Author Topic: Ni no Kuni (Read 8739 times)

Mr. Gundam · « **Reply #60 on:** January 23, 2013, 02:29:10 PM »

I played for about an hour last night. The game is absolutely beautiful if a bit dated (originally released in 2011), and the battle system makes sense now.

Also, the English dub is the one to go with. Crazy how much better it is over the original Japanese voice cast.

demi · « **Reply #61 on:** January 23, 2013, 05:48:20 PM »

This game is more or less Dragon Quest (8) on PS3. Reasons to support this statement:

- Developed by Level 5
- Game was translated by the guy who, well, did Dragon Quest 8
- Dopey lead character
- Yangus / Mr. Drippy
- Music by Orchestra (I believe the J version of DQ8 didnt have this while the US did, but the music sounds very Dragon Quest, to me)

I'm still understanding the battle system, but its a buttfuck fest of Tales and menus.

Lucretius · « **Reply #62 on:** January 23, 2013, 11:19:40 PM »

I was one of the unfortunate souls to get screwed over by bamco.

That Wizard Edition I pre-ordered for my boyfriend's bday gift got cancelled. Just got the email saying they oversold it. Giant clusterfuck. Gross incompetence on Namco Bandai's part and their distributor Digital River.

Oh, and Amazon is fucking sold out of the game.

I just told the boyfriend what the deal was. He had no idea he was getting the Wizard Edition for his birthday. But he's been holding off buying the game because he suspected I was going to get him a copy. I told him to just download it from PSN and I'll get him something else for his bday.

I'm so pissed.

MyNameIsMethodis · « **Reply #63 on:** January 23, 2013, 11:20:29 PM »

do they not have brick and morter stores in wereever you live

Lucretius · « **Reply #64 on:** January 23, 2013, 11:30:16 PM »

He's out of state right now.
I was having it shipped to where he's at right now.

Mr. Gundam · « **Reply #65 on:** January 24, 2013, 12:20:09 AM »

Quote from: demi on January 23, 2013, 05:48:20 PM

This game is more or less Dragon Quest ( on PS3. Reasons to support this statement:

- Developed by Level 5
- Game was translated by the guy who, well, did Dragon Quest 8
- Dopey lead character
- Yangus / Mr. Drippy
- Music by Orchestra (I believe the J version of DQ8 didnt have this while the US did, but the music isounds very Dragon Quest, to me)

I'm still understanding the battle system, but its a buttfuck fest of Tales and menus.

Music is by Joe Hisaishi, who does all the Ghibli movies.

HyperZoneWasAwesome · « **Reply #66 on:** January 24, 2013, 05:34:18 AM »

and all the best Takashi Kitano movies.

demi · « **Reply #67 on:** January 24, 2013, 09:36:30 AM »

No, because you sound extremely jaded. Sorry.

tiesto · « **Reply #68 on:** January 24, 2013, 10:09:09 AM »

Still no confirmation this has shipped yet...

Third · « **Reply #69 on:** January 24, 2013, 10:20:27 AM »

Crossposting from negaf:

I've put almost 15 hours into the game now. I have to say that I agree with some of the the negative points regarding the game, but I also agree with the positive things.

The battlesystem can get a bit messy at times. Especially when it comes to the menu. The pacing can get slow and Drippy basically tells you what you have to do ALL THE TIME. (he's awesome, though)

But for me the positives faaaaaaaar outweigh the negatives.

The game is magical to me. I just can't stop playing it. DQVIII is the last game that gave me the same feeling. Visiting new towns, doing new sidesquest, collecting stamps and familiars, exploring the vast overworld.... It really works well and I can't get enough of it. Mix that with the perfect audiovisuals, and you get an amazing old-skool jrpg.

And the difficulty spikes don't bother me at all. I've died quite a few times now. Savepoints are always near a boss fight when you're in a dungeoun. And you can save at any point everywhere else. So that's not an issue to me.

I'd recommend this game to all jrpg fans, to be honest. It's really good so far.

