The Last Story (wii) confirmed for US release

[dsheinem]

Comparisons between The Last Story and Xenoblade aren't really fair to either game. They accomplish (mostly) different things, so which game you prefer will depend on what qualities you want from an RPG.

For me, The Last Story wasn't nearly as impressive as Xenoblade. But that's just my personal preference for large areas to explore, little secrets and side-quests littered throughout a huge world, and randomly generated loot all over the place. Other people will prefer The Last Story because it's a shorter, tighter experience.

But to fault either game for choosing to excel at some categories while being limited in other areas seems silly.

I think you make a good point, as a lot of the pros you mentioned for Xenoblades are things I hated about it. However, I would argue it's because it didn't do those things well since I liked FFXII and it did a lot of the same stuff, but just better. It's funny that more people don't pick up on the fact that Xenoblades plays like a FFXII clone in a lot of ways, especially since so many of its fans are FF haters. Life is full of little ironies

I do like The Last Story's focused approach though, as I'm not in the mood for a really time sinking rpg right now and it definitely isn't that. I love the look and feel of it too. The Last Story feels like it could have been a 360/PS3 game while Xenoblade feels very much like a limited, Wii game. TLS just has amazing production value and great music.

Well stated on all points. I think FF12>Xenoblade as well, and did think they were similar.

[brunoafh]

The combat paired with the UK dub ruined this one for me. I wasn't asking for the greatest combat system ever, but I was shocked when the combat was basically "push stick forward". The characters and story were utterly forgettable as well. Pathetic compared to previous Mistwalker outings.

Although I'm not particularly fond of either game, Xenoblade was WAY more ambitious than The Last Story. I would say it was far more impressive overall as well, with one of the best soundtracks I've heard in years and an absolutely massive world that was every bit as gorgeous as stuff on PS3/360. They both share the flaw of having extremely simple and stream lined combat, but Xenoblade gives the player far more options.

The Last Story to me felt like a JRPG developed for a Western audience that is more fond of small, linear contained action adventures that can be completed quickly. That's fine I guess, but that audience is not me.

It's funny that more people don't pick up on the fact that Xenoblades plays like a FFXII clone in a lot of ways, especially since so many of its fans are FF haters. Life is full of little ironies

You state this as if FF XII is original. Do you not realize the formula both of these games follow has existed for years?

[dsheinem]

The combat paired with the UK dub ruined this one for me. I wasn't asking for the greatest combat system ever, but I was shocked when the combat was basically "push stick forward".

did you finish The Last Story? So far the combat becomes a bit more complex/tactical every two hours or so, and it starts to feel less like "push stick forward" and more like a SRPG with some user controlled combat elements. I think the dub is excellent, too, and the voice acting is very good.

[BoringSupreez]

The combat paired with the UK dub ruined this one for me. I wasn't asking for the greatest combat system ever, but I was shocked when the combat was basically "push stick forward".

did you finish The Last Story? So far the combat becomes a bit more complex/tactical every two hours or so, and it starts to feel less like "push stick forward" and more like a SRPG with some user controlled combat elements. I think the dub is excellent, too, and the voice acting is very good.

I quite liked the UK VA's too. A nice change from the usual forgettable US anime VA's.

[brunoafh]

did you finish The Last Story? So far the combat becomes a bit more complex/tactical every two hours or so, and it starts to feel less like "push stick forward" and more like a SRPG with some user controlled combat elements. I think the dub is excellent, too, and the voice acting is very good.

I did not. I gave it about 5 hours and it was clear the game was just not for me. I do remember that after the first battle with the tiger thinking that the combat did get more interesting, but it never got to the point where I was engaged and enjoying it. It was also way too easy, making the simplicity of the combat stick out even more.

Regarding the dub, just as a general rule I much prefer to experience something in it's original and intended language. Once I have done that, I'm more open to dubs. Even then though those British VAs just make me cringe.

[Gamerforlife]

It's funny that more people don't pick up on the fact that Xenoblades plays like a FFXII clone in a lot of ways, especially since so many of its fans are FF haters. Life is full of little ironies

You state this as if FF XII is original. Do you not realize the formula both of these games follow has existed for years?

Not in Japanese rpgs, as far as I know anyway. FFXII synthesized a lot of MMORPG elements into a single player jrpg formula. People give Xenoblade a lot of props for that, but FFXII did it first. It had more interesting side quests too while Xenoblade just recycles the same four or five side quests over and over again. It's actually amazing how similar the two games are. Even down to the achievement system Xenoblade has, FFXII had an achievement system as well, and this was before achievements and trophies even existed!

To add my two cents on the dub, I think it's good so far. I always advocate having a Japanese language option in games like this, but the dub hasn't really bothered me so far. I like BBC programming so I'm not put off by UK voice actors. It doesn't feel that jarring to me and I think they play their roles well enough so far.

I find the combat quite intriguing. I feel like Xenoblade just added some little twists on typical jrpg combat, but The Last Story really feels like something new and original. It does seem a little east meets west, but I don't mind that. That's sort of the vibe that Valkyria Chronicles had to with its gameplay and I really liked that game in retrospect even I bitched about certain things when I was playing it. VC was a strategy rpg, but with characters firing guns, using grenades, and taking cover behind things. It was kind of cool.

[Xeogred]

FFXII was a incredibly dumbed down and streamlined Vagrant Story to me. Same devs, same lots of stuff, but 10x less complex and hardly innovative or new. I'm sure someone could think of an SNES game or something that has "achievements". I'm sorry but beyond the real time combat, I really don't see much similar between FFXII and Xenoblade at all. I enjoyed both, but I don't see room or need for comparison. But this is probably the 785th time I've seen them compared at this point, so I guess that'll be the trend.

I'm with bruno though, I played several hours worth and going in after playing most of Lost Odyssey, coming from Mistwalker I was very disappointed all around. The dialogue and writing itself was utterly cringe worthy and the music was, if Uematsu supposedly composed it, his most underwhelming work by a long shot. The combat had potential but was too fluid for me, I wish it were more stiff and controllable. Barely wiggle the stick and suddenly things happen, attacking stuff, coming out of cover, etc, for better or worse. It didn't feel very polished or refined to me.

[RCBH928]

Did this game sell well?

RPG in the dying days of the Wii , I was wondering...