Infinite Undiscovery

Infinite Undiscovery
Developer(s)	Tri-Ace
Publisher(s)	Square Enix[1]
Producer(s)	Hajime Kojima
Designer(s)	Hiroshi Ogawa
Programmer(s)	Yoshiharu Gotanda
Artist(s)	Yukihiro Kajimoto
Writer(s)	Ryo Mizuno (concept) Shoji Gatoh (scenario)
Composer(s)	Motoi Sakuraba
Engine	Aska[2]
Platform(s)	Xbox 360
Release date(s)	NA 20080902September 2, 2008 EU 20080905September 5, 2008 JP 20080911September 11, 2008 [3][4][5]
Genre(s)	Action role-playing game
Mode(s)	Single-player
Distribution	Optical disc

Infinite Undiscovery (インフィニット アンディスカバリー, Infinitto Andisukabarī) is an action role-playing game developed by tri-Ace and published by Square Enix exclusively for the Xbox 360 in September 2008.

Gameplay

Infinite Undiscovery envelops the player in a real-time world where individual decisions can unveil numerous discoveries and affect other encounters. They can occur at any time without the need to transition to another screen, even while the player is going through inventory in the menu. The action based battle system allows up to 4 characters to be on the field at once. The player controls the main character Capell from a third-person perspective while the other 3 characters are controlled by AI. With connect actions Capell can use another character's skill. Faced with a variety of episodic situational battles, the player is meant to try various methods to defeat the enemy, where the most obvious solution is rarely the right move. Certain battles require the player to divide the whole of the cast (said to be up to eighteen characters) into teams due to the sheer size of the situation.

The game was originally meant to transition between day and night about every 10 minutes, the player was to use this to their advantage. For instance, at night the player might have had a better chance of infiltrating an enemy base stealthily as opposed to barging in during the day. However, this system was later found to be removed from the final product. Light stealth elements like this are hidden throughout the game, director Hiroshi Ogawa explains: “As an example, when you’re running away from a hunting dog, you can distract him by dropping apples from the trees. However, the guards may catch you when they hear the thud of the apples.”^[6]

Plot

Characters

• Capell (カペル, Kaperu), age 17, is the main protagonist and the character that players control throughout the game. Capell's character is shaped by his status as an "Unblessed". Born on the night of a (full moon) total lunar eclipse, Capell did not receive a lunaglyph, the powerful magical symbol that allows most humans to use magic. As a result of being unblessed, Capell was abandoned as an infant. His personality is heavily shaped by his low status. At the beginning of the game, Capell is unmotivated and uninterested in helping others. This attitude gradually changes, mainly with prodding from his companions. At the beginning of the game, Capell is rescued from a secret prison by Aya, a member of the Liberation Force. He was imprisoned and subsequently rescued due to his uncanny resemblance to Sigmund the Liberator, the leader of the Liberation Force of which Aya was a part. It quickly becomes apparent that Capell is one of an exceedingly small number of people that can cut the chains binding the moon. It is heavily implied that this is due to his lack of a lunaglyph. Sigmund is the only other person known to have the ability to sever chains. Capell is also Sigmund's son which is found out later in the game, Sigmund having requested to have his lunaglyph removed shortly after Capell's birth, thus reverting him back to a baby. Many battles are then thrown at the Liberation force. He gradually becomes interested in Aya but doesn't share his feelings with her, and Feina tries to make a move. However it is not meant to be as Feina and her younger brother Leif are killed by the Vermiforms invading Sapran. Soon after, Aya tells Capell that she wishes to fight for him, thus showing Capell that she loves him, and it is implied that the two spend the night together. The two then could be said to be in a relationship with each other. They head off to the Underwater Palace the next day with high hopes. Only to find out that at the top of the Palace that the chain was the other way around and that it could only be broken from the moon itself. The three powerful Aristos within the group perform a spell which forms a stairway to the moon. Once they are there they meet Various monsters until eventually are confronted by the great moon god Veros. Wisely, Capell declines Veros' request of partnership and fights his loyal servant, the new god Leonid. Capell and his party eventually defeat Leonid and face off with the mighty Veros shortly afterward. Once he is deceased, Aya becomes upset as she realises that the love of her life has to stay behind to cut the onyx chain; which is exactly what he does to save the world and protect the ones he loves. Capell remains on the moon after severing the Onyx Chain (apparently), but during the epilogue it is revealed that Capell is in fact alive. He is seen entertaining some children with his flute, and is reunited with Aya who runs into his arms, crying of joy. (It is rumored that the SHE who Veros mentioned near the boss fight actually came and teleported Capell to Earth and then gradually made his way back to Sapran. The SHE could be a reference to the absolute final boss, the Ethereal Queen, who is found at the end of the post game dungeon, the Seraphic Gate, having the appearance of Feina.) Voiced by Jason Liebrecht.

