Great video Cody. Really liked your assessment of the story & Jack. Played co-op with a few folks this year. I LOVE the Nioh games, so I was expecting something in that vein with some of the early-00's flavored silliness I'd been primed for. The game definitely served it in spades. I didn't know about the Linkin Park scene, I think my jaw unhinged when I first saw that. Eventually, the aesthetic started growing on me. I started liking all of the edgy leather clothing, Jack's quiet self-aggrandizement, even the Linkin Park song - UNIRONICALLY! By the endgame, I was surprised by how attached I'd gotten to Jack. The story is a little schlocky, a little B-movie, but I really like how they retroactively changed my view on Garland's, initially very simple, character. In this day & age of massive, assembly-line development teams, sincerity can be hard to come by. I think that's what I appreciated most about Stranger of Paradise. From the opening scene until the credits, the game is robed in sincerity. Sometimes sincerity is cringe, sometimes sincerity is cool, but sincerity is always better than the alternative. Also the game is just fun! Awesome work. "All dead friends and no play makes Jack a chaos boy" is chortle worthy.
Been really deep into Stranger of Paradise recently and this was recommended to me, great video! I thought it was the hahah meme video too, but now seeing all the early "reviews" of it being dismissed as being outright dumb/stupid/intolerable while people also continuing to proclaim Jack and his friends are isekai "real world" heroes is super annoying, so it's nice to see the more balanced reviews where people actually listen to the "story" to understand what's going on beyond "dude says chaos a lot."
I took me 2/3rds of the game to realize that every stage of the game was based on a Final Fantasy game. Also yet despite the memes it's ironic that the fanbase had no sense of humor and couldn't tell the game was in on the joke. I mean come on fedoras literally have synergy with the samurai job. The full list of stages and what they're based upon... Western Keep is based on Castle Palamecia from II Crystal Mirage is based on Crystal Tower from III Flying Fortress is based upon The Tower of Babil from IV Ruins of Machina is based on the Ronka Ruins from V Terra Tortūra is inspired by The Floating Continent from VI Sunken Shrine is based on Junon Underwater Reactor from VII Mount Gulg is Fire Cavren from VIII Wicked Arbor is the Evil Forest from IX Hallowed Massif is Mt. Gagazet from X Ancients Tower is Delkfutt's Tower from XI Caveren of Earth is the tomb of Raithwall from XII Refrain Wetlands is the Sunleth Waterscape from XIII Pravoka Seagrot is Sastasha Seagrot from XIV Lastlythe Vigilla Court is the Somnus Citadel.
Got this game on release and really struggled with enjoying it cause I’m really not into the whole souls-like genre despite trying hard to get into it, ended up quitting the game right before the big important story reveals at the end 💀💀💀 Thanks for the story recap! I think I would have been too confused and frustrated to understand it if I was playing so this helps a lot ❤
Thank you for this review. As someone who had been hyped for this game after it took me a week to process the first trailer, I'm glad that more people are talking about it.
Maj, Naff and I played through this whole game together, and it was a blast! Fun fact, ONLY JACK can defeat those weird goopy wall things that spit out monsters, because he has to do a coooool finisher on them, so Naff and I always waited around once we knocked it's bar down so that Maj -Jack- could come finish it. Also, regardless of who does the heavy lifting in a boss fight, it's always hilarious when it'd suddenly cut to Jack serving some epic finisher to a boss, even if he was downed up until then. A grand ol' time! This video is a treat, good job Gorgeous Cody
Yesss! It's way more than a meme. Although I'm not sure if I could have played it solo, playing through the story with my friends (shout out to Loch and Leo) I don't think I'd have enjoyed it as much as I did! :D Great video on THE BEST FF game
One of my fav games of all time. Having Nioh+Final Fantasy is a very odd combination but pretty much tailor made for me. Absolutely love this game, 500+ hours in it and every so often I play some more. It got snuffed by the trailers and releasing close to Elden Ring. Not to mention Nioh and FF fans can be super annoying and if a game isn't exactly what they expect/want, they just disparage it without even trying.
I enjoyed this game more than Wo long. Its a Team Ninja knowing this i never meant to have a good story but SE actually did their thing at the end of the game. The combat was actually 10/10 the main problem was the lack of enemy and stage variety ( which can be easily fixed with a sequel. Dualhorn, Dullahans, and few more iconic monsters can be added. It was perfect with what the got right it just couldve been more
Honestly, I loved this game from the minute they put out the "My Way" trailer. I know its gonna be really rare to see another sequel come out in this style, especially cause Square looks like it'll go all in the big blockbusters, but I really do love the game and the characters and the story behind it. As you pointed out, yeah the side characters really don't get enough love since they're more contrasts for Jack's single minded obsession. Fun fact btw, Neon's not a Lufenian like Jack which is why her outfit is all weird. Its stated in DLC 2 that Neon was taken from birth/ the womb and experiment on in a way and her outfit is a part of that. They hide a bunch weird and neat lore stuff in the DLCs.
