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The Souls Retrospective | Easy Allies
- Thread starter Mikey Jr.
- Start date
sublimit
Banned
Whoa!That was very interesting and i've never read that before! From which interview is it from?
ikr? i was like wtf! fuck yeahhh...best anime cnfirmed
Imbarkus
As Sartre noted in his contemplation on Hell in No Exit, the true horror is other members.
What's the name of the guy doing the narration? Same guy who does the writing & edit?
Retrospective were my favorite part of Gametrailers. I downloaded them and burned them to DVD for watching back in the day. So glad to find whomever doing them again at Easy Allies. Subbed!
Retrospective were my favorite part of Gametrailers. I downloaded them and burned them to DVD for watching back in the day. So glad to find whomever doing them again at Easy Allies. Subbed!
sublimit
Banned
Never read that before... thanks for sharing!
Brandon Jones is responsible for the narration and edit, while Bradley Ellis is behind the script (although that changes).
Check out their podcasts too - love and respect, etc
Imbarkus
As Sartre noted in his contemplation on Hell in No Exit, the true horror is other members.
Brandon Jones is responsible for the narration and edit, while Bradley Ellis is behind the script (although that changes).
Check out their podcasts too - love and respect, etc
I might... I'm already behind on so many podcasts tho. Could always use more quality edited video content, however, so I'm glad to make the connection (finally) that these guys were those other guys!
Man, as to Demon's Souls... I'm not sure where I caught wind of the game early... maybe the Gamers With Jobs Conference Call? I managed to order and snag one of the Collector's Editions.
This came with a strategy guide whose intrepid author clearly penned without access to online features affecting world and character tendency, which contained clear instructions on how to achieve them without an online connection. It was also extremely thorough and full of good maps and strategy and full item guides, etc. While the rest of the internet shared and discovered together, I did so in isolation...
...therefore I fucked up and went after and got the Brushwood Armor very early, and chunky rolled my way through the first two worlds before getting stuck for years at the Tower of Latria. I had been hoarding Demon's Souls for weapon crafting, again an idea lifted from the guide, and I was just too slow and tanky, dying everywhere.
Years later I came back and busted open all those major Demon's Souls and went and had a long talk with the Maiden, came back and stomped through the rest of the Tower and the Swamps and the Gargoyle walkways. I promptly proceeded to get stuck again somewhere in the Shrine of Storms, where I remain stuck to this day.
>:|
TyphoonStruggle
Member
This retrospective is disappointing. Part 1 is only about Demon's Souls. Since there's 5 "Souls" games does that mean there will be 5 parts? That's a lot.
It doesn't have THAT much about Demons Soul's development or attempt to connect how it was influenced by other works. It does include a lot of Demons Soul's spoilers, unfortunately.
It doesn't have THAT much about Demons Soul's development or attempt to connect how it was influenced by other works. It does include a lot of Demons Soul's spoilers, unfortunately.
kinda strange that they go from 'demon's souls released in japan, doesn't do well' to 'picked up by atlus, released in west' without ever mentioning the large number of western importers who i'm sure were at least partially responsible for atlus's doing this
They did mention strong word of mouth, which is essentially the result of people importing.
I remember first reading about Demon's on Eurogamer, when they reviewed the import version back in 2009. The article is a bit juvenile in comparison to EZA's polished retrospective, but by gum if it didn't get me excited.
I remember the joy of finding the Asian version at my local CEX, and once again, when the Black Phantom Edition arrived at my work place on day 1 of EU release.
Can't wait for part 2!
Polioliolio
Member
Yeah, I noticed that too. Surely there's more interesting things to talk about than the biggest spoilers you could find on gamefaqs.
I mean if you're watching a retrospective for a game series, there is going to be spoilers for the whole game series. This isn't Noclip which is a deep dive into the development of a game or some interesting story around it. This is a look back at an entire game series, looking at where it started, what the foundation was and how they slowly built upon it and maybe where the series is headed.
Imbarkus
As Sartre noted in his contemplation on Hell in No Exit, the true horror is other members.
Seems like the same quality I remember from the Gametrailers Retrospectives back in the day, a nice general survey with enough in-depth stuff to entertain people who don't already know all the details about the topic, but not so much as to bore that same audience.
