The Last Story

The Last Story
Japanese box art
Developer(s)	Mistwalker AQ Interactive[1]
Publisher(s)	Nintendo
Director(s)	Hironobu Sakaguchi
Producer(s)	Yutaka Takehisa
Designer(s)	Hironobu Sakaguchi[1] Takuya Matsumoto[1]
Artist(s)	Kimihiko Fujisaka
Writer(s)	Masaru Hatano Takatoshi Aoki Hironobu Sakaguchi[1]
Composer(s)	Nobuo Uematsu
Platform(s)	Wii
Release date(s)	JP January 27, 2011 EU February 24, 2012 AUS TBA[2]
Genre(s)	Action RPG
Mode(s)	Single-player, multiplayer
Rating(s)	ACB: M[3] CERO: B PEGI: 16

The Last Story (ラストストーリー, Rasuto Sutōrī^?) is an action role-playing game developed by Mistwalker and AQ Interactive, and published by Nintendo for the Wii. The game's name and logo have been noted to be very similar to the Final Fantasy series,^[4] which was created by Mistwalker's head, Hironobu Sakaguchi.^[5]

Contents 1 Gameplay 2 Synopsis 2.1 Setting 2.2 Characters 2.3 Plot 3 Development 3.1 Localization 4 Audio 5 Reception 6 References 7 External links

Gameplay

The game includes abilities such as "Gathering", which allows Elza to draw the attention of enemies to buy time for his allies to cast spells. Another ability called "Focus" which allows you to make long range attacks and see the weaknesses of enemies. A sequence in the first trailer for the game shows an example of the focus ability being used to cast fire magic to destroy a bridge with enemies on it.^[6] Pointers show which allies are being targeted at any given time.^[7]

The game also contains 6-player cooperative and competitive online modes, where users either team up to face monsters or battle each other.^[8] The game also features the use of rapid fire crossbows in a manner similar to third-person shooters, including a cover system and over the shoulder view.^[9]

The game also features online multiplayer modes, including: Suppression, where players team up to take on a boss for special rewards, and Fray, a player-versus-player battle royale mode which allows multiple players to fight each other using the character of their choice and even enemy monsters.

Synopsis

Setting

The game takes place on Ruli Island (Lazulis Island in the English translation), governed by Count Earl Arganan and located at the entrance of a harbor which serves as the only entrance to a mountainous continent.^[10] The player controls a group of mercenaries that have come from the desolate continent to the island seeking work.^[7] The production staff is trying to limit science fiction elements in the game.^[11]

Characters

• Elza (エルザ, Eruza^?) - The main hero of The Last Story, Elza is a strong and agile swordsman who can unleash powerful Winds from his blade that can combine with his allies' magic spells to spread the magic over the battlefield and even generate Special attributes. He lost his family as a child and works as a mercenary to survive. He dreams of becoming a knight. Voiced by Mamoru Miyano in Japan. He will be renamed Zael in the English translation.
• Kanan (カナン^?) - The main heroine of the game, skilled in the use of Holy magic for both healing and offensive purposes. A mysterious girl who is of noble birth and the niece of Count Arganan. She dreams of leaving the castle and exploring the world, but it is impossible due to her close supervision there. Voiced by Fumiko Orikasa in Japan.
• Quark (クォーク, Kwōku^?) - The leader of Elza's mercenary group who also negotiates their jobs. Skilled warrior specializing in defense . He is like an older brother to Elza as they have traveled together since their youth. Voiced by Unshō Ishizuka.
• Seiren (セイレン^?) - The mood-maker of the group who fights with twin blades. Drinks a lot and has a foul mouth, but is very considerate of her allies. A squad leader who enjoys fighting on the front lines. Voiced by Megumi Toyoguchi.
• Yuris (ユーリス, Yūrisu^?) - The youngest member of the group, but most skilled. A magician who uses Fire magic in combat. Treats mercenary work as a means of survival and doesn't talk much. He is afraid of ghosts. Voiced by Hiro Shimono.
• Jackal (ジャッカル, Jakkaru^?) - A mage who can use both Ice magic and swords. He behaves in a flirtatious and easygoing manner but is actually a thinker who cares about his allies. Voiced by Keiji Fujiwara.
• Manamia (マナミア^?) - A healer who loves the forest and draws her powers from nature. She is also gluttonous. There appears to be a secret regarding her birth. Voiced by Mamiko Noto.
• General Trista (トリスタ将軍, Torisuta-shogun^?) - The former highest ranking officer in the Imperial Army. Voiced by Fumihiko Tachiki.
• Tasha (タシャ^?) - Skilled knight and pupil of General Trista. Does not think fondly of mercenaries such as Elza. Voiced by Hiroki Takahashi.
• Earl Arganan (アルガナン伯爵, Aruganan-hakushaku^?) - The current head of the Arganan family which rules over Ruli Island. He's the most powerful person on the island and is both resourceful and ambitious. He gives employment to Elza and his mercenary crew. Voiced by Kōji Ishii.
• Zangurg (ザングルグ, Zangurugu^?) - King of the Gurg race who are enemies of mankind. United the Gurgs for the first time with his power and charisma. Voiced by Jōji Nakata.