This game slaps so damn hard. I was genuinely surprised by how much I enjoyed the story by the end. Yes it's dumb and yes it's corny as all hell - and by god that Linkin Park scene is the absolute best thing ever - but weirdly enough it's so damn earnest that I couldn't help but love it.
Thank You. Based on marketing and reviews, the game didn't seem strong enough in the story department for me to be interested. Cringe vibes aside, this seems like an interesting vehicle for antagonist characterization. Not great, but a cool concept.
Now, in my defense these are clips from the beach volleyball spin off, and I never said it was a bad game. Also, any fighter that lets you suplex someone out of a window is alright in my book. Danger zones are iconic.
@prettycody lol yeah I know and yeah danger zones are great.. and the volleyball games are not bad either (at least the first one since that's the only one I played) yeah there are a lot of really skimpy bathing suits but my God you really have to work for them and really put hrs in the game to get them lol.. but I get what you were going for with the comparison was just giving you a hard time with my comment.
@@prettycody I am 100% sure he would unleash the wrath of the cosmos to see you eat a bowl of mashed potatoes I like your channel too I just don’t have loads of access to the wrath of the cosmos
![ละลาย (LALALYE) - DAOU PITTAYA ต้าห์อู๋ พิทยา [OFFICIAL MV]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/wo6r9TgausI/mqdefault.jpg)
Great video Cody. Really liked your assessment of the story & Jack.
Played co-op with a few folks this year. I LOVE the Nioh games, so I was expecting something in that vein with some of the early-00's flavored silliness I'd been primed for. The game definitely served it in spades. I didn't know about the Linkin Park scene, I think my jaw unhinged when I first saw that. Eventually, the aesthetic started growing on me. I started liking all of the edgy leather clothing, Jack's quiet self-aggrandizement, even the Linkin Park song - UNIRONICALLY! By the endgame, I was surprised by how attached I'd gotten to Jack. The story is a little schlocky, a little B-movie, but I really like how they retroactively changed my view on Garland's, initially very simple, character.
In this day & age of massive, assembly-line development teams, sincerity can be hard to come by. I think that's what I appreciated most about Stranger of Paradise. From the opening scene until the credits, the game is robed in sincerity. Sometimes sincerity is cringe, sometimes sincerity is cool, but sincerity is always better than the alternative. Also the game is just fun!
Awesome work. "All dead friends and no play makes Jack a chaos boy" is chortle worthy.
Been really deep into Stranger of Paradise recently and this was recommended to me, great video! I thought it was the hahah meme video too, but now seeing all the early "reviews" of it being dismissed as being outright dumb/stupid/intolerable while people also continuing to proclaim Jack and his friends are isekai "real world" heroes is super annoying, so it's nice to see the more balanced reviews where people actually listen to the "story" to understand what's going on beyond "dude says chaos a lot."
I can't believe you doesn't have at least 100k subs, you are a natural at this. Love your style of review and humor. Keep it up!
I took me 2/3rds of the game to realize that every stage of the game was based on a Final Fantasy game.
Also yet despite the memes it's ironic that the fanbase had no sense of humor and couldn't tell the game was in on the joke. I mean come on fedoras literally have synergy with the samurai job.
The full list of stages and what they're based upon...
Western Keep is based on Castle Palamecia from II
Crystal Mirage is based on Crystal Tower from III
Flying Fortress is based upon The Tower of Babil from IV
Ruins of Machina is based on the Ronka Ruins from V
Terra Tortūra is inspired by The Floating Continent from VI
Sunken Shrine is based on Junon Underwater Reactor from VII
Mount Gulg is Fire Cavren from VIII
Wicked Arbor is the Evil Forest from IX
Hallowed Massif is Mt. Gagazet from X
Ancients Tower is Delkfutt's Tower from XI
Caveren of Earth is the tomb of Raithwall from XII
Refrain Wetlands is the Sunleth Waterscape from XIII
Pravoka Seagrot is Sastasha Seagrot from XIV
Lastlythe Vigilla Court is the Somnus Citadel.
Haha, yep! I think it was when I finally recognized a FF4 song that I was like "hey wait... are they...?"
Late to the party, but I'm always happy to see your videos. Keep up the good work.
Got this game on release and really struggled with enjoying it cause I’m really not into the whole souls-like genre despite trying hard to get into it, ended up quitting the game right before the big important story reveals at the end 💀💀💀
Thanks for the story recap! I think I would have been too confused and frustrated to understand it if I was playing so this helps a lot ❤
Yeah, it makes it a hard game to dive into for sure. Glad I could at least convey the insanity that is this game's story.
Thank you for this review. As someone who had been hyped for this game after it took me a week to process the first trailer, I'm glad that more people are talking about it.
Soon as that piano riff hit, I immediately pictured perfect Cell 😂😂😂
I’m really enjoying your videos. Keep them coming! Your videos deserve so much more recognition!
