My Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love impressions

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bluedotlounge

CAGiversary!
http://www.examiner.com/x-13269-Gaming-Lifestyle-Examiner~y2010m3d22-Sakura-Wars-So-Long-My-Love

Feel free to click on the link to support my habit (it also has the screenshots.

It is not often a video game features a Phoenix Wright-style mock trial centered on the preservation of Harlem and is then followed with an SRPG-style subway battle featuring steampunk mechs and a giant inter-dimensional sword-wielding mecha-dragon. That is one of the many unusual set-ups that gamers can look forward to in NIS America's Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love. Westerners have had opportunities to get into the franchise before, but this has only been limited to anime and manga releases. The game series that Sega started on the Saturn in 1996 is finally seeing its first U.S. translation with So Long, My Love (originally released in Japan as Sakura Wars V: Farewell, My Love).

The game's flashy introductory music video shows off inspired versions of Kosuke Fujishima's (Ah! My Goddess, You're Under Arrest) character designs and introduces the cast. The characters' varying costumes and hairstyles call to mind Sentai archetypes.



Even though this game is based in 1920's New York, the player is still treated to a brief appearance of series' mainstay Sakura Shinguji. Her Imperial Assault Force team sends the game's main character Shinjiro Taiga off to the Big Apple in what initially appears to be a misguided allocation of staff resources. This establishes the storyline of the title's first chapter which involves Taiga's New York orientation.

Upon meeting the members of the New York Fighting Troupe, the player is able to get into the game's light dating-sim element. By impressing the various women in So Long, My Love with the correct responses, Taiga's relationship with the ladies strengthens, making the team more effective in battle.

It takes a solid hour in each TV-inspired episode to get into actual combat. As SRPGs go, So Long, My Love's gameplay relies on an easy to understand structure where each character has a variety of actions to choose from before their turn ends. Each battle offers their own unique challenges that forces the player to think and strategize in ways that does not apply to the previous skirmish. These fights are not especially difficult and the Star Division features a support team who will give Taiga more than enough advice.

After playing through the first four (out of eight) chapters, Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love is shaping up to be the last PlayStation 2 game worth picking up. It should also be noted that NIS America is also releasing this game on the Nintendo Wii. Stay tuned this week when we publish our review as well as give more insight on the game's out-of-the-ordinary plotlines, relationship-building, and its battle system.
 
Good i preordered it from amazon with the artbook and all that good stuff im sure it will be worth the 39.99. Find a good new rpg for 39.99 anywhere else.
 
I'm skeptical of this one -- the trailer looked okay but the voice acting sounded horrible -- and it doesn't look like much of a looker, either.

IMHO, P4 was the last great RPG on the PS2. Nice for this once to have made it, but I'll reserve judgment until I see more reviews.
 
[quote name='nddave']Good i preordered it from amazon with the artbook and all that good stuff im sure it will be worth the 39.99. Find a good new rpg for 39.99 anywhere else.[/QUOTE]
The Unforgettable Memories artbook is exclusive to Rosenqeen and costs $10 more + shipping. Other than that, you get the same thing from Amazon as from RQ.
 
For those of you with the Wii, get that version and avoid the NISA's buggy port. AT2 bugs pissed me off.
 
[quote name='laaj']For those of you with the Wii, get that version and avoid the NISA's buggy port. AT2 bugs pissed me off.[/QUOTE]


What? The Wii version is the port.
 
[quote name='beerme']I preordered this from amazon but it doesn't seem to be available. I wonder what's wrong.[/QUOTE]
They seem to have had initial shipments of 0-5 copies of niche games lately. I imagine they should be ready to ship by tomorrow. I went with the Wii version since I'm cheap (only $24!) - NISA will be able to introduce bugs into any version if they want, I'm sure.
 
My love for the grand old PS2 caused me to break down and get the super version, but I'd still be interested to hear how the Wii version controls and what if any improvements were made for the port.
 
