RPG Progress Report

[Xeogred]

I played Legend of Dragoon a bit later myself and couldn't do it. Love the aesthetics of those PSX JRPG's and all, but the combos just kept getting longer and longer and longer from what I remember. Normal battles ended up being kind of tedious, don't think I got past the fourth disc.

Currently I am about 11 hours into a Chrono Cross replay after having not played it in probably 10 years or something. I played this one all the time back when it was new (it was my first PSX game that I owned myself!), which lends itself well to that since the game has some high replay value if you dig deep enough. That said, I've always thought that was a double edged sword with how many weird triggers this game has. I hate that I miss out on character X for doing this or that, or get this character instead... it's a bit odd. And there's just too many, Kid is awesome, but the plot would have been even greater with a smaller more focused cast of playable characters I think.

So... major nostalgia aside, I would say I'm having more fun with it just walking around and talking (it helps that the NPC's actually have fun things to say in this one), figuring things out, etc. It's mindblowing how good the game still looks visually, the prerendered backdrops are gorgeous. And the OST is so wonderfully serene and dense. Serene is the word for most of the experience I'd say, it's calming and fits my mood perfectly lately.

The battles are my least favorite haha, but still not horrible or anything. Most of this game IS the talking I'd say, walking around and interracting with the world. But yeah, the elements system is just kind of cumbersome I'd say, since it acts as both your magic and items. Definitely a lot of flexibility with it, but it's never been my favorite. As for the combos/percentage thing in this one, I think other games, especially Xenogears or something, did it way better. I also don't like the battle theme very much at all in this one... one of the weaker Mitsuda songs, I mean it consistently fits with the rest of the game, but yeah it never clicked with me.

Overall it's still awesome and has been a great trip down memory lane. I still think it's unfair how a lot of people slam it coming out of Chrono Trigger. I think it's best to see this as the same case as Xenogears and Xenosaga or something, Cross is really just a sequel in name, even if it does have some direct connections later on, it's not much and just about everything else about the game is completely different and standalone. I never have or will like it as much as Chrono Trigger, but it's definitely a worthwhile venture and artistically incredible, so totally worth a look for any who haven't given it a chance.

Always thought this was my favorite track from it, as hard as it is to narrow that down:

[Sload Soap]

@Mr Popo, I think Basch is the guy you mean? I just freed him and he is currently a guest in my team. The manual says he's 36 which is pretty much an OAP.*

I think it is the other non vaan male Popo.

I like his character. But what kills me is how tiny and skinny his arms are. He is supposed to be this warrior that weilds these heavy swords with arms of a 12 yr old boy.

He pretty much has the everything of a 12 year old. But after IX in which two members of your party are under ten years old, I'll give it a pass.

*Off topic, but I like how for Lost Odyssey Sakaguchi finally gave us that mature lead...and made him over a thousand years old. Keep going japan, you'll get there. Double side note, but what happened to the Strago's, Galuf's and Tellah's? More crazy old coots in my FF please!

[BoneSnapDeez]

Stocke from Radiant Historia should have been a good mature lead, but they made him like 19 years old or some shit.

Magic Knight Rayearth

Just beat the spider boss in the caves. Arrived at the beach.

Fuu is the best character to play as because she has a projectile weapon.

Oh and this game isn't really an action-RPG as far as I can tell. More like a Zelda-type game. There's no experience points and grinding will only get you money and health/magic refill items.

[Sload Soap]

Chopin looks pretty good for 39.

[Ack]

Ok, I played a bit more of Live A Live last night. My current party is Sunset, Yuan Li, Pogo, and Akira. So far I've finished dungeons for Masaru, Sunset, and Cube, and I am making my way through Pogo's dungeon. I have three pieces of Ariel armor, specifically the Ariel Helmet, Ariel Glove, and Ariel Ring, so only two pieces remain. My current plan is to finish Pogo's dungeon and then go for Yuan Li's, followed by Akira's. After that, I have to hope I can get Oboro.

Unfortunately, I think I leveled Oboro a bit too much, as he has kicked Sunset's butt every time I've tried to recruit him(which requires a one on one fight with your selected character). Sunset has gone up in levels since then and gotten better equipment, but I don't know if it will be enough. I figure after those other dungeons, Sunset should be powerful enough, and I'll be putting all of the Ariel equipment on him that I have, but if it's not enough, then I'll have to go for the Ariel Boots. The Ariel Breastplate is a pain to get though. I have to run from battle 100 times in this section to get into the required fight. I've done that...oh...1 time so far.

[alienjesus]

Now I'm basically done with my Metal Gear marathon month, it's time to get properly stuck into some of the RPGs on my playlist. I'm at various points in 4 different RPGs at the minute, time to get stuck in.


Atelier Totori Plus: Still very (very) early on in this, just recently got my third part member (Totori, Gino & Mel). Trying to earn enough money to become a licensed adventurer.


Pokémon HeartGold: Beat the Elite 4 and on my way to Kanto with a team of Yanmega, Sudowoodo, Kingler, Murkrow, Mismagius and Mamoswine. Still wsorking through my run of this one, trying to catch the 6 pokémon remaining to complete my Diamond pokédex - Mewtwo, Entei, Raikou, Suicune, Lugia and Latias. I can catch 2 of them at the point I'm at (Raikou and Entei) but they won't be easy to catch as they run away all the time. Latias, Lugia and Mewtwo require me to finish Kanto, and Suicune shows up half way through.

Mario & Luigi: Dream Team Bros.: Started this one at Christmas, and it's gone a bit neglected for the last month or so. I'm on my way to Mount Pyjamaja. The game is fun enough, but it doesn't offer enough over the others imo, it's a bit repetitive if you've played the rest of the series like I have. The original on GBA is still the best one.

Final Fantasy VII: If Mario & Luigi is neglected, than FFVII is practically rotting away. I started it in September, and haven't played it since November sometime. I'm at Corel Prison, after visiting Gold Saucer for the first time. It's just so ...boring.

[BoneSnapDeez]

@Sload Soap
Definitely play Eternal Sonata if you haven't yet.

Final Fantasy VII: If Mario & Luigi is neglected, than FFVII is practically rotting away. I started it in September, and haven't played it since November sometime. I'm at Corel Prison, after visiting Gold Saucer for the first time. It's just so ...boring.

Yes, yes it is......

[Sload Soap]

@Sload Soap
Definitely play Eternal Sonata if you haven't yet.

Played and beaten it. It was disappointing I thought. It didn't really use the high concept to its full advantage, or any advantage. It was just a stock jRPG that happened to be taking place inside the head of a dying 19C composer. Such a waste.
Very weak combat mechanic and an awful english dub. I didn't even think the music was all that good. It looked great though.

[BoneSnapDeez]

I liked it quite a bit, but it certainly gets by mostly on atmosphere. The graphical style is beautiful.

The combat system was indeed a truly strange mixture of real-time and turn-based systems. It "works" but feels awkward.

[ZenErik]

Eternal Sonata.. Heh. Stand as far away as possible with the archer and kill every boss in a few hits. It was alright.