[SpaceDrake]

finished with 38 hours on the clock. missed/skipped/expired a ton of sidequests. please tell me xseed has the sequel lined up for a release this year (ah, such fragile hopes). gunna ng+ this bad boy

The sequel/second "half" of the game is absolutely, monstrously huge, so there's no chance it'll be out this year no matter what they do. Gotta wait for 2012 I'm afraid.

[jj984jj]

finished with 38 hours on the clock. missed/skipped/expired a ton of sidequests. please tell me xseed has the sequel lined up for a release this year (ah, such fragile hopes). gunna ng+ this bad boy

Doesn't sound like it sadly.

[Aeana]

It's too bad they can't get more people working on it, but coordinating multiple translators can be a rough job (see: Dragon Warrior 7 - 11 different translators, and it shows).

[Ken]

Just bought the game off Amazon for Tuesday delivery. Never played a "Legend of Heroes" game before but are there a lot of easily missed items/quests/events in this game? Was wondering if I should play along with a FAQ or guide or should I not worry about them.

[Basileus777]

Does the difficulty ramp up later in the game, I'm near the end of chapter 2 and it's not that hard unless I try to take on certain enemies too early in a chapter. I believe there are multiple difficulties, but that's only on secondary playthroughs correct?

How exactly does a ng+ work in this game?

[Gunloc]

Just bought the game off Amazon for Tuesday delivery. Never played a "Legend of Heroes" game before but are there a lot of easily missed items/quests/events in this game? Was wondering if I should play along with a FAQ or guide or should I not worry about them.

There are lots of missable items and quests. It's prudent to have multiple saves if you want to get everything. A FAQ is very handy if you're a completionist.

Does the difficulty ramp up later in the game, I'm near the end of chapter 2 and it's not that hard unless I try to take on certain enemies too early in a chapter. I believe there are multiple difficulties, but that's only on secondary playthroughs correct?

Yeah, the choice of difficulty levels is unlocked after you beat the game. (Though I think it's available from the start in the later games.)

[Yuterald]

I'm in the final dungeon now with 47 hours logged. OMG...the final dungeon monster-in-the-box shit is driving me NUTS. I reallllly just want to see the end of the game, but I can't help myself from fighting all these mimic chests. It's taking FOOOREVER to get through this dungeon.

The music in this dungeon is God-tier though. The events leading up to this point were incredible. Everything importers claimed about this game is true. I totally get why people flip their shit over this game/series. Falcom is becoming one of my favorite RPG/game devs. This game is so fucking good!

[Augemitbutter]

where the hell is my copy :(

i feel like i'm being tortured arrr..

[Grimmy]

It's too bad they can't get more people working on it, but coordinating multiple translators can be a rough job (see: Dragon Warrior 7 - 11 different translators, and it shows).

Yup, according to Tom's post in jj984jj's link to gameFaqs board:

"You have to bear in mind, though, that more translators = more money. And the more translators we use, the more editing we'll need to do (since having multiple translators with different styles of writing and no editing would lead to a very lopsided translation). So really, adding translators is like two steps forward, but one step back (less time needed for translation, but more time needed for editing), AND it significantly increases the budget for the game.

It's a real balancing act trying to find the right equilibrium"

Haven't gotten the game yet but I plan to - sucks that I won't be back in North America until after the summer...

[Yuterald]

Okay, finished the game...WHAT THE FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK WAS THAT ENDING!!! Alright, Falcom is sealed as my current new favorite RPG dev team. This game is really, really good. I can't believe this has been sitting around for 7 some years. We BETTER get the other installments because the way this game ended was... 0_0

Oh, and the new game+ is everything you would want from an RPG. I thought the game would have used a new game+ system similar to Oath in Felghana or the Tales games, but it's even better! I am going RIGHT back into Nightmare mode.

Out of all the RPGs I have played this year, Radiant Historia, Tactics Ogre, Trails in the Sky is now my favorite.

[M_Night]

Woooop my copy just arrived!

Cant wait to start it up.

