Radiata Stories

Written by Chris Reiter  on April 07, 2005

First Impressions: Think warm thoughts. Video gaming's first official radiator RPG will someday be upon us. Or, wait a minute. You mean to tell me that isn't a typo?

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Last September, gamers in America finally got a taste of what they've been missing from the often-delayed RPG we've been waiting to play since its announcement five years beforehand, Star Ocean: Till the End of Time. But, it was all worth the wait as the developer of the series, tri-Ace, did a fantastic job in piecing together one of the year's best and biggest RPG experiences (and my personal favorite). So, what have Square Enix and tri-Ace been up to since that seven-month hiatus? Earlier this year, Japan has found a new sales record-breaking favorite in the newest and next RPG from the famed makers of everything Star Ocean: a game going by the name of Radiata Stories.

Sixteen-year-old Jack Russel was born into fame. Although, Jack's not the one who's great. Jack's father, Keian, was a legendary knight of whom served the Radiata Kingdom at one point. Now his father is no longer with Jack. All that is known as to the whereabouts of Keian right now, is that he was supposedly defeated by a monstrous water dragon. As for Jack himself, his own adventure is about to begin. In following his dad's footsteps, Jack today is applying to become a knight in servitude to the Radiata military himself. Despite his father being well-known, Jack is nowhere near the professional his father was. In fact, Jack isn't even that experienced in combat. Not when his friend, the game's heroine Ridley, stuns the hotheaded Jack onto the ground in their first exhibition match. Upon awakening, Jack not only finds out that Ridley (who was born into the great Timberlake clan and has been training for this moment her whole life) gets accepted into knighthood, but so does the inexperienced Jack -- no doubt due to his father's legacy. Meeting Gantz, his new unit commander of the Pink Pigs team, Jack has finally met his calling in life and is about to start on the journey ahead.

Something that might seem less of a draw factor for Radiata Stories is that the game will not be the most original RPG. The fact of the matter is, its details point to Radiata being the sucker of concepts from similar games, most notably the likes of Star Ocean 2: The Second Story. Although, it's the way that Radiata Stories will present itself at least in part appears to be the redeeming attraction for this upcoming title. By its "duplicate" nature, first of all one of the key selling points in Radiata Stories is going to be the idea that you can collect an excessive supply of party members (177 to be exact). How this is possible will all come to play through the game's usage of real time. I don't mean real time as in a real-time battle system. I mean real time as in the passing hours everyday people use. Albeit, Radiata's clock will replay itself every 24 minutes. One minute will equal another passed within the game's universe -- which in the long run might be a pain to get used to. Especially considering how special events will all play part in this mechanic.

As you can imagine then while the clock hand rolls forward, there must be some reason for this feature being a priority to include within the game. And there is. What the clock does is it will create windows of opportunities for you, as Jack, to hunt down and gather fellow allies to join your cause along the road ahead. This method of operations is very similar to games like Star Ocean 2 and even Chrono Cross, where bunches of characters could swing your way if you had met them according to the circumstances that applied. But that's not the most intriguing aspect of this forward-thinking sun dial. People within Radiata Stories will live real lives. You'll be able to literally trail characters around towns from their everyday activities. One individual may be headed to the store. From there, they'll be off to the rest room or to a dance hall. It all depends on who does what during the game. In a way, Radiata Stories will also be a lot like Animal Crossing. Inhabitants of the game won't sit around for you all day; you'll have to think more "realistically."

Again, Radiata Stories can be likened to the Star Ocean series where in Radiata, its enemies are visible on linear 3D paths from town to town. Entering into battle will bring up a 3D action--oriented window where some easy-to-understand options will come in handy for just about anyone. Players will be able to lock on, defend, or attack enemies using a simple button layout. Very similar to Star Ocean 3 too, up to three playable characters will be available for attack at any one time in battle. One of the main parts of survival tactics here will depend on a "volty" system. As individual group members perform blows, a volty gauge will increase and can then be released in the form of a regular super attack or a super super attack. Also like the third Star Ocean, combinations and upgrading offensive options will be another major part of the combat. Only four weapons will be capable of being carried into battle. These include a one and a two-handed sword, an axe, and then a spear. Naturally, each device will differ in performance based on their size and function. Where the one-handed sword will be quicker than the two-handed one for instance, the two-handed one will be more powerful. By defeating enemies in the game though, characters will receive a measure of experience called chain points. These points will then be open for distribution toward any of the weapons available to your team. With more points added on a weapon, the more knowledge its combination template will acquire.

Fitted with enormous towns and dungeons, Radiata will just the same see a very abstract game environment similar to Star Ocean 3. Towns and such will be far bigger, however. There'll be lots of exploring to do in this game, where another fun fact includes the ability to kick objects and people. Players won't be able to find hidden goodies without punting them in the game -- which is why this won't be an unused option. But also, players will be able to kick a field goal with guards and villagers, who at some points will decide the best way for you to learn some manners are to beat you upside the head. You'll be able to engage friendly NPCs in the game by giving them the boot, while others will just moan and groan in a comedic fashion. Aside from this though, Radiata Stories seems to be coming along fairly well with its visual appeal. The game looks to sport a water-colored palette in a very Japanese way.