Official Next Smash - Speculation & Discussion Thread

[Louie G.]

So, what do we think of Astral Chain nowadays?

Still got a shot of getting a playable character given its lack of Switch-relevant competition... there's really only Ring Fit Adventure within this realm. So if there's a need to represent more contemporary new games / IP, then Astral Chain is a serious option. There's also a clear, self-evident gameplay hook to translate over that may be an inspiration for Sakurai. On these fronts it's sitting in a decent spot.

Although given its more moderate success and lack of buzz about the series' future, I also believe it to be kind of inessential. There's a pretty realistic scenario where Officer Howard goes the way of Isaac, Saki, Dillon and co before them. In my opinion Astral Chain is closer to these series than it is something like Pikmin or Splatoon that demanded representation prior, as a clearly budding franchise, or something in a more comparable position but made in-house like ARMS. Although in the case of ARMS, we can't disregard that timing served it well in the end. Had Min-Min not made it in I think we'd be a bit more uncertain about it, like we currently are with Astral Chain. Wouldn't be the first time a series just kind of missed its prime window of opportunity.

In my opinion the reason characters like Isaac and Saki had to sit back during Brawl was the character selection emphasized building on the existing series over introducing brand new series... which is kind of the direction I expect this next game to take as well. The difference is though, at that point Nintendo had introduced dozens of new potential series in the first half of the 2000s and has only put up a handful since Ultimate's release. Not sure what you want to make of that, but it's an observation nonetheless. Overall I think the opportunity is there but I can just as easily see it being neglected.

 

[BackseatSakurai]

Backseat Sakurai do you have an image of your roster?

It's not even a roster - it's just cuts off of the current one and a few swaps of veterans for different choices. You gotta watch the video I posted (or at least skim it), I don't wanna remove all the nuance and caveats and alternate possibilities i talk about etc

 

[CapitaineCrash]

On the topic of Astral chain as playable character, I personally consider the chances to be very weak. I do agree that lack of competition for new ip is something going for them, since Ring fit and Astral chain are pretty much the only note worthy new first party ip in the Switch era. But, Ultimate only had one new franchise being Splatoon, so I don't think it's a given that we'll get more than Ring fit and maybe a new retro franchise like Golden sun or something. I just don't see any scenario really where Astral chain would be really high priority considering all the possibilities the Switch era give us, like new Mario, Pokémon, Animal crossing, Splatoon, Fire emblem, Xenoblade, Pikmin, Zelda etc. who are all more succesful than Astral chain, got game released more recently than Astral chain (which is already turning 6 years old this year) and they probably got a stronger future than Astral chain (because personally I'd be surprised if Astral chain 2 is a thing considering the state of PlatinumGames).

 

[The Stoopid Unikorn]

Astral Chain has things both for and against it.

Platinum's implosion and the series not being as successful as other Nintendo IPs feels like it's holding it back, but the unique ideas that can come from the Legions and the lack of serious competition for new Switch IPs representatives are both very strong points in that game's favor.

I think the pros outweigh the cons here, but it could truly go either way.

 

[dream1ng]

Before the alleged turmoil within Platinum put the sequel's chances up in the air I would've pegged Astral Chain as quite likely, if not in base then as DLC whenever the second game showed up.

But now I think, should that game either not materialize or be stuck in some kind of development hell limbo, that its best chances lie with them opting for a large selection of base newcomers.

It's true it's not super recent anymore, but it is still a release since the last round of character selection, which means I don't think it'll be timed out as much as maybe just looked upon less favorably than if it was two or three years ago. For what it's worth, it was still a plus 1m title, which in that sense casts it in a auspicious light when compared to something like FDC, though ofc that series has the benefit of multiple titles.

Edit: Having said that, if this roster was truly chosen in 2021(?), then that is a significant boost to AC's chances.

In any case, I think it's more a dark horse pick these days. The pool for first-parties isn't particularly impressive, so I believe it still has a chance, but it really depends on how extensively they draw from the first-party pool. I reckon base is going to again be on the smaller side (not Ultimate small, but second to it), with greater focus on continual DLC, so that doesn't help AC. But we'll see.

I'd certainly like to get an AC stage and music though. Get some more cyberpunk styled content in the game.

 

[CapitaineCrash]

Before the alleged turmoil within Platinum put the sequel's chances up in the air I would've pegged Astral Chain as quite likely, if not in base then as DLC whenever the second game showed up.

