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Yggdra Union is the Most Cracked Up Game I've Ever Played

Xenogears of BoreXenogears of Bore Registered User regular
edited September 2008 in Games and Technology
WARNING: THIS GAME IS SERIOUSLY CRACKED UP

box-l.jpg

Honestly, coming off of Riviera, a dating sim slash turned based RPG slash text based adventure slash what the fuck were they thinking game you'd think Sting Entertainment would settle down and try something a little more, well, normal.

They didn't.

At all.


So what is this game all about?

Yggdra Union is a strange mishmash of RPG games.

The subtitle is straight jacked from Tactics Ogre.

The movement and most of the units are standard fare like Fire Emblem.

The battles are where it gets really strange. It's like a mix of Ogre Battle, Metal Gear AC!D, La Pucelle, Fire Emblem, Advance Wars, and I dunno FF Tactics Advance? You form Unions with other people and have these giant team based slugfests where two teams enter, one team leaves alive. Except most of the time, both teams are left alive because of how the combat works. It's not normal HP based battles (well, it is and it isn't) instead your teams have two seperate measures of life. You have your normal team based HP, which works like Advance wars for your unit and then you have a morale which gets depleted depending on how badly you lose. Very strange.

Weird morale based combat, "damage" that carries over to maps, weapons triangles, liberation, battles you have very little control over, combos. Oh, and Cards.

Cards?

Yes, cards. Cards determine you movement and grant you skills. Run out of cards and it's game over, but I haven't run into this problem just yet. Early on you can completely forget about this bar and just go hog crazy offensive because you can't use skills early on. A strange decision but I guess it does take the confusion down. Some of the skills are really neat, others are just good for their high movement, some are both.

Characters?

The sprites in general are weird. Half of them look like the Sting stuff you'd expect from playing Riviera, but the rest look like even more degenerate versions of Nippon Ichi characters.

Maybe that's not quite right, they look like EO characters. Yes, I can see it now. Crazy future prediction powers.


Then there is the main character.

202439678_001.jpg

Girl looks completely cracked and she talks funny.

Plot?

The plot so far is decent. Standard stuff but with interesting characters with weird ass names. Neitzche the mermaid? Seriously? Also the tutorials are the funniest this side of Advance Wars: Days of Ruin's War Room. Good comedy here with characters noting how odd some of the rules are, like how female and male units have different combo configurations and the like.

I'm interested in your game. Do you have a newsletter I can subscribe to?

Unfortunately not. However I must say that Gamestop has for the most part taken all their new GBA games and put a used sticker on them, and that the used price for this game is almost nothing.

I got a game in plastic with the manual (no box, they threw it away) for I think $8. I would have payed eight, mind, but I got it for free during the Buy 2 get 1 used deal.

I'm an idiot who loves SRPGs and yet doesn't have a GBA, GB Player, GBA SP, GB Micro, Nintendo DS, GBA SP Mark II, or DS Lite, what should I do if I want to play this excellent game?

Sounds like a personal problem to me. But there may be hope for you yet.

Like Riviera there is a chance that the PSP port of this game might show up here. Go bug your friends over at Atlus if you desire such a thing. For me the GB Micro/DS combo is good enough for my RPG needs, one is great for everyday use and the other is great for smuggling to work or to class.

3DS CODE: 3093-7068-3576
Xenogears of Bore on
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Posts

  • BursarBursar Hee Noooo! PDX areaRegistered User regular
    edited May 2008
    I'm interested in your game. Do you have a newsletter I can subscribe to?
    I do! Sign up and get your dose of crazy from our PR guys.
    Like Riviera there is a chance that the PSP port of this game might show up here. Go bug your friends over at Atlus if you desire such a thing.
    No, don't. Please.

    I also take umbrage at the "battles you have very little control over" remark.

