Operation Darkness - Demo out now!

[RelentlessRolento]

http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/16/atlus-usa-publishing-spectral-force-3-operation-darkness-for-xb/


I've been very intrigued in Operation Darkness ever since it was first shown a long ass while back... I hope it kicks ass since I love the setting.

[Rei no Otaku]

That's awesome. I was hoping someone would bring Operation Darkness over. Also glad to see Atlus on board with the 360!

[dimeadz]

I looked at a few screens for Operation Darkness. What is Spectral Forces 3 about? I wonder if these will be in the 39.99 price range.

[RelentlessRolento]

for those wondering... operation darkness:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=E0qz_EtpKpU

[yukine]

I'm also very interested in Operation Darkness, the style and setting is rad.

[62t]

If Spectral Force 3 is like dea Factory's other game it is going to be average at best.

[AdvOfJet]

Glad to hear about Operation Darkness as well. Been hoping for a release ever since I saw the first vid from the Japanese release.

[Jesus_S_Preston]

Wow, Operation Darkness intrigues the hell out of me.

[Jimbo Slice]

What kind of game is Operation Darkness? Looks like Fire Emblem blended with CoD.

[RelentlessRolento]

What kind of game is Operation Darkness? Looks like Fire Emblem blended with CoD.


you're very close. It's basically a strategy RPG, so very much so like fire emblem but in a cooler WWII mystical setting (IMHO). The only other game that I can think of that is similar in some ways is Valkyrie of the Battlefield, but with more emphasis on the strategy aspect.

[Puffa469]

An SRPG on the 360 where you fight Nazis? And Wolf Headed Nazis? And cute Nazi girls?

Im sooooo there! :D

[darthbudge]

Operation Darkness looks freakin awesome. I can't wait.

[Ice2Dragon]

Operation darkness is gonna be freaking tight..

I seriously want culdecept saga.. keeps getting delayed.. damnit -_-V

[Bretts31344]

Operation Darkness looks awesome. I wanted a SRPG on 360. Fire Emblem (Wii) should keep me occupied for a while though.

[Jesse_Dylan]

There's an Operation Darkness demo out in Japan on their Xbox Live, and it's in English with Japanese voices. I just made a Japanese account to try to download it, and it told me I can't download it from my current location. Which doesn't make sense, because I can download any of the other demos (grabbing Trusty Bell right now). I think I can download their Xbox Originals, too (they have a few Japan-only ones that might be of interest to us), but I didn't want to spend $15... or 2000 yen... or 1200 Xbox points of whatever it is... to find out at the moment. Maybe I would if I didn't have such a dinky hard drive!

All in all, I feel like giving someone the finger right now. :(

I think I'm going to start a new thread, either "Operation Darkness Demo" or "Downloading Japanese Xbox Live content from US system?". What do you guys think? I want help and to see if this is possible. I'd really like to try the demo. Although I guess it's coming out here eventually anyway, so I dunno why I'm so up in arms.

[Draekon]

There's an Operation Darkness demo out in Japan on their Xbox Live, and it's in English with Japanese voices. I just made a Japanese account to try to download it, and it told me I can't download it from my current location. Which doesn't make sense, because I can download any of the other demos (grabbing Trusty Bell right now). I think I can download their Xbox Originals, too (they have a few Japan-only ones that might be of interest to us), but I didn't want to spend $15... or 2000 yen... or 1200 Xbox points of whatever it is... to find out at the moment. Maybe I would if I didn't have such a dinky hard drive!

All in all, I feel like giving someone the finger right now. :(

I think I'm going to start a new thread, either "Operation Darkness Demo" or "Downloading Japanese Xbox Live content from US system?". What do you guys think? I want help and to see if this is possible. I'd really like to try the demo. Although I guess it's coming out here eventually anyway, so I dunno why I'm so up in arms.

Newly made accounts (that have temporary gold), 48 hour trial accounts, and silver accounts have to wait a week to download new content now. So next saturday I think will be the date it will be available to everyone.

As for Xbox Originals from the Japanese Live Marketplace, don't bother. While I'm not 100% certain, I would gamble that the games are still region locked and will not play on other regions consoles.

