Ichi and Distant's MechaJapaFag love fest of glorious intensity burning passion

[Ichirou]

Honestly, just playing through the first few levels of official mode, you can tell so much is missing - for whatever reason, there are mecha that Koei just didn't bother to create, so you feel like whole chunks of story are missing in a single battlefield.

Take the Jaburo stage with Amuro's Gundam in official mode.  In this stage, Char infiltrates the Federation's Jaburo HQ with his Z'Gok and you have to stop him...so far, so good.  It's a large area and it certainly looks and feels like it was taken from the anime.  But then you get to the enemies, and you notice - Koei didn't bother to make Acguys, so you're just fighting against Zakus, Doms, Goufs, and Z'Goks!



What's more, the "big boss" of this area in the anime (and all the other UC games that feature the Jaburo area), the Zock, is completely absent!



The Gyan is also totally absent...



And so are most (all?) of the mobile armors featured in the series.  I don't know if it's because they don't fight in with the style of combat of the Musou series, or if it's just because Bandai's planning to do some sort of expansion in the future...

I guess if you're not familiar with the series, you might not notice all these absences, but I'm noticing it and thinking "Man, they better add these to the sequel."  The weird thing is that for some reason they included a couple of MSV designs (a Gouf variation, Johnny Ridden's custom Zaku, and the Zaku Tanks), yet didn't include stuff like the Zaku I or the Guntank, which were featured rather prominently in the original series.

I'm guessing we'll see Gundam Musou Legends within the next year and a half, if not a full-blown sequel.  There's just too much stuff missing here.

[Mr. Gundam]

It is strange they left so much out, when they included Anavel Gato and Jonny Ridden cameos, but in the end, it didn't bother me much.

[Ichirou]

Don't get me wrong, I think the game is awesome so far, but I guess I've been spoiled by stuff like Climax U.C., which included 85 or so mobile suits, including stuff like the Psycho Gundam and the GP03 Dendrobium.

This game actually is a good counterpoint to something like Climax U.C.  That game focused on shooting and had smaller areas, while Gundam Musou has huge areas and focuses on close combat.  I'd like to see a Climax U.C. sequel that has the crazy amount of enemies that Gundam Musou has, that would be really cool.  And maybe they could "borrow" some of the close combat mechanics for the next U.C. game.

Did you pick up Gundam Musou Special, dm?

[Mr. Gundam]

Did you pick up Gundam Musou Special, dm?

Nope, I just have the original Japanese PS3 version. No real interest in getting Gundam Musou Special, honestly.

My only real complaint was the absence of the Psycho Gundam during the Zeta campaign.

[Ichirou]

I don't blame you.  Besides the graphical downgrade, it seems the only addition is a single new mobile suit.

Did the Musha Gundam have a story mode in the PS3 version?  Because it has one (available from the start) in the PS2 version and the Musha Mk. II is featured prominently.  I'm guessing once you finish that, the Mk. II will be playable.

How long do you think till we get an actual sequel?  I love the close combat mechanics of the game, and I'd really like to play as the Gyan, with its whole fencing style.

[Mr. Gundam]

The Musha Gundam does not have a story mode in the original version. He just shows up in Original Mode to kick your ass.

I'm not sure about when we'll get a sequel. It has to be a given, but Japanese developers are so afraid to leave their PS2 security blanket... 

[Ichirou]

Ah, he's just an enemy in the original version? Interesting...so the story mode and the Musha Mk. II are the only reasons to buy the game...not really worth it, IMO.  I have a feeling this game was just produced to appease the millions of PS2 gamers who still haven't yet moved to any of the newer machines.

That and to maybe get back some of the sales that didn't materialize in either of the next-gen versions.

[Mr. Gundam]

Seeing how this thread will probably be you and I talking about giant robot import only games, have you played the Votoms game for the PS2? I can get it for $40, but I haven't read any impressions on it other than one person on Gamefaqs saying "the game is superb like a 3d assault suits valken."

[Ichirou]

I bought it a couple of weeks ago, but I've yet to actually put it into my PS2.  I can try it tonight and give you some impressions.  It's very weird - I had to go to Akihabara to look for it, since for some reason my local game store didn't carry it.  The only place that had it was Yodobashi Camera, none of the other game stores I checked in Akiba carried it.  Very odd.

