While the power is out, and I can't watch TV...
I might as well read up on the game I will be pining for in however long it takes Squeenix to release Final Fantasy Type-0.
This is what I've found out:
Okay, got a drink? Good!
Characters: There are twelve main characters (Four names remain unknown), with two other playable characters of some level of importance. The twelve heroes pictured in all the group shots are named after the values of playing card. Not all the names are direct English numbers as Trey (Three) and Cinque (Five) are there. So the entire team is part of the Royal Flush gang and Batman will be showing up to fight them any moment! It is unknown if they are 3-Ace or Ace-Queen in numbering. The other two are Machina and Rem. My theory on the names are from the latin phrases 'Deus Ex Machina' and 'Rem acū tangō'. Which translate into "God in the machine" and "I hit the nail on the head" (roughly). No idea if this is of actual value or Square just likes Latin this time around.
Gameplay: So far the focus is on tactics, strategy, movement, and magic. The game controls (known) from screenshots are:
- The four standard face buttons are mapped to four different combat commands. No idea how they vary from character to character, or if they are customizable. The example commands known are Rem's Dancing Dagger, Fire, Thunder, and Cure. Casting higher level Magic is done by holding down the button longer. Leveling up shortens charge times. So Fire-Fira-Firaga are the same button just different durations. Circle commands seem to have an ATB attached to it (or possibly attached to all non-X commands, as X was weapon. Hard to tell without a full site explaining what's what in the game.
- Circle+Triangle does something (at least for Rem), I would suspect Summoning due to the image looking like a horse and rider (Odin), but I can't be certain. Summoning is a short duration controlling a Godlike being of death and destruction around the field to level your enemies. Have fun with that! Given that Odin was confirmed as the summon of Ace waaaay back in the day when it was still Agito XIII, and that the countdown for your Summon lists next to the icon for the horse and rider, Summon is a safe bet for this.
- Dodge Rolling can be done, but no idea what command accesses that. Probably L or R, Lock-on can be done, also no idea what accesses that (Automatic, or L/R). No idea if a Phantasy Star Online/Universe/Portable command pallet shift can be done with L/R to give you four more face button commands. As you can see I'm a world of useful in information.
- Leveling, Accessories, and powering up isn't a strictly linear thing. You can change how your magic and attacks work to better suit you. For instance a lighter damage slow burn effect over a period of time is an option, but you can also turn it into a quick and easy burst of damage. I'm suspecting as this is Squeenix everything will be HEAVY on customization. Just look at the different Accessories set-up and playstyles in Dissidia.
- Gameplay is mission based. You are sent somewhere to do something, and you maneuver over the world map there to do it. Not all missions will be 'slaughter every enemy soldier in sight' but you can choose to start with that, and then do the mission in your own time after your enemies are bloody on the ground.
- Multiplayer is timed and co-op. As you play through a mission you take your whole party (three at a time). As your party is killed new members rush in to take their place. If you run out of people you die, it sucks. If you have a friend with a PSP, you get to have this. Your friend comes into your game for 3 minutes (longer if you guys play it right) to save you from certain doom (giving you another source of help, even if you've exhausted your team). Cool, huh? The helpee gets to not die, and the helper gets a bonus point thing for their game that has yet to be fully explained. No word on a Vs. mode, but that'd be sweet too, here's hoping Squeenix!
The game's plot is still the same as always, Suzaku is invaded by Byakko, death and violence everywhere. Twelve cadets are sent off to fight back for some reason I am sure is explained and does not involve 'the entire army was wiped out in the first wave.' Given the plot info about Machina and Rem I have concerns about the health and welfare of the main characters... which makes me MORE interested in the game. Who needs happy endings right?
I've been lightly sketching and doodling the coat and uniform aspects as best I can (which is poor as the lights are out and I don't draw too often). Trying to figure out a pattern for the coat. I still have the links the lovely SSK gave me for patterns and might get those to start work on this. I might turn the materials for the project into a Birthday present (look at me planning six months ahead... shut up I'm broke), while I just focus on learning to sew these six months and mentally preparing to make this thing. It is a very nice coat, as if Harry Dresden decided to make Organization XIII coats cool.