Plot

Development

Hironobu Sakaguchi, head of Mistwalker, had been working on a new game which he revealed in June 2009.^[12] He initially wanted to reveal the game by the end of 2009 but delayed the announcement to 2010 for unknown reasons.^[13] Nintendo CEO Satoru Iwata said that Nintendo's collaboration with Mistwalker is seeking "a new form of RPG by choosing the universal theme of human emotion".^[14] There was some confusion on the Mistwalker official blog that Sakaguchi may retire after this game.^[15] However, this was a translation error as Sakaguchi meant he was working on it as though he was working on his last game.^[16]

The Last Story was developed by Sakaguchi's company Mistwalker, with the system and programming headed by Takuya Matsumoto from AQ Interactive.^[1][17] Sakaguchi conceived the story and collaborated with Matsumoto on the game concept.^[18][19][1]

Localization

Despite rumors of a Nintendo UK rep discussing a European localization,^[20] the game was noticeably absent at E3 2011.^[21] It was confirmed on June 26, 2011 by the product manager of the French branch of Nintendo, Ludovic Amouroux, that the game is indeed being localized for the European market for a release in 2012.^[22] The game will also be released in Australia.^[2] There have been no announcements with regard to a North American release, although the fan-based localization movement, Operation Rainfall, has been encouraging Nintendo of America to localize the game, along with Wii titles Xenoblade Chronicles and Pandora's Tower. ^[23] In July 2011, Nintendo of America issued a trademark for The Last Story title.^[24]

Audio

The music was composed and produced by Nobuo Uematsu. A 3-disc soundtrack was released on February 23, 2011 on Uematsu's Dog Ear Records label.^[25] A promotional soundtrack titled "The Last Story Premium Soundtrack" was released with certain offers of the game in Japan.

On December 27, 2010, The Last Story was demonstrated for the first time at a Nintendo event.^[26][27] During the event, the theme song of the game titled "Toberu Mono" was also revealed; "Toberu Mono" is composed by Nobuo Uematsu and is performed by Kanon.^[28]

Reception

Reception
Review scores
Publication	Score
Edge	8 of 10[29]
Famitsu	38 of 40[30]
Bordersdown	8 of 10[31]

The game received a score of 38/40 in Famitsu magazine, with two critics giving the game 10/10 and two giving the game 9/10.^[30] The Last Story topped the Japanese charts, with 114,722 units in its first week - which also includes sales of a version that comes bundled with a Wii system. ^[32] The UK's Edge Magazine gave the game a score of 8/10 in their April 2011 issue (#E226).^[29] Bordersdown gave it a score of 8/10, praising the story, system and voice acting, while noting its simplicity.^[31]

References

External links

• The Last Story at Nintendo.co.uk
• Official site (Japanese)

Mistwalker Games Lost Odyssey • ASH: Archaic Sealed Heat • Away: Shuffle Dungeon • The Last Story Blue Dragon series Blue Dragon • Blue Dragon Plus • Blue Dragon: Awakened Shadow People Hironobu Sakaguchi