Letting Angry Tentacled Men Come Inside You

Aroduc

Soul Nomad and the World Eaters
Nippon Ichi
Playstation 2
SRPG
American Release: September 25th

TIP 1
Relax! It'll make entry all the easier.



Don't panic! Sure, 200 years ago, the insanely powerful dark lord Gig tried to conquer the world. He even went so far as to create three giant, pissed off, planet devouring angry monsters, the World Eaters. It's not so bad though, the Lady Layna managed to disembody Gig and seal him away, and with him, went the World Eaters. On the other hand, 200 years later, the World Eaters are back and Layna, while mysteriously still alive, doesn't quite have the same degree of power that she used to.

TIP 2
Give yourself up to a demon you trust.



Like all good heroes or heroines (you get to choose your sex... whoopie), the first thing that you manage to do is pick up the cursed sword containing Gig and basically blast away your own essence. You are the chosen one though, so you're still more or less in control, but Gig's now got a toehold into your soul and you're going to need to use Gig's power if you want to have a chance in hell to defeat the World Eaters and restore something approaching peace to the countryside. That means giving up more and more of yourself to him for the power to do so.

TIP 3
Make sure you both know the safety word and the limits.



Gig's power isn't just for show. Sure, most of it is stuff like "create new characters," or "buy shit," but you can also basically just say fuck it, and give yourself over to him wholly, gaining 2,000 levels in an instant, amongst other nasty things. Naturally, you can expect a less than happy ending for the world by allowing Gig free access to your precious precious bodily fluids.

TIP 4
If you're nervous, then do it with a friend.



Unlike the other N-1 games, each 'unit' is actually a squad of units. Within the unit is a formation, with a front, middle and back, and dependant on where a character is placed, they'll act differently. Each group will also have a leader, but if the leader is killed, the entire unit is torched. It's pretty similar to Ogre Battle 64 in this regard, though only one action is performed by each side per 'encounter.' It is important to note that the attacker gets to all swing before the defense counters, so if any units are killed in the initial attack, the counterattack could be greatly weakened. Of course, if no units are killed and you don't have more units there to mop up, then you effectively give them two free attacks to kill your own.

TIP 5
If you're too embarrassed to invite a friend, hire a professional.



One of the first powers Gig grants you is the ability to summon Mannikans in battle, animate souls to fight for you. Mannikans come in your usual varieties, wizard, cleric, fighter, saboteur, etc. The currency of the world in this case is Gig Points, rewarded to you by your general evil deeds... which include killing any and all living things and the usual business of RPG existence. GP is also used to boost the level of newly hired units. Each unit has its own properties too. Some fight better on hills, some move more easily in the air, etc etc. Making a quick moving unit full of fliers may be better than your slow as fuck mixed unit designed to max/min or too diverse to take good advantage of terrain bonuses.

TIP 6
Don't let your partner wear themself out.

Each unit also has a stamina gauge. Make them fight too much, or force them to bottleneck somewhere and take too many attacks, and their effectiveness starts to deplete. While this isn't much of a concern usually, in theory, if you have one overpowered unit cutting a bloody swathe through the enemy, once their stamina gets low and their stats are slashed... there could be issues.

TIP 7
Be sure to experiment and find the right position for maximum stimulation.



Once summoned, Mannikans are put into 'Rooms.' Each Room has a different possible formation, along with some slightly different properties. Just because a Room can have more units doesn't mean that it's a better room. Position and properties can also make a huge difference, as well as what units you want to have in there. You start out with only a few, but Gig will give you more as you progress.

TIP 8
Try dressing up, or roleplaying to heighten the mood. A schoolgirl costume may be just what he needs.



Characters can't equip items, but Rooms can. Decor can be attached to them, basically equippables for Rooms adding new properties, or +10% to the front row's stats or whathaveyou.

TIP 9
Remember that there are two of you. What excites him will probably also excite you.



All character also have over the top crazy-ass special attacks that they can use. There are even combo attacks, usable only when you put characters in the same Room together. Since there's no SP, you're just limited to using them a few times per stage, and only attacks by the Leader of a squad can be used. IE, if Danette is leading a party with Hero and Levin in it, then you can use Danette's special, or Danette's combos with Hero or Levin, but not Hero or Levin's specials, nor Hero/Levin's combo. Generic units also have special and combination attacks as well, they're just much lamer.