Hey thanks. I appreciate it and glad you're liking 'em
Maj, Naff and I played through this whole game together, and it was a blast! Fun fact, ONLY JACK can defeat those weird goopy wall things that spit out monsters, because he has to do a coooool finisher on them, so Naff and I always waited around once we knocked it's bar down so that Maj -Jack- could come finish it. Also, regardless of who does the heavy lifting in a boss fight, it's always hilarious when it'd suddenly cut to Jack serving some epic finisher to a boss, even if he was downed up until then. A grand ol' time! This video is a treat, good job Gorgeous Cody
oh btw hi youtube algorithm!! im commenting on this great channel!!
Really enoying your content; Ive watched your entire channel over the past few days. Hope to see more soon(ish)!
Hey thanks, I appreciate it. I am working on more, no timelines yet, but it's real. Swearsies.
Yesss! It's way more than a meme. Although I'm not sure if I could have played it solo, playing through the story with my friends (shout out to Loch and Leo) I don't think I'd have enjoyed it as much as I did! :D Great video on THE BEST FF game
One of my fav games of all time. Having Nioh+Final Fantasy is a very odd combination but pretty much tailor made for me. Absolutely love this game, 500+ hours in it and every so often I play some more. It got snuffed by the trailers and releasing close to Elden Ring. Not to mention Nioh and FF fans can be super annoying and if a game isn't exactly what they expect/want, they just disparage it without even trying.
I enjoyed this game more than Wo long.
Its a Team Ninja knowing this i never meant to have a good story but SE actually did their thing at the end of the game.
The combat was actually 10/10 the main problem was the lack of enemy and stage variety ( which can be easily fixed with a sequel.
Dualhorn, Dullahans, and few more iconic monsters can be added.
It was perfect with what the got right it just couldve been more
Thanks for warning me about the spoilers. Eventually I will have to KILL CHAOS
No problem, always happy to spare folks the pain of spoilers. Also yes. The game's a wild 20 hours or so... And it will contain CHAOS
Honestly, I loved this game from the minute they put out the "My Way" trailer. I know its gonna be really rare to see another sequel come out in this style, especially cause Square looks like it'll go all in the big blockbusters, but I really do love the game and the characters and the story behind it.
As you pointed out, yeah the side characters really don't get enough love since they're more contrasts for Jack's single minded obsession. Fun fact btw, Neon's not a Lufenian like Jack which is why her outfit is all weird. Its stated in DLC 2 that Neon was taken from birth/ the womb and experiment on in a way and her outfit is a part of that. They hide a bunch weird and neat lore stuff in the DLCs.
This game slaps so damn hard. I was genuinely surprised by how much I enjoyed the story by the end. Yes it's dumb and yes it's corny as all hell - and by god that Linkin Park scene is the absolute best thing ever - but weirdly enough it's so damn earnest that I couldn't help but love it.
Great video. I don't remember if you mentioned it, but did Jack want to kill Chaos?
It's lightly implied. Jack's greatest strength is subtlety.
damn the family, gonna watch this now
My body is ready
Lol I finished all three dlcs yesterday I really enjoyed it and even tho jack is jack he has his reasons
Jack is charming despite it all. He hates chaos, sure, but who doesn't. Relatable guy in the end.
You should give the DLCs a chance, they add even more chaotic story
I need to get around to them, they look wild. I think I saw the emperor from FF2 in there (?) and I was "I gotta know what this is about".
@@prettycody yep Mateus shows up and it’s iconic
What happened totreasure of the rudras review? Been wanting to rewatch it.
th-cam.com/video/cw6mj87oSl4/w-d-xo.htmlsi=LobyK0gJeFMmALGJ&t=1145 that would be at this time code on my translated games video.
What was the song you used when you were talking about Jack listening to My Way in the wheat field?
That would be Scattering Light from the Stranger of Paradise OST
@@prettycody Thank you! I thought it was Stranger of Paradise music but I didn't know where it played.
Thank You.
Based on marketing and reviews, the game didn't seem strong enough in the story department for me to be interested. Cringe vibes aside, this seems like an interesting vehicle for antagonist characterization. Not great, but a cool concept.
Yeah, I really hope they aren't afraid to let Team Ninja do more spinoffs down the line
0:34 best meme ever!!🤣
Chaos.
I've got to *kill* chaos.
Hey hey don't hate on dead or alive its a great fighting game. In fact it's one of my top 3 fighting game series since the first one
Now, in my defense these are clips from the beach volleyball spin off, and I never said it was a bad game. Also, any fighter that lets you suplex someone out of a window is alright in my book. Danger zones are iconic.
@prettycody lol yeah I know and yeah danger zones are great.. and the volleyball games are not bad either (at least the first one since that's the only one I played) yeah there are a lot of really skimpy bathing suits but my God you really have to work for them and really put hrs in the game to get them lol.. but I get what you were going for with the comparison was just giving you a hard time with my comment.
Sorry to tip the views past “666” but I wanna learn more about this game lol
We will always have the memory of the 666 views to look back on.
Choas!!🗣
You remind me of pretty Patrick and I like it
A compliment of the highest order! Thank you. I only hope puppycat enjoys my content
@@prettycody I am 100% sure he would unleash the wrath of the cosmos to see you eat a bowl of mashed potatoes
I like your channel too I just don’t have loads of access to the wrath of the cosmos