At GameCritics, we love getting email in response to the reviews we write. It doesn't matter if we agree with it or not. As long as it's an attempt at intelligent discussion and is clearly written, we welcome everyone's opinions concerning the content we provide for our readers.
As many of our readers are well aware of, I wrote a review last fall on Sony's epic role-playing game, The Legend Of Dragoon. I didn't like the game very much. I thought it was unoriginal, horribly written and mindlessly repetitive. It was pretty much the same role-playing action I've been playing since the Super NES days, only not as fun. In my review, I gave it a "5" (out of 10) and complained throughout about how the game blatantly ripped off Squaresoft's Final Fantasy VII—another game I didn't like very much. Quite simply, for a game that was three years in development, The Legend Of Dragoon was very disappointing in almost every aspect of its design.
Little did I know how many Dragoon lovers there were in the world (I call them Dragoon Nazis now). The day after the review went live, I received the first of many emails regarding the harsh verdict I laid down upon The Legend Of Dragoon. Here it is:
You know, when I first started playing the game, I thought the same things that you expressed in your review, that this was just another rip off of FFVII. Actually, what I really thought was that 'this game should have BEEN FFVII.' You simply complained too much in your review, which leads me to believe that you didn't actually play much of the game at all before you wrote that review. If you had played it, you would have realized that beneath the initial FVII look alike syndrome was a unique, engaging, gem of an RPG, that given half a chance, would have blown your mind.
About your review. From that review, I gather that every time you play a traditional style RPG you immediately compare it to FFVII. However, if you noticed, random battles, three-person battle mode, prerendered backdrops, and polygonal characters are pretty much standard for RPGs these day. It hardly qualifies as being a rip-off of FFVII, unless you consider every game since FFVII to be a rip off, that is. I bet that if you had gotten that far, you would have also complained that there weren't enough magic spells to choose from. What your lack of objectivity has caused you to ignore, is that this game is balanced out so that no matter what part of the game you are in, the system maintains an advanced level of difficulty. God forbid an RPG that wont allow you to be come so powerful my midgame that you don't actually have to work for it anymore!
I'll will agree with your assessment that the characters are a little flat. Once again though, had you played a little further, you would have seen their personalities develop. Sure, they don't ever get as deep as say, CLOUD from FFVII, but they go far beyond what you gave the impression of in your review. As for the seemingly unrealistic way that everything seems to fall together, such as everyone just happening to be a Dragoon (as you pointed out in your review), it's a theme that a lot of RPGs use, it's called fate. I'm sure that that is just another sign of the game's unoriginality to you, but in that, most RPGs are guilty.
With that, I'd suggest that the next time you go to review a game, review the game for what it is, not for what it reminds you of. If all reviews were written in your style, there would be no such thing as a good RPG(which LOD IS), they'd all just be ripoffs of something else. Lastly, I'd be curious to know what you thought of Legend of Mana, now that was a disappointment. Also, don't take this as an attack on your review, it's not. Think of it as constructive criticism on your criticism. Thanks for your time.
OK, this isn't a bad one at all. It's totally cool. This person had some problems with my review—no big deal. I responded right away and tried to clarify my thoughts on the game, as well as reinforce my position. However, I never anticipated how many times I would be faced with the same predicament in the coming months.
That first email is actually high on the list of the thought-out Dragoon emails. As time went on, emails went from messages filled with questions and rebuttals to nothing but short declarations and name calling, as in the following examples:
i don't like ben!!
* * *
i don't wear glasses like you you freak!
Believe it or not, that was all those people had to say to me, and they were pretty polite compared to some of the others I received. As you'll soon see in the e-mail collection I've assembled here, people can get really upset when you bash their favorite game. I've always known there are people out there who take everything seriously, but no one can compare to the Dragoon Nazis. To them, any criticism raised against The Legend Of Dragoon must be taken personally.
The reason for such unreasonable behavior is pretty clear to me. For most of the people who wrote to me, The Legend Of Dragoon was one of the first—if not THE first—role-playing game they've ever played. I suppose if The Legend Of Dragoon was my introduction to the genre, I might've liked it more, too. Unfortunately, I've been playing RPGs for years and years, and I like to think that I demand a bit more from my games as a result. This is an idea that most of these people just can't understand.
Anyway, let's get on with it. Please note that I've removed the names of all the authors, both for their protection and ours. Also note that I've only corrected the spelling and grammar of the emails that made an attempt to discuss the subject at hand without getting ridiculous and irrational.
Of course I played the game!
