Cidolfas's RPG Reviews

I said above that I generally wouldn't be reviewing games that I hadn't finished; here's an exception. I rented this game for three days, after which I had absolutely no intention of re-renting it to find out what happened next. The environment in BoFDQ is consistently bland: rust-colored, devoid of people, just a continual barrage of monsters and items. The "villages", if you could call them that, consist of about three shops and two NPCs. Your three characters are no less bland - nothing of any value is told about them (one of them can't even speak!). Their quest to reach the surface seems to have sprung out of nowhere. The battles are interesting, but not enough to actually make me want to continue playing. Oh, and I absolutely HATE having to squish my items into a tiny area, especially when skills and traps take up one space each! Some people like this game for its maverick take on RPGs. I think it's proof that the reason RPGs do use certain tried-and-true methods is because they work. A disclaimer: It's quite possible that the game picks up (I would't know), but if a game takes more than 15 hours to become even remotely likeable, I can't in any good faith give it a good mark, even if it does redeem itself.

Story/Characters: 2/10
Gameplay: 7/10
Presentation: 5/10
Challenge: Medium/Hard
Replay Value: ???
Overall Rating: 3.5/10

Chrono Cross (PSX)

I'll admit that this game didn't quite live up to its predecessor's (rather high) expectations. But that doesn't mean this game is bad. On the contrary, it also has its own style - but instead of the active, in-your-face feel of CT, this one is mellow and laid-back. The graphics are grainier and earthier than the smooth FFs. The plot is interesting, with several references to CT, but around the middle (Dragon quest), it sags tremendously, and at the end it blows you away with way too many plot twists all at once. As many have noted, there are simply way too many characters to have any particular one have any real meaning, and it's such a pain to reassign Element grids that I always end up playing with 4 or 5 (out of 45) characters in any game. However, the battles are more challenging than average (by which I don't necessarily mean "hard"), and there's even more replayability than its predecessor, with multiple story paths as well as multiple endings, secrets that can only be found on replays, and a speed-up key to make things go that much faster. However, the thing that really caught me was CC's soundtrack. Simply put, I have never heard one better. Yes, I'm a sucker for Celtic, but the quality of this music is completely unsurpassed in my own opinion. That's a huge pull for me, and raises my enjoyment of it by a whole lot. Bottom line: you might like it, you might not, but it definitely deserves a try.

Story/Characters: 7/10
Gameplay: 7.5/10
Presentation: 8/10
Challenge: Easy
Replay Value: 9/10
Overall Rating: 8/10

Chrono Trigger (SNES/PSX)

There's not much to say about this classic. Why is it so beloved? The characters are pretty one-sided (the main one never says a word). Battles are extremely easy. The game's fairly short, as well. The answer, generally, is one word: Style. CT is brimming with it. The characters are cool as an icicle sundae. The story, with its time-spanning twists, is far more original than most RPGs boast. The music and graphics are stunning and really bring out the moods, even by today's standards. And the New Game+ option allows for a lot of variety in endings and the ultimate in replayability. If you're looking for challenge and deep thought, look elsewhere. But for a fun, light, charming RPG, you can't get any better than this.

Story/Characters: 9/10
Gameplay: 7/10
Presentation: 8/10
Challenge: Easy
Replay Value: 9/10
Overall Rating: 9/10

Final Fantasy II (NES/MSX/WSC/PSX/GBA)

There were some interesting experiments Squaresoft did with this title. Some of them were very neat (I always liked the keyword system, and have no idea why it hasn't been incorporated into any other RPG, ever). Story-wise it's miles ahead of FF1, but still falls majorly short of modern RPGs. The main reason I never really liked this game is the battles. Even more than FF1, the battles require you to do massive amounts of leveling before you can get anywhere. I hate leveling. The system of leveling up one attribute at a time also bugged me, mainly because I don't like using magic unless I need to, and I could never get good magic users in my party. I finished this game once (in the NES version), mainly by cheating, and have no real desire to do it again.

