Xseed Are Teasing Something¡­ Or Multiple Things

[vincent]

(Again)

[vincent]

This year: Killer Is Dead , Rune Factory 4, Valhalla Knights 3, Ys Celceta, and Ys I & II Chronicles (for Steam).

[bonkers]

Holy Shit, Ys I&II on Steam finally!

Woot!

INSTA BUY TOM. INSTA BUY.

Hopefully it will be better than the actual I&II chronicles port to PC though.

Edit: Slight disappointment

store.steampowered.com/app/223810/

Disappointing almost. It doesn't seem higher quality/higher resolution assets are being used AT ALL for this release.

SURELY the original artists did not create that character art at such a low resolution originally. (Or at least the original art existing outside of the computer that could be re-scanned in high resolution and added to the game. Surely the NEW modern art style at least has this option)

The in-game sprites are fine. It'd be best if they were scaled 1:1 and the view point just expanded so they are displayed at the correct scale ALA The updated versions of Divine Divinity or High resolution patches for games like Starcraft or Fallout. All which used 2D Sprite based graphics.

The aspect ratio looks off too. Stretched instead of properly scaled to widescreen. (Everything looks "Fat")

Doesn't help that if it's NOT actually like this. That the screenshots look like it. Which doesn't help...

And for proof

One of the screenshots taken from Steam and re-sized/resampled to 640x480 without constraining proportions so it's forced back to a 4:3 ratio
(originally a 1080p picture)

i.minus.com/ibxfR58bAWz9Lc.png
And compare that to a 640x480 screenshot from Ys Complete Un-altered

i.minus.com/iVVRJUK1Wi6Uy.png

I'm not trying to be a negative Nancy. I just want the absolute best for something as amazing as Ys.

At the very least I hope it has a 1080p 4:3 mode.


Still an insta buy however

[Xalphenos]

It wouldn't be the first time that steam had stretched screenshots for a game when it supported better resolutions.

These features have my hopes up though.


Adjustable high-resolution PC graphics with a smooth, consistent framerate.
Greater viewing area than in previously-available Ys I & II Chronicles editions.
Decorative screen frames available from the earlier Japan-only Ys I & II Complete PC release, in addition to the more modernized full-screen viewport of previous Ys I & II Chronicles editions.

[Sara]

Yeah, the game isn't stretched like that by default although stretching is supported. The art and such has been kept at Complete resolution -- the engine would need major modification to work with higher-res or higher-color graphics.

[SkyeWelse]

Ah great to hear that this PC version has finally been localized!

I just purchased it. I've owned the Japanese version of Ys Chronicles PC for awhile now and while there's been some negative reviews concerning issues with graphics and framerate with the PC version over the PSP version release, I've still rather enjoyed it all the same and have been wanting to play the PC version in English. Thanks for bringing it over, XSEED! : )

-Thomas

[bonkers]

Jan 31, 2013 16:32:43 GMT -5 Sara said:

Yeah, the game isn't stretched like that by default although stretching is supported. The art and such has been kept at Complete resolution -- the engine would need major modification to work with higher-res or higher-color graphics.

Oh well as long as we get something based on Complete and not the Chronicles previous port(Rather a game based on Complete but some features from Chronicles), I will be happy enough to be able to purchase this game officially in English.

Will we still be able to replace songs like with the complete versions?
And will it come with the original .MIDI files or are they recorded versions of the Eternal/complete original arrangements?


Also: there should be some 4:3 screenshots on the steam listing. Otherwise I think it's a bit confusing.

Some screenshots are 1080p as well but others are not.

[Sara]

Jan 31, 2013 18:13:57 GMT -5 bonkers said:

Oh well as long as we get something based on Complete and not the Chronicles previous port(Rather a game based on Complete but some features from Chronicles), I will be happy enough to be able to purchase this game officially in English.

Will we still be able to replace songs like with the complete versions?
And will it come with the original .MIDI files or are they recorded versions of the Eternal/complete original arrangements?

It's based on Chronicles, but don't let that dissuade you. I used it as a base for modern PC compatibility and the fact that the code was way, way more modern.

