Phantom Dust XBox Roll-Call

Is anyone else really intrigued with this game? Lord knows I am.
Now, the idea of a card battle game sounds kinda lame, but this man also made one of the best RPG experiences I've ever had with Panzer Dragoon Saga, so I've gotta check it out. It's only $20 to boot. Anyone else grabbing this tomorrow?

Played the import and was not impressed. Bored to tears even.

Pass

Loopz said:

Now, the idea of a card battle game sounds kinda lame, but this man also made one of the best RPG experiences I've ever had with Panzer Dragoon Saga, so I've gotta check it out.

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PDS is also one of my all-time favorite RPGs. Keep your expectations cellar-low, maybe you'll find the enjoyment in Phantom Dust that I couldn't.

Game Informer gave it a pretty mediocre review, they said that the off-line single player is pretty boring because of dumb AI. Multiplayer/online is supposed to be alot better (until you get gangbanged). It looks pretty nice, and at $20, it is not too bad of a gamble.

Got the Japanese version, played about an hour - got bored.

Never played again.

Boring? How so?

Maybe because, from what I hear, it starts easy on you, as it's a tutorial for what's to come. However, from the later vids I've seen of it, the game is no joke. It's a must have for an 'X' fan, or one into the psychic battle stuff. To tell the truth, I don't see how people hear could get bored of the game if they play through it. Especially coming from the land of King of Fighters. Really, the only card-battle aspects seems to come from the strategy of semi-random powers you pick up, and some level up methods. But by far and large, it is an over-the-top psychic battle game. Of course, some of the best stuff comes from teams. Especially if you set your skills to compliment your partner's. Still, it is from the mind of Panzer Dragoon, but don't expect it to be like Panzer Dragoon; that's just the way the guy is. He comes up with unusual imaginative stuff that, while some may not get, the ones that do get drawn in like no other. He also is not one to repeat himself if he does a different series. Artistry and imaginative gameplay comes first, for him; stuff that simply does what was successfully was done before is of less importance. And to that note, I'd always buy stuff he makes; just like Tim Shaefer, for the West.

xboxphreaker.com is a good place to check out, if you want some information on how it is played as well as videos, etc. However, if you liked 'X' or 'X/1999', I doubt you'll need convincing.

Take note, your character doesn't do that much, or move too well, at the beginning of the game, and that's because he's green. However, later on, you learn movement skills, among other things, and eventually you become a monster of a psychic powerhouse. So you don't get the instant satisfaction of high-flying insanity for a while. You'll eventually be surprised to see the new kinds of Psychic Powers you may have never seen before in anime, nor in videogames. Be prepared for stuff that's as creepy as it is fascinating.

Thanks for your update Kirk. Did you play the US version? One knock on the game (from Game Informer, not that I put alot of stock on what they say but that's the only official review I have read so far on PD) is that the translation of the single player campaign is pretty bad. Any truth to that or is GI simply make shit up just because it is a budget title?

Outside of the demo, and the xboxphreaker site, I haven't had the full exposure yet. I wouldn't put it past them if the translation is less than stellar. So I do expect some errors, in the full. I just don't know to what degree. The demo wasn't english. I do know the asian version has been out, and it is in english. That's where the xboxphreaker vids are coming from.

The Phantom Dust guide vids are my only indication of the stuff you start with, at the beginning. (Since they actually go through, step by step, the early stages of the game).

Anyway, if you really are looking for information, xboxphreaker.com is the best place to inquire. They really give you a good lowdown, and break things down for you. You'll even come away with some strategies to use, later on. Pictures are a thousand words, and full vids detailing game elements are worth millions. I'd check the site out, if you're interested.

The game is a glorified paper-rock-scissors session.

Maybe if there was an adventure mode I would've dug it more, but no.

If I wanted to do arena battles all day I'd rather play Armored Core, thanks.

That's an entirely different kind of play mechanic. Oh well, to each his own.

Hrm. Those gameplay videos definately look interesting. Count me in. I should be able to get $20 worth of fun out of that.

Matt

Phantom Brave > Phantom Dust :P

Hehe. Well Phantom Brave is great stuff, but how does it compare to.

Dun dun duuuuuuun!!!!

The Phantom of the Opera!!!!!!

is it out right now or tomorrow?

Tomorrow.

I might have to get this just to waste away my increasingly boring spring break.


Who the fuck am I kidding, I've been wanting to play this for a long time. And for $20 I can't say no to this baby.

too bad it doesnt support split screen over live.

Anyone else run into problems finding this game today? The gamestops here didn't get it, and 3 of the 4 eb games were sold out in the early morning. They all told me they only got in 2 copies each, and they all said one guy bought both copies. Wondering if we're gonna see a lot of copies of phantom dust on ebay from flint michigan. Luckily, the 4th eb got their shipment (again, 2 whole copies) in late, and I snagged one before they sold out.

