Amazon.com The Last Remnant for the Xbox 360 is the first role-playing game in a new series from Square Enix. This game delivers breathtaking visuals only possible on next-generation platforms, a mysterious storyline full of powerful artifacts, and a massive battlefield where you'll be surrounded by countless foes and friends alike.
Join Rush and David as they battle the Conqueror's Army and search for Irina. View larger.
Castanea, the Conqueror, and Roeas lead the enemy's search for the Remnants View larger.
Orders in battle are given in a command-select style. View larger.
Morale plays a role in a unions ability to inflict damage. View larger.
The Story Unfolds In ancient times mysterious artifacts, referred to as Remnants, were discovered all over the world. People used these objects for their awesome powers -- a choice that eventually caused a rift in the world's balance. A thousands years later, the story of The Last Remnant begins.
Rush Sykes and his sister Irina are children of scientists researching the esoteric Remnants. One day, Irina is kidnapped right before Rush's eyes. Determined to rescue his sister, Rush joins forces with David Nassau, the marquis of a small city-state called Athlum. Together they are determined to pursue the criminals and save Irina from her strange captors.
Meanwhile, the world is thrust into confusion as ruling powers bicker over dividing the Remnants' powers. Soon a mysterious man appears calling himself the Conqueror. His presences escalates tensions as everyone eagerly attempts to answer the question: Into whose hands will the power of the Remnants fall? Before he knows it, Rush becomes wrapped up in this international power struggle and realizes that he is somehow connected to the enigmatic Conqueror.
Allies and Enemies Before her kidnapping, Rush Sykes lived a peaceful life with his 14-year-old sister, Irina Sykes. Irina is a cheerful, resilient girl who stays upbeat even during the toughest of times. Some mysterious power seems to rest within here, but she herself has no understanding of what it is or what it can do. David Nassau, the 19-year-old who rules over the state of Athlum, spends his days working towards better his homeland. Although he decides to join Rush on his quest to rescue Irina, his motives are his own. Emma Honeywell, the matriarch of the Honeywells clan, Plagus, Blocter, and Torgal round out the allies.
The man known only as the Conqueror and his minions are eager to seize the Remnants throughout the lands. His origin is shrouded in mystery, but it appears that something strange and elusive connects this villain to Rush. Enamored with the Conqueror, Roeas has declared her eternal allegiance to him and acts as the ambassador of the Conqueror's Army. Although beautiful in form and voice, Roeas is sadistic and menacing on the battlefield. Originating from a large-bodied species with pronounced fighting abilities, Castanea is Roeas right-hand-man. He rarely speaks or expresses himself, so it is difficult to decipher his thoughts -- although Roeas seems to understand him easily. In addition, the strongest fighters in the Conqueror's army are referred to as The Seven. The Seven lead their own troops and report to Roeas and Castanea.
Combat Systems: Morale, Battle Unions, and Deadlock Battles are fought between multiple friendly and enemy unions -- groups of up to five characters who fight together. Players give commands to unions as a whole, who then carry out the actions. Orders in battle are given in a command-select style that is familiar to most role playing gamers. However, The Last Remnant commands are not delivered with standard terms, such as "Item" or "Magic." Instead, players control unions with specialized commands, such as "Slam 'em with status ailments!" or "Do area attacks from afar!" Available commands change depending on the current battle situation or the distance and positions of friendly and hostile unions.
The Last Remnant adds a Morale component to the gameplay. Players can check current morale via the gauge across the top of the screen. The higher the morale, the more damage is dealt and less damage is taken by friendly unions, and vice-versa. When friendly and enemy unions go toe-to-toe and engage in melee combat, they enter a state called Deadlock. Once inDeadlock, the two unions must fight each other until one union has been completely destroyed.
Enemy monsters roam the land where they can be avoided or engaged at will. When battle is initiated, the scene changes to a specialized battle map where friend and foe can fight it out. Horizontal lined icons labeled A, B, C, etc. represent the on-field battle unions. Players choose which hostile union they wish to attack on this screen. The Last Remnant offers a wide variety of commands that focus on dealing damage or executing defensive maneuvers. Knowing which commands are most suitablefor each situation is the key to winning battles.
