THE BORE

General => Video Game Bored => Topic started by: Ichirou on January 21, 2010, 07:06:28 AM

Title: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Ichirou on January 21, 2010, 07:06:28 AM
Don't know if anyone but me will have the cojones to post in this thread.  :-*

(http://blackflowermusic.com/blog/wp-content/SW_Wallpaper_800x600_01.jpg)
SAKURA WARS: SO LONG, MY LOVE is the fifth installment in the Sakura Taisen video game series (not counting the various spin-offs), and the first one to be localized for the US!  This is something I genuinely thought would never, ever happen! :lol

This series is a strategy RPG/adventure/anime sim hybrid which first began on the Sega Saturn all the way back in the mid-'90s.  The first two games had fairly simple strategy sections, but the meat of the game was always in the adventure sections of the game, where the story progressed in a way designed to make you feel like you were playing through an anime TV show, right down to the eyecatches in the middle of episodes and "coming next episode" previews.  No game replicates the experience of sort of being in the middle of the action in an anime show, better.

The folks responsible for the Sakura Taisen series are:

Hiroi Ouji: The series' creator, also worked as the head of Red Company and one of the creative minds behind a number of Japanese-only video game series like Tengai Makyo and Kita E.

Kosuke Fujishima: The character concept designer, probably most famous as the creator of the Oh My Goddess! and You're Under Arrest manga series.

Hidenori Matsubara: The character designer, in charge of all the in-game artwork and all the secondary character designs aside from the playable characters.  Probably best known for his work on Gankutsuou (The Count of Monte Cristo anime) as well as the new Evangelion movies.

Satoru Akahori: The scriptwriter, popular for his work in manga and animation and known for his offbeat, somewhat perverted sense of humor.  His works include Bakuretsu Hunters (Sorcerer Hunters in the US), Saber Marionette J, and Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi.

The Story:

The games' setting is an alternate early 20th century.  Steam technology rules the day, and the Japanese government has gathered together a top-secret group of spiritually powerful warriors from all over the world who pilot steam-powered mecha to fight against demons.  Of course, since this special team is 'top secret', all the members have cover identities...working as popular actors in a theater which doubles as their secret base.

This is part of the fun of the series, as it is a ridiculously entertaining mishmash of various aspects of Japanese culture: the all-female Takarazuka theatrical troupes, sentai shows, shonen anime...even early silent films and other forms of nostalgic popular culture get constantly referenced throughout the games.

 where steampunk mecha piloted by spiritually powerful people fight against demons.  And the game really is a ridiculous mish-mash of Japanese culture, so it's not surprising the series has never gotten localized here.

Sakura Taisen 1, 2 and 4 took place in Tokyo, ST3 took place in Paris, and with ST5, which takes place in New York, an entire new cast is introduced, including a new main character, making it easier for anyone who's not familiar with the series to get into the game without having to worry about knowing anything regarding the continuity.

The Gameplay:

While ST1 & 2 were both fairly simple, isometrically-based strat. RPGs (so simple that they didn't even used leveling - your troops' strength was determined by how you interacted with them during the games' adventure sections), the battle system was drastically changed from ST3 onwards.  The ARMS (Active & Real-time Machine System) battle system resembles that of Breath of Fire: Dragon Quarter (in fact, I'm pretty sure DQ's battle system was influenced by ST3's, which was released a couple of years earlier).  You have action points and can perform as many actions as your points allow, whether it be moving, attacking repeatedly, replenishing your energy, etc.   A simple example would be that you could use all your action points for movement, or, if you are near an enemy, you can attack him multiple times until your action points are depleted and not move at all.

(http://gamingrover.com/wp-content/uploads/HLIC/dc69875424325a52da6985b8c5c98894.jpg)

(http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/8097/ss083.jpg)

(http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/7092/ss087.jpg)

(http://img705.imageshack.us/img705/1898/ss070.jpg)

A new feature in ST5 is the ability to switch between 'ground' and 'air' during battles.

Outside of battle, you adventure segments use a system called LIPS (Live & Interactive Picture System).  You move around a map and interact with the various characters, and often have the opportunity to answer their questions or make statements to them.  Depending on your actions during the adventure segments, your crew will perform better or worse on the battlefield and new story sequences may open up in future episodes.

(http://img705.imageshack.us/img705/4323/ss062.jpg)

(http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/3835/ss059.jpg)

(http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/9770/ss162c.jpg)

The Release Date:

The game is scheduled to come out in March for PlayStation 2 and the Wii.  If you buy the game through NIS America's online shop, you can get a special "Unforgettable Memories" collector's edition which includes a hardbound artbook and poster!

The PlayStation 2 version is 2 discs, and you're essentially getting two copies of the game - one disc has the game with Japanese voice-overs, while the other has the game in dubbed form.  The ST games have so much voice acting that it was impossible to fit both languages in one disc.  The Wii version is dub-only, and is priced ten dollars cheaper because of it.

PS2 version - $39.99

Wii version - $29.99

The website:

http://www.sakurawars.us/

The pre-order site:

http://rosenqueen.com/_search.php?page=1&q=sakura+wars+memories
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: MCD on January 21, 2010, 07:08:56 AM
tell me more.
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Ichirou on January 21, 2010, 07:13:07 AM
(http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/4520/battleimg01.jpg)

The battle system of Sakura Wars employs a unique battle system called "ARMS" (Active & Realtime Machine System). The player will come up with strategies and control the STAR of each member of the Star Division in order to meet the victory conditions.

1) Mobility gauge - Needed for the STAR to perform any actions. The STAR can attack, move, etc. using this variable. As long as there is Mobility remaining, the STAR can perform as many actions as you want, but each turn the STAR is allocated only a limited amount of Mobility. In this photo, the STAR has 7 Mobility.

2)HP, SP - The green bar indicates the STAR's HP, or the sturdiness and physical condition of the STAR. If this hits 0, the STAR must retreat from battle. The red bar indicates SP, spirit. SP is spent everytime you perform "Healing," "Supermove,""Joint," etc. actions. If you perform "Kiai" or receive damage from an enemy, it increases.

3) Current action and attack mode - The character "技" indicates the name of the stratagem, "gi." The wheel around it contains the various attack modes. There are "Normal," "Supermove," "Healing," and "Joint."

4) Area window - Displays the whole layout of the battlefield.
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: MCD on January 21, 2010, 07:13:59 AM
wait i didn't mean that.
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Ichirou on January 21, 2010, 07:15:59 AM
One thing I am thinking of doing is gifting someone in the forum with a copy of the game, if they want it.  If you're interested and you live in the US, just PM me and let me know why you want it.  If you're legitimately interested I'll PM you back and if you trust me enough to tell me your address I'll send you a copy of the game thru Amazon. :rock
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Akala on January 21, 2010, 07:16:19 AM
(http://i46.tinypic.com/33kgjt1.jpg)
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Ichirou on January 21, 2010, 07:17:52 AM
:heartbeat
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: originalz on January 21, 2010, 07:29:21 AM
Why doesn't the Wii version have dual-audio?  I'd rather play the game in Japanese but would rather play it on the Wii than PS2.
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Ichirou on January 21, 2010, 07:31:05 AM
I'm guessing Nintendo was charging them too much for pressing the additional disc with Japanese voiceovers...

