...
I mean, seriously. I'm loving the game, but the story is mediocre even in the genre. That's my main gripe.
...
I'd disagree... in that I'd say almost every JRPG (and most RPG's in general) have very contrived plots, and more often than not very simple ones... that have, at best... exceedingly simplistic plot "twists" that were advertised and easily seen well before they happen.
You boiled the characters down to their most simplistic (not that they are deep characters mind you, but they do have more to them) and the same can be done for any character in any RPG game ever. Cloud didn't exactly have much depth of character in FF 7, and he was one of the better portrayed characters in that game... other RPG's are even worse in that regard.
However, I think most people look at games that try and be "edgy" as having better stories, when in fact they are just as (if not more so) contrived and simplistic.. they just throw in some self loathing or apathetic characters and call it deep.
With all that said... is Blue Dragon a simple story? Yes it is, and I think it was always meant to be. Not ever RPG game is meant to challenge the way you think or make you look at the world around you in a different way, some are just meant to be an enjoyable romp through a fantasy world.
Early Reviews actually affected my judgement in buying it. So I haven't made up my mind on it yet.
I tried it out at my friends house and I am very pleased with it. I still want to play it some more and the characters are very neat. The game 's story and presentation made me enjoy it a whole lot more than some current JRPGs. Very nice presentation. Boss music does annoy after a while so thank the gods for ipod connector.
I have to say though its one of those games where Im much more attracted to everything outside of combat (menus, abilities, customization of characters, story and presentation.) So its a very good thing that this game gives you so many options on how to deal with combat or avoid it all together :P
Early Reviews actually affected my judgement in buying it. So I haven't made up my mind on it yet.
I tried it out at my friends house and I am very pleased with it. I still want to play it some more and the characters are very neat. The game 's story and presentation made me enjoy it a whole lot more than some current JRPGs. Very nice presentation. Boss music does annoy after a while so thank the gods for ipod connector.
I have to say though its one of those games where Im much more attracted to everything outside of combat (menus, abilities, customization of characters, story and presentation.) So its a very good thing that this game gives you so many options on how to deal with combat or avoid it all together :P
I agree that a lot of people were put off by the early look at the game. I think they would have been better off with no demo at all... but hopefully this gave them some good experience on how to create a worthwhile demo in the future.
I think the best way to describe this game is for old school JRPG lovers who want a game just like those... only prettier and better sounding (and the boss music just sort of starts to blend in after awhile... I get so focused on the boss itself that the music just kind of fades after the fight starts).
I feel that the story is legitimately poor, even amongst JRPGs. JRPG stories are generally artistically shallow on account of their overwrought, melodramatic, angsty nature -- yet they are gripping like most pulp fiction. It's not literature, but it entertains. Blue Dragon isn't as compelling as most, partially because the characters are simplistic and poorly-written. This is the entirety of their character traits, as revealed to me so far (eleven hours):
Shu: I'm aggressive and never give up, ever. I say so frequently, to drive this home.
Jira: I'm shy and sensitive, and have an awkward crush on Kluke.
Kluke: My parents were both killed by a monster when I was very young. This makes me sad and introspective.
Marumaro: I'm hyperactive, loud, and childish. I'm hyperactive, loud, and childish!
I mean, seriously. I'm loving the game, but the story is mediocre even in the genre. That's my main gripe.
To reiterate yet again: for fans of JRPGs, I highly recommend this game. It's a good JRPG on the 360, for chris'sakes!
There's probably a more positive way to phrase a recommendation. The "if you like this, you'll like that" defense could be commissioned to recommend some seriously horrible shit. I don't think you need to go that far just to say something nice about this game thankfully but there are many, many complaints one could have that can't just be brushed aside by validating some old archetypes.
The story isn't simple. It's downright lazy. It's one of those situations where one group of people says as much while another says it's harking back to a simpler era of RPG storytelling and if you don't like it, it's not for you. "If you dont like this, you wont like that".