The Last Remnant delivers breathtaking visuals, a mysterious storyline full of powerful artifacts, and a massive battlefield.
REVIEW
Absolutely amazing... once the textures load Simply one of the most complex, amazingly fun games I've ever had the pleasure of playing. There's so much to customize and keep track of it just boggles the mind.
The only downside in the Unreal Engine the game runs on. It simply cannot handle this level of graphic detail and there's lots of stuttering framerate and texture pop-in. Over all it doesn't affect the gameplay at all (except for making some of the Timed Button Presses a little harder then they should be) but it's a testament to the quality of the game that I'm more then willing to completely overlook it.
I highly reccomend finding a FAQ or getting the strategy guide however; there's a LOT going on under the surface in this game.
Radiata Stories offers real-time RPG action in a beautifully-rendered fantasy setting. In the land of Radiata, human and fairies coexist. 16-year-old Jack Russel lives in this world -- he's a poor peasant whose father was a heroic soldier. When Jack enlists in the army to follow in dad's footsteps, he meets a wealthy young aristocrat who seeks to be a knight. With is unlikely new friend at his side, Jack will find his place in the world by fighting in a terrible war that may doom their world.
REVIEW
Great RPG! There's so many great qualities about Radiata Stories that drives me to play it over and over again savoring every moment! First of all, you have the option to recruit over 170 characters who each have a unique request you must fufill before they join you on your quest. I won't say much as to avoid spoiling anything but as you get further into the game you have to choose sides: the Human Side or the Non-Human Side. Whichever side you choose greatly affects what the ending will be like so choose wisely!
Musashi: Samurai Legend helps the legend live on, as you experience Musashi's latest journey! Called across space&time, Musashi mus save Princess Mycella and the Mystics to return home. But he's not alone -- with help from an eccentric but brilliant martial arts master, Musashi will become the greatest samurai ever known. With an entire world to save, he has his work cut out for him!
REVIEW
Hacking and Slashing all around... This is definately a hack and slash game, meaning you have numerous enemies that you rapidly mash the button to defeat. Not that much strategy in the actual battle, although Musashi's duplication techinique may require some strategic timing, and can prove to be a bit frustrating at times.
The story is that a young man named Musashi from Earth's Japan, who will grow to be Miyamoto Musashi, is summoned to another world by Princess Mycella to aid in the battle against Gandrake Interprises. He's taken in by Master Mew and is trained in swordsmanship and battle. When Princess Mycella is kidnapped for Gandrake's own purposes, it's up to Musashi to rescue her and bring down the evil corporation so that he can return to his own world.
I personally adored this game because of the graphics and gameplay. The gameplay is similar to Fullmetal Alchemist and the Broken Angel's gameplay, and that's probably because both were Square Enix games. A lot of the square button mashing, and not so much of the "Slash, defend, slash, defend, backflip over the weapon, and a slash to finish it" stuff. The graphics are cel shading, which I find to be pretty darned cool when Musashi's doing his slashing thing.
Overall this really is a game worth getting because of the storyline, the characters, the gameplay, and the graphics. I must also say that the music done by "The Surf Coasters" was very cool, making it worth also gettting the soundtrack. Of course... the guidebook is also always a help in getting all the items and saving everyone also.
Traverse a seamless, expansive world in Infinite Undiscovery.Mistaken for a renowned hero, Capell is thrust into a conflict to sever the chains that bind the moon to his world. Rise against the wicked Order of Chains in fierce real-time combat with a party formed from 18 characters. But beware, not all battles are won by force. The most obvious solution is rarely the right move. Shatter the chains and release the Order's grip on the world.
