Ogre Battle 64--just bought it.

[Gadfly2317]

I couldn't remember who it was at this forum, but when they heard I'd been having a blast with strategy games like Advanced Wars and Final Fantasy Tactics, recommended I pick up the N64 game Ogre Battle.

I haven't played it yet. It may be a long awhile before I get time to with so many new games vying for my attention. I was just glad to find it. . .I'd looked everywhere and no one had it new or used. Finally found a used copy for $30 (the only copy this little used store had.)

I took a look at the rule book, and man, this game looks freaking complex. Anyone thats played this game care to talk about the experience of playing it? I don't think I was quite expecting a 60 hour game of this complexity.

On a side note, its amazing how well the N64 games of held their resale value. I see PS2, GC, and Xbox games from 9-14 dollars used all the time. The Ps1 games are almost all dirt cheap, yet a great number of the N64 games still sell for $29 used. And that's not nintendo jacking the price. . . that's the used stores and free-market capitalism. The market just seems willing to pay more for Nintendo games.

[Twelve]

I heard that Ogre Battle 64 was the best game on the 64 that nobody ever played. I've always wanted to play it, but never got the chance. I would like to hear your impressions on it. I saw plenty of screenshots on it when it first came out and it looked GOOD.

12

[Glockstar]

<div class=\"smallfont\">I couldn't remember who it was at this forum, but when they heard I'd been having a blast with strategy games like Advanced Wars and Final Fantasy Tactics, recommended I pick up the N64 game Ogre Battle.

I haven't played it yet. It may be a long awhile before I get time to with so many new games vying for my attention. I was just glad to find it. . .I'd looked everywhere and no one had it new or used. Finally found a used copy for $30 (the only copy this little used store had.)

I took a look at the rule book, and man, this game looks freaking complex. Anyone thats played this game care to talk about the experience of playing it? I don't think I was quite expecting a 60 hour game of this complexity.

On a side note, its amazing how well the N64 games of held their resale value. I see PS2, GC, and Xbox games from 9-14 dollars used all the time. The Ps1 games are almost all dirt cheap, yet a great number of the N64 games still sell for $29 used. And that's not nintendo jacking the price. . . that's the used stores and free-market capitalism. The market just seems willing to pay more for Nintendo games.</div>

You done good, Gadfly!

I've recommended some games to you, but I can't remember if this was one of them. That's not to say that I wouldn't have recommended it though, as OB64 is my second favorite game of all-time and I would prolly recommend it to anybody!

There's so much to say about this game! Where to begin?!?
I guess I could start by addressing some of your comments.
In no particular order...

Firstly, this is NOT a 60-hour game! One hundred is more like it! I played this game 4 times thru (back-to-back-to-back-to-back) and each and every time I clocked no less one hundred hours! And that's only according to the official game clock - the game doesn't keep track of the many, many "unofficial" hours spent that are/were reset. And you will have to restart certain areas... because you will die. There are some tough "bosses" in this game, boy - and sometimes they can come at the end of a a 4-hour(+) long battle!

The rules, menus and controls do seem very complex at the outset, but you'll get the hang of them - no problem. Do not let the tutorials or instruction booklet intimidate you!

Ultimately you'll want the Prima strategy guide, but you don't "need" it. You can easily complete the game without it. I didn't get mine until after I was finished with the fourth game. It's just that there is no freaking way anyone could ever find some of the things in the game without the book. Like the game, the guide holds it's value too - expect to pay around $15 (the same amount that the book cost when it was new) for it. If you do decide to get it, I do hope that you'll at least play the game thru, at least, once on your own. (And actually, the book looks about worthless for battle strategies anyways.)