Story/Characters: 5/10
Gameplay: 4/10
Presentation: 3.5/10
Challenge: Medium/Hard
Replay Value: 1/10
Overall Rating: 4/10

Final Fantasy III (NES)

The only FF never released in English and never on a system other than the NES. Despite the incredibly dated graphics and sound, oddly enough I find myself easily replaying this game over and over again. Squaresoft finally perfected their NES-era games with this hidden gem. The world is far bigger than the other two, and chock-full of secrets that actually want you to discover them. The huge variety of interchangable jobs finally introduces a real element of strategy into battles that does NOT necessarily involve leveling up to any huge degree. The story is mostly nonexistent, but the adventures you go on aren't! FF3 almost always keeps my attention (although not necessarily for hours on end). I even like the music tunes, which overall far surpass its siblings. If you don't mind dealing with bleeps and 8-bit graphics, you should definitely give this a whirl.

Story/Characters: 3/10
Gameplay: 8/10
Presentation: 5.5/10
Challenge: Medium
Replay Value: 7/10
Overall Rating: 8/10

Final Fantasy IV (FF2 US) (SNES/WSC/PSX)

Oddly enough, I never actually found myself with any huge liking of this game... perhaps because I hadn't played it until after I'd already run FF6 into the ground. It's certainly a neat little game. While the Easy version is a bit too easy, the Hardtype one redone on PSX does offer a nice challenge. The characters are far more fleshed-out than earlier FFs, and having a five-person party with a fairly large variety of moves is a great relief. There's lots of exploration and a serious storyline (albeit riddled with cliches). However, while it was nice to play through once, I don't really have any interest in doing it again. Frankly, it tends to bore me.

Story/Characters: 7/10
Gameplay: 6/10
Presentation: 4.5/10
Challenge: Easy or Medium/Hard (depending on the version)
Replay Value: 5/10
Overall Rating: 6/10

Final Fantasy V (SNES/PSX)

This game is quite possibly the most challenging of the "normal" FFs. Although you stick with (basically) the same four characters all the way through, you do get a huge variety of Job classes, which makes for very strategic battles. The story as such is pretty overdone... there really isn't much to say for it. You really only go for FF5 for the gameplay, which it has in spades. Oh, and for Gilgamesh. Gotta love Gilgamesh. I haven't played the PSX translation, but I've heard it's fairly abysmal (not that the fan-made one was Shakespeare). Overall, FF5 is pretty entertaining if you're not looking for an easy ride. But it won't rivet you to your seat.

Story/Characters: 4/10
Gameplay: 8/10
Presentation: 5.5/10
Challenge: Hard
Replay Value: 5/10
Overall Rating: 6.5/10

Final Fantasy VI (SNES/PSX)

What can I say? This is the game that started me on RPGs. I can't really give an unbiased view of it because I played it nonstop in my youth - I have almost the entire game memorized, which is why I can barely pick it up now. 8p But my memories are all good. The plot is an epic and a classic, with some fairly deep characterization and some of the best music on the SNES. The gameplay, while not all too challenging (mainly thanks to some cheap tricks) still keeps your attention. The translation is memorable, with some really great moments. If you haven't played this yet, you're doing yourself a disservice. If you have... well, time to move on. 8p

Story/Characters: 9/10
Gameplay: 7/10
Presentation: 8.5/10
Challenge: Easy
Replay Value: 6/10
Overall Rating: 9/10

Final Fantasy VII (PSX)

The most overhyped game ever... but it certainly deserved a good part of it. I'd love to see it redone with people who actually looked like people rather than Lego, though. I really can't put my finger on why I like this game so much. The translation is terrible. The music is nice but doesn't really stick in the brain. The battles are extremely easy, on average. But there's something that really pulls me in. It probably has a lot to do with the "cool factor" - this is the only FF game that really has a modern/futuristic tinge to it, and it's very refreshing. There are a lot of moments that I enjoy simply because of "wow, cool!", even after all these years. It also has a lot to do with the colorful characters who brighten the gameplay up. Oh, and there's Sephiroth, too, of course. I think any RPG fan should play through this at least once - sift through the hype and you get a really solid game.

