Wow, I never knew Langrisser and Growlanser not only shared DNA, but also spun into the Devil Survivor games. No wonder those were so good! Also, for any who haven't played it, Heritage of War is available right now on PS3 for only $9.99 USD 👀
@@animedemon4 Yeah I agree. I think if they stayed with pixel art it would be better as it was based on pixel art, unless if you end up getting another "spiritual" successor
With Langrisser 1 and 2 seeing a revival. I hope they bring the others over and that it paves the way for Growlancer to come back. Or hell create yet another spiritual successor. Urushihara's art is such a treat for the eyes too.
While everyone was praising Wayfarer of time, I couldn't relate to what I felt were lifeless, static character. Heritage of War was terribly received and everyone hated it, but for me it had character whom you really felt for and an amazing story. It was my favorite of all time. But, I can see why I was hated The combat map are quite bad at time, sometime you get stuck on how to win a battle as certain gimmicks aren't really explained. But, I liked the waifus who were a lot less, but had a lot more quality than Wayfarer in my opinion. And the generations aspect was amazing seeing time advance in story and different protagonist and perspectives, seeing every main character fail, till you finally get to the final chosen one who is a mute character.
Yeah... There's a translation text online for Growlanser 1, but no english patch whatsoever yet. You'd have to read a damn script while playing the game, imagine that.
@@OmegaVideoGameGod Keep us updated. Growlanser 1 is on my bucket list of RPGs but I'd rather have it properly patched instead of going back and forth with a text script.
I just beat Wayfarer of Time on my Vita and I'm waiting for Generations on the PS2 to arrive in the mail. After I beat those 2 I'll get Heritage of War through PSN.
Heritage of War will feel ....off....at first. But if you give it a chance it's simply amazing with a ton of arching paths...or at least it seemed that way to me when I was younger.
Love the series as well, and I still have a slight bit of hope that it will be revived. Most of the Career Soft staff is still with Atlus and they worked on Tokyo Mirage Sessions FE for the Wii U. It could happen, but it's unlikely. Stranger things have happened though... Also, I have the first game for PS1, and I'm almost done with it. After reading the translation guide somewhat, the final battle scene is kind of a ripoff of Mother 2/EarthBound, it's somewhat similar. Even with the translation guide, I'd still recommend it.
Been playing Wayfarer Of Time over the last 3-4 years, I keep meaning to complete it but always get stuck due to difficulty but now im a bit older the game is significantly easier. Amazing game. So Underrated its so sad, im just trying to get friends to play it.
I haven't played most of the Growlanser games, but I absolutely LOVED Growlanser 2! In my opinion, one of the most underrated games of all time. I feel like the whole series is underrated and unknown tbh, which is pretty sad... Still hope they make more games or at least do some remakes to revive the series and make it more popular.
Growlanser 5 was the one that introduce me to this series, and I just can't believe that it's actually the weakest entry in the series, I play 4 too, aka the supposedly fan favorite, but I still prefer 5, 4 is great too ofc, man I love this series, so glad that I gave it a chance
Same. However I like both equally. Growlanser is the only jrpg of it's kinda. No one ever really cloned it for some reason. They stuck to grid based movement.
Growlanser V also introduced me to the series. But after seeing a few of the playthroughs from older entries, playing some Growlanser III, and now currently finishing up Growlanser IV, I can say that the game is definitely outshone :P After experiencing the fourth game, the fifth feels really linear. You get little consequences from your actions- compare to the branching fates from IV. I really like the narration where you play through roles before Zeonsilt's, though. Gameplay wise, the plate flow system makes getting skills easier without relying on rings, imo. Of course, updated graphics are always appreciated. It's decent enough for a PS2 game. Before Growlanser III, you have a party size of 8, which is awesome! Makes use of Growlanser's real-time battlefield-esque fights to its fullest potential... versus the limitations of a four count party. It's not a bad game, but I know for sure they recycled elements from IV into the V and VI. *Spoilers alert* , of course, written down below. The five factions. A military nation, a dying kingdom, a third, powerful kingdom, your faction, and the mysterious one. Sounds familiar? Grangale and Dulkheim, Neylern and Iglesias, Valkania and Cyriltia, Marquelia-Ordinale and PMB, and lastly Vester and the Queen Screaper. An early tragedy that struck a village dear to the MC. Rio Rey and Ribocca. Heck- even the screens that precede both villages are cliffs overlooking them. Concept of ancient, futuristic ruins. The sixth games blatantly copies this concept with the main characters being expies of Crevanille and Frayne. And many more. Despite its revamped gameplay, the newest entries felt nerfed somehow. IV is possibly the best entry in the series.