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KlykaDO you have anySPARE BATTERIES?Registered Userregular
edited September 2007
I don't know why everyone is hating on the boss music. Everytime a boss jumps in front of you, does his little animation and then when it goes into the camera pan in the battle mode the scream kicks in and then the lyrics start, that's just plain cool.
I dig the boss music. It's over the top cornball. And I like that.
Also, I'm playing through this game at the same time as I'm working through Bioshock. They compliment each other nicely. Blue Dragon is cute, turnbased and relaxing while Bioshoick is grueling (for this noob) and intense.
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KlykaDO you have anySPARE BATTERIES?Registered Userregular
I dig the boss music. It's over the top cornball. And I like that.
Also, I'm playing through this game at the same time as I'm working through Bioshock. They compliment each other nicely. Blue Dragon is cute, turnbased and relaxing while Bioshoick is grueling (for this noob) and intense.
I stopped playing Bioshock for 3 days because of Blue Dragon.
For me, both of those games are at the same level, although I had more fun with Blue Dragon for now.
In Blue Dragon I rape stuff with shadows. In Bioshock I kill everything with a zap and a wrench.
I don't know why everyone is hating on the boss music. Everytime a boss jumps in front of you, does his little animation and then when it goes into the camera pan in the battle mode the scream kicks in and then the lyrics start, that's just plain cool.
It's a cheeseball song sung by a dude who is completely over the top with English lyrics written by someone who doesn't really speak the language. Of course it's awesome.
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Iron WeaselDillon!You son of a bitch!Registered Userregular
edited September 2007
I sure do suck at this game.
What level should I be before I take on that first boss in the Wilderness, the dinosaur thing? I took my level 5 party in against him last night and got routinely worked. I know you're supposed to attack his Horn, but after a couple of hits he Tail Blocks, heals, and Mows Down my poor kids. How much level and SP grinding should I do before going after him?
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KlykaDO you have anySPARE BATTERIES?Registered Userregular
edited September 2007
I don't remember what level I was at but lvl 8 should be enough to mow him down without trouble
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Iron WeaselDillon!You son of a bitch!Registered Userregular
I don't remember what level I was at but lvl 8 should be enough to mow him down without trouble
Ah, ok. His Mow Downs regularly one-shot poor Kluke, so I guess I need a little more gas in the tank. Back to the Wilderness!
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KlykaDO you have anySPARE BATTERIES?Registered Userregular
edited September 2007
Well,you can of course use the formation command in the menu to move kluke back to the second row, so that she only takes half the damage. She will only deal out half damage with attcks though,so make her use spells.
I feel that the story is legitimately poor, even amongst JRPGs. JRPG stories are generally artistically shallow on account of their overwrought, melodramatic, angsty nature -- yet they are gripping like most pulp fiction. It's not literature, but it entertains. Blue Dragon isn't as compelling as most, partially because the characters are simplistic and poorly-written. This is the entirety of their character traits, as revealed to me so far (eleven hours):
Shu: I'm aggressive and never give up, ever. I say so frequently, to drive this home.
Jira: I'm shy and sensitive, and have an awkward crush on Kluke.
Kluke: My parents were both killed by a monster when I was very young. This makes me sad and introspective.
Marumaro: I'm hyperactive, loud, and childish. I'm hyperactive, loud, and childish!
I mean, seriously. I'm loving the game, but the story is mediocre even in the genre. That's my main gripe.
To reiterate yet again: for fans of JRPGs, I highly recommend this game. It's a good JRPG on the 360, for chris'sakes!
There's probably a more positive way to phrase a recommendation. The "if you like this, you'll like that" defense could be commissioned to recommend some seriously horrible shit. I don't think you need to go that far just to say something nice about this game thankfully but there are many, many complaints one could have that can't just be brushed aside by validating some old archetypes.
The story isn't simple. It's downright lazy. It's one of those situations where one group of people says as much while another says it's harking back to a simpler era of RPG storytelling and if you don't like it, it's not for you. "If you dont like this, you wont like that".
