Posts Tagged ‘JRPG’

Aside: Tales of Vesperia Is So Gay

Sunday, August 15th, 2010

I started playing Tales of Vesperia over the weekend. It’s exactly what I needed to pique my interest in gaming, at least for the time being. It’s as Japanese and as camp as one could hope. The opening intro is especially cringeworthy as a sequence of the game’s notable moments play out to cheesy Japanese rock music (I’ll record it and put it on my blog as it gets me every goddam time).

The characters are as cliche as you’d expect, everything is as Japanese as you’d expect, nothing has been reinvented. And you know what? That’s totally cool with me. That’s how JRPGs should be. I can’t wait to sink a bunch of hours into it. I hope it becomes my new Lost Odyssey.

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Aside: Infinite Undiscovery - The Tom Cruise Of JRPG’s

Thursday, July 2nd, 2009

I know, I know… I’ve used the Tom Cruise analogy before. Anyway, I get asked a lot for JRPG recommendations on the 360. Most people, though, admit they lack the time needed to put the leg work in. JRPGs typically last a good 40+ hours longer, at least, than your average game. Couple that with recent searches of “How long does Infinite Undiscovery last?” directing people to my blog, and I feel it’s the perfect time to turn those with pressed time towards Infinite Undiscovery.

Infinite Undiscovery is an under-appreciated JRPG that does take a good bit of time to get into. It was only at about 8 hours in that everything clicked for me and I found myself gripped, and by the time I had hit the 9 hour mark I was already prompted to switch to the second disc. There are three discs in total, therefore I’d say you’re looking at 30-40 hours gameplay time. Nothing like the 110 hours I put into Lost Odyssey, and thus perfect for those looking for a short flirtation with the quirky and camp nature of JRPGs we’ve come to know (and for me, love).

Note: I made a boob. IU is only two discs, not three.

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Aside: This Is How Much Of A Geek I Am

Friday, May 1st, 2009

You’re all about to collectively call me out on how sad I am, and do that annoying “taxi for Baxter” thing (Baxter being my surname, by the way). But yeah, this is how much of a geek I am.

When I’m playing a JRPG - which just so happens to be now - I sit with a notepad by my side, jotting down notes whenever an ambiguous clue is given in conversation with a NPC. So, for example, some melancholy stranger (they’re always melancholy in JRPGs) will hint at buried treasure he’d concealed long ago in the past, just outside a dungeon you’ll happen to venture towards later in the game. Most people will have forgotten by the time they get there, but not I! No, I have it written down in my trusty moleskine. What’s even worse is that I then tick next to each objective I’ve completed. Okay, I’ll get my coat and leave now.

Trump me, I dare ya.

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JRPG Round Up Bonanza

Thursday, April 23rd, 2009

Lost odyssey

I’m a little fond of Japanese Role Playing Games, especially of the turn based variety. I like quirky characters, immersive story lines, secrets that can only be uncovered with 40+ hours of gameplay, and hunting for hidden treasures. Yes, I’m a geek. The next rainy day (or night, rather) that comes my way will see me begin Infinite Undiscovery, a game I had listed on my wish list way back in July. Before I begin, however, I want to turn my attention to all the other great JRPGs I’ve played on the 360, and while I have missed out on a couple so far, a lot of people still ask me what I’d recommend. Oh, and I must point out I won’t be going into any of the plot details here, simply because JRPGs generally follow the same, cliched story line, OK? So, in no particular order, let’s begin.

Enchanted Arms
Enchanted Arms was the first JRPG I played on the Xbox 360. Despite the awful criticism it was met with (at the time my publication of choice was X360, and they awarded it an embarrassing 4/10), I still took my chances because there weren’t a whole host of other options at the time.

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