ninedrive
Star Ocean: First Departure R is a game that shows its age but despite it conveys an incredibly fun adventure that is reminiscent of pure old-school RPG fun. I was most appreciative of how many hidden tasks there were in this game and just how varied your cast can get by the end depending on your choices. It helps that the game is relatively short, meaning, you can replay it and have a radically different experience each time. I thoroughly enjoyed the cast but felt a particular affinity for Ronyx and Ilia. I felt that the game was at its narrative excellence when it refocused to give us their interpretation of this world. I very distinctly recall the conversation both Ronyx and Ilia had regarding the differences between their belief in the religious, spiritual, and technological and how this clashed with what the people of this world believed. Star Ocean is unique in that each person has their path in life influenced by how and where they grew up as each world is so distinct.
In general, the OST was simple but effective. I felt that the combat was fun though my only two complaints are how fast some mages would fire spells at you and the difficulty in attacking some characters as the positioning system would take my playable character all over the place. I wasn't too bothered by the back-tracking in the second half of the game but did feel that the encounter rate can be a bit overwhelming at times. I enjoyed the specialty system a lot and felt that it added so much nuance to the world as well as the game systems. Symbology is a core part of the world you're exploring and so nurturing various techniques which reflect one's attunement with it felt so appropriate. The feeling of gaining a very useful "quality of life" through leveling different skills/specialties was great. I just wish the game did a better job of explaining it and guiding you through it. I think this particular aspect of the game served its purpose well when it was first released because players would likely share different techniques in person leading to moments such as, "Did you hear? If you level x and y, you get the z specialty which lets you open a shop anywhere on the map!" These moments were seminal for older RPGs and likely had a great impact on players back then. Finally, I would like to bring attention to the art. Enami is one of my favorite artists of all time. She brings each work to life in such a beautiful way and it's no different with Star Ocean. The amount of soul and passion in each character's art is astounding.
Otherwise, it's hard to criticize this game. It's a great pocket of adventure with so much soul. And I must end this review with: Phia and Mavelle are top 1.
In general, the OST was simple but effective. I felt that the combat was fun though my only two complaints are how fast some mages would fire spells at you and the difficulty in attacking some characters as the positioning system would take my playable character all over the place. I wasn't too bothered by the back-tracking in the second half of the game but did feel that the encounter rate can be a bit overwhelming at times. I enjoyed the specialty system a lot and felt that it added so much nuance to the world as well as the game systems. Symbology is a core part of the world you're exploring and so nurturing various techniques which reflect one's attunement with it felt so appropriate. The feeling of gaining a very useful "quality of life" through leveling different skills/specialties was great. I just wish the game did a better job of explaining it and guiding you through it. I think this particular aspect of the game served its purpose well when it was first released because players would likely share different techniques in person leading to moments such as, "Did you hear? If you level x and y, you get the z specialty which lets you open a shop anywhere on the map!" These moments were seminal for older RPGs and likely had a great impact on players back then. Finally, I would like to bring attention to the art. Enami is one of my favorite artists of all time. She brings each work to life in such a beautiful way and it's no different with Star Ocean. The amount of soul and passion in each character's art is astounding.
Otherwise, it's hard to criticize this game. It's a great pocket of adventure with so much soul. And I must end this review with: Phia and Mavelle are top 1.
This game is torture-perfected. If slop had an image in the dictionary it would be this, next time someone mentions cock and ball torture I will only think of this, if ever I hear about CIA torture methods this game must be involved.
2010
I'll be the first to admit this game isn't perfect, there's only so many times someone can talk about its dated gameplay system but despite that, this game means a lot to me. It meant a lot back when I played it in 2014 and it means a lot many years and replays later. EXTRAverse is my favorite setting in the Nasuverse and I believe this game is still one of my favorite experiences even now.
The relationship Hakuno(n) builds with his/her servant throughout the game and the writing for Nero/Casko is incredibly satisfying, to the point EXTRA and CCC still remain my favorite written pieces of media for the two.
The relationship Hakuno(n) builds with his/her servant throughout the game and the writing for Nero/Casko is incredibly satisfying, to the point EXTRA and CCC still remain my favorite written pieces of media for the two.
2000
honestly, i think i ended up liking this more than x4 which is my favorite in the series
This review contains spoilers
3/4/22 - I finished my replay of BN5DS. I really wanted to replay this game in particular first as I replay the entire Battle Network series, particularly because I didn't have fond memories of BN5. I had a clear disdain for Liberation Missions which negatively affected how I felt. I can say now though the game is super enjoyable. OST benefits from the DS sound font. Story is passable but overall enjoyable. Bosses are super neat. Working on 100%'ing it now but I can say it's a solid game and one I am really happy with after this replay.
3/12/22 - 100%. Post game was very fun as usual, exploring the NebulaHole was great and the Lord of Chaos stuff was super chuuni and great. I felt that Liberation Missions overstayed their welcome by the end of the post game but also, the post game LM's were brutal so I might be a bit jaded. All in all, great time and the post game bumped this game up from 3.5 to 4.
3/12/22 - 100%. Post game was very fun as usual, exploring the NebulaHole was great and the Lord of Chaos stuff was super chuuni and great. I felt that Liberation Missions overstayed their welcome by the end of the post game but also, the post game LM's were brutal so I might be a bit jaded. All in all, great time and the post game bumped this game up from 3.5 to 4.
