Volourn

This thread, as indidictaed, is to collect actual professional reviews ala the two GSs or IGN. The first one is ready to be added: Worthplaying - http://www.gamerankings.com/itemrankings/l...reviewid=738972 9.0

Yes, it most certainly has the FFish feel to it. Sadly, however, thus far the music track is simply average imo.

Heh, I will. And, OW! Lots of typos in there! Urgh! Update: Fixed a lot of my typoes (I'm sure not all). I should point out that though there's a greta lack of dialogue choices (as per usual in FF); once you have control of Vaan, you have plenty of oppurtunity to just roam around the city and outskirts if you so wish. Like I said, the game hints/pushes/urges you in a certain story direction; but I didn't feel I 'had to' do it right away in most cases.

Introduction: At EB, and bored waiting for NWN2 to be released here; I scooped up FF12 as well as the strat guides for FF12 and NWN2. As mentioned in the other thread, I was amazed of the thickness of the strat guide though I ahven't read it since I spent my reading time reading about character creation in NWN2. This is an early impresssion so don't expect much. I've played nearly 2 hours - mostly consisting of cutscenes and/or handholding explanations in how to play the game. There might be some spoilers here; but I doubt any earthshattering ones. Thou hast been warned though! Don't cry to me, Argentina! Packaging: It's awesome. I got the Collectors' Edition and it looks fancy in all its glory. The manual is solid. Not too big or small and has all the important stuff. Strat guide is an extra bonus (must be paid for, lol). Background: I have played the Final Fantasy series since its inception. My favorite of all time is FF8 with FF6, and FF2 my all time faves. FF1, FF7, and FF10 are really good too. I do not care too much about FF9, and FFX-2 though they're not comepletely horrible. FF4, and FF5 as well as FFT are all overrated and suck big time. FF has basically been pushed aside for me for the BIO/Obsidian style RPG and I haven't even finished FFX-2 as of yet (if I ever will). THE GAME Starting Up The Game/Quality Control: As a PS2 game, there is no problem here. Absolutely no bugs what so ever. Load times can be annoyingly frequent but relatively quick. The intro starts off with old skool FF music which is beautiful. Prologue: Snazzy. The story gets a lengthy introduction. It opens up to a wedding between a princess and some sort of prince. Another empire attacks the kingdom. The prince dies defending his father's kingdom. They all mourn. The 'good' side realizes the war is lost even before its begun pretty much, and the king goes off to sign off on His Captain realizes its a trap and goes to help. The rest of the prologue occurs with the player controlling a wannabe footsoldier under the command of the captatin. The prologue's ending is... shall we say.. interesting.. The Story Starts: The game begins with you in control of a rogue (lol) who looks like a pansy girly boy who is an orphan. His name is Vaan, and he is partners in crime with a girl (who seems enchanted by girlie boy even though girlie boy barely feigns interest in her) and some younger rapscallion. Vaan seems to be too interested in getting revenge against the Evil Empire tm and becoming a Sky Pirate with his own airship. The early game is just you playing around with Vaan around the starting city. Graphics: The game looks awe inspiring. Outside of Vaan (and the dead prince) who both look girlie (in fact, I'd swear they are the same character model if I had them side by side); the characters look great. The airships, and monsters look awesome. The cutscenes are beyond wow, and even normal gameplay mode has stellar graphics. Music/Sound/Voices: Solid. Nothing overly impressive; but nothing earthshattering bad either. Gameplay: Pretty much plays like any FF game when it comes to moving, talking, and interaction. Pretty much has been no choices yet dialogue wise just where to go when you take control of Vaan though the game pushes you in the story's main direction. Saving seems to only be possible at svae crystals but I don't think I've technically reached the world map part yet. Charcter Customization: Pretty good it seems., I have yet to have a party but the License Method (akin to FF10's grid system) seems to open up lots of possibilities to mold the character(s) as you see fit. Vaan starts of basic equipment and the ability to 'steal'. But, if you wanted to, you could make him a tank or a spellcaster. The book talks about other interesting features like gambits, and espers (ala summons), and quickenings as well which should further help customize characters espicially since only one character can have access to any one of these. So, for example, if one character has access to Ifrit (assuming Mr. Fire God is in again) nobody else can. Quickenings are basically special attacks. Techniques are alternatives as well and serve those who want to avoid magic well. Think of License Points as a secondary levelling system. It should be pointed out that not only do you have to gather LP to learn a new skill; in some instances you must buy/find something to access it (ie. have a weapon in your inventory; go to magic shop for spells, same for techniques). Combat: First off, status effects and equipment are basically par for the course for FF games. The biggest change is the actual combat system mode. You actually see enemies on screen so you can avoid them if you wish. Not always possible or desired; but the option is there. Also, areas willl have uber enemies you might wish to gain power before fighting. For instance, I was in the desert looking to complete a Hunt (see below) and I saw what looked to be a super dinosaur monster but I chose to avoid it and went on with my mission. If enemies see you first, hwoever, they will hunt you down. So, remember to use that mini map to scan for red dots. Also, both the player and enemy can choose to run even though it's not always successful. I LOVE this change! Another change is the atcual combat. It seems a mix of FFish style with the RT w/pause combat. Combat is RT but you can pause it by sleecting an option to do another ability. The default is sword strikes 9which can be changed if you say wish) so the good/bad news is that easy battles can be fought without paying attention - not interactive but me it gets the job done. Challenging battles (not really much of those yet) can be more hands on if you wish. The combat is 'odd' at first; but it grew on me. Other Stuff: You can run or walk. I presume this will make a difference in various parts of the game (cliffs you don't want to fall off of, etc.). There are also teleportation crystals to go along with the usual chocobo/airship mods of travel. Chocobos, btw, look much more intimidating than the usual cutesy look they go by. You have, as I mentioned above, Hunts. These are basically 'seek and destroy x monster' quests you get from reading bulletins. A nice little side jig. Also, the menus are very well done - keeps up to date quests (including the Hunt), maps, and a bestiary. It seems you get rewarded for killing a number of the same beasties espicially if you do it in a row so that can make the combat more rewarding in the long run too. Overall Thoughts: I love this game thus far. NWN2 is gonna need to accomplish a lot to beat this for GOTY for me. That's pretty aamzing consideirng that FF12 wasn't even on my radar 'til this week and I've been anxiously awaiting NWN2 for 2+ years now. Yes, FF12 is that good - thus far. Best FF since FF8, imo. Only two hours in though. LOL My non apologizes for those who loathed FF8. Future Expectations: As long as the main story stays intriguing, and the combat along with character customizations pans out as it seems to; this should be a terrifically fun game for me. I only hope it becomes more non linear as the games along and you actually get to choose what your character says from time to time like past FF games. In essence, great stuff.

