Support NeoGAF

[Guru-Guru]

I have played the game for about 4 hours so far, and although I am enjoying it, these are my complaints:

-Technical issues. The missions run very smoothly, but the hub town does not. I'm guessing is is around 10-15 FPS in the outdoor section of the hub? It's more of a minor annoyance, really.

-Hub town is boring, and there is nothing really to do. Going back and forth doing fetch quests isn't that fun, specifically because the hub town is kind of lame with a bland design. There is 1 bar where characters hang out, 1 shop, your room, plus a whole lot of empty space. Unless something drastically improves, I would honestly prefer just to have story cutscenes followed by missions, then more story, more missions, etc.

-Lack of map variety. 4 hours in and I think I have only played 2 (maybe 3?) different maps. I have a feeling enemy variety will be a little limited too.

 

[Parakeetman]

I've just noticed that the official guide for FW is already out.
Well, off to Ikebukuro to buy it!

Yep it sure is.

Also added recorded gameplay footage ot the OP.

 

[Hasemo]

Ugh, it was sold out in 4 stores, but finally got my hands on it in the 5th one:

Should have bought it on Thursday. Funny thing is that I wanted to do so, but in the end I got too excited to go home and play and forgot about it.

This game is beautiful, and even more so in motion right? Also how many monster so far?

Yeah, it looks even better in motion!
Uhm, problem with the answering the "how many monsters are there" question is that most of them are made of "parts" so a monster with the same "body" can have different weapons which makes fight completely different.

I have played the game for about 4 hours so far, and although I am enjoying it, these are my complaints:

-Technical issues. The missions run very smoothly, but the hub town does not. I'm guessing is is around 10-15 FPS in the outdoor section of the hub? It's more of a minor annoyance, really.

-Hub town is boring, and there is nothing really to do. Going back and forth doing fetch quests isn't that fun, specifically because the hub town is kind of lame with a bland design. There is 1 bar where characters hang out, 1 shop, your room, plus a whole lot of empty space. Unless something drastically improves, I would honestly prefer just to have story cutscenes followed by missions, then more story, more missions, etc.

-Lack of map variety. 4 hours in and I think I have only played 2 (maybe 3?) different maps. I have a feeling enemy variety will be a little limited too.

Regarding the technical issues, the Mosaic Town is really weird. The game doesn't slow down but has short freezes when you're loading npcs or something, which happens quite often.

Yeah, it's not the most exciting hub town out there, but luckily you unlock a shortcut function pretty early on, which allows you to jump between locations from the map menu.

There aren't that many maps so far, but with different weather effects, mission types, location of the escape pods etc. they still feel fresh even after seeing them for the xth time, imo.

 

[warningjab]

There aren't that many maps so far, but with different weather effects, mission types, location of the escape pods etc. they still feel fresh even after seeing them for the xth time, imo.

Yeah, that mission in the desert with the sandstorm. I could literally not see anything plus getting shot at from all directions made it so much more tough.

If you guys wanna farm Code-3 weapons with 6 slots, go to 3-4 where its the escort the abductor via the beacon. Leave the beacon close to the end and start hunting the opposing force and grabbing their weapons until you have 1 minute left and then grab the beacon and lead your abductor to the end. Managed to get about 50-60 weapons, about 15-20 were code 3, another 15ish were code 2 and the rest were code 1 with a mad variety of skills. The mission length was 15 minutes. Good for just messing around with movement vsing npcs as well.

 

[Parakeetman]

-Hub town is boring, and there is nothing really to do. Going back and forth doing fetch quests isn't that fun, specifically because the hub town is kind of lame with a bland design. There is 1 bar where characters hang out, 1 shop, your room, plus a whole lot of empty space. Unless something drastically improves, I would honestly prefer just to have story cutscenes followed by missions, then more story, more missions, etc.

-Technical issues. The missions run very smoothly, but the hub town does not. I'm guessing is is around 10-15 FPS in the outdoor section of the hub? It's more of a minor annoyance, really.

-Lack of map variety. 4 hours in and I think I have only played 2 (maybe 3?) different maps. I have a feeling enemy variety will be a little limited too.