TIP 10
Make sure to tell your partner what you like... and what you don't.

Aside from the normal items, there are also Gig Edicts that you can use that let you do various evil things to your allies or enemies. Some will let you steal Decor from the enemy, or kidnap an enemy from their squad. Others will let you combine or split two units, making them much stronger (or weaker).

TIP 11
Be sure to go shopping together for new toys.

Buy new Decor and Edicts from all sorts of stores around the world. Edicts can also be used out of battle to steal high level Decor from stores, bully the innocent, or pick fights with others. Just be aware that the old granny you've decided to kick may have an absurdly high level kid or two who won't take kindly to it.

TIP 12
Demons can please you in ways that no woman can hope to.



This 'fetching' cowwoman... yes... cowwoman, she has hooves... is your childhood friend an ally in your quest to destroy the World Eaters. She's a bit... overly energetic and cheerful. Nobody really likes her, and Gig will let you know his displeasure at length.

TIP 13
Remember to talk dirty in order to keep your partner excited.

"Gig is always worth listening to: he is the digital Shakespeare of cursing and swearing, if such figure can ever exist."

TIP 14
Once you're comfortable, invite your friends over to share the tentacle loving.



While there aren't too many (almost any) past N-1 cameos in the game, the true identity of Endorph shouldn't be too difficult to divine. And of course, there's a postgame character or two lurking around.

Pretty much just Asagi, who now uses the Yoshitsuna battleship in her special attack.

TIP 15
There may be some bleeding, that's normal.



Everything can't be pretty, there are some pretty ugly rough edges. Graphics are always a given with N-1. The maps are just plain damn ugly. They look like... well... shitty maps from the early PSX era. The story scenes are pretty much just a bunch of talking heads. I'm also told that the vast majority of the generic units are really boring, forgettable, and tremendously underpowered compared to the unique characters. Not really a huge deal since you get around 15 uniques as you go through the game, but still. Compared to the other N-1 games, there's also pretty minimal postgame stuff. And obviously, with even more options than your normal N-1 games, it's pretty complex. Still, anybody experienced with the Ogre Battle games should be right at home.

Videos
Edicts
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLzMNhpJeyc

Special Attacks (character spoilers, duh)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3Bu_0xM-L4

Combo Attacks (character spoilers, duh)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0_QNa9Ezdo

Character Promo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kao2ANHTJVU

Story Promo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uY077Fvm-g

Random Promo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uY077Fvm-g

Basic Gameplay
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vUM-EN0hJo

Imagery

Anyway, it's just over 3 weeks off, though I'm still mad at Houk for it being delayed from its initial August release to early September to late September. I'm still psyched though. It's not a new Ogre Battle, but it's probably the closest thing to one in the last half decade.

KVW

Wow, first Ive heard of this, but I kinda gave up looking at PS2 news articles when all 3 next gen came out. Now I just have to figure out what to drop from my huge game list this fall to fit this one in. I love Ogre Battle and this does seem very similar to it. Cant wait.

Great OP, but should put the games name in the title. I had no idea what this was about before clicking.

UndefinedMonkey

The fact that I clicked on this thread title makes me supremely disappointed in myself. Looks like a fun game, though.

brynstar

Another fantastic OP that taught me a lot about a game I'd never heard of and am now interested in.

Good show!

Tig

UndefinedMonkey wrote: »

The fact that I clicked on this thread title makes me supremely disappointed in myself.

seconded

Disco Bandit

want want

Darmak

The game doesn't really interest me, but I enjoyed reading the OP. :^:

Airan

Doesn't quite beat the Legendia thread, but close enough :^:

I don't seem to have the time to dedicate to these SRPGs. I never even completed Disgaea ffs.

Sheep

Aroduc wins via Thread Title.

Everyone is defeated.

Aroduc

KVW wrote: »

Great OP, but should put the games name in the title. I had no idea what this was about before clicking.

I don't think I want to visit a forum where people aren't interested in having angry snarky demons inside of them.

