Akitoshi's Visual Fantasia
Gameplay - 10 / 10
Making a radical turn in the opposite direction, Unlimited SaGa steers clear away from traditional gameplay elements. First and foremost, any concept of free-romaing and similar methods of exploration have been replaced by a visual 'storybook' interface, where the player is guided by scene after scene of character interaction. Menu-based navigation allows the player to select which areas to enter, which characters to interact with, which obstacles to face, etc. from a list of available options. Entering towns, for example, presents you with an overview of the town itself, from which you select from a number of accessable areas. Event-based dialogue may (more than often) occur selectively within certain places. Just as well, you may initiate dialogue with any of the locals, as to gather vital information about your journy.
Once venturing out into the overworld, you must traverse across wild outlands via a game board interface. You party, indicated by a small playing peice version of your lead character, is selectively moved across the playing board, turn by turn. Each movement may bring you to random treatures, enemy encounters or traps. This is where the fun begins, as you must unleash your skills to evade enemy sight, disable or avoid traps and risk taking treatures. This is done through a reel interface. When engaging any type of luck-based encounter or action, the reel comes up, presenting a number of panels with various results. (Some bad, some good, some really good, some really horrible, etc.) Stopping the reel on a good panel may more than often be a stroke of luck, though it is a fair way to simulate die-rolls as if you were playing a pen-and-paper campaign.
The reel system, often found to be frustrating, has its advantages, which are mostly evident in the game's battle interface. Though being classicly turn-based, turns may be conditionally adapted depending on the sequence of skills used, adding a strong element of strategy and tough decision making. The battle reel, which the accuracy and effectiveness of all skills depend upon, includes a number of modifiers which may help to target a specific enemy's weakness, giving the player the advantage of luck. Of course, this is a double-edged sword, as it may just as well backfire and cause the player to completely fumble the skill.
The most interesting and adaptive element of this game is the combo system. Generally, characters may chain any of their skills into one great, big combo attack. This boosts the overall effectiveness of each skill severely, often giving players huge advantages over their enemies. Just as well, enemies may chain their own skills, or join in on your chain to use its stocked power against your party. Many times, executing powerful combos against an enemy is required to defeat it, as your characters would normally be unable to individually handle the situation. Group effort is vital.
Character development is also very interesting. While most of it tends to be completely randomized, it fairly adds challenge by making development a reward, rather than a common attribute. After clearing any area board, you will find that your characters power-up . Rather than leveling, like in any standard RPG, ability scores tend to increase on a somewhat random basis, with no linear curve. Just as well, random skill panels are introduced to the player, at which point the player may choose to add and remove current skill panels. There are any number of panel combinations which will adversely affect the entire development and effectiveness of your character, so the system can prove very frustrating without some type of guidance or pre-determined templates. None-the-less, it is quite an enjoyable way to customize character growth.
Graphics - 10 / 10
Absolutely stunning. Such meticulous detail has gone into crafting each and every aspect of this game's visuals. Though lacking in animation and life, it is clear that the visual style was meant to compliment the theme of the gameplay which, in itself, is a refreshing change from the norm.
It is apparent that the battle animations are not 3D, despite the illusion of which is given by their nature. However, this is not generally something to complain about, as it all works out in the end to further compliment the game's storybook feel. Excluding some of the skill effects, most everything is hand-drawn, with vivid color detail.
Story - 10 / 10
Divided into seven individual scenarios, it is clear that the game's story unifies the seven lead characters together, only to unveil itself to the player in the end. Between all of this, each character has his or her own background, and sets out ultimately to the same destination as all the other characters, for his or her own reasons. Having their own distinct personalities, it is almost difficult to believe that all the characters' fates intertwine. Regardless, it is interesting to see how this plays out from the perspective of events in each character's scenario.
Like any story, there is a fair share of seriousness, countered only by often slapstick farce and lighthearted humor. All in all, it creates a fair balance which should be suitable to anyone's liking.
Sound 10 / 10
Suprisingly, the musical score manages to reflect every setting quite well. Whether you are engaging in a daunting round of combat, or simply roaming about the countryside, the music will always manage to set an accurate mood. Because the score is orchestrated in such a concordant manner, the transition from mood to mood is fairly even, and does not suddenly jump out at you. (i.e., roaming the peaceful countryside and then being ambushed by enemies does not tend to spoil the original setting's mood.)
The voice-acting, however, could use some work. While it is not nearly as terrible as some of the other games I've played, it can be a bit apparent and fake at times, or down-right ammusing in its attempt to reflect odd characters such as Armic. (But, perhaps, this is intentional.)
Value - 10 / 10
Generally, this is the type of game which is likely to be played through many, many times. This is not only because there are seven different scenarios, but also because of the nature of character growth and development, as well as non-linear questing.
As for the game's sentimental / collective value, I most definitely treasure this release, as it goes way beyond innovative in its genre. Unfortunately, it does not target a very wide market of interest, since not conforming to more common gameplay mechanics. Still, I imagine that the game can grow on just about anybody, if given the proper amount of patience and dedication.
Tilt - 10 / 10
Very rarely does a game come along which I consider to be perfect in every aspect. However, such a game does fortunately exist for me. Generally, I feel that Unlimited SaGa is the perfect reflection of what I seek from an RPG -- long, hard hours of dedication, gorgeous visuals, non-linear progression, and a completely innovation style of gameplay.
What more can I say? If you're ready for a challenge, and want to try something completely new, then give Unlimited SaGa a try. After dedicating a solid 20 or more hours into the game, you will find yourself addicted. (Note: Patience is a virtue which pays off dearly in the end.)