Expanding DS and/or PSP collection (eventually)

[Suwako Moriya]

So I've come to the conclusion that I should expand my DS collection. Probably because I'm running out of games to play for it. It basically boils down to the following.

With the exception of Dragon Quest IX, all the games I have for it, I've beaten in some form. Be it through my own copy or say for example borrowing the game from someone else before I got my own.

So I'm thinking of getting a new game for it. One that's not a case of just borrowing it and one that won't be essentially a replay.

It's a given that one of these days I want to own an actual copy of SaGa 2. So that's an automatic, but it requires dealing with import hassles.

Instead, I'll focus on domestic stuff for now and take it one step at a time.

Dragon Quest Series

IX is turning out to be decent, so I'm thinking of getting another game in the series. However V is a bit on the pricey side. Thus it boils down to a choice between IV and VI.

IV wins out by being cheaper and older (aka more risk involved in waiting), so I'm leaning towards potentially ordering that game today.

My only concern is that IX might be an exception. What makes it decent may not exist in any other DQ. I'm liking how IX makes me feel like I can mess around.


Final Fantasy 4 Heroes of Light

My experience with FF has mostly been positive. I also did enjoy both III and IV for the DS. So perhaps this game might be worth considering.

Yet, I get mixed messages. Nostalgic in a good way? Nostalgic in a bad way? Perhaps in both ways at the same exact time.

There's also the matter of how the job class system is. I prefer it when most classes can be of value and the system is not a mess.

So far this game has been one where I start thinking about it for awhile, but eventually decide "maybe later".

????

There are various other DS games to consider, but the answer to most are going to be "It's an RPG I don't have, so maybe I'll consider it later.

-------------------------------------

Now on to the PSP. Disregarding the fact I've been slow in regards to Wild Arms XF, and there is Final Fantasy 2 to play, I wouldn't mind going for another PSP. As for which one.


Final Fantasy 4

It would be amusing to have 2D version along side my 3D version in portable form. Plus, since it's the latest version, it might have all the benefits of previous versions plus more.

However let's not kid ourselves, there's still the issue of buying the game yet again. Or maybe not. The PS version was gotten by family and my own copy of the DS version was a gift....


Tactics Ogre

My experience with the PS1 version was not exactly positive. On the other hand, it's possible that the PSP version might be a vast improvement. Plus, I may be better able to deal with such a game, I hope.


One hesitation is the whole praise of the game being hard. Hard sometimes means challenging, but other times it means err I guess the best way to put is cheating.

Also, the difference between "strategies" actually mattering vs "uber leveling" being the only thing that actually works.

Finally, if this is one of those games where effect spells never work, you miss 99% of the time, the enemy gets dozens of turns just because, etc.


????

Same deal with the DS scenario.

-------------------


As indicated the plan is to get Dragon Quest IV with possible consideration for V (if it ever goes down in price), and VI later. There's also the idea of in the far future deciding on Heroes of Light.


Final Fantasy IV is one of those toss up scenarios. Tactics Ogre depends on how I feel about another chance of the game.


Regardless I do have to be careful not to go overboard. First, because I want the games to eventually be played and not just be decorations.

Second, I must keep in mind that there are other things to eventually get as well. So being selective is important for me.


All I know is I tend to lean towards stuff like Tales, FF (Some), and SaGa. Speaking of Tales, it would be nice if certain PSP games had come here....

[ADC]

Let me pretend to be Johnny for a moment: The game you need is KuruKuru Princess. No DS collection is complete without loli ice skating.

I think DQ4 is better than DQ5, but I'm in the minority on that. Yes, get DQ4 while it's cheap, but you might want to grab DQ5 before it gets more expensive.

[Suwako Moriya]

Let me pretend to be Johnny for a moment: The game you need is KuruKuru Princess. No DS collection is complete without loli ice skating.

I think DQ4 is better than DQ5, but I'm in the minority on that. Yes, get DQ4 while it's cheap, but you might want to grab DQ5 before it gets more expensive.

Heh, a small part of me wants to try that KuruKuru Princess game just because of the comments towards it. As silly as that may sound and be.