Stormwatcher

Excellent OP, congrats!

SirUltimos

Now THAT is how to do an OP!

Ohtsam

lol clicked this thread thinking it was talking about Day of the tentacle
Game looks interesting though

kitch

Houk

Aroduc, have my demon-spawn please

ronzo

I have no idea what is going on in da OP, or how it will play.

but i wants it

totally

Super awesome! The world needs more SRPG's. Japan #1 for the win.

taliosfalcon

I was reading from the bottom up (no, i'm not sure why) and thinking "awesome, awesome, must buy" then i hit tip 4 with "Unlike the other N-1 games" and died a little inside as i realized it would be all about grinding rather than strategy =( I love SRPGS..just not Nippon Ichi's SRPGs, and it sounded so awesome up until that point

Aroduc

Houk wrote: »

Aroduc, have my demon-spawn please

Did I get much wrong? Ever since Doublejump started hiring away the FAQ writers for N-1's stuff, it's been damn hard to get gameplay info on their stuff without physically holding the damn thing. Or whatever one can glean from random playvids and whatnot.

Frosteey

taliosfalcon wrote: »

I was reading from the bottom up (no, i'm not sure why) and thinking "awesome, awesome, must buy" then i hit tip 4 with "Unlike the other N-1 games" and died a little inside as i realized it would be all about grinding rather than strategy =( I love SRPGS..just not Nippon Ichi's SRPGs, and it sounded so awesome up until that point

You couldn't tell from the pictures?

Houk

taliosfalcon wrote: »

I was reading from the bottom up (no, i'm not sure why) and thinking "awesome, awesome, must buy" then i hit tip 4 with "Unlike the other N-1 games" and died a little inside as i realized it would be all about grinding rather than strategy =( I love SRPGS..just not Nippon Ichi's SRPGs, and it sounded so awesome up until that point

Well then, my friend, let me console you!

For there is very, very little grinding in this one. There's a much larger focus on proper team balance (the only unit I felt I had to put in every squad was a healer) and there's not a huge post-game grindfest, just a couple little bonus things to give it a little oomph. And there was only one point where I had to grind non-story dungeons for about half an hour to get past a particular pain-in-the-ass area. Mind you, you can break the game wide-open without too much trouble if you want to, but it's far from necessary.

I wouldn't say rush out and pre-order now if you're not a huge N1 fan, but keep an open mind with this one cuz it's not just another Disgaea++.

Xenogears of Bore

Houk wrote: »

taliosfalcon wrote: »

I was reading from the bottom up (no, i'm not sure why) and thinking "awesome, awesome, must buy" then i hit tip 4 with "Unlike the other N-1 games" and died a little inside as i realized it would be all about grinding rather than strategy =( I love SRPGS..just not Nippon Ichi's SRPGs, and it sounded so awesome up until that point

Well then, my friend, let me console you!

For there is very, very little grinding in this one. There's a much larger focus on proper team balance (the only unit I felt I had to put in every squad was a healer) and there's not a huge post-game grindfest, just a couple little bonus things to give it a little oomph.

I wouldn't say rush out and pre-order now if you're not a huge N1 fan, but keep an open mind with this one cuz it's not just another Disgaea++.

That just reminds me of my favorite FU from another game in this genre, Ogre Battle. Specifically, OB 64. It is almost impossible to keep a unit chaotic when you put a healer in the group. So its either capture 75% of the later towns or go without magic healing. Awesome.

taliosfalcon

Houk wrote: »

taliosfalcon wrote: »

I was reading from the bottom up (no, i'm not sure why) and thinking "awesome, awesome, must buy" then i hit tip 4 with "Unlike the other N-1 games" and died a little inside as i realized it would be all about grinding rather than strategy =( I love SRPGS..just not Nippon Ichi's SRPGs, and it sounded so awesome up until that point

Well then, my friend, let me console you!

For there is very, very little grinding in this one. There's a much larger focus on proper team balance (the only unit I felt I had to put in every squad was a healer) and there's not a huge post-game grindfest, just a couple little bonus things to give it a little oomph. And there was only one point where I had to grind non-story dungeons for about half an hour to get past a particular pain-in-the-ass area. Mind you, you can break the game wide-open without too much trouble if you want to, but it's far from necessary.

