Better than Final Fantasy (Legend of Dragoon (PS))

Member Name: Emm Dub

Product:	Legend of Dragoon (PS)
Date:	12/02/01 (662 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: quality content

Disadvantages: same old Japanese storyline

As a casual gamer an RPG has to be pretty special to impress me and furthermore keep me coming back to my PSX again and again to waste even more of my valuable leisure time. To date only the Final Fantasy series has managed to achieve this. So Legend of the Dragoon was up against formidable competition and a particular customer. The game comes on four disks, so it’s obviously big - four chapters to be precise. Each of which could have been released by a lesser publisher as a game in it’s own right. Not surprising then that this title was three years in production! Was it worth it? Well, overall, yes it was. Whilst it isn’t perfect Legend of the Dragoon proves that if the quality and content of a game are good enough the imperfections will be overlooked.
The adventure section of the game is reminiscent of FF with beautifully drawn backdrops and 3D characters moving in and out of the scene. There are hundreds of these painstakingly drawn locations, many of which you will only visit once during the game. The fighting sections are in 3D arenas, a different one for each of the scenes. This is where you will experience the most significant difference between this game and other RPGs. Many of the attack moves do not just require you to select and then sit back – you actually have to time button presses or furiously hit a button as many times as you can. Thankfully it is more often timing than button bashing. This almost adds a beat-em-up quality to the game, as with the correct timing on the right button you can repel counter-attacks. As you progress through the game new and more complex moves are introduced for you to master ensuring that this side of the game never becomes ‘matter of fact’.
So, what are the imperfections? Well, the storyline is typically Japanese i.e. warrior seeking vengeance for his murdered parents returns to the town where he grew up, meets up with the girl he used to play with as a child and so begins a lo
ad of soppy text that you have to read at regular intervals throughout the game as they teeter on the edge of actually getting it on. During fight scenes you will on occasion transform your warriors into Dragoons. This sets off a cut scene of graphical splendor. However, once you’ve seen this a few times it can get a little tiresome as there is no facility to bypass them.
So, down to the nitty-gritty, is it better than Final Fantasy? I haven’t seen FFIX yet but until I do as far as I’m concerned Legend of the Dragoon is the best RPG on the market. If you’re an RPG nut you must buy this. If you’re a casual gamer you really should consider buying this title and setting aside a little more PSX time.

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