Star Odyssey - Official Thread

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Originally Posted by djshok

Wait, if the enemies grown in strength when you do, then wouldn't grinding not really be of any help?

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The only way you're going to get more health is by grinding. More health means lasting longer overall, so yeah, grinding is still very needed.

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Originally Posted by Joe Redifer

There is no reason to have money as I have all of the best equipment. Force doesn't work, I am not allowed to use it. This game is a bit broken. I CANNOT defend against magic attacks and that is ALL the enemies do.

So again I ask: Do I need to be at level 30 to get past Temuwood?

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Level 30 might be all right, but I'd aim higher. And Force doesn't work because you don't have the item you need to get it to work. However, that item is on the first planet. If you want to know where and how to get it, PM me.

Oh, and don't worry. The enemies start splitting their attacks between physical and magical more often as the game goes on.

All RPGs will have tougher enemies as you progress. Do you guys mean this, or that all enemies will simply get tougher within the same area as you level-up?

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Originally Posted by QuickSciFi

All RPGs will have tougher enemies as you progress. Do you guys mean this, or that all enemies will simply get tougher within the same area as you level-up?

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Bingo.

That makes as much sense as an RPG where one doesn't level up (i.e.- Quest 64). :confused: Is this the norm all-throughout, though? Or is it only partial to some areas or specific portions of each acquired "level"?

It happens throughout the game. Sometimes you'll go up several levels, and a new enemy will be introduced to the ones you'd been fighting in that area. Other times, the enemies are seemingly completely replaced with tougher ones, and the older ones vanish.

In the beginning, this'll happen with each leveling up (up to about level 5-7). After that, it happens after 2-4 leveling ups. So it slows a little, but it never goes away.

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Originally Posted by Joe Redifer

So I assume I must be at least level 30 to attempt Temuwood that as at the near-beginning of the game?

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The first chapter is certainly difficult, especially as you just have Toby - but with persistence, you'll get through fine. Make sure to stock up on Power capsules; they're your best friend in chapter one.

Further tips, should you need them, are contained underneath the "spoiler tag" below.

Once you get the Brain sword, don't have Toby equip it. While it allows him to use his force abilities, it relies on his natural offensive power. Wait until he is several levels higher, and has recruited some friends, to equip it.

Also, as for being level 30 - you can actually finish the game with characters at levels in the 30s, if you are determined and skilled enough. So to finish exploring Temuwood you shouldn't need to be anywhere near that level - just persistent and patient.

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Originally Posted by Joe Redifer

Force doesn't work, I am not allowed to use it.

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As is stated in the game's instruction manual, Toby and May need to have and equip the Brain sword before they can use force magic.

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Originally Posted by The Coop

Just watch out for when the enemies start coming up behind you. Your physical attacks only do about 1/3 their usual damage to those enemies, making you rely on other means to beat them quickly

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That's when you should use the "Position" option to change the heroes' direction of focus in battle. That way they'll do normal damage to enemies that sneak up on them. Just make sure to change "Position" back to normal at the beginning of the next battle. This is also explained in the game's instruction manual.

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Originally Posted by CMA Death Adder

That's when you should use the "Position" option to change the heroes' direction of focus in battle. That way they'll do normal damage to enemies that sneak up on them. Just make sure to change "Position" back to normal at the beginning of the next battle. This is also explained in the game's instruction manual.

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Oh, I know (I'm one of those weirdos that reads manuals ;)). I was merely warning him of what was to come with the attacks.

I have a very limited amount of inventory space at this time. Would I be safe dropping the news reader and whatever the mom gave me at the beginning off at a bank?

I haven't encountered anyone named Toby yet.

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Originally Posted by The Coop

(I'm one of those weirdos that reads manuals ;)).

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Same here, but then I'm just a weirdo in general. ;)

I always hope our customers read the manuals. Aside from looking pretty, they offer a fair amount of insight.

Besides having a much better design, our manual for Star Odyssey gives the players more information than the one that shipped with Blue Almanac. In the original manual, for example, certain force magic was left as a mystery to the player, forcing them to waste time and FP trying out some of the higher combinations just to see what this magic did and how it affected the enemies / party members. It's still a treat to use the most powerful magic in the game, especially because of how it looks and acts, but I felt there was no need to shroud its effects behind question marks.

