Lost Odyssey - Mixed Reviews.

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BinaryJack

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I have been keeping an eye on this title and at long last the reviews are out but they are mixed, see the 2 gems below especially regarding the "Sound".

What is your take on the game?

IGN AUs Review of Lost Oddyssey
26 8.0 Presentation
The nondescript menu system is wholly JRPG in tradition. Clean, effective, easy to follow. Overall, the game also keeps UI to a minimum.

9.0 Graphics
Outstanding almost every respect - art direction, animation, textures, lighting. It is, unfortunately, hampered by framerate and screen-tearing.

7.0 Sound
Although the voice-acting is mostly solid, the score is forgettable. The environmental audio is excellent, however.

7.5 Gameplay
It all works - despite AI and balancing issues - but the real problem isn't the gameplay itself, but the concepts behind. It's all been done before.

9.0 Lasting Appeal
It's monsterously large, coming on four DVDs and more hours than is probably healthy - which is a good thing for JRPG fans. There's a lot of gameplay for your buck.

8.0
Impressive OVERALL
(out of 10 / not an average)
Click to expand...

IGN Lost Odyssey Review
139 6.5 Presentation
The story is so-so, the menus look ancient and the loading screens never seem to stop.

8.0 Graphics
Excellent enemy design and attractive special effects. The framerate is distracting at times.

7.5 Sound
A good soundtrack, but mediocre voice acting.

8.5 Gameplay
Though it's very traditional, the ring-building and skill system are highly addictive. Turn-based combat is actually fun.

8.0 Lasting Appeal
The four discs will last you anywhere from 35-50 hours, depending on your thoroughness. There's not much reason to go back once the quest is finished.

8.2
Impressive OVERALL
(out of 10 / not an average)
Click to expand...
 
Gametrailers also gave it an 8.8.

The impression I get is that this is a niche game, If you want a deep storied JRPG it stand toe to toe with Final Fantasy, but if you're looking for an innovative fast action game, then you need to look elsewhere.
 
I do feel that this is for the the Final Fantasy fans!
I'll see if I can get my hands on a copy sooner or later, just trying to finish Mass Effect first.
 
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Update!

Ok so I finished Mass Effect and was able to get a copy of Lost Odyssey last week!.

I'm now on Disc 2 - 17hrs in and I have been looking at the game very critically using the reviews that was posted the last few months on Lost Odyssey.

Lets review:

This game is created by the creator of Final Fantasy and most of the Mistwalker crew worked on one Final Fantasy or the other so the game is heavily influenced by Final Fantasy.
This game is a classic turn based system that I am partial to.
It lends you time to enjoy the visuals and in this game you can feast your eyes on the surrounds and the characters.

The characters are the strongest point for me in this game.
The come across as real, the main protagonist Kaim has a very long story to tell and is done through dream sequences that gives you a very personal insight into his past, which spans a 1000 years.
The things with some RPG's are that the creators focus on the main characters and have fillers for the rest of the crew.
In Lost Odyssey it seems that equal if not more time is given to the rest of the crew which is refreshing.
The characters and I need to mention, specifically Cooke and Mack here, are remarkably real.
They have emotions and have personalities, so that you are actually taken aback by the reality of the characters.

The settings are fantastic with special attention given to the enemies.
Like with previous FF titles the monsters are unique to each destination and the details of the mosters and bosses are remarkable, you take your time entering commands just so that you can look at the details.

The loading times of the game are there and noticable very similar to Mass Effect, I dont find it especially distracting, but maybe that is just because I am so partial to this genre.
The review copies that were used by IGN, Gamespot etc were non-retail versions and the loading times were drastically reduced in the retail version

As for the negative reviews this game received.
An interresting comment was made from a user review from Amazon.
He stated that if this game was named Final Fantasy 13/14 etc it would have received much higher scores.

So, if you are an RPG fan and Final Fantasy is one of your favourite series then this game is a must.
 
A very enjoyable jrpg, Combat is jsut so nice, with all the different options and skills,
with the right skills selected making certain batles a lot easier, I got most of my caracters
at level 50 and some random battles still pawn them, very nice and you have to think a lot before each battle.
 
Have 5 characters in battle does not make things easier either. :D

The best bit that I enjoy is which moretal to use when to make sure that you get the best out of them.
With me getting Sarah now, I very quickly dropped Jansen as a mage.
 
I've been looking for this game for some time. If anybody is selling their copy send me a PM. Thanks.

