JRPG Catch-All

Demyx wrote:

I didn't like the Eidolon battles either. For a few of them, I couldn't figure out what to do in a couple tries and just looked up a strategy to follow.

Momgamer's advice to get Haste though is essential for everything. Everything! Unlike some RPGs, buffs and debuffs are powerful and game-changing in this one.

Oh yeah, I totally got the hints, and I was doing what they want with switching. It was just a no go after 3 tries, so I moved on. I'll just hit up a walkthrough for very exact instructions next time I get to it. I don't have time to waste on unsatisfying mechanics.

Edit: I'll try to remember about Haste. I'm not sure if I even used it before. Maybe that'll help.

SixteenBlue wrote:
ClockworkHouse wrote:
Blind_Evil wrote:
SixteenBlue wrote:

Should I know what Bravely Default is?

Bravely Default: Flying Fairy is a well-regarded 3DS RPG from Square that features a job system favorably compared to that of FFV. The wikipedia page should give you an idea. Clocky and I have been hoping for a localization announcement for a while, it came out there in October.

Bravely Default is part of my 3DS wishlist of localizations along with Rune Factory 4, Shin Megami Tensei IV, and Dragon Quest 7. Sadly, I've given up on Beyond the Labyrinth getting localized.

SMT IV wasn't announced yet?

It hasn't been formally announced for localization, but like Dragon Quest 7, it almost certainly will be. Atlus is localizing Soul Hackers, after all, and that's a lot less popular of a title than SMT IV.

tuffalobuffalo wrote:

Oh yeah, I totally got the hints, and I was doing what they want with switching. It was just a no go after 3 tries, so I moved on. I'll just hit up a walkthrough for very exact instructions next time I get to it. I don't have time to waste on unsatisfying mechanics.

Edit: I'll try to remember about Haste. I'm not sure if I even used it before. Maybe that'll help.

Well, the biggest problem in Eidolon battles is usually the time limit, so yeah, Haste

Also, I looked up Minarchist's article on FFXIII's soundtrack and it was very good. I would actually put this soundtrack up with my other personal favorites, even if the game itself didn't crack my top ten or twenty.

ClockworkHouse wrote:

Bravely Default is part of my 3DS wishlist of localizations along with Rune Factory 4, Shin Megami Tensei IV, and Dragon Quest 7. Sadly, I've given up on Beyond the Labyrinth getting localized.

Despite your FFVI heresy, I must say that I entirely concur with this post.

Demyx wrote:

Also, I looked up Minarchist's article on FFXIII's soundtrack and it was very good. I would actually put this soundtrack up with my other personal favorites, even if the game itself didn't crack my top ten or twenty.

Well, being half right is better than not being right at all.

Minarchist wrote:
Demyx wrote:

Also, I looked up Minarchist's article on FFXIII's soundtrack and it was very good. I would actually put this soundtrack up with my other personal favorites, even if the game itself didn't crack my top ten or twenty.

Well, being half right is better than not being right at all. ;)

Even a broken Clock is right twice a day.

ClockworkHouse wrote:
SixteenBlue wrote:
ClockworkHouse wrote:
Blind_Evil wrote:
SixteenBlue wrote:

Should I know what Bravely Default is?

Bravely Default: Flying Fairy is a well-regarded 3DS RPG from Square that features a job system favorably compared to that of FFV. The wikipedia page should give you an idea. Clocky and I have been hoping for a localization announcement for a while, it came out there in October.

Bravely Default is part of my 3DS wishlist of localizations along with Rune Factory 4, Shin Megami Tensei IV, and Dragon Quest 7. Sadly, I've given up on Beyond the Labyrinth getting localized.

SMT IV wasn't announced yet?

It hasn't been formally announced for localization, but like Dragon Quest 7, it almost certainly will be. Atlus is localizing Soul Hackers, after all, and that's a lot less popular of a title than SMT IV.

