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Official North American Lost Odyssey Thread

clashfan

Member
Sir Fragula said:
Word of mouth from PAL importers plus the TV add should equal strong sales. Hopefully it'll reach a million.

I love to see it hit 1M, that would mean more jrpg's for the 360.
 

purg3

slept with Malkin
Teknoman said:
Umm never? Also how can you hate whats not there?

Also
Is there any way to get that soldier's helmet from being wedged in the lift's framework at the Great Gate? Or is that just there for effect

Go to the base of the lift-the side where the helmet is. You should have the option to ram it, then the helmet will fall down.
 

Durante

Member
Blimblim said:
Yeah, I couldn't reach it either.
I spent another 10 minutes running around in that area and trying all kinds of stuff, to no avail. I *hate* missing secrets in JRPGs but I moved on for now. (I noted it in my "big list of areas to revisit" though).

lo_seweritem1416.jpg

Seth is clearly as unhappy with the situation as I am.
 

Teknoman

Member
I also now realized that I should always go double check all locations after having unlocked the ability to recall memories. Now that I went back to the tavern, I realize i'd been there before, just not with the recalling ability unlocked.
 

Desi

Member
Just got through reading Letters of a Weakling. That one was much better then the last couple I sat through. It became much more powerful with the
talk between alex and kaim after Myna hanged herself. The truth about the letters and weak people
. Started off so bad though, unbelievable and up its ass talking about a important topic like race.
 

Durante

Member
Himuro said:
Is it possible to chain the leader? I want my lead to be Seth dammit.
I don't think so. (It's one of my pet peeves with the game) The only times you get different leaders is when Kaim is not in the party.

Which makes it quite strange that you can't change the leader, since they obviously implemented the capability in the engine.
 

Durante

Member
PepsimanVsJoe said:
9 hours in and now I have to go to the
Crimson Forest to find Mack
.
There's a great boss fight waiting for you. What I loved about it is that for once there is at least a bit of
integration between storyline and battle gameplay mechanics in a JRPG. No "Mom, why didn't they use a Phoenix Down on Aeris?" disconnect.
 

Brandon F

Well congratulations! You got yourself caught!
WHAT? A jRPG where you don't play as a plucky happy-go-lucky teen??? I don't believe it!
 

Davedough

Member
I have to wait until tomorrow to get mine due to fundage and you guys are making it VERY difficult for me to have to wait. I'm gonna tear my friggen hair out. I cant wait to play this game!
 

dionysus

Yaldog
Anyone else find the music that plays while reading the dreams is really good? In fact, I think it is the main reason to read them. Otherwise, it is just a bunch of melodramatic drivel.
 

Basch

Member
Ripped directly from my N4G post for the lazy...

Immortal Beloved: Game Informer Reviews Lost Odyssey

Main Review

"The RPG genre as a whole is one of the most conflicted in gaming today. It is built on conventions that are over 20 years old, and as much as role-playing titles thrive on these traditions, developers also struggle against them, attempting to find new and innovative ways to engage gamers. This is not a battle that Lost Odyssey fights. The latest epic from RPG legend Hironobu Sakaguchi is not diplomatic, and doesn’t attempt to find a middle ground between convention and innovation; it sides with convention all the way. The result is a rich experience replete with classic gameplay, familiar mechanics, and one of the most compelling tales ever told on the Xbox 360."

...

What really takes center stage in Lost Odyssey (especially in contrast to Mistwalker’s last title, Blue Dragon) is the story. The immortal warrior Kaim is one of the most intriguing RPG protagonists I’ve played, and his dispassionate detachment is a far cry from the usual gotta-save-the-world hero. The universe he and his companions inhabit is a visually stunning fusion of fantasy and steampunk, and it serves as an excellent backdrop for the game’s major revelations. Why Kaim has lived so long, how the immortals relate to each other, and how they lost their memories are just a few of the mysteries that make this adventure much more surprising than its traditional structure may lead you to believe."

...

As thankful as I am that there are role-playing titles that strive to innovate, I am also glad that games like Lost Odyssey are still being made. It is a testament to the philosophy that time-tested concepts, when implemented well, can be just as gratifying as they were at the genre’s inception."

