Stella Deus: The Gate of Eternity

 PlayStation 2
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 31 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 31
  3. Negative: 0 out of 31
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  1. Siliconera
    90
    An awesome strategy RPG designed for lovers of the genre. [JPN Import]
  2. BonusStage
    89
    A prime example of excellence for the genre with its purely stunning art direction and graphic design, epic soundtrack, and both accessible and challenging strategy-oriented gameplay.
  3. GameZone
    87
    The game’s battle system allows for some truly ‘tactical’ confrontation, in which you can win (assuming you play well) when out numbered and out leveled.
  5. eToychest
    86
    It features a deep storyline with a few memorable characters set amidst a lengthy and challenging adventure. Still, the game is hampered by an inconsistent AI, and difficulty that can, at times, render the game more frustrating than fun.
  6. 1UP
    86
    Essentially boring... All throughout my time with the game, my mind kept wandering, like it does in the company of someone who's nice enough but can't hold your interest.
  7. Worth Playing
    85
    Boring, long narrative and bad voice acting aside, what we have here is the most balanced SRPG for those who would like to become serious fans of the genre.
  8. GameShark
    83
    The game combines colorful artwork, character animations, adult themed language, and a very mature storyline that gives the game a nice overall feel that fans of the genre will appreciate.
  9. RPG Fan
    83
    Though its aesthetic qualities are somewhere between poor and average, the game has excellent gameplay and control, and the game's plot and characters are decent enough to get excited about.
  10. Inside Gamer Online
    82
    With its unique art style, good story, and fantastic soundtrack, it’s one of those games that can definitely be enjoyed by a lot of people.
  11. VGPub
    80
    If you’ve been pining for something new with your strategy RPGs, look no further than Stella Deus.
  12. Play Magazine
    80
    What sets Stella Deus apart from its predecessors, aside from its unique look... is the immensity and complexity of the overall quest. [May 2005, p.36]
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  13. GameSpy
    80
    Damned if I didn't enjoy it enough to get hooked early and often. I can't help it; I still love tactical-RPGs and this game has more than enough battling, plot-advancing, and customization to keep my affections.
  14. Official U.S. Playstation Magazine
    80
    An engrossing experience for the hardened campaigner. It's chock-full of quests, items, battles, and moral ambiguity, offering a fine-tuned gameplay experience that anyone who's been longing for the next Final Fantasy Tactics should enjoy.
  15. IGN
    77
    Boasting an easy to learn battle system and a difficultly level that isn't too tough, it's an ideal product to bring in new users to a genre that has consistently been one of the most satisfying experiences around.
  16. Gamer's Hell
    76
    Comes across as one of the most involved strategy games for the Playstation 2. Unfortunately, the audio and visual performance delivered was done poorly, so this game will not appear to be as great as it really is from the start.
  17. Game Informer
    75
    It's not particularly innovative, but it does allow for some great, challenging strategy. [May 2005, p.116]
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  18. GameSpot
    75
    Not so brightly wrapped, but the game brings with it some unique gameplay elements and a great, ethereal visual style.
  19. Gaming Target
    75
    The redeeming factor of Stella Deus, its gameplay, isn't unique or enticing enough to make Stella Deus a must have for all.

Awards & Rankings

75
#75 Best PS2 Game of 2005
75
#75 Most Shared PS2 Game of 2005

User Reviews

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User Score
8.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 25 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 25
  3. Negative: 1 out of 25
  1. hocineDZ
    Nov 10, 2022
    7
    This game is similar to hoshigami with few improvements and with lesser difficulty but the frustrating camera has not been fixed even ifThis game is similar to hoshigami with few improvements and with lesser difficulty but the frustrating camera has not been fixed even if they've added manual rotation it still causing major issues to see through building and trees and archers can shoot through walls and buildings!? as for the attack spells they are not as devastating as in hoshigami so no more coinfeigm coins which is good for me combining those coins was a mess so spells get unlocked according to rank and sp points the main characters have better spells than the mages! especially at maximum rank other improvements are the ability to cancel movements and in the catacombs (tower of trials) no need to finish 5 consecutive lvls to save, the combat experience bonus points after battle end is removed its good for lvl balance the session attack is replaced by a much better team attack extremely useful against bosses all teammate are safe from friendly archers if they're in the way, healing affect only your teammates and friendly mages spells doesn't affect your team members and a save option during battles is added very useful during bosses battles you can resume from the same point many times without losing the save file! the last finale battles are surprisingly easy! original review 07/ November /2022 I've added one point to the rating… Full Review »
  2. Viperus
    Apr 12, 2020
    8
    I really solid RPG, with good plot, and nice progression. I played this years ago during the PS2 era, after Disgaea.
  3. IJL711
    Jun 20, 2017
    9
    Long story short, this is a solid tactical rpg. The story is engaging, there are multiple party members - some of whom are miss-able butLong story short, this is a solid tactical rpg. The story is engaging, there are multiple party members - some of whom are miss-able but whoever you do get has their own side mission(s) -, a moderately in-depth crafting mechanic that can provide you with some good stuff early on with some diligence (which I LOVE!), and an "endless" dungeon with its own items if you're the type that likes to grind/over-level.
    Of course it's not perfect. Sometimes during the story you have to wonder "what the f is happening?" and it's not perfectly balanced, but I believe both of those can be subjective.

    If you like tactics games and have a PS2 on hand (or *cough* an emulator *cough*) then I'd recommend giving the game a shot.    … Full Review »
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