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Infinite Undiscovery Includes Gift with Purchase | 
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| From: Square Enix
Category: Video Games
List Price: $59.99
Buy New: $29.97
You Save: $30.02 (50%)
New (1) Used (1) from $29.00
Rating:  18 reviews
Sales Rank: 360
Platform: Xbox 360
Genre: role_playing_games
ESRB: Teen
Media: Video Game
Edition: Includes Gift with Purchase
Age: 12 - 20 years
Operating System: Xbox 360
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.5 x 0.7
Model: 90822
UPC: 662248908229
EAN: 0662248908229
ASIN: B001D3NPY6
Release Date: September 2, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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| Features:
| | A seamless, real-time battle system that maintains a strategic, party-oriented format | | | Episodic situational battles urge players to think before they engage | | | A twisting, 30-hour storyline co-written by Ryo Mizuno, creator of Record of Lodoss War | | | 17 characters join the hero, Capell, each with a unique “Connect action” that allows the player to take direct control |
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| Customer Reviews: Read 13 more reviews...
 Amazingg October 13, 2008
M. Fay (Boston, MA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
So this was one of the best games ive played in a long time. i have been an RPG fan since i was 9. Dont really play much video games in general, but when SquareEnix puts out new material i will play them. i was very impressed with Infinite Undiscovery. it had every element of a great game. the characters were well developed, each having their own extensive past and that contributed greatly to the games playability. the battle system is amazing, it is in real time and very fast paced. the plot is great as well, and very unpredictable. while playing you will develop an idea of what is going to happen and then you are very suprised to discover you are wrong. it is a game filled with exiting twists and turns and u are able to see each character change and develop as the game continues. it is a great game and i have no problems with it.
Infinate Discovery RPG November 3, 2008
Travis Biquet (Misawa Japan)
This is a pretty good Game and Has some new inovative Ideas for the Gameplay. Though the cut scenes are a bit long and sometimes the voice acting cuts out for no reason the game's story line is what helps drive you to continue in this game. The great thing about this game is the ability to make Two and some times Three partys which will act on there own and will succeed based on the groups you made. The connection system is extremly cool as well it alows you to do things such as talk to animals to mind controling enemys its great. The game it self is relativly short Take you about 15-20hrs game play depending on your Skill level. The great thing about IU is the replay value is high and has 3 diffrent dificulty settings. Easy, Hard, and Infinate mode. A big aspect to the replay is a Tower that has Insane loot and bosses harder and more health then the final boss in the game. I wont spoil anything but lets just say it brings a challenge to a relativly simple RPG. I give this game a 8.5 Out of 10
 To put it short: I love this game. September 7, 2008
M.D.C. (San Diego, CA)
17 out of 24 found this review helpful
Nice title, isn't it? But don't expect a blatant fanboy review. Quite the contrary. If I had to summarize what you should need to know about this game, it's this: THIS GAME IS NOT FOR EVERYONE; DO NOT BUY IT UNLESS YOU ARE EITHER BLATANTLY OPEN-MINDED OR HAVE RENTED IT FIRST, OR HAVE A GREAT RETURN POLICY, OR SOMETHING.
Why do I emphasize that so? Because the nature of the game calls for that emphasis.
You see, Infinite Undiscovery is not a traditional RPG. It's an action RPG with some elements that emulate online gaming. That's issue #1. It's linear, but open at the same time. That's issue #2. It also doesn't pan out until you're a few hours into the game; you'll be lost on the story momentarily as it begins to develop itself; that's issue #3. There are others, but those are the first and foremost in my mind.
Your character starts out in jail. You get rescued eventually by Aya, who actually mistakes you for someone else who apparently looks identical to you. As you make your escape from the prison, you'll end up in a forest, and finally, meet some more of the key characters. Seems overly simple, but that's what I can give you without spoiling things.
In this game, you really have to think, I mean really think about what you're doing. Things like walking instead of running so you can attack someone from behind. Sound plays another big part of the game; if you don't have at least a 5.1 surround system you'll be impaired in this area. Even smell plays a small part - if you stink, enemies can detect you. In the darkness you can get assaulted by enemies you can't see (but they can see you because they're nocturnal). Getting attacked from behind cripples you and makes you susceptible to critical attacks. There are tons of different elements you need to take into consideration as you fight, which increases the immersion and the challenge.
Additionally, the world is alive; there is no "pause to bring up the menu". You need to make sure there are no enemies in the close vicinity, or that they are out of visual range, or you're in a town before bringing up the menu, because you can still get assaulted during this time. A strategic element to be sure, and one I wouldn't mind seeing in a future RPG, just slightly better implemented (more on that later).
With the "Connect" system, you effectively are giving commands to your colleagues to either do special attacks, heal, or talk to NPCs on your behalf, revealing different information than you get. The game relies heavily on this system, as you will frequently have need to use a character's special technique to get through a certain area. This lends itself to problems, however (more on that later).
