White Knight Chronicles Co-op?

[Gorvi]

If I find out this is true I'm going to need to change my pants. PlayStation Beyond (http://www.psbeyond.com/news/New-White-Knight-details-emerge.955.html) is reporting that Japanese gaming site Game-Star! (http://gmstar.com/ps3/sirokisi.html) has an article touting some features of the upcoming RPG. Those would include:
Story should last 100 hours +
Graphics will be at 1080P
Dynamic battle system, allowing you to chose from the regular sized characters or transforming into the colossal white knight.
Co-op gameplay over the PSN
Bold on that last part added by me. I really didn't think it was possible for me to be looking forward to WKC any more than I already was. I was wrong. I've never heard of Game-Star! before, and I don't exactly frequent PSB, well, ever, so I'm not sure how reliable this is. But, damn, if this is true..... Here's the original article (http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fgmstar.com%2Fps3%2Fsiroki si.html&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&sl=ja&tl=en) translated via Google.

WKC comes out in Japan on Christmas Day this year, hopefully we'll see it before too long.

[NoName]

While that sounds awesome, trying to coordinate a 100+ hour game co-op with a friend sounds like a daunting task.

[pomeroy]

While that sounds awesome, trying to coordinate a 100+ hour game co-op with a friend sounds like a daunting task.

If they figure out a way to do seamless drop-in, it won't be so bad.

Of course, then that other person is missing the story and levelling when they aren't there.

You're right. That is daunting.

[Gorvi]

I'm guessing that you just jump in and control one of the other party members.

[danhoo]

Weird, I was just watching a Fable 2 video where they demo'd the whole jump-in Co-op functionality.

Having this sort of feature in WKC would be all kinds of awesome.

[DiBiddilyBop]

I was just thinking that it would probably work well if they do it Fable 2 style.

This game just keeps sounding better and better. It seems like forever ago that it was announced and looked awesome... I want to see something substantial.

[Gorvi]

This game just keeps sounding better and better. It seems like forever ago that it was announced and looked awesome... I want to see something substantial.
We should see quite a bit at TGS this weekend. Man, I can't wait for that. :)

[jeffbax]

I just want to see some of this game so there's a reason to be excited about it :p

[Gorvi]

Actual details from "that site" (http://kotaku.com/5060419/lets-learn-about-white-knight-chronicles-online-play):
The newest issue of Japanese magazine Dengeki PlayStation has new info about how online works for PS3 exclusive White Knight Chronicles. The Level 5 developed title features a story mode that can "seamlessly" change into online play. Once connected, there's a meeting place that can accommodate up to 16 players. From that, players break off into parties of four for quests.
So, yes, the game does have online co-op. And now I do need new pants. :)

[That Darn Kat]

Arg, this would be awesome if it was same box co-op! I don't want to play with strangers, I want to play with mah honey. ;_:

[DiBiddilyBop]

This was just upgraded from "must buy" to "absolutely must buy on launch day."

Pretty sure we can get some good EvAv co-op going on this one.

[TheFlyingOrc]

I'm guessing that you just jump in and control one of the other party members.

It wasn't online, but you could do that way back in Final Fantasy 6. ;)

[Evil Avnovice]

1. Some new images (http://www.gamekyo.com/newsen29257_white-knight-story-new-screenshots.html). (Gamekyo)

http://www.gamekyo.com/Webmasters/Images/54411420081010_061604_13_small.jpg (http://www.gamekyo.com/images13_4_29257.html) http://www.gamekyo.com/Webmasters/Images/54411420081010_061604_14_small.jpg (http://www.gamekyo.com/images14_4_29257.html) http://www.gamekyo.com/Webmasters/Images/54411420081010_061605_16_small.jpg (http://www.gamekyo.com/images16_4_29257.html)

2. A new video, along with new info on the game. (Gamekyo (http://www.gamekyo.com/videoen13314_white-knight-story-press-conference-at-tgs-2008.html))

- Create and name your own combinations with the combo system.
- Build up your gauge and transform.
- Create your own unique character (avatar) by setting parameter.
- Players can share the data such as money, items, and level that they took time to earn on both offline and online modes.
- MO quest : Lobby up to 16 players, Quest room up to 4 players for cooperative quests.

[BLeeP]

The online for this has me quite intrigued. The song at the beginning of this new video sounded...interesting.

[blair]

Sounds like a good idea, can't wait to try it out. If they're doing drop-in Co-Op I'm wondering if I would get to play my (local) character or if I had to use one of the hosts.

