2010-10-05, 07:29 PM
Hmm... just bought it. The graphics leave something a lot to be desired, and the lack of options can be frustrating. For example, you can't change text speed, any sound options, quicksave, or even save on the world map. You can only save when you run into some dude and his pet fox, lucky he hangs out in front of every boss room and in every city. Since I'm only about 3 hours in I don't have much in the way of jobs. I can feel that jobs (once I get more than two) will make the battle system much more interesting, but at the moment it's rather boring. They made some odd choices that I've never seen before as well, such as the inability to target anyone with anything. Instead, some weapon types and magic attack the "front" monsters, while others attack the "back" monsters. Heal spells hit the lowest raw HP target, and Phoenix Downs are presumably used on one of your dead people. Supposedly the White Mage lets you cast your healing spells on everyone in the party, but I don't have it yet.
I'm usually a fan of chibi/cute graphics, but this just isn't doing it for me. I think they were going for a cell-shaded, DS Zelda-esque style, but the environment and battles really look terrible and the character models are only big enough to appreciate when you're putting gear on them in the menu. I know the DS is capable of more than this. They do do some neat things like adding a curvature to the world map as you run around it. Somewhat of a minor gripe, but I also hate the "map." You get it about 2 hours in (if you're slow like me) and it's just totally useless. Everything on it is so small and poorly distinguished that they may as well have drawn it on old cheese.
I think my opinion of the game will have improved by tomorrow, so I'll come back with another mini-review around then.
I'm usually a fan of chibi/cute graphics, but this just isn't doing it for me. I think they were going for a cell-shaded, DS Zelda-esque style, but the environment and battles really look terrible and the character models are only big enough to appreciate when you're putting gear on them in the menu. I know the DS is capable of more than this. They do do some neat things like adding a curvature to the world map as you run around it. Somewhat of a minor gripe, but I also hate the "map." You get it about 2 hours in (if you're slow like me) and it's just totally useless. Everything on it is so small and poorly distinguished that they may as well have drawn it on old cheese.
I think my opinion of the game will have improved by tomorrow, so I'll come back with another mini-review around then.