The BLUE DRAGON Thread!

I just started a few days ago, and I'm getting close to level 20. I'm rarely having a hard time with any enemies - which I don't mind. I'm really enjoying it so far.
 
[quote name='h2dk']I still play it when I get a chance, but it is hard to only play an hour at a time. I wish there was a way to skip the "victory" cutscene at the end of each battle, I also had to "speed up" my play a bit. My kids watch and get tired of me searching for items. I am about 25 hours in, was hoping to be farther along before H3, now I will have to juggle the two.

For those through/on disk 2, quick question:

I was chasing Nene in the snow mini-game where his robot jumps the large crack. I ended up going into the "green" town and I am now stuck in there. I didn't have time to look around, but I am wondering if I should start from a previous save and avoid the town for now, or is it fairly simple to get out?
[/QUOTE]

Pachess Town? That is an integral part of the story prior to hunting down Nene. You need to complete saving that town first, then continue on after Nene.


I beat all the optional superbosses
The fucking King Poo was a bitch! Take him down by focusing on healing & protecting with the back row, and defending/corporeals with the front
and did the "max 1 class in each Shadow" achievements last weekend, and missed the monster record achievement, and forgot to save after my 1.5 hours of barrier field skill leveling to get the achievement. :bomb:

I'm done with this game. Maybe, if I'm really bored one weekend, I'll go after the skill level achievements, but it would take me at least 10 hours to get all my skill levels.
 
[quote name='Callandor']
Pachess Town? That is an integral part of the story prior to hunting down Nene. You need to complete saving that town first, then continue on after Nene.


[/quote]

Good, I was hoping it wasn't something I got to "too" early.
 
So i just got my copy from ebay, and got a problem
from the area where you first encounter the monster attack, when i go to the next area, my game always freeze on the loading screen......
anyone else got this problem ?
 
[quote name='yuckfou']So i just got my copy from ebay, and got a problem
from the area where you first encounter the monster attack, when i go to the next area, my game always freeze on the loading screen......
anyone else got this problem ?[/QUOTE]

I don't understand where you are saying the problem is,
but I'm 20+ hours in and the game has not frozen on me once.
 
basicly 30mins into the game right after you plane crash, and you are trying to get back to the village. 2 screen from the crash site, when im entering the new screen, it froze on now loading screen
it is just a bad disc.
So anyone know which stores (CC,BB, or Walmart) will take exchange without a receipt ? without questions ?
 
[quote name='yuckfou']basicly 30mins into the game right after you plane crash, and you are trying to get back to the village. 2 screen from the crash site, when im entering the new screen, it froze on now loading screen
it is just a bad disc.
So anyone know which stores (CC,BB, or Walmart) will take exchange without a receipt ? without questions ?[/quote]

Me thinks your only option is rental....:whistle2:#
 
"The Ultra Hard Mod adds three new features to Blue Dragon. New Game Plus is a game mode that allows you to start your game over using a saved game from near the end of Blue Dragon. The Hard game mode allows you to play at a difficulty level that is twice as high as the original. The Impossible game mode is the ultimate in difficulty and is meant to be played starting at Level 50 or higher."
 
So, I played 6.5 more hours today.
I must say, this game has suprised me. I like it, a lot.
I'm at the Wagon Escort (at 14.5 hours).
Am I going slowly/medium/quickly?
I'd assume slowly :D

Each of my guys ranks are at least 18 (Kluke/Shu are Black Mages at 21 and 23 respectively.) Jiro and Marumaro are White Mage/Support Magic/Generalist and Monk/Generalist respectivaley.

Going well, died once in 14.5 hours :D
 
[quote name='Azumangaman']So, I played 6.5 more hours today.
I must say, this game has suprised me. I like it, a lot.
I'm at the Wagon Escort (at 14.5 hours).
Am I going slowly/medium/quickly?
I'd assume slowly :D

Each of my guys ranks are at least 18 (Kluke/Shu are Black Mages at 21 and 23 respectively.) Jiro and Marumaro are White Mage/Support Magic/Generalist and Monk/Generalist respectivaley.

[/QUOTE]

I wouldn't say that is extremely slow. I was around 20 hours when I went to disc 2 (where I am now) and you aren't that far from there. I didn't do any level grinding, but I am extremely thorough in my exploration (and I've examined every item I can possibly examine for all the nothings and other goodies).

