It is truly a special game with its music, aesthetics, general visuals, entertaining story and beloved characters. Even though it is a game made on Playstation 2, the fact that it has parody dialogues about many game elements still makes the game entertaining. The game is old but its humor is still effective. Music is not only good, but it also has a unique style, with the music and visuals adding identity to the game. And the game even has an interesting twist. Even though it doesn't wrap this twist up satisfactorily at the end.
Even though it is a game with so many positives; Unfortunately, it also has many elements that are broken on the gameplay side. The battle system isn't bad, it's okay, but it's definitely not fun either. And the game has a grind-based design, in which we constantly fight, the lack of fun battle mechanics drags the game down and game becomes boring often. Dungeons are neither good nor bad, but the last two dungeons are exhausting. Because the map system is bad, there is a system that even marks the roads you have not taken and many places on the map look similar to each other. That's why sometimes you can't tell where you're going from when you look at the map, and this is also annoying because encounters occur frequently. There are also things wrong with the combat system. Even if you choose the moves, until the characters make the moves, when other characters in the party attack a target in the same enemy group, your character attacks another enemy because that target has already been attacked. Sharing the LP system(mana) is also a boring decision because you are afraid to spend LP as it can run out immediately. Health-draining attacks also require more health. In other words, the game does not give you the opportunity to apply many tactics, you can finish the game with just normal attacks and health boosts.
You can even beat the final boss so easily, and the final boss is disappointingly easy. It takes a long time to die, but the damage it deals is already very low and it has no tricks other than attacking. That's why it's not difficult at all.
Developing characters with equipment and stats is also very superficial. It has no depth, you can't build character at all. You buy better weapons and armor for each member and that's it. As you level up, you gain new abilities, but most of them are useless.
And there's nothing interesting to explore in the vast expanses of the game. There is a content where you can only find gear, but you have to step almost everywhere on the map to find gear. Because these collectible gears are not visible. Some places on the map actually give clues. When you see a skeletal structure in an empty area, you can guess that there may be a gear there. But it still wasn't interesting enough for me. That's why I didn't collect them all. Although side quests do not interest me; I didn't feel the need. It is very difficult to do this without looking at the guide.
Even though I have many complaints; I really liked this game. I'm glad I played it. Yes, it has a lot of problems, but these problems did not make the game bad in my eyes. It's a game with a lot of good things, and these good things make the game special, so I was glad I played it. And that's a shame, because it's actually the company's first big game and its last. It's actually a pretty good game for the first game, which didn't receive bad critical reviews when it was released. But then they didn't make any other games. I wish they had, because I'm sure they would have released classic and special games as they continued to improve themselves. Perhaps, besides Persona, another stylistic and major RPG brand would have come out of this company.
Even though it is a game with so many positives; Unfortunately, it also has many elements that are broken on the gameplay side. The battle system isn't bad, it's okay, but it's definitely not fun either. And the game has a grind-based design, in which we constantly fight, the lack of fun battle mechanics drags the game down and game becomes boring often. Dungeons are neither good nor bad, but the last two dungeons are exhausting. Because the map system is bad, there is a system that even marks the roads you have not taken and many places on the map look similar to each other. That's why sometimes you can't tell where you're going from when you look at the map, and this is also annoying because encounters occur frequently. There are also things wrong with the combat system. Even if you choose the moves, until the characters make the moves, when other characters in the party attack a target in the same enemy group, your character attacks another enemy because that target has already been attacked. Sharing the LP system(mana) is also a boring decision because you are afraid to spend LP as it can run out immediately. Health-draining attacks also require more health. In other words, the game does not give you the opportunity to apply many tactics, you can finish the game with just normal attacks and health boosts.
You can even beat the final boss so easily, and the final boss is disappointingly easy. It takes a long time to die, but the damage it deals is already very low and it has no tricks other than attacking. That's why it's not difficult at all.
Developing characters with equipment and stats is also very superficial. It has no depth, you can't build character at all. You buy better weapons and armor for each member and that's it. As you level up, you gain new abilities, but most of them are useless.
