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Star Ocean 3 Impressions.
Old 09-03-2004, 11:34 AM   #1
Crono
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Default Star Ocean 3 Impressions.

I know there's not many RPG fans around here, but I'll post this for the select few that are looking into the game (Vampyr and BlueFire).

As you probably know, Star Ocean 3 is the sequel to Star Ocean 2. Star Ocean 2 was a sleeper hit on PSX. It was a very deep game with an awesome story and tons of extras.

Without spoiling anything, the only thing I can tell you is that the Star Ocean series takes place in our very own universe, except hundreds of years into the future.

So anyway, as you may or may not know, the Star Ocean series has a real-time battle system. There are no random encounters in SO3, instead you simply run up to an enemy and engage it on a battle field. That, or it can see you and chase you, but it is still possible to avoid regular battles if you wish to do so. If you've played Chrono Cross or Xenosaga then you'll know what I'm talking about.

As for the battle engine itself, it's quite simple. X does a weaker attack while O does a stronger attack. Holding on to each of those buttons will perform special attacks which you've assigned them to. You also have a fury meter, and if an enemy's fury meter is at 100% then you can't hit them with regular attacks using the X button. And either of the two attacks will consume your fury bar it seems, depending on which one you used, the stronger or weaker one. Also, pressing triange will bring up the battle menu where you can use items and such. And pressing R1 will toggle through your characters. Though from what I've seen, your main character will stand and do nothing if you switch to the others. Maybe there's a way to change that, I'm not sure. I'm only 5 hours into the game right now. You can also hit multiple times in a row, multiplying damage in combos.

From what I've seen so far the game's battle system and interface are easy to navigate and it won't take you very long to learn the basics.

The game also has voice acting. IGN said the acting was horrible, so horirble that you'd want to turn off your tv. Honestly I don't think they are that bad, really. They're tolerable at least.

As for extras in the game, I already know that there are battle trophies, you can get them by beating certain enemies under certain conditions, like within a certain time or without taking damage. Also there are 3 modes of difficulty, the hardest one you have to unlock.

So far I am enjoying the game's story, and it's gameplay, and that it was worth the $80.

So... if you're looking for a solid RPG on the PS2, definitely pick this game up. I'm positive that this will hold me off until Suikoden IV (which got delayed until January... bastards). And it's probably one of the best RPGS for this holiday season. When I went into my EB yesterday I was surprised to find out how many people had actually pre ordered the game. I'm glad it's selling well so far.

If there's anything else you'd like to know... feel free to ask. But like I said, if you need an rpg to hold you off until something bigger, definitely consider this game.
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Re: Star Ocean 3 Impressions.
Old 09-03-2004, 01:03 PM   #2
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Default Re: Star Ocean 3 Impressions.

Is the depth similar to SO2? There was just so much fun stuff to do and fiddle around with in SO2, I really hope they kept that this time around.
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Re: Star Ocean 3 Impressions.
Old 09-03-2004, 01:06 PM   #3
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Default Re: Star Ocean 3 Impressions.

When you switch characters in battle, you press R2 to change them from Auto or Manual. If you want them to fight the way you programed them in the menu, put them on Auto. If you want them to sit there out of the way, change them to Manual.
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Re: Star Ocean 3 Impressions.
Old 09-03-2004, 01:31 PM   #4
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Default Re: Star Ocean 3 Impressions.

So is the fighting in the game like "Tales of Symphonia" for GC?


And i might buy it, there are too many games i want to buy right now though, I just dont want to spoil myself, then i might get jaded to it all, who knows.

But perhaps i will buy it.


And aboput the voice acting, is everything voiced?

And is it bad as in, like, it sounds scripted, or the actors are bad?

And what about hi-res movie clips? have you encountered many or any of them?
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Re: Star Ocean 3 Impressions.
Old 09-03-2004, 03:17 PM   #5
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Default Re: Star Ocean 3 Impressions.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Typhoid
So is the fighting in the game like "Tales of Symphonia" for GC?


And i might buy it, there are too many games i want to buy right now though, I just dont want to spoil myself, then i might get jaded to it all, who knows.

But perhaps i will buy it.


And aboput the voice acting, is everything voiced?

And is it bad as in, like, it sounds scripted, or the actors are bad?

And what about hi-res movie clips? have you encountered many or any of them?
Not everything is voiced. Only cutscenes are. If you talk to NPCs around town or something, they are not voiced. Think like FFX.

The actors aren't great, but not horrible either. Nothing wrong with the dialogue, though.

