be the next huge RPG, but it should occupy my spring months and keep me satisfied until Final Fantasy XIII finally comes out.

[Source]