But now I think, should that game either not materialize or be stuck in some kind of development hell limbo, that its best chances lie with them opting for a large selection of base newcomers.

It's true it's not super recent anymore, but it is still a release since the last round of character selection, which means I don't think it'll be timed out as much as maybe just looked upon less favorably than if it was two or three years ago. For what it's worth, it was still a plus 1m title, which in that sense casts it in a auspicious light when compared to something like FDC, though ofc that series has the benefit of multiple titles.

Edit: Having said that, if this roster was truly chosen in 2021(?), then that is a significant boost to AC's chances.

In any case, I think it's more a dark horse pick these days. The pool for first-parties isn't particularly impressive, so I believe it still has a chance, but it really depends on how extensively they draw from the first-party pool. I reckon base is going to again be on the smaller side (not Ultimate small, but second to it), with greater focus on continual DLC, so that doesn't help AC. But we'll see.

I'd certainly like to get an AC stage and music though. Get some more cyberpunk styled content in the game.

Personally I highly doubt the roster would've been chosen in 2021. We know after Ult dlc development Sakurai took a break before his next project, so unless Smash 6 was in development in 2021 with another director, I think the earliest roster could've been decided was 2022 and 2023 is probably more realist.

 

[The Stoopid Unikorn]

Personally I highly doubt the roster would've been chosen in 2021. We know after Ult dlc development Sakurai took a break before his next project, so unless Smash 6 was in development in 2021 with another director, I think the earliest roster could've been decided was 2022 and 2023 is probably more realist.

This is going off of the popular theory that the project plan he did in June 2021 was another Smash title. I personally think it has too much going against it for it to be true but Sakurai makes Smash so clearly a new project has to be another Smash, right?

And as an FYI, the break was not something Sakurai chose to take but something he was forced to take because whichever company offered him to do whatever project it is needed time to assemble a team.

If it were up to him, he'd have just kept working... and it's exactly what he did with his YouTube channel.

 

[dream1ng]

Has anybody seen Sakurai’s latest interview?
https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2...ould-avoid-trying-to-appeal-to-western-tastes

I agree with this 95%, insofar as I don't think existing franchises should be reshaped to become "Americanized". I think if the series has got that far, its appeal clearly resonates with a group of people already, and trying to change its identity will more often than not dilute and alienate people.

The seventh gen push from Japanese devs to make their games western-oriented and almost all of them failing spectacularly is a good example of this.

However, I think if the IP was made from the ground-up to be more of a global thing, then that's just fine. Some Japanese IPs just inherently align with western tastes: Resident Evil, Metal Gear, Silent Hill, the From stuff. Metroid. What's important is that the spirit of the IP stays true to itself.

Now that said, alterations here and there for the sake of foreign accessibility isn't terrible. Capcom streamlined Monster Hunter and really pushed World for global audiences, and boy did that pay off. But it's still Monster Hunter, it's not... Bomberman Act Zero, lol.

 

[CapitaineCrash]

This is going off of the popular theory that the project plan he did in June 2021 was another Smash title. I personally think it has too much going against it for it to be true but Sakurai makes Smash so clearly a new project has to be another Smash, right?

And as an FYI, the break was not something Sakurai chose to take but something he was forced to take because whichever company offered him to do whatever project it is needed time to assemble a team.

If it were up to him, he'd have just kept working... and it's exactly what he did with his YouTube channel.

Oh right I forgot about the 2021 project plan. In that case, I do agree that this is a significant boost to Astral chain chances, as many popular games like Pikmin 4 and FE engage would get the "Min Min and Rex" treatment (unless he does like he did with Greninja and come up with moveset with only concept art and stuff).

 

[The Stoopid Unikorn]

Oh right I forgot about the 2021 project plan. In that case, I do agree that this is a significant boost to Astral chain chances, as many popular games like Pikmin 4 and FE engage would get the "Min Min and Rex" treatment (unless he does like he did with Greninja and come up with moveset with only concept art and stuff).

It can be debated that Alear would not because if leaks about Engage are true, that game was practically done by 2020 as an anniversary title but things just kept on delaying it.

What things? We don't know, but I'd argue a mixture of Three Houses's own delays (basically trying to distance the two games so they're not literal months apart in release) and COVID quarantines likely played a part in it.

Either way, Sakurai would be capable of seeing Alear's potential even if the game wouldn't be out for nearly 2 more years.