[KidCactus]

Co-op over the PSN sounds nice and all, but for this I'd rather have co-op over the couch, since both me and my girlfriend will play this. Maybe I'll have to get another PS3 for the bedroom...

[mister slim]

This was just upgraded from "must buy" to "absolutely must buy on launch day."

Pretty sure we can get some good Co-Optimising going on this one.

Fixed. Sorry.

[Wraith]

Sounds a bit PSO-like.

White Knight Chronicles: The MMORPG (http://www.siliconera.com/2008/10/10/white-knight-chronicles-the-mmorpg/)Leonard who can transform into the White Knight is the main character of the story, but you get to be in the adventure too as an avatar. Your custom avatar joins Leonard’s group in the Level 5’s create-your-own-combo PlayStation 3 RPG and has his/her own adventure online. White Knight Chronicles online mode consists of cooperative quests where up to four players try to take down a giant monster without the power to transform.

A demonstration battle showed a group fighting a humongous troll. Warriors could only reach the troll’s knees while a ranged attacker (mage?) was able to hit his head. The troll had multiple weak spots and it looks like finding those will be critical in the online monster hunting quests.

You can recruit allies by finding players in lobbies which hold up to sixteen people or by inviting respected warriors into your group by mail. The demo movie only had text communication and emotes similar to other MMORPGs. While text could work since the PlayStation 3 controller keyboard comes out this year voice chat would be better. Implementing voice chat has not been decided by the design team. It’s also unclear if White Knight Chronicles will have cross region play and if there will be canned universal phrases like in Final Fantasy XI.

One neat feature is all the hard work spent building your avatar in the offline single player mode automatically translates online. Avatars retain levels and items in the MMORPG portion and any items/levels gained from online battles are kept when your avatar returns to help Leonard. The avatar creation system appeared to be flexible with multiple heads, haircuts, and outfits to choose from. Here’s a look at some of the choices with the same outfit.

Sony will publish White Knight Chronicles on December 25 in Japan. The game is confirmed to hit Europe and North America, but a release date has not been announced.http://www.siliconera.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/l5wks-thumb.jpg

http://www.siliconera.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/l5wksa-thumb.jpg

http://www.siliconera.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/l5wksb-thumb.jpg

[Dukefrukem]

I like how we're finally getting more and more info for this game.

[DiBiddilyBop]

Fixed. Sorry.

Thank you. That looks better (and more accurate).

[EternalGamer]

They were talking about this on this week's 1up and it sounds really cool. I like the idea of having your online multiplayer character be one of the side support characters in the regular single player game. Whatever you gain in the multiplayer will apparently be gained by that character in the single player, but you can only play quests in the multiplayer to the level of your single player characters to keep it balanced.

This sounds like a really cool and interesting way to have BOTH a wide open multiplayer sandbox and a tight single player narrative experience. Very slick way to integrate the two.

[Evil Avnovice]

An SCE Special Session video (http://www.gamekyo.com/videoen13316_white-knight-story-special-session-video.html) from TGS 2008. (Gamekyo)

[Deadend]

The demo movie only had text communication and emotes similar to other MMORPGs. While text could work since the PlayStation 3 controller keyboard comes out this year voice chat would be better. Implementing voice chat has not been decided by the design team.
No, just no.

[Evil Avnovice]

Some new images (http://www.gamekyo.com/newsen29277_white-knight-story-new-screenshots.html) from Gamekyo.

http://www.gamekyo.com/Webmasters/Images/54411420081017_114924_5_small.jpg (http://www.gamekyo.com/images5_4_29277.html) http://www.gamekyo.com/Webmasters/Images/54411420081017_114924_6_small.jpg (http://www.gamekyo.com/images6_4_29277.html)

http://www.gamekyo.com/Webmasters/Images/54411420081017_114923_0_big.jpg (http://www.gamekyo.com/images0_4_29277.html)

http://www.gamekyo.com/Webmasters/Images/54411420081017_114924_3_big.jpg (http://www.gamekyo.com/images3_4_29277.html)

[Evil Avnovice]

A couple of new scans (http://www.gamekyo.com/newsen29302_white-knight-story-new-screenshots.html). (Gamekyo)

http://www.gamekyo.com/Webmasters/Images/54411420081029_113429_0_big.jpg (http://www.gamekyo.com/images0_4_29302.html)

http://www.gamekyo.com/Webmasters/Images/54411420081029_113430_1_big.jpg (http://www.gamekyo.com/images1_4_29302.html)

[Evil Avnovice]

A new video, with some images. (Gamekyo (http://www.gamekyo.com/videoen13525_white-knight-story-new-video.html))

http://www.gamekyo.com/Webmasters/Images/54411420081105_120633_0_big.jpg (http://www.gamekyo.com/images0_5_13525.html)

http://www.gamekyo.com/Webmasters/Images/54411420081105_120633_1_big.jpg (http://www.gamekyo.com/images1_5_13525.html)

http://www.gamekyo.com/Webmasters/Images/54411420081105_120634_4_big.jpg (http://www.gamekyo.com/images4_5_13525.html)

http://www.gamekyo.com/Webmasters/Images/54411420081105_120635_10_big.jpg (http://www.gamekyo.com/images10_5_13525.html)

[NoName]

The new screen shots remind me a lot of FFXII.

