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[Atlantis]

Incorrect. You unlock both UNIVERSE and CHAOS difficulties by clearing the game once.

Excellent.

 

[ULTROS!]

I played SO2 for ~30 minutes ages ago and SO4 for a few hours a few years ago.

The story was rather basic, but not too bad. I liked characters a lot - sure, tropes all around, but at least they were well made and not annoying, which is rare in JRPGs.

A Star Ocean game with good characters?!?! Now that's a first.

 

[encephalon]

The seamless scenes actually look pretty good. The characters remain animated and they don't feel like the game cheaped out by avoiding a full blown cutscene. But the cutscenes that are there are so few in number that it's almost like they went with the lowest possible number of cutscenes they would need for trailers and left it at that. For the most part it works. But at times, the game could use a little oomph. The (minor)

Spoiler

ship battle

scene needed ... space ships. Things like that. If anyone here is familiar with Sora no Kiseki/Trails in the Sky FC, it feels like that game did a better job of realizing its story than this game was able to even with the limitations that game had. And it's not like that has anything to do with budget, necessarily. It feels like they just didn't have any time.

"why dont AA developers make AAA games anymore with the budgets they dont have!?"

A lot of people seem to be living in a dreamworld

I don't think it's a matter of it simply being an AA game. This is probably going to be one of the shortest/smallest JRPGs I've ever played. I've played a lot of JRPGs.

I do want to clarify that my opinion of the game is not that it's "bad," for those looking forward to the game. But it's going to be a mixed bag.

 

[Parakeetman]

A Star Ocean game with good characters?!?! Now that's a first.

Yeah none of them come off as irritating which is a huge plus. And all of the extra dialog is fairly amusing for the most part. Granted some super short.

One of the first few with Victor in the starting town, pick

Spoiler

that you dont like bell peppers also. Shit was hilarious as it totally broke his characters image in a funny good way.

 

[Aeana]

I don't think it's a matter of it simply being an AA game. This is probably going to be one of the shortest/smallest JRPGs I've ever played. I've played a lot of JRPGs.

I do want to clarify that my opinion of the game is not that it's "bad," for those looking forward to the game. But it's going to be a mixed bag.

Some of the most revered Japanese RPGs come in under 25 hours: FF4, Chrono Trigger, Suikoden, Suikoden 2 (though 25 hours is probably a baseline length for this one), Parasite Eve (this game is 7 hours at best), DQ4, Earthbound, Secret of Mana, Illusion of Gaia. Ys 1 is a one-sitting game. Ys 2 is slightly longer. Lunar comes in about that length. It isn't until the tail end of the SNES era where RPG lengths started ballooning, and the average length stopped being so average. Within this series, Star Ocean 1 is about 20 hours long itself.

But I don't really think length is what people are complaining about. It's scope. It's variety. That's fair. They wanted more locations, they wanted more variety. But a short game alone is clearly not bad considering how the games that always come up at the top of the lists of RPG rankings tend to be just as short.

 

[Freyjadour]

I think your problem is more that your attitude has changed toward JPRG's rather than cut-scenes equating a "slice of life anime". Truly a ridiculous comment.

Pretty sure I said as much, but changing attitudes don't make criticism irrelevant.

I get that this isn't "for me" and some people enjoy it, but it's the same tropes, same bullshit rewound again and again and again. Moving into motion-captured cutscenes only served to exaggerate the indulgence of this kind of shit rather than focus on the plot/lore/whatever.

And I'm all for 20 hour games. It's a rarity when I play a single player game that averages 60+ hours that it hasn't already worn out its welcome around the 30 hour mark.

 

[Shouta]

Scale has always been an issue for SO. There's a reason why the series was known for getting stuck on some backwater planet for most of the game. SO4 tried to go a bit grander but the rest of the game took a massive hit. So I like the idea that they recognized this and built a small scope game instead. I don't think folks should be too concerned about game length either because as Aeana points out, some of the most highly regarded JRPGs aren't more than 20-30 hours in length. It's more important if you enjoyed that time playing it rather than the actual lenght.

I'm pretty excited reading some of the impressions. I also played Exist Archive so I know what I'm getting into with tri-Ace's output this generation.

 

[ULTROS!]

Scale has always been an issue for SO. There's a reason why the series was known for getting stuck on some backwater planet for most of the game. SO4 tried to go a bit grander but the rest of the game took a massive hit. So I like the idea that they recognized this and built a small scope game instead. I don't think folks should be too concerned about game length either because as Aeana points out, some of the most highly regarded JRPGs aren't more than 20-30 hours in length. It's more important if you enjoyed that time playing it rather than the actual lenght.

I'm pretty excited reading some of the impressions. I also played Exist Archive so I know what I'm getting into with tri-Ace's output this generation.

