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Post by Ex on Aug 30, 2023 0:14:52 GMT -5
My understanding is that the PS4/XB1/PC port doesn't enhance a whole lot from the original release That's the version I beat and then mailed to Xeogred . He's got an awesome (and hilarious) 6th gen mecha experience right there in his hands. Some day he'll play it and be like "damn why did I wait so long to play this". is the game good? I have no idea haha Murakumo: Renegade Mech Pursuit sucks. It becomes extremely repetitive incredibly quickly. I love FromSoftware but they can't all be jams.
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Post by Xeogred on Sept 2, 2023 21:55:27 GMT -5
Fun trip down memory lane and they've been doing a full series on these. Nice 15 minute reviews.
I have a feeling after AC6 and getting back to some old AC's, I will ask myself, why have I been sleeping on these again for far too long. Well it's fun to rediscover an old series you liked but missed a lot of entries with.
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Post by spiffsneed on Sept 5, 2023 20:13:40 GMT -5
Hi all! New contributor here - I've been lurking for a bit and figured this Club Retro would be a great point to jump into the conversation I started playing Tactics Ogre: The Knight of Lodis for GBA, and I'm enjoying it quite a bit! I have a decent bit of experience with the Ogre series, having played through Ogre Battle 64 in the past few years (and I absolutely adored it), and having dabbled in the March of the Black Queen for SNES, as well as the recent revisions of LUCT. My only complaints about Lodis are that it's very easy (I'm over 10 hours in and have only had a single character die thus far), and also that it seems like there aren't a huge variety of character classes, at least early on - though this is mitigated a bit by the unique units you frequently encounter and recruit. I really dig the feeling of serendipity that occurs, and which I've found to be a throughline in the Ogre games. It seems like you can just stumble upon characters and classes, which is very rewarding. It feels similar in a way to how the SaGa games are set up (though perhaps less overwhelmingly opaque), and it makes for a nice experience when playing without a guide. The plot is... fine. I can recognize the broad themes that tend to show up in Ogre/Matsuno games (nitty-gritty politics, a protagonist forced to reckon with their participation in systems of power, etc.), but there hasn't really been a strong hook yet, and I don't yet really care about the characters or feel there are substantial stakes worth investing myself in. Definitely going to keep playing, though! The games systems are fun enough, and it's a solid, enjoyable TRPG.
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Post by toei on Sept 5, 2023 20:21:15 GMT -5
Welcome to HRG!
Knight of Lodis is the only game I've beaten in that series. I played it via emulation and used the fast-forward button mapped to L on my controller during almost ever enemy turn, because watching each of their unit slowly make their move drives me nuts. I found the game quite solid (especially for a GBA original), well-designed tactical gameplay and decently-written medieval politics. I think I never beat the original because the pace bothers me - enemy turns in SRPGs aren't usually that damn long. I love Vagrant Story, though, so I should probably play more Matsuno games one day.
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Post by Xeogred on Sept 5, 2023 20:50:57 GMT -5
Welcome spiffsneed! Glad to have you. I've beaten the original Let Us Cling Together on SNES, which is one of the hardest games I've ever played haha. A very rare time where I felt like I had to sacrifice units that I lost mid battle and just marched on, taking the losses. Which I never do that in other SRPG's, but LuCT was that hard. I remember you have no way of reviving someone mid battle (after the 3 turn limit or something like) until like 70% into the game, it's crazy. I didn't play the PSP remake but I'd like to play the new version someday, they all sound different super different balancing wise and such. I never got too far into KoL but I liked it quite a bit from what I played. I think the plot maybe being a bit bare bones compared to the original is maybe why I fell off though. It's one I want to check out again someday. Overall, I like the TO games more than FFT. I appreciate being able to use a lot more units in battle. But toei's not wrong, a speed up feature for the genre in this day and age is probably a good thing. I'm a big fan of Matsuno's stuff in general. Vagrant Story is pretty awesome once you get the hang of its unique combat system. FF12 is pretty cool in ways but it's a big shame Matsuno had to step away from it at a point, the plot really falls apart or just never goes anywhere... but I loved its world and gameplay.
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Post by Ex on Sept 5, 2023 21:28:01 GMT -5
Hi all! New contributor here Welcome to HRG. Always happy to see a lurker make the transition to participant. >I started playing Tactics Ogre: The Knight of Lodis for GBA >My only complaints about Lodis are that it's very easy I have not played Lodis, so I can't speak to it. But I did previously beat the PSP port of Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together. TO:LUCT started off moderately challenging, and by the end of it (the Hanging Gardens section especially) it was quite challenging. So if you decide you want more Tactics Ogre, but with some teeth, consider playing the first entry sometime. >it makes for a nice experience when playing without a guide Good on you for not using a guide. >I can recognize the broad themes that tend to show up in Ogre/Matsuno games >(nitty-gritty politics, a protagonist forced to reckon >with their participation in systems of power, etc. You're not wrong about that, as many Matsuno games' plots do have those tropes. But Matsuno was not involved in writing the plot for Lodis. I should probably play more Matsuno games one day. Yes you should as Matsuno's games tend to be excellent.* But in this case, and I'm not trying to be pedantic (promise), this isn't a "Matsuno game". Yasumi Matsuno wasn't involved with Tactics Ogre: The Knight of Lodis (2001). Matsuno had quit Quest years before (1995). He did previously direct and design Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together (1995), though.
*I've beaten these that he was deeply involved with:
Conquest of the Crystal Palace Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together Final Fantasy Tactics Vagrant Story Final Fantasy XII Crimson Shroud
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Post by toei on Sept 5, 2023 21:52:05 GMT -5
Ex Let's call it "Matsuno-inspired" then, since he set the template for the game. While I don't doubt the story was simplified compared to the main TO, it was still somewhat in the same vein. Especially compared to what I've seen of Final Fantasy Tactics Advance.
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Post by Sarge on Sept 6, 2023 12:38:53 GMT -5
Welcome aboard, spiffsneed! I still have my copy of TO for GBA from back in the day. It's a bit slow at times, but pretty fun. Sadly, I almost always fall off of isometric SRPGs. I don't know what it is! It feels like a personal failing at this point. I'm still looking for something I want to glom onto for this theme. I even set up the PS2 next to the bed for now, although I might be better served playing on the Steam Deck. But one of the games I may play, Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance II, isn't the best in PCSX2 on weaker hardware. I'm also mulling over Growlanser V and Dual Hearts. Or maybe even the third Shadow Hearts game that I fell off of back in the day.
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Post by Ex on Sept 6, 2023 15:08:33 GMT -5
Of the games you listed Sarge, the only one I've finished is Dark Alliance II earlier this year. Ended up giving it a 7/10. The rest of the games you mentioned, I think Dual Hearts would be the most fun for your tastes. But Growlanser V and From the New World are surely above average. - For this first month, I will be focusing on shorter 6th gen handheld games. Mainly because I'm playing Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon right now, and it's rather demanding. Next month I'll hit up some 6th gen console stuff, though.
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Post by Sarge on Sept 6, 2023 15:13:44 GMT -5
See, that's the other deal - I'm not sure I want to jump into another RPG right now. Perhaps I should concentrate more on some GBA hidden gems or something.
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