Glad I'm not the only one who feels this way about the story, at least so far. It's gotten a little bit better for me (I'm about 10 hours into disc 1), but the first section still left a really bad taste in my mouth. That said, the rest of the game is pretty solid (graphics, gameplay, music, challenge, etc.).
Very early-game spoiler
What really drove me nuts is that Shu and the gang appear to be 8-10 years old, and really not acting like such. Do they really think they can take down a Land Shark? A lot of my frustrations with the story would have been washed away if they were all 10-years older. In many JRPGs, the heroes/heroins are at least teenagers. Yeah, still unbelievable by realistic standards, but at least they don't look like they're still in elementary school. And Marumaro, as far as I can tell, is a toddler.
In JRPGs, there's certainly cheesy. But the beginning story really goes over the top, and in a bad way.
Yeah, I got to that statue like wall, but I couldnt interact with it, I may try again.
I'm pretty sure the attacks dont have an element, but I may be wrong, its just some of my guys hit for 60-80 on him, and do damage, and others hit for 120 and heal him, so I just use Firesword and one shot kill him.
When you left the Devee town did the elder tell you to remember a dance?
When you wander up to the mountains past those lazy bears you should find that stone and dance to open the way. (assuming this is the part you are on).
*Edit to quote the right guy because I was too tired to check that I quoted the right guy the first time*
I'm lost here too. After saving MaruMaro's village, it wasn't really clear where I was supposed to go, but some villagers kept talking about the Gul Mountains and I got the hint that they kinda wanted me to leave. I've been all over the Gul Mountains now and there is some sort of structure or stone there, but I can't interact with it. How do I make my little guys dance?
I know when I left town the elder talked about the dance however... that's why I was wondering if he talked to you guys. If not, you may have to go back and talk to the elder to learn the dance before it initiates the scene.
On a totally different note: Kluke is a weird, yet oddly fascinating name. At first I was like, "Kluke? What?" But it's grown on me a lot. Is that from any particular culture, or totally made up?
I'm vaguely annoyed that she and Jiro are an item, rather than she and me (the main character). Although, I like Jiro best of all of them, so maybe I should just switch the field-visible party member and pretend Jiro is the main character.
Jiro's spell animation for Ground is awesome. He just lifts his hand, and the ground erupts skyward to crush his enemies. Then, his victory animation is all casual, like, "Meh, it ain't no thing." Jiro is badass, and Shu can eat it. :^:
KlykaDO you have anySPARE BATTERIES?Registered Userregular
edited September 2007
Well,I don't think Shu actually is the "main character". The game may focus on him a tad more than on the others (well,actually later on it focuses LESS on him) but you can always switch out your leader with the LB/RB in the menu. SO you can run around/attack as Jiro!
Yeah.. I certainly see the game as not really focusing on one person above all. Shu is the first character you have, and the one that is (so far for me) more than likely to have the "Solo" parts... but I like the fact that he isn't the love interest... it sets it apart from the majority of RPG's where the lead is the one who all the ladies fall for.
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KlykaDO you have anySPARE BATTERIES?Registered Userregular
edited September 2007
I thought the (spoiler for end of disc 1)
ring scene
was a nice touch and kinda cute.
You could also make a badass accessory out of it!
So I've been on the fence about buying this since before release and still haven't made up my mind. I was thinking about it and I realized that the main reasons I want to play it are because of the presentation and visuals. Is this wrong? What else do you guys like about the game?
bruin on
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KlykaDO you have anySPARE BATTERIES?Registered Userregular
So I've been on the fence about buying this since before release and still haven't made up my mind. I was thinking about it and I realized that the main reasons I want to play it are because of the presentation and visuals. Is this wrong? What else do you guys like about the game?
To be honest, those were my reasons. And I was not disappointed.
So I've been on the fence about buying this since before release and still haven't made up my mind. I was thinking about it and I realized that the main reasons I want to play it are because of the presentation and visuals. Is this wrong? What else do you guys like about the game?
I didn't particularly care about those to start with, yeah it looks good, but it's hardly the best looking thing I've seen on the console... I'd even go so far as to say that they could have done better in cellshade with this particular visual style... music is great however.
