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[CentroXer]

Baten Kaitos Eternal wings and the lost ocean + Baiten Kaitos Origins is probably the best series I played that makes you realize how clever the games are designed story vise.


Everything from how Geldoblame transformed from a trusted companion (verus) to an insane madman.

But the best plot-twist of them was when the evil god Malpercio was explained in Baten Kaitos Origins. It was a big what the fuck moment when the five siblings (or were they just friends I dont remember) called themselves Malpercio in order to fight the evil Wiseman. So in retrospect Malpercio wasn't evil from the beginning, it was just that the five siblings had to struck a deal with dark power (Dark Brethren) in order to stand a chance against the mighty Wiseman. Malpercio's birth explained


Baten Kaitos is definitely one of my favorite jrpgs ever. I hope one day that we'll see a third game in the universe.

 

[Arkain]

Loved the first game, apart from the bad voice acting, which was exacerbated by the terrible audio compression. The big plot twist in Baten Kaitos 1

Spoiler

Kalas, the main character, is a traitor

is still one of the biggest twists in gaming to me. That really surprised me.

Sadly, I never got to play the second game because it never came out in Europe. I hope to rectify that someday.

 

[CentroXer]

Loved the first game, apart from the bad voice acting, which was exacerbated by the terrible audio compression. The big plot twist in Baten Kaitos 1

Spoiler

Kalas, the main character, is a traitor

is still one of the biggest twists in gaming to me. That really surprised me.

Sadly, I never got to play the second game because it never came out in Europe. I hope to rectify that someday.

The second game is even better. You could just import the game and play it in dolphin. it is worth it.

Also the music is godly in baten kaitos.

Rain Clouds

Le Ali Del Principio

Valley of the wind

House of cards

 

[Kuro Madoushi]

I lost my discs...I'm so pissed...

 

[Dizzy-4U]

I started playing Origins two days ago. I don't wanna read this thread

 

[Clevinger]

I really need to do a replay of both games.

Wonder which I should do first. Origins, I guess?

 

[pje122]

I'm playing through the original right now. It's pretty darn good.

 

[Novel Mike]

I really didn't care for the first game when it came out, I thought the character designs were good (except the Wakka clone) as was the general art direction but I didn't care for the card based battle system or the laughable voice acting.

In regards to the plot twist..

Spoiler

I thought it was dumb as all hell that Kalas betrays the party, it could have been a strong moment but its ruined by the god awful voice acting and a terribly written story.

I kept playing after that but I don't remember ever finishing it, was Origins better in terms of voice acting and battle system?

 

[Clevinger]

I kept playing after that but I don't remember ever finishing it, was Origins better in terms of voice acting and battle system?

By a lot, yeah.

 

[Neon_Icarus]

I love BKO. The first game however, relies too heavily on its big plot twist. Everything before it is typical bland JRPG cliches, made worse by some bad writing and horrible voice acting. Though the excellent presentation and the combat system somewhat make up for it.

The way BKO builds up on the story of the first game is great, but that could be a flaw too. It's difficult to say exactly how effective the story is by itself.

 

[Enduin]

Such a fantastic serious. Great setting and soundtrack and even better and very unique and engaging battle system. Definitely one of my favorite serious and one I wish would get a sequel, even on handhelds.

 

[Clefargle]

I missed out on this game, but I wanted it badly as a kid.

 

[StoneFox]

I enjoyed Baten Kaitos a lot more once I realized you can turn off the voices in the options.

 

[Ultimadrago]

I hated the Baten Kaitos: Eternal Wings and the Lost Ocean but enjoyed Baten Kaitos: Origins.

A part of the reason why I enjoyed Origins is as you say; it built a great foundation to the narrative that was actually superior to the story it preceded. I could name a number of works or episodes of entertainment in which the past (flashbacks, prequels, time warp, etc) is best not uncovered due to retroactively trivializing events that occur later on, but Origins is not one of those times.

 

[wrowa]

Yeah, that Malpercio thing was mind-blowing. They really, really pulled off that prequel thing in a fantastic way. Like some other people I wasn't a fan of BK1, but Origins is among my favorite RPGs of all time. Loved every second of it.