Story/Characters: 8/10
Gameplay: 7/10
Presentation: 7/10
Challenge: Easy
Replay Value: 7/10
Overall Rating: 8/10

Final Fantasy VIII (PSX)

Proof positive that graphics aren't everything. There are a lot of things that detract from this game - the silence of the protagonist, the boring music and battles, the long loading times, the nondescript locations and slightly bizarre plot. I won't say I didn't enjoy it the first time round, but I simply cannot replay this game. It can't hold my interest. Once I know what happens to everyone, I don't have any interest in seeing it happen again. Having to continually draw magic from enemies is a pain in the rear end. FF8 will grab some people (mainly, from my experience, depressed teenagers) and leave a lot of others really wondering what all the fuss is about.

Story/Characters: 6/10
Gameplay: 5/10
Presentation: 7/10
Challenge: Easy
Replay Value: 3/10
Overall Rating: 5/10

Final Fantasy IX (PSX)

This is, in my opinion, the perfect RPG. First and foremost come the characters. This game has a wonderful mix of funny, sad, perky, depressing, poetic, and just plain bizarre characters, and the chemistry between them has yet to be matched in any other RPG I've played (Xenosaga Episode I comes close, though). The gameplay is continually challenging, making you think without forcing you to level up. The mini-games are actually enjoyable. The story takes elements of old plots and spins them anew to result in an excellent tale. The music could be a bit better, but it usually fits the mood to a tee. Plenty of treasure hunting and extras abound. I can pick up this game and replay it every few months and never get bored. It's a crime that snazzier and less intelligent games have gotten more press than this absolute gem.

Story/Characters: 10/10
Gameplay: 9/10
Presentation: 7.5/10
Challenge: Easy/Medium
Replay Value: 9/10
Overall Rating: 10/10

Final Fantasy X (PS2)

The addition of voices to RPGs has really made them a far more enriching experience. FFX's story would almost certainly not have been as deep or meaningful without actually seeing the performances. Having said that, FFX is a good game but not exactly a masterpiece. The battles are challenging and really do make you think (although I hate having to keep switching people in and out if I want them to gain AP every battle). The story is a bit too linear, even for my tastes... I didn't mind it the first time through, but it does knock the replay value a bit. The characters are variated and interesting, and make for some nice moments, but they really could have done a lot more with them. The music is above average, as is the story - there's really a lot of points that make you ponder, and the ending is especially poignant. Definitely worth at least one play-through.

Story/Characters: 8/10
Gameplay: 8/10
Presentation: 9/10
Challenge: Medium
Replay Value: 7/10 (way less if you own FFX-2)
Overall Rating: 8/10

Final Fantasy Mystic Quest (SNES)

Lots of people knock this game. And of course it's not a traditional FF game in that it's far more lightweight. You can blaze through it in 10 hours; there's virtually no story or any kind of characterization; and generally speaking it's pretty darn easy. But there is some challenge involved, and it's just a nice little way to spend your time. It has a bit of a tongue-in-cheek feel that no other FF game has and which is quite refreshing. And the music is surprisingly rockin'. 8-) I would have liked other ways to gain levels than the mind-numbing "arenas", though. Give it a whirl once over with an open mind, and I think you'll enjoy it. It's got a genial style all its own.

Story/Characters: 2/10
Gameplay: 7/10
Presentation: 5/10
Challenge: Easy/Medium
Replay Value: 6/10
Overall Rating: 7/10

Final Fantasy Tactics (PSX)

Final Fantasy + Ogre Battle = an extremely memorable game. It was released way back in 1997, but the gameplay still stands unparalleled. The twisting, double-crossing medieval storyline is a breath of air after the big books written in crayon that most RPGs are in (although the translation could have used a lot more work). As a strategy RPG, the gameplay is nothing short of brilliant. 19 different jobs (plus various specialties) and over 400 abilities - yet amazingly, the game does not overwhelm you with decisions, allowing you to play well using strategies that don't require juggling a dozen variables. The challenge has been fine-tuned to a hair; story battles can be hard as hell, but with the correct preparations success is eminently graspable. The music is orchestrative and suits the game extremely well. If you don't like thinking, don't pick it up; but this makes an excellent addition to any collection.

