Official Soul Nomad thread !!

[Derrick1979]

Yeah I know the people have the one up about the pre-order craze but now that it's out this deserves a thread..

So even though it got lowballed advertising and shadowed by the Halo 3 launch it is the last NIS title that is going to be released on the PS2 at the time until something else if anything get's announced.

So post away about your likes,dislikes or whatever Soul Nomad related..

I will be picking my copy up this afternoon sometime and comment later on what my intial take on this game is...

[T3kN]

I just ordered my copy from Amazon.com.

I can't belive that the freakin guide is almost as much as the game!!!
GRrrrr, its $30! thats the most i've ever seen for a gaming guide that is just coming out.

I didn't order the guide with the game, like I was giong too...
going to see if i can find it cheaper somewhere else, or score a deal somehow.

[refusedchaos]

I just ordered my copy from Amazon.com.

I can't belive that the freakin guide is almost as much as the game!!!
GRrrrr, its $30! thats the most i've ever seen for a gaming guide that is just coming out.

I didn't order the guide with the game, like I was giong too...
going to see if i can find it cheaper somewhere else, or score a deal somehow.

paid $16 for the guide at GC when i picked up the game today

[botticus]

paid $16 for the guide at GC when i picked up the game todaySupposedly GameCrazy's only got as many guides as they had preorders, so you'll have to go early and hope that a) people preordered and b) you've gone to grab the guide before people pick up their preorders or they didn't want the guide.

Was that some sort of game + guide discount? I'd assume GC is at least charging $19.99 for the guide.

[fatbeer]

I have to wait another day. the mom and pop store didn't have it today due to halo madness.

[hohez]

Only 5000 guides printed, and only gamecrazy will have them stocked. Other than that you are stuck ordering, and plunking down $30 for a guide absolutely makes me sick.

Still waiting for both to come in. i didn't even know the game existed until 2 days ago, and i am a huge huge fan of NIS. For this game to have flown under my radar, it must have had the weakest push of any game in the history of gaming.

[aaandrewww]

Not much better but the guide is $26 at the doublejump site.

[botticus]

Not much better but the guide is $26 at the doublejump site.$6.10 shipping. :lol:

[T3kN]

paid $16 for the guide at GC when i picked up the game today

ahh man!
I wish I had one of those where I lived.
Will you send me a copy?

[squid]

there are still 2 guides up for grabs at my local GC.

I picked the game up today! I only popped it in real quick, but I was surprised that the case didn't have a slot for a memory card. The coppies of jackass the game we got into today didn't have one either.

[refusedchaos]

ahh man!
I wish I had one of those where I lived.
Will you send me a copy?

i went back for the other one but the friend who works there bought the other one. we only got 2 in since we only had 2 preorders for the game (me and my friend). if i find another guide, ill let u know ...or u can PM squid since his GC game some guides left

[Fatesealer]

So far, despite only playing one battle, I dig it. Way to recycle sound effects though, NIS... :-P The level up sound alone is ripped straight from Disgaea 2.

[suko_32]

While I'm sure this is a decent/good game, it really feels like they didn't want to spend that much money making this game and guide.

Anyways, I'll try out this game sometime within the next week. I enjoyed Yggdra Union so I should enjoy this as well.

Edit: I guess I'll clarify. I don't mean the actual making of the game, just the other stuff.

[Derrick1979]

So far the only thing I have to frown at was them going to a cheaper DVD case for the game even though it still has the Playstation logo on it lol.. but I guess this late in the PS2's life people are going to cut as much cost as possible.

Game wise oh my! I think that Gig is going on to be #1 in the NIS SRPG bad asses list lol.. I only played for about 2 hours last night but the things he says always get a little chuckle"

So far great game just got to figure out some things yet.. But over all love the new battle system..

Thanks for another Great SRPG NISA....