[BentMyWookiee]

Okay, finished the game...WHAT THE FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK WAS THAT ENDING!!! Alright, Falcom is sealed as my current new favorite RPG dev team. This game is really, really good. I can't believe this has been sitting around for 7 some years. We BETTER get the other installments because the way this game ended was... 0_0 Oh, and the new game+ is everything you would want from an RPG. I thought the game would have used a new game+ system similar to Oath in Felghana or the Tales games, but it's even better! I am going RIGHT back into Nightmare mode. Out of all the RPGs I have played this year, Radiant Historia, Tactics Ogre, Trails in the Sky is now my favorite.

Could you elaborate on new game+? I'm curious how it works in this game. What carries over to the ng+?

[Aeana]

Okay, finished the game...WHAT THE FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK WAS THAT ENDING!!! Alright, Falcom is sealed as my current new favorite RPG dev team. This game is really, really good. I can't believe this has been sitting around for 7 some years. We BETTER get the other installments because the way this game ended was... 0_0

Yeah, that's why I was a little wary of XSEED not being able to bring SC at the very least if things don't go smoothly for them. Giving players FC and not SC is honestly probably worse than never bringing FC at all because of how the story flows between the two.

Glad you liked the game, though. I've been really shocked to see so many positive impressions from people and so few negative ones. I was sure a bunch of people would be down on the game's format.

[Yuterald]

Could you elaborate on new game+? I'm curious how it works in this game. What carries over to the ng+?

Here is what you can carry over. You can actually choose to not carry over certain things if you want to attempt higher difficulties from scratch. I'll mark them as spoilers in case people may want to discover the rewards themselves.


Mira/Sepith: Carry over both mira and septith.
Items: Carry over usable inventory items.
Equipment: Carry over equpt. and quartz. *Quest-related items not included.
Information: Carry over recipe book, monster guide, world map.
Status: Carry over levels and opened orbment slots.
Can all be reapplied to a normal run, or carried into a hard or nightmare difficulty run.

Yeah, I thoroughly enjoyed the game. If I had to say anything negative about this game it would still be the initial boss music and maybe the dungeon design. I honestly still find the boss track that plays for the majority of the game to be not only an odd choice during specific situations, but also just a lackluster track as a whole when compared to the rest of the OST.

The dungeons were also not the games strongest point. But that's to be understood, I guess. This game truly is about the story and character development. The battle mechanics are cool and everything, but some more interesting dungeons would have made the experience even better. I wasn't expecting dungeons along the lines of Wild ARMs or even Golden Sun, but some puzzles or even switches here and there would have been appreciated!

Every dungeon was basically a path with some elevation. It was all very maze-like, especially the final dungeon. But an RPG can't have everything done right so what's there is serviceable and everything else in the game ABSOLUTELY makes up for it. I'm surprised too that Falcom didn't make more elaborate dungeons because the Ys games have some pretty interesting designs. I wonder if the other games in this series improve in this area?

In the end though I am REALLY nitpicking at this point and these two minor issues I had with the game don't make me think any less of the game. It is definitely one of my favorite RPGs now and I think I'll claim it as my RPGOTY so far (sorry Tactics Ogre!). =)

[SatelliteOfLove]

yeah, she's actually pretty sensible, especially when my first impression was that of a female stahn. the cast is all a good set of tweaks on rpg character cliches. (as i noted on the podcast, joshua as the male "mana princess" -- the pretty, passive, emo sidekick with a mysterious and/or magical past -- is my favorite twist.)

"Speaks before thinking too much for her own good." summed her up for me nicely.

[Gunloc]

More 8's!

ROBOAWESOME - 80%

[bh7812]

I can say this much, this game is going to most likely take me well over 50 hours to get through..I'm just a little past the beginning of Chapter 2. I've done every Bracer Guild quest available to that point plus all the story stuff. I've honestly not seen a game this massive that I can remember in a long while if at all. So I'm not even half way through the game yet! I've put in around 30 hours so far.