How was Exist Archive?

I'm surprised there's no localization announcement yet.

 

[Freyjadour]

At some point during the PS1/2 generation the length of a JRPG started to be a primary, "back-of-the-box" selling point. Quantity over quality.

 

[Quocia]

Yeah but some games manage to be good and long.
I don't like when they are too long (70 is too much for me) but it's true that 20/30 is a bit short.

I'm still looking forward to play it, and at least we know it already so it's not a surprise like for the first players.

 

[Shouta]

How was Exist Archive?

I'm surprised there's no localization announcement yet.

Lack of budget but pretty good for what they did. It's much more reminiscent of older tri-Ace output as a result. That seems to be what they're doing to deal with having no money for their games, going back to focusing on the basics with their stuff.

Yeah but some games manage to be good and long.
I don't like when they are too long (70 is too much for me) but it's true that 20/30 is a bit short.

I'm still looking forward to play it, and at least we know it already so it's not a surprise like for the first players.

There aren't many games that are good because they're long though.

 

[Parakeetman]

How was Exist Archive?

I'm surprised there's no localization announcement yet.

I liked what I played, though have not cleared it yet. Considering there is nothing to compare it up against (unless you count VC) though since its not part of the series doesnt really count helps a lot with just enjoying it for what it is.

While a totally different game / dev. Setsuna is similar also.

-------

Dug this out of the closet

I should go play this again.

 

[Paltheos]

Scale has always been an issue for SO. There's a reason why the series was known for getting stuck on some backwater planet for most of the game. SO4 tried to go a bit grander but the rest of the game took a massive hit. So I like the idea that they recognized this and built a small scope game instead. I don't think folks should be too concerned about game length either because as Aeana points out, some of the most highly regarded JRPGs aren't more than 20-30 hours in length. It's more important if you enjoyed that time playing it rather than the actual lenght.

I'm pretty excited reading some of the impressions. I also played Exist Archive so I know what I'm getting into with tri-Ace's output this generation.

I disagree - I think tri-ace just didn't have the best people for the work. The parts of that game that worked work on their own and the parts that failed on their own too. The game has a good framework and despite its many failings is still an exciting (space) adventure. That's more than I can say than its predecessor, which sets itself up as one but continually felt stifled by its narrow scope and reluctant protagonist.

 

[encephalon]

Some of the most revered Japanese RPGs come in under 25 hours: FF4, Chrono Trigger, Suikoden, Suikoden 2 (though 25 hours is probably a baseline length for this one), Parasite Eve (this game is 7 hours at best), DQ4, Earthbound, Secret of Mana, Illusion of Gaia. Ys 1 is a one-sitting game. Ys 2 is slightly longer. Lunar comes in about that length. It isn't until the tail end of the SNES era where RPG lengths started ballooning, and the average length stopped being so average. Within this series, Star Ocean 1 is about 20 hours long itself.

But I don't really think length is what people are complaining about. It's scope. It's variety. That's fair. They wanted more locations, they wanted more variety. But a short game alone is clearly not bad considering how the games that always come up at the top of the lists of RPG rankings tend to be just as short.

I guess I never realized a few of those games were as short as they were. But I included "smallest" for a reason. I think you're right that it's not about length, it's about execution. But that's really the problem here.

 

[Hasemo]

I guess I never realized a few of those games were as short as they were. But I included "smallest" for a reason. I think you're right that it's not about length, it's about execution. But that's really the problem here.

Kind of. To be honest I half expected the game to "open up" at one point, but the 6 fields you visited during early-mid game are almost all there is.

 

[chozen]

some of the most highly regarded JRPGs aren't more than 20-30 hours in length. It's more important if you enjoyed that time playing it rather than the actual length.

But atleast make it have some replayability NG+ or Difficulty unlocks and a coliseum..

 

[Quocia]

What do you all think of the battle trophies? Are they difficult, long.?
I guess if the game is a bit short, it could be fun going 100%

 

[Neoleo2143]

A shorter game can allow more focus on a bit of content, arcades were masters of this idea. I imagine some might want to replay the game on Chaos difficulty because it's not too hard of a time investment and they can explore the reach of the combat system.

But the issue with this game seems to be that it wasn't given time to stew and while Tri-Ace focused down on what they knew and tried to avoid being too outlandish with their resources, it just seems like it was an impossible task to truly achieve what they set out for here. The game might have been better served if it were delayed like Star Fox Zero was for maybe a couple months to polish off the more egregious bits. But otherwise, I commend creating a shorter RPG.

 

[Sayad]

When you see all the shit they are doing for FFXV it doesn't surprise me this game was made on a shoestring budget.

To be fair, the only way for such franchises to keep going is for their budget to be inline with their sales.

