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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
ShadowXOR at 12/12/2007 14:36
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
kawitchate at 12/12/2007 14:44
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
ShadowXOR at 12/12/2007 14:46
Actually after looking at the screenshots that looks kind of bad all around.
FatBologna's Avatar
FatBologna at 12/12/2007 14:48
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
ZekeThePlumber at 12/12/2007 14:48
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
FatBologna at 12/12/2007 14:51
@ 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
nilcam at 12/12/2007 14:51
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
SourGr8pes at 12/12/2007 14:53
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
Scape at 12/12/2007 14:53
The death idea sounds neat, but I don't see how you could be rewarded for dying in an action RPG.
ikiryou's Avatar
ikiryou at 12/12/2007 14:53
Very reminiscent of Persona 3. More of the same from Atlus? Yes, please. P3:FES would be nice also.
Spykron's Avatar
Spykron at 12/12/2007 14:53
at 0:57 that guy totally kisses himself. also, this looks sw33t.
bayushi's Avatar
bayushi at 12/12/2007 14:59
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
Holyetheline at 12/12/2007 15:04
Wet my appetite? Wet my pants is more like it. ;)
BahamutZero's Avatar
BahamutZero at 12/12/2007 15:04
must... resist... cornball joke... strength... failing me

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

ARGGHHHHHHH somebody please kill me
FatBologna's Avatar
FatBologna at 12/12/2007 15:04
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
Sharpless at 12/12/2007 15:11
I thought Atlus was Fontaine?
The-Excel's Avatar
The-Excel at 12/12/2007 15:13
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
Colette Bennett at 12/12/2007 15:19
@It's called a typo, Excel, and I'll fix it. Thanks for being so nice about it.
Awesome Locks's Avatar
Awesome Locks at 12/12/2007 15:24
The narrator's voice sounded like the female lead in Ghost in the Shell.
Joseph Leray's Avatar
Joseph Leray at 12/12/2007 15:26
"How do you know when you're baroque?"

"When you're out of Monet."

Amirite?
s4ndm4n's Avatar
s4ndm4n at 12/12/2007 15:30
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
Joseph Leray at 12/12/2007 15:34
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
king3vbo at 12/12/2007 15:35
DO WANT

I love Atlus's games, and I BUY THEM ALL!!!
SPIDER PIG's Avatar
SPIDER PIG at 12/12/2007 15:36
Atlus is like the best videogame company EVA
SchickOuttaShape's Avatar
SchickOuttaShape at 12/12/2007 15:43
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
ShadowXOR at 12/12/2007 15:43
@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
Harvey at 12/12/2007 15:47
I wonder if this'll have anything to do with the Saturn game Baroque? Remake?
Evil Cheese's Avatar
Evil Cheese at 12/12/2007 15:58
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
Novakaine at 12/12/2007 16:01
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
rubadub at 12/12/2007 16:04
please no more jrpg :(
Eagle Epsilon's Avatar
Eagle Epsilon at 12/12/2007 16:06
@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
FatBologna at 12/12/2007 16:08
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
FatBologna at 12/12/2007 16:11
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
Tertiee at 12/12/2007 16:17
"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
luciferific at 12/12/2007 16:33
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
Kyousuke Nanbu at 12/12/2007 16:43
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
MasterMS at 12/12/2007 16:53
I love Atlus I'll be looking forward to any game they make
hoydensnare's Avatar
hoydensnare at 12/12/2007 17:02
Can't wait to download it illegally.

And kudos for applying "an" phonetically.
ry mc's Avatar
ry mc at 12/12/2007 17:03
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
Cowboy TTop at 12/12/2007 17:20
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
Novakaine at 12/12/2007 17:31
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
Jonathan Holmes at 12/12/2007 18:20
Original ideas > High polygon counts.

That's the Atlus way. And I love it.
xagarath's Avatar
xagarath at 12/12/2007 18:51
This is the kind of thing I like to see on the Wii.
Tino's Avatar
Tino at 12/12/2007 19:16
I trust Atlus implicitly with my life and my video games.
Bulrog's Avatar
Bulrog at 12/12/2007 20:15
More ps2 goodness.
Necros's Avatar
Necros at 12/12/2007 20:27
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
Monte at 12/12/2007 21:55
My 7 year old PS2 lives on!
ShadowXOR's Avatar
ShadowXOR at 12/12/2007 21:59
@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
SourGr8pes at 12/12/2007 23:20
@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
ShadowXOR at 12/12/2007 23:52
@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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