I wouldn't say rush out and pre-order now if you're not a huge N1 fan, but keep an open mind with this one cuz it's not just another Disgaea++.

well, that does sound very promising, I usually like everything about N1's games except the grind which i usually just can't bring myself to do and end up being stuck somewhere near the beginning forever

Houk

Oh, and Aroduc, a couple things. First off, the most meaningless part - Gig's not an Overlord. I'm not sure who first started calling him that (hell, maybe it's in the original Japanese), but as far as the American version goes, he's a Master of Death or nothing at all! (Well, sometimes God of Destruction, if he's in the mood).

Other than that, this is a pretty big one:

The thing about specials though, is that only the leader gets to attack that turn, so if you've got 8 other characters in that squad, they're just going to be sitting around for that turn. On the other hand, if your entire party is torched but the leader, then you've still got a nice glass cannon running around.

This isn't true. If you elect to use a special attack, the entire squad will attack as normal before the special fires. And if you kill the enemy before using that special, you won't lose the special.

And one question: the line "Gig is always worth listening to: he is the digital Shakespeare of cursing and swearing, if such figure can ever exist." Are you quoting someone else, or is that you? I just want to know where to send the sexually-overt fruit basket as thanks for the single greatest compliment of my short writing career.

Edit: and for anyone that doesn't know, I did the localization for this game, so if anyone has any questions etc etc feel free to ask (though I imagine there wouldn't be much until the game dropped anyway).

Aroduc

Xenogears of Bore wrote: »

Houk wrote: »

taliosfalcon wrote: »

I was reading from the bottom up (no, i'm not sure why) and thinking "awesome, awesome, must buy" then i hit tip 4 with "Unlike the other N-1 games" and died a little inside as i realized it would be all about grinding rather than strategy =( I love SRPGS..just not Nippon Ichi's SRPGs, and it sounded so awesome up until that point

Well then, my friend, let me console you!

For there is very, very little grinding in this one. There's a much larger focus on proper team balance (the only unit I felt I had to put in every squad was a healer) and there's not a huge post-game grindfest, just a couple little bonus things to give it a little oomph.

I wouldn't say rush out and pre-order now if you're not a huge N1 fan, but keep an open mind with this one cuz it's not just another Disgaea++.

That just reminds me of my favorite FU from another game in this genre, Ogre Battle. Specifically, OB 64. It is almost impossible to keep a unit chaotic when you put a healer in the group. So its either capture 75% of the later towns or go without magic healing. Awesome.

Pfft. Chaotic guys are supposed to be horrendously overleveled anyway. It's impossible to stay Lawful when you're beating down things 5 levels beneath you. :P At least it's not as bad as OB's alignment management, which was all relative. If a unit hits 100 Ali, then to them, everything is evil and they can beat on other paladins and whatnot with relative impunity.

Aroduc

Houk wrote: »

Oh, and Aroduc, a couple things. First off, the most meaningless part - Gig's not an Overlord. I'm not sure who first started calling him that (hell, maybe it's in the original Japanese), but as far as the American version goes, he's a Master of Death or nothing at all! (Well, sometimes God of Destruction, if he's in the mood).

Other than that, this is a pretty big one:

The thing about specials though, is that only the leader gets to attack that turn, so if you've got 8 other characters in that squad, they're just going to be sitting around for that turn. On the other hand, if your entire party is torched but the leader, then you've still got a nice glass cannon running around.

This isn't true. If you elect to use a special attack, the entire squad will attack as normal before the special fires. And if you kill the enemy before using that special, you won't lose the special.

And one question: the line "Gig is always worth listening to: he is the digital Shakespeare of cursing and swearing, if such figure can ever exist." Are you quoting someone else, or is that you? I just want to know where to send the sexually-overt fruit basket as thanks for the single greatest compliment of my short writing career.

Edit: and for anyone that doesn't know, I did the localization for this game, so if anyone has any questions etc etc feel free to ask (though I imagine there wouldn't be much until the game dropped anyway).

