I didn't see its own topic and having arrived late (really late, so sue me) to the party, I wanted to make a topic to discuss all things LO.

Me?  I'm at the second disc and while the game is a visual and audio feast, I can't help but notice alot of stuff that would've made the game somewhat better.

1)  Why does it take so damned long to start a battle?  It's like 10~15 seconds.  That, and the enemies' animations sometimes are a couple of seconds as well. 

2)  Framerate?  Especially when loading the battle. 

3)  Character models are generally good (if not great) but what's with Ming's boobs?  Those things look plastic. BLECH.

...that isn't to say that I'm not enjoying myself immensely.  I am.  Nobuo Uemastu hasn't sounded this good in a while.  Even if most of the OST is filler, the man still knows how to nail a good town theme (i.e.  The Capital of Numara) and even the "boss" music takes me back to his heydays in Final Fantasy IV.  Great stuff.

Call me crazy, but I really enjoy having Cooke and Mack on my team.  Mack reminds me of my little nephew so it hits another chord with me.  Is Cooke's voice the same as Phil and Lil (Rugrats)?   

Oh, and Jansen.  Mind you, I'm only on the second disc so I have yet to see what develops with him, but as far as a "comedy relief" role, he fills it very well and I'm liking him more and more ("Just gimme 15 minutes.  15 for you, 15 for you.. and, and 15 for you!! So yeah, um, 45 minutes and I'll be good!" ).  Some things sound a little forced, but coming from Japanese developers, they've captured the essence of an aloof man very well.

I got it last month for the insane price of £5 and sealed too which is a steal for such a brilliant game.

It has been a real joy to play through so far and I haven't been hooked on a game like this for quite a while. I agree that the script is well written and Jansen delivers some of the best lines in the game.

As for scenery it is all very well done and the places I been to are detailed and make it seem more real. I am actualy just playing it right now and am on disk 4...

As for the music I definetly have to buy the soundtrack as I really liked all the tracks. For me it just made me feel more attached to the game based on how each track worked so well for its level!

What do you think of those memories that you get when Kaim talks to certain people? I think it was a rather unique twist on game story tellling and makes it more dramactic. It might be because I lost a few people close to me but at points they even made me cry...

Lastly dont forget to stock up on lots of items like me...

Before Vesperia came out, I thought Lost Odyssey was the best JRPG on the console. Which given the competition, isn't saying much. The characters are borderline inane, the plot is laughable (especially in the second half) and the battle system is a bore. When the whole thing sinks into the usual cliches, I couldn't help but think about all the lost opportunities, given the premise. Only the memories you get meet their potential.

Music is very good though, Uematsu's best since FFVIII.

Sounds like my feelings about Rogue Galaxy . .  .

Yeah, I got about three hours into Rogue Galaxy before giving up.

Yeah, the battle system leaves alot to be desired, but the rest of it is done fairly well.  It's a standard JRPG through-and-through but this one actually does have alot of emotion attached to it. 

The 1000 Years of Memories is done quite well and makes for a nice distraction while playing.  Some of the stories are genuinely interesting while others feel forced.  I really can't wait to see how everything unfolds.  Whether or not Kaim regains all his lost memories and who's going to get Gongora? 

9 hours in I've already changed to disc two.  It's been a while.... remind me, just how long did FFVII, VIII, or IX last before disc changes?

Can't say if it is better than Tales of Vesperia... since I can only play it next year

I suppose we all have different opinions but I really got into it as it feels different somehow. I think it has to do with how it is easier to relate with the characters and what they go through.

I just finished this game on Sunday.  I thought it was overall great.  For the last month of playing I've been discussing pretty much everything you pointed out with friends.  All the points you mentioned, we've mentioned.  You even mentioned the one Jansen line I've repeated a lot when describing the game to other friends. (That and the random "Puberty's weird" line)  Jansen's great!
Aaah and Ming's veiny boobs... no comment there.