[Mr. Gundam]

I have a feeling this game was just produced to appease the millions of PS2 gamers who still haven't yet moved to any of the newer machines.

Definitely.

That and to maybe get back some of the sales that didn't materialize in either of the next-gen versions.

It's one of the highest selling PS3 titles in Japan, but that's not saying much right now.

[Mr. Gundam]

I bought it a couple of weeks ago, but I've yet to actually put it into my PS2.  I can try it tonight and give you some impressions.

Sweet. I'm still pissed that I missed it when it was only $19.99 at Play Asia at the beginning of their big Chinese New Year sale.

[Ichirou]

I heard Gundam Musou flopped rather massively in the US, I'm sure they expected it to sell a lot better than it did, just based on the Dynasty Warriors name. :/

Looking through the manual, the only thing that actually prevented me from trying the game out the day I bought it was seeing that there are sequences where you actually play as Chirico - I don't like the idea of leaving and getting back into your mech.

It was playable at TGS last year, so I did play a one-on-one fight and that was pretty good.  The game was actually made by Yuke's, and I tend to like their games.

[Mr. Gundam]

[youtube=425,350]meht2cF355E[/youtube]

The on foot parts as Chirico don't look bad, actually.

I might as well just order it for $40 from Yes Asia, not like it's ever going to be cheaper, seeing how it's not widely available, even in Japan.

[Ichirou]

I'll give you some impressions tonight.  I did like the way the Scopedog moved...it hovers like a Dom instead of moving its legs.

[Mr. Gundam]

I'll give you some impressions tonight.  I did like the way the Scopedog moved...it hovers like a Dom instead of moving its legs.

Yeah, the YouTube link I posted shows that.

[Ichirou]

I'm at work so I can't see YouTube links. XD

[Ichirou]

Since we're talking random mecha games, did you ever play a game called...uh...Sunrise Wars?  That MAY not be the exact title (I know the word Sunrise is in it, though).  Features stuff like Gaogaigar, Char's Counterattack, and a bunch of other Sunrise series.

[Mr. Gundam]

I've never played the Sunrise World War games, but I know about them. There's a new one coming out pretty soon for the PS2. I'm not sure if they're like SRW/SD G Generation or more like Ghiren's Greed, though.





There's a copy on ebay for $9, please don't make me buy it. 

 

[Ichirou]

Ghiren's Greed style games require too much Japanese knowledge.  I can't really play them.

I thought G Generation Spirits was really good, tho.

[Mr. Gundam]

Ghiren's Greed style games require too much Japanese knowledge.  I can't really play them.

Yup, that's the same reason I won't buy Ghiren's Greed styled games.

I can't tell so far if Emblem of Gundam will be something that I can get through with my four years of high school Japanese.

I've got all three PS2 G Generation games, and the two for the DS, they're great.

[Ichirou]

I have the PSP one, which is just a port of one of the PS2 ones.  It's pretty good though I think they changed the maps to 2D for the PSP version.

Emblem of Gundam is a weird game...it looks to combine elements of stuff like Ghiren's Greed with visual novel with Dragon Force-styled battles.  I honestly can't tell what kind of game it's going to be at all!

[Mr. Gundam]

[youtube=425,350]f_Gnw-Uhtys[/youtube]

Sunrise World War gameplay, check it out at home.

[Ichirou]

I have a feeling stuff like Real Robot Regiment and Sunrise World War and Scramble Commander must be pretty mediocre, otherwise we'd hear a lot more about it from the japafags on NeoGAF.

[Ichirou]

Though I admit, when I saw screens of Scramble Commander the 2nd I was sorely tempted to buy it...the idea of a RTS with all those mecha at your command is sooo tempting.

[Mr. Gundam]

I've heard that the original Scramble Commander has big game breaking bugs that are fixed in SC the 2nd. I can feel a migraine coming on, or I'd boot one of them up and give it a play through.

[Ichirou]

Is SC the 2nd a real sequel or sort of a remake like ACE 2 was with ACE 1?

[Mr. Gundam]

Real sequel. But, I thought ACE2 was a sequel, too.

