[PS2] The Sword of Etheria (OZ)

This might actually count as an action-RPG but, since the game doesn't seem to use numbers of any kind for health or damage and the like, I'll say it's action.

Okay, so I imported this game from Europe (NTSC mode in a great game is fucking rad), and I'm wondering if any PAL-ites here have played it. It's an action game from the makers of Suikoden (the game shares a lot of staff from Suikoden III in particular) that has very loose references to the Wizard of Oz. The game's main draw and unique feature is its strong emphasis on juggling enemies to earn money, use special moves, and other stuff. It's boring and easy as hell if you simply run through by hacking guys to bits on the ground (the enemy AI's primary goal is to interrupt your juggling, and as such is fairly passive), so the comboing ends up being very rewarding because of the game's smart ally-AI and fancy effects.

The game's been out for almost a year in Europe so I can't imagine there being a lot of people who've played it lately, but still, I'm not very far and I'd like to hear the opinions of fans.

EDIT: Sort of vague, so I'll be adding in some images and such.







Jam it back in, in the dark.

Really, the only thing unfaithful to the original is the title. All the characters still share their similarities with the Wizard of Oz (names, Lex appearances), but the game has always been about battling against the Gods. Unless you're talking about a literal redub, in which case it could be a lot worse-- I'm told there are some fairly well-known voice actors who lent their voices. Hopefully Miles will chime in, maybe tell me why I always fuck up juggles on the third go-around amongst the group.

It's kind of funny, since Konami came up with a different name for each region (OZ in Japan, Sword of Etheria in Europe, and Chains of Power in Korea).

How ya doing, buddy?

That's sort of the weird thing, as I believe several people from the usual Castlevania development team were brought in for OZ. Considering how smart and stylish a game it is, you'd think Konami would want more of these joint-internal development studio games.

Seriously, a Castlevania with Suikoden influences would be ridiculously awesome.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

You need to stop waiting around for the enemy to come back to you and either start guarding or start whacking the guys surrounding you.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Holy shit, I just unlocked Bonus mode and played a stage with Leon. Encouraged by this, I checked out GameFAQs to see what other bonuses there are.

Seriously, best game to never come out in the US. Sin and Punishment my ass.

I was speaking idiomatically.

Oh, didn't notice anyone post in this.

No one's really sure why, particularly when it's been released in every other region (Japan obviously, Asia, and most western European nations). There was a rumor back in the day that SCEA blocked it to prevent any competition for the then-upcoming release of Genji, which it was publishing. Who knows how legitimate that claim is.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

That's actually just an alternate costume for Fiel. In each stage there's a hidden item called "Fragment of Intelligence", and extras are unlocked by nabbing a certain amount through any one playthrough. I believe the costumes are obtained through this way.

FELIPE NO

Because the RPG and Action genres are so markedly different, it's very likely the bulk of the Suikoden III staff present did not do any of the programming. More like art direction, music, etcetera.

The battle programmers are more than likely from the Castlevania team, which may or may not excite you, given their track record for three-dimensional titles in the series. Still, if you were actually in a position to buy and play it, you'd be missing out by not doing so.

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

Yeah, with just a few changes, it could've gone from an excellent game to near-perfect. I can always hope for a sequel, I guess, but I have no idea how well it sold.

Jam it back in, in the dark.