Bishamon-ten wrote:1) Manual Healing Control - Seriously, I hated the idea of not being able to control characters in the Star Ocean series, and in this game the computer decides when to WASTE... err... use your precious healing resources? I am fine with manually controlling when I believe it is proper to use healing & recovery items, and believe I can do a better job of recognizing when is the most effective time to use them than some stupid AI based on a random percentage chance! Also, why is there such an abundance of one single synth material dropped when there are four DIFFERENT ones? I already have 999 of the first one, and less than 200 of each of the others!
Funny, I had a problem with the first one because in later dungeons it seemed to be the only one that DIDN'T drop. Lucky they're cheap, and even cheaper once you have Gust, so it was no problem soon enough.
Really though, this game's healing system is a really good idea, I think. Managing it during boss fights (I've already talked about my adventures recruiting Black Heart while horrendously underleveled somewhere on this board - wouldn't have been possible without this system) is great fun, and more to the point, having it automatically like this means you don't have to waste a turn doing it yourself. It just could have been worked out a little better and perhaps been given a better tutorial.
Bishamon-ten wrote:2) Dungeon Balancing - As others have said, sometimes the monsters have been significantly harder than the end boss! Also, suggested level for dungeons is sometimes blatantly out of synch - I am on a dungeon in Lastation which claims a level 30 recommendation, yet I can't even get past the random monster groups without dying, and all my characters are level 33! I can't increase their stats any higher, and yet they keep getting killed because their HP and defense is apparently not high enough to withstand attacks due to another complaint I have with the battle system...
Yeah, this seems to be an odd thing about the dungeons, but it doesn't apply to all of them oddly enough, so in the cases it DID happen, I just tended to grind a little on the enemies and walk out or just blitz through them with run aways.
Really, how often do RPGs TELL you what level you should be for the dungeon? Even if it's just for the boss at the end and not the enemies (though I did fine just following the game's "guide") it's still pretty damn nice, all things considered.
Bishamon-ten wrote:3) Non-Cheap Monster Attacks - Why do all monsters get the ability to attack twice? This seems an incredibly cheap way to increase the difficulty, along with the frustration level. I should not have the outlook of needing to grind for 5 or more levels above the dungeon level recommendation because the monsters are not only ridiculously strong, but also get to hit two different characters, one character twice, or even the entire party twice!
Well... To be fair, if you think about it, the monsters may be attacking twice, but you're attacking until your AP runs out. The monsters probably would think they're getting screwed over as much as you are. The way I see it, monsters are strong/have different stat builds than our characters, and their AP only lasts for two attacks. Pretty fair if you ask me.
Bishamon-ten wrote:4) A Complete Manual - With a full explanation of all the game mechanics, systems, and stats. If it is shown in the game (share info, for instance), it should be explained in the manual!
Really, except for a few things (like share info, admittedly) it's fairly straightforward for the most part. I can understand where you're coming from though.
Bishamon-ten wrote:5) A Full, Complete Game on Disc - I don't appreciate being baited with Gust and NISA as "guests" - either don't put them in my party at all and then give me quests to obtain them if I wish, or make them playable from the get-go! I have no intention of purchasing DLC after being used like a horse with a carrot dangling in front of its nose!
I think we all agree to some extent with you in regards to Nisa and Gust, but on the other hand, it IS kind of nice only having three party members for most of the game.
Bishamon-ten wrote:I used to unconditionally recommend buying NIS games to everyone who asked or was interested, but after this whole bit with the DLC-baiting "guest" characters and seeing what was done with Disgaea 2 PSP (taking out Hanako and making her DLC when she originally joined as part of the story in D2 on PS2)
.... I take it you didn't actually
play Disgaea 2 PSP.
The Hanako that is DLC is Hanako from ten years in the future, who plays like a human character and is essentially a
completely different character as far as gameplay (and even story) is concerned, and was a nice way to wrap up the "plot" of all of the DLC, which involved Hanako directly summoning all of the other characters. In the end, Hanako from the future tells her younger self off and warns her to make sure to send everyone home.
However, all of that said, the monster class Hanako
is still there like she always was.
NIS, I am thoroughly disappoint...
not worth the trouble or effort of anyone typing up or a company printing one.