Also, I know you're not a fan of SEED, but the first PS2 SEED game is a actually a fun crappy 2.5 side scrolling action title. I'm sure you can get it super cheap, since I got it at Pink Godzilla (Japanese game shop in Seattle) for only $10. Plus, the SEED Destiny Generation of CE is a great G Generation title, with non-SD mechs.

[Ichirou]

How's the Superior Defender Gundam PS2 game?  Do you have that one?

I actually wanted to pick up Battle Assault 3 last Xmas but I didn't find it anywhere.

[Mr. Gundam]

I don't have Superior Defender, but I'd pick it up for $5. 

The SEED Battle Assault 3 game is based on the Mobile Suit Gundam SEED (PS2) engine. Hell, I think the US game is based on the Vs. mode. 

If you really want it, I'll keep my eye out for you in used bins.

edit: Shit. It's ~$50 on ebay.

[Ichirou]

Man, I knew I shoulda picked it up when it was first released.  The complete lack of UC mecha is the only reason I didn't.

I'll look for the other Seed game this weekend or something.  I didn't know it was decent.

[Mr. Gundam]

Man, I knew I shoulda picked it up when it was first released.  The complete lack of UC mecha is the only reason I didn't.

I'll look for the other Seed game this weekend or something.  I didn't know it was decent.

Generation of CE is a lot like the SD Gundam G Generation games, but don't pay too much for it, I don't want you being disappointed. The same goes for the original SEED PS2 game. A decent Gundam game does equate to your average decent game.

The first two PS2 G Generation games (Neo and SEED) aren't bad, too, if you don't own them.

[Ichirou]

I don't, but I don't have the time to play those (which is why I haven't picked them up).  A couple of weeks ago I started picking up old Super Famicom Gundam games, I'm up to eight now.

[Mr. Gundam]

I think I own every single non-Ghiren's Greed Gundam game for the PS2. I'll probably never play through all of them, but I gotta catch 'em all!

It's a sickness.

[Ichirou]

I can't wait till the Encounters in Space/Climax U.C. team does a next-gen Gundam game.  That'll be something to see.

[Mr. Gundam]

I can't wait till the Encounters in Space/Climax U.C. team does a next-gen Gundam game.  That'll be something to see.

It better not end up on the Wii.

 

[Ichirou]

Don't jinx it, noooo!

At least we'll probably get a PS2/PSP port if it does.

I wouldn't be surprised if there ends up being a PSP port of Gundam Musou at some point.

[pancakesandsex]

I felt the same way about the ps3 version, its very lacking in terms of "filling in the blanks" in both official and original mode.

There will be times in original mode where people join you and they dont tell you why in any way whatsoever.  and you were JUST fighting them in the prev mission.

[Ichirou]

I felt the same way about the ps3 version, its very lacking in terms of "filling in the blanks" in both official and original mode.

There will be times in original mode where people join you and they dont tell you why in any way whatsoever.  and you were JUST fighting them in the prev mission.

I noticed this with the Qubeley Mk. II.  I'm fighting it in the first mission and there it is alongside me in the second and they never give a reason for it switching sides.

This, along with the missing mecha (and not just incidental mecha that only appeared in one episode - the Psycho Gundam was one of the major enemies in Zeta, and it's nowhere to be found in Gundam Musou) makes me feel like they planned it this way from the start, so they could make some sort of future upgrade.  I just hope it happens sooner rather than later.

[Mr. Gundam]

I'm actually wondering if the Psycho Gundam was just TOO BIG for the scale of Gundam Musou.

Oh yeah, did you try out Votoms? I've already locked in an order with Yes Asia, but I'm still interested in what you think of it. Did you pay full price or had they lowered it yet?

[pancakesandsex]

I felt the same way about the ps3 version, its very lacking in terms of "filling in the blanks" in both official and original mode.

There will be times in original mode where people join you and they dont tell you why in any way whatsoever.  and you were JUST fighting them in the prev mission.

I noticed this with the Qubeley Mk. II.  I'm fighting it in the first mission and there it is alongside me in the second and they never give a reason for it switching sides.

This, along with the missing mecha (and not just incidental mecha that only appeared in one episode - the Psycho Gundam was one of the major enemies in Zeta, and it's nowhere to be found in Gundam Musou) makes me feel like they planned it this way from the start, so they could make some sort of future upgrade.  I just hope it happens sooner rather than later.

