Hexyz Force Review for PlayStation Portable (PSP)

System: PSP	Review Rating Legend
Dev: Sting	1.0 - 1.9 = Avoid	4.0 - 4.4 = Great
Pub: Atlus	2.0 - 2.4 = Poor	4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
Release: May 24, 2010	2.5 - 2.9 = Average	5.0 = The Best
Players: 1	3.0 - 3.4 = Fair
ESRB Rating: Teen	3.5 - 3.9 = Good

The story doesn't help sweeten the deal of an otherwise broken game. It deals with the rebirth of magical beings in mortal form, prophecies coming true, an evil empire guided by a mysterious force behind the scenes, and, of course, a rebellion against said empire. It's pretty easy to put together the pieces of what's going on - in fact, so long as you've played other Japanese RPGs, and don't hold your eyes tightly shut during character interactions, you'll figure it out pretty quickly - but the protagonists are continually baffled by the overwhelming mystery of the Hexyz. Levant in particular is guilty of this. A large chunk of his story is devoted to interactions in which he repeats the fantasy equivalent of "Do what now?" every time he is given a hint about his true nature as a Hexyz.

Hexyz Force screenshot

Hexyz Force isn't all bad. The graphics are very nice, with rich colors and some very memorable character designs. The music is especially evocative; the best parts of the dungeons are always the incredibly immersive atmospheric tracks, which are well worth listening to even when not playing.

Replay value is surprisingly low. When I first started playing, I was very excited by the opportunity to choose between two different protagonists, who each experience the epic struggle from different perspectives. However, the two stories intertwine fairly often, and since the story is already a warmed-over rehashing of stereotypical J-RPG conventions in the first place, playing through Hexyz Force a second time as a new character is like trudging through an unending nightmare that simply can't end soon enough.

Some of the details change, and the variety of teammates is different, but otherwise, the game's lack of challenge and perverse need to steer clear of anything that might break from the conventions of the "J-RPG formula" make playing through both of Hexyz Force's campaigns more of a test of the player's patience than an enjoyable experience.

By Kyle B. Stiff
CCC Freelance Writer

RATING OUT OF 5

RATING DESCRIPTION

3.7

Graphics
Great character design and beautiful dungeons do little more than trick prospective players into playing an otherwise dull game.

3.9

Control
Adequate control scheme pays homage to time-tested RPG mechanics without paving any new ground.

4.1

Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
Occasional voice acting is nice, but the music is incredibly immersive and perfectly conveys the feel of living in a fantasy world.

2.0

Play Value
Don't be fooled by the option to play as two different characters with different stories, as they match one another so closely that if the first run through of the game didn't put you to sleep, the second time will.

2.9

Overall Rating - Average
Not an average. See Rating legend above for a final score breakdown.

Game Features:

Deep combat system and item fusion/upgrade system are perfect for RPG enthusiasts who eat menu systems for breakfast.

Choose between two characters with unique perspectives on the epic struggle between the forces of creation and destruction.

Each character can equip up to four weapons, each with its own set of attacks, buffs, and upgrade options, making for a highly customizable combat experience.