Localization announcements usually happen after Japanese release. It's still to early for SMT IV NA release news. But it's probably likely, barring anything like zombie Hitler.

shoptroll wrote:
ClockworkHouse wrote:
SixteenBlue wrote:
ClockworkHouse wrote:
Blind_Evil wrote:
SixteenBlue wrote:

Should I know what Bravely Default is?

Bravely Default: Flying Fairy is a well-regarded 3DS RPG from Square that features a job system favorably compared to that of FFV. The wikipedia page should give you an idea. Clocky and I have been hoping for a localization announcement for a while, it came out there in October.

Bravely Default is part of my 3DS wishlist of localizations along with Rune Factory 4, Shin Megami Tensei IV, and Dragon Quest 7. Sadly, I've given up on Beyond the Labyrinth getting localized.

SMT IV wasn't announced yet?

It hasn't been formally announced for localization, but like Dragon Quest 7, it almost certainly will be. Atlus is localizing Soul Hackers, after all, and that's a lot less popular of a title than SMT IV.

Localization announcements usually happen after Japanese release. It's still to early for SMT IV NA release news. But it's probably likely, barring anything like zombie Hitler.

But what if we gave him cool shades?

Clockworkhouse, XSEED's twitter posted a picture of what looked like a parapet viewed through a wet window. Kat Bailey just responded saying, "Looks like Pandora's Tower is on the way. Nice."

Just thought you'd like to know ^_^ even if you do hate FF6 like some sort of monster.

WOW. I need to hurry up and play The Last Story then.

Demyx wrote:

On another JRPG note, I'm listening to FFXIII's soundtrack right now. Say what you will about the game, the soundtrack is so good.

Totally agreed, I finished the game about six months ago but still listen to the soundtrack almost daily. I don't get the same level of "song to story element/character" connection that the VII-IX soundtracks evoke, but the songs are good enough to be interesting on their own.

Also I'm now addressing a shameful lack of FFVI in my history by playing it on the vita.

SixteenBlue wrote:

WOW. I need to hurry up and play The Last Story then.

I mean, maybe she's wrong. But it was a bold enough proclamation to make her sound sure about it, and she was totally right about the Pokemon X/Y announcement a couple weeks before it was made.

NormanTheIntern wrote:

Also I'm now addressing a shameful lack of FFVI in my history by playing it on the vita.

Speaking of Nobuo Uematsu's greatest work...

Blind_Evil wrote:
SixteenBlue wrote:

WOW. I need to hurry up and play The Last Story then.

I mean, maybe she's wrong. But it was a bold enough proclamation to make her sound sure about it, and she was totally right about the Pokemon X/Y announcement a couple weeks before it was made.

She's a pretty reliable source, in general.

I would definitely put FFIV and VI at the top of Uematsu's tracks in my order of preference. However, I rather think his score for Lost Odyssey was underrated. I don't remember much at this point beyond finding myself often stopping and just listening to the music selections instead of playing the game, which I don't often do with games anymore the way I did during the 16- and 32-bit generations.

Blind_Evil wrote:

Clockworkhouse, XSEED's twitter posted a picture of what looked like a parapet viewed through a wet window. Kat Bailey just responded saying, "Looks like Pandora's Tower is on the way. Nice."

Just thought you'd like to know ^_^ even if you do hate FF6 like some sort of monster.

Yes!

Pandora's Tower was definitely the most interesting looking of the Operation Rainfall games, and I would be thrilled for XSEED to localize it. It also means that I'd get to play at least one new release on the Wii this year.

ccesarano wrote:
NormanTheIntern wrote:

Also I'm now addressing a shameful lack of FFVI in my history by playing it on the vita.

Speaking of Nobuo Uematsu's greatest work...

For me, the soundtrack for Final Fantasy VI is okay, but its most famous piece (the opera) is unfortunately and hilariously undone by the decision to present it with a really bad MIDI voice synthesizer. What's supposed to be a stirring, beautiful moment becomes laughably bad the moment that music kicks in.

