I signed up just to make this defense post, although I'll try to keep the fanboyism down to a minimum.
First, a bit of background. I hate JRPGs. I would go so far as to say I dislike RPGs in general. I'm the type of person that believes they stopped making Final Fantasy games after VI, with the rest of that series existing only as an illusionary byproduct of a bad hangover. I balk at MMOs, which I like to think of as RPGs without a plot (or anything but grinding for that matter). So when I say I've put 60 hours into this game, I want you to understand it isn't out of blind devotion to a genre or fanatical loyalty to a company.
The story is interesting, if presented like you are reading a book. I personally didn't mind it, Yahtzee did. Different strokes, as the saying goes. There are decent plot twists involved, so it isn't like you know the ending before it happens. I found the characters to be likable; without giving too much away some scenes between your antisocial, disdainful protagonist and his know-it-all, asshat of a partner were worth some laughs. The writing holds up well, but it doesn't really shine until AFTER the game is over. That had me in stitches; it's a shame that level of comedy wasn't dispersed through the whole game.
I had no real problems with the combat, either. Are some pins useless? Yes, I'd say more then half. But there ARE 200+ of them, so you have a good variety to work with. The touch recognition is wonky at times, but I would switch out the pins I couldn't get the hang of using. (There is something to be said about making excuses for a game, but there you are.)
Once again, the difference between Yahtzee and myself is clear, as I adopted to the dual screen controls very quickly. The secret lies in the realization of your partner's abilities, i.e., they only do one damn thing no matter what you press. With this in mind, you are free to mash buttons (normally left or right on the d-pad, depending on direction) and focus your attention solely on the bottom, where actual concentration is required. That's one of my largest complaints: the top screen doesn't have ENOUGH action, although with the level of difficulty people seem to be having perhaps I'm just some kind of mutant who can focus each eye independently or something.
The soundtrack is killer. I mean seriously, I can't remember the last time I went and bought a game soundtrack. Mostly because I've NEVER done that. They overuse one or two songs, especially during cutscenes, but for the most part it's perfect. Easily the best sounding game on the DS.
All and all, it's the best I've played on the DS in a long time. It gets a shiny, gilded pedestal in my heart along side Mario Kart DS, where the two can have an eternal struggle for my love. Give it a try before you decide, as this is a game you need to play before you can pass judgment.
D
