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I could see Kuro getting announced, but I'm not sure if they'll do a Switch version since it doesn't exist in Japan. Though it's the same engine as Ys X (which is on Switch), so it seems possible. Maybe they've been working on a port to coincide with the western release? Or maybe they'll just wait for Switch 2 if it's not gonna release till next year anyways.
Oath in Felghana and Tokyo Xanadu seem pretty unlikely cause of Xseed and Aksys. Really hope they can wrestle the rights from them one day. Seems like such a waste to go through the work to make these ports and just limit your sales potential due to legal BS. Falcom really should have had a stipulation in their contracts that Xseed/Aksys get first right of refusal for new ports, but if they turn them down, Falcom can take their translations and have someone else do it.
I still want Cold Steel I & II, but not only do they have the Xseed issue, but the Switch ports were done by Clouded Leopard, and there's no precedent of their ports being localized, NISA usually commissions their own. And I don't know if they'd commission just a Switch port (as opposed to Switch & PC like the newer games).
Really sucks how they've handled these games outside Japan.
I could see Kuro getting announced, but I'm not sure if they'll do a Switch version since it doesn't exist in Japan. Though it's the same engine as Ys X (which is on Switch), so it seems possible. Maybe they've been working on a port to coincide with the western release? Or maybe they'll just wait for Switch 2 if it's not gonna release till next year anyways.
Oath in Felghana and Tokyo Xanadu seem pretty unlikely cause of Xseed and Aksys. Really hope they can wrestle the rights from them one day. Seems like such a waste to go through the work to make these ports and just limit your sales potential due to legal BS. Falcom really should have had a stipulation in their contracts that Xseed/Aksys get first right of refusal for new ports, but if they turn them down, Falcom can take their translations and have someone else do it.
I still want Cold Steel I & II, but not only do they have the Xseed issue, but the Switch ports were done by Clouded Leopard, and there's no precedent of their ports being localized, NISA usually commissions their own. And I don't know if they'd commission just a Switch port (as opposed to Switch & PC like the newer games).
Really sucks how they've handled these games outside Japan.
Kuro localization is far more likely here then Ys X just due to how Falcom has historically worked with Western localizers.
Edit: Someone on era about a week ago noted Kuro on steam got an update for no reason. Considering Nayuta had been on Steam for years, and the English localization was just an update of that Japanese version...
Yeah historically Falcom never handed over their games to get localized until it was 100% finished and released. Perhaps that process has improved, but Ys X is probably a year away.
Yeah historically Falcom never handed over their games to get localized until it was 100% finished and released. Perhaps that process has improved, but Ys X is probably a year away.
Yeah, it's probably around year away from actually releasing here, but I think they could easily announce it now. Like in June 2021 when they announced localizations for 4 Trails games, the last of which didn't release till just this week. So I don't think they have any qualms about announcing far-off localizations. I'm not expecting to see a trailer with English text or voice or anything.
Yeah, it's probably around year away from actually releasing here, but I think they could easily announce it now. Like in June 2021 when they announced localizations for 4 Trails games, the last of which didn't release till just this week. So I don't think they have any qualms about announcing far-off localizations. I'm not expecting to see a trailer with English text or voice or anything.
Reverie had been over a year old when it's localization was announced, the other 3 titles announced were all old games getting new ports thanks to NISA & Falcom. It's not a comparable timetable as Ys X is still not out in Japan yet, and a localization announcement today would signal a pretty big shift in how Falcom has worked with localizers. Ideally they'd announce Kuro 1-2 and Ys 10 today, along with PS5 ports of CS3-4 (cause you can't have enough Trails ports).
My guess is Kuro announcement + Cold Steel III and IV PS5 ports, everything out before the end of 2024. If NISA wants to surprise us then maaaaybe either Kuro II or Ys X for 2024 as well, though that's probably dreaming just a lil'too big.
Exciting stuff anyways. I just started Zero too, so I'm absolutely in a Trails mood haha.
My guess is Kuro announcement + Cold Steel III and IV PS5 ports, everything out before the end of 2024. If NISA wants to surprise us then maaaaybe either Kuro II or Ys X for 2024 as well, though that's probably dreaming just a lil'too big.
Exciting stuff anyways. I just started Zero too, so I'm absolutely in a Trails mood haha.
Finally finished Chained Echoes, I liked it a lot though it did feel a bit uneven. The game was largely made by one person and it feels that way especially in the story/writing. Some segments of the game feel like they were stitched from different drafts, and other segments were hand waved a bit too much for my taste.
