Topic: Could use some decision help

[ejamer]

It was Red Steel 2 I played, not Rune Factory. I decided to go the weird route though and picked up Sakura Wars just because it seems like a weirdass game.

Let us know what you think of the game!  It seems to be getting widely mixed reviews, but certainly looks interesting (and weird) enough.

[KDR_11k]

The first two impressions were, in order, "stretching 4:3 graphics to widescreen? Seriously?" and "why are the main character's lines not voiced in segments where all other lines are?" He has a voice in the movie sequences so it's not a case of wanting to keep the voice undefined.

So far it's been almost entirely dialogue but that's expected, had one battle so far. Dialog options seem very right-and-wrong, you get a noise telling you how well you answered... I figure messing that up is part of the gameplay so I won't save scum it (besides you can only save at predefined checkpoints, it's no Phoenix Wright).

[Mop it up]

I'm surprised that IGN didn't knock points off Sakura Wars for being a port of a five-year-old game. Oh well, I'm sure GameSpot will come through.

[broodwars]

I'm surprised that IGN didn't knock points off Sakura Wars for being a port of a five-year-old game. Oh well, I'm sure GameSpot will come through.

They'd have to do the same for the PS2 version as well, which scored very well.  It can't be helped the Sega refused to bring that game over here for 5 years.  They did note, though, that it isn't the greatest port given some framerate issues (which I can't speak for, since I bought the PS2 version).

[KDR_11k]

There's some slowdown when there's tons of alpha on the screen but that's not surprising, every system slows down when that happens.

[noname2200]

It was Red Steel 2 I played, not Rune Factory. I decided to go the weird route though and picked up Sakura Wars just because it seems like a weirdass game.

 

Reading comprehension: Not my strong suit!

[KDR_11k]

Hell, I believe they didn't even release RF2 here.

[KDR_11k]

*sigh*

I'm slowly inching forward in Sakura Wars and that more out of a sense of duty after I spent all that money on it (I've just started chapter 4). It really doesn't grab me, never makes me wonder what's going to come next or think "I really want to play more of that". So far most answers were too easy, just pick the most clichéd one and you're going to make the most people happy. Combat was similarly easy so far, just walk up to the nearest enemy and bash its head in (and avoid charging ahead with Shinjiro against bosses). The chapter plot will automatically give the chapter's main NPC full motivation and a friendship boost, no matter how much you annoyed them before (I had Cheiron completely pissed off during her chapter but the resolution made the game tag her as my most favored NPC). The only part of the story I cared about so far was the trial and that was because it was all dependent on finding the right evidence to present, not just an automatic victory. The rest is just so uninteresting because it rarely means anything for you, a new evil guy announced? Who cares? Doing a photo challenge to get yet another drawing of one of the NPCs? Who cares? It just fails to build up any form of interest in what's going to happen next, there's no overarching plot present so far to drive things along (just the bad guys talking the usual bad guy talk about summoning their lord but all that means to me is beating up the guy they send out this chapter).

[ShyGuy]

Should have gotten Fragile.

[broodwars]

*sigh*

I'm slowly inching forward in Sakura Wars and that more out of a sense of duty after I spent all that money on it (I've just started chapter 4). It really doesn't grab me, never makes me wonder what's going to come next or think "I really want to play more of that". So far most answers were too easy, just pick the most clichéd one and you're going to make the most people happy. Combat was similarly easy so far, just walk up to the nearest enemy and bash its head in (and avoid charging ahead with Shinjiro against bosses). The chapter plot will automatically give the chapter's main NPC full motivation and a friendship boost, no matter how much you annoyed them before (I had Cheiron completely pissed off during her chapter but the resolution made the game tag her as my most favored NPC). The only part of the story I cared about so far was the trial and that was because it was all dependent on finding the right evidence to present, not just an automatic victory. The rest is just so uninteresting because it rarely means anything for you, a new evil guy announced? Who cares? Doing a photo challenge to get yet another drawing of one of the NPCs? Who cares? It just fails to build up any form of interest in what's going to happen next, there's no overarching plot present so far to drive things along (just the bad guys talking the usual bad guy talk about summoning their lord but all that means to me is beating up the guy they send out this chapter).