 

[dream1ng]

Personally I highly doubt the roster would've been chosen in 2021. We know after Ult dlc development Sakurai took a break before his next project, so unless Smash 6 was in development in 2021 with another director, I think the earliest roster could've been decided was 2022 and 2023 is probably more realist.

We're so in the dark right now, all I can really posit is the earlier the roster was decided, the better it would be for Astral Chain.

 

[smashkirby]

Has anybody seen Sakurai’s latest interview?
https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2...ould-avoid-trying-to-appeal-to-western-tastes

I really hope game developers take Sakurai's words to heart here. Heck, this right here is why I've sort of fallen out of interest with PlayStation ever since the PS4 hit the halfway point of its existence. Once Japan Studio shut down, I was a bit shocked at how I just didn't really care about what PS had to offer anymore.

Hot Shots, Gravity Rush, PaRappa, Ape Escape and so on just stopped being a (big) thing. Crash, Spyro, Jak and Daxter, Sly Cooper, Ratchet and Clank all getting sporadic releases during this time really didn't help either..

Everyone, with what Sakurai said about Japanese games and Western fans or whatever...

Does this mean that the chances for Sakurai not adding back in game cutscenes for Smash Bros. has gone up, especially if he goes by what he said and not listen to Western fans?

I am kidding, of course.

I know you're joking, but I have to wonder if Sakurai might be willing to add in JP-only characters to Smash again in the future (i.e. Donbe and Hikari, Goku and Chao, Lip, Captain Rainbow, etc.) or if Lucas was the final fluke on that matter...

 

[Dukefire]

As stated before. Until Switch 2's direct on April 2nd and its release somewhere later this year, Smash News is currently on hold since no spark has reignited the flames properly. All we can do for now is just waiting. Here is some game music for today.

 

[BrawlX10]

Astral Chain rep has a decent shoot, sure it's nowhere near as likely as Ring Fit Trainee, but they're still up there imo. Yeah, sure AC was not groundbreaking but i feel like 1m is pretty good for a new IP all things considered.
I also don't think Sakurai picks all of the newcomers solely on if their games sold bonkers, like Xenoblade wasn't a groundbreaking sucess either in 2012, yet he still added Shulk because Xenoblade was beloved and sold well enough and probably because it had a future with Xenoblade X as well. (Which is funny to think about retrospectively because Xeno X is the one that has probably nothing to do with XC1 xD)
And honestly, i think they'll be more lenient in adding "nicher" picks than in previous games, specially first party-wise next time around, like the newcomer roster is not only going to be Waluigi, Octoling, Tom Nook, Meowscarada, Noah/Mio and Ring Fit Trainee if they plan to have like 10-12 newcomers base.

 

[Thegameandwatch]

Yeah, his out of touch views of Japanese games took Capcom in a bad direction, then he left the company and made one of the most infamous games of all time, then he started working on NFTs… I think the video game industry is better off without him.

While Megaman isn’t getting games that much anymore, at least it wasn’t oversaturated like in the 2000s.

 

[SPEN18]

Yeah if Sakurai's 2021 project is not Smash, then it doesn't look good for Astral Chain, and even if there were to be a sequel it's looking like that wouldn't be in time for base roster if the Smash plan was sometime else between around now and then instead. I think we've just seen plenty of similarly niche series exactly in this vein get passed over; most of the time there's something else that gets prioritized. The lack of other new Switch-era IPs certainly helps, but competing against Ring Fit doesn't. And if we're just looking for new series in general, there are plenty of others that could fill any possible retro, surprise, and/or popularity-oriented slots; that is, I think we can get an alright number of new series generally without sticking only to new Switch-era IPs, and the Switch-era reps overall won't be lacking due to many coming from existing series.

 

[Dukefire]

Astral Chain rep has a decent shoot, sure it's nowhere near as likely as Ring Fit Trainee, but they're still up there imo. Yeah, sure AC was not groundbreaking but i feel like 1m is pretty good for a new IP all things considered.
I also don't think Sakurai picks all of the newcomers solely on sucess, like Xenoblade wasn't a groundbreaking sucess either in 2012, yet he still added Shulk because Xenoblade was beloved and sold well enough and probably because it had a future with Xenoblade X as well. (Which is funny to think about retrospectively because Xeno X is the one that has probably nothing to do with XC1 xD)
And honestly, i think they'll be more lenient in adding "nicher" picks than in previous games, specially first party-wise next time around, like the newcomer roster is not only going to be Waluigi, Octoling, Tom Nook, Meowscarada, Noah/Mio and Ring Fit Trainee if they plan to have like 10-12 newcomers base.

