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Post by Deleted on Dec 18, 2011 12:04:32 GMT -5
I just started yet another playthrough of Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete. I think this will be my 6th or so time playing through the game.
I love Lunar and its sequel a lot. I probably enjoy Lunar 2 a lot more from a gameplay standpoint, because eventually nearly every fight in the first game uses the same strategy to win, whereas you had to do a little more planning in Lunar 2 with the customizable skills. In terms of the characters and story I like the first game more though. I'm currently on the boat to Meribia, which is still about halfway to the point where the game really takes off, and even further away from the first encounter with the most badass of all badasses.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 19, 2011 23:16:14 GMT -5
Just cleared the Meribia sewers. There will be some slight spoilers ahead if you haven't played the game yet. I always forget how well put together this game is in terms of storyline and gameplay matching up. At the beginning of the game, you and your two friends are just starting an adventure. You're not particularly strong yet, in the story, as you get superpowered up I think a little over halfway through. All you have is a childhood dream of becoming this great hero, and as such the first few dungeons can be pretty difficult, especially the sewers.
By the time you get all your powers, you have become the next incarnation of that great hero, and you're able to run over most enemies in the game. You're also super-pissed by this point with what the big bad is doing.
This is one of the few games that I can play over and over and not get bored at any point. It also makes me sad when I think that Working Designs is out of business, because they brought some really great games over to the States.
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Fundertaker
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Post by Fundertaker on Dec 20, 2011 9:03:48 GMT -5
And Europe. Damn you, Working Designs, for making me addicted to Dragon Force. DAMN YOU!
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Post by Chronos on Dec 21, 2011 19:52:06 GMT -5
WD also brought some real junk here too (Vanguard Bandits and Elemental Gearbolt anyone?), and some of the good stuff they did bring over here was broken a bit by WD's mussing with the programming (like Silhouette Mirage or RayStorm) or their unique translation style. Even the Lunar remakes didn't escape unscathed, as the first game's translation is really dated in many places due to topical humor and references (Lunar 2's a little less so). How relevant are a Bill Clinton joke and Superfreak references in 2011? And let's not start on their rocky relationship with the Japanese companies whose games they were bringing over. I tend to still my tongue when it comes to them though, usually, because more often than not the stuff they brought over here was good. Not only that, but it was obviously a labor of love for Victor Ireland and I think their releases reflected that, with the super-swank special editions. Now back to Lunar discussion, haha. The Meribia sewers are indeed pretty tough, that boss is a pain in the ass for sure. Come to think of it, many of the bosses in the first game are pretty tough despite being so straightforward. They made the PSX version of Lunar 2 a little easier compared to this (and the original Sega CD version). I like your analysis of the connection of gameplay and story in the first Lunar as well, Tempest. You're right, and I've actually never really noticed just how well the placement of the game's story meshes with the relative difficulty of the earlier dungeons until you brought it up. It's a nice touch that I wish more RPGs would follow/would have followed. Also, I really like how good Ghaleon's voice acting is. I think it fits his character really well, a bit of a rarity for that period of videogames.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 21, 2011 22:20:07 GMT -5
Yeah, there definitely was some issues with Working Designs and some of the games they brought over and how they were localized, but when they got something right they were better than almost everyone. This is especially true in their bonus items - companies like Atlus and NISA do a decent job of packing in extras with most of their releases, but nothing they do will ever compare to the glory of a Ghaleon Punching Puppet.
I'm right near the midway point of Lunar if I remember right, and I enjoy how straightforward the game is compared to a lot of recent releases. The story is simple, the plot twists are mostly obvious, but the characters and writing are great, so the overall presentation works really well. Even minor background characters like the crooked store owner in Meribia and the assistants at Althena's Shrine have character development.
Speaking of Atlus, they will be releasing Gungnir next summer in the US. It's part of the Riviera/Yggdra Union/Knights in the Nightmare series of games. Atlus had been teasing their next reveal and from the hints I was hoping it'd be Growlanser IV, but I've heard good things about Gungnir as well.
Edit:
Actually, it wouldn't surprise me to see Growlanser IV either. Some of the clues that lead to Gungnir: The first letter is G. The last letter is R. It is a strategy-RPG It is the fourth in a series.
