Unshackling the Moon

Published September 15, 2008

Long has the moon been known as the "throne of the gods" in Square Enix's Xbox 360® role-playing game Infinite Undiscovery™. While for ages the moon has been the subject of a world's reverence and devotions, it now hovers dangerously overhead, shackled literally to the world beneath it by the wicked Order and its merciless leader, the Dreadknight.

Real-time tactics make a big difference.

While the Order hopes to tame the divine power contained therein and so twist it to their own evil purpose, the hero Sigmund has brought hope to the people in his fight against the Order. His quest is to shatter the chains that tether the moon unnaturally to the world below.

Your Quest
This sets the foundation for Infinite Undiscovery, yet you don't play as the already-heroic Sigmund, but rather a lookalike named Capell who's been falsely imprisoned by the Order. What is Capell's connection to Sigmund, and why the remarkably similar appearance?

Each of the combos you use exist to
fulfill a specific, tactical purpose.

That's for you to discover after Capell is rescued from the Order's labyrinthine prison by the courageous though mysteriously ill Aya, and so thrust into the world's conflict and Sigmund's noble crusade. Master of the flute and a consummate layabout, Capell may not initially seem the warrior type, but through a story filled with self-discovery and sacrifice, you and Capell will discover his fate together.

Moving Combat
In contrast to so many other Square Enix games, Infinite Undiscovery makes the shift from turn-based to real-time combat, where attack combinations and reflexes are just as important as strategy. And each of the combos you use exist to fulfill a specific, tactical purpose.

What's Capell's connection with Sigmund?

For example, one quick combo will launch an enemy in the air, allowing you ample time to score a few more hits before the enemy falls back to earth. Another combo might fling the opponent to the ground, and so allow you to focus on any of the other dangerous monsters surrounding you.

Each successfully landed combo helps fill your AP gauge, which can then be used to unleash a myriad of devastating attacks, earned as you progress through the game. You can have two such attacks, with one taking up fewer AP points at the cost of potency, while the other is more powerful but costs more AP to execute.

Surprise!
Taking further advantage of the real-time combat system, Infinite Undiscovery utilizes a surprise/ambush system. Essentially, if you can sneak up on an enemy and catch them unawares, you'll earn a massive increase to damage, scoring critical hit after critical hit for several seconds. Of course, the opposite is true as well. If you're not paying attention and an enemy blindsides you, you'll be at a distinct disadvantage.

Connected
While real-time in nature, Infinite Undiscovery utilizes a party-based system to great effect. You'll encounter and team up with all manner of allies. From the lovely, bow-toting Aya in the early going to the precocious twins Rico and Rucha shortly thereafter, each party member goes a long way to helping you dynamically in combat. Set their A.I. behavior to suit your style of combat, or call out for your comrades to heal you on the fly.

Boss battles are in full effect.

The game's most interesting use of party members though, is its Connected feature. At any time, Connect to a party member and gain instant access to their special abilities. While they'll use these on their own, you can order their use at precisely the time you need it when Connected.

For example, Connect to Aya and use her ranged bow attack to knock down fruit from a tree (ingredients can be used to make useful, ability-boosting food) or ignite exploding barrels to handle an otherwise invincible ogre.

People and even creatures react differently to different people, so while townsfolk may dismiss Capell out-of-hand, they'll warm to Rico or Rucha immediately and even offer small gifts for the upcoming quest. Likewise, different characters may have more luck with a certain object. Where Capell might be flummoxed by a treasure chest's lock, Aya can open it without a problem.

Flautist
Prior to his false imprisonment and fateful involvement in Sigmund's crusade, Capell was an aspiring flautist. While surprising, Capell's skill with the flute proves enormously useful throughout your adventures. Each song Capell plays affects the world around him in strange and useful ways. For example, the Percipere song highlights hidden objects in the world around you.

Infinite Undiscovery by Square Enix incorporates much of what has made their role-playing games so popular over the years. From leveling up through experience points, finding new items, armor and weapons, to the endearing story lines and memorable cast of characters, Infinite Undiscovery takes full advantage of its powerhouse developer's pedigree.

However, it's the unique use of real-time combat with the innovative Connect feature, tactical combos, and visceral action that separate it from others of its kind. It is both familiar and fresh at the same time and should find a place of honor in any Japanese role-playing game fan's collection.

Article by Ryan Treit