Vanillaware love-in (Odin Sphere, Muramasa, etc.)

[Lordstar]

i was playing this about a month back Im up to the third chapter or something (fairy girl) its a lot of fun I just need to do a little grind with her to complete this boss and then i can progress with the story a bit. Its beautiful way too pretty for a PS2 game. I will go out a buy it when i comes to this gen in HD/pesuedo-HD . Really looking forward to demon sword. I can almost warrent a purchase of a wii i just need to have a couple more 'must have' games then I can ratonalize buying a waggle stiik box.

The toys/models are fantastic too. DO WANT!

http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid ... Categories

[elfhentaifan]

The toys/models are fantastic too. DO WANT!

http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid ... Categories

the gwendolyn and velvet statues are the most delicious ones ive ever seen.
would want to buy without hesitation if there was money.

[Khan]

Every now and again the Modest GaijinPunch does something that has no ulterior motive in gaining a laugh or pissing someone off.
Interview w/ Seiji Kamitani

very cool! interesting how hes got such amazing taste in games and how they have influenced him with the like of dungeons and dragons ect hes quite oldschool.

it took 2 years with 12 people for odin sphere(wowzers)...im also amazed that no one wanted to pick up oboro i bet the other publishers are kicking themselves now marvellous is going to make a killing.

[GaijinPunch]

Oboro seems to be doing well in at least two regions, which for a "minor" game, is pretty good. The budget was pretty small I'm sure (relatively speaking). So yeah, definitely should mean an uptick in Vanillaware's rep.

[undamned]

Every now and again the Modest GaijinPunch does something that has no ulterior motive in gaining a laugh or pissing someone off.
Interview w/ Seiji Kamitani

Dude, that guy embodies what at least 1/4 of the industry should be. Great read, GP.
-ud

[CMoon]

OK, just got Muramasa today and played for about 3 hours. Not exactly what I'd call great, but very enjoyable.

And yeah, speaking of enjoyable, what exactly is Momohime wearing under her Kimono? Could it be...nothing?

The hot springs scenes with her are nice too. It's ironic because you are automatically healed the moment you step in the room, but you can still mess around in the hot spring if you...like to watch.

[BulletMagnet]

And yeah, speaking of enjoyable, what exactly is Momohime wearing under her Kimono? Could it be...nothing?

Ask the octopus. (somewhat NSFW)

[CMoon]

That cover is sort of old news now, but hey, that's the kinda news I like! I heard a few comments about where that tentacle was placed, but I'm pretty much convinced it would be porn it the tentacle wasn't there!

[FRO]

I must ashamedly say I bought a used copy months ago (only $10!) and still haven't popped it in my PS2. In my defense, I got an Xbox AND PSP around the same time, and my wife plunged me into a Wii shortly thereafter, so I've had my gaming hands full

[spadgy]

Odin Sphere! I know it's very well reputed, but I'd forgotten the name of this game. Now I have it in my head again. That's a relief. I'll pick this up sometime soon.

[Dragoforce]

Btw.

Seeing as Basiscape are behind the music in Odin Sphere, does anyone know what Manabu Namikis involvement in the game is?

[Skykid]

After my original thread was cruelly snuffed out, Oboromurasama never really got the discussion it deserved.

That was 2009, and I've only finally bought a copy and just finished it with Momohime. I'm curious to know what other people thought of the game. Personally, I'm bowled over by it. It's easily one of the most visually breathtaking games I've ever played, and that alone kept me hooked. But the combat system is really tight, while remaining simple and intuitive. I never found battles got boring and the boss encounters are absolutely incredible.

If a game should ever been considered a work of art on its visual accomplishments alone, this is it. Where I couldn't get into Odin Sphere too much (did try) the pace of this and the Japanese setting and mythical aspects are incredible. I think it took me around four hours to finish with the first character (on the harder setting - the other is too easy).

For me, this feels like a 2D version of a 3D combat focussed game, like DMC, but more streamlined and more... beautiful.

I know it went to no.2 in Japan on release, which is superb (some Japanese folks really do have great taste) but it pains me to think it's been overlooked in the west.

If you have a Wii, you should buy this now. I picked it up from Amazon for £11 delivered brand new, and it's so good I feel like I robbed someone.

[TrevHead (TVR)]

I dont even have a Wii atm but im planning on buying this (and Sin & Punishment 2) in the near future, cheifly its to support RSG who are the publisher.

A quick check on Amazon UK shows all the cheap copies have gone atm with the game selling at approx £16.50, so ill wait on buying it some more as theres a fuckton of great games out there and im running on a tight budget. I hate penny pinching for niche games of this calibre, but im a poor man who will pirate a game if I want it badly enough.

