Infinite Undiscovery ? possibly one of the worst video game names around - was released in 2008 for the Xbox 360 by famed JRPG developer Tri-Ace ? creators of the Star Ocean and Valkyrie Profile series. The game was hyped as an evolution in JRPG?s, one that would break the void between Western and Eastern audiences. This is obviously a very bold claim, but with Square-Enix publishing the game and Tri-Aces pedigree, is Infinite Undiscovery truly a revolution?
The game follows the story of Capell, a flute player who could be the twin (as in they look alike) of a famed hero known as Sigmund. Sigmund is known as the ?hero of light? as he goes around the world destroying chains that hold down the moon. In typical JRPG fashion Capell joins him on his quest and ends up becoming a rather likeable character. You see, at first Capell is almost annoyingly terrified of battle, he claims to loathe combat, instead preferring to play his flute. Despite this, through journeying around the world destroying chains, rescuing distressed villages and attempting to stop the evil mastermind behind the moons chains, Capell?s characterization morphs as he finds his true self. Now this isn?t exactly a new concept in JRPG?s, but it is done remarkably well in Infinite Undiscovery. There?s no sudden change, Capell?s character changes over time, and as a result the story feels meaningful, even if it is rather bland and otherwise uncreative.
Infinite Undiscovery?s other characters are rather less interesting, including Capell the player has a choice of 18 different characters in their party and must choose 4 choose when in battle, as various characters join your party throughout the game - not only does this make it hard to manage all your items, it also decreases the quality of the games story. The player is only given very brief views into some characters backgrounds and this is a shame because the party members the game does go into detail about are interesting. If the game had cut back on the overwhelming amount of characters it may have allowed the player to become attached to them.
Infinite Undiscovery takes about 20 hours to complete over 2 disks so you?re getting your moneys worth out of this game. The graphics are not the best in gaming, but they do run at a solid framerate and have an interesting art design, of which I am a fan. However, this may not appeal to you, so be careful if you decide to check out this game. The music is lively and interesting; composed by Motoi Sakuraba it adds character to the world. Although having just re-played through Lost Odyssey the music lost its appeal as it is unable to compete with Uetmatsu?s work despite some comparisons. As they are the graphics and music are well done with some interesting touches that make the game somewhat unique on a system full of dark and gritty games. Despite this lip-synching is truly awful, possibly due to the English translation ? but that is no real excuse.
For me, it?s the gameplay that truly stands out in Infinite Undiscovery. Around towns and villages the gameplay follows a traditional ?press A to talk? function, so far so standard, but it?s the combat that shines ? its real-time ? this is a major development in JRPG?s on the 360 because I cannot think of any that have attempted real-time. The combat focuses on two buttons with a further two attacks that can be used by holding down said button for a certain time period. As such the combat is fluid and most importantly fun. Another new feature is the connect system. This system allows the player, with the touch of a button, to access other characters attacks and instruct them. For example, if you connect with a certain character you can take control of her and use her bow attack from a third-person perspective. Whilst the idea is fairly unique it is often difficult to use when surrounded. Another problem with the combat is the lack of a block button. Capell cannot guard himself unless he uses a guard feature, with which timing is vital. This makes the games tougher sections unnecessarily so ? as the player is sometimes attacked from all sides by hordes of enemies. Despite these flaws I enjoyed the combat; it was fresh, fun and kept the large amount of running from place to place interesting.
The one major flaw with the game, unfortunately, is the fact it does not have that same epic feel many other JRPG?s do. The cut scenes are all created using the games engine and many of them are rather bland and generic, as such the game loses some of its appeal because all JRPG?s should feature epic cut-scene ? I believe it?s a law of some kind.
In short, Infinite Undiscovery is a decent game, the gameplay is fun and exciting ? the story maybe not much ? but the style and presentation ? including some very corney lines make it at least rememberable.
Rent before buying.
The game follows the story of Capell, a flute player who could be the twin (as in they look alike) of a famed hero known as Sigmund. Sigmund is known as the ?hero of light? as he goes around the world destroying chains that hold down the moon. In typical JRPG fashion Capell joins him on his quest and ends up becoming a rather likeable character. You see, at first Capell is almost annoyingly terrified of battle, he claims to loathe combat, instead preferring to play his flute. Despite this, through journeying around the world destroying chains, rescuing distressed villages and attempting to stop the evil mastermind behind the moons chains, Capell?s characterization morphs as he finds his true self. Now this isn?t exactly a new concept in JRPG?s, but it is done remarkably well in Infinite Undiscovery. There?s no sudden change, Capell?s character changes over time, and as a result the story feels meaningful, even if it is rather bland and otherwise uncreative.
Infinite Undiscovery?s other characters are rather less interesting, including Capell the player has a choice of 18 different characters in their party and must choose 4 choose when in battle, as various characters join your party throughout the game - not only does this make it hard to manage all your items, it also decreases the quality of the games story. The player is only given very brief views into some characters backgrounds and this is a shame because the party members the game does go into detail about are interesting. If the game had cut back on the overwhelming amount of characters it may have allowed the player to become attached to them.
Infinite Undiscovery takes about 20 hours to complete over 2 disks so you?re getting your moneys worth out of this game. The graphics are not the best in gaming, but they do run at a solid framerate and have an interesting art design, of which I am a fan. However, this may not appeal to you, so be careful if you decide to check out this game. The music is lively and interesting; composed by Motoi Sakuraba it adds character to the world. Although having just re-played through Lost Odyssey the music lost its appeal as it is unable to compete with Uetmatsu?s work despite some comparisons. As they are the graphics and music are well done with some interesting touches that make the game somewhat unique on a system full of dark and gritty games. Despite this lip-synching is truly awful, possibly due to the English translation ? but that is no real excuse.
For me, it?s the gameplay that truly stands out in Infinite Undiscovery. Around towns and villages the gameplay follows a traditional ?press A to talk? function, so far so standard, but it?s the combat that shines ? its real-time ? this is a major development in JRPG?s on the 360 because I cannot think of any that have attempted real-time. The combat focuses on two buttons with a further two attacks that can be used by holding down said button for a certain time period. As such the combat is fluid and most importantly fun. Another new feature is the connect system. This system allows the player, with the touch of a button, to access other characters attacks and instruct them. For example, if you connect with a certain character you can take control of her and use her bow attack from a third-person perspective. Whilst the idea is fairly unique it is often difficult to use when surrounded. Another problem with the combat is the lack of a block button. Capell cannot guard himself unless he uses a guard feature, with which timing is vital. This makes the games tougher sections unnecessarily so ? as the player is sometimes attacked from all sides by hordes of enemies. Despite these flaws I enjoyed the combat; it was fresh, fun and kept the large amount of running from place to place interesting.
The one major flaw with the game, unfortunately, is the fact it does not have that same epic feel many other JRPG?s do. The cut scenes are all created using the games engine and many of them are rather bland and generic, as such the game loses some of its appeal because all JRPG?s should feature epic cut-scene ? I believe it?s a law of some kind.
In short, Infinite Undiscovery is a decent game, the gameplay is fun and exciting ? the story maybe not much ? but the style and presentation ? including some very corney lines make it at least rememberable.
Rent before buying.
