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Radiant Historia

Started by Fierce Deity, March 06, 2011, 07:50:48 PM

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Baggins

I think I'm about a 1/3 into the game. It's pretty long, and some of the battles are tough!

The time travel mechanics are pretty interesting.
Well, ya, King's Quest is on Earth. Daventry is very old city from a long time ago. It's in ruins now and people aren't quite sure exactly where it used to be. There are some archaeologists searching through the ruins, they think they know its Daventry. But its somewhere on Earth."-Roberta Williams http://kingsquest.wikia.com/wiki/File:Daventryisearth.ogg

LadyTerra

I've beaten the game, and I'm going through the side quests to get the "true ending."  It seems that if you complete 10 certain sidequests, you'll unlock a better ending.

I also like how they mixed up the anime-looking stereotypes a bit.  There's Dias, a tough general that looks feminine and is fawned over by the ladies, and Selvan, who's a strategist that looks rather butch.
I have my cake and eat it too, until it's gone.  Then I can't do either.


Aww!  You have the Sword of Hugging +3!  All of your attacks deal affectionate damage!

liggy002

Chrono Trigger to this day is still the best time traveling game.  Why they haven't remade this game for the PS3 along with Final Fantasy 7 mystifies me.  I do love JRPGs though, Suikoden in particular.  I'll need to pick up a Nintendo DS since the PS3 is sadly lacking in quality in JRPGs.  It does look like a cool game.

Fierce Deity

Seeing as I recently finished Birth by Sleep and finished Golden Sun: Dark Dawn last night, I think it's apropos that this thread was bumped. I'll start up Radiant Historia today and finally check it out. I'll eventually post my thoughts on the game when I get a chance.

(Posted on: July 23, 2011, 06:57:37 PM)


So far, this game is really entertaining. I like how the two timelines run side-by-side but remain distant. I don't understand the logistics behind the flow of time, cause why would protecting a merchant in one timeline allow the merchant to be safe in the other timeline? Whatever the case, it's still an entertaining system that's built from the bottom up to be an epic time-traveling experience. Most time-traveling games are too linear and don't tap into quality mechanics for the flow of time, but this game by far is an outstanding title and the best time-traveling game that I've played yet.

I still haven't played Back to the Future: The Game, but from what I hear, it's not that amazing.  :-\
Freudian Slip - "When you say one thing, but mean your mother."

Baggins

#24
Fierce it starts making more 'sense' later on they aren't nearly as distinct timelines as you might think. Based on what the twin guardians tell you early on, There is apparently elements of both that make up a true reality! They are almost like shadow realities reflecting off each other. Which is the reason the twins want you to work your way throughout both to find the true one. Apparently you need to push for the best ending to fully understand it.
[spoiler]It's apparently such that a true timeline got split into two, and you you are actually attempting to merge them back together, by combining the best outcomes of both.

I don't quite understand her significance yet, but at least one character who exists in both realities seems to be aware of your actions in both realities although her own history diverges in both (even seeing the mystical guardia. Twins while you talk to them, so time doesn't stand still for her), and memories can bleed between realities in some cases if someone comes into contact with something from the opposing reality[/spoiler]

Perhaps it's more like Michael Crichton's Timeline where time travel is really parallel universe travel but choices made in one universe can still impact future history of other universes. So people could leave messages in the past, and it would still reach their future counterparts. That too was confusing!

I still haven't completed it, I accidentally delete my main save while trying to play in the dark :p. The save delete and the save select nearly look the same. So I'm behind by maybe 5-10 hours. Granted this time it'll give me a chance to try out some alternate timelines choices I might have missed.
Quotelity mechanics for the flow of time, but this game by far is an outstanding title and the best time-traveling game that I've played yet.
I still consider Chrono Trigger the greater time travel game, since your time travel actually physically alters the eras and landscape of each era! It's rich history covers millions of years! Your choices cause long term changes, Butterfly effect style across the millenia!

This game has tantalizing  glimpses of future eras but all eras lead to the same destruction in less than ten years (the sands). Most of the game takes place in the same short period of time in the same era. It has more in common with Chrono Cross's mechanics, with addition of some limited time travel (effecting short term history).

I don't know if you have played Journeyman Project trilogy. I think it's largely more epic time travel experience as well. Although it has little self influence over history but rather attempts to fix changes already made! Probably more compelling characters! Arthur for the win! It also has a rich history (with some conspiracy) covering several millennia!