Spoiler: Bonus: Dragon Quest VIII spirits.

Fighter Spirit: (I mean, duh lol)

Spirit: King Trode
Fighter: Small
Stage: Peach Castle Melee (Representing Castle Trodain)
Info:
. The stage is foggy (Representing the curse)
. Pokeball Pokemon Spawn (Gogoat) (Representing Medea)

Spirit: Yangus
Fighter: (Green Alt)
Stage: Colisseum (Representing Pickham's aridness and walled status)
Info:
. The fighter starts with a death scythe (Represents Yangus' Hell Scythe)
. The fighter has increased attack power
. Stamina Battle (220 HP)

Spirit: Jessica Albert
Fighter: (Saturated Alt)
Stage: Great Plateau Tower (Represents Alexandria's Tower)
Info:
. The Fighter starts with a star rod
. Fire and Ice-related items will aparear
. Stamina Battle (120 HP)

Spirit: Angelo
Fighter: (White/Red alt)
Stage: Garreg Mach Monastery (Represents Maella Abbey)
Info:
. The fighter will heal sporodically
. Healing Items will spawn
. The character likes to do up special (Referencing that Angelo learns Kaswoosh)

Spirit: Dhoulmagus
Fighter: (Purple Alt) + 2 (Minions)
Stage: Reset Bomb Forest (Second Phase)
Info:
. The fighter starts with a staff
. The fighter likes to taunt
. Reinforcements will aparear

Spirit: Puppeteer
Fighter: (Black Alt)
Stage: Gaur Plain Omega
Info:
. The fighter likes to taunt
. The fighter will avoid conflict
. Opossing Pokemon will aparear (Mimikyu)


Spirit: Demorilla
Fighter: (Blue Alt) + Invisible
Stage: Gaur Plain Omega
Info:
. The enemy likes to use side special
. Strong Winds
. You recive damage randomly

Spirit: Hipster
Fighter:
Stage: Dracula's Castle
Info:
. The enemy starts with a a unira
. the enemy likes to taunt
. the enemy likes to use foward special (Reference to his curse ability stuning)

Based on that, Sakurai selected a character to be a part of smash bros for various reasons. While I cannot be correct, it is an estimated guess.
1. History
2. Popularity
3. Design (Character(s) and Stage)
4. Moveset pool with references
5. Their personality
6. How difficult it is to bring a piece of their franchise to Smash Bros while maintaining his/her home series.
7. Timing

 

[dream1ng]

It can be debated that Alear would not because if leaks about Engage are true, that game was practically done by 2020 as an anniversary title but things just kept on delaying it.

What things? We don't know, but I'd argue a mixture of Three Houses's own delays (basically trying to distance the two games so they're not literal months apart in release) and COVID quarantines likely played a part in it.

Either way, Sakurai would be capable of seeing Alear's potential even if the game wouldn't be out for nearly 2 more years.

No doubt covid threw a wrench into most schedules, but I believe one reason given was that while base was basically done, they held off on release in part to get most of the DLC finished beforehand, so it would be able to arrive at a regular clip and not months and months down the road.

Either way, I would agree that Alear can't be taken off the table; I imagine IS would've been able to provide Sakurai will useable assets even in 2021 should Engage have been on the shelf for as long as claims suggest.

 

[Will]

Astral Chain?

Nah, we gotta go back and pick up Wonder Red. We forgot to let him in Smash 4; it’s only fair.

 

[Hadokeyblade]

On the topic of "Americanized Japanese games"

I greatly prefer it when they make these sorts of games based on what they THINK Americans would like as opposed to what they are TOLD Americans would like.

It's how characters like Sonic come to exist.

 

[Kirby Dragons]

So, what do we think of Astral Chain nowadays?

It's interesting how the game keeps getting mentioned, but I have no idea whatsoever of what happens in the game, or how Officer Howard fights. That makes me wonder if there really is much interest in Astral Chain. And this doesn't necessarily reflect how much Nintendo cares about it, but it's only a singular game with no announced sequels, so it could be easy to ignore.

 

[Will]

On the topic of "Americanized Japanese games"

I greatly prefer it when they make these sorts of games based on what they THINK Americans would like as opposed to what they are TOLD Americans would like.

