THE iDOLM@STER > THE iDOLM@STER 2
G4U! Discussion
Funkies:
--- Quote from: Bro on May 07, 2012, 03:29:19 am ---So... sorry but... what is this? I've seen the box art plenty of times but I still don't understand what it actually is... just a photo collection of the idols?
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It's not a... game... specifically. I suppose one could call it more of a supportive... um... release? Sure, sounds fine. It's time to take pictures for promotional uses, or so that's the premise anyhow. Each volume represents one of the nine usually selectable idols in the regular mode of gameplay from iDOLM@STER 2. Choose an idol (utilizing the same interface as, again, iDOLM@STER 2) and off you go. Each volume has an optional story segment by the idol on the cover. No choices to be made, just dialogue between the idol and Producer.
The player takes control of the camera. The player can zoom in or out, adjust lens focus from foreground to background, tilt the camera from a portrait up to a landscape orientation, and (from volume #5 and onwards) add a vignetting effect to the images. The player makes "requests" to the idol subject, and they'll respond in some fashion. These requests vary from they style of pose you want them to make, to switching their expression, as well as asking them to get up or down from the floor. The player can also leave the poses up to the idol as well.
Each idol has a specific pose that only they do, and not all of the idols will use every pose from the repertoire available. They also have moods that change while taking pictures. Iori, for example, may start out self-centered and enthusiastic, or she may be unsure and embarrassed. This can go one way or another while taking pictures, as well as opening up another set of expressions that can be requested. Requesting for them to get down is not available for every outfit, mostly only for form fitting outfits (such as the swimsuit variants, pajamas, and t-shirt/bloomers combo). The winter casual (Volume 3), wedding dress (Volume 8), and yukata (Volume 9) outfits have a different pose set from the usual.
Holy yar this is turning into an essay for a not-quite-a-game game. The pictures are saved to the PS3's memory and can be transferred off via USB connection in 1280x720 resolution (regardless of the PS3's display resolution). From volume 5 onward the idols will leave "comments" on the images on the PS3, though I do not believe these comments transfer off of the console. From volume 5 onwards the controller itself can be used to tilt the camera from side to side via a menu option. Each volume comes with a DJ mix of songs centered towards the cover idol. The player can choose what BGM tracks are available to use during the photo session in the main menu (the mixes themselves count as one track).
Yikes... last bit, I promise. Each volume has extras in the "Special Contents" section. This is where to access Volume 5's cat ears mode, Volume 6's normal fangless mode, and Volume 7's Ai. Volume 8 will have Eri and Volume 9 will have Ryo available in this fashion.
For something so simple... it really isn't easy to explain in a few words I suppose. There are "game" elements to it, but I wouldn't exactly call it a "game" proper whatsoever. There are trophies though, so if that's your thing... it's good that way.
Julio:
Yeah, it's basically like a fanservice game for fans only and you wouldn't want your parents to catch you while taking pictures of 13 year old (mostly under age) girls wearing bikinis during a sensual pose. I'm surprise that all the volumes have gotten a C rating while some should be getting a D rating from CERO.
TTB:
--- Quote from: Julio on May 07, 2012, 09:35:53 pm ---Yeah, it's basically like a fanservice game for fans only and you wouldn't want your parents to catch you while taking pictures of 13 year old (mostly under age) girls wearing bikinis during a sensual pose. I'm surprise that all the volumes have gotten a C rating while some should be getting a D rating from CERO.
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:( :( :(
omg... I don't even own G4U and you make me feel like a horrible bastard...
Compassionate Sadist:
--- Quote from: Julio on May 07, 2012, 09:35:53 pm ---Yeah, it's basically like a fanservice game for fans only and you wouldn't want your parents to catch you while taking pictures of 13 year old (mostly under age) girls wearing bikinis during a sensual pose. I'm surprise that all the volumes have gotten a C rating while some should be getting a D rating from CERO.
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I agree that you wouldn't want your parents (and probably most other people) to catch you playing it. But I don't think it's enough to warrant a D rating. Yes, you take pictures of mostly underaged girls in bikinis, and there are some dodgy poses and dialogue ("Am I sexy?", "Doesn't this pose look perverted~?", stuff to that effect).
However, it's supposed to be more cute than sexy. It's not even ecchi IMO; I mean, their boobs/butts aren't hanging out or anything and it's not especially lewd. It's "fanservice" but pretty tame compared to other fanservice titles.
Does it really deserve the same rating as say, Dream Club Zero, where you feed scantily-clad drunk women in an erotic manner and make them ride mechanical bulls?
With all that said, I do agree that G4U is a fans-only kind of thing. /end pointless rant
Funkies:
Let's not pitchfork the G4U, as it is absolutely harmless. What one wishes to do with the software is up to the individual. I imagine this was taken into consideration with the CERO fellas. I can't say what rating it deserves, as I'm not part of the group responsible (or even the culture whatsoever). The standards between Japan and a decent portion of the West are a bit different, though that's a blah argument not necessary to get into. I do believe that is why they have "FOR JAPAN ONLY" labeled on the back of each case, as that is the intended region's audience.
I'm absolutely sure NBGI is aware of the fanbase for the franchise in the West, but they're not marketing or trying to please us. What goes in Japan, does not mean it goes for the West. What goes in the West, does not mean it goes for Japan either. Kind of a give and take, even if I don't always agree with the loss in transition from one to another.
It's up to the individual if they wish to import these limited edition packages. Anyone purchasing it would be best equipped knowing what exactly that entails, though worries of "illegal" content should be put to rest. It is what the user decides to do with the software. If one wishes to take pictures devoid of any particular sexuality? They have that virtual power. Likewise if they wish to take pictures that could be considered as sexual? They also have that virtual power. There's middle area for sure, and it's up to the user where they want to land with it.
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