[halfbent]

I know the Originals are region locked, I don't think any demos are however. It IS restricted to Gold still tho. =\

[Jesse_Dylan]

Newly made accounts (that have temporary gold) and silver accounts have to wait a week to download new content now. So next saturday I think will be the date it will be available to everyone.

As for Xbox Originals from the Japanese Live Marketplace, don't bother. While I'm not 100% certain, I would gamble that the games are still region locked and will not play on other regions consoles.

But if it was an issue of silver versus gold, wouldn't it tell me so instead of saying something along the lines of "you can't download this item from your current location"? And how does it know my location anyway? I set up a Japanese account and told it I was in Tokyo. Does it check my IP? Or is there something about my system that flags it?

You might be right about the Xbox Originals still being region-locked. What a shame that would be to download a $15 game and not be able to play it! So far it's just Puyo Puyo Fever and Magatama anyway, but still...

Thanks for the reply, though. :) I don't know if it's the morning coffee or what, but I'm really hyped about this in one manner or another. I wish all this region-locking didn't exist. What's so evil about an American gamer having access to Japanese stuff and vice versa? (Mostly all the Japanese get are our games anyway. No wonder the 'Box doesn't sell there.)

[Jesse_Dylan]

I know the Originals are region locked, I don't think any demos are however. It IS restricted to Gold still tho. =\
Ah, so they are region-locked. Man, I was so excited, too. :(

About the gold/silver thing, wouldn't it have made mention of that to me rather than telling me my location was the problem? Or maybe not even display the demo at all if I'm not gold?

Off-topic, but I wonder if we would run into similar situations accessing the Japanese PSN from an American system? They have a ton of PSOne games to download, for instance, and unlike the Xbox 360, there are a lot of odd Japanese games I'd love to try. (At least PS3 games themselves aren't region-locked!)

[Draekon]

But if it was an issue of silver versus gold, wouldn't it tell me so instead of saying something along the lines of "you can't download this item from your current location"? And how does it know my location anyway? I set up a Japanese account and told it I was in Tokyo. Does it check my IP? Or is there something about my system that flags it?

If you look at mine (http://live.xbox.com/en-US/profile/profile.aspx?pp=0&GamerTag=Aaogan), right below the gamertags motto it says the location your IP resolves from. It's possible to mask it make it think you're from another area too.

Why yours says region blocked, I don't know. It could be newer foreign accounts are blocked on newer content. I think I remember reading something close to that, but not entirely sure. It was probably shortly after the Eternal Sonata demo was released in japan I believe.

Anyways mine specifically says:
- The item is currently for Xbox LIVE Gold members only. Silver members can check again in a few days or upgrade to an Xbox LIVE Gold Membership.

Thanks for the reply, though. :) I don't know if it's the morning coffee or what, but I'm really hyped about this in one manner or another. I wish all this region-locking didn't exist. What's so evil about an American gamer having access to Japanese stuff and vice versa? (Mostly all the Japanese get are our games anyway. No wonder the 'Box doesn't sell there.)

There's a reason but I don't distinctly remember, I believe part of it had to do with PAL television. At least handhelds, PS3 and PC don't suffer this problem, but it would be better if the Wii and 360 had everything region free too. Though I don't know how well importing stuff outside of europe would work in europe on the PS3. This isn't really the place for such discussion though.

[Jesse_Dylan]

Right, I suppose that PAL/NTSC difference does present a problem. What a pain that would be!

Well, I tried clicking your gamer card, but it didn't show me your motto or your IP or anything. Maybe I have to check you on my 'box for that? Do you have your IP masked? Will I most likely have to do this?

So maybe if I wait a week, I'll be able to get it. So strange. I should be getting the silver/gold error, not the location one...

CheapyD of all people actually e-mailed me and said some content is locked based upon IP. But if that were the case, like you said, I should be able to mask my IP.

Hmm. Sigh. Why do they make it such a hassle? :(

[Jesse_Dylan]

I just noticed that Weekly Famitsu reviewed the Japanese version with scores of 6/6/6/5. OUCH... What a letdown. Why does Atlus pick up games for localization that get such awful Japanese reviews? If Japanese gamers don't like a game, with rare exceptions, we won't either.

