Now things are getting interesting.��

Listed on Nintendos japanese site

IGN eyes on trailer and screens

A lone warrior chopping through an army of robotic warriors with an outsized Cloud Strife-like energy sword. Colossal war machines advancing though a misty canyon, shooting anything that moves. The few remaining human defenders hiding behind simple wooden shields that are no match for high-energy weapons. Welcome to the world of Monado.��


The debut trailer for Monado: Beginning of the World premiered today at E3: 2009, and first impressions for the new Wii RPG are that the beginning is going to be pretty exciting. Things kick off with that canyon-set battle, revealing more and bigger enemies with an interesting steampunk design. Things likely don't end well for our lone warrior, as we soon segue to a young blonde hero discovering that energy sword - now inert - only to see it flash blindingly to life the moment he picks it up. Your standard JRPG Hero's Journey (tm) is definitely in full effect here, with just a dash of King Arthur.��


Gameplay appears to be open-world, where you'll traverse lush jungles, glowing forests, climb sheer walls, and encounter the crumbling remains of a conquered people. It looks nicely textured and details pop, animating at what looks like a smooth 30 fps.��


Players will pick up two partners in their travels, and while combat initially looks turn-based, we saw all three party members attacking simultaneously. Transitions into combat are completely seamless; characters approach enemies, draw weapons, and it's on. One scene showed your team (wielding much smaller edged weaponry) surrounding a lizard-man enemy, who didn't make much of a dent in their lifebars before it was downed. A much larger lizard-man (a good twenty feet tall) and giant mutant crab monster probably fared better.

MONADO TRAILER

(back up link - check the japanese site first link in post for proper quality trailer)

Hit the HQ option.

Posted by gamingeek Wed, 03 Jun 2009 16:37:59 (comments: 867)
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Sun, 14 Aug 2011 18:15:04
gamingeek said:

I didn't realise they made a Panza Dragoon rpg?

Omg, you know nothing.

 
Sun, 14 Aug 2011 18:34:17
gamingeek said:

I didn't realise they made a Panza Dragoon rpg?

Seriously? LOL I bought it on release because I was a big fan of that series. Didn't like it much, though. Sold it on ebay back in late 2006 for about three times what I originally paid, and used that money to buy a Wii. Happy

 
Sun, 14 Aug 2011 19:05:13

I must know nothing. The only PD game I played was Orta on the Xbox, I liked some of it but it never really hooked me. Sin and Punishment 1 and 2 don't do it for me either.

 
Sun, 14 Aug 2011 19:11:26

^ Panzer Dragoon  >>> Sin & Punishment. cheeky

 
Sun, 14 Aug 2011 19:58:07

Panzer Dragoon Zwei > Sin & Punishment > Panzer Dragoon Orta tbh.

And Panzer Dragoon Saga > all, and especially you who are reading this!

 
Sun, 14 Aug 2011 20:00:52

I'm only pretending to read this. Nyaa

 
Mon, 15 Aug 2011 07:32:23
 
Mon, 15 Aug 2011 09:14:34

Thanks for posting that.

 
Mon, 15 Aug 2011 09:40:12

Metro reviews Xenoblade Chronicles 9/10

Metro said:

There is very little about Xenoblade Chronicles which makes sense. That isn't a jab at the typically overwrought plot, but the fact that Nintendo has been so reluctant to release it in the West. As far as Nintendo of America is concerned it's not coming out at all across the pond, despite a high profile campaign by fans to ensure just that.



Admittedly Japanese role-players are rarely big sellers but this is such an accomplished game it seems as if Nintendo has once again succumbed to a kind of corporate self-harm.



What's also peculiar about Xenoblade is that it comes from little known developer Monolith Soft (not to be confused with F.E.A.R. creators Monolith Productions), who Nintendo quietly acquired in 2007 and whose only Wii game since has been the flawed but ambitious Disaster: Day Of Crisis - which Nintendo of America also refused to release.



The team is perhaps best known for the Xenosaga series, although the connections here are largely only thematic. The story in Xenoblade concerns a peaceful tribe of humans (and others) living on the decaying body of one of two techno-organic gods - who died in combat aeons ago. The story begins following a war with a robot army called the Mechon, which was won only because of the use of a mysterious sword called the Monado.



The previous wielder of the sword has lost the use of his arm though and so youngster Shulk attempts to take up his mantle. Not necessarily inspiring stuff but these clichés are used and inverted by the game in some surprising ways. The characters are similar in that they're standard tropes (the androgynous young lead, the grizzled veteran that looks barely out of his teens) but experience considerable growth over the course of the game.