 

[encephalon]

Kind of. To be honest I half expected the game to "open up" at one point, but the 6 fields you visited during early-mid game are almost all there is.

Even for a small game, I would have never really expected it to not open up beyond the first continent. That's already pretty small.

 

[Inuhanyou]

Pretty sure I said as much, but changing attitudes don't make criticism irrelevant.

I get that this isn't "for me" and some people enjoy it, but it's the same tropes, same bullshit rewound again and again and again. Moving into motion-captured cutscenes only served to exaggerate the indulgence of this kind of shit rather than focus on the plot/lore/whatever.

And I'm all for 20 hour games. It's a rarity when I play a single player game that averages 60+ hours that it hasn't already worn out its welcome around the 30 hour mark.

-shrug- I don't see cutscenes as a problem in the least. I don't really understand how having them equates to a negative.

I understand not liking japanese tropes or anime tropes but if that's the case, your better served not going to JRPG's to begin with. Its like begging Japanese games not to be what they always have been really. Especially for something like SO which has always been bog standard nigh sub standard anime schlock in a sci fi setting.

 

[Shin-chan]

I agree with people saying the length is a non issue. Consider when this game is releasing in the west: right next to Odin Sphere and #FE. 20 hours is plenty of time for an RPG that doesn't overstay it's welcome (although I'd say 25-30 is more the average for those mid-late 90s greats). After the drudgery of Xenoblade X I'm looking forward to a much more focused and dense experience.

Hopefully the game does well so Square and Tri-Ace have a good framework established for follow up games, or new IP following the same formula. It will be interesting to see in Media Create what impact the PS3 delay has on first week sales for the PS4 version.

 

[Trojita]

A Star Ocean game with good characters?!?! Now that's a first.

You didn't like the Star Ocean 2nd Story characters?

 

[ULTROS!]

You didn't like the Star Ocean 2nd Story characters?

They were fine. But Rena in SO2 PSP was an abomination.

 

[Inuhanyou]

I thought SO3 had good characters, or atleast inoffensive ones outside of Sophia and Abel.

Spoiler

Nel is best girl

 

[Quocia]

I read so many time that SO3's story & characters were bad, but I liked the characters too.
I didn't like their artworks at first (and I still don't) but character modeling was great. Big eyes were ok with those graphics.

 

[Kanann]

short game

but satisfied

 

[encephalon]

Save point before a boss fight with a bullshit AOE that can easily wipe your party is disabled. The last save point was before the last fight, which featured non skippable scenes afterwards.

Ugggghghghghgh.

 

[adz2ka]

Everyone will have their own opinion, but I think the Quality > Quantity argument needs to be quashed. Developers should aspire to deliver both, especially with a RPG.

It seems generation upon generation the trend is that games are becoming shorter with no real justification other than the casual gamer is becoming more impatient.

Looking at the most acclaimed RPGs of last generation (based on Metacritic / How long to beat)
Valkyria Chronicles - 32 hours
Ni No Kuni - 46 hours
Final Fantasy XIII - 50 hours (how?!)


Now the only other (j)RPG I've played for the PS4 is Tales of Zestiria, and that only took 24 hours or so to beat.

Maybe growing up in the golden age of RPGs where 40-50 hours was the norm, but now I'd be content with 30-35 hours

 

[Hasemo]

Everyone will have their own opinion, but I think the Quality > Quantity argument needs to be quashed. Developers should aspire to deliver both, especially with a RPG.

It seems generation upon generation the trend is that games are becoming shorter with no real justification other than the casual gamer is becoming more impatient.

Looking at the most acclaimed RPGs of last generation (based on Metacritic / How long to beat)
Valkyria Chronicles - 32 hours
Ni No Kuni - 46 hours
Final Fantasy XIII - 50 hours (how?!)


Now the only other (j)RPG I've played for the PS4 is Tales of Zestiria, and that only took 24 hours or so to beat.

Maybe growing up in the golden age of RPGs where 40-50 hours was the norm, but now I'd be content with 30-35 hours

I know everyone is entitled to their own opinion but FF13 being one of the "most acclaimed" just shows the level of the previous generation. I haven't played NnK myself, but most complaints I've heard were that it was too long and got boring somewhere in the middle. As someone who recently played through most FF games, they aren't as long as I though and it's not really a bad thing.

If a team can deliver a concise story which doesn't feel like they ran out of money halfway through, that's great. You have to remember that even in most of those "golden era" JRPGs, you've spent the most time during random encounters, grinding levels or just trying to get from point A to point B. Those fights are rarely exciting, because aside from the first few on a new field when your level is still low, you usually just breeze through them, which is why they're a great example of padding.

 

[ULTROS!]

If a team can deliver a concise story which doesn't feel like they ran out of money halfway through, that's great.