At least it's ten dollars less, and from what I've heard the dubbing sounds pretty good!

...I'm going to be playing the JP-dub version on PS2 though.  :-*
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: demi on January 21, 2010, 07:33:36 AM
One thing I am thinking of doing is gifting someone in the forum with a copy of the game, if they want it.  If you're interested and you live in the US, just PM me and let me know why you want it.  If you're legitimately interested I'll PM you back and if you trust me enough to tell me your address I'll send you a copy of the game thru Amazon. :rock

I'll take it for Wii.
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Ichirou on January 21, 2010, 07:35:46 AM
demi wins it.
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: MCD on January 21, 2010, 07:36:58 AM
Why doesn't the Wii version have dual-audio?  I'd rather play the game in Japanese but would rather play it on the Wii than PS2.
should have bought a 60giger ps3.
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: demi on January 21, 2010, 07:38:14 AM
Is this a good entry for someone who hasnt played these games... ie everyone
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: MCD on January 21, 2010, 07:39:42 AM
why are you even asking demi
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Ichirou on January 21, 2010, 07:39:50 AM
Yeah, there's a new main character and aside from a couple of cameos, the entire cast is all-new as well.  No knowledge of previous entries in the series needed.
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Ichirou on January 21, 2010, 07:40:07 AM
why are you even asking demi

Because I'm sending him a copy, dude.
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: iconoclast on January 21, 2010, 07:44:59 AM
I'll be playing this eventually... maybe not right away since there's already plenty of stuff coming out in March, but I'm in. I've never played a Sakura Taisen game so hopefully this is a good entry.
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: MCD on January 21, 2010, 07:46:26 AM
disgusting admin.
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Ichirou on January 21, 2010, 07:47:05 AM
My favorite one in terms of story is part 2, but the ARMS battle system is really cool.

Who knows, maybe if this one sells they'll bring one of the other ones over...there was a remake of ST1 on PS2 that uses the new ARMS battle system, and there's also a really good port of ST3...

...yeah, that'll never happen, but at least we're getting ST5!
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: demi on January 21, 2010, 07:47:41 AM
PM'd my address... get my uguu on
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Ichirou on January 21, 2010, 07:47:50 AM
disgusting admin.

Huh? I'm not sending him a copy because he's an admin.  I said I'd send one to the first person who asked.  demi was the first person who asked.
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: demi on January 21, 2010, 07:52:33 AM
Does this count as a purchase? That makes my 1 game to Nintendobooger's zero, I think. Who's the wii fan now.
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: MCD on January 21, 2010, 07:57:16 AM
i am joking you silly, i am cool with demi.
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Ichirou on January 21, 2010, 07:58:10 AM
This'll make the first Wii game I ever buy. :lol
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Ichirou on January 21, 2010, 08:01:33 AM
n/m you just replied to my PM
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: magus on January 21, 2010, 08:04:36 AM
weeaboo n 35247 represents
*salutes*
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Ichirou on January 21, 2010, 08:07:08 AM
Done.  Enjoy the game, post your impressions when you get it! :rock
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: tiesto on January 21, 2010, 08:52:57 AM
What was that Sakura Taisen game that took place in the wild west, and was a 3D action game?
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Ichirou on January 21, 2010, 08:57:52 AM
That was Sakura Taisen V Episode 0: Samurai Girl of the West.  It's a prequel to the main series and the playable character is the main female lead from ST5, Gemini Sunrise:

(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_74i1PpUE_iw/SgZEbt5woSI/AAAAAAAAANw/Af0Dj9l5I7g/s400/Gemini_Sunrise.jpg)
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Ichirou on January 21, 2010, 09:05:54 AM
Of all the spin-offs, my favorite are the Hanagumi Taisen Columns games.  The Dramatic Dungeon crawler that came out on DS a year or so ago is pretty awesome too.
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Mr. Gundam on January 21, 2010, 12:04:42 PM
Ichi bought me the Japanese version along with the ST1 PS2 remake and ST5 Episode Zero. I should really support this English release, but there are a ton of games I want in March...
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Himu on January 21, 2010, 12:15:09 PM
I'd support this but I'd rather get FF13 or Yakuza 3.

Wait, when does The Show 10 come out?
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Howard Alan Treesong on January 21, 2010, 12:36:13 PM
do we know what game-breaking bug NIS introduced into the U.S. version or is that still TBD
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: magus on January 21, 2010, 12:50:17 PM
do we know what game-breaking bug NIS introduced into the U.S. version or is that still TBD
:lol
for people that are wondering here is the awesome job done by nisa on ar tonelico 2

- one of the minor character was named jean,she's a female character but doesn't look like one and since "jean" isn't really a male or female character they gave her a gruffy macho voice
- one of the side quest consist of getting fans for a fanclub,everytime you recruit a new fan an untranslated phrase pops up in japanese
- there is at least one instance where saying "yes" leads to the "no" dialogue and saying "no" leads to the "yes" dialogue
- one of the boss has an attack that makes the game freeze so basicaly you are forced to beat the boss quick or suffer THE TOTAL DEFEAT OF YOUR CONSOLE,and you want to know the better part? you can fight stronger and stronger version of this boss as an optional fight and each time you defeat it you get extra content like art and stuff

basicaly i've seen fan translation done better than it
admitely they did a better job on the next game but mana khemia 2 but it still had a freezing bug when fighting one of the optional boss,luckily this optional boss is very easy to defeat and as such can be killed in a single turn before he freeze the game

Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Mr. Gundam on January 21, 2010, 01:58:42 PM
I'd support this but I'd rather get FF13 or Yakuza 3.

Wait, when does The Show 10 come out?

The Show is out in March.

March has too many games that I want: Final Fantasy XIII, God of War III, Ryu ga Gotoku 4, Gundam Assault Survive, Hokuto Musou, Pro Baseball Spirits 2010, etc. Argh!
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: HyperZoneWasAwesome on January 21, 2010, 03:18:19 PM
It still kinda blows my mind that this is actually coming out.  People, not too many people left by now, but people have been waiting for this for well over a decade.
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Ichirou on January 21, 2010, 04:59:12 PM
I'd support this but I'd rather get FF13 or Yakuza 3.

Wait, when does The Show 10 come out?

Sure, go ahead and support FF13, which doesn't really need your help with a purchase, instead of this.
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Ichirou on January 21, 2010, 04:59:56 PM
Ichi bought me the Japanese version along with the ST1 PS2 remake and ST5 Episode Zero. I should really support this English release, but there are a ton of games I want in March...

It's only forty bucks, dude.  Please support the franchise.  It needs it!
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Debaser on January 21, 2010, 05:58:27 PM
Hey Himuro, you know what other RPG is less than $40 and comes out the same day as this

(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51EaW8dl0kL._SS%C6%BC600_.jpg)
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Himu on January 21, 2010, 06:00:16 PM
.........