The combat really helps carry the game, even if by the end not even the super boss could do much but melt under how speedy characters.
Chrono Cross update - I'm getting a lot of sidequest energy from this section with the dragons. A lot of retreading familiar ground and easy battles. The green one in particular feels pretty convoluted. I'm eager to get through this section and make it feel like things are moving again.
Chrono Cross update - I'm getting a lot of sidequest energy from this section with the dragons. A lot of retreading familiar ground and easy battles. The green one in particular feels pretty convoluted. I'm eager to get through this section and make it feel like things are moving again.
I actually really like the section where it's more open and you just have to wander around fighting all the dragons, it's a nice "power up" bit of the game with some exploration and freedom. But it does drag when it comes to plot, no doubt. Don't worry, though, you're about to hit PLOT OVERLOAD soon.
I actually really like the section where it's more open and you just have to wander around fighting all the dragons, it's a nice "power up" bit of the game with some exploration and freedom. But it does drag when it comes to plot, no doubt. Don't worry, though, you're about to hit PLOT OVERLOAD soon.
One thing I haven't done too much of yet is the Traps and Summons. I'd probably have a little more fun if I sprinkled some of those in with the dragons.
One thing I haven't done too much of yet is the Traps and Summons. I'd probably have a little more fun if I sprinkled some of those in with the dragons.
You can totally complete the game without bothering with trap and summons. That was my experience back in 2002-2003 with the game. Don’t feel bad if you miss them it’s one of the more arcane and fiddly aspects to the game.
Finally started Sea of Stars! So far it's pretty great. The pixel art is gorgeous, the music is good, and the combat system is fun, if a bit on the simple side (around 5-6 hours in). The story is a bit slow at first, but I've heard it really picks up after a while so I'm eager to keep playing.
The game is still quite good, but I’m starting to feel a few issues with it:
- Mainly, it’s almost too streamlined and feels far too on-rails: There’s basically no side content at all, and you kind of just get shuffled straight into the next objective over and over. You don’t even really have the illusion of being able to go to other places or explore much
- There’s not enough equipment upgrades or customization, either; it doesn’t feel like you’re ever making any meaningful decisions about equipment or builds or anything, and even choosing your stat upgrades on level up don’t really seem to have a huge impact on character differences.
- Going along with the lack of equipment and loot: There’s some fun mini games and some hidden collectibles, but all you seem to get out of any of that is money, which again, you can’t do much with since there’s not much to buy or upgrade
- The difficulty also seems a bit too easy - nothing has really been all that challenging and I’ve only game over’d once when I wasn’t paying attention and entered a battle without healing up beforehand.
Again, the game is still very good and charming, and it looks like it might be about to open up a bit more, so some of this could get better soon! Just some thoughts from around 12 hours in.
The game is still quite good, but I’m starting to feel a few issues with it:
- Mainly, it’s almost too streamlined and feels far too on-rails: There’s basically no side content at all, and you kind of just get shuffled straight into the next objective over and over. You don’t even really have the illusion of being able to go to other places or explore much
- There’s not enough equipment upgrades or customization, either; it doesn’t feel like you’re ever making any meaningful decisions about equipment or builds or anything, and even choosing your stat upgrades on level up don’t really seem to have a huge impact on character differences.
- Going along with the lack of equipment and loot: There’s some fun mini games and some hidden collectibles, but all you seem to get out of any of that is money, which again, you can’t do much with since there’s not much to buy or upgrade
- The difficulty also seems a bit too easy - nothing has really been all that challenging and I’ve only game over’d once when I wasn’t paying attention and entered a battle without healing up beforehand.
Again, the game is still very good and charming, and it looks like it might be about to open up a bit more, so some of this could get better soon! Just some thoughts from around 12 hours in.
The game is very much a straightforward and streamlined experience, and honestly feels more like a turn based adventure game than a standard RPG
I had a blast with it overall but it is and stays pretty simplistic in a lot of areas
I guess it does get a bit more difficult but nothing was ever that challenging, think I got like 3 game overs total and two of them were on me messing up on one fight (not any particularly difficult fight either, just a random enemy encounter)
I think SoS is really wearing its Chrono Trigger inspiration on its sleeve here. You could explore around a little bit in CT but not to much end, and the equipment/upgrades were pretty much "buy better stuff in each new town or maybe find better stuff in a chest in the next area." By modern standards SoS is surely pretty basic but honestly its progression gives me serious 90s Square vibes and I really like that.
