|
Post by Sarge on Nov 14, 2019 22:51:13 GMT -5
I actually kinda like SaGa Frontier's look. It reminded me more of an SNES game, almost a blend of Chrono Trigger in some of the spritework combined with some Super Mario RPG for the backdrops. I think it definitely has its own style, and certainly isn't a barrier for me.
I really dig the artwork for the series, though. While it has a more "feminine" look (for good reason!), even with the guys, there's a certain quality about it, much like Ayame Kojima's artwork for Castlevania, that very much appeals. It's super awesome stuff that immediately grabs the eye, more than generic anime.
|
|
|
Post by Ex on Nov 15, 2019 12:10:29 GMT -5
Chainsaw BilqisFor sure SaGa Frontier has an unusual graphical aesthetic. The prerendered backgrounds and chibi style sprites gave the game a very distinctive look. I'd recognize a screenshot from it easily, despite never having played the game myself. Though I've not played Unlimited SaGa either, watching videos from the game reveals nicely wrought sprites in the battles for sure. Chances are I'd like the game, since I tend to gravitate to unusual JRPGs.
|
|
|
Post by Sarge on Nov 15, 2019 12:11:54 GMT -5
Ex: Especially as much as you enjoy board games, Unlimited Saga would likely appeal. It leans hard on that aspect.
|
|
|
Post by Ex on Nov 15, 2019 12:17:28 GMT -5
It leans hard on that aspect. I got all excited when I read that, then jumped on eBay, and found a good deal on the game. But then I said to myself, "Wait a minute, I better go check my PS2 shelf first." Turns out I already own a legit copy of Unlimited SaGa. Wouldn't have been the first time I bought a game I already owned. So why does everybody hate Unlimited SaGa? Just because it doesn't fit the typical JRPG template?
|
|
|
Post by Chainsaw Bilqis on Nov 15, 2019 19:16:25 GMT -5
It leans hard on that aspect. I got all excited when I read that, then jumped on eBay, and found a good deal on the game. But then I said to myself, "Wait a minute, I better go check my PS2 shelf first." Turns out I already own a legit copy of Unlimited SaGa. Wouldn't have been the first time I bought a game I already owned. So why does everybody hate Unlimited SaGa? Just because it doesn't fit the typical JRPG template? Unlimited Saga is a game that can definitely be frustrating if you do not grasp the mechanics (it has a tough learning curve, the reel system itself is not hard to master though and I can explain about that in a post if anyone is interested) and there was initially a lot of mystery about how you play it. The US manual was not the greatest. I hear the UK manual was pretty informative though. Well, not to blame it on the manuals haha, because it is definitely not for everyone regardless of documentation. For me it is a lot of fun. I loved figuring it out. Interestingly, there was a contest involving figuring out how to play the game sort of during its release in the US: archive.rpgamer.com/news/Q2-2003/061803a.htmlIt is the kind of game a lot of effort was put into that would cause some people to say "...but why?" haha. A good example related back to the battle animations is this: This is a video (best viewed in 720p or higher) showcasing the "rare" moves enemies can do in the game. It takes awhile to see all of these attacks haha, you may not see but a few a playthrough if any! But still they took the time to create these pretty elaborate moves even if almost no one who played it ended up seeing them haha. It is that sort of game, the amount of time you are willing to put into the game, the game rewards you. But some people do not have time for that or it is not their cup of tea.
|
|
|
Post by toei on Nov 16, 2019 1:41:41 GMT -5
I remember thinking SaGa Frontier looked weird when I first tried it in the late '90s, especially since the other game I had access to that day was Breath of Fire 3, whose sprites and environments feels a lot "cleaner". In retrospect, though, I'd say SF is a good-looking game.
|
|
|
Post by Chainsaw Bilqis on Dec 2, 2019 23:07:27 GMT -5
I actually kinda like SaGa Frontier's look. It reminded me more of an SNES game, almost a blend of Chrono Trigger in some of the spritework combined with some Super Mario RPG for the backdrops. I think it definitely has its own style, and certainly isn't a barrier for me. I really dig the artwork for the series, though. While it has a more "feminine" look (for good reason!), even with the guys, there's a certain quality about it, much like Ayame Kojima's artwork for Castlevania, that very much appeals. It's super awesome stuff that immediately grabs the eye, more than generic anime. I have fallen behind on this article because I keep getting sidetracked, but I will try to post more. I like the Castlevania art comparison, good point. There is a graceful but somewhat sinister aura with Tomomi Kobayashi's SaGa works similar to that of the atmospheric Kojima Castlevania stuff, but with an "anything goes" twist. Exhibit A: I think this SaGa Frontier character art by Kobayashi is a good representation for the game itself. It just works for me on a "cool no matter how silly" level. Here is a fearsome skeleton king ready for battle, but he is still quite elegant and fashionable as he apparently outfits the snakes entwining his rattling bones with little ribbon bowties haha. The game is a shifting gear of genres, ranging from hi-tech tokusatsu to high fantasy with everything in between that works together in an endearing way. A very '90s console RPG with a mixture of the technological and the mystic. Besides Kobayashi who is the most well known of the SaGa artists, I think the rest of the art direction is also fantastic, imaginations in overdrive:
|
|
|
Post by Sarge on Dec 2, 2019 23:16:32 GMT -5
The "anything goes" point is well taken! Seems quite appropriate for a series with Kawazu at the helm. But yeah, wild stuff there. I definitely dig it.
|
|
|
Post by Chainsaw Bilqis on Dec 17, 2020 14:06:22 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by Xeogred on Dec 17, 2020 15:44:05 GMT -5
Man that was super charming. This dude is brimming with life and happiness doing what he loves for sure. Is his smile how he's been able to keep Square giving him projects? Hah, I joke since I don't know if many of his games have ever been blockbuster sellers, but maybe they've always done well enough in Japan and this guy gets so much respect, Square still lets him create his unconventional games.
The strong connection to DnD adds up too with a lot of his stuff having multiple story branches.
I'm hoping Xenogears gets a second life like this SaGa Frontier remaster. But it's been cool to see all the old SaGa's get kind of "reissued" in recent years, even if I'm still not sure they're for me. Good to see those fans are happy.
|
|