Lunar Knights "one of the finest games on DS." 1UP review

[siege]

http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3156990

Looking forward to picking this up tomorrow.

[depward]

http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3156990

Looking forward to picking this up tomorrow.

Same here.  Wish WiFi wasn't taken out though   

[Kevin Grey]

Can't wait.  I loved the Boktai games. 

[TheMissingLink]

I keep telling myself NO.

But it's Kojima Productions.

And it's getting wonderful reviews.

and it's KOJIMA FREAKIN' PRODUCTIONS...

[the Nightbreeze]

I hope it looks better on A DS screen than the screenshots at 1UP did on my monitor.  I'd hate to miss a good game because my first impression of it was "That game looks like BUTT"  I'll need to see  it in action.

[unbreakable]

Wow, this looks like just the kind of game I've been looking for.

[wonderpug]

I'm just amazed at how much the DS is dominating my shopping list.  I'm about to buy FFVI, Phoenix Wright, Hotel Dusk, and now this--and I still haven't finished Castlevania or FFIII.

(Yes, Devil, NiM$!)

[unbreakable]

So when should this be at B&M stores?  I checked around, but only online vendors seem to have any in stock.

[Kevin Grey]

So when should this be at B&M stores?  I checked around, but only online vendors seem to have any in stock.

Picked it up at Gamestop earlier today.  CC had it in their ad as in stock today, as well.  Strangely, it was entirely absent from Best Buy's website earlier so I'm not sure if they are getting it at all. 

[depward]

So when should this be at B&M stores?  I checked around, but only online vendors seem to have any in stock.

Haven't seen in at any B&M stores either - luckily I had ordered a copy online   

[wonderpug]

I just watched this trailer, and I don't know what to think.  It certainly looks interesting, but there's something about the style that doesn't sit right with me.  I think I'll have to wait and see some forum impressions.

[Misguided]

I just watched this trailer, and I don't know what to think.

Ditto. Anybody know if the music in that trailer is representative of the game's soundtrack?

[Kevin Grey]

I just watched this trailer, and I don't know what to think.  It certainly looks interesting, but there's something about the style that doesn't sit right with me.  I think I'll have to wait and see some forum impressions.

What specifically about the style?

I'll have some impressions probably by the weekend.  I want to finish Trace Memory first (from what I understand that shouldn't take long).  In the meantime, LK is basically Zelda meets Castlevania meets Metal Gear Solid.  If that sounds appealing then go for it!  If not, then best avoid. 

Ditto. Anybody know if the music in that trailer is representative of the game's soundtrack?

Mmm, sort of, I guess.  You can hear the music in the gameplay video here:

http://www.gametrailers.com/gamepage.php?id=2735

[wonderpug]

I just watched this trailer, and I don't know what to think.  It certainly looks interesting, but there's something about the style that doesn't sit right with me.  I think I'll have to wait and see some forum impressions.

What specifically about the style?

I can't put my finger on it.  The combat looked a little clumsy, the high pitched voice sound bites (are those a part of the game?), the way it looked like you have to pull out the stylus for spells or minigames, some of the art design...just overall it raised some red flags.  I'm not out for sure, I just need to hear more reviews and impressions to make sure it's up my alley. 

[Kevin Grey]

Hmm, tough call.  Impressions elsewhere praise all of those aspects (combat, voice acting, graphics, 3D space shooter), etc. 

[shon]

Played for about 30 minutes last night and I really like it.  The only thing that bugs me so far is the control. You only move 8 directions and sometimes the pad doesn't respond to my liking but I am getting used to it.  The graphics and combat are really fun I only stopped playing because it was really late and I needed sleep.

[Gratch]

I just watched this trailer, and I don't know what to think.  It certainly looks interesting, but there's something about the style that doesn't sit right with me.  I think I'll have to wait and see some forum impressions.

I completely agree.  It seems like it would be right up my alley and the reviews are good, but the gameplay videos didn't impress me at all.   The gameplay videos looked more action game than RPG, which after my recent Rogue Galaxy experience, I should probably avoid.