REVIEW
Intricate Storyline When i first put this game into my Xbox, i thought it was just going to be another Japanese games filled with cliches. The game starts off a bit weird and the storyline leading to the first boss is pretty weak, so i thought i would give it a few more days and if it didn't become interesting, i would give it up. Well quickly after this happens, it gets really detailed and in depth. The storyline is very very unique and the grapics are absolutely amazing.
The fighting is a bit simplistic and sometimes you die somewhat often, but it just adds to the excitement of gameplay- watching out for things that'll kill you. However, you can connect with other party members to perform special attacks, and with around 16 computer plays that you can put into your group (4 at a time) the possabilities are seemingly endless. The only other con I can think of is that they didn't adjust movements of the mouth when transfering it to English, so the mouths never match up with what they're saying. There is such a great storyline though, sometimes you don't even realize it.
Overall, Infinie Undiscovery is definately a game you should look into.
Drakengard is set in a chaotic world, where a tragic saga will unfold before you. Two great nations are at war: The Empire&the Union. One of the Union's proudest warriors is Caim. Before being slain by his enemies, Caim strikes a bargain with a dying red dragon. Their souls joined, they'll solve the riddle of the Empire's sudden riseto power. Seek out hidden locations and use rare items to your advantage Multiple modes of gameplay - Aerial Combat, Strafe Attack, and Melee Mode
REVIEW
This is a great game this game is awesome, the game play i unique and fun, the story line in the game is perfectly placed, it is worth the time and effort.
Amazon.comFrom the creators of the award-winning Final Fantasy and Kingdom Hearts franchises comes a revolutionary, modern action-RPG title for a new generation of gamers. Square Enix and Jupiter team up once again to showcase The World Ends With You, a trendy and vibrant gaming experience developed exclusively for the Nintendo DS. Featuring an intuitive combat system and exciting multiplayer mode, The World Ends With You is set to immerse gamers into the modern-day culture of Japan.Story The story begins as Neku Sakuraba, an unsociable 15-year-old boy, unexpectedly wakes up in the Shibuya shopping district of Tokyo, Japan. While trying to piece together his rude awakening, he receives a strange text message warning him that he will cease to exist unless he accomplishes a certain mission. Although he barely has time to grasp what is happening to him, he commences his assigned task in the mysterious streets of Shibuya.Features:
Distinctive modern art style created by a team of artists led by Tetsuya Nomura, world-renowned character designer of the upcoming Fabula Nova Crystallis project which includes Final Fantasy XIII and Final Fantasy Versus XIII
Innovative Stride-Cross Battle System allows players to control two characters simultaneously, unleashing special attacks with the stylus
Collect a vast array of custom-designed pins, each with a powerful psychic ability that can be activated with the right touch or sound command
Customize characters with Shibuya’s coolest fashions and exchange items with other players via Mingle Mode
Experience an amazing soundtrack combining a fusion of musical influences from hip-hop to rock to electronica
Battle with up to three friends in Tin Pin Slammer, an exciting and fast-paced mini-game, via local wireless connection
REVIEW
Excellent out of box and unique idea... I don't normally take the time to review products but this is one great game. The design, music, storyline, use of the touch screen, and tutorial are all excellent and I love this gem. Sometimes with the DS you get weird or awkward controls (Call of Duty 4) or kinda boring and run of the mill RPG experiences (Pokemon Blue) but this is different and better and I will play this one over and over. Easy recommend for anyone worried about dropping $30 on a new RPG storyline/world.
Amazon.com Kingdom Hearts Re: Chain of Memories bridges the gap between the original Kingdom Hearts andthe sequel, Kingdom Hearts II. Chain of Memories from Square Enix for the Sony PlayStation 2 is a complete 3D remake of the original Game Boy Advance release from 2004. This "bridge" installment was released in Japan in 2007 as part of the Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix+ compilation before finally making its way to North America. Combined with the card battle system of the original Game Boy Advance release, Chain of Memories for PS2 presents Kingdom Hearts fans with an entirely new gameplay experience.
Join your favorite Disney characters on a grand adventure. View larger.
Use magic attacks to win the battle. View larger.