• Aya (アーヤ, Āya), age 16, is the next of the five central characters in the game. Strong willed and aggressive, Aya's constant prodding is often the only thing capable of motivating Capell to action. Aya worships Sigmund, however gradually becomes interested in Capell, a fact which Capell seems to miss. Once Aya warmed to Capell she became overprotective of him, demonstrating extreme jealousy. She is revealed to be the princess of the emirate of Fayel, although her position in the Liberation Force is not in any official capacity. Aya and her father spend the majority of the game on somewhat unfriendly terms, as Aya would rather fight alongside Sigmund rather than act as a proper ruler. She becomes increasingly interested in Capell and eventually admits her love for him near the end of the game during a cut scene. They are from then on considered to be in a relationship with each other. She assists Capell in his attempt to reach the top of the Underwater Palace and destroying the chain. She also blames herself for Capell having to remain on the moon to cut the Onyx chain; she exposes her distress and her feelings during the end cutscene as well. She begs Capell not to sever the chain, but he does anyway after telling her that he loves her. In the game's epilogue, Aya is now Queen of Fayel and overseeing the rebuilding of Sapran. She witnesses Capell entertaining children with his flute and runs into his arms, reuniting with him. Voiced by Caitlin Glass.

• Sigmund (シグムント, Shigumundo), age 17, referred to as "The Liberator", was the first person to demonstrate the ability to sever the chains binding the moon. He was raised by Svala, the Empress of Halgita. He grew up in the Halgita palace alongside Eugene, Touma and Komachi. Ever since as a child Sigmund's personality was one of perpetual calm. He does not appear to be an effective motivational speaker, however he is an excellent leader. Sigmund was originally known as Volsung, the King of Casandra, however he underwent a ritual that removed his lunaglyph, which reverted his age back to the day of his birth. It is revealed that Volsung was Capell's father, and it was because Capell was born an unblessed that he decided to remove his. Voiced by Kyle Hebert.

• Edward ( エドアルド, Edoarudo), age 17, the fourth of the five core characters, views himself as Sigmund's right-hand man, a position he feels Capell is challenging. Edward constantly trains out of a desire to reach Sigmund's level. Edward is short-tempered and does not tolerate people questioning him, but when the party's life is on the line, he makes for a capable leader. After nearly becoming a Vermiform, he grudgingly regards Capell as Sigmund's successor, showing that he does indeed have a soft side. He also begins to respect and view Capell as a friend. In the game's epilogue, Edward is the King of. Voiced by David Vincent.

• Eugene (ユージン, Yūjin), age 26, is the fifth of the five core members of the Liberation Force. He was one of the original members, as he grew up with Sigmund in Halgita. He is the most knowledgeable member of the group, as well as the one possessing the most common sense. In the immediate aftermath of Sigmund's death, Eugene's logic and counseling is all that keeps the group together. Eugene is generally a kind person, although he is more than willing to make and carry out difficult decisions if the need arises. In the game's epilogue, Eugene is Prime Minister of. Voiced by Taliesin Jaffe.