[Rei no Otaku]

Because reviews aren't right for everyone?

[Jesse_Dylan]

Because reviews aren't right for everyone?

Yeah, but I mean, you can only do so much. It's not as subjective as movies or a book a painting. One person's garbage isn't exactly another person's treasure here.

I'm just saying you'd think they'd want to release games that would have a better chance of making them money, especially since they really cater to the hardcore. Stuff like Odin Sphere and Persona 3, definitely, but something that's barely getting more than a 60% overall score?

Trust me, I want Operation Darkness to be awesome and to succeed as much as anyone. I want Atlus to succeed, too. The stuff they bring over, for the most part, represents the quirky kind of Japanese gaming that I desperately want.

[Rei no Otaku]

Well, two things.

First, Atlus probably licensed the game before the score came out. So even if it did score badly they're not going to waste the money they spent on the license. Not to mention disappoint people who are now anticipating the game. Atlus does low print runs anyway, most of the time.

Second, of course it's subjective. I could go on and on about games I love that scored horribly, and games I hate that scored amazingly. I would hate to see a game not get localized due to its score with a reviewer.

[dallow]

Good news, hope they bring out more of the few Japan only 360 games.

[62t]

I dont see how the NTSC or PAL TV standard is a factor for console games to be region locked. The xbox 360 (and xbox) can display in NTSC or PAL tv without any problem. A bigger reason would be the different pricing in each region and different publishers owning the rights to a game at different region.

Atlus has been releasing a lot of games with mix reviews like Izuna, Contact, and Touch Detective. Most people also dont think Famitsu has any creditability after they give Gundam Crossfire 8/8/8/8

[lbradeen]

Text from the Atlus mailing list ::

What do you get when you combine World War II Germany, Nazis, vampires, zombies, and werewolves?

Well, you either get one heck of a Halloween party, or you get the awesome strategy RPG for Xbox 360®, Operation Darkness.

Take on Hitler and his occult legions as you battle to save the world from the jaws of oppression and tyranny!

Your campaign will take you into a variety of missions across Europe. Failure could mean the end of all things (There's a reason it's not called "Operation Lightness").



screenshots ::

http://www.atlus.com/temp/od5b.jpg (http://www.atlus.com/temp/od5.jpg)
http://www.atlus.com/temp/od2b.jpg (http://www.atlus.com/temp/od2.jpg)
http://www.atlus.com/temp/od3b.jpg (http://www.atlus.com/temp/od3.jpg)
http://www.atlus.com/temp/od4b.jpg (http://www.atlus.com/temp/od4.jpg)

Forgot the link to the official site:: http://www.atlus.com/operationdarkness/home.html

[fart_bubble]

looks pretty

[mogshaz]

Yes please.

[Wyatt]

I haven't played too many good SPRG's on consoles in the last while (Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn) being the main exception, but this looks pretty okay. Some of the screens are a little rough but if the gameplay's good I'll likely purchase it.

[lbradeen]

The screens are weird, they're 1920x1080 (1080p) but the game should be 720p at most so the pics are going to look a little blocky.

[Noodle Pirate!]

rats, I didnt know it was an atlus game : (
I'm really torn on it, I love the way it sounds, I love ww2 alternate history. I wasn't too impressed by some of the gameplay vids I have seen of it though. Some of it looks last gen.
Defintely going to get it though since I doubt they will print that many and I dont want to regret NOT getting it later when its overpriced on ebay. (damn you Atlus!)

[tokitoki50]

Nazis and Werewolves AND SRPG GAMEPLAY!?

This could be my new favorite game for the 360

[Layd Dly]

Im in. I also got the email yesterday.

[PleasantOne]

So has anyone else tried this out? I know most of you are probably busy with GTA IV.

http://www.atlus.com/operationdarkness/home.html

"Enter an alternate WWII-era world where history and fantasy collide! Leading an army of ruthless officers and unearthly creatures, Adolf Hitler marches through Europe, leaving behind a trail of death and destruction. With his powers on the rise and his armies on the move, it falls on you and your team of elite soldiers to cut deep into the heart of the Third Reich and strike a fatal blow to Hitlers ever-growing legion of evil!"

