View Full Version : Is there no one that appreciates SOUL NOMAD like I do?
I am really upset at the moment. I just stopped playing Soul Nomad and The World Eaters so I could come on here and get this straightened out. How could someone play this game and NOT love it? How could so many people be reviewing it like it was a waste of time?
I'm not saying this is a perfect title. It has it's share of small issues. But the overall experience is truly, delicious gaming goodness. I'm a hardcore American but man, when it comes to games i'm starting to think we don't know shit. This looks to be another title that is gonna go undetected because we've got idiots out there that are knocking the game for not having mind blowing (or lame as hell...depending on how you look at it) 3D graphics. Continually saying its battle system is weak and overall gameplay is boring...did they even play the game?
The sprite work in this game is amazing. All of the animations, the wonderful palette of colors, the squad customization...it's just soo much fun. COMBO CENTRAL WITH 2D SPRITE ACTION!?!?! It doesn't get any better. I'm reminded of such hardcore classics like Dragon Force and Ogre Battle when I play this wonderful game....
Take a look at the reviews. The current average score is 71% on gamerankings. This is before the gamespot and IGN scores. (I sure hope they get it right) Am I crazy? Has anyone played SN besides me?
2Dskillz
10-03-2007, 06:26 AM
Have not heard of this one, what console?
youruglyclone
10-03-2007, 07:13 AM
ps2, published by NIS America
It's for the PS2. Heres a few screenshots for those that have never seen/heard of it. Note: some of the pics are in japanese. This was before it was translated and released in the US.
http://www.s0rmania.com/images/sn1.jpg
http://www.s0rmania.com/images/sn2.jpg
http://www.s0rmania.com/images/sn3.jpg
http://www.s0rmania.com/images/sn4.jpg
http://www.s0rmania.com/images/sn5.jpg
http://www.s0rmania.com/images/sn6.jpg
http://www.s0rmania.com/images/sn7.jpg
FantasiaWHT
10-03-2007, 09:46 AM
Looks a LOT like Disgaea. Gonna look into this.
heybtbm
10-03-2007, 09:51 AM
I've read that this game doesn't require level grinding (a la every other Nippon Ichi SRPG). That in itself sounds interesting, even though I love to grind if the game is fun.
There are simply too many great games out right now (or coming out soon) to warrant an immediate purchase. I will be picking this one up eventually. It's a Nippon Ichi PS2 game afterall...it's not like it will be hard to find.
esquire
10-03-2007, 10:30 AM
71% is not a bad score, and like you said it's not perfect. I caught the review on G4's X-play last night and one thing that caught my eye, actually my ear, was the annoying voiceovers, which X-Play was right in pointing out. (They recommend turning off the cut-scenes). They ended up giving it 3 out of 5 stars, again which is not bad and seems to be on par with what you have been seeing.
I am picking this up today as I like what I see. Keep in mind this seems to be a niche game and there will be plenty of people who will not like this type of game, hence the scores you are seeing.
Interesting...I guess I understand what your saying but to me 71% is not a good score. The problems with this game might warrant a high 80's low 90's but thats it. We all have different tastes in games...maybe i'm just crazy for thinking this game is hilarious fun.
Aussie2B
10-03-2007, 06:47 PM
I'm guessing you're looking at it like school grading and not as a balanced scale? If you're using a 1-10 or 1-100 scale, then 5 or 50 would be an average, run-of-the-mill game. A 7 or 70 would mean that it's BETTER than just okay, so that's a fair score for a good game.
Granted, not all publications score like that, but they SHOULD and using the system that schools use, which is designed for competency not quality, only hurts their credibility. I've said it once and I'll say it again, it's absurd to devote three quarters of the scale to described games that range from mediocre to poor. How many different numbers do you need to describe how much a game stinks?
Anyway, I think the game looks interesting and I'd like to give it a try. I wouldn't exactly call the graphics amazing, though. I mean, I love 2D and it IS a pretty game, but Nippon Ichi isn't exactly known for pushing the any boundaries with their graphics. I've seen better looking 2D on Saturn. I'm glad that some developers are keeping the 2D tradition alive, but it would be even nicer if they actually took advantage of the modern hardware to produce some truly amazing 2D. The progression of 2D graphics has largely been stagnant for the last 10 years.
Trebuken
10-03-2007, 07:54 PM
I read Play magazine. Their RPG reviews are often done by someone who appreciates RPG's too much and they always give them a score about a point higher than average -- it works for me.
There has been such a flood of excellent PS2 rpg's that I think it is tough for anything to distinguish itself. I think Oblivion really changes the way many people are looking at RPG's, though the MMORPG's may be affecting things as well. Look for reviews on some RPG fan sites (they are usually late to the party). They can give better perspective sometimes.
I believe the PSP rpg's are also being affected, though they aren't quite as good as what we see on the PS2.
Barbarianoutkast85
10-03-2007, 09:53 PM
HOOOOLY SHIT! I just made a thread today, asking everyone for a list of stategy RPG games like Disgaea and what not, because I LOOOOOOVE Disgaea, Disgaea 2, Phantom Brave, La Pucelle: Tactics so now I gotta pick this one up.
