Atelier Iris: Grand Fantasm

[Ashtrot]

For some reason I was under the impression this game was for the PSP. So I was pretty surprised when I saw it for the PS2 on my monthly trip to my local import store. That being said, this game is awesome. I like it more than the Atelier Iris: Eternal Mana games.

The game has an almost Grandia-esque battle system, and all spells and special abilities are reliant on a special attack gauge that fills as you use normal attacks (the max level being nine, with special skills and abilities using up one or two levels for the most part). At the bottom is a burst gauge and as you smack enemies, it'll fill, and when enemies attack you, it'll lower. When it hits max you enter a combo mode which fills the special attack gauge to full and increases the power of all your special attacks. It also counts the number of hits you make in this mode, as it can affect the post-battle earnings, and some attacks can also deal more damage with a higher number of hits.

The story is nothing too great, graphics aren't too big of a departure from previous games, music is okay, and for some reason there is very little voice acting (WTF?), but overall this is turning out to be my favorite Atelier Iris game, if only for the high number of hot chicks. My one complaint is that it's too damn easy.

More impressions to follow.

[Dice]

I'd get it, but Im being cautious about what I buy these days, and I really don't feel like dishing out 60 bucks for an "okay" game, I hate to say it, but I want fuckin' extraoridinary!! or something.  Y'know, the whole bang for my buck deal.