Magical Starsign official thread

Thanks for that review, much more positive than I expected. Sounds like being the traditional RPG fan I am, it'll be right up my alley.

Now to find out if GameRush will be filling my preorder anytime soon...
 
[quote name='banpeikun']brownie brown is the worst sounding name i can think of[/QUOTE]

Is that like a dirty Sanchez?

But seriously, they had a cool Web site back in the day with gnomes and stuff back when they were working on the first Magical Vacation. Probably still do. I just remember being really annoyed that that never got localized.
 
My manager gave me a choice between this game or Children of Mana for free. I took CoM. Doesn't mean I don't want to play this though. It looks interesting, but as has been mentioned many times there are way too many games out now for me to take the time to play it.
 
[quote name='botticus']Sword of Mana, I believe. Which I haven't played more than 10 minutes of, but see nothing wrong with.[/QUOTE]

I played it a bit more than that and was disenchanted with it. It just wasn't fun. It was an action RPG, but the hit detection was lame at best, the environments were boring, the story was weak, and it all just felt very pointless. Never did figure out the whole elements system (which seems to be a part of both MS and CoM).

[quote name='Rei no Otaku']My manager gave me a choice between this game or Children of Mana for free. I took CoM. Doesn't mean I don't want to play this though. It looks interesting, but as has been mentioned many times there are way too many games out now for me to take the time to play it.[/QUOTE]

I would have made the same choice. But hopefully we'll find the time to play both.
 
[quote name='botticus']Sword of Mana, I believe. Which I haven't played more than 10 minutes of, but see nothing wrong with.[/QUOTE]
correct, but i am thinking of Heroes of Mana, the upcoming game on DS.
 
I think whoever Brownie Brown's character designer is makes some of the most hideous designs I've ever seen. Mediocre memories of Sword of Mana + I haven't really read anything about this game that makes me want to play it = I'll be passing on this one.
 
Alright, off the bat I was tempted to put it back in the case and list it on eBay.

The stylus movement control is extremely sensitive, just about to a fault. However, it redeems itself by allowing movement not only by the D-pad, but also by the buttons, with no config needed. So a left handed person like myself doesn't need to adjust any settings to allow use of the stylus while moving.

Don't be mistaken, this is little more than an SNES game designed for the DS. Whether that's a positive or negative is up to you. Personally, I think I will enjoy it. Combat is very basic (attacks, spells, rows, etc).

I'll see about posting more once I've gotten further in (see how the astronomical strategy affects things), but that probably won't be until much more Contact has been played. My first impressions will have to stand for now.
 
Has anybody else been playing this? I'm curious to hear thoughts... reviews have been mixed... I do love traditional old-skool RPGs... but does this one live up to it?
 
I bought this with the Toy's R Us b2g1 along with Clubhouse games and Pokemon Mystery Dungeon. After reading EGM's reviews today, I'm starting to question whether I should just take them all back.

I've been pretty much talked in to Mystery Dungeon, but I don't really care about Clubhouse games much.

And this is all stylus driven? So far I've HATED stylus control on the DS. And I've hated when they randomly replace good old fashioned d-pad and button control for stylus control that doesn't work. At least in Advance Wars you can completely ignore the touch screen (though it's kind of offensive to me that the support is in there at all).

Soooo...I'm getting the impression this has TONS of leveling up required, combined with a slow battle system, combined with imprecise stylus driven gameplay. That sounds like it could be hideously frustrating :whistle2:(

I want to like it. I love 2D graphics, and geez, it's ex-square people published by Nintendo. Wonder if I should have picked up Legend of Heroes 2 instead.

EDIT: Side note-why the heck do they dump all these games at once? It's completely nuts to release Starsign, Dragon Quest Heroes, Pokemon Mystery Dungeon, Contact, Pokemon Ranger, Children of Mana, Scourge: Hive, and Final Fantasy III at basically the same time (and that's JUST the DS, and not even counting Megaman ZX or Castlevania!). If they'd space them out over the course of a year, there's a chance a lot of people would get all of them. But all at once? I'm really sick of the "holiday" centered release schedule.

I guess we can't return a single game anymore from Toy's R Us for another one :whistle2:(
 
You can use the D-pad to move, which is fine. Stylus is required for selecting things, which I didn't have a problem with in my short time playing. Maybe it will annoy me later as it does some reviewers, maybe not. It's just very old-school with stylus added in there to no real advantage or disadvantage, that I saw.