[quote name='laaj']For those of you with the Wii, get that version and avoid the NISA's buggy port. AT2 bugs pissed me off.[/QUOTE]

If you're talking about Ar Tonelico 2, then that was because of GUST who was the developer of that game whereas in Sakura Wars, RED Entertainment developed it. Different engines entirely I assume, but still possible to have problems on the PS3.

And yeah, like a previous poster mentioned. The Wii version is a port by the Idea Factory team.
 
[quote name='Draekon']If you're talking about Ar Tonelico 2, then that was because of GUST who was the developer of that game whereas in Sakura Wars, RED Entertainment developed it. Different engines entirely I assume, but still possible to have problems on the PS3.

And yeah, like a previous poster mentioned. The Wii version is a port by the Idea Factory team.[/QUOTE]

Actually, the bugs in AT2 are NIS' fault, not Gust's. The game-breaking bug in AT2 wasn't in the Japanese version. NIS screwed up while moving the game over here. That, and the AWFUL, AWFUL translation and voice acting are two other places NIS messed up.

Unlike Atlus, NIS does not seem to be nearly as good at bringing games over here without botching it in at least one or two ways. As for this game, the voice acting again sounds bad. If AT2 is any indication, I don't have high hopes for the translation job.
 
Looks like NISA's check cleared, it got a fucking 9.0 on IGN.
http://ps2.ign.com/articles/108/1080744p1.html

Amazon still hasn't shipped my copy, not even shipping soon; looks like they got a late shipment. If I weren't still busy with work (2 more weeks until Tax Day and then busy season is over!) and still playing through Yakuza 1, I would be more upset. As long as it ships this week I will be happy.
 
Gemini is cute as hell.

But it still ticks me off that it takes over an hour and half to get to the first battle. Seriously, what the heck?
 
[quote name='Chuplayer']Gemini is cute as hell.

But it still ticks me off that it takes over an hour and half to get to the first battle. Seriously, what the heck?[/QUOTE]

Because this isn't a pure JRPG. It's much less about battle than most of them and more about the character interaction/dating sim.
 
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Mine arrived, nice looking box set but the outer package was a little dented on the spine. Nothing major but I wish Amazon would ship this kind of thing in a box rather than an envelope.
 
Yeah so my game arrived in town a couple hours ago. Of course, deliveries are already out for the day and they don't deliver on weekends. Lame (think Cartman's voice).
 
[quote name='Dead of Knight']Yeah so my game arrived in town a couple hours ago. Of course, deliveries are already out for the day and they don't deliver on weekends. Lame (think Cartman's voice).[/QUOTE]

Yeah, same here. I wish Saturday deliveries weren't so uncommon and expensive for UPS. It'd be much nicer if UPS had normal deliveries six days per week like the USPS, although, Saturday deliveries might be disappearing for the USPS, which would fucking suck.

Oh well, I should probably play all of these other unfinished games that I have sitting around anyway. :p
 
I got mine yesterday. That is one fat manual (it's a bit wide so it doesnt fit inside the ps2 case). The "artbook" is kinda meh. Did anyone get the hardcover AB from rosenqueen? how is it?
 
I got my game today from Gamestop. I didn't bother order from Rosenqueen due to shipping cost. Also, I can't seem to preorder it when I reach the mailing deadline, which was last week. I heard that artbook is made with good quality materials. Oh well, I might get it if their store have some good preorder swag for Disgaea Infinite or Trinity Universe.


I probably play this game after I beat Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgeworth. I think I'm pretty close to beating it. That last case is really long. My backlog is pretty big since I received over 10+ games from Goozex in the last week. Normally, I probably get 1-3 games a month. It's probably due to increase user base and I add like 400 games in request list. I'm been playing Infinite Space and Mass Effect 2 also. So far, Infinite Space is putting me to sleep while I'm really enjoying Mass Effect 2. I probably flip flop between multiple games. I hope I don't forget the game mechanics or controls. I did that for Tales of Vesperia. I haven't played that game for a few weeks and when I came back to it I forgot all the controls for that game.
 
I finish Chapter one and here are my first impression.