And yeah, Demi, this game really feels like a DQ8. I loved that game.

Mr. Gundam · « **Reply #70 on:** January 24, 2013, 11:08:19 AM »

I ran around the initial world map for a bit last night doing a bit o'grindan. I can see how the battle system is going to get convulted once you throw familiars into the mix.

Van Cruncheon · « **Reply #71 on:** January 24, 2013, 12:15:20 PM »

this game has enough good presentation qualities to overwhelm its fundamental badness

Mr. Gundam · « **Reply #72 on:** January 24, 2013, 12:21:00 PM »

Quote from: Van Cruncheon on January 24, 2013, 12:15:20 PM

this game has enough good presentation qualities to overwhelm its fundamental badness

What's the "badness" you speak of? Just curious.

demi · « **Reply #73 on:** January 24, 2013, 12:22:00 PM »

The game treats you like a distinguished mentally-challenged fellow, I think.

Mr. Gundam · « **Reply #74 on:** January 24, 2013, 12:24:36 PM »

Quote from: demi on January 24, 2013, 12:22:00 PM

The game treats you like a distinguished mentally-challenged fellow, I think.

Yeah, it does do a fantastic job of that.

Sho Nuff · « **Reply #75 on:** January 24, 2013, 12:57:17 PM »

How's the whimsy on the localization? The cat in charge is my old boss Richard.

Mr. Gundam · « **Reply #76 on:** January 24, 2013, 01:05:24 PM »

Quote from: Sho Nuff on January 24, 2013, 12:57:17 PM

How's the whimsy on the localization? The cat in charge is my old boss Richard.

Pretty Ghibli-whmisy an hour in. Nothing cringe worthy.

You coming out with us tonight, man?

Van Cruncheon · « **Reply #77 on:** January 24, 2013, 01:09:32 PM »

Quote from: Mr. Gundam on January 24, 2013, 12:21:00 PM

Quote from: Van Cruncheon on January 24, 2013, 12:15:20 PM
this game has enough good presentation qualities to overwhelm its fundamental badness

What's the "badness" you speak of? Just curious.

lack of depth, linear dungeons, sloppy world map, simplistic yet overdesigned combat, etc etc

demi · « **Reply #78 on:** January 24, 2013, 01:09:58 PM »

Quote from: Sho Nuff on January 24, 2013, 12:57:17 PM

How's the whimsy on the localization? The cat in charge is my old boss Richard.

It's the guy who did DQ8, so it's very british (esp. Mr. Drippy and his constant "youse")

And the enemy names are similarly named. "Baatender"

Van Cruncheon · « **Reply #79 on:** January 24, 2013, 01:12:40 PM »

seriously, under the gorgeous hood, it's like the gameplay programmers and designers dug around in the level 5 code depot and grabbed any ol' implementation they could find and half-assedly shoehorned it in.

demi · « **Reply #80 on:** January 24, 2013, 01:14:20 PM »

cry baby bunting

MyNameIsMethodis · « **Reply #81 on:** January 24, 2013, 01:38:30 PM »

i want dis game so bad why is it full price

Mr. Gundam · « **Reply #82 on:** January 24, 2013, 01:42:31 PM »

Quote from: MyNameIsMethodis on January 24, 2013, 01:38:30 PM

i want dis game so bad why is it full price

Man up, dirty poor.

Joe Molotov · « **Reply #83 on:** January 24, 2013, 01:45:13 PM »

It's $5 off on PSN.

Third · « **Reply #84 on:** January 24, 2013, 03:54:25 PM »

Lmao at Castaway Cove's dress code law.

spoiler (click to show/hide)

everyone is required to wear a swimsuit

[close]

planetakingoff.jpeg

Howard Alan Treesong · « **Reply #85 on:** January 24, 2013, 04:00:33 PM »

Quote from: Van Cruncheon on January 24, 2013, 01:12:40 PM

seriously, under the gorgeous hood, it's like the gameplay programmers and designers dug around in the level 5 code depot and grabbed any ol' implementation they could find and half-assedly shoehorned it in.

haha

you implied Japanese developers maintain a central repository of source code from previous projects

ha

tiesto · « **Reply #86 on:** January 24, 2013, 04:26:38 PM »

just got the email from Namco that it shipped

mjemirzian · « **Reply #87 on:** January 24, 2013, 06:39:48 PM »

I don't play RPGs much anymore but I would prefer Studio Ghibli and Level 5 over the usual fanservice JRPG stuff. Might check it out.