If I say it's me, then can I still get a basket of sexually overt fruit? Or is the basket itself what is sexually overt? Mmmmm cornucopia.
http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/-soul-cradle/812951p2.html

Houk

Aroduc wrote: »

If I say it's me, then can I still get a basket of sexually overt fruit? Or is the basket itself what is sexually overt? Mmmmm cornucopia.
http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/-soul-cradle/812951p2.html

I think you mean pornucopia.

And it is both the fruit that is sexual (phallic) as well as the basket (whatever the opposite of phallic is, to represent the vergina - gynecologic?)

Aroduc

Houk wrote: »

Aroduc wrote: »

If I say it's me, then can I still get a basket of sexually overt fruit? Or is the basket itself what is sexually overt? Mmmmm cornucopia.
http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/-soul-cradle/812951p2.html

I think you mean pornucopia.

And it is both the fruit that is sexual (phallic) as well as the basket (whatever the opposite of phallic is, to represent the vergina - gynecologic?)

Yonic. :P

Houk

Aroduc wrote: »

Houk wrote: »

Aroduc wrote: »

If I say it's me, then can I still get a basket of sexually overt fruit? Or is the basket itself what is sexually overt? Mmmmm cornucopia.
http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/-soul-cradle/812951p2.html

I think you mean pornucopia.

And it is both the fruit that is sexual (phallic) as well as the basket (whatever the opposite of phallic is, to represent the vergina - gynecologic?)

Yonic. :P

best wikipedia article ever

Xenogears of Bore

Aroduc wrote: »

Xenogears of Bore wrote: »

Houk wrote: »

taliosfalcon wrote: »

I was reading from the bottom up (no, i'm not sure why) and thinking "awesome, awesome, must buy" then i hit tip 4 with "Unlike the other N-1 games" and died a little inside as i realized it would be all about grinding rather than strategy =( I love SRPGS..just not Nippon Ichi's SRPGs, and it sounded so awesome up until that point

Well then, my friend, let me console you!

For there is very, very little grinding in this one. There's a much larger focus on proper team balance (the only unit I felt I had to put in every squad was a healer) and there's not a huge post-game grindfest, just a couple little bonus things to give it a little oomph.

I wouldn't say rush out and pre-order now if you're not a huge N1 fan, but keep an open mind with this one cuz it's not just another Disgaea++.

That just reminds me of my favorite FU from another game in this genre, Ogre Battle. Specifically, OB 64. It is almost impossible to keep a unit chaotic when you put a healer in the group. So its either capture 75% of the later towns or go without magic healing. Awesome.

Pfft. Chaotic guys are supposed to be horrendously overleveled anyway. It's impossible to stay Lawful when you're beating down things 5 levels beneath you. :P At least it's not as bad as OB's alignment management, which was all relative. If a unit hits 100 Ali, then to them, everything is evil and they can beat on other paladins and whatnot with relative impunity.

Yeah, I didn't bring up OB for a reason. I eventually figured out how to handle Chaos units more effectively. The hardest thing in OB 64 (and by hardest, I mean longest) is keeping units neutral.

Make a new team. Holiest Healer, Vilest Evil rape machine front line unit, some lowly archers.

Fight a map or two. Promote.

Aroduc

Xenogears of Bore wrote: »

Aroduc wrote: »

Xenogears of Bore wrote: »

Houk wrote: »

taliosfalcon wrote: »

I was reading from the bottom up (no, i'm not sure why) and thinking "awesome, awesome, must buy" then i hit tip 4 with "Unlike the other N-1 games" and died a little inside as i realized it would be all about grinding rather than strategy =( I love SRPGS..just not Nippon Ichi's SRPGs, and it sounded so awesome up until that point

Well then, my friend, let me console you!

For there is very, very little grinding in this one. There's a much larger focus on proper team balance (the only unit I felt I had to put in every squad was a healer) and there's not a huge post-game grindfest, just a couple little bonus things to give it a little oomph.

I wouldn't say rush out and pre-order now if you're not a huge N1 fan, but keep an open mind with this one cuz it's not just another Disgaea++.

That just reminds me of my favorite FU from another game in this genre, Ogre Battle. Specifically, OB 64. It is almost impossible to keep a unit chaotic when you put a healer in the group. So its either capture 75% of the later towns or go without magic healing. Awesome.