I can agree with that pop. That said, reviews done early (ie. on release day) should be reviewing the released game. Of cours,e it alate coming reviewer shoudl review what's available at that time.

"But any discussion of bugs is irrelevant until the game is patched." Wrong. They should be reviewing the game as on CD. The patch is extra. And, not everyone cna patch the game ie. no internet. Period.

"Did you actually read the article? Seriously, did you read it?" Patch or no patch, the game will still have bugs. That was my point. Do I need to hold your hand through post reading or what?

Why? Because they had bugs? You *do* realize that the game will have bugs, right?

And, older male players too! :D

"Why don't you all come back and see me when you've dried your eyes and had a ****in' nap." Eh? I wans't whining about the 'spoiler'. LOL :D

P.S. More seriously, the review was alright. Liked most of what I read except the bad stuff I already knew about (like forced companions). The game seems to be completely railroaded as far as linearity goes thus far. That's not cool and even worse than the original OC. P.S. NWN1 isn't dead.... yet! It will be on life support officially possibly soon though.. It's still relevant - BG and PST are NOT!

Any review that compares NWN2 to dead games is dead to me. LONG LIVE NWN SERIES!

http://www.gamespot.com/pc/rpg/neverwinter...tml?sid=6160818

"I guess they are the same as in the pnp book" They aren't. Heck, it's not even the same as it is in the game! lol I too have the strat guide and I have not looked at the walkthrough/spoiler section. That would be WRONG and WUSSIFUL!

Hey, like I said, I'd have no problem with it. I'm just thinking of Obsidian's feelings!

1. Wouldn't Obsidian prefer you to spend your NWN2 on official stuff (like possible expansion *hint hint*) than on such a indeavour? 2. Since Obsidian is basically working with Atari/WOTC on NWN2 couldn't the Obsidian bosses just pitch the Jefferson idea to the publisher for possible approval (barring a surprising financial flop I don't see Atari syaing no to expansions) and go that route? 3. No matter what occurs, it would be ncie to play Jefferson!

A PM. Duh. And, I will, Alanshu. I will. :ph34r:

"The included campaign blows the first game

LONG LIVE NWN SERIES!

Can't! I work in 30 minutes!

BAD TO THA BONE!!!

"Volourn is overrated!" Nah. That implies people think positively about me.

Wrong'the Nine'. 'The Nine' PrC is in reference to the Nine of Neverwinter which are Lord Nasher's elite bodyguards. i presume the PC has a chance in the OC to become a member...

"Ahh, Volo is just being a douche because the Rangers helped the Kings end their losing streak last night." Eh? This discussion line occured before the Rangers choked last night.... but... R00fles, anyways! Lindqvuist is having a horrible second year!!!

LONG LIVE NWN1 + NWN2!!!