I wrote a review for VGR after I played thru the game the first time. It's not the greatest review I've written - and it certainly won't be the greatest review you'll ever read - but in it you can find out a bit more of what my initial thoughts on the game were. My review is the fourth one down, the one written by GregorySpeed (that's me!)...

http://www.videogamereview.com/Strategy/Ogre,Battle,64,Person,of,Lordly,Caliber,Atlus/PRD_87581_3747crx.aspx

I am very critical of the games I play, and OB64 does not go unscathed. Still, the things I picked on were actually quite little - and the more I played it the more inconsequential they became. The parts that really matter in an RPG/Strategy - the character development, the story, moving thru the menus, and the battlefield controls - are much better than I let on. (I've always wanted to write an amendment to that reveiw... ) The game really stuck with me - and when you are all done with it, I can guarantee you that some part, or parts, of the game will stick with you!

Dam, I love this game! I'd be happy to help you thru any tough parts you come across, once you get started, if you need, but know that I WILL NOT tell you where things are hidden, and such stuff like that! That said here's a couple of tips for you (don't worry, no spoilers - I don't play that!):

1) OB64 is a strategy game, but it is not just about winning! Developer Quest continues their tradition of adding elements to character development and story progression beyond the usual gaining of experince and leveling-up. In this game there's an alignment factor that adds a strategy within the strategy. This alignment factor is not unlike the lightside/darkside component of the recent KOTOR game - but it's better and much more crucial. Your squads alignments have a direct affect on "outcomes" and each other... and each of these things ultimately all add up to give you one final ending. And there are multiple endings! So pay attention to the character's alignment!!! Unlike experience, the "scales" are tipped after each and every battle! The first time I played thru the game, I didn't know what ALI.UP/ALI.DOWN meant... and I ended up with a totally rotten ending! I just thought it was my characters expressing joy and discouragment after the battle... I thought ALI.UP was supposed to be something like, "Alley-oop"! [What a moron.] (Still, in my defense, I did not have an instruction book at the time.)

2) You are the leader of an army... an army at war... war means casualties... so DO NOT GET TOO ATTACHED TO YOUR COMRADES!!!

Ah, BS!

'You try it!' That's what I want to tell the people that suggest that. Seriously though, while you shouldn't get too attached, and you should expect and accept casualties... I can tell you that there are rewards for keeping your friends alive. ;) (I'm a 30 year old man, and I am not afraid, or ashamed, to admit that I got attached and emotionally involved... with 2D sprites. :p )

One more thing, that you may find daunting... at the very beginning, you will clock well over 15 minutes and not "play" one second of the game! It's all setup and story! (And a lot of pressing button "A".) Just a heads up.

With regards to your side note...
I believe that a lot of the reason N64 games hold their value is because of the image associated with Nintendo. The N64 is just a great system for young'ens. Sure, cartridges are more durable than CD's, but I don't think that's the only reason why the system is so right for kids. I think it has more to do with the content of the games. So many of the games are geared towards kids. And they are exactly what discerning parents are looking for when they go out to buy a new game for their children. Super Mario platformer, Mario Party, Mario Kart, Mario sports, Mario this-and-that, Kirby, Pokemon, Zelda, Donkey and Diddy Kong, Banjo-Kazooie, etc. Good games for the kids are hard to find - and these stores know it! (Take a look at any kiddie game for any system in any generation - their prices do not (or very rarely) drop like they do for teen/adult games.)

[Twelve]

Sheesh...if I could, I would get an N64 just for this one game...no joke.

12

[Glockstar]

<div class=\"smallfont\">Sheesh...if I could, I would get an N64 just for this one game...no joke.
</div>

Well what's stopping ya?!?

Seriously, the N64 is a GREAT system! You really should own one! It's, easily, my second favorite system of all-time - even after all this time. And I say that without even considering Goldeneye, Perfect Dark, Zelda: Ocarina of Time, and Zelda: Majoras Mask (all of which I owned at one point, but did not like)!

Shoot, you can get a nice used one for only $30! I don't know if you have a GameStop in your area, but lately they've been running some great specials on the system (like a free second controller or memory card with purchase).

Beyond those classics already talked about in this thread and above, some of my other all-time favorite games that are great for the N64 are: Wipeout 64 (my #5 ATF), Conkers Bad Fur Day (my #8), Gauntlet Legends (the system is ready for 4 people "out-da-box" - unlike the PS1), and Rush 2049.