As for Dragon Quest V. Yeah getting it before it becomes more expensive sounds logical. Yet because it's already expensive, I'm tempted to focus on what's more affordable instead.

[superdry]

Let me pretend to be Johnny for a moment: The game you need is KuruKuru Princess. No DS collection is complete without loli ice skating.


The nice thing is that Ubisoft actually brought over the first two Kurukuru Princess games in the US under their Imagine brand. The third one (ice skating in Vancouver) hasn't been licensed yet.

Arc System Works also had their own ice skating game (Aksys brought it over, but looks like they butchered it if you like cute anime girls as your ice skater). I just read that the character in Rockin' Pretty were also in the Princess on Ice.

Edit: besides Kurukuru Princess, no DS collection is complete without also having Princess Debut. Silly, fun dancing rhythm game, but also a dating sim! You might get funny looks from a Gamestop clerk when buying it if you are male, too. =D

One PSP game I can think of off the top of my head that is a great game if you don't have it already: J'eanne de Arc. A very well done SRPG for the PSP.

[broodwars]

From everything I've heard, Tactics Ogre on PSP is a pretty vast improvement on the original, with some things lifted from Valkyria Chronicles like leveling-up classes instead of individual characters. You can also jump back up to 50 turns to reverse mistakes.

Now if only it was on a console instead of the PSP...

[Suwako Moriya]

The nice thing is that Ubisoft actually brought over the first two Kurukuru Princess games in the US under their Imagine brand. The third one (ice skating in Vancouver) hasn't been licensed yet.

So for the heck of it, I did a search and noticed that I can't find either on Amazon. Maybe it's under a different name? Ah, well.


Edit: besides Kurukuru Princess, no DS collection is complete without also having Princess Debut. Silly, fun dancing rhythm game, but also a dating sim! You might get funny looks from a Gamestop clerk when buying it if you are male, too. =D

Ah, that I can actually find on Amazon. It's one of those things that sort of conflicts me. On one hand, playing a game with a bunch of cute girls would be amusing.

On the other hand, since I don't play those type of games, there is the worry that I'll end up being terrible at it. Which causes me to always hesitate. That and other things to get.


One PSP game I can think of off the top of my head that is a great game if you don't have it already: J'eanne de Arc. A very well done SRPG for the PSP.

I can confirm I don't have it. As for being well done, that sounds vaguely promising. However it's like reading a score and not knowing why the score was earned.

In any case, I ended up officially going for Dragon Quest IV. I figured it was the most logical choice and I wanted to keep it to a DS game around $20 or so for now.

I also had Izuna 2 in mind, but decided to save that for maybe next time. Disregard the fact I also saved Heroes of Light, Izuna 1, and other DS games for next time...... That's fun.

And yeah, I guess I'm saving PSP games for later as well, probably.

[Fencedude]

From everything I've heard, Tactics Ogre on PSP is a pretty vast improvement on the original, with some things lifted from Valkyria Chronicles like leveling-up classes instead of individual characters. You can also jump back up to 50 turns to reverse mistakes.

Now if only it was on a console instead of the PSP...

I never played the original Tactics Ogre, but I'd say that the PSP version is notably a better game than FFT.

The Chariot Tarot, larger army and class levelups really help a lot.

[Suwako Moriya]

From everything I've heard, Tactics Ogre on PSP is a pretty vast improvement on the original, with some things lifted from Valkyria Chronicles like leveling-up classes instead of individual characters. You can also jump back up to 50 turns to reverse mistakes.

Now if only it was on a console instead of the PSP...

I never played the original Tactics Ogre, but I'd say that the PSP version is notably a better game than FFT.

The Chariot Tarot, larger army and class levelups really help a lot.

I've read comments over the years that in a sense FFT is a watered down version of Tactics Ogre. Essentially being less involved (no branching paths for example) and being much easier over all.

It would be nice if the active party size was larger, but they'd also have to make the game a lot harder to make up for it. Especially given the "gang up on the sucker" battles. Yeah, five against one is fair.