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Originally Posted by Joe Redifer

I have a very limited amount of inventory space at this time. Would I be safe dropping the news reader and whatever the mom gave me at the beginning off at a bank?

I haven't encountered anyone named Toby yet.

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Toby is the default name of your character (get it by simply choosing "END" instead of renaming him... this works for the other characters as well).

I'm guessing you're still on the first planet? If so, don't get rid of the shrub-whateverit'scalled. You'll need it (it's directly related to what I mentioned regarding the "PM me" subject earlier).

So level 30 to get past the first wilderness/cave area on the first planet... got it. It's Legend of Wukong all over again.

Here is the episode of Game Sack that has Star Odyssey gameplay in it at the beginning and end. Recorded from an emulator! :twisted:

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Originally Posted by Joe Redifer

So level 30 to get past the first wilderness/cave area on the first planet... got it. It's Legend of Wukong all over again.

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:lol:

It's not that bad. You can get the stuff you need far easier if you just plan on it being a one way trip to each place on Temuwood. Put your money in the bank of course, and go, die, and be returned with the extra experience and some extra cash.

You're already close to the highest level I was by the end of the first planet, so you should be good to go and finish it all up.

After I get Rick on my team, where exactly am I supposed to go? I have the Brain, but I guess I am just missing something on Temuwood? Must I speak to a certain NPC? Any help is appreciated.

No, I can only make it two or three fights before I die. With a few POWERs, that might make 5 or 6, max. In case you haven't noticed, there would be at least 100 or 200 battles each way. I am telling you that it simply cannot be done. The game is broken. You did not test for the way I am playing. It's Wukong all over again, probably even worse. I should easily be able to make a trip on level 12, but I simply cannot.

The game is broken.

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Originally Posted by Joe Redifer

I am telling you that it simply cannot be done. The game is broken. You did not test for the way I am playing. It's Wukong all over again, probably even worse. I should easily be able to make a trip on level 12, but I simply cannot.

The game is broken.

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It's kind of unfair to call a game "broken" if you don't happen to be very good at it ...

As for games where enemies are swapped for new monsters or tougher monsters of the same type, I can think of many off the top of my head:

Final Fantasy VIII
Romancing SaGa 1-3
SaGa Frontier
Final Fantasy Legend

It's not exactly uncommon. SaGa was fucking brutal because the difficulty of the monsters was based on your HP. If you fought a lot and got a lot of HP bonuses but no DEF bonus, suddenly there would be new monsters who would just rape you. Nothing you could do about it either, since the monsters changed everywhere in the game.

I think the reason games do this is to keep the game difficult and combat level spamming. If power leveling up to 60 on the first planet worked, then you could call the game broken.

Go to hell, man. No need to insult my playing abilities. The fault is 100% the game, not me. I need to be level 30 or higher just to get through the first part. How am I supposed to know not to grind at all? I did and now I am too powerful, so the enemies have become too powerful and I can't progress. The enemies ALWAYS use magic, every single attack. RUN does not work. That option is broken. The difficulty went from Kind of easy to excruciatingly difficult in 30 seconds. Talk about unbalanced. That's some shitty programming. I have never played any of the SNES games you mentioned. But I guess you think the majority of RPGs on the planet are broken. I will not take your opinion as a valid one, then.

It's broken. The programmers designed a shitty system there and overcompensated for level increases.

I might as well sell this one on eBay (with the original shitty box art and I'll throw in a print out of DJShock's far superior box art as well). But I will give it another try before I decided to do this.

Super Fighter Team will never be as awesome as Watermelon, that's for sure.

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Originally Posted by PDorr3

After I get Rick on my team, where exactly am I supposed to go? I have the Brain, but I guess I am just missing something on Temuwood? Must I speak to a certain NPC? Any help is appreciated.

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If I'm remembering the first planet correctly...