Story/Characters: 8/10
Gameplay: 9/10
Presentation: 6/10
Challenge: Medium/Hard
Replay Value: 7/10
Overall Rating: 8.5/10

Final Fantasy Tactics Advance (GBA)

To be honest, many people miss the point of this game - it is not another FF Tactics. It's a much lighter, easier, and more "kiddy-friendly" version of it. And being portable, it's meant to be picked up, played for a bit, then put down again. The story is pretty much moot... there's some interesting points, but you spend most of your time fighting, not watching. I love the Job system as implemented here, but battles are always, always way too easy. Enemy AI is extremely stupid this time round. And the menu system is one of the most cumbersome I've seen since FF5. Despite all that, FFTA is still a pretty nice time-waster.

Story/Characters: 3.5/10
Gameplay: 8/10
Presentation: 7.5/10
Challenge: Easy
Replay Value: 5/10
Overall Rating: 6/10

Illusion of Gaia (SNES)

Story/Characters: 7.5/10
Gameplay: 9/10
Presentation: 8/10
Challenge: Easy/Medium
Replay Value: 9/10
Overall Rating: 8.5/10

Live A Live (SNES)

This game isn't necessarily for everyone, but if it's for you, you're in for a treat. 8-) Nine separate chapters combine into one massive game, with lots of humor and secrets added in. The battles can be a bit strange, but the ability to save at any time softens the blow. Chapters range from the traditional (Medieval), the story-driven (Sci-Fi), the stupid (Present-Day) and the super-mysterious-cool (Bakumatsu). There's something for everyone!

Story/Characters: 8.5/10
Gameplay: 6.5/10
Presentation: 5/10
Challenge: Medium
Replay Value: 7/10
Overall Rating: 7.5/10

Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga (GBA)

Yet another Mario RPG, this one concentrates more on the long-neglected brother, Luigi. Mario and Luigi really pair off, both in battle and out of it. It's a lot funnier than Paper Mario was, and a lot more action-oriented as well. The vast amount of strange characters are a bit of a turn-off when you expect to see familiar faces, but you get used to it. The battles can get quite challenging at times. Despite all that, though, I still felt there was something missing... it really didn't grab me. All in all it was an enjoyable experience, but I'll need a nice chunk of time until I can bring myself to replay it.

Story/Characters: 6/10
Gameplay: 7.5/10
Presentation: 6/10
Challenge: Medium
Replay Value: 6/10
Overall Rating: 6.5/10

Paper Mario (N64)

This is a whimsical RPG, like the others in its series. The visual oddity gets old pretty quickly and starts to seem a bit strange, though. Mario's more passive than in his other outings, and it kind of hurts the game when everyone else around you is more expressive than you are. But it doesn't detract from the fun of it. I especially liked the fact that the stats aren't too complicated and never go above the double digits. There's tons of side stuff to do and things to collect, so it'll keep you busy. Unfortunately, though, I can't say I really enjoyed it the way I did Super Mario RPG; the humor quotient is just not really there. It's a very good time-waster, though.

Story/Characters: 5/10
Gameplay: 7/10
Presentation: 7/10
Challenge: Easy/Medium
Replay Value: 6.5/10
Overall Rating: 6.5/10

Secret of Evermore (SNES)

Lots of people have bashed this game. And I freely agree that the battle system could have been a LOT better. Going crazy finding alchemy ingredients, then using the same spell over and over? Not for me. Leveling up each individual weapon by itself? Pretty silly. Spears suck. However, if you play the game in spurts, a fairly interesting picture emerges. The story is a lot more engaging than it might seem - mainly tempered by a goodly dose of humor (sadly, the programmers really pulled their punches, and the humor all seems like an afterthought rather than something to really make you chortle; you get the feeling it could have been a lot funnier). The various spells actually make for some interesting puzzles and areas. The main character is a doofus, of course, but that doesn't mean the people he comes up against are any less colorful. Overall, if you can stand the battle system, you should definitely pick this one up.

