[Boss Mog]

It's more like the later. Mostly linear with some side quests here and there

I disagree, the world map is 100% old school FF after Act 1. I spent hours exploring all the areas I had access to before continuing the story. I went into a place called the Dark Shores even though it said "Danger" and nabbed some nice loot off the floor while dodging aggro including a Lvl 23 Picto with 1000+ defense on it. ALso also found two Gestral Beaches with mini-games. I found and beat up some of those Chromatic NMs too.

 

[Boss Mog]

Explored everything on the first map, next up: trying to cross the sea. On Wednesday night when I'm back home.

Yeah the writing, story, world and combat are still great. BUT there's more. I love the exploration and the map layouts. No Metroidvania locked BS, good hints, you need to pay attention to not miss a lot of hidden items and enemies. It's kinda overwhelming every time you enter a new area, with various ways to go but it always leads back and makes sense in the end.

I found so much optional stuff, enemies and areas, sometimes very well hidden, I enjoy that a lot and it's very well done here. I bet most people muss like half the things.

The exploration when you're in a "zone" reminds me a lot of God of War only way better because there's so much hidden stuff and paths, I get lost all the time and I love it. The fact that you have those "chests" you need to find and shoot 3 things to open reinforces that God of War feeling.

 

[Yawnson]

It's more like the later. Mostly linear with some side quests here and there

That's so good, never mind the turn based renaissance this game is trying for, linear RPGs need a comeback, give me right gameplay, pacing and narrative over bloat.

Thanks for replying

 

[regawdless]

It's a throw back to proper level design, rather than having to stare at a mini map or pointing arrow/vision mode etc. With a lot of games we have traded convenience at the expense of immersion. On a side note that's why I like Grounded on Last of Us... it takes out the unrealistic listening mode and actually makes you focus on what you can realistically see.

It actually takes a lot more work on the level design to create visually distinct and semi logical maps, but worth it.

True. And there's no mini map for the levels, which helps with the immersion and forces you to pay attention to your surroundings.

Some of the optional levels like the yellow forrest were super cool and just as brilliant as the main story levels.

 

[DonDonDonPata]

It's funny how this game repudiates so many aspects of the modern game industry.

- the fifty dollar price tag comes shortly after Nintendo shocks everyone with 70/80 dollar standard pricing

- the size of the team is tiny compared to AAA studios and most AA studios, yet manages to output great graphics and celebrity voiceovers

- the combat is turn based (with action prompts) which flies in the face of conventional industry "logic" that turn based is too niche for mainstream JRPGs

- the map is an open over world with branching levels, a JRPG design over 35 years old at this point, long abandoned in favor of seamless open world slop maps

- the story is mature and covers broad topics without being #currentpolitics in every dialogue and interaction

- attractive female characters. Nuff said

The host of "YouTube grifters" are already picking up on these points, with video titles claiming E33 is a "wake up call" for the industry and even going so far as to say the mainstream industry is Done.

Kinda interesting to see how many players are coalescing around this game based on dissatisfaction with other games and other practices in the industry.

 

[Hostile_18]

- the size of the team is tiny compared to AAA studios and most AA studios, yet manages to output great graphics and celebrity voiceovers.

It does make you wonder what the funding structure is. I wonder if it's heavily subsidised on the Microsoft/gamepass side. If it is might not necessarily be indicative of a healthy or repeatable long term model for others to adopt.

 

[ExpandKong]

Curious what people who've beaten the game have to say about the entire experience (real people not professional reviewers). The beginning bits have been quite good so naturally I'm worried I'm going to get 40 hours in and get hit with something unsavory. Like how a new streaming show will be good for two or so seasons and then WHAM gay dudes making out

 

[TaySan]

Wasn't this game a part of Microsofts developers showcase? Im sure this game got a lot of help from Microsoft in terms of funding

 

[Hostile_18]

Wasn't this game a part of Microsofts developers showcase? Im sure this game got a lot of help from Microsoft in terms of funding

Might also part explain Microsofts very "bold' decision to launch Oblivion Remastered the same week. It's not so much game sales that's the end goal, but gamepass adoption, by releasing two bangers at once.