Have you guys even played through the game? All the screen shots from the game that are on your site were either from the first CD or the second one. You even put two of the same pictures in the "screen shots" section—the one where Dart is slashing at the scorpion. Besides, (preemptive "I'm sorry") in a profession where you just sit around in a room and play games and type up reviews all day, I can see why you would be a little grouchy, but that is no excuse for badmouthing a game that you probably haven't even played all the way through. Even if it is your job.
Do you know any big words?
You guys, the two of you that wrote The Legend Of Dragoon review have totally overlooked all the good qualities of the game. You say that it is just a rip-off of Final Fantasy VII, and being a mostly impartial, new to the PlayStation gamer who has never played FF7, I am forced to believe you.
However, you should know that I don't want to believe you. This is the best game I have ever played with—as far as I'm concerned—a totally original cast of characters and an unbeatable storyline. The movie scenes and the computer graphics are vastly superior to anything I have ever seen.
You just use big words to overcome situations during which you don't know what to type—and I suppose I'm doing it too.
I agree with the second review in that I like the Additions system. I also have problems with the extreme expanse of time that is wasted during the "random battle" thing. But I still don't agree with anything else that you two put into your reviews—even though I'm sure you don't care what I think.
The Legend Of Dragoon: Unique in what way?
I thought your review of The Legend Of Dragoon was all wrong. I have no idea what you have against the repeated "X" pressing, or are you guys so helpless that you need items to beat the enemies? Every time I got one of those things I just sold it, and there you have it—end of problem. The game for me was great, and I have played FF7. Yes they do seem similar, but The Legend Of Dragoon is still unique.
Ben, what the hell's up with dissing the Dragoon transformations? They were bad ass, and it made it even better that the other characters could transform as well. I don't know why you want the game to go by so fast. Isn't that the point of RPG games, to give you a nice long story that makes you want to see more? If the battle were to wiz by then what would be the fun, you'd just be complaining about the battles going by to fast, they should go a little slower. I happened to think the game was great, and I feel that your review was a bunch of BS. Thanks for your time.
Dude...
dude, i just read your add in some web site about what you thought about legend of dragoons and you are completely wrong, your probally sayin that cause you got pissed off because you couldnt beat it, ok yea its alittle like the ff's, but the story line and the surroundings are different, no disrespect, thats your opinnion but its all wrong.
Platinum and Silver aren't the same?
This is your lucky day....to get a letter from a VERY PEEVED Legend of Dragoon fan.
I'd like you to have the patience to read my entire letter since I had the patience to read your entire ridiculously scrutinizing review on an RPG that is way better than ANY Final Fantasy game. (cept FF3 and 8) ESPECIALLY better than FF7. You say that the battle systems copy final fantasy 7's eh? I'm sick of hearing it being compared to final Fantasy. Final Fantasy is CRAP compared to other games. Xenogears, Legend of Dragoon, and Valkyrie Profile are ALL better than Final Fantasy. Final Fantasy is only popular because it spread like christianity with FF7 and now people only want to play FF and never give anything else a chance. The battles in Dragoon are copied off of final fantasy 7 in some minor ways, but almost any RPG you play will be like that! (xenogears with pressing the deathblow sequences ect...) Who cares about minor details like that anyways?! Obviously you didn't pay attention to a single detail in the story of Dragoon which is supposed to make the game good—not the battles or how many items the people carry. that's childish to think like that. Besides....do you MAYBE think they did that to make the game more challenging!?! SHEESH!!
ok. Dart and Shana are like Tifa and Cloud in a small way...but they didn't make a stupid promise and go through stupid flashbacks all the time (THANK GOD) and they DID confess their love throughout the game MANY TIMES!!!! Dart would always hold her and one time he said "I don't think of you as a little sister anymore" But they didn't have time to be too close because so many things were happening. they had to chase after Lennus to get the moon dagger, and then they had to try to keep the moon mirror from being stolen, and THEN Lloyd stole the queen along with the mirror and so on and so on and so on.... and comparing Lloyd to Sephiroth is also CHILDISH!! Hello? Are they not aloud to have a bad guy with silver hair?? YOU KNOW WHAT?! They said many times in the game that it was Platinum!! Platinum is used for a really really light blonde, but they make it look greyish silver.
