Lost Odyssey and other RPG games

[Rysa]

I'm sort of working through Lost Oddysey on and off at the moment (no spoilers please!) and am at the Black Cave thingy but the random encounters are so frequent and repetitive and take ages (meaning 5mins~ per battle), REALLY putting me off the game.

Am I underlevelled or doing something wrong or does it get better later? I'm really enjoying the story and the emotional depth in the Thousand Years of Dreams is intense but the sheer wall of encounters I have to face is REALLY offputting.

I had problems with that area as well. That cave and another cave (mostly because of the required party members you have to take) later on in the game were the only 2 problem areas I have encountered so far (currently near the end of disk 4). Just stick it out.

[SquireStrat]

I don't mind delving into older games at all. As long as the actual gameplay is decent, and the story is strong I'll check it out. This is my 4th time going thru FFVIII I think and I still enjoy it despite the graphics. God I remember when that came out I thought I was watching some TV quality shit lol.

I replayed Max Payne/2 after seeing the movie just from the memories of going thru those games as they are 2 of my favorites of all time. I could still finish Doom 3 since I never beat it.

I should have LO in a few days so I'll be busy with that, but I definitely think Fallout 3 will be the next purchase. I still like my shooter games and that sounds/looks like a great combination of shooter/rpg that I can really get into.

The more I read about Oblivion though the more I'm glad I got LO instead for now. The openness of it actually steers me away from it. I think it reminds me of the openness of FFXI a bit where you can be left to your own devices. My last month of really playing FFXI turned into: log on, check plants, check friends list, stare at moogle, log out. I need direction damn it! lol. Maybe down the road I'll check out Oblivion.

[Grey Jorildyn]

Fallout 3...

The story was pretty good, the gameplay was awesome with the slow mo style or the FPS style, whichever you prefered. My only real complaint was that I was almost constantly low on ammo throughout the whole first 20 levels.

You must have terrible aim or don't check every container in the game religiously! Anyway, the next paragraph isn't directed at you, but is more like a general statement:

As much as Fallout emphasizes an open-ended story, likewise gameplay, and character customization the way YOU want it, what it comes down to is in this game you are quite nearly FORCED to use "Sneak" whether you like it or not. And maybe not everyone wants to be some kinda ninja-secret-agent dude that stalks around in the shadows aiming head shots with their Hunting Rifle. Maybe you are the kinda guys who likes to go in guns blazin' with a magnum and a clip full of hate. If you're the latter, then sadly this game is not for you. This is one of the shortcomings of the game imo. It's not as customizable as it markets itself to be, especially since they raised the level cap to 30 now and it's so easy to just have 100 skill in everything.

All this considered, it is still an amazing game and it keeps your heart pumping from beginning to end. Exploring a stunning outdoor HD environment with just your gun (and sometimes a NPC.. [I never used 'em]), sneaking through mirelurk-infested sewers, and shooting your way out of Enclave bases is just so fun, words can't describe it. At least it is to me...

[ArchDizzle]

Since LO is on the way you should know the story really picks up at the end of the first disc, enjoy!

[Arnwulf]

You must have terrible aim or don't check every container in the game religiously! Anyway, the next paragraph isn't directed at you, but is more like a general statement:

As much as Fallout emphasizes an open-ended story, likewise gameplay, and character customization the way YOU want it, what it comes down to is in this game you are quite nearly FORCED to use "Sneak" whether you like it or not. And maybe not everyone wants to be some kinda ninja-secret-agent dude that stalks around in the shadows aiming head shots with their Hunting Rifle. Maybe you are the kinda guys who likes to go in guns blazin' with a magnum and a clip full of hate. If you're the latter, then sadly this game is not for you. This is one of the shortcomings of the game imo. It's not as customizable as it markets itself to be, especially since they raised the level cap to 30 now and it's so easy to just have 100 skill in everything.

All this considered, it is still an amazing game and it keeps your heart pumping from beginning to end. Exploring a stunning outdoor HD environment with just your gun (and sometimes a NPC.. [I never used 'em]), sneaking through mirelurk-infested sewers, and shooting your way out of Enclave bases is just so fun, words can't describe it. At least it is to me...

I never once used any type of sneaking in any of my 200+ hours of gameplay on Fallout 3. Don't quite see you're point there.

[Xno Kappa]

Since LO is on the way you should know the story really picks up at the end of the first disc, enjoy!

No it doesn't. The most well-written portions of LO were in the first disc. It was the only arc in the overall story that made you really view and delve into their immortality as a curse. After that it's just typical straight-forward RPG fanfare with "insert random bad guy wanting world domination/become god". A huge shame too because some of the stories in the dreams stood out more then the main story itself. LO's music and the dreams are the only things that kept me going to finish the game.

