So, it was talked about quite a bit in another thread, so I figured it deserved it's own.
It should be obvious I am a fan, but what about you? It's a shame it hasn't had a PS3 release, this is a truly deserving JRPG that needs as much exposure as it can get. It isn't a perfect game, but it's not mediocre (like Enchanted Arms), it isn't child's play (like Blue Dragon) and it's definitely one of the best voice acted games this generation, if not ever.
Anyone who's played an rpg of any variety will be right at home with this game, which doesn't seek to push the envelope, but challenges you to not take your supportive skills for granted. The first few boss fights were a pain in the ass, and that never happens in rpgs. Unfortunately, from there the bosses aren't challenging, even the final one, which was a complete joke and basically scripted. New game plus has your immortals at level 50 so you can fly through the game, enjoying the story all over.
Now, story. If you're sick of emo spiky haired adolescence, but still want your emo, your main character here is a brooding emo with smooth hair and very much an adult. In fact most of the cast are adults, the exception being two children. A review I read some time ago described this as a game not about story, but characters, and I absolutely agree. The story is your typical save-the-world-from-the-big-bad-man, but the characters are what make this one special. Each person has a damn good reason to be in the party, and their interactions are both touching and amusing. They grow, they learn lessons and some learn to like themselves a little more. Of course, for me it was all about Jansen. You either love him or loath him. Of all the characters he experienced the most growth and had the most obvious character arc.
In closing, if you love JRPGs and have an Xbox360, at least rent the game and give it a shot. If you find you enjoy it, you will easily be able to buy this for cheap for the time its been out.
And if you have played the game, I'd love to hear your musings and oppinions.
It should be obvious I am a fan, but what about you? It's a shame it hasn't had a PS3 release, this is a truly deserving JRPG that needs as much exposure as it can get. It isn't a perfect game, but it's not mediocre (like Enchanted Arms), it isn't child's play (like Blue Dragon) and it's definitely one of the best voice acted games this generation, if not ever.
Anyone who's played an rpg of any variety will be right at home with this game, which doesn't seek to push the envelope, but challenges you to not take your supportive skills for granted. The first few boss fights were a pain in the ass, and that never happens in rpgs. Unfortunately, from there the bosses aren't challenging, even the final one, which was a complete joke and basically scripted. New game plus has your immortals at level 50 so you can fly through the game, enjoying the story all over.
Now, story. If you're sick of emo spiky haired adolescence, but still want your emo, your main character here is a brooding emo with smooth hair and very much an adult. In fact most of the cast are adults, the exception being two children. A review I read some time ago described this as a game not about story, but characters, and I absolutely agree. The story is your typical save-the-world-from-the-big-bad-man, but the characters are what make this one special. Each person has a damn good reason to be in the party, and their interactions are both touching and amusing. They grow, they learn lessons and some learn to like themselves a little more. Of course, for me it was all about Jansen. You either love him or loath him. Of all the characters he experienced the most growth and had the most obvious character arc.
In closing, if you love JRPGs and have an Xbox360, at least rent the game and give it a shot. If you find you enjoy it, you will easily be able to buy this for cheap for the time its been out.
And if you have played the game, I'd love to hear your musings and oppinions.