I think the main thing that appealed to me about FFT was how much better organized the job class system was in it compared to other FF games. Ie, it wasn't a mess like say for example FF5.

If Tactics Ogre PSP is indeed better than FFT, it might be worth considering. Especially since FFT is a strong favorite. Assuming Tactics Ogre is the good type of hard and not the bad type of hard. And I'm not the type that would suck too much at the game.

There is the idea of waiting for a price drop, but I get the feeling the game is more likely to raise in price. Although maybe things will be different since Square Enix is the one releasing the game.

[HitokiriShadow]

Assuming Tactics Ogre is the good type of hard and not the bad type of hard. And I'm not the type that would suck too much at the game.


I think there are several factors in why it was considered much harder than FFT. The original game was much more punishing with the perma-death, but the PSP version has mitigated that significantly. While FFT has monsters match levels with the party, apparently Tactics Ogre has all battles do it. I've heard that in the original, this could make things really hard if one or two party members were even just a couple levels higher than anyone else. I think I also read that while the PSP version still does the level matching, something has been changed so that its not as nasty.

There are probably a few nasty battles but its not like FFT didn't have a few that made you want to through your controller against the wall until you figured something out. *cough*Velius/Belias*cough*goddamnchocobos*cough*

[Suwako Moriya]

I think there are several factors in why it was considered much harder than FFT. The original game was much more punishing with the perma-death, but the PSP version has mitigated that significantly.

Ah, perma-death. That sounds like a fun thing to deal with. Not that I've dealt with it since playing Fire Emblem ~Path of Radiance!

While FFT has monsters match levels with the party, apparently Tactics Ogre has all battles do it. I've heard that in the original, this could make things really hard if one or two party members were even just a couple levels higher than anyone else.

Given that the level of your party members could in theory vary, I can understand having to base it on some criteria. Basing it on your highest level party member is a valid one, I suppose.

Still even just a couple of levels difference makes things really hard. That sounds rather harsh to me. It also gives the impression that you're being punished for leveling up.


I think I also read that while the PSP version still does the level matching, something has been changed so that its not as nasty.

Now I have to admit I am curious as to what the possible change in question could be.


There are probably a few nasty battles but its not like FFT didn't have a few that made you want to through your controller against the wall until you figured something out. *cough*Velius/Belias*cough*goddamnchocobos*cough*

The latter battle was one of the few times in FFT that the enemies were the same level as you. Of course, that battle's difficulty depended on the enemies it chose....

As for the former one, it was definitely one of those battle where you had to get a feel for things before you can win. It's also a good reminder of why having a safe save is important.

[HitokiriShadow]

I think there are several factors in why it was considered much harder than FFT. The original game was much more punishing with the perma-death, but the PSP version has mitigated that significantly.

Ah, perma-death. That sounds like a fun thing to deal with. Not that I've dealt with it since playing Fire Emblem ~Path of Radiance!

I have no problem with the idea of perma-death, but it certainly does make things more challenging. Especially if its instant perma-death the moment a character's HP hits zero. Like Fire Emblem and I was under the impression that's how the original Tactics Ogre worked, but I'm not completely sure on that.


I think I also read that while the PSP version still does the level matching, something has been changed so that its not as nasty.

Now I have to admit I am curious as to what the possible change in question could be.

I didn't hear of anything specific, so they probably just altered the formula for level matching (maybe now it factors in the entire party's levels rather than just looking at the highest level character) and maybe fiddled with stat growth or something. I don't think there's any obvious gameplay mechanic or element that has changed. Well, there is the ability to go back 50 turns in battle, which could certainly help, but that's separate from the character/enemy levels.

[ADC]

*cough*Velius/Belias*cough*goddamnchocobos*cough*
I'm entertained by this, as neither battle is remotely tough if your tactics are sound. Now, the roof of Riovanes Castle against the marquise and his girlies. That is tough for the sake of being tough.

[Suwako Moriya]

*cough*Velius/Belias*cough*goddamnchocobos*cough*
I'm entertained by this, as neither battle is remotely tough if your tactics are sound. Now, the roof of Riovanes Castle against the marquise and his girlies. That is tough for the sake of being tough.

