NeoGAF

duckroll · 02:53 PM

IMPRESSIONS BEGIN ON POST #694

---------------------

Title: Blue Dragon
Platform: Xbox360
Genre: RPG
Developer: Mistwalker/Artoon
Publisher: Microsoft Games Studio
Release Date: 7th December 2006
Price: 6800yen
Official Site:: http://www.bluedragon.tv

Official Blurb

Famed game producer Hironobu Sakaguchi of Mistwalker and developer Artoon present the highly anticipated Xbox 360™ exclusive Blue Dragon. Featuring the character design of Akira Toriyama of Dragon Ball Z and music by Nobuo Uematsu of Final Fantasy, Blue Dragon is an epic role-playing game that centers on a young boy named Shu and several of his friends.

These unlikely heroes possess the power to control phantom shadows that mirror the actions of their masters, giving Shu and his comrades miraculous strength and magical powers.

The warriors can create and develop their combat styles by utilizing different types of Shadow Change, including Sword, Assassin, and Power Magic. Shu and his friends must use the shadows as weapons and wield their skills to save their world from impending doom.

Encountering various people on a planet where numerous ancient ruins remain, the characters and their shadows travel through a world full of mysteries and illusions, where the slightest touch can cause reactions of unparalleled magnitude.

- Innovative RPG gameplay features: As their quest progresses, warriors can create original attack methods by utilizing several types of Shadow Change, including Sword, Assassin, and Power Magic. You can choose to focus the hero on certain areas of expertise. Shadows level up and gain new abilities associated with the job they are currently doing. Once gained, abilities are not lost and remain available to use when needed.

- Massive scope and engrossing environments: Shu and his companions battle their way through an immense world filled with vividly illustrated remnants of ancient civilizations long forgotten.

- Stunning graphics: Taking full advantage of the power of Xbox 360, Blue Dragon engages you in a world and characters that are brought to life with vibrant colors and detail, from Shu's wild hair to his martial arts-style garb, conveying the beautiful simplicity and sense of adventure found in this truly next-generation RPG.

- Dazzling character design and effects: Toriyama’s unique influence is evident in the design of the game’s anime style characters, as their actions are enhanced with next-gen blur effects. Additionally, the game’s algorithmic animation system adds heightened realism to character and creature movements.

- Famed developer: Mistwalker is a creative company founded by Hironobu Sakaguchi, the original developer of Final Fantasy. Operated by a handful of experts, the direction of new Mistwalker is influenced by Sakaguchi’s extensive industry experience. Artoon is a digital entertainment design, development, and production company with rich talent and experience. Centering on the design and development of original content, Artoon is mainly involved in the development of software through external cooperation, as well as the design and production of entertainment content in the mobile communication category.

Information

Staff:
- Produced, written, designed and supervised by Hironobu Sakaguchi (Final Fantasy, Chrono Trigger)
- Character designs by Akira Toriyama (DBZ, Chrono Trigger)
- Music composed by Nobuo Uematsu (Final Fantay)
- Directed by Takuya Matsumoto (Nights, Blinx)
- World designed by Manabu Kusunoki (Panzer Dragoon)
- CG Cinematics by Robot (Onimusha, Grandia 3)

Gameplay:
- Enemies can been seen on the screen, there are no random encounters
- Each character has a different creature shadow
- There are 8 different class categories to pick from, each with their own skills and level system
- There is a 9th class which is a custom class that allows the player to fill the skill slots with skills and abilities gained from the other classes
- Characters do not equip weapons, only accessories
- There are field abilities to aid in evading enemies or gaining advantages before entering an encounter
- Characters can lure multiple groups of enemies into a single encounter
- Enemy types that are not friendly with each other will turn against one another if forced into the same encounter
- There is a world map, as well as an airship
- There is an airship shooting minigame
- There are about 500 treasure chests in the game
- There are about 5000 different examinable spots which will net you rewards