Score: 8.5/10

- Joe Juba

Second Opinion:

"Lost Odyssey is Mistwalker’s answer to Final Fantasy. More accurately, it is Mistwalker’s answer to Final Fantasy X. Unmistakable similarities can be seen throughout the entire game, from the tech-infused fantasy art style to the strategic flow of combat. Hironobu Sakaguchi may have left Square, but his enthusiasm for making Final Fantasy is still running hot through his veins. Whether you view this game as derivative or see it as the ultimate fan service, it’s impossible to ignore this heartfelt story. It’s wondrously contemplative, and backed by strong character performances. The cinematography is also breathtaking, but surprisingly, some of the most emotional moments come from pages of text. While the combat system could be entered into the dictionary as the definition of cookie cutter RPG, I did get some big kicks out of the composite magic system and reflex-based ring attacks. It also offers a nice variety of monsters and a handful of great boss fights. World exploration is as linear as can be, but the sights are simply stunning and the interactivity you have with your surroundings can be quite fun. In the end, Lost Odyssey won’t change your perception of RPGs, but rather remind you of why you love them."

Score: 8.75/10

- Andrew Reiner
 

Basch

Member
BenjaminBirdie said:
I really hope he keeps making next gen RPGs for a long time.

Cry On is the next in line. From what he is making it out to be, it sounds like it will be just as awesome as this game. I love Mistwalker. :D
 
Basch said:
Cry On is the next in line. From what he is making it out to be, it sounds like it will be just as awesome as this game. I love Mistwalker. :D

Seriously. I know it got beef but Blue Dragon really showed that in a genre where presentation is such a key component, that next gen polish (when done well) is such a welcome development.

I'm dying not being able to play this right now.
 
GI also scored Blue Dragon, 9 - 8.75, I appreciate their appreciation of the goosh's work. :p

Seriously, if you want to score BD a 9, you'll have enough reasons to do so, and if you want to give it a 6, you'll have enough reasons to justify it, too.

Meh, back to waiting for LO. :'(
 

Takuhi

Member
Orodreth said:
The book is already published in Japan. Dont know if there are plans to publish it elsewhere.

I worked on the strategy guide, and we were thinking of publishing the stories as a collector's edition bonus. But we were told an American publisher already had the rights and was intending to publish them in their US, so we couldn't. I'm a little surprised we haven't heard anything official about it by now, though... When will the demand ever be higher than it is right now? So maybe those plans fell through. That would be a shame.

Everyone who loves them should read Jay Rubin's Haruki Murakami translations. Start with The Wind-Up Bird Chronicles. Or Kafka on the Shore if Wind-Up Bird is too intimidating long for you.
 
Takuhi said:
Everyone who loves them should read Jay Rubin's Haruki Murakami translations. Start with The Wind-Up Bird Chronicles. Or Kafka on the Shore if Wind-Up Bird is too intimidating long for you.

This is good advice.
 

Walshicus

Member
Blimblim said:
Yeah well, I'm not holding my breath over this. I'd be delighted if it reached 500k.
As long as it sells enough to keep MS funding new Mistwalker games I'm satisfied.
Friendly bet? If by next year it does between 750k to 1m I win, 500k to 750k you win?
Above 1m we all win, below 500k we all lose...
:D
 

Durante

Member
One interesting thing about LO is how it handles the visual representation of accessories. Many are shown on the character models both in battle and during exploration. That is great, however, they are also shown during cutscenes. That can be a bit awkward in some cases, like if there is a really emotional scene -- life and death, tragedy, and assorted drama -- and the character involved wears some goofy glasses or ... cat ears. Some examples:
lo_acce739.jpg


Takuhi said:
I worked on the strategy guide [...]
So, do you have a friendly tip between GAFfers on my sewer problem explained above?
 