 

[Verendus]

Really enjoyed these games. The backgrounds were beautiful. Baten Kaitos, Smash, and Windwaker are the only reason my GC was worth a damn. I'd like to see another Baten Kaitos style game with floating islands.

 

[Dimentionalist]

The plots in both games were great, but I think I prefer Origins'. So many intense moments.

Spoiler

Normally when I'm given an option to kill or not to kill a character, I choose not to kill, but Shanath got no mercy.

 

[jbueno]

Among my favorite RPGs ever, no doubt. Shame about the DS game not materializing. I´d love a port of I & II on 3DS, even though I still keep my GCN discs.

 

[BY2K]

Le Ali Del Principio

That's the Final Boss Theme!?

I played the first Baten Kaitos, but god DAMN.

 

[pinkurocket]

Absolutely!! These games are beyond genius in writing, and the battle systems is the most fun I've ever had in an RPG. Especially Origins. It could still be tweaked (I barely used defence cards, never needed them), but it's so fast paced and exciting!!

Truly masterpieces. I played Baten Kaitos years ago on the Gamecube, but only played Origins this year since it never had a PAL release and I had to jump through some hoops to play it finally. I was blown away. I love it so much. ;-;

 

[Jethro]

Sadly, I never got to play the second game because it never came out in Europe. I hope to rectify that someday.

Freeloader helped us europeans. I'm so glad I imported this Gem. Before Xenoblade, Origins was the JRPG that really amazed me.

 

[jbueno]

That's the Final Boss Theme!?

I played the first Baten Kaitos, but god DAMN.

Yeah, it is perhaps my favorite track in both games. Sung by the then 9 year old daughter of Motoi Sakuraba, Mio. Man that song brings back memories.

 

[princemarth23]

The BK games are some of my favorite RPGs and I'm still holding out for a BK2 to happen someday. The story, battle systems, music, art, everything is just so freaking good (aside from the voice acting in the first game).

 

[Taruranto]

Yeah, Origin is a prequel done Right.

 

[wmlk]

That Monolith Soft/Square pedigree.

 

[Aexact]

Man, so many of the revelations in Origins relied on your expectations and experiences from Eternal Wings. It was insane how they kept flipping your expectations of your role as the Guardian Spirit and Sagi being more direct about his demands and frustrations with you. Characters from Eternal Wings showing up in Origins as disorientingly different then you'd expect or realizing their connection to the Eternal Wings cast.

Comparatively, the Eternal Wings plot twist was startling but man, it resolved with minimal conflict. Was waiting for more fallout for making decisions that turn out to be bad! Someone should've slapped him around a little at least, it was like he never left.

 

[thesaucetastic]

Yeah, it is perhaps my favorite track in both games. Sung by the then 9 year old daughter of Motoi Sakuraba, Mio. Man that song brings back memories.

Holy fucking shit, she was only 9 years old?!! My god. So talented.

Baten Kaitos was my absolute favorite game series as a kid. Origins is the better game, but I like the first one better for nostalgia reasons.

 

[Goldrush]

While I love Origin, it drove me insane how we only get bits and pieces of the War of the Gods. Every flashback scenes was just a teaser of the epic shit that was supposedly going on around you.

 

[DarkCronos]

Loved the first one, never got to play Origins because Europe. Sooner or later I'll have to import it, i still have my gamecube and the freeloader somewhere in this house

 

[flohen95]

Pretty shitty that Origins was never released here. One of the few things tempting me to either get Freeloader for the GameCube or softmod my Wii.

 

[SatoAilDarko]

Agree 100%. The best prequel I've ever had the chance to experience. Truly explained everything in the second game while also having a main narrative that didn't have you fighting the same or related antagonist force from the first.

Both how the world immediately became to be (socially/politically and the origins of many characters) as well as the ancient causes of the world.

It's why even though I think the battle system is the best RPG turn-based one ever I don't want another story entry. Everything wraps up perfectly. With the lone and not major in the story but sorta in the world Dark Brotherhood. But I much as I would love them explained I feel the mystique of the world may be lost.

