Interesting Concept - Odd Gameplay Choices
Having loved many of Square-Enix's RPG games I was extremely excited to hear that this title was coming to the XBox 360 system. I preordered it, ignored review sites giving it mediocre reviews, and sat down for a good while to play it. Now I'll try to give a fair view of the game.
Story 3/5:
The idea behind the story of the game, in general, is that the moon is being chained down by some organization and there is a group that exists to cut down these chains. Quickly you learn that you have a giant case of mistaken identity to which people think you're the hero who does the chain cutting. Add in some annoying whining from the main character and you have a pretty basic story. As the game develops it gets a little better but there is nothing ground breaking regarding it and it leaves me wondering if they could have taken the concept further to make a more enjoyable game.
Graphics 5/5:
The game is beautiful from what I've seen while playing. Although at times the bloom effect seems a bit overused the majority of the game has a unique realistic look and is exciting to play. It definitely stands out in a market saturated with a more cell shaded and somewhat cartoonish look for video games (the xbox 360 RPG market).
Vocals 2/5:
The most surprising aspect of the voice acting in the game is the fact some scenes have it and some don't. You'll hear the main character talking in one scene and then the minute you go through a door you just see the words on the screen. It's almost as if the game developers just decided midway through to only have speech during key scenes? That would make sense but a lot of the scenes with voice acting aren't key so I highly doubt that.
The voice acting, on top of that, when you do hear it, is complete rubbish. The characters sound pained to be talking and often they seem not to fit the situation. The emotion and vocal tone often do not fit the scene and at times they sound unbelievable.
Gameplay 1/5:
This is where the game does its worst. I'm going to break off each area of the gameplay I want to focus on into mini paragraphs so bare with me for a moment.
Fighting:
Fighting seems to take a MMORPG approach in the game. The world does not deviate between battles and walking in a sense. When approached by enemies (or vise versa) you use the trigger button to arm your weapon and you can partake in battle. You use your two attack keys to either do short attacks or powerful attacks. There is also a button to parry but I found it hard to execute. Besides this there is the ability to connect (link) with other characters so the main character can take control of them and use their skills.
Connecting Issues:
One quick note about connecting (mentioned last in last mini)... you often find you need to connect at key parts in the story. One character has the ability to shoot arrows and you'll find that at one point in the story unless you use this ability in a short period of time it's game over. This is annoying because you often have no idea that the ability is needed and have to go back all the way to your last save if you didn't think to use it. Another annoying connect period is where you have to use a character's charm ability (which you are unaware he has unless you connect and try it) to lure enemies somewhere. This is unexplained and is unlikely anything a normal user will ever guess without hours of annoyance.
Items:
Items can be crafted in the game by using certain crafting skills for particular allies with you. When in the world items are used in real time so the enemy can attack you at any given point while you're cycling through as well. Likely this will lead most users to either prioritize items at the top of their item list or hope that the NPC allies pick the right medicine at any given time to help out.
Flute:
At times you will also need to use your flute for various means. This is annoying in the sense that you often will have no clue for the need of the flute. In one area to progress you need to use your flute in the vicinity of a particular area but there is no reason for this what-so-ever in the context of the area. It's like they wanted to throw in more flute time but didn't want to go through the trouble of making it intuitive.
Searching Missions:
Throughout the game you'll have annoying mini story pieces you'll need to accomplish. One of such is where you need to pick up a quantity of items from the general area. There is no significance to the story but you will need to just search and search for about 5 - 10 minutes time to find all the items without any way to skip. I don't understand the point of this really and it seems like just another attempt to add in more user game time without actually adding to the game at all.
Party System:
One thing I like about the game play is the party system. Often you'll find you have situations where more than one party is needed. The computer will take the assigned party teams that you make alternative to your own and have them follow a set course (you don't set it) that will lead to the objective. So at times you'll find your party of 4 with 8 other teammates on the screen battling it out epically. It's pulled off pretty well besides the fact each of these situations is overly easy because of the nature of them.
Linear:
The game is massively linear in that while each area is relatively large and allows you to explore a bit there is nothing to do but kill the enemies in the area without any other game paths. So there is nothing really special about searching a whole zone because while you often will find other treasure chests everything else you can find right in the same general vicinity.