So, after they revealed Gungnir, they sent out another clue for their next game reveal. The clue? The game's title begins with the letter G.
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Post by Chronos on Dec 21, 2011 23:04:45 GMT -5
They're bringing Gungnir over? Excellent! I thought they'd just pass it up considering the PSP's status over here. I'm going to have to play through the Dept. Heaven series soon anyway; it's been awhile, and I haven't gotten to start the PSP Yggdra Union yet. Not really looking forward to spending a couple of days relearning Knights in the Nightmare though, heh. As for Growlanser IV, I had to change this part due to me not knowing it got a PSP rerelease, hahaha. The only candidates I could think of would be it or Gloria Union, unless they pull a troll move and just have it be more Game of Thrones info. The refreshing, relatively unpretentious straightforwardness of something like Lunar is something I also think is great. I wish some scenario writers would remember that something simple, stripped-down, but still strong from a story and characterization perspective can work just as well as something more complex. Grimm's fairy tales, for example. Not everything has to be Xenogears or Vagrant Story, no disrespect to those two games; a basic approach works just fine too if it's executed well enough, it's one of the reasons I love Dragon Quest games. Giving those side characters that little bit of character development also helps to add personality and charm to the game's world, which in turn help to enhance the experience so much. I wish some developers would remember this, Square Enix. Right on WD as well. I got Lunar from a friend and was impressed with all the cool stuff that came with it, but I was flat-out amazed when I got Lunar 2 at just how much stuff came with it. (It was somewhat bittersweet amazement because my soundtrack CD was rendered unplayable due to the cardboard sleeve being mismanufactured and getting glue on the disc surface, but still.) Missed out on the magnificence of the Ghaleon puppet, but still: standees, a dual-sided map/poster, a soundtrack, a making-of disc, Lucia's Pendant!, and the great hard-bound manual. And all the stuff the Arc the Lad Collection had too, my god. The games alone would be worth it.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 21, 2011 23:44:14 GMT -5
I have yet to play any of the Dept. Heaven games. Lack of systems (at the time) for the first two, lack of funds for KitN.
Atlus was borderline trolling both fanbases for Gungnir and Growlanser IV with their clues (one of the others was a small sample of pixels of the boxart, a sample that would fit either game's boxart) so I'm almost certain that they would be releasing Growlanser IV as well. I think Atlus (Japan) has the rights for it anyway so it would be an easy fit.
That simple storytelling is one of the reasons I enjoy Valkyria Chronicles so much. I can appreciate a Xenogears/saga style story at times, but more often than not I'm drawn more to the stories that are easier to relate to, especially when they have great characters. With Xenosaga, I like the series a lot, moreso the first and third games, but wow they can get ridiculously pretentious and convoluted at times. When a game needs an encyclopedia in the game itself to explain the plot, then the writers should step back and see what they can simplify or take out.
I only have three Working Designs releases - Lunar, Lunar 2, Arc the Lad. It was all I could do to afford them at 12, 13, and 14 years old with no job because while awesome they were really hard on the wallet.
My Lunar 2 soundtrack had the same problem but I think the glue came off with no real effort. I might have used rubbing alcohol, not sure. My Lucia's Pendant has some wear in the string but other than that everything has held up well. Plus there were the preorder bonuses on top of the normal extras - Ghaleon for Lunar 2, and a watch for Arc the Lad.
Arc the Lad's set was insane: Arc the Lad Arc the Lad II Arc the Lad III Arc Arena Monster Tournament The Making of Arc the Lad Hardcover Manual Character Standees Analog Stick covers Memory Card holder
I had the strategy guides for all three also, and even they were better than normal guides, though the Lunar guide has a number of mistakes. Wish they had released a guide for Arc III.
The only other WD set I really want to get is Growlanser Generations, plus Alundra but that was just released by itself. I also want to get Vanguard Bandits so I can have the full Lunar 2 set with the demo disc VB came with.
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Post by Chronos on Dec 22, 2011 1:07:18 GMT -5
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Post by El Cokehead del Knife Fight on Dec 22, 2011 3:59:35 GMT -5
I'd try to act surprised but did anyone not see this coming?
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Post by Deleted on Dec 26, 2011 23:09:59 GMT -5
Finished Lunar the other day. Damn that game is awesome. Got WWE '12 and L.A. Noire for Christmas, but I also got a PSP memory stick so I'll be able to play Persona, Persona 2, and Persona 3. Also ordered Jeanne D'Arc with some of my Christmas money.
