From Software... comin' back around again

[EightBit]

So I used to relate From Software with boring first person action RPGs and boring mech games. Whether or not your opinion varies on that, you've gotta admit that they were famous for pretty much only two games. King's Field, and Armored Core. Two games which never gave me cause to take notice of this little developer. I mean, they were solid titles, but never intrested me in any way(though I've always liked the mech designs from AC and Frame Gride). It seems though, now with the new consoles in thier hands, they are branching out and trying new things.

Firstly on the Dreamcast, Frame Gride. A really cool looking mech game that I've only had the chance to watch someone play. The game hs alot of features I wouldn't expect to see in a mech game, and seems to try and make mech fighting into something a little diffrent.

Then came Lost Kingdoms(Rune) for the Nintendo GameCube. Whether or not it's good is still up for debate, but atleast it goes off in a diffrent direction from most action RPGs. The card combat system is atleast intresting if not at times frustrating.

Still though, From Software seems to have picked its favorite and thats the Xbox. Thousand Lands(IIRC), Otogi, and the stellar looking Murakumo are all heading to the black and green machine and look like they are going to try and utilize some of the as of yet untapped power that the system can boast.

All three of those titles go off on the path less traveled by From Software. Thousand Lands from all info that I can find is a game that is a cross between a war strat, Lemmings and SimCity. With a style all its own, it has gone off in a very diffrent direction than From is known for. It's definitly a title worth keeping an eye on as it will be compatable with the Xboxes Live service. How exactly I dont know, but it will be.

Otogi takes the better parts of Gun Valkyrie, Z.O.E., and Onimusha the puts em in a blender with a dash of some wicked imagination and spins it right round baby right round, like a record baby... sorry. Anyway, in Otogi you play as a dark Samurai with the ability to float, and dash forward back and side to side. You got a wicked cool sword and some nifty magic. Which will help when fighting giant monsters ripped from Japanese mythos. I gotta admit I dont know terribly much about this game, but the video I've seen looks fantastic. I love the style it brings to the table, and the isuals are definitly something to stare at. Just dont stare too long cause the action seems pretty fast paced and frenetic.

Murakumo.... wow. This is exactly what I want in a mech game. Blasting through a cityscpe with a rocket strapped to your ass, unleashing a hurrican of bullets and energy blasts on fleets of poor poor drone soldiers. Fantastic mech designs that are brought to realization with a ton of polygons, combined with shooter on psuedo rails action, and some serious speed that will leave your retinas hurting so good. I'm so excited about this game that Im seriously considering getting an import Xbox assuming a cheap and easy mod solution doesnt present itself to me soon. Just a few weeks till it goes gold in Japan IIRC.

Lastly is Armored Core 3. Now, I know I already said I dont particularly care for the Armored Core series, but from the images Ive seen on this game it seems there is now cause for me to be intrested. It seems the controls have been changed for the better, and the new locals seem more organic, more vibrant and realistic than the boring grey and blue palette they seem to love for the previous Armored Core games. Stomping through a jungle in your powerful mech to be suprized by a squad of small fast lil bastard Armors, then duking it out till one or the other is left standing gets me giddy like a gamer with a free pass at thier favorite developers studio. Granted, I haven't been following this one as closely as I should, but i believe its already out in Japan. I believe I read somewhere that it had online capabilities? Anyone thats played it, or has solid info on this one, lemme know.

Ok, Im done. I just wanted to discuss some upcoming games that are getting me excited, aswell as give From Software some praise for not only going off on a diffrent path and not relying on thier main franchise, but actually making titles which look solid and potentially fantastic. From Software, on thier way to gaining alot of respect from this gamer.

Z-roe

P.S. Sorry for any ignorance of any of these titles, feel free to educate me... not that any of you wouldn't.

[alan_fatima]

Armored Core 3 has (limited) online capabilities in Japan, but *probably* won't have any in America. There is a 4 player mode, though...but even 2 player mode has always been annoying to play in during past ACs, so I'm not too pumped up about that. However, there is a new, online focused Armored Core coming out called Sigma Project. Won't be out for a while, though.

As for the controls, I've heard everything is practically the same except for the ability to drop your weapons and reduce your weight by pressing two shoulder buttons at the same time or something like that. On the plus side, though, I've also heard the game is faster playing than previous ones.

And don't forget Gaia Blade for the X-box. That looks pretty nifty as well. From Software definitely looks like they're kicking it into high gear.

[EightBit]

Ah, well then. Hopefully Sigma Project will be nice and fully fleshed out.

I completely forgot about Gaia Blade, but thats partly due to the fact that nothing I've read about it intrests me. Still... it IS something diffrent that From Software, as far as I know, hasn't done before.

What exactle IS Gaia Blade aout anyway? All I know is that there is some evil looking chick, and a big spider centaur looking thing... and it relates to doing something with the surrounding land.

Z-roe

[alan_fatima]

I don't rightfully know myself. However, you should definitely check out the free video of it over at gamespot. That's what got me interested.

[EightBit]

Ggrrrrr.... the icon next to it says unlocked, but no matter what I try to do, it gives me the GameSpot complete crap.... maybe I can find something at FromSoftwares site.

Z-roe

[alan_fatima]

Really? Hmm...workin' fine for me. Best of luck.

EDIT: Wait, I think I got it. It gives you that if you try to download it. Is that what you were trying to do? Like I said, it's been working fine for me, but I've been watching the streaming version. Hope that helps.

[EightBit]

OK, I got it to play, after it played a GameSpot commercial, and some crappy Rally game commercial.... which it played flawlessly... then I get a Gaia Blade video thats more choppy than my uncles arm in the wood chipper.... ah well. It does indeed look intresting. Definitly something I will have to keep an eye out for from now on.

Z-roe

[alan_fatima]

Yeah, the game seems to place you in the role of commander, although I hope you can jump into a character at one point or another. Even if not, the fighting seems to be pretty darn cinematic, epecially the valkyrie looking chick who stylishly sheathed her sword after running those two monsters through at the end. The death throes of the spider thing in the same scene was stunning, as well.

[EightBit]

Indeed. In regards tro the combat I esspecially liked when the Valkyrie chick spun around while deflecting that monsters attack, then after she was done spinning, hits him. I hope the combat is entertaining and nearly as deep as most dedicated fighters.

[alan_fatima]

IGN has this to say about Gaia Blade:

The second game, Gaia Blade, is a real time simulation RPG with focus on teamwork and management. The game features units that can learn through their experience and react to the player's controls. Each campaign casts the player as the leader of one of the 12 different families available. The game advances through recruitment of additional troops and teamwork. Japanese release is set for 2002 and no announcements for US release.

I also found a list of titles that will make use of the whole Xbox internet thing on IGN, and Gaia Blade Online was one of them.