Other Details:
- The game spans over 3 DVDs
- The game is about 40-50 hours long
- There will be free downloadable content by Spring 2006
- Sequel(s) are in the planning stage
- Two manga series to run in Jump
- Blue Dragon ST (Secret Trick) will run in Monthly Jump starting Dec 6th 2006
- Blue Dragon Ral Ω Grado will run in Weekly Jump starting Dec 4th 2006

Voice Cast:
Shuu: Inoue Marina
Kuruku: Kawasumi Ayako
Jiro: Miyata Kouki
Zora: Kuwashima Houko
Marunero: Kozakura Etsuko
Nene: Norio Wakamoto
Zabo: Genda Tessho

Achievements

# 01. Successful Back Attack - Successfully pull off a back attack (5 points)
# 02. 100 Back Attacks - Successfully pull off 100 back attacks (30 points)
# 03. Successful Simultaneous Encounter - Successfully pull off a simultaneous encounter (5 points)
# 04. Simultaneous Encounter, Over 10 Parties - Successfully pull off over 10 parties of simultaneous encounters and defeat all the monsters (30 points)
# 05. 100 Monster Fights - Set up over 100 monster fights (30 points)
# 06. Rare Monster "Ousama Unchi-kun" - Defeat Ousama Unchikun (30 points)
# 07. Rare Monster "Golden Unchi-Snake" - Defeat Golden Unchi-Snake (30 points)
# 08. Rare Monster "Gold Mecha Robo" - Defeat Gold Mecha Robo (30 points)
# 09. Mechat Shooting, ST1, Perfect - Clear Mechat shooting with no damage (30 points)
# 10. Wagon Defense, Perfect - Clear wagon defense with no damage (30 points)
# 11. Dragon, 1 Category Rank MAX - Max out the rank of one category for Dragon (30 points)
# 12. Minotaur, 1 Category Rank MAX - Max out the rank of one category for Minotaur (30 points)
# 13. Phoenix, 1 Category Rank MAX - Max out the rank of one category for Phoenix (30 points)
# 14. Dragon, All Category Rank MAX - Max out the rank of all categories for Dragon (50 points)
# 15. Minotaur, All Category Rank MAX - Max out the rank of all categories for Minotaur (50 points)
# 16. Phoenix, All Category Rank MAX - Max out the rank of all categories for Phoenix (50 points)
# 17. All Characters Level MAX - Get all characters to level 99 (50 points)
# 18. Rare Item "Ultimate Weapon Bracelet" - Find the rare item Ultimate Weapon Bracelet (10 points)
# 19. Rare Item "Ultimate Conflict Necklace" - Find the rare item Ultimate Conflict Necklace (10 points)
# 20. Rare Item "Dragon Bracelet" - Find the rare item Dragon Bracelet (10 points)
# 21. All Warp Clip Set - Activate all warp monuments (25 points)
# 22. All Barriers Released - Release all barriers (25 points)
# 23. Monster Dictionary Complete - Complete all entries in the monster dictionary (25 points)
# 24. Item Dictionary Complete - Complete all entries in the item dictionary (25 points)
# 25. 1,000,000 Gold Accumulated - Accumulate 1,000,000 gold (25 points)
# 26.
# 27.
# 28.
# 29.
# 30.
# 31.
# 32.
# 33.
# 34.
# 35.
# 36.
# 37.
# 38.
# 39.
# 40.
# 41.
# 42.
# 43.

Reviews

Weekly Famitsu: 9/9/9/10 (37/40)
Famitsu Xbox360: [pending]
Dorimaga: [pending]

Merchandise

Anime:

A Blue Dragon anime series will debut in Spring 2007 in Japan. The known staff is as follows:

Producer: Ryunosuke Tsuno (Super GALS)
Director: Yukihiro Matsushita (Marie-sama is watching us)
Animation: Studio Pierrot (Bleach)

Bundle:

The Xbox360 Core System Blue Dragon Premium Pack includes:
- Xbox360 Core System
- Blue Dragon
- 5 mini figurines
- 1 Blue Dragon faceplate

Price is 29800yen, the same as a normal Core Pack.