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Post by Chronos on Dec 27, 2011 9:58:45 GMT -5
I'd try to act surprised but did anyone not see this coming? I guess Square Enix didn't. I'm taking a break from JRPGs after beating Xenogears last week. I got a few for Christmas, but they can wait. Beat SA2B earlier, so I need to update my sig; I'm amazingly not feeling up to Skyward Sword right now after waiting rabidly for it for a month, so maybe Star Fox Adventures or Eternal Darkness next. Enjoy the Persona PSP games, Tempest; the first is alright but flawed, Innocent Sin's a masterpiece, and I prefer FES to P3P but that's just personal preference.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 27, 2011 14:07:14 GMT -5
Yeah, I'm sort of taking a break from JRPGs for a bit with WWE '12. It won't be a long break, as JRPGs make up a large part of the games I play/own/want.
I'm trying to talk myself in to picking up the PS1 Persona 2 that I saw a couple weeks ago (if it's still there even). I have the money, but there's a few games coming out this year that I'm interested in - Devil Survivor 2, Dead or Alive 5, possibly Growlanser IV (if it indeed gets localized), maybe the new Suikoden unless it turns into the mediocrity I assume it will, and also AAI2 IF CAPCOM EVER RELEASES IT HERE DAMN IT ANYWAY
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Post by Chronos on Jan 1, 2012 17:47:43 GMT -5
What I said about taking a break fell through; can't resist the allure of Suikoden III. I probably should play the whole series all the way through, but I've been doing "10th anniversary playthroughs" of games for a few years going back to FFVIII in 2009. I'll do it after I finish the Sly games (the first one another 10-yearer). I've actually got quite a few games I can do this for this year, come to think of it. Had a few last year too but family issues and depression derailed a lot of them.
Grandia, Final Fantasy VII, Final Fantasy Tactics, and Wild Arms turn 15 this year, and Final Fantasy V and Dragon Quest V turn 20. How time flies.
If you can, Tempest, I'd recommend picking up Eternal Punishment. Innocent Sin is fantastic on its own, but you have to play both halves of Persona 2 to get everything out of it. And I say that as someone who hasn't played EP, haha. Here's hoping Eternal Punishment will get the PSP port treatment Innocent Sin got, too. At the same time, though, some of the stuff on your radar will have tiny print runs, so yeah.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 1, 2012 22:02:37 GMT -5
What I said about taking a break fell through; can't resist the allure of Suikoden III. I probably should play the whole series all the way through, but I've been doing "10th anniversary playthroughs" of games for a few years going back to FFVIII in 2009. I'll do it after I finish the Sly games (the first one another 10-yearer). I've actually got quite a few games I can do this for this year, come to think of it. Had a few last year too but family issues and depression derailed a lot of them. Grandia, Final Fantasy VII, Final Fantasy Tactics, and Wild Arms turn 15 this year, and Final Fantasy V and Dragon Quest V turn 20. How time flies. If you can, Tempest, I'd recommend picking up Eternal Punishment. Innocent Sin is fantastic on its own, but you have to play both halves of Persona 2 to get everything out of it. And I say that as someone who hasn't played EP, haha. Here's hoping Eternal Punishment will get the PSP port treatment Innocent Sin got, too. At the same time, though, some of the stuff on your radar will have tiny print runs, so yeah. My break ended too as I started up P3P. I like how streamlined it is which was probably a necessity for the PSP. I started with the female protagonist. I should do a Suikoden series playthrough, but two things make me dread the idea - Suikoden III's mountain pass, and Suikoden IV. Still, I have all the main series games now, plus Tactics, so it's doable. A ten-year replay sounds like a fun idea. As far as RPGs go, I'd have Arc the Lad Collection, Kingdom Hearts, Suikoden III, and Wild Arms 3 to do in 2012. If EP were guaranteed to come out on PSP, it would be an easy decision and I'd wait to get that version and then pick up the PS1 version later on.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 5, 2012 21:22:05 GMT -5
Decided to buy Persona 2 EP for the PS1. $40, disc is in great shape and the bonus disc is included, but sadly no instruction manual. So, does anyone know how I can find a copy of one?