You've got Rick, so you have the pilot needed. Did you talk to Lady **somethingorother** (I can't remember her last name)? If not, there's a woman staying in one of the hotels "under an assumed name" that you'll need to speak to. I believe she's mentioned at the same place where you were told you needed a pilot. She'll have a ship for you to use to get off of the planet, and she'll get you a passport for the second one.

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Originally Posted by Joe Redifer

No, I can only make it two or three fights before I die. With a few POWERs, that might make 5 or 6, max. In case you haven't noticed, there would be at least 100 or 200 battles each way. I am telling you that it simply cannot be done. The game is broken. You did not test for the way I am playing. It's Wukong all over again, probably even worse. I should easily be able to make a trip on level 12, but I simply cannot.

The game is broken.

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Joe, which way are your character portraits facing when you hit "C" on the world map? If they're facing right, they shouldn't be. They should be facing left for the early part of the game, since the monsters only come at you from that side. I have a feeling you accidentally used the "position" option and made them face the wrong way (which would reduce the damage you do to about 1/3).

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Originally Posted by Joe Redifer

Here is the episode of Game Sack that has Star Odyssey gameplay in it at the beginning and end.

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Thank you. I will check it out the first chance I get.

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Originally Posted by PDorr3

After I get Rick on my team, where exactly am I supposed to go? I have the Brain, but I guess I am just missing something on Temuwood? Must I speak to a certain NPC? Any help is appreciated.

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I thought I had sent you an e-mail about this, but perhaps it was to someone else. Either way, I'm glad to help...

Return to Dew City and speak with the people in the buildings marked with asterisks; especially Yan. They will inform you of what to do next.

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Originally Posted by Joe Redifer

Go to hell, man. No need to insult my playing abilities.

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You're one to talk, Joe, feeling perfectly free to talk a mile of shit about anyone and anything that slightly irritates you. You throw barbs at me all the time. You don't know me, my personal or business schedule, or anything else about me and yet you feel free to mock me, insult me, etc., every chance you get. I don't take it personally; I realize it's just how you are.

Derrick telling you you "aren't very good" at a game is nothing compared to some of the unfounded insults you hurl at people. Still... if you don't like a taste of your own medicine, then perhaps give a thought to how your own arrogant nonsense often upsets or even hurts others.

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Originally Posted by Joe Redifer

The fault is 100% the game, not me. I need to be level 30 or higher just to get through the first part.

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While I'm sorry to hear that you are frustrated, it is really a matter of patience and persistence. I had to personally play through the game over 20 times during testing, and each time I did I never had Toby at over level 15 during the first chapter. Rather, I usually didn't get him up over level 20 until at least the sixth chapter. While Star Odyssey takes a cautious approach in the beginning, it is by no means "broken." It is difficult, but that's the way (I feel) a good RPG should be.

A few of our customers have already finished the game, or at least progressed halfway through. It is possible. I hope you are able to progress further too, because things get pretty interesting down the line.

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Originally Posted by The Coop

Joe, which way are your character portraits facing when you hit "C" on the world map?

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Just checked and he is facing left. The Pop-Bems do 23 damage each time and the Mutant B52s do 15 damage each time. They seem to be the only enemies in the game right now. They only ever use magic and they all like to attack in threes.

Also, what does the POISON item do? This is not explained in the manual. Well, it might be, but the manual names to not match the game names. There is no POISON item listen in the manual.

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Originally Posted by Brandon Cobb

You throw barbs at me all the time. You don't know me, my personal or business schedule, or anything else about me and yet you feel free to mock me, insult me, etc., every chance you get.

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Well, when you release a game and then decide to be absent right after you make the announcement for a couple of days, I call that poor planning on your part. You deserved that one. If you had other shit to do, you should have waited. I think you did it on that particular day anyway because of its historical significance and no other reason. And D-- insulting me is pretty stupid. You see, here I am, a frustrated gamer. There's D--, who helped make the game basically telling me to go fuck myself. I am already frustrated because of the game. D-- did not offer ANYTHING useful. So now the people who made the game simply tell me I suck. This increases my frustration level x10.

And it's not just me who mocks you and makes fun of you. There's a whole thread for it at PC Engine FX (that I didn't start) about how you think you are the retro gaming pariah or some such. It's very entertaining to read.

