TRAILER: The Last Story (JRPG) - Gears of Warlocks or Link to the Phantasy?

[Pikminister]

The Last Story in an RPG game made by Mistwalker, a gaming company created by Hironobu Sakaguchi (the creator of Final Fantasy) that also has made Blue Dragon, Lost Odyssey, among other titles.



What gets ppl excited aside from the graphics (finally a game that does not look like a 1st gen PS2 title) is the combat system. The combat system is described as Zelda's real-time combat meets Final Fantasy meets Gears of War.

Watch the video to get an idea how the combat system works:
YouTube video:

Show YouTube video

You can also watch a higher resolution video of the same trailer at the official site:

http://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/slsj/trailer/

Here's a trailer breakdown by ONM pointing out every aspect of what it contains:

http://www.officialnintendomagazine....e.php?id=18614


More details:

THE BATTLE SYSTEM



"We wanted to make a new type of RPG battle," writes the game's director about how the staff approached the game's battle system. "We wanted a system that merged real time battles with command selection, something that had an action feel but would also make you think. After much trial and error, we came to the current form."

The director says that time will freeze while you're inputting commands. You'll also be able to give orders to your AI-controlled party members. The director finishes: "Combat in The Last Story is powered by a system that blends action with command selection.


GOING TO TOWN



The most interesting detail is how the inhabitants of each town will change their behavior periodically. Sometimes the changes will be dramatic, sometimes more subtle. Mistwalker intends to create a world that feels alive and encourages exploration, and the dynamic population is part of that. As for the design of the towns, the team has taken inspiration from France and Italy to create the architecture.

Each town is also going to be large. The game's producer laments how most towns in JRPGs these days feel too streamlined and full of dead ends, promising that the towns of Last Story are designed instead for a player to get lost in as they explore the many nooks and crannies. Random wandering is one of Mistwalker's overall goals.

FOR JAPAN ONLY?

The Last Story is due for a release in Japan later this year. Nintendo has not confirmed an international release at this time

[BBboy20]

I was right when I saw the trailer that Mistwalker is trying to kill as many birds as possible with one stone.

Though, I was expecting the graphics to be much more elegant then a total drab.

[Pikminister]

I was right when I saw the trailer that Mistwalker is trying to kill as many birds as possible with one stone.

Though, I was expecting the graphics to be much more elegant then a total drab.

If by "elegant" you mean the fruity graphics from the FF games, well I'm sure am happy as hell that didn't happen.

The graphics actually have the same palette as Resident Evil 4... which is actually what got my attention when I first saw this trailer.

[BBboy20]

If by "elegant" you mean the fruity graphics

Really, dude?

The graphics actually have the same palette as Resident Evil 4... which is actually what got my attention when I first saw this trailer.

Does have a similar grime look to it.

[Pikminister]

Really, dude?

Damn it I'm using IE so I can't see that .png pic you posted. But it must be one of those typical image macro deals.

Anyway, yes really.

And you can't possibly have a setting that looks lived-in and used without some grime. Those FF colorful scenarios look like they came out from a SF rainbow parade or a showtunes musical.

[BBboy20]

And you can't possibly have a setting that looks lived-in and used without some grime.

It's fantasy; what does it say that you can't have both realistic use and colors that isn't gray or brown?

Not like it matters but I swear just based on the aesthetics, the title of the game, and from the creator of FF that their color scheme would more reminiscence to the good ol' days of RPGs. Wasn't aware all that brown in the concept art literally meant that the main color scheme was going to be that.

[Carnivol]

I don't like Sci-fi Fantasy XIII & friends

The trailer looks pretty hot. A few odd hiccups in the animations there (hopefully that'll change in the retail version). Looks absolutely fantastic. Sweet battle system, nice art direction, and, as usual, that little extra touch of culture/world-design that seems to exist in anything and everything Sakaguchi is involved in.

It's fantasy; what does it say that you can't have both realistic use and colors that isn't gray or brown?

Not like it matters but I swear just based on the aesthetics, the title of the game, and from the creator of FF that their color scheme would more reminiscence to the good ol' days of RPGs. Wasn't aware all that brown in the concept art literally meant that the main color scheme was going to be that.