Jump ship on this trash and go play orochi or SW2,  much much better games.

[Mr. Gundam]

I felt the same way about the ps3 version, its very lacking in terms of "filling in the blanks" in both official and original mode.

There will be times in original mode where people join you and they dont tell you why in any way whatsoever.  and you were JUST fighting them in the prev mission.

I noticed this with the Qubeley Mk. II.  I'm fighting it in the first mission and there it is alongside me in the second and they never give a reason for it switching sides.

This, along with the missing mecha (and not just incidental mecha that only appeared in one episode - the Psycho Gundam was one of the major enemies in Zeta, and it's nowhere to be found in Gundam Musou) makes me feel like they planned it this way from the start, so they could make some sort of future upgrade.  I just hope it happens sooner rather than later.

Jump ship on this trash and go play orochi or SW2,  much much better games.

But, that's the thing, Ichi and I love giant robots. Japanese and Chinese feudal warriors don't cut it.

[Ichirou]

I'm actually wondering if the Psycho Gundam was just TOO BIG for the scale of Gundam Musou.

Oh yeah, did you try out Votoms? I've already locked in an order with Yes Asia, but I'm still interested in what you think of it. Did you pay full price or had they lowered it yet?

I paid full price, which was over 6,000 yen.   Sorry, I didn't play it yesterday.  I got home after 10 PM and I just went straight to sleep.  I'll hopefully get a chance to play it today, tho!

[Mr. Gundam]

I'm actually wondering if the Psycho Gundam was just TOO BIG for the scale of Gundam Musou.

Oh yeah, did you try out Votoms? I've already locked in an order with Yes Asia, but I'm still interested in what you think of it. Did you pay full price or had they lowered it yet?

I paid full price, which was over 6,000 yen.   Sorry, I didn't play it yesterday.  I got home after 10 PM and I just went straight to sleep.  I'll hopefully get a chance to play it today, tho!

I don't feel so bad dropping $41 on it, then.

No big deal about not having time, take your time. 

[Mr. Gundam]

Gundam Musou sold more in it's first week on the PS3 than did it's PS2 counterpart.

01./00. [PS3] Gundam Musou  (Bandai-Namco) - 170,725 / NEW
01./00. [PS2] Gundam Musou Special (Bandai-Namco) - 150,000 / NEW

I wonder if this will influence future Gundam game decisions...

[bork]

Gundam Musou sold more in it's first week on the PS3 than did it's PS2 counterpart.

01./00. [PS3] Gundam Musou  (Bandai-Namco) - 170,725 / NEW
01./00. [PS2] Gundam Musou Special (Bandai-Namco) - 150,000 / NEW

I wonder if this will influence future Gundam game decisions...

Let's see if the PS2 version ends up surpassing the PS3 version in overall sales, first...

[Mr. Gundam]

Gundam Musou sold more in it's first week on the PS3 than did it's PS2 counterpart.

01./00. [PS3] Gundam Musou  (Bandai-Namco) - 170,725 / NEW
01./00. [PS2] Gundam Musou Special (Bandai-Namco) - 150,000 / NEW

I wonder if this will influence future Gundam game decisions...

Let's see if the PS2 version ends up surpassing the PS3 version in overall sales, first...

From what I could find quickly, it's around 293,713 LTD. Not sure how accurate that really is, though.

[Ichirou]

A better test would be if they released PS3 and PS2 versions of a Gundam game alongside each other, see which sold best.

[Mr. Gundam]

This is probably the closest we'll get to that test.

I want more Gundam games in HD, dammit. 

[Mr. Gundam]

Wow! I actually found a Western article on the Votoms PS2 game!

"What has transpired, down to this simple reversal of design priorites, is probably the most fluid and engaging mecha game of recent years."

http://www.gamesetwatch.com/2008/03/column_robotochan_wrestling_wi.php#more

[Ichirou]

I didn't play it yesterday either.  I was all stressed because the kids had their graduation today and I couldn't focus on ANYthing.

God, I'm so depressed right now.

[Mr. Gundam]

 

It's ok, man, take it easy. You'll get through it.

edit: Damn, Roboto Chan is my new favorite column on the internets.