Wow, using Shu as a mage... He's my brawler (well, along with Maru who I just kept as a Monk and he kicks serious ass now).

I've kept it pretty simple. Shu is the "swordsman", Jiro is the healer/barrier magic dude, Kluke is the black mage, Maru is the super-powered puncher, and the last one is, so far, what she started at, but after I level her up a bit I'll change to something else. They are all taking levels as Generalists, too, since you can't beat the extra skill slots and, especially, the extra accessory slots.

I'm in the underground river right now. I'm following along with just part of a FAQ that describes which items and monsters you can miss and when to get them and so far I'm doing good. I just got to some of the exclusive item sections (Shield ring, and also the couple of items in Baroy town). I have to admit, with my thorough play style I would not have missed these things, except for possibly the vases - though I've seen several hints pointing me towards those (after I got them of course) so I probably wouldn't have missed those. If you don't make a habit of searching everywhere and talking to everyone, though, some things are easy to miss. It's the monsters I'm more worried about now.

I know a lot of people could care less about the achievements, but I have always leaned towards being a obsessive-compulsive completist ANYWAY (especially for RPGs), and the achievements give me the extra "boost" to get things done like the item and monster encyclopedia. I did most of the extra stuff in DQ VIII and Rogue Galaxy without even having that incentive (though the monster record in RG would have taken another 20-30 hours or so of play and I wasn't about to do that after spending 80 already!). At least with the 360 these accomplishments are somewhat recognized. I hope enough people buy this that they continue to make these types of games, as I now love HD JPRG gaming with achievements ;).
 
[quote name='io']
I know a lot of people could care less about the achievements, but I have always leaned towards being a obsessive-compulsive completist ANYWAY (especially for RPGs), and the achievements give me the extra "boost" to get things done like the item and monster encyclopedia. I did most of the extra stuff in DQ VIII and Rogue Galaxy without even having that incentive (though the monster record in RG would have taken another 20-30 hours or so of play and I wasn't about to do that after spending 80 already!). At least with the 360 these accomplishments are somewhat recognized. I hope enough people buy this that they continue to make these types of games, as I now love HD JPRG gaming with achievements ;).[/QUOTE]
I know exactly what you mean, and in many ways I feel that this is the perfect type of game for the Achievement system. Now there is even more incentive to do absolutely everything, even though you don't really get anything more out of it than you would have five years ago. I'm hoping that plenty of JRPGs eventually make it to the 360, but it's looking like a slow road.
 
Yeah, Shu as a mage. I'll definetly be training him more in either Sword/Monk, because those are nice (especially Monk, which is amazing).
I just love magic over brawling, I guess :p
At the end of the game, I'm hoping my characters to look like this:

Shu:
Black Mage, Monk
Kluke:
Black Mage, Assassin
Jiro:
White Mage, Support Magic, Barrier Magic
Marumaro:
Monk, Monk, Generalist, Monk
Zola:
Don't have her yet (what does she start as?)
 
Zola starts pretty far up as an Assassin (high 20's). So I've kept her there until I get all the skills and then I'll switch. I'll probably go with Assassin for Kluke, too, as you plan. She's pretty much done with Black Mage and now I'm doing Generalist and Support Magic a bit first. I guess the only major difference in the way we are playing is Shu - I'll do Sword/Assassin for him as well. Apparently there are reasons for getting him up high in the Assassin class later in the game (something to do with stealing items when the others are missing their shadows).

You can do well with both brawling and magic. Maru is pretty tough as a Monk, especially with the charged multi-attack. He can take out most groups on one punch. But Kluke as a high 30's Black Mage also is pretty tough and can take out most rows with a Watera spell.
 
I want this game so bad, but after just getting Halo 3 and I want to get PGR 4 and Orange Box and like 5 other games. I will just have to wait for the price drop.
 
I found a really great Combo for Marumaro. I've got him with Total Guard (Defender), Absolute Counterattack (Monk), and Double Strike (Assassin). Basically anytime someone tries to physically attack one of my party, Maro steps out in front of them then counterattacks with a 2 hit strike.

I recommend that anyone starting the game have someone as Barrier. The Field Barrier skill helps big time when you want to grind shadow levels.
 
