The Last Story, Xenoblade

[sfried]

From a certain post in the Platinum Games forum:

First up is the mysterious The Last Story (pretty close to 'Final Fantasy', heh), which is going to be an RPG co-developed by Nintendo and Sakaguchi-san's MistWalker. The Last Story will have a story with the theme of the universal feelings held by people. The Last Story is most likely the game that MistWalker has been teasing for a long time, and is for the Wii system. Nintendo and MistWalker aim to create a new form of RPG with The Last Story. The Last Story is slated for release sometime this year.

The Last Story official Site (such beautiful music!): http://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/slsj/index.html

Next is another Wii RPG named Xenoblade, it is developed by Monolith Software and the latest game from Xenosaga's Tetsuya Takahashi. Xenoblade is slated for release in Japan in Spring 2010. Check out a screenshot(?) from official site below:

Xenoblade teaser site (fantastic music!): http://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/sx4j/index.html

It seems Xenoblade was originally the game called Monando, which had a slight preview in last years E3. Looks like it might have recieved an overhaul.

[linko9]

Cautiously excited for both of these games. I loved the Baten Kaitos series, so I guess I'm a Monolith fan. "Last Story" sounds like a shameless Final Fantasy re-imagining, which is cool. In other news, the Metroid: Other M site opened today, but it's very low on content.

http://metroid.jp/

[Specineff]

Yet another reimagining of the Xeno series? Don't get me wrong, I love them. But I would like to see more of MOMO, KOS-MOS, Ziggy and Co, than yet another existential, quasi-religious foray into the "What is God/Humanity/Will/Tacos" again from the beginning.

Also, no more Lost Odyssey?

[Ganelon]

It's funny how much of a different reception this game is having because of the new title. As Monado, most folks just ignored it completely and even I thought it looked pretty boring. But now with a title revamp and some pictures of Gear-esque mecha, it's suddenly hot on everybody's radar.

[BulletMagnet]

It's funny how much of a different reception this game is having because of the new title. As Monado, most folks just ignored it completely and even I thought it looked pretty boring. But now with a title revamp and some pictures of Gear-esque mecha, it's suddenly hot on everybody's radar.

I predict some ill-advised and over-stretched story-related attempts to attempt to tie this to the more popular/recognizable series, a la Chrono Cross.

[SockPuppetHyren]

It's funny how much of a different reception this game is having because of the new title. As Monado, most folks just ignored it completely and even I thought it looked pretty boring. But now with a title revamp and some pictures of Gear-esque mecha, it's suddenly hot on everybody's radar.

Of course, Giant robots are awesome!

That one shot definitely looks nice, but most games this generation look nice. It's good that the Wii is getting some RPG love, though I'm still hoping for a Baten Kaitos III.

[Cthulhu]

I'm always happy for more good JRPGs, and I could use more reasons to give my JP Wii some attention. Interested but not yet sold on these (need more concrete info first).

[UnscathedFlyingObject]

It's funny how much of a different reception this game is having because of the new title. As Monado,

[sfried]

I'm always happy for more good JRPGs, and I could use more reasons to give my JP Wii some attention. Interested but not yet sold on these (need more concrete info first).

http://www.andriasang.com/e/blog/2010/0 ... e_preview/

The entire game world is set on the top of the corpses of these two gods. The rest of the world is nothing but ocean. It's an entirely enclosed space. You won't find outer space if you look up. And it does not seem to be the case that the two gods are resting on a planet.
...
Your movement through the world will be seamless. "We've put effort into this," said Takahashi, "because we felt that in order to show a living world, we needed an overwhelming sense of scale, like that of an MMORPG."

Exploration of the world looks like it could be one of the game's charms. Takahashi said that he hopes players will simply walk around in search of special unexplored areas which have beautiful settings. You'll get experience for just finding these. Some areas include monsters that can't be defeated at first. Once you've powered your character up, you'll want to return to take on those beasts.

While most of this first interview was about Xenoblade's world setting, Takahashi also shared a few details on the Xenoblade battle system. Enemies in Xenoblade roam the fields alongside you. Encounter an enemy, and the game will transition seamlessly into battle. Takahashi explained that he didn't want make the game transition from field to battle in typical RPG style.