Obviously if you want obsessive in-depth lore dive retrospectives for the Souls series there's other options available. Me, I always liked this style, so much so I had to go find the snapshot of the custom DVD's with covers I made for GT Retrospectives:
I did notice Brandon has more noticeable vocal fry than he used to. If he smokes, he should consider quitting!
Scrotum Phillips
Member
Actually, I'm pretty positive it WILL be 5 parts. So yeah, buckle in.
Souls games haven't clicked with me, but always enjoy Easy Allies/GT Retrospectives. Hopefully I see something in these that will motivate me to give them another chance, if not, just will enjoy this series as I'm always interested in these deep dives on games.
LiquidSolid
Member
Didn't they confirm 5 parts a week or two ago?
I vaguely remember GAF's reaction to Demon's Souls' announcement at TGS 2008 back when I was still a lurker. There were a few people interested in it as a King's Field spiritual successor but most were just laughing at how bad it looked. White Knight Chronicles was the big PS3 exclusive JRPG everyone was hyping up instead It's funny how things turn out.
After that, Demon's Souls jumped back up on my radar shortly after it came out and there were a bunch of importers raving about it. So I ended up importing a copy myself but only beat a few levels before I got stuck and gave up. I didn't pick it back up until 2014, at which point I completely finished and loved it.
While I've finished Bloodborne, I shamefully still need to go back and play the Dark Souls trilogy. I bought Dark Souls 1 forever ago but just never got around to playing it, mainly because I got back into Demon's Souls so late and then felt like I needed a break after Demon's Souls and Bloodborne.
Spyder_Monkey
Banned
...have you not seen the any other GameTrailers/Easy Allies retrospectives?
Mikey Jr.
Member
Yeah, if you want to know what Miyazaki was eating when he came up with Demon's Souls, this series probably isn't for you.
It just goes over the series generally, and I personally like it. I'm not a hardcore fan, only played Bloodborne and half of DS1, so what info they give me is right for me.
It just goes over the series generally, and I personally like it. I'm not a hardcore fan, only played Bloodborne and half of DS1, so what info they give me is right for me.
That's a great story.
Shadow_FFVI
Member
I still fondly remember the Final Fantasy retrospective. Amazing work.
Morrigan Stark
Arrogant Smirk
That was cool. Thanks for sharing.
A few nitpicks (some of which have been brought up already):
> I wish they'd talk more about some of the gameplay concepts and mechanics, such as the stamina system, the lack of checkpoints in a long level compensated by clever shortcuts, or how world tendency could unlock secret areas or spawn new enemies.
> The part about the starting class having "unique abilities" is just wrong. Starting class affects starting equipment and stats, that's it.
> It mentions the manga influence, but gives zero examples. Now, Berserk is obvious (though for those who are not familiar with it, examples would still have been nice), but Saint Seiya and Jojo? Miyazaki did cite these two mangas as inspiration for the Thorn Armour in Dark Souls (not Demon's), but that's it -- just one piece of armour. To claim that the games themselves drew significant inspiration from these manga is misleading.
Just some nitpicks though, overall it's a good video and I enjoyed the nostalgia bomb. Even had shivers a few times!
It's so funny how I almost wrote this game off forever, too, and now it's possibly my all-time favourite and the game responsible for drawing me back into gaming. I found some really old posts of mine from late 2009 (not on GAF) that are hilarious in retrospect (and one incredibly puzzling reply from a guy that I had completely forgotten about, but it's so off-base that I wonder if he wasn't taking the piss):
A few nitpicks (some of which have been brought up already):
> I wish they'd talk more about some of the gameplay concepts and mechanics, such as the stamina system, the lack of checkpoints in a long level compensated by clever shortcuts, or how world tendency could unlock secret areas or spawn new enemies.
> The part about the starting class having "unique abilities" is just wrong. Starting class affects starting equipment and stats, that's it.
> It mentions the manga influence, but gives zero examples. Now, Berserk is obvious (though for those who are not familiar with it, examples would still have been nice), but Saint Seiya and Jojo? Miyazaki did cite these two mangas as inspiration for the Thorn Armour in Dark Souls (not Demon's), but that's it -- just one piece of armour. To claim that the games themselves drew significant inspiration from these manga is misleading.