I gave it a try today. I'm not much on strategy RPGs, but I found myself liking it. At first it struck me as tedious but quickly grew to be addicting. It sounds incredibly quirky, but I didn't see much of that in the demo. How does everyone else feel about it?

I'm excited to seem games like this coming to 360, hopefully there'll be more good things to come from Atlus after these first two releases.

[kevzik]

Dled it, but haven't tried it. The description sounds interesting. Havent played an RPG since my ps2 days...this may be my first.

[apokalipze2]

I liked it. Although the strategy element kinda throws me off, I could still see myself playing this

[Metalic]

The camera sucks ass :bomb:

[fart_bubble]

The camera sucks ass :bomb:

I'll second that, it was a bitch every time I to swing the camera around to figure out where to place my guys. But even with that, I really dug the demo.

[PleasantOne]

I'll second that, it was a bitch every time I to swing the camera around to figure out where to place my guys. But even with that, I really dug the demo.


I'll third it... I hate how it spins in seemingly random directions, so you have no idea which way you're pointing. This wouldn't bother me as much if the camera was easier to control, though - so twitchy, and it won't stay where you put it, either.

I wonder if it would be too late for them to fix that? I really liked it all in all, but the camera was irritating.

[fart_bubble]

I'll third it... I hate how it spins in seemingly random directions, so you have no idea which way you're pointing. This wouldn't bother me as much if the camera was easier to control, though - so twitchy, and it won't stay where you put it, either.

I wonder if it would be too late for them to fix that? I really liked it all in all, but the camera was irritating.

thank god for the orange arrows pointing at the enemies otherwise I would have been completly fucked.

And another thing that kinda bugged me was the mission having I guess you could say "false finishes". Its slightly annoying to think that your almost done with the mission only to have more people come out of the woodwork and to top it off, that happens twice. I'm hoping thats just the one misson and not a trend for the whole game

[PleasantOne]

thank god for the orange arrows pointing at the enemies otherwise I would have been completly fucked.

And another thing that kinda bugged me was the mission having I guess you could say "false finishes". Its slightly annoying to think that your almost done with the mission only to have more people come out of the woodwork and to top it off, that happens twice. I'm hoping thats just the one misson and not a trend for the whole game


Yes! That really does throw off the strategy aspect. I was trying to flank the first set of guy's, and then I ended up having two guy's on their own to the side that sorta got screwed when the reinforcements came. I also blew all my bazooka ammo since I wasn't really expecting that to happen!

I guess it's not all that different from other games... I remember all those times in COD, with the Opels trucking in the endless hordes of Nazis... but then, like I said, this is a strategy game, so there should be a difference.

I can live with it, but I just hope it's not a sign of a short game.. them putting it in to make you have to replay missions and string the gameplay out.

A game like this is bound to have save options, right? I've never played anything like this before... but I would think it would almost have to, it takes such a long time.

Has anyone heard anything about local multiplayer on this? I can't seem to find anything about it.

[mxpowar]

Just played the demo. I like it. The graphics are better than any SRPG before it, which isn't saying much, I know. However, I didn't like the camera at all and the enemy reinforcements were annoying, too. I remember Suikoden Tactics did the same thing and it was very annoying. Anyway, I hope it doesn't happen throughout the game because then it'll become a little frustrating.

[RelentlessRolento]

I have yet to play the demo, but even if the game has lackluster visuals, the overall premesis and gameplay intrigues the hell outa me.

[akilshohen]

the reinforcements was REALLY annoying, coupled with the objective to not kill someone brung the game down a few notches. there should of also been a view so that the game would be similar to Shining force. I couldn't tell which direction my enemies were coming from.

[Monsta Mack]

Wasn't a fan of the demo. I enjoyed games like DIsagea and FFTactics but not this.

[Admiral Moo]

I liked it a lot and will definitely be following this game as it gets closer to release here.

Yes the camera was annoying, but I can live with it. The reinforcements scarred the hell out of me when I thought I was done, but I think it was fun to suddenly have to reposition your forces to deal with a new threat. Makes it a bit more realistic.

