Record of Agarest War PlayStation 3
User Score
7.2 out of 10

Mixed or average reviews- based on 24 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 24
  3. Negative: 6 out of 24

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  1. Kamellianf
    Jan 5, 2011
    9
    "Anyone interested in a excellent strategy RPG"

    The first thing i got to say is. Do not be fooled! The sexual appeal and in your face collector's edition is merely marketing tools for simple-minded Americans, such as me. The game actually has very little to do with sex, dating, vulgarity, nudity, etc....the only reason there is even a male, female relationship talked about in the "hype"     and reviews (which I've now read, after purchasing and playing the game) is simply to establish a game play technique, that is employed to allow the story and characters to live for FIVE generations in the game. So you are forming friendships, with the female characters you meet to "mate" and give birth to the next generation hero, You and your partner determines the qualities of your child, based on your alignment and stats! The story is standard by the nature of being an old-school RPG, that is to say, by now, almost every game feels like someone had the idea already, at least when it comes to RPG stories. This story however, sets itself apart, by spanning the five generations, so no one character gets boring or stale. In fact, there is a feature to resurrect fallen ancestors from previous generations through the help of an alchemy merchant later into the game. If you've played other RPG games, then there should really be nothing new to you here, in terms of traversing the world map, "menu-based" towns (no walking around, just menus of the shops to visit), and doing the pre-fight party prepping.

    Combat! At the movement phase, all characters move singularly, but all in the same "turn" After you decide where you want them (there is a range to consider of course) and which direction to face, you and the enemy units all move together to their new spaces. It's like giving orders to any army, then on your command, they go. Fighting is done on a turn by turn basis though, with an on-screen display of the attack order, enemies included.

    Here's the fun part! All the characters have different points on the grid around them, that if a teammate is standing on one of those spaces (which are highlighted and color coordinated) they can perform skills chains or combos, granted they both or all have enough AP to do something. Most grid spaces for a teammate to stand for a front-line fighter, have their "team spaces" behind or next to them. Where the support players in back usually have their "team spaces" in front or next to them, makes sense If you do not want to use a character in your current combo, even though they are in the combo chain list, and waste the AP they might need to attack or heal a different target. Everyone has a range to their skills, but this might be the most interesting part of the combat, and something I do not believe many reviewers grasped, is that if one character cannot reach an enemy, you can "stand-by" on their turn, and use a character that they are "linked" to (by standing on the above mention spaces on the grid), then they can reach the enemy, or even a friend for healing purposes, and allow the member that is too far away, to jump into the fight, or to heal someone they were originally too far from when it was their turn. Be cautious when jumping all over the battlefield though!

    This is where Idea Factory shines! The underlying strategy is tremendous! If you jump around to help a friend in a tougher fight, but have a combo planned for your next character, jumping to help a friend might break the "chain" or combo for the next person. NOT all members are connected in these chains, There is enough strategy in just the chain and AP system to not even care about the other things. There is also depth in elemental strengths and weaknesses, what side you are attacking, or being attacked from as well. Just turning your character to attack during his turn will change the location of his "team spaces" too, which would possible break a planned chain! Do not be intimidated at all, They introduce things simply enough.

    There is so much more that i do not want to get into here, Alchemy, Blacksmith, Monster guild, First-aid shop, Fortune teller (to get a glimpse of what your child might be like) and so much more involving the weapons, armor, and items! Just too much to get in to! These reasons are why these games or this one specifically are "next-gen"...they are so deep and long! I end with this! I love Idea Factory and this game as well! Do not be thrown off by childish appearance, or gimmicky sexuality on the packing or hype. If you like a deep RPG, then this is definitely for you. The story is actual very deep, adult oriented (meaning; it's not power rangers lol) and spans generations. I love knowing the decisions I made affect how the girls I meet look at me, and in the end, one of those girls (chosen by which likes you the most) gives birth to the next hero! Totally awesome!!!    … Expand
  2. Zzgashi
    Feb 1, 2011
    3
    I read all the negative reviews, but I am such a sucker for SRPGs, and wound up buying it anyways. The story portions are far too short and have far too many fights in-between them. All the fights take place on a flat surface making them even more same-y and tedious. The PSN has a huge pile of free DLC that came out on release day. It could of easily just been part of the game. Overall the game is just too tedious to recommend.… Expand
  3. crazydangerous
    May 15, 2012
    8
    This game requires a good deal of time and strategy, the story is fairly interesting and there is dating sim elements. Boss fights are brutal further in, they regenerate health at the start of their turns and have just horrificly devastating attacks. I wouldn't recommend this game to anyone who cant handle insanely crushing losses and fights at every turn.

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
67 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 7 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 7
  3. Negative: 1 out of 7
  1. Kombo
    40
    Record of Agarest War is the very reason Japanese game development is accused of stagnation, and the sleazy marketing doesn't lend the game any credence. This is not 1998.
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  2. IGN
    75
    I would rather it have gone more over-the-top with its sexuality, as that would have made it a more unique experience. But if you're a fan of the genre, Agarest War will provide a very long adventure that spans generations.
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  3. Cheat Code Central
    66
    A game of insane length. Soul breeding gives infinite room for replay value, but just getting through the first time can actually take up the entire life span of a normal human.
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