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The one thing I've been waiting for out of the next-gen systems is more RPGs, and while it's highly debatable that Wii games count as "next-gen," I'm still happy to see the appearance of new ones. Baroque looks as if it will fall into the JRPG category, pitting you up against a ruined world and a tower to descend in order to unearth the secrets of how it became that way (why do ruined lands always have towers still standing, I wonder?)
 
Outside of the usual hardcore dungeon crawler business, the press release mentions an intriguing feature: Each time your character dies, more secrets about the forsaken world are revealed. Apparently death is not the end, at least not within the world of Baroque. I'm very interested to see how that concept will work within gameplay. Is there any penalty to death, or is it more of a reward?
 
Between my beloved Trauma Center series and the stellar Persona 3, I trust Atlus implicitly to come up with great concepts and strong gameplay, so even the fact that this is not a high end graphics title doesn't really phase me. Baroque launches in February 2008, so until then I've attached some screenshots to whet your appetite.
 


LAUNCH GALLERY (10 IMAGES)
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59 comments | showing # 1 to 50

ShadowXOR's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/12/2007 14:36
ShadowXOR
That looked like ugly as hell anime from ten years ago or something. I hope the game doesn't use cutscenes like that because the actual game looked OK. I'm not too into RPGs but I'll keep my eye on this. Though I'm more interested in
Fragile: Farewell Ruins of the Moon.
kawitchate's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/12/2007 14:44
kawitchate
just finished Persona 3 this past weekend and LOVED IT (contender for GOTY) so needless to say i'm VERY excited for this game.

however, i'm a little worried that this is the PS2 game Atlus was talking about working on instead of an English translation of Persona 3: FES. :(
ShadowXOR's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/12/2007 14:46
ShadowXOR
Actually after looking at the screenshots that looks kind of bad all around.
FatBologna's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/12/2007 14:48
FatBologna
Persona 3 was AWESOME!! The entire Shin Megami Tensei series is great (I just payed a small fortune for the whole run on Ebay!)
and Trauma Center is pretty dam fine too. This game looks like a medieval Persona 3 a little bit, so you can count me in! The trailer virtually DRIPS with Atlus goodness. Keep the PS double RPGs comin', I say!
ZekeThePlumber's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/12/2007 14:48
ZekeThePlumber
Atlus is probably one of the biggest underrated developers out there. Too bad they couldn't get permission to localize Mother 3.
FatBologna's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/12/2007 14:51
FatBologna
@ ShadowXOR

Atlus makes niche titles for dedicated fans. They're not your average next-gen titles. The draw of their games is in the mature storytelling and character development...not graphics. Stick to the 360 or PS3 if you want great graphics. Why even bother if you don't like RPGs in the first place? I'm not trying to be a dick, but really, why?
nilcam's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/12/2007 14:51
nilcam
I am interested in this one. I enjoyed the anime bits and look forward to seeing more gameplay footage.

I don't think there can be debate about the Wii being "next gen" since it is current generation, just like the 360 and PS3.
SourGr8pes's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/12/2007 14:53
SourGr8pes
Dammit, ANOTHER February game? But it's Atlus, and I usually trust in the games that they put out. Consider me sold.
Scape's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/12/2007 14:53
Scape
The death idea sounds neat, but I don't see how you could be rewarded for dying in an action RPG.
ikiryou's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/12/2007 14:53
ikiryou
Very reminiscent of Persona 3. More of the same from Atlus? Yes, please. P3:FES would be nice also.
Spykron's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/12/2007 14:53
Spykron
at 0:57 that guy totally kisses himself. also, this looks sw33t.
bayushi's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/12/2007 14:59
bayushi
Is the character design done by the same artist that did SMT: Nocturne? Yes, I know they are both produced by Atlus...

looks rad.

p.s. disgaea afternoon of darkness is a ball buster. the dark assembly just pwned me ...
Holyetheline's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/12/2007 15:04
Holyetheline
Wet my appetite? Wet my pants is more like it. ;)
BahamutZero's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/12/2007 15:04
BahamutZero
must... resist... cornball joke... strength... failing me

If it ain't baroque, don't fix it

ARGGHHHHHHH somebody please kill me
FatBologna's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/12/2007 15:04
FatBologna
Here's to hoping they up-res and port Persona 3: FES to the 360 as part of their new third-party status...drool...
Sharpless's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/12/2007 15:11
Sharpless
I thought Atlus was Fontaine?
The-Excel's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/12/2007 15:13
The-Excel
You got Atlus's name wrong in the header but not the article. Mindbending.

