Social Gamer
Well let me begin with what a JRPG is for those that don’t know. In simple terms it’s the abbreviation for the words Japanese Role Playing Game. Simple right? Just click on the link above for the Wiki detailed information of JRPG(s).
I have been into these types of game for dare I say around 20 years. I have played imported jrpg(s) with complete printed out translation scripts, now that’s a geek if can say so…and I can. LoL
To get to the point of the title the game in reference I am referring to is Lost Odyssey on the Xbox 360. To begin with if you have ever played any of the Final Fantasy series games then you gave a perfect idea of what this game is like in both presentation, battle system, and story progression. Lost Odyssey was produced by Hironobu Sakaguchi, the creator of the famed Final Fantasy series.
Lost Odyssey uses a traditional turn-based battle system seen in most Japanese role-playing games, similar to early Final Fantasy iterations. There are two types of characters that the player controls. “Mortals” gain skills by leveling up, but can benefit from additional skills by equipping accessories. “Immortals” do not know any skills initially, but instead gain skills by “linking” with a mortal character that is currently part of the battle formation, earning skill points in battle towards complete learning of the skill. Immortals can also learn skills from accessories by equipping them in the same manner, much like in Final Fantasy IX. Once a skill is learned, the player can then assign these skills to a limited number of skill slots, initially starting at three but able to be expanded via “Slot Seed” items or skills. Immortals also have the ability to auto-revive in battle should they lose all their hit points.
Lost Odyssey is set in a world in which a “Magic-Industrial Revolution” is taking place. While magic energy existed in all living creatures beforehand, it suddenly became far more powerful thirty years before the beginning of the game. Because of this, it has affected society greatly, with devices called “Magic Engines” harnessing this power for lighting, automobiles, communication, and biological augmentation of monsters. However, such progress has also caused two nations; the kingdom of Gohtza, and the Republic of Uhra, recently changed from a monarchical society; to develop new and more powerful weapons of mass destruction. A third nation, the Free Ocean State of Numara, has remained neutral, though it is falling into disarray.
To make thing easier on your self I recommend taking your time through the story exploring every nook and cranny of the environments. Talking to everyone and walking into certain areas will trigger a memory. Memory sequences were penned by an award-winning Japanese short story writer, Kiyoshi Shigematsu, who worked directly with the game’s producer Hironobu Sakaguchi on Kaim’s backstory, while Sakaguchi alone wrote the game’s main story.
I remember one part that I won’t mention that actually almost made me want to cry..well my eyes had something in them so they got watery..LoL The game spans 4 DVDs do to allot of CG and in game engine cut scenes and even blend the transition from CG to actual game play so smoothly that you don’t even know that the game is back to actual game play. Just breath taking in my honest opinion. This game would of sold more if it were called Final Fantasy because take it from me when i tell you this is a Final Fantasy game in disguise. The game’s graphics and high production values were some of the best seen on the XBOX 360, and long load times and frame rate issues that most gamers complained about are now nearly null and void after the NXE update to allow for full installs of your games onto the 360 HDD. Warning though if you plan on installing all of the disks at one time it will take about 5 minutes for each disk with an average size of 5 – 6GB of space needed for each disk. But for people with the 20GB HDD need not worry just install the disk that you are on and un-install that disk once you change disks and then install the next one. You will not change or damage any of the saved progression. Loading from the HDD is more than 2x as fast as disk loading. So install it if at all possible.
OK, so now I am at the end of the story and by the end of the game you will be able to fly and control a hybrid Jet/Speedboat/Sub Marine to go from place to place and even able to dock it into a huge ship and then you can control the huge ship to travel great distances on the world map. Very Final Fantasy-ish.. LoL
This is the Lost Odyssey Theme song:
I hope you enjoyed this Lost Odyssey brief and if you love classic style JRPG(s) and you own a n Xbox 360 you owe it to your self to have this game in your collection.
Leave a comment on your thoughts. This was one of those games that was split down the middle as far as reviews go. But as you can tell by now I love the game. I am hoping the when Final Fantasy XIII come out later this year or maybe even in early 2010..LoL I will get the same if not more of this style of role playing game.
The Social gamer