[ArchDizzle]

No it doesn't. The most well-written portions of LO were in the first disc. It was the only arc in the overall story that made you really view and delve into their immortality as a curse. After that it's just typical straight-forward RPG fanfare with "insert random bad guy wanting world domination/become god". A huge shame too because some of the stories in the dreams stood out more then the main story itself. LO's music and the dreams are the only things that kept me going to finish the game.

It's been awhile since I beat it so maybe I am not remembering what took place on what disc, and obviously not going to discuss plot points in a thread where the OP hasn't even started the game yet, but I don't remember anything "big" happening on the first disc that outshined any other disc until you got closer to the end of the first disc. The dream sequences were great throughout, and yes it was "typical rpg fanfar" thus the many responses saying it was a great old school esque rpg. There was good stuff that happened towards the middle and end of the first disc but the same can be said for the other 2 as well, I just felt 75% and onward on the first disc was really where you got emotionally attached to some of the characters. Might have been just me.

[Null]

You must have terrible aim or don't check every container in the game religiously! Anyway, the next paragraph isn't directed at you, but is more like a general statement:

As much as Fallout emphasizes an open-ended story, likewise gameplay, and character customization the way YOU want it, what it comes down to is in this game you are quite nearly FORCED to use "Sneak" whether you like it or not. And maybe not everyone wants to be some kinda ninja-secret-agent dude that stalks around in the shadows aiming head shots with their Hunting Rifle. Maybe you are the kinda guys who likes to go in guns blazin' with a magnum and a clip full of hate. If you're the latter, then sadly this game is not for you. This is one of the shortcomings of the game imo. It's not as customizable as it markets itself to be, especially since they raised the level cap to 30 now and it's so easy to just have 100 skill in everything.

All this considered, it is still an amazing game and it keeps your heart pumping from beginning to end. Exploring a stunning outdoor HD environment with just your gun (and sometimes a NPC.. [I never used 'em]), sneaking through mirelurk-infested sewers, and shooting your way out of Enclave bases is just so fun, words can't describe it. At least it is to me...

While agree that ammo is VERY easy to come by, I had thousands stuck in my locker that I never used after I 100% beat the game. But I in no way understand what the heck you are going on about with sneak. I four play throughs I've probably only used sneak like five times. Sneak isn't forced on you what so ever. If anything sneak is one of the most useless things in the game.

[Xno Kappa]

Spoiler: show

The first disc was where he reunited with his daughter only to find her terminally ill. It was pretty tragic stuff but provided incredible insight to the fact that Kaim has dealt with similar scenarios for a 1000 years. It was probably the only moment I can remember that had me saying "screw immortality." I was kind of expecting further or at least similar retrospect on the other immortal characters but it never really happened. A 1000 years would've provided for great character development yet you get this stupid plot device that they can't remember. Probably why more or less "dreams" were my favorite story-bits of the game.

[ArchDizzle]

Ok, we were saying almost the same thing just worded differently, I agree 100% with your last post.

[Ker]

PS2 still has some good RPG non SE ones
Persona 4
Persona 3: FES
hack//G.U. vol 1-3 (action RPG but very good )
Odin Sphere ( it has both JP+ENG audio if you want to listen to JP more)

PSP
Star Ocean: Second Evolution
Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth

PS3/Xbox360 already mentioned but i like most RPG from atlus but it's alot of fan service aka Cross Edge just go with other people suggestion.

[Grey Jorildyn]

OK so you guys didn't use sneak. You just missed out on a crucial point of the game imo. But I guess that's the beauty of the character customization as well! However anyone who says Sneak is useless is kidding themselves lol

[Null]

/facepalm

It's like you are contradicting yourself. At first you say that the game forces you to use sneak and then you say 'that's the beauty of character customization'. Which is the point we were saying. It DOESN'T force you to use sneak what so ever. It depends on how you create your character. Some builds sneak is very useless. I think somebody else is kidding themselves.

[Grey Jorildyn]

Yea that didn't quite come out the way I intended it too, but now I forget what I was trying to say. Sneak still isn't entirely useless, even if you don't build your whole char around it.

edit: I think part of it had to do with me thinking it was funny not using a skill that is actually linked to a button on the controller itself >.>

[Atreides]

As for 360 RPGs...

Lost Odyssey is probably the best, although Tales fans might argue that ToVesperia is just as good/better. Personally I like the more traditional RPGs so LO easily wins out for me.

As for Tales of Vesperia, just like Eternal Sonata I'd hold out and play them on PS3 if given the choice (for the extra content, the PS3 version of ES includes 2 extra playable characters and an extra chapter). Eternal Sonata is a fantastic game however (although a bit linear) and def. worth a playthrough for the story/graphics/music.

