My issue really isn't in whether the game is turn based or not, honestly...and to a degree, random battles don't bother me as much, so long as those two elements are given a decent sense of brisk pacing if I want it to, in order to help minimize drag that can occur from possibly being thrown into battle constantly with little control of whether or not I have to engage in it. If I came off a bit too polarizing on the issue earlier to some, I apologize.
Etrian Odyssey was an example of a game, for me, that had nice, rapid pacing in combat that made falling into random battles not a terrible chore, and Persona 3's combat was enjoyable for me, though it would've been nice to have more direct control over the full party. Final Fantasy X and X-2 both were games I found enjoyable in the combat and levelling mechanics (Though, realistically, I thought FFX's levelling mechanic was more interesting at its core, while the design and pacing of X-2's combat got the edge from me in that regard).
Given other impressions that I've picked up regarding the game (namely in how the skill system is given more emphasis for effective progress against bosses as opposed to strict levelling), I'm probably going to give this game a shot sometime when I have the ability to invest a good 10-20 hours into it over the course of a few days to get a good feel for the combat and other mechanics. Perhaps in context, the pacing of the combat may not be as jarring as some of the videos show it to be, but that's something I'll only be able to see when I play the game.
Skylock00
Nah, there's no need to apologize. I just didn't like the tone this topic was taking, because I've heard it all a million times before, and the argument never holds any water. I never played Etrian Odyssey so unfortunately, I can't offer anything intelligent about that one, but I agree on FFX and FFX-2. I liked the Sphere Grid in X, and I was once again reminded just how different every FF since VI had been.
As for Lost Odyssey, I'd just like to provide my early impressions for you or anyone else who might be interested-
First of all, being a writer, I'm consistently disappointed by the lack of decent writing in the video game realm. It IS getting better, and I can always turn to the likes of Kojima and MGS for a compelling and well-done story. But it should definitely be popping up more in the role-playing realm, because...well, because it makes sense. If I had gotten into Mass Effect, I'd like to think that one had some promise for solid writing and character development, because I've heard nothing but good things. However, it's very rare for me to find something in a game where I say to myself, "wow, that's actually pretty good." I said that tonight with Lost Odyssey.
During the game, you will unlock memories for Kaim, and those are relayed in standard prose form with some nice ambiance provided by blurred - yet artistic - images and a bit of fitting background music. Basically, you read these dreams, and they are surprisingly lengthy. But even more surprisingly, they're written with a clean, professional hand, with very few wasted words and an exhibited skill for conveying emotion. These mini-stories are very well done, and I also think Mistwalker took the correct approach in their delivery. They don't attach faces and voices to the memories, which in turn gives them the appropriate sensation of distance. We are, after all, learning about the memories of an individual, so of course we should get that information in a removed, second-hand manner. I enjoy reading, and I think this is very well done.
The story is going along well so far. Most will complain there's not enough combat, and after two and a half hours, I suppose I can agree. But I have spent a good deal of time exploring, and I've liked the cut-scenes thanks to good voice-acting, although I get the sneaking suspicion there's an entirely different writer behind the dialogue and the dream sequences written as fiction. I've just started to scratch the surface of both the Skill Link system and the Ring Assembly, but both seem straightforward and - hopefully - nicely implemented. There are some technical difficulties in the jerkiness of a few of the cut-scenes, the soundtrack isn't great (so far), and I'm not a fan of the basic control when just running around with Kaim (it's far too loose). I also haven't had enough time with the Ring system in battle, but I certainly would've liked more definition in both rings, so it'd be easier to get the timing right. But all in all, I think Lost Odyssey has a lot of promise, and I'm happy with the purchase. I'm not sure exactly what it is you're looking for, but I think it is important to remind everyone that they should enjoy stories and reading in general. It's not exactly Joyce or Milton, but for video games, the writing is quite impressive so far.
Done for now. :)
Log in to comment