Quote
I still haven't played Back to the Future: The Game, but from what I hear, it's not that amazing


Think of it this way, depend on what you thought of the movies it remains very true to them. No you seriously have very little control over the time travel, it's more about surviving and outwitting, and stopping the bad it's to fix changes that have already happened or will happen of you do nothing. Prevent yourself from being wiped out of history. It's really just more of the same from the movies.
Well, ya, King's Quest is on Earth. Daventry is very old city from a long time ago. It's in ruins now and people aren't quite sure exactly where it used to be. There are some archaeologists searching through the ruins, they think they know its Daventry. But its somewhere on Earth."-Roberta Williams http://kingsquest.wikia.com/wiki/File:Daventryisearth.ogg

Fierce Deity

I love Chrono Trigger, but the time-traveling mechanics seemed too focused on the large spectrum of time. Being able to go from a prehistoric era just to get a caveman (cavewoman?) and then go to a post-apocalyptic world run by machines to get a robot, caused me to lose interest. I did like the medieval age and liked how it resembled different ages throughout the game, including the parallel world that was ruled by Magus. However, I like how Radiant Historia gives you the element of "consequence". You pick a decision, and it alone can make or break the world. That stuff interests me. It's really the only reason why this game has become my favorite.

I will check out the Journeyman Project Trilogy. Sounds good.
Freudian Slip - "When you say one thing, but mean your mother."

liggy002

Actually, that's what I loved about Chrono Trigger- the broad spectrum of time that was explored.  I have always been fascinated by thoughts of what the world might look like 10,000 years from now- even though they didn't actually go that far into the future.  Also, the fact that you were able to fight the final boss at various points throughout the game made the game somewhat unique.  Unfortunately, Chrono Trigger: Resurrection was brought to an end by Square.  I totally understand that since it was their right but I would have loved to see a remake.  It is in part my intrigue with time travel that will lead me to buy Radiant Historia.

Baggins

#27
Fierce Diety, if all you think is she is some random 'cavegirl', you totally missed the importance of that past history and the evolution of the world.

Ayla's ties to the kingdom of Zeal, and the future kingdom of Guardia is quite important (she is Princess Nadia's distant grand parent). The world has a deep history, with many things connected. It explains the consequences if any of these characters are somehow wiped out.

Ayla's history is very much tied into the history of the main villain, Lavos, the fall of the Reptites, and the rise of humanity on the planet! The reptites are important to the plot as well, as they are the ones who called Lavos to the world.

Every character in that game, has an important part to world history, and rich backgrounds. Every element that goes on in that game has a long term influence on the overall history of the world and its destruction in 1999.

If you don't understand the importance of Robo... well yes, you seriously didn't understand the story! He is one of the few characters that experienced the 1999 event, and still lives to tell you about it. He was created by one of the three Gurus of Zeal.

Finally, when Magus ruled the Mystics, wasn't a 'parallel' world, that was a consequence, of someone from the past being tossed to the future middle age! Through your own actions, you alter the timeline though, changing that history!
Well, ya, King's Quest is on Earth. Daventry is very old city from a long time ago. It's in ruins now and people aren't quite sure exactly where it used to be. There are some archaeologists searching through the ruins, they think they know its Daventry. But its somewhere on Earth."-Roberta Williams http://kingsquest.wikia.com/wiki/File:Daventryisearth.ogg

Fierce Deity

Yeah, then I must have missed it. I find it strange considering that I've played the game three times now.
Freudian Slip - "When you say one thing, but mean your mother."

Baggins

#29
I don't know how you missed it, because its mentioned at some point when you return to prehistorical times to defeat the reptites, and are shown the coming of Lavos!

I don't know if any of the Zealians also point it out if you have her in your party.


Furthermore, the 'Dreamstone' which is important item to the Ayla's tribe (she is the chief), takes on a more important role in later eras. Passed down to the kingdom of Zeal, a piece of the stone became the Pendant, worn by the princesses of the kingdom of Guardia. The same Pendant that rips a whole in time-space to start the adventure! Ayla is also the original one to name "Lavos", as it is two words in her language, La and Vos meaning "fire" and 'big".