Top Ten games of all time. Keep in mind I have trouble ranking them.

 

[CentroXer]

Agree 100%. The best prequel I've ever had the chance to experience. Truly explained everything in the second game while also having a main narrative that didn't have you fighting the same or related antagonist force from the first.

Both how the world immediately became to be (socially/politically and the origins of many characters) as well as the ancient causes of the world.

It's why even though I think the battle system is the best RPG turn-based one ever I don't want another story entry. Everything wraps up perfectly. With the lone and not major in the story but sorta in the world Dark Brotherhood. But I much as I would love them explained I feel the mystique of the world may be lost.

Top Ten games of all time. Keep in mind I have trouble ranking them.

Also, it is speculated that the child of Sagi and

Spoiler

Milly

is Lady

Spoiler

Melodia

That's the Final Boss Theme!?

I played the first Baten Kaitos, but god DAMN.

I know right? Le Ali Del Principio is my favorite track of all time

 

[SporeCrawler]

The second game is even better. You could just import the game and play it in dolphin. it is worth it.

Also the music is godly in baten kaitos.

Rain Clouds

Le Ali Del Principio

Valley of the wind

House of cards

music is godly indeed.

good thing that one half of the dev team is with nintendo.. the other half (tricrescendo) is kinda mia... they made a digimon game last.. i think? shame because both eternal sonata and fragile dreams were awesome.

 

[Datschge]

good thing that one half of the dev team is with nintendo.. the other half (tricrescendo) is kinda mia... they made a digimon game last.. i think? shame because both eternal sonata and fragile dreams were awesome.

tri-Crescendo is heavily involved with Bandai Namco nowadays, moved close to their headquarter in 2012. They did the Symphonia Chronicles game ports and are among the many support developers for Smash Bros for 3DS, likely involved in a lot of other similar minor stuff.

 

[fedexpeon]

Yup, and its art direction is very unique to me even today.

 

[Koozek]

My maaan! I love them both so much. One of my favorite battle systems and the art is beautiful, too.
Anybody who hasn't played them yet, check it out!

Pretty shitty that Origins was never released here. One of the few things tempting me to either get Freeloader for the GameCube or softmod my Wii.

I got a Freeloader disc back in the days together with the JP version Baten Kaitos for just a few € on Ebay - my best random purchase ever Didn't know about it before, but later on bought the PAL version of it after playing halfway through it on Japanese and enjoying it (couldn't read a single word though, haha). Years later I then imported the US version of Baten Kaitos Origins and played it on my softmodded Wii.
Get the game, you won't regret it!

 

[DiipuSurotu]

I didn't think they could top Masato Kato's trademark shocking plot twists (Chrono Trigger, Xenogears, Chrono Cross, Baten Kaitos 1), but they did. I would love a third installment.

 

[Starwolf_UK]

The main problem with emulation is that pre-rendered CGI backdrops designed for 640*480 don't look particularly good when upscaled. The more hand drawn parts look good though.

I liked how Origins never really let down with the plot revelations.

 

[djtiesto]

It presents a bit of a conundrum... I want to recommend Origins to everyone I know who likes RPGs, since the game is sooooo gooood. But I feel that you really need to have played the original to get the same effect out of the storyline; and the original is a pretty frustrating playthrough.

 

[CentroXer]

music is godly indeed.

good thing that one half of the dev team is with nintendo.. the other half (tricrescendo) is kinda mia... they made a digimon game last.. i think? shame because both eternal sonata and fragile dreams were awesome.

Nintendo owns the Baten Kaitos IP right?

 

[BajiBoxer]

I liked the first game, but had a tough time getting past the terrible voice acting and writing. Plot was good, but moment to moment dialogue... so terrible.

 

[Fisico]

Also, it is speculated that the child of Sagi and

Spoiler

Milly

is Lady

Spoiler

Melodia

It's more than speculated, I believe official materials already stated it as the truth and the coincidences are way too big for it not to be true anyway.

