The Last Story - Nintendo Wii

I am an avid fan of role playing games in general and have enjoyed many console-based RPGs since Dragon Quest was released on the NES. When I play a RPG my enjoyment and satisfaction is based on four elements in order of importance to me: 1) Character development and depth of character relationships, 2) Story development and believability, 3) Interaction and engagement with the world, and 4) the battle system. Below I talk about each one of these, but if you are not interested in reading my detailed review, this is how I rate each on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the best:Characters: 4.5Story: 4.5World: 4.0Battle System: 5====Characters====Development of characters and their relationships among each other is important to me because this is what drives the rest of the game. Many recent console-based RPGs have suffered with flat characters and/or underdeveloped relationships of the characters. Typically, only the main protagonist receives focus, leaving others (especially antagonists) flat. In terms of individual character development in The Last Story, this game does a wonderful job not only in showing confusion, suffering, and enlightenment in the main character's (Zael) growth, but in the other protagonists as well. This is usually done through optional side quests and conversations among themselves. One area that was lacking in the game, however, is the antagonist is not developed enough. I feel like the game developers could have enhanced the motivation and background story for the antagonist more (at times it felt cliche).In terms of developing relationships, I think this game does an amazing job. You truly get a sense of the camaraderie (or lack of, at times) of the group. Also, the interactions within the protagonists' party show subtle nuances of where friendships lie as well as trust. The relationships don't feel forced and the characters respond to each other based on how they view themselves within their group (which changes as the game progresses). The voice acting is superb and the accents of each character (even NPCs) fits their personality. Overall, I felt the directors and producers of this game did an outstanding job on the characters and their relationships. Again, the only hesitation I have with giving a perfect 5 is an underdeveloped antagonist (though some may disagree with me).4.5 out of 5====Story====The story is the second most important aspect for me. When I think of the story, I think of the overall progress of the game and the elements that drive it. What motivates the protagonists to action? Why are they together? What major events exist in the world influence their action and thoughts? I won't reveal many of the events that are surprising jewels in this story, but I will say I love this story. The events in The Last Story are logical in their sequence and existence in the storyline. I didn't feel like events were forced in. In some games, certain events are forced into the storyline because the developers need it to drive the story and motivation of the characters. This can leave the player feeling confused and frustrated. This doesn't happen in this game (except perhaps one part in the dungeon with the archaeologist). Each event has a part to play and it fits with the overall theme. It engaged me and I never doubted its believability. The reason I rated the story 4.5 instead of 5 is that it felt too linear to me. I enjoy RPGs that allow me to roam and go at my own pace. Many times I felt that the story would force me to move on when I wanted to interact with the world more. However, the story is still enjoyable to make up for this lack.4.5 out of 5====World====Even good characterizations and a great story won't work if the world the characters live in is dull and boring. I love a world where the developers have not only made it very interactive and desirable to explore, but look real (i.e. moss on stone, stunning details on trees in forests, etc.). The majority of your time will be limited to the city and castle on Lazulis Island. Those of you who are like me and played Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy since their inception expect the ability to explore an entire planet (even underground worlds or the moon!). Not so in this game. While other locations off the island are played, the play is limited in those areas and you are not at your leisure to explore. This can be very frustrating, especially since events involve the entire world.Now, the reason I didn't give this a poor rating is that the city and castle are very rich in detail. The city itself has much to do and much to explore. Many NPCs will ask for your aid in some task that sends you searching throughout the city (even the castle). Of course, these are optional. The interaction does not stop there. When you bump into people they are thrown off their course and respond to you in like kindness. You can even knock your head into overhanging signs! The detail of the people, buildings, and even the weather is amazing in how real they are portrayed.One specific area in the world is worth mentioning: the Arena. Whenever I am tired and need a break from the main story, I can fight various creatures in the arena to test my group against. In return, I receive dropped items from the creatures as well as items people have bet on the group. This allows players of the game the opportunity to earn extra gold, experience, and items if you don't want to return to a dungeon.4.0 out of 5====Battle System====The battle system is not turn-based, but action-based. While hacking and slashing enemies is a simple affair (you just walk up to them and your character attacks), the system is more complex, especially in tougher situations. Enemy units have different abilities and you must plan your attack prior to engaging them. For example, should you take out magic casters first? If so, do you assault them head on or use a sniper? The terrain will influence your tactics and so different locations offer different types of battles.As your characters level up they gain special abilities. These abilities can combine to create new offensive and defensive benefits. Once Zael learns the command ability, you can command your teammates to perform certain abilities against certain enemies.In terms of negatives, I do not have any problems with the battle system itself. When engaged in melee combat, the camera doesn't always operate how I control it and it causes confusion. However, this isn't such a big deal. I thoroughly enjoy the battle system and would place it in my top 5 for console-based RPGs.5 out of 5====Bonus Material====I love the bonus material that came with this game. As other reviewers have mentioned, the music in this game is beautiful and high quality. It is great that the game comes with a CD with the following tracks:1. Theme of The Last Story2. Chitsujo to Konton to3. Yorokobi no koe ga kikoeru4. Machi no neiro5. THE LAST STORY - Kizuna6. Jyajuu7. ToberumonoIn addition, the game comes in a wonderfully designed box showcasing the art of the game. Inside the box you will find the game as well as an art book. I love the art and as I looked through and studied each of the pages I got the sense that the characters were given the most attention for details. The creators of the game spent time in getting the characters' clothes to match their personalities. I can't imagine how much work went into designing and creating the characters, non-player characters, and scenery of this game!====Conclusion====Overall, I give this game a 5 because I can't give a half star. Many years have gone by and I have not played a RPG as amazing as this. I definitely get the sense the creators and developers gave everything they had to make this game. While my scores reflect an average lower than that, I feel together those aspects as well as the effort put into developing this game deserves a 5. I hope a sequel (or prequel) is planned because I would not hesitate in purchasing it.