For me, it was that based on what I'd seen of it, it looked to be something more along the lines of the DQ games, maybe with some Chrono Trigger thrown in.
I rarely get to pick up an RPG that is focused on being fun/interesting to play anymore, most are more interested in pushing you through the narrative faster it seems.
So, I just wanted something lighthearted and fun... this looked to fit the bill, and so far it's right on the money. It makes me look forward to Lost Odyssey as well... Likewise Eternal Sonata. RPG games are not supposed to be every single style under the sun... and it's nice to see one that isn't trying to be another attempt at a "Final Fantasy Killer"... it does fine on it's own merits.
So I've been on the fence about buying this since before release and still haven't made up my mind. I was thinking about it and I realized that the main reasons I want to play it are because of the presentation and visuals. Is this wrong? What else do you guys like about the game?
To be honest, those were my reasons. And I was not disappointed.
Yep, the visuals and the gameplay are excellent and worthy of a buy.
Is the game any good? I just couldn't get in to the demo.
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DragkoniasThat Guy Who Does StuffYou Know, There. Registered Userregular
edited September 2007
Question...can I kill Marumaro and get a new character who doesn't annoy me every time he speaks? Because I mean I'm enjoying everything else about the game except for him.
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RoshinMy backlog can be seen from spaceSwedenRegistered Userregular
How the hell is Kluke 18.... Jiro I can believe 17 (very young 17) but Shu? 14.
I think there's an effect similar to Uncanny Valley taking effect. It's not uncommon for JRPGs to feature characters that are young adults, but look much, much younger. However, in the past, they were mostly just 2D-sprites, or poorly rendered 3D models.
The graphics and presentation in Blue Dragon are just so well done, but now it's completely obvious that the Japanese representation of young adults/teenagers is just so "off" (at least compared to Western tastes). I'm used to this in anime, but not so in video games (certainly not this game at least).
Is the game any good? I just couldn't get in to the demo.
Don't base your purchase off the demo. In fact when I reached those parts in the demo in the full game, I found them very enjoyable. It was just throwing you into the demo as a god with no explanation that totally ruins it, those points in the game are actually very well done.
Buy the game if you like classic JRPG's, if you do not, ignore this game. It's just that simple!
Edit: I found the grassy area enjoyable, the Tower of Power though, at level 25.... a nightmare.
I wouldn't say it's a guarantee that if you are not a fan of JRPG's you won't like this. That said, it is definitely in the style of the more oldschool games, so in that way it is certainly a good indication of how well you may like it. I'll also throw my agreement behind ignoring the Demo as not only did it give a poor indication of anything relevant to gameplay, but it actually did a disservice to the game in terms of how it threw you at it.
And yeah, the characters all look way too young, but most JRPG's are set up that way. Most portray any "kid" or teenager as generally being WAY smaller than any/all adults, then they magically grow to normal proportions when they reach the "ancient" age of 20+.
It is a dumb visual gimmick to use, but I'm used to it.
*Edit to make august happier*
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augustwhere you come from is goneRegistered Userregular
edited September 2007
Would you... please... stop talking... like... this?
I know when I left town the elder talked about the dance however... that's why I was wondering if he talked to you guys. If not, you may have to go back and talk to the elder to learn the dance before it initiates the scene.
The elder did talk to me about the dance, but just to make sure I went back to see him again. He wasn't in the main hall any more, but after a while I found him in his home. He didn't say anything more about the dance, though. I tried praying in front his altar and then MaruMaro started talking about the dance of joy or something. There didn't seem to be anything left to do, so I went back to the Gul Mountains and this place...
...but absolutely sod all happens.
Am I in the wrong place? Have I missed talking to someone somewhere? I appear to be totally stuck.
Are you sure you talked to the elder? I don't remember the elder ever being in his home. After the dance scene he's always found right by the gate to the village, not far from the save point. Something like 10 steps from when you first walk into the town.
Edit: That picture is the right spot. You just go up to it and press A and it should open up for you.
