Jagged Alliance isn't really an RPG, but it's a turn based strategy game with a good plot, huge roster of characters and some fantastic interaction between them. The port is okay, but don't spend too much on it since you can get it on GoG for $5.
As someone who loves Jagged Alliance I was disappointed with it. But hey, for $5 it's not a terrible choice. The GoG option is the way to go though.
Infinate Space I got to a point where I had to kill an invisible ship and just was never able to do it. I should youtube up someone beating it and do that.
If I want to start playing Etrian Odyssey can I just start with the third one and go backwards if I feel like it or is there some vital reason to play them in order?
If I want to start playing Etrian Odyssey can I just start with the third one and go backwards if I feel like it or is there some vital reason to play them in order?
You might need to do more reading up on some mechanics since 3 has some additional stuff on top of the standard dungeons, but that's about it.
Etrian Odyssey 3 first, because why not, you miss nothing plot-wise and it's really the best set of play mechanics, options, etc. If you really enjoy it and want more, then play 1 next, followed by 2. The second game is very similar to the first with few changes made to its formula; if you play 2 first, then 1 will just be another step backward and you won't enjoy it as much.
I don't think it's quite the sort of thing where the sequels render the earlier games unplayable, but yeah, the earlier games are slightly less polished in some aspects.
Front Mission involves giant customisable robots doing battle upon each other in a turn based fashion. So if you're into those it's a worthwhile entry in the series.
I've got Front Mission, but it doesn't quite click for me. I'm not really sure what everything means or what I'm supposed to be doing.
As for Infinite Space, I loved it, but it was a really draining experience. It's one of those games where I'm really glad I bought it and got to experience it, but I don't think I'll be replaying it any time soon. Still, putting together my fleet and outfitting my ships was never not fun.
Black Sigil: Blade of the Exiled is probably pretty darn obscure, I think. As the video shows, it looks like a FF6/Chrono Trigger game because the sprites and backgrounds are almost ripped from them. There's a bit more similarity to Chrono Trigger because depending on your active party, everyone can combine skills and spells together to make interesting dual-techs, and those all have their own field of attack (line of sight, centered on caster, centered on target, full screen, half screen, etc.)
The game's story is typical. Your main character is the only person around who can't cast magic in a kingdom where everyone else can. You're only protected by close friends and family and everyone else bullies you. You're given a mission to check something out and in the process, wind up in a new world where everyone is more like you, and the magic casters you meet are the big threat. There's also a sword that you come into contact with that gives you magic abilities, but at a price, and it sort of becomes the big McGuffin. There are 8 characters you can mix into your party, though only 6 are mandatory.
The gameplay is simple, though combat can be a chore depending on your team. Some characters make fights easy because they have powerful full screen abilities that end combat in a matter of seconds, and until mid-way through the game, your party is fixed by the story, so when you lose those characters, it makes you long for getting them back. This is made worse because the game's random encounters come often and frequently. Sometimes, it only takes 3 steps. This is the game's other problem - you can run in towns and dungeons, but on the overworld, the pacing is slow, and you'll end up in battle often. You can run from battles, but you may have to suffer a full assault from the enemies on screen before it lets you.
It's a decent RPG, despite those faults. Combat will eventually feel tedious, but I feel the story is worth it. 30 hours is about accurate to complete the game. Finding the game may be difficult, as I don't think it sold well at all, and it's a couple of years old by now.
For what it's worth, I really enjoyed Black Sigil. It has some pretty big flaws in the combat system in that characters can't move through each other and will often be unable to attack (especially melee characters), and there is a freezing bug that crops up from time to time (I think I experienced it twice in my playthrough). The art is good, though, and the story is engaging enough.
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DrakeEdgelord TrashBelow the ecliptic plane.Registered Userregular
Contact is a game I have. I enjoy it while I'm playing it as well. I just don't feel compelled to play it often. That's kind of strange too, since it has a lot of quirky qualities that I really like. Nothing about the game strikes me as really bad. I've never really thought about it much.
Contact is a game I have. I enjoy it while I'm playing it as well. I just don't feel compelled to play it often. That's kind of strange too, since it has a lot of quirky qualities that I really like. Nothing about the game strikes me as really bad.
This is basically how I feel about Contact as well. I enjoyed playing it while I was playing it, but got sidetracked by other games and just never came back to it. Nothing about it struck me as particularly bad but I didn't particularly like anything about it either.
I lost interest in Black Sigil too quickly. The <battle> Encounter <battle> Rate Is <battle> Ins<battle>ane.
Also, Avalon code had SO MUCH going for it, then about an hour or so in, the idiot programmers made one button do two things on the overworld (search and some action), and when you want to search, if you're not AT the spot where you can find something, it does the action, which takes FOREVER and completely killed the game.
On the otherhand, Infinite Space rocks. I recommend Lost Magic as well. Knight in the Nightmare is amazing, but it's even prettier on the PSP so I had to get that version.