The movie scenes are good, but I've seen better.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rubber Kitty
Is the depth similar to SO2? There was just so much fun stuff to do and fiddle around with in SO2, I really hope they kept that this time around.
Hard for me to say because I just got the game yesterday. I'll let you know in the future.

Last edited by Crono : 09-03-2004 at 03:24 PM.
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Re: Star Ocean 3 Impressions.
Old 09-03-2004, 03:21 PM   #6
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Default Re: Star Ocean 3 Impressions.

I'm not buying it but I will borrow it from my friend who is buying it. I'm sure my brother would like to play through with me. An RPG that allows your friends to enjoy the experience with you is a rare and great find.
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Re: Star Ocean 3 Impressions.
Old 09-03-2004, 06:04 PM   #7
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Default Re: Star Ocean 3 Impressions.

Sounds great.
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Re: Star Ocean 3 Impressions.
Old 09-03-2004, 11:15 PM   #8
CrOnO_LiNk
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Default Re: Star Ocean 3 Impressions.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dylflon
I'm not buying it but I will borrow it from my friend who is buying it. I'm sure my brother would like to play through with me. An RPG that allows your friends to enjoy the experience with you is a rare and great find.
It's 2-3 players only on Versus mode. Versus mode is awesome, and when you get far, you can unlock it.

I have about 47 or 48 battle trophies unlocked so far and I am loving every single thing about this game. There are really nice hi-res movie clips later on in the game. Also, I agree, I kind of like the voice acting, it's much better than IGN said. It's actually good. Especially Fayt's and Nel's voice. But some characters like Farleen make your ears bleed...

The best thing about the game is the battle system. It's really fun. I love battling and everytime I see an enemy, I always go touch it so I can fight. I love hitting an enemy into the air, then flip kicking it even higher to the air and ending it with two quick weak attacks. Such a fun game. Love the environments too. Great story with very awesome characters. Pretty long game too...

And I whored out Tales of Symphonia , I'd give it a 8/10, it's a great game, don't get me wrong, but I think this game eats it alive. (Yes, they're very comparable).

Oh and Crono, there are 4 difficulty settings. You need a few Battle trophies to unlock the 3rd one (Universe) and the last one... wow, F. Dimension difficulty is said to be one of the craziest challenges in any game.
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Re: Star Ocean 3 Impressions.
Old 09-04-2004, 08:21 PM   #9
Vampyr
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Default Re: Star Ocean 3 Impressions.

This game has deffinatly earned my attention, ever sense Crono told me about it on MSN a while back.

I'll probably get it pretty soon, along with Donkey Konga. Or I may just wait for Christmas to get them.

I'm glad to hear that it has a fun battle system, because that is usually my least favorite part of RPG's...especially turn based ones. (not counting tactical RPG's.)
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Re: Star Ocean 3 Impressions.
Old 09-05-2004, 01:01 AM   #10
GiMpY-wAnNaBe
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Default Re: Star Ocean 3 Impressions.

I want it though i don't have PS2, and even if I did $80 is a tad steep for me.
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Re: Star Ocean 3 Impressions.
Old 09-06-2004, 03:36 AM   #11
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Default Re: Star Ocean 3 Impressions.

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Re: Star Ocean 3 Impressions.
Old 10-24-2004, 10:56 AM   #12
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Default Re: Star Ocean 3 Impressions.

Sorry to bring this back up, but where is everyone at in the game?

Since I hardly have time to play, I'm at the Ruins of Barr. There's a boss here I'm stuck at.
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Re: Star Ocean 3 Impressions.
Old 10-24-2004, 12:59 PM   #13
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Default Re: Star Ocean 3 Impressions.

Shrine of Kaddah, havent played since early september.
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Re: Star Ocean 3 Impressions.
Old 10-24-2004, 11:56 PM   #14
Ginkasa
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Default Re: Star Ocean 3 Impressions.

*has it sitting on the shelf, unopened*

*needs to beat Xenosaga first (and Kingdom Hearts before that)*

*is probably almost done*


*shrugs and walks away*
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Re: Star Ocean 3 Impressions.
Old 10-25-2004, 08:48 PM   #15
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Default Re: Star Ocean 3 Impressions.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Link1130
*has it sitting on the shelf, unopened*

*needs to beat Xenosaga first (and Kingdom Hearts before that)*

*is probably almost done*


*shrugs and walks away*

I finally beat Xenosaga a few weeks ago. I was extremely happy! I've also beaten Kingdom Hearts, and have almost collected all of the weapons and Key Blades. Keep working on them...they are both well worth a good beating, and both will leave you wanting more. Good thing both have sequals.
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