So Parasite Eve 3, I really began to doubt ANYONE really knows what to do with video games any anymore. I mean, aside from Square just ruining their franchises (even Kindom Hearts fans are ashamed of the recent entries… and that’s saying something) and the sheer neglect of RPGs period, I am genuinely concerned that people hardly know how to make a game if it isn’t a FPS.

But I stumbled upon a gem. A game that has revitalized my hope in good games toward OUR demographic. It’s a game on the DS called Radiant Historia. And let me tell you: It was hard to find. While on my vacation this weekend, I searched countless game stores like Gamestop, FYE, and many other and NONE of them had it. They were too busy stocking their shelves with the latest three 3D editions of Nintendogs (AND CATS!) along with the other ‘quality’ titles that our out today.

The reason I was so frantically looking for a copy was because during my vacation this past weekend, I had sunk in 14 hours into a copy of the game I was borrowing. I eventually gave up and just waited till I got home last night and ordered it online. I also bought it new because Atlus did such a damn good job that I want to make sure they get my money for this. Buying it used would just be putting the money in some random guy’s pocket. And in most cases, I usually go this route. You think Square got a cent from me for Parasite Eve 3? HA! And yes, I know in the long run, if just I buy (or don’t buy) a copy of a game won’t change the price of rice in China, but it’s the principle of the matter… at least for me. It really is a shame that it is so new, yet so rare… while all the crappy game are in such abundance.

So what is this game I’ve been hyping the hell out of? It’s a RPG with some amazing twists to it. Firstly the story is amazing. They do a time travel story like no other (yes, even better than Chrono Trigger [though for the record, it still isn’t a better game than CT]). The best way to describe it, I believe, would be to imagine the split timeline for the Zelda series, and imagine if you could jump back and forth between the two, changing things to affect the timelines to progress through the game. That’s Radiant Historia. And at any save point in the game, you can go back to key points in the game to change your decisions and alter history. And the plot thickens when you find out someone else has the same power as you and is purposefully trying to screw things up. I really want to really dive in and explain a lot more, but any more than that would start hitting spoiler territory.

So I guess now I’ll talk about the battle system. At first glance, it’s pretty standard for a turn based RPG. You get to see the turn order just like in FFX, which is cool. And you’ll notice that the enemies on screen are on a 3 by 3 grid. It gets interesting when you start learning skills that knock the enemy around on these grids. You’ll first learn Push Assault, which will knock an enemy back a square. If that enemy lands on a square with another enemy, they both take the damage of the next attack on that square. You eventually start learning a lot of moves that will move enemies from various positions into place to really rack up some damage. And if any party member’s turn is right after another, it counts as a combo and counts all your consecutive hits. And the higher your combo, the more bonus money and EXP will be rewarded after battle. Later, the characters will get meters that will fill as you do combos for some more interesting things. But it actually goes a bit farther than that. You actually have the option to change the turn order at will. You can arrange the turns in such a manner that you’ll have a lot of your party turns in a row to really do some amazing things you can even trade turns with enemies. This comes at a cost though. You’ll go into a status that greatly decreases your DEF. So if you trade with an enemy, their turn will happen immediately and you’ll have a chance of taking some hefty damage. But if you are smart about it, you’ll be fine. But overall, the battle system us super fun and putting together combos is greatly rewarding.

Aside from that, there’s just music and graphics. The game uses that old style of 3D maps with 2D sprites (you know, like Xenogears), so it’s right up my alley. And the music is pretty awesome too. So yeah, I can’t possibly recommend this game enough. And I hope you guys give it a shot. It really is the best RPG I’ve played in quite some time.



And check out some screenshots.

I just ordered it based on your recommendation.

Better be good.

*shakes fist*

I think it's a safe bet to say you'll enjoy yourself.

I've been playing through the game, and at any point you can check the timeline to see how everything has changed. And if there are any other possible changes, you can see a faded dotted line kind of going to where something should be. And it kills me because I want to find out what I need to do to make that happen. But I've been playing without a walkthrough, and I intend to keep it that way, at least for now.

Sounds really interesting. I always like it when a game's world isn't just static. And the idea of multiple timelines is really intriguing.

heh The thing is, I tend to get so obsessed with optimizing things that I read every bit of text I can find about a game, plan every choice out ahead of time, and then play it.

The end result usually isn't quite as enjoyable from a gameplay standpoint, though.

I'll try not to spoil it and read the guides beforehand...

Well, I'm about 14 ours in, and there are only two major timelines. You can deviate from them here and there... and some things you learn or do in one can change the other. So there aren't like 50 bajillion different timelines or anything.

And when playing the game, just know you can always go back and change any choices you made. You won't really have to read ahead as if you don't like the choice you made, you are more than welcome to go back and change it at the next save point you reach.

I shall endeavor to learn more

I remember being interested in this title. Sadly I no longer own a DS. A gave up on the handheld after getting my first 2 stolen. What are the odds?
I do want to get another one in the future, and this is definitely one of the games I'll get.

I've had this game on my "to buy" list since I first heard about it coming out, but I've lacked the funds to buy it. I still really want to get it though, especially after reading what you have to say about it.

people sure do like tugging on that nostalgia bone

Just got it today.

Hope it's good.

I look forward to your thoughts on it later.

I'm rather liking it thus far. It feels more like a classic game and not just more of that same old modern garbage. Definitely worth the price.

I started playing it on my 3DS in car, but have decided to continue the rest in an emulator. It's amazing - in an emulator, with the fast-forward button, I got to the same place in 30 minutes that took me 2 hours to on an actual DS.

Emulators have totally spoiled me. I just don't have the time or patience to play on actual consoles anymore. They're just too slow.

Can't even stop to enjoy the music?

I play games on mute. I don't listen to the music anyway.

I am rather liking it thus far. It kept me up way past my bed-time last night, and probably tonight too. Which means I'm going to pay for it on Monday with a terrible headache and bags under my eyes.

Thanks a lot, Lantis. >_>