STRANGE JOURNEY!!!!!

I guess March is just FF13 and SJ for me then.  :'(
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Ichirou on January 21, 2010, 06:07:43 PM
You probably would have just pirated it anyway.
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Joe Molotov on January 21, 2010, 08:03:10 PM
I will buy this.
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Ichirou on January 22, 2010, 12:12:58 AM
do we know what game-breaking bug NIS introduced into the U.S. version or is that still TBD

Yeah, that was fucking inexcusable in Ar Tonelico 2.  FWIW they actually apologized for it and the PSP port of Disgaea 2 has no game-breaking bugs as far as I know.

Even with all this, I'm glad NIS America is translating it instead of Working Designs like it was rumored they were back in '96.  They probably would've made at least one of the characters incontinent and another a closeted gay dude, plus adding all the "hip" pop culture jokes that WDtards love.
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Himu on January 22, 2010, 01:56:12 AM
I'll support when I get the cash and time.
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Ichirou on January 22, 2010, 02:46:39 AM
I'll support when I get the cash and time.

All I ask is that when you buy a copy, you buy it new so NIS gets money instead of Gamestop or some eBay seller.

You played ST3 and 4 so you know how great the ARMS battle system is.  This is a cool game from a venerable franchise and deserves our support.
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Ichirou on January 23, 2010, 08:18:56 PM
So I was going through the official page reading everything, and...for some reason, they change several character names in the dub version of the game.  This is absolutely distinguished mentally-challenged, because that means that in the sub disc, they still keep the original names. wtf? :lol
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Ichirou on January 24, 2010, 12:39:47 AM
(http://www.japanator.com/elephant/ul/11921-620x-Clipboard01.jpg)

This is absolutely distinguished mentally-challenged.  The Japanese voice-over disc has the name Sagitta Weinberg, but in the dub version the character is renamed Cheiron Archer.  Another minor character is named Plum Spaniel in the Japanese voice-over disc, and Cherry Cocker in the dub disc.

I'm pretty sure at this point NIS America is just doing this to fuck with people.  I mean, seriously? :lol
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Himu on January 24, 2010, 12:40:35 AM
I haven't played ST4.
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Ichirou on January 24, 2010, 12:42:58 AM
ST3 has the same battle system too, bro.
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Ichirou on January 24, 2010, 12:43:39 AM
(http://www.japanator.com/elephant//ul/11921-/333-620x.jpg)

:rock
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: bork on January 24, 2010, 03:54:17 AM
(http://www.japanator.com/elephant/ul/11921-620x-Clipboard01.jpg)

This is absolutely distinguished mentally-challenged.  The Japanese voice-over disc has the name Sagitta Weinberg, but in the dub version the character is renamed Cheiron Archer.  Another minor character is named Plum Spaniel in the Japanese voice-over disc, and Cherry Cocker in the dub disc.

I'm pretty sure at this point NIS America is just doing this to fuck with people.  I mean, seriously? :lol

Well, PS2 LE with Japanese language disc it is!
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Jansen on January 24, 2010, 04:21:28 AM
is every ps2 copy the deluxe edition? i have this preordered at gamestop but i'd rather get it from amazon.  the problem is amazon doesnt mention anything about it being the DE which is the only way to get the dual language discs.
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Ichirou on January 24, 2010, 06:33:08 AM
NIS America had originally announced that there would be two versions for PS2 - premium (dual-voice over) and regular (dub-only).  However, their online site only has the deluxe version for sale on PS2, so I don't know if the dub-only regular version has been canceled or what.  Gamestop's site also only lists the premium version.

You could always do what I'm going to do, which is order directly from NIS's online shop, that way they get more of your money than they would if you went through another retailer.
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: bork on January 25, 2010, 11:03:38 PM
Have they said if the Wii version runs in 480P?  The PS2 version is likely to be 480i.
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Ichirou on January 25, 2010, 11:31:18 PM
Website doesn't say anything one way or the other.  You don't want the Wii version, though, it's dub only.
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: bork on January 25, 2010, 11:43:17 PM
Website doesn't say anything one way or the other.  You don't want the Wii version, though, it's dub only.

I know, but I will be tempted to want it if it's 480P.   :-\
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: demi on January 25, 2010, 11:48:32 PM
I want the Wii version because I dont play PS2 anymore. In the closet forever and EVER
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Ichirou on January 25, 2010, 11:49:18 PM
Website doesn't say anything one way or the other.  You don't want the Wii version, though, it's dub only.

I know, but I will be tempted to want it if it's 480P.   :-\

Buy both! It's only $30! ;)
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Ichirou on January 25, 2010, 11:53:04 PM
I think I figured out why the PS2 version is only available in the premium version right now...from what I'm reading at RPGFan and RPGamer, it sounds like the first run of the PS2 version will all be the premium version, and everything after that will be the regular one-disc version.  So you can only get the JP voiceover disc if you get the very first release.

Premium version box art:

(http://fast1.onesite.com/seganerds.thekartel.com/82127a4f2166d4ed9954821d44a44d79.jpg)

Regular version box art (this is the Wii one, but the PS2 regular version has the same box art):

(http://rosenqueen.com/images/P/sw_wii.jpg)



Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: bork on January 25, 2010, 11:56:13 PM
I want the Wii version because I dont play PS2 anymore. In the closet forever and EVER

Mine is hooked up but never gets used, plus 480i games just look ugly on an HDTV.

The Wii version being 480P would be a big deal for me.

Website doesn't say anything one way or the other.  You don't want the Wii version, though, it's dub only.

I know, but I will be tempted to want it if it's 480P.   :-\

Buy both! It's only $30! ;)

I will likely buy the PS2 premium and maybe rent the Wii version...from the internet store.
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Bebpo on January 25, 2010, 11:58:00 PM
That's a lot of extra money to spend on localization for a first pressing bonus....
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Ichirou on January 26, 2010, 12:01:35 AM
Pretty sure the localization is exactly the same except for the name changes.
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Ichirou on January 26, 2010, 12:02:40 AM
I want the Wii version because I dont play PS2 anymore. In the closet forever and EVER

Mine is hooked up but never gets used, plus 480i games just look ugly on an HDTV.

The Wii version being 480P would be a big deal for me.

Website doesn't say anything one way or the other.  You don't want the Wii version, though, it's dub only.

I know, but I will be tempted to want it if it's 480P.   :-\

Buy both! It's only $30! ;)

I will likely buy the PS2 premium and maybe rent the Wii version...from the internet store.

Don't pirate Sakura Taisen! :gun :gun :gun
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: bork on January 26, 2010, 12:07:00 AM
I will buy this game for sure.  Always wanted to play one of them in English.  Wish it was a remake of the original though.
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Ichirou on January 26, 2010, 12:13:45 AM
Not going to deny that I'd probably prefer if this were an English version of Atsuki Chishio Ni (the remake of the first game) instead of ST5, but I figure NIS America feels the New York setting might attract more people, rightly or wrongly.