And with "old-school" comes the good and bad. As you said, probably a lot of level-grinding, slow battles and whatnot.
 
Did you play any battles? It seems like selecting with the stylus would get old fast (which isn't good in a game you apparently need to level up tons).

Dang nabbit! I SO want to try this, but there are so many other great games coming out too.
 
[quote name='Puppy']Did you play any battles? It seems like selecting with the stylus would get old fast (which isn't good in a game you apparently need to level up tons).

Dang nabbit! I SO want to try this, but there are so many other great games coming out too.[/quote]All things above holding true, I would certainly pass on this one at full price. No reason it won't get cheaper.
 
I didn't pay full price for it though since I got it in the buy 2 get 1 free thing. Plus I don't trust GBA or DS games to get cheaper necessarily, since they start out decently priced and sometimes disappear. (I did completely luck out on Advance Wars for just $8, but that was dumb luck!)
 
Alright, after playing through the first planet, I don't know what to do about this game. The battles are fun enough, and the story silly enough that it makes me want to keep playing. However, I'm not a fan of the controls. It's really only a problem because I'm left-handed. That means I have to use the stylus in my left hand (to select things) if I want to use the buttons to move. Using the D-pad wouldn't be bad if I were right-handed so my left hand was free, but the buttons are much more of a pain to navigate with. And at times, you have to use the stylus to move, because the distance the stylus is from your character on the screen determines how fast you move - with the buttons/D-pad, you just move at a walk.

So in summary, the movement controls are annoying, but the rest of it is fun in a very old-school kinda way. If the resale value were higher, I might just dump it and take my chances seeing it cheaper elsewhere, but since I'd really only get what I paid for it (
 
That's about what I'm expecting :whistle2:( Still not sure if I'm keeping it. (I will rent it at least later on.)

Sounds like I WOULD like it at least a bit except for the touch screen (which I still think is more of a gimick than useful).
 
Selecting stuff is great. I haven't had any of the trouble that some of the reviewers did (selecting the wrong target in battle or something), and when you click on interactable items in the game, you move to it automatically, no matter where it is.

If they had made the movement like Contact, where it's the same speed as using the D-pad, I wouldn't mind it at all.

As far as what I'm doing with it.. I can't really put it down. And it's not easy, for better or worse. I just got my butt kicked by the second planet's boss wherein one of his attacks doled out double my max HP in damage.
 
To be honest, I think the cover of the game was hideous. I can't really think of a game that had artwork that offended me, except for bubble bobble revolution, and even that was a bad game.
 
[quote name='Gnuh']To be honest, I think the cover of the game was hideous. I can't really think of a game that had artwork that offended me, except for bubble bobble revolution, and even that was a bad game.[/QUOTE]

I wasn't crazy about it either, but the in-game art, from what I've seen, looks pretty nice. I mean, it's really just Mana-like designs done not as well. And the Mana designs, while beautiful, can get a little ridiculous in their own right.
 
Personally I like the cover art and art I've seen from screenshots. It looks like something that 15-20 years ago would have gotten a generic fantasy cover for the U.S. version.
 
I got the game at Meijer, where I got this and got Children of Mana for half off. I haven't played it yet, since I'm getting it for Christmas, but really can't wait to play it. I'm into 2D, SNES type RPGs, so I'm thinking I'll love this.

[quote name='Gnuh']To be honest, I think the cover of the game was hideous. I can't really think of a game that had artwork that offended me, except for bubble bobble revolution, and even that was a bad game.[/QUOTE]I love the front cover.
 
I really, really hate to say this, but I'm disappointed in the game so far. This was one of my most wanted DS games all year too.

Being a big fan of Mana and liking Brownie Brown (especially their art), I just had to get this. The main thing that bugs me is touch screen controls. Personally, I find it awkward using the d-pad to move my characters around, then having to press the R or L buttons to talk to someone. However, the game forces me to use the touch screen to select a response, which I prefer not to do. Only being able to access menus, moving text along at certain points, and choosing commands in battle using the touch screen just doesn't feel right. I was hoping for an option to remove touch screen controls, but there isn't. I like the music, art, story, etc. of the game, but the touch screen controls are making it hard to enjoy IMO. I tried moving my character with the touch screen, and that was even worse IMO.

From what I hear, the game does get better later on, so I'll continue playing. But still, I feel this game would be so much better if Brownie Brown just left the touch screen controls out, or gave people the option not to use it.

I really wished the first Magical Vacation came stateside, because at least that wouldn't have gimmicky touch screen controls.
 