In Sakura Wars there are two modes of game play: combat and dating sim. The dating sim part feel like any other dating sim game where you have to pick the right words to impress the girls and pick according to their personality. You have your traditional cast of girls: tomboy, athletic , homemaker, spunky, nice girl(generally have small boobs) or naughty one(generally have big boobs). Unlike many dating sim games, they added quicktime events to these choices. Your choices now have a timer. If you do not pick the choices within a time frame, you give a shy response. The quick time choices involves selecting choices within the time frame or pressing the analog stick.


This game also have some free roaming aspects. The things you can do can range from charming the girls, buying cards with girl on skimpy outfits or doing some side quests. Completing these side quests will boost your relationship with a certain girl. Note that these free roaming are time limited. In this game you have a timer. The timer doesn't move like an actual clock. It moves when select an individual place. So moving to two places will cause the clock to move forward twice. Sometimes the girls are there and sometime they're not. When the clock expires, the game will revert to main story.


As for the combat, it a free roaming turn based strategy game that uses a RAP(Ready Action Points) system. A RAP system is where you have a pool of points to use. You can use this points however use wish. These points can be used to move, attack, heal or special attacks. Heck, you can save them for next turn. Of course, each point varies on your selected moves. In this game there are two bar. A typical health bar and special meter. Like most special meter, it will increase when you deal damage, take damage or sacrifice a bit of RAP meter. The special meter can be used for special attack, group attacks or heal. The choices you made earlier in Sim part will boost your stats according your to relationship. Although the combat might seem like Rpg; it's not a rpg. It feels secondary like many of modern day multi-genre games with rpg elements such beat'em up, fighters, action/adventure or etc. It's not necessary to charm the lady to win these battles. You can be complete jerk and you can still win these battles. Charming them just makes it easy.


Overall, I found the game entertaining for the first Chapter I played. The voice acting is solid at best. It's not as bad as trailers. I heard worst acting from a lot of Sega games. The timer can be bit annoying at first, but you will eventually get used to it. The story is very goofy with typical Japanese sexual innuendo. I enjoy these parts. I found the parts when they are acting very serious quite boring. If I want a serious story I rather be playing another game. Combat is bit fun, but needs a bit refining. I dislike the placement targeting system for Area of Effect.
 
My copy is still in the mail but how is the widescreen on this? Is it true widescreen or is it 4:3 picture cut-down?
 
Loving this so far. I'm playing using the Japanese voices for my husband's sake and he is constantly pointing out inaccuracies in the translation. Some things are completely lost in translation. My husband said in the beginning of the game, the main character is given a package and told not to open it. In the translation they say nothing about not opening it. Still really loving it so far even though NISA sucks. I'm just glad they were able to bring this over, period, before they go bankrupt.
 
Am I the only one that shelled out $60 (after tax and shipping) for the dam rosenqueen artbook version?

The artbook is great quality but IMHO very disappointing to me. It's pretty short and all the pictures inside were more like a comic book than an art book. And at first glance it seems rather randomly pasted together.

The only very strange thing is, for some reason, they send me TWO artbooks and TWO games... I need to keep an eye on my CC to make sure they are not trying to pull a fast one on me...

Anyone else ordered from rosenqueen? Did you get two copies?

Here are few snaps of the artbook, enjoy.


 
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Looking at that pic of Sagiitta in the artbook I'm kicking myself for not finding the open air bath in the game until I was like 80% done.
 
I shelled out the additional cash for the art book from RosenQueen... I'm still waiting to receive my copy. :cry:

...It's pretty cool that you got two copies! I wonder if I'll have your luck. :bouncy:
 
I don't know how someone can get the game without being charged.. I just checked, I paid mine with paypal and they charged me on the spot when I ordered (as usual). Maybe the person just forgot they've already paid when they placed the order months ago.

KillerRamen, look at the shipping email they send, that should give you hints if you are getting two. I first thought it was just a mistake in their invoice but when I opened the heavier than expected box, there were two of each item inside.

Good luck matey!

