Post by The Dankness on Jun 15, 2009 23:16:50 GMT -8
The Dankness's review of
PART 1
This review has been brought to you by
Writing fever has hit me again, and that means reviews. Incidentally, RPG fever has also hit me again, and that means long-ass drawn out reviews. God help us. The first review (which I am splitting into separate parts, and will probably regret that decision) is on the sleeper classic for the gameboy, Makai Toushi Sa·Ga.
SaGa, released here in the states as The Final Fantasy Legend (no doubt to capitalize on the growing popularity of the series), was the first RPG for the gameboy. It was released in 1989, and was the brain-child of Akitoshi Kawazu, the man responsible for fucking up Final Fantasy II. Fortunately, this effort turned out quite a bit better than that. SaGa was a huge success, and has spawned nine sequels, which continue to be released to this day.
For your pleasure, I am going to document for you all my whimsical journey through the wondrous world of SaGa. Before we begin our adventure, however, let's go over some of the features that made this game unique:
Open-Ended Gameplay
Most Japanese RPG's of this era were generally very linear, following a hero or group of heroes through an epic quest set along a straight path. For a game to just drop you into a strange world and say "Do whatever the fuck you want" was a new experience for many gamers of this time. SaGa was one of the first JRPGs to do such a thing. You create a hero, choosing from three available classes (which will be explained in a bit) and recruit a party in the same way. After that, the game essentially hands you the reigns and let's you discover the world for yourself.
Complex Leveling System
As mentioned earlier, it was the experimental approach to game design taken by Akitoshi Kawazu which led to the controversial leveling system which turned many people off to Final Fantasy II. Ironically, however, it was the further experimentation and development of this system (among other things) which ultimately led to the success of the SaGa series.
Straying from the basic "fight monsters, get stronger" system used in most RPGs, Kawazu developed a system in which characters develop differently depending on class. I think now would be a good time to explain the classes and how they develop.
Human
Humans are the physically strongest class and can equip the most equipment. Rather than leveling up by fighting, they can only develop their skills by the use of various items. For instance, a "strong" potion raises strength, an "HP" potion raises max HP, and so on.
Mutant
Not only are mutants unable to carry as much equipment as humans, but they level very differently as well. Mutants increase their various stats such as strength, defense, and agility, based on what actions they perform in battle and what weapons they use. For instance, a mutant that uses physical attacks will increase physical properties, and using magic will increase mana. Also, using a heavy weapon such as an axe will increase strength, while a lighter weapon like a claw will increase agility. Anyway, you get the freakin' idea. Moving on.
Monsters
Monsters cannot carry any equipment at all, and utilize what is certainly the most intriguing leveling system of the three classes. Monsters can only level up by becoming another monster. Occasionally, a defeated monster will drop meat. When this meat is eaten by a monster, that monster then becomes whatever the enemy was. Consequently, the only way to make them stronger is to have them eat the flesh of progressively stronger enemies. Pretty nuts.
Weapon Durability
The third and last feature that made this game unique was the feature of having weapons degrade over time. In most RPG's, a weapon would last forever until you replaced it. In SaGa, you had to pay attention to the condition of your weapons and replace them when they broke. This added a feeling of realism and immersion rarely seen in RPGs of those days. Plus, it was fucking annoying and retarded.
So, as I've beaten into the ground, the game was quite revolutionary, tried new things, blah blah blah, I think you all understand. Now, without further ado, let's begin the adventure, shall we?
Welcome to the world of SaGa.
The quest to find paradise is about to begin! Now, another aspect about this game that I love is that since the party is fully customizable, the characters you play has are given no introduction, and have no backgrounds. Now, perhaps it's my writer's spirit, but I have a serious hard-on for this sort of thing, as it lets me give my own backgrounds and story lines to the characters I create. Now then, let us meet our cast of adventurers!
STARRING
James Franco
as
Soul of Endings
ZEDD
Nomad Pariah
Our hero, the human Zedd, is the last surviving human from his former home planet. The entirety of life on the planet were murdered by an unknown force. Narrowly escaping, Zedd somehow found himself flung to the other side of the universe, to the world of The Tower, where he now seeks Paradise, hoping to somehow make sense of everything. He is even-tempered, though flashbacks of his homeworld occasionally send him into fits of unadulterated violent rage.
Favorite movie: The Omega Man
Favorite snacks: Pizza and Citrus Soda
Kat Dennings
as
Soul of Beginnings
EVE
Mother Taken From Eden
Our token female lead, also a human, was the first woman created on her home planet. She was abducted from her home by a group of malicious time-traveling criminals as a horrific prank. This prevented her entire race from ever having existed on that world. She was abandoned on the world of The Tower. Not realizing her importance, she seeks justice against those that took her.
Favorite Movie: Welcome Home, Roxy Carmichael
Favorite Snacks: Funyuns and Champagne
Hugh Jackman
as
Soul of Aspirations
GINO
Proud Wandering Fighter
Born to fight, the mutant brawler Gino wanders the world of The Tower to attain his dreams of becoming the greatest fighter of all time. Believing The Tower to be the key to attaining his goal, he has joined our other heroes in their quest for paradise.
Favorite Movie: Rocky II
Favorite Snacks: Powerbars and Beer
AND
Rutger Hauer
as the voice of
Soul of Rebirths
RALO
Gentleman Monster
Once a rich diplomatic man of great reputation, Ralo ("Pronounced 'Rah-Loe', if you please.") was murdered and brought back as a horrific revenant by an insidious necromancer who envied his wealth. His good taste and polite mannerisms were strong enough to allow him to keep his human intelligence and proper disposition. Unfortunately, it was not enough to completely withhold his monster instincts. He murdered the necromancer and, embracing the ways of a monster, made it his goal to find the perfect form, and to become the most noble and proud of all monsters.
Favorite Movie: The Hound of the Baskervilles (1939)
Favorite Snacks: Roast Clam and Earl Grey Tea
Wish our heroes luck in the dangerous Tower, the pathway to God!
Well, as much as I'd like to continue, this has been enough work for one night. Our adventures in the world of SaGa will continue in Part 2 however, so stay tuned!
To Be Continued...
