Will I like Lost Sphear if I thought Setsuna was a 6.5/10 game? play LS or Shining Force Refrain?

mogster7777 · Jul 10, 2018

I recently started Lost Sphear on PS4 today about half hour in so far.

It seems so similar to their previous game. The dialog is unremarkable, the pacing and story seem ok but don't really engage you. Both in looks and systems it is identical to Setsuna. Feels a bit cheap actually using the same assets. I didn't think Setsuna was bad, just bog standard and I love jrpgs normally. It just felt unremarkable and forgettable. I platinumed it but can't say I was amazed by any one aspect of it. However it wasn't a bad game either, it wasn't any worse than the recent Tales games like Berseria, Zestiria, those are about 6.5 maybe 7 if I'm in a good mood.

Anyway, is LS worth playing or is it just more if the same but like an expansion pack but not really?

I have this and Shining Force Refrain but can't decide which to play before DQXI hits.

I plan to platinum them as I love trophies.

JoDa · Jul 10, 2018

Lost sphear has better gameplay but is waaaay less memorable as far as story and characters. It is however really fun if you play on hard and active, the bosses will kick your ass and you'll have to actually use your brain quite a bit. But again, it is pretty boring on characters and story

Jonneh · Jul 10, 2018

I found both Lost Sphear and Shining Resonance average. LS is a bit better than Setsuna but not by much.

May I suggest Ys 8 or waiting for Octopath Traveler for your RPG fix.

ghostcrew · Jul 10, 2018

Lost Spear is fiiiiiine but very unremarkable. I wouldn't necessarily recommend it but it's not offensive either. It just kind of exists.

Comic Obsessed · Jul 10, 2018

Shining Resonance: Refrain looks surprisingly better than both despite that it doesn't seem that great by itself (still buying it for Switch though).

mogster7777 · Jul 10, 2018

Jonneh said:
I found both Lost Sphear and Shining Resonance average. LS is a bit better than Setsuna but not by much.

May I suggest Ys 8 or waiting for Octopath Traveler for your RPG fix.

I platinumed Ys 8 and I didn't really like the demo of Octopath. Bravely Default is way better.

VillagerMax · Jul 10, 2018

mogster7777 said:
I platinumed Ys 8 and I didn't really like the demo of Octopath. Bravely Default is way better.

Was it the first demo or the prologue demo? The prologue demo improved a lot from what I've heard.
(Sorry for the constant edits, this website is a mess on mobile)

Terraforce · Jul 10, 2018

IAS was a pretty mediocre game imo, and from what I saw about LS, the consensus was nothing more than it's slightly worse or it's slightly better but still not all that good. So I'm not going to risk it myself.

Shining Force on the other hand plays well from the demo and I heard good things about it. Probably will get after a price drop.

Freedom = $1.05 · Jul 10, 2018

What makes setsuna a 6.5 game as opposed to a 6.4 game or a 6.6 game

mogster7777 · Jul 10, 2018

VillagerMax said:
Was it the first demo or the prologue demo? The prologue demo improved a lot from what I've heard.
(Sorry for the constant edits, this website is a mess on mobile)

Both

mogster7777 · Jul 10, 2018

Freedom = $1.05 said:
What makes setsuna a 6.5 game as opposed to a 6.4 game or a 6.6 game

Just rounding it off. It's not really a 7/10 range as that would make it too close to FF15 which I consider a 7. But it's above average and about as fun as Tales games so 6.5 is about right,

Deleted member 14002 · Jul 10, 2018

I'd say play neither. Better explain your tastes and platform choices for suggestions

Deleted member 11413 · Jul 10, 2018

Lost Sphear is a significant improvement over I Am Setsuna in just about every regard other than music. I would say it's worth playing if you are a JRPG fan.

MP! · Jul 10, 2018

mogster7777 said:
I platinumed Ys 8 and I didn't really like the demo of Octopath. Bravely Default is way better.

octopath is like... way better than Setsuna for sure... if anything theres also that romancing saga 2 game thing... you could look into that?

mindsale · Jul 10, 2018

I got about 20 hours in over the last month, it's been a chore for me personally even if mechanically it's superior to Setsuna.

mogster7777 · Jul 11, 2018

MP! said:
octopath is like... way better than Setsuna for sure... if anything theres also that romancing saga 2 game thing... you could look into that?

I didn't like the writing in Octopath and the environments when exploring are too annoying to navigate like I couldn't tell if I was on a path or not everything was too camouflaged. I didn't like the dialect either was annoying to read.

Also didn't like XC2 because of its incredibly convoluted combat system haven't touched it since Feb. I don't want an encyclopaedia in front of me when playing a game.