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DrakeEdgelord TrashBelow the ecliptic plane.Registered Userregular
How's the interface for Knights in the Nightmare on PSP, out of curiosity? I've always thought of KitN as one of the DS' go-to games to demonstrate the touchscreen functionality. It seems like it would be tough to manage with the PSP's more standard interface.
cj iwakuraThe Rhythm RegentBears The Name FreedomRegistered Userregular
edited October 2011
I say you're doing it right. The game is about exploration, the thrill of seeking out the unknown. If you find a story behind it, or better yet, craft your own, it's all the more enjoyable. That's what I love about Demon's Souls and the like.
Personally, I found EO1 unforgivingly and unnecessary hard, but that's just my opinion. The animation is also almost non-existant if that's a deal breaker.
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cj iwakuraThe Rhythm RegentBears The Name FreedomRegistered Userregular
edited October 2011
Funny thing, they had said the later games would have animated sprites at one point, but they never got around to it.
Strange Journey, on the other hand, did. It basically runs on EO's engine, too.
Funny thing, they had said the later games would have animated sprites at one point, but they never got around to it.
I wonder if they instead went for additional content in terms of extra labyrinths and monsters. EO3 seems jammed packed with content and is approaching the cart storage limit.
How's the interface for Knights in the Nightmare on PSP, out of curiosity? I've always thought of KitN as one of the DS' go-to games to demonstrate the touchscreen functionality. It seems like it would be tough to manage with the PSP's more standard interface.
I liked it just fine on PSP personally, it's not like every other bullet hell game ever made didn't use a stick of some sort. I can see it being better on DS but it's perfectly acceptable on PSP.
Agreed with almost all of the above, especially EO, Contact, Infinite Space, Knights in the Nightmare, and Strange Journey. I don't know if the Dragon Quest remakes count as being obscure, but they were some of my favorite RPGs on the system.
Really though, no mention of Tingle's Rosy Rupeeland? One of the best DS games ever. The art style is superb and the game captured the humour of Tingle perfectly. Import it if you can!
I'm only listing it to anti-recommend it, because it's kinda bland and it has a horribly broken-easy battle system. It was styled like a classic old school rpg that had potential. They really wasted that potential though, as the anime based on the game is much better than it.
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As someone who loves Jagged Alliance I was disappointed with it. But hey, for $5 it's not a terrible choice. The GoG option is the way to go though.
Infinate Space I got to a point where I had to kill an invisible ship and just was never able to do it. I should youtube up someone beating it and do that.
it is 100% 80s CRPG dungeon crawl
You might need to do more reading up on some mechanics since 3 has some additional stuff on top of the standard dungeons, but that's about it.
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Going from 3 to 1 though would be difficult.
Not being able to strafe is annoying as hell.
I've got Front Mission, but it doesn't quite click for me. I'm not really sure what everything means or what I'm supposed to be doing.
As for Infinite Space, I loved it, but it was a really draining experience. It's one of those games where I'm really glad I bought it and got to experience it, but I don't think I'll be replaying it any time soon. Still, putting together my fleet and outfitting my ships was never not fun.
It can easily be gotten elsewhere for 20$.
edit: Whoops I'm wromg, all the places that have it listed are either wrong or just out to steal your CC number.
For what it's worth, I really enjoyed Black Sigil. It has some pretty big flaws in the combat system in that characters can't move through each other and will often be unable to attack (especially melee characters), and there is a freezing bug that crops up from time to time (I think I experienced it twice in my playthrough). The art is good, though, and the story is engaging enough.
This is basically how I feel about Contact as well. I enjoyed playing it while I was playing it, but got sidetracked by other games and just never came back to it. Nothing about it struck me as particularly bad but I didn't particularly like anything about it either.
Also, Avalon code had SO MUCH going for it, then about an hour or so in, the idiot programmers made one button do two things on the overworld (search and some action), and when you want to search, if you're not AT the spot where you can find something, it does the action, which takes FOREVER and completely killed the game.
On the otherhand, Infinite Space rocks. I recommend Lost Magic as well. Knight in the Nightmare is amazing, but it's even prettier on the PSP so I had to get that version.
Has some of the best music, too. Definitely play it first if you can.
I honestly can't remember a single thing about EO1's story.
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Ren and Tchlatga?
All I can remember of the story is that there's a guild and a dungeon and you go and fight things. Oh and occasionally a FOE shows up and you die.
In any case, if you're playing Etrian Odyssey games for the story, you're doing it wrong.
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Steam ID : rwb36, Twitter : Werezompire, Facebook : Zeboyd Games
Oh I remember what they look like and their roles, just not their names.
Strange Journey, on the other hand, did. It basically runs on EO's engine, too.
All three are fantastic games, but if you're pressed for time I'd suggest Shining Force II.
Edit: Double wtf... Gamestop has it new for $20.
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Really though, no mention of Tingle's Rosy Rupeeland? One of the best DS games ever. The art style is superb and the game captured the humour of Tingle perfectly. Import it if you can!
I'm anti-recommending this too.