Record of Agarest War

 PlayStation 3
Record of Agarest War Image
Metascore
67

Mixed or average reviews - based on 7 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
6.2

Mixed or average reviews- based on 29 Ratings

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  • Summary: War darkened the skies of Agarest. Not a simple war between mortals, easily ended by divine intervention, but a war that split the gods themselves. Armies such as the world had never seen before, and would never see again, clashed in the skies of Agarest, across its surface, and even in theWar darkened the skies of Agarest. Not a simple war between mortals, easily ended by divine intervention, but a war that split the gods themselves. Armies such as the world had never seen before, and would never see again, clashed in the skies of Agarest, across its surface, and even in the caverns that wound their way through its interior. As is the way in war, many died on both sides, gods and mortals alike, and the war left Agarest broken, blackened, and dead. The gods wept for their paradise, and in a final act of creation, sacrificed themselves to bring life back to its charred and twisted surface. Although the gods are long dead, the withering darkness that began and fueled their war is not. Imprisoned for millennia, its bonds have begun to weaken, and as they do, a shadow once again spreads across the surface of the world. Born into this world perched unknowingly on the brink of the apocalypse, a young man by the name of Leonhardt and his descendants are the last, best hope for Agarest. Their journey will span generations and continents as they strive to once again bring peace to their beleaguered world, even as the cost of their own souls. [Aksys Games]… Expand
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 7
  3. Negative: 1 out of 7
  1. Gaming Age
    75
    I think Record of Agarest War is definitely a pretty niche SRPG, that's not going to appeal to players that aren't already familiar with this particular game type. However, I don't think it's meant to bring in new players, and as far as fan service games go, this is pretty tame and playable by teens on up.
  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.
  3. GameSpot
    70
    This sexed-up strategy role-playing game boasts some interesting ideas, but falls short of realizing its full potential.
  4. RPG Fan
    70
    Aksys gets a gold star for effort, but Idea Factory gets a thumbs down for artificially lengthening a game with an already-boring combat system and for letting the "interact with the ladies" aspect of the game fall to the wayside.
  5. 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.
  6. Playstation: The Official Magazine (US)
    60
    For all Aksys' effort to appeal to a slightly different market, Agarest is a gearhead's RPG. [July 2010, p.84]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. 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.

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 7
  3. Negative: 2 out of 7
  1. OneManCast
    Oct 13, 2019
    10
    There's so much depth in this game, that the task to play it through the True Ending, is flat out daunting. If you are willing and interestedThere's so much depth in this game, that the task to play it through the True Ending, is flat out daunting. If you are willing and interested to check out a game rich with depth, story and character development, this is the game for you. A TBSJRPG like this is flat out fun when you get used to the mechanics. It does have its dull moments (See Generation 2) but it also can be absolutely hilarious (See Generations 3 and 4) and it does well to create tension and high stakes (See Generations 1,4, 3 and 5). The thing that's most daunting, is the True Ending. Even further, to 100% the game, you need to play hard mode. Which will be difficult with DLC, nearly impossible w/o it. There's a lot of hoops you must go through to get the full experience, but there's something terrifyingly cathartic about defeating Lvl. 999 Chaos.

    I enjoyed it and I think you might at least have an appreciation for it. Even if it is not your thing.    … Expand
  2. Xenocake
    Mar 14, 2016
    10
    Okay Record of Agarest War is a lengthy game built on a the classic JRPG story architect of
    "A group of heroes must rise to defeat the the    Okay Record of Agarest War is a lengthy game built on a the classic JRPG story architect of
    "A group of heroes must rise to defeat the the evil Demon King".
    Personally that is one the main reasons why I love it and because there are so little games of that classic JRPG story type these days and that makes this one all the more magical.
    Gameplay wise its long and tedious as all hell and even setting the difficulty to easy is going to make you regret playing, honestly they should have called this "Dark Souls Tactics" in my opinion, That is something hardcore SRPG fans will love.

    But the branching story arcs and the act of choosing if you're evil, good, or somewhere in between is something you might like if you enjoy that kind of thing. Plus you can choose a nicely drawn anime "Waifu" which is something that even the weebs/otakus will love.

    And me personally I connected with the characters and enjoyed the stories that each of them had none of the characters whether they were Main or side characters were bland, the only thing is is that it takes patience and some odd number of side quests to get and answers or information on a certain character which like IRL people have to talk gain trust with one another before they accept and divulge personal information and their secrets.
    But if you have patience and yearn for a classic JRPG story then Record of Agarest War is for you!    … Expand
  4. 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    "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
  5. boshi
    Jan 4, 2014
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. this game has a nice story, spanning five generations, starting with you giving up your soul and the souls of your descendants to seal away pillars on five continents, to stop darkness from spreading. the battle system is probably the best part of this game, and rewarding if you can fully understand it. Although i don't like that there are mandatory battles that you have to go through to get to each event, or that there are so many mandatory battles in general. i would've preferred more story events as well as more optional battles and bosses. the characters themselves are pretty good too. throughout each generation you have three women you meet who you speak to, and eventually marry, one of them, along with several permanent members who appear for the whole game. it's a good game, but those mandatory battles can get pretty boring if you play for long periods of time.… Expand
  6. 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 brutalThis 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.… Expand
  7. 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 andI 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
  8. Dynel
    Dec 26, 2014
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. While the idea was original at the start, compile rehash quickly rehashed everything in this game and recycled it on the next games.

    Story: While it was interesting and original, it felt forced and not explanatory. Also, if you want "true end" you absolutely need a guide.

    Graphics: I had trouble believing this was for Ps3. Appalling graphics. In battle. Outside battle they seem more detailed.

    Music and voices: Average at best.

    This is what started the long chain of "fan service with as little content as possible with thousand of dlc" series of games. I regret playing this garbage.

    Final Score: -5. This is NOT a true strategy rpg, it's a just a mix up of barely enough rpg elements with fan service to create something for perverts or people that like ecchi games. If you want a real RPG, AVOID this game. It is beyond just "bad".    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

44
#44 Most Shared PS3 Game of 2010