15th May 2003, 4:52 AM
I'm much more excited for this game than I was before E3, but I still think there are a few issues that could easily be fixed. For example, the menu-based attacks. Sure, once you get used to it, it'll probably be fine, but I tend to think that there might be a better way to pull it off in an action-oriented game.
One solution off the top of my head is to store the techiques in quick-choice menus activated by L and R. Each technique is stored as a direction within either L or R. So let's say "Cure" is stored in L-Up. To activate "cure", you would hold L, press up on the control pad, and release L. While you are pressing L/R, a transluscent compass-like figure shows up near your character's info on the screen to remind you what techniques you have stored at each direction. Some of the techniques would be automatically activated when you release R/L, but others (like cure) would activate when you press A so that you could cure other party members. This option would trade off time/convolutedness with movement. While you're selecting the move, you have no mobility, but the move is selected so quickly that it probably wouldn't matter. In addition, the current manner of selecting techniques is so convoluted (you have to look scroll through a menu to choose a technique in a real-time game) that mobility isn't much of an advantage. The alternative also allows for 8 quickly-accessable techniques instead of 6. I think the advantages of such an option outweigh the disadvantages.
I also like DJ's solution for GBA v. GCN controller issues. It doesn't need to be an option if the GCN can differentiate a GCN controller from a link cable. If a link cable is detected, the current method of setting techniques to the menu is kept intact. If the GCN controller is detected, I think there should be a transluscent-box situation like DJ described. To activate this, you would simply press "Start" on the controller and your character would automatically follow the party, just like your character does when you press "Select" on the GBA. In the box, there would be two compass-shaped icons with your current setup of techniques. The list of techniques would be below(5X4 grid for quick access). To set the technique, you'd move your cursor over the technique you want and press the combination of buttons to set it to it's place. For example, let's say you want to set "cure" to L-Up. You press start, and the box fades in over your character info in the corner. You move your cursor to "cure." When you hold L, the left D-pad glows to indicate that you are setting a technique to the L-button. While holding L (the left compass-shape glows and your cursor becomes grey), you press up to set "cure" to L-up. You release L, the left compass stops glowing, and you can now use the control stick to move your cursor to a different technique and set it to a different button combination.
One solution off the top of my head is to store the techiques in quick-choice menus activated by L and R. Each technique is stored as a direction within either L or R. So let's say "Cure" is stored in L-Up. To activate "cure", you would hold L, press up on the control pad, and release L. While you are pressing L/R, a transluscent compass-like figure shows up near your character's info on the screen to remind you what techniques you have stored at each direction. Some of the techniques would be automatically activated when you release R/L, but others (like cure) would activate when you press A so that you could cure other party members. This option would trade off time/convolutedness with movement. While you're selecting the move, you have no mobility, but the move is selected so quickly that it probably wouldn't matter. In addition, the current manner of selecting techniques is so convoluted (you have to look scroll through a menu to choose a technique in a real-time game) that mobility isn't much of an advantage. The alternative also allows for 8 quickly-accessable techniques instead of 6. I think the advantages of such an option outweigh the disadvantages.
I also like DJ's solution for GBA v. GCN controller issues. It doesn't need to be an option if the GCN can differentiate a GCN controller from a link cable. If a link cable is detected, the current method of setting techniques to the menu is kept intact. If the GCN controller is detected, I think there should be a transluscent-box situation like DJ described. To activate this, you would simply press "Start" on the controller and your character would automatically follow the party, just like your character does when you press "Select" on the GBA. In the box, there would be two compass-shaped icons with your current setup of techniques. The list of techniques would be below(5X4 grid for quick access). To set the technique, you'd move your cursor over the technique you want and press the combination of buttons to set it to it's place. For example, let's say you want to set "cure" to L-Up. You press start, and the box fades in over your character info in the corner. You move your cursor to "cure." When you hold L, the left D-pad glows to indicate that you are setting a technique to the L-button. While holding L (the left compass-shape glows and your cursor becomes grey), you press up to set "cure" to L-up. You release L, the left compass stops glowing, and you can now use the control stick to move your cursor to a different technique and set it to a different button combination.