To be honest I think I'm one of the few people who liked Infinite Undiscovery MORE than Last Remnant (yes I realize they're different games, also I'd recommend playing LR on PC if you have the option to). As long as you're not expecting IU to be this grand RPG masterpiece it's at the very least satisfying. If you're going to play IU do yourself a favor and download the 2 free DLCs, they make item synthesis (and thus moneymaking) a little too easy but they do free you to enjoy the actual game. IU grows on you.

That's not to say I didn't like Last Remnant, it's a HUGE game with a lot of options/story/etc., but I think LR is a game that you learn to hate and love for its faults, lol. You'll be satisfied, but pissed, most of the time you play it, or at least I was.

Enchanted Arms is pretty good, especially considering you can find it for 10-15 bucks at most used retailers. It's a relatively shallow experience but for the price it's enough to tide you over in a pinch.

Since I'm more of a fan of traditional turn-based jRPGs, I'd say Blue Dragon is probably my 2nd favorite RPG on 360 after LO. It takes a little longer to get up to full steam, and I know some people get distracted by the character design, but IMO Blue Dragon is a lot like LO in that it's a well executed and polished traditional jRPG that succeeds simply because it doesn't try too hard to overshoot or innovate.

I haven't played Spectral Force 3 or Operation Darkness myself, but I've heard they're not that great. I know I forgot to mention Star Ocean but that's the only one I haven't played (but I'm probably playing it next!)

The western RPGs can be worth your time as well. Mass Effect is great, as are Oblivion and Fallout 3. I didn't like Fable 2 anywhere near as much as I did the first Fable, Overlord is somewhat similar in style but not as RPG-ish (although you could argue that fable 2 is more of a life simulator than an RPG, lol). If you're a fan of Penny Arcade you could pick up either of the XBox live games, which are adventure games with turn-based combat, although not particularly deep RPG experiences.

Finally, if you haven't played them I'd recommend picking up the better original Xbox RPGs that are backwards compatible, like Knights of the Old Republic 1 & 2, and Jade Empire. Sadly, stuff like Enclave/Sudeki/Arx Fatalis aren't playable on 360 but I guess you're not really missing that much. Some people think Morrowind is better than Oblivion, I don't personally agree (and the GOTY edition isn't BC, oddly enough, only the first version) but I'd get it for PC and mod it so it looks less assy.

I wrote a lot more than I was planning to, lol, but I think I covered everything.

[Kobb]

Pretty much agree with Atreides. Loved LO and didn't see what was so bad with IU. Both games had pretty good stories and battle systems, albeit sorta on the easy side on both games. My only complaint with either game is towards the end you're forced to have certain pt members with you or you're not going to win/obtain all the items.

LO you have to use all the immortals and Sid or you're basically gimping yourself. IU i forget the names of the chars but if you didn't have that huge axe guy, female ninja and w/e random mage you were going to miss out on obtaining the best hidden/out of reach items post final boss.

I see a lot of people praising Blue Dragon but what's really holding me back is the art style. If it really is that good I might give it a try. It'll have to wait though, I just bought Ninja Gaiden 2, Fallout 3 and RE 5, and I plan to get Prototype sometime this week, so I'll have too many games to play all at once D:

[SquireStrat]

Thought of an oldie I used to play when I first got my PS1 called Vandal Hearts.. I think I bought this after I played FFVII which was my first FF experience. Or possibly after FFT. Can't remember.

I'm not personally a fan of anime or really comic books so for games that have more of that straight up anime look it's harder for me to get into them. Not to say I won't give them a shot, because as stated earlier, if the story is tight then I'll keep going with it.

Turning more towards the Fallout side, thoughts on Orange Box? I know it's more action, but that one also has great reviews. I never played Half Life 1 so I know nothing about it.

[SquireStrat]

Wow. Just watched for the 1st time a video for Last Remnant. Shit looks intense! Like, can't really just button mash. You gotta really think about what you are doing.

[TacoTaru]

Went out and bought Lost Odyssey today after reading this thread. Hope you guys don't disappoint! <_<

[Arnwulf]

Wow. Just watched for the 1st time a video for Last Remnant. Shit looks intense! Like, can't really just button mash. You gotta really think about what you are doing.

There's a lot of strategy and a little bit of luck needed for that game, I personally loved the battle system. Although it was a little disappointing to me when I found out that in order to have the best stats you have to avoid 90% of random encounters, and only fight when you stat grind in certain areas with super strong monsters. You can still beat the game easily without doing it that way, but you'll never beat the hardest mobs in the game that way.