I'll post impression later.

Matt

Magic the gathering: battlegrounds just about destroyed any of my interest for card games.

ive been messing around with it for a couple hours. most places seemed to be getting it in tomorrow unless someone preordered a copy from that location. 3rd place i called had it.

pretty decent for a $20 game but im not sure how the lasting appeal will be. battles seem really simple and basic. granted im only on chapter 4 and have only a fraction of the 300 skills at my disposal but still.

really high production value for a $20 game too. cinimatics are good as are the graphics and sound (voices blow tiddlywinks for the most part). the best part about the game is the character you play looks like some sort of frog or chameleon or something. hes got the bug eyes. and fish mouth.

havent been online yet. its my understanding the skills you can use on xbl are the skills you purchase in story mode so im gonna beat the game first.


BTW: i dont know why people call this a card battle game. the only resemblance to a card game it has is: the skills you have access to in the arena fight are randomized from a group of 30 skills you select before the battle. the spawn in intervals throughout the fight. its not like you take turnsattacking etc because asside from collecting the spawning skills the game plays out like a normal 3d fighting game.

I might have to pick up this game tonight.

Man, do I ever wish I had more time to play this, since I got it last night. I've only been able to put in about an hour, so far. The controls are surprisingly tight even early, in the game. The only hangup is having to remember to stay away from the Orb zones when firing off psionics. That way you don't inadvertantly overwrite a power.

The lock-on system is very well done and they put it on a very good button so if you want to take a structure down on somebody, it's as easy as tapping lock on, tap it off, look up and fire (with default options). That is, if you have the right tool, for the job. I can't wait to get the movement options, though. Psi jumps look to be super. I like the way, if you land from a high place, you hit the ground and crumble it.

I was actually expecting worse, from the translation team; but it's actually better than I thought. It's not great, but it's definitely better than Crimson Seas, so far (which I found tolerable). The game breaks a bit of artistic ground by not casting a bishonen (or anyone close to one) as the lead character. He's kind of a freak, but with (as someone mentioned earlier) a little David Bowie influence, to his look.

The game has a pretty good defense/offense setup. It offers good defense capabilities, but it doesn't favor turtlers in the least. Not only is timing involved, but if the offense is good enough to pierce your chose level of defense, for a move, you'll suffer the damage the defense wasn't strong enough to protect against. Right now, the game is only doing the small stuff, and with only a small set of skills, and even then, I'm learning that certain moves are mainly effective at certain ranges. Close range stuff is obvious, such as psychic melee moves like Slash. But it's the ones that should be done in Mid, Long, or Mid/Long range, that spice things up. Laser is a tough to utilize skill, if you plan on directly hitting people with it, but it does fire around obstacles, and seems to favor long range as opposed to close or mid. They even colorize the targetting reticule to the overall range you are at, so there's no guesswork. They really did their homework in terms of alleviating the player of the typical perception issues that normally slow down a player's reaction time for a 3D game. Well, outside the mere idea that people can still sneak up behind you, or off to the sides because you had a lapse of awareness. That means, I can see myself making instant reactions to a high-speed fight. Something very few 3rd person games can attest to outside of Virtual On.

Still, it remains to be seen how the lastability goes, but it's looking good, so far. Still, I want more time with it so I'm eager to finish the day and finish the rehearsal I have afterwards. Then it's a trip back to the land of X.

anyone planning on a custom soundtrack? ive never actually made one for the box so i dont know how its done. only one track stands out so far in the game and thats the moonlight sonata in the hq room.

the atmosphere in the game, though limited, ranges from good to brilliant. some areas like the shop or bar will have you thinking OH MY THIS IS AWESOME! KINDA LIKE BLADE RUNNER! but like i said, VERY LIMITED! so far ive only fought on the same 3 stages recycled with the same "kill 2 enemies" mission with a different little story to go with it. like WE NEED A RECIPE! SO KILL THESE 2 ENEMIES! or WE NEED SOME DATA ON THESE SKILLS! SO KILL TWO ENEMIES! etc etc etc ad nauseam.

your entire universe is limited to a small underground recluse kinda like the ships in THE MATRIX. there is a very small population there to interact with, maybe 20 people total to talk to or accept missions with (even with the small number a few are generic looking in the same uniform). the main disappointment is the game doesnt have full spoken dialogue. you dont think about it but when you are looking at text without voices these days its very uncomfortable, its so 90s.

the setting is great though. i love post apoc settings and this definately does the job.

I have a feeling the story mode is mainly as a hub to get you acquainted with the skills, as well as add skills to your arsenal. I would guess, by the time you complete it, you will know well enough about a good number of skills to build a good competitive list of skills to use. Or maybe ideas for different schools.

I just saw this at my local EB....

Guess I'll head back and pick it up...need a break from GT4