    Bursar on
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  • Xenogears of BoreXenogears of Bore Registered User regular
    edited May 2008
    Bursar wrote: »
    I'm interested in your game. Do you have a newsletter I can subscribe to?
    I do! Sign up and get your dose of crazy from our PR guys.
    Like Riviera there is a chance that the PSP port of this game might show up here. Go bug your friends over at Atlus if you desire such a thing.
    No, don't. Please.

    I also take umbrage at the "battles you have very little control over" remark.

    You know what I mean. This ain't a pick every damn little skill out of your hat SPRG like Tactics Ogre or FFT, this is more of a set up properly, hope you get a little lucky sort of battle Advance Wars type.

    Though I did completely forget to mention there are cards in this game, and odd little equips.

    It's really a strange way to do things, you must admit.

    Also Sting apparently can't do quick combat to save their lives. This game and Riviera move at a molasses pace at times. Low offense units facing each other without an advantage can take a loooong time.

    Xenogears of Bore on
    3DS CODE: 3093-7068-3576
  • BursarBursar Hee Noooo! PDX areaRegistered User regular
    edited May 2008
    Yes, I agree completely about Sting having weird ideas. The cards cards are important, as not only do they determine the sum of how far you can move all your units that turn, they give you battle skills and determine your starting damage that round. That's why you have to gang up enemy units with your unions and beat the tar out of them 5-to-2 or some ridiculous odds.

    Bursar on
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  • Xenogears of BoreXenogears of Bore Registered User regular
    edited May 2008
    Bursar wrote: »
    Yes, I agree completely about Sting having weird ideas. The cards cards are important, as not only do they determine the sum of how far you can move all your units that turn, they give you battle skills and determine your starting damage that round. That's why you have to gang up enemy units with your unions and beat the tar out of them 5-to-2 or some ridiculous odds.

    I rearranged the OP a bit to reflect that.

    Also of note is that Yggdra has an awesome inherent talent that can really save your bacon early on; she takes no damage from counters when attacking. So damn useful in the beginning and really helpful. Sad it took me like two or three battles to figure that one out. Also right before the demo kicked in I realized this game has the FE weapons triangle, no wonder I kept getting stomped at the beginning.

    Xenogears of Bore on
    3DS CODE: 3093-7068-3576
  • cjeriscjeris Registered User regular
    edited May 2008
    The neat thing about Sting is how they seem to make their games interesting by imposing an incredible degree of constraint on the game system -- by giving you fewer choices, not more.

    I haven't gotten that far into Yggdra Union because you have to go back so far if you seriously screw up (don't want to remember how many times I restarted that first big three-part battle from the beginning). But the very thing that makes Riviera and Yggdra Union so frustrating for people like me, who insist on going back to a save if one little thing doesn't turn out the best way possible, is actually a real strength of the game system -- the fact that each action you take commits you a little bit, and if you don't choose the right conversation option or the right card, you ought to have to live with it and try to recover.

    Same reason you can only save at some times of the day in Persona 3, I guess -- although there it's not quite so annoying because the time gap between saves is generally so short.

    Bursar, I'm sure you can't say anything, but I'd really like to see that new Sting DS game over here. Is there any fan-input channel to Atlus USA that matters for localization decisions?

    cjeris on
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  • Xenogears of BoreXenogears of Bore Registered User regular
    edited May 2008
    The next game in that series looks even more confusing.

    Maybe it's a trap though. On the surface Yggdra looks more normal than Riviera, but it's much crazier.

    It could be really simple and easy.

    It is not going to be simple and easy.

    Xenogears of Bore on
    3DS CODE: 3093-7068-3576
  • BursarBursar Hee Noooo! PDX areaRegistered User regular
    edited May 2008
    cjeris wrote: »
    Bursar, I'm sure you can't say anything, but I'd really like to see that new Sting DS game over here. Is there any fan-input channel to Atlus USA that matters for localization decisions?