[Gorvi]

The new screen shots remind me a lot of FFXII.
Me too. They have a very MMO feel to them.

[Variable Gear]

Me too. They have a very MMO feel to them.
This game is kind of turning into a hybrid of FFXII and PSO, which is pretty cool. :)

[Virtual Machine]

This is one i've been looking forward to since it was first announced, but i have to say, the graphics seem to have taken a HUGE step backwards. Where is the "Level 5" style that was oozing off of the older vids? Of the gamekyo screens above, the first one looks kinda good, but that second, woof! That's sub-FFXI shit there, and FFXI came out over 5 years ago!

[Xydarc]

Can't wait for this one. Level 5 knows how to put together a great RPG.

[Cyndair]

This is one i've been looking forward to since it was first announced, but i have to say, the graphics seem to have taken a HUGE step backwards. Where is the "Level 5" style that was oozing off of the older vids? Of the gamekyo screens above, the first one looks kinda good, but that second, woof! That's sub-FFXI shit there, and FFXI came out over 5 years ago!

I'm going to chalk it up to that just being a bad screenshot. The other shots earlier in this thread look great. I can't wait for this game. I've been dying for a good JRPG on the PS3 for awhile now.

[Evil Avnovice]

Two new (http://www.gamekyo.com/videoen13792_white-knight-story-new-video.html) videos (http://www.gamekyo.com/videoen13793_white-knight-story-new-video.html) from Gamekyo.

[mister slim]

None of the WKC gameplay shots have ever shown much actual style. Level 5 went too generic with the look of this game. The cutscenes have a nice feel though. Like a more subtle Rogue Galaxy maybe.

[Narradisall]

*sigh*

I'm going to end up with a PS3, aren't I?

[Virtual Machine]

Narradisall is getting a PS3, can ya dig that!!?

And he's gonna have a good time!

[jeffbax]

No, just no.
http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/3839/facepalmle3.jpg

:( Please don't fuck this up Sony...

[Evil Avnovice]

Three new videos from Gametrailers.

44475

44469

44467

[Xerxes]

When I watched a stream of this playing. Didn't seem all that great to me.

[Purple Santa]

When I watched a stream of this playing. Didn't seem all that great to me.

The gameplay? Or how it looks? The game looks amazing, but I agree if you are saying the gameplay doesn't look like it's pushing anything new. The look of the game may lure new fans, but not sure if it may keep them. But it's only one video...

[Virtual Machine]

Woah - that boss fight looked extremely dull.

[Xerxes]

The gameplay? Or how it looks? The game looks amazing, but I agree if you are saying the gameplay doesn't look like it's pushing anything new. The look of the game may lure new fans, but not sure if it may keep them. But it's only one video...

No, I watched it being played live on a video feed. I think it was a little after christmas so it may have been the Japanese version. It had some really bad camera moments. And some dull boss fights. We were talking about it in the IRC. Well see though.

[RandoM51]

People who have actually played it say they like it, especially the online questing.

[Virtual Machine]

Oh i have no doubt in my mind whatsoever that this damn game will steal my soul and make me it's slave, but it just looks REALLY boring to watch.

[Evil Avnovice]

A couple of new images. (Gamekyo (http://www.gamekyo.com/newsen29931_white-knight-story-in-few-screenshost.html))

http://www.gamekyo.com/Webmasters/Images/54411420090128_133508_0_big.jpg (http://www.gamekyo.com/images0_4_29931.html)

http://www.gamekyo.com/Webmasters/Images/54411420090128_133508_1_big.jpg (http://www.gamekyo.com/images1_4_29931.html)

http://www.gamekyo.com/Webmasters/Images/54411420090128_133508_2_big.jpg (http://www.gamekyo.com/images2_4_29931.html)

http://www.gamekyo.com/Webmasters/Images/54411420090128_133508_3_big.jpg (http://www.gamekyo.com/images3_4_29931.html)

[Gorvi]

I still want this so badly.

