Category: JRPG

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Video Game #10 (Tales of Vesperia)

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This was the last Tales game I played before putting down this franchise. The reason being is that it is not as good compared to what it was back in the early 2000s I saw in my view of the Series. The only Tales game on the Xbox 360 to my knowledge, it turned into a new set of gameplay that I did enjoy. I would have not been able to adapt to the future series just because of a different feel of gameplay.

This was without a doubt a fantastic Tales game just below Symphonia. The only thing that was the downfall was the ending. Those of you who have gotten a chance to get a Xbox 360 to play this, you would understand the sadness that I am about to share. You did everything, fought a semi-Sephiroth as a SECRET end boss was amazing. Tremendous so far right? Right. So this is where we fall from the chain. After countless attempts to tell the bad guy that this is wrong, they said, “You are right.” and walk away. That to me killed me the moment of that response and moving off screen. If the ending was taken for a reshoot, I would do just that. Sadly cannot go that persons way all the time.

The best part was the main character you control. Boy, I can express this in one word: Batman. A figure of doing what is right in his mind; his view to keep the world in balance. I will not go into detail for those who haven’t played it about what really happens, and don’t let my rant on the ending tell you not to play it. Who knows, you might see it differently than me.

With that being said, those of you who played it what did you think of the change of gameplay, storyline, etc.? I really suggest this rare Tales game on the Xbox 360 (hope for a remake/remaster on Playstation in the near future) to be engaged on your road of Video Games to play.

As always, have a great week.

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Video Game #9 (Tales of the Abyss)

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Continuing where we left off last week, this Tales game was for the feels. There are moments in this given video game that will get you to keep locked into your screen from start to finish. Memorable voice cast (half of the Anime actors come from here and various others), its plot, and could go on about other parts of it. Without further ado, here’s my experience of this Tales game.

It comes a time that one individual can do something and the result is not what you thought it was. Trying to reason with your party, people from various locations given throughout the game, and the choices that person made. However, it comes to a surprise that people have a purpose in the world and turns out it was fake or a dream. Will not go into too much of the plot, but it turns for the worst and make as much of it as you can as you play this Tales game when you get the chance.

There isn’t anything regarding change in my view, however it does come to having a starting marker and go align to get full credit. To which I am saying that when you start or miss something, better luck next play through for that’s how this Series goes by. “If you miss just one thing even if it’s minor, tough luck. Finish your current play through and do it again from the beginning.” I take no joy of it, but I told myself to explore more of the game a second or third. Heck I played this given Tales game seven to eight times to just see that little difference in the story, and various events occur in a different manner.

Of course that is where I may have forgot to mention that from my Symphonia post last week. Otherwise, a friendly reminder wouldn’t hurt. So what did you guys enjoyed about this given Tales game? Those of you who haven’t played it, I would recommend it to you.

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Video Game #8 (Tales of Legendia)

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Staying on the Tales series for a few more posts. This particular Tales game isn’t as good as Symphonia, but still worth a game to play from start to finish. Surprisingly enough, people don’t go beyond the 2nd part of the game because they believe in their eyes that it is too much they discontinue the game which makes no sense that there’s more content to explore. Some people I think see this Tales game as not as powerful as various Tales games so far, which to say it is THAT terrible. I’ll go into the details that can reinforce the reasoning of this post.

I begin to talk about the gameplay. Playing on a straight line is very difficult since this is one of the few Tales games in the series that you have no flexibility which I understand people’s anger. On top of that, attacking and using abilities/spells couldn’t have been stressful enough either. I press the button and turns out it will do it again without you even wanting to use it two consecutive times,  Trust me, I was one of those people when it started out but quickly got use to the game’s mechanics.

Storywise wasn’t bad, it just turned out that characters knew what was going to happen more than half the time which is a bad habit in video games. Meaning that everything regarding information of past friends, enemies, events, places, etc. I think they enforced that too much which made the game dead at times because everyone including you should be surprised when something occurs in the game. Various video games do that, but not in every situation cause that can lead to bad habits of letting characters say their line that they already knew the fate that befalls upon them. If you play this Tales game enough, you will understand this argument. Otherwise, I just thought I place my thoughts on this concern.

I’m not going to say much about change, but the only thing was what was said above. So what do you think of this particular Tales game? Good, bad, odd? And as always, have a great week.