[Ichirou]

It's blocked at work, I'll have to check it when I go home.

[Mr. Gundam]

There are articles on the history of Another Century's Episode and Super Robot Wars, and the impact they had on renewing interest in old mecha shows, like Dragonar. There's one on Ideon and how developers have tried their best at conveying it's insane god-like powers in games over the years. Pretty cool stuff, actually.

[Mr. Gundam]

From Gunota:

Nikkei Trendynet posted the second of a two-part interview with Bandai Namco Games' COO and Representative Director, Shin Unozawa. Gundam gets one full page worth of Q&A devoted to it. In summary:

- When asked about the lack of big hits lately for Gundam games (compared to the PS2-era, when such titles could reliably hit 500,000 copies in sales), Unozawa cites the PS3's slow takeoff and the lack of business overseas due to the anime not catching on in the West. As a result, they're expecting to turn domestic development towards the PSP, with Menace Of Axis being cited as one example.

- With its portability and convenient network capabilities, he feels the PSP is the legitimate successor of the PS2 and that it's the most suited for game series that had been developed on that previous console.

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.

Damn, I really need to get a PSP if that's the truth.

- Unozawa denies that Gundam Musou SP was released on the PS2 at least in part to recoup development costs for the PS3 version. The game was not originally developed as a multiplatform title and as such a PS2 version couldn't be released immediately. Once they confirmed a port to the older system was feasible, work on it began after the PS3 Musou went on sale.

- Finally, regarding Operation Troy's continued delays, he apologizes and notes at the beginning of every year, they keep saying it'll be done in the Summer and jokes that coming into its 3rd year, they may as well say once again it'll be done by Summer. He then reveals, rest assured, they've currently already begun debugging the game.

Wow, I figured Operation Troy was long dead, that game is going to bomb hard.

[Ichirou]

I bought the Gundam Seed game you recommended.  It was 550 yen!

The guys at that column you linked me to are actually looking forward to Operation Troy.  Who knows, maybe it'll actually be a good game, just with shitty graphics.

[Mr. Gundam]

I want Operation Troy to be good, I just don't have high hopes for it, since they're trying to make a Battlefield-style FPS with an emphasis on on-foot combat and not so much on mobile suits.

Heh, 550 yen? Wow. There are some copies on Amazon.jp's Marketplace for 85 yen!

But! Did your copy come with the first pressing Haro ball like? I didn't think so. Our cat likes to bat it around the living room floor. 

Man, I'd love to raid some used PS2 sections at a Japanese game shop again, I'm sure I'd find some real "gems."

edit: You might want to change the title of this thread to "Ichi and Distant's MechaJapaFag love fest of glorious intensity burning passion" or something...

[Ichirou]

No Haro ball.

I played some more Gundam Musou over the weekend but I keep getting my ass kicked in Camille's Mission 4 in official mode.  They make me run around all over the place and...

spoiler (click to show/hide)

...at the very start of the mission, the Radish (Captain Henken's ship) is destroyed protecting the Mk. II, just like in the anime.  There's no way to save it, is there?  The problem is, you lose the battle if the Radish and the Argama are destroyed, but I keep constantly being called away from the region the Argama is at to fight Qubeley, The-O, Jerid's Baund Doc, and the Hambrabi team.  While I'm away, the Argama gets destroyed. I wonder if there's a trick to this mission or if I should switch to easy... :/

[close]

I also played the Votoms game, which is pretty cool.  I'm gonna post some detailed impressions later, but it looks like one of those games where they threw everything but the kitchen sink in there, in terms of franchise stuff (it looks like sidestories are unlocked after you beat the main missions, covering stuff like Blue Knight Berserga).  The controls are also really smooth, very easy to get used to.

[Mr. Gundam]

The Radish always gets destroyed, you can't do anything about that. I never had a problem with the Argama getting destroyed, though. Keep at it, or check out a walkthrough for some help. It's been almost a year now since I played through that.

[Ichirou]

GameFAQS am blocked at work, and the Internets I've been leeching at home has recently ceased working for some reason.

[Mr. Gundam]

I just copy and pasted a GM walkthrough for you, I sent it to your gmail account.