And as far as the challenge that Sammy mentioned, I've been absolutely stomped by a couple bosses and hoards so I'm not really complaining
Playing Zero and I sure didn't expect Estelle and Joshua to show up so soon ahah. Their second appearance is even more beautifully cliché! Here come the King and the Queen to save the asses of the new kids on the block. Feels so weird to hear them voiced honestly.
I also did smirk at Loyd referencing barriers to overcome, having knowledge of that song before even having touched the game. I guess it turns into a running theme of the duology maybe? Kinda?
Also send help I'm 90 hours in and I can't stop playing Genshin.
So I put my LaD playthrough on hold on decided to give FF7 another shot on a whim. And I finally managed to stick with it to the end. So far, so good, yeah?
Well, I'll let you be the judge of that, but I am now playing Crisis Core Reunion.
I think SoS is really wearing its Chrono Trigger inspiration on its sleeve here. You could explore around a little bit in CT but not to much end, and the equipment/upgrades were pretty much "buy better stuff in each new town or maybe find better stuff in a chest in the next area." By modern standards SoS is surely pretty basic but honestly its progression gives me serious 90s Square vibes and I really like that.
And as far as the challenge that Sammy mentioned, I've been absolutely stomped by a couple bosses and hoards so I'm not really complaining
So going off that this game is one of my favorite games of this year in an absolutely stacked year.
2) Difficulty is weird
It’s not hard per se even if I died once or twice early on some bosses. I found that if you just turtle and heal and spam the one Lunar spell you can be assured to get through most fights.
The issue though is it isn’t hard. It just drags the fights out especially if the boss also heals. So it’s just this grind game on the harder bosses.
That being said some of the optional bosses at the end for the true ending require some true thought.
3) Them damn rainbow conchs
Look I don’t mind having to do a bit extra for the true ending, but having to find all of the conchs is my only personal knock against this game.
4) The art and the music are everything it’s been billed as and more
Truly great to see a game with such amazing art and music. Can’t praise this enough.
5) It’s what I wanted Tokyo RPG Factory games to be
As stated it’s the game I wanted those games to be, and I hope we get a sequel. No spoils, but while stuff is concluded there are obvious ways we could easily get a sequel.
Are they really that bad? I've just been picking them up casually as I play through and I already have like 25 or so at maybe the 13-14 hour mark? Do they get tougher to spot?
as someone who proudly imported all three TRPGF games and staunchly defends them, I gotta say I actually do agree. Sea of Stars figured out the secret sauce that TRPGF wanted to replicate.
Are they really that bad? I've just been picking them up casually as I play through and I already have like 25 or so at maybe the 13-14 hour mark? Do they get tougher to spot?
I think SoS is really wearing its Chrono Trigger inspiration on its sleeve here. You could explore around a little bit in CT but not to much end, and the equipment/upgrades were pretty much "buy better stuff in each new town or maybe find better stuff in a chest in the next area." By modern standards SoS is surely pretty basic but honestly its progression gives me serious 90s Square vibes and I really like that.
And as far as the challenge that Sammy mentioned, I've been absolutely stomped by a couple bosses and hoards so I'm not really complaining
Don't get me wrong, I love Chrono Trigger! I'm really into a lot of what it does and that style of older RPG. And I'm really liking this game for the most part, too. I guess part of my issue is that so far, it has even less variety and customization than Chrono Trigger did, though:
- CT had a lot more techs/magic/double techs/etc. to mess around with than this game. I only have four characters (so this might get better if/when I get more) but currently they only have 2-3 skills each, and 1-2 combos. And you don't get to use combos as often since they take time to charge up.
- Chrono Trigger was usually just 'buy the best stuff in town', but there was still quite a bit more in the way of equipment options than this game, especially in the accessory slot. CT gave you things like the counterattack accessory, berserker band, etc. even early on, and you could usually buy a full set of weapons and armor a lot more often, which also gave you a use for money (which feels lacking so far in SoS)
- This is maybe more of a personal pet peeve, but the numbers were also a lot bigger and swingier in CT, too. In SoS, a new sword for Zale for example might raise your attack from like... 33 to 37. It feels like a very small, minor upgrade. And Armor has a similarly small effect on your overall stats, too. It just makes finding new gear a bit less exciting.