The whole feel of the game is just great in my opinion, and I love the cutscenes.  The thousand years of dreams "side quest" interested me also.  Some dreams are way better than others, but as a whole it added a lot of interesting backstory to Kaim.  I need to go back in the game and read the last handful of dreams.  I skipped reading them when I found them since I was getting really close to finishing up the game.
I also played in English and for the most part really liked the dub.  Yes, Cooke is Phil/Lil.  Cooke and Mack are two of the cutest RPG kids I can think of.
The plot, which was never very complex but interesting anyway, falls apart at the end.  I like the overall conclusion, but most of disc 4 was eye-rolling.  I'm used to that in JRPGs though so I just shrugged it off.  I won't say anymore since I don't want to spoil anything.

Yay Lost Odyssesy!

FFVII you spent a LONG time on disc 1 before getting to disc 2 (easily 20 hours, maybe more if I remember correctly).  FFIX I think each disc took me well under 10.  I remember being really surprised how short disc 1 was in that.

Well, I've just found Sarah (woo!!) who is alot hotter than Kaim's memories lead on .  Now I'm having trouble deciding exactly who to put into my party.  Do I want four of the immortals plus Jansen?  Or do I want this to be a family affair + Seth?  Cooke is proving herself a very adept white mage, while I have yet to see Mack sparkle.  Not to say that he Shadow spells don't pack a punch... 

I loved the idea of the "world map" again.  The whole concept of exploration and openness was lost on alot of the previous RPG's to come out.  When I finally got into our ship and out on the ocean, I felt free!!  At times it does feel like this is JRPG 101 with a little different story line (which is totally emmersive, btw) but I can't help feeling that I'd be much further along if the battles didn't take so damned long.  It's like I have to set aside a couple of hours to sit down and play, otherwise I don't get anywhere.

Now the task at hand is going to be trying to finish up the game rather than going through and playing Secret of Mana or Super Mario RPG which were just purchased on the Wii ;P

Yeah, the first disc in FFVII is definately the longest. The disc changes were:

Disc two: After Aeris death (Seriously, if you didn't know that you've been living under a rock.)
Disc three: After Midgar/Sister Ray

FFVII:

Disc two:First fight with Edea
Disc three: ??
Disc four: ??

Final Fantasy IX:
Disc two: After encounter w/Kuja in in Bermecia
Disc three: ???
Disc four: Entering/exiting Terra? or is Memoria?

Yep, loved Lost Odyssey to bits! Best Current Gen JRPG available, although I have yet to play Vesperia. I ended up liking Jansen most, cos, well, he's just the most likeable character. His particular story line is very satisfying as well.
I played through the game in Japanese and English, and Jansen's voice acting stood out in both voice tracks.

And, uh, yeah, the Boob thing, that was creepy. Also, I didn't like Ming's Forced British Accent.

Disc three and about 17 hours in.  I'm confused.  From those I've already spoken to, the game is 60+ hours.  Disc 3 & 4 must be a mother. 

Current party: 

         Kaim (space) Seth
Sarah (insert mortal here) Ming

As much as I love Cooke & Mack, I can't really find a reason to have them in the party full-time.  Most likely I'll get them up to level 52 (as that's where they learn their final skill) and then ditch them *sniff*  Mack is awesome though. 

My group is split into three right now as Mack & Cooke have run off to ride a train, Kaim & Sarah have "business" to attend to (cue bowmchickabowmbowm ;P) and Seth, Jansen, & Ming are still working on the main goal.  Any time your group has to split something ominous is usually about to happen (RPG 101), so I'm hoping it's nothing that they can't handle.

Has this ever happened to anyone else?  You're playing along and then you have an epiphany about how to build/grow your characters?  For the longest time I was wayyyy too focused on Seth and Kaim learning every last spell family and magic boost, but then I realized that they're brawlers, not mages.  That job can be left (stereotypically) to Ming and Sarah.  It's not even like Kaim & Seth have a whole lot of MP to begin with :X  Now begins the arduous task of learning the physical attack skills while trying to maintain a nice balance. 

I love to read up about the games I'm playing via wikipedia or gamefaqs, but the only problem with that is THE SPOILERS.  For example, Jansen marries Ming and Seth has a son.  DAMNIT.

The third disc is the longest... but you must be rushing things if you're at the third disc already by that time. The game can be finished in 40 hours... 50 if you do most of the sidequests.

I don't feel like I'm rushing things...