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[heidern]

From what we've seen of the dialogue so far, the game is attempting to hold on to one of the Lunar staples, humor, while telling its story.

The visuals in the game are a smart collection of traditional 2D graphics along with some DS-enhanced graphical effects that give the game some punch. In the traditional third-person exploration sequences, you'll be treated to nicely done sprites that lean toward the nice end of the 2D rainbow.

Based on what we've played, Lunar: Dragon Song has the potential to be an involving experience on the DS. The story is interesting, and the gameplay certainly offers some fresh twists on the expected RPG conventions. While we're not sold on all of them just yet, at the very least, the new features show that Game Jam is open to trying something new, which is always nice to see. Although the visuals are technically very nice, we do miss the old-school superdeformed look of the previous games. The game's use of the DS's dual screen and touch functionality isn't terribly extensive but works well without being obtrusive. All in all, Lunar: Dragon Song has all the elements you'd want out of an RPG. Although it could use a little tightening up, the game looks like it's going to offer a strong experience for DS owners looking for an RPG. Lunar: Dragon Song is slated to ship this September.

Sounds pretty good. Hopefully this is some true rpg goodness.
More here

 

[jarrod]

Game Jam? What's that? Game Arts + Japan Art Media?

 

[heidern]

Yep. Lunar: Dragon Song is developed by Japan Art Media (JAM), in conjunction with GameArts and will be arriving in North America in September 2005. For more information, please visit Ubisoft.com

 

[Mejilan]

A promising write up. IGN's vids from a few days ago weren't all that appealing.

 

[Bog]

...the game looks like it's going to offer a strong experience for DS owners looking for an RPG.

Funny, I've heard the exact opposite.

 

[tenchir]

Funny, I've heard the exact opposite.

From who?

 

[Bog]

From who?

Edit: Eh, don't worry about it.

 

[Ulairi]

From who?

His dad works for a Nintendo and let him play the game before anyone else.

 

[AniHawk]

His dad works for a Nintendo and let him play the game before anyone else.

Well it just came out in Japan..

 

[Bog]

Hm, and if Gamespot has a playable, I wonder if that means OTHER publications would...

 

[MrDaravon]

Has anyone (Famitsu?) reviewed the whole game yet? I'm sorry, but I can't reconcile any good comments about this game when I look at the pics and gameplay movies.

 

[Scalemail Ted]

I wanna see more videos of this game.

Are the only ones available for viewing on the interweb currently at IGN?

 

[Scalemail Ted]

Has anyone (Famitsu?) reviewed the whole game yet? I'm sorry, but I can't reconcile any good comments about this game when I look at the pics and gameplay movies.

NDS Lunar: Dragon Song 6966

http://forum.gaming-age.com/showthread.php?t=58702&highlight=lunar+famitsu

 

[MrDaravon]

Missed that, didn't realize Famitsu had already reviewed it over 2 weeks ago o_o. I thought it like JUST came out in Japan today or something. Too bad there aren't any translations as to why it got those scores though, guess I go look around the usual spots and see if there are any rough translations out.

 

[MrDaravon]

Well I had to sift through a 7 page bitch/troll thread on gamefaqs (kouli and dais duking it out over WD's translations and whether or not Famitsu sucked for 5 pages was pretty fucking hilarious though), but here we go:

Famitsu Reviews for Lunar: DS


The reviews from the popular Japanese gaming magazine Famitsu for Lunar: Genesis (Lunar: Dragon Song) have come out, a total of 6-9-6-6 (27). All had positive comments about the game, such as the traditional RPG feel of it, the easy interface, and of course the storyline. But, it suffered the most points on some displeasure with the dual battle modes. Following is LunarNET's translation of the reviewer comments from Famitsu.

----------------------------------------

"Lunar -Genesis-"

- 6 points -
It has all the feel of an orthodox-style RPG. There are many sidequests outside of the main storyline, giving it more depth. The downside is its uneven tempo. This is most apparent during battles. The idea of having two battle modes for earning experience points and items was good, but the result is bothersome and stressful.

- 9 points -
It's really been a while since the last game. Even the look of the battles has changed considerably. Among this, the two types of battle modes are excellent. Because the value in destroying all monsters is clear, there is more motivation to do battle. Movement from place to place is also very smooth. Although, I don't quite agree with how you tire and your strength diminishes if you use the B button to dash.