I'm wondering though how much A) A lot of this is just due to being earlier in the game and having fewer options and freedom, so that might improve, and B) How much is due to, like @Vanillalite said, that fights (especially bosses, but a lot of fights really) seem to drag a bit. Especially since you're rarely in danger, you're just chipping away at health pools that feel a bit too large some of the time.
Anyway, this is all very nitpicky and I'm really liking the game so I'll stop . It's just interesting to think through some of the differences between the two games and what I like about them.
There's always something about indie "j"rpgs that just feels off in a way I can't describe. No matter how great they are (Cosmic Star Heroine, Cross Code, Chained Echoes are all fantastic) there's always a vibe of imposter syndrome I get while playing them. Even when they're doing things gameplay or narratively in a fresh, unique way compared to the classics, things never fully click like I want them to.
I have been trying to play Baldur's Gate 1 for weeks and last time I tried I made it past the prologue, Imoen joined to my party and I got killed quite fast in a battle in the wilderness. I'm not sure if I should change my class (right now I'm cleric-ranger) or should I change to the story mode difficulty
Two 12-hour flights later and I'm wondering why there's even a bad ending to Sea of Stars.
As others pointed out, the unlock mechanism would be fine if it weren't for the 60 Rainbow Conches. The relevant NPC doesn't even figure into the plot and isn't mandatory to talk to, unlike the other five characters.
Yet as much as the mechanism bothers me, I don't know why there are two endings. Both of them leave threads hanging. Serai never comes clean with her crew. We never get closure on Resh'an, while Erlina and Brugraves effectively stopped existing after Clockwork Castle. Arty and the AI core felt like they were building up to another party member, but they're non-entities after their debut. We also never see the Acolytes' merged form with the Dweller of Strife. I know that last one's calling forward to The Messenger, but it really needed to be shown on-screen in this game.
The true final boss was promising, but even defeating the Fleshmancer doesn't grant a satisfying conclusion. What are the themes of this game? What does it mean? There is something poignant in having a character so humble as Garl being the turning point for the final battle, but this game didn't bring that out for comment...despite being textually dense everywhere else.
It's strange how quiet the game suddenly gets as soon as the final battle ends. Sea of Stars is way more verbose than its inspirations; it's more Chrono Trigger DS than it is Chrono Trigger, basking in all the dialogue it can have. That makes it more vulnerable to criticism, because there's that much more to analyze and critique. Yet when the time comes for everything written to add up to something, the game doesn't say much. Feels like we needed one more scene in the archives to wrap up, but they chose to end on Garl in the old hideout instead.
I'm disappointed because the middle of Sea of Stars is so strong. It starts out slow, hooks you right at the end of Wraith Island, and then has a constant string of high points:
Boarding the Vespertine and fighting Stormcaller in the Sea of Nightmare.
Reaching the final room of Antsudlo and meeting Resh'an.
Climbing Glacial Peak and gaining the power to change day and night freely.
Entering creepy Torment Peak and being stalked by Lovecraftian abominations.
Fighting the Dweller of Torment by cutting a portal to the eclipse you just summoned.
Going through Autumn Hills with Resh'an as a party member, using his ultimate and discovering he's really the Great Eagle, and finally getting Brugraves' story.
Getting into the Clockwork Castle and fighting Brugraves and Erlina, the Acolytes, and the Dweller of Strife.
Serai unwittingly involving the Fleshmancer.
Traveling the Sea of Stars and seeing the ship actually become a 3D model. (I wish more was done with this.)
Arriving at Repine and seeing the moon sunken into the sea, and a whole village of tormented cyborgs.
Fighting Abstarak and learning just how the Great Eagle came to be.
Fighting the Dweller of Dread beneath the sea and seeing Zale and Valere raise the moon.
This is one high after another, and then the Fated Hour rolls around and...uh. Why is there no dialogue with The Queen That Was? Some villagers allude to her having a history with Serai, but it's definitely no 2300 AD Mother Brain. The Fleshmancer's Lair has some strong events, like the hallucinations in the Halls of Illusion and chasing the Soul Curator. We get a feel-good conclusion out of the true ending, but whatever ideological conflict the Fleshmancer and Resh'an represent isn't given a voice. I'm looking for the "party tells Kefka why life persists in the face of inevitable destruction" moment, and coming up empty.