So lets see you have only played 4 hours yet complain about map variety?...

The hub town and various areas is still better than the next to nothing we got stuck with in God Eater 2. Im sure that would have made it on your complaints list also.

As mentioned the only real technical issue with the hub areas is just how some NPCs pop into the world. Then there is the other small issue the lip syncing for the character models + voiced lines pretty much is non existent. Damned shame considering how nice the story character models look.

 

[Guru-Guru]

So lets see you have only played 4 hours yet complain about map variety?...

The hub town and various areas is still better than the next to nothing we got stuck with in God Eater 2. Im sure that would have made it on your complaints list also.

As mentioned the only real technical issue with the hub areas is just how some NPCs pop into the world. Then there is the other small issue the lip syncing for the character models + voiced lines pretty much is non existent. Damned shame considering how nice the story character models look.

I had actually played probably closer to 6.

Don't get me wrong, the lack of map variety isn't a super huge deal for me, as the mission variety is pretty great, and the gameplay fun.

I haven't played God Eater 2 (nor any other game in this genre), but perhaps I would prefer a hunting game without an unnecessary hub world.

 

[crinale]

Whoa, it's so clean looking!

And, those aren't even bullshots, you know.
IMO the game has some AA applied as well, right?

 

[Hasemo]

2 more!
Post screenshots of your cards, people

This fight was beautiful.

 

[Ghost Slayer]

2 more!
Post screenshots of your cards, people

whoa, this looks beautiful, I don't like genre "Monster Hunter" so much but for some reasons this game got me excited, thinking about getting this

 

[Parakeetman]

Added 3 new vids to the "Recorded Gameplay" section of the OT. 4th vid currently processing, 5th vid currently ULing.



The footage is all just combat related and didnt record any story bits this time around. But for those who want to keep what kind of enemies appear fresh or level designs, then dont watch the vids obviously. Also for those not familiar with the usual style of my OTs, click on the images to watch vids.

 

[BadWolf]

2 more!
Post screenshots of your cards, people

Your characters look awesome.

 

[Parakeetman]

2 more!
Post screenshots of your cards, people

Im on the PSV TV atm so cant take SSes. I think... will do it later from the Vita. Am busy recording stuff and uploading it atm.

 

[Hasemo]

Your characters look awesome.

Thanks!

Damn, those "additional" (not required for progress) missions are sometimes really tough.
2 abductors + enemy machines + enemy npcs.

 

[Foshy]

Added 3 new vids to the "Recorded Gameplay" section of the OT. 4th vid currently ULing.



The footage is all just combat related and didnt record any story bits this time around. But for those who want to keep what kind of enemies appear fresh or level designs, then dont watch the vids obviously. Also for those not familiar with the usual style of my OTs, click on the images to watch vids.

Ok, it looks absolutely great. Can't wait for the localized release.

By the way, is it native-res? The videos look pretty good graphically, but it's hard to tell with YouTube compression.

 

[Parakeetman]

Ok, it looks absolutely great. Can't wait for the localized release.

By the way, is it native-res? The videos look pretty good graphically, but it's hard to tell with YouTube compression.

Looks pretty nice running on the PSV TV. Im happy with it. Also with my JP PS+ account I can go back and forth between the Vita and PSV TV no problem. By uploading / downloading the save that is. Works perfectly. Just remember to keep both versions of the game updated with matching DLC. Or else it wont even start the game. Since there is only a single save file with the game.

 

[warningjab]

2 more!
Post screenshots of your cards, people

Looks good. I'm definitely gonna spend some time on customisation soon, the game is too fun at the moment.

Here's mine !

 

[Aytrial]

I really need to stop browsing this topic for my own good.

My urge to import is rising every second.

 

[warningjab]

Man, things are getting heated up in Chapter 5.

Spoiler

Just had to choose between mission 5-1 (save Haru) or mission 5-2 (save Ann). I...chose Ann.

Bosses are also getting more and more tough, need more ammo packs !

 

[Kysen]

My card along with some random scenes.

Epic boss + music

Follow the beacon!

美人達

Also does that guide above have a digital version? I've been importing a number of digital guides from Book & Walker for my ipad. Makes reading while I play much easier.