    Knights in the Nightmare? Yeah, it looks really weird. The Atlus forums have a "Game Suggestions" area, but I wouldn't say it factors into our decisions at all.

    Gosh, it's been a while since I played Yggdra. Maybe I should try again in such a way that I don't get destroyed by Ankh Cannons. Grr.

    Bursar on
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  • RaslinRaslin Registered User regular
    edited May 2008
    How cracked up is this game?

    Raslin on
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  • KaseiusKaseius Registered User regular
    edited May 2008
    Raslin wrote: »
    How cracked up is this game?

    SO crack up, trippin' soccer balls, assert that this shit is off the hook, et cetera

    Kaseius on
    www.youtube.com/user/kaseius -- Let's Plays
  • BlueBlueBlueBlue Registered User regular
    edited May 2008
    I played this for a while but got stuck somewhere I think.

    I kind of hate it when games have a thing where I have to take this character to this spot on this level on this turn to get some item and if I don't I missed it forever and also there's no hint as to how to do it.

    BlueBlue on
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  • Steel AngelSteel Angel Registered User regular
    edited May 2008
    Bursar wrote: »
    Yes, I agree completely about Sting having weird ideas. The cards cards are important, as not only do they determine the sum of how far you can move all your units that turn, they give you battle skills and determine your starting damage that round. That's why you have to gang up enemy units with your unions and beat the tar out of them 5-to-2 or some ridiculous odds.

    Or with Bloody Moon, you just send in one unit at night to single handedly destroy multiple enemies by removing their leaders (works well on defense as well as the enemy does pitiful damage if their leader is down even if they win).

    <3 Elena.
    Right in the eye!

    Some cards have really power skills but narrow windows of use, some have lackluster effects but really good damage potential, some are strong in both but have low movement . . . the list goes on and on.

    Steel Angel on
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  • PataPata Registered User regular
    edited May 2008
    The next game in that series looks even more confusing.

    Maybe it's a trap though. On the surface Yggdra looks more normal than Riviera, but it's much crazier.

    It could be really simple and easy.

    It is not going to be simple and easy.

    It will be controlled via morse code.

    Pata on
    SRWWSig.pngEpisode 5: Mecha-World, Mecha-nisim, Mecha-beasts
  • PureauthorPureauthor Registered User regular
    edited May 2008
    Yggdra Union is a great game marred by some niggling flaws.

    (Elena is awesome.)

    Pureauthor on
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  • MinionOfCthulhuMinionOfCthulhu Registered User regular
    edited May 2008
    Raslin wrote: »
    How cracked up is this game?

    You get a cheerful mermaid named Nietzsche.
    (other than that it really isn't that cracked up, at least story-wise. The battle system is weird though.)
    Bursar wrote: »
    Like Riviera there is a chance that the PSP port of this game might show up here. Go bug your friends over at Atlus if you desire such a thing.
    No, don't. Please.

    Why not?

    MinionOfCthulhu on
    mgssig.jpg1152dt.gif
  • PataPata Registered User regular
    edited May 2008
    Bursar wrote: »
    Like Riviera there is a chance that the PSP port of this game might show up here. Go bug your friends over at Atlus if you desire such a thing.
    No, don't. Please.

    Why not?

    I believe he works for Atlus and thus, would be one of the people bugged. :P

    Pata on
    SRWWSig.pngEpisode 5: Mecha-World, Mecha-nisim, Mecha-beasts
  • urahonkyurahonky Cynical Old Man Registered User regular
    edited May 2008
    So I've got this coming from Goozex, thanks to this thread. Whenever the person accepted I sent him a PM asking: "How cracked up is this game?"

    Here's his response:
    "What?"

    urahonky on
  • Xenogears of BoreXenogears of Bore Registered User regular
    edited May 2008
    The game is cracked.

    Towards the heavens cracked.

    Crackety crack cracked.

    Bash harder! Up by 5, up by 4, up by 3. Why can't you kill that last unit? C'mon! FIGHT HARDER! GWAHHH!