I finally cracked the seal on this late last night, and have sunk about three hours in so far. Even though I've barely scratched the surface, I really think someone screwed the pooch on the demo--it doesn't even come close to doing justice to the actual game.
I was all jazzed up to grab this at launch, but the demo changed my mind in a hurry. I said I would pick it up at $30, which is what I paid (in a roundabout way--I picked it up at TRU during the B2G1 along with BioShock and Oblivion:GotY, and returned BioShock with my launch receipt to get $60 back. In my eyes, BD and Oblivion were $30 a pop. Anyway...), and I'm loving it so far. I didn't think I could go back to a "true" turn-based RPG after FFXII, but Blue Dragon reminds me so much of Dragon Quest VIII.

Basically, for anyone who was really looking forward to this until the demo came out, be sure to give the full game a shake.
 
This game is great.
Just finished disc one with the time of 23 hours 36 minutes.
My characters are level 21/22 (which seems really low) and their classes are around 25.
A question about the wagon escort and mechat missions:
Do you have to END with full health or just never ever lose any health at all?
 
[quote name='Azumangaman']This game is great.
Just finished disc one with the time of 23 hours 36 minutes.
My characters are level 21/22 (which seems really low) and their classes are around 25.
A question about the wagon escort and mechat missions:
Do you have to END with full health or just never ever lose any health at all?[/QUOTE]
I ended the first disc at around lvl 19 and my classes were in the low teens ( I did a bunch of class shuffling) so you are on track and not low. . I'm also loving the game I need to stick it back in.
 
[quote name='Azumangaman']This game is great.
Just finished disc one with the time of 23 hours 36 minutes.
My characters are level 21/22 (which seems really low) and their classes are around 25.
A question about the wagon escort and mechat missions:
Do you have to END with full health or just never ever lose any health at all?[/QUOTE]

NEVER lose any health.

Except for one.
One of the mechat fights is to gain entrance to the optional upper mecha robo base. For this mechat state, a "perfect" means destroy all of the machine gun turrets in addition to all the required destructions.
 
[quote name='GizmoGC']Beat the game last week...amazing game. Top game this year for me.[/QUOTE]

Glad to hear someone else feels that way.

The game is definitely in my Top 5 of the year so far. It was a blast to play through. I was going to fire it up again and try to grind out all the Shadow Classes, but I want to start some new games right now.
 
It is my favorite 360 games of the year, without a doubt (but then I haven't played Halo 3 or Bioshock ;)).

I'm well into disc 3 now, at around 45 hours. I just went all over to open up all the barrier-protected treasure chests (well, except for the black ones - don't have that device yet). I'm trying to make sure I get all the achievements on this playthrough as I really can't see starting again just to get a few. As a result I've used as little FAQ as I have to - just to make sure I don't miss things.

I'm all done with the rapid button-pressing achievements (gotta say, my least favorite parts of the game by far - fortunately they are rare). Somehow I completed the Mechat level 1 and Moon Laser achivements too. It took me about 8 tries on the Mechat and 20 or so on the Moon Laser. What a pain... I'm not looking forward to the next two Mechat levels, although it sounds like #2 is not so hard (but #3 is very hard).

I also just took care of the 10 monster encounter achievement
(used the Roboballs that drop out of the circling Mecha Base in the snow area)
. I'm trying to make sure I get all the monsters and items and then do the level 99 on one Shadow class for sure. I don't know if I'll have the patience to get them all up to 99, but we'll see - apparently there's a great place to Shadow grind...

It looks like I'm coming up to the part of the game with lots of optional stuff in it. I'm looking forward to it (just went in to the desert from the Lal Mountains).
 
Why did Dragon Quest VIII, which essentially had the same mindset in terms of design and (generic but gets it done) story but DQ8 gets 8-9/10 across the boards while Blue Dragon gets 6-7/10?
 
Shadow grinding is easy. Turn on Barrier 3, with Stink on 2-3 members and hang out on the world map. Walk away and come back once in a while to replenish MP. Level grinding more or less is the same, Stink on a few, and mash A while you watch TV or something. I did both near Kelaso on the zombie birds, although I still need to put it in one of these days to finish and get the points. =P
 
[quote name='nintendokid']Why did Dragon Quest VIII, which essentially had the same mindset in terms of design and (generic but gets it done) story but DQ8 gets 8-9/10 across the boards while Blue Dragon gets 6-7/10?[/QUOTE]
Probably because it was Dragon Quest, and it did what that series has always done--provide an incredible, old-school JRPG experience without feeling the need to be revolutionary.