Anyway, I've rambled enough in the dark and I am REALLY SICK OF MY POWER BEING OUT!
This is what I've found out:
Okay, got a drink? Good!
Characters: There are twelve main characters (Four names remain unknown), with two other playable characters of some level of importance. The twelve heroes pictured in all the group shots are named after the values of playing card. Not all the names are direct English numbers as Trey (Three) and Cinque (Five) are there. So the entire team is part of the Royal Flush gang and Batman will be showing up to fight them any moment! It is unknown if they are 3-Ace or Ace-Queen in numbering. The other two are Machina and Rem. My theory on the names are from the latin phrases 'Deus Ex Machina' and 'Rem acū tangō'. Which translate into "God in the machine" and "I hit the nail on the head" (roughly). No idea if this is of actual value or Square just likes Latin this time around.
Gameplay: So far the focus is on tactics, strategy, movement, and magic. The game controls (known) from screenshots are:
- The four standard face buttons are mapped to four different combat commands. No idea how they vary from character to character, or if they are customizable. The example commands known are Rem's Dancing Dagger, Fire, Thunder, and Cure. Casting higher level Magic is done by holding down the button longer. Leveling up shortens charge times. So Fire-Fira-Firaga are the same button just different durations. Circle commands seem to have an ATB attached to it (or possibly attached to all non-X commands, as X was weapon. Hard to tell without a full site explaining what's what in the game.
- Circle+Triangle does something (at least for Rem), I would suspect Summoning due to the image looking like a horse and rider (Odin), but I can't be certain. Summoning is a short duration controlling a Godlike being of death and destruction around the field to level your enemies. Have fun with that! Given that Odin was confirmed as the summon of Ace waaaay back in the day when it was still Agito XIII, and that the countdown for your Summon lists next to the icon for the horse and rider, Summon is a safe bet for this.
- Dodge Rolling can be done, but no idea what command accesses that. Probably L or R, Lock-on can be done, also no idea what accesses that (Automatic, or L/R). No idea if a Phantasy Star Online/Universe/Portable command pallet shift can be done with L/R to give you four more face button commands. As you can see I'm a world of useful in information.
- Leveling, Accessories, and powering up isn't a strictly linear thing. You can change how your magic and attacks work to better suit you. For instance a lighter damage slow burn effect over a period of time is an option, but you can also turn it into a quick and easy burst of damage. I'm suspecting as this is Squeenix everything will be HEAVY on customization. Just look at the different Accessories set-up and playstyles in Dissidia.
- Gameplay is mission based. You are sent somewhere to do something, and you maneuver over the world map there to do it. Not all missions will be 'slaughter every enemy soldier in sight' but you can choose to start with that, and then do the mission in your own time after your enemies are bloody on the ground.
- Multiplayer is timed and co-op. As you play through a mission you take your whole party (three at a time). As your party is killed new members rush in to take their place. If you run out of people you die, it sucks. If you have a friend with a PSP, you get to have this. Your friend comes into your game for 3 minutes (longer if you guys play it right) to save you from certain doom (giving you another source of help, even if you've exhausted your team). Cool, huh? The helpee gets to not die, and the helper gets a bonus point thing for their game that has yet to be fully explained. No word on a Vs. mode, but that'd be sweet too, here's hoping Squeenix!
The game's plot is still the same as always, Suzaku is invaded by Byakko, death and violence everywhere. Twelve cadets are sent off to fight back for some reason I am sure is explained and does not involve 'the entire army was wiped out in the first wave.' Given the plot info about Machina and Rem I have concerns about the health and welfare of the main characters... which makes me MORE interested in the game. Who needs happy endings right?
I've been lightly sketching and doodling the coat and uniform aspects as best I can (which is poor as the lights are out and I don't draw too often). Trying to figure out a pattern for the coat. I still have the links the lovely SSK gave me for patterns and might get those to start work on this. I might turn the materials for the project into a Birthday present (look at me planning six months ahead... shut up I'm broke), while I just focus on learning to sew these six months and mentally preparing to make this thing. It is a very nice coat, as if Harry Dresden decided to make Organization XIII coats cool.
Anyway, I've rambled enough in the dark and I am REALLY SICK OF MY POWER BEING OUT!