Xboxyde has scored actual in game footage of the would be killer app for Microsoft in Japan, Blue Dragon. Split into two parts, the video shows off the game's graphics and combat system. For the RPG buffs out there, it's worth noting that battles are not random and that enemies can be seen before the player decides to engage them (or not). Beyond that, the game is very nice to look at. We know that a lot of readers will disagree on this point, but these graphics are solid and polished beyond belief. The gameplay, on the other hand, looks fairly standard. There are big chests with items in them, turn-based battles, summoning techniques, and a boss battle (complete with craptastic rawk music).
Granted, the quality of the video makes it difficult to pick apart the intricacies of the combat, but it all looks pretty traditional. Then again, it also looks an awful lot like Dragon Quest -- a game so popular in Japan it's practically a national holiday when a new sequel is released. Will bundling Blue Dragon with a core system be enough to entice Japanese buyers? Only time will tell.
Update: It looks like Xboxyde's servers are getting beaten up by the demand for this video. See the embedded YouTube video after the break.
Update 2: Fixed some weird formatting.
360 at the Tokyo Game Show:
And the mystery XBLA game is ...
Today's TGS Marketplace content
HD-DVD for $170, $250 Core w/ Blue Dragon
1080p for 360! [update 1]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
9-20-2006 @ 2:52PM
suffah said...
Lost Odyssey video looks pretty slick
http://www.thisisgame.com/board/view.php?id=62252&category=8009&subcategory=
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9-20-2006 @ 3:35PM
Les Doodis said...
I don't understand the logic behind bundling this game with a core system. No hard drive to save your game to? Whiskey Tango Foxtrot.
Aside from that, I hope it helps boost sales in the land of the rising sun.
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9-20-2006 @ 4:00PM
Chronos_777 said...
Personally, I think that this game looks great. It brings back fond memories of when RPG were still a niche genre, back during the reign of the SNES. I hope that this games remains faithful to those good ol' days. Graphically it looks fantastic, and I can't wait to wander around the environments that we've seen so far. Well, here's hoping that it won't take too long for it to come out here.
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9-20-2006 @ 4:06PM
bv said...
Xboxyde's servers are getting hammered atm, so someone was nice enough to upload the video to youtube. It works great:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eW6_Jgdi_5U
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9-20-2006 @ 4:39PM
Jim said...
After the pitiful Blue Dragon showing at E3, I was really disappointed with this game and lost interest, thinking it would take years to release. From this video and news of the bundle in Japan, it looks to be much farther along than I had been led to believe and — better yet — it actually looks like a fun game.
I can't tell how lame the dialogue is, but the presentation of the cut scenes definitely held my interest.
I'm excited for this game all over again. Any word on a U.S. release date?
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9-20-2006 @ 9:35PM
Happy said...
I don't see how menu based combat is fun..
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9-20-2006 @ 10:01PM
james f. said...
whoa he attacked that crab in its weak area for massive damage! Is this based on a real battle that took place in ancient japan?
sorry I couldnt resist;)
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9-21-2006 @ 5:23AM
insane_cobra said...
@Happy
Well, trust me, it is for many people and some of them even wonder what's so fun about twitch gaming. Slower, more methodical games provide you with different challenges than those that mostly rely on testing your motoric abilities. It shouldn't come as a surprise that different people prefer different kinds of games.
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9-21-2006 @ 11:22AM
Happy said...
I'm suprised people who like these types of games also bought 360s instead of waiting for Final Fantasy and the PS3..
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9-21-2006 @ 1:16PM
TurboFool said...
Wow, this game's now right at the top of my list.
Oh, and Happy, some of us who enjoy this style of game ALSO enjoy other styles of game and either buy every system (I can't afford to, though) or are sick of Sony's bull (that's me!). So it's nice to know we're not going to have to go this whole gen with that style of game just because we weren't willing to pay Sony's entry fee. Besides, this outdoes any RPG, visually at least, that I've ever seen, so I doubt I'll be disappointed. Hopefully this level of game continues to hit the 360.
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9-21-2006 @ 7:11PM
atomicpondula said...
The footage (seen elsewhere in HD) looks amazing. A real "next gen" feel at last. I actually enjoy this turn/menu based stuff in small doses as it is more fun than you imagine (if you haven't done it before). Knowing you have just set up a sequence of commands that will finish the enememy *IS* fun and those little numbers popping of their heads (and your leveling up) is always addictive. YMMV.
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