Freedom? What freedom?
posted by L33tm44m (KISSIMMEE, FL) Mar 20, 2010
Member since Jul 2007
There are a few things to recommend this game.
1.) The 3d graphics and backgrounds are well done, with no glitches or texture bleedthrough. The transitions between map zones is also seamless.
2.) The enemy AI is decent. It's not just "run at the player until you hit a wall or you die."
3.) The character creation and item upgrade process is fair. The multiple item vendors doesn't hurt.
That being said, this game has MUCH that goes against recommending it.
1.) Lack of game manual or control interface training and pause feature.
2.) Camera NON compliance. At random times, the camera will go behind a bush, zoom up to the point that it's INSIDE your character (showing your internal textures), and does not adjust to the way your character is facing unless you move it manually. This is a major hindrance in battle as trying to move your character and the camera at the same time can cause you to drop your console.
3.) The zone map is a "supply" item which uses up an inventory slot. These fill up quickly, especially on the "gather" missions. If your supply slots are full, you may not be ABLE to complete that mission. (You can't store anything until you finish the mission and visit "your" house.) If you don't pick up the zone map from the supply chest, your character won't track map progress, and the field is just a big "Fog of war."
4.) As has been mentioned before, LONG load times between zones, especially as monsters can knock you into another zone as part of battle.
5.) Item gather spots have RANDOM items from a set and the stuff you can gather there can fail to be sufficient to fill the quota for the "gather" mission. Plus they tend to restock very slowly if at all.
6.) Saving can only be done after completing the mission, or at "home" AND your character gets only a single save slot.
7.) No storyline or character interactions to motivate you to follow the strict mission "tree."
If you don't like meaningless grinding, this game is not for you.
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