There's an English fan translation patch for Growlanser 6 currently in progress. Here's a link to the blog for the project: growlanser6english.blogspot.com/
Did you do one of these videos for Magna Carta? That's an interesting series and I'd be curious what your thoughts are on it since a lot of people disliked the first one.
I don't like the idea of Growlanser to come back with more sequels as well (every good series, regardless if mainstream or not, has to end someday before It looses Its magic, nothing is eternal sadly), but if other JRPG publishers such as XSEED could take all of the games, put them in a compilation and localize them in downloadable platforms like Steam so we could finally once and for all have Growlanser 1 and 6 in english as well, It would be a great full disclossure of the series and would save players from the tedious work of using guides or making/searching for fanmade translations.
Growlanser series was one of the main reason i loved JRPG to this days, the feeling of the little action you take in a battle might change the outcome of the story, the battle system, character interaction and the story itself was wonderful. Started playing growlanser v i randomly found in a game store back in 4th grade of elementary school, fell in love with it, then i hunted for the growlanser generation which includes the 2nd and 3rd growlanser, finally the 4th game in my middle school when i got the psp, such a golden age for JRPG XD, glad to see people with the same love for the game, cause i haven't actually know anyone else who played this game since back when i was a student to a salaryman lol.
I ended up finding growlanser as a person who wanted to play atlus games, I was introduced to atlus by persona and shin megami tensei, I saw growlanser and I said, "I should play it!" So I played the second one, I got bored of it and stopped. I then later started to play again, now I know what the stadium is for in Growlanser, it is to grind up to ridiculous levels and get ridiculously good items that you can use, I only found that out once I started to play Growlanser 3, I used the items to give my team all possible skills, so Annette, and I have 999 max HP due to all the training. Although I think it was meant to die off. The Growlanser series was great although 3d models do not fit my taste, maybe the end of Growlanser was for the best.
No patch for 1 but the script can be used to play the PC/PSP port. It's easy to figure out comands, skills and all the other stuff. The PSP port has extra content like an additional character and scenarios not included in the script.
I randomly decided to pick up Generations at GameStop back in the day and I freakin loved it, I’m so sad that things happened how they did with it all. Seriously doubt it ever will, but I’d be freakin hyped if it ever came back around. Honestly I think it would fare better now in the online world
I've also played 2,3,4, and 5 but the one I love most is 2 just because mission complete/clear things actually has meaning... (although it's only get that 1 girl) and it's the only game that I got every ending
I heard at one point Working Designs wanted to release the first three Growlanser games in a single bundle as Growlanser Generations, however they were told by someone that they couldn’t release the first one. I don’t remember whether the reason was copyright related or whether Sony didn’t want any new PS1 games released since the PS2 was already out (freaking Sony…). But anyway Working Designs compensated for that by adding unlockable stories within Growlanser 2 that let you read what happened during the first game. Anyway this is one of my favorite series, and I love the Devil Survivor games so I hope ATLUS keeps giving this director work.
Growlanser VI Fan Patch finished like 5 months ago. I have been playing the shit out of it! Side Note for anybody interested: If you do go to play it, at the beginning it asks you if you want to load your Growlanser V data. Don't bother cause only the Japanese version data will work.