The card battle system provides a unique gameplay experience. View larger.
The Prologue The story begins with Sora, Donald and Goofy wandering through endless fields. Eventually, they come to a crossroad. Standing in the crossroads, Sora gazes up at the night sky and thinks of his lost friends.
From the distance, a mysterious man approaches from one of the roads. "Ahead lies something you need," he says, "but to claim it you must lose something dear." The man vanishes, revealing a single path that leads to the eery Castle Oblivion, which resembles a girl's drawing.
The Story After this encounter, Sora, Donald, and Goofy go their separate ways. Soon, on a night when his island home is besieged by a mysterious storm, Sora is whisked away to an unfamiliar burg known as Traverse Town. There he meets Donald and Goofy, and learns that there are strange things happening in the world.
Donald and Goofy set off to look for their missing king, and Sora joins them to search for his lost friend, Riku. After a long journey that takes them across numerous worlds, Sora and friends finally find Riku and the lost king. But to save all the worlds, Sora must use his Keyblade to close the door to darkness, even though Riku and the king are on the other side. Believing the king's parting words -- there will always be a door to the light -- Sora locks the door, and the trio sets out on yet another journey.
The Characters The cast of Chain of Memories combines Kingdom Hearts characters with familiar Disney faces. Sora, is a 14-year-old boy and the hero of this tale. Although a little naive, Sora has an uncommon sense of justice. On his journey, Sora is accompanied by Donald, a court wizard who shares a striking resemblance to Donald the Duck of Disney fame, and the clumsy, easy-going captain of the Disney Castle Royal Knights, Goofy.
Other characters include the mysterious, shrouded man from the crossroads; Sora's lost friend, Riku, a 15-year-old boy who is cool and collected; the lost King, who bares a striking resemblance to Mickey Mouse; and Kairi, a 14-year-old girl who's friends with Sora and Riku. Almost more strange than the man at the crossroads, a mysterious girl, Namine, draws pictures inside Castle Oblivion under close surveillance of an evil organization. As the story alludes, she may hold the key to Sora's most special memories.
REVIEW
Kingdom Hearts Re: Chain of Memories Kingdom Hearts Re: Chain of memories starts off exactly right where Kingdom Hearts left off. It connects Kingdom Hearts and Kingdom Hearts II and explains the beginning of the second installment.
Sora, Donald, and Goofy, follow a mysterious man in black coat Castle Oblivion, a place where 'to lose is to find and to find is to lose'. upon stepping into the castle, you are approached by the hidden man who gives Sora a card, stating, ' The more you find out, the more you lose.' The card he gives he shows a familiar place- Traverse Town- and upon activating the card, Sora is transported to the town where his adventures first began. Once he gets there, however, he realizes that this place isn't real and the friends he's made and the people he'd met had forgotten him. As he continues to revisit the worlds he had once saved from the ebbing darkness, Sora finds himself unable to understand if the memories he has are real or if they're make believe.
As he continues his journey, Sora finds is hard to remember the faces of the people he had traveled with-even forgetting about finding Riku. As you go along your adventure, stringing together lost memories and discarding old ones, you'll meet the characters from the first game- and even some new faces will appear. You'll encounter Organization XIII, realize what's truth and what's fiction, and, given the chance, unlock the second part of the game.
There are many things that separate this game from its prequel and sequel. The battling system is unique, how you play is absolutely genuine, and the very story line of the game is compelling. Now lets address these topics so one does not get confused as to exactly how different this game is.
First off, Kingdom Hearts Re: Chain of Memories isn't like your typical role playing game. It combines tactics with fighting and introduces a new way of defeating your obstacles: cards. In this games battle system you must use cards to release your attacks. There are many different types of cards ( ones for attacking, ones for combos, ones for magic, and ones to release finishing moves ). These cards can run out and to replenish them you have to 'charge' them so to speak by holding in a button. If you run out of cards you can't continue fighting. You can collect the cards, make decks, get rid of the ones you don't want, and combine them to form more powerful cards. Not only do these cards allow you to fight, but they allow you to proceed in the game. Certain cards unlock rooms and you can use these cards to 'synthesize' a room, changing it. They allow passage into other worlds-or memories of that world. And, if you give it enough time and patience, find secret cards to unlock sealed rooms that hold valuable treasure.