Don't forget to rob the bodies of dead Nazis! They've got all sorts of goodies on them!

[j.elles]

Definetly better then the last SRPG from Atlus I played, Stella Deus.

I agree I hope they work on the camera but overall it doesnt break the game. The voice acting wasnt bad. The setting is fairly original for Japanese SRPGs.

If Atlus can knock this and the other SRPG they have coming to the 360 exclusivly out of the park and they perform well then microsoft will definetly have something else to load into their advertising gun to use against Sony.

[Jesse_Dylan]

If Atlus can knock this and the other SRPG they have coming to the 360 exclusivly out of the park and they perform well then microsoft will definetly have something else to load into their advertising gun to use against Sony.

That won't happen. :) Atlus titles are way too niche for that. 360 gamers want epic 'splosions and racing and blood and guts and guns. They probably won't even press more than 60,000 copies of the game. They're not expecting any kind of blockbuster.

I just want some quality Japanese games. :( So I'm glad to hear you say it's better than Stella Deus (which I also played but hardly remember--if I recall, it wasn't great by any means, but it was a fun time).

We'll just have to see when it comes out. The setting, yes, very original. I seriously want this game to be great, but its mediocre Japanese reviews worry me. Not to mention some of the (seemingly justified) criticism of the demo we're seeing here. Sounds sadly iffy.

[j.elles]

Even bad games on 360 sell well. Vampire Rain sold 100,000

I have hopes this will find a market.

[Jesse_Dylan]

Even bad games on 360 sell well. Vampire Rain sold 100,000

I have hopes this will find a market.

You're right. But Vampire Rain had the kind of appeal that attracts... some. Enough to sell 100,000 copies, like you said. I don't think this game has that kind of appeal.

No worries, though. Atlus isn't stupid. They know what they're doing (although I do wish they'd pick up games of higher quality to translate). They will print what will sell, or even a little less, and if they have to, they'll print more. Atlus games are always tough to find, a real bane for cheap asses! They seem to actually go up in price after release, not down! But that's because they're clever. :)

Anyway, even Blue Dragon, for instance, didn't sell well at all, and they were actually planning for that one to sell. Eternal Sonata... Just not stuff the average 360 gamer is interested in. Vampire Rain, on the other hand, is much more flashy.

Lost Odyssey seems to have sold all right, which is nice. It did have a large ad campaign, though, and it's cooler looking than poor Blue Dragon.

Let's not give up hope yet! But the odds of seeing something akin to the blockbuster Final Fantasy VII was back in 1997 are basically nill. If it happens, it'll probably be on PS3. But that's okay with me. I'll buy a PS3 if it starts getting all kinds of cool JRPGs.

[insertcleverthing]

I hope they fix that janky-ass camera which pretty much killed the experience alone.

[Monsta Mack]

http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/883/883699p1.html

EPIC. FAIL.

[yukine]

Wow, that's horrible.

I knew it was when I played the demo though, haha.

[Spybreak8]

Yea I just played the demo on my OXM disc and I was thinking why am I doing this I can play Company of Heroes lol. Nah its ok if you're into these games I guess but I found the reinforcements annoying, camera was awkward, not letting certain party members die sucked and the turns took forever. Wow how could you go wrong with Guns, Nazis and transforming into monsters!?

[yukine]

I know, I was really excited for it until I played it.

If they fixed the camera and made it a bit more fast paced it would of been a lot better. I can turn my head to the shitty graphics and such.

[mogshaz]

I know, I was really excited for it until I played it.

If they fixed the camera and made it a bit more fast paced it would of been a lot better. I can turn my head to the shitty graphics and such.

agreed. they could have also fixed some of the bugs. at least make it so my machine gunner doesn't waste ammunition by randomly firing at people on the opposite sides of buildings while he is in ambush mode.

[tokitoki50]

http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/883/883699p1.html

EPIC. FAIL.

Even with that horrible review, I'll probably still pick it up when it's 10-15 dollars. I'm a sucker for SRPGs.