And there's nothing interesting to explore in the vast expanses of the game. There is a content where you can only find gear, but you have to step almost everywhere on the map to find gear. Because these collectible gears are not visible. Some places on the map actually give clues. When you see a skeletal structure in an empty area, you can guess that there may be a gear there. But it still wasn't interesting enough for me. That's why I didn't collect them all. Although side quests do not interest me; I didn't feel the need. It is very difficult to do this without looking at the guide.
Even though I have many complaints; I really liked this game. I'm glad I played it. Yes, it has a lot of problems, but these problems did not make the game bad in my eyes. It's a game with a lot of good things, and these good things make the game special, so I was glad I played it. And that's a shame, because it's actually the company's first big game and its last. It's actually a pretty good game for the first game, which didn't receive bad critical reviews when it was released. But then they didn't make any other games. I wish they had, because I'm sure they would have released classic and special games as they continued to improve themselves. Perhaps, besides Persona, another stylistic and major RPG brand would have come out of this company.
Very charming rpg that was surprisingly enjoyable. Pretty comedic story with a lot of oddities. And a very unique yet great soundtrack. The only thing lacking is the gameplay where it is very plain and basic with some dungeons being pretty tedious.
I would describe this as the most 7/10 game you can play. Does not mean it is bad and would recommend this if you want a unique experience.
I remember my sister got this game when I was a kid because the cover art looked cool. She did not get far, but somehow this game's uniqueness stuck with me. I vividly remember being in awe with the big green open world area in the beginning of the game. The industrial gear themed second town. And the weird shadow guy who helped you out throughout the game.
I forgot what this game was and relearned the name few years ago. To my surprise, it was on the ps4 classic games section in the online store.
Honestly I was blown away by the charm of this game. It has a heavy Tim Burton style, which is already unique. I found myself laughing at many of the jokes in the game. And the world design was so creative.
My biggest surprise was the music. Three songs stand out to me: Theme of Triste, Theme of Rashello, and Highlands. Especially Highlands. They are so catchy and so well strung together that it really makes me sad that this is such a niche and not well known game. What blows me away too is that there are indoor and outdoor versions of each town song that smoothly changes when in and out of buildings. The number of games that do this is extremely little.
The story was fun. In a way I can describe it as "what if Shadow of the Colossus was lighthearted and goofy". You have to defeat demon kings around the land to restore your shadow's power, who is actually the true demon king Stan who took possession of you. But, no one takes Stan seriously and there is some good comedy behind that.
It does get pretty meaningful near the end. The biggest theme of this game is the fear of being forgotten. And in my opinion the way it was done was really good (won't spoil).
The gameplay can be a slog. It is your basic turn based rpg, but with 0 gimmicks. It can be pretty difficult as if the main character dies in battle, it is game over.
I highly recommend you give this game a chance. It ended up becoming one of my personal favorites because of how unique and charming it is from a typical game. It won't be everyone's cup of tea, but if all this sounds interesting then give this hidden gem a shot.
I would describe this as the most 7/10 game you can play. Does not mean it is bad and would recommend this if you want a unique experience.
I remember my sister got this game when I was a kid because the cover art looked cool. She did not get far, but somehow this game's uniqueness stuck with me. I vividly remember being in awe with the big green open world area in the beginning of the game. The industrial gear themed second town. And the weird shadow guy who helped you out throughout the game.
I forgot what this game was and relearned the name few years ago. To my surprise, it was on the ps4 classic games section in the online store.
Honestly I was blown away by the charm of this game. It has a heavy Tim Burton style, which is already unique. I found myself laughing at many of the jokes in the game. And the world design was so creative.
My biggest surprise was the music. Three songs stand out to me: Theme of Triste, Theme of Rashello, and Highlands. Especially Highlands. They are so catchy and so well strung together that it really makes me sad that this is such a niche and not well known game. What blows me away too is that there are indoor and outdoor versions of each town song that smoothly changes when in and out of buildings. The number of games that do this is extremely little.
