While all eyes are on Nintendo's great three-dimensional hope for the future, we've been getting to grips with what could be the last great game on Wii.
The appropriately named The Last Story is out now in Japan, enabling us to grab a copy and delve into the rich-looking world we've been eyeing up for a while. And having reached the halfway point, we've learned a lot.
We know that it features real-time combat and uses a Gears Of War-style cover mechanic. We know that progression through the story is fairly linear and there isn't an open world map.
We know that underneath the heavy Japanese dialogue, the narrative focuses on a conflict between the human inhabitants of Ruli Island and a race of Uruk-hai-like creatures known as the Gurgs.
The story concerns Elza, a spiky-haired orphan who lives the life of a mercenary with his five wandering companions. The game begins as the adventurers enter a system of catacombs in search of forbidden treasure, but after they're ambushed by undead soldiers, Elza is mysteriously bestowed with the power known as Gathering and wards off the zombie attackers.
The party then make their way to the safety of Ruli City, where they take up residence in a local tavern. From here events spiral out of control as Ruli is invaded by Gurg warships and Elza falls hopelessly in love the Count of Ruli's niece. Talk about dating out of your league...
BATTLE STATIONS
The Last Story has a strong narrative that sees whole chapters lost in dialogue between Elza and his companions. The world is a mesh of Japanese anime and western fantasy, populated with elaborately armoured knights and a range of familiar yet mythically different creatures - the styling is faintly reminiscent of Final Fantasy XII.
But as immersive as the backdrop is, the aesthetics play second fiddle to the innovative and highly engaging battle system. Unlike Mistwalker boss Hironobu Sakaguchi's recent works, this is an action RPG where goblin bashing doesn't require a button press.
Instead the combat system offers immediacy and a solid mix of tactical depth. A typical melee encounter begins as Elza and his group close in on an enemy patrol.
Once they're close enough, the game pauses and the camera pans out, offering a bird's-eye view of each enemy's location and giving details of their levels and elemental weaknesses.
The player takes control of Elza, who like most RPG protagonists is skilled with the blade. To strike an opponent you simply walk up to them. Stay within range and Elza will keep raining down the blows.
On his own he can't get a combo going, but by teaming up with an ally the two can chain attacks, with each subsequent hit increasing in force. But enemies won't just stand idly by as you pummel them, so it pays to either guard or dodge when you see a counter coming.
Supplementing the close combat is the more technical magic system. Out of Elza's family of mercenaries, two are straight-up melee types while the other three have some level of magic ability.
Comments
13 comments so far...
hephaestos on 29 Mar '11 said:
yeah :-/
i fear it won't happen though
Balladeer on 29 Mar '11 said:
Do want...
The_Jaster on 29 Mar '11 said:
Been wanting this for a long time it seems.......hope we get it.
ste hicky on 30 Mar '11 said:
as y'all know,i've had it since launch in japan. it's excellent.
i'd say cross FF with mass effect and you're half way there.
i'd expect an announcement on a western release (if ever) at e3. hope so,my japanese is a bit rusty.
metallicorphan on 30 Mar '11 said:
I loved Lost Odyssey and Blue Dragon and would love to play this,however i don't even have a Wii(sold it)
WHERESMYMONKEY on 30 Mar '11 said:
Even if there isn't there's a very high chance they'll be a fan translation patch released a la Fatal Frame 4. I just don't understand nintendo at all. Two of the best games i've played this gen that deserve a western release and don't. Why because nintendo can't be bothered,
I think we should inundate the western nintendo forums with thread after thread simply saying we want the last story over and over again.
ste hicky on 30 Mar '11 said:
there's a thought monkey.
quick note to the ngamer staff: you've got auto attack on,set your attacks to manual so elza only attacks when you want him to.
one of my favourite parts so far,is the stargazing tower. it's a beautiful scene and reminds me of FFVII.
g_marrs on 30 Mar '11 said:
I had pretty much viewed this as the only other Wii game I'd ever buy before retiring the console from its space under the TV.
ste hicky on 30 Mar '11 said:
the end is nigh.
i'm looking at dragon quest X,zelda and maybe conduit 2 (if it turns out ok) before i get there just yet.
oh yeah,just thought on: hotd overkill2. i'll be buying that the second it's out. that's essential for me,i adore the first game.
we're definitely looking at the twilight year of the wii though,all the 3rd parties have got off (well the ones who turned up in the first place and that wasn't many to start with),nintendo are busy with 3ds and i'm convinced the follow up to the wii will be out before the end of next year.
maybe nintendo will stun us all and announce western release dates for fatal frame 4 (already got it but i'm sure some would like to play it),xenoblade,earth seeker and the last story at e3.
doubt it but maybe.....
tbh,if i was at nintendo right now i'd announce that those games were getting an hd makeover and would be available in the west at the launch of the wii 2 running in 1080p,60fps. i'd buy tls a second time then.
g_marrs on 30 Mar '11 said:
Isn't Dragon Quest X another DS title? Prob, 3DS now?
ste hicky on 30 Mar '11 said:
no man,as far as i know dragon quest X is a wii exclusive and has been in development for the last 3 years.
enix confirmed last summer that it was still on the way.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragon_Quest_X
http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source ... lw&cad=rja
g_marrs on 30 Mar '11 said:
Ok, the Wii may have delayed its end for a while longer.
ste hicky on 31 Mar '11 said:
just had some really cool news off jaster,get this: xenoblade is on the way over here. (turns out nintendo read my post yesterday and decided i was right,they should come out in the west
)
count on tls hitting europe,it'll happen.
i definitely expect a western trailer at e3 now.