Tell ya what.  You buy it, then sell it to me if you don't like it. 

[ATB]

I was 'meh' on the trailer until I saw some of the DS control mechanic interactions.  Don't need another DS game at this point, but I'm willing to let GT forum effect take hold if impressions are favorable.

[Kevin Grey]

I completely agree.  It seems like it would be right up my alley and the reviews are good, but the gameplay videos didn't impress me at all.   The gameplay videos looked more action game than RPG, which after my recent Rogue Galaxy experience, I should probably avoid.

These games are NOT RPGs.  There are RPG elements but no one should buy this or the Boktai games thinking they are getting an RPG.  They are action based- much close to Zelda in execution. 

[ATB]

The gameplay videos looked more action game than RPG, which after my recent Rogue Galaxy experience, I should probably avoid.

Funny I'm the opposite. I'd like to play it if is actiony rather than RPG.

[ATB]

Boktai games

Wha?

[Gratch]

I completely agree.  It seems like it would be right up my alley and the reviews are good, but the gameplay videos didn't impress me at all.   The gameplay videos looked more action game than RPG, which after my recent Rogue Galaxy experience, I should probably avoid.

These games are NOT RPGs.  There are RPG elements but no one should buy this or the Boktai games thinking they are getting an RPG.  They are action based- much close to Zelda in execution. 

Thanks Kevin, I'm definitely going to pass then.  I don't think I've ever really enjoyed a Zelda game, so this one probably isn't for me.

[Kevin Grey]

Boktai games

Wha?

Lunar Knights is a rebranded Boktai 4.

Boktai 1 & 2 were released in the US for GBA.  Their most notable feature was the inclusion of a sun sensor that was used to charge weapons but needed direct sunlight to work.  It was a very neat mechanic with the gameworld changing depending on the time you were playing and using real sunlight for some cool puzzles.  Unfortunately it really screwed you if you were like most of us and did most of your gaming after dark.  So while they were both fantastic games they had a very limited appeal.

We never received Boktai 3 over here.  When it came time to develop for the DS, Konami ditched the sun sensor.  Daylight and other things still play a huge role in Lunar Knights but it's all artificial now.  They also changed the names of the characters in the US version and the name obviously in order to distance themselves from the GBA games so they could get a fresh start. 

[Kevin Grey]

I completely agree.  It seems like it would be right up my alley and the reviews are good, but the gameplay videos didn't impress me at all.   The gameplay videos looked more action game than RPG, which after my recent Rogue Galaxy experience, I should probably avoid.

These games are NOT RPGs.  There are RPG elements but no one should buy this or the Boktai games thinking they are getting an RPG.  They are action based- much close to Zelda in execution. 

Thanks Kevin, I'm definitely going to pass then.  I don't think I've ever really enjoyed a Zelda game, so this one probably isn't for me.

Yeah, as much as I'd like Lunar Knights to be a success and for people to finally see the greatness that is the Boktai series, I'd hate for someone to buy it when it just isn't for them. 

[unbreakable]

Unfortunately it really screwed you if you were like most of us and did most of your gaming after dark.  So while they were both fantastic games they had a very limited appeal.

Not only that, but the screen looks like @$$ when playing outside.  As if the screen wasn't hard enough to see already.

[ATB]

More impressions NOW!

[Kevin Grey]

Not only that, but the screen looks like @$$ when playing outside.  As if the screen wasn't hard enough to see already.

I thought they did a good job with that- the display was specifically very monochromatic since they knew the sun would wash out a lot of the color.

But I played it on the DS (non-Lite) which was much easier to read than the GBA so that might have made a big difference. 

[Teggy]

Isn't there a well known RPG series called "Lunar"?  I thought this game had something to do with that.  They probably should have picked a different name.

[Kevin Grey]

Isn't there a well known RPG series called "Lunar"?  I thought this game had something to do with that.  They probably should have picked a different name.