If it were me in charge, I'd go with Atsuki Chishio Ni since the anime and OAVs star those characters, so those are the ones anime fans would be familiar with in the first place.  Plus, those are my favorite characters anyway!
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Joe Molotov on January 26, 2010, 12:15:10 AM
I think I figured out why the PS2 version is only available in the premium version right now...from what I'm reading at RPGFan and RPGamer, it sounds like the first run of the PS2 version will all be the premium version, and everything after that will be the regular one-disc version.  So you can only get the JP voiceover disc if you get the very first release.

Premium version box art:

(http://fast1.onesite.com/seganerds.thekartel.com/82127a4f2166d4ed9954821d44a44d79.jpg)

:american
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: bork on January 26, 2010, 12:32:59 AM
Not going to deny that I'd probably prefer if this were an English version of Atsuki Chishio Ni (the remake of the first game) instead of ST5, but I figure NIS America feels the New York setting might attract more people, rightly or wrongly.

If it were me in charge, I'd go with Atsuki Chishio Ni since the anime and OAVs star those characters, so those are the ones anime fans would be familiar with in the first place.  Plus, those are my favorite characters anyway!

It's called "Sakura Wars" yet this version has no Sakura!
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Ichirou on January 26, 2010, 12:37:42 AM
Sakura cameos at the very start of the game, actually.  She helps give the new protagonist his assignment. But the "Sakura" in the title has never meant Shinguji Sakura the character, according to Hiroi Ohji. :lol
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: bork on January 26, 2010, 03:07:27 PM
But the "Sakura" in the title has never meant Shinguji Sakura the character, according to Hiroi Ohji. :lol

LIES
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Ichirou on January 26, 2010, 10:43:22 PM
They are spelled differently...the 'Sakura' in Sakura Taisen is written in katakana.
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: chronovore on January 27, 2010, 12:40:23 AM
As a closet steampunk fan, this series has always interested me. Sadly, with my existing backlog of Achievment-popping games, it is not enough of a push for me to reconnect my PS2, and I'm unlikely to even grab this on Wii.

...but I'll probably still cave and get it on Wii. Or maybe I'll just go rent the anime.
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Ichirou on January 27, 2010, 12:44:17 AM
TV series is not representative of the game at all - it was a troubled production that switched directors halfway through.  It ostensibly follows the plot of the first game but the first seven or eight episodes are really dark and angsty (totally unlike the games, but I thought it was an interesting experiment to take the charactes and play with them in that way), and then the new director comes in and it's just a straight, uninspired adaptation of the main bullet points of the game with a number of changes.

The OAVs are great little one-shot character-centric episodes with no overarching story, but they're really for fans who've played through the games first.  I was really surprised they got brought over.  I actually really like them, though, and I think ADV has a box set of all the OAV episodes, probably goes for cheap these days.

You could always get the game and put it in yer backlog. Can't go wrong for thirty bucks. :rock
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Ichirou on March 24, 2010, 08:52:29 PM
COMES OUT AT THE END OF THE MONTH

EPIC BUMMMMMMMMMP
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: magus on March 24, 2010, 10:14:15 PM
http://www.gamesradar.com/wii/sakura-wars-so-long-my-love/review/sakura-wars-so-long-my-love-review/a-20100323161915832089/g-20090508144827635056
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Ichirou on March 24, 2010, 10:38:48 PM
Copy pasta plz, Gamesradar is blocked at work.
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: demi on March 24, 2010, 10:43:35 PM
They gave it a 6
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Ichirou on March 24, 2010, 10:48:05 PM
Gamesradar sucks confirmed.
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Van Cruncheon on March 24, 2010, 11:36:13 PM
does this game have any serious stats/crafting, or is it straight up japaspank weeaboo feelgood tosh

on one hand, i see srpg and recall the furor around the series in the saturn days; on the other hand, i hate the character designs and the emphasis on apparent moe elements over real gameplay
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Ichirou on March 24, 2010, 11:38:50 PM
does this game have any serious stats/crafting, or is it straight up japaspank weeaboo feelgood tosh

on one hand, i see srpg and recall the furor around the series in the saturn days; on the other hand, i hate the character designs and the emphasis on apparent moe elements over real gameplay

The game is not particularly stats heavy but the battle system is cool, reminiscent of BoF: Dragon Quarter's.

It's also only thirty bucks.
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Van Cruncheon on March 24, 2010, 11:41:12 PM
of course i'll buy it, it says srpg, god help me
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Ichirou on March 24, 2010, 11:42:44 PM
of course i'll buy it, it says srpg, god help me

Re: the stats.  During the adventure segments, you interact with the various characters who make up your party (sort of like Mass Effect's wheel, except timed).  Depending on whether you treat them nicely or like shit affects what their stats will be like during the battle segments.

Each character's personality differs, so the interaction which might encourage one character might make another character angry.
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: bork on March 25, 2010, 12:28:19 AM
does this game have any serious stats/crafting, or is it straight up japaspank weeaboo feelgood tosh

on one hand, i see srpg and recall the furor around the series in the saturn days; on the other hand, i hate the character designs and the emphasis on apparent moe elements over real gameplay

Sakura Wars predates teh moe.  It's just gonna be Ah! My Goddess-style cutesy harem-like dating sim crap instead.   :lol
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Ichirou on March 25, 2010, 12:31:37 AM
It's not that bad, mayne.  If you consider the conversations with multiple choices "dating sim crap" then by that standard, Mass Effect 2 is a dating sim too.
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: bork on March 25, 2010, 12:59:23 AM
It's not that bad, mayne.  If you consider the conversations with multiple choices "dating sim crap" then by that standard, Mass Effect 2 is a dating sim too.

Come on dude, it's got dating sim elements...that's always been the series' draw.  If Mass Effect had nothing but female team mates including lolis, you might have something there. 

Not trying to call it bad anyway.  I've always wanted to play one of these games in English.
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: demi on March 25, 2010, 01:10:32 AM
All BioWare games are dating sims
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Ichirou on March 25, 2010, 01:53:33 AM
It's not that bad, mayne.  If you consider the conversations with multiple choices "dating sim crap" then by that standard, Mass Effect 2 is a dating sim too.

Come on dude, it's got dating sim elements...that's always been the series' draw.  If Mass Effect had nothing but female team mates including lolis, you might have something there. 

Not trying to call it bad anyway.  I've always wanted to play one of these games in English.