• Balbagan (バルバガン, Barubagan), age 35, is a great man who wields a battle axe, but has the personality of a child rather than a brute. He accompanies the Liberation Army out of respect for Sigmund, the only person to best him in combat. Sigmund promised Balbagan a rematch after the chains were destroyed. Balbagan abandons the group upon Sigmund's death, as the death crushed his wit and sapped his motivation to fight. Balbagan seems simple-minded and is decidedly single-minded, but is a likable person. He acts as the protector of the twins and seems to be the most friendly of the adults towards the twins. In the game's epilogue, Balbagan takes Rico and Rucha under his wing and patrol the roads outside Casandra to stop bandits. Voiced by Michael McConnohie.

• Rico (ロカ, Ruka), age 10, is the son of the priest of a small village. He is a beast tamer, although not a particularly effective one. After the death of his father, Rico and his twin sister join the Liberation Force take down the Order of Chains and avenge their father's death. Rico is a perpetual optimist, and other than the scene in which Rico and Rucha discovered their father had died, Rico is also perpetually cheerful. Rico is the only character capable of speaking to animals, and several optional quests make use of this ability. In the game's epilogue, Rico and Rucha work with Balbagan to patrol the roads of Casandra to stop bandits. Voiced by Samuel Wallace.

• Rucha (ロカ, Roka), age 10, is Rico's twin sister. She is a summoner, although the vast majority of her spells do not truly involve summoning. After the death of her father, Rucha joins the Liberation Force with her brother to take down the Order of Chains and avenge her father. Much like her brother, Rucha is perpetually cheerful and optimistic. In the game's epilogue, Rico and Rucha work with Balbagan to patrol the roads of Casandra to stop bandits.

• Michelle (ミルシェ, Mirushe), age 21, is a beautiful woman slightly older than most the majority of the Liberation Force. She loves Sigmund tremendously, to the point where it became a detriment to the group. It is unknown however whether Sigmund reciprocated that love. Extremely strong willed, but with a loving personality and a kind heart, Michelle frequently puts her life at risk to heal others. Upon learning of Capell's tragic past, she decides to become his big sister, although this affects little in the game and is only mentioned once. In the game's epilogue, Michelle encounters a group of bandits in Casandra and follows them, over time making them begin to soften up. She is later reunited with Balbagan, Rico, and Rucha after they demand the bandits "release" her.

• Gustav is a giant bear of a rare and possibly endangered red variety. He is Aya's longtime pet and protects Aya fervently. Gustav is so powerful that he takes up two slots in the party selection, the only character to do so. In the game's epilogue, Gustav is the one who hears Capell playing his flute for the children and leads Aya to him.

• Komachi, age 15, is the female ninja in the service of Halgita. She is the daughter of Genma. It appears that she deeply loves Touma, her superior. This often leads to Komachi making a fool of herself in conversations, as she goes overboard trying to defend herself if she believes that she even implied that she had feelings for Touma. In the game's epilogue, Komachi lives with Genma and welcomes Eugene into their house for tea.

• Touma, age 15, is the head of the Nightwhisper Guild, who are ninjas in service to Halgita. He is an Aristo, placing him in the highest social strata. Touma is an old friend of Sigmund's and is one of the few people who knew that Sigmund did not have a lunaglyph. Touma acts in a dignified manner and has a strong moral compass, but is somewhat naive. Much like Capell is with Aya, Touma has no idea that Komachi has feelings for him, even though it is apparent to everyone else. In the game's epilogue, Touma, along with every other aristo, falls into a deep sleep and has not yet awoken.

• Vic, age 12, is a young information seller living on the streets of Kolton. Over the course of the game, Capell gradually comes to realize that despite Vic's mannerisms, Vic is a girl. For reasons that the game does not specify, Vic hides this fact. Vic claims that her motivation for joining the Liberation Force is that it offers the potential for profit, however it is later revealed that she had a brother that died from a lunaglyph overload, much like what Edward suffered, and therefore Vic has a personal interest in the quest to restore the moon. In the game's epilogue, Vic is apparently Edward's assistant as he is King of Burgusstadt.

