Chicken Little
05-03-2005, 02:39 AM
Platform: PlayStation 2
Publisher: Square Enix
Developer: tri-Ace
Genre: Action RPG
Format: DVD-ROM
Release: USA- TBA
Japan 01/27/05
Source Link (http://rpgfan.com/previews/radiata-stories/index.html)
In recent years, tri-Ace has given gamers the opportunity to sail through the Star Ocean, to combat evil in Valkyrie Profile, and now to forge a medieval destiny in Radiata Stories.
As 16-year-old Jack Russel, gamers will start in the town of Soleil, a little ways outside Radiata itself. Jack's first order of business is to enlist as a soldier in Radiata, and once there, he'll encounter the game's second protagonist: Ridley Timberlake. Ridley and Jack aren't reportedly the most compatible pair; Ridley comes from a high-class aristocratic family and dreams of being a knight, while Jack is from the peasantry and has his sights set on being a soldier.
Unlike Star Ocean, which was a sci-fi epic, Radiata Stories takes place during medieval times. The departure is due in part to producer Yoshinori Yamagishi's desire to do something different and ensure that tri-Ace is not known for science fiction alone. Even so, fans need not be disappointed, as Radiata Stories has a great deal in common with Star Ocean anyway.
The similarities become especially apparent in the game's battle system. Radiata Stories features real-time action with characters moving about the battle map as they please while launching attacks on the enemy. This is hardly new, but the game does add two new features that may be of interest to fans. The first is the Link system, which allows players to determine a formation for their characters. Second is the Bolty meter, which allows players to execute special actions and super attacks, depending on the energy in the meter.
Four characters, including Jack, will round out any given battle squad.
Outside of combat, Radiata Stories has one other major feature that is sure to grab some attention. tri-Ace has stated that there will be over 300 NPCs, each with its own distinct personality traits and mannerisms. This exceeds even the immense rosters of Konami's Suikoden and Sega Overworks' Skies of Arcadia. Of that number, up to 150 will be playable, recuitable characters. Of course, just because 150 will be available does not mean Jack and Ridley will be able to gain the services of all of them.
Visually, Radiata Stories looks very similar to games such as Suikoden III, Ragnarok Online, and Wild ARMs: Alter Code F. By comparison, however, Radiata Stories comes out ahead, sporting fluid character animations, excellent texture work, and pleasing character models. The game's pallet is very soft and has a lot of muted colors, which work well to create its idealistic fantasy environment. Special effects, on the other hand, are bright and impressive, helping to contrast the ordinary from the magical.
The backdrop of Radiata Stories, aside from Jack and Ridley's personal dreams, concerns the faltering coexistence of humans and faeries. Where once the two races lived in peace--thanks to many petty differences breaking the calm over time--war has erupted. Now, humanity not only faces the faeries but their protectors: the Dragons. It is in this war that Jack and Ridley will be caught.
Just as in reality, the world of Radiata Stories moves on whether Jack and Ridley like it or not. The game's day and night system is nothing revolutionary, but its implementation adds an important mechanism to the game. Depending on the time of day, some people will work, while others will be at play; some people will be available, others will not. Monsters will sleep during certain hours, and so Jack and Ridley will have to plan their daily schedules appropriately.
Developed by tri-Ace and published by Square-Enix, Radiata Stories for the PlayStation 2 will hit Japan at the end of January. No North American release date has been announced as of yet.
http://rpgfan.com/pics/radiata-stories/ss-005.jpg
http://rpgfan.com/pics/radiata-stories/ss-024.jpg
http://rpgfan.com/pics/radiata-stories/ss-017.jpg
http://rpgfan.com/pics/radiata-stories/ss-006.jpg
Publisher: Square Enix
Developer: tri-Ace
Genre: Action RPG
Format: DVD-ROM
Release: USA- TBA
Japan 01/27/05
Source Link (http://rpgfan.com/previews/radiata-stories/index.html)
In recent years, tri-Ace has given gamers the opportunity to sail through the Star Ocean, to combat evil in Valkyrie Profile, and now to forge a medieval destiny in Radiata Stories.
As 16-year-old Jack Russel, gamers will start in the town of Soleil, a little ways outside Radiata itself. Jack's first order of business is to enlist as a soldier in Radiata, and once there, he'll encounter the game's second protagonist: Ridley Timberlake. Ridley and Jack aren't reportedly the most compatible pair; Ridley comes from a high-class aristocratic family and dreams of being a knight, while Jack is from the peasantry and has his sights set on being a soldier.
Unlike Star Ocean, which was a sci-fi epic, Radiata Stories takes place during medieval times. The departure is due in part to producer Yoshinori Yamagishi's desire to do something different and ensure that tri-Ace is not known for science fiction alone. Even so, fans need not be disappointed, as Radiata Stories has a great deal in common with Star Ocean anyway.
The similarities become especially apparent in the game's battle system. Radiata Stories features real-time action with characters moving about the battle map as they please while launching attacks on the enemy. This is hardly new, but the game does add two new features that may be of interest to fans. The first is the Link system, which allows players to determine a formation for their characters. Second is the Bolty meter, which allows players to execute special actions and super attacks, depending on the energy in the meter.
Four characters, including Jack, will round out any given battle squad.
Outside of combat, Radiata Stories has one other major feature that is sure to grab some attention. tri-Ace has stated that there will be over 300 NPCs, each with its own distinct personality traits and mannerisms. This exceeds even the immense rosters of Konami's Suikoden and Sega Overworks' Skies of Arcadia. Of that number, up to 150 will be playable, recuitable characters. Of course, just because 150 will be available does not mean Jack and Ridley will be able to gain the services of all of them.
Visually, Radiata Stories looks very similar to games such as Suikoden III, Ragnarok Online, and Wild ARMs: Alter Code F. By comparison, however, Radiata Stories comes out ahead, sporting fluid character animations, excellent texture work, and pleasing character models. The game's pallet is very soft and has a lot of muted colors, which work well to create its idealistic fantasy environment. Special effects, on the other hand, are bright and impressive, helping to contrast the ordinary from the magical.
The backdrop of Radiata Stories, aside from Jack and Ridley's personal dreams, concerns the faltering coexistence of humans and faeries. Where once the two races lived in peace--thanks to many petty differences breaking the calm over time--war has erupted. Now, humanity not only faces the faeries but their protectors: the Dragons. It is in this war that Jack and Ridley will be caught.
Just as in reality, the world of Radiata Stories moves on whether Jack and Ridley like it or not. The game's day and night system is nothing revolutionary, but its implementation adds an important mechanism to the game. Depending on the time of day, some people will work, while others will be at play; some people will be available, others will not. Monsters will sleep during certain hours, and so Jack and Ridley will have to plan their daily schedules appropriately.
Developed by tri-Ace and published by Square-Enix, Radiata Stories for the PlayStation 2 will hit Japan at the end of January. No North American release date has been announced as of yet.
http://rpgfan.com/pics/radiata-stories/ss-005.jpg
http://rpgfan.com/pics/radiata-stories/ss-024.jpg
http://rpgfan.com/pics/radiata-stories/ss-017.jpg
http://rpgfan.com/pics/radiata-stories/ss-006.jpg