[quote name='KillerRamen']I shelled out the additional cash for the art book from RosenQueen... I'm still waiting to receive my copy. :cry:

...It's pretty cool that you got two copies! I wonder if I'll have your luck. :bouncy:[/QUOTE]
 
FYI, Amazon has it listed as "Only 1 left in stock--order soon." ...Usually they say that more is on the way, so it looks like it they might not be getting more.

http://www.amazon.com/Sakura-Wars-L..._1?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1270763649&sr=1-1

[quote name='Asgardian']

KillerRamen, look at the shipping email they send, that should give you hints if you are getting two. I first thought it was just a mistake in their invoice but when I opened the heavier than expected box, there were two of each item inside.

Good luck matey![/QUOTE]

...I ordered a bunch of stuff when I ordered Sakura Wars. I didn't know they held off shipping until they got everything in stock, so I asked if they would split it and they did. They charged my card on 3/31 and I haven't gotten a shipping confirmation (yet). I e-mailed them about yesterday and I'm waiting to see what's going on. (they responded earlier today telling me they're having computer troubles, so we'll see)
 
The codes are nice, but that guide is very vague. It doesn't list what type of card you get. I pretty sure all the cards are obtainable through the story mode. I not sure about the ones involve with other Sakura Wars save file.
 
[quote name='KillerRamen']FYI, Amazon has it listed as "Only 1 left in stock--order soon." ...Usually they say that more is on the way, so it looks like it they might not be getting more.

http://www.amazon.com/Sakura-Wars-L..._1?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1270763649&sr=1-1



...I ordered a bunch of stuff when I ordered Sakura Wars. I didn't know they held off shipping until they got everything in stock, so I asked if they would split it and they did. They charged my card on 3/31 and I haven't gotten a shipping confirmation (yet). I e-mailed them about yesterday and I'm waiting to see what's going on. (they responded earlier today telling me they're having computer troubles, so we'll see)[/QUOTE]
Got this for the wii, and bought a ps2 copy to collect so I hope they don't restock so its worth something. It is supposed to be the last ps2 game from NISA and the last ps2 game (thats worth a damn) so something has to give.
 
[quote name='phantasyx']Got this for the wii, and bought a ps2 copy to collect so I hope they don't restock so its worth something. It is supposed to be the last ps2 game from NISA and the last ps2 game (thats worth a damn) so something has to give.[/QUOTE]

Well, I'm not sure if it's the "last PS2 game that's worth a damn." Looks like SCEA will be bringing over the PSP exclusive, Syphon Filter: Logan's Shadow, to the PS2 later this year.

That might be the last PS2 game worth a damn.
 
Just got this game recently. ;)



But seeing how big my PS2 backlog is, I think I will only get to play this in exactly God knows when. :whistle2:#
 
Ya, the last stage is really long. I think it's about 5+ battles, which is really annoying if your trying to net all the endings. And like any another Japanese anime or video game, they have use the power of "friendship" to beat the last boss. I find that extremely annoying since they were preaching it from start to end of last chapter.
 
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[quote name='Dead of Knight']Beat it last night. The final chapter drags on for way too long and really ruins the pacing. Loved the game other than the last chapter, though.[/QUOTE]

I'm super jealous... I'm still dealing with Rosenqueen's customer service trying to get my copy. Out of curiosity, about how long did it take to complete?
 
[quote name='KillerRamen']I'm super jealous... I'm still dealing with Rosenqueen's customer service trying to get my copy. Out of curiosity, about how long did it take to complete?[/QUOTE]

It's about 25 hours. My clock time was a little longer because I would keep it on while walking away to do chores or eat.

7 battles in the last chapter, while all the other chapters have 1-3. And none of them are challenging. Absolutely ridiculous.
 
The game length varies depends on how much you do in free movement sessions and how fast you read the text. I saw people on gamefaqs have a short time length of 12 hours for first play through. I think they're rushing it. Most of battles are pretty easy. If you eliminate enough enemies, you can apply basic rpg hurt and heal strategy. For most part, this game takes around 20-30 hours to beat and around 40-50 hours to complete.
 
Anyone know how this game runs on an original 60GB BC PS3? Finally will have the money to pick this up soon and was wondering if there were any outstanding problems.
 
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