[dragonreborn23]

My copy is in transit. Can't wait for this one! I'm a little worried, though. There are some strange reviews out there. Some people love the game, others absolutely hate it. (Occasionaly for the same reasons...lol)

[Calamityuponthee]

I picked up the overpriced guide from GC today for 24.99.. so now I have the game/guide.

This game should fall under peoples radars, which kinda sucks. I love all the Ogre Battle comparisons.. music to my ears. Can't wait to play it.

[willardhaven]

A different type of DVD case??

[botticus]

I'm hoping UPS didn't just let my guide get stolen. Usually shipments get signed for by an employee in the office of my building, yet this one says it was delivered to my front door, which it was obviously not. Awesome. Hopefully that just means the delivery guy didn't bother getting a signature.

[refusedchaos]

I picked up the overpriced guide from GC today for 24.99.. so now I have the game/guide.

This game should fall under peoples radars, which kinda sucks. I love all the Ogre Battle comparisons.. music to my ears. Can't wait to play it.


hmm got mine for $16...over charged?

[squid]

He wasn't overcharged, you just got a good deal.
It rings up $24.99, and with my discount I got it for $20. So... you just got lucky!

[Rei no Otaku]

Quick question for those that are playing the game: Do you get more squads as you level up, or as you progress in the game?

Game is a lot of fun so far. I really like the squad system.

[Fatesealer]

Quick question for those that are playing the game: Do you get more squads as you level up, or as you progress in the game?

Game is a lot of fun so far. I really like the squad system.

It's sort of like Disgaea/other NIS titles: you beat specific human troop/monster, you can then recruit it in the Arrange menu. You get more rooms fairly early so you can have more squads out. I usually have rooms with a strong front row and a healer in the rear.

[suko_32]

I'm (kinda) on my second play through :)

[Rei no Otaku]

I'm (kinda) on my second play through :)
Bad ending?

[hohez]

Well, my guide came in today, but still no game. Maybe tomorrow. The guide is shockingly small after the Disgaea 2 guide.

[suko_32]

Bad ending?

Yeah, I had to see it.

[Vinny]

He wasn't overcharged, you just got a good deal.
It rings up $24.99, and with my discount I got it for $20. So... you just got lucky!

But the guide supposedly says $19.99 on the back.

I'm glad I picked mine up when Amazon had it listed for $20. I hate how Amazon marks up anything that's in limited quantities.

[squid]

But the guide supposedly says $19.99 on the back.

I'm glad I picked mine up when Amazon had it listed for $20. I hate how Amazon marks up anything that's in limited quantities.

nah, it says $24.99 on the back. i remember getting a price quote email a week or two before the guide or the game came out and being surprised they were charging that much.

[Suraph]

I, too, got the Bad Ending so I'm on my 'second' play through. How could I say no to gaining 2000 levels instantly?

I'm about 15 hours in and they add extra rooms fairly slowly (I have 5 rooms total, but each is arranged with at least 7 units in them and 2 of them have 8). The rooms are added as you progress through the game, you get a pair pretty quickly and then it slows down as you move on. There's generally no notice about when you can make a new one, just hit "Change" after every map and hope.

My main complaint thus far is that you spend a fair amount of time on the squad page repeatedly hitting the Change button until it gives you a halfway decent configuration in a room with nice abilities. It would have been nice if you had a bit more control over the room designs, or at the very least could disable certan room types (do they seriously expect us to use the "you explode on turn 3" design in anything other than a masochistic "super challenge" run or whatever?)

Beyond that, it's excellent. The Ogre Battle comparisons are very accurate and the story is classic NIS insanity. This sucker is going to be in my PS2 for a long time to come (especially since I won't have to swap Disgaea in and out once the PSP game comes out :))

[Vinny]

I just got the game and guide today and... they're really light. I know someone said the case was cheap but it also feels like there's only a disc and a very thin manual in there. Those who have it opened, is the manual really thin?

I'm still kinda on the fence about this... I'd hoping that I'm able to find a used copy before my 30 day return policy is up so I'm keeping it sealed until then.