Theres another 2 or 3 vanillaware games in development atm for the Ps3 & Vita http://www.siliconera.com/2011/06/20/dr ... -old-game/

As for Odin Sphere I was playing it last month and got 1/4 way though the 2nd characters story. The game is a bit of a mixed bag for me due me getting sidetracked into cookery and gathering items which it made worse with the limited item slots and that im a hoarder I know that this is mostly a character flaw with me as a gamer but I do wish the game wasnt reliant of eating for EXP. That been said, now im onto the 2nd story book I have a few recipes that enable me to minimise cooking and hoarding cookery items. So when I return to the game ill beable to progress at a faster pace.

How is Muramasa? Does it have anything like cookery in it or someother wierd mechanic that I cant ignore and just get on with the fighting and the story?

[Skykid]

I dont even have a Wii atm but im planning on buying this (and Sin & Punishment 2) in the near future, cheifly its to support RSG who are the publisher.

A quick check on Amazon UK shows all the cheap copies have gone atm with the game selling at approx £16.50, so ill wait on buying it some more as theres a fuckton of great games out there and im running on a tight budget. I hate penny pinching for niche games of this calibre, but im a poor man who will pirate a game if I want it badly enough.

Theres another 2 or 3 vanillaware games in development atm for the Ps3 & Vita http://www.siliconera.com/2011/06/20/dr ... -old-game/

As for Odin Sphere I was playing it last month and got 1/4 way though the 2nd characters story. The game is a bit of a mixed bag for me due me getting sidetracked into cookery and gathering items which it made worse with the limited item slots and that im a hoarder I know that this is mostly a character flaw with me as a gamer but I do wish the game wasnt reliant of eating for EXP. That been said, now im onto the 2nd story book I have a few recipes that enable me to minimise cooking and hoarding cookery items. So when I return to the game ill beable to progress at a faster pace.

How is Muramasa? Does it have anything like cookery in it or someother wierd mechanic that I cant ignore and just get on with the fighting and the story?

i was the same as you with Odin Sphere: seduced by the visuals but deflated by the RPG elements. It's good, but I can't seem to click with the reliance on item collecting etc.

Murasama does its best to strip those elements to a bare minimum. If you're playing on default difficulty things like cooking (which exists) and item collecting barely have any relevance at all. It's easy enough to ignore them almost all the way through.
But I recommend playing Shuro mode (the harder), because even then using items is simple (there's no limit on collecting) and you'll actually be thankful when you can quickly cook a riceball or Tofu to tide you over.

In comparison though it's extremely streamlined. You have swords selectable on the L button and a selection of health and items on the R (I played it with the Classic Controller). You get swords as a matter of levelling up and they cost nothing, and the system is simply a case of swapping the old (less powerful) for the new (more powerful.)

You can explore the whole game and take on hidden challenges, but you can just as easily carve your way through enjoying the flexible combat and jaw dropping scenery.

And fuck, is it jaw dropping. It's a stunning looking game.

Amazon UK shows all the cheap copies have gone atm with the game selling at approx £16.50

If I'd known then what I know now, I'd have happily paid three times that amount! Well worth £16.50.

[TrevHead (TVR)]

Have you played Aquaria on the PC? Its very much feels like a Vannilaware game mixed with Echo the dolphin and metriodvania. I played with the mouse and keyboard but you can play with a 360 pad and it plays very well with it. (iirc it controls a bit like an arena shooter)

It has cookery but its much more simplier with non of that limited itemslot shit in OS. (although you can only have at max 10 of each item, which is a good thing if youre a hoarder like me)

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyZJo7RpCwo
Demo: http://www.bit-blot.com/aquaria/demo.html

(BTW it was made by a 2 man dev team, one half been "Mr splunky" Derik Yu)

[Skykid]

Looks better than Ecco, but then I hate Ecco with a passion.

Could be interesting. Voiceover is gay, but credit where credit's due for a 2 man job. After the highs of Murasama though, 2D will never be quite the same again, now I've seen how high Vanillaware have raised the ceiling.

[Skykid]

...So, no-one else here actually played this game then?

Is it because the thread title is called Odin Sphere that you don't think we're talking about Murasama (nudge nudge Bulletmagnet).

[Sumez]

I completely regret that I still haven't played this game, I wanted it since the first short clip from it was shown at E3 or something.

Right now I think I'm just waiting to get some more free time on my hands, but in case I manage to clear up some of the still-need-to-play titles I have lying around over the next couple of months, it will only be in time for a slew of other top titles coming out by the end of this year >_>

What's the cheapest place to pick it up in Europe right now?

[Skykid]

I completely regret that I still haven't played this game, I wanted it since the first short clip from it was shown at E3 or something.

Right now I think I'm just waiting to get some more free time on my hands, but in case I manage to clear up some of the still-need-to-play titles I have lying around over the next couple of months, it will only be in time for a slew of other top titles coming out by the end of this year >_>

What's the cheapest place to pick it up in Europe right now?

I'm not sure as I got it for £11 just the other week, but Amazon have put the price back up by £5. Looking around, Amazon still seems cheapest though (cheaper than Play.com, which is unusual.)

