Baroque PS2 - Coming in April from Atlus

[dave4shmups]

If it's not baroque, don't fix it..

BOOOOOO! *throws rotten vegetables*

Sorry sorry! I couldn't help myself.

That was quality! I saw a t-shirt once that said: "Baroque: When you're out of Monet to make the Van Gogh."

More back on-topic-how does combat play out-is it turn-based, hack-and-slash, etc?

[ForceDevice]

More back on-topic-how does combat play out-is it turn-based, hack-and-slash, etc?

it's real time, basic punch-kick-slash stuff. A bit too basic for its own good IMO... I might get bored of it near the end of the game. But it's by no means bad.

BTW, the more I play this game, the more I love it. It's shaping up to be one of the best non-RPGs I've played on the PS2. Hope it doesn't get unbearably boring and repetitive after some time, like some other games I've been playing recently. >_>

[kozo]

Excellent game, just got it yesterday, been playing a lot since then.

I loved the Saturn version but this tops it in almost every way. EXCELLENT

[Mikey]

I loved the Saturn version but this tops it in almost every way. EXCELLENT

Even the music?

[kozo]

Oops, you're right, the Saturn music is better. More haunting. Atmospheric.

Still, the new music isn't that bad.

[P_HAT]

BORING. But FUN.



I must play more.

[CMoon]

Really enjoying the game, but I have no clue what's going on; what I'm supposed to give to different characters, etc.

[kozo]

Yes, it can be extremely cryptic and odd. The GameFaqs boards are actually pretty great for the game right now, lots of tips and positive reactions to the game (for the most part). Some helpful stuff in there so long as you avoid spoiler posts.

[dave4shmups]

More back on-topic-how does combat play out-is it turn-based, hack-and-slash, etc?

it's real time, basic punch-kick-slash stuff. A bit too basic for its own good IMO... I might get bored of it near the end of the game. But it's by no means bad.

BTW, the more I play this game, the more I love it. It's shaping up to be one of the best non-RPGs I've played on the PS2. Hope it doesn't get unbearably boring and repetitive after some time, like some other games I've been playing recently. >_>

]

Thanks for that info! This sounds like a great game; I love DS Mystery Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer, and this sounds somewhat similar.

[Obiwanshinobi]

I don't get people's complaints about the graphics. Especially this:

The environments look about as cool as they did in the original version, but they still aren't exactly impressive, especially compared to the PS2 Silent Hill games.

What the...? Silent Hill games don't have randomised dungeons, do they? Surely randomised dungeons shouldn't be expected to look as impressive as crafted environments of Silent Hill?
I like Baroque's presentation a lot. Voice acting (pretty good, but not quite necessary in a game this primordial at heart) and weak animations aside, it stands every bit as cool as DDS1&2 or Nocturne. In my book it certainly isn't second to something like - praised to hell and back for its visuals - Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria (a game profuse in similar soft light and depth of field effects, sporting some rather weak animations as well). Oozes superb character design, modelling and texturing (as good as PS2 texturing gets in games where you look at things closely).
Of course the framerate issues shouldn't be there; it's no technical marvel. The combat feels a bit awkward after the hack & slash-fest of Crimson Tears, but I don't expect a game of this kind to be easily penetrable. I'm not even sure if I'm up to another repetitive, quirky dungeon crawler yet. Just saying that, if you ask me, it IS a looker among games of Ctr+C, Ctrl+V style graphics (justified by the game's very nature). Like a dirty reverse of Shin MegaTen minimalistic style.

[ZOM]

The best remake-type game on the PS2(and Wii) and the graphics fit the game perfectly, random "building-blocks" or not.
I found that the Saturn version *does* have a slightly deeper and creepier atmosphere to it thanks to the darker soundtrack and sprite-npcs, but the addition of a 3rd person cam let the game shine in different ways... it feels a bit more "actionny" yet retains the slow pacing that some would call boring but others will appreciate as part of the atmosphere and game-mechanics(sorta like in the King's Field series).

[Obiwanshinobi]

King's Field came to my mind too, although I've never played those From Software dungeon games. Baroque hardly bears any resemblance to Silent Hill other than the visual style.

[sjewkestheloon]

Just put an hour in on this today and was pleasantly surprised. Will have another play later on and may come back with some questions.

[CMoon]

I had this one on the wii, but I have neither it nor the wii anymore. This would be a great addition to the psn store.

[Ruldra]

This would be a great addition to the psn store.

+1. Always wanted to play this one but never had the opportunity.

[ST Dragon]

Wasn't there also a vertical PC shooter with the same name?

[MadScientist]

Wasn't there also a vertical PC shooter with the same name?

I think that was called 'Baroque Shooting'.

I quite enjoy Baroque on the PS2 though. I've been getting into roguelikes a lot more over the past year or two, and this is a pretty interesting take on the genre. It runs pretty well on pcsx2 if your PC is up to it.

[sjewkestheloon]

Spoilers of sorts below, but nothing major.





What a fascinating little game. I have read nothing about the game from a guide or the like, so the format was a surprise. I failed in my initial run of the dungeon and think that I have been locked out of some scenes as a result but the second run was much better and I had an interesting encounter and some cut scenes at the bottom. I am now delving even deeper on another run and, after a few infuriating attemps where I got tag-screwed by wall traps, instant ambushes, cursed items and no weapon drops for 5 floors, etc, I am now on an excellent run. I have also finally figured out what counts as Consciousness Orbs and so have been able to send some quality items to the town for the next attempts.

There are some nasty surprises in this game too. The worst happened when I ran over a 'food' pad twice accidentally and turned my upgraded sword and high quality armour into rotten meat...

I also spotted the option to restart the game completely on the same save file while keeping your database intact. Methinks this is a game with multiple paths and outcomes depending on your actions...