[BigJonno]

Looks pretty cool and the online part sounds too much like PSO for me to miss. Shame about the lack of couch co-op though.

[Virtual Machine]

NA Release date! NOW! And i don't want to be hearing no Fall 09 bullshot either! JUNE at the latest.


DO YOU HEAR ME MR. SONY!!!!!!!

[SilentScreams]

Local co-op would have been better for my own selfish ends.
I don't own a PS3, but this is one of the very very very few games I want one for. I could have gone over to my friend's house and played it on his with him.

The good news for Sony is they are very gradually building up a catalogue of worthwhile exclusives. By the time said catalogue is a decent size, the PS3 will have hopefully dropped down to a normal price too.

[Evil Avnovice]

An import preview from Gametrailers.

45088

[Evil Avnovice]

36 new images (http://www.gamekyo.com/newsen30469_white-knight-story-comes-back-in-pictures.html). (Gamekyo)

http://www.gamekyo.com/Webmasters/Images/54411420090310_201453_5_big.jpg (http://www.gamekyo.com/images5_4_30469.html)

http://www.gamekyo.com/Webmasters/Images/54411420090310_201455_13_big.jpg (http://www.gamekyo.com/images13_4_30469.html)

http://www.gamekyo.com/Webmasters/Images/54411420090310_201455_15_big.jpg (http://www.gamekyo.com/images15_4_30469.html)

http://www.gamekyo.com/Webmasters/Images/54411420090310_201457_24_big.jpg (http://www.gamekyo.com/images24_4_30469.html)

http://www.gamekyo.com/Webmasters/Images/54411420090310_201456_22_big.jpg (http://www.gamekyo.com/images22_4_30469.html)

[MalReynolds]

i wants now not later SONY

[bean]

I've been excited about this since BEFORE the PS3 was released (as well as FF XI). They finally came out with the other pre-launch hypeware (Resistance 2) and FF XIII is expected to FINALLY release this year, so I'd like to see this one come out too (along with a PS3 price-drop to $300 as I won't buy one when over a year and a half has passed since their last price drop and thus one should arrive any month now. . . would be pissed if I bought it a month or two before it was $100 cheaper).

I already want Valkyria Chronicles, and I know I'm going to want to play GoW 3. This is the year that I think the PS3 will finally make sense to those of us who don't shell out $300 until there are enough games we are interested in owning on a system.

[x Returner x]

I played a little bit of White Knight Chronicles last night. The character creation was pretty deep. Can't say anything for the story can't read or understand Japanese. The combat was fun and you can customize you're AI buddies skill sets. I haven't seen a boss yet was pretty much just trying to get use to the menu system since I can't read it.

I don't know if I will be able to play online being in the states and all but was going to try this weekend. Even without out knowing whats going on I find the game to be really fun.

[Gorvi]

I just want to hear the English release officially announced already. They've said it's coming, but we've never heard when.

[Orca]

Have they decided on voice chat yet?

[MalReynolds]

sony is famous for this tho .... they want us to want it so bad,we'll cry for it

[Dukefrukem]

I'm using this as the WKC discussion thread, thought you guys might like to watch this video on the PS Blog that describes the combat system (http://blog.us.playstation.com/2009/12/white-knight-chronicles-international-edition-the-battle-system/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+PSBlog+(PlayStation.Blog))... sounds FUCKING awesome.

[Gorvi]

I watched that yesterday, it sounds really interesting. I want more info on the PSO-like online portion, that looks like what will keep me putting this back in my PS3 for months to come.

[Mortis]

So this comes out tomorrow here, any word on how good the online component is?

[TheEpicOfTyler]

A friend and I are gonna pick this up after the early year rush and hopefully pick it up for cheaper. Hope online is good.

[Gorvi]

So this comes out tomorrow here, any word on how good the online component is?
I'll have it if it's available in my area tomorrow, but I don't think you can play it online right off the bat. It's one of the reasons I want the game so much, I'll be sure to try it as soon as I can.

[BlackPete]

The co-op play is online only? Too bad, I would've really liked to play this with my GF :(

[Spigot]

Is this going to be the official WKC impressions thread? Amazon.ca hasn't shipped my copy yet, so I'm still able to cancel the game if my willpower increases and I can wait until after all of these other big games have come and gone.

But it's Level 5... and I love Level 5... And I've been wanting this game for years. It's just that now I have many other big, meaty games to hold my interest (and pile on the floor). Where were you last year in mid April when I needed something after P4, WKC? WHERE WERE YOU?!?!