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Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Premium Edition | 
| From: NIS America
Category: Video Games
Buy New: $39.99
as of 8/1/2010 01:39 PDT details
New (19) Used (7) from $34.98
Seller: Amazon.com
Rating:  9 reviews
Sales Rank: 1034
Platform: PlayStation2
Genre: role_playing_games
ESRB: Teen
Media: Video Game
Edition: Standard
Discs: 1
Number Of Items: 1
Batteries Included: No
Age: 12 - 20 years
Operating System: PlayStation 2
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.4
Dimensions (in): 7.7 x 5.7 x 1
DualShock
Memory Card
Vibration
MPN: 8135
Model: 8-135
UPC: 857823001352
EAN: 0857823001352
ASIN: B002DC8GW2
Publication Date: February 28, 2010
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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| Features:
| • | Additional in-game activities and functionality including Broadway performances with AI Stars teammates, in-game photo functionality, secret events and a quiz game. | | • | Premium Edition includes: game for PlayStation 2, artbook, poster and limited edition packaging. | | • | Adventure Mode allowing the player to explore New York City and build relationship with in-game AI teammates. | | • | A strategy RPG battle system allowing for coordinated control of a team of diverse female fighters, each operating Mech battlesuits that can fight both on the ground and in the air. | | • | Anime-style storytelling with tons of anime movie scenes and dual voiceover (English/Japanese), as well as high replay value through different possible endings, each of which hinges on the bonds created between characters in-game. |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
The first Sakura Wars game to reach North America, Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love takes the franchise to America with the franchise's first story set in America, following a new hero who joins the US version of the Hanagumi. Demons have appeared in New York, and its up to Shinjirou, Gemini Sunrise and a new cast of characters to take them out. The cast serves as performers during the day and warriors when called upon, continuing series tradition. Sakura Wars is a strategy RPG that features a unique sim-based story system. Character interaction plays a major role in a storyline that never follows a set course, and your responses to the various characters in the game can ultimately change the story content and even the final outcome. The battle system is divided into two main parts; ground combat and air combat. Ground combat takes place using two-legged mechanized suits, which transform into jet fighters to take the fight to the sky. Every mech unit in the game can transform from battle mech mode to jet fighter mode during combat.
Amazon.com Product Description
Sakura Wars: So Long My Love is a single player strategy role-playing game (SRPG) and the first game in the popular Japanese Sakura Wars franchise to be released in North America. The game features both an exciting and fast-paced mech/air battle system and a unique, sim-based storyline. This in-depth storyline allows for character interaction that plays a major role in the progression of game action as the players interactions with various characters in the game can ultimately change the story content and even the final outcome. In addition, the PlayStation 2 Premium Edition contains several extras, including an artbook, poster and limited edition packaging. Fight to save NYC as Shinjiro Taiga.
View larger. | Story
New York City has always been the focal point of the American experiment. Since colonial times it has served as a melting pot, but recently more than just the "huddled masses yearning to breath free" have established a foothold in the Big Apple. Along with peoples and influences from all over the world it has also accumulated masses of relics and artifacts not meant to exist in proximity to each other, resulting in malignant energies from the past. But New Yorkers are not alone in the coming struggle. The Star Division has long battled such forces around the world, and now they have come to the New World. Officially titled the New York Combat Revue, Star Division, this diverse group of covert operatives uses their front as an all female troupe of Broadway performers headquartered at the Littlelip Theater as a front to protect the people of the city. The latest member to join the team from the Tokyo branch is Shinjiro Taiga. Being a young man, he is not quite what the other members of Stars Division expected and as such must prove himself, but filled with hopes and dreams he is determined to fight for justice. To be successful he will have to build relationships within his new team and learn to fight with them. Gameplay
Sakura Wars: So Long My Love is a strategy RPG. Gameplay is split between two modes: Adventure Mode and Battle Mode. In Adventure Mode Shinjiro explores the Littlelip Theater and greater New York City, interacting with other members of the Star Division and various other characters in a variety of ways, including timed and untimed dialog and action selections and on-screen manipulations using controller analog sticks. In addition, players take part in events such as Broadway shows. Depending on your interactions with team members, their "Trust" in you will change. If this change is positive the player will form "Bonds" with the respective team member, which will affect skills, abilities and possibilities in battle. Battle Mode features a strategic real-time RPG battle system in which players control up to six team members in ground and aerial combat with the goal of destroying enemies. Ground combat takes place using mechanized suits referred to as STARS (Super Telekinetic Assault Robots). Every STARS unit in the game can transform from a battle mech into a jet fighter during combat, depending on the situation. Once transformed, weapons and movement methods will change accordingly. For example, the hero’s ground mode utilizes a sword as his main weapon, but in jet mode he will use long-range missiles. In coordinating attacks with team members players can adopt differing strategies which utilize fluctuating amounts of mobility, hit points and healing abilities. Each character also has access to unique Super Attacks that can be unleashed. Focused joint attacks can also be enacted by two or more characters which have built sufficient bonds between them in Adventure Mode. Additional features available include the ability to take, save and collect in-game photos, hidden secret events and a quiz game. Key Game Features - Premium Edition includes: game version for PlayStation 2, an artbook, poster and limited edition packaging.
