Nights Of Azure (PS4)

[tenshi_a]

Making a topic so we can talk about it as much as we like, without cluttering up the "Yuri Games Not On Steam" thread. :)

[Rasp]

Fine I repeat my question - I got the impression it didn't reach beyond subtext and was overall a fairly massive disappointment that may not justify its own topic

[LumberingCrane]

I don't have much more to say really. It really depends on your expectation on what kind of yuri will be presented. In my case, I just expected a level of yuri that is much more blatant than their Atelier games, so my expectations were met and at times surpassed. I really didn't need it to be straightforward or beyond subtext. Since it's Gust I already knew they weren't really gonna present anything more than some form of implication of romance between girls. I do agree that while it sort of pushed the limit of what is considered subtext, it's still at the end of the day subtext, so if you're tired of that then it definitely will be disappointing. I personally consider it a "might as well be text" subtext, but YMMV.

[tenshi_a]

Now I'm a bit further in the game I really agree with LumberingCrane, it's pretty difficult to deny that the two lead characters are supposed to be in some kind of romantic relationship.

I dunno, maybe there's a branching path in the game where it's not so obvious, and that's why there's some confusion?

[rincewind]

I wonder if we gonna see it ported to PC someday. Same for the Atelier games. I have heard so many nice thing about those.

[Rasp]

Originally posted by LumberingCrane:

I do agree that while it sort of pushed the limit of what is considered subtext, it's still at the end of the day subtext, so if you're tired of that then it definitely will be disappointing.

It's not that I'm sick of subtext isn't that I'm not that big on Action RPGs and I hear the combat isn't all that good either so putting up with a combat system I'm probably not going to like for a very minor reward... feels like my time could be better served other ways.

[tenshi_a]

I'm not trying to sell this game to you, especially not at its insane PSN price (which is almost twice what I paid for a physical copy). It isn't the greatest game in the world, the yuri factor is still weirdly blatantly there but also kind of feels missing, it feels like an upscaled Vita game (in Japan it was cross-platform with Vita) and there are a few irritations I have with the game (like its pointless time limit mechanic).

However, it kind of sounds like whoever's review you read of this game only played the first 2 hours of the game or something.

It does start out as an action RPG with the two girls really being vague about each other, but after a while it turned into something else.

You see, the combat in this game starts out as [girl with sword], [hack, slash, push the button for super side-boob special attack], but soon you unlock these little minions called "servans", and you summon them up and they fight alongside you.

The only things you control about the servans are when to summon them, and when they should do their special moves. Otherwise they do all their moving and attacking autonomously.

After a while, your servans end up being way stronger and better at fighting than your character. At least, that's how it's been for me.

So the game turned into one of strategising about setting up "decks" of 4 monsters to switch between - which to bring (e.g. some are melee, some are magic, some are healers etc), what to equip them with, what element they are and those strengths and weaknesses, etc.

And I spend most battles just running about avoiding battle, letting them deal with it.

I don't know if this is the optimal way to play the game - it probably isn't since I seem to be way behind in the game compared with everyone else - but I found it's more interesting to play this way. :)

I'm actually enjoying the game's strange comedy involving the minor male characters more than I am the relationship with the girls or the gameplay. XD

Maybe if you have a PS4, keep an eye out to see if it ever gets in one of those 70% off PSN sales.

[Rasp]

It's more I'm not the biggest Action RPG fan never have been - Never like Kingdom hearts for example - hated the gameplay hated the story. If it was more turn based okay cool. If it was more actiony Dynasty Warriors Esqe okay cool this seems like it's too far in between for me.

[Entrexia]

The Yuri is canon. It just isn't a western-styled pride parade "out loud" type of variety or sex-focused. The focus is on the romantic bonds between them, which is totally heart-felt and genuine. This is normal for eastern-typed romantic portrayals (especially Nights of Azure, is one of the few mainstream Yuri games in Japan. [Luckily, it sold well in comparison to their products, like the Atelier series.]). The only Yuri fans who claim the game is subtext, is those who played the game with their eyes closed or think Yuri is always meant to be a fight about proving things.

If you are thorough, engage in all dialogues (and make the right choices), read the diary, take the time to see all the banters between Arnas and Rulitis, it's clear how they both feel about each other. Chris even called them "lovers", and the narrative curia guy even warned Arnas not to fall for Rulitis. Also, the game is very highly concentrated between Arnas and Rulitis, something not seen in JRPG games where the female protagonist is meant to be strictly straight or not hooked up with any character. If people want to pretend everything means nothing, because they didn't call themselves lesbians or something, I don't know what to say.

[tenshi_a]

If anyone's interested at all, they're making a second game:

http://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2016/08/23/gust-announces-nights-of-azure-2-for-ps4-vita-in-japan/

http://www.siliconera.com/2016/08/23/nights-azure-2-details-characters-story-gameplay-will-completely-different/

New characters, new gameplay. Out in Japan 22nd Dec 2016, no English version announced yet.

"You’ll fight enemy demons together with your partner “Lily.” You can freely select your Lily, and your bonds will deepen as you fight together. As you develop your relationship and awaken new abilities, intimate events will occur. Both Liliana and Ruhenheid can be chosen as a Lily."

Ok, ok. Lily = yuri, and "Intimate events" caught my eye there...

[Rasp]

maybe it'll be better - theres always some thin hope they decided to flush out the yuri more. It's not a good chance I wouldn't put money on it but in the infinite expanse anything is theortically possible.

Gust has this distict problem with getting under my skin and I cant quite hold my finger on. it's not like their characters or stories have ever been anything to write home about... it's not like Compile heart where if they actually committed to character evolution/progress/romance/etc they could make something amazing no.... but they also don't have the same excuse as Compile heart and don't tned to reuse characters so the game they appear in is generally the one they stay in.

[tenshi_a]

Koei Tecmo have confirmed a Western release for Nights Of Azure 2:
http://www.ricedigital.co.uk/koei-tecmo-announce-slew-titles-west/
Nothing more specific than "2017" though.

--

http://www.koeitecmoeurope.com/news/77119/KOEI-TECMO-ANNOUNCES-GAME-LINE-UP-FOR-TOKYO-GAME-SHOW-2016-AND-CONFIRMS-TITLES-BOUND-FOR-WESTERN-RELEASE/

Nights of Azure 2 (working title)
Following the success of the of 'Nights of Azure', which marked a darker direction for GUST, producer Keisuke Kikuchi returns to the demon-plagued world where players will follow the story of a young girl knight born from the blood of Arnice, the main character of 'Nights of Azure'.

Nights of Azure 2 (working title) maintains the same JRPG gameplay elements adored by dedicated fans of the studio and expands this new franchises horizons with a riveting new storyline! This title will be on display in the Koei Tecmo booth at TGS.

[rincewind]

Now if they could port the first game for PC... that would be nice.