Crimson Gem Saga

 PSP
Crimson Gem Saga Image
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 36 Ratings

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  • Summary: The game, a lovingly crafted exploration into the fundamentals of RPG fun, delivers lush hand-drawn visuals, an engaging fantasy tale, and an easy-to-use interface. [Atlus USA]
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 20
  3. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. Gaming Age
    91
    I'm really happy with Crimson Gem Saga. It goes right up there with Jeanne d'Arc as far as PSP RPGs go.
  2. GamingTrend
    88
    If you are a fan of the classic 16-bit era of RPGs then you should definitely buy Crimson Gem Saga.
  3. GameZone
    85
    While the characters are not always that sympathetic, it is the gameplay that truly shines here. This is an entertaining and challenging portable RPG.
  4. TotalPlayStation
    80
    If you are looking for portable RPG goodness, both your time and money are well-invested if you choose Crimson Gem Saga.
  5. Cheat Code Central
    78
    The classic feel of the game does make grinding a little boring, and the story feels contrived at times, but this is a great title for those who crave a more classic approach to their RPG gaming.
  6. SpazioGames
    74
    Quotation forthcoming.
  7. GameSpot
    50
    Crimson Gem Saga's cheery veneer quickly wears away to show a simple, uninspired role-playing game.

See all 20 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. ConstantineZ
    May 28, 2009
    10
    Excellent, light RPG. Charming story and visuals. Truly enjoyable, if somewhat easy, experience.
  2. jwh
    Jun 12, 2009
    9
    I don't know what crack pipe the Gamespot reviewer and the other low-rating reviewers were smoking, but this game is wonderful. I have I don't know what crack pipe the Gamespot reviewer and the other low-rating reviewers were smoking, but this game is wonderful. I have played just about every RPG and turn-based tactical game out there for not only the PSP but also the DS and this one is fun and excellent. There is a TON of whimsical detail in the game world and the graphics are excellent. They are cartoony - but not in an off putting way and they rival easily any other RPG out there for either handheld platform. The game is challenging at some points but focuses on staying FUN (and I have played Dark Spire, Etrian Odyssey etc. and have beaten them....) and not level-grinding to an extreme degree - which I find nice (variation is always good game to game). I HIGHLY recommend this game to anyone looking for a fun, satisfying RPG experience that has a wide open world to explore (NOT LINEAR - Hooray!!!) and decent voice acting, fun character development (including being able to modify weapons) and a decent enough story. Some of the reviewers are either 1) not RPG people or 2) people who consider only one "type" of RPG to be true RPGs..... Trust me - get this game if you enjoy RPGs/Turn based fighting - you will not be disappointed.… Expand
  4. O_OLokiO_O
    Aug 13, 2014
    8
    I avoided Crimson Gem Saga like the plague as I was picking up
    Growlanser, Yggdra Union, Gungnir, Knights in the Nightmare, and Riviera
    for    I avoided Crimson Gem Saga like the plague as I was picking up
    Growlanser, Yggdra Union, Gungnir, Knights in the Nightmare, and Riviera
    for 5 dollars each like an addiction during the constant ATLUS sales.
    But I finally picked up this and Hexyz Force and it's really good.
    The story seems decent so far, the combat was good, the characters
    are great, I was pleasantly surprised, it's really cool.
    It's a game where the main character is Kanji and his
    sidekick is Rise Chan. That alone is awesome on levels
    I didn't even know existed.... Ech sure it's kind of mediocre,
    but it's still a solid game with a great voice cast. The battle
    system is fine, I was terrified by VVV This, guy down here
    who was complaining about the music, but honestly the
    game has so much going for it that I don't really give a
    damn about the music. It's certainly not a good high
    quality epic experience like a Persona or something,
    I don't think it's even trying to be, it's just a fun little
    game, with a good cast of characters, and some non-boring
    story elements. For 5 dollars it's crazy good value.
    What do you expect for 5 dollars? Not much, in which
    case it's pretty good. Although I've only played it for
    a few hours so I can't really give an educated opinion
    yet. But I liked it..... Picking up these 7 games for
    35 dollars is not a bad idea at all, my Vita rules now.
    Any one on it's own might be a bit lacking, but the
    sheer volume of content make each of them like
    delving into a chapter of one great book. My favorite
    was Growlanser, but this one is still good, it surprised me.    … Expand
  5. elaux
    Aug 17, 2013
    7
    It's a fun turn-based RPG, and this is coming from someone who really doesn't like most turn-based RPGs.
    The characters are some of the most    It's a fun turn-based RPG, and this is coming from someone who really doesn't like most turn-based RPGs.
    The characters are some of the most entertaining I've seen. They don't talk often but when they do it's always great.
    My biggest complaint has to be the battle music, it doesn't change. There's one for regular enemies and one for bosses. They're both good tracks don't get me wrong, but there's no real variety. It's the same music every time and it gets old really fast.
    It's not an amazing game, but it's pretty solid. If you like RPGs go for it.    … Expand
  6. endium
    Sep 5, 2016
    6
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Slight spoilers ahead, but nothing directly a spoiler or significant.

    This is a surprisingly fun game, the battle system hits a nice balance and the characters and story start off on a pretty decent note. Unfortunately the story takes a very bad nose dive, coming to a crash and burn at the end, coupled with a ridiculous end game battle sequence. They break one of the fundamental rules of jrpg games which have multiple characters but limit the number you can use in battle. Many threads of the story are ultimately left unanswered... presumably for a sequel perhaps.    … Expand
  7. KOGFanstarks161
    May 30, 2020
    5
    Okay first of all. This game is not as good as everyone says. For one the story is unfinished except I bet no one know that because no oneOkay first of all. This game is not as good as everyone says. For one the story is unfinished except I bet no one know that because no one played the first game. While at follows the classic turn based combat it strips away a layer of complexity that the previous game had. which was area and locomotion control. The whole Isometric plain wasn't greatly executed. Also the amount of grinding one would have to do can sometimes be tedious… Expand

Awards & Rankings

24
#24 Best PSP Game of 2009
26
#26 Most Discussed PSP Game of 2009
9
#9 Most Shared PSP Game of 2009