So to those of you who've played it, how is it? How long does it take to beat (since some of you are already talking about endings) and how difficult is it? I'm kinda pondering on what to play... I just got back into Odin Sphere after a long hiatus and I really don't wanna start another long and difficult game.

[Rei no Otaku]

I just got the game and guide today and... they're really light. I know someone said the case was cheap but it also feels like there's only a disc and a very thin manual in there. Those who have it opened, is the manual really thin?

I'm still kinda on the fence about this... I'd hoping that I'm able to find a used copy before my 30 day return policy is up so I'm keeping it sealed until then.

So to those of you who've played it, how is it? How long does it take to beat (since some of you are already talking about endings) and how difficult is it? I'm kinda pondering on what to play... I just got back into Odin Sphere after a long hiatus and I really don't wanna start another long and difficult game.
Yeah the manual is a bit light.

As for people talking about endings, they're not real endings like what you're probably thinking of. They're the "bad" endings. Basically at certain points in the story you'll be given a choice that can lead you to a bad ending. I don't know if you ever played Suikoden 5, but that game had one too. When you're asked to become king, and you accept, the game ends. It's like that. Don't worry though, they warn you beforehand.

It's not hard. It's probably the easiest of these NIS strat/RPGs I've played, and also the one I've been enjoying the most so far. I never really got too much into Disgaea or La Pucelle, but I really like this game.

[Dead of Knight]

I never really got too much into Disgaea or La Pucelle, but I really like this game.
I'll know to avoid this game then. :lol: I really liked Disgaea and La Pucelle.

[Derrick1979]

I'll know to avoid this game then. :lol: I really liked Disgaea and La Pucelle.


I still think you should buy it, I have and love all the NIS games and I am also really enjoying this one as well. What I think people are having issues with is that the way you fight and the way the characters are handled are completely different then previous games.

And im sure alot of people picked this one up thinking it was in the same stlye and were in for a shock.

Gig's comments to people sometimes makes this game worth it alone... But the fighting in this game is great ...

[Vinny]

Yeah the manual is a bit light.

As for people talking about endings, they're not real endings like what you're probably thinking of. They're the "bad" endings. Basically at certain points in the story you'll be given a choice that can lead you to a bad ending. I don't know if you ever played Suikoden 5, but that game had one too. When you're asked to become king, and you accept, the game ends. It's like that. Don't worry though, they warn you beforehand.

It's not hard. It's probably the easiest of these NIS strat/RPGs I've played, and also the one I've been enjoying the most so far. I never really got too much into Disgaea or La Pucelle, but I really like this game.

I figured as much but I'd think a game like this would have a huge manual.

Good hear that it's not too tough... I might play this game during Xmas then between Smash Bros and Brawl and who knows whatever else.

[Layd Dly]

Well since the guide is no where to be found by me (no gc's) i just bought the game/guide bundle on rosenqueen to save a little money but it was still $67.xx for both. Seemed to be the only way to get the guide at an aalmost reasonable price. Hope its worth it.

[Gara]

I just started playing this game today and ran into something odd. I'm at battle 1-5 where bandits are introduced and I just got my ass handed to me by some devil bandit named Mike.
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n17/garasensei/th_supermike.jpg (http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n17/garasensei/supermike.jpg)
He isn't in the guide so I am guessing I triggered a bug of some sort? He is the devourer of worlds. Didn't quite get it all in the picture but his his POT was 2,238,456.

Edit: When the round starts the unit is fine but as soon as he does his fade crap the unit turns into the demi god. Gotten it 3 times in a row now.

Edit: Damn it all. I can't seem to stop the bug from happening. Tried changing up my squad, decor, etc. Guy keeps bugging out everytime I start the fight. Going to try again in the morning.

[Dead of Knight]

Here is a Gamefaqs thread about it: http://boards.gamefaqs.com/gfaqs/genmessage.php?board=935509&topic=38553296

[freshzen]

Just got back from Game Crazy...

