slimequest: (sup)
Kirishawnie Marisa ([personal profile] slimequest) wrote2008-09-14 05:52 pm
Entry tags:

Live A Live!

Between finishing up FFIVDS and before DQIVDS comes out, I've been doing homework like a good little boy, but also playing around with roms on my breaks. Considering a new translation was released for it a little while ago, I loaded up Live A Live again and had another go at it.

Although Square had quite a few offbeat 16-bit RPGs, I don't think any quite come close to this. Basically you choose from one of seven characters to play as, each one coming from a different time period like old west, future, prehistoric times, etc. Each chapter has a different focus of gameplay and its own battle music (done by Yoko Shimomura), which helps keep things fresh and interesting. I like what the translation team did with the 2.0 patch as well - each scenario has its own font now as well, which even the Japanese version didn't have.

Currently I'm playing through Oboro's ninja chapter, which is about as close to a SNES Metal Gear Solid it gets. Basically your goal is to sneak into the castle without being seen and killing as few people as you can. It's actually possible to beat the chapter with zero people killed (Big Boss rank?) and the castle has a bunch of traps and puzzles to get through. For example, you overhear a password you can use to get through checkpoints fairly early on, but that password changes depending on what time it is (denoted by Oboro remarking that he hears a bell ringing in the distance), which is a really neat, innovative thing to do considering the time period when the game was released.

Basically, this game is pretty unique and awesome. It's really a great feeling to have a 16-bit game impress you even after all these years.

[identity profile] alice-curiouser.livejournal.com 2008-09-15 02:33 am (UTC)(link)
before DQIVDS comes out

SQEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! TWO! MORE! DAYS!

*ahem*

As you were.
ext_189275: (Dragons are over-rated)

[identity profile] slimequest.livejournal.com 2008-09-15 02:35 am (UTC)(link)
I prefer to think of it as one day and X amount of hours... because I CAN'T WAIT :DDDD

I've gotta think up a name for my hero, come to think of it...

[identity profile] alice-curiouser.livejournal.com 2008-09-15 02:41 am (UTC)(link)
Oh! That's a great idea! Any idea how many characters we get?
ext_189275: (Uh...)

[identity profile] slimequest.livejournal.com 2008-09-15 02:46 am (UTC)(link)
Not a clue, honestly. Torneko has the longest name I think, so at least seven? Assuming the game plays by its own rules.

[identity profile] alice-curiouser.livejournal.com 2008-09-15 02:50 am (UTC)(link)
I'm used to playing as a male hero, so I usually go with Max(x) or Felix (yeah, after my cat. so I'm a dork)... I was completely flummoxed when I tried to name my female hero in DW3. Better start thinking now!
ext_189275: (Muehehe)

[identity profile] slimequest.livejournal.com 2008-09-15 02:57 am (UTC)(link)
Apparently, the semi-kind-of-almost-default names for the DQ4 heroes are Solo (male) and Sofia (female), so you could go for one of those if you're stumped.

Of course, coming up with names on your own is hard, but rewarding when you think of a good one.

[identity profile] alice-curiouser.livejournal.com 2008-09-15 03:02 am (UTC)(link)
It was always funny when I played Shining Force because the default name was Max, and that's what I would have called him anyway.

I'll figure something out... can always go with Alice if nothing more inspirational strikes.
ext_189275: (Golden Boy)

[identity profile] slimequest.livejournal.com 2008-09-15 03:08 am (UTC)(link)
Alice is good! A classic, if you will.

I used to name all my characters after myself, but that got old after a while... especially when I ended up not liking some of the main characters that ended up taking my namesake xD

[identity profile] fireholly.livejournal.com 2008-09-15 04:43 pm (UTC)(link)
I've been wanting to play Live a Live for a while. You've just persuaded me.
ext_189275: (*jab jab*)

[identity profile] slimequest.livejournal.com 2008-09-15 09:43 pm (UTC)(link)
Awesome! (response AND icon, of course)

When playing Oboro's ninja chapter, trying for zero kills is very possible (I did it just last night), but it's pretty tedious. You just have to run away if you happen to encounter any enemies that are human, and level yourself up on ghosts and other intangibles that won't count towards your kills.

That, or slaughter every man, woman, and manwoman you encounter, whichever.

I've had a chance to play through the Wild West scenario, which was interesting, and the Prehistoric which is amusing because there's no dialog. They're cavemen, you know?
ext_189275: (Uh...)

[identity profile] slimequest.livejournal.com 2008-09-15 09:50 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh yeah, and make sure you use the 2.0 patch, it's very awesome. I can always upload my patched rom for you to use if you'd like.

[identity profile] fireholly.livejournal.com 2008-09-16 08:15 am (UTC)(link)
That would be excellent if you could do that.

I love the idea of the prehistoric level - that was what excited me about the game initially. I wanted to see how they'd pull it off. Also I was told it has the best choice box in video game history at the end.
ext_189275: (Freckle Fantasy)

[identity profile] slimequest.livejournal.com 2008-09-16 02:03 pm (UTC)(link)
http://www.filedropper.com/livealivej

Let me know if that doesn't work and I can try the usual upload places.

My emulator sometimes bitched at me because it thought it was a bad rom, but it should work.

I've begun the "mecha" level now. Elbowing radio-controlled cars to death and sitting on the toilet to be transported to my giant robot never looked so good. Also, it's really cute how they try to have a rousing Japanese robot theme song, minus the song.