Dokapon Kingdom

[EvilMario]

It looks like the MSRP for Dokapon is $5 more in Canada, compared to the $39.99 tag in the States. Has anyone seen retailers carrying it for less than $44.99? I've only checked EBgames and HMV thus far, and no luck.

[danthemightyone]

Amazon has it for $34.99.

http://www.amazon.ca/Atlus-DK-70005-9-Dokapon-Kingdom/dp/B001AMTH1A/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1224870977&sr=8-1

It says only 2 in stock now so hurry!

[maigoyume]

Give me some impressions when you guys get it, I'm still on the fence about this one.

[jeffx]

I bought it on amazon.ca with 10$ coupon and Legend of Kage 2... 50$ all included.

[ikariwarriors]

Microplay has it for 39. I'm tempted, so we're giving it a rental next weekend.

[EvilMario]

Thanks, Dan. We saw Amazon, but decided we'd just pony up the extra few bucks.. mostly because we didn't have anything else (we could afford..) to get the free shipping. And besides, we needed something to do this weekend. Read the last part for basic impressions, if you don't care for my huge ramble. :P

Anyways, impressions from the story-mode with two players. The game has a very nice interface, a definite feel of a 'real' RPG. You can raise your characters much like many other RPGs/Tactics games by changing classes, and mastering them for continued bonuses later on after a class change. There are a fair number of classes as well, mostly being unlocked either by master other classes, or by finding an item as well.

The world map is huge in and of itself, but there are also mountains, caves and other areas to explore. CPU battles are done at blank spaces (random encounters) and towns, which you're suppose to free. That brings us to the goal of the game, which is to generate as much money as possible. Owning and investing in towns, defeating monsters, performing task for the King, all generate income. There are various methods of stealing cash from players, such as if you defeat them in battle, or hire a thief to steal from them.

Battles so far have been interesting. For a while we were not investing in HPs at all, so battles came down to who went first most of the time, unless we were able to dodge, or counter. I recommend investing in HPs a lot, and the game will be a lot smoother when you're not dying in one single hit.

Anyways, it works like this. To start off the battle you pick a card which decides who will go first, and a last. The battle system has a couple basic commands, Counter/Defend/Give Up for the person guarding, and Strike/Attack for the attacker. Strike beats Defend, and Attack beats Counter. Strike is a little risky, since if the person does counter it, you won't hit them at all. Where as if you might still kill someone with Attack, even if they choose to defend. I found this to be the case with my Warrior/Thief/Ninja.

Aside from these commands there are also numerous magical and strategic (class based) commands for use, like Magic Guard. So yes, battles are quite random, and most of the strategy comes before the battle, where you'll be powering up, and trying to inflict status on your enemy to cement your victory. The game offers a lot of items that bring real strategy into a party game. There are distance magic and status attacks, crystals that allow you to move an exact number of spaces, multiple spinner for moving far in one turn, road blocks to setup, keys to unlock secrets, and a lot more.

There is A LOT I didn't even mention above, because the game just has so many features. So, inclusion, the game is great, albeit it can be frustrating when you first jump in. The 'Darkling' class is a way to even everything out, but I hate it for the most part. When we're in a 4 player free for all mode, maybe I will change my mind.

This game offers a totally different experience than a Mario Party affair. It's very strategic, but also very repetitive. If you like to build characters, and RPG/tactics strategy, but are not totally thrown off by the notion that very, very random events can and will take place that will turn the game upside down, you should buy it RIGHT NOW.

[jeffx]

Great impressions!

[maigoyume]

Fantastic, thanks for the impressions EvilM :applause:

I'll probably see if I can grab this off goozex

[ikariwarriors]

Cool, thanks for the review. I've found startling little about this game online so far.

[Lone_Prodigy]

How's the multiplayer?

[EvilMario]

How's the multiplayer?

Like I said, we've just been playing the story-mode with TWO people right now.

Multiplayer is basically the same concept, but without the story elements of 'chapters' and story events during those chapters. Just like story mode; go around rescuing towns, try to screw up the other players, stay in last long enough and enact horrible revenge.

[Lone_Prodigy]

Like I said, we've just been playing the story-mode with TWO people right now.

Multiplayer is basically the same concept, but without the story elements of 'chapters' and story events during those chapters. Just like story mode; go around rescuing towns, try to screw up the other players, stay in last long enough and enact horrible revenge.

Sorry, should've worded my question better. I know you were playing with two people, so I was wondering if it's any different from single-player. Is it a 2-on-2 battle à la Pokémon? Do you share cards and strategies, or is more like co-op?

[EvilMario]

Sorry, should've worded my question better. I know you were playing with two people, so I was wondering if it's any different from single-player. Is it a 2-on-2 battle à la Pokémon? Do you share cards and strategies, or is more like co-op?

You're both your own seprate characters, which take turns, ala Mario Party. You battle seprately, unless of course, you're battling each other. At the beginning of your turn, you have a number of options; First option is to use your spinner, which determines how many spaces (0-6 on a normal one) you'll have to move next turn. You choose the path, but you HAVE to move the set number of spaces. Second option is to use an item (limit one per turn, barring ability), and the option to perform field/distance magic. Magic ranges from damaging magic, or status magic. Next option is to look at your Stats, your towns and their worth, your equipment, and a few other options.

Since I didn't explain it before, equipment (weapon, shield, magical offense/defense, accessories) can be bought/found/stolen/won/built. You're limited to one piece of equipment per category, so when you find a new piece you'll be promoted to switch to the new equipment, or keep the old. This also comes into play when a player can destroy a piece of your valuable equipment, or steal it.

In story mode there is a bit of co-op, in the sense that you're both aiming for the same goal, and trying to clear towns. But in another sense, YOU want to be the one to clear towns and finish the mission. You could help the other player by casting distance magic on a boss monster they're fighting, but of course, you could hinder them as well by casting the magic, or status on them. Vowing to not have them not perform disabling magic on you/attack your towns/attack you, if you save them from a monster is a good strategy. ^_^

My understanding is single player is the same affair, but with CPU opponents which are brutually strategic as well as cheap. I'm not sure I'd pick the game up for single player alone, especially with Tales of Symphonia sequel right around the corner. For multiplayer though, it's a blast.

[Wolfkin]

definitely sounds interesting.

[ikariwarriors]

Finally got to try this based on EvilMario's recommendation.

It's REALLY fucking good, and although very much similar to the Mario Party's, we didn't even finish one chapter as a group last night.

I'm definitely picking this one up soon.

[danthemightyone]

$19.96 on Amazon.com as of now.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B001AMTH1A/ref=nosim/cheapassgam08-20

Incredible deal for decent game.

[EvilMario]

Glad to hear you enjoyed the game, ikari.

And yeah, $20 is a steal for this game. Nice find, Dan. :applause:

[ikariwarriors]

fuck, i tried to order through Amazon there, but it doesn't like my address.

Still, I'll gladly pay the 30 at Microplay for this.

[ragnar14]

Goomba it. It'll come out to about $30CAD total :)

[ikariwarriors]

Oh damn, didn't consider that. It's bought and opened, but I really can't say I regret it :D