Support NeoGAF

[disappeared]

It's been up on PSN since February or so, and I'm curious about it. The premise sounds interesting, but how does it hold up in terms of game mechanics? To be honest the story is what appeals to me the most, but if the game's broken or the narrative is terrible or something I'll pass on it. Anyone here played it back in the day?

 

[Yamibito]

Played a demo back in the day and really enjoyed it but I don't know how its aged.

 

[disappeared]

Played a demo back in the day and really enjoyed it but I don't know how its aged.

That's another good point to consider, I suppose.

 

[pslayer666]

I played it when it came out on the ps2. I actually enjoyed it quite a bit and was always curious why we never saw a sequel.

Did it not fare very well back then?

 

[Alastor]

I played it last year. It's great, but you must learn to live with a sub-par movement controls (there's no jump button, as far as I remember) and so-so combat (easy to exploit, luckily). It's long and creative, with graphics that look good even today (dat underwater level).

 

[disappeared]

I played it when it came out on the ps2. I actually enjoyed it quite a bit and was always curious why we never saw a sequel.

Did it not fare very well back then?

What do you recall of playing it? Was the story half-assed, or worth seeing through?

I played it last year. It's great, but you must learn to live with a sub-par movement controls and so-so combat (easy to exploit, luckily). It's long and creative, with graphics that look good even today (dat underwater level).

Same question.

 

[doniewhalberg]

I pulled it out 3 years ago on a whim after buying it at the tail end of the ps2 era and never getting around to playing it. It has a fantastic aesthetic and feel but I remember the levels weren't as interactive as I'd hoped, it kind of just funnels you through. Perfectly playable though and if you're interested because of the visual design there's nothing really stopping you. Its a good exercise in lamenting never getting a modern day medieval out of Sony Cambridge too.

 

[NotMyUsername]

What do you recall of playing it? Was the story half-assed, or worth seeing through?





Same question.

The story was the main thing that pushed me through, honestly. I really enjoyed the characters and the dynamic between them. I felt Sony Cambridge made a couple great games with that and then Ghosthunter and was sad neither game got proper attention back then.

 

[onQ123]

my niece used to love that game.

 

[pslayer666]

What do you recall of playing it? Was the story half-assed, or worth seeing through?

I really did enjoy the story and I liked the fact you had to switch characters and abilities/powers according to what situations you were facing.

There was an underwater level that kinda frustrated me a bit but that was about it.

I don't recall much details mate though mate, I played it when it came out it was a long time ago.

 

[Alastor]

What do you recall of playing it? Was the story half-assed, or worth seeing through?

I liked it. There's some good dialogue between characters, the main girl is likable (well, if you have nothing against goths). The overall plot is very simple - you are the chosen, bla bla bla, save the world(s) from the evil entity. But each location has its own npc's that add a lot of flavor to the story and make it a bit more personal. I think I remember most of them (the tribe, the mermaids, the hellish ones...), so they can't be that bad.

It's certainly something different - in terms of the game world and its characters - from your standard fantasy fare.

 

[cuyahoga]

No, I just thought it was banal honestly.

 

[bobbytkc]

It is completely terrible. For a videogame, it made the cardinal sin of becoming a complete chore to play.

It's redeeming qualities are somewhat good characters, and fantastic graphics for its time.

 

[Ninja Moomin]

Pretty but dull is how i recall it.

 

[Ledsen]

I tried playing it a few years ago but got bored after a couple of hours. It played pretty bad as I remember.

 

[Radius]

The fights became a bit boring after a few hours but other than that it was one of my favourite titles last gen: Very good graphics, interesting story and the possibility to switch between two characters was nice.

 

[Thrakier]

The fights became a bit boring after a few hours but other than that it was one of my favourite titles last gen: Very good graphics, interesting story and the possibility to switch between two characters was nice.

This. I remember it as a very clever game with great phantasy and a very good story.

 

[Lain]

It's been up on PSN since February or so, and I'm curious about it. The premise sounds interesting, but how does it hold up in terms of game mechanics? To be honest the story is what appeals to me the most, but if the game's broken or the narrative is terrible or something I'll pass on it. Anyone here played it back in the day?

Speaking from memory, I loved the game. Decent story, some funny exchanges between Jen (the main character) and Scree (the sidekick) and a cool atmosphere/nice graphics.
I haven't replayed it, so can't say how it aged, though I guess the combat mechanics might feel a bit too rigid nowadays, since they didn't feel too fluid back then (though I had a lot of fun beating up enemies with whips), but I do feel it is worth playing, if the price on PSN is right.

 

[melichrous]

Though I'm pretty much just echoing what everyone else is saying, Primal was a good game from what I remember. It certainly has been a while since I've played it last, but what I do remember is very positive.
Each of the areas has a different atmosphere, and the npcs and level design definitely make them feel unique. The story was pretty good too, and neither of the playable mains were annoying. The mechanic for using the separate characters was different too.
Hell, I'd buy it again, but it doesn't seem to be available on the Playstation Store in the UK

 

[disco]

Quite bad. I remember forcing myself through the game as a kid because when you're 14 you have lots of free time and you don't want to have wasted your crummy change on a crappy second hand game so you just make the most of the situation. I really hated it.

 

[Eideka]

It was a very good game, sadly overlooked.

 

[Majmun]

I really liked it, until I encountered a game ruining bug that stopped me from going further.

Never went back to it again.

 

[Canis lupus]

Yep, Primal is what you might call a hidden gem.

 

[revolverjgw]

It was decent. Just. One of those quirky B-games I remember but would never want to play again.

 

[ResidentDante]

I remember picking up Primal and Ghosthunter (both in-house Sony SCEE productions of some sort) very late in the PS2 era (2005-2006) because they were going by the bucketloads cheap on ebay (they must have made more than Sony could sell).

Both were decent games, but none of them really had the gameplay nailed properly and sort of lacked something. I played both about halfway through before I gave them up.

 

[PetriP-TNT]

^Ghosthunter did have god amazing graphics though...

Never played Primal but it was so hyped to death it wasn't a suprise that it kinda flopped.

 

[REMEMBER CITADEL]

I was thinking about getting it a few times, but I was always turned off by the absolutely horrible angsty teen aesthetic.

 

[redlemon]

I liked it until it glitched out on me and I couldn't progress.

 

[walking fiend]

Yes, very good atmosphere, story and dialogue; clunky combat

 

[minimoke]

One of the best looking games on PS2, Studio Cambridge really knew their way around the EE and GS!

Not a bad story and interesting gameplay as well.

 

[ResidentDante]

^Ghosthunter did have god amazing graphics though...

Never played Primal but it was so hyped to death it wasn't a suprise that it kinda flopped.

They were both very good looking games indeed.