- 6 points -
During the main storyline, I was so completely drawn into the game. I liked the nice system where, whenever you were confused, with just one button you could view your goal and purpose. It was difficult how the pace was interrupted during battles, since you could not obtain both experience points and items at the same time. Also, it was stressful that your energy diminished in using the dash feature.

- 6 points -
The game is extremely convenient to play, since the graphical interface is so easy to use. But, I didn't quite like the trouble of conducting battle while trying to switch between two modes--the Virtue Mode where you earn experience points, and the Normal Mode where you obtain items. This game is designed for people who are moved by an excellent storyline and characterization."

Soooo....story's good, gameplay sucks?

 

[Scalemail Ted]

Awesome,



Thanks for finding and posting the translation.

 

[LittleTokyo]

Sounds okay. Not sure about having to obtain items and experience differently though. Lunar is more about character and charm, so hopefully it will have a good translation.

 

[Scalemail Ted]

A more detailed explanation of the battle mechanics/gameplay found at gamespot, follow the link to the OP.

Leveling up your party is an interesting new feature in the game, which ties in to the battle system. The system breaks down into two mode types, virtue and combat, which you can manually select outside of combat.

When battling in virtue mode, you'll earn experience that will let you level up your party. Virtue mode will also let you access hidden chests that can be opened only after you've defeated a certain number of enemies. While defeating the appropriate quota of enemies isn't much of a problem initially, you'll find this more challenging as you progress, due to a time limit. Basically, every time you defeat a foe, a box will be checked on the lower DS screen menu and a stopwatch will begin counting down. If it counts all the way down to zero, your foe will reappear; but if you manage to take out another enemy before it counts down, it will start counting down from scratch again to give you more time to hit your quota

When battling in combat mode you won't earn experience, but rather, items. The items you'll collect in the game also tie in to another new aspect of the game: collectible cards. Whereas the GBA Lunar had you collect cards that you could view in an art gallery, the cards in Lunar: Dragon Song are more useful. The cards you'll collect in battle mode will each have unique attributes, such as increasing your attacks or restoring mana, which you can use in and out of battle, depending on the card. In addition, when defeating foes you'll gain all manner of items that will come in handy later in the game. It appears that your main means of securing income will be to take on courier jobs, which typically pay good money. The catch is, you can only take one at a time, which gives these side quests a very deliberate pace

 

[ferricide]

and here goes mine... (1up)

http://1up.com/do/previewPage?cId=3143151&did=1

the issues that famitsu brought up do seem to be relevant, but until i play it more, i can't comment on my take on 'em.

 

[MrDaravon]

Nice little write up. It's hard to tell without more details or me actually playing the game, but I'm not liking how the two gameplay types and how they're split up sound.

 

[Mejilan]

Some of those features actually sound pretty neat. And bounty/quests? Reminds me of Phantasy Star IV... and tis a good thing!

 

[djtiesto]

I read ferricide's preview the other day... I'm still fairly underwhelmed by the graphics, and I was never quite a big fan of Lunar (my best friend spent years telling me how amazing Lunar for SEGA CD was, so when I finally got the PSX port I was disappointed). It's nice to see it has a good story but the whole 2 separate fighting modes seems like it could get annoying rather quickly. Plus, it doesn't really make much sense from a gameplay/narrative perspective.

 

[Yusaku]

Man those screenshots look like horseshit. I'm all for 2D, but I fucking hate scaled sprites.

 

[Soul4ger]

Are you at a serious disadvantage if you decide to just do the Virtue Mode, without collecting any items? I don't know, because the option is there, it seems to me that you could just stick with the more traditional experience-based battling and not worry about the cards and stuff. Unless you absolutely need them later on.

 

[Shouta]

Man, I just read that gamefaqs' thread and it's hilarious. They don't make idiot trolls like that anymore.

Anyway, of all the media I've seen for this, I'm still underwhelmed quite a bit.

 

[ferricide]

i actually think the graphics ('cept for the scaled sprites, yeah) look nice. very clear and a boost over GBA 2D, which was never as good as i hoped it would be.