Judging by my recent viewings of the Sakura Wars TV series and movie, that's pretty much what the entire franchise is like.  It's a dating system that just happens to have battle system.  It's simple, but I enjoy it.  I'm not playing it at the moment because I just got Shadow Hearts Covenant in, but I do want to get back to it.
 

Should have gotten Fragile.

If it makes you feel any better, my birthday's on Wednesday and I did ask for Fragile as a gift (and Wii Sports Resort, for that matter...mostly to get a Motion + and play some basketball).  So Fragile likely got a sale anyway. 

[Stratos]

*sigh*

I'm slowly inching forward in Sakura Wars and that more out of a sense of duty after I spent all that money on it (I've just started chapter 4). It really doesn't grab me, never makes me wonder what's going to come next or think "I really want to play more of that". So far most answers were too easy, just pick the most clichéd one and you're going to make the most people happy. Combat was similarly easy so far, just walk up to the nearest enemy and bash its head in (and avoid charging ahead with Shinjiro against bosses). The chapter plot will automatically give the chapter's main NPC full motivation and a friendship boost, no matter how much you annoyed them before (I had Cheiron completely pissed off during her chapter but the resolution made the game tag her as my most favored NPC). The only part of the story I cared about so far was the trial and that was because it was all dependent on finding the right evidence to present, not just an automatic victory. The rest is just so uninteresting because it rarely means anything for you, a new evil guy announced? Who cares? Doing a photo challenge to get yet another drawing of one of the NPCs? Who cares? It just fails to build up any form of interest in what's going to happen next, there's no overarching plot present so far to drive things along (just the bad guys talking the usual bad guy talk about summoning their lord but all that means to me is beating up the guy they send out this chapter).

Nice to know my instinct was right about this game. It is totally not up my alley.

[noname2200]

Hmm, that's unfortunate. I liked Valkyria Chronicles, so I'd had hopes for this one. Pity.

[KDR_11k]

The combat system seems nice in theory but in practice it feels like the only approach is to clobber anything in range. Then again that's a complaint I have against many SRPGs.

[Mop it up]

I was considering buying Sakura Wars if I found it cheap since I like to try different types of games, but if that description is accurate then I may not bother.

[KDR_11k]

Well, beat Ep4, the fights were still too easy, the gimmicks don't come through at all. In the first one there were flying generators dropping poison and the poison had to be defeated within 3 turns of spawning but it didn't matter that much, you can let three (out of four) of 'em expire and even then you can still clean it up with the super move of your new and highly motivated (increased movement points) character. The boss fight is a trial and error affair, the first time I got obliterated while figuring out the boss's abilities, the second time I moved slowly, focus firing on the heavy weapons (the boss only had two and one didn't cover the area you could attack it from, easy pickings) and defenders, leaving him crippled and unable to attack since even the heavy weapons died without getting an attack out. Then it was just a matter of leisurely picking off the weak point (yeah, there was some gimmick involved but again taking it slow and focus firing will prevent that from dealing any damage).


The game isn't bad but it doesn't try to keep you involved either.

[noname2200]

Thanks, you saved me $30. I picked up Monster Hunter instead.

[Stratos]

Thanks, you saved me $30. I picked up Monster Hunter instead.

Then go post your game info so we can play together.

[noname2200]

Thanks, you saved me $30. I picked up Monster Hunter instead.

Then go post your game info so we can play together.

Will do as soon as I get comfortable enough with the game system. I'm quickly discovering that it's not a streamlined game!

[NinGurl69 *huggles]

ahahahaha

who wants to play Mario Kart?

[Mop it up]

I miss Mario Kart. It's always sad when the next big thing is released, because few people return to existing games.

[NinGurl69 *huggles]

When the Monster Hunter honeymoon is over next month, let's play some BWii.