Another major change in the game is how you play it. Instead of fighting alongside Donald and Goofy, Sora fights solo, using his friends as special battle cards that come and aid you during battle.
Leveling up is, refreshingly, up to you. Once you achieve a level, you decide what you want to level up. Whether you want to give Sora more hp, allow him to hold more cards, or learn new abilities, is completely up to you.
The layout of the worlds is slightly different thenKingdom Hearts fans are used to. Each section of the world you are in is a room made out of Sora's memories. Now, what's interesting about knowing the layout of a room you'll only be in for a few minuets? Everything. Strategy is a crucial part in deciding the rooms you are in. For example, the cards you collect from enemies are used to unlock the door to the next 'room'. And each card has a different type. Green, red, blue, or yellow. And each type has a title which allows certain things to happen. If you use a card that slow heartless down, then that 'room' is designed to follow that card. As stated before, cards completely rule the game. So when the time comes to unlock a door, choose carefully as it can be in favor for you or against you.
Once you get the hang of the battle system, you can complete the game easily and then focus your attention on finding the hidden secrets through out the game. But even then, you're not quite done.
Once you finish the game, you're not completely done. Once you return to the main menu There will be a third option to choose from: Reverse/Rebirth. By selecting this option, you have engaged yourself in Riku's story. Playing as Riku you battle the darkness in you and try and stay discrete as you unknowingly fight in the same memories as Sora is. Playing as Riku is exactly like playing as Sora: cards as the battle system and playing solo, choosing what you want to level up ( Hp, dark power, or attack. )
Both sides of the game are equally challenging and engaging, promising a never before experienced game play.
Overall, Kingdom Hearts Re: Chain of Memories was a worthwhile experience. It features the voice cast of the original Kingdom Hearts and engaging music from all three games. The graphics are eye pleasing and the cut scenes allow you view the game as if it were an actual anime. However, if you want to forge ahead and skip these scenes, you are given the option if you pause the scene. Reaction commands are given when needed, and you choose the difficulty of your game.
The game itself comes packaged in a holographic game case, displaying Sora and Riku along with fragments of memory that display other important characters such as the artistic girl shrouded in mystery, Donald and Goofy, and the ever reliable King Mickey. Along with the game you receive three beautiful Kingdom Hearts postcards, each displaying a different image, along with a full color booklet that gives you all the information you need to start of.
Originally the second disk in Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix, North America finally presents: Kingdom Hearts Re: Chain of Memories.
Amazon.com In a far-off land, a group of disparate individuals soon will come together to embark on a journey they never could have imagined. Among them are two sisters seeking to avenge their father's death, a merchant longing to open his own shop, a princess desiring to test her skills outside the palace walls and a respected army captain. As the hero of this compelling tale, you will join these seemingly unrelated companions for an incredible adventure. Battles, mysteries and an engaging cast of characters await as you take off on an epic journey.
Dragon Quest IV Features
Embark on a journey to explore the land, seas and skies of the DRAGON QUEST universe in this grand entry from the Zenithia Trilogy. Soon to follow are DQ V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride and DQ VI: Realms of Reverie, never before released in North America
Indulge in the colorful DRAGON QUEST world created by Yuji Horii, combined with the charming characters and monsters designed by Akira Toriyama and memorable soundtrack from famed composer Koichi Sugiyama to create an unforgettable gaming experience
Experience the world of DRAGON QUEST through the perspectives of multiple characters with a unique, chapter-driven storyline while you journey through a beautifully rendered 3D world, with dynamic dual screen presentation and newly animated monsters
Enjoy an all-new English translation that incorporates 13 known dialects from around the globe, bringing the diverse world and characters of DRAGON QUEST to life
Unravel the ancient mystery behind a cursed kingdom by expanding your town via Chance Encounter mode, available through local wireless connection
Exclusive to the Nintendo DS
With Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen, a full-fledged Dragon Quest adventure comes to Nintendo DS for the first time. The talents of series creator Yuji Horii, world-famous manga artist Akira Toriyama and renowned composer Koichi Sugiyama combine in this thrilling, chapter-driven tale that preserves all the beloved charm of the original game while infusing it with additional excitement with incredible 3D graphics, dual-screen presentation and newly animated monsters. Multiple character perspectives bring the game to life as you explore a fantastic, dazzlingly rendered world filled with adventure and surprises.