    Xenogears of Bore on
    3DS CODE: 3093-7068-3576
  • KaseiusKaseius Registered User regular
    edited June 2008
    Bursar wrote: »
    I'm interested in your game. Do you have a newsletter I can subscribe to?
    I do! Sign up and get your dose of crazy from our PR guys.
    Like Riviera there is a chance that the PSP port of this game might show up here. Go bug your friends over at Atlus if you desire such a thing.
    No, don't. Please.

    I also take umbrage at the "battles you have very little control over" remark.

    It looks like things didn't work out for you :(

    Kaseius on
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  • Xenogears of BoreXenogears of Bore Registered User regular
    edited June 2008
    I had an odd feeling that despite all else the game would somehow make it over here on the PSP.

    Maybe the VA will be a bit better than Riviera PSP. Maybe not.

    I was probably a bit more than halfway through Riviera when I was bit by the pokemon bug and went back "home." I'll probably finish it in the next three years or so. :P

    Also while Riviera is seriously cracked up, Knights of the Nightmare looks to be the tortured madness of a wounded eldritch god.

    Xenogears of Bore on
    3DS CODE: 3093-7068-3576
  • Xenogears of BoreXenogears of Bore Registered User regular
    edited June 2008
    Speaking of that game:

    New Trailer.

    http://www.sting.co.jp/knights/sp/pv/index.htm

    Right side for english, yo.

    Xenogears of Bore on
    3DS CODE: 3093-7068-3576
  • urahonkyurahonky Cynical Old Man Registered User regular
    edited June 2008
    Got this from goozex and played it for about 20 minutes. It's pretty awesome so far. It seems a lot less forgiving than Fire Emblem, is that correct?

    urahonky on
  • PureauthorPureauthor Registered User regular
    edited June 2008
    Use a FAQ for this game. I cannot stress that enough. It will save you a lot of headaches.

    Pureauthor on
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  • urahonkyurahonky Cynical Old Man Registered User regular
    edited June 2008
    Oh Jesus that scares me and intrigues me at the same time.

    urahonky on
  • DualEdgeDualEdge Registered User regular
    edited June 2008
    Seriously use a FAQ. I forgot to go left on a map and managed to forget a new party member then ended up boarding the rape train all the way to Axetown.

    I need to restart my game now.

    DualEdge on
  • Xenogears of BoreXenogears of Bore Registered User regular
    edited June 2008
    I've found it pretty damn easy so far.

    Kill stuff, use triangle, force unfair matchups, rise, repeat.

    Xenogears of Bore on
    3DS CODE: 3093-7068-3576
  • DualEdgeDualEdge Registered User regular
    edited June 2008
    I have noticed that Milanor tends to be his own ring on the weapons triangle. I'll toss him against swordsmen if Durant or Nietzsche are near death (Durant tends to be there).

    DualEdge on
  • PureauthorPureauthor Registered User regular
    edited June 2008
    Nah, it's not that. It's just that Milanor is the second most broken playable character in the game, with the top prize going to Promoted Yggdra. (THE most broken character, of course, is... well, it's a spoiler.)

    Pureauthor on
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  • CmdPromptCmdPrompt Registered User regular
    edited June 2008
    DualEdge wrote: »
    I have noticed that Milanor tends to be his own ring on the weapons triangle. I'll toss him against swordsmen if Durant or Nietzsche are near death (Durant tends to be there).

    Woah, hold up.

    There's seriously a character called Nietzsche?

    I mean, I was interested in this before, but not sure if I wanted to spend the money. it is now so bought

    CmdPrompt on
    GxewS.png
  • IceBurnerIceBurner It's cold and there are penguins.Registered User regular
    edited June 2008
    I got this from Gamefly and sent it back the same day. Can't believe they managed to create a game that is beyond my level of OC-ness. Any mistake quickly devolves into "roll to see if you step off the sidewalk successfully" territory of "you're ****ed, man".