If you're a fan of pure aesthetics, this game will not disappoint. The graphics, music and sound effects are all excellently done, and quite frankly some of the best looking on any game released to date. Some people have mentioned framerate issues; to me, they're so infrequent I wouldn't even call it a dealbreaker. With graphics this good, and minimal load times (considering it's basically an open world), a half second framerate drop every now and then is forgivable. Just make sure you turn down the voice volume; it tends to come through rather loudly on your left rear speaker during battle for some reason.
That doesn't mean there aren't issues, because there are.
- In the beginning of the game, you're evading a rather large foe. It seems almost impossible not to get hit by this guy. An option to turn and risk fighting him would have been nice.
- In a forested area, you're told to "stick to shadows". Considering the whole forest is dark, this instruction is confusing to a newbie user.
- Some areas are just ridiculous. Like when you have to cross an open field with some small ruins, and a creature is blowing fireballs at you which are possible, but extremely difficult, to dodge because of the camera angle. No instructions as to what to really do, except run. Might have been something there that I missed for all I know.
- You have to press Right Trigger to draw your sword. I like that and all, but what I don't like is that your colleagues won't draw their weapons if you don't, even if the tactic says to go all out.
- Quite a few things are not explained to you. In the beginning, Aya explains one of her Connect commands, which you use to take out a guard. That's great. Later, you're given Flute songs, yet never told what each song does or how/when to use them. I didn't even know I could use the flute until I was 2 hours into the game, even though I had it all along. I was also stuck on one area (and the web is lit up with boards about the same area) where I had to use another character's Connect command to charm enemies to a door; nowhere is this explained. That same character can talk to animals; not explained either.
- Outside of the primary characters, the additional characters don't have very much development.
As I said before, you should test this game before actually buying it. It might not be for you. It's not a bad game; just different. I wouldn't say it's similar to an MMORPG, even though it has some of the qualities. I would say...if you took Final Fantasy 12, with a better story and more plot development...and a better battle engine with pseudo-full control...you'd get this game. IMO, it's what FF12 should have been. Take that for what it's worth.
Real-time Battle Done Right September 5, 2008
ps2rpgrr
5 out of 7 found this review helpful
In short, this is the real-time/seamless combat RPG that Final Fantasy XII could and should have been. Combat is relentless and very involving. However, the "connect" system is really just a gimmick, and ends up being used mostly in forced puzzle-minigame chores rather than as a useful skill in combat.
My #1 complaint for this game is the poor voice acting throughout, and the lack of selectable Japanese voices. With 2 DVD DLs worth of data, not including the Japanese voices as an option is inexcusable. You'll see what I mean once the twins join your party.
The graphics in the camera-perspective-restricted Eternal Sonata might make Undiscovery look a little dated. But the real-time battle system from Undiscovery more than makes up for it and proudly shows off the new direction most new J-RPGs are headed towards.
Who says the 360's hurting for quality RPG's? October 17, 2008
trashcanman (Hanford, CA United States)
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
Maybe if you discount Oblivion, Mass Effect, Tales of Vesperia, Enchanted Arms, Eternal Sonata, Operation Darkness, Spectral Force 3, Lost Odyssey, Blue Dragon, and the upcoming coup-de-grace "Final Fantasy XIII" along with the rest. Yet I keep reading that Microsoft isn't offering enough quality RPG's. So I ask you this, mainstream gaming media: how many quality RPG's are out there for the Wii and Playstation 3? ........Damn right. Xbox 360 is currently your one-shop stop for every non-portable piece of role-playing hotness there is. So why won't anybody but the fans admit it? Alrighty then, on to the game. I racked my brain for weeks trying to decide between "Infinite Undiscovery" and "Tales of Vesperia". The reviews all came up Tales, but I loved what I'd read about IU so I took a chance, just like I did when I bought the horribly-reviewed but highly enjoyable "Operation Darkness". My verdict? I'll never trust a professional game reviewer again. I still plan on getting TOV and I'm sure it's great, but the luke-warm reviews for this title are uncalled for. It's immensely fun, full of brilliant characters and character moments, charming humor, secrets, and awesome combat. If you long for a real-time JRPG without overly-cartoony graphics that will give you some things you've never really seen before in this type of game, pick this up ASAP.
Picture this: Your reluctant hero Kappel (you), his archer girlfriend Aya, and the huge fire-breathing horned bear she keeps as a pet, Gustav are exploring an area along with a party of four other characters who are working entirely independently of you. You come to the top of a ridge and see your pals engaging a group of foes. Your archer fires an arrow above the fray which then rains damaging sparks onto the enemis, surprising them and panicking the littler ones. Meanwhile, you've climbed on top of the bear and together you both go charging down the hill, aiming straight for the big red ogre currently knocking your friends around like bowling pins. The force of your impact throws you off of Gustav's back onto the gorund but deals big damage to the ogre, who is now engaging your furry friend head-to-head. You pick yourself up and unleash a devastating combo of kicks into the ogre's back. He turns and stops your assault with a palm strike as he lifts his massive club with his other arm. You parry just as he attempts to crush you and leave him stunned just as the rest of your companions finish mopping up the rest of the baddies. All seven of you unleash a devastating combo adding up to dozens of consecutive hits as the lifeless ogre falls to the ground. Wonder what's around the next corner?