Manga:

Blue Dragon ST (Secret Trick) will commence serialization in Monthly Shounen Jump on the 6th of Dec this year. The artist is Shibata Ami.

Blue Dragon Ral Ω Grado will commence serialization in Weekly Shounen Jump on the 4th of Dec this year. The artist is Takeshi Obata.

Music:

Watashi no Mizu to Sora - Kawasumi Ayako (CD Single)
22nd Nov 2006
http://www.sonymusicshop.jp/detail.a...=SVWC000007426

"Watashi no Mizu to Sora"
Vocal: Ayako Kawasumi
Music: Nobuo Uematsu
Arrangement: Satoshi Henmi, Hiroyuki Nakayama
Lyrics: Hironobu Sakaguchi

Eternity - Nobuo Uematsu with Ian Gillan (CD Single)
22nd Nov 2006
http://www.sonymusicshop.jp/detail.a...=SVWC000007427

Vocal: Ian Gillan
Music: Nobuo Uematsu
Arrangement: Satoshi Henmi
Lyrics: Hironobu Sakaguchi/Alexander O. Smith

Error · (11-27-2006, 04:45 AM)

nice!

nubbe · (11-27-2006, 04:47 AM)

Any word on how disc swapping will work? Chapters like in FF on PSOne I presume...

Error · (11-27-2006, 04:47 AM)

Originally Posted by nubbe:

Any word on how disc swapping will work? Chapters like in FF on PSOne I presume...

yeah probably something like that.

Duderz · (11-27-2006, 04:48 AM)

I really hope this game will get its deserved attention in Japan.

Any word on the release date for the US other than "soon after the Japanese release"?

Karma Kramer · (11-27-2006, 04:49 AM)

Man can't wait to hear about how this game turns out. Hope this comes out soon in the US.

Blimblim · (11-27-2006, 04:51 AM)

Nice topic :)
10 days baby!

Error · (11-27-2006, 04:51 AM)

any music samples?

NinSoX · (11-27-2006, 04:53 AM)

Originally Posted by Blimblim:

Nice topic :)
10 days baby!

Is that the Japanese release or North American?

Jonnyram · (11-27-2006, 04:54 AM)

I was in the store the other day, and the package they had on display for this has a clear white case instead of a clear green case. I hope this is the case with the final product, but I have no idea what they're doing for the three disc thing anyway. Is it actually possible to fit 3 discs in a single DVD-size case, with one of those flaps in the middle?

Blimblim · (11-27-2006, 04:55 AM)

Originally Posted by NinSoX:

Is that the Japanese release or North American?

Japanese of course.

icecream · (11-27-2006, 04:56 AM)

Originally Posted by duckroll:

Kuruku: Kawasumi Ayako

:D

Originally Posted by duckroll:

Music composed by Nobuo Uematsu (Final Fantasy)

:)

Kintaro · 05:02 AM

The links to the movies are down. Down for anyone else too? I wanted to check this out.

NVM: Found them on the site. Sweet **** me. Looks awesome.

duckroll · (11-27-2006, 04:58 AM)

Originally Posted by Error2k4:

any music samples?

I posted some before, but the nature of hosting music samples means that they'll vanish in a day or so. I thought about adding a music sample section to the topic, but then I figured people who want the music can just watch the videos anyway! :lol

Originally Posted by Kintaro:

The links to the movies are down. Down for anyone else too? I wanted to check this out.

Those are from the official site. I just checked and they're all up. Try right-click and save as maybe? ^^;

Zilch · (11-27-2006, 05:02 AM)

This game has some of the prettiest art/graphics I've seen.