Anyway at the moment I need to pick a jrpg out of the ones below and stick to one of them before DQ11. I'm currently playing a mindless game too with them to break things up (just cause 3)

Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep (about 2/3 of the way through Terra's Story not played the other characters and haven't played it in about a month I just don't find it very interesting from a gameplay or story perspective. People say you gotta play it before KH3 but story seems so shit anyway so why should I bother?
really don't see what the fuss is about with this game it doesn't seem as good as even KH1. the story is so crap and the music is cheap version of the mainline games.

Rainbow Skies - I love this game so far but still early on.

Star Ocean 4 The Last Hope replaying the Remaster on PS4 and it's decent bar the cutscenes. Just left Roak.

Shining Resonance Refrain - not sure I'll enjoy this but the demo seemed fun?

and Lost Sphear

Deleted member 6230 · Jul 11, 2018

Get Battle Chasers

Elven_Star · Jul 11, 2018

Sorry, but I'm still going to insist on Octopath Traveler, because none of the games you have mentioned is in the same league. Why don't you start a new save and try the other characters in the demo? The weird dialect issue is not everywhere. Save yourself from mediocrity.

noyram23 · Jul 11, 2018

VillagerMax said:
Was it the first demo or the prologue demo? The prologue demo improved a lot from what I've heard.
(Sorry for the constant edits, this website is a mess on mobile)

To be fair I found it boring as well, it's plaque with openess and different mechanics that aren't as fleshed out and focused as I want. It's bland too when it comes to story, again probably due to the openess of the game.

mogster7777 said:
I didn't like the writing in Octopath and the environments when exploring are too annoying to navigate like I couldn't tell if I was on a path or not everything was too camouflaged. I didn't like the dialect either was annoying to read.

Also didn't like XC2 because of its incredibly convoluted combat system haven't touched it since Feb. I don't want an encyclopaedia in front of me when playing a game.

Anyway at the moment I need to pick a jrpg out of the ones below and stick to one of them before DQ11. I'm currently playing a mindless game too with them to break things up (just cause 3)

Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep (about 2/3 of the way through Terra's Story not played the other characters and haven't played it in about a month I just don't find it very interesting from a gameplay or story perspective. People say you gotta play it before KH3 but story seems so shit anyway so why should I bother?
really don't see what the fuss is about with this game it doesn't seem as good as even KH1. the story is so crap and the music is cheap version of the mainline games.

Rainbow Skies - I love this game so far but still early on.

Star Ocean 4 The Last Hope replaying the Remaster on PS4 and it's decent bar the cutscenes. Just left Roak.

Shining Resonance Refrain - not sure I'll enjoy this but the demo seemed fun?

and Lost Sphear

I feel like we have near the same taste when it comes to jrpgs, have you tried Battle Chasers and Wild Arms 3? Cosmic Star Heroine?

Nuclear Muffin · Jul 11, 2018

Both are very unremarkable and mediocre. Spend your time on something better than either of them.

Marukoban · Jul 11, 2018

Elven_Star said:
Sorry, but I'm still going to insist on Octopath Traveler, because none of the games you have mentioned is in the same league. Why don't you start a new save and try the other characters in the demo? The weird dialect issue is not everywhere. Save yourself from mediocrity.

Or maybe the OP like games you considered as mediocre.
To be honest I don't like any of the games OP listed, so if I have to recommend something to OP, it should be something I don't like.
My suggestion is Shining Resonance.

Exentryk · Jul 11, 2018

mogster7777 said:
Anyway, is LS worth playing or is it just more if the same but like an expansion pack but not really?

Pretty much. Has better combat, but the game is blander than Setsuna.

If you haven't played, try Battle Chasers Nightwar (FFX like turn based combat and hand drawn cutscenes), or Cosmic Star Heroine (old-school looking turn based combat with a non-serious storyline).

Kelanflyter · Jul 11, 2018

mogster7777 said:
Also didn't like XC2 because of its incredibly convoluted combat system haven't touched it since Feb. I don't want an encyclopaedia in front of me when playing a game.

I don't understand this part.
XC2 combat system is not well explained but not that hard to understand,and don't need an encyclopedia.
You just have to find an explanation on combo system on internet and it's good.
Also you could beat the game without even understanding all subitilies of the battle system since it's an easy game.

nikos · Jul 11, 2018

I'm about 10 hours into Shining Resonance Refrain, and I'm really enjoying it so far. I personally love the combat system, and the story is good enough to keep me interested. It doesn't reinvent anything, but it's fun and entertaining.

