2020 has been a tumultuous year, and though it may be drawing to a close, the situation remains unchanged for most.
Nevertheless, video games have helped many through these troubled times, and Frontline Gaming Japan is proud to have been able to continue to provide coverage throughout.
In this article, we take a look at some of the highlights from the past year (some from 2019 are included due to western releases being pushed to 2020)!
(Reviews are not included in this roundup: Check out our review section for them!)
Trails Series Sequel Kuro no Kiseki: Producer Interview
Falcom’s Trails series producer Kondou Toshihiro discusses the newly-revealed Kuro no Kiseki in this interview.
Interview: Yakuza 7 Developers Discuss the Genre Shift and New Protagonist
Yakuza: Like A Dragon devs talk about why the latest game in the series uses a turn-based RPG battle system, and features a new protagonist.
Playstation 5 Interview – SIE Staff Discuss UI, Design and Hardware
Sony Interactive Entertainment staff discuss the work that went into creating the Playstation 5.
Mega Man Battle Network: Developers Discuss the Conception and Possible Future of the Series
Former key devs on the Mega Man Battle Network series reminisce on how the series was made, and discuss the possibility of future content.
Xenoblade’s Takahashi On Definitive Edition Development, Learning from Failure, and the Future
Xeno series creater Takahashi talks about the development of Xenoblade: Definitive Edition in this interview.
How Xenogears 2 Didn’t Happen Because of FF: Spirits Within
Monolith Soft president Sugiura talks about how plans for Xenogears 2 had to be scrapped because of Square’s investments in Final Fantasy: Spirits Within.
Tactics Ogre 25th Anniversary Interview
The original developers of Tactics Ogre discuss their work on the game in this 25th anniversary commemorative interview.
Final Fantasy Tactics’ Ending Explained: Ramza’s Fate and the Return to Ivalice
We look at interviews and tweets from Final Fantasy Tactics writer Matsuno, in which he discusses his intentions with the game’s ending, and its relation to the Return to Ivalice storyline in Final Fantasy XIV.
FFVII Remake: Producer Kitase Yoshinori Discusses What Lead to the Remake and the Original Team’s Involvement in Development
Final Fantasy VII Remake producer Kitase Yoshinori discusses the reasons for a remake, and how the original staff were involved in development in this interview.
Final Fantasy VII Remake: Interview with Nomura Tetsuya and Kitase Yoshinori
Final Fantasy VII Remake producer Kitase Yoshinori and director Nomura Tetsuya discuss things such as how side stories are related to the game, the significance of the theme song, and work on the battle system in this interview.
Final Fantasy VII Remake Player Survey Results
The results of a survey conducted on Japanese FFVIIR players by Famitsu, showing how satisfied they were with the game, how they played it, and what their favourite things were.
Safer Sephiroth, W-Materia and More: 7 Mistranslations and Other Oddities in Final Fantasy VII
We take a look at some of the mistranslations and lost details in the original western release of Final Fantasy VII, including the infamous “Safer Sephiroth”.
13 Sentinels: Interview with George Kamitani and Vanillaware Staff
George Kamitani and other Vanillaware staff discuss their work on creating 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim in this interview.
13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim – Talking Spoilers with Kamitani and the Cast
We cover the talk event in which cast members discussed their favourite scenes and George Kamitani answered questions from fans about the story in this article.
13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim – Spoiler Q&A With George Kamitani
We look at a spoiler-filled Q&A session with George Kamitani in this article.
The Movies, Manga and Anime that Inspired 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim
The myriad of sources that George Kamitani drew from as inspiration for 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim, that he mentioned in interviews, compiled into a list.
Fate/Grand Order 5th Anniversary Interview – Nasu and Takeuchi Discuss the Future of FGO
Type Moon’s Nasu and Takeuchi discuss the future of Fate/Grand Order in this fifth anniversary interview.
Fate/Grand Order 5th Anniversary Player Survey Results
The results of a survey conducted on Japanese FGO players by Famitsu, showing how they play the game, and what their favourite things are.
Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne HD Remaster: Director Interview
Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne HD Remaster director Yamai discusses the original release of the game, and what they aimed to achieve with the remaster in this interview.
Ace Combat Series 25th Anniversary Interview
Ace Combat’s creators discuss the 25th anniversary and history and future of the series in this interview.