Maps:
Finally, the mapping system in the game is completely outrageous. Often there will be one tiny cave that will connect one massive zone to the next and unless you search every nook and cranny of the zone you'll never find it. I spent a good hour searching for the one that led to the first mission after leaving the first town until I gave up and searched the web for walk-throughs. Funny enough, in my search, I found tons of other posts across the web asking for the same information. The area to area is completely massive but without any markers to keep the user on track.
In general the game play is very unintuitive and you'll spend an infinite amount of time trying to discover what the heck is going on many times throughout the story. If you can put up with this annoyance (and don't mind searching frequently asked questions on the net for help) then you may like the game for other reasons but else you should avoid altogether. I like the game it's just the game play stands out and has often led me to drop it, walk away for a couple hours, and retry some annoying sequence many a time.
Real-time Battle Done Right
In short, this is the real-time/seamless combat RPG that Final Fantasy XII could and should have been. Combat is relentless and very involving. However, the "connect" system is really just a gimmick, and ends up being used mostly in forced puzzle-minigame chores rather than as a useful skill in combat.
My #1 complaint for this game is the poor voice acting throughout, and the lack of selectable Japanese voices. With 2 DVD DLs worth of data, not including the Japanese voices as an option is inexcusable. You'll see what I mean once the twins join your party.
The graphics in the camera-perspective-restricted Eternal Sonata might make Undiscovery look a little dated. But the real-time battle system from Undiscovery more than makes up for it and proudly shows off the new direction most new J-RPGs are headed towards.
Another typical cheese Japanese RPG
When you first put this game in the 360, it will force you to connect and download an update from XBOX Live. This is only a one time download. This update is not for the extra content or bonus feature. It is a mandatory update. Without this update, you won't be able to play this game.
Overall, this is just another JRPG features annoying screaming casts and cheesy dialog. It is no where near other JRPG such as Dragon Quest VIII or FFX or even FFXII. However, it is somewhat better than Blue Dragon and Enchanted Arms, in my opinion. The game is short, not many side quests. The story is nothing special; go from one place to the next to cut down the chains. Kind of repetitive.
If you want to know what happens to all of the characters after the final boss, you must spend 5-10 minutes watching the credits and special thanking to some special people...Then a short film kicks in showing what each party member is doing after the final boss fight. Kind of interesting except the final, final scene showing Aya and her bear. Not making much sense but you have to watch the 5 minutes credit rolling at the end to find out. I won't spoil it.
Stay Away
Any image that has a lot of white will start to move up and down with a large black bar accross the middle of your screen (like older TVs acted when they weren't tuned just right)
Does Not Work No Reply from Seller
We got the product for for our kids hooked it up and the product doesn't completly work only certain inputs work. Remote was sent with a dead battery. I didn't actualy expect a battery at all but if the product doesn't even work with my TV, WII,PS2, DVD Player or Surround sound all at once or individually hooked why am I going to waste more money on a battery. Would not purchase from them again! NO RESPONCE IN EMAILS
Sweet Selector
I like the look of this unit even the remote is cool looking, and small too! About the size of a mini DV tape.
The only thing I don't like about this unit, and Im nitt-picking here, is the hook-up in the front of the unit...3 in the back, OK, and one in the front??? why...? at least it's hidden when not in use.
I switched to this 4 port from a manual 5 port selector just because it works by remote. Stupid me, I still have to get up to change games.
I did get what I call "white out" when the white signal(like a screen flash) causes the screen to distort for a moment. Could have been a bad connection on my part. Also some signal interference cause wavy lines on the TV but also may be from bad a connection.
Nutshell:
I really like this AV selector, the look, the feel and the function.
If you like fishing at all, get this game!
At first pass this game might not seem like much, but after I learned all the moves (there is a tutorial in career mode) I began to really get excited about this game. The fish sometimes are stubborn, they fight hard and I have lost a lot of lures already to snags and broken lines. Also at the time of this writing, I am #37 on the largest fish caught leaderboard. Upgrading equipment makes a real difference in catching the fish, so upgrade often. The game gives good lure tips for each location and fish for those who are less than knowledgeable about what to use for each fish. The 10 locations are well-rendered with a day-cycle that has a noticeable effect on fishing.