REVIEW
Love this game I love the old style RPG's and find there are never enough of them. This one started a little different than any I've played before and I found myself lost but that just is a plus for puzzle fans too who like trying to figure out what to do next. Anyway, you start as you who is to save the world but suddenly you find yourself playing as another character and I wasn't sure what was going on then another chapter starts and then you are another character again but I'm glad I stuck with it because by chapter 5 you are you again and hunting these people you've played as previously to join your party and it's a huge world map and sizable game and I've played 40 hours so far and don't think I'm near finished yet but I'm loving it.
Who says the 360's hurting for quality RPG's? Maybe if you discount Oblivion, Mass Effect, Tales of Vesperia, Enchanted Arms, Eternal Sonata, Operation Darkness, Spectral Force 3, Lost Odyssey, Blue Dragon, and the upcoming coup-de-grace "Final Fantasy XIII" along with the rest. Yet I keep reading that Microsoft isn't offering enough quality RPG's. So I ask you this, mainstream gaming media: how many quality RPG's are out there for the Wii and Playstation 3? ........Damn right. Xbox 360 is currently your one-shop stop for every non-portable piece of role-playing hotness there is. So why won't anybody but the fans admit it? Alrighty then, on to the game. I racked my brain for weeks trying to decide between "Infinite Undiscovery" and "Tales of Vesperia". The reviews all came up Tales, but I loved what I'd read about IU so I took a chance, just like I did when I bought the horribly-reviewed but highly enjoyable "Operation Darkness". My verdict? I'll never trust a professional game reviewer again. I still plan on getting TOV and I'm sure it's great, but the luke-warm reviews for this title are uncalled for. It's immensely fun, full of brilliant characters and character moments, charming humor, secrets, and awesome combat. If you long for a real-time JRPG without overly-cartoony graphics that will give you some things you've never really seen before in this type of game, pick this up ASAP.
Picture this: Your reluctant hero Kappel (you), his archer girlfriend Aya, and the huge fire-breathing horned bear she keeps as a pet, Gustav are exploring an area along with a party of four other characters who are working entirely independently of you. You come to the top of a ridge and see your pals engaging a group of foes. Your archer fires an arrow above the fray which then rains damaging sparks onto the enemis, surprising them and panicking the littler ones. Meanwhile, you've climbed on top of the bear and together you both go charging down the hill, aiming straight for the big red ogre currently knocking your friends around like bowling pins. The force of your impact throws you off of Gustav's back onto the gorund but deals big damage to the ogre, who is now engaging your furry friend head-to-head. You pick yourself up and unleash a devastating combo of kicks into the ogre's back. He turns and stops your assault with a palm strike as he lifts his massive club with his other arm. You parry just as he attempts to crush you and leave him stunned just as the rest of your companions finish mopping up the rest of the baddies. All seven of you unleash a devastating combo adding up to dozens of consecutive hits as the lifeless ogre falls to the ground. Wonder what's around the next corner?
