Damn, thats the hotness. I haven't played anything at great length from Bioware other than KOTOR and MDK2, but I liked both a great deal. Any idea on a vague release date for it?
Looks like it'll be using the Neverwinter Nights engine. I hope to Christ they aren't using d20 rules again.
Funny you use that expression.
I hope they don't use the d20 rules as well. I'm not a fan of 3rd edition rules. There is a single good thing to come out of them, and it's the Dwarven Defender class...but that's it.
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Originally Posted by Drewbacca
There is wisdom beyond your years in these consonants and vowels I write. Study them and prosper.
Looks like it'll be using the Neverwinter Nights engine. I hope to Christ they aren't using d20 rules again.
I have a feeling it will, which means I will not be buying it. KOTOR sold so well I don't see them spending any effort changing it.
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"I've watched while the maggots have defiled the earth. They have
built their castles and had their wars. I cannot stand by idly any longer." - Otogi 2
I cant see why anyone would not be excited by this game. KOTOR still remains the best game of 2003 and will end up in the top five. Bioware, if you ask me, is the best company making games today. Better than, yes, ANYONE.
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"When I give food to the poor, they call me a saint. When I ask why the poor have no food, they call me a communist."
- Dom Helder Camara
It's also really cool that this isn't licensed material. If you me, Bioware's past reliance on D&D and Star Wars was restrictive. They were great games, but I expect this one to be better.
Is there anyone with an Xbox who likes RPGs and won't be buying this game?
Well, I'm in the minority, but I didn't think KotOR was anything amazing. It was definitely very good, but it was clunky in the way that pc games often are and the license didn't do much for me.
Bearing that, though, this new game seems much more interesting, and there were plenty of cool ideas in KotOR that should make their way over. Hopefully the gameplay is smoothed out.
"MS was also showing Jade Empire in-game stuff privately, although that game isn't coming for another year or so, of course. The fighting system, although it wasn't actually implemented in the TGS version (we viewed a video of it instead), is fascinating. Let me try to explain it. You have assorted styles at your disposal, each of which allows for certain moves (speedy ones, or strong ones, or air-based ones, or whatever). Your enemy does, too, assuming he's humanoid. The battles themselves are full action--none of this BioWare pseudo-turn-based stuff--and you control your single fighter as kicks, punches, or whatevers the enemy. You can change your fighting style in the middle of battle with the D-Pad as well, and the emphasis isn't on twitch action as much as choosing your style wisely to fit the abilities of your opponent. Seeing it in action, it looks something like a strategic 3D fighter, as if you were directing Heihachi's moves without actually having to worry about the precise timing behind them. I've really never seen anything quite like it before.
Other notes on JE: there aren't any parties, and you play the game as a single person (although you do get followers); the demo MS had going had no onscreen displays to speak of but there will be some in the final version; there are multiple endings; the whole "Light/Dark" thang from KOTOR is back, though it's called something different; no PC port is planned right now; and BioWare is considering a "New Game +"-style feature that'll let characters retain some of their abilities starting on the second or third time through the game. I wish that was in KOTOR."
After reading IGN's preview I am even more excited by this game. I really dig the Chinese-style atmosphere it looks like you are playing a kung-fu movie! I am interested to see how they are going to deal with combat, it seemed kinda vague as to whether it is real time or not.
The art direction of this game is amazing. I was surfing over at game trailers and just happened to click on the link for it. The trailer was well done (which, unfortunetly, can't be said for a lot of game trailers). It introduced a character, a problem, and some of the culture of the land and that's it. It didn't give the story right to us, it didn't show us every single environment that was in the game, it just served the purpose to introduce the flavor of the game and ended.
Great stuff, Bioware. I'm probably going to be picking up this game. I want to see some of the in-game fighting via video, though.
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Originally Posted by rezo
Once, a gang of fat girls threatened to beat me up for not cottoning to their advances. As they explained it to me: "guys can usually beat up girls, but we are all fat, and there are a lot of us."
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Originally Posted by Drewbacca
I would love nothing more than to rape g0zen and Firstblood.
Woah. I just saw the footage on this month's OXM disc, and now I can't wait for this thing. This is, beyond the shadow of any doubt, my new "most anticipated game."
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Originally Posted by Drewbacca
There is wisdom beyond your years in these consonants and vowels I write. Study them and prosper.
If you aren't convinced of Bioware's greatness by now, stop playing videogames.
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"When I give food to the poor, they call me a saint. When I ask why the poor have no food, they call me a communist."
- Dom Helder Camara
I love Bioware and I really loved KOTOR but I'm withholding judgement on this one until it gets more developed.
For starters, I'm always dubious about Western developers implementing worlds based on Asian concepts. I've just seen too many cringe worthy efforts to be excited so early in the game now.
For starters, I'm always dubious about Western developers implementing worlds based on Asian concepts. I've just seen too many cringe worthy efforts to be excited so early in the game now.
Have you watched the 'walkthroughs' and trailer yet? Check your pulse if those don't do anything for you.
If you aren't convinced of Bioware's greatness by now, stop playing videogames.
