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Review by: kain50bc
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Reviewers Score:
9 / 10
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Posted: December 10, 2005
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I finished this game several days ago
(the 7th of November if you must know) after many a day of playing. All
I can say is that this game is highly addictive for the turn based
strategist. Read on to find out why
Graphics: 10/10
Well beyond its time. I thought Bahamut Lagoon looked good until i saw
this. Compared to this Bahamut Lagoon looks like a cartoon. Everything
looks so realistic and flashy its amazing. But let me go into more
detail.
First, your Wanzers (big Mechwarrior looking things). There is so much
variety in the design of these things in each part and weapon. There is
very little re-usage of design, which is a big plus from me. Character
portraits are also very nice looking
Second, battle scenes. There is full and proper movement! Not just your
standard pause, slash, back to the start. It has every
movement, if the pilot's backside was itchy you'd see them scratching it
(no that doesn't actually happen).
Lastly, scenery. Again, very realistic looking, although you don't see
much of the world map at all. in-fact, the world map may be the one bad
thing in the graphics department. But all the battle scenery and cut scenes
are very well designed indeed. The only last irk i have is the
backgrounds are the same in every town. But it's not enough to take it
off a 10.
Sound: 8/10
Sadly, again the RPG has suffered from the same music everywhere. You
get about 4 different pieces of music, those being battle music, town
music, boss music and credits music. NOT ENOUGH! But at least they are
all exceptional. Sound effects are the greatest I've heard however.
Flawless you might even say.
Gameplay: 9/10
Now yes, I'm biased because I love turn based strategies. But that's not
to say that influences the score in any way! Anyone would like this game
I should think.
First off I'll start with the missing point. The story. While very
original, it's kind of cheesy and predictable in places. I can't give
away any points of predictability for spoiler reasons but there is a
classic one right at the start. Basically the story goes that you are a
commander in a platoon of Wanzers sent on a secret mission against the
opposing side. Something goes wrong and you are discovered, disgracing
you and resulting in your expulsion from the army. Later on someone
comes and recruits you into a guerilla force named Carrion Crow and so
your story truly begins.
Now for actual gameplay I have come across few finer systems. Before
each battle, you have your chance to upgrade your Wanzers in the fashion
of your choice. Each pilot in your team excels in some of 3 abilities,
Fight, Short and Long range weapons. But if you want you can change that
to suit your playing style and build up their skills in a different
area. Upgrading Wanzers is a fairly simple business, go to the shop, set
up your Wanzer by buying the parts it needs for its 'job' and sell the
excess.
Also before battles you have the option to fight in the Colosseum to
earn extra money and a little experience. A nice alternative to going
out and fighting random battles like in other games.
During battle, you choose which Wanzers to take into the fight with you
before you start. You can choose any strategy you want, whether it is to
use your missiles from a distance to weaken the enemy or just to charge
straight in. Most units, yours and the enemies have 4 parts, body, 2
arms and legs. Destroying the arms prevents a Wanzer from fighting,
destroying its legs reduces its movement to about 2 squares and
destroying the body defeats the wanzer, regardless of other parts
remaining. Experience gains seem to be random, but you get experience
for EVERYTHING, even picking your nose.
Replayability: 8/10
While it is a fun game, there isn't exactly a lot to do differently. I
have only played it through once and I think I missed picking up a few
pilots. But other than that all you might do differently is change your
fighting styles and see what works best
Overall: 9/10 Thank you very much for the recommendation, it was worth
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