Shaka Khan · « **Reply #88 on:** February 01, 2013, 04:59:29 AM »

This game is so

Makes me want to watch Future Boy Conan for the 31st time.

Mr. Gundam · « **Reply #89 on:** February 01, 2013, 03:19:49 PM »

I've dumped 15 hours into this game so far. 15 hours in two weeks time is pretty incredible for me now.

spoiler (click to show/hide)

Got the boat, and am now washed up on that island.

[close]

So much fun.

Also, I'm pretty surprised at how poorly the game performed in Japan. This is pretty much Dragon Quest + Pokemon + Studio Ghibli + nostalgia wrapped up into one game.

demi · « **Reply #90 on:** February 01, 2013, 03:33:51 PM »

The battle system is really bad after playing it more. Like, bosses are a nightmare because the AI is horrendous. I have to fight them 1 v 1. What good are they?

I still enjoy the setting and the "nostalgia"

Mr. Gundam · « **Reply #91 on:** February 01, 2013, 03:35:32 PM »

I've run into stupid partner AI during some regular battles, but I haven't had an issue when fighting bosses. I've seen people talking about it other places, but I guess I've been lucky. That's weird.

I've also noticed that my party is overpowered. Could be that they're just so strong that they can withstand the oncoming slaughter.

Verdigris Murder · « **Reply #92 on:** February 01, 2013, 04:25:15 PM »

Is this the game done by the TO:LUCT guy?

Mr. Gundam · « **Reply #93 on:** February 01, 2013, 04:31:33 PM »

Quote from: Martin Raperman on February 01, 2013, 04:25:15 PM

Is this the game done by the TO:LUCT guy?

Nope.

Mr. Gundam · « **Reply #94 on:** February 03, 2013, 01:54:14 PM »

That Royal Jelly is a pain in the ass.

demi · « **Reply #95 on:** February 03, 2013, 02:04:44 PM »

That was one f the enemies I had to do 1v1

Discovered a major annoyance:

- When you get a gold orb, you can't do any command at all. This doesn't help when the enemy is charging up an attack of their own! Oops!

tiesto · « **Reply #96 on:** February 03, 2013, 05:49:50 PM »

Quote from: Mr. Gundam on February 03, 2013, 01:54:14 PM

That Royal Jelly is a pain in the ass.

I just got to this part, died a few times when he spawns all the baby jellyfish, then was just like "fuck this", now I'm gonna grind for a bit and try to find multi-target spells to equip my familiars with.

I don't like how when you get a new familiar, or you evolve a familiar, they usually start at level 1.

Damian79 · « **Reply #97 on:** February 03, 2013, 05:55:31 PM »

I considered picking up this game but decided not to after all the annoyance talk talk about the stupid ai and bad gameplay.

Shaka Khan · « **Reply #98 on:** February 03, 2013, 06:00:17 PM »

You picked the right choice. Now thank us for making you dodge this bullet.

demi · « **Reply #99 on:** February 03, 2013, 06:09:22 PM »

Quote from: tiesto on February 03, 2013, 05:49:50 PM

Quote from: Mr. Gundam on February 03, 2013, 01:54:14 PM
That Royal Jelly is a pain in the ass.

I just got to this part, died a few times when he spawns all the baby jellyfish, then was just like "fuck this", now I'm gonna grind for a bit and try to find multi-target spells to equip my familiars with.

I don't like how when you get a new familiar, or you evolve a familiar, they usually start at level 1.

What's wrong with this? The game says that the evolved form will always be stronger than your prior creature. So you have to put in a little work....