There are undeniable dating sim elements, but they're very light. None of the stat management of real dating sims like the Tokimeki Memorial series.  In fact, I think there's only one or two actual 'dates' in the series as a whole.  I think the whole dating sim tag got given to it rather unfairly because of the early GameFan coverage.  It's really more accurate to call the adventure segments 'steampunk/fantasy anime sim' than 'dating sim.'
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: originalz on March 25, 2010, 02:12:07 AM
Anyone ever play Thousand Arms?  Man, that game sucked shit.  The dating sections were whack too.
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Ichirou on March 25, 2010, 02:21:19 AM
Thousand Arms was a terrible game.
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: tiesto on March 25, 2010, 10:18:56 AM
does this game have any serious stats/crafting, or is it straight up japaspank weeaboo feelgood tosh

on one hand, i see srpg and recall the furor around the series in the saturn days; on the other hand, i hate the character designs and the emphasis on apparent moe elements over real gameplay

Sakura Wars predates teh moe.  It's just gonna be Ah! My Goddess-style cutesy harem-like dating sim crap instead.   :lol

I dunno, Iris (green dress, pink bow) seems pretty moe to me:

(http://www.kawapaper.com/d/12966-2/Kawapaper_Sakura_wars_0000008_1280x1024.jpg)
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: magus on March 25, 2010, 10:42:41 AM
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/TokenLoli
and now you will spend the rest of the day browsing tvtropes :smug
*cue evil laugh*
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Ichirou on March 25, 2010, 08:40:54 PM
Iris was created waaaay before the Moe fad began (way back in '96).  She's the token little sister stereotype that infested anime of the periods (see: Sasami in Tenchi Muyo).

She's not in the upcoming game, btw.  Instead we get Rikarita Aries, a gun-toting Mexican girl with a penchant for stealing Saturn games.
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: chronovore on March 25, 2010, 11:37:33 PM
It's not that bad, mayne.  If you consider the conversations with multiple choices "dating sim crap" then by that standard, Mass Effect 2 is a dating sim too.

Come on dude, it's got dating sim elements...that's always been the series' draw.  If Mass Effect had nothing but female team mates including lolis, you might have something there. 

Not trying to call it bad anyway.  I've always wanted to play one of these games in English.

There are undeniable dating sim elements, but they're very light. None of the stat management of real dating sims like the Tokimeki Memorial series.  In fact, I think there's only one or two actual 'dates' in the series as a whole.  I think the whole dating sim tag got given to it rather unfairly because of the early GameFan coverage.  It's really more accurate to call the adventure segments 'steampunk/fantasy anime sim' than 'dating sim.'

Yeah, this definitely brings back the bonar.
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: originalz on March 26, 2010, 12:12:55 AM
It's kind of bizarre how the innocent harem animes evolved into moe-blob fests.
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Bebpo on March 26, 2010, 12:37:50 AM
It's kind of bizarre how the innocent harem animes evolved into moe-blob fests.

I think the guy-fantasy genre has been a non-innocent genre from the outstart.  Even when the original ST games were coming out it was obviously catered at otaku and all types of their female desires (including loli bait). 

There are good games/anime/manga within the genre, but it's a fucked up genre for sure that's based on male desires to be surrounded and loved by many women.
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Van Cruncheon on March 26, 2010, 01:36:02 AM
yeah, there's nothing innocent about harem anime
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Ichirou on March 26, 2010, 01:37:19 AM
That's why it's awesome.
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: magus on April 01, 2010, 08:02:25 AM
ehy guys the game is "out" if you catch my drift :smug
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: demi on April 01, 2010, 08:08:41 AM
It's a bad dump, if you get my drift
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Ichirou on April 01, 2010, 09:28:32 AM
My copy shipped today.
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: bork on April 01, 2010, 06:13:52 PM
Mine too.  Good thing I guess, since I was about to just cancel it.
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Ichirou on April 01, 2010, 06:56:28 PM
Mine too.  Good thing I guess, since I was about to just cancel it.

lyte edge :rock

Supporting Sakura Wars :rock
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: magus on April 03, 2010, 07:45:07 AM
okay apparently a good dump is out but it's huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuge and i'm not going to bother so there...
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: demi on April 03, 2010, 07:47:16 AM
Guess it's time to get a job and buy it
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: magus on April 03, 2010, 07:55:07 AM
dude that would require even more effort  :-\
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Ichirou on April 03, 2010, 08:16:32 AM
Glad you don't get to play this game, then, you dirty mupepe.
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Ichirou on April 03, 2010, 08:24:21 AM
(http://img532.imageshack.us/img532/4742/sakurawars.jpg)

:rock :rock :rock
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Ichirou on April 03, 2010, 08:29:10 AM
(http://img242.imageshack.us/img242/3503/sakurawars2.jpg)
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: demi on April 03, 2010, 08:33:09 AM
PS2 looks like a better package. Wii version is just a game.
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Ichirou on April 03, 2010, 08:38:06 AM
PS2 version is $10 more, though.

Extras are:

- Artbook

- Japanese-dubbed version of the game

- Gemini Sunrise (main female character) poster...lyte edge can put it up in his game room :P
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Ichirou on April 03, 2010, 08:47:48 AM
The artbook is designed to look like a Broadway theater brochure and the bios are theatrical-style bios that include the characters' theatrical debuts and how they're viewed by fans.

(http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/8786/sakurawars6.jpg)

(http://img534.imageshack.us/img534/1706/sakurawars5.jpg)

(http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/1456/sakurawars4.jpg)

(http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/5411/sakurawars3.jpg)
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Ichirou on April 03, 2010, 01:59:57 PM
This is how you do an animu-based game.  Fuck off, Star Ocean 4.

Almost finished with the first episode.  Game is awesome so far. :rock
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: bork on April 03, 2010, 04:20:47 PM
PS2 version is $10 more, though.

Extras are:

- Artbook

- Japanese-dubbed version of the game

- Gemini Sunrise (main female character) poster...lyte edge can put it up in his game room :P

Is that in every PS2 package?  I thought it was just some LE version of the game on the NIS store that had that stuff, with the Japanese-language version being the only bonus in all the regular PS2 versions.  The latter is all I care about anyway.

EDIT: Nope, Amazon says it's the Premium Edition, so all that stuff is in there.  Nice!
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Himu on April 03, 2010, 07:15:49 PM
why the fuck is march rpg month?
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Ichirou on April 03, 2010, 09:06:38 PM
PS2 version is $10 more, though.

Extras are:

- Artbook

- Japanese-dubbed version of the game

- Gemini Sunrise (main female character) poster...lyte edge can put it up in his game room :P

Is that in every PS2 package?  I thought it was just some LE version of the game on the NIS store that had that stuff, with the Japanese-language version being the only bonus in all the regular PS2 versions.  The latter is all I care about anyway.

EDIT: Nope, Amazon says it's the Premium Edition, so all that stuff is in there.  Nice!

Those who get the Wii version miss out on all of that awsum extra stuff, but save $10.

The Japanese voiceover disc is dubtitled (like every other NIS game). Gemini speaks tomboyishly in the JP voiceover and they've translated that to a Texan accent in the script.

I need to check to see if you can save your game when playing the JP voiceover disc and then load your game with the dub disc or vice-versa.
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: originalz on April 04, 2010, 01:16:50 AM
Aargh.

