Elminage Gothic

[cj_iwakura]

lol, we are not going to *not* source a site just because a reader doesn't like them. If we couldn't have found something sooner/otherwise/with English info, it certainly doesn't hurt to credit.

I mean, the news they find isn't even really news; they found it from UFO's site. Heck, before Andriasang went down, they got most of their news from them.

[kyuusei]

And even they needed a tip to even learn the trailer exists.

[cj_iwakura]

On the store now, $14.99. Word is the localization is kind of... buggy. I should have impressions soon.

[cj_iwakura]

Team:

Human Fighter/Dragon Brawler/Halfbreed Hunter
Elf Mage/Fairy Thief/Hotlet(?...) Bishop

Game is definitely obtuse so far, but enjoyable. Great music too. As usual, best tracks are in the bar.

[Cyril]

Erm, what's a Hotlet?

[Taelus]

lol, we are not going to *not* source a site just because a reader doesn't like them. If we couldn't have found something sooner/otherwise/with English info, it certainly doesn't hurt to credit.

This. Not everyone keeps close tabs on publisher websites, feeds, and news, so for many people SiliconEra is a perfectly acceptable source.

[cj_iwakura]

I'm really enjoying it now that it's rolling. It feels like a more polished PSN Wizardry(surprisingly, since this is much older).

Dungeons are just as involved, great monster design, and you can see icons in the field to indicate when there's an NPC to talk to.

Battle system is pretty much exactly the same.

And: music in the dungeons. FINALLY.


I hope this goes without saying for Wizardry vets: Bishop. Thief.

Non negotiable.

[cj_iwakura]

It's blowing my mind how enormous this game is. I've never seen a dungeon crawler with this many towns and dungeons available right off the bat.

[Cyril]

How is the difficulty? Is it on the easier side ala EO, or does it take after Wizardry more in that regard?

[cj_iwakura]

Wizardry. This IS a Wizardry game with a different title, plain and simple.

That said, it's really not that hard. I haven't had anyone die yet except to a poisoned party member who didn't get to the inn in time. If you understand the basics(knowing what classes to have, priest for heals, bishop for appraisal, mage for spells, thief for traps/chests/secrets), you'll be just fine.

[Cyril]

Thanks a lot for the info, will definitely be buying this ASAP.  It sounds like it's exactly what I was looking for.

[Taelus]

Been playing this (Elminage Original) for a while. Game is enjoyable so far. Very old school, and not at all accessible to new players in any way. Translation is a awful slapdash job. I think I'd actually have an easier time reading the Japanese, haha. It's very much like playing a classic turn based RPG from the early 90's. The music is pretty enjoyable, too.

EDIT:

Now I've got 8 hours on the game. I like it, but it's grindy. If you like Wizardry, you'll like this. People on GameFAQs are saying "the NPC conversation translations are really good! It's just system messages that are borked!" which is flat-out wrong. I know unlocalized Japanese when I see it, and this game has it all over the place. It's like playing Phantasy Star I all over again. The conversations were translated completely literally without any attempt to make them sound natural or "not-Japanese." Still, it's functional enough. Usually.

Basically if you like dungeon crawlers with multiclassing and lots of classes, this one won't disappoint. Shame the translation is utter garbage.

[cj_iwakura]

The characters at least have personality, far more than I can say for Muramasa.

[Taelus]

I don't think I'd personally go that far. I haven't seen anything that isn't a sleepily executed JRPG trope so far. Fortunately, it's not really the point of the game anyway. The combat is enjoyable and there are a lot of options, so that's keeping my interest.

[Desert Walker]

Thanks for the lead on this, guys.  Sounds like a lot of game for $15.  Now I'll just have to see if the PSP can handle the wi-fi at the library since it won't work with the wi-fi at the house.