Since battles take place on the same fields across which you and the enemies roam, you'll find that nearby enemies will join in on the battle. As a strategy, you'll want to engage in battle in areas where there aren't any other enemies.

Link to huge image.

[UnscathedFlyingObject]

"Like a MMORPG" makes it sound like it will suck.

[ncp]

It said the world/map would be like an MMORPG, not the game. Reading comprehension, bro. MMO-scale maps in single-player games are fantastic.

[UnscathedFlyingObject]

My reading comprehension is right, bro. It's just what that means to each individual person. To me MMORPG scale means they'll create 20 textures and apply that to half a continent, and that's usually right.

[apple arcade]

will buy a wii for xenoblade

[Drum]

will buy a wii for xenoblade

I've seen this dropped around quite a bit on forums and I don't get it. People do realise it's made by the same developers who made Xenosaga and Xenogears, right?

[apple arcade]

will buy a wii for xenoblade

I've seen this dropped around quite a bit on forums and I don't get it. People do realise it's made by the same developers who made Xenosaga and Xenogears, right?

Exactly.

I'm a huge Xenosaga fan.

BTW does anyone have a rip of the song on the site?

[Specineff]

^^^ No KOS-MOS, Ziggy, MOMO or Shion= Fail.

Sorry. Adding the "Xeno" prefix for it to sell is just a shameless tactic, especially if the game is not even spiritually tied to the other two.

[UnscathedFlyingObject]

I thought it was funnier when it was called like menudo .

[CMoon]

I've thought about picking up Xenosaga for the PS2 before...is this just more FF type cutscene fluff or is there a good RPG I've missed here? (Note: I really haven't found any enjoyment in the FF games since their earliest incarnations.)

[sfried]

The Xenoblade website has updated. New trailer, Classic controller support.

The Last Story's website has also updated with new information.

[Specineff]

So it's Dynasty Warriors meets FF: Spirits Within meets Grandia meets The Gnosis...

Needs more robots.

[Elixir]

Looks pretty boring.

[ZOM]

The Last Story's website has also updated with new information.

From the little info I understand, I'm intrigued. Not to mention that both music tracks and all the artworks are top notch. Ruli island seems interesting enough.

[ShmupSamurai]

RPGs+Giant mechs= goood IMO

however RPGs+Riding Laser-Shooting Dragons in Mid-Air during Battle=EPIC.

[Drum]

Was browsing neogaf and accidentally clicked on the Last Story thread, a game I had zero interest in until I saw this:

GAMEPLAY SYSTEMS
- You control the main character Elza
- Combat is real-time
- Two control options for attacking: Auto-attack (automatically attacks enemies when you title the control stick towards them and they are in range) or manual mode (uses button presses for attacks)
- In both options, you use buttons to block and evade
- Automatically switch to combat when approaching an enemy, no transition screen, etc.

Pointer System:
- Enemies have lines drawn from them showing enemy focus (i.e. which ally the enemy is targeting). Based off line of sight, so for instance, an enemy hiding behind a wall can't target you.
- Color indicates enemy type (archer, solider, mage)
- Several options in the Config menu from displaying no pointers to displaying them for everything.



Gathering:
- Draws enemy focus to Elza. This allows your allies time to cast spells (a spell will fail if your ally is hit while casting it which takes several seconds).
- Gathering Burst: Elza will get a "burst up" if he blocks an enemy attack while in gathering mode. If he gets enough burst ups he can do a "Gathering Burst" when going out of gathering mode. This damages enemies & may slow them down.
- Cure: Elza can revive your fallen allies if he touches them while in Gathering mode. They will revive with temp. enhanced abilities.



Command Mode
- Freezes time and allows you to give specific commands to allies (where to move on the battlefield, what magic to cast, etc).
- Game switches to an overhead view when commanding a character where to cast a spell and you can target exactly where it will land on the battlefield.
- You don't have unlimited use of Command mode. After you use it you can't use it again for a little while.

Magic Circle:
- When a party member casts a spell, a "Magic Circle" is left afterwards at the point of impact
- If an ally stands in the magic circle, his or her weapon will temporarily gain the elemental attribute of the spell that created the circle.



