A few days ago, I caught myself wondering about Mistwalker -- I was (and still am) a big fan of 2007's Lost Odyssey, but the company has been relatively quiet recently. ASH looked promising, but was never released outside of Japan. Blue Dragon Plus, a DS sequel to the ok-but-not-that-great Blue Dragon, was quietly released in February and Blue Dragon 2 (Xbox 360) and Blue Dragon: Ikai no Kyojuu (DS) were both announced to very little fanfare.
Well, here's an update: ASH still hasn't gotten a Western announcement, Blue Dragon 2 doesn't have a release date at all, and Ikai no Kyojuu will be released in Japan in October.
Speaking of Blue Dragon: Ikai no Kyojuu(which translates roughly into Great Beast of the Underworld), there's a rough gameplay video after the break. For the first time in the series, players won't be controlling Shu, the hero of other games int he Blue Dragon series. The player-character will be unnamed and fully customizable, and multiplayer options will allow you to play with up to three of your unnamed and customized friends. Apparently, adding multiplayer to Japanese DS RPGs is all the rage now.
If the video doesn't make it obvious, Blue Dragon: Great Best is an action-RPG -- no turn-based battles, but plenty of numbers coming out of heads. The game certainly looks fast-paced and frenetic, but there might be a bit too much yelling for my tastes. I also have to wonder if it might get a little crowded with four players and their accompanying dragons all on the screen.
So, this makes four games in the Blue Dragon series. Did the first one make a strong enough impression for any of you guys to pick this one up (if it ever makes it to the West)?
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Wait, Blue Dragon 2 was announced? That's going to make someone very happy on MSN tonight. I still need to pick up the original. Can get it for like, a fiver?
I thought the first Blue Dragon was pretty good (definitely worth the 20 bucks it goes for now, unless you hate JRPGs), but I don't like the gist of this one - it looks as clumsy and uninspired as most Action-RPGs I've played. If it comes here I'll probably give it a pass.
Ive been wondering about ASH, as its just the kind of cool rpg DS needed. Think I may have to pop over, to my Atlus account and suggest it for a western release.
Blue Dragon 2 would be nice, but the whole thing was too DBZ for me.
I honestly think the first Blue Dragon might have been for first time JRPGers. It was a gorgeous game and it should be commended on that. There was alot to be impressed with in the first game (it also had alot of easily fixed issues), and all it needs is some real focus in the second to make this series on par with a Dragon Quest.
I thought Blue Dragon could have been light years better with some spiffed up dialogue. It was such a gorgeous game and the mechanics were actually pretty fun. It's hard to maintain interest when the typical chunk of dialogue goes : "Oh hello. Welcome to my town. I like to watch my sheep. Can you find my sheep? Have some water."
Well if Mistwalker has time to turn out Blue Dragon spinoff/sequels. I demand some Lost Oddyessy content. Lost Odyssey was a really good game that need some more attention.
Eh, sure, I'd give Great Beast a whirl. I could squint my eyes and pretend I'm playing what Dragon Quest IX was going to be before all of Japan peer-pressured Square Enix to change it back to a standard turn-based deal.
I'm playing the disc 1 of blue dragon now.I just met with that pirate girl :)
I finished Lost Odyssey last year.I better check the info/graphics of ASH , now.
Yeah, I'm not sure why there are so many games in the Blue Dragon series now, when they totally could have turned Lost Odyssey into the next Final Fantasy if they wanted.
I absolutely loved Blue Dragon. It was actually the first game I had for my 360 (I originally bought it for Eternal Sonata but decided not to wait to get the system). An excellent traditional RPG.
I don't know how anyone gets annoyed by Marumaro though. Especially if anyone tries to tell me that they enjoy say...any of the characters in Gears of War 2. Seriously, Cole Train is the worst character in history. I'll take Maru over that any day.
Blue Dragon needs a lot of improvement if I would want to play a sequel. The engine was pretty choppy. The story was stupid. The voice acting was absolutely horrendous. But the game was quick and fun.
Lost Odyssey 2 would also be welcomed, but they would need to speed up the battle system considerably. Waiting a full 60 seconds every battle before entering a single command is a little beyond ridiculous.
Kaim is one of the greatest JRPG characters EVER. He's the antithesis of the spiky haired brash hot headed kid. Lost Odyssey is a fantastic game, beginning to end, and I want more.
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Contest:
7:20 PM on 08.12.2009
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Yup, that's when I checked out.
Blue Dragon 2 would be nice, but the whole thing was too DBZ for me.
I finished Lost Odyssey last year.I better check the info/graphics of ASH , now.
I don't know how anyone gets annoyed by Marumaro though. Especially if anyone tries to tell me that they enjoy say...any of the characters in Gears of War 2. Seriously, Cole Train is the worst character in history. I'll take Maru over that any day.
Lost Odyssey 2 would also be welcomed, but they would need to speed up the battle system considerably. Waiting a full 60 seconds every battle before entering a single command is a little beyond ridiculous.