Paid $19.99 for the guide & $31.99 for the game O_O

[Gara]

Just got back from Game Crazy...

Paid $19.99 for the guide & $31.99 for the game O_O

was 31.99 a used price? Just got a new copy the other day and it was 39.99

[fatbeer]

Can someone who owns the guide list the requirements to get each ending. On one of message board, a person posted that affection level or those exclamation point have impact on final outcome of ending. I don't want to waste my time doing trial and error for each conversation.

[freshzen]

was 31.99 a used price? Just got a new copy the other day and it was 39.99

Not it was sealed in plastic (and will likely stay that way..). It was an error by the employee. I got 20% off the game and guide :)

This isn't the first time its happened there, I had $20 down on Luminous Arc and they accidently doubled the $20 and I didn't have the pay an extra $15, but rather ended up with an extra $5 left on my account :)

Crazy bastards, no wonder they go through employees so fast, they don't pay attention to what they're doing. I think in their mind they're just thinking about just getting me out the door so they can go back to playing Guitar Hero >__<

[T3kN]

Not it was sealed in plastic (and will likely stay that way..). It was an error by the employee. I got 20% off the game and guide :)

This isn't the first time its happened there, I had $20 down on Luminous Arc and they accidently doubled the $20 and I didn't have the pay an extra $15, but rather ended up with an extra $5 left on my account :)

Crazy bastards, no wonder they go through employees so fast, they don't pay attention to what they're doing. I think in their mind they're just thinking about just getting me out the door so they can go back to playing Guitar Hero >__<

They let them play videogames while there working?
Woooow, now I can see why people like working there. I've never seen an EB/GB employee playing a videogame while working.

[hohez]

So my copy finally came in yesterday. Estimated delivery date Sep 28 my ass.

Anyway, I'm 4 and a half hours in, on my second cycle. Is it just me or are NIS games getting too long winded for their own good. I want to get the storyline when i play, but with each game they release, the dialogue seems to go on longer and longer.

Disgaea and Phantom Brave had a nice balance, but it seems since Makai on, half the time I want the character to cut the shit and get to fighting.

I find myself losing interest in the game during some of these big conversations. I love the battle system so far. It's easy, but it's different than their usual attempt at same but 1 changed mechanic.

[Gara]

So my copy finally came in yesterday. Estimated delivery date Sep 28 my ass.

Anyway, I'm 4 and a half hours in, on my second cycle. Is it just me or are NIS games getting too long winded for their own good. I want to get the storyline when i play, but with each game they release, the dialogue seems to go on longer and longer.

Disgaea and Phantom Brave had a nice balance, but it seems since Makai on, half the time I want the character to cut the shit and get to fighting.

I find myself losing interest in the game during some of these big conversations. I love the battle system so far. It's easy, but it's different than their usual attempt at same but 1 changed mechanic.

I'm just the opposite on this game. Too much pointless fighting and not enough story! The AI is just awful on the enemy units so you end up having to spend 10 turns just walking to each enemy because you're apparently not a big enough threat for them to move towards you. Also apparently none of them know how to retreat either, lets send that lone cleric against the 9 man cell!

The game kind of reminds me of ogre battle but I wish it implemented a few more of the ogre battle elements. For example it would be nice to kill a foe and have them stay dead after a killing blow. There is zero sense of accomplishment at the end of the battle because you know darn well that the jerks are just going to rise again at the end of the round to taunt you and bug you later in the game.


Anyways, looking at the game for what it is and not what it could be, it's not a bad game. I didn't feel very drawn into the story but there was quite a few amusing moments to keep me going. Heroman had me busting out laughing (H for Hentai!)

[fatbeer]

Anyway, I'm 4 and a half hours in, on my second cycle. Is it just me or are NIS games getting too long winded for their own good. I want to get the storyline when i play, but with each game they release, the dialogue seems to go on longer and longer.

Disgaea and Phantom Brave had a nice balance, but it seems since Makai on, half the time I want the character to cut the shit and get to fighting.