Well, tactics are obviously important in making what can be a dangerous situation into one that can easily be dealt with.

Still the problem with calling anything hard or easy is that it's all relative to how much preparation one has been doing before hand.


I would say the two battles are not an uber-challenge, but they are capable of presenting some problems depending on factors.

[superdry]

The nice thing is that Ubisoft actually brought over the first two Kurukuru Princess games in the US under their Imagine brand. The third one (ice skating in Vancouver) hasn't been licensed yet.

So for the heck of it, I did a search and noticed that I can't find either on Amazon. Maybe it's under a different name? Ah, well.


It was released as Imagine: Figure Skater and Imagine: Ice Champions.


Edit: besides Kurukuru Princess, no DS collection is complete without also having Princess Debut. Silly, fun dancing rhythm game, but also a dating sim! You might get funny looks from a Gamestop clerk when buying it if you are male, too. =D

Ah, that I can actually find on Amazon. It's one of those things that sort of conflicts me. On one hand, playing a game with a bunch of cute girls would be amusing.

It's the opposite. =D You play as a girl and dance with different men.


One PSP game I can think of off the top of my head that is a great game if you don't have it already: J'eanne de Arc. A very well done SRPG for the PSP.

I can confirm I don't have it. As for being well done, that sounds vaguely promising. However it's like reading a score and not knowing why the score was earned.

In any case, I ended up officially going for Dragon Quest IV. I figured it was the most logical choice and I wanted to keep it to a DS game around $20 or so for now.

I also had Izuna 2 in mind, but decided to save that for maybe next time. Disregard the fact I also saved Heroes of Light, Izuna 1, and other DS games for next time...... That's fun.

And yeah, I guess I'm saving PSP games for later as well, probably.

Reviews for J'eanne de Arc are good and if you can find the game...it's usually $20. So, it's not a bad purchase.

Regarding the Izuna series - I hope you like roguelikes. The 2nd one is a lot more polished than the first and you really don't need to play the 1st to understand the story of the 2nd.

[Suwako Moriya]

It was released as Imagine: Figure Skater and Imagine: Ice Champions.

Thanks, and now that I've searched, I can conclude I like the Japanese cover a lot better. If I have to explain why....

It's the opposite. =D You play as a girl and dance with different men.

Darn it! Well, I suppose there is merit to having a singular female to focus on sometimes. And the girl on the cover for Princess Debut is nice to look at it.


Reviews for J'eanne de Arc are good and if you can find the game...it's usually $20. So, it's not a bad purchase.

Well, $20 is one of those magical prices. The type that makes a purchase go from being scary to being plausible. In theory of course.

As even $20 is a high enough price to make me think carefully about the value of a game. Just not as much as say for example $40 would be.

As for reviews, perhaps I'll read some later, maybe. As well as perhaps look for videos. Hopefully ones of decent quality. Or maybe I'll completely forget about this later. Who knows?


Regarding the Izuna series - I hope you like roguelikes. The 2nd one is a lot more polished than the first and you really don't need to play the 1st to understand the story of the 2nd.

I have played some dungeon crawlers which I assume is another name for roguelikes. Or maybe they are two different things. Although the ones I've played are probably the more tame ones.

[Suwako Moriya]

There is the idea of waiting for a price drop, but I get the feeling the game is more likely to raise in price. Although maybe things will be different since Square Enix is the one releasing the game.

Wow that plan worked out better than I thought it would. I was able to get Tactics Ogre ordered for under $20. Actually around $11 due to certain factors So I'm closing to getting the games I had in mind.

The main games left from the root post to get are Dragon Quest V, Dragon Quest VI, and Final Fantasy The Four Heroes of Light. Assuming I even go for them.

Ok, I still technically need to get SaGa 2 DS, but being an import game, deciding how to do so isn't as easy.

I have no idea when I'll get around to Tactics Ogre as I'm juggling enough games as it is. By enough, I mean way too many. Heck, I mainly went for it because it was one of those "If I get it then it may as well be now.