Dynafire has 132 chronicles

1. Under the Radar #4: Legend of Legaia
   

   Player Chronicle -- Posted on May 06 2009

   I often look back on the days of the PS1 as the golden age of gaming. This was when, for the first time, we were able to get true 3D environments as well as much more intricate games on consoles since CDs could hold so much more data than the cartridges we had grown used to. The PS1 also brought tons and tons of RPGs into the market, which I believe have yet to be outdone by anything that newer systems can muster. This could be because most newer RPGs don't use a turn-based combat system, which I prefer.
   
   Legend of Legaia is one of the best RPGs I've ever played, and I would go so far as to compare it to Final Fantasy VII in terms of the overall enjoyment I had the first time I played through the game. The only shortcomings it has are that there are only three characters you get in your party, and the graphics are pretty ugly. Other than that, LoL (I love how this game is abbreviated, by the way) is a very enjoyable experience.
   
   The characters you get are Vahn, Noa, and Gala, and no one else. It works out fine though, since more characters would mean more grinding to keep the lesser-used characters up to par with the main party. In order of usefulness, the order goes Noa - Vahn - Gala. It seems like they couldn't quite work out the balance between the three though. Noa is a nigh-unstoppable force of destruction, while Gala is most useful as a punching bag. Vahn is decent all-around but doesn't shine in one particular area. He's more of a utility character that can do whatever the situation demands.
   
   The department in which this game shines the most is the combat. The combat system in this game is fantastic. Instead of the traditional "attack" command, you input up, down, left, or right to perform moves on your opponents. up is a high attack, down is a low attack, left is a left-handed attack, and right is a right-handed attack. Depending on whether or not you have a weapon equipped, there will be an "arms" command instead of right or left, depending on which hand the character uses for weapons. There is an "action bar" (or whatever the game calls it. I don't really remember.) in which you put in commands, and they take up a certain amount of space. At first, you're limited to only a couple of attacks, but can gain access to a larger action bar, and thus more moves, by either leveling up, or using the "spirit" command. Spirit is basically like defending, but it extends your action bar until you attack again.
   
   There are certain combinations that will result in special "Arts" moves that will deal extra damage to your enemies. These combinations are often able to be strung together, so finding a way to chain them together is essential. For example, say you have an "up, up, down" special move. If you're allowed to put in more moves via a larger action bar, and you have another special move that is "up, up, down, up", you will perform both the special move for the "up, up, down" combination, then perform the second special move as well. This is very fun to play around with, and will keep you entertained during every fight in the game.
   
   The story is kind of weird, mostly because I don't remember much of it. It starts off simple enough; monsters attack your hometown and kill a bunch of people, then you set off on a quest of vengeance. (cliche, I know) Then you switch to Noa's story. Unlike most RPGs, you actually get to experience the beginning of each character's story only using that character. It's interesting to see what motivates each individual character, and by the time they meet up and form a party, you know why they're doing what they're doing. The main story is that "the mist" is the source of each character's problems. It turns out that someone made machines to generate the mist, so you attempt to find and break them. To aid you in this quest, you are given "seru" which bind to your soul or something, and allow you to absorb enemies which become your magic spells once you obtain them. They also play a part in the story as a whole, but I'll not spoil it for you.
   
   If you're an RPG fan, you owe it to yourself to give it a try. I guarantee that you will find it an enjoyable game.

   
   

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Dynafire has 2 comment s on this chronicle.

1. Seripha
   Posted On May 14 2009

   This is a fantastic game! I have played it more times than I can remember. The unique combat system had me in love from day one.
   
   I couldn't agree more, by the way, with some of your opening comments. While I would still put a handful of SNES RPGs over PS1 RPGs (Chrono Trigger, SMRPG, Secret of Mana, etc.), I believe that the PS1 pumped out the last SPECTACULAR generation of RPGs. Since the PS1, I have yet to label anything beyond that level. At most, they get a GREAT but not PHENOMENAL rating.
   
   I would love to see a return to that style, but I am predicting a slim chance of that due to all the corporate fatcats attempting to placate the hollywood hungry youth of this generation.

2. ZMaine
   Posted On May 07 2009

   I'm borrowing this from you, I still need to beat it.