I find myself losing interest in the game during some of these big conversations. I love the battle system so far. It's easy, but it's different than their usual attempt at same but 1 changed mechanic.

Agreed, the dialog in this game is way too long, it totally threw off my rhythm. You get enormous dialog speeches after each battle, they may last from four to nine minutes. It took me 17 hours to beat this game (without any level griding) and 11 of those hours are storyline sequences. It didn't matter to me as long as you enjoy the story. I wish those scenes are much shorter.

Can some list the ending requirements for this game? I got six of them-Danette, Endorph, Early Ending by submitting to Gig, Asagi, Both Demon Path Ending.

[Gara]

Agreed, the dialog in this game is way too long, it totally threw off my rhythm. You get enormous dialog speeches after each battle, they may last from four to nine minutes. It took me 17 hours to beat this game (without any level griding) and 11 of those hours are storyline sequences. It didn't matter to me as long as you enjoy the story. I wish those scenes are much shorter.

Can some list the ending requirements for this game? I got six of them-Danette, Endorph, Early Ending by submitting to Gig, Asagi, Both Demon Path Ending.
The ending go by a point system. 15 epilogue endings total all dealing with the 10 main character and which gender your character is. Whoever has the highest points by the end of the game gets the ending. If you are tied you get Danettes ending.

Points are raised through dialog choices and combo skills with characters. So just go crazy in combo skills with the character you want an ending for. According to the guide dialog choices usually give between 2-3 points while combo skills give 1 point for everytime you use them.

The following may contain spoilers

The following characters have their own ending
Gig
Danette
Levin
Vitali
Juno
Grunzford
Tricia
Odie
Endorph
Layna
Gig, Danette, Levin, and Juno are all gender dependant endings.

Key points from the guide
-The character's epilogue you get is determined by who has the most Epilogue Points.
-You can only get Gig's epilogue by making decisions that increase his Epilogue Points.
-You can gain one epilogue point for a charcter each time they perform a combo skill that vinolves the protagonist
-Make a seperate save file immeditatly after battle 10-3 to work on getting Levin's epilogue. (Just before levin leaves)
-Make another seperate save file immediately after battle 10-4 to work on getting Endorph's epilogue. (just before endorph leaves)
-Save the game after battle 11-6 and use random dungeons to work on gettings the characers' epilogues
-Start a new cycle and repeat the process for alternative gender epilogues

Hope that helps

[fatbeer]

Thx, Gara! I was doing it the hard way, replying each cycle then pick a certain character dialog choices.

Just spamming combo skills is much easier then reply it over and over again.


look like i got a long way to go
http://youtube.com/user/TheCockCrew

[Gara]

Thx, Gara! I was doing it the hard way, replying each cycle then pick a certain character dialog choices.

Just spamming combo skills is much easier then reply it over and over again.


look like i got a long way to go
http://youtube.com/user/TheCockCrew

Whoa! Watched the Juno one and actually recoiled in shock when I heard her english voice. Gig is also kind of shocking. Thanks for the link

Edit: Ugh I can't even watch them despite how curious I am. Maybe I am just being dramatic but those voice actors just took all the emotion out of the scenes for me.

Edit: Good lord the english voice acting turned tragic scenes into things that almost sound like comedy! Stay away from the english track! Run for your lives!

Demon path story spoiler warning
I rushed through my first time to get demon mode in hopes of being able to kill off all the people who annoyed me in the game but demon mode just felt tragic to me. When I heard Tricia first speak in her baby voice (They didn't go into specifics but it wasn't hard to guess what was done to her) I actually got a little teary eyed. The whole path was very sad but it was well worth playing. I hope anyone who reads this got to experience it with the original voices. I listened to a scene on youtube and it just didn't feel the same.



Can some list the ending requirements for this game? I got six of them-Danette, Endorph, Early Ending by submitting to Gig, Asagi, Both Demon Path Ending.

