by Fogeltje » Tue Mar 11, '14, 1:10 pm
OK, here are some impressions. I put them in spoilertags, so don't read if you don't want spoilers as I started with Odin.
First of all this version has some new names, quite some enemies are renamed, Alis and Odin have their Japanesefied name (Alisa and Tylon) and probably Noah too but I'm not that far yet. The shops are also renamed. We now have Tool Shops and Pharmacies and Colas and Burgers are placed with Mono/Dimate.
The menu has a PSIV feel and the overworld moving is faster. I think characters are moderately more powerful, especially MP wise. Each character now has their own inventory and you can equip weapons immediately when you buy them. You can load and save from the menu. Some items are now "quest items" which means they don't clog up your inventory, like the roadpass, passport and compass. Downside is that you can't use the compass. So I'd like a fix for that. Whenever I get lost in dungeons I use it to get my bearings on the map. An added benefit is that you don't longer need to use keys. Once you have the keys doors open automatically on a button click, big improvement!
You can also change the order of you party, let meat shield Odin walk in front to take more blows statistically speaking but I don't know if it will make a difference. In the old PSI it didn't matter as you couldn't change the party order.
When you start out with Odin you begin in Scion equipped with an Iron Axe and Iron Armour and a decent amount of hitpoints. It makes the start a bit easier than with Alis. In the towns you get some different dialogue. Visiting Alis' home has an Alis sprite who says her brother works at the spaceport, nice touch!
In Scion there's no secret sold but instead the compass, explaining how Odin got a compass (although you wonder if they only had one). With the compass you can go to Eppi forest. The guy who gives you the clue for the dungeon key instead gives you Myau, offering an explanation of how the two have met. Myau comes unequipped. Once you go into Medusa's cave the game will pick up the regular Odin. Odin wanders around a bit, then notices a hissing and wonders if Medusa is there. Going to the spot where Medusa should be (the spot where you normally find the petrified Odin) does nothing, first you need to go where the compass is usually found. Odin will remark that the compass makes a strange noise and he puts it there to lure Medusa (although to me it would make more sense if the game said he hides it there as not to alert Medusa to his presence). It offers an explanation why Odin had hidden the compass although I think the reason why (read last sentence) is a bit strange. Going to Medusa has you stoned right away. Myau escapes and the game says quite some while passes until Myau returns with Alis. From there game picks on. Alis comes equipped with a Titanium Sword and Light Suit and Myau with Spiky Fur. You can play the game as normal from this point.
"Rolf, there's no hope for me. If Neifirst is dead, I must die, too."
And in so saying, Nei silently closed her eyes.