Star Ocean 4 360 - Who's playing?

[Chris_D]

(Had this over in the Deals forum but realised my mistake)

Did anyone end up picking up this game? I'm 10 hours in and enjoying it a lot so far. Again, seems like the reviewers were a little critical, like they are with nearly all non Final Fantasy JRPGs. Also, like Suikoden DS, I feel this is a very worthy follow up to the Star Ocean series. I have only placed the 2nd game on the PS1 (1st was import only, 3rd received very harsh reviews), but I really enjoyed that one, and this 360 game reminds me a lot of some of the feelings I had playing PS1 game and the soundtrack is definitely reminiscent. Also, I find the combat an improvement, pretty straight forward, but enough action to remain engaging and not frustrating. Parts of the game remind me of Mass Effect more than anything, but each game has it's good and bad points. Mass Effect had very good character models and excellent voice acting while Star Ocean's are a bit plastic and the VA is monotone. However, I love the Star Ocean outdoor environments, they are so much less confining than Mass Effect's. On Mass Effect, even when you're on this new gorgeous alien planet, it just felt like you were running down a corridor.

Load times on ME were a bit rough but Star Ocean 4 transitions quickly between areas and battles without even an NXE installation.

I'm not far into the story so far, but am enjoying the setting. It's definitely more Sci-fi and less fantasy than SO2.

Anyone else got any thoughts?

[jpublic]

I stopped about 25h in and needed to take a break, I couldn't deal with the melodrama. Some of the main character's tirades would have made Shatner proud.

[EternalGamer]

So is this game 2 player like Tales of Vesperia?

[Orca]

I like the battle system. I've been grinding out fights to get new skills - really need to get back to going through the story lol

[Chris_D]

I stopped about 25h in and needed to take a break, I couldn't deal with the melodrama. Some of the main character's tirades would have made Shatner proud.

I put in another 6 hours yesterday and can't help but agree. What a dick.

[Dark Prince]

I've been putting sporadic time into this game. It's not bad, but the story is definitely hurting itself. You could make your own commentary out of it.

[BLeeP]

I've played the first few hours and really enjoy it due to the battle system (of which I wrote a lengthy post defending to someone who didn't enjoy it in one of the other threads, but I never posted it because it wasn't finished and then it got lost. I'm sorry to that person ((and anyone else whom I owe a post, and you know who you are))).

Kat is playing a metric f-ton of the game, though, and she really likes it, although I see her obsessing over battle trophies. Scary.

[LiquidRain]

Definitely not me. (http://www.colonyofgamers.com/cogforums/showpost.php?p=198072&postcount=104) I hate this game and everything about it. My thoughts are contained in that link there.

God awful game. I wouldn't wish it upon anyone but my worst enemies. I quit Star Ocean 4 to play Persona 4, and that turned out to rank very high in the "best decision ever" category. :)

[MalReynolds]

i played about 3 hours of it but as most JRpg's i just lost interest

[Chris_D]

Definitely not me. (http://www.colonyofgamers.com/cogforums/showpost.php?p=198072&postcount=104) I hate this game and everything about it. My thoughts are contained in that link there.

God awful game. I wouldn't wish it upon anyone but my worst enemies. I quit Star Ocean 4 to play Persona 4, and that turned out to rank very high in the "best decision ever" category. :)

I read your comments about the combat. I'm also a little confused by the lack of ability to select the target like you can do in Tales. And, I miss having an assigned button for blocking. However, on the whole, I enjoy moving around and hitting guys and I haven't had any camera problems. Also, I like the blind-siding move which even can be used on bosses that takes it beyond straight button mashing, and the battle trophies are nice.

Generally, I always prefer an action based combat system over turn based (even active).

About 20 hours in now. One of the turns in the story was pretty stupid and Edge is still being a dick. Who put him in charge anyway! Still enjoying it though.

[Purple Santa]

Another one I am adding to the growing list of JRPGs I need to play. I'm feeling i'll never catch up...

[jpublic]

I have to agree with LRain's criticisms, although the biggest complaints I have are:

1) Melodrama. Oh my god, Edge is melodramatic.
2) Cutscenes after cutscenes. MGS would be proud.

[Stoke]

Set out to buy this day one but as soon as I heard some of the voice acting I decided to wait. If I'm going to suffer though bad story I at least want the lines delivered well. Planning on picking this up when it hit's $20.

[LiquidRain]

The funny thing is, it's not like they got bad voice actors. Reimi is voiced by the same woman who did Alicia in Valkyria Chronicles and Rise in Persona 4. She can deliver a good performance, it's just that SO4's script sucks that bad.

[jpublic]

Yes, yes it does. Although the kid's dialogue is hilarious.

[Inverarity]

Thought I'd revive this thread to ask you folks a question...

I got SO4 from GameFly recently, and I started playing yesterday. My initial reaction, after three hours or so, is that it's one of the most annoying games I've ever played, for many of the reasons listed above: intrusive cutscenes, strange story and character decisions, terrible voice acting, bad camera, confusing combat system, etc. I was hoping for a science fiction JRPG, but this seems to be little more than a bog-standard fantasy JRPG reskinned to look a bit like Phantasy Star Online. (Guns don't work because spiders have shields for some reason? Good thing you brought your space-sword and your space-bow. Why?)