Error · (11-27-2006, 05:03 AM)

Originally Posted by duckroll:

I posted some before, but the nature of hosting music samples means that they'll vanish in a day or so. I thought about adding a music sample section to the topic, but then I figured people who want the music can just watch the videos anyway! :lol

:(

upload that shit! plz

Tarazet · (11-27-2006, 05:05 AM)

Originally Posted by Jonnyram:

I was in the store the other day, and the package they had on display for this has a clear white case instead of a clear green case. I hope this is the case with the final product, but I have no idea what they're doing for the three disc thing anyway. Is it actually possible to fit 3 discs in a single DVD-size case, with one of those flaps in the middle?

I recall MGS3: Subsistence did something like this. Personally, I'm hoping for a box that will dwarf the Oblivion CE, though I do not want there to be a CE version of this - I'd rather the regular edition be $79.99 than have those dreaded "Collector's Edition" words printed on the front.

lachesis · (11-27-2006, 05:11 AM)

good stuff, duckroll! :)

This is one of my most anticipated game of next year... hope it will come to US qucikly ans swiftly. (with perhaps JP option for voices)... :D

Karma Kramer · (11-27-2006, 05:27 AM)

When will we start seeing some reviews?

duckroll · (11-27-2006, 05:28 AM)

Originally Posted by Karma Kramer:

When will we start seeing some reviews?

Not today. But soon. :D

Kaeru · (11-27-2006, 05:29 AM)

has potential to be a nice Chrono Trigger copycat!

Karma Kramer · (11-27-2006, 05:31 AM)

Originally Posted by duckroll:

Not today. But soon. :D

Such a tease!

Give me a time-frame... Please!

DarknessTear · (11-27-2006, 05:36 AM)

"Innovative"? :/

Anyway, I like the idea of a Blue Dragon manga by Obata.

...Too bad I don't read manga! I just like the stuff turned into anime based on his works.

g23 · (11-27-2006, 05:39 AM)

The end of Sony?

duckroll · (11-27-2006, 05:41 AM)

Originally Posted by Karma Kramer:

Such a tease!

Give me a time-frame... Please!

I dunno, maybe tomorrow, maybe the day after. This week's Famitsu and Famitsu Xbox360 should definitely have a review. Maybe Dorimaga too.

disappeared · (11-27-2006, 05:41 AM)

Nice! C'mon, Sakaguchi, it's time to show 'em who's boss!

_Alkaline_ · (11-27-2006, 05:44 AM)

I'm really looking forward to the game. Everything seems top notch. Though after playing the incredible Twilight Princess, I don't think any game from now on could have the same impact.

Shapingo · (11-27-2006, 05:45 AM)

Originally Posted by g23:

The end of Sony?

If Dragon Quest 9 and Final Fantasy XIII were 360 exclusives.........then maybe Sony would be in trouble in Japan.

But if Sony announces DQ9 as exclusive when BD hits that cancels some of Blue Dragons hype

Jonnyram · (11-27-2006, 05:54 AM)

Originally Posted by Shapingo:

But if Sony announces DQ9 as exclusive when BD hits...

Well, stranger things have happened, I guess...

ThirdEye · (11-27-2006, 05:56 AM)

Wow, very big PR for a rookie game. Will it stand the expectation?

Akira · (11-27-2006, 06:01 AM)

I hope Blue Dragon will meet expectations and be what the 360 needs needs to put it in "decent" selling position. By decent, I mean maybe a stable 15,000 per week in Japan.

SuperPac · (11-27-2006, 06:03 AM)

This game needs a US release, and soon please.

Acidote · (11-27-2006, 06:05 AM)

9 days and counting :). Nice thread duckroll.

anotheriori · (11-27-2006, 06:09 AM)

Yay the for voice talent. I kinda doubt the domestic version will have language options tho.

Kawasumi Ayako

Houko Kuwashima

Norio Wakamoto (yes! he's awesome!)

