It had been quite some time since I have played a JRPG. In fact FFX was the last one I played and that was many, many years ago. Since then I have played many Western RPG (Morrowind, Oblivion, KOTOR, Mass Effect) so needless to say when the game stared, with one one the best battle scenes in history of video games (not Return of the King or Helms deep, but darn close), and I was only able to look around maybe 10 degrees side to side and was basically put on a rail to the next location it was a bit jarring. All I wanted to do at first was look around at the sky, the hills the environment, but this being a Japanese RPG that option was not given to me. And the first random battle I encountered was a little startling at first (even though I know it would be coming). But once I got past all the glaring "This is a JRPG not a Western free for all" differences it was like putting on a old pair of comfortable sneakers. The huge sweeping CGI (like I said the battle scene in the beginning is breathtaking), the imaginative characters and the "This guy is part of a bigger picture" character development, the in depth, slow paced battles and the striking beauty of many of the areas in which you travel all reminded me why I loved the FF games so many years ago. So while I still think I enjoy WRPG more because of the amount of choices you get and about how you develop you're character and you're experience while playing the game, deep in my heart I will always have a soft spot for a good, old fashion Japanese style yarn. Again, if you are coming into this game looking for a shooter hybrid like Mass Effect, or a free rooming RPG like Oblivion you will be a very sad little boy / girl. But if you have a appreciation for a old Fasion JRPG and were raised playing games like FFVII or X or Dragon Warrior then you will enjoy this greatly. But just don't expect anything new or revolutionary, this is a throwback to the olden days and does nothing to move the genre to new heights, other than the graphics.
Lost Odyssey arrived in a heavy package. It tells the thousand year tale of Kaim, an immortal living in a world that brutally limits lives other than his. Intuitively, longevity and invincibility shouldn't make for video... Read Full Review
The endless flow of time is a harsh master to us all. Its relentless nature makes every second of life precious because, ultimately, every second that goes by takes us closer to death. So imagine if you weren't constrain... Read Full Review