Spread:
- Elza can use his wind magic to spread the effects of the magic circle
- Spread an ice circle and the enemies will slip and fall
- Other examples Holy = defense up for allies when spread, and spreading Cure = Allies recover HP & Status abnormalities
- Elza can also use his wind magic to break enemy magic circles

Focus
- Elza can use Focus to see enemy weak points and special abilities
- He draws a bowgun when he uses the ability, so you can use it to sneak up behind cover and snipe enemies.
- This is useful for taking out enemy healers that are hiding
- The bowgun can be upgraded and has multiple ammo types, from arrows to explosives to banana peels.



Destructable environments
- One party member, Yuris can use fire magic to target and destroy bridges, columns, etc.
- If the debris falls on enemies it will kill them

Tension Skills
- Simliar to Limit Breaks, they are special battle moves that deplete your tension gauge which fills up over battle

Equipment
- Many different types of equipment available which can be upgraded in Ruli City
- You can customize the color of each piece of the armor and even take it off down to your underwear while keeping the same stats

Ruli City
- Battle Arena where you can test your skills and win money from townsfolk who bet on you. Sports-style audio commentary
- Appraisal system where you pay money to identify mystery items
- Use the upgrade shop to upgrade your weapons/armor if you have the necesary items and gold to do so

Cooperative Online
- Form a party of up to 6 to take on a boss character
- Equipment and levels carry over from the main game
- Get items based on which boss you fight

Competitive Online
- Deathmatch and Team Deathmatch
- All players get weapons, items, and paint at the end of the round
- Top players get the best items
- Ranks at the end of matches
- Powerup items on map (sticky sword, prank banana, defense-up)
- Levels/stats of equipment don't carry over from single player to this mode, but the look of your character does
- Can play as characters not playable in single player mode

An RPG with actual interesting, creative gameplay design. When was the last time we got one of them? Knights in the Nightmare? And before that, Breath of Fire Dragon Quarter?
And six player online co-op! Now that I know how good this looks I will be pretty pissed if this doesn't get an English release.

[dunpeal2064]

It's funny how much of a different reception this game is having because of the new title. As Monado, most folks just ignored it completely and even I thought it looked pretty boring. But now with a title revamp and some pictures of Gear-esque mecha, it's suddenly hot on everybody's radar.

I predict some ill-advised and over-stretched story-related attempts to attempt to tie this to the more popular/recognizable series, a la Chrono Cross.

I thought the story in Chrono Cross, albeit confusing as hell, was more interesting than Chrono Trigger. Don't get me wrong, Trigger is far better just in the way it flows, but I think Cross is a solid game, and a lot of people just didn't like it because they wanted Chrono Trigger 2

Spoiler:

I don't see it being ill-advised that the entire story of chrono cross decided whether or not chrono trigger even happened. Far-stretched though indeed I actually really liked how the plot developed after about 10 hours in. Threw some things at me that I did not see coming. Kind of a Legend of Dragoon feel as far as story goes. Also, the music is pretty damn cool in Chrono Cross. Theres my 2 cents

[Despatche]

Adding the "Xeno" prefix for it to sell is just a shameless tactic, especially if the game is not even spiritually tied to the other two.

Remind me again how related Xenosaga really is to Xenogears.

[cj iwakura]

There's a guy in Xenosaga III who kinda looks like Fei and a girl who kinda looks like Elly.

That's about it. But the scenario writer of Gears, the most important person, had nothing to do with Saga, so it's as far from relevant as you can get.


More to the on-topic, neither game has much chance of coming out here. Have you seen NoA's failure of a track record with Japanese games lately? I like the Wii and all, but this is getting pathetic.


No Fatal Frame IV, no Disaster, no Trace Memory, zilch. Noteworthy imports are being left to rot.

[Elixir]

An RPG with actual interesting, creative gameplay design. When was the last time we got one of them?

Resonance of Fate.

Still think Xenoblade looks boring, Last Story looks interesting from what combat I have seen. Reminds me of Demon's Souls, actually.

[Despatche]

No Fatal Frame IV, no Disaster, no Trace Memory, zilch. Noteworthy imports are being left to rot.

And then Atlus continues onward with 999. What a world.

[Drum]

Elixir: I had my eye on Resonance of Fate but it's a Tri-Ace joint which means I will be vomiting through all the cutscenes and the characters just look creepy. Gameplay did look cool though - are the cutscenes skippable? Also, which version is better?