Published by: Ubisoft Developed by: Sonnori Release Date: June 6, 2006 Genre: RPG Review Written #4 Review Published #3 This is the first RPG that closely resembles RPG Maker XP/VX except that it captures all of the things that I like about RPG Maker, and changes the few things that I don’t like. When you first appear in town, the town looks exactly like one of the façade chipsets from RPG Maker. You are a knight that has to… umm… well do something… HEY! We are already out onto the World Map! Sweet! No four-hour long intro! This is a light-hearted RPG that is designed for beginners of the genre. Hardcore RPG players will have a ridiculously easy time with this one, but it is still fun nonetheless. The battles are somewhat unique because it doesn’t really classify as a strategy RPG like Final Fantasy Tactics A2, but uses the general system of moving around on a preset map and striking. It is more fluid than FFTA2 because the units can move freely as in not "snapped to grid" when moving. They still end up landing on square spaces but it seems to take away the restrictive movement. The "facing direction" clause doesn’t apply but I still do it anyway out of habit. Pros: No catch: No dumb minigames, no "leveling up clause" that adjusts the enemies to your level. It is strictly level up, kill stuff, and progress through the story. No long menu actions, like sphere grids, or license boards. They kept it basic, and easy to manage. Simplified stats: Instead of starting with 500 HP, you start with 50. Instead of dealing with ridiculously high stat games, like most of the Final Fantasies have over inflated damage ratios (you can do 9999 but the enemy can still do 4000. that sort of thing), you deal 1-40 damage, depending on critical hits. No random encounters – 200 AP All of the enemies are onscreen, but just because you can see them, doesn’t mean that you can avoid them. Savepoints? Savepoints?! We don’t need no stinkin' savepoints! You can save anywhere, anytime, just not during a cutscene or dialogue. What's on the menu? The menu is something that I am sincerely jealous of. It's something I've always wanted to create in RPG Maker. When you press Start, four boxes surround your character and pressing the directional buttons opens them. Your battle commands are the same way, but with six directions, not four. Cons: Simplified items: No classic names like Potion and Ether; we have PB&J Lunch Boxes and Herbs for HP recovery; and Magic Potions for MP recovery. Ambushes: Don't save near the spawning points because when you resume game, they will rush you…all of them. Early grinding: Grinding is necessary at the beginning of the game because two of your starting characters are regular soldiers and utterly useless. Raise them up a few levels before proceeding. This game is meant to be for beginners, but they will have a hard time without grinding. No walk through walls, or people. You can't walk through your own allies so it creates a jam if that is the only way out. It also decreases your other units' movement since they have to walk around your own allies. Don't put a unit that will get in the way. Extras: "Don't taze me bro": I found one little spelling mistake, one of the characters in the village says, "lightening" when it obviously should be lightning. "White 'Afroman' Ends Piracy" I could’ve swore when I saw this white guy with an afro and he started talking about piracy, you got an illegitimate copy, and you have to look into the manual for the password, I was like what the hell? This isn’t another "moogle of death" that’s pulling a Metal Gear Solid on me! Look into the manual… psh. How about I just switch it to the second controller port while I’m already pulling out the manual. Luckily, he poofs and you progress through the story. Did I mention this game was light-hearted, comical and not all that serious? Presentation: 9.0/10. Read above about what I said about the menus. Amazing. Graphics: 8.5/10. The whole point is to have the RPG Maker type graphics and those are very well done. Compared to mine, mine look like crap. Sound: 8.5/10. The sound is catchy, but not entirely epic or lingering onto your thoughts. Gameplay: 9.5/10. Simplified but still enjoyable. None of those Final Fantasy annoyances that just ruin the fun out of the game. Lasting Appeal: 8.0/10. I don't see myself replaying this game unless they added a New Game+ or something similar. I’m sure there's a few secrets left when I complete the game. Total Score: 43.5/50 Average: 8.7 Overall: 8.5/10 (not an average) Rating: 4 stars (out of 5) (again not an average, the whole is not the sum of its parts)
yes, i feel that rating a game is based on the game overall, not just numbers being added together because that isn't always accurate. it may have great graphics, good sound, good gameplay, but i just don't like it with really no reason. so it may get a composite score of 48/50 but i may rate it as 4 stars or 8 points (not an average). this is my 4th review written but my 3rd submitted. im still working on my 3rd review. edit: i forgot you guys do monthly winners. i was just getting these out there to expand the variety of submissions. i want people to have a plethora of reviews so that they can pick up almost any decent game and find a review on it. i want them to have so many that they are forced to use the search function.
Hmm, the game doesn't look too bad, it is RPG Maker styled, the environment is a bit more detailed though. Nice review insanecrazy07.
ive played a few RPG maker games that had detail like that with their custom chipsets. and they had all of the cool animations, menus, and side-scrolling goodness.
the PSP graphic isn't showing up on any of the posts that have it. I thought it would be a good idea to point that out.
you can use the joystick but i prefer the D pad since it is a retro type game. You can only move in 4 directions so there is no point to the other 4 angles. they should have used the joystick for shortcut commands or something else. edit: my next couple of reviews will be posted simultaneously because I probably won't be in an area that has internet. (and I don't like schools monitoring my activity)
