Gaming GC: Skies Of Arcadia Legends

[Ben Holiday]

Has anybody been checking this out? If you don't know it's a port of an rpg called Skies Of Arcadia from the Dreamcast. I really hope the GC doesn't mess up one of the best console rpg's of all time. Hopefully Sega keeps as much to the original as possible. I can't remember any other rpg where I had as much fun.

[Semjaza]

It's basically a port... But a lot is being added to it as well. The main additions would be a new main character as well as evil versions of Vyse, Fina and Aika.

From what I've seen it looks nearly exactly like the DC version, possibly a little smoother. I'm hoping the texture compression on the GC will get rid of that blurriness in the distance you can see in the DC version.

Anyway, I'm definately buying it. Comes out here in January (possibly February) I believe.

[Charles]

I probably won't be buying it because I already went through the original DreamCast version. The new character, evil versions of the three original characters, and new sub quests all sound nice, but they're basically just a new layer of icing. In all honesty, I don't care too much about the removal of tobacco products or alcohol. Their omission is silly, considering how downplayed they were. It's nothing that will affect the game in the least.

If you haven't played the DC version, then this one is a must-own. People say that it's about as good as Grandia II for DC, but there's no comparison--SOA crushes it.

Because there is a heavy emphasis on exploration, you must uncover the entire world map. There are all sorts of hidden goodies and secrets to find. Plus, the GameCube version will tone down the overzealous combat, so it should make friendlier exploring.

With the GameCube pretty much starved for role-playing games, it'll be nice to see this title come along. At least it's not a port of Crazy Taxi or something, lol.

[Ben Holiday]

Removal of tobacco and alcohol? You're joking right? I don't think they were that big a factor in the game to begin with. Are they really going to cut back on the amount of battling too? I think the mass amounts of random battling were important. They helped you get the money for your base and upgrading the ship. Plus it all felt worth it once you got back from Yufatoma and got the ships extra abilities so you could skip the battles.

[Semjaza]

People made a big deal about it being removed from the GC version for some odd reason... Which is strange because most of it was removed from the DC US translation in the first place.

It's generally agreed that there were way too many fights when you're flying around though heh.

[Turkey]

I remember once throwing my controller because, after hours of doing stuff, the huge amount of random battles killed my characters, just before reaching the save point.

From what I've seen, the characters have much better poligon models, and the resolution is better.

One part of a recent interview really got my interest. The director (forgot his name) said that they are adding to this game all the stuff they didn't have time to in the original.
Remember how the ships had a "value" stat? Well, the game originally had many ships which could be bought and traded.

Also, there will be a lot of gameplay that takes place before the beginning of the original (like when Vyse gets his scar).

With every new detail released, I feel more and more tempted to buy it.

[Ben Holiday]

Thats what I thought I mean they even refer to Ioqau as juice in the DC version. Tobacco was pretty much non-existant too only a one or two characters had a cigar. Oh well, as long as they keep the voices to exclamations of surprise, laughter, fighting moves and battle wins it will all be good but more talking would suck. Also I wonder how they plan to do the Pinta and Cupil quests.

[Semjaza]

Last I heard that Pinta VMU thing was simply being removed... Which is odd, considering you could use a GBA cable for something simliar. They could have changed their minds by now though.

I remember hearing something different about Cupil, but I don't remember anymore.

[Ben Holiday]

Hmm.. no Pinta quests would be acceptable my vmu's battery was dead so I skipped that part. But for Cupil they should be able to just make the screen beep since the GC doesn't have a vmu. I guess I'll just have to wait until the release then if the reviews are good then I'll go get a GC. If not then I'll just be really dissapointed.

Just watched a movie of the japanese version looks interesting saw some new people and what looked to be the Albatross II flying through the whirlwinds on the way to Ixa' Paxa. It looks interesting looks like there was more ships in your armada at the end.

[Sniglefager]

This game got game of the month in EGM, so I'm probably gonna check it out. It was also in their top 100 best games of all time list. After seeing how good it is, I'm probably gonna buy it

[Ben Holiday]

IGN.COM has a new preview out for this and some pics. Though you do have to wade through all their ads.

[Desbreko]

[color=indigo]Well, from reading that article on IGN.com and the preview in Nintendo Power, it sounds like a really fun game. It's been a bit since I played a good RPG, and I never played the DC version, so I think I'm probably going to get it when it comes out.[/color]

[Semjaza]

In case people missed it, the game came out this past Tuesday. I'm going to spare you all the common knowledge stuff about the story, which is basically about air pirates (think a more cheery FF4).

Pros and Cons:

+ Character models are slightly improved. Characters have individual rendered fingers now (on DC their hands were basically like a block). The faces seem a bit more clear, and also... Aika's boobs aren't as pointy! Yay :D.

+ Textures on a whole seem a lot more clear, but not quite as vivid as I remember them being on the DC. Still, it is an improvement.

+ Encounters have been lessened from the DC version. Based on what I've played, I'd say I've gotten into about 1/3 less fights than I did on the original (especially while flying). This is a good thing, as the original rate was so high it was annoying.

+ New bad characters have been added, as well as a new character named Piastol (who apparently is unplayable though). New scenes and discoveries and such have been added as well. Anything that was available only online with the DC version is in this game in some way.

- The music seems slightly muffled and tinny at points. It's definately not bad, but not as high quality as the DC version

- Remember how nearly every DC game had floor textures that blurred into the distance? SoA was one of those, and for some damn reason the GC version still has this problem.

