So, The Last Remnant...

[A user named cat]

Is anyone going to acquire it or at least bother with it?

Yes I know, it's a jRPG. The PC doesn't see too many of those though, especially nowadays. Battle system looks decent and quite different from most out there.

Here's Gamespot's smooching: http://www.gamespot.com/pc/rpg/thel...vert&om_clk=gssummary&tag=summary;read-review

 

[Admiral Rimjob POOBUM]

I tried the demo, available on Steam.
It's completely confusing, offers no guides or hints, and throws you in at a random point of the game with no explanation. And the QTEs are set by default to Xbox controller popups, though you can change that.
Wasn't very impressed.

 

[Hobo Elf]

Holy christ no. I was actually desperate enough to buy the game for the 360 when it came out, and it's absolutely dire. I could go on a long rant why the game sucks, but why bother? The only thing you need to know about it is that there are no redeeming qualities about it. It sucks.
Edit: As for the battle system being different, it's not. It just automates everything in a way that you don't really have any control over what skills your troops use. You just use vague commands such as "Defend, Attack, Use some skills, use some magic" and hope that they use the good skills instead of the crappy ones.

 

[Zeus]

They just mentioned it again over at Penny Arcade. Pointed me to a Game Trailers review which focuses less on the technical flaws (slow texture loading, etc.) and more on what makes the game unique -- namely, it's a turn-based jRPG on a next-gen console.

I can count the number of turn-based jRPGs available for my Xbox 360 on one hand: Lost Odyssey, Blue Dragon, Enchanted Arms, and this. The rest of the jRPGs on 360, Star Ocean, Infinite Undiscovery, etc., use the Tri-Ace real-time action-RPG battle system, which I've never been all that crazy about.

(Seriously, if you're going to let me and my friends co-op an action-RPG battle, why the hell can't we both run around on the map and in towns? Secret of Mana did it right; Star Ocean's co-op is as big a joke as Final Fantasy VI's.)

Anyway. Since learning it's turn-based ( in addition to being fairly awesome looking) I'm probably going to give it a try. From the look of things, it's laid out like an offline MMO, complete with optional guild missions (or as we still call 'em, "Shadowruns"), only with a focus on combat instead of exploration.

 

[Suicidal]

I played the demo. It's ok but that may be my hunger for new turn-based games speaking.

As a TB RPG it's pretty shallow - you have very limited options in combat and party customization and the demo was very easy except for 1 boss which casts confuse-like spells on the party, but even that one was only slightly less easy than the other battles. There was also some optional boss I couldn't kill because he one-shot my entire party, but I think you're supposed to fight him when you get more levels. I also didn't like the fact that all your units are fully restored after battles.

The idea of controlling squads of units with different skills and stats instead of single party members is pretty interesting, but they could have done a lot more with that.

The plot is... something about war or some shit, but who in their right minds would look for a good plot in a JRPG.

 

[Zeus]

who in their right minds would look for a good plot in a JRPG.

Uh... me?

Final Fantasy VI has one of the best storylines of any game I've played. Storyline is one of the biggest draws of JRPGs. They're linear to the point of being adventure games with turn-based combat instead of puzzles, but they've always had better plots than other (console) genres.

Granted, there are jRPGs where the combat is actually better than the plot -- Baten Kaitos comes to mind. But storyline is the main draw for most people.

 

[Imbecile]

But storyline is the main draw for most people.

In most genres, sure. But JRPG plots tend to be derivative messes for the most part. Admittedly, most computer game plots suck anyway.

 

[Applegate's Breasts]

JRPG's so kewl!

 

[Zeus]

In most genres, sure.

No, in this genre.

Why do you think so many people play jRPGs? For the combat?

Yes, pressing X over and over again, that's the big draw for them. Heal, or attack? Run or Item? These are the compelling choices that keep us coming back for more!

I'm not trying to get into a debate over computer vs. console RPG, which is comparing apples to oranges. I'm just saying that most people who play jRPGs do it for the plot, characters and storyline -- trust me.

 

[Imbecile]

Why do you think so many people play jRPGs?

I'm never entirely sure. I guess both logic and you are saying that it must come down to plot, but given my experience of JRPG plots - I kinda don't want to accept this. (I'm an optimist you see )

I always assumed that it was for the bad translations and slick xp grinding?