Even though Vic Ireland of course would have bias in the matter of the localization history of Growlanser, some of his statements are telling. He didn't go for Growlanser 1 since by that point it would've been slightly too late, but planned to find a way to go back, and he probably would've been able to if Working Designs didn't go under. He held off and waited on it initially because he thought Atlus had been planning to do Growlanser 1, but with time it became clear they had no interest in the series and likely told the Japan side of Atlus that Growlanser may not be fit for Western markets. Hard to say how much of this is true, but likely some truth if Vic was able to get the rights to do Growlanser 2 and 3 and selling fairly well. Of course after they released Growlanser Generations they went under, but it is questionable how Atlus handled the series. I know some people questioned why Atlus would do Growlanser 5 instead of 4 at the time, but in retrospect it was probably the most logical and made sense. 5 is when they switched to 3D character models so it would be easier to appeal to a wider audience for a niche title. Also, that way we were able to get the definitive edition later of Growlanser 4 on PSP. Though Atlus clearly cut corners with not licensing the opening song for 5 and doing no dub for Growlanser 4 likely due to 5 bombing, but still wanting to take a stab at the series. Looking at the timeline of events, the 5 year gap from Atlus USA releasing Growlanser 5 and 4 is very weird. They had about a 1 year turnaround for both 4 and 5 from the Japan release to the English releases. The gap is even worse when they later planned to do 4 and released Growlanser 5 five years prior. If they had released the psp remake of Growlanser 1 it likely could've helped prepare or better test the waters especially considering Growlanser 1 in scale is a smaller game than 5 so wouldn't be the same amount of work on it. Though, I have suspicion in this alternate scenario Atlus likely would've never done Growlanser 4 localization if they did Growlanser 1 and it didn't meet expectations or barely met them. Vic Ireland also spoke on how when he made Gaijinworks, he tried to contact Atlus to get Growlanser Generations onto PSN and to try and license Growlanser 1 on PSP, but Atlus did not care and had no plans to even negotiate. Since they had no care and since Atlus USA now Atlus West doesn't really care for it, feels like this series is pretty much dead with no chance until the fan translation projects for Growlanser 1 and 6 take off. Growlanser has shown up on a few Atlus West surveys the last few years so maybe something can happen, at the very least maybe a collection with all the games or at least a remaster or remake of maybe Growlanser 1 as the genesis of the series.
Every Japanese RPG game company's :"We didn't release (insert franchise) outside of Japan because we don't have a wide enough audience." Me:"How will you grow your fan base if you don't try and relase some of the titles in other countries?" Every Japanese RPG game Company's: "No comment."
Growlanser Will be one of my personal favorite of all time. I really like the gameplay and it just click for me. Wayfayer of Time has the best plot execution and get me tear up at the npc friend at the dungeon sequence. It really well made writing when it can me care for those npc.
I picked up number 5 at my local game shop. to this day its one of my most loved game of the ps2. I'v played it to the ending severely time and a big fan of the games that i'v have had the chance to play. hopefully with the boom of remastering stuff we will get a bone throw are way.
I renege seeing this game with its awesome art, and thinking "I'll get it next time" And ten years later... *shrugs * guess I'll order a copy on Amazon or something
I'm still praying for a fan translation or something of Growlanser VI. I really enjoyed V and it got me to try out II + III, but I still like V's style more, and it continued into VI!!!
After completeing Growlanser 5 for god knows how many times, i decided to play GL 6 using google translator and i was relieved the story did make sense for me atleast 😂
Faycel Athmani you need to do a whole bunch of tweaks to get it to play on pcsx2. have you faced any issues yet, like random freezes or crashing when opening the menu?
Wha, growlanser 1 has a map like 3!? Had no idea. When it comes to tatical RPGs, I've never been a fan of that point to point rail exploration, But Part 3 did away with it. That's my main reason for liking that one.
Weston Meyer I'll take your word for it. I only played through 2, 3 and barely Touched 5. Still, the rail system is in similar games as well (ff tactics, front mission ect) I just enjoyed having that type of gameplay, while also being able to walk around and explore outside of battles.
Growlanser IV WofT are available for PSP, in EU and US. Its a good game. My PSP-3004 died, but even if you dont have it, there is an emulator to play it on PC. And story are really different from any other JRPG.
Just got into Growlanser after playing Langrisser. I hate how underrated these games are. I don't think they are the best games ever, even in their respective genre but they are good. Here is hoping they get STEAM ports because frankly Nihon Falcom and Nippon Ichi have been porting games like MOFOs to PC. I'd love a chance to actually play a remaster/port for PC of these games.
I pipe dream would be to see these games ported to the PS4 with trophies. Even more far-fetched pipe dream: Dynasty Warriors-style Growlanser game. I would play the hell out of that. I got Growlanser generations way back when and loved it. Picked up a couple more Growlanser games, not sure if I played them though. I loved the series, beat 2 and 3 100%.
