Lost Odyssey

[AJR]

I think you’re talking about the Japanese version of the game, which has been picked up by a few Game Trader stores (because it’s region free and in English). The official Australian release won’t be until later this month.

I’m somewhat interested by this, I’ll probably wait until I can get a copy of this for cheap before I pick it up though.

[concrete donkey]

EB just rang me,  lost odyssey is in! im gonna grab a copy.

[AJR]

Ah, seems I was wrong. Looks like it got released earlier than expected.

I'll probably still import it though, since I can get it cheaper that way. It really doesn't look like it's worth $100 AUS.

[concrete donkey]

im interested in reading some reviews for it. its a pretty good game.

[Robert Boyd]

The first reviews are up.

IGN Australia review - http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/849/849907p1.html - Said the game is very similar to the Final Fantasy series, perhaps too similar.  Graphics are incredible, but have some minor problems like screen tearing and dropped frame rates.  Long and difficult.

Regular IGN review - http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/849/849927p1.html - Said it's a fantastic traditional JRPG.  Main plot is a little weak, but character development and side stories are top knotch.  The core gameplay of combat, character development, and item crafting is excellent, but some of the peripheral gameplay elements can be annoying (like some stealth sections).  Load times are long.

Both reviews gave it 8.2/10.  Since both reviews were harsh on JRPGs in general (a dying genre that needs new life is the impression I got from the reviews), I would expect the game to score much better on sites that have more of a JRPG fan base like this one.

[Prime Mover]

Wow, what a colossoly western-biased review that totally misses the point of jRPGs. Haven't peopled realized that main storylines, even in the best of games, are cliche, and that it *IS* the characters and side-stories that make the difference? Mass Effect's plot was the most bear-bones you could get, for instance. So was Fable's, so I've heard.

Also, I hate it how many people seem to act like turn-based systems are a mistake, or are due to low-budget engines. The comment about "right out of 1998" was absurred. People make turn-based systems because PEOPLE LIKE PLAYING TURN BASED GAMES, IDIOT! It'a not a mistake, it's not due to lazy programming, it's not due to archaic code, it's because many people are trying to get away from action-oriented gaming. I mean, come on, action-oriented gameplay has been around LONGER than turn-based gameplay, so what are they calling "archaic?"

[Hidoshi]

I hear the 2D fighter was supposed to die sometime back in 1999. And 2000. And 2001... etc etc.

Why I'm bringing that up at all is because every time someone declares something "archaic" or "dying" in this industry, they've been proven hideously wrong. Even so-called "dead" Adventure Games have come back.

Beyond that, both reviews read like "I'm a spoiled brat so I'll bitch about anything I can". Wah wah wah.

[Prime Mover]

Beyond that, both reviews read like "I'm a spoiled brat so I'll bitch about anything I can". Wah wah wah.

More like:

"USA rocks, Japan is silly and kiddy.

Lost Odyssey: 0
Mass Effect: 1

*I win!*"

[Masamune]

Since when was 8.2 a bad score?  You guys act like they just took your candy and threw it on the ground.  Calm down guys, it's just a review.  Clearly their opinions are not going to sway you from playing the game.

Those reviews seem to summarize everything I've heard about the game:
Traditional jRPG.  Great backstory, main plot is weak.  Some sidequests suck and the load times get annoying (for some people).  I'll still give it a shot.

[Eusis]

What Masamune said, why the fuck are you two being such overly defensive, whiny bitches? I haven't gone through the AU review fully, but the US one only has a dumb statement at the beginning (the ESRB only rates games!) and a few questionable comments that can and have been blown out of proportion. The part of the game attacked the most aside from technical issues were the 'hey guys time for the arbitrary attempts to mix up the gameplay!' moments, saying the game would've been better if it simply played to its strength of being a traditional RPG, while stuff like the story was handled perfectly fine. It pointed out the main storyline was weak, but the characters and their personal stories (notably Kaim) were pretty great. As for the comments about action RPG fans, they are taking into consideration what most of the RPGs on the console are and the fact the fans of Fable may not be as interested in something like LO.

[Ashtrot]

MUST ... WHINE ... ABOUT ... REVIEWS ...

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edit: horizontal scrolling on my browser = phail. - Ramza

[Ashtrot]

For comedic effect!

Hidoshi on gamer overreactions.

Hidoshi's complaints on Blue Dragon form earlier in this thread ... sound familiar?

[Hidoshi]

Eat a dick Ashton. :P

[Ramza]

For comedic effect!

Hidoshi on gamer overreactions.

Hidoshi's complaints on Blue Dragon form earlier in this thread ... sound familiar?

laaaaaaaaaaaaaame arguments Ash.

1. Hidoshi isn't over-reacting. the 8.2/10 isn't the issue. The issue is that the reviewers who wrote this shit are ignorant and/or incompetent. It's not like the 'doshi is some extremist in favor of all things Lost Odyssey related.

2. Blue Dragon was an inferior game. Lost Odyssey is less childish than Blue Dragon, and Lost Odyssey is generally a more enjoyable game. So uh...

[Eusis]

Hey guys, GameSpy went and gave it a 2.5/5! If those IGN reviews were enough to raise INTERNET FURY, then I'm heading to the bomb shelter now.

Edit: Something else to keep in mind guys: I'm willing to bet that you have not played the game yet. Complaints or stances that may seem to be ridiculous could make a lot of sense when playing it, and JRPGs really have been kinda stagnant.