Vicious, Cowboy Bebop

Manga#2 - Takeshi Obata: (Artist)

duckroll · (11-27-2006, 06:12 AM)

Originally Posted by ThirdEye:

Wow, very big PR for a rookie game. Will it stand the expectation?

I dunno, would anyone really consider this a rookie game? I sure as hell don't. I have doubts as to how good it actually is, but the staff sure as hell aren't rookies by any means.

ethelred · (11-27-2006, 06:14 AM)

Originally Posted by Alkaliine:

I'm really looking forward to the game. Everything seems top notch. Though after playing the incredible Twilight Princess, I don't think any game from now on could have the same impact.

What the ****ing **** is wrong with you?

dammitmattt · (11-27-2006, 06:21 AM)

Great official thread. After playing/loving FF3 DS and still trying to figure out if I like FF12, I'm jonesing for some old-school RPG love that's updated with the beautiful visuals seen here.

Tiktaalik · (11-27-2006, 06:22 AM)

This game looks incredible. Is there any hype for this in Japan? Can we expect to see a big jump in 360 sales?

Kaeru · (11-27-2006, 06:23 AM)

Originally Posted by ethelred:

What the ****ing **** is wrong with you?

Try to expand your vocabulary, it is very hard to understand you right now.

BluWacky · (11-27-2006, 06:26 AM)

Can anyone picking up the Asian version check whether it's region-free? I can wait for a localisation if needs be but at £20 it's too cheap to pass up.

I'm feeling a bit happier about Blue Dragon as we get closer to release date now we know a little more about the gameplay; the screenshots and movies make the battle system look overly mundane, but the skill combinations sound interesting. Hopefully the story will be alright too.

Blimblim · (11-27-2006, 06:29 AM)

Originally Posted by Zaxxon:

This game looks incredible. Is there any hype for this in Japan? Can we expect to see a big jump in 360 sales?

Yeah the hype is quite big in Japan. The hardcore gamers sure heard about that game, now it's up the the more mainstream ones to notice the game or not.
As for a jump in sales, we can expect one for the week of the release with the disgustingly cheap bundle, but afterwards...

Jcgamer60 · (11-27-2006, 06:31 AM)

This game looks sooo kool.

duckroll · (11-27-2006, 06:32 AM)

Originally Posted by BluWacky:

Can anyone picking up the Asian version check whether it's region-free? I can wait for a localisation if needs be but at £20 it's too cheap to pass up.

Will do!

cvxfreak · (11-27-2006, 06:38 AM)

I also want to try out Blue Dragon, because the premise and gameplay just look very interesting. Hope BD and Lost Planet really boost 360 sales in Japan passed the 200K mark.

Blimblim · 06:47 AM

Originally Posted by anotheriori:

Yay the for voice talent. I kinda doubt the domestic version will have language options tho.

Kawasumi Ayako
Houko Kuwashima
Norio Wakamoto (yes! he's awesome!)

Don't forget Romi Park. She voiced Edward Elric in FMA, also Nana Oosaki in Nana. She also did Kameo's voice for the japanese version of the game :)
Edit: Hmm, looks like Duckroll did not list the same seiyuu for Shu's voice.

dirtmonkey37 · (11-27-2006, 06:45 AM)

I hope it scores well!

Fantastic thread by the way.

Rorschach · (11-27-2006, 06:47 AM)

Ack...game overload...didn't realize this was coming so soon. Better finish up some games!

LJ11 · (11-27-2006, 06:49 AM)

Is the NA release still coming in January?

Blimblim · (11-27-2006, 07:03 AM)

Originally Posted by LJ11:

Is the NA release still coming in January?

No release date has ever been announced for NA, and AFAIK January has never even been rumoured.

LJ11 · (11-27-2006, 07:19 AM)

Originally Posted by Blimblim:

No release date has ever been announced for NA, and AFAIK January has never even been rumoured.

EBGames has the game as January release.