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Video Game #7 (Tales of Symphonia)

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Now this is a video game that can be described as a perfectionist type. Everything about this is a rare occasion that goes by saying there is nothing wrong with this game whatsoever. The story of it keeps you on the edge of your seat, it is over 200 hours which includes sidequests (yes, that much gameplay to explore). Suspense is mindblown from start to finish.

Really the only thing that could have been better, just one thing, was a character by the name of Kvar. A character that pretty much explained the story and goes beyond saying that he knew what he was talking about. Too bad he had no screen time afterward, just a plain bad guy that needs to be put down before more stuff bad happens. Otherwise, the game was a fantastic experience beyond my wildiest dreams and is marked as part of my Top 10 if not Top 5 best video games of all time.

Those of you who haven’t played it, I highly recommend it for JRPG good at heart and witness to wonders beyond your dreams. Others who have played it, what was your experience like and what impact did it make you think of video games we play today?

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Video Game #3 (Lost Odyssey)

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I gathered my thoughts on this game my buddy gave me for my birthday three years ago and now have completed it and would like to share it in today’s blog post.

Lost Odyssey is a traditional RPG (Role Playing Game) that involves tinkering with mechanics that were unique in its own way which was required to succeed in gameplay. Very entertaining at a certain point of the game then finishes at its highest peak. What I enjoyed about it the most however, was the villain’s due came in his favor. Because if you really pay attention (those who have played it) he did succeed in his mission.

Quickly shifting gears, timing of attacks and when using the correct ability/magic on the enemies/bosses were vital since it was well balance in my opinion. So it didn’t matter what level or equipment you had unless you spent hours, days, maybe months to grind to make sure you have a guarantee advantage in various scenarios. I had my moments in combat that one attack can turn the tables relatively fast if not aware, so something to keep in mind when you play it.

The bad things about this game is first and foremost is the first boss when you have the party together (not intro). RNG (Random Number Generator) establishes this perfectly. All I have to say about that is pray you can get through it and move on. Secondly, during combat you cannot go straight to the back row while shield barrier is up (eventually you can work around it). Third, casting magic/ability when the person gets hurt gets delayed. Safe for the enemy to be kept delayed, not so much for your party members. Granted you can cancel it the following turn, but so aggravating (eventually you can nullify it end game). Lastly, ring assembly. I know people love customization, but this don’t serve much purpose on my end. I call this bad one non-existent because you can manage with the rings being given to you from chests, stealing/dropping from enemies/bosses, and side questing so it defeats the purpose if you ask me. Otherwise, I am not saying you should do that feature, just it felt empty in my perspective.

Aside from the negatives, it was a really fun game to play. It felt like playing Final Fantasy, or Dragon Quest in a way. Characters had their moments, music was at its best (in its time), there are events called Dreams that will take time to read and understand what’s happening from his or her perspective of their character, and plot was right on. I would suggest finding your Xbox 360 and give it a go and see what you guys think.

Those of you who have played before, what did you think how it got presented as a traditional RPG at its prime?

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Video Game #2 (Infinite Undiscovery)

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I have just finished this game today and it had its moments. I was at first skeptical because it was presented at the start, but it moved forward like any other game I played. However, in my thoughts about Infinite Undiscovery was it turned out to be many game markers in any traditional ARPG’s (Action role-playing game) during the time. Adapted in several ways that was intriguing, but I encountered elements that was difficult to withstand in today’s gaming and looking back from various games during that time. It has been ten years since the game came out that Fall.

I will say the good thing and biggest one of them all was storytelling. This is a game that started off key but eventually picked up. We video gamers experience this from time to time so this isn’t anything new. When talking about Endgame, oh boy it was a thrill ride and just enjoying every moment of it. This brings me to the bad things.

First being that it is difficult to get upgrades when you only have X amount of Fol (gold in this game) since you don’t get much until the start of the endgame. It turns out I had to really grind the Fol and pray for the entire party to survive because enemies and bosses alike were not easy to encounter. Secondly, the gameplay was a little delayed when asking for assistance, attacking, using abilities, and guarding (which proved little since timing was a little wonky).  Lastly, a minor thing I was curious was the ending was rushed a bit. It did show events in its aftermath, however, there was empty space and scenes that could have been filled in more. Otherwise, it was a good game do not give me wrong. Lets just say it’s one of those games that is best played once.

What did you think of the game during the time you played it? Was it able to keep up to standards or it wasn’t there yet in the game genre of ARPGs?

Have a great Week!