Graphics -- 80%

The graphics for this game are amazing. The FMVs are beautifully rendered and the characters move very fluidly in AND out of the FMVs. The backgrounds are just as amazing and the facial animation in the FMVs appear to be a notch above FF8's. The FMVs are quite limited unfortunately, but when they do appear they are quite long and usually awesome action sequences. Unfortunately certain scenes reek of Panzer Dragoon Saga's visual style and so can't be called original in any way. The battle scenes are nice and on par with FF8's but once again, they're nothing really special.

Control -- 70%

The game controls fine and don't have any problems. The analog stick makes your character run when pushed all the way, input is responsive, etc. There isn't much to say about the control scheme since there's nothing wrong with it, but there isn't anything great about it either.

Sound/Music -- 65%

Music does the job of filling the silence but doesn't really make an impression. Sound effects are a little soft… not too sure. The voices in the FMV do the job but really don't ever reach the high standard of most anime-intensive games. (Langrisser, Growlanser, Lunar, Grandia, etc.)

Storyline -- 54%

The most overrated piece of crap in the recent PSX RPG world. The storyline is really predictable and use every single cliché in the fantasy genre. The main problem with the game is that sometimes the game borders between serious and slapstick. At times the characters are serious and cool and all, then suddenly someone will do something that really makes you go "what the hell was that for?!". Most of the times it simply spoils the mood totally. It seems the designers couldn't decide to make the game funny or serious and decided to do both... and then screwed up on that too.

Gameplay -- 55%

Like most RPGs, LoD decides to go with the typical turn-based 3D combat system. As the random encounter starts, the camera pans around the 3D arena that represents the area you are in. Then it becomes "mega-button masher". In fact the game designers must have a sense of humor since even the unique systems in the game (the Combo system and the Dragoon System) are simply more advanced button mashers. There is little innovation and a serious lack of originality in the gameplay area of the game that totally disappoints.

Overall -- 66%

Legend of Dragoon is one of the biggest disappointments of the year and another example that hype does NOT make a good game, nor do good graphics. I have nothing against FMV (read my Parasite Eve 2 review for an example of FMV and game working WELL together) but when there isn't a good game to back it up, the game is lame.