I still bring my system and four(+) controllers whenever the extended family gets together. My nieces, nephews, and cousins love playing Gauntlet, while my niece demands a rematch in NFL Blitz everytime she see's me. She can't beat me! You know, they've got a PS2 and I've got all the systems, but this is still the system that we prefer to play when we all get together.

Now back to OB64...
I said earlier that I played the game for over 400 hundred hours - over the course of 4 complete games, back-to-back. But want to add that that was almost entirely without interruption from any other game. That includes Halo! So one thing that should be made clear is that this is NOT ancient history that we're tlaking baout! This just happened last year! It was in June, July, and August of 2002 that I was playing this game - and loving it. So you should have no doubts, whatsoever, that this game can hang with the best that this current generation has to offer!

Damn, I tell ya... I was having flashback feelings this past June, July, and August of that glorious time I had the previous year.

[Twelve]

Yes, I may just have to do that. I'll either borrow one for a friend or go over to amazon.com and see what I can do about getting and N64 and this game. It sounds like my kind of stuff.

12

[Gadfly2317]

<div class=\"smallfont\"><div class=\"smallfont\"></div>

You done good, Gadfly!

I've recommended some games to you, but I can't remember if this was one of them. That's not to say that I wouldn't have recommended it though, as OB64 is my second favorite game of all-time and I would prolly recommend it to anybody!

There's so much to say about this game! Where to begin?!?
I guess I could start by addressing some of your comments.
In no particular order...

Firstly, this is NOT a 60-hour game! One hundred is more like it! I played this game 4 times thru (back-to-back-to-back-to-back) and each and every time I clocked no less one hundred hours! And that's only according to the official game clock - the game doesn't keep track of the many, many "unofficial" hours spent that are/were reset. And you will have to restart certain areas... because you will die. There are some tough "bosses" in this game, boy - and sometimes they can come at the end of a a 4-hour(+) long battle!

The rules, menus and controls do seem very complex at the outset, but you'll get the hang of them - no problem. Do not let the tutorials or instruction booklet intimidate you!

Ultimately you'll want the Prima strategy guide, but you don't "need" it. You can easily complete the game without it. I didn't get mine until after I was finished with the fourth game. It's just that there is no freaking way anyone could ever find some of the things in the game without the book. Like the game, the guide holds it's value too - expect to pay around $15 (the same amount that the book cost when it was new) for it. If you do decide to get it, I do hope that you'll at least play the game thru, at least, once on your own. (And actually, the book looks about worthless for battle strategies anyways.)

I wrote a review for VGR after I played thru the game the first time. It's not the greatest review I've written - and it certainly won't be the greatest review you'll ever read - but in it you can find out a bit more of what my initial thoughts on the game were. My review is the fourth one down, the one written by GregorySpeed (that's me!)...

http://www.videogamereview.com/Strategy/Ogre,Battle,64,Person,of,Lordly,Caliber,Atlus/PRD_87581_3747crx.aspx

I am very critical of the games I play, and OB64 does not go unscathed. Still, the things I picked on were actually quite little - and the more I played it the more inconsequential they became. The parts that really matter in an RPG/Strategy - the character development, the story, moving thru the menus, and the battlefield controls - are much better than I let on. (I've always wanted to write an amendment to that reveiw... ) The game really stuck with me - and when you are all done with it, I can guarantee you that some part, or parts, of the game will stick with you!

Dam, I love this game! I'd be happy to help you thru any tough parts you come across, once you get started, if you need, but know that I WILL NOT tell you where things are hidden, and such stuff like that! That said here's a couple of tips for you (don't worry, no spoilers - I don't play that!):

1) OB64 is a strategy game, but it is not just about winning! Developer Quest continues their tradition of adding elements to character development and story progression beyond the usual gaining of experince and leveling-up. In this game there's an alignment factor that adds a strategy within the strategy. This alignment factor is not unlike the lightside/darkside component of the recent KOTOR game - but it's better and much more crucial. Your squads alignments have a direct affect on "outcomes" and each other... and each of these things ultimately all add up to give you one final ending. And there are multiple endings! So pay attention to the character's alignment!!! Unlike experience, the "scales" are tipped after each and every battle! The first time I played thru the game, I didn't know what ALI.UP/ALI.DOWN meant... and I ended up with a totally rotten ending! I just thought it was my characters expressing joy and discouragment after the battle... I thought ALI.UP was supposed to be something like, "Alley-oop"! [What a moron.] (Still, in my defense, I did not have an instruction book at the time.)

