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[lunch]

An hour in, and just hit the

Spoiler

army base.

I'm usually not the type to complain about too much story, but I've really liked every battle I've been in, and I wish I could just get to those instead of slogging through the story. Does it get any better, or at least less prominent?

 

[ULTROS!]

The normal battles seem to have a real-time turn-based gameplay with strategic elements, making it kind of fast paced whereas the event battles seem to be more on the strategy side thus a bit slower.

I wonder if my assumptions are correct though.

 

[cj_iwakura]

An hour in, and just hit the

Spoiler

army base.

I'm usually not the type to complain about too much story, but I've really liked every battle I've been in, and I wish I could just get to those instead of slogging through the story. Does it get any better, or at least less prominent?

It hits the ground running very soon. Lots of political drama along the way, but I love that stuff, so...

 

[Basileus777]

An hour in, and just hit the

Spoiler

army base.

I'm usually not the type to complain about too much story, but I've really liked every battle I've been in, and I wish I could just get to those instead of slogging through the story. Does it get any better, or at least less prominent?

I am at the same spot as you and the story hasn't pulled me in thus far and I wish there was more combat.

 

[lunch]

Can somebody explain the sidequest involving clearing monsters so villagers can grab an herb for a boy in the village? Am I supposed to take out as many monsters as possible before the time ends? I keep getting the

Spoiler

freaky cyclops looking thing

coming out as all the other monsters do, and I end up dying.

It hits the ground running very soon. Lots of political drama along the way, but I love that stuff, so...

Alright, good to know.

I am at the same spot as you and the story hasn't pulled me in thus far and I wish there was more combat.

Yeah, so far the story sequences have felt like a chore, a lot like Devil Survivor.

 

[cj_iwakura]

Can somebody explain the sidequest involving clearing monsters so villagers can grab an herb for a boy in the village? Am I supposed to take out as many monsters as possible before the time ends? I keep getting the

Spoiler

freaky cyclops looking thing

coming out as all the other monsters do, and I end up dying.

Spoiler

You have to kill that thing, mission clear .

 

[lunch]

Spoiler

You have to kill that thing, mission clear .

Spoiler

So the cyclops monster is linked both to the sidequest involving the spellstone factory and the sidequest involving the herb for the boy, or is there a separate monster?

 

[The Last Wizard]

Can anyone help me with the 8th mission where you must defend

Spoiler

the fort, how am I supposed to stay alive against the lv 42 dude?

 

[cj_iwakura]

Spoiler

So the cyclops monster is linked both to the sidequest involving the spellstone factory and the sidequest involving the herb for the boy, or is there a separate monster?

Spoiler

Didn't do the factory sidequest, it's for the boy.

 

[lunch]

Spoiler

Didn't do the factory sidequest, it's for the boy.

Ah, okay. I was able to take it down on my fifth try. Thanks for the help.

 

[Trojita]

I still need to buy this. I can't resist that Urushihara art.

The OP needs fixed near the bottom because it makes it sound like Vita compatibility is still in question even though the title says it is.

 

[The Last Wizard]

Can anyone help me with the 8th mission where you must defend

Spoiler

the fort, how am I supposed to stay alive against the lv 42 dude?

Now I can't even slow the guy down

Edit: finally got it. Such a annoying mission.

 

[Augemitbutter]

Now I can't even slow the guy down

Edit: finally got it. Such a annoying mission.

i liked it, but i wish they would let you retry on the spot.

 

[Kincaido]

The L+R+Start+Select soft reset works here.

I still haven't figured out what the numbers and symbols in the Enemy Scan lv2 window in-battle mean, could anyone clear that up for me? I tried analyzing an enemy to cross check if any stats matched, but got nothing.

Oh, wow. Major thanks! Wish I knew that earlier. Would've saved me a lot of time ;_;

 

[I should be doing hw]

This the first in the series that I've played, really enjoying the gameplay; combat is really refreshing for the most part. Spells and movement is kind of shitty/clunky so far, but I'm only just starting Ch. II and haven't worked much out yet.
Story is what I expected, nothing great, but it's enough to motivate me.

Are the previous titles on PS2 worth going back to after playing this one?