This is one of the most captivating games I've played in years - it's almost everything I want in a videogame. If it had a more variety and was fleshed out a little more, it would probably be an all round masterpiece instead of just a visual one - but for what's there (some really spiffy combat) it's still frankly unmissable for anyone with a love of 2D gaming.

BUY IT NOW (so then we can talk about it.)

[Elixir]

Muramasa had possibly the worst translation I've ever seen. Or lack of, it's more like they took sentences and shortened them by 80%.

I liked the game though. Looking forward to Dragon's Crown.

[Skykid]

Muramasa had possibly the worst translation I've ever seen. Or lack of, it's more like they took sentences and shortened them by 80%.

Really, can you shed a little more light on this? What's missing?

Not being able to read Japanese there's nothing for me to compare with, and by that note I found the translations to be very respectful (in the sense they read 'traditionally', not with present day Americanisms. I liked the dialogue.)

I didn't have any problem at all with the storyline - in-fact I found the implementation of plot to be perfectly balanced, because it was completely unintrusive and bridged gaps between the action only when necessary.

[drauch]

Still haven't played Princess Crown, mainly do to the language barrier (bum bum bummmmm), but I enjoy both Odin Sphere and Muramasa. Odin Sphere's alchemy is a bit tedious, but otherwise the game is fun and too pretty. Muramasa I bought the day it came out, and I've still only put a few hours into it. Really enjoyed it as well, but for some reason tossed it to the side. Dragon's Crown looks like the game I've been waiting for, though, so I may try and pick both of those back up again to get hype.

[Skykid]

Still haven't played Princess Crown, mainly do to the language barrier (bum bum bummmmm), but I enjoy both Odin Sphere and Muramasa. Odin Sphere's alchemy is a bit tedious, but otherwise the game is fun and too pretty. Muramasa I bought the day it came out, and I've still only put a few hours into it. Really enjoyed it as well, but for some reason tossed it to the side. Dragon's Crown looks like the game I've been waiting for, though, so I may try and pick both of those back up again to get hype.

If you put a few hours into Murasama you should have finished it with one character, it's not that long.

Odin Sphere has a translation/localisation out, just trade in your JP copy. Strider put me on the lead for a Korean copy (a long time ago) which is in English but runs on a JP console if you can find one.

[drauch]

I think by few I meant 2... Is it really only that short? I'll definitely be starting it up again, then.

[Jonathan Ingram]

I finished Grim Grimoire yesterday. I had already played through all the other Vanilla Ware games before, so GG was the last one. The gameplay got a bit boring about 2/3 through the game(4-6 dragons + 4 grimalkins/homunculi = you dominate the map; repeat a number of times), but the story and characters kept me hooked all the way through. Would be really cool if VW made a sequel to it one day. Advocat was a bloody cool character.

On a side note, Odin Sphere, Grim Grimoire and Muramasa run exceptionally well and look fantastic in PCSX2 and Dolphin(Princess Crown also runs great in SSF, but doesn`t look better than on Saturn). So, emulators are a viable alternative to native hardware for these games.

[Skykid]

I think by few I meant 2... Is it really only that short? I'll definitely be starting it up again, then.

Think my Momohime playthrough was about 4hrs ish.

[Jonathan Ingram]

I think by few I meant 2... Is it really only that short? I'll definitely be starting it up again, then.

It`s not short by any means. It takes about 40 hours to get all the endings and collect all of the blades. Odin Sphere was definitely longer by comparison though. Took me about 80 hours to do everything.

Think my Momohime playthrough was about 4hrs ish.

4 hours??? You`re doing it wrong. The game is no good like that.

[greg]

Here's a new Gwendolyn figure. I have a poseable Gwendolyn by Yujin, also a Galadriel figure from Princess Crown by the same company. You can see them in the pic I took for the dolls vs figures debate thread. The Galadriel figure falls apart real easy and is rather shoddy. Yujin released a ver 1.5 figure, which I assume fixed a lot of those problems. They did a better job with the Gwendolyn figure.

[Skykid]

Think my Momohime playthrough was about 4hrs ish.

4 hours??? You`re doing it wrong. The game is no good like that.

Eh, it was fine, great fun... so far, I'm not finished with it yet.

I've just checked and it's actually 5:15, so I'm guessing it'll be 10+ after I've done Kinsuke's story. I had an inclination once finished with Momohime to go back and do all the different challenges (in the tree trunks), but I'm not one of these people who needs to get 100%'s on games like this. I don't care for repeating my actions for 30 more hours just to collect all the swords and watch multiple endings - that's not my style (not enough time in life.)

What I've got from it so far has been perfectly awesome though.

[Blackbird]

Speak of the devil... someone's selling Princess Crown on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Princess-Crown-Sega ... 1e64a5298e

Never seen it before. I wonder if it's any good.

Edit: Wow, normally not crazy about figurines, but that Gwendolyn figure is really cool. I should dig that game out someday and try to complete it.