Let me start this review off by saying that I have yet to complete this game. I am currently ~20 or so hours in as of the time of this writing and i will be back to playing as soon as i finish this review. I am an avid RPG gamer with games in my collection spanning from [all] Shin Megami Tensei game(including Persona, I'm a huge fan cant you tell?), tactical RPGs such as Agarest's war Desgaea, and Final Fantasy games ranging from IV to XIII (which i did enjoy), and many many others in between.My introduction into RPGs started with FFVIII which absolutely blew me away as a kid. From the mesmerizing story deep and lovable characters. This was the benchmark by which all RPGs afterward would be judged. The next RPG that would leave its mark on me was Final Fantasy X. That game, with its heart wrenching story and beautiful music, thoroughly impressed me.The Last Story is on level with FFX with the way it amazes me. The perfect musical score brings each and every scene to life like a movie. Every character, every scene, and every second of the game is flavored by a perfect musical score. The story, though cliche at times as most RPGs of this nature tend to be, fits the game quite well. It is a typical story of a young man who wishes for knight hood, a trapped princess who longs to be free, and fate that brings the two together. The Last Story is more than though. It is of a group of mercenaries who all aspire to their own goals, and have their own lives torn apart by a war which is the backdrop for The Last Story. Each second, and each character of this game are riveting.Though the graphics are not impressive by today's standards, which frankly hurt some of the scenes due to poorly rendered facial expressions (in my opinion), they absolutely push the graphics capability of the Wii to the limit. Frames tend to drop at time, for me mostly when my camera zooms up to a character while I am exploring. Thankfully the powerful story and game play help to round the poor graphics out nicely (something that other game developers should note).Game play is fast paced, and interesting. Though the game is thoroughly a JRPG (as evident by the story, creator, and composer), combat is a conglomeration of JRPG elements and western RPG elements. Combat takes place in real time in third person. If you are playing with Wiimote and nunchucks and manual mode (which I was), the nunchuck moves your character, allows you to reset your camera and aim your crossbow as well as allow you to use your "gathering" skill while the wii mote allows for attacking with "A" (again, in manual mode, in standard mode attacking is done simply by moving the thumb stick in the direction of the enemy), guarding with "B" and bringing up the pause menu. The combat is almost hack-and-slash in nature, but fast paced and fun regardless. You gain various skills along the way which gives combat a JRPG tactical flair. The most interesting skill of the game, and part of the game that makes it the most unique (in my opinion), is the gathering skill. this skill draws enemies toward you and allows your friends to attack freely. Each character has 5 revives per battle and reviving can only be done in gathering mode, a catch 22 of sorts. Also, by blocking attacks and taking attacks in gathering mode, you can build up a "barrier burst" which knocks back enemies and deals massive damage.Game play is very linear, though it doesn't feel as though it is. Some areas allow you to explore and do side quests before continuing on with the story. In a sense the game is very much like FFXIII in terms of game play BUT The Last Story pulls this off marvelously. This brings me to another reason reason I love this game so much. Often times in RPGs i tend to get lost and sidetracked far from the story in search of some ultimate weapon, or armor. Since the combat is not that difficult, I never needed any such items. Because of this there is never a need to put down the game due to frustration because you need aren't a high enough level for the next boss and need to grind (every JRPG falls into this trap). There also isn't a complicated leveling system for you to learn. Attribute values and skills are all allocated upon leveling. Very simple, and very easy to pick up for anyone of any age.Like FFXIII, game play is essentially run around and explore, move on to next cut scene/ chapter/ fight. This happens throughout the game but unlike FFXIII, it never feels tedious because the story and combat flow into perfectly. Since the game allows sections for you to explore and do your odd sidequests, you never feel like you are trapped or that the story is on rails. The pace of the game never slows down. Just when you get bored of running around town, a mission comes up so you can fight. When you get tired of fighting, a cut scene pops up. You can sit and play this game for hours and your family can sit around and enjoy the story with you (no one wants to see you grind for levels for hours).The older I get (ok ok I'm only 20, but I have school and work), the less time I seem to have. The Last Story provides me with everything I need from a game. It is a short game, spanning somewhere from 20-30 hours from what i understand (looking like 30 for me), that provides a complete, compelling story, and heart pounding action. 100 hour RPGs are just something that I do not have the time for anymore, though I do make time for them.The Last Story threw me back to FFX with its thrilling action, heart clenching romance, rich story, and robust cast of characters. Unlike FFX though, The Last Story provided all of those things in a bite sized, yet thoroughly filling plate which I won't soon forget.