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Originally Posted by Joe Redifer

Also, what does the POISON item do? This is not explained in the manual. Well, it might be, but the manual names to not match the game names. There is no POISON item listen in the manual.

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The "Poison" item is identified in the instruction manual as "Antidote Capsule," and its function is to cure poisoning. You're right, it is the only item in the game which is listed under a slightly different name in the instruction manual.

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Originally Posted by Joe Redifer

And it's not just me who mocks you and makes fun of you.

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I never said it was. I was just pointing out your hypocrisy.

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Originally Posted by Joe Redifer

There's a whole thread for it at PC Engine FX (that I didn't start) about how you think you are the retro gaming pariah or some such. It's very entertaining to read.

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They can insult me all they like, but it would be more productive if they channeled that energy into something that actually helped the classic gaming community. *shrugs* To each their own.

So every thread should be about helping the community? I agree it doesn't help anything, but it doesn't hurt anything either. It's not counter productive. It's not like good stuff isn't getting done as a result. And they do make and release their own games.

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Originally Posted by Joe Redifer

Just checked and he is facing left. The Pop-Bems do 23 damage each time and the Mutant B52s do 15 damage each time. They seem to be the only enemies in the game right now. The only ever use magic and they all like to attack in threes.

Also, what does the POISON item do? This is not explained in the manual. Well, it might be, but the manual names to not match the game names. There is no POISON item listen in the manual.

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Regarding the Pop-Bems and Mutant Bs, yeah, they're a bitch. My advice would be to get up to about level 15 or 16, put your money in the bank, and make a suicide mission to talk with Gaz, and another to get the Brain sword. I made the mistake of grinding too much, and hit that area with level 12 or 13. Sadly, my saves got erased for some reason later on, and I had to do that area again... this time around level 5 or 6 (which should be before those two monster types became the regular enemies). It was a lot easier, and I still had the cash to buy the "Hand Gun" weapon and all the best armor to use. After that, I level ground my way up once I was on the second planet.

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Originally Posted by Joe Redifer

You see, here I am, a frustrated gamer.

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Yes, and I am happy to do everything I can to alleviate that frustration (and it seems The Coop is too - thanks!). Trust me, I've played through several JRPGs over the years that inspired me to the same feeling you're currently experiencing. It can really throw a monkey wrench into the fun, for a while. But every time I've struggled through the most difficult parts, it's always been worth it.

Yes, both yours and Coop's replies have been better than D--'s. Thanks Coop, I will try that. I do not like giving up on games especially so early.

Should I talk with Gaz first or does it matter? I can go north or south, it looks like.

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Originally Posted by Joe Redifer

Should I talk with Gaz first or does it matter? I can go north or south, it looks like.

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Yes, you should talk with Gaz first. If memory serves, that's the south path.

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Originally Posted by Joe Redifer

Should I talk with Gaz first or does it matter? I can go north or south, it looks like.

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Talking to Gaz allows you to go after Rick, which will make your life easier since you'd have a second party member to go after the Brain sword (this path goes to the right initially when you leave the Stephorn, with a cave at the top of an open area north of where you see Gaz and his two bodyguards walking around), while the other path takes you to where the Brain sword is (you'll know it's the right one if you have to walk around a small lake to get into the cave). Just be careful. There is a third path (I can't remember where exactly) that leads to Gaz's villa which one of the NPCs talked about, and there isn't anything worthwhile there (just three women that tell you nothing of importance).

I finished the game and had none of the grinding difficulties Joe is mentioning. Unless the difficulty was changed after I played the review copy, then it really isn't that hard. You do have to grind at the beginning, like Wukong, but the rest of the game isn't that hard. Once you buy the item that lets you hold more healing thingies and learn that the Hulk Hogan dude (Rick) owns with rifles, battles become more of a nuisance than anything else. I never had any problem with the random battles being too hard, but some of the bosses were tough.

You probably didn't grind as much as I did. That way you were able to complete the area fairly easily. I am a grinding whore, I always want to be over-prepared. Damned if I try that again in this game!