1997
10/10
Codename: Bakery Girl is a game that has certainly aged when it comes to gameplay. However, despite this Codename: Bakery Girl serves as an excellent follow-up and remake to the original Girl of the Bakehouse. This game re-tells the story of Jefuty and Mendo by adopting SRPG mechanics and fleshing out both Bakehouse's world and narrative. It is a game crucial to the franchise and MICA as Bakery Girl sets precedence for the eventual release of Girls Frontline. In all honesty, replaying this game still fills me with the same amount of enjoyment I had when I first played. Much like Bakehouse, Codename: Bakery Girl is filled with so much love and passion I can't help but appreciate every chapter. Codename: Bakery Girl embodies such a pure desire to tell its narrative and be a fun experience that even despite how some stages are exceedingly unforgiving (Chapter 9) I love this game with an unparalleled zeal.
4/23/2022- Battle Network 6 is the culmination of a series that spanned six games. It was the perfect end for something I held so dearly to my heart. Gameplay is as crisp as its ever been, the dungeon gimmicks are super fun, cross system is wonderful, OST is peak and the story is just so enjoyable, it's hard to dislike this game.
4/27/2022- 100%. I really did enjoy this game a lot. It's such a shame that the crisis track was looping after you beat the game, it became incredibly grating after the first two minutes. Also, a shame that postgame content was cut from the western releases. In general, I can't help but feel that I preferred BN3's post game to BN6.
4/27/2022- 100%. I really did enjoy this game a lot. It's such a shame that the crisis track was looping after you beat the game, it became incredibly grating after the first two minutes. Also, a shame that postgame content was cut from the western releases. In general, I can't help but feel that I preferred BN3's post game to BN6.
2022
Unfortunately, there is very little about this game I can say that hasn't been said already. To put it briefly, I began this game after a good friend of mine, Crimson, prompted me to start it. Experiencing this game, especially alongside my friends who entertained me and guided me along the way, has been one of the greatest experiences I could ask for. Words cannot do justice to the emotions this game prompts, excitement it generates and fondness it springs forth. It is one of the greatest pieces of media to exist and while I understand that it's not for everyone, I believe everyone should try it. This game reminded me why I love this medium so much. Once again, I will hold this journey close to my heart and will forever remember the conversations I held with my friends as I journeyed throughout the Lands Between.
Also, I love Ranni.
Also, I love Ranni.
a classic.
I honestly don't really have much to say, it's my fifth play-through of this game and I still love it just as much as my first read. Earnestly, this is one of the greatest stories Nasu has written.
To comment on the translation; it was serviceable. A lot of the text read like a first pass with minor typos, grammatical issues as well as outright incorrect translations. It's a shame to see how the translation came out given it failed to convey the meaning of the original text.
To comment on the translation; it was serviceable. A lot of the text read like a first pass with minor typos, grammatical issues as well as outright incorrect translations. It's a shame to see how the translation came out given it failed to convey the meaning of the original text.
2006
This review contains spoilers
I wanted to replay this game just to revisit the DS Digimon games once more and I gotta say, it's alright. I think I definitely appreciated this game more as a kid but now the cracks kinda show. The story is pretty decent and the Pagumon subplot is still really well done. The encounter rate is brutal at times though, especially in maze-like areas like the Marsh where you're constantly lost. OST is neat. Digivolution lines are so cracked though. Some of these digivolution trees made absolutely no sense and I'm glad Dawn/Dusk go on to fix them. All in all, 2.5/5. One playthrough is good enough for anyone.
I will always keep returning to this game.
Amazing gameplay, enthralling world, simple but effective story, captivating art direction all make this a worthwhile experience. Love the way the developers let you play how you want in these dense stages and how you're constantly rewarded for exploring, either through the immaculate world building or by learning some new strategy for completing a stage. It really doesn't get better than this. Corvo Attano is top protagonist fr.
Amazing gameplay, enthralling world, simple but effective story, captivating art direction all make this a worthwhile experience. Love the way the developers let you play how you want in these dense stages and how you're constantly rewarded for exploring, either through the immaculate world building or by learning some new strategy for completing a stage. It really doesn't get better than this. Corvo Attano is top protagonist fr.
This review contains spoilers
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is for me the best Xenoblade experience out of the trilogy. It boasts an incredibly lovable and fleshed out cast, an intriguing world, a wonderful OST and a heartrending story.
However, despite this there are quite a few issues I would like to point out. Mainly, I felt the second half of this story was less intriguing compared to the first. This is compounded by questionable decisions between bringing older characters back to life (Ethel being the most egregious example), mentioning new characters like Crys who seemingly had plot relevance out of nowhere and making important character development side quests side content. Not to mention a lackluster villain that was the weakest out of the entire trilogy. Despite this, I could never say I hate this game because it delivers well on the story beats it does use. I will resign to giving this a five star rating because I both loved and hated this game, and for the emotions it brought forth within me, as well as the friends who accompanied me on my journey through Aionios, I will hold it in a special place in my heart.
However, despite this there are quite a few issues I would like to point out. Mainly, I felt the second half of this story was less intriguing compared to the first. This is compounded by questionable decisions between bringing older characters back to life (Ethel being the most egregious example), mentioning new characters like Crys who seemingly had plot relevance out of nowhere and making important character development side quests side content. Not to mention a lackluster villain that was the weakest out of the entire trilogy. Despite this, I could never say I hate this game because it delivers well on the story beats it does use. I will resign to giving this a five star rating because I both loved and hated this game, and for the emotions it brought forth within me, as well as the friends who accompanied me on my journey through Aionios, I will hold it in a special place in my heart.
1995
3/10