You don't have to use the touch screen for movement and initiating conversation. I hated it, so never did. I don't find the use of the stylus in battle annoying at all, but I can see how someone would.

I enjoyed the game, I just lost the motivation to keep going with it around 20 hours in. I'll have to pick it up and finish it out at some point.
 
That's what I'm scared about with it. I figured for $15 it was worth the risk.

I HATE when companies force you to use a gimicky interface. Heck, I hate Nintendo games that force you to use an analog stick on menus rather than using the perfectly good d-pad.

Just 'cause an interface is newer dosen't make it better...
 
OK, dredging this up from the depths. I picked this up cart-only used from GC (Buy 1 Get 1 free coupon and got WarioWare Touched as my other game, so definitely worth it as I got both for $24.99 total in GC credit).

Is there some sort of WiFi connectivity aspect to this game? I erased the old game save but there was some "buddies" list or something with some messages from other people that the original owner must have gotten. Does it do anything for you like Contact and FF III?

Since I have no manual I have no idea what it is all about ;).

I played through to the Ant boss thingy on the Earth planet (about 2 hours in). I'm liking it so far. It seems you can run by holding a shoulder button while using the D-pad or face buttons. That is kind of akward, though, so I'm just using the stylus. You need to select things often enough anyway so it is just handy to use that to run around with.
 
I just started playing this too. My immediate thought was that it reminds me a LOT of Polopocrios (misspelled probably :lol: ). It feels kind of light and fluffy and kind of funny, with appealing art and pretty much classic gameplay. It's not earth shattering, but it is a lot of fun so far, and I think anyone who liked Polopocrios will enjoy this too.

I'm once again impressed with Nintendo of America's translation. I still think they're second only to Working Designs.

I have two complaints so far:
1) the stylus control is pointless at best. There's absolutely no reason this couldn't have used the controller, and it would have worked better with it. I'll still take an analog stick over a touch screen any day of the week.

That said, surprisingly, the control isn't completely broken. It's inferior to a pad, but it's usable, and designed around it pretty well. Control's easier holding the stylus in the right hand, as the battle controls pop up over there. There's a "repeat last action" "button" that helps cut out some screen taps. Your characters also continue to move in a direction once you click a spot on the screen, so you don't have to constantly press down. There's no pathfinding though, so you have to manually move around obstacles, which is annoying.

2) The whole starsign thing annoys me. I wish they would just tell you which characters are powered up and down, rather than having the powered up signs flash (forcing you to remember which character is which sign, etc.) They do sort of do a "power up" animation before battle starts, so I guess that sort of solves that.

Anyway, so far I definitely recommend this to people who enjoy a traditional Japanese style RPG.

[quote name='io']OK, dredging this up from the depths. I picked this up cart-only used from GC (Buy 1 Get 1 free coupon and got WarioWare Touched as my other game, so definitely worth it as I got both for $24.99 total in GC credit).

Is there some sort of WiFi connectivity aspect to this game? I erased the old game save but there was some "buddies" list or something with some messages from other people that the original owner must have gotten. Does it do anything for you like Contact and FF III?[/QUOTE]

I can try to get you info about it from the instruction book if you want. I've got the game with me, but not the manual, so it probably won't be until tomorrow at the earliest :whistle2:(

As near as I can tell when I quickly scanned through it, it looks like it's some kind of local-wireless feature that just lets you trade...something. Eggs I guess? Supposedly they hatch into creatures that I guess you can use in battle?

I skimmed over it since I won't be able to use it with anyone, but it looks like it might have the equivalent of a "Bark Mode" that leaves the wireless on with the screens off, searching for people to trade with.
 
[quote name='Wolfpup']
I can try to get you info about it from the instruction book if you want. I've got the game with me, but not the manual, so it probably won't be until tomorrow at the earliest :whistle2:(

As near as I can tell when I quickly scanned through it, it looks like it's some kind of local-wireless feature that just lets you trade...something. Eggs I guess? Supposedly they hatch into creatures that I guess you can use in battle?

I skimmed over it since I won't be able to use it with anyone, but it looks like it might have the equivalent of a "Bark Mode" that leaves the wireless on with the screens off, searching for people to trade with.[/QUOTE]

Yes, it does look like there are eggs you get from tag mode and they develop with further tag mode contact. So, yeah, this ain't gonna happen for me either ;). There are egg incubators in the lower floor of your ship and the ship's computer explained that all to me - this is once you get the ship that you can travel at will with (as opposed to the ones that keep crashing).

