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Glory of Heracles
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Studio Saizensen
Genre: RPG
Release Date: January 19, 2010
Platform: Nintendo DS
ESRB: E10+ - Everyone 10+
Reviewer: Eric
Who doesn’t like Hercules? Hercules is a classic Greek Immortal that has been
on television, in the movies, books, and just about every means of
entertainment. Nintendo/Data East has been using this character in a series of
role playing games in Japan and now they are going to bring the series to the
United States. Glory of Heracles is what you would imagine. A mediocre RPG that
Nintendo hasn’t properly hyped in the States.
The first four games in the series were on the Famicon and Super Famicon.
Originally the game was not made by Nintendo, as of late the company has taken
the series under its wing as Data East, original developers, is no longer
around. The series seems interesting but it really puzzles me that Nintendo
would pick it up. How often does Nintendo show interest in RPG’s? They bring
them out but always wait years to bring out sequels or start the series
elsewhere.
I guess I shouldn’t really go on a tirade on this title since Nintendo did bring
it out. As I said before this game is mediocre. It cannot compare to other role
playing games like Final Fantasy, Star Ocean, Dragon Quest, or even Fire Emblem,
a series by Nintendo which never gets the credit it deserves. It really doesn’t
help much that RPG’s are a dime a dozen on the Nintendo DS and most of those
random role playing games are pretty good.
The games story is based around Greek Mythology. I am not a huge fan of the
story, mainly since the Greek Mythology is mixed with stupid nonsense like a
girl who acts like a boy and a pretty boy that never shuts up how women always
look at him. This is the kind of story telling that really shouldn’t be in a
game like this. To me it always feels like somebody took their finger and waved
a magic spell for Harry Potter like storytelling to be put in. Only about half
way through the story will you maybe find interest in it. Until that point
happens you might want to shut the game off forever.
As generic as that might sound above it gets worse. Most of the characters seem
to have amnesia in this game. Really a guy who thinks he is Heracles and a
female by the name of Eris. Jesus Christ amnesia seems to be a problem with
people who are immortal. The game revolves are “Heracles” and then we have
somebody else who thinks they are Heracles. Terrible, just terrible.
Although the game is lacking when it comes to the story and character
development the animations are really something special. Character movements and
attacks look lifelike in battle and on the map screen. The animations in the
game could be the best part but do the animations really matter when you have
less than great graphics?
The graphics are decent but, and I mean but, the details in the characters are
weak. Whenever an animation is going through I can’t help but notice the lack of
face on characters. Enemies also show up way too often in battle, colors just
change to try and trick you. I know this was originally an older game, redone
for the Nintendo DS, but why couldn’t they have tried to make things better?
For a game to have Nintendo’s name on it you’d think they would try to make
things better than what was released here. There is no voice acting at all. To
say I am surprised would be a lie since the graphics (details) were sort of a
letdown.
The games score is passable but nothing will stick with you. There are some
tracks in the game that will have pondering what Nintendo saw in this game
series that Data East put out years ago. Everything in the music category can
pass on effort, which is a shame since most RPG’s have fairly good musical
scores.
When you first play Glory of Heracles you’ll notice the fairly unique battle
system. Battles take place on both screens but the main action happens on the
touch screen. You can either use the d-pad and the X, Y, B, and A buttons or you
can just use your stylus. For once I am going to recommend using the stylus on
an RPG for the Nintendo DS. Trying to use the d-pad and buttons will cause you
many screw ups in battle due to the layout on the touch screen.
If you just use the stylus then you just click on what your character should do
(attack, item, skill, etc.) and then what character or enemy you’re going to
attack. This is the first time I think I am telling gamers to use the stylus on
an RPG.
Battles are broken up into different rows as well. Like other games that use the
row system you must plan accordingly to win battles. Weapons can only be used
when enemies are in certain rows and thankfully you can equip two weapons (a
melee weapon and bow is the best combination for straight attackers).
Skills and magic will have you playing a mini game for extra damage. You can
avoid doing this but that extra damage does come in handy. Some of these games
will have you matching numbers, tapping the stylus real fast, touching two
circles when they connect, and a few others. I strongly recommend going ahead
and doing these mini games during boss battles but everything else honestly can
be done the cheap way. Skip them; hell just put the battles on auto because it
takes longer putting strategy in regular battles.
The game is pretty boring when it comes to Point A to Point B. You follow the
story to the very end with nothing else. You can of course skip ahead and visit
other towns but you will just have to go back to the straight path any way.
There are some temples to explore on the way that give you more skills so if you
want to consider that extra then go right ahead.
One part of the game that will make hardcore fans explode in their pants are the
weapon and armor abilities. Each weapon has its own ability or abilities. In
order to get the best from your character you might have to equip a lousy helmet
to make your weapon better. It starts to get complex pretty fast and to think
this was being done years ago, before games like Final Fantasy IX, Disgaea, or
even general MMORPG’s came out.
Oh yeah the game is pretty easy too. Dying will give you the option to start the
battle over or start from the last check point. Boss battles seem to get easier
if the tables are against you too. I am not kidding. Your characters are
immortals so I guess Nintendo wanted to make sure the game was pretty easy for
anyone to play.
Final Verdict
Glory of Heracles might not be the best looking or sounding RPG on the market
today, especially in 2010, but it is a fun treat to play. Nintendo might not
know how to promote this game but hopefully my words will get you to work extra
hours to pick up the game. By no means is this the best role playing game. It is
simply average, but a good average really.
Rating Breakdown
Gameplay: 8 out of 10
+ Good usage of the touch screen. The game will keep you
occupied for a good 20 hours or more.
- Linear gameplay might have hardcore RPG fans looking
elsewhere.
Graphics: 8 out of 10
+ Animations amazing, some of the best I have seen on the
Nintendo DS.
- The game is really lacking in the details. No faces on
characters is uncalled for in 2010.
Audio: 6 out of 10
+ Passable if that means anything.
- No dialogue? What about the cool RPG music? Missing…
Replay Value: 6 out of 10
+ It is one of the only Greek Mythology related role playing
games that I can think of…
- You will have to endure half of the game for it to get
good, remember that.
Overall
7 out of 10
Glory of Heracles Trailer
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