First Lost Odyssey review

[Rock_Starman]

http://xbox360.gamespy.com/xbox-360/mistwalker-rpg-2/850156p1.html

2.5/5

"Pros
Pretty battles; occasional sweeping vistas; skill systems solid; balanced combat difficulty.

Cons
Story and characters shamelessly derivative; hideous load times; wide variety of technical issues; story signifies nothing."

and IGN
8.2/10

http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/849/849927p1.html

"Closing Comments
Lost Odyssey proves that a turn-based RPG still has merit in modern gaming. While there is nothing in Lost Odyssey that will convert action-RPG fans, there is plenty to please those already singing in the choir. Lost Odyssey creates several memorable characters and a somber setting that should please those sick of JRPGs that seem made for 10-year-olds. There are quite a few things that go wrong -- from the bad stealth portion to performance issues -- but none of it kept me from enjoying the overall adventure. It may not be in the same class as Mass Effect, but for a system in desperate need for more quality RPGs, Lost Odyssey fits nicely into the 360 library."

So somehow,despite having to put it on 4 discs,it still has massive load times. Not sure if I should buy it or not.

[Eman311]

This is a must-buy for me. It just is exactly the type of the game I have been waiting for. Technical stuff sure sucks, but I can deal with it.

[The_Wurm]

I can't wait for this game, and I totally agree with Eman.

I haven't played a good turn based RPG since Final Fantasy IX, (didn't play ps2 FFs or Blue Dragon) I hope this one lives up to my own self-hype.

[clostor]

turn-based rpgs blow (except for KOTOR which isn't purely turn based) so i'm probably never gonna play this game

[Mystakin]

I was immediately turned off to know the battles are random encounters, I thought we ditched those long ago *sigh*. If I start jonesing for a JRPG (and if I ever buy/beat Blue Dragon), I might pick up Lost Odysee... but I still put Blue Dragon above it on my list of games to play.

[visualdeity]

I was immediately turned off to know the battles are random encounters, I thought we ditched those long ago *sigh*. If I start jonesing for a JRPG (and if I ever buy/beat Blue Dragon), I might pick up Lost Odysee... but I still put Blue Dragon above it on my list of games to play.

Eh. Having played RPGs with non-random encounters (Chrono Trigger/Cross, FF12, and if memory serves, Star Ocean: Till The End Of Time), I have to say I'd much rather have random encounters. Seriously, non-random encounters are a huge pain in the ass, imo. So, let those of us who want them have them, and those who don't, not have them. There's room enough for both, I don't think we should be calling for the extinction of either system.

[Rock_Starman]

Another from Gamesradar,6/10:

"If you’re patient with plot, love your amnesiac protagonists and get aroused at the thought of having to keep two saves so you can reroll a character if need be, Lost Odyssey has your name written all over it. If any of that makes you sick to your stomach, and you really don’t want to watch repeated cutscenes that last longer than it takes to order a pizza, pass now or waste $60 on the most frustrating 60 hours of your life.

You'll love

* Complex battle systems
* Convoluted plot
* Amusing voiceovers

You'll hate

* Battle systems are TOO complex
* Plot overshadows actual gameplay
* Load times of burning and death"

http://www.gamesradar.com/xbox360/lost-odyssey/review/lost-odyssey/a-2008020691953558086/g-2005138888000000020738

and Gametrailers: http://www.gametrailers.com/player/30354.html

Story: 9.6
Design: 8
Gameplay: 8.3
Presentation: 9.5
Overall: 8.8

I'm thinking this will be like recent games where it's good but it's missing that one basic,common game mechanic that could've made it even better or great,like how Overlord and KUF don't have a block button and not being able to get off your board or over curbs in skate. wich causes frequent nusiances.

[Mystakin]

Eh. Having played RPGs with non-random encounters (Chrono Trigger/Cross, FF12, and if memory serves, Star Ocean: Till The End Of Time), I have to say I'd much rather have random encounters. Seriously, non-random encounters are a huge pain in the ass, imo. So, let those of us who want them have them, and those who don't, not have them. There's room enough for both, I don't think we should be calling for the extinction of either system.

I guess you're right, random encounters just feels like an old RPG staple from the SNES days to me... I like to know how many battles, roughly, I'm gonna need to go through to reach the next story scene/save point and avoid some if possible. To each his own, though.

[Rock_Starman]

TV ad = awesome

http://www.gametrailers.com/player/30163.html

That's the full one but I saw the 30(?) second one tonight,full one is better.

[The_1st_Forever]

no matter what the reviws say my love for RPGs is gonna take over me and i'm gonna have to buy this game, it may get a few low reviews but the high reviews seem more to my taste, haha, i guess its just cause i love RPGs and this one looks awesome!