Durante said:
One interesting thing about LO is how it handles the visual representation of accessories. Many are shown on the character models both in battle and during exploration. That is great, however, they are also shown during cutscenes. That can be a bit awkward in some cases, like if there is a really emotional scene -- life and death, tragedy, and assorted drama -- and the character involved wears some goofy glasses or ... cat ears. Some examples:
lo_acce739.jpg


So, do you have a friendly tip between GAFfers on my sewer problem explained above?
omfg i have to play this game now.
fuck random encounters or random encounters can fuck me.
 

supercake

Member
Should be getting this game later today, looking forward to it. I didn't care for BD, since I primarily care about the story of an RPG, but I've heard enough praise from GAF and reviews to give this game a chance. I'm excited about the level cap, since I've never played an RPG with that.

DLC question - The content that comes with the preorder bonus and DLC, are they implented in the game well (like you have to buy them in a shop), or are they just given to you without effort?

Durante - Haha, that's a blessing and a curse! I'm glad they did that!
 

Takuhi

Member
Durante said:
Help GAF!

I just encountered the sewer level :)lol) on the third disc, and at the part with the 3 sluice gates there is this glowing item (?):
lo_seweritem616.jpg


However, regardless of what I do I can't seem to reach it. If I drain the water I can't reach the bottom (and I also can't pass under the gates) and if I refill it I still don't reach the item. Halp!

I am moved by your plea. Let's see if I can remember... God knows I spent long enough trying to figure it out! (But please buy the official strategy guide from your friends at Prima Games anyway!)

• The water flows from the north, so if you close the north gate and open all the other gates, the water will flow out of both pools and you can get the item from the northern pool.

• Close the middle gate and open the north gate to fill the northern pool with water, and then close the north and south gates. Now only the upper pool will be filled with water.

• Keeping the north and south gates closed, open the middle gate. Now half the water in the northern pool will flow into the southern pool, floating the item (some sort of spell, as I recall) to the level of the platform you can climb onto.
 

Durante

Member
Takuhi said:
I am moved by your plea. Let's see if I can remember... God knows I spent long enough trying to figure it out![great explanation]
THANK YOU!

That actually makes perfect sense, I'm slightly embarrassed that I didn't figure it out.
 
Takuhi said:
Everyone who loves them should read Jay Rubin's Haruki Murakami translations. Start with The Wind-Up Bird Chronicles. Or Kafka on the Shore if Wind-Up Bird is too intimidating long for you.
I've just ordered both from amazon for 15$. :)
 

Takuhi

Member
Durante said:
THANK YOU!

That actually makes perfect sense, I'm slightly embarrassed that I didn't figure it out.

Don't be! It took me forever to figure it out too. :p

Just wait until the
Temple of Enlightenment
. GodDAMN they get nutty with puzzles at the end.
 

Foxix Von

Member
Oh my god, I just hit my first dream sequence... This game almost had me in tears. I hope it gets happy. SOON. Seriously if that first dream at the inn had gone on even a minute longer I would have started crying my eyes out ;_;

Also, I missed that
helmet in the crate pickup near the beginning, will I ever get to go back for it or was it even worth it?

It's in the manual, if I remember wind is weak against fire I think?
 

Blimblim

The Inside Track
Himuro said:
What are the weaknesses in this game? What's wind weak against?
Fire > Wind > Earth > Water > Fire
Foxix said:
Also, I missed that
helmet in the crate pickup near the beginning, will I ever get to go back for it or was it even worth it?
Yeah you can get it back later, but the treasure you'll get won't be really useful anymore.
 

Teknoman

Member
Himuro said:
What are the weaknesses in this game? What's wind weak against?

One way to memorize it is to just think about things in real life I guess? Like:

Wind erodes Earth, Earth blocks Water, Water douses Flames,....I dunno why Fire hurts Wind...so I dont really have a catchy one for that :lol

Also is there any other way to replinish the Guard bar besides using that skills that does so when you use defend?
 
D

Deleted member 17706

Unconfirmed Member
Teknoman said:
Also is there any other way to replinish the Guard bar besides using that skills that does so when you use defend?

I think Macke gets some skills that replenish your guard bar. I don't think I ever used them, though.
 
