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Astonishia Story Review |
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Written by Donny De Leon
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Tuesday, 08 August 2006 |
If you love Final Fantasy Tactict Advance, you'll love this one.
Developed by Sonnori, this is their first game on a handheld console (or any other console) Astonishia Story is the latest RPG for the PSP that you’re either going to love or hate. Like most RPG’s the game is set on the middle ages with knights, wizards, goblins and magic. The game does not have much of a story.
You play as a knight named Lloyd, who has to protect the Holy one carrying a wand, gets ambushed and in the end he must retrieve the wand for your King. So basically all of this revolves around a wand (Harry Potter anyone?).
The game is so simple that it would probably attract old school RPG gamers, and for those thinking that this would be a great game for your children it probably is.
Game Features:
Embark on an Epic Action RPG Adventure Play as honorable knight Lloyd and embark upon an epic journey to recover the Wand of Kinan, a sacred relic stolen from your protection. As the only knight to survive the ambush, you must summon your strength, your magic, and the skillful aid of wizards, fighters, mages and other powerful allies to find the Wand and reclaim it for your king.
• Immerse yourself in a rich RPG adventure with over fifteen unique characters and brilliantly witty dialogue.
• Enlist Wizards, Warriors and other skilled allies in your epic quest to recover your kingdom’s Wand.
• Battle against elves, bandits, sorcerers and monsters using powerful weapons and magic. • Maneuver quickly in the heat of battle with intuitive one-button commands.
• Get back into the action wherever you left off with save-any-time and an easy-to-navigate interface.
Graphics:
The Graphics are outdated yet the picture is so clear. Just think, Final Fantasy: Tactics Advance but with sharper graphics and a brighter screen. The game could have probably done well in the Gameboy Advance, and I’m not saying that because of the graphics but also because it could have cost less to develop and benefit both the consumer and the company.
The environment is also another thing to look at. There are birds, monkeys, butterflies and shadows that reflect each and every human, animal, tree and plant both inside and outside of battle. You can also see the expressions of your team members or enemies when they’re weak or if there’s something wrong with them.
"high resolution 2D Graphics"
Game Play:
The game play is simple where anyone (RPG gamer) could just pick up the game and figure out what to do. It is almost or if not similar to Final Fantasy: Tactics Advance. When it is your turn you have to move close to you opponent and attack, and vice versa with your allies and opponents.
You can choose: attack, skill magic, end, stats, items, move and run while in battle mode. Other than the battle system being unique, the game is just like any other RPG. Go into a town buy items, weapons and armor, talk to people and get clues on what to do next. There is also a Save anywhere feature that lets you of course Save anywhere without going through the trouble of finding a save point. A feature that many RPG’s lack especially when you are about to die.
Sound:
The music is nothing spectacular other than the fact that its there as well as the sound effects. Like most games you can choose to either turn off the BMG so if you don’t like the music the feature is there. The music changes as you progress through the game but it’s something you may not look forward to.
Controls: The controls are fairly simple. While not in combat you move with either the D-pad or joystick. You can talk, pick up items with X or cancel with O. You can enter the Menu by either pressing Start or Triangle and choose with your D-pad. In battle you move and select your command with your D-pad or Joystick and confirm with X or cancel With O.
World Controls:
+ Or joystick: Move around
X: talk, pick up items.
O: cancel
Triangle or Start: Enter Menu
Battle Controls:
+ Or Joystick: Move around
X: Choose Command and Confirm
O: Cancel
Life Span:
The game will probably only last for 20 hours and after that you might not see this game for a long time or if not ever again. Like many RPG’s in my collection I will probably put this game away and won’t bring it out until years from now. I played started playing FFVII in 2000 did not pass it until 2001 and started playing it again in 2006. So I’ll probably see this game again in 2011. If you can play any RPG pass it and play it again the next day more power to you.
Conclusion:
Astonishia Story is one of those games that you could wait on until there’s a price drop, or one of your friends lets you borrow it. You’re really not missing anything important but if you’re an old school RPG gamer, you might want to pick this title up. The game is not that hard to understand or get used to. If you like Final Fantasy: Tactics then this title was ported just for you. The game could have featured more dungeons, bosses and probably an FMV sequence similar to the ones found in Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth.
Graphics: 2D high resolution graphics are not that bad. 8/10
Game Play: Traditional RPG type game play and the save feature is one of the helps this game a bit 7/10
Sound: It’s there. Enough said. 3/10
Controls: Simple to master and figure it out: 6/10
Life Span: It should keep you entertained for a while. 6/10
Bonus Points: None
Overall Score: 60% = D |
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