Posts Tagged ‘Video Games’
Tales of Phantasia
Posted by Rhys Aronson in Video Games on February 17th, 2010
This is a review I wrote many years ago so please let the horrible english have a pass.
SNES: Tales of Phantasia (IMPORT)
-A friend of mine told me to try out Tales of Phantasia one day when I was bitching about being boredm this was to be the start of a beautiful journey through one of the greatest RPG’s of the SNES era, one which unfortunately has only recently become available in an official English language version (which I now own.)
The main protagonist of this adventure is Cless a young swordsman who is thrust into time traveling adventure when his parents are slaughtered while out hunting. Admittedly a rather cliché start to what is otherwise a fantastic piece of writing (originally starting as a novel by the programmer Yoshiharu Gotanda) The characters and story is very classic RPG but taken in a completely different and original direction, the characters become very fleshed out and the player will either become attached to them or grow to dislike them. I really enjoyed it and you most likely will too.
The Linear Motion Battle system was the forerunner to the system present in Tales of Symphonia. This 2D combat is fantastically simple system to pick up but oddly difficult to master. It blends strategy with action to make for a unique experience on the Super Nintendo. This game like so many of the classic RPG’S of the time and you may really struggle at certain points of the game as even the normal monsters who appear randomly can be incredibly difficult and a supply of apple and orangee gummies (Health and TP respectively) will defiantly not go astray.. Button mashing just wont work do the job for you. Fortunately you can set your party members to specific strategies (styles of combat) either before or mid battle whereby you can inform them how to use their TP (Technical Power) and this can be the essential to getting through the length of a dungeon. The Game is split into 3 specific areas of play dungeons/cities the overworld map and combat. The game is filled with NPC’s each with an interesting thing to say (although I must admit many of the NPC’s are much more interesting in the DeJap translation, this applies to various cut scenes as well but does not detract much from the official version)
Released in 1995 at a for the time whopping 48 MB’s this was an exemplary example of what sound in RPG’s should be like. With 32MB’s associated with the game and 16MB’s just for sound this game had what is considered by many to be the greatest sound-track of the era, fantastical orchestrated music accompanying some incredibly cheesy voice acting, it was one of the fore-runners to today’s voice acting, throughout the battles you will hear the names of moves called out and a victory cry of Yatta! (All Right!) By the exuberant half-elf mage Arche
Although compared to today’s multi-million dollar productions (such as the new version of FF III) it does begin to appear extremely dated for the SNES the graphics were up in the higher echelons of the industry, with great art direction the world manages to come quite readily to life and the watercolour theme comes through well.
Closing Comments This game may be difficult, it may be becoming dated but it will always hold a place in my heart as one of the most fantastic gaming experiences I have ever had. Its kept me busy for hours on end even once I had finished the game as it is chock full of side quests and Easter eggs for me to ferret out and enjoy. I would defiantly suggest this game to any lover of the classic SNES style RPG’s or anyone ready to spend some time with a classic game to see what I am talking about, I assure you, you wont be dissatisfied with the experience. But I warn you may become as infatuated and whittle away hundreds of hours playing through this game. This game tends to evoke either love or hate not many end up in between. Presentation 9/10 A highly polished game that was a absolute pleasure to look at and listen too. Graphics 8/10 Slightly dated but endearing all the same. Game Play 9/10 Fast and hard, not for the faint of heart but worth the effort, this will engross many a gamer. Sound 10/10 The Top of the SNES ranks for sound, this game has one of the best orchestrated sound tracks in a game ever made, cheesy voice acting aside. Lasting Appeal 8.5 Many hours in the main game with plenty to search for and do, and although like most RPG’s for many one play through is usually enough. The game is chock full of enough extras to make it worth spending plenty of extra time with. Overall 9/10
Demon’s Souls
Posted by Rhys Aronson in Video Games on January 8th, 2010
Demon’s Souls is an Action RPG set in the medieval kingdom of Boletaria which has been taken over by a Demonic Fog. While the story of the game isn’t fantastic it is interesting enough for the player to keep playing without groaning every time a (skipable) cut scene appears.