ClockworkHouse wrote:

For me, the soundtrack for Final Fantasy VI is okay, but its most famous piece (the opera) is unfortunately and hilariously undone by the decision to present it with a really bad MIDI voice synthesizer. What's supposed to be a stirring, beautiful moment becomes laughably bad the moment that music kicks in.

I.e. you've been ruined by the progress of technology.

ClockworkHouse wrote:
ccesarano wrote:
NormanTheIntern wrote:

Also I'm now addressing a shameful lack of FFVI in my history by playing it on the vita.

Speaking of Nobuo Uematsu's greatest work...

For me, the soundtrack for Final Fantasy VI is okay, but its most famous piece (the opera) is unfortunately and hilariously undone by the decision to present it with a really bad MIDI voice synthesizer. What's supposed to be a stirring, beautiful moment becomes laughably bad the moment that music kicks in.

Actually, while that is one of the most powerful memories for me as a young'n, Dancing Mad is one of the pieces that makes me raise it up high. But truth told, it's the soundtrack as a whole that gets my love.

Out of curiosity, at what point did you first play Final Fantasy 6? I acknowledge that, at this point, without my nostalgia, that Opera scene wouldn't have been nearly so moving as it was when I was...10 years old?

grobstein wrote:

I.e. you've been ruined by the progress of technology.

No. I have no problem with 16-bit soundtracks, and the limitations that accompany them, in general. Using that voice was a mistake at the time and in the context of its time.

ccesarano wrote:

Out of curiosity, at what point did you first play Final Fantasy 6? I acknowledge that, at this point, without my nostalgia, that Opera scene wouldn't have been nearly so moving as it was when I was...10 years old?

I first played it as a teen. I've revisited it every few years since then (because it's so beloved).

Yeah, that was terrible. I played it around the same time as I played Gabriel Knight 2, which had an actual Opera in it, with real instruments and singing. There is no comparison. You are all just blinded by nostalgia and the fact that you were silly impressionable kids when you played it.

RoughneckGeek wrote:

This thread has opened my eyes. There are people out there that actually thought the FFVI opera sequence wasn't spoiled by that hideous noise pouring out over otherwise flawless 16-bit composition.

I thought the digitized opera "voices" were laughably horrible even the first time I played it (I was a teenager when the game released, and it was one of a very, very few SNES games I was able to buy within the first month of release). It was like an opera as sung by the teacher from Charlie Brown. "WAH WAH WAAAAAH WAAAAAAH! WAH WAH WAAAAH WAAAAAH!"

I do consider the instrumental composition of the opera sequence to be outstanding, and the opera sequence as a whole (including the player bits, like running up into the rafters and fighting Ultros, etc) was one of my favorite parts of the game in spite of the awful voices.

I cannot argue to nostalgia bias whatsoever. At the time it was unlike anything I had ever come to expect in a video game, and, well, even though it was a terrible midi-sound, I had a smile going from ear-to-ear for the whole thing. Hell, if they made an intentionally off-key horrid one for Locke as he interjected, I'd have probably laughed my ass off.

Was it a bad idea? I dunno, but I loved it at the time and, considering limitations of the tech, don't really have a recommendation for how to change it. But that opera scene will always remain one of the shining moments of "video games are capable of amazing, powerful, emotional experiences beyond power-ups and various sorts of points". The opening of Final Fantasy IV, which I played at the age of 7 or 8 for the first time, is the same sort of thing.

So today, sure, it's laughable. But for me, I don't care how young I was, that moment was beautiful.

The opera scene is still one of my favorite even with the bad midi voices. I smile every time I get to that part when replaying that game.

This version from the Distant Worlds concert series is pretty good:

I just saw the GBA version of FFVI at the used game shop I was at last night. You people are making me want to buy it.

walterqchocobo wrote:

The opera scene is still one of my favorite even with the bad midi voices. I smile every time I get to that part when replaying that game.