- Anime-style storytelling featuring tons of anime movie scenes and dual voice-over (English/Japanese).
- Adventure Mode allowing the player to explore New York City and build relationship with in-game AI teammates.
- A strategy RPG battle system allowing for coordinated control of a team of diverse female fighters, each operating Mech battlesuits that can fight both on the ground and in the air.
- High replay value through the various different endings possible,each of which hinges on the bonds created between characters in-game.
- Additional in-game activities and functionality including Broadway performances with AI Stars teammates., in-game photo functionality, secret events and a quiz game.
| Additional Screenshots:
Build bonds with teammates.
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Ground & Air based combat.
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Character specific mechs.
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Premium Edition extras.
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 9
 I could stand more ports like this for my good ol' PS2... April 6, 2010
M. Brown (Carrollton, GA USA)
18 out of 20 found this review helpful
Sakura Wars is part of a long running series that, from what I have recently learned, was pretty prominent on the dreamcast and on into the PS2 era due to hybridizing dating sim elements (relationship building, player choosing responses to text prompts similar to KOTOR, and rewards/detriments for not building some kind of relationship with the other players) with solid srpg gameplay. That was a long sentence. Anyway, this is the latest installment of this game. I am not a fan of the series by any means-the previous games are all in Japanese, and I don't plan to learn that any time soon. So why did I pick this one up, and rate it so highly?
Two reasons-PS2 releases are getting more and more scarce monthly (and I love my black box), and the sheer novelty of the game. I have been at this game for a number of hours and so far, I don't regret the purchase in the slightest.
The graphics are solid (with still shots that change to reflect facial expressions and changes in situation), the voice acting is entertaining (and, if you get the premium pack, you get the full Japanese voice as well as the American on two separate game disks-that's right-YOU GET TWO COPIES OF THE GAME), the amount of engagement during conversations varies from button mashing, keeping meters up trying to be convincing, and other controller-based mini games (so you really can't get too bored with it), the transitions between fmv, conversation screens, and in game activity are really well handled, and the combat is awesome. The first fight took me nearly an hour, starting as a ground-based assault and moving to a space battle above the statue of liberty. This is where the relationship part of the game pays off, as my strong relationship with one of the other characters let us pull of a wicked group attack. Pretty ambitious stuff here.
One last note on the combat-I have to be honest here. One thing I hate about SRPGs in general is the grid-based movement and attack system. People don't move in plus signs. SW lets you move free-form, spending points for movement in any organic shape you want, in any direction you want. In the ground battle I was talking about, I had one of my party slip around the enemy up some stairs and attack from the side while the rest of the group used long range attacks. Very satisfying feature and added a lot to my sense of engagement with the game. Your space battles are done very similarly as well, though limited somewhat by dimensional space.
My only real gripe with the game is how long it takes at times to get to the action. But the setup work you are doing beforehand with party interaction makes sense, so this complaint is minimal at best.