Yo Ichiro, where did you order your copy of the game?
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Ichirou on April 04, 2010, 10:54:55 AM
Play-Asia. :rock

They have both the Wii and PS2 versions in Akiba, though.
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Ichirou on April 04, 2010, 07:31:16 PM
I had forgotten how fuckin' polished this game is.  It may be getting a low-key release now, but this was a major title when it came out in Japan.

Everything looks and feels so nice.  This is a quality game.  I :heartbeat NIS America for bringing this out.
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Ichirou on April 05, 2010, 10:28:38 AM
"Noko, you have always been my friend, but now...you are my breakfast."

Fuckin' loving this game. :rofl

Prole is going to fucking hate it, tho. :rofl
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Ichirou on April 05, 2010, 10:09:18 PM
Nobody else is playing this game?  You guys suck.  :(
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: demi on April 05, 2010, 10:48:38 PM
I am about to 1000 Final Fantasy... will pop it in tonite
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: HyperZoneWasAwesome on April 05, 2010, 10:51:45 PM
I won't admit to buying it, but its something I might have done.  And if I did buy it, I wouldn't be playing it immediately due to real life obligations and my scarily huge backlog, and I would have bought it more as a curiosity of that particular and inscrutable series.  That and the likelihood of it being the last significant PS2 release and I would have believed that it wasn't likely to be readily available in the future and certainly not as the nifty package available to the people who bought the initial print run.

that is, if I bought it.  It would also be the fruitiest game I would own, if I had purchased it and were too afraid of being of being labeled as the wacky jappy gamer/weeaboo that I am if I came out straight and said "I paid my own hard-earned cash on a dating-sim/RPG/anime girly game".

so I'm not saying I bought it, but I am saying that I didn't not buy it.
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Ichirou on April 05, 2010, 10:57:24 PM
I'm near the end of episode 3 now.  Battles have been pretty easy thus far (I suspect they'll get tougher once you have assembled your entire team).  The game seems to be 2/3 adventure segments, 1/3 battles.

The game is definitely designed to be replayed through multiple times.  The free-roaming adventure segments are designed in such a way that there's really no possible way to see and do everything in one play-through, because events are timed (not in real-time, but time passes whenever you go to a certain location).  Plus, there's sooooo many interactions with the characters where you get timed interactions (either doing certain tasks or answering questions or commenting from multiple choices).  Sometimes, the "wrong" answers that piss off the characters are the funniest ones.

The game really feels like a mid-90s anime. The characters are really sweet and fun, but aren't the disgusting moe-blobs that are so popular nowadays.

My favorite character so far is the black lawyer.  She's so sassy.  She has the coolest mecha too. :heartbeat
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Vizzys on April 05, 2010, 11:22:47 PM
I won't admit to buying it, but its something I might have done.  And if I did buy it, I wouldn't be playing it immediately due to real life obligations and my scarily huge backlog, and I would have bought it more as a curiosity of that particular and inscrutable series.  That and the likelihood of it being the last significant PS2 release and I would have believed that it wasn't likely to be readily available in the future and certainly not as the nifty package available to the people who bought the initial print run.

that is, if I bought it.  It would also be the fruitiest game I would own, if I had purchased it and were too afraid of being of being labeled as the wacky jappy gamer/weeaboo that I am if I came out straight and said "I paid my own hard-earned cash on a dating-sim/RPG/anime girly game".

so I'm not saying I bought it, but I am saying that I didn't not buy it.

(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r318/vizOA/1231737739038.png)
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: bork on April 06, 2010, 12:26:03 AM
Got it but have no idea when I'm going to try it.  I want to keep playing Hokuto Musou and finish more of that game first.  Sakura Wars goes right into the Sega backburner alongside Yakuza 1-3 and Valkyria Chronicles.
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Ichirou on April 06, 2010, 12:31:24 AM
Got it but have no idea when I'm going to try it.  I want to keep playing Hokuto Musou and finish more of that game first.  Sakura Wars goes right into the Sega backburner alongside Yakuza 1-3 and Valkyria Chronicles.

Did you get the PS2 or Wii version?

This is like the last AAA quality game to come out for PS2, I think...RIP, mayne.

I hope it sells well enough that NIS America brings out Sakura Wars 1&2 out on PSP.  Sakura Wars 2 is my favorite in the series.
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: bork on April 06, 2010, 01:23:38 AM
PS2...I wanted the Wii version but no Japanese dub = no sale.
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Ichirou on April 06, 2010, 01:29:51 AM
You hanging that Gemini Sunrise poster in your game room?  :-*
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: bork on April 06, 2010, 02:34:47 AM
You hanging that Gemini Sunrise poster in your game room?  :-*

Nope!  Got more video n' animu posters than I know what to do with now.  Plus I'm probably moving soon, to a small 1 bedroom apartment, so no more game room.  I will have to hide my nerd hobby.   :'(
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Ichirou on April 06, 2010, 02:37:53 AM
Fuck. :spitzer
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: demi on April 06, 2010, 07:34:12 AM
Blah, 480i
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Ichirou on April 06, 2010, 07:45:42 AM
You sure?  The NeoGAF thread says it supports 480p.
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: demi on April 06, 2010, 07:46:21 AM
Unless I see otherwise, this game is 480i

What are passwords for? In the Free & Easy in NY section
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Ichirou on April 06, 2010, 07:48:48 AM
You can get secret pictures of the characters (Bromides like in the PSX Lunar games), as well as music for your cameratron (you get that in the second episode of the game).

Don't even bother with Free & Easy in NY until you've finished the game at least once.  It's basically a free-roaming thing where you can play mini-games with the characters, get extra pictures, view all the FMVs/endings you've gotten in the game thus far.
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: magus on April 06, 2010, 07:51:27 AM
Nobody else is playing this game?  You guys suck.  :(
you shall go as a lone hero as i did for my shiren thread! </salute>
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Ichirou on April 06, 2010, 08:13:36 AM
Except Shiren is totally gay.
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: demi on April 06, 2010, 08:15:29 AM
Yep, Shiren is shit
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: magus on April 06, 2010, 08:21:49 AM
 :'(
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: bork on April 06, 2010, 03:07:26 PM
Unless I see otherwise, this game is 480i

 :yuck  Come on, NIS, how hard would it have been to have added 480P to this port?
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Ichirou on April 06, 2010, 09:06:51 PM
NeoGAF distinguished mentally-challenged fellows claimed it's 480p. :(
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: chronovore on April 07, 2010, 09:28:43 AM
Nobody else is playing this game?  You guys suck.  :(

We can animu-cuddle together and play Record of Agarest War after it ships for 360.  :-*
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Ichirou on April 07, 2010, 09:49:44 AM
Nah, that sounds like a shit game.  Sakura Wars is AAA gaming.
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: magus on April 07, 2010, 10:30:53 AM
ya know i still don't understand what's supposedly make this good which is why i didn't bother... i don't want to sounds like someone trolling but what's here for me besides? "WACKY ANIMU GALS"  :-\
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Ichirou on April 07, 2010, 10:37:49 AM
Overall, the Sakura Wars series have sold over 3,000,000 units in Japan.

Sakura Taisen ranked #13 place in the Famitsu's 100 all-time favorite games list.

