At long last, Zentendo has come to its final preview of "Nostalgia" before the game arrives next week in America. Before the review goes up, it is time for one last look at the wold and characters, and time to take a peak behind the creation of this unique vision of the past.
Dancing in the Wind.
"Nostalgia" and the game concept actually came about some time ago. In fact this is a title that has been on the mind of Director Naoki Morita for about 12 years. Back then titles such as "Final Fantasy VII" were just hitting alongside games more similar to "Nostalgia" such as "Grandia". The RPG genre was just hitting its boom in America, and enjoying more success then before in Japan. In a way, it was a golden age for the genre, A sort of age of discovery if you will. With the advent of 3D gaming, along with much higher sprite resolutions and pre-rendered backgrounds, role playing games were bringing new experiences to players everywhere. It is during this time that character designer Yoshiteru Tsujino began sketching what would later become the cast of "Nostalgia" based off of Mr. Morita's story. Sadly, it was a project that would continue to be put on hold as both of them, as well as the rest of the would be staff, went off to work on other projects over the years. As the years passed, the RPG began to change, its tone grew continuously darker and more complex. Soon afterward the gameplay itself would begin to change with each game, radically trying to invent the next great mechanic. In a way, the RPG lost its spirit of adventure as it plowed ever onward down its dreary path of emotionally disturbed plot lines and protagonists. The title then is no coincidence, though officially titled "Winds of Nostalgeo" in Japan, the meaning is the same. It is an RPG meant to bring back not only the feeling and characters of the late 90's RPG games, but also a classic way of viewing the world as a bright and colorful landscape with many unexplored mysteries waiting to be discovered.
Throughout the course of the title you will run across extra allies who will temporarily join you in your quest. These characters will follow you on the town and dungeon, but more then that they will aid you in combat. These extra characters can not be controlled and act on their own AI instructions. Rather then have to worry about healing a fifth member though, they only appear in battle during their turn. Meaning they are unaffected by enemy attacks. You will run across a variety of allies over the game, none of which are more fiesty, or sexy, then Scarlett. Scarlett is a Sky Pirate, seeking out revenge against the cabal for murdering her sister years ago. While she will occasionally aid you, do not be fooled into thinking the enemy of my enemy is my friend. You will also have to cross blades with the pirate captain. As they say, no honor among thieves. Deep down though, there is a noble person within Scarlett, it just may take some time to get there.
Lost to Time.
The greatest mysteries of the world as well as the most famous legends tend to tell of great lost civilizations or even whole continents disappearing into the ocean forever. "Nostalgia" obviously capitalizes on this the and as such will feature a number of real world legends and locations throughout the course of the adventure. Some of these will include hidden shrines throughout the world as can be seen here.
Obviously the most famous and sought after of all lost civilizations is the lost city of Atlantis. First described by Plato, it has been the subject of much fascination and mystery ever since. The legend grew in popularity in the late 19th century and for some time into the early 20th century. One of the most surprising stories came from a man named Edgar Cayce. A self proclaimed psychic who told a tale of how Atlantis was destroyed by the overcharging an energy crystal. Edgar believed that the remains of Atlantis would be found in 1968, but himself died in 1945. Edgar located Atlantis as somewhere around the areas of the Bermude Triangle, near Florida. In 1968, a curious discovery was made of a man made road, sunken deep beneath the water off the coast of Florida. Most archeologists believe that if any such city did once exist, then the proof lies in some recently discovered submerged ruins in the Mediterranean Sea. Which would fit more in line with the account given by Plato.
Ancient Greece itself is home to many world famous myths, legends, and temples. Beyond the vivid tales told in the "Illiad" and the "Odyssey", Greece is home to many beautiful sculptures and buildings of its own. Depicting a time of great ingenuity and forward thinking. Greece has also been a trading capitol of the world since the dawn of human civilization. Its location on the coast of the Mediterranean has provided a harbor for sailors and merchants across the ancient world for as long as ships have existed. Its creatures and stories told there can be seen in countless forms of media even today. Expect to drop by on your globe trotting adventure as you search to unravel the many mysteries of the earth.
This brings us to the end of the journey on our series of previews. While not based off any franchise, "Nostalgia" seeks to bring back what gamers loved about the RPG in the past. Great stories, charming characters, and a grand sense of adventure in a world just waiting to be discovered. "Nostalgia" takes off next week, and hopefully you will be along for the ride.