Like I said earlier, the field is getting pretty empty in terms of PS2 games, with original releases being even more scarce. I figure if enough people buy this one Sony will get the idea of continuing this sort of thing for its loyal fan base. BUY IT-I am loving seeing this one at the top of so many best seller lists right now (even if I know the reason behind it).
A Great Final Farewell To The PS2 April 20, 2010
Patrick_91 (Canada)
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
As many of you might have heard, or seen on many websites. Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love (hereafter Sakura Wars V) is most likely going to be the last RPG released for the PS2, all 10 other games coming out for the system are either expansions to FF11 or movie games/sport games.
With that being said, Sakura Wars V is an absolutely amazing game, I can honestly say I cant remember the last time I enjoyed a PS2 game this much! The story is set in a 1928 'Steampunk' New York. You play as fresh out of training 19 year old LT.Shinjiro Taiga who thinks hes going to be part of the Flower Division his uncle Ichiro Ogami was a part of (Ichiro was a new member of the Flower Division in Sakura Wars 1,but is now commander of it,only 4 years later) You also get to have a brief conversation with Sakura while Shin is in Japan. When Shin goes to see his uncle he is then told that he (Shin) is going to go to New York to become leader of the newly formed Star Division. Shin is at first a mix of disappointed and happy. However when he gets to New York his Teammates (Cherion,Subaru,Ratchet,and his CO Sunnyside) all disapprove of such a green horn becoming Captain,as they were expecting Commander Ogami himself. Although through a series of events and meeting people who boost his confidence (who will later join the party) Shin manages to tough it out and become an actual part of Star Division. The game is also fairly long (about 50-60 hours) and has 8 Chapters total.
Sakura Wars V is played 2 different ways, the first (and for most of the game) you are an Usher at the little lip theater,all the girl characters are actresses,and your main job in the game at this point is to impress them with your answers,further in the game you will eventually have to woo them with your answers and the game becomes a little more intimate, then eventually come X-mas time you will get to take anyone of the girls on a date and end the game with them. Although Ratchets ending is only available during a 2nd play through save file. A RELOADED SAVE FILE FROM CHAPTER 7 will NOT WORK since it is a first play through save file. There are a total of 5 endings in the game with a bonus 6th&7th if you go on a date with Ratchet. I should also mention that there is a fair deal of Anime quality cut scenes throughout the game that compliment it well.
The 2nd part of the game is all about mech battles, the battle system is done in a strategy style but you are free to move anywhere on the field as long as you have enough mobility to do it. Attacks and pretty much anything else you do in battle affects mobility. In each chapter there are 2 battles (1 ground and 1 air) with the exception of chapter 8 which has 4 battles (2 of them are a joke though)
The graphics in Sakura Wars V do the job just good enough. The game was released in 2005 in Japan and the graphics back then were just good enough for PS2 the robot designs are nice and in all truthfulness you hardly ever see any of the characters with in game graphics 95% of the time you are looking at there animated images. The music in Sakura Wars suits the 1920's New York well and is just a pleasure to listen to. The Voice acting is some of the best I've seen NISA do. And the main character is voiced by the same man who does Bleach (and who has done many other RPG's as well)
Overall if you can still find this game,I'd recommend you pick it up as soon as you see it. The prices for the game have gone up all over the internet. And just like every other quirky title your going to be hard pressed to find it soon.
Bang!! for my buck April 20, 2010
Ronald L. Mcendarfer Jr.
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love Premium Edition
I have long been a fan of NISA and the games they have localized to the NA audience, and Sakura Wars: So Long My Love is another in a long line of excellent releases for the PS2.
When i began to see previews of the game and found out it wasn't only based on my favorite genre(RPGs/SRPGs) but also a dating sim, i knew i had to have it for my PS2 library. As an added bonus the packaged extras are a nice touch, especially for the price.
The game is divided into chapters and tells the stories of your fellow squad members, and progresses to an insanely fun final chapter. The character plots are well thought out and fit nicely into the story itself. I have to add that i played the English dub only, and the voice acting is well done if not top notch in my opinion.