[Eman311]

I actually persuaded my g/f to get this for me for valentine's day........

better that then something I don't want right?

[Transbrak]

this game is a must buy for me

[Rock_Starman]

I just thought I'd point out the irony of to be able to watch that White Rabbit trailer on my TV I had to DL it on my PS3 because it's not in the 360 marketplace. :p

[Rock_Starman]

Looks like at least Gamespot will be RE-reviewing the game:

http://www.gamespot.com/users/Kevin-V/show_blog_entry.php?topic_id=m-100-25317685

My small complaint so far is this is the most horribly packaged game I've ever seen. 3 discs are stacked onto one nub and the 4th is on the side with the instruction book in an envelope.

[topperharley]

I love me a good old fashioned turn based JRPG (the realtime battle system of the KH games annoyed me), so I will eventually get around to playing this, but I need to REALLY want to play a game to spend $60 on it, and I don't REALLY want to play LO.

I enjoyed Blue Dragon. 90s era JRPG in next gen clothing. Works for me. :)

[visualdeity]

I love me a good old fashioned turn based JRPG (the realtime battle system of the KH games annoyed me), so I will eventually get around to playing this, but I need to REALLY want to play a game to spend $60 on it, and I don't REALLY want to play LO.

I enjoyed Blue Dragon. 90s era JRPG in next gen clothing. Works for me. :)

QFT. I don't want these newfangled "improvements" to the genre, I just want a new story and prettier graphics. The gameplay mechanics were pretty much perfected years ago, why mess with them?

[The_Wurm]

I've been playing it these past two days, its wicked good. Thats it.

[Rock_Starman]

There doesn't seem to be anything very different in the gameplay yet. Same idea as Shadow Hearts and Legend of Dragoon really just presented differently.

Should mention the opening battle is really cool.

The ever so awesome ad must make some people want to play it:

<object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/3w1Ry4NbPcc&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/3w1Ry4NbPcc&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>

[reiella]

The battle load times are surprisingly long, even after being warned about them.

The 4 DVD discs, well that's not too bad. Except for the decision to have the 4th disc to hang out in a paper sleeve. That's really just a packaging problem though, and not really a big deal in the grand scheme.

The combat quirk reminds me a bit of legend of dragoon [as others mentioned here :)], except a bit easier [with a bit more of a tolerance].

The in-combat cutscene transitions were nice, and reminded me alot of how Shadow of the Collosus did it. That is it to say, pre-rendered FMV occuring at the same time as game-rendered action.

[Rock_Starman]

For anyone that couldn't or didn't pre-order the "downloadable" bonus happens to be on the disc already and is also up in the Japan marketplace. Meaning you can "download" it from there and it'll actually work. Even shows up in english under the saves as double bonus pack.

Still can't get the Operation Darkness demo though. :(

[Eman311]

This game is awesome. almost 10 hours in and still on disc 1.... that's a good pace.

[Transbrak]

been playing it this weekend, im about 6 hours in and im loving it.

boo to reviewers who hate it for what it is, cause if you like this sort of thing its damn good.

and as far as the load times go, they are a bit longer but nothing to worry about. i dont really notice them anymore besides at least they were creative and didnt stick you with a "now loading" screen.

[Natedog_74]

I love it also, I am torn between this and rockband, I finally beat guitar solo on hard and I am wanting to start expert now but i want to play LO so much it is hard to decide...lol

[JesusSilencio]

This game truly makes me wish I had an Xbox rather than a ps3. This and Blue Dragon. I'm actually seriously considering buying it even though I personally don't have an Xbox (my roommate does).

Plus, Nobuo Uematsu is the composer for this game (the original final fantasy composer). FF12 was good and all, but I definitely think music was lacking compared to other final fantasies.

[Rock_Starman]

Blue Dragon is terrible,yes I know it's not on my GC I played the demo. LO is really good and all but had you bought a 360 instead when the FFXIII games,Disgaea 3,Star Ocean 4,the next SMT and White Knight Story come around you'd be wishing you bought a PS3 whlie the 360 will still only have LO and Blue Dragon.

[topperharley]

Blue Dragon is terrible

I disagree. I enjoyed it a lot. Not the best RPG I've ever played, but a good old fashioned turn based JRPG.

I do agree, however, that the PS3 looks to have a much fuller library of RPGs, at least in a couple of years.

[Rock_Starman]

Anyone else hate how much they changed Seth from the first screen?

http://dailyscreenshots.de/screenshot/lost-odyssey/xbox-360-993311

[Transbrak]

blue dragon was fun, but the story got meh in parts

LO however is incredible

i just got to the second disc im hooked