 

[Hasemo]

For everyone else confused by the sheer number of menus - remember to check your 特殊ボランティア参加申請 in the cell screen menu.
At the moment the only special mission available is the 天罰 one with 10k off your sentence for clearing it (and a maximum difficulty level), but if your accessory gets captured, that's where the rescue mission will be located.

 

[warningjab]

Hmm..just found out, once you upgrade your weapon to level 5 and try to upgrade again, you're given a list of all available branches that your weapon can upgrade into. It doesn't seem like you get more modular slots, so I definitely need to farm more code 3 weapons.

 

[Hasemo]

Hmm..just found out, once you upgrade your weapon to level 5 and try to upgrade again, you're given a list of all available branches that your weapon can upgrade into. It doesn't seem like you get more modular slots, so I definitely need to farm more code 3 weapons.

Yeah, it's the GE series upgrade path. What's interesting is that there's an achievement for getting a weapon to lv 10, so I'm guessing that the last tier allows that.
I've just reached code 5 and I'm already afraid of the new missions.

 

[warningjab]

Yeah, it's the GE series upgrade path. What's interesting is that there's an achievement for getting a weapon to lv 10, so I'm guessing that the last tier allows that.
I've just reached code 5 and I'm already afraid of the new missions.

Yeah, though I noticed that when you change to the new branch the weapon resets to level 1 ?

Prepare for 5-4 man. It's control the points, and its the most annoying mission so far. Failed it at least 5 times because of the abductor that kept killing my teammates -____-

 

[Hasemo]

Yeah, though I noticed that when you change to the new branch the weapon resets to level 1 ?

Prepare for 5-4 man. It's control the points, and its the most annoying mission so far. Failed it at least 5 times because of the abductor that kept killing my teammates -____-

Oh joy. I hate those.

In other news FW is selling like crazy.

 

[cyborg009]

Great videos Parakeetman. Also doesn't the lock-on help chain the whip+weapon? It was really cool in the demo since it moves the camera around after you hit to allow you to re-aim it.

 

[Aytrial]

Oh joy. I hate those.

In other news FW is selling like crazy.

Hopefully Sony's got their killer-app for the Vita (at least for Japan).

I'd like to see Freedom Wars turn into an ongoing franchise as the aesthetics really click with me, unlike other hunting games.

 

[Billen]

Holy cockblock, just bought a Vita and I would really like to see an EU release of this.

 

[Aytrial]

Holy cockblock, just bought a Vita and I would really like to see an EU release of this.

We're getting one, we just don't have a date yet.

 

[RyougaSaotome]

My current pair, for the time being at least.

 

[Prelude.]

Oh joy. I hate those.

In other news FW is selling like crazy.

Numbers? Estimates? Anything?

 

[Parakeetman]

Numbers? Estimates? Anything?

the best numbers will be to wait for the media create sales ones.

 

[Prelude.]

the best numbers will be to wait for the media create sales ones.

Yeah, but what does the article say? Just that "it's selling well"?

 

[Parakeetman]

Yeah, but what does the article say? Just that "it's selling well"?

Selling better than makers expectations.

Its also on backorder for amazon Japan which is a pretty good sign that its doing well when its a main title like this.

 

[The Horror the horror]

Can someone compare the scope, production, and amount of content in the game to those of Soul Sacrifice Delta?

 

[kasane]

you guys playing FW meanwhile im here waiting for the localization and hoping for a God Eater 2 localization ( probably not happening )

 

[Parakeetman]

Can someone compare the scope, production, and amount of content in the game to those of Soul Sacrifice Delta?

Thats not really a good comparison considering SSD = expansion to SS. Also how SS got new content updated to it over the period of its lifetime.

This game is in its own category similar to how Soul Sacrifice was. Since no one here has obviously cleared the game yet, it is unknown how much content is to be had.

Dont think of things in terms of comparison basically is what Im saying. That and the gameplay is different from what Soul Sacrifice did. The only thing the 2 have in common is the fact they both are co-op based games.