It pays to note that like all RPG/SRPG games, this game is text heavy, but with a twist. You actually have to interact with the characters in the game at certain points by using the joysticks. This interaction takes up a huge chunk of the game, so if you prefer your games to be in a state of constant action this game might not be for you.
There is plenty of replay value with multiple endings to see, and there are plenty of unlockable items in the game. There is a place on the main menu that allows you to go and check out all you have earned as well which i found to be a nice touch.
At this point in time i have beaten the game twice, and i find myself wanting to open all the possible endings.
This is more then likely my last PS2 purchase, and i have to say it has been one of the best investments game wise i have made in 2010. That includes PS3 games as well. I also made it a point to go to the NISA website to thank them for releasing this game. That's just how great it really is.
If you love RPGs/SRPGs or even just dating sims, you can't go wrong with this game. This isn't the last game to be released on the PS2 in NA, but it is a nice tip of the hat near the end of what i consider to be the greatest gaming library of all time.
A pleasant surprise that has finally reached the U.S. May 9, 2010
Magnus Raiker (Pensacola, FL USA)
This game is a real treat at the end of the PS2's lifespan. All I knew about Sakura Wars before I played 'So Long, My Love' was it had multiple anime productions I was never interested in and it was a long running games series in Japan. But NISA's premium edition release in the States was enough to pique my interest and give it a shot. Furthermore, members of the development teamed worked on Skies of Arcadia and Valkyria Chronicles, two other great games.
If I had to compare it to something, it's like Persona 4 with a stronger emphasis on dialogue choices/character interaction, a lighthearted and more anime-esque story, and substituted with tactical rpg combat. It sounds like a strange hybrid but I've had a blast all the way through the game. The characters are wonderful and the dating simulation is fun thanks to each girl having an interesting personality. The battles, though few, are engaging and entertaining. The Japanese voice over is great, but your mileage may vary with the English voice over.
Now I'm a late comer fan of the series and I lament that the chances of the older titles getting released or future titles are almost impossible. This is your best chance of experiencing the uniqueness and joy of Sakura Wars, and hopefully not the last.
An amazing game if you enjoy anime and SRPGs April 9, 2010
Christopher Bee
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
You know, I've played plenty of games in my life. Many were either based on or wanted to be movies, books, tv shows, or, more than any of those, animes. But never have I played a game that did such a good job that I actually feel like I'm both playing an incredible game AND watching a humorous (if more than a little silly) anime. Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love nailed it.
The game is seperated into episodes, which is what they feel like. During these episodes, most of the time you will be in an adventure style game, either talking to your teammates and building relationships with them (which is how you power characters up) or exploring the 1920's steampunk New York City. And it isn't your typical teammate interractions where you just select a response and see what happens either. True, most of the time you are selecting a response, but it's almost always on a time limit. You have enough time to read each reply option and make a calm decision, but not enough time to carefully analyze each response and determine which you think will get the optimal reaction. It adds a fun element to it. On top of that, there are also many interactive response mini-games, where you either press the left stick up or down to determine the hero's enthusiasm level of his response, and mini-games where you are shown analog stick patterns on screen which you must quickly repeat. All of this adds a great new element to interactions that keeps them from getting boring.
At the end of episodes, you get into giant mecha battles. These battles are turn based strategy RPG style, but it isn't your typical grid system. You're free to move in all directions around you, using up some of your "mobility gauge" as you take any action. You can also attack as many times in a turn as you want, as long as you have the mobility left for your actions. But there's more than just attacking and moving. There are also team attacks, special attacks, charge up moves, guarding, and the hero can even change the overall strategy the team follows, call for help, or protect his teammates. In a game where the focus seems to mostly be on character interaction, you'd think they would slack on the combat portion, but they didn't, and it's really entertaining.
So to summarize, this is a great game for fans of dating sims, SRPGs, and animes. However, understand that there is a LOT of talking, and not so many battles. If all you want is action, you should look elsewhere. Otherwise, this is a great purchase that you won't regret.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 9
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