Rogue Galaxy Preview
System: PS2
Dev: Level-5
Pub: SCEA
Release: Jan. 30, 2007
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: T
Review by D'Marcus Beatty
Review Rating Legend
1.0 - 1.9 = Avoid
2.0 - 2.4 = Poor
2.5 - 2.9 = Average
3.0 - 3.4 = Fair
3.5 - 3.9 = Good
4.0 - 4.4 = Great
4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
5.0 = The Best
The aforementioned Revelation Flow is similar to Final Fantasy XII's License Board and FFX's Sphere Grid, with the major difference being that Rogue Galaxy uses items to unlock abilities. Each character has different abilities and stat boosts that can be unlocked by plugging in the correct combination of items. Each time an area on the board is unlocked, the next section is accessible, ensuring that the player has certain abilities before unlocking others. The Revelation Flow is extremely user-friendly as well, perhaps too user-friendly for hardcore RPGers looking for secret challenges, as the Revelation Flow tile on the user screen flashes constantly as soon as there is an item that can be used, and the screen even shows which characters have open tiles that match available items.
One truly amazing thing that Rogue Galaxy manages is the absolute minimizing of load times. There is an initial loading screen, and there are very brief loading screens in between cutscenes. Other than those few examples and one or two others, the game is seamless. There are no loading times between sections of the game, nor are there any stutters when the player enters or exits buildings or even during the transitions between battles. Initially, when playing the game, the player feels the lack, as this seamlessness is nearly unprecedented, especially in a game this size. There is a constantly present but pleasantly wrong feeling that the game is due for a break or a pause for loading that never comes. This is a genuinely amazing achievement and one that is definitely appreciated as the player progresses through the game without constant breaks.
Another Level-5 staple is the inclusion of tons of distractions, and Rogue Galaxy definitely doesn't disappoint in this aspect. The Factory mini-game allows the crew to create new items using a factory assembly line. To use the factory, however, the player must get blueprint info from different people around the galaxy. The player then uses the blueprints to recreate the item by building an assembly line that must be arranged, powered, and even timed correctly. Another distraction, the Insectron mini-game, has the player collecting tiny Insectors to battle against others for prizes in a Pokemon-like turn-based team battle. The player must trap, train, feed, and mate the Insectors and use them to defeat other Insectors in a series of tournaments. There are even bounty hunts that allow the player to search for marks and defeat them for a fee.
One thing that may turn some hardcore RPGers off is how much Rogue Galaxy holds their hands throughout the entire game. The game has screens to let you know when you have a Revelation Flow capable item and how many squares are open to this item. There is always an arrow on the map to show where the player needs to go, and save points both replenish your health and also teleport you instantly to different areas of the map, essentially freeing the game of superfluous backtracking. Certain roadblocks require keys or different items to be used before the player can proceed and the game usually directly tells you what is needed with the essential item usually in a treasure chest not too far way. While all of these aids are a great way to keep the player from getting lost or losing focus, there are a few times that the player may feel as if the game is insulting his intelligence.
This version of Rogue Galaxy is actually improved from the Japanese release, with a number of new features and additions to enhance the game. New weapons and items have been added along with an entirely new and optional planet. Characters have received new abilities and costumes, and some of the areas and characters have been redrawn and enhanced. The overseas release of Rogue Galaxy was already critically and commercially acclaimed, so U.S. gamers should appreciate the fact that we're getting improvements on a game that was already great.
Rogue Galaxy ultimately feels like a mixture of Final Fantasy XII and Dark Cloud 2, which is undoubtedly a great combination. With its gorgeous visuals, its galaxy spanning story, and dozens of hours of gameplay, Rogue Galaxy is probably and sadly the last great RPG that the fading PS2 will see. Even with its few flaws, Rogue Galaxy is a wonderful gaming experience for RPG lovers and those looking to get their role-playing feet wet.
By
D'Marcus Beatty
CCC
Assistant Site Director
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Preview
The name Level-5 makes most RPG lovers sit up and take notice. As the developers behind Dragon Quest VIII, both Dark Cloud titles, and the highly anticipated but cancelled True Fantasy Live Online, Level-5 has quite a few high-profile and high-quality RPGs under its belt. It appears they are about to add another, as Rogue Galaxy, their latest RPG project, is shipping in January.
Rogue Galaxy follows the story of Jester Rogue, a 17-year old orphan, on Rosa, a desert planet. Jester wants to be able to travel through space and adventure and he considers his planet Rosa to be a boring and uneventful dead-end, which, is obviously counterproductive to his dreams of excitement. For better or for worse, Jester soon gets his wish, as a war erupts in space, involving his planet and setting into motion a chain of events that send Jester throughout the galaxy. The story obviously has a strong Sci-fi theme reminiscent of Star Wars/Star Trek, as the player is able to visit five different worlds in their quest.
Like the Level-5 standard, the graphics are gorgeous, made up of a cel-shaded look that is better than any of their past projects. That is saying a lot considering how great both Dark Cloud 2 and Dragon Quest VIII were. The environments and character models all have a high level of detail and animate very well to create a completely immersive game world.
Combat in Rogue Galaxy is real-time with certain RPG limitations. Instead of being able to attack relentlessly, the player is given a meter that empties slightly with each attack. If the meter is emptied completely the player must wait until the meter is recharged to perform attacks. The character can maneuver around the battlefield with complete freedom, however, as well as jump, create combos, and alternate between long distance and short ranged attacks. Also, there is no shift to the battlefield, as when your player encounters an enemy, the foe appears in the exploration environment, which (thankfully) cuts out the stop-and-go feel of traditional random battles. Some of the enemies also have special kill requirements that prevent the game from becoming the button-mashing slashfest that some action-RPGs quickly devolve into. The player can control one person out of a party of three, while the others are controlled by AI. One interesting addition to this familiar setup, however, is that computer controller allies ask permission to use healing items instead of instantly using them when their HP gets too low, and permission can be given or denied with the quick press of a button.
As always, Level-5 has thrown a bunch of distractions and side quests into the gameplay to extend gametime and replay. The Revelation Flow system is a way of customizing characters using a grid (Like FFX's Sphere Grid and FFXII's License Board) to unlock abilities and stat boosts. To unlock squares on the grid, however, the player must find items to plug into the squares, as each square has certain item requirements before it can be accessed. There is also an Insectron Mini-game that allows the player to collect and fight insects for prizes and money a la Pokemon.
The version of Rogue Galaxy that US gamers are getting is actually an enhancement of the Japanese release, which has been available for over a year. In addition to enhanced graphics and voicework, there are additional monsters, weapons, items, and an entirely new and optional planet for exploration. All told, there will be over a hundred new weapons and items with the US version. Considering that the Japanese version received great scores overseas, the fact that Level-5 is still making improvements should make gamers excited.
Rogue Galaxy is almost assuredly the RPG to look for in early 2007 and may be the last great RPG of the last generation. With great visuals, an exciting battle system, tons of distractions, an epic sci-fi storyline, and Level-5 as a developer, Rogue Galaxy has a lot going for it. Look for it at the end of January.
By
D'Marcus Beatty
CCC
Assistant Site Director
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