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Post by Discoalucard on Jul 22, 2006 22:49:27 GMT -5
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Post by MRSKELETON on Jul 22, 2006 23:29:40 GMT -5
This this this this this is awesome.
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Post by Gilder on Jul 23, 2006 0:34:38 GMT -5
Oh man, here it is. My all time favorite RPG. I mean, my screenname is based off the character from this game!! Yet again, a fantastic article for a fantastic game. I always felt indifferent about Enrique however, seeing how he's in your party most compared to Gilder and Drachma yet he doesn't seem to interact that much with your party (at least not with Vyse).
Quick question about the GCN version: Are the downloadable only items from the Dreamcast version in the GCN version? I always wondered this seeing how you can't go online with it with the GCN.
Best quote from the game: "Women are like sunsets. They're beautiful, but there will be a new one tomorrow." - Gilder
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Post by Discoalucard on Jul 23, 2006 1:01:07 GMT -5
Quick question about the GCN version: Are the downloadable only items from the Dreamcast version in the GCN version? I always wondered this seeing how you can't go online with it with the GCN. I checked a FAQ, you can get them by defeating Vize the Legend, one of the new guys added to the GC version. I added this to the article too. How does the Pinta stuff work in the GC version, though? Do you just not level him up or however that game worked? How do you find the cupil things too? I seem to recall the GC pad just vibrating instead of the VMU beeping but I can't remember.
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Post by MRSKELETON on Jul 23, 2006 1:26:38 GMT -5
The Pad vibrates and cupil makes the most irritating noise known to mankind.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 23, 2006 7:08:53 GMT -5
Curses... I have never played this game before, even though I have heard all sorts of good from it. Yes, boo me and toss eggs and tomatoes in my general direction. I don't tend to get into many popular RPGs. But I am enticed enough to give SoA a try. Though... go figure that two versions would have to be released, one better in certain parts than the other. Which is the preferred version?
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Post by shido on Jul 23, 2006 8:16:38 GMT -5
Curses... I have never played this game before, even though I have heard all sorts of good from it. Yes, boo me and toss eggs and tomatoes in my general direction. I don't tend to get into many popular RPGs. But I am enticed enough to give SoA a try. Though... go figure that two versions would have to be released, one better in certain parts than the other. Which is the preferred version? The GC one
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Post by joesteele on Jul 23, 2006 8:29:05 GMT -5
yah, the two versions are the same except the GC one has more side quests and FARRRRR less load times. (which going into battles is kinda strange, b/c the songs were created with the DC loading times in mind, so that the kickin part of the song(s) would begin just as the first menu comes up, while the menu comes up very quickly in the middle of the song's intro in the GC version). If there was one negative to the GC version, it would be that, but that's so minor that everything else positive about the GC version should take over.
FTA:
I remember I used to try to hit the menu button as I heard it spin just so I could open the menu and avoid the battle. From what I recall, it didn't work so well: in dungeons, it would open the menu, but then put you into battle right after you closed it (I think), and in the overworld it would simply lock all your buttons except movement for the second and a half or so it was loading.
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Post by Brand on Jul 23, 2006 9:56:39 GMT -5
Man this game need a sequel.
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Post by Sac (a.k.a Icaras) on Jul 26, 2006 9:41:57 GMT -5
In the NGC version, Pinta is basically just an NPC(He refers to quest, which I'm guessing is the DC VMU thing, but does nothing in the NGC version).
There are some items you can obtain(From Zivilyn Bane Treaure Chest battles I believe) that the description claims Pinta is looking for, but even though I had two such items in my inventory, and whenever I talked to Pinta on Cresent Isle(after he joined my crew), he wouldn't react to them. So it would seem his entire quest was removed. (Probably no way to implement a VMU game)
Anyway, the NGC version adds some extra boss battles against a new character called Piastol (These battles are linked to the moonfish side quest), a bounty system, and some extra discoveries.
Overall I found SoA: L (As I played and own the NGC version) to be a fun game, the storyline was great, but the battle system was a pain in the ass, as all the battles are slow, espically when the enemies start unleashing spells. What makes the randoms worse are the enemies you face t5hat are there just to dodge attacks and make the battles take longer (like those damn elemental ghost things!) Ship battles are even worse and take even longer. I started to get in the habit of reading a book while each ship did its actions.
Character wise, I found Drachma's final ability to be worthless (As it takes so long that by the time he does it, I'd have killed 2 enemies normally), Gilder didn't get enough playtime (and it takes too damn long to get him.), while Enrique is ok...but is Justice Shield ability makes him EXTREMELY valuable. Without that or Aika's Delta shield, some boss battles and bounties would have been VERY frustating.
Oh yes, and I HATE the Silver Nightmare attack that the final final final boss uses!
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Post by bioniccommando83 on Jul 27, 2006 16:04:07 GMT -5
Silver Nightmare is at least one of the more unique moves done by a final boss- It also adds an element of danger for the player who pumps their characters full of strength seeds- though unless you're looking at Gilder's Claudia, you don't stand too much of a chance of a total party kill. Much more annoying was Elcian in the Dark Rift- FF 8 Ultima WEAPON meets Metal Slime....
The items from the Bane battles never had any relation to the Pinta quest from what I remember- they were their own kind of unique thing, which hinted at a great subplot, but were only salable items. Alas, the little guy was fairly useless in the GC version (I never played the VMU game much, but my friend Paul would amuse himself with it during 5th hour study hall back in high school).
I'm still more partial to the DC version since it's what I played first, though I liked some of the new bounties from the GC version. The 7th one (can't think of the guy's name), was rather great- especially after he started hitting on Vyse after the battle. That being said though, the GC version is probably the better one for new players because of the new features, though I still can't believe they did such a bad job in porting the music.
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Post by traumabiscuit on Jul 31, 2006 1:49:47 GMT -5
Yes, yes, fantastic game. I'm not even sure why I'm so fond of it; I suspect it gets by on its charm and atmosphere. Spunky air-pirates? What's not to love?
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Post by neg on Jul 31, 2006 2:01:31 GMT -5
One of my favorites, glad to see an article up on it. I've only played the GC version, but even with all the talk about removed VMU games and lower quality music, I still loved the game, and I do wish there was a sequel for it. I just really loved how fresh the game felt, especially with the characters. It did bring the game alive for me, and I think their portrayal and interaction with one another was really done well. And even on the GC, the music was still fantastic...brings to mind a "hiccup" in the main boss theme (before you were winning or losing a fight) that must of happened when they were converting the music from DC to GC. Then again, it also reminds me of the fantastic title screen music, along with some other themes. All in all, a memorable game with memorable moments...the Blueheim fight in particular is actually something I still remember pretty well.
I guess I was wondering, for those of you who have played both versions, did you prefer the GC or DC one? I'm a little curious to see some different preferences here.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 31, 2006 7:24:03 GMT -5
Hmmmmmmmm... despite the fact that I usually don't get into RPGs too often, I may pick up the GC game. Is it in any way rare or difficult to find?
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Post by Gilder on Jul 31, 2006 11:08:58 GMT -5
Hmmmmmmmm... despite the fact that I usually don't get into RPGs too often, I may pick up the GC game. Is it in any way rare or difficult to find? Around in PA, SOA Legends is all over the place, but they carry a pricy saletag, especially for used copies
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