|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
||
|
JULY - 11 - 2001 Namco Event brings us heaps of new and even better looking images plus some interesting info. Read what GameSpot had to say about it. (WARNING: POSSIBLE spoilers ... but personally I wouldn't consider then spoilers).
Namco Event: Part 1
Over the weekend, Namco held an event in Tokyo to unveil Xenosaga Episode 1: Der Wille zur Macht for the PlayStation2. The role-playing game is being developed by Monolithsoft, a subsidiary of Namco, which is basically composed of members of the team behind Squaresoft's 1998 RPG, Xenogears. Xenosaga
is divided into three main parts: quest, battle, and event sequences.
Director Tetsuya Takahashi explained that the quest parts are where the
players control the main character on a 3D field map. During these
sequences, a 2D overview map can also be used as a guide, which is located
at the bottom right-hand corner of the screen. Like the battles in Grandia
and SaGa Frontier, the battles in Xenosaga are not random; instead, enemies
are visible on the field map. Though most enemies will pursue you when they
see you, some are sensitive to only sound, meaning that you should walk
slowly and avoid running when you're near them. Further, your party's
formation in battle is dependent on what direction you were facing when the
encounter was initiated. If you are being chased and the enemy catches up
from behind, you will most likely begin the battle at an unfavorable
position. But you can use this mechanic to your advantage if you happen to
spot the enemies first and initiate a first strike. Players can also
interact with the field map to a certain extent. You can destroy objects
around the field and perhaps discover treasure chests--or even hidden
enemies at times. Traps are also present throughout the field, and you'll be
able to use them against nearby enemies. One sequence, for example, has you
lure an enemy into a passage where an object is trapped. Once the enemy is
close enough, you shoot the trapped object, and electric sparks temporarily
disable the enemies' movements. You're then able to walk unharmed past the
enemies and the trap. There
are three party members during battles. The basic mechanics are similar to
those of Xenogears, in which combinations of buttons execute your attacks.
The characters will also learn special attacks and spell-like skills as you
progress through the game. Eventually, you will also acquire mechs, which
can be used during battle only once. The mechs each have eight customizable
parts, and weapons include everything from hand-to-hand combat weapons to
long-ranged artillery. The battle scenes we saw showed Shion, KOS-MOS,
Chaos, and a pink-haired character named Momo. Takahashi's presentation was followed by a behind-the-scenes look at Xenosaga's musical composition. Yasunori Mitsuda--popular for his work on Chrono Trigger and Xenogears--is composing the game's soundtrack, while the actual scores are performed by the London Philharmonic Orchestra, whose past work includes the Star Wars movies. "I have already made 40-50 compositions and [I'm] still going. Because I like music with a strong religious feel to it, the use of Gregorian chants fits with the game's setting," Mitsuda comments. We were given a preview copy of the game's soundtrack, which features the songs "The Miracle" and "Ormus," both of which provided us with a good feel for the game's atmosphere as well. All told, it alluded to a very promising composition, as well as a moving performance.
|
||||
|
© 2001. All Rights Reserved "GameInfo™" is a Copyrighted Trademark of "Double Impact®" Any Illegal Use of This Page's Content is Prohibited |
||||