AztecComplex · Jul 11, 2018

Do you have a Switch? If so may I suggest you hold off and buy Octopath Traveler instead? I don't think that game is the second coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus H. Christ it I can guarantee you it's going to be a superior product than Lost Sphere and especially Shining fucking Resonance. I mean did you play the demo of the latter? It couldn't be more bottom of the barrel, lowest common denominator, low budget, basic, tropey and anime-tastic if it was trying to be. Do not buy Shining Resonance. Lost Sphere has hope though but Octopath will trump both.

mogster7777 · Jul 11, 2018

noyram23 said:
To be fair I found it boring as well, it's plaque with openess and different mechanics that aren't as fleshed out and focused as I want. It's bland too when it comes to story, again probably due to the openess of the game.

I feel like we have near the same taste when it comes to jrpgs, have you tried Battle Chasers and Wild Arms 3? Cosmic Star Heroine?

I still need to play those :) apart from WA3 which I enjoyed and beat on Ps2 and PS4

Hmm will have to check the others out. Haven't started Cosmic yet got the vita version recently as well as PS4 version I had for a while. Got about 25% through battle chasers good game really good but loading was bad on PS4 need to go back to it.

Ascheroth · Jul 11, 2018

mogster7777 said:
Hmm will have to check the others out. Haven't started Cosmic yet got the vita version recently as well as PS4 version I had for a while. Got about 25% through battle chasers good game really good but loading was bad on PS4 need to go back to it.

Cosmic Star Heroine is really nice, and not too long. Around 10-15 hours I'd say.

noyram23 · Jul 11, 2018

mogster7777 said:
I still need to play those :) apart from WA3 which I enjoyed and beat on Ps2 and PS4

Hmm will have to check the others out. Haven't started Cosmic yet got the vita version recently as well as PS4 version I had for a while. Got about 25% through battle chasers good game really good but loading was bad on PS4 need to go back to it.

Yeah the loading is bad, but I powered through Pillars of Eternity so i'm immune already lol. CSH is a great jrpg, it's tightly pace but unfortunately a feels a bit rushed on the end (I was expecting more planets to visit).

PMS341 · Jul 11, 2018

Octopath Traveler is probably going to be the best JRPG in a while, so I'd say try the demo again, pick a different starting character, and go from there. Way better than Setsuna, and definitely better than the most recent Tales titles. The only dialogue that is slightly offputting is probably H'aanit's, and there has been some pretty nice posts and explanations as to how accurate and well-detailed her lines actually are.

DontHateTheBacon · Jul 11, 2018

I highly doubt it. If you don't have a Switch and can't play Octopath, I'd say play Shining.

mogster7777 · Jul 11, 2018

PMS341 said:
Octopath Traveler is probably going to be the best JRPG in a while, so I'd say try the demo again, pick a different starting character, and go from there. Way better than Setsuna, and definitely better than the most recent Tales titles. The only dialogue that is slightly offputting is probably H'aanit's, and there has been some pretty nice posts and explanations as to how accurate and well-detailed her lines actually are.

I think having no trophies actually puts me off buying most Switch games though. I know that's bad but I like a record of my accomplishments in a game especially JRPGs or challenges in Mario games or exploration milestones in Zelda. I haven't bought a single Switch game this year because of that. Only bought the best of the best (Zelda and Mario) and Splatoon to play multiplayer.

Like for example with Battle Chasers or CSH, there is no way in hell I'd ever play those on Switch if there's a PS4 version available or coming out. It's the same reason I'm witholding buying Hollow knight on seitch as I'm sure a PS4 version will come out eventually.

A game has to be *really* good and exclusive if im gonna buy it on Switch. Something amazing like Mario Odyssey or Zelda BotW where you can forget about trophies but still find it enjoyable. Sadly event hose two games would be better with trophies.

Anyway Octopath and XC2 weren't in that category of amazing from what I played.

I'm really only looking for suggestions on PS4.

Hippopuncher12 · Jul 11, 2018

Get Shining, it isn't amazing or anything but it's good enough and should help hold you out until DQ.

PMS341 · Jul 11, 2018

mogster7777 said:
I think having no trophies actually puts me off buying most Switch games though. I know that's bad but I like a record of my accomplishments in a game especially JRPGs or challenges in Mario games or exploration milestones in Zelda. I haven't bought a single Switch game this year because of that. Only bought the best of the best (Zelda and Mario) and Splatoon to play multiplayer.

Like for example with Battle Chasers or CSH, there is no way in hell I'd ever play those on Switch if there's a PS4 version available or coming out. It's the same reason I'm witholding buying Hollow knight on seitch as I'm sure a PS4 version will come out eventually.