 

[DonDonDonPata]

It does make you wonder what the funding structure is. I wonder if it's heavily subsidised on the Microsoft/gamepass side. If it is might not necessarily be indicative of a healthy or repeatable long term model for others to adopt.

I suspect that the funding is far less than most AAA games. Around 30 people working for 5 years, versus 1000+ people working for 4 or more years as is the case with several AAA titles release in the last 12 months.

Whether it was subsidized or not is somewhat irrelevant, as it was still "constrained" by a team of only 30 people.

 

[DonDonDonPata]

 

[regawdless]

I suspect that the funding is far less than most AAA games. Around 30 people working for 5 years, versus 1000+ people working for 4 or more years as is the case with several AAA titles release in the last 12 months.

Whether it was subsidized or not is somewhat irrelevant, as it was still "constrained" by a team of only 30 people.

It does make you wonder what the funding structure is. I wonder if it's heavily subsidised on the Microsoft/gamepass side. If it is might not necessarily be indicative of a healthy or repeatable long term model for others to adopt.

These deals for GamePass with third party studios provide some base funding for the development, but not all of it and obviously no profit. It's useful for the devs because they can reduce the risk by having a good part of the dev costs already covered.

It feels like this game could be the final wake up call for larger publishers. You had the likes of Stellar Blade, Helldivers 2, KCD2 and now Clair Obscur being big successes, each with great return on investment. Mid size is where it's at.

There's no good business reason anymore to spend more than 120m on a game when 350m expensive games bomb.

 

[O-N-E]

It does make you wonder what the funding structure is. I wonder if it's heavily subsidised on the Microsoft/gamepass side. If it is might not necessarily be indicative of a healthy or repeatable long term model for others to adopt.

It doesn't matter where the money came from. 30 people made it.

Smaller teams of excellent people (paid very well) is so obviously the better route for quality games. The industry has just been suicidal for a good bit of time now. Same as the movies.

 

[DonDonDonPata]

It doesn't matter where the money came from. 30 people made it.

Smaller teams of excellent people (paid very well) is so obviously the better route for quality games. The industry has just been suicidal for a good bit of time now. Same as the movies.

Desperate folks already trying to give Microsoft credit for this multi platform game, that's what you're seeing

 

[Zefah]

Oh shit! Didn't notice it was him. He does a good job (as per usual).

 

[HeresJohnny]

Regardless of funding, Hermen Hulst would blow the entire male population of Ghana to get a hit game from a 30 man studio. It's damn remarkable, really given the shit show that game development has become.

 

[HE1NZ]

30 people team. Plus 300 Indians on outsource.

 

[ExpandKong]

30 people team. Plus 300 Indians on outsource.

Bold of you to recognize that Indians aren't people.

 

[Stifler's Mom]

I didn't even know about this game until this morning...

But even without the all the facts mentioned above, I was immediately intrigued reading the story and seeing the graphics style..

This finally feels like something unique again.

 

[CloudNull]

Just got to act 2. What the fuck….. bruh

Honestly game just keeps getting better. Haven't enjoyed an rpg like this since ffx and lost odyssey

 

[Boss Mog]

With all the positive stuff I should point out some negative stuff.

One thing I hate is having a new character joining the party and they're like 10 levels below everybody else and of course no Lumina points. Combine that with the fact that characters outside the main party only gain half xp and you got a situation that pisses me off big time. Levels and Lumina of joining characters should be averages of the rest of the party.

The new character had an interesting battle mechanic and needs to be in the main party if you want their abilities to develop so I had to go to the secret arena and fight Julien solo a shitload of times to level them up and have them catch up to the others. Not really fun.

Another horrible thing is the attempt at platforming. When the movement of your characters is janky and floaty as hell, don't put platforming sections/mini-games in your game. Proper 3D platforming requires super tight movement, like Astro Bot. This ain't it.

The menus and interface are also super poor. Now that I have a shitload of pictos and luminas, picking them in the menu is a real chore. Only 6 Ability slots is also shitty. You put in effort to unlock them in the skill tree and then you can't use them unless you remove others. There's no way to save abilitiy sets or Lumina sets either which would be very useful.