Damian79 · « **Reply #100 on:** February 03, 2013, 07:37:51 PM »

Quote from: Shaka Khan on February 03, 2013, 06:00:17 PM

You picked the right choice. Now thank us for making you dodge this bullet.

You are right. Thank you Bore for making me dodge this game.

Mr. Gundam · « **Reply #101 on:** February 03, 2013, 08:03:03 PM »

Quote from: Shaka Khan on February 03, 2013, 06:00:17 PM

You picked the right choice. Now thank us for making you dodge this bullet.

demi · « **Reply #102 on:** February 03, 2013, 08:25:12 PM »

Gundam is overwhelmed with nostalgia... lol

I just raped at Platoon at the Casino, bought all the stuff I could.

The battle system just makes me go :\

If it was fixed this would be super good.

Mr. Gundam · « **Reply #103 on:** February 03, 2013, 08:29:14 PM »

Quote from: demi on February 03, 2013, 08:25:12 PM

Gundam is overwhelmed with nostalgia... lol

Probably. It's not perfect, but damn is it fun.

Also, you haven't stopped playing.

demi · « **Reply #104 on:** February 03, 2013, 08:39:06 PM »

What psych profile does "I spent $60 on my videogame, I'm getting my money's worth god damnit" fall under?

I don't hate the game, but the battle system is like the huge chink in this nostalgia riddled armor

Mr. Gundam · « **Reply #105 on:** February 03, 2013, 09:02:17 PM »

Quote from: demi on February 03, 2013, 08:39:06 PM

What psych profile does "I spent $60 on my videogame, I'm getting my money's worth god damnit" fall under?

I don't hate the game, but the battle system is like the huge chink in this nostalgia riddled armor

After getting mega raped by the jellyfish, I agree that it's a big flaw.

demi · « **Reply #106 on:** February 03, 2013, 09:11:05 PM »

If it helps, just play defensive. The more you get "Nice!" blocks, the chances of a gold ball appears.

I just 1v1'd that thing with Oliver, launching Fireballs.

Mr. Gundam · « **Reply #107 on:** February 03, 2013, 09:15:30 PM »

I actually did well and kept everyone alive until the little baby jellyfish showed up. Then it was mass murder time.

demi · « **Reply #108 on:** February 03, 2013, 09:53:45 PM »

Just got my air transport - Level 30

Shaka Khan · « **Reply #109 on:** February 03, 2013, 10:51:50 PM »

Quote from: demi on February 03, 2013, 09:53:45 PM

Just got my air transport - Level 30

Playtime?

tiesto · « **Reply #110 on:** February 03, 2013, 11:29:57 PM »

Grinded a bit, got one of those Grandsun guys from the desert and had him use his flame attack against the baby jellyfish... mixed that up with Mitey's cut loose attack and the jellyfish went down right away... did nearly all the sidequests I can do at this point and just made it to Hamlin. Great game but I agree that the battle system is a bit weak. Would've preferred it to be entirely turn-based.

Mr. Gundam · « **Reply #111 on:** February 04, 2013, 06:56:11 PM »

Beat it on the second try. Equipped my mite with the flame sword and used the Grandsun's fire attack which hurts all enemies. Swaine even managed to stay alive the entire fight.

Snuflupagulus · « **Reply #112 on:** February 04, 2013, 07:43:08 PM »

First rpg I've played since FFIX, though I do regularly use Excel.

Enjoying it so far. Esther recently joined my party. Has died...countless times. Slowly grinding in the hopes of improving her HP.

Maybe because I rarely play rpgs (and I'm not very far at all), the dullard AI hasn't annoyed me yet. Mostly still trying to get used to jumbling equipment, treats, familiar assignment, etc. and how it correlates to "affinity/compatibility" or whatever it's called. Could better wrap my head around combat if it was turn-based and didn't feel like, "oh-holy-crap-what-did-I-just-select, oh-no-just-press-something, fuck-mash-mash-mash."