Posts
I'd disagree... in that I'd say almost every JRPG (and most RPG's in general) have very contrived plots, and more often than not very simple ones... that have, at best... exceedingly simplistic plot "twists" that were advertised and easily seen well before they happen.
You boiled the characters down to their most simplistic (not that they are deep characters mind you, but they do have more to them) and the same can be done for any character in any RPG game ever. Cloud didn't exactly have much depth of character in FF 7, and he was one of the better portrayed characters in that game... other RPG's are even worse in that regard.
However, I think most people look at games that try and be "edgy" as having better stories, when in fact they are just as (if not more so) contrived and simplistic.. they just throw in some self loathing or apathetic characters and call it deep.
With all that said... is Blue Dragon a simple story? Yes it is, and I think it was always meant to be. Not ever RPG game is meant to challenge the way you think or make you look at the world around you in a different way, some are just meant to be an enjoyable romp through a fantasy world.
I tried it out at my friends house and I am very pleased with it. I still want to play it some more and the characters are very neat. The game 's story and presentation made me enjoy it a whole lot more than some current JRPGs. Very nice presentation. Boss music does annoy after a while so thank the gods for ipod connector.
I have to say though its one of those games where Im much more attracted to everything outside of combat (menus, abilities, customization of characters, story and presentation.) So its a very good thing that this game gives you so many options on how to deal with combat or avoid it all together :P
I agree that a lot of people were put off by the early look at the game. I think they would have been better off with no demo at all... but hopefully this gave them some good experience on how to create a worthwhile demo in the future.
I think the best way to describe this game is for old school JRPG lovers who want a game just like those... only prettier and better sounding (and the boss music just sort of starts to blend in after awhile... I get so focused on the boss itself that the music just kind of fades after the fight starts).
There's probably a more positive way to phrase a recommendation. The "if you like this, you'll like that" defense could be commissioned to recommend some seriously horrible shit. I don't think you need to go that far just to say something nice about this game thankfully but there are many, many complaints one could have that can't just be brushed aside by validating some old archetypes.
The story isn't simple. It's downright lazy. It's one of those situations where one group of people says as much while another says it's harking back to a simpler era of RPG storytelling and if you don't like it, it's not for you. "If you dont like this, you wont like that".
Also, I'm playing through this game at the same time as I'm working through Bioshock. They compliment each other nicely. Blue Dragon is cute, turnbased and relaxing while Bioshoick is grueling (for this noob) and intense.
I stopped playing Bioshock for 3 days because of Blue Dragon.
For me, both of those games are at the same level, although I had more fun with Blue Dragon for now.
In Blue Dragon I rape stuff with shadows. In Bioshock I kill everything with a zap and a wrench.
It's a cheeseball song sung by a dude who is completely over the top with English lyrics written by someone who doesn't really speak the language. Of course it's awesome.
What level should I be before I take on that first boss in the Wilderness, the dinosaur thing? I took my level 5 party in against him last night and got routinely worked. I know you're supposed to attack his Horn, but after a couple of hits he Tail Blocks, heals, and Mows Down my poor kids. How much level and SP grinding should I do before going after him?
The Division, Warframe (XB1)
GT: Tanith 6227
Ah, ok. His Mow Downs regularly one-shot poor Kluke, so I guess I need a little more gas in the tank. Back to the Wilderness!
The Division, Warframe (XB1)
GT: Tanith 6227
Glad I'm not the only one who feels this way about the story, at least so far. It's gotten a little bit better for me (I'm about 10 hours into disc 1), but the first section still left a really bad taste in my mouth. That said, the rest of the game is pretty solid (graphics, gameplay, music, challenge, etc.).
Very early-game spoiler
In JRPGs, there's certainly cheesy. But the beginning story really goes over the top, and in a bad way.
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I'm lost here too. After saving MaruMaro's village, it wasn't really clear where I was supposed to go, but some villagers kept talking about the Gul Mountains and I got the hint that they kinda wanted me to leave. I've been all over the Gul Mountains now and there is some sort of structure or stone there, but I can't interact with it. How do I make my little guys dance?
