Post by Bytor on Jul 14, 2011 23:37:58 GMT -5
-Visuals- 8.7/10
Appreciate this for what it is, a game that came out in 2000 (1999 in Japan). Of course it's not PS3 graphics or even PS2, although I swear I've seen worse looking games, lol. But what it is is a vibrant game with wonderful usage of colors and crisp well defined images which are rendered very, very nicely. Now, having said that don't expect 2011 stuff, even the cut scenes, while wonderfully done are still a bit dated...but barely, and I mean barely. This game , whether it is on the world map or in the battles looks simply awesome. it is a fine example of a game not needing to be a visual masterpiece to still be a graphical feast which fits the mood and feel of the game wonderfully. Yes, up close the sprites are obviously pixelated, and yes, there is some blockage, but, it ABSOLUTELY in no way detracts from the game. In a nutshell every game should aspire to be rendered this well, graphically certainly it could be better, but, with no, and I mean no, glitches or frame rate issues you simply cannot complain.
-Sound- 8.9/10
The sound is really, really good, but not quite up to par with Star Silver. Still it's way, way above the average game, especially the average PSX game. The only real issue I had was the fact that the sounds would change according to the regions traversed and often this change could (and would) happen way too abruptly and take away a bit from the mood of the game.
-Gameplay- 8.5/10
The game is certainly old school turn based typical RPG fodder. If you hate the genre then don't bother because it is what it is, lol. However, just as in Silver Star it is certainly done very, very well. But it is certainly nothing highly innovative or new. Each ally gets a turn and can attack, use items, use magic or defend and although simplistic enough in nature I did find many of the battles to be somewhat more difficult than I would expect. Now of course these battles were still seldom any issue once you figured out the monsters weakness, but typically this required the use of magic and this use costs you points, which are NOT easily replaceable, and I did have an issue with that, when you only have @140 pts and your strongest spell cost 50, well, you do the math...yes, you'll run out quickly, and while they may be replenished at Althena's shrines it's not like those are simply everywhere (albeit it in every area yes, but often that required a ton of back tracking). And that's another complaint, the sheer amount of battles you will fight is simply mind boggling. Pretty much every few steps (in the "dungeons") there is another enemy, and after awhile I really, really got tired of the constant nagging battles, it's simply too much, and yes, you can (attempt) to run but be prepared to succeed in that endeavor about one of ten tries, pretty much EVERY enemy is faster than you. My other complaint about this whole system is that after trudging through this interminable dungeon and fighting and expending the vast majority of your health and magic points you will then come to the boss battle, and no, you didn't miss it..I did NOT say you can replenish at a shrine, because there will NOT be one there. So, if you don't notice the upcoming battle and heal and use items to replace used points you will enter the battle pretty much with no health and no ability to use magic attacks at all. This can be a tad frustrating, and yes, saving can occur anywhere, so you better do it often, cause you never know when you may die and see the fun little game over screen (It's a Dead Man's Party). The other issue with these battles is they detract from the ebb and flow of the game way too much. You have this wonderful story that is placed in between these ridiculously long segments of battle. Heck, half the time I even forgot which direction I was going and often forget what exactly I was doing, yes, it's a tad annoying to trudge along and find yourself back at the freaking entrance because in all the fighting you got turned around and back tracked. Now, don't get me wrong, I still love the game, it just needs a little tweaking.
-Story- 9.6/10
This takes place @1000 years after Silver Star and centers on Hiro and his friend Ruby as they meet Lucia, Ronfar, Jean and Lemina as they try and rescue the world they inhabit. Honestly I cannot say too much about the story as even any tidbits I shared would be spoilers, The story is filled, as was Silver Star, with complex issues of friendship, love, betrayal and trust and while maybe it's a "tired old story" is simply told so well it transcends basic folk tales and will certainly tug at your emotions and toy with what you think is wrong and right. The decisions in the end are rather straightforward thus admitted but it is still presented in such a way that you will share the emotions of the various characters.
-Overall- 9.0/10
The story is simply one of the best you'll ever experience. The character development and personalities are awesome and the gameplay is solid. But, the encounter rate and lengthy (due to battles) exploration times detract from the ebb and flow so much that I simply cannot consider the game a masterpiece. An awesome game yes and good for many, many hours of enjoyment, and quite a few of frustration and anger at yet another battle. Still, all things being said i still highly recommend it.