For JRPG fans, you could give Eternal Sonata a go. It seems deceptively childish in the beginning but you'll come to notice that it is a very 'real' story seeing mature themes such as death, betrayal, etc.
The theme of the game is centered around music and ocassionally you're treated to sequences of classical piano masterpieces performed by Chopin with actual screenshots of the different places that Chopin spent his rather eventful life in. (Poland, Warsaw, etc.)
The visuals are exceptionally detailed, everything from enemies to locations. You'll often eye's will often scream WOW! while devouring in the spectacular beauty of the surroundings.
Combat is a cross between Valkyrie Profile 2 and Tales of the Abyss and if you haven't played either it's sort of awkward to explain in words. I'll use key words instead: Free movement, non random battles, ordinary/special attacks, blocking (only when attacked), etc. Safe to say it's something different and fresh. In fact, as you proceed through the game, the battle system levels up (called party level) which means that it becomes more difficult in battle not easier and this always provides for something fresh in battle apart from new attacks, characters, etc. eg. At your first battle level before you make a move you'll and infinite time to think your strategy before actually moving whence you're given 5 seconds to dish out your strategy as best as you can. At higher levels you'll have 3 seconds to think and 4 seconds to move around plus you'll gain more slots for attacks, items, etc.
Characters are well portrayed with equally good voice acting. The major part of the characters aren't your generic cardboard cutouts.
I haven't finished the game yet, but the story, while not mind blowing, ranges between fair and good.

But before you rush out to buy this game, be warned that this game is an either you like it or you don't. JRPG fans would probably fall in the former category.
 
I'm a connoisseur of sorts when it comes to JRPG's and to be honest with you, the Playstation has always offered good JRPG's. Consequently, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that the 360 had one or two decent English JRPG's while the PS3 didn't (not in English anyways) and with good english JRPG's coming to the PS3 from August this year I hope the 360 can pull out titles alongside the PS3. Apart from LO, I'm waiting for the release of Infinite Discovery and Tales of Vesparia on the 360 and there a bunch to look out for on Sony's platform.

I just hope the 360 doesn't fall away completely in the JRPG field once Sony starts their barrage of JRPG's.
 
Well, when I purchased LO, I knew about the Disc 4 problem but never thought that it would happen to me.
Lo and behold, got to disc 4 and ready to do all my side quests and optional bosses and build my characters nicely, the disc does not load, I pushed the 360 this way and that way and it started to load and then froze, tried disc 3 just hoping that it is not my 360 but no the 360 guardian angel answered and it is disc 4.

Now I have to phone CNA first and they will propably show me to MI Digital and then see what they say I can do wioth the disc.

*sigh* I was on such a roll yesterday.

UPDATE:

All is fine now.
After hassling them senseless, the game was exchnged at CNA by getting an authority number from Mi Digital.
I must admit thought hat the Disc 4 I have is still not great, I had one disc error and the loading seems slower than other discs.
 
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Damn, my disc 4 is bust as well. I bought it from Inspirational Sound in Edenvale, but, it's a bit aways for me to go there and change it so I'll hop on over to a Look and Listen and hopefully, they'll cover me.

What happened in your case Kage?
 
Oh yes, an update!

Spoke to Mi Digital and they exchanged the disc under the Ms warranty.
Just give your original retailer a call and see if they are willing to exchange it.

Call Mi Digital at 011 723 1800 - ask for Bernice, just keep hassling them until you get your moneys worth. They are a bit retarded getting back to you.
 
Gave me a call and spoke to Elaine (well after half a dozen calls and cut offs to be precise. Classical SA service) and she seemed to be really helpful. She told me that I need a proof of purchase and thankfully, I bought it off Bid or Buy from a store in Edenvale.

Hopefully, I'll be getting my new disc soon. otherwise I'm gonna come hijack you Kage.
 
Oh god, it is SO worth it!
Just busy building my characters up a bit now...hard work!
Currently at level42 ;).
This game might call for a 2nd playthrough.
:)
 
Nah my first playthrough.

The opening was spectacular! I had to lift my jaw from the floor as it was definitely something that I had not expected.

To be honest, over the past 2 years I stay away from RPG's with random battles, but, I made an exception with this one and so far, no regrets!

Graphics aren't the best out there but they're far from bad and the same goes for the sound.

Overall, it's left a positive impression so far and usually that means it's only going to get better. Cheers to that!

The only thing that seems to bug me is the framerate. It tends to get slightly choppy, especially noticeable during sequences.
 
Have fun!
Just one tip....this is not Final Fantasy, it is a LOT harder.
The bosses had me sweating! It was refreshingly difficutl and the bosses are no walkovers, just make sure that you save often!
 
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