Teknoman said:
One way to memorize it is to just think about things in real life I guess? Like:

Wind erodes Earth, Earth blocks Water, Water douses Flames,....I dunno why Fire hurts Wind...so I dont really have a catchy one for that :lol

Cuz fire eats up oxygen? :lol
 

chespace

It's not actually trolling if you don't admit it
Currently enjoy the game, even if it's harsh and jarring going from Baldur's Gate 2 to Lost Odyssey. :)

Ironically, one of the best parts I experienced in my hour or so of playing last night came in the form of READING TEXT (one of the dreams). Awesome presentation and music. Great localization... it was like, wow, real storytelling in a video game.

For those of you who'll say "go read a book instead, dickhead" -- I will have you know I AM currently reading a book already. :p

About Pablo.
 

Ironballs

Member
I'm really pleased by the Thousand Years of Dreams portions of the game. A little over 3 hours in and I already feel a great deal of intrigue about Kaim Argonar. This is even more impressive to me because to an extent he is essentially your standard-fare JRPG main character. Of course, the fact that this is aided by some of the best writing I have personally seen come out of a videogame doesn't hurt, either.

I haven't played enough to speak intelligently of the gameplay, but I'm liking it so far.
 

Coverly

Member
You guys have broken my resolve not to buy the game! ;_;
It wasn't that much resolve to begin with but dammit I was trying.
 

rocK`

Banned
uhh just started playing....

music is awesome

and THANK GOD FOR ORIGINAL DUBBING!

having japanese + american words = amazing.
 

Durante

Member
Oh wow I just got my second Game Over.
Living Ice
boss on disc 3.

I take back what I said earlier regarding difficulty (that only the second boss is challenging). It's been a while since a boss simply wiped out my whole party with a spell in a JRPG. Very refreshing :D
 
rocK` said:
uhh just started playing....

music is awesome

and THANK GOD FOR ORIGINAL DUBBING!

having japanese + american words = amazing.

No offense but I'm baffled at your statement.

I seems odd when people who don't speak japanese prefer japanese audio. The voice acting could be worse for all you know but you cannot know because you cannot speak it or understand. This appears to be a conundrum. I had a japanese friend who actually thinks japanese game voice acting is terrible. So this has me wondering... Is it fashionable to like japanese dialogue?
 
D

Deleted member 17706

Unconfirmed Member
Digital-Hero said:
No offense but I'm baffled at your statement.

I seems odd when people who don't speak japanese prefer japanese audio. The voice acting could be worse for all you know but you cannot know because you cannot speak it or understand. This appears to be a conundrum. I had a japanese friend who actually thinks japanese game voice acting is terrible. So this has me wondering... Is it fashionable to like japanese dialogue?

A lot of Japanese people on the review site I frequent think that the Japanese VA is awful. I personally like Kaim, Gongora (sp?), Seth, Cooke and Sed's Japanese voices better, but the others, especially Jansen's, sound better in English. I wish I could mix and match the voices!
 

epmode

Member
Digital-Hero said:
No offense but I'm baffled at your statement.

I seems odd when people who don't speak japanese prefer japanese audio. The voice acting could be worse for all you know but you cannot know because you cannot speak it or understand.
Yeah, but some people would prefer that to an English dub they KNOW is terrible. Shenmue 2, for example.
 

soco

Member
rocK` said:
and THANK GOD FOR ORIGINAL DUBBING!

isn't english actually the 'original' dubbing for this game? as in the game works around the english dialogue and the japanese voices are actually dubbed and not lip-synced?
 

Aurora

Member
Digital-Hero said:
No offense but I'm baffled at your statement.

I seems odd when people who don't speak japanese prefer japanese audio. The voice acting could be worse for all you know but you cannot know because you cannot speak it or understand. This appears to be a conundrum. I had a japanese friend who actually thinks japanese game voice acting is terrible. So this has me wondering... Is it fashionable to like japanese dialogue?
I see your point but I too prefer the Japanese dialogue. To my credit I am learning the language but even if I wasn't I just hate English voice acting in games. I find they cheapen the atmosphere and they're never believable, but maybe that's just me.

I agree though. When people choose Japanese voice overs over English ones purely because it's Japanese makes no sense.
 
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