TACTICS OGRE:
The Road to Chaos & Law
Review by Chi
Phan
Without a doubt Tactics Ogre is one of my top 5 favorite rpgs.
Sure the game is a 16 bit rpg first release for the SNES but hey, the gameplay
is still far superior to some other 32 bit rpgs. It's a good thing Atlus brought
this game over here for the playstation. Thank You Atlus.
STORY
The story begins in the country of Valeria. Valeria has been
occupied by a neighboring empire and a movement from the liberation/rebel forces
to free Valeria from this occupation has began. Here the story focuses on members
of the rebel group, Denim, Kachua, and Vice. After hearing that the empire knights
known as the Dark Knights have arrived, the rebel group prepare for an ambush
attack. But it turns out the Dark Knights are actually Zenobian Knights. After
apologizing for the mistaken attack, the rebel group invited the Zenobian Knights
to help them free their rebel leader from prison. With the help of the Zenobian
Knights, the rebel leader was freed from prison. Shortly after this, your rebel
leader ask you to make a sacrifice and kill a group of your own people and blame
it on the empire. Whether or not you agree to this will determine the rest of
the story and your quest.
Now Tactics Ogre story is long and very in-depth with multiple endings and multiple
choices that help make turning points on how your story turns out. This is one
of the best in-depth rpg story around. The fact that you can decide the fate of
your story and the fate of the hero as to whether he becomes a hero or a villian
is exciting. A gripping story that will get you involve with the game.
Score: 10/10
CHARACTERS
The story focuses mainly on Denim (hero) and his sister Katua.
But there are many excellent secondary characters introduce to the story throughout
the game. With the return of Zenobian Knights from Ogre Battle, there are favorites
for every gamers to choose from. Great characters but could use better background
developement.
Score: 9/10
GRAPHICS
Now this is a 16 bit game so you basically have sprites in a
2-D render background. The colors in this game are excellent. As far as 16 bit
graphics goes, it's one of the best.
Score: 8/10
MUSIC
If there's a weakness in this game, it can be found in the music.
The game doesn't have alot of offering in terms of tunes selection and most of
the tunes are average at best. A great game need to have great music which Tactics
Ogre failed to provide.
Score: 5/10
GAMEPLAY
Tactics Ogre gameplay is pretty simple. It's basically a turn
base strategy rpg game. Position all your guys on the battle field maps and move
them one by one to attack the enemies. Still it is fun. One note to point out
is that the game uses a fighter class system. Each fighter can be change to a
specific class of fighter once they reach a requirement level. Of course each
class has it's good and bad side. Overrall the game is just a simple strategy
rpg game.
Score: 7/10
EXTRAS/REPLAY
Oh the extras in this game is amazing. There are lots to do.
From getting secret characters and extra story scene all the way to the 100 level
of Hell Gate. This is just a small tip of what can be done in this game. The replay
comes from the multiple endings and different turning points throughtout the game.
Excellent replay value for this game.
Score: 10/10
In the end, Tactics Ogre may not be a cutting edge game in terms
of graphics or gameplay but their story or presentation of story is excellent.
The fact you get multiple choices to choose how the story progresses and how your
hero turns out is great. Sure the gameplay is simple but there really is alot
to do in this game. One of my favorite rpgs.
Final Score: 9/10
~Chi