The "good ol' days of RPGs" that you refer to in terms of color usage and such seems to be... uhm... Final Fantasy XIII, X and possibly VIII... or something... Out of which only VIII actually came off as a plausible setting in, while X was too contrasted and XIII is just a bunch of "fancy schmuckery w/light effects" thrown at you left 'n' right.

* Ka-plow!
* Player hit the enemy for 4th of July-damage!

[Pikminister]

It's fantasy; what does it say that you can't have both realistic use and colors that isn't gray or brown?

Not like it matters but I swear just based on the aesthetics, the title of the game, and from the creator of FF that their color scheme would more reminiscence to the good ol' days of RPGs. Wasn't aware all that brown in the concept art literally meant that the main color scheme was going to be that.

I have no probs with the color palette at all.

From what I've read, the combat element is an important ingredient of the story. It does not have a happy-go-lucky theme. The plot seems to have a lot of drama and turmoil. I think that the toned down polychromatic scheme is perfect for this game. The producers of The Last Story obviously weren't going for a Candy Land-esque scenario often seen in the typical JRPG.

However, the scenes from the trailer probably don't show the whole palette of the game. Like a movie, the producers of this game could be using color in order to affect the mood of the scene(s) they portray on screen. It may end up looking like pinata puke. Colorful.

I usually don't give a hoot about JRPG's but from what I've seen in terms of gameplay in Last Story, it all seem very impressive.... for an JRPG.

[BBboy20]

Wait, you interpreted "drab" in a negative fashion?

The "good ol' days of RPGs" that you refer to in terms of color usage and such seems to be... uhm... Final Fantasy XIII, X and possibly VIII... or something... Out of which only VIII actually came off as a plausible setting in, while X was too contrasted and XIII is just a bunch of "fancy schmuckery w/light effects" thrown at you left 'n' right.

You make it sound like RPGs didn't exist until after the 16-bit era.

[Carnivol]

RPGs of the pre-16-bit consoles era have more in common with the visual designs of Last Story than most "trendy" stuff made post-32-bit does.

Wait, you interpreted "a total drab" in a negative fashion?

(expanded it to correct your exact use of drab)

drab
1    /dræb/ Show Spelled [drab] Show IPA adjective, drab·ber, drab·best, noun
–adjective
1.
dull; cheerless; lacking in spirit, brightness, etc.
2.
having the color drab.
–noun
3.
dull gray; dull brownish or yellowish gray.
4.
any of several fabrics of this color, esp. of thick wool or cotton.


Sounds pretty negative to me. (But you're right, the concept art is kinda brownish, but what's wrong with that? The game certainly doesn't look like that. At least not if we're looking at the same trailer.)

[BBboy20]

I typed "drab" in a literal (3) context. =/

Sorry if I seem negative, I'm just having a bad side-effect I'd like to call "The Brink Effect" where you take an amazing teaser/concepts/etc and it ends up being something you didn't expect. You know there's nothing wrong with this direction but your original, hypothetical idea of what it could be, to varying degrees, was so awe-inspiring that you wished they didn't bother making such an amazing teaser to begin with.

[Pikminister]

The Last Story might be Hironobu Sakaguchi's last game...


The famous Hironobu Sakaguchi has been quite possibly one of the most important game developers for the past two decades. After creating and working on the Final Fantasy series at Square for 15 years before leaving to found Mistwalker in 2001, Sakaguchi now says that his upcoming title The Last Story might actually be his last game.

As reported by 1UP, Hironobu Sakaguchi is considering retirement after his current project. His current project in development is an exclusive on the Nintendo Wii titled The Last Story, which seems like more than just coincidence.

Sakaguchi has played a huge role in several of my favorite games including Final Fantasy Tactics and has been a huge reason behind Square’s success from the late 1980’s until the release of Final Fantasy X.

The Last Story, an RPG in development for the Wii, will only be the third major release out of Mistwalker following 2007's Blue Dragon and 2008's Lost Odyssey, but writing in his blog (translated by Kotaku), Sakaguchi says he's put all of his energy into it and there's a strong feeling it "might be my last work."

[Pikminister]

The Last Story's official page was updated with new screenshots and a character art gallery.



Just a heads up to any JRPG lovers out there...

[Enetirnel]

I saw it initially and thought it reminded me with the character styling as well as the color palette of Drag-on-Dragoon.

Though, I have to say - damn it. Damn it Sakaguchi, I don't want to buy a Wii but it tempts me oh-so-much.

Looking good on it's site though.