The Last Remnant

 Xbox 360
Metascore
66

Mixed or average reviews - based on 49 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 49
  2. Mixed: 32 out of 49
  3. Negative: 3 out of 49
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  1. WonderwallWeb
    90
    Initially I would have written The Last Remnant off, but thankfully it improves loads once you have given it some time to become one of the best games of its type.
  2. GamingXP
    86
    The last Remnant is definitely not perfect, but very entertaining! Although the story isn’t very complex you’ll ask yourself after 40 hours of gaming: What ... 40 hours already? This title is a must have for roleplaying-fans that own a Wii.
  3. Deeko
    85
    Even with the technical issues at hand (boy is there a lot), Square-Enix has to be commended for making (what is in my opinion) one of the most original and addicting RPG's in ages; certainly one of the finest this generation.
  5. The A.V. Club
    83
    If Square Enix polishes the rough edges off this game's novel combat system, Remnant could be the foundation of an excellent series.
  6. GameFocus
    82
    If you enjoy role playing games, especially Japanese role playing games, the Last Remnant is a must buy. One of my favorite Square Enix role playing titles in years with much potential and hopefully a patch will fix the few noticeable graphic issues.
  7. GameTrailers
    80
    The Last Remnant is a hard game to judge. A person's enjoyment of it will be directly related to how much they can tolerate persistent graphical issues. If you can get past it, there's a lot to enjoy in the smart design decisions and its unique battle system.
  8. Gameplayer
    80
    The gameplay is refreshing and addictive, the strategic elements have you constantly assessing the situation and working the angles, and it has a decidedly non-Japanese, JRPG feel to it. Slick, fun, intelligent and rewarding, let’s hope this is the direction turn based affairs take in the future.
  9. X-ONE Magazine UK
    80
    As a JRPG, The Last Remnant is about as accessible as they come. An amazing battle system is wonderfully combined with an interesting group of characters, an epic storyline and huge amounts of gameplay.
  10. RPG Fan
    79
    If this game ran smoother, it would have been something special. Instead it's just a solid, worthwhile trip that will be remembered more for its shortcomings than it will its triumphs, and what a shame that is.
  11. Xbox World 360 Magazine UK
    77
    A massive RPG, which could break the will of all but the most dedicated of fans.
  12. Games Master UK
    77
    It won't be to everyone's tastes, but hardcore RPG fans will get a lot from it. If they have time. [Jan 2009, p.65]
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  13. Xbox Achievements
    76
    This game falls just short of greatness mainly due to unacceptable graphical problems and a few poorly implemented ideas. If there had been less loading screens and more choice about battle commands, then this would have been the ideal game to tide us over until Final Fantasy XIII emerges.
  14. Meristation
    75
    Square Enix launches its RPG for the world. The Last Remnant offers a new gameplay in the genre, with many good ideas, a fun storyline, and some great moments. Anyway, it doesn't fulfill all of the promises made, and it seems to fall short of charm in some momentos. Some technical issues and an extremely simple gameplay for an RPG are its main flaws.
  15. Gaming Nexus
    75
    It's suffering from some of the worst performance issues of all time, it's not the best looking game, the story sucks and the hero is pretty lame. But if you can look past those shortcomings you will find that The Last Remnant has a lot to offer.

Awards & Rankings

46
#46 Most Discussed Xbox 360 Game of 2008
52
#52 Most Shared Xbox 360 Game of 2008

User Reviews

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User Score
6.7

Mixed or average reviews- based on 134 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 73 out of 134
  2. Mixed: 28 out of 134
  3. Negative: 33 out of 134
  1. AndrewA
    Dec 5, 2008
    10
    Amazing game! I love the graphics and battle systems. There are a few flaws with the game, but you have to consider its really the first game Amazing game! I love the graphics and battle systems. There are a few flaws with the game, but you have to consider its really the first game of its type, and only game with this battle system.… Full Review »
  2. Omaeka
    Sep 16, 2013
    9
    This game is SquareJP's finest work this generation. The story, whilst being somewhat generic is a shining example of how you take a genericThis game is SquareJP's finest work this generation. The story, whilst being somewhat generic is a shining example of how you take a generic concept and make it more than that. In this game, you do not control a few singular characters, instead you have 'unions' which you form with a key character acting as a general so to speak, with bodyguards and special units in the union. You can have several unions depending on your battle level which allows for some jaw dropping gigantic battles against hostile unions. The traditional Japanese roleplaying elements are heavily modified, with RTS style tactics of engaging and 'deadlocking' enemies in a close combat fight whilst your other unions move around to flank them or intercept enemies who are trying to flank your unions whilst they are in a deadlock. All of this is controlled with a sleek, stylish interface and battle controls identical to a traditional JRPG and is very easy to use whilst having respectable depth. If you think that the game is an actual RTS in the way it handles, and are put off by it, don't be because it isn't. This is a fantastic example of how you can merge two genres together whilst catering to every bodies tastes.

    I'm not even a huge JRPG fan at all, and other than Final Fantasy 4, 7, 13 and Lost Odyssey, I have never played any other ones and I have to say this one is easily the best. If like me you were left with a sour taste in your mouth after the latest, awful Final Fantasy games, The Last Remnant is a breath of fresh air, a fantastic new IP and proof that Square have not lost their touch.    … Full Review »
  3. SpunkyMonkey
    Mar 19, 2012
    8
    The Last Remnant, whilst flawed and far from perfect, contains enough creamy goodness of the Square-Enix flavour to deliver an experience thatThe Last Remnant, whilst flawed and far from perfect, contains enough creamy goodness of the Square-Enix flavour to deliver an experience that JRPG fans will enjoy getting a good fix of. Whilst a step behind in terms of presentation (the game contains far less voice-acted sequences than most modern RPGs) this is soon forgotten once you're into the thick of the game, as what it does contain is enough actual RPG elements (stats, side-quests, exploration, etc.) to give you a very enjoyable experience. The combat system, whilst not fully fleshed out and also a little cheap at times, is a great side-step from previous Square Enix titles and could well be the base they need to build upon in order to re-invigorate the JRPG/FF series. Fighting as units, and having so much depth involved in their management (due to the stats and abilities which make up those units) truely gives you something to really get your teeth into. Combine that with a fast paced "trigger" system during battles which keeps you on your toes (eg, sometimes it's better not to hit the trigger as you want to delay your healing moves, but you only have a split second to make that decision) and battles can be very tense affairs indeed. It's just a shame that there's not a more comprehensive tutorial of the system and that some of it's elements during battles are left outside of your control and can be completely random. SE could have really gone to town with the union setups and fleshed both them and the battle system out into something fantastic - as it is though it's just good and refreshing as opposed to brilliant and epic. The game itself is also very large, but doesn't feel repetative nor padded out until the very end - and even then that's only if you choose to persue all the side-quests (which are there more as an after-game experience for you to come back to - especially the companion/collection ones). And the story? Well, it's a bit cliche'd as you would probably expect, but it's cool enough to keep you playing and it also contains some nice down to earth humour at times (as well as a diet version of the usual JRPG cheeseyness too). Those of you craving JRPG kicks for the 360 should deffinately check it out - the performance issues, whilst still present, are mostly fixed by installation to your HDD, and so long as you're prepared to bare with them and do a bit of digging around on-line to help get you into the game then there's plenty here to keep you satisfied. It falls short of being spectacular but it's a very, very, very solid game with plenty of fun to be had. If you're prepared to put a bit of time into it, and want that taste of JRPG goodness which is becoming rarer by the day due to companies such as EA raping companies which still have a creative core, then you should buy it without hesitation. It may not be for everyone, but I loved it.… Full Review »
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