Is this game good enough as a standalone game?

[ParanoiaDragon]

This is just something that's been running through my head. Games like Ark & Oath I feel are great as stand alone games, & would do well outside Japan if they were marketed right, but, Origin, seems more like a game catered specifically to fan's of the series to explain more of the back story.

It's hard for me to see this game doing well, released on it's own, without a huge following outside Japan. I say maybe.

[Varion]

I say yes.

For one, it has the same great gameplay Oath had, just further refined. The 3 character system adds more replay to it which would lessen complaints that was too short, and the bosses alone would probably be able to get a decent enough following if done right. Everyone who saw me playing the gameplay parts and bosses of Felghana loved what they saw, they were just put off that it was all in Japanese. Origin though, whether it's 'for fans of the series' or not, still has a more interesting plot (with the tower and all, compared to the 'Adol returns to Dogi's home. There are monsters.' they'd basically have to put on the box that wouldn't really appeal to anyone who didn't know of the gameplay).

As it stands though, Origin's my favourite in the series so far and I haven't finished Ys I yet, or even started Ys II.

[Incog Neato]

Well, I think it works fine by itself. The whole "having background about Ys I, II .. the entire series" is just a extra bonus for fans and certainly not a necessity to thoroughly enjoy the game.

If anything, Origin would make people more interested in the series and to hunt down Ys I to play! :D

And I'm not sure this game will do well in North America cuz didn't Napishtim get a lukewarm reception?

[Varion]

nunuu said:

Well, I think it works fine by itself. The whole "having background about Ys I, II .. the entire series" is just a extra bonus for fans and certainly not a necessity to thoroughly enjoy the game.

If anything, Origin would make people more interested in the series and to hunt down Ys I to play! :D

And I'm not sure this game will do well in North America cuz didn't Napishtim get a lukewarm reception?

It did. It had crappy marketing and Konami did silly things with it, but the point is it didn't do very well, which is all that's going to count at the end of the day. So no, I don't think it'll get released here or in the US.

[Inochi 命]

any Ys brought to the US is a good thing for getting more fans. If it wasn't for me seeing Ys VI's trailer for PS2, leading me to play through Ys I and II while waiting for it's PS2 release, I wouldn't be the life-long Ys fan I am right now. I saw the news about the PS2 version on IGN. In comparison, they didn't report anything about the PC version, YsF, or Origins, so I doubt I would have ever learned about the game if it weren't for the US PS2 release. The article said it was a series that had music that inspired my #1 favorite series, Lufia... I had no choice but to check it out.

I haven't played Origins yet, but I know that as long as the game plays awesomely, it's good enough. It doesn't even have to make sense... well, in this case it does since it's a story-oriented game (we can't have another Zero Wing). The real problem is if it'd be able to get better reviews than Ys VI did, which I remember getting stuff like 6/10 or 7/10 from reviewers. Although I don't care for reviews, many people do (especially the score/10).

but if Origins should ever comes to the US by some miracle, it better be for PS2, at least. No matter how much you love the PSP, you have to admit that the PS2 is the better platform to get the most possible sales on (I would argue that Wii is even better, but i'm sure that'd be quite a controversial discussion sure to piss many off, hehe).

[Lumi]

I'd say it would do great as a standalone game. Familiarity with at least Ys I and II is a bonus, of course, but looking mainly at gameplay-- it has more to offer for variety and replay value than Napishtim had.

Only downside, of course, is that nobody would be liable to pick it up for port, especially after the shoddy porting and localization Konami did with Napishtim. They wouldn't be liable to see the money in giving Ys another go.

Personally, I wouldn't be crazy about seeing it on PS2... mainly due to the number it'd do on the graphics. The PS2's lack of antialiasing just makes the pretty PC graphics look too edgy and nasty. ;_;

.....You know, I'm trying to imagine how CRAZY it would be, playing an Ys game on the Wii with that nutty controller! ; You'd get your exercise, for sure.

[Inochi 命]

heh, believe it or not... you wouldn't get tired or get much excercise (unless you really want to...? i mean, you can run on a treadmill or jump around while playing PS2 too, just like you can choose to flail your arms wildly on Wii). Actually, the only wii game that even remotely tires me out is Wii Boxing... if and only if im facing an equally good player for over about an hour. I wasn't considering controls that much when I said it could be on Wii, but I can kind of think of ways Ys other than Origins (since I haven't played it) can work with the controller. Its not like you have to use the remote to attack, it could instead be used to move or something. They could even have you use the Classic Controller instead of using the remote at all.

All I know is that if any good game is released for Wii at this point, a ton of hardcore Wii owners will jump for it. Metal Slug Anthology seriously benefited from coming out so soon after launch (i'll have to check out what the sales were, though). Also, with all of the classic gaming fans that own one (some people bought it just for Virtual Console), Ys would definitely strike a cord. Development for it is also the cheapest (as is it's dev kit's cost). Maybe I really am just "momentarily discombobulated", I don't know... but I'm sure if someone tried, someone could find a way for it to work on Wii.

and whats with anti-aliasing? Does any console support it? I know both PS2 and Wii don't... maybe it's just something you need to except if anyone ever wants to see mainstream console ports happening.

[FM-77AV]

Definitely not. This game refers so much to Ys 1-2 as well as borrowing (WAY TOO MANY) elements from those games, it is obvious they just did it for the Ys fans (or rather, for some easy money. They obviously didn't put much work into this game). This game would probably be the biggest flop ever if they released it in North America or Europe, regardless of the marketing (and nobody would waste their money marketing this).

Also, Konami's Ys VI marketing wasn't bad at all. They advertised it everywhere, unlike many other low-budget games. And I assure you it would've been an even bigger flop had they retained the original 2d sprites.

