Lets talk ps3 jrpgs

[dunpeal2064]

Wow, what an informative post, thanks!

So, it looks like I definitely need to pick up Valkyria Chronicles, and I'll probably pick up Atelier Rorona, since I now know its the beginning of that trilogy. Its too bad they took the focus away from fighting, as I really liked the battle system AND alchemy from Mana Khemia.

I've been playing the first Hyperdimension game, and I am sad to say it, but I pretty much agree with you. I am loving the story, writing, and voice acting, and even the graphics and music aren't bad... but the gameplay is so bland. I've never found myself wishing a game had more story and less gameplay. Its funny that you note that the only good thing about the new HDN is the combat, that sparks my interest in that one a bit. I'm gonna try to push through the first game still though.

This little game came out recently ... it's pretty good. Ni No Kuni.

Yes, that game looks top-notch, I am either going to get this or Tales of Graces F today.

That's not the only thing it has over the 360 version. It's almost universally agreed upon that the 360 version is a shoddy port.

I actually just finished XIII, and I thought it was pretty great. I much preferred its setting/story/characters to XII's. I did enjoy both game's combat system though. Heck, hearing about Yiazmat was probably the only thing that got me to put 180 hours into that game.

So, what differences are there between the 360 and ps3 versions of XIII, other than the disc thing? What makes the 360 port a bastardized version? Also, does any data carry over from this game to the sequel?

[Raiiban]

I've been playing the first Hyperdimension game, and I am sad to say it, but I pretty much agree with you. I am loving the story, writing, and voice acting, and even the graphics and music aren't bad... but the gameplay is so bland. I've never found myself wishing a game had more story and less gameplay. Its funny that you note that the only good thing about the new HDN is the combat, that sparks my interest in that one a bit. I'm gonna try to push through the first game still though.

Actually I totally agree with you on the first game, but the second game improves on the combat and the third game, which I'm playing now actually makes the combat enjoyable. It's got enough depth to it with the system itself, the items available, and crafting system along with some interesting battles scattered about to make it fun.

Some of the attacks and special moves in HDN mk2 and Victory are hilarious, especially the ones involving Keiji Inafune.

[Menegrothx]

Ni No Kuni has only been mentioned once so far?

[dunpeal2064]

Actually I totally agree with you on the first game, but the second game improves on the combat and the third game, which I'm playing now actually makes the combat enjoyable. It's got enough depth to it with the system itself, the items available, and crafting system along with some interesting battles scattered about to make it fun.

Some of the attacks and special moves in HDN mk2 and Victory are hilarious, especially the ones involving Keiji Inafune.

Well, it at least seems like they addressed the problems from the first game. I actually found myself dying for some sort of item crafting, or something to do other than dungeon crawl and fetch. I have only found a few of the disc moves so far, but I was in stiches the first time I used FANTASY ZONE and THE SUPER SHINOBI attacks.

Ni No Kuni has only been mentioned once so far?

It looks fantastic, and I am very tempted to pick it up on the way home from work. Is it as good as it looks?

[ZenErik]

Ni No Kuni has only been mentioned once so far?

I'll be honest. Great art, but I didn't like it much at all. After about 6 hours I quit. Maybe if we got the DS version or a new port on 3DS or Vita I'd enjoy more. The battle system, to me, is not fun at all. Tough to get through an RPG that doesn't at least have a semi enjoyable system

[Menegrothx]

Ni No Kuni has only been mentioned once so far?

It looks fantastic, and I am very tempted to pick it up on the way home from work. Is it as good as it looks?

It's a better and all around upgraded version of Dragon Quest 8 imo. The plot isn't anything special but there were few intresting twists which I didn't see coming, but the overall plot was predictable. Nothing special about the battle system either. But then again, that same thing could be said about the majority of jrpgs. It just has more charm than most run of the mill ones, which was enough to inspire me to play the game through in a few days.

[isiolia]

So, what differences are there between the 360 and ps3 versions of XIII, other than the disc thing? What makes the 360 port a bastardized version?

Seems like in general, Crystal Tools is not built as well for the 360.

The game does have a fair bit of FMV, which on the PS3 is Blu-ray video - it's reencoded on the 360, and not very well.

Beyond that, despite a reduction in resolution (and apparently leaving out details in places, like shadows or trees), the game still doesn't perform as well on the 360.

XIII-2 is a much closer comparison, though the PS3 version still comes out on top.

[Raiiban]

Ni No Kuni has only been mentioned once so far?

It looks fantastic, and I am very tempted to pick it up on the way home from work. Is it as good as it looks?

It's a better and all around upgraded version of Dragon Quest 8 imo. The plot isn't anything special but there were few intresting twists which I didn't see coming, but the overall plot was predictable. Nothing special about the battle system either. But then again, that same thing could be said about the majority of jrpgs. It just has more charm than most run of the mill ones, which was enough to inspire me to play the game through in a few days.

I think Ni no Kuni's main appeal is that it's a very all around solid jRPG, there's nothing special about the mechanics it uses as they've all been seen in other games, oftentimes executed better when there's focus on them. However the overall presentation of the full package with Studio Ghibli's style all over it is what makes it super appealing and fun to play.

It reminded me of old jRPGs that didn't try to be anything it wasn't and just gave you a good game with a splash of nice paint over it. I'd still highly recommend it to any fans of simple jRPG mechanics and/or Studio Ghibli's movies. It's really suited for all ages of gamers in difficulty and content.

[dunpeal2064]

Okay, now I know what to expect going in with Ni No Kuni. I am a bit disappointed to hear that the combat doesn't do anything fresh, but it still sounds like a decent game overall. Still not sure if I want to get that, or pick up Tales of Graces F.

So, what differences are there between the 360 and ps3 versions of XIII, other than the disc thing? What makes the 360 port a bastardized version?

Seems like in general, Crystal Tools is not built as well for the 360.

The game does have a fair bit of FMV, which on the PS3 is Blu-ray video - it's reencoded on the 360, and not very well.

Beyond that, despite a reduction in resolution (and apparently leaving out details in places, like shadows or trees), the game still doesn't perform as well on the 360.

XIII-2 is a much closer comparison, though the PS3 version still comes out on top.

Some great info there, thanks isiolia!

So, does anyone know if XIII-2 detects save data from XIII for bonuses? I just finished XIII on the 360, and am wondering if I should pick up the superior ps3 version, or stick with the 360 since I already have data there.

[ZenErik]

Tales of Graces f has an infinitely better combat system. But less charm. Mediocre dubbing. 'Meh' characters and story. That is the last PS3 RPG I completed and was a bit of a turn off for my desire to play other Tales of games. But I've been told that Xillia has better characters. And I plan on playing Abyss on the 3DS eventually.

Ni no Kuni was my most anticipated game of the year. I was quite disappointed in how unfun it is. Charm or not, the game failed to hold my interest.