Onward to the trials of something or other. Tidy!

Game's gorgeous.

Drippy

Rahxephon91 · « **Reply #113 on:** February 11, 2013, 04:26:45 AM »

So I'm about 10 hours in. And well despite all my hate before it came out, I'm enjoying the game. But I don't know why.

I guess it's nice to play a jrpg that has this nice big world and that seems to actually look like it has decent production values. I mean the game looks great and everyone knows that, but I mean it just feels and looks like a top quality presentation. Though dungeon and city area's aren't the expansive and well I have to ask, I wonder if the game shares a lot of the same staff of White Knight Chronicles, since area's seem similar in that they are just corridor's combined together. They aren't big zone's like say Xenoblade. Still a big overworld is nice.

The battle system seems cool. I like the real time aspect so far in that I can actually watch enemy animation and then try to get a strike in. It's like FFXII if in that game placement and timing actually mattered. So that's kind of cool. Though now that I have a party member, normal battles have become a little too chaotic and hard to follow and in boss battles the ai just seems kind of dumb. Nothing game breaking, but worth noting.

I kind of like the familiar stuff, but I do hate that they restart when you evolve them. It's just kind of stupid. Makes me not want to level grind with them if I can't evolve them since well they will restart eventually. While leveling them back up is pretty easy, it still adds more time for really no reason.

As for the story, well it's kind of just there right now. Maybe it gets better and I'm willing to let some of the more goofy stuff go since it's trying to go for that "kid wondrous adventure stuff", but Oliver is just kind of boring. He has no passion, will, or real excitement. Level 5 just seems bad at characters. They have good ideas, but I mean it's just meh. Gundam Age was awful because of it's characters and plot, but the ideas behind them were really good. You've got a good premise here with a kid trying to save his mom and well the obvious direction to go is a story of a kid dealing with death, but it reminds to be seen if thats where they are going, but I'm not sure I care. It's the look of the game that has engrossed me, not the story.

Either way, I'm enjoying the game. I mean I've even been doing the sidequests, though I dislike that they don't really direct you to what the heck you are supposed to do. Decent game so far.

Rusty Shackleford · « **Reply #114 on:** February 12, 2013, 01:45:48 AM »

So...if I could get my hands on a used PS3, is this game worth it? Been following it since the DS moonrune version.

Rahxephon91 · « **Reply #115 on:** February 12, 2013, 02:12:13 AM »

The game seems kind of tedious. "Go here to do this, go back to get something, come back and pray you can do what you came to do originally". Say whatever you will about XIII, but at least I kept pushing forward.

It's still pretty good.

But should you buy a PS3 for it? I guess if you can get one for or just about $150. I don't think it's doing anything revolutionary beyond being a solid jrpg. I mean that's really it, plus the graphics. Even the story is kind of meh. If you think the presentation and the idea of decent jrpg gameplay is worth it then yes I guess.

Mr. Gundam · « **Reply #116 on:** February 12, 2013, 07:06:03 PM »

If you like oldschool JPRGs, it's worth playing. Not sure if it's worth buying a PS3 for if there is nothing else on the system that interests you.

Free DLC familiar today on the PS Store (Draggle), too.

Rusty Shackleford · « **Reply #117 on:** February 12, 2013, 10:13:02 PM »

Thanks for the opinions. You both seem kinda meh on the game, though. It seems like prevailing internet opinion of the game is "meh" despite its critical reception.

Mr. Gundam · « **Reply #118 on:** February 12, 2013, 10:37:50 PM »

Meh? I love the game. I'm just not a zealot out to push you into buying a PS3.

Rusty Shackleford · « **Reply #119 on:** February 12, 2013, 10:51:57 PM »

Nah, all I was saying is that it seems to have received a lukewarm reception. But what do I know? I don't visit that many sites anymore.

I should have been clearer - it's not a matter of buying. I've got a trade+cash opportunity for my 360. Don't play it nearly as much as I thought I would.

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Author Topic: Ni no Kuni (Read 8739 times)