Especially towards the very end of Chapter 1 the game definitely does a lot of foreshadowing and setting up the next few chapters of the game-there's even some stuff that I'm guessing is most likely referring to things in SC. (Places and people mostly from what I'm understanding). I'm definitely curious to see this literal cliffhanger that keeps getting talked about.

But that's the thing, the literal cliff hanger at the end of this first game is the exact reason I really hope we get the 2nd game. What I'm sure some people don't get is-if this somehow does poorly (I'm pleased to say from what I'm seeing and reading it doesn't look like that's the case at this point) that literal cliffhanger will forever remain just that. Yes you can play SC in Japanese if you choose but understand unless you're very fluent in the language the resolution of that cliff hanger is going to fly right over your head. If we don't see SC in English I'm getting the feeling for some of us not knowing how that cliffhanger resolves itself is going to be even more torture than some other games who's stories haven't been resolved yet or won't be at all.

Games like this come along only once in an extremely great while at this point. I wanted to post here something I've posted in a few places as to why supporting the game is so important and not sure if it's worthwhile to do so at this point but I will say here get the word out as much as possible. Tell people about the game. Better yet if you can actually show it to them that's the best PR you can give the game at this point.

Finally, one thing to consider when deciding to get the game or not is this. When people say it's super text/story heavy, they are NOT kidding. Not even a little. There is an ENORMOUS amount of reading and narrative to go through in this game. That doesn't bother me at all but may bother some. I will honestly say this: Even if you do not like to read a lot generally speaking, please do still experience this game. You owe it to yourself, it's a wonderfully crafted story that as many RPG fans as possible should experience. Break the game into chunks if you gotta but do what you can to experience it. I'm reading a lot of people who normally hate reading saying that even they're loving it and the way it's written makes you WANT to keep going and see what happens next.

Get behind the game and support it, everyone. If we don't get SC we will only have ourselves to blame. The ball is in our court now and this game truly deserves to succeed.

[ULTROS!]

This is my favorite game of the generation already.

I blame Aeana for getting me into the Ys and Trails in the Sky series. :D

[fates]

Yeah, that's why I was a little wary of XSEED not being able to bring SC at the very least if things don't go smoothly for them.

The sad thing about that is even if FC does well enough, and it seems to be if reactions to it are an indication, SC is still limbo thanks to the dual UMD/no PSN issue.

I'd prefer not to, but I could live without 3rd, but SC is a must.

[totoro'd]

I just started the game and i'm getting such a Grandia feel (the first one at least)! And it's one of my all-time favorite games. The music, the characters, so many things remind me of Grandia, is it just me? Does that impression change later on?

[Drinky Crow]

yeah, i kinda need sc. why does dual umd = no psn? is this some arbitrary soa thing?

[Drinky Crow]

I just started the game and i'm getting such a Grandia feel (the first one at least)! And it's one of my all-time favorite games. The music, the characters, so many things remind me of Grandia, is it just me? Does that impression change later on?

yes, it becomes equal to grandia with its own personality, although it still shares the rollicking animu adventure vibe

grandia has the better battle system and dungeons, but trails has better characters and plotting

[totoro'd]

yes, it becomes equal to grandia with its own personality, although it still shares the rollicking animu adventure vibe grandia has the better battle system and dungeons, but trails has better characters and plotting

Yay! Good to know, loving it so far

[fates]

No, the nature of the two UMDs made it impossible to get it on PSN. According to posts from Wyrdward, even Falcom tried and failed.

SC probably won't be ready until next year. Would the UMD still be a viable format by that time? That's the problem. I doubt a localization company would be able to do what the maker company couldn't.

Not trying to debunk XSEED, either. They're pretty awesome for bringing these games over. But this is a problem.

[LiquidMetal14]

Is it me or is the game a little hard in the beginning? I can handle it and it's not a complaint at all but I can't see myself continuing until I go up at least 4-5 more levels.

And all the ore or materials you collect (the colored gems), are they to strictly sell like loot or should I hang on to them? I haven't really got my feet wet yet but some tips would be handy if you would oblige me :)

[ULTROS!]

Hmmm... Didn't Xseed ensure that they will be bringing the entire trilogy no matter what? I'm ok with no PSN release as long as they still localize it.