This version from the Distant Worlds concert series is pretty good:

And because I've been digging them since discovering them at MAGFest:

Basically, it's a really good melody to work with.

ALSO

Looks like Clocky has something to be happy about. Pandora's Tower confirmed for Spring 2013.

ccesarano wrote:

Looks like Clocky has something to be happy about. Pandora's Tower confirmed for Spring 2013.

YAY!

ClockworkHouse wrote:
ccesarano wrote:

Looks like Clocky has something to be happy about. Pandora's Tower confirmed for Spring 2013.

YAY!

I has a happy!

In less exciting JRPG news, Final Fantasy: All the Bravest is now listed in iTunes. Here's the app description:

The Active Time Battle system is back with the largest parties in FINAL FANTASY history!

FINAL FANTASY ALL THE BRAVEST is a touch-action RPG in which you continuously battle enemies to advance through the game’s many stages. Defeating foes earns you the experience points you need to level up, which in turns grants you character slots to add more and more members to your party.

Combat is based on the classic Active Time Battle (ATB) system of the FINAL FANTASY series. Every character possesses an ATB gauge that displays the time remaining until that character can execute an action. When the gauge is full, simply tap or drag your finger over the character to attack. Touch multiple characters in quick succession to experience exhilarating and fast-paced battle unlike anything you’ve ever played before!

Once every three hours, the Fever option will appear. Once activated, you will be able to attack without waiting for ATB gauges to refill as long as the chocobo-themed music is playing. Deal as much damage as you can before the battle fever ends!

■Characters, enemies, and music from throughout the FINAL FANTASY series!

Progress through the game to unlock over 20 different classic jobs, including warrior, monk, red mage, and more! Each job brings its own special abilities to the battleground, where you will encounter timeless FINAL FANTASY foes such as behemoths, bombs, and cactuars. At the end of each stage waits a harrowing encounter with a fiendish FINAL FANTASY boss!

The game’s musical library comes packed with over 30 songs from the series, the majority of which are themes from battle. The perfect soundtrack to listen to as your crush your enemies and see them driven before you!

■Track your collection of every character, enemy, and item with in-game catalogs!

The game’s three catalogs will keep a record of every character that joins your ranks, every enemy you encounter, and every item you obtain. Collect them all and open the catalogs to flip through the nostalgia whenever you like!

■Take part in leaderboards and social networking features!

Global leaderboards will rank players based on stats such as the amount of damage dealt in the course of a single Fever. You will also be able to track progress and other feats using the game’s achievement system. Social networking features allow you to post directly to Facebook and Twitter, and reward you for doing so by granting additional member slots. Post and tweet away to increase the size of your party for battle!

■Purchase premium characters and new game worlds!

The in-game shop offers access to 35 famous characters from a number of FINAL FANTASY titles. Each purchase ensures you will receive a new, random character. Which powerful favorites will you have join your party? You are also able to purchase additional game stages from FINAL FANTASY VII, X, and XIII. Board airships bound for new worlds where further adventures await!

Yay?

I have yet to run into a Uematsu composition I didn't like, but you guys are missing some good ones. Most people didn't like the game much, but the music from FF8 and FFIX have some great moments.

I'm in a nasty crunch at work, so today's playlist is running a lot of Black Mages - Vamo Alla Flamenco, Dancing Mad, The Decisive Battle, and just for a little over-the-top The Skies Above (and also because Mr Goo rocks).

Rather than me linking the three hours of music I have lined up, you can just go to Youtube and search for "Black Mages" and run through.

Farscry wrote:
ClockworkHouse wrote:
ccesarano wrote:

Looks like Clocky has something to be happy about. Pandora's Tower confirmed for Spring 2013.

YAY!

I has a happy!

Sweet!

They certainly made the ATB system sound complicated.