REGISTER TO REMOVE THIS AD
|
|
|
This is my first review so I apologize if it is not as great as some of the others posted before.
You are humanity's last chance
Does the newest instalment in the Star Ocean series live up to its predecessors?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Release Date: Feb 24 2009 (NA), June 5 2009 (EU)
Platforms: Xbox 360 exclusive
Developers: Tri-ace
Genre: Sci-Fi / Fantasy RPG
Publishers: Square Enix
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Nuclear weaponry plagued the surface of Earth as opposing nations fought for power with monstrous greed scaring the planet with unchangeable consequences, annihilating millions and reeking chaos upon all who involved bringing Earth to the verge of complete destruction. However, amongst this devastation, a cease-fire is agreed upon to save the incredibly damaged planet from extinction, although, even so, those alive are left unable to walk the surface due to irradiated landscapes, causing them to retreat to underground cities. But, with a worldwide alliance the Greater United Nations are formed and progressively USTA – Universal Science and Technology Administration – a solution is proposed, one to venture into the great Star Ocean.
SD 10 (Space Date) or alternatively (AD 2097) is the date, and after much progress in technology, mass space exploration can now finally become reality and the search for a new land for inhabitation is within reach. This is where you come in, YOU are Edge Maverick, a courageous SRF member with an appetite for adventure, and of course you’re joined by the lovely Reimi Saionji, your childhood friend, a kind hearted girl who shares the aspirations of Edge to find a new home for the withering planet Earth
Nice place huh?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Star Ocean: The Last Hope has a compelling storyline enticing the gamer into the fantasy world to discover more of the fate of Earth. Immediately problems arise causing havoc for the young hero threatening to put a halt to the mission assigned. As you travel throughout the wide Star Ocean seeking an ideal planet you are opposed by fearsome foes and gain new intriguing allies that allow a variation to battle and great assistance to your ultimate goal. Combined with an amazing plot with unexpected twists you are sure to be gripping the edge of your seat on this epic adventure across space and time.
This feature like previous instalments has amazing gameplay with a healthy mixture of exploring and battling, with incredibly easy controls and flexibility. The exp based levelling system is similar to that of any other RPG but with the addition of SP (Skill points) it allows the gamer to customise each character to suit their playing style with greater success. Skills (acquired from levelling and boosted using SP) can be assigned to either of the trigger buttons in accordance to the gamers’ desire and as the player develops through the game skills can be linked for maximum efficiency. Furthermore, simple attacks are incredibly easy to execute and can be adapted to assure enemies do not pose a threat with the combination of both aerial and ground attacks. Also, another of the greatly useful abilities which you are imbued with are blindsides, the process in which with correct timing you are able to evade attacks and launch a more powerful rear assault upon a foe.
Of course, playing as a single character for 50+ hours can get incredibly tedious can’t it? Well, fear not, at any time during battle with a simple touch of either ‘RB’ or ‘LB’ you can switch between characters in accordance to the needs of particular battles and with any four of the nine playable characters in combat at any one time, you are sure to be able to find one better suited to a particular situation. With this feature, the task of felling monstrous beasts can become an ease. But, of course the BEAT (Battle Enhancement Attribute Type) system will also play a great role in victory with either a defensive or offensive type available giving various bonuses to blindsides and the ‘Rush’ system (an overdrive like state in which the player becomes immune to knockdowns and has an increased chance of critical strikes).
The game features astounding graphics with amazing surroundings for the various environments and spectacular cinematics. The details of even the simple things such as foliage help give some of the stranger planets their surreal atmosphere, emerging the gamer into the fantasy worlds further. And the graphics don’t stop outside of battle, fluid movements; stunning skills and thoroughly detailed creatures help make the battle experience a great joy for the gamer, intensifying the thrill of battle.
Audio for the game was also well thought out, with an amazing soundtrack with Motoi Sakuraba who has contributed music in various other games in the Star Ocean series as well as games like Valkyrie Profile and Super Smash Bros. Brawl. In addition this music combined with various clips allows for the gamer to feel more connected to the characters displaying a much deeper feeling of emotion, portraying the characters with greater qualities. Of course, the surprise and pre-emptive sounds never become old, always ensuring you know of the mistakes or successes you’ve made.
As per the usual requirements of a modern day Role Playing Game SOTLH does nothing short of supplying the gamer with intense and lengthy adventure, promising over 70 hours of gameplay to complete the vast array of quests and main story events with post game content supplying almost limitless activities. This varies from extra dungeons to a coliseum filled with dangerous opponents to strike the unprepared down and to those willing, bunny racing allows for a break from fighting.
Although, the game does have a very limited replay value, highly dependent on what the gamer chooses to do in the first play through as the main sub content consists of the quests and orders and alternative PA character endings. However, for achievement hunting gamers advancing through each of the modes can help sufficiently to gaining further Gamerscore with the new game + option of transferring all collection data, and the Gamerscore for completing the game on Universe and in turn Chaos difficulties.
So, in conclusion, Star Ocean features a very deep and sometimes moving storyline promising to keep the gamer entertained and wanting to delve deeper into the amazing worlds before them whilst keeping many of the much loved features that previous Star Oceans contained. It variety of side quests ranges greatly from simply collection of items to working your way through the coliseum rankings and venturing across space on a hunt for an encrypted item. Therefore, making this a great choice for any RPG fans.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Storyline: 9/10
The compelling mood that is presented before you is guaranteed to make you want to learn more about this amazing tale.
Length and replay value: 7/10
Star Ocean promises countless hours of felling foes and competing in various side tasks, although offers little replay value for those whom have explored the game fully on a single play through.
Gameplay: 9/10
The controls are simple with easy access to change between characters and the multitude of side quests makes it a very enjoyable experience. The Game is also incredibly tough on Universe and Chaos difficulties giving the gamer a true run for their money.
Graphics and Audio: 8/10
The stunning graphics help to form a better feel of the environment around you and with the aid of the audio a tense and dramatic atmosphere at times ensuring you’ll continue to crave more.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Overall Score: 8/ 10
‘‘An epic tale, promising to keep you entertained’’
What a cute little dog.
P.S: Thanks for Vance for some layout assisstance.
[Review] Star Ocean: The Last Hope -
06-19-2009, 02:29 AM
Linear Mode