[Volcynika]

Is it me or is the game a little hard in the beginning? I can handle it and it's not a complaint at all but I can't see myself continuing until I go up at least 4-5 more levels. And all the ore or materials you collect (the colored gems), are they to strictly sell like loot or should I hang on to them? I haven't really got my feet wet yet but some tips would be handy if you would oblige me :)

The colored gems are used to unlock new slots to attach new quartz and/or create new quartz for characters to use. Or trade them for MONIES. I haven't traded any of them yet, not in need of money. If I do need some cash, I just do some quests, sell some equipment I don't use.

[LiquidMetal14]

The colored gems are used to unlock new slots to attach new quartz and/or create new quartz for characters to use. Or trade them for MONIES. I haven't traded any of them yet, not in need of money. If I do need some cash, I just do some quests, sell some equipment I don't use.

I will try but I'm mainly doing grinding right in the beginning here. I'm almost ready to fully dig in but this has been a game I've played during breaks and such so I haven't given it my full attention yet. I've sold all of them gems so for the future, I will hold onto them. I'm strapped for cash though as the enemies seem to get tougher fast.

[Shouta]

yes, it becomes equal to grandia with its own personality, although it still shares the rollicking animu adventure vibe grandia has the better battle system and dungeons, but trails has better characters and plotting

Yep, this more or less.

It is very nice folks are finally getting a chance to play the game. It's a great series and sorely overlooked for years. Hell, Drinky is praising it and I can't remember when was the last time he praised a JRPG.

[Aeana]

Hmmm... Didn't Xseed ensure that they will be bringing the entire trilogy no matter what? I'm ok with no PSN release as long as they still localize it.

SC will still come, but it might be UMD only if they can't work something out with Sony for PSN. I really don't think the PSN thing will keep it from coming.

[randomkid]

Drinky, weren't you just bragging about how you skip through all stories in games these days, what prompted the change?

I am extremely close to buying this game, there is a lot to like about it and basically I am 90% sure I will get it as soon as I lessen my backlog a bit. My only concern is the completely repellent character art, and worries about extreme anime-ness, to be crass about it. I enjoyed Valkyria and modern Persona, but I'm worried about the game being horrific Tales/Star Ocean levels.

[Varion]

Is it me or is the game a little hard in the beginning? I can handle it and it's not a complaint at all but I can't see myself continuing until I go up at least 4-5 more levels.

It's quite a bit tougher at the start than it is later, for sure. Those red bugs up by the mines drove me insane. The more abilities and party members you get the easier the battles get.

I didn't actually trade any sepith for mira this time around. Just kept doing all the quests and had plenty.

[hosannainexcelsis]

I will try but I'm mainly doing grinding right in the beginning here. I'm almost ready to fully dig in but this has been a game I've played during breaks and such so I haven't given it my full attention yet. I've sold all of them gems so for the future, I will hold onto them. I'm strapped for cash though as the enemies seem to get tougher fast.

You shouldn't need to grind. At least, I'm in the middle of Chapter 1 and I haven't done any grinding yet. Just make sure you're doing all the sidequests you can and you should be fine both experience and money wise.

Drinky, weren't you just bragging about how you skip through all stories in games these days, what prompted the change? I am extremely close to buying this game, there is a lot to like about it and basically I am 90% sure I will get it as soon as I lessen my backlog a bit. My only concern is the completely repellent character art, and worries about extreme anime-ness, to be crass about it. I enjoyed Valkyria and modern Persona, but I'm worried about the game being horrific Tales/Star Ocean levels.

No need to worry; this has one of the best stories and cast of characters ever in a JRPG. Star Ocean 4 this is not. If you enjoyed Valkyria and Persona 3/4, I'm sure you can enjoy this.

[LiquidMetal14]

Will do, thanks for the tips.