The rod and reel control at first feels awkward and I kept fumbling for different buttons, but I soon figured out the logic.
You can somewhat customize your 'character' but a little more options such as sunglasses, hat etc would have been nice. Also once you choose your options you can't change it for that profile, but you have several profile slots.
The achievements seem pretty straight forward, especially for BPS first time out into gaming.
In future editions, we could hope to see more locations, more kinds of fish ( I was hoping for some rainbow trout), more ways to customize your character and more upgrades.
This game is NOT a deep immersive story-line, nor a thrill a second action game. What it is however is a fun, entertaining game that does it's best to realistic and engaging to anybody who has any interest in fishing. It's a game I'll keep and play long after I get the full 1000 gamerpoints...at least until the next one comes out!
FISHING
The Game overall is good. The new fishing controller for the 360 I think is lacking responsivness. I think the Wii controller would be better. I got it for the 360 for mainly graphics, but also becuase it seemed to have a better overall controller. But the graphics aren't that good for an xbox 360 game. I would compare the graphics to that on the Wii. The making of your character is really weak, just a few options, but I expected that. The casting is pretty difficult if you don't go through the tutorial first...But I think the casting action for this game is unnecessary. Its not like a smooth cast as if you were actually fishing but I guess that just adds more difficulty to the game....
****THE GOOD**** The game is fun, the career mode is really good. You start out like a regular angler that has a $[...] gift card to Bass Pro Shop. So you go in and buy the lures you want, which has a lot better selection of lures unlike the other fishing games. The catching of the fish is hard sometimes but you get the hang of it. The bass tourny's in the game are realistic so they are hard if you can't find the fish, but very fun. So overall I think they did a good job my only complaint is the controller, it think they could have done better, but it is still a good setup. Hope this helped you and you enjoy. Thanks for reading.
Strike
Purchased for christmas and have enjoyed playing it. Have not mastered how to bring in large fish in pro setting. Have caught 50 pounders, but system will not let you catch certain fish. overall a very good game.just short.
From the Manufacturer
 |
 |
 |
 |
 *Screenshots taken from Xbox360, PlayStation 3 and PC versions |
Determine the fate of the Transformers in the war that started it all. Wield an arsenal of lethal, high-tech weaponry and change form from robot to vehicle at any time as you battle through the living, metallic world of Cybertron. Distinct AUTOBOT and DECEPTICON campaigns take you from AUTOBOT and DECEPTICON cities, to the Energon core of Cybertron, to the outer reaches of the orbital debris while pitting brother against brother and friend against foe. Experience OPTIMUS’ rise to greatness and MEGATRON’S thirst for destruction. The balance of power between AUTOBOTS and DECEPTICONS is in your hands.
1 cymbal, not 2
The product is top notch, but be careful. The detail product description mentions that 2 cymbals come with the kit. The kit only comes with ONE cymbal. I think the confusion stems from the product name "Rock Band 2 Cymbal Expansion". It's not a 2 Cymbal Expansion for Rock Band.... It's a Cymbal Expansion for Rock Band 2.
Ion Drum Rocker Cymbals
The cymbals are awesome, all there is to it, makes it a more realistic drumming experience!
and I know alot of people have problems, specifically, the cymbals will get to where you hit the cymbal once, and it registers 3-4 hits. I had this problem as well, but it's a simple fix, or was for me anyway, look under the cymbal, see all those screws? Just tighten them up a little. It fixed my double-triple hit problem. They come loose with play, thus when you hit, the screws will cause enough vibration and the sensor thinks you have hit the cymbal more than once. Hope this helps people!
Worth it for the mounting hardware
This cymbal trigger functions just like the two that are included with the ION Drum Rocker game controller. I used a gift certificate to make this effectively a $20 purchase, and let me tell you, at $45 I wouldn't be nearly as satisfied as I am right now.
Setup is relatively easy, though partial disassembly of your kit may be required depending on where you want to position this cymbal. Function so far is comparable to the original cymbals - in other words you may have to play with the mount a little to dial it in just right. As with the original pieces, it's a "clunker", making a rather loud, dull noise when struck.
I have also used Pintech TC triggers with my ION, and while a bit more expensive overall, they are quieter - and in my opinion have a better feel to them.
Amazon.com Product Description
|
