White Knight Chronicles, the Next .hack? (Slight Spoilers)

[Kuukai]

No, it has nothing to do with cyberpunk, so if that's what you're thinking, sorry to have grabbed your attention. However, after finally beating this game, I believe it's safe to say that another small developer from Fukuoka has initiated a mind-blowingly expansive media mix, this time with Sony itself backing them. The slight spoilers from the title: White Knight is not one game, the ending resolves about as much as Infection. And that spinoff manga about events 10,000 years ago? It's directly (and I mean directly) related to and integrated with the games. There's no anime (yet), but the scope they seem to be targeting is much bigger than what they were initially advertising.

The first game takes about 40 hours to beat, though there is a tremendous amount of multiplayer content I haven't messed with yet. The game's engine is pretty well done and most of my complaints have been addressed through patches. At any rate, if you're looking for something on the PS3 that will hook you in for the next few years at least, I recommend getting it. If you're sick of that, though, you should probably avoid it.

[Kyero Fox]

next .hack or not, I want this game very badly ><

when is it comin out for America?

[haseoxth]

There isn't an exact date, but it's supposed to drop Q4 of this year. I've actually been very interested in this game, and I'm resisting the urge to import it.

[Kyero Fox]

****.. that long?.. I guess i can wait... hopefuly they won't push the release back by then -_-

[Kuukai]

They released an English trailer like last week, so I don't think they're intending to push it back any further.

I'd suggest you try to read Dogma War before importing. It's free and available online. If you can understand the manga, you should be able to understand the game, plus you'll have a leg up and be better able to keep the mythology straight. ("Midias", "Madras", and "Myuleas" are all very different major figures the game never gives you faces for, and one line really confused me until I realized I was thinking of the wrong guy.)

[haseoxth]

I'll try. If not, I'll wait and see if they release it state-side. It could be bundled in the CE/LE like with Enchanted Arms.

[Maromi]

You would consider Level-5 a small developer? I consider them one of the larger RPG developers in Japan right now, what with their work on the Dragon Quest franchise. I've heard really mixed reviews about the game, so I'm skeptical as of now.

However, Level-5 is one of my favorite developers. Dark Cloud 2 is still one of the best games I've ever played.

[Kuukai]

They're a bit larger than CC2, but at 200 employees they still qualify as a small company. I wasn't trying to say they're unknown or "small time" or something, but they are a small developer way the heck out in the middle of nowhere with a game being produced blitzkrieg style and I thought that was an interesting parallel.

Well, the story's taken some heat, because you're constantly  rescuing a princess (not much of a spoiler if you've seen all the trailers, etc.), but this was kind of a necessary set up, and it's pretty much the one thing that's totally resolved by the end of the game. Like I said, the universe is expansive, and I haven't seen a review by someone who has also read the manga. (MAJOR SPOILERS)  Most of the main characters in the game either time travel from, are reincarnated from, or are in suspended animation from the time the manga takes place. Therefore, there are plenty of scenes that don't have much to offer at face value, but can be a lot more surprising or exciting in the context of the manga. That might be a silly way to do it, but that's what I like. Hence the "next .hack" monkier. Though, even on its own I enjoyed the story, aside from the major trope above it has some interesting twists.

I think people are generally fine with the battle system, so I don't think I need to defend that. I like how equipment changes affect your appearance in almost every cutscene, though, that's something not enough RPGs do. As Leonard transforms throughout his journey, he progressively looks more badass if you're equipping him well, which is a pretty cool effect... (Edit to clarify: the Knight doesn't change too much aside from a few upgrades you can get, I'm just saying that as his equipment changes, what would normally be stock footage becomes a showcase of Leonard's progress as an adventurer.)

[Kyero Fox]

finaly, I wish lot more RPG's did that with the armor. not just look the same or very slightly diffrent. can't wait for this game ><

[Kuukai]

At first I fought it, actually, since they have default outfit designs and I wanted them to look "right." (even though it is something I complained about in G.U.) But once I got used to it, and incorporated a bit of fashion sense, it became a definite enhancement. A few scenes will definitely look better with the default outfit (Knight users like Leonard have a kind of "power ranger" color scheme), but nothing's forcing you to upgrade. You can just buy and enhance amazing socks if you need to. You can always switch back, their default clothes are clearly marked and I believe unsellable. Because of the player-created "Avatar" character, the game will never look the same for two people anyhow. Not to mention that almost no one has any default skills at all; parties can vary even more wildly between gamers than FFXII...

In any case I don't think you can accuse this game of a lack of customization...

I'm also really interested in what you can bring over to the next game...

[Maromi]

Interesting, thanks for the impressions. Level-5 has yet to disappoint me, so I'm definitely still looking forward to it.

[haseoxth]

Some good Sauce

Seems theres a reason why the game is late in coming in here. Town builder.... Hmmm... wonder how that works and what its uses.

[Kuukai]

They could always ship now and patch later, lord knows they shipped without pause. I feel like the glamorous life of an importer is straying too close to "beta tester" with this one...

You already have to create your own "world name" when you start online mode iirc, but I haven't messed around with it enough to know what that's used for currently...

[haseoxth]

Little Big White Knight Chron. Planet?

[Kuukai]

Wow I hope not... We'd be hit with billions of poorly-implemented FFVII level remakes...

Though personally I'd create a dungeon where every single wall contains a copy of the final boss. That would be epic...

[TheEnigma]

I can't wait for this game. I love pretty much everything Level-5 throws out. Quick question for those who have played it, do you have to make an avatar for the single player story?

[Tri-edgeXHaseo fan]

Nice, this sounds like it will fun. Heck, anything .hack related sounds appealing to me. I can't wait to see what it's going to be like.

[Kuukai]

I can't wait for this game. I love pretty much everything Level-5 throws out. Quick question for those who have played it, do you have to make an avatar for the single player story?

Yes, and it will be standing around in some cutscenes, but other than that you're not technically forced to use it.

Nice, this sounds like it will fun. Heck, anything .hack related sounds appealing to me. I can't wait to see what it's going to be like.

Well, it's not actually related in any way but mediamix and cliffhanger formet. If I could have made a longer thread title I would have...

[Kyero Fox]

so you get to create your own character for the single player story?

[Kuukai]

Yes, and you can use the same one for multiplayer. You can have more than one on a system, but only one per save (you need to start a new game to make one). You can customize their physical appearance minus equipment (everyone's equipment can be changes) about as well as Soul Calibur I think, and also pick a voice, though they only use it in battle. All the story characters have two skill branches they just can't learn, but the Avatar can learn anything. Reaching max level doesn't actually get you enough skill points to fill all those out, but you can "reincarnate" into another new game and get pretty close I think. The Avatar shows up in the background of most cutscenes. It's kinda weird since it's the only game I know of that let's you make a character, but also has a protagonist with a real background who's not named "hey you!" It's all about having your cake and eating it too.