Ok, so I've started playing this game, and I'm already frustrated. Why does it take nearly a half hour to get to the tutorial for this game? I was so exhausted of the story by this point, paired with the slow responses between characters that I fought the aqua monster, saved and shut the game off.

I would think that developers would realize by now that gamers need to be immersed in the game quickly. A tutorial so far into the game is simply aggrivating.

Oh, and can the main character possibly BE any more whiny?

Yes Emil in fact CAN be more whiney.

Yeah one of the big problems in the game for me was the game just drags things out sooooo long. It gets better eventually though, both Emil and the immersion. It grows on you I guess is what i'm trying to say.

I like the game.

A few flaws, but it's still enjoyable.

Definitely grows on you. Also, it's pretty fun if you play with someone else... I would look up where hidden items were in the "overworld", then control one of the party members during fights.

It was slow moving at times, but the story really picks up and the characters are fairly endearing. Had a definite Final Fantasy feel by the end (and not just because the big corporate stage reminded me of Shinra so much...)

The original was similar, you had to be patient and give the game a chance before it became worthwhile.

Generally though, that reeks of bad design. Not everyone will have the patience, or perhaps even realize that it 'gets better'.

your rant fails because you failed to mention that Emil is the worst video game character ever.

@ Demo - Ive played the original, and DotNW is a lot slower.

@ TheSteve - Exactly. I popped it in because my gf and I wanted to get a gaming session in (and surprise - she's not into shooters or zombie games)...I just wanted to get to a point where she can play also. She sat there patiently for a half hour before I felt bad and we switched to something else (Hunters: The Gathering for GC)

Im sure the game gets better in time, but they really didnt think their American market through on this one when they brought the game over.

Most RPG's are like that. I wouldn't call it bad design, since it takes time for story to unfold. RPP's are a genre that you have to have patience for. If you don't, then it probably isn't the genre for you.

You can make RPG's interesting from the start. You either have to get an interesting premise going right away or make the characters worth caring about as quickly as possible, as well as trying to minimize any issues that might get on the player's nerves, like bad voice acting or dialogue. Many RPG's do this.

I've never played an RPG like that, then.

I give RPG's around 10 hours or so to prove themselfs. It usually takes around 8-10 for the RPG to actually be interesting story wise from my experience.