A game has to be *really* good and exclusive if im gonna buy it on Switch. Something amazing like Mario Odyssey or Zelda BotW where you can forget about trophies but still find it enjoyable. Sadly event hose two games would be better with trophies.

Anyway Octopath and XC2 weren't in that category of amazing from what I played.

I'm really only looking for suggestions on PS4.

I can't imagine putting off incredibly wonderful games due to a lack of UI-based "You did it!" messages. That just seems sort of backwards? At least you recognize that it's bad lol. To each their own.

MP! · Jul 11, 2018

Kelanflyter said:
I don't understand this part.
XC2 combat system is not well explained but not that hard to understand,and don't need an encyclopedia.
You just have to find an explanation on combo system on internet and it's good.
Also you could beat the game without even understanding all subitilies of the battle system since it's an easy game.

agreed... the battle system is the last reason to not play this game. ... though I can for sure see how overwhelming it is at first... I think they do a great job of slowly introducing you to the system... and once you get the hang of it.... blade combos, driver combos and elemental chains become a fun, engaging battle system.

Worldshaker · Jul 11, 2018

I thought I Am Setsuna was a solid 6.5/10, but couldn't get into Lost Sphear at all. I got maybe a dozen hours into it or less before I put it down.

I'm presonally going to play Octopath until DQ11 comes out for my JRPG fix.

mogster7777 · Jul 13, 2018

MP! said:
agreed... the battle system is the last reason to not play this game. ... though I can for sure see how overwhelming it is at first... I think they do a great job of slowly introducing you to the system... and once you get the hang of it.... blade combos, driver combos and elemental chains become a fun, engaging battle system.

I think there were too many systems and mechanics to keep track of in battles. The UI overlay when within is battle is cluttered, busy and messy. I'm all for strategy and tactics but this game took it too far. It just turned me right off the game and it became a chore to pick up. I wasn't watching the actual battle I was watching 10 different meters, bars fill up, button prompts to appear. Lots of text in battles text it was just too too much which is why I dropped it. If they had simplified it I would have kept playing. Half the mechanics aren't even used. XC1 struck just the right balance for battles imo.

I might go back to XC2 one day but I put in 20 hours into the game and I still didn't have a grasp of the combat I felt like I was just pressing buttons for the sake of it because the mechanic was there not because I wanted to.

I also didn't find the story or characters particularly engaging or interesting either. And I loved XC1 and every aspect of it. Sometimes more doesn't necessarily mean better.

mogster7777 · Jul 13, 2018

noyram23 said:
To be fair I found it boring as well, it's plaque with openess and different mechanics that aren't as fleshed out and focused as I want. It's bland too when it comes to story, again probably due to the openess of the game.

I feel like we have near the same taste when it comes to jrpgs, have you tried Battle Chasers and Wild Arms 3? Cosmic Star Heroine?

I ditched Shining yesterday because I just wasn't enjoying the first few hours of it.

I went back to Battle Chasers and I've found it so refreshing compared to this game. I need to finish this game so I'm definately gonna stick to it. It's great I dunno why I stopped lol. I beat the third dungeon last year and I played a bit yesterday just to get used to the combat and I really dunno why I dropped the game before. It's fantastic. Love the art style, sound and gameplay. Also is it me or has it been updated to 60fps on PS4? The dungeons are still 30fps but the battles and map are 60fps.

I advise anyone who is into old school turned based JRPGs to check out Battle Chasers. Between that, Just Cause 3 (mindless fun after work) and Bravely Default (in 1080p emulator) I have a nice selection of games to play right now. I might continue to play Lost Sphear too as so far it really isn't that bad and ive enjoyed it more than Shining. I've put the same amount of time in both too.

I played more of Shining and it really hasn't resonated with me (pun intended) I defeated the first boss in the green field. I find the combat clunky and dull, it wants to be an action RPG but the combat I feel seems sluggish and not very responsive compared to even Tales games. You can't swap between characters in battles which in itself is weird. The other characters I've tried all seems to suck apart from Yuma who seems ok. But even then I'm only using him because he is better than the others not because he is that fun to play. His skills are boring to use just not as boring as the rest of the cast. It just hasn't left a good impression on me during it first couple of hours. The music is average battle theme is really repetitive and the world feels empty and bland. There's so much talking in the town and none of it is interesting and the story and character interaction is boring as hell. So generic.