The game world is dark and oppressive, it does an amazing job of giving the impression that you are all alone in a hostile and beautiful landscape. From Software have obviously put a lot of work into all the designs from the realistic armor sets and weapons to the vast vistas you sometimes stumble upon while exploring the dungeons. Some of the lesser enemies are a tad generic but the boss Demons are a sight to behold, both massive and fearsome. For such a good looking game it runs pretty well with only a few choppy areas when a lot of effects are going off.
The player starts out by choosing one of the origin classes which vary in their starting stats and equipment but can be developed into whatever area the player wishes without too much trouble. After a short tutorial your character is killed and drawn into the nexus in soul form (where they have less health and a blue glow surrounding them) a state which you will be spending a large portion of the game in after a short bit of story it is straight into the action.
The real meat of the game is the combat which is punishing, responsive and an amazing amount of fun. While the controls are relatively simple they provide the player with a dearth of options to tackle any particular situation. A shield can be used to both block and parry attacks (opening the foe up for a critical strike) and is generally required for most characters, or a weapon can be wielded two handed for increased speed and strength. Combat is all about timing and positioning and while it is brutal it does not cheat like so many game do to be difficult, every foe is a threat and should not be taken lightly or they will do a reasonable job of ripping your face off.
The games multi player is spectacularly implemented with players able to help each other not just in co-op play but by leaving short messages with warnings or suggestions about the area ahead and the blood stains left by a players most recent death showing their mistakes.
PvP is interesting in that you invade other players worlds which can lead to a bit of frustration as you fight a group of enemies and a black phantom comes up behind and cuts you into fifty different pieces.
Demon’s Souls is an often difficult sometimes frustrating but almost always fun game with a lot of atmosphere and style and while doing so dosen’t fall into the trap of trying to be ‘edgy’ for the sake of being edgy like so many games do. I suggest it to anyone who doesn’t mind a challenge. My only real gripe is that sometimes the camera can make the platforming sections or fights more difficult then they should be.
Rating: Buy it!
Since this is my first review I will describe my rating system below:
NGRGHBLGRG NGGGH! This game is so perfect it has sent the reviewer into a spasm of joy.
Buy It! these are games which are a lot of fun and will be worth the money for almost every one.
Try It! is my rating for games which are fun but should probably be borrowed/rented or purchased with a 7 day return policy because they aren’t for everyone
Don’t Buy It! This game is awful and should only be purchased if you are incredibly bored and it costs less than $10
KILL IT WITH FIRE! This game is an affront to the gaming gods and should be burned on sight, It goes beyond shovelware.
Moody Protagonist Syndrome
Posted by Rhys Aronson in Annoyances on September 24th, 2009
I don’t know about you but while many people are annoyed with the proliferation of the Space Marine archetype the one that gets to me the most is the Moody Protagonist usually with a side order of whiny and self loathing, these are the Cloud’s and Squall’s of the gaming world.
These characters forgo having charm and intelligence to seem “brooding” and “deep” but to me they just appear shallow and self obsessed. They also usually come with one or more “will they/wont they” love interests my most hated of all cliche’s. (admittedly these have been done well a few times but I haven’t seen one in a while).
I wish we had more main characters with a bit of charm and style, the kind that have interesting and witty conversations and banter and who act with confidence and panache. These characters are the Balthier’s and the Joshua Calvert’s (for those who have read the wonderful Nights Dawn Trilogy)
Unfortunately these characters actually take a bit of skill to write for and not have them come off as egotistical and self-obsessed (I expect this is how I come off sometimes in real life)
So please, writers and designers don’t treat me to any more overly verbose monologues of self doubt and inner torment just to cover up your inability to write a proper plot and interesting characterisation. It may be easy but its not going to get you the best character.
Edit: I’m currently Playing the newest Prince of Persia and I am really liking the Prince. I think he has some serious style. Additionally, Batman is the exception that proves the rule.