I'm willing to believe that it gets better eventually. If someone can tell me this, though, I'd be grateful: if the first two or three hours set my teeth on edge and made me want to stop playing entirely, is it worth slogging through until it improves? I'm willing to give it more of a chance, but I don't have infinite time to spend getting to the good bits.

One other thing, although this is more of a technical quibble...I'm playing with the 360's output set to 1080p over HDMI, and the graphics and textures are very busy and noisy. I can't tell whether it's due to some sort of glitch or whether it's just that the combination of not much antialiasing and the 360s upscaling is making all the foliage, etc. look lousy. Has anyone seen this?

[Dukefrukem]

This is on my goozex list. I've been waiting a long time for it.

[ClannerDelta]

I'm willing to believe that it gets better eventually. If someone can tell me this, though, I'd be grateful: if the first two or three hours set my teeth on edge and made me want to stop playing entirely, is it worth slogging through until it improves? I'm willing to give it more of a chance, but I don't have infinite time to spend getting to the good bits.

No, I played the game through to the end. It didn't get better. It gets worse... then back to where it started.

It's probably worth it for the fans, but I can't really suggest it to anyone else.

[Smokey]

I'm willing to believe that it gets better eventually. If someone can tell me this, though, I'd be grateful: if the first two or three hours set my teeth on edge and made me want to stop playing entirely, is it worth slogging through until it improves? I'm willing to give it more of a chance, but I don't have infinite time to spend getting to the good bits.


If the first 3 hours make you want to stop playing, then the 3rd planetEarth will probably make you want to scream at the screen in rage at the sheer idiocy of the writing, it's seriously some of the most annoying writing I have ever seen in a video game, not worth it at all.

[LiquidRain]

I quit at 7h when the writing continually got worse.

One other thing, although this is more of a technical quibble...I'm playing with the 360's output set to 1080p over HDMI, and the graphics and textures are very busy and noisy. I can't tell whether it's due to some sort of glitch or whether it's just that the combination of not much antialiasing and the 360s upscaling is making all the foliage, etc. look lousy. Has anyone seen this?
The game doesn't render at 720p on the main world I believe, it's something like 1000x600 like Call of Duty. The battles run at a resolution startingly close to SDTV, something like 800x540.

[Chris_D]

The fantasy / sci-fi thing is pretty much in line with the series so far so I can't really blame them for that. I know that I appreciated having expansive environments to run around rather than the corridor fest of Mass Effect. I was disappointed that some of the later planets are pretty much straight out fantasy-trope compared to the insect world that you start out in.

The voice acting is probably overly criticized based on a few bad scenes and some annoying characters (the kid and the wing chick). Overall, it's not bad compared to what's out there.

The combat is really one of the better JRPG twitch based combat engines out there. I think you would get used to it and enjoy it in time. There's quite a lot to do.

I think it's actually a pretty good JRPG overall and happy that I played through it. Having said that, with you being so negative on the first 3 hours, well I would recommend you slam it back in the envelope and move on.

[LiquidRain]

The voice acting is probably overly criticized based on a few bad scenes and some annoying characters (the kid and the wing chick). Overall, it's not bad compared to what's out there.
For me, it's not the voice actors themselves, it's the horrible writing and direction. I liked Rise in P4, and Reimi was played by the same voice actor... and that pretty much just really highlights what a difference good writing and direction makes.

I may or may not be repeating myself in this thread. :) I'm just replaying P4, so this is fresh in my mind.

[Chris_D]

I think you are :). Also, I'm pretty sure Rise is the pink haired item creation chick not Reimi. Unless she does both voices, and her Reimi voice is totally different.

[ClannerDelta]

I think you are :). Also, I'm pretty sure Rise is the pink haired item creation chick not Reimi. Unless she does both voices, and her Reimi voice is totally different.

I don't care what you say. Welch is the best character of the bunch. If I could just hear one of her adorable lines during item creation just one more time. I think I could die happy.

[LiquidRain]

I think you are :). Also, I'm pretty sure Rise is the pink haired item creation chick not Reimi. Unless she does both voices, and her Reimi voice is totally different.
She did both Reimi and Welch according to IMDB. Again highlighting the difference script and direction makes. ;)

[Chris_D]

OK thanks. I'm pretty impressed with her range!

[Dukefrukem]

Coming to PS3? (http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/29/ps3-version-of-star-ocean-the-last-hope-pops-up-on-gamefly/)

Awesome.

[Stoke]

Coming to PS3? (http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/29/ps3-version-of-star-ocean-the-last-hope-pops-up-on-gamefly/)

Awesome.

Maybe with all that blu-ray space they can add in the Japanese voices. That'd certainly make it the more desirable version.

[Gorvi]

Coming to PS3? (http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/29/ps3-version-of-star-ocean-the-last-hope-pops-up-on-gamefly/)

Awesome.
If only it were a good game.....
Sorry, Chris!

[Chris_D]

If only it were a good game.....
Sorry, Chris!