It's how characters like Sonic come to exist.

No More Heroes is a Japanese series about an American otaku slaughtering criminals in (mostly) California. Or Texas, that one time.

 

[Ivander]

Astral Chain?

Nah, we gotta go back and pick up Wonder Red. We forgot to let him in Smash 4; it’s only fair.

To be honest, I'm surprised Wonder Red and Wonder Blue didn't become Mii Brawler and Swordfighter costumes. Heck, the Masks of the characters themselves that they add to "other helpers" when they add to their group would've been a good Mii headgear in general.

Actually in all honesty, there were alot of missed Mii Costume opportunities.

 

[CapitaineCrash]

It's interesting how the game keeps getting mentioned, but I have no idea whatsoever of what happens in the game, or how Officer Howard fights. That makes me wonder if there really is much interest in Astral Chain. And this doesn't necessarily reflect how much Nintendo cares about it, but it's only a singular game with no announced sequels, so it could be easy to ignore.

Basically, Astral chain is a action game similar to other PlatinumGames title (Bayonetta, Metal gear rising) or Devil may cry for example. The game take place in the future where the world is under attacked by Chimeras, monsters who come from the Astral plane. Akira Howard is a police officer who joins Neuron to fight the Chimera.

Akira has a special power call the Astral chain. With this chain, they can take control of chimeras (which, when under the control of Akira, are called Legion). The legion will follow Akira movement or can be controlled indivdually and there's 5 Legion that you unlocked through the game that all have their gameplay style (sword, arrow, axe, beast and arm). Aside from the legion, Akira can fight by himself using the X-baton, which is a police baton which can transformed into a gun or a sword.

So how this would translate in Smash, it's hard to exactly tell because the game has a fairly complex combat system with many options, but I'm sure the legion will play a role in the special attacks and the X-baton would cover the basic attacks.

Also about your point of it being a singular game, while this is true that it might hurt his chances, we literally got Min Min as dlc who came from a singular game. Xenoblade was also a singular game when Shulk was added in Smash 4, and a few retro characters come from franchise with just 1 game (Ice climber, Duck hunt).

 

[GoldenYuiitusin]

Actually in all honesty, there were alot of missed Mii Costume opportunities.

I'm not still salty about there not being a Shovel Knight costume for Swordfighter with Strike the Earth! as a music track like what Sans, Cuphead, and Shantae got.

Not salty at all.....

 

[NotGenerico]

It's interesting how the game keeps getting mentioned, but I have no idea whatsoever of what happens in the game, or how Officer Howard fights. That makes me wonder if there really is much interest in Astral Chain. And this doesn't necessarily reflect how much Nintendo cares about it, but it's only a singular game with no announced sequels, so it could be easy to ignore.

Astral Chain actually sold pretty well for a new niche action title. The last number we got for it was 1.3 million copies sold until December 2022. For comparison's sake, that's a little more than Bayonetta 2's Switch port who has sold 1.2 million copies. A sequel is probably happening because I don't think Nintendo would have bought the rights from Platinum if they didn't think it's a series worth investing into. A game like this helps diversify their portfolio, imo. Platinum is kind of a mess right now, though. Astral Chain's director is not even in the company any more, so we'll see what happens.

As to how they'd fight, the main gimmick of the game is using creatures known as Legions to assist you in battle. There's 5 Legions each with their distinct abilties. In Smash, I'd imagine they'd be an even more complicated version of Rosalina and Luma. The way I picture it is that the Legion would follow you around and could be sent to attack opponents from a distance if needed to. The ability to change Legions mid-battle would also be really cool, especially if each Legion gets their own Special moves. It could be Smash's first true Stance character if done correctly, which would be quite unique when considering they'd also be a puppet fighter.

Also, I liked the music from the game and would like to hear it on Smash.

 

[fogbadge]

To be honest, I'm surprised Wonder Red and Wonder Blue didn't become Mii Brawler and Swordfighter costumes. Heck, the Masks of the characters themselves that they add to "other helpers" when they add to their group would've been a good Mii headgear in general.

Actually in all honesty, there were alot of missed Mii Costume opportunities.

wonder green mii gunner?

I'm not still salty about there not being a Shovel Knight costume for Swordfighter with Strike the Earth! as a music track like what Sans, Cuphead, and Shantae got.

View attachment 400253


Not salty at all.....

yeah I was surprised by that too

 

[Ivander]

wonder green mii gunner?