 

[RyougaSaotome]

It's also hard to compare in that Freedom Wars isn't a boss rush at all. A lot of quests are completed without ever having to take down an abductor or even fight one.

Oh, and I found that Geofront 2 is a really great area to practice using your thorns for fast movement due to the multiple levels and pips.

 

[Parakeetman]

you guys playing FW meanwhile im here waiting for the localization and hoping for a God Eater 2 localization ( probably not happening )

Now that God Eater 2 finally has its infrastructure mode patched here in Japan, perhaps BanNam would be willing to localize it in the west depending what they see for how Freedom Wars does. Would have been suicide to have kicked it out of the nest without infrastructure mode in the West thats why. Since adhoc play just is not as popular as it is in Japan.

Can someone compare the scope, production, and amount of content in the game to those of Soul Sacrifice Delta?

Mission types taken from the OT

• Capture and control more zones than the enemy
• Search and rescue civilians that were left behind on the battlefield
• Rescue civilians from enemy abductors
• Escort and prevent enemies from grabbing civilians from allied abductors
• Eliminate all enemies
• Reach the target destination in the field
• Collect the required amount of resources from the field
• Eliminate the target
• Rescue the accessory that was abducted

Once you start adding the head 2 head mode into the mix Id imagine if they use similar game modes, the h2h gameplay will be INSANE. Since its fighting against other players who take full advantage of the movement system the game has to offer. Where as the AI does not really do it as much besides lowering or raising themselves to be on the same level as their target.

---

Added new recorded gameplay footage to the OT. Still have bunch more stuff to upload from the rank 4 missions. But today will be a bit slow with that due to have a ton of stuff to take care of in the apartment.

*For the lazy members who dont read the OT.

*Updated 06/29/2014

A lot of the time when I die its due to doing something stupid lol. The last vid far right 2nd row you can see me running around with a flame thrower. Pretty brutal weapon but you got to be pretty close in to use it. Runs out of ammo super fast too. Personally like it a lot better than the laser.

 

[Hasemo]

Yeah, though I noticed that when you change to the new branch the weapon resets to level 1 ?

Prepare for 5-4 man. It's control the points, and its the most annoying mission so far. Failed it at least 5 times because of the abductor that kept killing my teammates -____-

I just did 5-4. THAT MAP. Points on the pipes in the air blew my mind. So much vertical movement required...
Luckily I was able to clear it on my first try thanks to some characters on lv 6 and a "dmg vs npcs up" booster on me.

 

[Parakeetman]

I just did 5-4. THAT MAP. Points on the pipes in the air blew my mind. So much vertical movement required...
Luckily I was able to clear it on my first try thanks to some characters on lv 6 and a "dmg vs npcs up" booster on me.

Most stressful thing ever trying to get those points up there. Did found it the first time when that stage appeared on the rank 3 missions. Kept falling off the pipe or overshooting it due the weird location of one lol

Really interesting map design for those who take the time to wander around and look.

Control point missions are stressful only really if your AI partners screw up their pathing. So think it really depends more on the map. The first control point map was a bit of a mess due to how its designed. Cleared it on the first try but still always was wondering where the hell my AI partners went. So I had to keep a single point covered while I relied on the AI to work on the other 2 points. Did not have a setting for my Accessory with control points, so just kept her with me.

On the longer more open stages, filled with humanoid enemies seriously the sniper rifle is a god send of weapon to have. Since you can usually take them out before you enter their hostile AI zone. Basically they cant shoot back if you are far enough away as the AI does not engage from distances outside of the preset data for said equipped weapon, unlike what human players would do.

 

[Ratrat]

I'm looking at amazon.jp reviews and all the most helpful reviews complain about unfair difficulty. What think you importgaf? Is it really any tougher than other hunting games? If I play this it will be solo.

 

[Parakeetman]

I'm looking at amazon.jp reviews and all the most helpful reviews complain about unfair difficulty. What think you importgaf? Is it really any tougher than other hunting games? If I play this it will be solo.

So far I have not found anything unfair.

I think what might be the problem is those who are unfamiliar to third person shooters will have trouble against human enemies. Due to getting the shit shot out of them or using weapons not suited for the levels.