I never liked bioware's RPGs. I love MDK2, though. I know they know what they're doing, but I'm not a fan of pen and paper RPGs nore videogames that are too closely derivitive of them. But both Baldur's Gate and KotOR were based directly on specific pen and paper RPGs, and this is not, so I'm more looking forward to this.
The fact that this sounds like it has a battle system that isn't buttsex puts it a few notches higher for me. I'm looking forward to seeing how it turns out. But until then I remain unconvinced of the greatness of bioware's RPGs.
The battles themselves are full action--none of this BioWare pseudo-turn-based stuff--and you control your single fighter as kicks, punches, or whatevers the enemy. You can change your fighting style in the middle of battle with the D-Pad as well, and the emphasis isn't on twitch action as much as choosing your style wisely to fit the abilities of your opponent. Seeing it in action, it looks something like a strategic 3D fighter, as if you were directing Heihachi's moves without actually having to worry about the precise timing behind them. I've really never seen anything quite like it before.
Doesn't sound like "d20 rules" to me. Very promising, and the Xbox could certainly use another epic RPG. Which reminds me, isn't Sudeki still out there in the ether? That one kind of fell off the radar.
I know they know what they're doing, but I'm not a fan of pen and paper RPGs nore videogames that are too closely derivitive of them. But both Baldur's Gate and KotOR were based directly on specific pen and paper RPGs, and this is not, so I'm more looking forward to this.
Have you played KotOR or are you assuming you won't like it based on Baldur's Gate and past PC RPGs? I ask because I'm someone who has tried and could never get into Baldur's Gate and similar D&D RPGs yet I consider KotOR one of favorite games. Despite having some similarities to other Western RPGs, it really is far more accessible and interesting than most. I hate having D&D rules in video games yet I hardly notice them in KotOR.
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The fact that this sounds like it has a battle system that isn't buttsex puts it a few notches higher for me.
If anything, playing KotOR has made most JRPG battle systems, character customization, story, etc. "buttsex". If you haven't played it, I highly recommend it; it seems to have converted a lot of people onto Western RPGs.
I'm very interested in this. It looks awesome and I have complete faith in Bioware on the 'box after KOTOR.
Damn, if they all ship on time (big "if"), the Xbox will have Halo 2, Half-Life 2, Rallisport Challenge 2, Fable, Jade Empire, Doom III, and True Fantasy Live Online; all for this year.
If anything, playing KotOR has made most JRPG battle systems, character customization, story, etc. "buttsex". If you haven't played it, I highly recommend it; it seems to have converted a lot of people onto Western RPGs.
I'm doubting your sanity right here.
KOTOR has a lot of great things about it, but the battle system was basically trying new ideas that didn't really pan out. I especially like it when I attack and my companions stand there like fools and when I switch over to them to get them moving, the game decides I'm not in combat mode anymore so my original character will get beaten for a half a dozen turns before I can get the companion to join the battle. At least FF7 made sure everyone got their licks in.
I also have a personal dislike of class based character customization, especially when none of the classes will specialize in the skills I want so I feel screwed right from the start.
I'm sure as hell not going to argue about the story though. Aside from the Sith being lame like virtually every videogame villians in history, the whole plot unfolded in a manner that kept me glued to the game despite its faults.
For me, Morrowind is still the benchmark of western rpgs, but Jade Empire looks really, really, really good to me.
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"I've watched while the maggots have defiled the earth. They have
built their castles and had their wars. I cannot stand by idly any longer." - Otogi 2
Well, I didn't find much fault in KotOR's battle system because I always quickly pause and switch characters to give them commands. Personally, I would have preferred a more Action/RPG approach(which is why I'm really anticipating Jade Empire) but I think KotOR works extremely well for party-based RPG. Most JRPGs stick to outdated and shallow Dragon Warrior style menus. There are exceptions but even most of those still offer random battle crap or have other flaws. And by character customization I'm also referring to how dialog choices affect your character. The game offers a lot of freedom of choice without feeling unfocused which is something I enjoy and the overall package puts most RPGs to shame.
I also have a personal dislike of class based character customization, especially when none of the classes will specialize in the skills I want so I feel screwed right from the start.
Like what? The classes in KOTOR were practically little more then window dressing, I had no trouble mastering whatever I felt like no matter what I picked.
My only worry is that the level of character generation will be as thin as KOTOR. Other than that, I'm sold.
I don't think there is any character generation. You are forced to play as "Mistress Wu."
But I don't see what the big deal is, especially with you, Amm. You seem to love Japanese games for the simple fact that they are Japanese in origin, and most, if not ALL Japanese RPGs don't allow for character generation whatsoever, and customization is nil as well, because they follow a set path for learning new skills and abilities. So how is it you can come in here and start ripping a game for reasons that seem to be insignificant to you, as you favor the Japanese games, with leagues less customization. You seem to contradict yourself.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Drewbacca
There is wisdom beyond your years in these consonants and vowels I write. Study them and prosper.
I still love KOTOR though.
. And now, zee trailers!!