The bad ending only seems to exist to make the true ending's revival of Garl feel like an accomplishment, but this is the weakest thread in the game. After the protracted Phantasy Star IV-like cinematics earlier, reviving Garl comes across as "doing the Chrono Trigger thing" in a game where that doesn't work thematically or textually. (Spoilers for CT, but reviving Crono is the perfect culmination of all the time alterations you do in the endgame, and makes sense when there are so many different endings. Why are we doing it here, when this game isn't even about time travel and only has two outcomes? For that matter, how does B'st impersonating Garl work when in the original timeline Garl didn't die right away and had to go wake the Sleeper first. Doesn't this create a causality issue now that B'st is in Garl's place and can't bake the volcano bread?)
On the combat side, I appreciated how the break mechanics got you to prioritize different skills and sometimes hold on to your Combo/Ultimate meter to unleash at the right moment, but the endgame felt like it was all about turtling through boss fights while denying them turns. Not being able to see boss HP makes it unclear how much further you have to go even with the "weakened" animation states, which I think feeds back into the "stack Lunar Shield and wait for locks to show up" mentality the game is already encouraging. The bosses were visually impressive, but at some point I stopped interacting with their unique mechanics and the fights became interchangeable.
I know there's some DLC planned, and I hope it delivers. SoS felt like it was building up to something that it never quite got around to.
I just wrapped up The Legend of Nayuta Boundless Trails and shared my final thoughts in the ST that I will share again here. I had a good time with it!
I’m fully done with the post game now and do not have interest in doing New Game+ even for a batch of 12 more remix stages so I’m done with Nayuta. Overall, I had a good time with the game. The graphics are charming with a pleasant, cartoony anime sheen over environments that otherwise evoke the first five Trails games. The character models fondly reminded me of MegaMan Legends while still being their own thing. Altogether, it fits well with the more fantastic and lighthearted vibe of the outset of the adventure.
The combat is definitely the best part of the game. It’s very breezy like an Ys game though a bit rougher around the edges sometimes in exciting ways, like the attack, movement, and magic options, though in some slightly annoying ways like certain attacks you can get hit by when some dramatic elevation distances are in play. While I largely just stuck to the same spells throughout, I did like the flexibility they gave me to approach situations as I wanted to and the super attacks were very satisfyingly powerful. Bosses are very much a highlight throughout. None of them break the mold, but they are all engaging and most of them have multiple phases to keep you on your toes. The fourth main boss and the second to very last boss were my favorites.
The structure and by extension length was definitely my least favorite part of the game with the focus on rerunning short stages and remixed stages (the main twelve have four variations), though that was on me to an extent as I went for a 100% normal playthrough. If I wanted a playthrough with less filler, the game is readily flexible enough to accommodate that with certain systems like cooking being available to speed up the process. My favorite surprise in the game was definitely the Animal Crossing museum as it is such a fun thing to build up over the course of your adventure. Finally, on the lore front, while virtually being a standalone adventure I did appreciate it presents some fun big picture lore ideas that are fun to think about.
Nayuta was my last new RPG I was 100% committed to playing this year. I’m going to turn my attention back to my final Wii U games project finally after a good month plus away and finally replay Mario and Luigi Super Star Saga! I loved the game growing up and I’ve tried replaying it in the past, but my replays never stuck, so I’m excited to truly commit to one! 100% I’ll be posting about my replay regularly here so I’ll be around a lot again!
As for other RPG playing for the rest of the year, I’m hoping still to fit in a Final Fantasy Tactics Advance replay as part of my final Wii U games project as well. I have four other high priority games (Mario, Spiderman, Alan Wake, and LAD Gaiden), but I’ll probably finish all of them by December I’m guessing so hopefully it’ll happen. I’d find it hard to believe I won’t make time for the Super Mario RPG remake as well. I’m sadly not picking Star Ocean 2 anymore up at launch (the way I planned my purchases late December makes more sense), so if I have time for it in early December and perhaps spilling into January I’d love to finally circle back and play Octopath Traveler II this year.
I'm currently playing through Dragon Quest 11s on Switch, just reached the Casino, any tips for getting big wins here? Or is it even worth spending time with the Casino (I did like the little Slime Slots Adventure game tbf)
I finished Chrono Cross last week and was totally on board with all of the twists and turns near the end of the story. I hope to write some impressions tomorrow, spoiler version here and non-spoiler version in the games completed thread.
Managed to start up Baten Kaitos a couple of days ago, right now I just finished Elnath Castle segment. Having a lot of fun with it; the graphics hold up pretty well in HD, and the combat system is fun and unique. Kinda wish they could've figured out a way to do touch controls so you could flick the cards to play them. Definitely easy to see what this game was drawing from and what it led to down the line.
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