Yasumi Matsuno is the creator of Unicorn Overlord, a vastly popular game today. It shouldn’t surprise players that he is known for creating classic tactical RPGs such as Final Fantasy Tactics and Ogre Battle. He responded to a fan with an interesting idea of how games should be played.
When a fan on X (formerly Twitter) shared positive thoughts about the game and drew comparisons to Matsuno’s previous work, the developer offered a contrasting viewpoint. Matsuno advised the player to forget about past games and approach Unicorn Overlord with a fresh perspective. He used an analogy from the music industry, saying that he doesn’t think it’s necessary to talk about past songs every time a new Taylor Swift song is enjoyed.
It’s a really fair observation. Even though Matsuno knows that he’s done a good job, it’s like he’s looking out for developers who may want to use his style to make their own games. It wouldn’t be fair to anyone to be compared to someone like Matsuno. It’s also not fair to compare Matsuno to his work in the past when his teams were larger or backed by a bigger budget.
The developer’s comments have triggered a discussion online about how players experience new games, particularly those within established genres. Some people have agreed with Matsuno, highlighting the need to value each game’s unique features and mechanics rather than constantly comparing them to past classics. On the other hand, some have mentioned that nostalgia and fond memories of beloved games can enhance the experience for many players. Drawing connections is a natural part of exploring a genre’s evolution.
It’s hard not to compare Unicorn Overlord to Final Fantasy Tactics or Tactics Ogre. However, we’re in an industry where the people who created genres are still making games. It’s going to be difficult to separate them from what were genre-defining classics. Overall, it’s good to consider, and it may be the start of a new wave of thinking.
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