I wouldn't necessarilly call Lunar well know anymore. 

[depward]

I should have impressions on the weekend.  BOKTAI 4, HERE I COME

[unbreakable]

Not only that, but the screen looks like @$$ when playing outside.  As if the screen wasn't hard enough to see already.

I thought they did a good job with that- the display was specifically very monochromatic since they knew the sun would wash out a lot of the color.

But I played it on the DS (non-Lite) which was much easier to read than the GBA so that might have made a big difference. 

I've heard the GBA SP made a big difference, but the original GBA was (IMO) almost unplayable.  And this is coming from someone who had a GB and GBC.

I had a GBA and returned it- it was just TOO fricken hard to use.  I can't even imagined trying to use it outside.

[Kevin Grey]

Yeah, the original GBA was practically unplayable in all lighting conditions. 

[wonderpug]

Yeah, the original GBA was practically unplayable in all lighting conditions. 

I remember one report that the best aftermarket light for the GBA was a Boeing 747 overhead light.  I have to admit, they did work pretty well!

[siege]

Still haven't been able to find it in my area. 

[unbreakable]

I checked Coconuts before lunch, they didn't have it.  I checked Best Buy before going home.. and I got the last one!  Woohoo!

What a nerd dilemma: Coconuts has Meteos for $20, Gamestopo has Hotel Dusk, and my friend keeps telling me to get Mario Kart (he is even getting a second copy for his girlfriend).  So there is at least one more game in my immediate future.

[unbreakable]

Ok, I have a few hours into it, and it's good.  REAL GOOD.

It's an action-type RPG, sort of like Zelda.  Strangely, a better comparison seems to be to Rogue Galaxy rather than Zelda.  But anyway, it's action-based combat rather than turn based, so dodging means you actually move out of the way, etc.

One really cool feature is the "lock on", which you use with the R button.  Since one character uses ranged attacks, this is obviously a humungeous help on a portable system game.

Another really surprising thing is the in-game animated movies.  Every other DS game I've owned had, at the most, an animated sequence in the beginning, usually about a minute or so in length.  This one has the intro as well, but it actually has trasitional scenes... with spoken dialogue!  Really nice touch.

I'll write up more later, but I feel like getting some more play in.

[Kevin Grey]

Put just over two hours into this game over the weekend.  Think I'm just about to hit the second boss.

My immediate impression is that there is a lot of content here.  Even at the two hour point, new gameplay concepts are still being introduced and I haven't even scratched the surface of the game's weather system or swapping in and out each character.  So far I prefer the melee character but I expect that I'll enjoy the ranged guy when I can get some gun upgrades. 

The game is pretty combat focused but thankfully combat seems pretty deep.  Each enemy has unique weaknesses and attack patterns that can exploited and along with two playable characters (one melee, one ranged), weapons that are upgradeable, terrenials (think Summons) for each element, and even having the weather affect the amount of damage you can do- well, there is a *lot* going on here. 

I love the presentation too.  It's very anime to be sure, but the world design is very cool to me.  I especially love the idea that the Vampires have blocked out the sun, requiring you to take captured Vampires into a spaceship, break through the barrier, and then offload them onto an orbiting satellite that redirects massive amounts of collective sunlight into them to utterly destroy them. 

And, as noted, this game really shames most other DS games in the production values department- lots of voice acting, liberal use of FMV spread throughout, good musical score, etc all make it feel more like a full blown console outing. 

[Misguided]

One really cool feature is the "lock on", which you use with the R button. 

Do you have to hold it? Games where you have to hold down the shoulder buttons a lot tend to irritate me.

[Kevin Grey]

One really cool feature is the "lock on", which you use with the R button.

Do you have to hold it? Games where you have to hold down the shoulder buttons a lot tend to irritate me.

I believe so.  I would prefer a toggle myself. 

[Misguided]

I know that must seem silly, but my hands are small, and having to hold a shoulder button tends to be cramp inducing.