+/- Pinta's Quest has been removed, since there is no VMU. I won't miss it so I don't know if I'd consider it a + or a -.

- Despite all this, it's still a port of a three year old game. It looks very good art wise, but is rather low in poly. It's not all that much worse than Suikoden III though.

So should you get this?

If you never played the original -- Yes. It's one of the better RPGs in recent years. I was also happy to see how cheerful it was, especially considering all the dark and angst ridden RPGs that are popular now.

If you own the original -- If you love the game, I think it's worth the time. There is about 5 to 10 hours of new material in the game for people that want to get it.

Personally, I bought it because all the annoyances I had with the DC version were fixed (well other than the floor blurring). Support this and maybe we'll get a sequel soon :D.

[ZeroBlade]

I'm playing this game now. Its really a great game! I'm gald I didn't get this when the DC version was out. As Semjaza said, BUY if you never played. Play a round or 2 if you did.

[Taikaru]

I saw some stuff on it...looked kinda' crappy to me...

[Subversive]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Taikaru [/i]
[B]I saw some stuff on it...looked kinda' crappy to me... [/B][/QUOTE]
Thanks for the indepth words of advice:rolleyes:
I will get this game when I find it (Stupid Wallmart)
I'm probably going to get it @ gamestop or EB.
My friend already has, and had the DC version, and says it is greatly improved. Its actually taking him away *some* from PSO. If you have any intrests in the Role Playing Game genre, get the game, truly a masterpiece!

[kizu]

As long as we are talking about SoA I was wondering if anyone know where I find Ilchymis at? I heard that when you get him as a crew member he makes a shop at your base that will allow you to buy the seeds to increase your stats. And with that said I figured that I should find him since I am getting close to the end of the game (I just came back from the the Great Silvite(sp)Shrine).

[Semjaza]

I've not gotten that far personally... The DC version honestly just pissed me off heh. I'm in the process of getting the Yellow Moon Crystal on the GC version.

Anyway... I am replying to this thread for one reason only: to tell all of you to buy this damn game.

The DC version more or less bombed for reasons beyond my comprehension. The GC version didn't even make a Top 10 daily charts in sales [i]at all[/i]. This is possibly one of the best RPGs ever created and people just aren't paying attention. Buy this game! I want a sequel! :flaming:

If people gave it a chance (the main problem is getting past the DC-ish graphics, but the game is still beautiful in it's design) they'd see how great this game is. No stupid angsty lead characters that want to kill themselves... no sappy melodrama that never seems to end... It's such a fresh direction compared to what's popular now. I really think everyone here would really enjoy it.

I've been playing 20 hours almost, and it's as if I've barely scratched the surface... and the entire time I've been totally enjoying it (sure there are some parts I wasn't big on, but they weren't bad). It really is this good.... And while I know that many people here think my RPG taste is bizarre, if you never going to pay attention to what I say... please pay attention to this.

[SS5 Gogeta]

I've been playing this game for about 30 hours and i've just escaped the Grand Fortress [spoiler]again.[/spoiler] and I've been really enjoying the game. I just have a question, I thought Drachma would be permantly staying with me but [spoiler]he dies trying to hunt down Rhaknam[/spoiler] I was so sad that that happened then Gilder comes along then eventually [spoiler]leaves.[/spoiler] and now Enrique the son of Empress Teodora joins the party and to my suprise he is extremely powerful. Now would he eventually leave and go back to the Valua empire? because I want to keep an ally as strong as him.

This is the official Skies of Arcadia help thread so if any of you have any questions just post them right here and someone will eventually answer you.

[size=1][color=red]Edit - I've been advised to merge these two threads. We're supposed to keep the clutter down, and really there isn't much of an interest in Skies here sadly... - Semjaza[/size][/color]

[Subversive]

Well I just got the game Sunday and am currently getting the Green Moon Crystal. I've found Rixis and am in it right now, how I loathe this area...but I can't stop playing this game. I can't believe I'm actually admitting its taking away from playing with my lv 90+ RAmar on PSO. Get this game...NOW!

[hiachi]

Drachma [spoiler]doesnt die there, you'll find him later, and Im sure that Enrique wouldnt go back, because he hates Valua[/spoiler]

[Subversive]

Yeah I know, I beat it! look at my sig now...

[SS5 Gogeta]

I'm afraid that he was answering me. Wow! [spoiler] so Drachma didn't die. [/spoiler]this suprised me a lot. Thanks ^_^

[Subversive]

Well...I thought that happened too, but I was wrong. Are you to that point in the game, its kindof ironic what happens to him.[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by kizu [/i]
[B]As long as we are talking about SoA I was wondering if anyone know where I find Ilchymis at? I heard that when you get him as a crew member he makes a shop at your base that will allow you to buy the seeds to increase your stats. And with that said I figured that I should find him since I am getting close to the end of the game (I just came back from the the Great Silvite(sp)Shrine). [/B][/QUOTE]

Ilchymis is [color=white]just above Valua above the clouds. You will see the purple moon as you get close.[/color]

[SS5 Gogeta]

I just finished the game and I have to tell you imo, it's the best RPG of all time. I really liked it that it didn't have to have the main character being bad or your friends betraying you to keep the story interesting. For me it's just refreshing to play as a pure hearted hero who's going against impossible odds against an Armada for a change.