The first four Sakura Taisen games all made Japan’s “Top 100 Games of all time” as voted by fans.

Recorded the biggest sales as a SEGA Saturn original title.

Won the 1997 Game of the year Semi-Grand Prix Award.

When Sakura Taisen 2 was released it was currently the number one most popular game in Japan according to Famicom Tsuushin.

Famitsu gave Sakura Taisen V a 10 / 10 / 9 / 8 - (37/40) score.

In Japan, Sakura Taisen V was one of the best selling games in 2005.

According to Famitsu 1996 top ten wanted list, Sakura Taisen scored second place just below Final Fantasy VII.

Sakura Taisen 2 sold over 500,000 units during its first few months.

Sakura Taisen 2 is the second best selling dating game of all time in japan.

In 2009, Sakura Taisen scored first place in the Famitsu list of most wanted game sequels of all times.
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Ichirou on April 07, 2010, 10:42:26 AM
Whether you like the game depends on two things:

1. Do you enjoy anime and silly Japanese pop culture?

2.  Are you willing to let yourself be charmed by the characters?

The BIG selling point for this series has always been very charming, likeable, silly characters.  Character designs by Kosuke Fujishima, voice-work by top-notch voice acting talent, scriptwriting by Satoru Akahori (famous for a ton of other manga like Bakuretsu Hunter).  If you're not drawn in by the setting and the idea of that, you're just not going to like the game.

It's not a stat-heavy game.  It's not a particularly difficult game.  What draws you in is the experience of having this adventure with these characters in this alternate '20s steampunk New York setting.  Which is why someone like, say, Prole, is undoubtedly going to hate this game while someone like, say, me, is loving every minute of it.
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Ichirou on April 08, 2010, 09:20:23 PM
I finished Episode 6 and now feel qualified to give a definitive review of the game.

Pros:

The ARMS battle system is really well done.  A lot of people have compared it to Valkyria Chronicles, sans the real-time aspect.  Personally, I think it's closer to BoF: Dragon Quarter's (which the ARMS battle system predates by a couple of years).  The addition of flying to fight against the bosses is pretty inspired.

Each battle has different objectives and plays differently. In some battles, you have to divide your forces so some are on the ground while others are in the air.  In others, you have to move to different areas to disable cannons so your other characters can move forward.  In others, you have to save certain objects and not let them be taken away by enemies.

If you enjoy anime, specifically mid-90s stuff like You're Under Arrest and the Patlabor TV series, you will really enjoy this.  Each episode is structured in the format of an anime OAV.  Interactions with the characters are constant, and there's at least a couple of free-roaming sections in each episode where you wander around New York and can interact with the various characters & NPCs.  Depending on where you go and when you go, your interactions will vary, so pretty much everyone will have a slightly different experience on their playthroughs.

The characters are genuinely likeable, if stereotypical.  The main lead, Gemini, is just a friendly samurai cowgirl with dreams of making it big in New York City.  Then there's Sagiitta Weinberg, an African-American lawyer who works out of Harlem and is also a Broadway actress (lol).  Rikaritta Aries is a Mexican bounty hunter who also happens to be a ten year old kid.  I haven't heard her dub voice, but her Japanese voice is hilarious.  Subaru is the mysterious, enigmatic Japanese person (whose gender is a subject of much debate...paging Junpei).  And Diana Caprice is the quiet, shy, kind one, whose best friends are the birds in Central Park.  This all sounds fairly ridiculous, but the thing is, the writers and director KNOW it's ridiculous, and they treat it as such.  They are gently mocking the tropes of anime while making homages to old '70s super robot shows, harem anime, steampunk anime, sci-fi, and period stuff..  Unlike Star Ocean 4, which really just totally blows it by presenting you all these ridiculous characters and taking it completely seriously and tries to be "epic", Sakura Wars knows exactly what it is.
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Ichirou on April 08, 2010, 09:26:58 PM
Cons:

The battles are too easy.  So far, there's only been one battle that really gave me trouble.  If you know how to motivate the characters during the adventure sections of the game, their stats increase in the battle and things are really easy.  I imagine if you purposefully blow the answers to the numerous interactions with the characters, their stats will decrease and things might be a bit more challenging.

The number of star division squad members is too small.  In Sakura Wars 1, you had seven people on the battlefield.  In the second one, that went up to 9.  Here, you only have 6 people, and it takes over half the game before you've recruited them all.

The character designs aren't as inspired as those in the first two games.  Specifically, the lead villains in the first three games were really well-designed and cool (Aoi Satan in the first, Oni-o in the second, Corbeau in the third), while the one in the fifth game is really borrrring (I won't spoil who it is since it's only revealed after halfway through).  What's worse, his henchmen are pretty damn dull too, aside from the dude with the sword that's been run through his head.  I think only people who played the first few games will even notice this, though.

Final score:


I give this 4 1/2 Ichirous out of 5



Buy this game so we get Sakura Wars 1 & 2 on PSP :heartbeat
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Joe Molotov on May 21, 2010, 11:25:22 PM
Now that I'm out for summer break, I picked this game up and started to dig into it. I beat Episode 1 this afternoon, and so far it's pretty awesome. :rock
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Ichirou on May 21, 2010, 11:29:36 PM
Yeah, I really dig the episodic format, I wish more games would pick up on the concept.

I have actually finished it three times already...you need to finish it once before you can unlock a hidden extra ending. :shh
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Joe Molotov on May 23, 2010, 12:36:25 AM
OMG :bow this game :bow2

I just beat Episode 2 and it was like 20x more awesome than the first one. Phoenix Shinji is on the case! Wait, isn't this an RPG, shouldn't I be fighting more dudes and grinding for XP? OBJECTION! This is game is too awesome for that. Instead, I'm a Japanese dude running around Harlem looking for clues so I can save The Hood. And Soul Food. :zzz

The character interactions are so great, even when you do the wrong thing it's usually still funny. Like staring at Ratchet's boobs or stroking her hair to try to make her feel better . :lol Or when she buys you a tie, pledging your eternal devotion to her because the cashier told you when a girl buys a guy a tie, it means they want you. :lol Or making Subaru pretend to be your girlfriend on a date with you when you get spotted by the guy you were supposed to be tailing. :lol Or when Sagiita and Subaru were arguing during the middle of a battle and you tell them to get serious and they both negative rep you, and Shinji's like WTF and they're like "Let's get serious Shinji." :lol
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Ichirou on May 23, 2010, 05:00:36 AM
Yeah, playing it "wrong" is definitely half the fun.  Sometimes I do weird shit just to see what the characters' reactions will be.  Wait till you get to the episode where Gemini tells you all about her samurai master and all the perverted shit he did with her, which she just assumes was part of her samurai training. :lol

I love that the game just does away with the idea of experience altogether so that you're not grinding battles but instead you are increasing your characters' stats through natural interactions with them.