Sorry If I'm sounding so bitchy. But your review really bothered me. On to your "everyone can use dragoons theory" NOT! You really must not have paid attention. Rose said herself that it wasn't coincodence that they were travelling together. They all had the power to be dragoons but they were brought together by fate. Fate had something in store for them, but they didn't know what. And don't say that was a cheesy idea because I've seen cheesier, and I think it's really cool because there were 7 of them...just like the ancient Dragoons that fought in the Dragon Campaign. and when one Dragoon passes on (Lavitz) Another that was willing would don the spirit (Albert). This also explains why Lloyd couldn't use the Divine Dragon spirit or turn into a dragoon. His magic power was increased and he got cool armor, but he couldn't be a dragoon with it. Dart on the other hand, was already a dragoon, and since he lost his dragoon spirit to Zieg, he could use the Divine Dragon Spirit. Same with Shana when she fell ill and gave the Spirit to Miranda. Miranda wanted to help really badly, and that's why she could use it. Fate brought them to her. Ect Ect Ect....
And when you say the stuff about the backgrounds being CG stills with the characters walking over them. That's the going thing right now. Chrono Cross also does that. Dragoon is better than Chrono Cross. I couldn't put Dragoon down...unlike FF7 and Chrono Cross. So what is the better game? Don't make me laugh! You should think more before you post such a review in the future. Because just because YOU want to compare it to A lower class game and call it a rip off, other people won't think the same way. I hope maybe you can replay the game and like it for what it is....thanks for reading."
Dastard? What's a dastard?
Dear Ben,
I've read your revew with great interest. I've come to the conclusion that you have missed the "human factor" in your review. In your report you mention continuously that The Legend Of Dragoon is much like Final Fantasy VII. Well, I must tell you, I own both of these games and have seen that your report falsely accuses Sony of copying Squaresoft's No. 1 hit. The storyline in The Legend Of Dragoon has nothing to do with the fact that Dart and Shana are young and in love. It revolves around the fact that fate can be changed by the decisions we make through our life. The only thing that is remotely similar between the two is the battle sequence, and even that was not as similar to FF7 as you state it to be.
Adittions are a factor to make the battle a little less boring. It's a way you can "kick the enemy's butt," and is supposed to give the player a goal to set. In a real fight, people don't hit each other one at a time, as in most role playing games. Additions are supposed to create a "realistic" approach to the battle.
Also, the characters don't talk at all in FF7. In The Legend Of Dragoon, during battle and during movie sequences, the characters talk. The music is different too. There is no similarity in the two games' music. Plus, in FF7, the war that is mentioned over and over has already ended. In Dragoon, It is in the beginning of it.
And one more statement before I stop. A bastard is a man who's father was killed in a battle. So you could say that Dart IS a bastard. It was a word used plentifully during the middle ages, only they pronounced it 'dastard.'
P.S. Try to be more careful before instigating a trial over video game ideas.
Try it again? Are you ill?
Excuse me sir --This game has given me and my friend a lot of thoughts about what to rate it. I believe that it would be a 9 out of 10. I got the game for Christmas and thought it was creative, colorful and above all else beautifully animated. I guarantee if you play the game and get into the moods of the characters, you will see the game from a whole new light. A fan of the characters (especially Shana and Lavitz), I believe the characters are very imaginatively drawn. Their magic is awesome, and it makes a lot of sense. My friend even said that it made more sense to her than Zelda: Ocarina Of Time. So I hope you consider trying the game again. Thank you.
Sure, whatever you say...
in my own opinion i think you have a serious problem or say a fixation over final fantasy 7 i thought that legend of dragon was a lot better than final fantasy 7 in every aspect sure they had some of the same miner details but the overall storyline of the game is completely different
How about giving ME a break?
the best thing you said was it suck and yet u gave it a 5. it compares to ff7 in no way possible. how do u get additions out of limit breaks?!? and why do you hate the fact they all have the power?!?you can't have one amazing guy that's twice as powerful as the rest and call it a good character cast!!! and would you call 7 NOT 6 characters beating the crap out of 2 monsters fun? give the game a break!
Yes! I really did play the damn game!
You try to beat LoD down by comparing it to another game, and i don't think you ever really played it. If you did not know Final Fantasy copies itself and many other games as well. But you probably don't play other games do you?
I give up. You're right. I've never played the game.
no one gives a damm what you think i personally think legend of dragoon is much more involvinhg than final fantasy 7 you forgot to mention the fact that on lod you don't have to use every one to get them experinse unlike ff7 you have to use them other wise they get no exp. the fact that you say all you do aout it makes me think you have never played it.
'Benny Ben Ben?'
well benny ben ben you should be fired off this new website because your just a biased person. legend of dragoon is a well made game that if you at least try to like it would be pretty fun. and it has no similarity story like ff7 just because it has characters dart and shana doesnt mean any thing there are lots of game you can turn down like squall and rinoa from ff8, or xenogears, and many other wonderful rpgs. one thing don't be biased and try to understand that every game has its unique cast, story, and gameplay
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