The first 3D Tales, which helped define what we know today as a great JRPG. This game for its time is a masterpiece (even though it has itsThe first 3D Tales, which helped define what we know today as a great JRPG. This game for its time is a masterpiece (even though it has its defects) but currently (2020), unfortunately it fell sharply.
His script is one of the best ever written in the industry and his story starts with a decent size but expands on a huge scale and most importantly, this expansion is very credible and only adds to the story. This script is the personification of a great fantasy journey that has many twists (many), unexpected events and good dramas, but there was a lack of epic moments (one reason was the lack of hardware and the other was budget / good use of it) . The story for example is quite dark at times but thanks to the graphics, models of the characters and artstyle these moments lose much of their weight. Excessive medical relief also impairs these heavy moments. The interactions between the characters (called "Skits") are mostly comedy, if it were 50% comedy and 50% character development it would be much better or just make more casual conversations, without comic relief (there are very few like that). Those that are not comedy are usually very interesting and add to the story and / or perspectives. The animations are poorly made (even for the time) outside the battles (in the cutscenes and in the overworld), which doesn't make any sense because inside them, everything is very smooth and well done. They could have spent more time making the cutscene animations better, more impactful and the characters should be more expressive. The CGs and animated parts, however, are well done. The story gets it right at a point (even if not totally) that is usually wrong and enriches it a lot, the story of the characters is connected with the 'main' story and their relationships affect it deeply. There are some characters who have relatively large bows focused on overcoming something in their past. The only flaw is that the past is not shown or shown very briefly, focusing more on overcoming and on your current drama. The biggest flaw in this story / script was some totally futile parts that only served to generate more gamrpelay and hours of gameplay, without adding the narrative only to distance events in vain.
The characters are a highlight of this game (as it should be in everyone). Each has its motivations, its defects, a well-explored background, development (most are not forced by the way), involvement and importance in the story. The best / most developed / best stories for me were: Lloyd, Collete and Regal. But all are good and have their focus, but I thought that Zelos had little focus on the story unfortunately.
The gameplay. It is unfortunately also dated, even though it is not as remarkable as the rest of things. It has an interesting depth, you have many characters in your party and you are forced to exchange them a lot, and as they are all well balanced as long as you have a healer the sky is the limit. The IA makes mistakes, but the way you can 'program' it is very complex and complete. It's fun and I didn't get sick but multiple mobs can get boring and avoidance is very difficult (especially in the overworld). Another thing that bothered me a lot was the excess of puzzles and how they were made, the puzzles in this game are too long and even when you understand them you take too long to complete them. It may have been intentional, but it leaves the game too long and hurts the pace of the story.
The game has a relationship system, one of the few in 2003. But it is quite flawed as you are not sure how your relationship was affected with each decision made and it is not possible to check your exact relationship with a character. You also make choices, they impact history only indirectly, because they change your relationship with your companions and that changes the story.
The soundtrack is descending with an above average OST. The opening song is great. The dubbing is very good.
The game is open world and you can advance the story in different ways, something really cool especially considering your time. After pondering I say that this game is unfortunately a "dated masterpiece". And I would love a partial or complete remake of it… Expand
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