As for Robo, you meet one of the Guru's, the inventor of Robo, not long after meeting Robo, IIRC. The guru dies shortly later, of old age. But later you see he was alive and well back in time of Zeal, when the Gurus were trying to call on Lavos to increase their power (leading to the destruction of the city, and sending the three gurus across time). You learn more about Robo, and how his kind lead by an evil super computer nearly wiped out humans following Lavos destruction, and are still trying to process humans for energy, if you follow one of the side quests in the future!
Well, ya, King's Quest is on Earth. Daventry is very old city from a long time ago. It's in ruins now and people aren't quite sure exactly where it used to be. There are some archaeologists searching through the ruins, they think they know its Daventry. But its somewhere on Earth."-Roberta Williams http://kingsquest.wikia.com/wiki/File:Daventryisearth.ogg

Fierce Deity

I knew about Robo. I actually liked his character. I never used Ayla, and the prehistoric age was my least favorite era in the game. I couldn't wait to get past it, and when I did, I never looked back. It's possible that I learned about Ayla's character, and it never struck me as something worth noting.  :-\
Freudian Slip - "When you say one thing, but mean your mother."

Baggins

#31
Ahh, that's probably the problem. The return to the prehistoric age to defeat the Reptites, IIRC, is part of the secondary quests (but its been a while so I could be wrong). Did you ever go back to defeat the king of the Reptites in his fortress? Most of the secondary quests explain the deeper parts of the story, and also lead to best ending.

On a related note, did you do the quest to fix the desert, and turn it into a forest with Robo? Or help Lucca's mom and Dad?

It's unfortunate as much as Chrono Cross was a great game as well. It had too many characters! So none of them other than one or two got well developed backstories! Unlike the characters in the first game.
Well, ya, King's Quest is on Earth. Daventry is very old city from a long time ago. It's in ruins now and people aren't quite sure exactly where it used to be. There are some archaeologists searching through the ruins, they think they know its Daventry. But its somewhere on Earth."-Roberta Williams http://kingsquest.wikia.com/wiki/File:Daventryisearth.ogg

Fierce Deity

#32
I don't recall doing many side-quests in the game. As soon as Lavos became available, I was relentless to take him on. If I did any side quests at all, they'd be for Frog and Magus, considering they made up my team. But I will play the game again, and try to do everything next time.

Though I do remember a quest for Robo involving a desert, I don't believe I finished it. I may have started it, but I don't remember anything about a forest. Also, I never used Lucca, so her side quest is out of the question.
Freudian Slip - "When you say one thing, but mean your mother."

Baggins

Lucca's side quest is a result of the Robo/desert sidequests. You get it regardless of her being in your party or not!

Well, ya, King's Quest is on Earth. Daventry is very old city from a long time ago. It's in ruins now and people aren't quite sure exactly where it used to be. There are some archaeologists searching through the ruins, they think they know its Daventry. But its somewhere on Earth."-Roberta Williams http://kingsquest.wikia.com/wiki/File:Daventryisearth.ogg

Fierce Deity

Understood. I just never took an interest in certain characters, so despite whether I put them in my party or not, I wouldn't do the side quest even if it were right in front of me. Lucca and Ayla were probably the two that I never took an interest in. I used Robo, Marle, Frog, and Magus for the most part. Marle was my healer if I ever needed one, and Magus was my PWNAGE if I ever needed one. So as I remember, Frog's and Magus' quests were done. I got the Rainbow Shell, got Masamune, and apparently attempted Robo's quest, but never finished it. I'm willing to take another crack at it though. Cause like I said, I liked Chrono Trigger, I just felt like it was more quirky than it was a serious story. But I could be wrong and deluded.  :P
Freudian Slip - "When you say one thing, but mean your mother."

Baggins

#35
You missed out on some cool combos! Ayla is actually the most powerful character in the game once she's leveled up, and/or put in Berzerk mode. She has a very high one hit kill chance, and phenomenal agility (she rarely misses)! She is particular useful for killing and leveling off the hard to kill mushroom rock monsters found in ice age zone that try to run away, are very difficult to hit (high agility), and have relatively high defense (1000 Xp a pop iirc). So she is a must have for power leveling.

Lucca can actually be one if the most powerful character in the game with the right equipment, and use of tabs. Particularly on the DS version, with the new weapons. She's better on later play throughs, and particular effective in the Lavos battle (her fire attacks are super damaging). Flare FTW (seriously one of the best spells in the game against bosses)! She can also wear a prism dress, one of the best items in the game access through one of the side quests (Queen Zeal boss fight, or the rainbow shell), which makes her nearly invincible to all magic (it absorbs and heals from all types of magic as well).