Pfft. Chaotic guys are supposed to be horrendously overleveled anyway. It's impossible to stay Lawful when you're beating down things 5 levels beneath you. :P At least it's not as bad as OB's alignment management, which was all relative. If a unit hits 100 Ali, then to them, everything is evil and they can beat on other paladins and whatnot with relative impunity.

Yeah, I didn't bring up OB for a reason. I eventually figured out how to handle Chaos units more effectively. The hardest thing in OB 64 (and by hardest, I mean longest) is keeping units neutral.

Make a new team. Holiest Healer, Vilest Evil rape machine front line unit, some lowly archers.

Fight a map or two. Promote.

Fuck neutrals. I didn't try to keep characters neutral so much as try to keep my flier unit and one of my monster units yoyoing between good and evil so they could get those ali 50 towns. Fuckers. Pick a side, you douches!

Zombiemambo

Houk wrote: »

Aroduc wrote: »

Houk wrote: »

Aroduc wrote: »

If I say it's me, then can I still get a basket of sexually overt fruit? Or is the basket itself what is sexually overt? Mmmmm cornucopia.
http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/-soul-cradle/812951p2.html

I think you mean pornucopia.

And it is both the fruit that is sexual (phallic) as well as the basket (whatever the opposite of phallic is, to represent the vergina - gynecologic?)

Yonic. :P

best wikipedia article ever

I want to make a joke about Yani's music and how he's a vagina but I couldn't think of a good one so this statement will due.

darksteel

Wow. I can't believe I'm actually getting interested in a NIS RPG after I swore off them after the level grinding. Houk's comments and the info on the battle system really have me hooked. I especially like the fact that your troops have some form of fatigue. It almost sounds like the Energy system from X-COM, and any tactical turn-based strategy game that implements fatigue is fine in my book. Also, the squad based system looks like it's implemented very well in a turn-based context.

In short, it actually sounds like it will make me use my brains more than my spare time to finish battles.

Magic Pink

KVW wrote: »

Great OP, but should put the games name in the title. I had no idea what this was about before clicking.

Will there be a strat guide for this one? They're so purty.

ZeroCow

Aroduc wrote: »

KVW wrote: »

Great OP, but should put the games name in the title. I had no idea what this was about before clicking.

I don't think I want to visit a forum where people aren't interested in having angry snarky demons inside of them.

RedMageDarion

:^: to the OP.

Just the fact that this game even remotely resembles Ogre Battle makes it a purchase for me.

The fact that it's an NIS game just makes the deal that much sweeter.

Houk

darksteel wrote: »

Wow. I can't believe I'm actually getting interested in a NIS RPG after I swore off them after the level grinding. Houk's comments and the info on the battle system really have me hooked. I especially like the fact that your troops have some form of fatigue. It almost sounds like the Energy system from X-COM, and any tactical turn-based strategy game that implements fatigue is fine in my book. Also, the squad based system looks like it's implemented very well in a turn-based context.

In short, it actually sounds like it will make me use my brains more than my spare time to finish battles.

Yeah, the fatigue thing really forces you to set up multiple balanced squads. Sure, if you make one uber-squad, they'll blow away the first few enemy squads. But every time they're attacked or are attacked, that stamina is dropping. So by the 5th or 6th enemy, your damage output is really starting to drop. And in the later levels you could be looking at a dozen or more enemy squads on a single map.

see317

I am intrigued.
Houk, any indications of pre-order bonus schwag for this one?

j0hnz3r

I clicked on the thread title expecting something else. I did not leave disappointed, however. This one's been on my pre-order for months. Pretty much anything Atlus or NIS instantly goes on my pre-order list the second it comes up.

I'm such a whore :P

Valernos

So Houk, friend, buddy, pal. When do we learn about preorder bonuses? My trigger finger itches.

Houk

Right now I don't know anything about pre-orders. That actually gets handled by a totally different guy. What I do know is that, sadly, it wont be a soundtrack, because we're going to be selling the full 2-disc OST separately. Not what I would have done, but I have depressingly little say about that stuff.