This is game is too retro for it's own good.
User Rating: 7.2 | Atelier Iris: Eternal Mana PS2
Atelier Iris would be an awesome game if it was released on the SNES (minus the movie cut scenes which would require a CD Format). But, by today's standards the game is too simplistic in everything it does. The graphics are simple and are a throwback to the SNES days, the sound and voice overs are cool but they are broken... the voice cuts-off or skips most of the time. This is an issue with the actual game so you don't need to worry if your PS2 is dying. I tried hard to get into the story but i was probably in the mood for something a little bit more fleshed out. The world map is a bunch of linear paths that connects the locations you can visit. (which opens up as the plot progress). When you are in one of the location the gameplay resembles Super Mario RPG. It's a semi-isometric view which has light platforming and random monster encounter. The only thing that the game does better than most other RPGs on the PS2 is a nice gathering of items you can use and assemble thru alchemy. If you enjoy collecting stuff this is your game.
In the end, i wasn't able to get into this game... I may give it another try in the future but for now, i have better games to try on the PS2. 