Aussie2B
10-03-2007, 09:58 PM
From my understanding, Soul Nomad plays more like Ogre Battle than the typical Fire Emblem/Shining Force inspired strategy RPGs.
Barbarianoutkast85
10-03-2007, 10:36 PM
I've been asking in another thread about it, and I havent heard anything to terrible about this game, I cant wait to pick it up. If it's anything like Disgaea I'm sure I'll love it.
I'm guessing you're looking at it like school grading and not as a balanced scale? If you're using a 1-10 or 1-100 scale, then 5 or 50 would be an average, run-of-the-mill game. A 7 or 70 would mean that it's BETTER than just okay, so that's a fair score for a good game.
Granted, not all publications score like that, but they SHOULD and using the system that schools use, which is designed for competency not quality, only hurts their credibility. I've said it once and I'll say it again, it's absurd to devote three quarters of the scale to described games that range from mediocre to poor. How many different numbers do you need to describe how much a game stinks?
Anyway, I think the game looks interesting and I'd like to give it a try. I wouldn't exactly call the graphics amazing, though. I mean, I love 2D and it IS a pretty game, but Nippon Ichi isn't exactly known for pushing the any boundaries with their graphics. I've seen better looking 2D on Saturn. I'm glad that some developers are keeping the 2D tradition alive, but it would be even nicer if they actually took advantage of the modern hardware to produce some truly amazing 2D. The progression of 2D graphics has largely been stagnant for the last 10 years.
I think your right. I should not have said "amazing". The graphics aren't mind blowing...breakthrough etc but they definetely work well. From screenshots you can see the fuzziness in some character sprites but the animation of attacks are definetely high end. They obviously spent a hell of a lot of time working on the battle sequences. This is a game that is easy to deny just by looking at a still shot...but you have to appreciate it in action. As for reviews...I tend to not be a crazy graphics whore etc. The most important aspect of the game in my eyes..outweighing everything else BY FAR is the fun factor. This game is fun. It deserves high 80's easy. And i'm not sure I would go as far as saying there is better 2D on the saturn...i've played all of the greatest Saturn games of all time (Jap and US). But I definetely see your point and absolutely agree. They should be able to produce some amazing 2D with what they have to work with.
From my playing you can tell they examined or remembered such games as Ogre Battle, Advance Wars, and even some Dragon Force. (Which I totally loved)
This game is literally...what I expected in every way. I'd recommened people pick it up and play the hell out of it. :D
Barbarianoutkast85
10-03-2007, 10:40 PM
I was curious as to what score it got on gamespot.com, which is usually the only review site I ever check out for video games. It says it came out September 25, but it doesnt have a review I guess I'll have to check out IGN.com but for some reason I just dont trust those guys. I dont know why, anyway I'll go check it out, then fill everyone in on score it got.
I've had this on my want list since before it was released. I forgot all about it.
Of course, I am currently playing through such 0-day games such as Brave Fencer Musashi and Shadow of the Colossus, so it will take a while for me to get to it. ;)
ScourDX
10-14-2007, 09:11 PM
I purchased it on Friday. I'm surprise the EB clerk didn't even know this game was out and it was the only copy in store. I'm glad to pick it up. :)
Weird. I just checked my old want list and I have the game listed as Soul Cradle. I guess they changed the name for North America. No wonder I hadn't noticed it being released.
heybtbm
10-15-2007, 09:24 AM
Just a heads up on the strategy guide for Soul Nomad...
http://djbooks.easystorecreator.com/images/SNLE_128.jpg
Doublejump Publishing wrote the guide and limited the printing to 5000. You can only buy it on their website. I have mixed feelings about this practice, but I love Doublejump. Call me a sucker all you want, but I bit. My guide should be here later this week.
esquire
10-15-2007, 09:26 AM
Just a heads up on the strategy guide for Soul Nomad...
http://djbooks.easystorecreator.com/images/SNLE_128.jpg
Doublejump Publishing wrote the guide and limited the printing to 5000. You can only buy it on their website. I have mixed feelings about this practice, but I love Doublejump. Call me a sucker all you want, but I bit. My guide should be here later this week.
That's not exactly true. I happened to pick mine up at Game Crazy with my game, less the 20% discount when you buy the guide with the game.
heybtbm
10-15-2007, 09:35 AM
That's not exactly true. I happened to pick mine up at Game Crazy with my game, less the 20% discount when you buy the guide with the game.
Nice. Too bad my Gamecrazy doesn't carry new games anymore. I can confirm Gamestop/EB doesn't carry this guide.
Aussie2B
10-15-2007, 06:42 PM
Yeah, I'll go on record and say that making a limited edition strategy guide is really f'ing stupid. What, do they WANT to encourage their consumer base to resort to GameFAQs instead?
At least when Working Designs produced the Lunar 2 guide in minuscule quantities it wasn't because they wanted to purposely deny a lot of players the opportunity to get it; they didn't print many because it wasn't done until months after the game was out and most stores canceled their orders for it.