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Crimson Gem Saga Review for PlayStation Portable (PSP)

Crimson Gem Saga Review for PlayStation Portable (PSP)

Turn-Based Basics!

As the video game medium increases in age, it seems that more and more people are beginning to appreciate the value of retro-inspired titles. Last year’s Mega Man 9 was definitely proof of this, and it’s easy to see why these older-stylized games are popular. They were more difficult, generally much longer, and had a deeper focus on gameplay over visuals. Of course, that’s not to say that modern games are all bad, but playing these retro-inspired games definitely gives you a different gameplay experience. Crimson Gem Saga is a title that is a throwback to the old days of RPG gaming, and your enjoyment of this title will definitely depend on how much you appreciate its classic value.

Crimson Gem Saga screenshot

While series like Star Ocean, Final Fantasy, and even Shin Megami Tensei have opted to include active battle elements in their recent releases, Crimson Gem Saga takes the most strict turn-based approach possible. You won’t even see a hint of an active battle or quick-time event here. The battle system works by presenting you with a menu, where you can choose to engage in a regular attack or a special attack. You can also opt to defend or use an item. Once you choose your action, it will be time for another player or an enemy to take their turn (as indicated by a turn bar at the top of the screen). Although this may sound like an oversimplification, trust me; it’s not. The most complex facet of the battle system is the presence of combo attacks, which allow you to double up on your character’s attacks by combining it with others. Aside from that, the gameplay is amazingly straightforward and extremely easy to pick up and play.

As a seasoned RPG gamer myself, I really appreciated this throwback to old-school RPG gaming. The approach reminded me of a time when RPGs were about long-range strategy instead of button mashing. But, even though I was totally thrilled with this game’s approach, I have to say that it’s not for everyone. I’m sure that any seasoned gamer is familiar with the concept of grinding, and in Crimson Gem Saga, grinding is a complete bore.

Crimson Gem Saga screenshot

Simply going through the motions of a regular battle, pressing the attack command a few times, and collecting experience points over and over again can definitely drive you a little crazy after awhile, especially if you are used to more active battle systems. But, if you can deal with the repetitive grinding as well as the rigid battle system, then there is plenty of fun to be had with Crimson Gem Saga.

The story is not especially memorable by itself, and revolves around some powerful rocks which have the power to change the world. These rocks, known as Wicked Stones, are being hunted down by several different factions, including a race of demons and a slightly suspicious do-gooder effort known as the “Order of Light.” You play as a group of rag-tag misfits, including a treasure hunter, a stalwart warrior (who was actually let go from the Order of Light), a lazy magician, and a recent academy graduate with a chip on his shoulder.

Crimson Gem Saga screenshot

After a singularly successful mission (and a brief stint in the slammer), these four characters join forces with the Order of Light to go and save the world from the six remaining Wicked Stones. Each stone seems conveniently placed behind a dungeon with a boss to guard it, but again, this is all part of the game’s nostalgic charm.

Although the plot seems contrived at times, I have to say that the different characters are what really kept me playing this game. The game never takes itself too seriously, and it pays no regard to the fourth wall whatsoever. There is plenty of humor to be had here, and although the game tries really hard to create deep, emotional moments, the real value with the storyline had to come from the more comedic elements of this title.

Crimson Gem Saga screenshot

However, the game’s comedy could not be as effective without a voiceover, and I was really surprised at the high quality of it. The last few Atlus-published games that I have played have had little to no voiceover, and I was fully expecting this title to be another dud in this department. However, I was quite surprised when the voiceover was not only very present, but rather good as well. Only the main characters (and villains) are voiced, but the lines are delivered with unexpected emotional depth, and I found myself really looking forward to turning up the sound during plot scenes.

As far as visuals go, Crimson Gem Saga is also surprisingly good. The game has a very stylized look to it, and uses cel-shading as well as some watercolor elements to bring the rich world of the game to life. There were plenty of bright colors, and the animations were very fluid. I was also very impressed with the amount of detail given to the characters. The game uses little sprite-like character representations, but instead of looking like a blurry mess of pixels, it looks polished and very detailed. The different environments also look very good and vary from barren desert settings to lush, green meadow areas.

Crimson Gem Saga is not a game for everyone. It can best be described as a niche title, designed for those who appreciate a good old, classic-feeling RPG experience. If you like fast-paced, action-intensive RPGs, then you should steer clear of Crimson Gem Saga. If you do like the older format, however, this title really is a gem, and it shouldn’t be missed!

RATING OUT OF 5 RATING DESCRIPTION 3.9 Graphics
Highly stylized cel-shaded graphics look great on the PSP. Characters are highly detailed, and the different environments look vivid and lush. 4.1 Control
Menu based controls are very simple and easy to learn. There are no gimmicky elements to the controls, just simple menu selection. 3.8 Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
Music is nicely varied across the dungeons, and the voiceover is surprisingly competent. 3.5 Play Value
The classic feel of the game does make grinding a little boring, and the story feels contrived at times, but this is a great title for those who crave a more classic approach to their RPG gaming. 3.9 Overall Rating – Good
Not an average. See Rating legend above for a final score breakdown.

Game Features:

  • Return to essential RPG fun: Remember what made RPGs simply fun experiences? You’ll find it here. Easy to pick up and play with a full package of addictive combat, beautiful graphics, interesting story, and fantastic voice work; this is a title that will charm genre newbies and veteran players alike.
  • Gratifying combo-filled combat: This is turn-based RPG combat at its most fun. Attack your enemies before they attack you to gain the advantage of the first hit in battle. Master the Critical Combo System to deliver multiple hits and deliver major damage to an enemy. Team up with allies to unleash massive dual, triple, or full-team attacks.
  • Distinctively beautiful 2-D world: Vibrant, colorful, and distinctive, this is a world that will draw and keep you inside the fantasy. Detailed character portraits and beautiful, fluid sprites further make this a treat for the eyes.
  • A far superior sequel: Forget what you know about the series because this is a totally new experience. With a complete graphical facelift, a brand new story and cast, and newly polished combat, this is a game that blows right past its predecessor.

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