As you can see, combat in this game is exciting to say the least. There is a grand total of 18 very unique characters that can be spread out over as many as three independent parties as any given time. The parties are sometimes fighting side-by-side and sometimes only meet in passing. Each non- player controlled grouping is graded and rewarded based on their effectiveness so one would think you should choose your arrangements wisely. Unfortunately, the rating always seems to come out "C" regardless of what you do. Sloppy. Some characters prefer to be grouped together, such as Aya and her pet Gustav or the magical twins (*cough*PalomandPorom*cough*) Rico and Rucha, and perform better when they are. Each character also has sets of quirks that you are able to discover. For example, sexy magic-user Michelle is terrified of flying creatures. This can cause her to flee in panic and ignore your orders, leaving you without a healer for a while. Other characters are afraid of the dark, but ninja girl Komachi actually prefers it. This is a cool twist.
Each character usually does a great job fighting on their own, but you can "connect" with them at any time and command them to use their powers as you see fit. Rico, for example can talk to and control animals which makes him handy in some places to get info and even items from some furry friends or for turning foe to friend in battle. Rucha, on the other hand, can summon a small dragon to fight by your side. Each character has their own skills that come in handy both in and out of battle. As I said before, the game is full of charm and the cast is outstanding. Hours can and should be spent exploring the ins-and-outs of their different skills and relationships with each other. I just wish you were given more time with them.
"Infinite Undiscovery" isn't perfect, though, as fun as it is. It is very short (under 40 hours) for an RPG with so much depth. A lot of it isn't given any room to breathe and as a result, you will likely miss out on a lot. Also, the first act is a nightmare. Don't buy the game and then shake your fist in anger at me because of the cruddy game you just bought half an hour in. I suspect this is the cause of the lackluster reviews. As soon as you start, you're treated to bunch of fully-animated but annoyingly silent cutscenes every few steps. No voiceover. This is no longer acceptable. If you want to convey the information without any voice-acting, do it without making me sit through a cutscene. After very little combat, you're given a boss battle......that you don't get to fight. You're instructed to run from an invincible ogre. Yay? So after this lame sequence the game drops you into a forest so dark you can't see a thing. Even your mini-map is blurred. Headache-inducing. Then to top it off, the ogre comes back so you now have to run away and do so without being able to see where the hell you're going. THEN rather than letting you actually PLAY the game at this point, you're forced to carry a girl (no fighting allowed) and run away from a flying fire-breathing dragon whose every breath knocks you down so you have to wait seconds for Cappell to get back up so you can continue running to you-don't-really-know-where until more fire knocks you down. But once you get where it is you're going, your troubles are over. The game rocks, the silent cutscenes are mostly replaced with full voiceovers, and your band of rebels begins to grow. The save system has "old-school" written all over it. This is not a compliment. The story is cliche-ridden at times, but it is a JRPG so that's expected. Also, I REALLY wish you could control the other characters. They are so cool and so much fun to fight beside that I wanted to play as them myself. There are some characters that you aren't allowed to put into your personal partywhich bugs me as well. The characters themselves are all memorable and you gain a genuine affection for them as the game progresses, but again there just isn't enough time for you to spend with them and even less for those who cannot join your party. A lot more polish and a larger world would have made this game an all-time great.
"Infinite Undiscovery" may not measure up to the best of the best, but it's the most fun I've has with a current-gen Japanese RPG yet. The character humor is often more then clever and really offsets any cliches. There are some very frustrating challenges in store so keep gamefaqs.com handy. In fact, don't think the game is over just because you finished it. There's a much harder challenge to be found within the game. The story itself is actually pretty cool and refreshingly simple, leaving the action to carry the biggest load until the endgame. Smart move. Just like with "Valkyrie Profile" (an all-time favorite of mine) Tri-Ace has made RPG combat a true joy and thrown in some cool little secrets for you to stumble upon along the way -usually in the form of more character development. I really wish they'd put more into the multi-party system. That was one of my favorite -but sadly underdeveloped- aspects of the game. Squaresoft was always my favorite RPG factory (Enix's "Seventh Saga": also awesome in it's day) so color me thrilled that Square-Enix -after much hesitation- has decided to back the Xbox 360. This is a great start, but I hope they put more effort into the upcoming The Last Remnant
4 1/2 stars rounded down for giving me 4 discs worth of characters and innovation on a 2-disc story.