Also more original series on the Wii is always a good thing even if the PS2 is getting it too.
Colette Bennett's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/12/2007 15:19
Colette Bennett
@It's called a typo, Excel, and I'll fix it. Thanks for being so nice about it.
Awesome Locks's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/12/2007 15:24
Awesome Locks
The narrator's voice sounded like the female lead in Ghost in the Shell.
Joseph Leray's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/12/2007 15:26
Joseph Leray
"How do you know when you're baroque?"

"When you're out of Monet."

Amirite?
s4ndm4n's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/12/2007 15:30
s4ndm4n
Definitely think the Wii is next Gen, just not next gen graphics perhaps, but IMO there's so much more to it than pretty colors. heh. :D
Joseph Leray's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/12/2007 15:34
Joseph Leray
After looking at the screenshots, I'll agree that the graphics don't look nearly as polished as some of the other stuff we've seen out of the PS2 and Wii, even within the RPG genre. I'm probably a bit spoiled by Square Enix' production values.

Nevertheless, Atlus' reputation precedes them, and I'm very intrigued by the death mechanic.
king3vbo's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/12/2007 15:35
king3vbo
DO WANT

I love Atlus's games, and I BUY THEM ALL!!!
SPIDER PIG's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/12/2007 15:36
SPIDER PIG
Atlus is like the best videogame company EVA
SchickOuttaShape's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/12/2007 15:43
SchickOuttaShape
Excited after loving Persona3. Was that Donna Burke's voice from Silent Hill fame? The voice acting was great in P3, so hopefully that trend continues.
ShadowXOR's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/12/2007 15:43
ShadowXOR
@FatBologna: I don't play games for graphics, and I have a lot of Wii games but that is no excuse for a game to look like ass. I still play PS2 and N64 games but most of the quality games looked great for their time. This doesn't even look good for a PS2 game let alone a Wii game. I'm not asking for a masterpiece but it looks really poorly done from the screenshots. Like I said I'm looking forward to Fragile: Farewell Ruins of the Moon and it is by no means a graphical showpiece. It does look nice for what it is though.
Harvey's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/12/2007 15:47
Harvey
I wonder if this'll have anything to do with the Saturn game Baroque? Remake?
Evil Cheese's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/12/2007 15:58
Evil Cheese
I love Atlus, but this trailer looks meh at best. With a name like Baroque I half expected a more stylized character design and art style. The gameplay looked rather dull too. Hopefully I'm wrong and this turns out to be a kick-ass game with a deep story as usual with Atlus. I need moar next-gen rpgs for consoles I actually own.
Novakaine's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/12/2007 16:01
Novakaine
I read Atlus, RPG, Wii, and saw anime, and got excited. Then I saw the gameplay.

I'm sorry, but action RPGs just don't do it for me. =\
rubadub's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/12/2007 16:04
rubadub
please no more jrpg :(
Eagle Epsilon's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/12/2007 16:06
Eagle Epsilon
@harvey: It is a remake of the saturn/psx game.
I'm curious to see if they are going to keep both versions in 3rd person. I think the first person view of the original might work ok for the wii.
FatBologna's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/12/2007 16:08
FatBologna
ShadowXOR :

Atlus' titles always have very simplistic character design and graphics. Digital Devil Saga and SMT: Nocturne are good examples of this. But the style and story elements are used to create an ambiance that other higher-end titles can't hope to achieve. Through this simplistic design and character-building they create a palpable feeling of foreboding and dread that other games often can't match. You just have to appreciate that it's simplicity and NOT "bad design" as can be mistaken on a peripheral glance.
FatBologna's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/12/2007 16:11
FatBologna
On second glance tho...shit, those WERE some bad choices on screenshots. It still looked pretty decent in motion. Here's hoping it measures up to their previously stellar titles.
Tertiee's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/12/2007 16:17
Tertiee
"The narrator's voice sounded like the female lead in Ghost in the Shell."