 

[ranmafan]

This the first in the series that I've played, really enjoying the gameplay; combat is really refreshing for the most part. Spells and movement is kind of shitty/clunky so far, but I'm only just starting Ch. II and haven't worked much out yet.
Story is what I expected, nothing great, but it's enough to motivate me.

Are the previous titles on PS2 worth going back to after playing this one?

I was wondering this too. Ive never played this series and Im interested in it so Im going to pick this up soon, but I was wondering if I should play the others first or even at all.

 

[Hours Left]

Are the previous titles on PS2 worth going back to after playing this one?

In my opinion, they definitely are. Growlanser II & III are both really great. V is the weakest entry in the series, but if you're a fan it's still worth a playthrough IMO.

I & VI are sadly unavailable in English currently, but both are pretty well regarded. The first Growlanser is constantly hailed as the best in the series, along with this game.

 

[ranmafan]

In my opinion, they definitely are. Growlanser II & III are both really great. V is the weakest entry in the series, but if you're a fan it's still worth a playthrough IMO.

I & VI are sadly unavailable in English currently, but both are pretty well regarded. The first Growlanser is constantly hailed as the best in the series, along with this game.

Thanks for the info! Im probably going to pickup the entire series since they are pretty cheap at the my local bookoff here in Japan. Looks to be a fun series!

 

[ULTROS!]

For some reason, this game reminds me of the PSone tri-Ace games. I kinda like the feel though.

 

[Augemitbutter]

i feel the 32bit charm in this game. reminds me of the quality RPG flood on home consoles.

 

[ULTROS!]

Even if the beginning is a bit slow, I seem to be taking a liking to this game. Kinda surprising (in a good way) because I really hate the SRPGs, especially if they're slow and complicated.

Oh and the art rocks coz it reminds me of the 90s anime.

 

[ponpo]

I just came across a battle at the edge of a field and it wouldn't let me leave the battle / attack the enemy / move onto the next area because the enemy was there. c00l.

 

[lunch]

Three hours in.

I just met

Spoiler

Lumis, and he wants me to take him to some ruins. I did the escort mission after meeting him, and I've forgotten where the ruins are,

and after wandering around, I still can't find them, despite stumbling upon them when I was exploring earlier. Can somebody give me directions?

Edit: Nevermind, he made a comment saying where to go.

 

[Hours Left]

Thanks for the info! Im probably going to pickup the entire series since they are pretty cheap at the my local bookoff here in Japan. Looks to be a fun series!

If you are going to get the entire series, I'd be on the look out for the PSP version of the first Growlanser. It's similar to this version in that it adds a bunch of new characters, story elements and graphic upgrades.

 

[jschreier]

There's no way to put on subtitles for the anime cut-scenes, is there?

Kind of annoying to suddenly miss an entire scene when you're playing with the volume off on the subway or something.

 

[Shouta]

Nope, I don't think the videos have subtitles.

 

[CmdrWyrm]

If you are going to get the entire series, I'd be on the look out for the PSP version of the first Growlanser. It's similar to this version in that it adds a bunch of new characters, story elements and graphic upgrades.

True, the PSP version does have more stuff, but it replaces the awesome J-rock opening from the PSX original with generic J-pop.

 

[Basileus777]

There's no way to put on subtitles for the anime cut-scenes, is there?

Kind of annoying to suddenly miss an entire scene when you're playing with the volume off on the subway or something.

This bothers me too, these are handheld games, why wouldn't you put subtitles in the videos?

 

[jschreier]

Yeah, pretty inexcusable.

I'm really enjoying the game other than that, though.

 

[gunstarhero]

I'm a couple of hours in, and I'm being asked to put my "dollhouse" on the desk so I can learn more about it...

Problem is, I can't seem to put it on the desk! They keep telling me to select it from the items/k-items menu, but when I do, it tells me I can't use.

Wtf?! Is this a bug?

 

[lunch]

I'm a couple of hours in, and I'm being asked to put my "dollhouse" on the desk so I can learn more about it...

Problem is, I can't seem to put it on the desk! They keep telling me to select it from the items/k-items menu, but when I do, it tells me I can't use.

