I have to admit that Namco's Fragile has somewhat fallen off my radar. There were a few screenshots and a May announcement that XSEED would be publishing the title in the United States, but the moody, atmosphere-rich action-RPG dropped off the face of the earth for about six months. Hell, I didn't even realize that the official title was Fragile Dreams: Farewell Ruins of the Moon until it popped up in the spiffy English-language, European trailer.
Honestly, Fragile is evocative; Farewell Ruins of the Moon is a gaudy mouthful.
Some things to note about the trailer:
the original Japanese voices will be included
you can spot a teensy, weensy bit of gameplay footage, if you squint really hard
the game is kind of pretty
I'll admit that I'm starting to lose patience with the animé style in general, but I can't begrudge developers tri-Crescendo and Namco Bandai too much: they make it work. At the very least, Fragile, in my opinion, succeeds at creating the type of desolate atmosphere that Wii games sometimes use to great effect; see Silent Hill: Shattered Memories for an example of what I mean.
If the action part of the action-RPG recipe is any fun remains to be seen, but since the game hits Japan and North America in January and February, we'll find out soon enough. Oh, and European readers take heart: Rising Star will be taking care of you all sometime next Spring.
Joseph Leray is a founding Destructoid editor and has better hair than you. He speaks French and needs to send us his updated bio in English, preferably.
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Meet the rest of the team
I have heard lots of it, but I would like to know what it is about. Why is everything scrapped for example? Is it set in the aftermath of a war or something?
Looks interesting. Hopefully it's good. I could use more games for the Wii. I've had a Wii since it game out, and I just bought a PS3 this month and already I almost have more PS3 games then I do for my Wii. Another good title would be fantastic.
I'd be willing to bet there are more people interested in shooting guns than using flashlights. Anyway, I wouldn't ACTUALLY dismiss the game based on that, but I did let out an audible groan when I saw it.
I can't believe I'm taking heat just for being a little sarcastic and cynical about a game no one has played and barely seen. I was just poking a little fun at a well-worn Wii game mechanic. No need to get upset.
I can't believe this is finally coming out! Within seconds of seeing the first screenshots out of Japan, I knew I had to play this game come hell or high water. AND NOW I CAN YAY!
@Monodi: The world is in ruins because of some kind of global catastrophe or war. The whole point is that the "ruins" you're exploring in the game are our modern day houses and office buildings.
Oh man, the protagonist's English voice is WAAAAYYY better! I hated the Japanese one! I suspected it would be jsut as bad (if not worse) in English, so it's nice to know there's no need to use Japanese voices anymore. Nornmally I FAR prefer JP voices, but the Eng. one is way better.
It's not really that much of an RPG. No more than something like Metal Gear Solid where you have the ability to increase your life and different weapons. It's an adventure game with light combat against ghosts for the most part and is mostly about human drama dealing with what happened to the world and why no one is left.
People really really need to buy this game. A lot of it. It deserves it. If you've EVER complained about games becoming too homogenized or if you've EVER bemoaned not having new types of experiences in games, you owe it to yourself to buy this and support it.
that trailer reminds me of some of the anime shows you watch for the first time only to realize that you just dont care. I think what did that for me was the song. I was actually interested in this game because i like deep interesting stories and i think action rpgs are my favourite. Honestly i will wait for the reviews and instead im gunna go find a copy of rogue galaxy (which i have been itching to play for some odd reason).
i'm kinda shocked... that english voice acting wasnt bad at all! i normally hate dubs... i'd still likely play it in the original japanese, but it'd be lovely to see them get some actors who know how to act...
ps: i might be wrong, if someone wants to contradict me, but i believe Fragile was actually the *first* wii game that had you control a flashlight. Fragile was released quite some time ago in japan, predating wii's Silent Hill and the one or two other horror games on the wii that had flashlight-waggle. getting annoyed at Fragile for having a flashlight is kind of like getting annoyed at the original Half Life for having cinematic gameplay.
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Contest:
12:40 PM on 12.17.2009
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Gosh, the Internet is such a strange place.
Is that another war shooter? [rolls eyes] I've *never* seen that before. NEXT!
I'd be willing to bet there are more people interested in shooting guns than using flashlights. Anyway, I wouldn't ACTUALLY dismiss the game based on that, but I did let out an audible groan when I saw it.
The only thing holding it back was the lifeless expressions in the "3D" segments.
Well don't buy it then.
Alan Wake would like to have a word with you.
Looks so pretty...
shiny...
I ain't upset dawg. I just found it kinda silly.
@Monodi: The world is in ruins because of some kind of global catastrophe or war. The whole point is that the "ruins" you're exploring in the game are our modern day houses and office buildings.
http://www.siliconera.com/2009/12/16/this-is-fragile-dreams-farewell-ruins-of-the-moon-in-english/
For North America, I don't believe Xseed has officially came out with a date for the game.
looks good actually.
People really really need to buy this game. A lot of it. It deserves it. If you've EVER complained about games becoming too homogenized or if you've EVER bemoaned not having new types of experiences in games, you owe it to yourself to buy this and support it.
I kid. this game is probably gonna kick some serious ass.
@hornetjockey
You're passing on a game because it has a flashlight? Wow. Have fun.
ps: i might be wrong, if someone wants to contradict me, but i believe Fragile was actually the *first* wii game that had you control a flashlight. Fragile was released quite some time ago in japan, predating wii's Silent Hill and the one or two other horror games on the wii that had flashlight-waggle. getting annoyed at Fragile for having a flashlight is kind of like getting annoyed at the original Half Life for having cinematic gameplay.