The story was fun. In a way I can describe it as "what if Shadow of the Colossus was lighthearted and goofy". You have to defeat demon kings around the land to restore your shadow's power, who is actually the true demon king Stan who took possession of you. But, no one takes Stan seriously and there is some good comedy behind that.
It does get pretty meaningful near the end. The biggest theme of this game is the fear of being forgotten. And in my opinion the way it was done was really good (won't spoil).
The gameplay can be a slog. It is your basic turn based rpg, but with 0 gimmicks. It can be pretty difficult as if the main character dies in battle, it is game over.
I highly recommend you give this game a chance. It ended up becoming one of my personal favorites because of how unique and charming it is from a typical game. It won't be everyone's cup of tea, but if all this sounds interesting then give this hidden gem a shot.
Played this as a kid so naturally it didn't age very well. Fun game with that classy, janky ps2 camera. I might love this game through nostalgia lenses but it still means a lot to me in the story, characters, art, OST, etc. This game also inspired me as an artist which I can't say for many games nowadays. It's not for everyone but I love it for what it is.
A charming story with a beautiful presentation. Too bad the gameplay even for the time is dated.
had a mad crush on the pink shadow lady when I was six
Adorbz.
so much whimsy and soul in this game it is so perfect and has the dialogue of all time. just a really charming and funny experience in a lot of ways that have changed me permanently but I also really genuinely love this story and how cleverly some of its serious stuff is crafted in a way i can only say people just have to experience it for themselves. PLEASE play okage shadow king
A very charming Playstation 2 JRPG. I'm honestly surprised it got ported to the Playstation 4, since it feels like no one ever played this. I'm glad more people can now play it! Don't let this fall under your radar.
I don't want to get into spoilers, since I feel as though the game and it's twists are best experienced seeing for yourself. I will say it genuinely surprised me, as I didn't expect a game like this to pull the rug out from under me story wise.
The gameplay is good, but nothing all that special. Dungeons range from incredibly easy to absolutely tedious with nothing in between. Bosses are incredibly unbalanced. Battle system is fairly fun.
I think the game could use a good remake or remaster to touch up on some of it's faults and give it a good second chance.
I don't want to get into spoilers, since I feel as though the game and it's twists are best experienced seeing for yourself. I will say it genuinely surprised me, as I didn't expect a game like this to pull the rug out from under me story wise.
The gameplay is good, but nothing all that special. Dungeons range from incredibly easy to absolutely tedious with nothing in between. Bosses are incredibly unbalanced. Battle system is fairly fun.
I think the game could use a good remake or remaster to touch up on some of it's faults and give it a good second chance.
Zener Works set Okage: Shadow King apart from the ranks of JRPGs by featuring bug-eyed, lanky characters and a goofy premise, where the protagonist must join forces with an evil spirit that nobody takes seriously. As the casual tone of its dialogue choices also prove, this work belongs to a long line of clownish and lighthearted JRPGs that mock the genre's love for bombast, 'cool' stereotypes and predictable story beats. Other fields of writing were even more emblematic, turning - for example, what would normally be anonymous villager chatter into odd remarks and funny tangents, in a tradition that stretches from Working Designs-ified Lunar to EarthBound, from Grandia to Marl's Kingdom. While no character particularly shines, their witty and sometimes cartoony approach pairs well with their equally crude early-PS2 look.
On the downside, combat is too slow and shallow to match that level of entertainment. Both the party members (whose archetypes borrow a thing or two from FFIV) and the strategy (attack command until it's dead, save resources for healing and crowd/boss fights) had more in common with the early 90s than 2001, while its battle start & victory scenes take forever to pass. These problems, along with a verbose and confusing second half, severely hurt a game that - for the most part, exhibits the humor and personality of the masters.
On the downside, combat is too slow and shallow to match that level of entertainment. Both the party members (whose archetypes borrow a thing or two from FFIV) and the strategy (attack command until it's dead, save resources for healing and crowd/boss fights) had more in common with the early 90s than 2001, while its battle start & victory scenes take forever to pass. These problems, along with a verbose and confusing second half, severely hurt a game that - for the most part, exhibits the humor and personality of the masters.