1. Kamellianf

   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.
   
   Combos and teamwork! 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

   • Helpful? 9 of 9 users said Yes.
2. VermillionHaze

   8

   While this game is drowning in cheesy dialogue and dating sim elements. Its also is a solid tactical rpg with a very addicting battle system. Easily the best game in this genre on the 360. PS3 might have Disgaea but hopefully 360 owners can look forward to more Agarest titles. The story is light hearted and it's characters need more development but that's really the only complaint I had. This game does so many things well it's hard to knock it.… Expand

   • Helpful? 2 of 2 users said Yes.
3. tom3118

   6

   What if Final Fantasy 6 came out in 2010. Would you say it was great? I think it's safe to say that this game is less good than that. This is a classic turn-based RPG with a mechanic fairly similar to Final Fantasy Tactics. The story is good, and the gameplay is challenging, and would have been really good in the early-to-mid 1990s. But good god people, it looks and plays like an SNES game. The graphics are **** as is the dialog style, and the combat is slow as death. If you're thinking about getting this game, go back and play a classic instead. BTW: re American marketing, my game came with a "sexy" pillow case and a mouse pad with a bossom wrist wrest. lol! Who do they think they're kidding?… Expand

   • Helpful? 0 of 0 users said Yes.
4. Trayl

   3

   You can only make your graphics so and dull before it's makes the game worthless, that is that problem I had with this game. I was so disgusted the visual style of this game that I could play it for no more than an hour and I don't plan to try again anytime soon.Some times you can get away with a visual style that's if it fit's the feel of a game, but sadly this is not one of them. It's just so bad. On top of the horrible visual styling the game over emphasized breasts. A hard task to accomplish in my opinion. The game play was slow and lack luster. I wouldn't touch this game with a 10 foot Pole if I were you.… Expand

   • Helpful? 0 of 0 users said Yes.

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