Story/Characters: 7.5/10
Gameplay: 5/10
Presentation: 6.5/10
Challenge: Medium
Replay Value: 6/10
Overall Rating: 7/10

Secret of Mana (SNES)

This is the only one of the Mana/Seiken Densetsu games that I've actually finished. The action-RPG play style is simple but effective (although a bit buggy). It's really fun to level up all those weapons and spells, something that very few other games have accomplished. The story is pretty lacklustre and takes a back seat to the gameplay. The graphics are colorful and in bright contrast, and the music isn't bad. It's challenging but not too cheap. If you haven't played this classic, you should certainly give it a whirl.

Story/Characters: 2.5/10
Gameplay: 8.5/10
Presentation: 6/10
Challenge: Medium
Replay Value: 7/10
Overall Rating: 7.5/10

Seiken Densetsu 3 (SNES)

This is almost a rehash of Secret of Mana, with a whole lot of improvements. The battle system has been tweaked and given more special attacks. You've got six characters instead of three, and a choice of three major story arcs. You've got more equipment slots, more AI, various character classes, and a more interesting plot. Graphics and music are updated. However, despite all that, I haven't been able to finish it. This is mainly because it's just a *bit* too hard for my liking. I generally get to the very last dungeon, and then get stuck leveling up (which, as I have noted, I abhor), and just give up and go away. If you're not one to mind that sort of thing, this is one of the most solid SNES offerings there is. I may not have liked it, but I think it's pretty safe to say that many others will.

Story/Characters: 7/10
Gameplay: 7/10
Presentation: 7/10
Challenge: Medium
Replay Value: 8.5/10
Overall Rating: 7/10

Soul Blazer (SNES)

The lesser-known prequel to Illusion of Gaia is nevertheless a fairly solid game. There isn't much of a storyline, but wandering around restoring things is an interesting pastime. The game can be cheap at times (savestates are nice), and the graphics and music aren't very impressive by any standards, but it can be pretty darn entertaining while it lasts.

Story/Characters: 2/10
Gameplay: 7/10
Presentation: 4.5/10
Challenge: Medium
Replay Value: 7/10
Overall Rating: 7/10

Star Ocean (SNES)

The "second sequel" to Tales of Phantasia is a lot of fun, but it has a decidedly unfinished feel. The story is, yet again, not really there. The gameplay, though, is far more varied and challenging. Item creation is a really interesting concept, but unfortunately the horrendous success rate kills most of its usefulness. Battles are fast and furious, and can get pretty hectic. The music is generally better than ToP, but not as good as quite a few other SNES offerings. The graphics are nice, with big, easy-to-see characters. Good for a few playthroughs, if only because of the various paths you can take.

Story/Characters: 7.5/10
Gameplay: 8.5/10
Presentation: 7/10
Challenge: Easy/Medium
Replay Value: 8/10
Overall Rating: 7.5/10

Star Ocean: The Second Story (PSX)

This game is tons of fun. Like the others similar to it, story takes a backseat to gameplay. The music is really excellent, and the 2D sprite characters on a 3D rendered background is pretty interesting and generally works quite well. Item creation has been honed to really be fun and useful, and we've been given no less than 1024 items (!) to work with. Battles take place in a HUGE battlefield, and sometimes you'll have four people fighting six or more monsters in a giant brawl. The voice clips are pretty terrible, though, as is the far-too-literal translation. But this game still doesn't get old for me.