I guess people were expecting a lot more from Blue Dragon, given the names involved and the amount of hype that was built up (it's the "dream team" that worked on Chrono Trigger!). You're absolutely right, though. I think GameInformer was the only review I have read that really nailed it.
 
I'm loving this game. I want to get another 10 hours or so in before Tuesday (yay Canadian thanksgiving). I'd actually like to finish the game, but I doubt that'll happen.
At 26 hours now, in the Gorgo Town. I have no idea where to go at the moment.

What guides have you guys been using? I rarely use the guide, even though if I see the Blue Dragon official strategy guide, I'll get it to keep track of monsters/items/etc. I look at the IGN guide from time to time when I'm stuck (pretty pictures :D )
 
[quote name='Azumangaman']
What guides have you guys been using? I rarely use the guide, even though if I see the Blue Dragon official strategy guide, I'll get it to keep track of monsters/items/etc. I look at the IGN guide from time to time when I'm stuck (pretty pictures :D )[/QUOTE]

I just glance at the FAQ's on GameFAQs occasionally (as I said before, for missable things and also some tips on the achievements).

Where you are right now is probably the only point at which it isn't fairly clear where to go. I like in this game that it doesn't just stick you on a linear path to the next destination. It is much like DragonQuest VIII in this regard, actually. Anyway, once you are done with the Gorgo stuff, just head north out of there and keep going... Also, make sure you go back to the town once you free so-and-so and talk to him again as you'll get a pretty good accessory out of it (that I'm still using in Disc 3).

As for why DQ VIII was critically acclaimed and this isn't, I'm not sure. But I would have to say I liked DQ VIII a bit more. It is probably my top PS2 RPG. Blue Dragon is great for the 360, but I don't think it quite compares. I can't really say WHY, that's just my general impression having played both. To me, DQ VIII was a solid 10, and Blue Dragon is an 8-9. I guess one criticism of Blue Dragon vs DQ VIII is that it is too easy. I'm at the point now where even the new monsters and bosses I'm running into are WAY too easy, and I haven't even been level grinding for the achievements yet. But set up Maro with the Monk charged attack, the Assasin double strike, and the Shoes of Hermes, and he can pretty much wipe out any monster party with one turn (that he gets before they do thanks to the shoes). I'm not sure how tough some of the later optional bosses are, but the Dragovian stuff at the end of DQ VIII was *extremely* difficult and provided a nice, fun challenge after the main game.

What I am curious about is how BD compares to Eternal Sonata (which I haven't played yet). It seems after the demos everyone was more excited for ES over BD, but I didn't really feel that way.
 
I liked BD despite how extremely easy and typical "JRPG" it was. It was a still a good game that fell into a great slot riding the tails of Bioshock's short length when nothing else was really out. I really really like ES from what I've played, which due to some personal business and Halo 3 coming out have kept me from playing it as much as I'd want to so far. Visually it's just amazing, but the story makes you snore. The cutscenes get so long and frequent at times it's like you are watching a movie, not playing a game. Reminds me a LOT of Xenosaga's deployment of the story, which is not necessarily a bad thing at all.
 
Are you guys actually enjoying the story? I think the script is one of the stupidest things I've ever seen. Its the awesome gameplay and amazing graphics that keep me coming back.
 
Is this a game I can play in 2 hour bursts? I'm interested in the game, but I very rarely have the time now to devote a night's worth of time to gaming. It's in my Gamefly queue at the moment, so just curious as to whether I should push it up or down. Any thoughts are appreciated.
 
I can see 2 hour bursts. There are some moments (i.e. past where I am now, somewhere in disc 2) when I believe you have to play for a while at once.
Otherwise, I think your fine.
 
[quote name='ThatDamnDave']Is this a game I can play in 2 hour bursts? I'm interested in the game, but I very rarely have the time now to devote a night's worth of time to gaming. It's in my Gamefly queue at the moment, so just curious as to whether I should push it up or down. Any thoughts are appreciated.[/QUOTE]

Yeah, you can definitely do that. I tend to go for 4-5 hour "bursts" because I always just want to do "one more thing". I consider that a sign of a great game though ;).