[Drinky Crow]

Drinky, weren't you just bragging about how you skip through all stories in games these days, what prompted the change? I am extremely close to buying this game, there is a lot to like about it and basically I am 90% sure I will get it as soon as I lessen my backlog a bit. My only concern is the completely repellent character art, and worries about extreme anime-ness, to be crass about it. I enjoyed Valkyria and modern Persona, but I'm worried about the game being horrific Tales/Star Ocean levels.

normally i do, but i have a soft spot for globe trotting adventures as long as they don't lean to heavily on character cliches and soft porn fetishes en route, and as long as they aren't overly pretentious, with their purported themes outstripping the skills of their writers and scenario designers. it is more like grandia and valkyria, and really nothing like the godawful star ocean or tales games.

[Callibretto]

I will try but I'm mainly doing grinding right in the beginning here. I'm almost ready to fully dig in but this has been a game I've played during breaks and such so I haven't given it my full attention yet. I've sold all of them gems so for the future, I will hold onto them. I'm strapped for cash though as the enemies seem to get tougher fast.

probably it's falcom's way to balance the game, not only it reward you with tiny xp when you reach certain lv in specific area, new area will be filled with hard hitting enemies until you can get into town and buy equipment. after you get your equipment up to date, the difficulty will back to standard again. spamming area based magic attack also helps a lot

[M_Night]

Hmmm... Didn't Xseed ensure that they will be bringing the entire trilogy no matter what? I'm ok with no PSN release as long as they still localize it.

Well all the VA is recorded for all 3 games.

I'm sure they just don't want to commit and promise to a localization at this early stage. Once they get a little ways in to it we'll probably get confirmation.

I wonder if they will need more translators?

[DiscoJer]

Well all the VA is recorded for all 3 games. I'm sure they just don't want to commit and promise to a localization at this early stage. Once they get a little ways in to it we'll probably get confirmation. I wonder if they will need more translators?

VA consists entirely of battle voices. And I have to assume it's pretty similar across all the games (more characters in later games though).

So not a great investment, especially if they only used a handful of VAs to record several different characters (which seems likely).

[MrCookiepants]

When I saw this thread I thought The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword got a title change.

Well, that's all I had to say here. I'll just leave now.

[Gunloc]

Just found the secret password, bwahaha.

[Kurosaki Ichigo]

Finally my copy arrived in the old continent. What a gorgeous premium edition for just 10$ extra. Loving the thick, colored manual as well. Looking forward enjoying the game asap.

[Ratrat]

More 8's! ROBOAWESOME - 80%

I'm starting to wish I'd played this in english. heh

[Zwei]

Good to see a top-notch jrpg being released. Can't wait to finally dive in.

[Dogfacedgod]

Looks like I'm going to have to track this down.

[Hobbun]

About halfway through Chapter 1 now and really liking it.

The only thing I don't like about the game is the extremely linear nature. Usually linear games don't bother me as much, but there are a lot of instances in this one where you can very easily miss a quest or item. Never been a fan of that.

Otherwise, two thumbs up.

Edit: Strange. For some reason under my preferences it was switched to no avatar. I did not do that. Will have to fix that when I get home.

[ULTROS!]

I'm in Chapter 3 now, my game and my heart, it melts because it's so awesome.

Anyway I watched Sora no Kiseki FC's Japanese trailer and I kinda spoilered myself. :/

[Aveyn Knight]

I'm in Chapter 3 now, my game and my heart, it melts because it's so awesome. Anyway I watched Sora no Kiseki FC's Japanese trailer and I kinda spoilered myself. :/

Was it the PSP version's trailer? I never understood why it contained so many parts from the end of the game. Or was the spoiler concerning something else?

[Yuterald]

I still can't stop thinking about this game after I finished it. The events that unfold in the final chapter are just so...so good. I don't even feel like continuing any other RPG/game I bought recently (like 3rd Birthday, lol). Everything just feels less than TitS right now.

I just watched the Japanese trailer for SC and its left me in a permanent state of 0_0

[Callibretto]

I'm starting to wish I'd played this in english. heh

I love that scene. Olivier is really hilarious.

[Phenomic]

So beat the game last night and Oh man what an ending. They better bring out part 2 now they can't leave it like that. Simply a great way to setup the sequel.