Now it's on ps3 no excuses! :p

[Chris_D]

Btw, with this and Tales of Vesperia, the PS3 will now have 2 of the better current gen JRPGs. Also, Tales is meant to have extra content.

[LiquidRain]

The real RPG reason to get a PS3 is Valkyria - something the 360 isn't getting that's leaps and bounds better than anything else.

[Chris_D]

The real RPG reason to get a PS3 is Valkyria - something the 360 isn't getting that's leaps and bounds better than anything else.

I dunno, I haven't played it, but it's good to have at least one more RPG to play, no?

[LiquidRain]

My opinion on SO4 is well known to you, so I'll withdraw from comment on that one. :)

(more importantly: YOU HAVEN'T PLAYED VALKYRIA?! Get it. Now. I'm sure the COG Valkyria Brigade will back me up shortly on this one.)

[Banacek]

I wish I shared your guys love of Persona. I'd dying to play a good jRPG.

[ClannerDelta]

I dunno, I haven't played it, but it's good to have at least one more RPG to play, no?

I hate you. I hope you suffer through that part of SO4 for all eternity. You know which part.

All of it

[Gorvi]

Btw, with this and Tales of Vesperia, the PS3 will now have 2 of the better current gen JRPGs. Also, Tales is meant to have extra content.
That makes me sad that a Star Ocean game and a Tales game are considered the best console RPGs this generation, as both series' have never impressed me much aside from Star Ocean 2. No proper FF game so far is one thing, but there hasn't even been the lesser known RPGs that stand out really, like Shadow Hearts (Lost Odyssey is close). I guess those have all moved to handhelds for the most part.

[Chris_D]

That makes me sad that a Star Ocean game and a Tales game are considered the best console RPGs this generation, as both series' have never impressed me much aside from Star Ocean 2. No proper FF game so far is one thing, but there hasn't even been the lesser known RPGs that stand out really, like Shadow Hearts (Lost Odyssey is close). I guess those have all moved to handhelds for the most part.

Don't make me repeat myself :p. Star Ocean 4 is better than 2. Yes, really it is! Tales of V is probably the best tales game which is saying quite a bit considering how many there are. If you dislike the Tales series it probably won't convert you. Apart from that, there's Lost Odd. which pretty much out-FFXs FFX (IMO). Also, of course I hope they'll put the next Persona on a HD console, that series is due for a visual upgrade.

[Chris_D]

My opinion on SO4 is well known to you, so I'll withdraw from comment on that one. :)

(more importantly: YOU HAVEN'T PLAYED VALKYRIA?! Get it. Now. I'm sure the COG Valkyria Brigade will back me up shortly on this one.)

Don't have a PS3. I just hope it hasn't become stupidly rare by the time I have one.

[LiquidRain]

Don't have a PS3. I just hope it hasn't become stupidly rare by the time I have one.
Shouldn't be - it started to become hard to find till Sega released a 2nd print around the time of the Gamestop $30 sale in the US. In Japan, it's a Greatest Hits, so as long as you don't mind an ugly cover, you're good!

Don't make me repeat myself :p. Star Ocean 4 is better than 2. Yes, really it is! Tales of V is probably the best tales game which is saying quite a bit considering how many there are.
Quantity is not equal to quality? The best Tales game was Symphonia. Then it was Abyss. (depending on your opinion) Then it was Vesperia. I'm seeing a trend here in the popular opinion... ;)

I feel bad for trying to kill your enthusiasm, but I just happen to agree with Gorvi. There's just so few (read: next to none) good JRPGs these days.

[Chris_D]

Symphonia is my second favourite Tales game. Abyss was a bit of a mess technically. The poor frame rates and long load times kept me from getting too far. One of the things I love about V is that it looks great, runs like butter, and almost no load times. Stuff that every modern JRPG should aim for.

[LiquidRain]

Yeah, I think that's sort of the thing Gorvi's on about.

It's not something every modern JRPG should aim for.

It's what every modern JRPG should have as a baseline requirement.

(Couple side notes on that: Valkyria's load times for missions are actually not that great, loading a mid-mission save actually takes a fairly long time in my opinion, but the loading screen comes up infrequently. VERY infrequently during missions. As for Persona 3 and 4 load times, I play my PS2 games off a hard drive, which eliminates all loading times in Persona 3/4 for me.)

[Gorvi]

Yeah, I'm just not a Tales fan, never have been. I've also not been a fan of Tri-Ace's games for the most part at all, with SO2 being really the only one I can say I enjoyed.

I'm actually mostly ok with the lack of console RPGs lately, the move they've mostly made to portables makes it easier for me to play them. The fact that you can count the signifcant JRPG releases this year on consoles on one hand with fingers to spare though is still a sad thing.

[Chris_D]

Persona 4's load times were actually pretty good for a PS2 game. Still, SO4 and ToV load a lot faster, even before you do the HDD install. One of the good things about sticking to the DVD format I guess.

I agree with you Gorvi about portable RPGs. I just wish there were more original RPGs on handhelds. It is getting better though. Suikoden Tierkreis and FF: CC stick out in my mind.