I grinded a lot at the beginning. And when I played through it, the Excel item didn't revive dead characters. SFT implemented that AFTER I finished it. You young whipper-snappers and yer healing items! I had to lug dead characters through dungeons! In the snow! Uphill... both ways!

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Originally Posted by Joe Redifer

I am a grinding whore, I always want to be over-prepared. Damned if I try that again in this game!

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My end characters are Toby (46), Rick (45) and Grim (45). I probably overdid the grinding a little, but if you keep where I ended the game in mind, that should give you a pretty good idea for a steady pace that'll help you get through the game. Honesty, it's really only the first planet that punishes you for over grinding. After that, between your weapons and Force magics, you shouldn't have any sizable issues with overpowering enemies unless you REALLY go apeshit or something, and end up at level 40 by the end of the second planet. Just remember to use the position option when they start popping up behind you, and that the positions aren't reset during or between battles (you'll have to turn them around again manually).

By the way, we really need a "spoiler" button to click :lol:



Melf- Those things can revive too? Hell, I thought they were just for HP recovery.

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Originally Posted by Melf

I grinded a lot at the beginning. And when I played through it, the Excel item didn't revive dead characters. SFT implemented that AFTER I finished it.

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Even then, you only really get good access to the "Excel" item toward the end of the game. I like my RPGs to be challenging, but the final chapter can get really tough, even for the most seasoned players. Giving the "Excel" item the added ability to revive a fallen hero, I felt, balanced things out nicely. The final planet still offers a solid challenge, but players won't have to backtrack nearly as often as they'd have to in Blue Almanac.

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Originally Posted by Melf

I had to lug dead characters through dungeons! In the snow! Uphill... both ways!

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Ha. That reminds me of "The Hobbit" text adventure for the Apple II, where you could carry "Dead Thorin" around with you if he was killed during the adventure. Memories...

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Originally Posted by Melf

I grinded a lot at the beginning.

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I imagine you did, but I think I did it more. I like certain numbers, so even though my character is dodging most attacks or getting, at most, 1 HP taken off from each attack, I say to myself "Well, might as well go up to the next level since I like the number 12" or some such instead of going to do what I need to be doing to advance the game.

Got the game yesterday and have played it a few hours. I'm overall enjoying it.

Had to do lots of grinding at the beginning, but that's OK. After a while you get stronger and can afford the expensive gear, which makes most enemy attacks do only 1 HP for damage. What annoys me is the very repetitive and not so very inspired music. Overworld graphics aren't much to hurray for either, but I can live with it. Story, gameplay and the setting make up for it. Package design it good, but nothing more. Doesn't look overly professional and isn't in uniform with other Mega Drive games (like the others of SFT), so I put it at the very end of my collection where games with weirdly designed inserts/boxes end up, like Micro Machines Military and Magic Bubble. The box is the same Famicom pirate as before, and it's OK. Too glossy, thin and soft, but still OK. The manual design is very good with lots of pictures and nice looking pages. I could have traded those "Notes" pages for something else though.

Overall, good job. Will give more feedback once the game is beaten.

So, can anybody say whether the game sucks or not? How well does it hold up compared to other Genesis RPGs? (not counting Pier Solar)

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Originally Posted by Guntz

So, can anybody say whether the game sucks or not? How well does it hold up compared to other Genesis RPGs? (not counting Pier Solar)

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I'll give this a quick review with what comes immediately to mind...


-=Pros=-

+ Pretty good 1991 graphics with some nice little effects (water, fire color cycling, wavering, etc.)
+ Decent soundtrack (even if you don't get to hear all of it very much)
+ A solid story
+ Rather involved magic system
+ Interesting twist with in front and behind attacks
+ A pretty good ending
+ Able to speed up the battle with the ability to turn off animations, and speed up the text a lot
+ Good number of characters to choose from for your party
+ Animated battles, instead of static, two frame animations (like Phantasy Star III)
+ A few little side quests
+ Handy warping system for getting from one city to the next