 

[A user named cat]

Hmm, after watching a Youtube video I see the combat is very deceiving. They make it seem like a deep and unique thing with all the unions and such, but like mentioned it does appear way too automated. That's a shame, was hoping for something deeper.

Lot of Final Fantasy fans are digging it though, of course. Wonder if it's shit outside of combat.

 

[Deleted member 7219]

The only good JRPGs I've ever played are the Final Fantasy games. All the others have shit gameplay and confusing storylines/characters.

 

[Fat Dragon]

All the others have shit gameplay and confusing storylines/characters.

You just described Final Fantasy 8. :wink:

I honestly haven't played many JRPGs that I've enjoyed either though. Only ones that come to mind are Earthbound, Chrono Trigger, and Nocturne.

 

[Luzur]

Secret of Mana fit in with those good JRPGS.

 

[A user named cat]

I've come across many more enjoyable jRPGs than Western RPGs. It's just that the best Western RPGs rape all jRPGs.

Like, I'd take Valkyrie Profile over a shitty Bioware game. I'd also take a Star Ocean game over any brainless Diablo clone RPG. I'd take a Suikoden game over a Besthesda game anyday as well. On the other hand, I'd take Planescape Torment over any jRPG to date. Same for Gothic 2, Fallout 1, Wizardry 8, Divine Divinity and a couple others.

 

[Vagiel]

Don't pass on Last Remnant! Actually it is part of the saga series which are known for complexity very different ideas and in no way hand holding at all. If you manage to disregard the somewhat indifferent main character and try to see it as a mostly non linear game you will find out its just genius. What it really offers is the chance to understand and explore the mechanics of the game yourself since everything it does is probably never done before and i speak mainly for the battle system.

Now about the battle system none of it is random or in anyway simplified, everything is affected by your position your formation your leader your team abilities and many other hidden facts you have to find out for your self! It is a time investment though because until you realize nothing is random it takes a while.

 

[pkt-zer0]

Don't pass on Last Remnant! Actually it is part of the saga series

As far as I can tell, it's not developed by the same people, nor is it even called "<whatever> SaGa". So... not really?

 

[Gwendo]

I don't like the combat system very much, for the reasons already pointed here.

At least, you don't have to micromanage your party. After each combat, the HP and AP are fully replenished. No need for healing outside combat, resting, etc.

 

[Jaesun]

If it is as good as the Suikoden series or the Xenosaga series (The only jRPG's that are are actually good games, good story, good combat, even choice and consequences)

So is it?

 

[phanboy_iv]

If it is as good as the Suikoden series or the Xenosaga series (The only jRPG's that are are actually good games, good story, good combat, even choice and consequences)

So is it?

C&C? Xenosaga? Did we play the same game?

EDIT: Oh. Sarcasm. *sigh*. I need coffee.

 

[Vagiel]

Don't pass on Last Remnant! Actually it is part of the saga series

As far as I can tell, it's not developed by the same people, nor is it even called "<whatever> SaGa". So... not really?

So you are right technichaly it is not part of the sereis but it is made by the same director (Akitoshi Kawazu) and you will find a huge amount of similarities like the way skills are learnt characters it was even supposed to have multiple characters at the begging like all saga yet due to time constraints i think only one made it.

I am a fan of the saga series maybe that's why i liked it so much and i think some of you would at least like it for the way it differs from most jrpg even though at first glance it looks like one.

 

[Rorschach]

I don't recall getting anything cool for beating every character in SaGa frontier.

And SaGa frontier 2 had the worst ending of any game I've ever played.

Does this games ending blow ass too?

 

[pkt-zer0]

So you are right technichaly it is not part of the sereis but it is made by the same director (Akitoshi Kawazu) and you will find a huge amount of similarities like the way skills are learnt characters it was even supposed to have multiple characters at the begging like all saga yet due to time constraints i think only one made it.

Kawazu is executive producer on this one, the director would be some Hiroshi Takai I've never heard of. There might still be a resemblance, though that wasn't obvious from what I've played of it. Which is, admittedly, not much, as the blandness got to me quite fast. (Mr. Diggs was the best thing in the demo)

 

[treave]

So is this game similar to Final Fantasy XII? I quite disliked that one, and if this one plays less like an offline MMORPG I might check it out. Also, are the characters and plot batshit Japanese-style anime insane (hopefully)?

 

[GMonkey]

I'm playing it now, and if you manage to completely ignore the pain that is the plot and characters, it looks like it might be worth having a look at for the combat alone.