Story/Characters: 7.5/10
Gameplay: 9/10
Presentation: 7.5/10
Challenge: Medium or Hard
Replay Value: 8/10
Overall Rating: 8.5/10

Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars (SNES)

If you're looking for depth and angst, look elsewhere. This is a funny, lush RPG with action elements to keep you on your toes, and it's simply doused with side stuff and secrets. One of the more enjoyable RPGs on the market. The challenge is on the easy side (although there are certainly difficult bosses and challenges in the game). The music is nice and the graphics are just amazing. The characters are colorful and consistently humorous (not to mention familiar). A really solid game, highly recommended!

Story/Characters: 8/10
Gameplay: 8/10
Presentation: 8.5/10
Challenge: Easy
Replay Value: 7/10
Overall Rating: 8.5/10

Terranigma (SNES)

The Europe-only sequel to Illusion of Gaia has good parts and bad parts. Some of the dungeons just plod along, some just seem to be tacked on for the heck of it. But the gameplay is pretty fun (except for one or two places where extremely annoying bosses kick your ass), the main character and his compatriot are roguish clowns (a nice change of pace), and the rather brazen idea of having actual places and people on Earth represented in the game makes for a cool sub-game of "Spot That Reference". Still, there are parts where I do get sick of it, so not everyone will really have tons of fun with it. Worth a spin, though.

Story/Characters: 7.5/10
Gameplay: 8/10
Presentation: 7.5/10
Challenge: Easy/Medium
Replay Value: 7/10
Overall Rating: 7.5/10

Tales of Phantasia (SNES)

This game can be a lot of fun. The conversations tend to be a bit more whimsical than most RPGs, which are too serious for their own good. The story is pretty lacklustre, but there are some neat twists in it. The battles are challenging and fun. Music is nice too, although there's a bit too much thumping in it. The dungeons are actually interesting to get through (although random battles end up being a huge pain). The graphics are really nice for an SNES game. Overall, I'd definitely recommend playing this through at least once or twice.

Story/Characters: 6/10
Gameplay: 8.5/10
Presentation: 7/10
Challenge: Medium
Replay Value: 7/10
Overall Rating: 7.5/10

Tales of Destiny (PSX)

Not much has changed between its predecessor and this offering. The random battles are still annoying. The story still takes a backseat to the gameplay, but you've got a much wider range of colorful characters to deal with. The talk is still pretty funny. 8-) The battles have been improved on by some innovative tweaks, and the dungeons are still pretty cool. It's a nice game, but it can get annoying at times. I honestly can't say why I like ToP better than ToD - maybe it's just because the main character isn't as shrill.

Story/Characters: 6.5/10
Gameplay: 8/10
Presentation: 6.5/10
Challenge: Medium
Replay Value: 6/10
Overall Rating: 6.5/10

Wild ARMs (PSX)

Story/Characters: 6/10
Presentaton: 6.5/10
Challenge: Medium
Replay Value: 7/10
Overall Rating: 7/10

Xenogears (PSX)

Story/Characters: 9/10
Gameplay: 7/10
Presentation: 7/10
Challenge: Easy/Medium
Replay Value: 6/10
Overall Rating: 7/10

Xenosaga Episode I: Der Wille Zur Macht (PS2)

This game has gotten a lot of flak for its format: For every hour of gameplay, there's another hour of cinema scenes. Personally, I could not be happier with it. I've always felt that the story should be the major part of a story-driven RPG (as opposed to a more "fun" type of game like Star Ocean 2), and having all the cutscenes done fully voiced (with a good-to-excellent cast, and scenes that are exciting not only for action but also for character chemistry) really brings out the scenes in a way plain old text never could. It definitely kept me interested. As for the gameplay, it's quite a bit harder than your run-of-the-mill RPG, but I wouldn't say the battles are particularly interesting. The dungeons aren't too shabby though. The mini-games seem to be tacked on as an afterthought, which is pretty sad. I'd have liked to have more music while exploring, too. Ambient sounds don't really make much of an ambience in a character-driven RPG. In any case, though, the strong story here should make you play this game at least once. I'm looking forward to episode II. 8-)

Story/Characters: 8.5/10
Gameplay: 7.5/10
Presentation: 9/10
Challenge: Medium
Replay Value: 7/10
Overall Rating: 8/10

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