:bow Sakura Wars :bow2
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: bork on May 23, 2010, 01:43:34 PM
Yeah, playing it "wrong" is definitely half the fun.  Sometimes I do weird shit just to see what the characters' reactions will be.  Wait till you get to the episode where Gemini tells you all about her samurai master and all the perverted shit he did with her, which she just assumes was part of her samurai training. :lol

I love that the game just does away with the idea of experience altogether so that you're not grinding battles but instead you are increasing your characters' stats through natural interactions with them.

:bow Sakura Wars :bow2

 :o
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Ichirou on May 23, 2010, 09:11:38 PM
It's genius.
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Smooth Groove on May 23, 2010, 09:57:12 PM
This game would be hella more interesting if it would let the gamer play out all the weird Jap sexual fantasies.  I don't get why Jap developers always beat around the bush.  Just make your game perverted or not. 
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Ichirou on May 23, 2010, 10:57:51 PM
Those games exist, but they're PC-only.

There's a porno rip-off of Sakura Wars called Raimuiro Senkitan for PC.  It's got the historical setting, steampunk technology, et al.  Only difference is that the protagonist can fuck all his teammates. :lol
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Joe Molotov on May 27, 2010, 10:51:07 PM
Episode 5 is a trap episode! Paging Himuro! :omg  :lol

"Peppermint" was awesome ("I'm the prettiest girl in the room!") and I think I'm going to win with Subaru now. I rocked that episode and s/he totally wants to jump my bones now...in a sophisticated and urbane way.

 :uguu
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Ichirou on May 28, 2010, 02:28:29 AM
Yeah, the weird thing about Subaru is that

spoiler (click to show/hide)
they've never revealed, in the game or all the related media, books, spin-off stuff, whether it's a dude or a chick.
[close]
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: bork on May 28, 2010, 05:45:49 PM
Those games exist, but they're PC-only.

There's a porno rip-off of Sakura Wars called Raimuiro Senkitan for PC.  It's got the historical setting, steampunk technology, et al.  Only difference is that the protagonist can fuck all his teammates. :lol

How the hell do these companies make money on these PC porn games?  Don't today's Japanese otaku just pirate everything like American fanboys do?
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Ichirou on May 28, 2010, 08:39:57 PM
Those games exist, but they're PC-only.

There's a porno rip-off of Sakura Wars called Raimuiro Senkitan for PC.  It's got the historical setting, steampunk technology, et al.  Only difference is that the protagonist can fuck all his teammates. :lol

How the hell do these companies make money on these PC porn games?  Don't today's Japanese otaku just pirate everything like American fanboys do?

I have no clue! Did you ever go to the porno games section of pretty much ever game store in Akihabara?  Porno games seem to sell for 9,000 yen on average, maybe that's how they make their money, by marking them up so high...and I doubt they're that hard to make, all they have to do is pay some illustrators and I hear the voice actresses for porn games actually get paid very little.

That said, Raimuiro Senkitan was actually a fairly high-profile game, since they hired the same scenario writer who worked on the Sakura Wars games. :lol
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: bork on May 28, 2010, 10:43:37 PM
Those games exist, but they're PC-only.

There's a porno rip-off of Sakura Wars called Raimuiro Senkitan for PC.  It's got the historical setting, steampunk technology, et al.  Only difference is that the protagonist can fuck all his teammates. :lol

How the hell do these companies make money on these PC porn games?  Don't today's Japanese otaku just pirate everything like American fanboys do?

I have no clue! Did you ever go to the porno games section of pretty much ever game store in Akihabara?  Porno games seem to sell for 9,000 yen on average, maybe that's how they make their money, by marking them up so high...and I doubt they're that hard to make, all they have to do is pay some illustrators and I hear the voice actresses for porn games actually get paid very little.

That said, Raimuiro Senkitan was actually a fairly high-profile game, since they hired the same scenario writer who worked on the Sakura Wars games. :lol

Never looked at H-games, no.  Back where I used to live, the stores with H-game sections had them blocked off and I NEVER saw anyone coming or going.  NEVER.  I'm not talking about porn DVDs or hentai manga, just the games.  Although I do remember going to a Chameleon Club to pick up a game and someone was there selling like 30 hentai games.  I wish I had taken a picture of the look on the guy's faces behind the counter.   :lol
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Joe Molotov on May 29, 2010, 12:11:23 AM
Man, the Ahab battle in Episode 8 sucks balls. I busted hump for about 45 minutes, and then still lost right before we got to the castle. :( How hard are the rest of the battles in this game?
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Ichirou on May 29, 2010, 12:53:37 AM
They're not that bad, I thought...the only one I lost repeatedly was the one where you had to rescue the girls that got turned to stone.  They kept getting taken away before I had a chance to rescue them all, and that was an insta-fail.
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Joe Molotov on May 29, 2010, 10:00:03 PM
Well, that doesn't help me because I thought that one was really easy. :lol The only earlier battle I had a problem with was the one where you had to save all your girls by stepping on the release plates and then destroying the electrodes, except most them were mined and they were scattered all over the place.
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Ichirou on May 29, 2010, 10:14:18 PM
Have you been using Shinjiro's "protect" ability?
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Joe Molotov on May 29, 2010, 10:16:23 PM
I don't even know what that is, so I'm guessing not. I haven't even messed with any of the Stratagems or any of that special Shinji stuff.
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Ichirou on May 29, 2010, 10:22:30 PM
Shinji can protect one of his teammates when they get attacked, and the teammate and Shinji both receive zero damage.  He can do this three times per battle.  If there's an attack which would have hit both of them, they both receive zero damage.
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Joe Molotov on May 31, 2010, 06:19:52 PM
And I finally finished it. Took me about 21 hours. Subaru was my "Special Person" (The Official Evilbore Selection :teehee) and at the end Shinji is still trying to figure out if she's a man or a woman. :lol
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Ichirou on May 31, 2010, 06:55:30 PM
"Is it a tiny penis or a giant clit?" has always been one of my favorite games to play with my dates. :teehee
Title: Re: The Official Evilbore Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Thread!
Post by: Joe Molotov on May 26, 2020, 02:22:45 PM
I’m playing the new one: I thought the game was charming as a slice of life game, but the combat was braindead. Then came the realization that you have to walk around and find secret events that are unmarked, making it a 3x per day chore.

Normally I would uncharacteristically detach from that, but the main appeal of this game is talking to people (and playing koi-koi)

All was good until I was forced a date with Claris after 4ish days of doing the same thing every day.

Claris then becomes melodramatic/emo because she used her magical powers to save a young girls that falls, and prattles in about being cursed with the power of magic.

Does it get better? Should I drop this?

The only thing that's unmarked are the bromide locations, events should be marked on the map with an exclamation point (and a rose petal for romance events).

But to answer your question, it doesn't get any better. What you've seen is what you get. The combat stays brain-dead until the end. All the girls have a chapter were some sad event happens, and then you're like "BELIEVE IN THE ME THAT BELIEVES IN YOU" and then the drama is resolved and everyone is happy again. It's pretty standard anime trope-y stuff.

Source: I platinumed this mf'er