Yup, i'm late, but still can't agree with Fifth one being superior one. I played all Growlanser games aside from sixth one. For me defining features of this series were ability of player to express himself in the game through dialogues on the level of european crpgs coupled with jrpg story, opportunity to bond(not forced by plot and depending on your choices and actions) with tons of different characters, and beautiful thing when you could influence story not by dialogue choices, but with your ACTIONS and performance in tactical battles. Fifth Growlancer has some really good story, but was kinda lacking on those deparments, not to mention bad transfer to 3d. It was good for one playthrough, but I can easily replay first and fourth games(my favorite) couple of times each.
I think this is the best produced video about the series I have seen and its horrendously sad this series, as cool as it is, has died over the years. I would wonder that if the name of the series was altered and re-introduced to current gen gamers that more people might give it a chance. Is it possible the Growlanser name just doesn't attract more followers? The gameplay is obviously awesome. There is something to be said for advertising your games too and in the U.S. if ATLUS really pushed it I wonder if Growlanser, or whatever they'd call it would grab a foothold?
Thank you for the video!! I stumbled upon this hidden gem lately and fell in love with Growlanser I opening, so I just HAVE to know what the whole franchise is about. As you said, rather than a mainstream favourite like SMT or Persona (which still growing strong even today), Growlanser is now more like a cult classic; an underrated one. Not to mention the art might seem outdated for most people nowadays... It has a unique charm for me, though!
I REALLY REALLY like Growlanser games, Heritage of War (V) and Generations are great for the PS2. I think were it being localized , I think it would have gotten better sales and priase, people who have played them get hooked, me included
Thanks, it brings me back memories, hope this series will revive someday, I always waited for the 6 haha Also, nice video, you'rea good speaker, I'm brazilian but I could undestand every word haha
I wish it could make a comeback, but they'd probably find a way to screw it up with DLC's of things that should have already been in the game. I remember starting off with Wayfarer of Time. Then I got way sucked into Generations on the PS2. Downloaded I think two other ones on my ps3? Either way. The games were so damn good, personally I never got bored or burned out on the battle system and customizations. The stories were always interesting, the multiple endings and character bonding, which also gave additional meat to your endings. The replay hours just stack up.
I never got to play the 6th game but played all the others. I played Growlanser 1 on epsxp following a fan translation on a site, it was a txt and swapping between the emulator and the notepad was a pain. Also, it followed the romance of only 1character, so never romanced the others. Nonetheless, i think the first one (with Wayfare of Time following) is the best of the series, also the 2nd one is a spin off of the first one and is on the same timeline. SPOILER: If i remember correctly, you can meet Carmine somewhere. Also the psp version have few bonus scenes (like the psp version of wayfare of time) but never played it. I stil think the first growlanser deserve an english patch, but I don't think it will ever happen...
It's sad because they are very interesting games (I tried to play The PsP one but it has a lot of problems) with good stories, some of them that are better than actual mainstream. I think because of his very high difficulty the people dislike or not accepted at all Growlanser.. and for the gameplay too. In anycase, R.I.P Rage Quitter ER
It would be very nice to have a kickstarter to pay for a localization for the Japanese lost Growlanser titles, even if it was to end up digital only. I don't even know if the kickstarter would succeed for the Growlanser series but that would be nice. There were cases similar or exactly like this in the past, Clannad(Visual Novel) is the first example I can think of
Growlanser 6 is pretty funny.. but that's about it. For some reason like Langrisser they decide to insert more sci-fi elements into it towards the end.
I have the first one in English on the PSP I want to get the 2nd 3rd 4th and 5th and 6th can you recommend me a good store and to be honest I never finished the first one on the PSP I'm still having trouble but but I leveled up so crazy that I think I'm able to finish it I'm not sure
the first works i saw of satoshi urushihara (this game's artist) are hentai stuff (manga and anime), so i cant help it, if every time i see his other works, i always see porn hahahaha
I really wish the team behind it was still making games with the sort of style that Growlanser had at least with the way they handled the player character dialogue choices(basically giving you a ton of them with a decent variety so it actually feels like your character is part of the cast that you can even define personality-wise somewhat and not just a silent protagonist) the only games similar are the Devil Survivor games but they haven't made anything since the second one from what I can tell.
Man I remember when I traded one of my games (which was good but I forgot the title lol) for GL5 and thought I got ripped off cuz it didn't get me really interested.... Then I kept playing and started living it lol
The entire franchise is excellent. And yes, Wayfarer of Time and Heritage of War are masterpieces without even trying. All 6 games if turned each into an anime would be unmatched.
