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The Last Story
On the 27th of January 2011, a game released in Japan that would become a cult classic despite its initial obscurity in the West, The Last Story arrived with a premise that defied the standard role-playing game formula. The narrative centers on Zael, a mercenary who dreams of knighthood, and his journey begins when he is branded with the Mark of the Outsider, a mystical symbol that marks him as a savior destined to save the decaying island fortress of Lazulis. This mark is not merely a plot device but the catalyst for a war between humans and the beast-like Gurak, a conflict that threatens to consume the world. The story unfolds in a world slowly being drained of life by an unknown force, a mystery that drives the plot forward as Zael and his mercenary group navigate the political intrigue and physical dangers of Lazulis. The game's setting, a vast seaborne fortress ruled by Count Arganan, serves as a backdrop for a tale of survival, betrayal, and redemption, where the fate of the world rests on the shoulders of a group of unlikely heroes.
A Developer's Redemption
The creation of The Last Story was born from the ashes of Hironobu Sakaguchi's previous projects, Blue Dragon and Lost Odyssey, which had received mixed responses. Sakaguchi, the original creator of Final Fantasy, had left Square Enix in 2003 to establish his own studio, Mistwalker, and was determined to create a game that would break away from the traditional role-playing game mold. The initial concept for The Last Story was a science fiction story, but Nintendo insisted on a change to a fantasy setting, forcing the team to start over. This decision was not made lightly, as it required a complete reimagining of the game's world and characters. The development process took between three and four years, with the first year dedicated to trial and error in developing the battle system. Sakaguchi and his co-designer Takuya Matsumoto, who had worked together on Blue Dragon, shared a vision of creating something new and different from their previous work. The collaboration between Mistwalker, AQ Interactive, and Nintendo was a testament to their shared commitment to creating a game that would stand out in the crowded RPG market.
The Battle for Order
The gameplay of The Last Story is a unique blend of action, tactical, and stealth elements, designed to create a dynamic and engaging experience for players. The player controls Zael, the main protagonist, using the Wii Remote and Nunchuk or the Classic Controller, with the game's main hub being a public house on Lazulis Island. In battle, the player controls Zael alone, with the rest of the party being controlled by the game's artificial intelligence and directed by player commands. The battle system is built around the concepts of order and chaos, with the player needing to gain order on the battlefield to emerge victorious. One of the key mechanics is Zael's ability to use Gathering, which directs all enemies' attention towards him, allowing other team members to act without interruption. The game also features a cover system, where players can take cover behind objects to break an enemy's line of sight or creep along walls. The battle system is further enhanced by the ability to fire projectiles, which can be used to defeat enemies and objects in the environment. The game's multiplayer modes, including competitive and co-op modes, add another layer of depth to the gameplay, allowing players to test their skills against each other or work together to defeat bosses from the single-player campaign.
The Last Story was released in Japan on the 27th of January 2011. This release date marked the beginning of the game's journey to becoming a cult classic despite initial obscurity in the West.
Who created The Last Story and which studio developed it?
Hironobu Sakaguchi created The Last Story through his studio Mistwalker. The development involved a collaboration between Mistwalker, AQ Interactive, and Nintendo.
What is the Mark of the Outsider in The Last Story?
The Mark of the Outsider is a mystical symbol that brands Zael as a savior destined to save the decaying island fortress of Lazulis. This mark serves as the catalyst for a war between humans and the beast-like Gurak.
When was The Last Story officially released in North America?
The Last Story was officially released in North America on the 14th of August 2012. Xseed Games published the title after Nintendo granted them publishing rights following a fan campaign.
Who composed the music for The Last Story?
Nobuo Uematsu composed the music for The Last Story. He is a long-time collaborator with Sakaguchi who also worked on the Final Fantasy series, Blue Dragon, and Lost Odyssey.
The story of The Last Story is a tale of love, betrayal, and redemption, set against the backdrop of a world in crisis. The narrative follows Zael and his mercenary group as they navigate the political intrigue and physical dangers of Lazulis, a world slowly being drained of life by an unknown force. The story is driven by the Mark of the Outsider, a mystical symbol that marks Zael as a savior destined to save the decaying island fortress of Lazulis. The game's plot is filled with twists and turns, as Zael and his companions uncover the truth about the Gurak, a race once banished from Lazulis by humans, and the secret behind the land's decay. The story is also a love story, as Zael and Calista, a noblewoman, develop a deep bond that is tested by the challenges they face. The game's narrative is enriched by the presence of memorable characters, such as Dagran, a mercenary who leads Zael's group, and General Asthar, a mentor figure who guides Zael on his journey. The story is a testament to the power of storytelling in video games, as it manages to create a compelling and emotional narrative that resonates with players.
The Music of the Soul
The music of The Last Story is a crucial element of the game's emotional impact, composed by Nobuo Uematsu, a long-time collaborator with Sakaguchi who had worked on the Final Fantasy series, Blue Dragon, and Lost Odyssey. Uematsu's music is a blend of video game and film music, designed to emphasize emotion and ambient sounds. The most difficult pieces for him were battle tracks, with the main battle theme being seven minutes long, but broken into small pieces that varied depending on situations and could be cued in depending on what was happening on the battlefield. The game's theme song, composed by Uematsu with lyrics by Sakaguchi, is about the world someone is in not being where they are meant to be, with the phrase going home being used progressively through the song. The music is a testament to the power of sound in video games, as it manages to create a compelling and emotional atmosphere that resonates with players. The game's music is also a reflection of the game's themes, as it captures the sense of loss and the hope for redemption that permeates the story.
The Fight for Release
The release of The Last Story was a contentious issue, as Nintendo initially decided to keep the game exclusive to Japan, citing the effort involved in bringing the game overseas as too much work. This decision led to a fan-based movement called Operation Rainfall, which started a campaign to raise awareness for The Last Story, Xenoblade Chronicles, and another Wii RPG titled Pandora's Tower. The campaign included letter writing to Nintendo and petitions for its overseas release, and despite acknowledging the effort, Nintendo stated that there were no plans for a North American release. However, Xseed Games, who had developed a reputation for publishing niche Japanese games, took an interest in publishing the title, and after being favorably impressed by their proposal, Nintendo granted Xseed Games publishing rights. The game was officially released in North America on the 14th of August 2012, and despite problems with stock, it was a commercial success, with its Premium Edition selling out quickly and needing to be replaced with a different special edition. The fight for release was a testament to the power of fan communities, as their efforts helped bring the game to a wider audience.
A Legacy of Love
The Last Story has left a lasting legacy in the world of video games, with its unique gameplay, compelling story, and memorable characters. The game was generally well received by critics, with many praising its battle system, story, and music. The game was cited by GamesRadar and Forbes as one of the best games of the year, and it was nominated for Best Wii/Wii U Game at the 2012 Spike Video Game Awards, and RPG of the Year in GameSpots RPG of the Year award category. The game's legacy is also a testament to the power of collaboration, as it was a collaboration between Mistwalker, AQ Interactive, and Nintendo, and the result was a game that stood out in the crowded RPG market. The game's legacy is also a reflection of the power of storytelling in video games, as it manages to create a compelling and emotional narrative that resonates with players. The game's legacy is also a testament to the power of fan communities, as their efforts helped bring the game to a wider audience, and the game's legacy is also a reflection of the power of music in video games, as it manages to create a compelling and emotional atmosphere that resonates with players.