Spoiler

And it gives an even bigger bitter taste at the ending ;_;

 

[Terra_Ex]

Loved both games, music and art were both fantastic. Had to jump through hoops with importing and freeloader to get to play Origins because it wasn't released in Europe (thanks for region locking Nintendo) but it was worth it - it was really great to see the setup of the characters and baddies that spanned both games and how they were developed. Would love a new entry to the series.

 

[Datschge]

Nintendo owns the Baten Kaitos IP right?

No, only published the second game.

 

[ViciousAnchovy]

I really liked both games, but I wouldn't describe much about their stories as clever. The first game's plot was pretty straightforward for the most part, which isn't a problem per se, but the execution of its plot twists were very clumsy. The story in Origins was told much better, and I would actually classify what the OP said it revealed about Malpercio's origins as clever, but as whole, Origins just did everything the opposite of the first game for no other reason than to be different. The OP mentions how Geldoblame is your ally in Origins, but the game doesn't do anything to show why he becomes a villain;

Spoiler

it just has him laugh evilly at the end as if all of the game's events were his doing, and the game doesn't do anything to indicate that either. The fact that Verus was a villain just came out of nowhere as well, and his motivations for wanting power were nowhere near as interesting those of Lord Baelheit.

I feel like the thing that most deserves to be called clever in Origins is how they handled the fact that Guillo had a male and a female voice actor who spoke simultaneously. It was a bit odd at first, but how each voice was more prominent in different scenarios throughout the game was really interesting.

 

[pje122]

It presents a bit of a conundrum... I want to recommend Origins to everyone I know who likes RPGs, since the game is sooooo gooood. But I feel that you really need to have played the original to get the same effect out of the storyline; and the original is a pretty frustrating playthrough.

How so? Like I said up above I'm playing through it right now (I'm right at the end) and it isn't frustrating at all...

 

[ChuyMasta]

Just don't go for 100% completion if you want to keep your sanity.

 

[Yoshi88]

Freeloader helped us europeans. I'm so glad I imported this Gem. Before Xenoblade, Origins was the JRPG that really amazed me.

Yup, imported Origins and bought a Freeloader. Only game i did this for. All in all a good 100 € for me. It was damn worth it.

@ OP: The BK games are my favorite RPGs after Xenoblade. I'd recommend both games equally. The music and visuals blew me away and they still hold up quite nicely. The scenario is so imaginative and i like both battle systems very much.

And you're right. Origins is both a prequel done right and a really good sequel. A good sequel in that it builds on every gameplay aspect: Graphics are reworked, more cutscenes, better voice acting, much improved battle system with a coliseum, better side quests, UI etc.

And a prequel done right in that it's twists and relevations are so so good integrated into the story of Eternal Wings. Without making Eternal wings' story and relevations obsolete, instead building on them while always defying your expectations.

These 2 games hold a special place in my gamer memories and my GC shelve. I replay them constantly (!).

@ every other European: Buy a freeloader and search for a cheap copy on eBay etc. It's damn worth it!

It's more than speculated, I believe official materials already stated it as the truth and the coincidences are way too big for it not to be true anyway.

Spoiler

And it gives an even bigger bitter taste at the ending ;_;

Spoiler

I agree. It's more than heavily implied. It also kind of reconnects to Melodias weird connection to and control over the resurrected Malpercio.

 

[GKSilKamina]

Mmm. Yes, Baten Kaitos.

I enjoyed the first one, but didn't really love it as much as I wanted to. The battle system felt way too slow, and the story was mostly tired and cliched (though the plot twist completely blindsided me). The world itself, rich visuals and excellent music made up for a lot of the shortcomings.

But Origins? 10/10, still one of my all-time favorite games. The entire Malpercio thing was nothing short of brilliant.

It's a big shame that the series seems doomed to be forgotten. A part of me is still wishing for that DS game that never happened.

 

[sphinx]

Just don't go for 100% completion if you want to keep your sanity.

for BK1 you definitely need a guide. There are some missable things that appear once in the game, you can't ever know which ones so a guide is required. There isn't a +new game option like in the prequel.

for BKO, the game has a +new game feature that carries over your previously obtained magnus cards. Some of them are only obtainable in a 2nd playthrough I think,