[fatbeer]

Ouch, a 2.5 from IGN ? This game must be bad. I know IGN gotten some ratings wrong like Brigandine or God Hand, but the average rating on metacritcs or gamerankings show it a epic failure.

[trq]

Yeah, the fact that all the negatives in the review are also complaints people here had (the camera, the last-minute reinforcements, the lack of mid-mission saves) confirms that I'll be waiting for Spectral Force 3.

[Suraph]

I was really looking forward to this one too. Still planning on renting it at the earliest chance, but I won't consider buying it until it's down to around $20 (which probably won't take all that long...)

Hopefully Spectral Force 3 won't disappoint.

[Puffa469]

Talk about dropping the ball...

I wanted to cry when I played the demo, it was soo bad. And I was really looking forward to this game.

Hopefully it will be an Amazon dotd for $15 in a couple months.

[62t]

anyone else got the game

[RichMeisterMan]

Wow, like a lot of you I was pretty interested in this title. Then the reviews hit and it turned out this games sucks dong.

I'll be waiting for Spectral Forces 3 like the lot of you. Hopefully that won't suck ass too.

[yukine]

Yup, Spectral Forces 3 please don't suck. :pray:

[Jesse_Dylan]

They shoulda left this one in Japan, like I said somewhere up there, to which was the flurry of "I don't listen to reviews!" responses. But it could just have been a lucky guess on my part. :)

This is me just being a cranky ass and uselessly saying "I told you so". :) So please do pardon.

It really is a shame, though. Surely they play these games, and examine critical reviews, before they decide to localize them. Inking the deal beforehand would be strange, but I suppose it's possible! That has to be a bummer, localizing a game you know is crap just because you kinda have to...

[Suraph]

Having put a couple hours into it I'd have to say it's not nearly as dire as the reviews are making it out to be. Yes the camera still sucks, and yes the graphics are a few generations behind, but it's actually a pretty decent SRPG. The actual strategy involved is well implemented and requires careful planning once you get past the first handful of stages -- and a few retries thanks to spawning enemies >.> The demo is actually a very good indicator if you'll like or hate this game.

It's quite a difficult game, but there are also a lot of nice features that help alleviate that (cover system, auto-potions). If you enjoy SRPGs there's a good bit of fun to be had here.

I'll probably plonk down a few bucks to buy it when the price drops a bit.

[yukine]

Welp, even though I thought this game sucked based on the demo... I gave in and picked it up for $10.00 at the Best Buy sale.

And I have to say, I completely agree with Suraph. This game definitely isn't perfect, but it's not even close to being as bad as the reviews make it out to be. It's really fun, but also very challenging.

The story is interesting, although unoriginal. Great characters, and pretty decent voice acting. And it's fun.

Graphics are awful, like PS2 style. And the camera is still horrendous, but I'm playing past all that and enjoying the game quite a bit. I've put in I think around 7 hours or so.

[thingsfallnapart]

Welp, even though I thought this game sucked based on the demo... I gave in and picked it up for $10.00 at the Best Buy sale.

And I have to say, I completely agree with Suraph. This game definitely isn't perfect, but it's not even close to being as bad as the reviews make it out to be. It's really fun, but also very challenging.

The story is interesting, although unoriginal. Great characters, and pretty decent voice acting. And it's fun.

Graphics are awful, like PS2 style. And the camera is still horrendous, but I'm playing past all that and enjoying the game quite a bit. I've put in I think around 7 hours or so.

Graphically It's like ring of red with a camera 10 times worse :D

[davyd]

The beginning levels are rather dull, but after a while it gets MUCH better. It's almost instant, too. After a certain mission the entire playstyle of the game changes. This is actually one of my favorite games for the 360. I got the doublejump guide as well, which I like because it doesn't give you a step by step solution for each map but it does give you a general overview and strategy, which helps a lot for the tougher levels.

I played this exclusively for about 3 weeks, even managed to get the full 1k out of it.

[Guerrilla]

Just wish they still had the gamer pics for this game... they dropped them before the release!

[freshzen]

The game had a lot of potential. I was liking it up until about stage 20 went it was getting too hard and the trial and error gameplay was wearing me thin til I finally gave up =(