First off, you may think you have an idea of this from the screenshots, but let me say it again because I can -- this game is absolutely gorgeous in person. The crisp surroundings and character renderings jumped out at me as the first two memorable elements. Square-Enix is pretty fail-safe when it comes to delivering a graphically polished product, and Infinite Undiscovery definitely holds the standard firmly in place.
The demo starts with Capell, the game's main character, trapped in a prison operated by a group called the Order. They call him the "Liberator", a name which he has no understanding of whatsoever. I played through the scene where he meets Aya, a young archer that will join your party, and she helps to break him out. Later, you find out Aya is a part of a small group of warriors trying to rebel against the Order.
As per their usual modus operandi, the game has tons of cutscenes, which you may view as either good or bad. The ones I saw were not too long, which was a relief as I get antsy waiting too long to actually control my character. I noticed that all the facial expressions and body movements looked incredibly natural, which leads me to think Square may have used motion capture to get the characters looking so fluid.
The way you handle battle is interesting, and this is where Infinite Undiscovery really started to win me over. I love being able to play RPGs that innovate the act of grinding, and the real time approach sits very favorably with me (I loved the system used in Final Fantasy XII). Infinite Undiscovery introduces the Connect Ability, which allows you to use the abilities of the other people traveling in your party. You can't actually play them in the game, but you can switch control to them to accomplish actions and use their special abilities.
The only thing I noticed right off the bat about the Connect Ability is that it can be a little overwhelming the first time you try to use it. I doubt it will come off this way in the real game as you will likely work up to using it with multiple characters, but since I was playing an E3 build, I started with the scene with Capell and Aya breaking out of the jail and then the girl at the booth switched me to a part of the game where I had a party of three in tow and was exploring a jungle. As soon I was was attacked, I noticed you have to carefully balance out when you switch to other party members to use an ability as the enemy can use that vulnerable moment to attack you. It's not a bad thing, but I think it may take some getting used to.
In fact, the use of real time goes even further than that -- just like an MMO, opening your menu does not stop the game's time and you are still vulnerable to enemy attack. I like that Square chose to implement this in a straightforward RPG title, as it definitely shakes up the formula and the genre could always use a bit of that.

To walk up to a game feeling unenthusiastic and walk away really excited is almost more special for me than playing a game I was already excited about, and that's exactly how I felt about Infinite Undiscovery. It looks and feels like a rich offering for RPG fans, and Idefinitely found it refreshing to stand outside the Final Fantasy universe and see what else Square can do. Maybe all these side projects aren't such a bad idea after all.
Game sounds interesting. Would be awesome to see this put on the PS3 as well.
Sounds from your impressions I should be excited for this game as well. Yup, I think I now am.
From the trailer I saw the voice acting is ear-gratingly horrible. Did you get a chance to hear the voice work? Do you know if there will be language options?
This shit was bangin'
@Master Disco -- I'm so sorry I forgot to mention that. I actually thought they were quite good -- much better than most of the RPG voice acting out there. To each his own, I guess.
"That is the stupidest f*cking name for an RPG I have ever head in my life."
Heard* :D
I'm with Vigor on this one as my PS3 might be jealous as those screen look cool.
I'm really exited for this game! I really hope it'll turn out to be at least as great as Lost Odyssey!
I don't see anything wrong with the name. I like weird titles and almost appropriate Engrish.
This looks EPIC
That screenshot with all those characters lined up has done more than most other games to sell me on the experience. That looks like a party that I would be interested in following for 40+ hours.
Also, is that Polom and Porom? wtf? :D
I really want to play this.
Wow now I want this game.
That sword on the front page needs a NSFW tag.
looks and sounds cool
just hope they don't decide to give it a last minute change and Fuck it up
@Colette
How does it compare to Lost Odyssey so far?
Awesome, I loved FFXII's system as well so hopefully I'll enjoy this one just as much.
Why there is no mention of tri-Ace in this post? It feels like Square Enix isn't just publishing the game, but actually developing it too! *GASP*
Give credit to people who deserve it, damn it!
Hopefully the story will be just as good as the battle system.
*frowns in Rogue Galaxy's direction*
I'm a little confused... from the description the connect system doesn't sound very complicated but maybe it's one of those things that just sounds simple but really isn't. Either way I can't wait for this game!
I'm getting this day one.
I'm gradually becoming more interested in this game. Though sometimes, I wish they'd employ a different look for this game, because from a semi-fan of RPGs like myself, it's hard to differentiate between all the other JRPGs out there, that sometimes they get lost in the shuffle.
I might get this one instead of fallout 3. I'll wait for reviews...
God there is no shortage of RPGs to play this fall/winger. This, Fallout 3, Tales of Vesperia, and The Last Remnant (maybe.) I'll be in heaven.
So you undiscovered your unenthusiasm for this game?
Wait a sec...I think I actually see brunette haired characters! You sure this is a Square-Enix game?
I really hate active battles in RPGs. It's pretty much a show-stopper from my point of view.
I like turn-based, whether it's timed or not. I like th strategy, I liken it to a chess match...ok maybe a game of checkers.
I played the Tales of Vesparia, battles system fackin sucked. I hope this isn't the beginning of a new trend, otherwise I'm out.
I hope FF13 doesn't resort to real-time. Otherwise MS has lost its E3 show stopping appeal (for me).
I tried it at E3 out at E3, and for the ten minutes I played it, it was truly bad ass. I really liked FF12. hopefully this'll turn out to be good. plus it's a Squeenix 360 title.
Nuuuuu, looks like I need a 360, I hate exclusives :P
It sounds really cool. I was just turned off by that generic armor and building look that every next-gen RPG seems to be doing now.
I mean, who wears outfits THAT complicated!?
@jackal. Ever since picking up and playing my first JRPG, I have noticed this trend of outfits and I promise you! someday i WILL find someone who wears something as ridiculous and unnecessarily complex and prove its possible! Until that day arrives, we can all wonder in amazement as to how these characters find the time (im guessing hours) to put on their clothes
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