Pretty much there has been nothing I considered difficult. But thats coming from the standpoint of someone that is a veteran of TPS, FPS mindset, Hunting genre.

Also now you have to make good use of the friendly AI also. While the default AI is ok, there are times when you can do much better by using specific commands to both your partner and the team.

Im generally for the most part a solo player in the genre.

 

[Hasemo]

I'm looking at amazon.jp reviews and all the most helpful reviews complain about unfair difficulty. What think you importgaf? Is it really any tougher than other hunting games? If I play this it will be solo.

Missions with 2 abductors and a few humanoid enemies at once can get a bit hard from... 5 stars and up, I guess, but that's about it so far.
I get how the point taking/abductor protecting missions might be considered difficult, since there's only so much you can do alone.

Edit:
Oh snap, I've just realized that I can take my spear to the higher tier. Woo!

 

[Parakeetman]

Missions with 2 abductors and a few humanoid enemies at once can get a bit hard from... 5 stars and up, I guess, but that's about it so far.
I get how the point taking/abductor protecting missions might be considered difficult, since there's only so much you can do alone.

Edit:
Oh snap, I've just realized that I can take my spear to the higher tier. Woo!

Unless you are literally just stuck by yourself and the accessory, wouldnt exactly call it alone. As the 3 other NPCs you can bring do help a lot. Just need to keep fire focused on a single target. If you have them running all over the place doing whatever they want, thats when things start to go wrong. Its not like soul sacrifice for example where your AI partners are complete useless idiots. lol.

---

One thing players will need to remember is to stay near your Accessory if you plan on having a tough fight since it seems they are the only one that goes to revive you. Where as like in God Eater for example the other allies if they were near would try to revive you. Its odd too considering that you can revive them with the circle button or using your ibara (thorn).

Ill have to look at the AI commands to see if there is one which will make them focus on healing.

 

[cheesekao]

What are you guys' thoughts on the story? Okay? Meh? Good?

 

[Hasemo]

One thing players will need to remember is to stay near your Accessory if you plan on having a tough fight since it seems they are the only one that goes to revive you. Where as like in God Eater for example the other allies if they were near would try to revive you. Its odd too considering that you can revive them with the circle button or using your ibara (thorn).

Ill have to look at the AI commands to see if there is one which will make them focus on healing.

I'm pretty sure that at least the healer characters can revive you as well. Happened to me before.

 

[RyougaSaotome]

I'm looking at amazon.jp reviews and all the most helpful reviews complain about unfair difficulty. What think you importgaf? Is it really any tougher than other hunting games? If I play this it will be solo.

Yeah, I saw this on Hachima as well.

I've had some trouble here and there on certain quests, but for the most part it's been fine. I think where a lot of people might be getting tripped up is in dealing with the smaller enemies/non-abductors. If you approach the game like it's hunting action, having to deal with snipers and rockets is gonna throw you off big time.

Using a gun isn't like using a bowgun or bow and arrow in a hunting game. It's just like playing a normal 3rd person shooter. Hell, you can even take cover behind barricades.

To that end, I can see why some Japanese players are having a super rough time.

 

[Parakeetman]

I'm pretty sure that at least the healer characters can revive you as well. Happened to me before.

Ive still yet to have that happen. Must be due to me usually having the AI set to focused attack. Even on the default though they dont seem to. Since I usually run with 2 other healers its odd that it has yet to happen

 

[Hasemo]

One more thing regarding the AI - sure, using the commands helps a lot, but when you're in a 6 star quest in geofront with tiger and spider abductors, NPCs will be dying left and right.
Also, they don't seem to care for their accessories, for whatever reason - half of the time I have to run around the map and heal forgotten accessories of my teammates.

And what I've said earlier - giving commands helps, but "scatter", "focus on 1v1" is not enough for conquering bases if you know what I mean. You can't order a specific ally to protect this base or take another one, so sadly, those missions can be tough, even if you're an awesome fps/tps player.

 

[Parakeetman]

What are you guys' thoughts on the story? Okay? Meh? Good?

I like the story and setting. Game has good characters too. Expected from the folks that brought us God Eater. As that series has great characters too.