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System:
PlayStation
Genre:
RPG
Publisher:
Sony
Developer:
Contrail
Players:
1
Release date/year:
10/29/1998
Other systems:
-
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- Legend of Legaia
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1998 Contrail - Sony - PSX
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It was just a few months after I had gotten a PlayStation, and I was in Blockbuster, looking for games (which I hadn't done for years, at the time). I had no clue what to get, I only knew about 2 games that weren't on my demo disc . . . I noticed Legend of Legaia, thought it might be good, so I rented it. It was the first RPG I had played (Not including Zelda . . . ), and needless to say I didn't get very far. I bought the game earlier this year when I had a sudden urge to play it again, and I'm very happy with the purchase.
The game takes place in Legaia, just your average RPG world. Small towns, separated by large green fields filled with monsters. It's dungeons and events are straight-forward and easy to get through, but some of the bosses are very difficult. Legend of Legaia only gives you three playable characters, and you use them throughout the game (Which disappointed me. I played a few other RPGs [mainly Final Fantasies] before replaying the game, so I had gotten used to being able to change parties and whatnot.) The story isn't anything special, but the battle system is the main reason this game is so good.
- Storyline
The story focuses around Seru (And Ra-Seru, and Sim-Seru . . . ), which are devices/creatures that were created to improve the power of humans. Humans wear Seru and they are given special powers and strength, to make life and work easier. But . . . An evil mist covers the earth. When Seru are touched by the mist, they become evil. The mist is being pumped into the world through mist generators, hidden deep within large fortresses. No humans can reach or destroy these generators without special powers, so the generators cannot be destroyed . . . normally. The only things that have the power to hold back the mist is the ancient Genesis Trees, that are spread out around the world. When the Genesis Trees are revived, the mist will not be able to enter that area, making it safe for humans to live. I'm rambling and it makes no sense, now. Only Vahn, Noa, and Gala can get rid of the mist with the help of their Ra-Seru (More powerful Seru who are not affected by the mist): Meta, Terra, and Ozma.
The translation seems very weak at points, but at other times it's unnoticable
- Gameplay
Walking on the field is very much like almost every RPG. It's very easy to tell where your character is at all times (without markers above your head . . . ). The backgrounds are 3D, unlike in the PSX FFs, and it's very easy to tell what's a doorway and what's a treasure chest. Haha.
The battle system is unique. When you choose to attack, you also get to choose which way to attack, High, Low, Left, or Right (Left/Right becomes Arms/RaSeru). Some certain combinations do special, much more powerful attacks. The bad thing is that you have to find most of these combinations on your own, by trying random sequences. A few combos ("Arts") are taught to you, and the really good combos are taught through "Book" items. Instead of inserting your own commands, you can choose "Auto" and the computer decides what move sequence to do.
You cal also "Spirit" to increase defense for a turn and also increase the amount of moves you can enter for your next turn.
Like all RPGs, magic plays a part in battles. You learn magic spells by absorbing Seru monsters you fight. Absorbing a monster is uncommon, but some of them are very useful spells.
- Graphics
The graphics in the game are good. The field graphics are blocky and undetailed, but like I said above, you can tell what is what. In battles, the graphics are a lot less blocky and more detailed. LoL has very few FMVs, which is probably the reason that the game takes up only one CD.
- Sound
The soundtrack has a few nice gems, and the boss themes are especially good. In battles, many moves include the characters screaming the Art's name (I think they scream it in Japanese, though . . . Haha).
- Overall
A very good RPG. Slow paced at times (The world map becomes unbearably slow after you've been on it for a while). Challenging bosses (And it takes a long time to level up, which is always useful before a boss fight in most games). Definitely worth a buy (Got my copy for 15 bucks at EB) or at least a rent.
One day I will beat the game. Two more bosses . . . Plus all the secret items I want to get.
//Marshall
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