Thought that voice was familiar as well but couldn't place it until I saw your post.
luciferific's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/12/2007 16:33
luciferific
great news. I've been playing Atlus RPGs since the PS1 (Thousand Arms), but I became a huge fan when the SMT series came out. Persona 3 was so-so compared to Nocturne, which is my favorite RPG ever.
Kyousuke Nanbu's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/12/2007 16:43
Kyousuke Nanbu
Tower to descend, joy of joys, we get another area like Tartarus, walls will change color but everything else will look exactly the same. I sure to Atlus's lack of creativity lately, guess they realize that they no longer need to make an effort, just a pretty story and fanboys and fangirls will blow their load all over it and call it the best thing EVA ^_^

I wonder if we'll have to grind like mad, and get one shotted by the new monsters whenever you enter a area like Persona 3.

I would only try this if I could control my guys, they where idiots in Persona 3.
MasterMS's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/12/2007 16:53
MasterMS
I love Atlus I'll be looking forward to any game they make
hoydensnare's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/12/2007 17:02
hoydensnare
Can't wait to download it illegally.

And kudos for applying "an" phonetically.
ry mc's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/12/2007 17:03
ry mc
No level griding - in fact, when you die, you basically start over stat-wise. Can't say much more, it can spoil the plot. But the gameplay is there, the story is there, it's worth your attention if you're into something very strange and new.

I have the original Saturn version - it's great. Don't bash it until you try it, if you're into rather haunting games. :) The screens don't do it justice. I've been hoping for a US release since the 1998 Saturn original. :)
Cowboy TTop's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/12/2007 17:20
Cowboy TTop
Atlus i felt have always been creating some cool games. While not the hot shit sandwich like Square Enix, it refreshing and great that they create and push cool games like Soul Nomad and the World Eaters, Persona 3 and Trauma Center.

Atlus brought us Yggdra Union and Riviera, lesser known but very cool rpgs that many of us miss, while chasing the latest FF cut. Spike are also good in this sense and I'm glad they can create such games freely, without being sucked up like most developers.

I'll add Baroque to my import list, as I'm yet to buy an Atlus game that's diappointed me.
Novakaine's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/12/2007 17:31
Novakaine
Cowboy TTop: Riviera was f'n awesome. Most underrated game on the GBA, I'd say. Turns out that Sting is the studio making this game (Baroque) as well... maybe I won't write it off, then....
Jonathan Holmes's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/12/2007 18:20
Jonathan Holmes
Original ideas > High polygon counts.

That's the Atlus way. And I love it.
xagarath's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/12/2007 18:51
xagarath
This is the kind of thing I like to see on the Wii.
Tino's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/12/2007 19:16
Tino
I trust Atlus implicitly with my life and my video games.
Bulrog's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/12/2007 20:15
Bulrog
More ps2 goodness.
Necros's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/12/2007 20:27
Necros
Looks good, and I love the art style, but it seems most of the cool stuff is in those anime cutscenes. I wonder when next-gen systems are going to find a way to convert those amazing art styles into actual graphics and gameplay experiences.
Monte's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/12/2007 21:55
Monte
My 7 year old PS2 lives on!
ShadowXOR's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/12/2007 21:59
ShadowXOR
@Jonathan Holmes:

Is it so much to ask that they do both? I'm not talking epic visuals, I just don't want it to burn my retinas. And I'm not usually one to complain about graphics either...
SourGr8pes's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/12/2007 23:20
SourGr8pes
@ShadowXOR

Nope. Except in rare cases, like Bioshock. The law of videogames states that you can't have both. Pretty graphics or great story: Choose your poison.
ShadowXOR's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/12/2007 23:52
ShadowXOR
@SourGr8pes:

Plenty of games have both. As I said at least decent graphics, tons of games have decent graphics and story. This game has ass graphics. I don't need Bioshock level graphics, but can we at least look better than a PS2 launch title?
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