E3 07: Lost Odyssey
The second of Mistwalker's two big projects for the Xbox 360, Lost Oddyssey, looked like a tremendously cool older-school RPG, with turn-based battles a-la most of the Final Fantasy games - it's a pleasantly familiar feel during a time when innovation gets more and more attention. In a world where a special few are immortal but don't know why or remember their past, hero and immortal Kaim fights with eight other characters to reclaim his past as well and discover the secret behind the magic that suddenly infused the planet several decades before the game begins.
Mistwalker founder Hironobu Sakaguchi toured us through some early moments of the game to display the battle system, enhanced by a timing-based mechanic with the right trigger that gives your melee attacks an extra boost and livens up the staid turn-based system. It looked a bit like a souped-up version of the rings of Elite Beat Agents...without Avril Lavigne.
But with a freely zoomable camera and TV-quality inset screens and cutaways during dialog, Lost Odyssey looks every bit the upgraded classic RPG. Voice acting is terrific, the characters all look unique and have strong personalities - and Kaim's past is told in dreams written by famous Japanese novelists. Once dreamed, these flashbacks are available whenever you like in the game's easy, slick menu.
Look forward to a winter release and more great RPG action on the 360! Woo!
tiny dancer
Posted to E3, Hot Stuff, Video Games on 13 July 2007
· Comments (3)
Other stuff like this: e3, lost odyssey, microsoft, mistwalker, xbox 360
glad to see the 360 getting some more RPG love. This game looks amazing!
old school RPG with turn-based battles?! oh, there is a god.
I see nothing "old school" in this game, and that's a good thing imo.
I definitely see a new age of console RPGs beginning, ones with great graphics AND deep stories. If this game is a success, S-E will have to start working harder on making new games as well, instead of just spouting remakes and sequels.