As you can see, combat in this game is exciting to say the least. There is a grand total of 18 very unique characters that can be spread out over as many as three independent parties as any given time. The parties are sometimes fighting side-by-side and sometimes only meet in passing. Each non- player controlled grouping is graded and rewarded based on their effectiveness so one would think you should choose your arrangements wisely. Unfortunately, the rating always seems to come out "C" regardless of what you do. Sloppy. Some characters prefer to be grouped together, such as Aya and her pet Gustav or the magical twins (*cough*PalomandPorom*cough*) Rico and Rucha, and perform better when they are. Each character also has sets of quirks that you are able to discover. For example, sexy magic-user Michelle is terrified of flying creatures. This can cause her to flee in panic and ignore your orders, leaving you without a healer for a while. Other characters are afraid of the dark, but ninja girl Komachi actually prefers it. This is a cool twist.
Each character usually does a great job fighting on their own, but you can "connect" with them at any time and command them to use their powers as you see fit. Rico, for example can talk to and control animals which makes him handy in some places to get info and even items from some furry friends or for turning foe to friend in battle. Rucha, on the other hand, can summon a small dragon to fight by your side. Each character has their own skills that come in handy both in and out of battle. As I said before, the game is full of charm and the cast is outstanding. Hours can and should be spent exploring the ins-and-outs of their different skills and relationships with each other. I just wish you were given more time with them.
"Infinite Undiscovery" isn't perfect, though, as fun as it is. It is very short (under 40 hours) for an RPG with so much depth. A lot of it isn't given any room to breathe and as a result, you will likely miss out on a lot. Also, the first act is a nightmare. Don't buy the game and then shake your fist in anger at me because of the cruddy game you just bought half an hour in. I suspect this is the cause of the lackluster reviews. As soon as you start, you're treated to bunch of fully-animated but annoyingly silent cutscenes every few steps. No voiceover. This is no longer acceptable. If you want to convey the information without any voice-acting, do it without making me sit through a cutscene. After very little combat, you're given a boss battle......that you don't get to fight. You're instructed to run from an invincible ogre. Yay? So after this lame sequence the game drops you into a forest so dark you can't see a thing. Even your mini-map is blurred. Headache-inducing. Then to top it off, the ogre comes back so you now have to run away and do so without being able to see where the hell you're going. THEN rather than letting you actually PLAY the game at this point, you're forced to carry a girl (no fighting allowed) and run away from a flying fire-breathing dragon whose every breath knocks you down so you have to wait seconds for Cappell to get back up so you can continue running to you-don't-really-know-where until more fire knocks you down. But once you get where it is you're going, your troubles are over. The game rocks, the silent cutscenes are mostly replaced with full voiceovers, and your band of rebels begins to grow. The save system has "old-school" written all over it. This is not a compliment. The story is cliche-ridden at times, but it is a JRPG so that's expected. Also, I REALLY wish you could control the other characters. They are so cool and so much fun to fight beside that I wanted to play as them myself. There are some characters that you aren't allowed to put into your personal party which bugs me as well. The characters themselves are all memorable and you gain a genuine affection for them as the game progresses, but again there just isn't enough time for you to spend with them and even less for those who cannot join your party. A lot more polish and a larger world would have made this game an all-time great.
"Infinite Undiscovery" may not measure up to the best of the best, but it's the most fun I've has with a current-gen Japanese RPG yet. The character humor is often more then clever and really offsets any cliches. There are some very frustrating challenges in store so keep gamefaqs.com handy. In fact, don't think the game is over just because you finished it. There's a much harder challenge to be found within the game. The story itself is actually pretty cool and refreshingly simple, leaving the action to carry the biggest load until the endgame. Smart move. Just like with "Valkyrie Profile" (an all-time favorite of mine) Tri-Ace has made RPG combat a true joy and thrown in some cool little secrets for you to stumble upon along the way -usually in the form of more character development. I really wish they'd put more into the multi-party system. That was one of my favorite -but sadly underdeveloped- aspects of the game. Squaresoft was always my favorite RPG factory (Enix's "Seventh Saga": also awesome in it's day) so color me thrilled that Square-Enix -after much hesitation- has decided to back the Xbox 360. This is a great start, but I hope they put more effort into the upcoming The Last Remnant
4 1/2 stars rounded down for giving me 4 discs worth of characters and innovation on a 2-disc story.
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