Wtf?! Is this a bug?

Sounds like it. I didn't have any problems myself.

 

[flowsnake]

Maybe it's just the wrong part of the desk? It should be the space next to the save point one.

 

[gunstarhero]

Maybe it's just the wrong part of the desk? It should be the space next to the save point one.

Yep that's actually the only spot that prompts you to place it on the desk. Definitely a bug - going to restart from my last save and see if it happens again.

Grrrrrrr

 

[gunstarhero]

Update: restarting from my last save did the trick. Strange - the only thing I did differently this time was not talk to anyone on the way to and back from getting the dollhouse.

 

[ranmafan]

If you are going to get the entire series, I'd be on the look out for the PSP version of the first Growlanser. It's similar to this version in that it adds a bunch of new characters, story elements and graphic upgrades.

Was going to ask that next actually. Cool Ill certainly pick up the PSP version Although I could get both since the PSX version is only 100 yen. I just got 4 today on PSP so hopefully can pop that in soon!

 

[I should be doing hw]

An 'undub' is already out for those that care. Personally I prefer the voiceless text on this anyway though.

 

[jorgeton]

So what did everyone name their home base? I named mine Asgard.. so lame.. I may re-name it to The Marquelay Eagle, so I get a chuckle every time I check in..

 

[chickdigger802]

Are there any YouTube links to gameplay? Still no clue what the game even looks like.

 

[jorgeton]

Are there any YouTube links to gameplay? Still no clue what the game even looks like.

Dunno about any youtube vids, but it looks and feels like really good a PS1 RPG, with RTS-lite battles and shiny early 90's anime character designs.

 

[Augemitbutter]

So what did everyone name their home base? I named mine Asgard.. so lame.. I may re-name it to The Marquelay Eagle, so I get a chuckle every time I check in..

default. and it's lame. should have named it boobtown, but it's not too late.

 

[Vamphuntr]

I really want to slap whoever thought it would be a good idea to put escort quests in a game like this.

Just wait once you reach that annoying mission 3/4 of the way through game where you have to protect 2 characters during a battle that walk really slowly and die really quickly while your characters are located at the other side of the battlefield

 

[ULTROS!]

Wait, is this game similar to Suikoden? Like the castle/town and all?

 

[jorgeton]

Wait, is this game similar to Suikoden? Like the castle/town and all?

Yeah. Not sure if it gets to Suikoden levels of character recruitment and base customization, but you do get a home base and NPCs open shops and what not in it.

 

[ULTROS!]

Yeah. Not sure if it gets to Suikoden levels of character recruitment and base customization, but you do get a home base and NPCs open shops and what not in it.

But can you have lots of playable characters and can you swap them via the homebase?

 

[pancakesandsex]

But can you have lots of playable characters and can you swap them via the homebase?

Playable cast is about 8-10 iirc. It's not like suikoden in that regard.

 

[ULTROS!]

Playable cast is about 8-10 iirc. It's not like suikoden in that regard.

Ok, this will be my GOTY now if it satisifies something like that (home base, many characters, etc.)

 

[lunch]

Yeah. Not sure if it gets to Suikoden levels of character recruitment and base customization, but you do get a home base and NPCs open shops and what not in it.

Oh, awesome, I didn't know about this. How far in did it become available to you?

 

[jorgeton]

Oh, awesome, I didn't know about this. How far in did it become available to you?

About 10 hours in. I just got it.

 

[Vamphuntr]

But can you have lots of playable characters and can you swap them via the homebase?

There are 10 characters you can recruit. You won't be able to switch characters until like halfway through the game.

If you really want to know who are playable, here is the list. Some of them can die in the story if you pick the wrong decisions or don't do some of their side events and thus, can be missed. It's possible to have all 10 live through the ending.

Spoiler

Remus, Eliza, Vallery, Frayne, Hien, Leona, Regina, Magnus, Meline and Tricia

 

[Basileus777]

I wish the game was a bit more liberal with save points, it's not an ideal portable experience. I want to be able to play for 15-30 minutes without having to plan around backtracking to a save or having to leave my PSP on sleep mode for hours on end.