I have also spent a lot of time at Gamefaqs, only for FFTA.
Matt - I'm not that into Advance Wars/Fire Emblem style games; too much strategy, not enough developing my own characters, I think. Don't get me wrong, I'm into TRPGs for the tactical battles as well, but those types don't do it for me to the same degree.
Re: Brave Story - looks like a fantastic traditional JRPG on the PSP, but I think I'm done with traditional JRPGs. Glad you're having fun, though!
And another question to add to the mix: Where's DSGamer in all this?
And another question to add to the mix: Where's DSGamer in all this?
Does he own a PSP this week?
Something about FFTA just completely clicked with me. I did put it down at one point, but overall I spent 60+ hours, and that's a ton from me. I played past the "first ending" to the game, got the guy who sells cards to join my party, along with that one girl I think (who is also from the real world), and couldn't seem to ever get any new missions after that - just repeats of stuff I had done, and offers for quests I didn't have the items for.
Those rules stunk but rarely bothered me.
Updated my firmware last night - that program you linked was the easiest PSP hacking ever, Matt!
Tried the first battle from the demo this morning - great production values, although it's very simple so far. I was a little shocked that there were load times, since it was located on the memory stick.
I'll get back at y'all once I've played the second battle.
Holy schneikes, I finally played the second level of the demo today - that Jeanne D'Arc is some kinda deep fried awesome! I am totally there. When's it drop?
The first battle was totally simple and boring! The second battle gave you tons of different types of characters and tons of fun abilities. I LOVE that the archer has a healing shot, for some reason. I just had a ton of fun. The production values are through the friggin' roof!
A week and a half is too long to wait.
I've played the second battle about 4 or 5 times now and I'm totally sold. The first few times were fun to check out the various abilities - one time it was simply to see the Mage's Inferno Skill (hits every enemy on the battlefield).
The last few times I tried to do it without anyone dying. I managed to do it by using the Transform skill to heal party members who were hurt, but I realized I could do it without transforming as well.
Finally did on my most recent try - I killed every enemy, didn't lose a single companion, and didn't transform with either of the characters who can. That was a good self-imposed challenge.
Some basic tips:
[*]Avoid being counterattacked whenever possible. Jeanne in particular has low hitpoints. If you use her "Crescent Arc" ability it has a 100% hit chance and the enemy can't counterattack. It's also useful for dealing with those Qrows with high evasion.
[*]You have 3 characters who can heal: Jeanne, Archer, and Mage. Use them.
[*]The gazelliaths are the most dangerous enemies in that battle. They do a lot of damage and they have the best movement range, which means they will be able to get behind your ranks and attack your weaker characters, probably from behind. That made them my highest priority target.
[*]There is a hidden treasure on the battlefield if you move to a certain spot and either wait/perform an action there. The treasure appears to be random.
Again, thanks for the heads up about this demo, it's sold me on the game. Now I just need to find some time to play it along with all the other great games coming out soon and ace the LSAT. No sweat.
Is there a difficulty selector? I didn't lose a party member on my first try!
Based on the demo, I think EGM should have given this game much higher marks.
Bumping this thread is good for all of mankind. I hope this game isn't too niche to see big success, because it deserves it. Everyone who owns a PSP should get it unless they just hate the whole idea of the genre.
Day one purchase, no question, and this is at a time where I'm completely engrossed with WoW. TRPGs are so perfect for portables, though. I will probably play this the whole time I'm on the plane to PAX.
Is there multiplayer? I could totally see myself playing a few matches at PAX.
With the onlsaught of AAA titles this fall and 2 other huge brands in TRGPs coming out in just a few weeks/months this would normally be a big pass and hope to catch it on sale/clearance down the road.
A really good demo has turned this into a strong possibility of a day 1 purchase for me.
@Fed.
The AI seemed really good at zeroing in and eliminatnig wounded party members. It's a fundamental strategy of this type of game - focus damage at the biggest threats to eliminate them early. Spreading damage out is generally inefficient. The AI of this game seemed to "get it" pretty well.
Matt - I think the word balloons are slightly fun. I can totally see how they appeal to someone who digs the JRPG vibe.
You're so right about the demo, and I've been clamoring for more demos forever - so glad Xbox Live has really advanced the cause. I went from "Jeanne D'Arc is just some TRPG in the shadow of FFT, FFTA2, and Disgaea, with a plot/characters I don't care about" to "ZOMG When can I buy this?!?!!?" I also thought "This is the kind of thing I bought a PSP for," because I don't think the graphics could be done on a DS (although I do think the DS has plenty of graphical power for this genre). I haven't felt this warm and cozy about my PSP since I bought GTA:LCS.
Where was this demo released? Obviously we had to go out and get it ourselves...it's almost crazy that they made it but didn't release it to the general public, which is the same argument I made in the thread about exclusive 360 demos.
This demo ought to be EASILY available to everyone with a PSP. Also, and I'm sure they would never go with this for piracy reasons, how cool would it be if there was a PSP-to-PSP transfer cable that let you trade demos to your friends? More for the younger demographic.
One unrelated question - I'm 3.5XMM or whatever now - I read someone saying you can get rid of the Sony logo on bootup? Where is that? Am I missing out on other cool options? Is there a web-based manual or something I should read? Thanks!
Fed, I think if you power off your PSP, then power it on while holding the right trigger button, you'll pull up a bios configuration screen. I believe that gives you the option to disable the Sony Logo on startup and various other options.
SommerMatt you're making me want to take the dust off my PSP and start putting it to use again. I'm going to have to get my psp up to date with the scene and try that demo out now.. I've just been busy with other things , my wii , but mostly world of warcraft eating up all my gaming time o_O
CURSE YOU WOW
Level-5 is known for producing high-quality RPGs, and their foray into the PSP realm doesn't stray far from their previous works.
This is a Level-5 game? Hell, that's all I needed to know...
Cannot wait. I'm so psyched.
Hey Matt, is there an easy way to rip this to UMD for faster play, under the current firmware? I'm buying it, no question, but I'd prefer to play with no load times.
Cannot wait. I'm so psyched.
Hey Matt, is there an easy way to rip this to UMD for faster play, under the current firmware? I'm buying it, no question, but I'd prefer to play with no load times.
I can't wait either. I just finished FF1, and was contemplating starting FF2 until I realized I needed a break between games that are so similar.
So it's puzzle quest for me until Jeanne.
As for ripping umd's: It's definitely possible, but I haven't looked much Into it and it appears to be a major pain. A much easier way would be to just buy the game to put your concience at ease and then download the ISO.
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