The eggs become creatures with some sort of magical powers that, maybe, you can use in battles? I dunno.

My game still has 3 people signed up as "Amigos" left over from the previous owner. But of course I have no eggs or anything.
 
I'm just past the point you crash...err...land? on the water planet and got that tutorial too. I'm hoping not having any of those creatures doesn't unbalance the game or make it harder...
 
HELP!!! I'm stuck!

I'm on Gren, the jungle planet. I've gone through the twisty jungle, and gotten to an entrence to the salamander cave-which has a bunch of ugly salamanders and an inn in it. There's some pirate guy down there. He asked if I would give up my mages-I said no.

There's a salamander blocking the other exit-the exit it looks like I need to take.

I can't find ANYTHING else I can do.

I checked a FAQ, and it says:

...Once you are over the bridge, follow the jungle trail. The path will split at
the next sign. The western bridge leads to a dead end, so don't even bother.
Follow the road northeast and once you head up the stairs, go west to find an
MP pot. Let him restore your MP for a Green Frog, then return to the path.
Follow the trail north until you reach the fifth bridge. Walk over it towards
the sign. It says that there are Gummy Worms west and sparrows south. If you
want to fight some battles, then go west to the wormholes. If not, then go
south to find a treasure chest.

Open the chest for some Cat Paws, then go north. I'm sure you noticed some
menacing totem pole while you were coming down to this small area. Well, now
it's time to see what's up. Make sure to heal fully before going up there.
When you're ready, walk up to the totem pole and talk to the salamander in
front of it....
Click to expand...

I'm fine up until that "totem pole" part. I don't see ANY totem pole. I've never seen a totem pole. Going north like it says just goes to the salamander cave. I have no idea where I'm supposed to go next.
 
[quote name='Wolfpup']HELP!!! I'm stuck!

I'm on Gren, the jungle planet. I've gone through the twisty jungle, and gotten to an entrence to the salamander cave-which has a bunch of ugly salamanders and an inn in it. There's some pirate guy down there. He asked if I would give up my mages-I said no.

There's a salamander blocking the other exit-the exit it looks like I need to take.

I can't find ANYTHING else I can do.

I checked a FAQ, and it says:



I'm fine up until that "totem pole" part. I don't see ANY totem pole. I've never seen a totem pole. Going north like it says just goes to the salamander cave. I have no idea where I'm supposed to go next.[/QUOTE]

I was just through there a few days ago. I do remember that I didn't see the totel pole fight until the second time I went through the area (I think it is in the same place a salamander is blocking you). So I must have triggered something in between. Unfortunately I can't remember what. Just make sure you talk to all of them. Maybe say "yes" to the guy who asks if you have mages. That might be it.
 
[quote name='io']I was just through there a few days ago. I do remember that I didn't see the totel pole fight until the second time I went through the area (I think it is in the same place a salamander is blocking you). So I must have triggered something in between. Unfortunately I can't remember what. Just make sure you talk to all of them. Maybe say "yes" to the guy who asks if you have mages. That might be it.[/QUOTE]

Wow, you are way ahead of me :)

Thanks, I'll keep messing with it-sounds like the totem pole is actually in the cave then?

Last time I was in there, that pirate guy didn't let me choose something different-it's like my choice was locked in. I'll try talking to everyone again...

or maybe I broke my copy :D
 
[quote name='Wolfpup']Wow, you are way ahead of me :)

Thanks, I'll keep messing with it-sounds like the totem pole is actually in the cave then?

Last time I was in there, that pirate guy didn't let me choose something different-it's like my choice was locked in. I'll try talking to everyone again...

or maybe I broke my copy :D[/QUOTE]


You know, I don't remember where it is... I'm actually way ahead of that, though I have no idea how close to the end I am. I've been to the fire planet and did everything there and now I'm back to the others again to collect something (won't say what due to spoilage).

It's not really a totem pole, by the way - it is a stack of creatures (actually 2 stacks, one on each side) that jump on you one by one and explode if you don't knock them out first. Make sure you have everyone you can front row before you start that fight.

I could be wrong on the pirate. But it seems like there was some conversation I needed to have near him that triggered it. Just look carefully for people to talk to. It is easy in this game to miss some little sprite sitting in a corner that you need to interact with to advance the story.
 
I need to get back to this game at some point. I had to stop once I discovered that I probably needed to grind for quite a few levels to have a chance at beating a particular boss. It was iteration #3 of a boss that shows up numerous times, if I recall correctly. I think I was a little farther than io seems to be now.
 