As for the story? Eh. it isn't mind-blowing but I don't have any problems with it. Even late into Disc 3 there's still some mystery surrounding Nene. Yeah, the whole "love gives you strength" thing is an uber-cliche (but heck, it was one of the central themes of the Harry Potter series, so...).

I'm at the part in Disc 3 where you can go anywhere you want and do optional stuff - definitely the best part of the game. I actually fought something that took me out last night -
Phatom Dragon
. That was a nice surprise. But my chars are still just level 50. I imagine if I got them to 99 for the achievement that guy would be no trouble.
 
[quote name='io']Yeah, you can definitely do that. I tend to go for 4-5 hour "bursts" because I always just want to do "one more thing". I consider that a sign of a great game though ;).

As for the story? Eh. it isn't mind-blowing but I don't have any problems with it. Even late into Disc 3 there's still some mystery surrounding Nene. Yeah, the whole "love gives you strength" thing is an uber-cliche (but heck, it was one of the central themes of the Harry Potter series, so...).

I'm at the part in Disc 3 where you can go anywhere you want and do optional stuff - definitely the best part of the game. I actually fought something that took me out last night -
Phatom Dragon
. That was a nice surprise. But my chars are still just level 50. I imagine if I got them to 99 for the achievement that guy would be no trouble.[/QUOTE]

Yeah, those guys are fully capable of creaming a party at that point. Do some sidequesting first and get some uber equipment, and try to plan some elemental resistances where needed, and you can take them down in a few rounds without even using corporeals.

(Double-strike + charged attack) * repetitions = DEAD.
 
[quote name='Callandor']

(Double-strike + charged attack) * repetitions = DEAD.[/QUOTE]

Well, I'm taking everything else out that way with my first character (add the Shoes of Hermes to that character...). HOWEVER, that dragon HEALS when you hit it with physical attacks. I finally got to the point of using a corporeal, and it healed the bastard for nearly 3000 HP. You have to use magic only against him, while he pounds on you for 300-400 per character with a group attack or 900-1000 on one character with a physical attack. I actually lasted 15-20 rounds, but after that corporeal attack gave him back all his health I couldn't make it through. Sucks because I stole Nene's Ring on the first attack too ;). (Warning to those trying to collect all the items - you need to do that here).
 
[quote name='magiic']I may have to try this game. You guys make it sound really good.[/QUOTE]

Do it. Peer pressure, buddy. Do it. :lol:

Just download the free "Ultra Hard Mod" before you play, unless you want a REALLY easy 50 hour JRPG.

[quote name='io']Well, I'm taking everything else out that way with my first character (add the Shoes of Hermes to that character...). HOWEVER, that dragon HEALS when you hit it with physical attacks. I finally got to the point of using a corporeal, and it healed the bastard for nearly 3000 HP. You have to use magic only against him, while he pounds on you for 300-400 per character with a group attack or 900-1000 on one character with a physical attack. I actually lasted 15-20 rounds, but after that corporeal attack gave him back all his health I couldn't make it through. Sucks because I stole Nene's Ring on the first attack too ;). (Warning to those trying to collect all the items - you need to do that here).[/QUOTE]

Oh yeah, THAT dragon...

Just have the front row defend or use charged magic sword attacks, and have double-cast on your back row magic users. Use shield/shell, quick, and magic attack up spells with two double casts the first round, then heal and/or pound with Flara/Flarus as needed. :)

Man, reading all this makes me want to go back and level grind for achievements this weekend... and maybe use the added new game + mode to finish off the item/monster lists...
 
At 33.5 hours. Just entered the Ancient Hospital (or Ancient Factory, one of them). All my characters are at level 28. Levelling up everyones generalist to get +5 skill.

WOW, I just realized it goes up to +8 skill. I'll go for that and then go back start raising up other classes.
 
It's great to hear so much positive reception for it after so much negativity regarding the demo. I ordered it off the retail site, i'm hyped to give it a shot!!
 
I only played the demo and I've heard it isn't a good representation, but Blue Dragon just seems like another cliche story combined with over-grinding mistaken for good "classic" rpg gameplay.