2) You are the leader of an army... an army at war... war means casualties... so DO NOT GET TOO ATTACHED TO YOUR COMRADES!!!

Ah, BS!

'You try it!' That's what I want to tell the people that suggest that. Seriously though, while you shouldn't get too attached, and you should expect and accept casualties... I can tell you that there are rewards for keeping your friends alive. ;) (I'm a 30 year old man, and I am not afraid, or ashamed, to admit that I got attached and emotionally involved... with 2D sprites. :p )

One more thing, that you may find daunting... at the very beginning, you will clock well over 15 minutes and not "play" one second of the game! It's all setup and story! (And a lot of pressing button "A".) Just a heads up.

With regards to your side note...
I believe that a lot of the reason N64 games hold their value is because of the image associated with Nintendo. The N64 is just a great system for young'ens. Sure, cartridges are more durable than CD's, but I don't think that's the only reason why the system is so right for kids. I think it has more to do with the content of the games. So many of the games are geared towards kids. And they are exactly what discerning parents are looking for when they go out to buy a new game for their children. Super Mario platformer, Mario Party, Mario Kart, Mario sports, Mario this-and-that, Kirby, Pokemon, Zelda, Donkey and Diddy Kong, Banjo-Kazooie, etc. Good games for the kids are hard to find - and these stores know it! (Take a look at any kiddie game for any system in any generation - their prices do not (or very rarely) drop like they do for teen/adult games.)</div>

400 hours? Maybe I should just blow off buying anything else this holiday season :)

But hell, I've got Massi harrassing me about viewtiful joe which I already want, am playing Halo now, have not even come close to exhausting F-Zero, Mario Kart, or FF: Tactics. . . .

This is just a damn good time to be a gamer. I'll just have to bump Ogre up the list a little quicker. . .its sitting there plugged into my N64 with the instruction manual lying on top.

It's interesting, I was a big PS1 fan, but I haven't bought a game for that in ages. N64 has really grown on me. Any other hidden gems out there on that system?

[OLDSKOOl]

Killer Instinct Gold is a really good fighter on that system..
Snowboards kids was a blast to play 4 player style or by yourself..as well as I.S.S (internation Super Star Soccer) you can find winning eleven on PS2 it's good but the n64 his the hypest announcer in the world.."goaalllllll"!!!!!

and for one of the best action/adventure/humours games i've ever played that got no spot light probs was Goemans Great Adventure(Konami) if you can find this one please please pick this one oup your won't be dissapointed..just as I know my name is OLDSKOOl..if you like adventure games and a challenger then get this one okay..

-To be the Man..you've got to beat the Man..whooo

-OLDSKOOl

[Duffy]

Hey oldskool how are ya doing? Ain't seen you in a long time! Still playing that N64? I still have mine. I booted up Goldeneye a while back and I was surprised how dated the graphics were. At the time of release of course they were cutting edge! Then the frame rates... just in the toilet. Technically gaming has come a long way. On the gameplay front, I guess that would be open to debate.

I remember when Orge Battle first came out EGM warned that they were not going to publish very many copies and the wise gamer would pick up their copy while the getting was good.

[chautemoc]

<div class=\"smallfont\"></div>

It's interesting, I was a big PS1 fan, but I haven't bought a game for that in ages. N64 has really grown on me. Any other hidden gems out there on that system?

I would reccomend Star Solider: Vanishing Earth if youre into those overhead shooters. Noone seems to have heard of it, I only discovered it recently. Excellent excellent game though (short as it may be). Theres also Paper Mario and Shadowman..Ive also heard good things about Space Station Silicon Valley.