Role-Playing

Game Description: Evolution is a classic RPG that acts in true RPG style: an engrossing adventure with a story that unfolds as you progress through the game. You play Mag Launcher, the youngest in a family of adventurers, who has a taste for danger and the courage to back it up. Mag and his group of ragtag explorers are in search of an ancient artifact known as Evolutia, and the search will take your party to dungeons, forests, and caves that house some of the deadliest creatures in the land. See if you can lead your party to Evolutia and continue the Launcher family tradition with Evolution.

Everything in Evolution emits a charm and sense of humor that is lacking in the RPGs currently garnering industry attention. For one, the lead character, Mag Launcher (all the characters in the game are named after weapons munitions), is not like the standoff-ish Squall from Final Fantasy VIII. Instead, he is a happy-go-lucky kid who goes about his day in a totally upbeat mood. This optimistic and light-hearted nature is further exploited by the games supporting cast.

I agree with Dale that the impressive graphics, relaxed nature, and often-humorous settings of Evolution is what sets it apart from the dozens of other RPGs on the market. At the same time, the goofy antics of the anime-style characters and settings isnt what impressed me most about the game.

According to ESRB, this game contains: Mild Animated Violence, Suggestive Themes, Use of Tobacco & Alcohol

Game Description: After being forced to leave Kant, Meis Triumph makes his way to the capital city of Boyzby where he meets Sodina. Her brother, Jyabil, takes Triumph as an apprentice blacksmith. Unfortunately, the gang that forced Meis to leave his home is headed to Boyzby. Guide Meis as he tries to stop the rushing invaders using his blacksmithing abilities to improve the weapons and items that his comrades carry. Hopefully, that will be enough to help them save the world in Thousand Arms.

Thousand Arms is a game that is so distinctively Japanese through every part of its fiber, that only a user base familiar and understanding of the cultural, Japanese nuances present in it will be able to comprehend and enjoy the game. Its localized release clearly signals that such a phenomenon has taken place in the United States.

According to ESRB, this game contains: Mild Animated Violence, Mild Language, Suggestive Themes

About the only thing I can see that will add to Chi's review is to further reiterate how meaningful this release is for the anime fan. It's is like an anime movie with RPG elements. All the standard elements are there from the submissive women to the stoic (and often cold) men who always seem to get the babes. The whole dating thing was a bit unsettling at first, but it was so simplistic that I got into it pretty easily and the results were more fun than not.

I must admit, early on in the game, I wasn't overly impressed with Grandia. I liked the overall production values with the exception of the terrible voice acting, but I had issues with other elements. I found manually rotating the camera-angles to be an awkward and disorienting experience for a console RPG.

Game Description: An evil army commander is looking for the last remnants of magic in the world, and intends to use the magic to take over the planet. Take the role of Justin and his friends as they explore the world and try to put a stop to the madman. With 60 hours of gameplay, there are plenty of things to see and do. Can Justin and company unravel the secrets of an ancient race and save the world? Play Grandia and find out.