Magus has the cool factor (definitely the coolest background and look), but he's slightly overrated! Weak without the magic. He is actually generally the weakest character all around. He is not my first pick for the Lavos battle but he's good for his area damage on regular enemies (for area wide one hit kills). Btw don't miss out on killing magus during a play through for the alternate Glenn ending. Frog's curse is broken! This is one of those area where your actions have direct  consequences!

Marle is great as the best healer of course (but weak fighter), she can also use a prism dress (for near invincibility), so this improves her use as a healer in the final boss battle! Although Chrono can take on that role in later play throughs (he can even single handedly take on Lavos after enough games).

Robo is also insanely powerful once you get his best equipment. Doing upwards 7000hp of damage per hit! He's also a great healer, and has some powerful double tech and triple techs with Lucca.

Frog is cool, but I don't particularly find his tech/spells all that useful (water spells are largely useless end game other than the heal spells). His regular attack is more useful than his spells, but other characters quickly bypass him in usefulness. Especially later on when magic is more useful. He's one of the weakest characters end game second after Magus, but with tabs can made more useful on later play throughs.

I guess it just depend on how you want to play and how difficult you want the game to be. It's not really that hard of a game, but the other characters can be cheap, and make it total cake. As you best it with frog and magus, and I suppose Marle that shows a bit more skill! But less efficiency!
Well, ya, King's Quest is on Earth. Daventry is very old city from a long time ago. It's in ruins now and people aren't quite sure exactly where it used to be. There are some archaeologists searching through the ruins, they think they know its Daventry. But its somewhere on Earth."-Roberta Williams http://kingsquest.wikia.com/wiki/File:Daventryisearth.ogg

Fierce Deity

Honestly, I picked Frog and Magus based on the cool factor. I didn't focus too much on stats, because with enough level-grinding, the entire game can become easy no matter who's in your party. Of course, I haven't played it in awhile and would be willing to try new combinations. I played it once on the SNES, again through a ROM, and then again on the DS. I no longer have any copies of the game, so I might just buy the DS version again if I find it for a cheap price. I had no idea about Ayla and Lucca being so powerful. I just didn't like their characters, so I chose to ignore them.  :-\
Freudian Slip - "When you say one thing, but mean your mother."

Baggins

#37
Well the designers sure liked 'teh sexy ladies', considering how overpowered they are, and have access to some of the best equipment (virtual invincibility)! They even share some of the best double techs and triple techs in the game!
Well, ya, King's Quest is on Earth. Daventry is very old city from a long time ago. It's in ruins now and people aren't quite sure exactly where it used to be. There are some archaeologists searching through the ruins, they think they know its Daventry. But its somewhere on Earth."-Roberta Williams http://kingsquest.wikia.com/wiki/File:Daventryisearth.ogg

Fierce Deity

Getting back on topic, I finished Radiant Historia and I was truly blown away by the story. I won't spoil anything, but there is a "true" ending that can be obtained by finishing 10 specific side quests throughout the game. If it is at all possible, I highly recommend it, because it ties up the loose ends rather well. It's been awhile since I've been moved by an ending like this, and felt like it was necessary to at least inspire anybody who is still working towards the end. I don't believe a game like this will receive a sequel, but I do hope that this developer will continue making great games and writing great stories. I'll have to recommend this game to anybody who is a fan of classic RPGs, owns a DS, and is a fan of time-traveling stories. If you do not qualify for these characteristics, then I still recommend the game to you.  :P
Freudian Slip - "When you say one thing, but mean your mother."

liggy002

Quote from: Fierce Deity on August 08, 2011, 11:18:35 PM
Getting back on topic, I finished Radiant Historia and I was truly blown away by the story. I won't spoil anything, but there is a "true" ending that can be obtained by finishing 10 specific side quests throughout the game. If it is at all possible, I highly recommend it, because it ties up the loose ends rather well. It's been awhile since I've been moved by an ending like this, and felt like it was necessary to at least inspire anybody who is still working towards the end. I don't believe a game like this will receive a sequel, but I do hope that this developer will continue making great games and writing great stories. I'll have to recommend this game to anybody who is a fan of classic RPGs, owns a DS, and is a fan of time-traveling stories. If you do not qualify for these characteristics, then I still recommend the game to you.  :P

It is a fantastic game thus far.  The story is brilliant.