Ben-DutkaIt remains a highlight of highlights of the PlayStation generation, and is widely considered to be one of Squaresoft's bests.
Unfortunately, when it first came to the PlayStation Network as a downloadable PS1 classic, only Europe got to indulge. But now, according to the PlayStation Blog , Vagrant Story will arrive on the US PSN this week. Other releases include PixelJunk Shooter 2 – expect a review soon – Modnation Racers , and demos for MLB 2K11 , Call of Duty: Black Ops , and Top Spin 4 , among others. But for old-school role-playing aficionados, the cream of the crop is most certainly Squaresoft's unique action/RPG with an interesting medieval flair. In some ways, the game mechanic reminded me of Parasite Eve , where things played out in real-time, but you could pause to aim with your currently equipped weapon. Vagrant Story was deeper, though, and those in the know understand why it begs to be played over and over…
At this point, most of the best RPG classics are available to download on the PSN, so there's no excuse not to either relive the glory days or take a peek at what those glory days were actually like for RPG fans.
Related Game(s): Vagrant Story
Psst!
You forgot to mention Xenogears is on PSN too….
Yeah, but that was there last week and besides, we already did a story a while ago about Xenogears coming. 🙂
But when are you going to play it, Ben? lol
@Highlander
Have you given Xenogears a shot yet?
Darn good question. …I suppose I should play it, huh?
I've only played Vagrant Story for the first time now, and it is amazing. The story of the game is interesting, the orchestral sound track is just sooo goooood (playing it with head phones (on PSP) on mid-high volume just gives me goosebumps), the gameplay is really fresh for its time (and still is), the level of customisation is pretty deep and the atmosphere of the stages is akin to that of Demon's Souls. In many ways, it's like the turn-based grand-daddy of Demon's Souls. And it is so good.
Last edited by WolfCrimson on 2/28/2011 10:52:40 AM
We need these very mechanics to come back to RPG's on the current gen consoles.
Nice, maybe I'll get a chance to replay VS and beat it this time. Also, I really liked the scripting in VS. I'd say it possibly was their best scripted game during the time.
Argh, I'm actually starting to get a backlog of PSX games to play.
And I know RR4 is power drifting right around the corner as well.
This is one I missed out on so I'll definitely get it now.
Great!
Now when do we get Chrono Cross?
-Arvis
Damn good question.
Xenogears and Chrono Cross have very similar combat system, instead of selecting attack or special attack on a menu. Here you must make button combos with X, Square and Triangle.
Cool. My copy was stolen along with my copy of Final Fantasy Tactics. Maybe I'll pick them both up along with Xenogears.
If my copy of FFT was stolen, I'd……well, I would not be responsible for my actions.
Last edited by Ben Dutka PSXE on 2/28/2011 11:55:25 AM
Yea, I was pretty pissed. It was a guy from my work place who needed a place to stay. He took off after a few months along with some of my games and one of my guitars. Bad judgment on my part at the time. Live and learn I guess.
Last edited by Jawknee on 2/28/2011 1:36:56 PM
sorry to hear about your stuff being stolen. that really sucks since you were trying to help the guy out.
if i remember right, vagrant story was a game that looked pretty good with the ps2 smoothing.
i don't remeber much else, but i'll definitely check it out since it comes from a great era of squaresoft games.
Ah it's alright. It was quite awhile ago when I still lived in California. Thanks though. 🙂
Man I knew there was a reason I was saving my money I have on PSN. Pixeljunk Shooter 2 and Vagrant Story are must buys for me. Still need to pick up Xenogears too.
Vagrant Story was such a fun game, it always ticked me off that the copy I had would never go past a certain point towards the end of the game. Hopefully I don't encounter the same bug with the digital version.
I had that same problem with FFIX. It happened when I was loading to the 4th disc. I tried 2 different copies with no luck. I downloaded it when it came out for PSN but haven't got around to playing it yet.
Never played, but it shall be mine!!!!
Another old rpg I've never been able to play. Have been wanting it for some time, but it was really expensive, now it looks like it will be mine along with xenogears.
Vagrant Story is one I missed out on, but I wish I hadn't. I will definitely give this a shot soon via PSP (as I do with all my PS1 classic downloads).
I'm really happy to hear all the buzz about Xenogears. Glad lots of you plan to pick it up. It's my most favorite jRPG of all time. I loved it better than the FF's, Chrono's, Tales of, Suidoken's, Dragon Quest/Warriors…. all of them.
And that's saying ALOT! (Those all have a place in my heart!)
Anyways… if you enjoy playing PS1 classics, and don't mind the fact that graphics weren't as amazing as they are now (obviously) and you loved jRPG's back in the day, Xenogears is a no brainer. An absolute, NO BRAINER. It flew under the radar because it released in 1997… just like a certain FF title.
i missed out on xenogears so i'm definitely checking it out. i have fond memories of that era of squaresoft games. i really liked the parasite eve series. i'm thinkiing about getting a psp. i've heard it has a video out cable. is that true? how does it look on hdtv?
For someone who hasn't played FF:Tactics, Xenogears or Vagrant story, and I could only download ONE, which one would you guys suggest? I have a feeling I know what you're going to say Underdog….
They're all very different. FFT is a strategy/RPG; it has the turn-based "playing board" setup. It's my favorite game of all time, but that isn't a popular choice.
Vagrant Story is an action/RPG where it's just one hero (like an action game), and you fight in real-time against enemies. But you pause the game to aim with your weapon; you can aim at various parts of the foe.
Xenogears is most like a standard Final Fantasy. Turn-based, party-based combat, epic story, and big, explorable world.
@Excelsior
I've only tried playing through the HDTV once a year or two back, and if I remember correctly, I did it somehow via the PS3. I'd have to play around with it a bit to remind myself of how I did it… So try starting there. Hope that helps!
@jimmyhandsome
lol, well, I know what I would pick based on my personal preferences. I've never played Vagrant Story, myself, but I would take Ben's advice on this one and go with the one that most suits your gameplay tastes, as they are all top notch.
I also adored FFT, so you can't really go wrong with that as a choice either. Go with your gameplay preference, and I bet you'll be happy with any choice out of those 3.
Last edited by Underdog15 on 2/28/2011 9:43:10 PM
Thanks guys. I think I'll go with either FFT or Xenogears, sad to say I didn't play many RPGs when I had a PSone (just FFVII).
My wallet hates me. Xenogears, Beyond Good & Evil HD, Vagrant Story, etc. My backlog can't get any bigger.
Well, why not make it bigger?! Bring on Legend of Dragoon, Threads of Fate, Suikoden II, Chrono Cross, Legend of Mana, Brave Fencer Musashi and a bunch of other classics, Square and Sony!!
Especially Legend of Dragoon!
I'm sold! About time! 🙂
I've just picked this one up for my PSP. Give me something to pass the time on the train.
Hope it's ok. I'm trusting you guys on this one!
I am loving all the RPG classics coming to PSN. This is probably blasphemy…but I never played RPGs during the PS era…played some on the NES and SNES, but for whatever reason I didnt have the patience at the time and was 99% Madden/NHL..i know, i know, TERRIBLE!!
I am getting to try them now and so far have not been disappointed. Just downloaded Xenogears and will be picking up this one.
But as someone mentioned above….backlog is terrible…if I didnt buy another game ever, I probably have enough to last me 20 years!
how bout Final Fantsy 6 & Chrono Trigger =) i would love to relive my child hood memory hehe