The Complete display works just like Complete, and lag shouldn't be a problem either. I think the only things missing right now that Complete had are the Eternal opening of Ys I (the one that was included with Complete as a separate EXE) and mouse support, both of which are being looked into for post-launch.

The graphics code is way different from the Chronicles port as well and was highly reworked. It's way, way better, despite using that as a base. Trust me. This IS the definitive version of Ys I & II on PC.

Edit: Oh, I guess MIDI support is missing too, but I'm thinking about -that-, too. Tom and I spoke about it before and I think it would be cool to have as an option.

Edit 2: Look through these if you aren't convinced. ^^; They're all real shots.

[Ascended Mermaid]

I'm definitely sold, though Sara, I do have a question. Does XSEED change anything in the graphics engines of these ports that may affect compatibility with older laptops? I have slowdown issues with Origin and Felghana on Steam (usually around more GPU intense stuff like bosses, even at the lowest possible settings and with changes to ATI display driver settings) -- but not with their DVD-ROM counterparts. Worst case scenario, I'll just have to hold off until I have better equipment.

Anyway, it sounds like you're pouring on the effort as always, keep up the good work!

// On the other hand, somehow I really don't foresee issues with Chronicles. Complete worked without any issues, and it's not like it's GPU intense or anything.

// BTW, those screens are really awesome, I'm digging the fullscreen letterbox. The only one I have issues with are the "2x point" ones -- I can see places that aren't exactly pixel-perfect, where the width is compromised slightly. It's more noticeable in the small font than anything else.

[Sara]

Jan 31, 2013 18:41:10 GMT -5 Ascended Mermaid said:

I'm definitely sold, though Sara, I do have a question. Does XSEED change anything in the graphics engines of these ports that may affect compatibility with older laptops? I have slowdown issues with Origin and Felghana on Steam (usually around more GPU intense stuff like bosses, even at the lowest possible settings and with changes to ATI display driver settings) -- but not with their DVD-ROM counterparts. Worst case scenario, I'll just have to hold off until I have better equipment.

Huh? Shouldn't even be that way in Oath/Origin. Weird. Maybe it's the Steam Overlay? Tried disabling the Steam Community in-game? If that's not it, then I dunno what it is. Sorry about that, though!

Anyway, it shouldn't run slower. Probably equal, possibly even slightly faster.

[korzic]

For the record, I always seem to experience some slight slowdown in YsO, most often during the pre-final boss cutscenes (always exactly the same spot), something that was never an issue with Doppiapunta's patch. I dunno how bad Unsavory's slowdown is, but it is kinda annoying at times (though in my case, certainly not enough to ruin the experience).

Oh yeah, quick question: is item cycling in this version (for the normal inventory items, not talking about the equipment stuff)? I noticed the PSP version didn't have that (well, it was only in Ys II to begin with), and seeing how this is a port of the PSP version, I'm wondering if they kept that behavior or re-added it. Anyway, it's not much of an issue if it's not there, but it's a convenient feature I enjoy.

Looking forward to this release either way, though I think part of me will always prefer the straight Complete versions.

[Ascended Mermaid]

I've definitely played around with Steam settings as well, seeing as the majority of my Steam collection is somehow affected -- anything fully integrated, it seems. It's just odd because Origin/Oath slow down at specific points (usually GPU intense moments), instead of my ~usual~ integrated Steam lag which causes stuttering every second or so regardless. I can't expect everything to run on an '05 toaster, so it's really okay, and I appreciate your help.

// It was really noticable during the first boss in Origin. Velagunder I think his name was? It happens around the time he's spitting bubbles and maggots.

// "It" being that the screen lags a ton, like roughly dropping to 2 FPS or so, the lag prevents controller input, however the BGM, sound, and core program are unaffected -- I can hear myself getting damaged and unable to move or attack. This lasts roughly 3 seconds or longer.

[Sara]

Jan 31, 2013 19:06:03 GMT -5 korzic said:

Oh yeah, quick question: is item cycling in this version (for the normal inventory items, not talking about the equipment stuff)? I noticed the PSP version didn't have that (well, it was only in Ys II to begin with), and seeing how this is a port of the PSP version, I'm wondering if they kept that behavior or re-added it. Anyway, it's not much of an issue if it's not there, but it's a convenient feature I enjoy.