I dunno what it is with traditional JRPGs this generation but apart from more modern ones like Nioh, Dark Souls and Nier (those aren't traditional anyway) I haven't really played any as good as PS1/2 even PS3 JRPGs. What gives? Why can't they just make a semi decent jrpg? That isn't cookie cutter bog standard. I'd love a sequel to Grandia, Suikoden or Wild Arms, Shadow Hearts etc. None of the JRPG stuff I've played this generation that is along those lines comes anywhere close to the classics.

MP! · Jul 13, 2018

mogster7777 said:
I think there were too many systems and mechanics to keep track of in battles. The UI overlay when within is battle is cluttered, busy and messy. I'm all for strategy and tactics but this game took it too far. It just turned me right off the game and it became a chore to pick up. I wasn't watching the actual battle I was watching 10 different meters, bars fill up, button prompts to appear. Lots of text in battles text it was just too too much which is why I dropped it. If they had simplified it I would have kept playing. Half the mechanics aren't even used. XC1 struck just the right balance for battles imo.

I might go back to XC2 one day but I put in 20 hours into the game and I still didn't have a grasp of the combat I felt like I was just pressing buttons for the sake of it because the mechanic was there not because I wanted to.

I also didn't find the story or characters particularly engaging or interesting either. And I loved XC1 and every aspect of it. Sometimes more doesn't necessarily mean better.

I can feel ya... I put 30 hours into FFXIII before I decided I couldn't stand it anymore... I absolutely hated the battle system... and it never got better... It never clicked for me and nothing could convince me that the game was worth going back to. It was too frustrating to try to get the bar to stagger, and then it was gone too quickly and then I got a terrible rank so my other bar was always low... man I hate that system.

Anyway... I feel ya.

Master Chuuster · Jul 13, 2018

Jonneh said:
May I suggest Ys 8 or waiting for Octopath Traveler for your RPG fix.

Yep yep yep, this.

EDIT: Octopath is out now

mogster7777 · Jul 13, 2018

Master Chuuster said:
Yep yep yep, this.

EDIT: Octopath is out now

I platinumed Ys 8. Loved it. About the only 9/10 jrpg I've played this generation.

I'm only really looking for suggestions on PS4. Don't really like the Switch much with its lack of achievements, online presence etc. Playing Battle Chasers right now and although it's not Japanese developed it still scratches that jrpg itch well.

borghe · Jul 13, 2018

Ys VIII over Shining Resonance any day of the week and the weekend too.

mogster7777 said:
Don't really like the Switch much with its lack of achievements, online presence etc.

Is there a world I don't know about where this stuff trumps an amazing game lineup?

weird.

MP! · Jul 13, 2018

borghe said:
Ys VIII over Shining Resonance any day of the week and the weekend too.

Is there a world I don't know about where this stuff trumps an amazing game lineup?

weird.

I mean ... he downright refuses to play octopath so ... looks like it

Hu3 · Jul 13, 2018

its like people aren't even reading the op Jesus.

op check rogue galaxy its a ps2 title but remastered for ps4 has that nostalgia feeling.

mogster7777 · Jul 13, 2018

Hu3 said:
its like people aren't even reading the op Jesus.

op check rogue galaxy its a ps2 title but remastered for ps4 has that nostalgia feeling.

I got both Dark Cloud 2 and Rogue Galaxy on PS4. Loved DC2 on ps2. How is Rogue compared to DC2? I can't remember if I ever beat it on ps2 but definitely remember playing it and enjoying it. I wanna play and platinum both again for sure.

Hu3 · Jul 13, 2018

mogster7777 said:
I got both Dark Cloud 2 and Rogue Galaxy on PS4. Loved DC2 on ps2. How is Rogue compared to DC2? I can't remember if I ever beat it on ps2 but definitely remember playing it and enjoying it. I wanna play and platinum both again for sure.

its good. the only thing is that i does not have wide screen support on ps4.

Wandu · Jul 13, 2018

I honestly would say Lost Sphear is better than Shining Resonance Refrain. Lost Sphear definitely improved on I Am Sestuna and added some gameplay QOL stuff.

Shining Resonance Refrain just had way too much talking and you only have 1 town that you actually walk through. It felt like a ghetto Tales of game, but I just couldn't find any fun in the combat system. I had problems trying to lock on to enemies and changing your leader takes place outside of combat instead of inside. However, I didn't get past chapter 3 in the game.

Will I like Lost Sphear if I thought Setsuna was a 6.5/10 game? play LS or Shining Force Refrain?

Good Vibes Gaming

The Shrouded Ghost

One Winged Slayer

User requested account closure

User requested account closure

User-requested account closure

Self-requested ban

Attempted to circumvent ban with alt-account

Unshakable Resolve

Attempted to circumvent ban with alt-account

GamingBolt.com