How did you go about getting the demon path ending where you have to beat that map full of nasty groups? It was only my second play through the game so I was only level 75. I had to work out an elaborate strategy using the "no one can target you for 3 rounds" decor and a second group to buff me while I took out the level 120s. Stupid map spells....

[fatbeer]

Two words quickly sum up for easy power up, Secret Guide. First, level up your decor shop to level 10 to purchase secret guide. It gives 5 times more xp (or maximum of 10 times more xp if you level up your rooms) ,but decrease your stats by half. It's totally worth it for the sheer amount of xp you will gain. For other decors, equip either silent walk, protein shake, decor item that decrease damage or increase from higher level monsters, power up or living now. After setting up your decor, start off slow by inspecting lower end rooms, even the small level monsters will net you good experience with secret guide. Then gradually work your way up with higher inspection floors. Upgrade your leader stats such as range, fur, agi to help speed run on inspections. Soon you realize your gaining 5+ level for each floor.

When your pretty level you can fight the item god for cat cradle. The cat cradle give you 20% + on all stats for each cycle, not to mention it is a great place to level. Watch out, the monsters there are really strong ranging from 2000+. You can easily boost up your Cat Cradle by submitting to Gig on map 4 or beat Asagi.

I got 99,999 attack at level 2000 with the help 8th cycle Cat Cradle, Protein shake, power up and use leader spell that increase attack by 50%. Sigh, I need to finish the female endings. I hope I can finish that tonight.


Yeah, dub voice never sound nature if there not in there native country. Have you every seen America show in Asian country's like Simpsons or Spiderman? Awful!

[Vinny]

Sorry to bump this old ass topic... but anyone else starting to think that the Soul Nomad guide wasn't really limited to 5000 copies at all?

I preordered the game and guide from Amazon and have long since received both. I was just at Amazon and noticed they recommended the guide to me. And also noticed that they had it in stock. And so does RosenQueen. And DoubleJump's online store.

Either we were lied to or this guide actually sold less than 5000 copies. I kinda find the latter hard to believe though...

[suko_32]

I feel like they lied too...

[Derrick1979]

Sorry to bump this old ass topic... but anyone else starting to think that the Soul Nomad guide wasn't really limited to 5000 copies at all?

I preordered the game and guide from Amazon and have long since received both. I was just at Amazon and noticed they recommended the guide to me. And also noticed that they had it in stock. And so does RosenQueen. And DoubleJump's online store.

Either we were lied to or this guide actually sold less than 5000 copies. I kinda find the latter hard to believe though...

I think it was the old "limited" scheme that was put in front of things this year to boost lagging retail sales and what better format is there to hook people with "limited" slogan than in games.. The biggest criminal for using this title this year though had to be Halo 3 Legendary bundle lol..... Oh well we are all suckers sometimes..

It is funny though I forgot all about creating this topic, I beat the game once and almost beat it on a second play on the "Bad" mode and just lost interest.. probably one of my least played NIS titles in my collection..

[fatbeer]

They either slap limited edition to drive sales. Or perhaps the guide is selling bad? Doublejump have 17 guides in their store and 26 Soul Nomad Bundles in NIS store. (i tired adding 999 and it gave me 17 on double and 26 on nis)

[hohez]

They either slap limited edition to drive sales. Or perhaps the guide is selling bad? Doublejump have 17 guides in their store and 26 Soul Nomad Bundles in NIS store. (i tired adding 999 and it gave me 17 on double and 26 on nis)

This game went completely off the radar, it wouldn't surprise me if the guide moved less than 5k copies.

[Vinny]

This game went completely off the radar, it wouldn't surprise me if the guide moved less than 5k copies.

Yeah, that part I understand because... I don't think I ever even saw it in any store now that I think about it. And didn't EB/GS decide not to carry it or something? That might've hurt sales.

When I try to add it in my cart at RosenQueen (the guide alone), they say it's OOS but at DJ's online store it says 147 left. And Amazon lets you add 999 copies so they're no help... or they actually have 999+ copies left available.:-|