[quote name='botticus']I need to get back to this game at some point. I had to stop once I discovered that I probably needed to grind for quite a few levels to have a chance at beating a particular boss. It was iteration #3 of a boss that shows up numerous times, if I recall correctly. I think I was a little farther than io seems to be now.[/QUOTE]

Yeah, I'm tired of leaving games 3/4 - 9/10 finished, so I'm plowing through this at the exclusion of all other games right now. I guess it is not going to make my completed games list for Jan, but it will be the first one in Feb.

Is the boss you are talking about the masked wizard guy? I think I've fought him twice so far, so that seems right. The game has been well-balanced so far. I haven't died yet, but I've come close a few times. Recently I've been skipping (ie, fleeing) many fights just to pick up the pace. Hopefully I won't have to level grind to make up for that.
 
[quote name='botticus']I need to get back to this game at some point. I had to stop once I discovered that I probably needed to grind for quite a few levels to have a chance at beating a particular boss. It was iteration #3 of a boss that shows up numerous times, if I recall correctly. I think I was a little farther than io seems to be now.[/QUOTE]

Is this really that hard?I found it extremely easy.Focus your primary attacks on magic since your characters practly regenerate it ever turn.It's also much easier to master since character share the same animation.Try getting criticals with time attacks to do more damage.Don't use attack their horrible.What the point?Same thing with hard to obtain criticals and less damage.

Xp pretty easy to gain since all you need is 100 xp for lvl up.The amount of xp is based on your lvl and themonster in that dugeon.
 
That all works in theory, until the boss shares the same planet as one of your best attackers, and his attack while he's in phase can destroy you pretty quickly.
 
Well it's official. I'm giving up.

I can't trigger whatever it is I'm supposed to trigger, and I'm not wasting more time running around looking for it, re-talking to everyone.

Too bad because I really was enjoying it. It does remind me a LOT of Polopocrios...except for getting stuck 9 hours in!
 
[quote name='Wolfpup']Well it's official. I'm giving up.

I can't trigger whatever it is I'm supposed to trigger, and I'm not wasting more time running around looking for it, re-talking to everyone.

Too bad because I really was enjoying it. It does remind me a LOT of Polopocrios...except for getting stuck 9 hours in![/QUOTE]

That's too bad. I just did a cursory search on gamefaqs (the message board section), and found this:

"I've had this problem, as well. Talk to Pico from the back."

http://boards.gamefaqs.com/gfaqs/genmessage.php?board=925593&topic=33339699

Hope this helps. Looking forward to trying this game out once I get through a couple of others.
 
Thanks for the info. It's not working for me though. I hadn't talked to Pico from the back, but it didn't trigger anything. I'll keep messing with it for a little longer.

EDIT: Okay, you ALSO have to re-talk to this guy above Pico, and that seems to be triggering further stuff...

IMO this wasn't tested right, because without the internet, I would never have figured this out.

Anyway, thanks so much for your help guys! I hope I don't need it again, but I really appreciate it!
 
[quote name='Wolfpup']Thanks for the info. It's not working for me though. I hadn't talked to Pico from the back, but it didn't trigger anything. I'll keep messing with it for a little longer.

EDIT: Okay, you ALSO have to re-talk to this guy above Pico, and that seems to be triggering further stuff...

IMO this wasn't test right, because without the internet, I would never have figured this out.[/quote]If it helps, that was the most confusing part of the game that I encountered. I had to run around there a few times, don't remember what I did, but I imagine it's what you're doing now.
 
[quote name='botticus']If it helps, that was the most confusing part of the game that I encountered. I had to run around there a few times, don't remember what I did, but I imagine it's what you're doing now.[/QUOTE]

Great! That's good to hear, because it's the only thing that's frustrated me so far. Otherwise I think it's really a cute little game.
 
ARGH!!! I can't believe it. I've triggered all kinds of stuff, and I *STILL* can't get past that part. Doh! :bomb:

Oh well, I still enjoyed what I played of the game.
 
I finally beat this game tonight, clocked in at just under 30 hours of game time. I discovered after my couple month long hiatus that the reason I had gotten so frustrated by the uneven difficulty of the game is that in the second circuit through the planets, while you are free to go wherever you want, there is definitely an order in which you should go, based on the level of the baddies there. The planet I suffered through was giving me 20-30 exp per fight, while the planet following it was barely giving me 5. :D

After that, things were much more enjoyable, and the end game is tough as nails.
 
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