I don't -think- that's in, but it's probably possible to restore it. I'm pretty sure we just have an instant inventory button (which is also on PSP, I think).

[korzic]

All it was, you pressed "R" to cycle to the next item (left to right, up to down), and "T" for one item back (so long as you manually equipped something first). It was Ys II only, though.

EDIT: Hmm, actually, I think "T" was forward, "R" was back.

[Sara]

Jan 31, 2013 18:41:10 GMT -5 Ascended Mermaid said:

// BTW, those screens are really awesome, I'm digging the fullscreen letterbox. The only one I have issues with are the "2x point" ones -- I can see places that aren't exactly pixel-perfect, where the width is compromised slightly. It's more noticeable in the small font than anything else.

Just noticed this part of your post. Really? Can you point it out to me? I resized the Ys I 1x shot to 2x without any filtering and compared it to the 2x point shot and as far as I could tell it was exactly identical, pixel for pixel. If there's something up with the scaling, I'd like to investigate it, so help would be nice.

Edit: I did this with the Ys II shots too, and the results were also the same. I even opened them up in a comparitive hex editor (HexCmp) after the resizing and only the header/metadata was different; the actual pictures were identical byte for byte. Maybe you're seeing something else?

Edit 2: The letterbox shots' point scaling isn't exact since it's not a perfect 100%, 200% etc zoom in that shot, so those might look a little more chunky in a couple spots. Were you comparing to those?

[Ascended Mermaid]

Yeah, I was definitely comparing the letterboxed point. It doesn't seem like a whole lot would be sacrificed with a perfect 200% zoom, though I could totally understand being torn with the UI getting cut off a little. Plus I'm not entirely sure how that would affect programming.

[bonkers]

Jan 31, 2013 18:22:04 GMT -5 Sara said:

Jan 31, 2013 18:13:57 GMT -5 bonkers said:

Oh well as long as we get something based on Complete and not the Chronicles previous port(Rather a game based on Complete but some features from Chronicles), I will be happy enough to be able to purchase this game officially in English.

Will we still be able to replace songs like with the complete versions?
And will it come with the original .MIDI files or are they recorded versions of the Eternal/complete original arrangements?

It's based on Chronicles, but don't let that dissuade you. I used it as a base for modern PC compatibility and the fact that the code was way, way more modern.

The Complete display works just like Complete, and lag shouldn't be a problem either. I think the only things missing right now that Complete had are the Eternal opening of Ys I (the one that was included with Complete as a separate EXE) and mouse support, both of which are being looked into for post-launch.

The graphics code is way different from the Chronicles port as well and was highly reworked. It's way, way better, despite using that as a base. Trust me. This IS the definitive version of Ys I & II on PC.

Edit: Oh, I guess MIDI support is missing too, but I'm thinking about -that-, too. Tom and I spoke about it before and I think it would be cool to have as an option.

Edit 2: Look through these if you aren't convinced. ^^; They're all real shots.

Ok that is sounding very good! Thanks for the information! It helps a lot
And those shots explain a lot! Thanks for that too!

Regarding MIDI, it's certainly a neat option. But most people probably don't have compatible synth/sound modules for GM,SC-88 and all that to get to sound it's best. But then again Eternal/complete had it too.

I don't know, it's still a neat option. But if it comes down to work that could be better spent on other things. It's certainly understandable.

[fireinthehole]

Well, it's nice to see Ys: Memories of Celceta getting released here. BTW, are these all the games that XSEED will release this year or are there more? According to some forums, apparently Wyrdwad said that there is another game (other than these five, I assume) he is working on but he cannot announce it yet. If this is indeed true, can someone verify it please?

[ParanoiaDragon]

I asked that same question over on their facebook, (if those were ALL the games for the year), but I haven't checked to see if I got any response, probably havn't.

Edit-Just checked, no response.

[fireinthehole]

Nothing better than hearing from the man himself. Thanks.