I was thinking about it, then I read this post at Gamefaqs and it clenched it.

There's a reason why they aren't shipping a lot of copies - this team at Koei set out to make this inspired game, not to focus on a cinematic, angsty mess of a game copping off the approach Square's already run into the ground, simply in hopes that Americans will latch onto it because it's ZOMGDARK. Koei knows the game isn't going to be a big seller here - not unlike Natsume with games like Chulip and MetropolisMania 2. These games were released - and given very small print runs - solely to please a very small, niche group of fans. And in and of that, we should be thankful Koei's acknowledging us like this. And that's just what this game is - niche - as in not even remotely mainstream. It wasn't designed for the mainstream gamer, and it found its niche in Japan, just as it is here. But to those who worry about the game's depth or complexity, they should check out its Gamestop page - the features list nails down pretty well just how deep and vast this game is.

And likewise, it was praised for its old school gamer oriented difficulty level upon its release in Japan as well. A challenging game with a cute aesthetic design (Not unlike Dewy's Adventure, a great game many passed on because they couldn't get past its aesthetics.), in a very fresh, well designed world. The reality of it is, kids won't be getting their hands on this game - and it wouldn't appeal to them beyond the visuals if they did - largely because of the small print run and gameplay/design focus on older hardcore gamers. The visual appeal is essentially that of a modern 8/16-bit era RPG - rather than focusing on the tired and played out "dark and moody pretty people grumble and wave swords around" cliche we've seen far too much of in the past decade.

It's an exciting and inspired game made to cater to and challenge once more those of us who grew up loving the Dragon Quest games, EarthBound, and their ilk. A visual approach like this - giving things more of a living childhood toy look reminiscent of the simpler character designs and sprites we grew up with - is a lot more interesting than the "make it realistic"/"make it look like living anime!" approaches we're seeing overdone these days. Something to be said for praising originality - daring to be different, rather than conforming to the mainstream status quo.

It's not kids who're dying to get their hands on this game. It's a small cult audience with an appetite for something different, and gamers who grew up in a very different era than today's teens who grew up with Sony and never quite developed that appreciation for older games. And those of us looking forward to it - we're gonna have a blast. That's what matters. :)

wish me luck. 

i have it on my radar, when i see a cpoy i t will be a matter of money in pocket not want

Give us a review after playing it please.

I'm not sold on it as even a bargain bin purchase so hearing a few reviews from fellow vgChartz goers would be nice. 

As a note, this game has been getting mixed reviews across the board thus far, usually in the 6-7 range. 1UP gave it a "C," citing lackluster localization and the fact that it doesn't take very many chances with the standard JRPG formula as the reasons for the mediocre score. The reviewer praised, however, the fact that the battle system seems geared toward RPG veterans, the musical score (done by the guy who made Final Fantasy Tactics), and the unique graphical style.

In short, I might pick this one up when it drops down to $30 or so if it gets a few more decent reviews. It sounds as though it could become a cult hit a la Pokemon Mystery Dungeon.

Well, This game certainly has gotten a limited release. I went to two gamestops, wal-mart, target, and best buy and nobody had a single copy. I'm smelling 500K release week!


Essentially what I've been hearing about it, is that it's for oldschool RPG fans. It is a classic JRPG that harkens back to games like Earthbound, high difficulty level included. It's fairly deep, and quite hard, has a really good soundtrack, and weird art direction. Sounds like something I must own.

As for reviews I could care less. JRPGs never do well in reviews in the US (except Final Fantasy). A western reviewer will complain that a JRPG has a stale formula but praise the five-hundredth First Person Shooter that comes out in a year for it's involving gameplay. If a JRPG in can get a 7 from western reviewers it's probably a pretty damn fine JRPG.

Most JRPGs do have a stale formula, though. Plucky, Big-Haired, Sword-Wielding Hero recruits Motley Cast of Adventurers to stop Big-Name Evil from Destroying The World In Some Spectacular Manner. And he'll most likely do so through a bunch of menu-based battles involving medieval weaponry, magic (or some analogue), and a "defend" and "run" option.

Plus, a lot of good JRPGs were well-received by reviewers last gen. Every Shin Megami Tensei game (except Devil Summoner), Shadow Hearts 2 & 3, Skies of Arcadia, Grandia 2, Baten Kaitos, Xenosaga 1 & 3, Dragon Quest 8, Suikoden 3 & 5, Disgaea 1 & 2, Star Ocean 3, and Tales of Symphonia all received at least an 80% on Gamerankings, and many of those were 85% or above. Heck, Persona 3 was RPG of the Year for many critics over the Western-developed Mass Effect last year. On top of that, I really can't name a JRPG from last gen that deserved a high review average but didn't get it.

Plus, where are you getting the idea that every FPS gets good ratings? Reviewers shoot down mediocre-to-horrible FPSs all the time. (Just look at Army of Two, for a recent example.) 

But, whatever. vv

The game sounds interesting, but have you heard anything on the quality of the story at all? I really enjoyed the art style and battle system of Earth Bound, but I think the main thing that draws me to the title is the story.

or you could buy Persona 3: FES for $30 buxx next month....