Sure, Wonder Green does use a gun, but there is the problem of Wonder Green having a much different body from the Mii Fighters.

 

[The Stoopid Unikorn]

Sure, Wonder Green does use a gun, but there is the problem of Wonder Green having a much different body from the Mii Fighters.

Wonder Blue Swordfighter then

 

[fogbadge]

Sure, Wonder Green does use a gun, but there is the problem of Wonder Green having a much different body from the Mii Fighters.

they fudge the propitiations anyway

 

[Ivander]

Wonder Blue Swordfighter then

To be honest, I'm surprised Wonder Red and Wonder Blue didn't become Mii Brawler and Swordfighter costumes. Heck, the Masks of the characters themselves that they add to "other helpers" when they add to their group would've been a good Mii headgear in general.

#GamersCan'tRead

 

[The Stoopid Unikorn]

View attachment 400254
#GamersCan'tRead

If you knew me on Discord, me not being able to read would hardly be a surprise

 

[CosmicEternity44]

I really hope game developers take Sakurai's words to heart here. Heck, this right here is why I've sort of fallen out of interest with PlayStation ever since the PS4 hit the halfway point of its existence. Once Japan Studio shut down, I was a bit shocked at how I just didn't really care about what PS had to offer anymore.

Hot Shots, Gravity Rush, PaRappa, Ape Escape and so on just stopped being a (big) thing. Crash, Spyro, Jak and Daxter, Sly Cooper, Ratchet and Clank all getting sporadic releases during this time really didn't help either..



I know you're joking, but I have to wonder if Sakurai might be willing to add in JP-only characters to Smash again in the future (i.e. Donbe and Hikari, Goku and Chao, Lip, Captain Rainbow, etc.) or if Lucas was the final fluke on that matter...

I know what you mean. I do want to see Captain Rainbow in Smash as a playable character.

 

[GoldenYuiitusin]

If you knew me on Discord, me not being able to read would hardly be a surprise

Can confirm

 

[SharkLord]

Astral Chain has things both for and against it.

Platinum's implosion and the series not being as successful as other Nintendo IPs feels like it's holding it back, but the unique ideas that can come from the Legions and the lack of serious competition for new Switch IPs representatives are both very strong points in that game's favor.

I think the pros outweigh the cons here, but it could truly go either way.

I think what helps is the fact that AC is wholly owned by Nintendo, so even if Platinum goes under there's still the possibility of finding another team to work on it. At the very least, it looks a bit less dire than Bayonetta, which is strongly tied to Platinum, but is published by Sega, and has needed Nintendo's funding for the last few installments, making her situation rather messy.

 

[LiveStudioAudience]

Something I think that helps now is the technological developments with gaming have plateaued a bit so the rush by various Japanese developers to match the tech achievements of their Western counterparts isn't really happening anymore. That was one of the elements that brought about so many attempts at Westernization to catch up; American and European companies were already much more comfortable with cutting edge productions and moving onto HD development with much greater ease than their Japanese equivalents. That's not even getting into PC gaming which took much longer on average for Japanese companies to consistently execute with the same skill as other regions.

But now, in an era of everything ending up on Steam and the clear gaming industry problems in going too big and too intense with games/assets (see the bloated employee count and overhead for Ubisoft) there's far less pressure and incentive to make the big Americanized game to earn that big hypothetical money. Keep the costs down, keep your range of platforms wide, and keep your games still fundamentally Japanese has yielded some pretty strong dividends.

 

[Undella2]

What happened with PlatinumGames, anyway?

 

[The Stoopid Unikorn]

What happened with PlatinumGames, anyway?

If I recall, things started to fall apart the moment Hideki Kamiya left the company.

There might me more that I forgot though.

 

[Laniv]

What happened with PlatinumGames, anyway?

Babylon's Fall failed to meet expectations when it released in 2022, a lot of staff started to leave, including Kenji Saito and Takahisa Taura, the directors of Metal Gear Rising and Astral Chain respectively, Kamiya leaving the company, pretty much everything around Bayonetta 3, Project G.G, which was announced in 2020, is rumored to be cancelled...

Yeah, it's been a rough couple of years for Platinum.

 

[NotGenerico]

Regarding Platinum, I really, really hope that Ninja Gaiden 4 turns out to be good, not only because I like Ninja Gaiden, but because I'd like Platinum to get out of their recent funk.