-=Cons=-

- WAY to many random encounters
- You don't get to hear half the music as much because of those random encounters
- Some quests could have been made a little clearer in terms of where to go next
- Rather short for an RPG (I beat it in about 14-15 hours)
- Some enemies only attack with magic, which does the same amount of damage no mater what level you are
- All new characters start at level 1 throughout the game, making them "one hit and they're dead" fodder for a while (especially Aura)


-=Could go either way, depending on how you see it=-

+/- Lots of grinding needed
+/- Monsters continually change as you go up levels, even if you grind in the same place (much like Oblivion does)
+/- Either some spells require you to be really high up in levels to get to use, or else not everyone can use all the spells
+/- Some rather abrupt spikes in enemy strength as you level up (right Joe? :lol:)


All in all, I'd give it a 7 out of 10. It's a solid RPG, with some nice touches and a number of flaws, but it's enjoyable.

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Originally Posted by Melf

I grinded a lot at the beginning. And when I played through it, the Excel item didn't revive dead characters. SFT implemented that AFTER I finished it. You young whipper-snappers and yer healing items! I had to lug dead characters through dungeons! In the snow! Uphill... both ways!

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quality comment that, giggling here :)

by the way joe

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Originally Posted by Joe Redifer

No, I can only make it two or three fights before I die. With a few POWERs, that might make 5 or 6, max. In case you haven't noticed, there would be at least 100 or 200 battles each way. I am telling you that it simply cannot be done. The game is broken. You did not test for the way I am playing. It's Wukong all over again, probably even worse. I should easily be able to make a trip on level 12, but I simply cannot.

The game is broken.

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do you play genesis games often, or is your hatred towards them totally unfounded, possibly based on your lack of skill at them? i read one of your posts on another forum about pier solar ' Everybody has been saying that the game is a piece of shit and they can't even find the ambition to press START at the title screen the first time they turn it on. It is rumored that there isn't even anything beyond the title screen. But it is a Genesis game, it is SUPPOSED to be garbage!'

Many thanks for that excellent pros + cons write up Coop! I feel like I've played a game like that before (Earth Bound NES) which I absolutely loved. Perhaps I will grab a copy of this game... Though currently my cash is tied to a few things right now, so it'd have to wait.

so this is yet ANOTHER broken game release? Game ending halfway through the game and makes you restart like Wukong and BEggar Prince?

So I was playing Blue Almanica(SP?) to see if I had any interest in what might be Star Oddessey.
Holy Shit

The game was so horrible. I can't imagine they where able to save this.

Cons
- Graphics suck but, it did come out in 91.
- Design. This isnt something that should have to do with its release date. Nearly all the rooms in towns are the same room. They just have different characters in them. Like how hard could it of been to have some different floor plans.
- Battles are simply terrible with a poorly thought out system.
- No exp for battle. Yeah I fucking hard to grind to reach level 2. If you have to go back to town and heal yourself before you reach level 2 something is fucking wrong.
- Speaking of walking back to town. The distance you have to walk around is far to long.
- You get no money from battles near the begining of the game
- You get in a battle almost every other step until you start trying to grind....
-The game area's, people and towns and almost everything relating to the asthetics of this game are completly bland.


Pros
- I like the music.


So anyone played both versions to compare?

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Originally Posted by Zebbe

Got the game yesterday and have played it a few hours. I'm overall enjoying it.

Had to do lots of grinding at the beginning, but that's OK. After a while you get stronger and can afford the expensive gear, which makes most enemy attacks do only 1 HP for damage. What annoys me is the very repetitive and not so very inspired music. Overworld graphics aren't much to hurray for either, but I can live with it. Story, gameplay and the setting make up for it. Package design it good, but nothing more. Doesn't look overly professional and isn't in uniform with other Mega Drive games (like the others of SFT), so I put it at the very end of my collection where games with weirdly designed inserts/boxes end up, like Micro Machines Military and Magic Bubble. The box is the same Famicom pirate as before, and it's OK. Too glossy, thin and soft, but still OK. The manual design is very good with lots of pictures and nice looking pages. I could have traded those "Notes" pages for something else though.

Overall, good job. Will give more feedback once the game is beaten.

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lol Like Pier Solar? :p