Both Gamecube and Xbox feature anti aliasing. PS2 does not.

[hellsassassin]

I wouldn't say this game is a good standalone either. For Ys fans, this game draws too much from Ys I and II, as Seldane said, to be "incredible". However, gamers who never played Ys before or just want games like Felghana would surely enjoy this game.
Overall, I think this game is more of a test for Falcom to think about how they should make Ys series for next generation. For example, by introducing three characters with distinct abilities, Falcom can see what kind of gameplay, which is crucial in action RPG like Ys, best attracts the fans. This game will definitely have some impact on future Ys games and I hope Falcom learns what it should take and shouldn't.

[Incog Neato]

admin said:

Definitely not. This game refers so much to Ys 1-2 as well as borrowing (WAY TOO MANY) elements from those games, it is obvious they just did it for the Ys fans (or rather, for some easy money. They obviously didn't put much work into this game).

I believe that only those who have played Ys I and II would say this. :/ Yes, Ys Origin is fan bait but I don't think the general gaming public will lose anything by not having the background that most of us do.

I mean, at least it's not like FFVII: Advent Children where oodles of crap wasn't explained AT ALL in it.

[Varion]

ysrulz said:

I wouldn't say this game is a good standalone either. For Ys fans, this game draws too much from Ys I and II, as Seldane said, to be "incredible".

But like nunuu said, how are they going to know it has anything to do with Ys I and II at all if you don't tell them? Many of the people who bought Napishtim probably thought it was a brand new series. And Origin is better than Napishtim.

ysrulz said:

However, gamers who never played Ys before or just want games like Felghana would surely enjoy this game. Overall, I think this game is more of a test for Falcom to think about how they should make Ys series for next generation. For example, by introducing three characters with distinct abilities, Falcom can see what kind of gameplay, which is crucial in action RPG like Ys, best attracts the fans. This game will definitely have some impact on future Ys games and I hope Falcom learns what it should take and shouldn't.

Truth.

Like making more games without Adol >_>

[Lumi]

Technically speaking, Origin would be a good starting point for new fans anyway, since it's the honest to goodness beginning of the Ys chronology, you know?

And much as I have a lotta love for the Adol.... XD A variety of playable characters makes it that much better. I loved that about Origin.

The way it seems to me--
Napishtim = unveiling of a new engine for Ys
Felghana = perfecting that engine
Origin = trying a couple new things (i.e. play styles, no Adol(!) and so on)

I like this direction. =P

[Century]

Why wouldn't it? It's got a better storyline than 95% of games out here, and even if there are references which are obviously made to other games, so what? I seriously don't understand the problem. Like someone else said, if you know about the rest, then it's a bonus - a lot of plotlines click into place.

If you don't... Then you can go and find out. Just like any other series.

Not that the story actually matters that much in a situation like this. Yes, there are tons of people that buy games for the story - and just as many that buy games for the game. This game has plenty to keep people playing - good, solid, simple gameplay, multiple characters that require a different play method to get through, a few secrets... And, most importantly, it's fun.

Sounds perfectly fine to me.

[hellsassassin]

varion said:

Truth.

Like making more games without Adol >_>

Well, I was thinking more about giving Adol a new combination of battle abilities (skills further developed from Thor's godspeed or Hugo's bomb would make me happy ) or making dungeons a bit more complex in future games, though. I still want Adol in Ys games; it just doesn't feel complete without him.

[Incog Neato]

ysrulz said:

varion said:

Truth.

Like making more games without Adol >_>

Well, I was thinking more about giving Adol combination of these characteristics, though.

No, man. DOGI is the way of the future!

[Varion]

ysrulz said:

Well, I was thinking more about giving Adol a new combination of battle abilities (skills further developed from Thor's godspeed or Hugo's bomb would make me happy ) or making dungeons a bit more complex in future games, though. I still want Adol in Ys games; it just doesn't feel complete without him.

Yeah, I know what you're getting at but I've always disliked silent heroes. It's a fair price to play for Ys' gameplay and music though, so I just learned to deal with it. Then Origin came along with 3 playable protagonists all with their own character and abilities and I feel spoilt now. It may be partly due to the fact I haven't 'grown up with the franchise' or anything though, Adol just happens to be the series protagonist who likes adventuring and nothing more. I don't expect to get my wish because I know I'm in the minority here, but still...

Dogi is a good option. There's a man with character

[Inochi 命]

It'd be hilarious if they released a Dogi game in the west and he suddenly became a wall-crushing phenomenon, leaving his good friend Adol in the dust.

[hellsassassin]

inochi said:

It'd be hilarious if they released a Dogi game in the west and he suddenly became a wall-crushing phenomenon, leaving his good friend Adol in the dust.

Hahaha, that would be pretty funny. Maybe Falcom should try putting some personality into Adol as well...

[Incog Neato]

wyrdwad said:

The cost of translating and publishing a game isn't as high as it used to be, and as long as a company makes ANY PROFIT WHATSOEVER, it's worthwhile. And I think any company would make a profit from another Ys release on name recognition alone, even if there would be a minimal level of name recognition in the English-speaking world.

Question: Did Konami make profit on The Ark of Napishtim? :/ I think even if they did, it wasn't enough to justify getting another Ys game.

The PSP might be a better choice for them since doesn't it cost less to do stuff for a handheld?

[Lumi]

Doesn't Sony also get the final say in what games come ashore from Japan? Even if Konami was all for bringing another Ys game over for PSP (more likely, for reasons already stated by others), Sony could still put the kabosh on it, I would think. :-\

Frankly, with all the nasty loading issues and such I heard that the Napishtim PSP port had, I don't know if I'd WANT Konami to try another port. If they can do it RIGHT... well. One more reason to put a PSP on my To Buy list....