 

[regawdless]

 

[rofif]

Just got to act 2. What the fuck….. bruh

Honestly game just keeps getting better. Haven't enjoyed an rpg like this since ffx and lost odyssey

I've seen the prologue on youtube (the first 60-90 minutes or so)... yeah I know, fucking idiot I am.
Are you talking about that or are there more events to expect ?
don't spoil anything

 

[Hostile_18]

Oh hell noooo

 

[rofif]

Oh hell noooo

Do I ask what's going on ?!

 

[Hostile_18]

Do I ask what's going on ?!

Just finished Act 1. It's erm something!

 

[rofif]

Just finished Act 1. It's erm something!

is act1 the prologue?

 

[Hostile_18]

is act1 the prologue?

I'm about 15 hours in so don't think so. They make a very bold choice. GREAT moment. Not sure about the ramifications going forward in terms of making the story better or worse. They are going to have to earn it now, to keep me as engaged as I was.

 

[CloudNull]

I've seen the prologue on youtube (the first 60-90 minutes or so)... yeah I know, fucking idiot I am.
Are you talking about that or are there more events to expect ?
don't spoil anything

End of act 1 is extremely ballsy. A very bold move and not sure how it will play out. I think I see where things are going though and it could be amazing if they execute properly. I have so many questions lol

People say it gets even crazier as the story continues and I cannot wait. Been thinking about the game all day, specifically the end of act 1.

 

[CloudNull]

 

[DonDonDonPata]

Installing it on my PS5 now, gentlemen

 

[Dreamlord]

I fucking love this game. I think i am close to finishing Act 1 so I am not reading any of the comments here, I don't want you cunts to spoil anything.

The game has a few niggles, but i just don't remember the last time a game got me invested in its characters, world and story.

And I love the gameplay as well. Such a huge surprise!

 

[Grisham]

 

[Hostile_18]

Hard crashes are becoming more common now. Had four so far.

 

[Zeta Dragoon]

Expedition 33 is amazing, but also currently blitzing through Final Fantasy XIV which is also increasingly looking like one of the best games ever made and one of my favorite games ever. Everything Final Fantasy XVI was not though Stranger of Paradise and FF7 Rebirth also do things better then XVI.

Incredible but if GTA VI releases this year that will have a good chance of being thrown into question, despite how outstanding Expedition 33 is.

2025 is going to be a year of gaming for the ages, and 2024, 2023 were already amazing.

Hell there has been a arguable steady stream of variety and even generation tier games since 2015-2017 though the game industry itself and gaming "media" have just gotten worse and worse. Thus my theory we are in a Dark yet Golden Age.

I do hope Expedition 33 receives tons of support for performance, UI, possibly content to make what's shaping up to be a masterpiece into something potentially more.

 

[regawdless]

 

[DonDonDonPata]

The combat is so snappy. Everything about the game is snappy and direct-to-the-point. Battles are over fast. Cutscenes tend to be intense and brief. Menu navigation is simple and quick. Frequently leveling up and piling on the skills (already seeing synergies). Each "dungeon" is relatively short, only an hour or so.

And the overworld… is beautiful. Music is not what I expected, but not unwelcome. It fits with the game and doesn't sound like yet another Jeremy Soule wannabe fantasy score.

What a return to form for JRPGs. I dare say this game will be more important and more influential on the JRPG genre than anything Squeenix or ATLUS has done in the last 5 years.

 

[regawdless]

Btw regarding the team size topic:

It wasn't actually made by only 30 devs.

- The core team is around 30 devs
- 8 people from Korea for animations
- dozens of people for QA, voice work and translation
- over 30 people for the music including a choir

So including external resources overall under 100 people that made this possible. Still impressive and a very healthy size. 30-40 people in the core team is very efficient.

 

[regawdless]

Very good and stable performance on all platforms, good looking, only Series Ass is kind ass.

 

[Boss Mog]

i just don't remember the last time a game got me invested in its characters, world and story.

That's cause Sweet Baby didn't write it.