Been mostly playing L.A. Noire, but have done a few rounds on P3P when I can. I forgot how difficult some of the early fights in that game can be, especially since your enemies use magic that Junpei and Yukari are weak against, which gives the enemies extra turns.
Also, Jeanne D'Arc arrived in the mail yesterday. Not sure if I'll start that soon or play through P3P first. One thing I already like about it is that the cover had artwork on the back, so I flipped it over and now have a badass alternate cover.
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Post by Chronos on Jan 8, 2012 13:31:40 GMT -5
I'll look into the manual thing. If I got 2 copies at GameStop in 2006 like I should've you wouldn't have this problem, haha. Also: February 28th; it's now official. So hyped.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 8, 2012 14:15:14 GMT -5
I've sent an e-mail to Atlus but I doubt they happen to have any extra copies anymore.
My MegaTen collection is nearly complete. I'm only interested in the North American releases, and I have:
DemiKids Dark Version Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. the Soulless Army Devil Summoner 2: Raidou Kuzuonha vs. King Abaddon Devil Survivor Digital Devil Saga Digital Devil Saga II Persona Persona 2: Innocent Sin Persona 2: Eternal Punishment Persona 3 Persona 3 FES Persona 3 Portable Persona 4 Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey
As far as I can tell, all I'm missing is:
DemiKids Light Version Devil Survivor Overclocked Jack Bros. Revelations: The Demon Slayer Revelations: Persona
Not sure if Jack Bros. should really be included.
That DS2 trailer looks pretty sweet, will be pre-ordering that one soon.
Nice avatar, by the way.
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Post by Chronos on Jan 8, 2012 14:59:51 GMT -5
Great collection, you've got mine beat for sure, haha. I also tried to find some manual scans for you, but the only thing I've really turned up is a potentially-suspect RAR file that I didn't bother with. Sorry. Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne Digital Devil Saga Digital Devil Saga 2 Persona 3 Persona 3 FES Persona 4 Devil Survivor Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. King Abaddon Persona PSP Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey Persona 2: Innocent Sin PSP Devil Survivor 2 (preordered since like August, haha) Unless you're REALLY looking toward completionism I'd avoid Revelations: Persona, it's not one of the most infamously bad localizations ever for nothing and I've only seen images/video of it. I'd count Jack Bros. as well, if Demikids and the new P4 fighting game count so should it. About Demon Slayer: I haven't played it but I've played a fan translation of Last Bible III, which is the same gaiden series, and it wasn't bad. The avatar's something I found while browsing the NeoGAF forums; someone requested it there and I decided to use it here. Cutest(/most poorly drawn) save file art ever? Maybe.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 8, 2012 22:37:42 GMT -5
I think I found the same site you did when I was looking ;D. Can't believe how hard it is to find a replacement, even if it is scans.
I kind of went on a rampage with MegaTen games, since I didn't get my first one until 2009 (Persona 4). Got P3 FES shortly after, then picked up every new release starting with Devil Summoner 2. Lucked in to Nocturne and the two DDS when Amazon had all three new for $30 each, so I've only had to get P2, the original P3, DemiKids and Devil Summoner 1 used.
I've heard about all of the problems with the original release of Persona. Unfortunately for my wallet I do like to have a complete set, so will probably pick that up if I ever see it for a reasonable price. I've never seen a Virtual Boy game outside of when they first came out, and it looks like Jack Bros. sells for quite a bit.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 9, 2012 22:29:18 GMT -5
No luck from Atlus. They no longer sell replacement packaging/manuals I've been loving Persona 3 Portable. The one thing I dislike with P3 is the tight schedule for social links, and I still dislike it with P3P. It seems like the game is a little easier though, so only getting a day or so to go through Tartarus per block isn't that daunting. I didn't have much trouble with the mid-boss shadows, whereas in P3FES, one of the first ones I had to take Junpei out of the party because his weakness led to me getting killed every single time. I also forgot how scary it is when the Reaper enters the floor. The first night I was in Tartarus (aside from the tutorial night) I had lucky treasure floors almost every other floor, so it was a frantic search for treasure and the exit before the Reaper showed up. I have picked up a lot of nice armor and weapons though, and a bunch of yen. I like that the female protagonist seems more cheerful than the male protagonist.
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