    Thanks to unskippable dialogue, playing this portable game in short spurts is impossible because retying anything takes 30 minutes. If you manage to screw up a new way at the same point, you're going to be seeing all those scenes again, too :)

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  • DualEdgeDualEdge Registered User regular
    edited June 2008
    You can speed through the dialog by pressing L or R if I remember correctly. It also slightly speeds up the scroll text at the beginning of campaigns.

    DualEdge on
  • IceBurnerIceBurner It's cold and there are penguins.Registered User regular
    edited June 2008
    I'm aware, still annoying and time-consuming.

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  • PureauthorPureauthor Registered User regular
    edited June 2008
    CmdPrompt wrote: »
    DualEdge wrote: »
    I have noticed that Milanor tends to be his own ring on the weapons triangle. I'll toss him against swordsmen if Durant or Nietzsche are near death (Durant tends to be there).

    Woah, hold up.

    There's seriously a character called Nietzsche?

    I mean, I was interested in this before, but not sure if I wanted to spend the money. it is now so bought

    You are either going to fall off your chair in laughter or stare at the screen in absolute horror when you see this Nietszche.

    Pureauthor on
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  • CmdPromptCmdPrompt Registered User regular
    edited June 2008
    After looking it up online:
    Blahahahahahaha

    I mean, I was hoping for some guy with an appropriately awesome mustache, but it being a twelve year old mermaid is just as good. :lol:

    CmdPrompt on
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  • ToefooToefoo Los Angeles, CARegistered User regular
    edited August 2008
    Thread necro!

    This game IS coming to PSP now. I ordered my copy the other day. I am excited to actually understand the story this time around!

    http://www.gamespot.com/psp/rpg/yggdraunion/index.html?tag=result;title;0

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  • PureauthorPureauthor Registered User regular
    edited September 2008
    So, uh, anyone got the PSP version?

    The english voices aren't half bad, except for Rosary's. The battle system is the same ol' lovable slugfest, and a couple of newly recruitable characters. Sucks that Hard Mode (really just the GBA mode) needs to be unlocked, though.

    Pureauthor on
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  • SheepSheep Registered User, __BANNED USERS regular
    edited September 2008
    Pureauthor wrote: »
    So, uh, anyone got the PSP version?

    The english voices aren't half bad, except for Rosary's. The battle system is the same ol' lovable slugfest, and a couple of newly recruitable characters. Sucks that Hard Mode (really just the GBA mode) needs to be unlocked, though.

    I got a copy from Atlus months ago.

    But I have no idea where the PSP is.

    I think it's slipped into another plane of existence, where left socks go, and my hamster Gerry.

    Sheep on
  • Xenogears of BoreXenogears of Bore Registered User regular
    edited September 2008
    My PSP is in fact protected by one of my left socks.

    Yggdra needed an easy mode. I don't know if it needed VAing or loadtimes, but an easy mode would probably expand the audience.

    I finally got to experience what people always talked about as I approached the end of the game. You really can screw yourself up enough to make winning almost impossible. I found that to be pretty refreshing.

    Xenogears of Bore on
    3DS CODE: 3093-7068-3576
  • BursarBursar Hee Noooo! PDX areaRegistered User regular
    edited September 2008
    Sheep wrote: »
    I got a copy from Atlus months ago.

    But I have no idea where the PSP is.

    I think it's slipped into another plane of existence, where left socks go, and my hamster Gerry.

    So... We're never going to see a review from you guys, then? That's disappointing. :?

    Bursar on
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  • greeblegreeble Registered User regular
    edited September 2008
    So everyone talks about how screwed up this game is, but I want to know if this game is any fun.

    greeble on
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  • Xenogears of BoreXenogears of Bore Registered User regular
    edited September 2008
    It is. At least the awesome GBA version is.

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