|
Crimson Gem Saga
Publisher: Atlus
Developer: IronNos / Sonnori
Genre: RPG
Release Date: May 26, 2009
Platform: Playstation Portable
ESRB: T - Teen
Reviewer: Eric
With the recent release of role playing games on every console it takes the
PSP to offer one of the best I have seen this year. Atlus is giving us an old
school role playing game on Sony’s portable, one that is comparable to last
years phenomenal Brave Story: New Traveler. The gameplay is golden and the story
is good enough to make RPG fans drool.
Our game starts with Killian, the hero of the game. Killian is running late to
his graduation at the Green Hill Chevalier Academy. When Killian gets to
graduation he finds out that he is the runner up to the prestige number one
spot. For Killian this isn’t the end for him since the academy headmaster gives
Killian a letter that changes his life forever.
Crimson Gem Saga is not like the last few RPGs that have been released. Instead
of drama and soap opera like stories Crimson Gem Saga offers a sort of
traditional storyline we use to see a lot back in the Genesis and SNES days.
What makes this one a tad different has to be the dialogue. The game is full of
funny moments that should give you a few smiles and laughing spells. It is a lot
of fun, this is the sort of game that will find a special place in RPG fans
hearts.
The battle system is simple and easy to understand. All you have to worry about
is if you want to attack, use spells/special attacks or use items (running and
defending should never be an option). The top of the screen lets you know when
your turn is by showing your characters faces and blue goblins for the enemies.
It does burst bubbles since you never know which enemy is going to attack thanks
to the goblins pictures the developers gave to all the enemies.
Each of your characters learns a nice arrange of skills/spells. Leveling up will
not level up your skills/spells, you have to leave it to items you find from
both random and boss battles. Early on it is easy to level up your abilities but
later on you will have to put some thought in if you want to max out one
characters skills or spread it out amongst everyone.
There are points in Crimson Gem Saga that seem too overwhelming way too fast.
Thankfully the developers knew this so they added in a save any where feature.
This really helps out during those hard points in the game. With boss battles
like this it is sometimes best to save it after each floor you enter in a tower
or a new section you enter in a dungeon.
The little things in Crimson Gem Saga really make this game something special.
Crimson Gem Saga brings in the “see the enemy on the screen” aspect of gameplay
(everyone is a blue goblin though), extra quests, and upgradeable weapons. These
simple aspects in the game really make Crimson Gem Saga a gem. Some fans might
not enjoy certain aspects, mainly the upgradeable weapons part. All you have to
do is add in items to the weapons. Yeah nothing too it but you do have to decide
if you want to add in your best add-ons to weapons you find early on in the
game.
Graphically Crimson Gem Saga is one of the best looking RPGs on the Playstation
Portable. Environments are fresh with great details and the characters are
picture perfect 2D models. This is the sort of game that will have you playing
more and more just to see how the next area looks. Crimson Gem Saga’s animations
are just as good too. There is nothing wrong at all in the graphics department.
The games music is an adventure back to old school role playing games. There is
a nice array of different tones, all of which fit the moment in the game.
Crimson Gem Saga does have a great cast with the character dialogue, but there
seems to be more reading than listening. For a PSP game though it does have a
decent amount of spoken dialogue.
Final Verdict
Is this the game of the year? I am not sure about that but I may have found my
top game of 2009 on the PSP. Crimson Gem Saga is a role playing game fans dream.
This is the kind of RPG we grew up with during the time when role playing games
hit their peak. Instead of saying how good it is even more I am just going to
leave my review with this. PSP owners need to buy Crimson Gem Saga immediately.
Rating Breakdown
Gameplay: 10 out of 10
+ Classic RPG on Sony’s portable.
- Nothing.
Graphics: 9 out of 10
+ Fantastic 2D graphics.
- Why just blue goblins on the map?
Audio: 8 out of 10
+ Classic tunes that will make your adventure joyful.
- As good as the music is its no Final Fantasy.
Replay Value: 9 out of 10
+ The story will have you coming back again and again.
- Crimson Gem Saga steals some ideas from a few classic RPGs.
Overall
9 out of 10
More reviews:
MetaCritic: 7.7/10
TestFreaks: 7.8/10
Crimson Gem Saga Trailer
|