Just some nitpicks though, overall it's a good video and I enjoyed the nostalgia bomb. Even had shivers a few times!
It's so funny how I almost wrote this game off forever, too, and now it's possibly my all-time favourite and the game responsible for drawing me back into gaming. I found some really old posts of mine from late 2009 (not on GAF) that are hilarious in retrospect (and one incredibly puzzling reply from a guy that I had completely forgotten about, but it's so off-base that I wonder if he wasn't taking the piss):
lol wut. Demon's Souls has got to be the very least fanservicey game of all time, if anything. Wonder where that bizarre comment came from (dude wasn't a troll or anything, just hopelessly misinformed).guy who was apparently lied to said:
So true. I remember seeing Eternal Ring and King's Field in those bins so often in video game stores and rental stores, hahaha.
Mikey Jr.
Member
Great criticisms.
Easy Allies guys usually look at all criticism, so I'm sure they'll look at yours.
kaos.
Member
I agree with you (we also had the same experience with Demon's: because of this game I started playing videogames again), but not on this point.
There's an armor in the game that strongly resemble a cloth.
http://demonssouls.wdfiles.com/local--files/armor-sets/ancient-kings-full.jpg
kyubajin
Member
Cant wait to watch the vid, I have very fond memories of the GT retrospectives and their amazing quality. Glad to see theyre back.
As for Demons Souls, I still remember the day I saw the trailer for it and got hyped immediately! I basically bought a PS3 for that game. It was my first import game as well (I live in Spain) and even rebought it when I came out here.
Like many of you, Demons Souls was the one game that drew me back into loving gaming.
As for Demons Souls, I still remember the day I saw the trailer for it and got hyped immediately! I basically bought a PS3 for that game. It was my first import game as well (I live in Spain) and even rebought it when I came out here.
Like many of you, Demons Souls was the one game that drew me back into loving gaming.
At the time of DS release they were called Namco Bandai
opticalmace
Member
Any idea when the next part will be posted? Super excited to see the dark souls one.
Morrigan Stark
Arrogant Smirk
Maybe this? It's a stretch to say he was "influenced" by it though:
https://www.vg247.com/2011/02/08/da...g-back-the-feeling-of-old-dragon-quest-games/
Nice find, thanks.
I think the influence may have been indirect, as a child playing DQ. I have my own memories of me and my father playing and struggling together to see who would beat DW1 first.
Sorry for the double post, but part II of the Retro is up for patrons: https://www.patreon.com/EasyAllies/
Should be free for everyone in the next few days.
Should be free for everyone in the next few days.
opticalmace
Member
Out of curiosity, what is the minimum donation level to get these videos early?
bananafactory
Banned
I'm a $5 tier patron and I get them. I think that's the cutoff
opticalmace
Member
Ah actually I'm lookign at their Patreon page now, the post for the retrospective seems to have a $1+ tier lock on it. If that's all it takes I might just sign up. I like the Easy Allies guys but ended up with other Patreon priorities (e.g., PC Perspective), whereas EA seemed to have lots of support anyway. I think I might just sign up for a couple bucks for now.
It's $1 not $5.
Yeah, that's right. I'm a $1 patron at the moment and just finished watching it.
Demon's Souls was amazing.
I remember importing it shortly after the Asian release date, think it was on GameFAQS where I heard it, saw some videos and saw that it was being compared to Monster Hunter which I also loved at the time and thought fuck it, imported it for £60 on ebay. This was during a time where I felt "next gen" was just so fucking boring, like no games at the time interested me and it felt like every hyped up triple A game was press left trigger to aim and right trigger to shoot.
I remember importing it shortly after the Asian release date, think it was on GameFAQS where I heard it, saw some videos and saw that it was being compared to Monster Hunter which I also loved at the time and thought fuck it, imported it for £60 on ebay. This was during a time where I felt "next gen" was just so fucking boring, like no games at the time interested me and it felt like every hyped up triple A game was press left trigger to aim and right trigger to shoot.
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