I know when I left town the elder talked about the dance however... that's why I was wondering if he talked to you guys. If not, you may have to go back and talk to the elder to learn the dance before it initiates the scene.
I'm vaguely annoyed that she and Jiro are an item, rather than she and me (the main character). Although, I like Jiro best of all of them, so maybe I should just switch the field-visible party member and pretend Jiro is the main character.
Jiro's spell animation for Ground is awesome. He just lifts his hand, and the ground erupts skyward to crush his enemies. Then, his victory animation is all casual, like, "Meh, it ain't no thing." Jiro is badass, and Shu can eat it. :^:
Steam BoardGameGeek Twitter
You could also make a badass accessory out of it!
Steam BoardGameGeek Twitter
To be honest, those were my reasons. And I was not disappointed.
I didn't particularly care about those to start with, yeah it looks good, but it's hardly the best looking thing I've seen on the console... I'd even go so far as to say that they could have done better in cellshade with this particular visual style... music is great however.
For me, it was that based on what I'd seen of it, it looked to be something more along the lines of the DQ games, maybe with some Chrono Trigger thrown in.
I rarely get to pick up an RPG that is focused on being fun/interesting to play anymore, most are more interested in pushing you through the narrative faster it seems.
So, I just wanted something lighthearted and fun... this looked to fit the bill, and so far it's right on the money. It makes me look forward to Lost Odyssey as well... Likewise Eternal Sonata. RPG games are not supposed to be every single style under the sun... and it's nice to see one that isn't trying to be another attempt at a "Final Fantasy Killer"... it does fine on it's own merits.
Steam BoardGameGeek Twitter
Really? REALLY? Dang.
Anyway, the visuals and gameplay are outstanding.
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Yes. Also, Zola is a "hardened mercenary of 20-something." So I guess she is 21.
Is the game any good? I just couldn't get in to the demo.
If you like traditional JRPG's, then yeah, it's very good. If you don't, then you'll be unhappy with it.
No one could.
I think there's an effect similar to Uncanny Valley taking effect. It's not uncommon for JRPGs to feature characters that are young adults, but look much, much younger. However, in the past, they were mostly just 2D-sprites, or poorly rendered 3D models.
The graphics and presentation in Blue Dragon are just so well done, but now it's completely obvious that the Japanese representation of young adults/teenagers is just so "off" (at least compared to Western tastes). I'm used to this in anime, but not so in video games (certainly not this game at least).
- Don't add me, I'm at/near the friend limit
Steam: JC_Rooks
Twitter: http://twitter.com/JiunweiC
I work on this: http://www.xbox.com
Don't base your purchase off the demo. In fact when I reached those parts in the demo in the full game, I found them very enjoyable. It was just throwing you into the demo as a god with no explanation that totally ruins it, those points in the game are actually very well done.
Buy the game if you like classic JRPG's, if you do not, ignore this game. It's just that simple!
Edit: I found the grassy area enjoyable, the Tower of Power though, at level 25.... a nightmare.
And yeah, the characters all look way too young, but most JRPG's are set up that way. Most portray any "kid" or teenager as generally being WAY smaller than any/all adults, then they magically grow to normal proportions when they reach the "ancient" age of 20+.
It is a dumb visual gimmick to use, but I'm used to it.
*Edit to make august happier*
He is under the bridge in front of castle Jibral. You can go there anytime.
No, you can go back and meet him later, you just missed meeting him the first time.
The elder did talk to me about the dance, but just to make sure I went back to see him again. He wasn't in the main hall any more, but after a while I found him in his home. He didn't say anything more about the dance, though. I tried praying in front his altar and then MaruMaro started talking about the dance of joy or something. There didn't seem to be anything left to do, so I went back to the Gul Mountains and this place...
...but absolutely sod all happens.
Am I in the wrong place? Have I missed talking to someone somewhere? I appear to be totally stuck.
Edit: That picture is the right spot. You just go up to it and press A and it should open up for you.
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