It's better than average, but storytelling is not where Xenoblade's real strengths lie. Instead it's the sheer scope and depth of the game - and the fact that it finally does exactly what Western fans have been demanding of the genre for decades. It abandons antique concepts such as random battles and line dance style combat in favour of game systems that are dedicated towards rewarding players not punishing them.



You control characters directly at all times (there's even some light platforming when exploring) and that includes battles. However, attacks are automatic and dictated by both your position and distance to an enemy, as well as a series of selectable special moves for each character. This results in a style of combat that is reminiscent of Final Fantasy XII, but with direct hands-on control.



The basics are simple but there's an unending range of complications for those that want to delve deeper, with the concept of aggro being particularly important. This is the idea that a monster will focus its attack on whoever's dealing it the most damage - allowing the others to outflank it. The power of the Monado to see into the future is also used cleverly in combat.



Level-grinding isn't an entirely absent concept but cruel and unusual punishment for dying is. As you explore areas you uncover 'landmarks' on your map. When you die all that happens is that you're whisked back to the last one you visited. You can also save at almost any time. This is typical of the game's desire to get you back into the action as quickly as possible and not having you worry about busy work and housekeeping.



For example, get injured in combat and your health will recharge automatically afterwards. You'll often have half-a-dozen quests and sub-quests underway at any time but you rarely have to go back to the quest giver to complete them. Many activities depend on the time of day and yet you can instantly wind the clock to whenever you want.


The game is far more accessible than the norm for the genre, but it does still throw an awful lot at you in the first hours. The various system and mechanics are explained well but many don't become important until several hours later, by which time you've forgotten the specifics and have to look them up again. The more involved elements such as gem-crafting and character customisation are sensibly left till later though.


The game's other great accomplishment is how much it pushes the Wii (except in terms of motion control, which it doesn't use at all). The game world is enormous and the fact that you're wandering around on the back of a long dead god creates some unusual but fascinating landscapes. The more natural areas call to mind Monster Hunter, especially as there are always critters of various sizes wandering around, but here the game world isn't divided into small linked areas - it's all one massive open environment.


Increase the resolution and improve a few of the textures and you could be looking at an Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3 game. Special mention should also go to the superb soundtrack, again one of the best for years and at least on par with the graphics. All of which makes us extremely curious to know what Monolith Soft are preparing for the Wii U, especially as they've apparently just opened another new studio in Japan…


Because this is a Nintendo of Europe production all the voiceovers are by British actors and although none are offensively bad they do all sound like rejects from some BBC children's television show. You can opt to use the Japanese voice track but subtitles aren't provided for minor comments in battle, which can be disconcerting. As usual Nintendo of Europe's translators aren't as sharp as their counterparts in the States and so again the dialogue is functional rather than inspiring.



But despite these minor disappointments this remains a hugely impressive effort and one of the most important milestones for the genre in years. Xenoblade Chronicles isn't just 'good for a Wii game' or even 'good for a Japanese role-player', it's a great game in its own right and an adventure that deserves to be experienced by everyone.


In Short: The best Japanese role-player of the current generation and a big step forwards for the genre in terms of accessibility and ambition.



Pros: Huge adventure and game world that's a pleasure to play and explore. Deep but accessible combat system and customisation. Superb graphics and music.




Cons: Dialogue and voice-acting is mediocre (and probably would've been better if Nintendo of America were involved). Steep learning curve.

Score: 9/10

 
Tue, 16 Aug 2011 11:11:14

Iggly, you should be doing this!

- IGN (9/10)

"Xenoblade Chronicles is the best Japanese RPG of this generation. The fact that it looks like it's from the last generation is its only drawback, but its technical limitations are offset by imaginative artistic direction, innovative and compelling combat, and thoughtful design. It's a throwback to the glory days of the genre, proof that there are always new ways to tell a story. If you've ever felt neglected by the lack of in-depth gaming epics on the Wii, you owe it to yourself to buy this."

- Cubed3 (10/10)

"Monolith Soft’s grand Xenoblade Chronicles has arrived, bringing with it a sterling soundtrack, a phenomenal visual impact, vast amount of customisation, intriguing story and massive value for money. With it definitely proving itself to be of the highest calibre on Wii it is time for RPG fans to take a stand and show their appreciation for this sublime classic."

Eurogamer reviews Xenoblade




"No Japanese RPG has more successfully married its various components this hardware generation. It's a game that invites us to reassess an entire genre, pointing to a bold future while nodding its respect towards the past. It's a towering triumph."

9/10

Gamereactor Sweden



90



Great character development and a lovely sense of freedom make this one of the Wii's best RPG offerings.

Official Nintendo Magazine UK



92



A genre-reviving blaze of wonder, immense scale and smart design. [Sept 2011, p.100]


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