If my favorite JRPG is FFX (yes, FFX, not FFVII), would I like this game?
 
[quote name='Scorch']It's great to hear so much positive reception for it after so much negativity regarding the demo. I ordered it off the retail site, i'm hyped to give it a shot!![/QUOTE]

I guess I'm in the crowd that feels you can't demo an RPG. The genre just seems more based on the entire experience, rather than just a small section (ala an action game).

I remember a friend of mine played the DQVIII demo and hated it. After playing the entire game it became one of his favorite RPG's.
 
[quote name='leveskikesko']I only played the demo and I've heard it isn't a good representation, but Blue Dragon just seems like another cliche story combined with over-grinding mistaken for good "classic" rpg gameplay.

If my favorite JRPG is FFX, would I like this game?[/QUOTE]

I can't answer that as I haven't played FF X. But as for the "grinding" comment - absolutely NO grinding is required for this game if you just want to complete it. Sure, to get all the achievements you need to, but it is by no means required. I'm 55 hours in and at level 50-55 and have not done any level grinding. I am a completist, though, so I'm hitting any optional areas I can find. As a result I really appreciate the pacing as I am getting close to the max levels without having to grind and I am being rewarded a bit for doing "everything". As a result, I'll get pretty close to the level 99 achievement without grinding. Now, getting all shadows to 99 in each class will take a bit of grinding.

The game has visible enemies that you can "bump" off if you level up your barrier magic, so there's no need to slog through endless random encounters (thus the drawn-out, boring gameplay of some RPGs).

Scorch - You generally seem to have good taste. I'm sure you'll like it ;).

About the demo - I played through the one area of the demo in the real game not too long ago and it happens differently in the real game. I thought that was odd... (You don't have the corporeal attacks in the main game yet, but I'm pretty sure I had them in the demo).
 
[quote name='leveskikesko']Final Fantasy X just seems like another cliche story combined with unnecessarily drawn-out battles that are mistaken for good "classic" RPG gameplay.
[/QUOTE]
There.

EDIT: Seriously though, if you're looking for something revolutionary, Blue Dragon ain't it. And it still manages to be better than most RPGs released in the last few years.
 
[quote name='defiance_17']
Seriously though, if you're looking for something revolutionary, Blue Dragon ain't it. And it still manages to be better than most RPGs released in the last few years.[/QUOTE]

Bingo... Summed up in a much more concise way than possible from me ;).

I am, however, potentially pissed off at the game right now. I'm near the end and I've done everything right so as not to miss any monsters. Earlier I went through my monster list and I have 255 of the 290. Then I went through a monster list FAQ and found out which ones I missed. Many are in the primitive cube where I haven't been yet. There are a few I just missed out in the open - no problem, I can track them down. But one that I am missing (#285) is a boss from fairly early on. Maybe I made a mistake when I looked through my monster list, but I swear I went right from 284 to 286. And that would have to be a glitch as 285 is the first form of 286 (
285 is Heat-Wave Sai, which is one of the 4 robot bosses in the flying mechat early on - you can't miss him and I didn't
)... Hopefully I just read it wrong, otherwise I'm screwed in terms of the monster encounter achievement. The game has been very glitch-free to this point though (not a single freezeup, and no wierd things happening otherwise). I'd be disappointed if a boss didn't get counted though - especially if I get every other monster in there.

Edit - Dammit, couldn't sleep without knowing for sure. And what do you know, that #285 IS missing. I don't see how that's possible. Now the only way I can complete the list is to play later with a New+ game. At least that boss is fairly early so should I feel like doing that it won't be too much trouble.
 
[quote name='defiance_17']Seriously though, if you're looking for something revolutionary, Blue Dragon ain't it. And it still manages to be better than most RPGs released in the last few years.[/QUOTE]

That's good to know! The last few weeks I've had a craving for a good RPG, but wasn't sure what to pick up. Can't wait to jump in!
 
I've got this ordered from the retail site.. I didn't like the demo, but that's because it's a random slice of the game with no explanation/context. I think I'll enjoy it much more from the beginning.
 
Well, considering I finished such highly acclaimed 360 RPGs as Enchanted Arms and Phantasy Star Universe, I figured I might as well give Blue Dragon a shot since it has gotten mostly positive reviews.

Is there any advice to give for someone that just started?
 
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