I can't believe there isn't a post about this game yet. Due out next week on the 24th I think? IGN posted a review but I don't usually give a shit what "game reviewers" think in general. For what it's worth they gave it an 8.

http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/955/955258p1.html

I don't think the game is going to be revolutionary at all, but I think it will be a fun jrpg regardless of that fact.

_________________
Avelle <Risen>
80 Mage
Ner'zhul Server (Fuck Illidan)
Avelle 75 PLD/DRG/DRK/BRD
Midgardsormr - Active again
Elidrin 75 Paladin
Midgardsormr - Retired
Elidrin 65 Ranger
Lanys T'Vyl - Retired

The only review I've read so far was the Game Informer once, which basically said the game was ok once you got through the first 3 hours (I guess the dialogue is terrible up to that point but the main character is painful to listen to for the entirety).

I'll wait a bit for some player reviews to hit before checking it out...I've played all the other Star Ocean games so I'll end up playing it eventually.

_________________

I stopped reading reviews about JRPGs since Lost Odyssey came out with a 78 average and I clocked in 20-30 hours on it. Still my favorite RPG on the XB360 thus far.

I'm really really looking forward to Star Ocean, my only worry is the Infinite Undiscovery engine that it's using(I've heard horror stories about the bugs in that game). Looks to have an interesting storyline, combat system, some potential replayability with the tag team dialogue system(whatever it's called), and it looks to be a fairly long game with a lot to do. I'm in.

20-30 hours on Lost Odyssey? I clocked 70+. I don't even know how the hell you could finish the game in 30, especially doing the optional dungeons.

You're right actually, that's a pretty low estimate on my part. I need to dig through my discs and check the timer on it. I never really paid too much attention to the time, I just thought to myself "That was fucking long". I'm pretty happy with an epic solo RPG if it provides 30+ hours, but Lost Odyssey was definitely more than that.

I have 92 I think clocked in on Lost Odyssey, but I guarantee at least 20 to 30 of those are from falling asleep while playing because the dialog was so damn boring.

Star Ocean wins because of Ashton's barrel fetish.

Ordered a copy off Newegg, should have it in a few days... I liked the last 2 star oceans they put out, after watching some videos I just hope the characters aren't the cliche annoying ones japanese games fall back on too often.

I'll probably pick this up soon. I never played the other Star Ocean games, but at least I can hope this is a better gaming experience than The Last Remnant. I wanted to like that one, I really did.

I'm about 10 hours into it so far, its pretty good IMO. They took the typical SO battle system and added a few things, improved it a bit. Story is pretty good so far, there's still a ton more before I even take a chip out of it but its interesting enough to hold my attention.

_________________

I'm also about 10 hrs in. Thoroughly enjoying the game so far, except the red barrier shit in the 3rd area. :X You'll know what I'm talking about if you've been there.

_________________
Avelle <Risen>
80 Mage
Ner'zhul Server (Fuck Illidan)
Avelle 75 PLD/DRG/DRK/BRD
Midgardsormr - Active again
Elidrin 75 Paladin
Midgardsormr - Retired
Elidrin 65 Ranger
Lanys T'Vyl - Retired

My only gripe thus far is that it doesn't save your bonus board after you've saved the game, so next time you play you have to spend a bunch of fights getting it just right again.

_________________

I've never gotten into action combat RPG's, I like the old school turn based stuff. How much is just random button mashing?

You can random button mash if you want but theres strategy to it if you want to. Pulling off blindsides takes work and different button combos do different moves, like flipping the stick up and attacking will launch enemies for a juggle.

_________________

I didn't care much for action rpgs either Joxur, but this and Vesperia are definitely worthy of picking up.

_________________
Avelle <Risen>
80 Mage
Ner'zhul Server (Fuck Illidan)
Avelle 75 PLD/DRG/DRK/BRD
Midgardsormr - Active again
Elidrin 75 Paladin
Midgardsormr - Retired
Elidrin 65 Ranger
Lanys T'Vyl - Retired

I'll go rent it from blockbuster. thanks

Hey I actually really like the live battle system thing, so I'm glad I rented this. I have to say, though.. the voice acting is awful, across the board. Lymle is absolute torture. I think that might take the cake for most annoying character in any video game, ever.

Pretty good game though, I can't complan much other than that. The bonus board is fun - is that a new concept or do the other live battle rpg's have that too?

I think the bonus board is unique to the Star Ocean series. Tales of Vesperia had an overlimit gauge that built up and allowed you to do some crazy things but it wasn't an exp bonus or anything. If you like Star Ocean you should definitely try Tales as well by the way. The voice acting in SO4 is pretty god damn bad though. I seriously hate the fuck out of Lymle and Sarah is just about as bad. The rest are pretty tolerable. Glad you're enjoying it!

_________________
Avelle <Risen>
80 Mage
Ner'zhul Server (Fuck Illidan)
Avelle 75 PLD/DRG/DRK/BRD
Midgardsormr - Active again
Elidrin 75 Paladin
Midgardsormr - Retired
Elidrin 65 Ranger
Lanys T'Vyl - Retired

I just got Sarah into the party, and, yeah. About as bad as Lymle. I mute the audio during the cutscenes.

<battle ends>
"That feels pretty good, 'kay."
"Diligence! Diligence!"
<shoe flies at TV screen>

Maybe I'm just desensitized to it, but I feel as if I've heard worse. Plus, her voice sounds about on par with what you would expect from the voice acting. She's supposed to be a completely abandoned 15-year-old girl whose parents died(I'll avoid too many spoilers that happen on the second planet here), and because of those events she ended up remaining childish and very introverted. She sounds almost exactly like you'd expect.

In some ways Mack and Cook seemed more annoying in Lost Odyssey, simply because they too often detracted from an otherwise serious storyline. Star Ocean doesn't seem to make the mistake of taking itself too seriously, and from the getgo you half-expect the silly anime-ish themes and cliches to pop up from time to time.

Dunno, somehow she just strikes me as "realistic" than "downright detracting annoyance". She's the little kid in the party, and it's more of an "ok, whatever, it's an anime RPG" for me.

It's not terrible, but it's hokey.