• Leonid (レオニード, Reonīdo), who has enslaved the moon with chains, is the game's foremost antagonist. He is known as the Dreadknight and created the Order of Chains. He is deeply devoted to Veros, the moon god, and vies to be his faithful servant for eternity. Voiced by Rylan McPhee.

Development

Infinite Undiscovery was announced in September 2006 by Famitsu.^[7] Initially it was believed that Microsoft would publish the game,^[8] however at TGS 2007, Hajime Kojima and Hiroshi Ogawa stated that Square Enix took over publishing duties because they have more "know-how" with RPGs.^[9] However, since Microsoft was the original publisher, it holds the trademark for the game^[10] and shares the copyright with Square Enix.^[11]

According to tri-Ace co-founder and R&D programmer Yoshiharu Gotanda, this game is set to contain 10 years worth of ideas that can finally be realized by the power of the Xbox 360 and that with it, role-playing video games "will undergo a true evolution."^[12] tri-Ace wishes to achieve this by putting the player through "situational battles" that will lead to "unknown discoveries" and cause permanent changes to the world.

The game was directed by Hiroshi Ogawa and produced by Hajime Kojima, both of which are credited in the tri-Ace titles Star Ocean: Till the End of Time and Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth. tri-Ace president Yoshiharu Gotanda signed on as the game's lead programmer. Scenario was handled by ORG Ltd., including Ryo Mizuno and Shoji Gatoh. The game's characters were designed by Yukihiro Kajimoto.

The English dub was the first title released from New Generation Pictures' Shanghai Studios. As such it features voice-over actors from Texas and Los Angeles, as well as a large helping of new talent from Shanghai.

Reception

Reception
Aggregate scores Aggregator Score GameRankings 67.70%[13] Metacritic 68/100[14] Review scores Publication Score Famitsu 32/40 Game Informer 8/10 IGN 7.1/10 Official Xbox Magazine 8.0/10

As of September 30, 2008, Infinite Undiscovery has shipped 120,000 copies in Japan, 200,000 copies in North America, and 90,000 copies in Europe.^[15] In Japan, the game sold 96,000 copies by its third week.^[16]

In Japan, Famitsu gave Infinite Undiscovery a total score of 32 out of 40 from four reviewers (9, 8, 8, 7). Abroad, Infinite Undiscovery has received mixed to positive reviews from the critics, with an average of 67.98% on GameRankings and 68/100 on Metacritic. IGN gave it a 7.1, saying "This isn't a game marred with horrendous bugs or unplayable combat. And it's not boring. It's just misguided. The story is intriguing enough that RPG fanatics should at least give this a rental." 1UP.com gave it a B, saying "Undiscovery is absolutely worth playing through at least once, with the regrettable caveat that it really could've been so much more." GamePro gave it a 3 out of 5, saying "In the end, Undiscovery isn't a bad game but it is seriously flawed. I'd recommend renting it before you invest your hard earned cash on a purchase, especially if you're new to the RPG genre." GameSpot awarded the score of 6.5 ("Fair"), but felt it was too flawed to reach its potential. GamesRadar gave it a 7 out of 10, saying "When it’s acting like a run-of-the-mill JRPG, it feels clichéd, but reasonably enjoyable. When it tries to be innovative, however, its unsatisfying combat, superfluous subsystems and wasted ensemble cast make the whole experience feel half-hearted." X-Play gave the game a 4 out of 5, praising its addictive and fast paced action and multi-party battles, while criticizing its "ridiculous" name, its annoying protagonist, and slow story line. X-Play explained that while the story is slow at the start of the game, once you push through for a few hours, the game and story are actually very entertaining.

References

External links

• Official website
• Official website (UK)
• Official website (Japanese)