You should tell that to the Tales team. Their latest works are half assed and the rest of the content goes somewhere else (dlc, anime, or a direct sequel)

 

[Datschge]

I figure something had to give sooner or later. It simply amazes me how he manages to do so much all at the same time. So if it comes at the cost of him reusing a few tracks from his previous SO work, I don't see that as a bad thing.

Probably makes his work load easier, while I do agree entirely new tracks might be preferable to some.

What makes you think it's his call how many tracks he gets paid to deliver, and at what budget?
This game definitely had a smaller music budget than the last two entries. Where SO3 got a whole orchestra and a band, S04 had a band and a string ensemble, SO5 got all of four musicians (for bass, drums, electric guitar and violin).

Hurry up and get to the credits! I must know if Suguro is anywhere in there...

Sorry, haven't found him in there. (

 

[Narroo]

So, wait, the game has okay characters and writing even with the Witch (Fiore?) I have to see that. One would think they'd be mutually exclusive.

 

[Aeana]

So, wait, the game has okay characters and writing even with the Witch (Fiore?) I have to see that. One would think they'd be mutually exclusive.

One of the main reasons for Fiore being fine is the fact that she isn't called attention to in cutscenes all the time. It's kind of like how in SNES RPGs, a character could have a ridiculous design and it didn't really matter because you couldn't really focus on it. As a character, Fiore is a coolheaded and pretty mature character. I enjoy her presence in the group.

 

[Quocia]

One guy was saying on Amazon that the witch was actually pretty normal (considering her design). All the characters seem pretty ok

 

[Bladenic]

Seems the characters (and by extension the writing) are a marked improvement on SO4? Good to hear.

 

[Soriku]

The short length seems at odds with Gotanda saying SO5 was the longest SO scenario he wrote...

 

[Datschge]

The short length seems at odds with Gotanda saying SO5 was the longest SO scenario he wrote...

Maybe it had the highest words count of scenario text he ever wrote. Doesn't have to mean the resulting game is long.

 

[ULTROS!]

Seems the characters (and by extension the writing) are a marked improvement on SO4? Good to hear.

From what I've read, this game probably has the best cast in the SO series, heh. Correct me if I'm wrong though.

 

[Quocia]

Maybe it had the highest words count of scenario text he ever wrote. Doesn't have to mean the resulting game is long.

Especially if there's less scene (it does take time).
It's too bad that there's not so many locations though

 

[Aeana]

How many of the SO games did Gotanda write himself? I know he did 1 by himself, but I know 4 was farmed out. I haven't paid much attention to the credits for 2 and 3.

 

[DNAbro]

Hearing that the game is relatively short is great. I feel like most games outstay their welcome way too often.

 

[Acquiescence]

I'm really glad to hear the game is on the short side, for a JRPG at least. I put what felt like endless hours into Star Ocean 3 and I think I only got about halfway through, so this is welcome news. A tight pace counts for a lot these days.

 

[ULTROS!]

How many of the SO games did Gotanda write himself? I know he did 1 by himself, but I know 4 was farmed out. I haven't paid much attention to the credits for 2 and 3.

SO2 - I checked the credits of the PS1 version. I don't see writer. There's Planner where Ogawa is involved but no Gotanda.
SO3 - Ogawa and Gotanda

 

[thematic]

so, can anyone give summary about this game?
good/bad? story/characters?

read a few line above, it looks like it's too short?

 

[Lulubop]

A Star Ocean game with good characters?!?! Now that's a first.

S02 Has a pretty great cast

 

[duckroll]

Sorry, haven't found him in there. (

RIP. Over four years now...

 

[OmegaDL50]

How many of the SO games did Gotanda write himself? I know he did 1 by himself, but I know 4 was farmed out. I haven't paid much attention to the credits for 2 and 3.

Gotanda was the director and scenario writer for SO1. He co wrote-SO3 with Hiroshi Ogawa.

I can't find information for SO2 though, although it probably was Gotanda as well. I don't have a near end-game save on hand at the moment because otherwise I would just simply to a quick clear and get the credits up to see the Scenario Writer for you. Sorry about that.

 

[Some Nobody]

Aeana gave me hope. I'm still upset about there not being any planets to travel to--and no I don't care that the series has never been good with that, it should GET good if it ever gets a good budget again lol--but it sounds like it's at least a good game. And I'm okay with that, even if it's short.

 

[Roubjon]

Is there any type of hidden depth to the combat system like SO3 had? I'm guessing the way you play has to be at least a little different on the harder difficulty modes you unlock after you beat the game once right?

Regardless, based on Aeana's impressions it sounds great. Not a single complaint I've read about in this thread bugs me. And if I'm going to be playing it more than once, I certainly don't mind it being a well paced 20 hour jrpg.