I would have been all over this one if I had known exactly what it was.
Aside from graphics being visually stunning, comfortable, atmospheric, and very alive - this game is packed with stuff to do. Audiowise, the direction of Hitoshi Sakimoto is top notch; among his best work.
* It's in the realm of Donkey Kong Country in terms of navigation gameplay; in that it is a platformer that the player can move through very quickly. Gathering power-ups as you navigate through the sections of the game. Although, unlike a platformer, the world isn't litered with enemies. There is an encounter system.
* Combat work largely on encounters. You'll see an exclamation mark and then the screen freezes in place and you'll hav enemie to fight. There are a lot of different, and very flashy moves that can be executed. It is similar to a fast paced Street Fighter.
* Towns are unique; on the outside, they have a very Castlevania 2 meets Japan feel to them; that is, they are on multiple levels, and you're not exactly safe. Some houses you enter will be shops, others typical residences, others with treasure, many will have ambushes set up for you, some with ghosts both good and evil.
* Boss battle are fairly long, they take longer than any 2D boss battles I can recall; but you'll enjoy them if you enjoy any 2D game boss battles.
* Size of the world is where this game surprises, it is absolutely huge. Much larger than I could have ever expected. Essentially:
-there is a world map (Japan) and you can navigate to the different provinces.
-Inside each province there is a very large 2D map which (like River City Ransom) can be navigated in more directions than left or right, there are also paths going up and down (intersections) and also multiple paths leading right/left from certain areas. Right now a single province, so far seems to be fairly large, much larger (perhaps several times larger) than other similar 2D games.
-Each province is separated into dozens of smaller sections (like Faxanadu, Zelda 2, or Castlevania); each section usually has stuff to complete (normally people to talk to, battles to fight, items to gather) before moving onto the next.
* The plotline is nice, reminds me VERY much of something like Ninja Scroll or Ninja Ressurection. Fits well with beautiful art, music, and darker atmosphere; although sometimes you'll be travelling and come across vast areas of sun drenched countryside which is a nice change from a dead forest with run down towns and temples.
I really like this game; should have played it sooner. It is still widely available. Very nice offering from Marvelous; well in line with other titles they published and produced like Little King Story and Rune Facory Frontier.
Aside from graphics being visually stunning, comfortable, atmospheric, and very alive - this game is packed with stuff to do. Audiowise, the direction of Hitoshi Sakimoto is top notch; among his best work.
* It's in the realm of Donkey Kong Country in terms of navigation gameplay; in that it is a platformer that the player can move through very quickly. Gathering power-ups as you navigate through the sections of the game. Although, unlike a platformer, the world isn't litered with enemies. There is an encounter system.
* Combat work largely on encounters. You'll see an exclamation mark and then the screen freezes in place and you'll hav enemie to fight. There are a lot of different, and very flashy moves that can be executed. It is similar to a fast paced Street Fighter.
* Towns are unique; on the outside, they have a very Castlevania 2 meets Japan feel to them; that is, they are on multiple levels, and you're not exactly safe. Some houses you enter will be shops, others typical residences, others with treasure, many will have ambushes set up for you, some with ghosts both good and evil.
* Boss battle are fairly long, they take longer than any 2D boss battles I can recall; but you'll enjoy them if you enjoy any 2D game boss battles.
* Size of the world is where this game surprises, it is absolutely huge. Much larger than I could have ever expected. Essentially:
-there is a world map (Japan) and you can navigate to the different provinces.
-Inside each province there is a very large 2D map which (like River City Ransom) can be navigated in more directions than left or right, there are also paths going up and down (intersections) and also multiple paths leading right/left from certain areas. Right now a single province, so far seems to be fairly large, much larger (perhaps several times larger) than other similar 2D games.
-Each province is separated into dozens of smaller sections (like Faxanadu, Zelda 2, or Castlevania); each section usually has stuff to complete (normally people to talk to, battles to fight, items to gather) before moving onto the next.
* The plotline is nice, reminds me VERY much of something like Ninja Scroll or Ninja Ressurection. Fits well with beautiful art, music, and darker atmosphere; although sometimes you'll be travelling and come across vast areas of sun drenched countryside which is a nice change from a dead forest with run down towns and temples.
I really like this game; should have played it sooner. It is still widely available. Very nice offering from Marvelous; well in line with other titles they published and produced like Little King Story and Rune Facory Frontier.
-Insert Inspiring Quote-
