Reviewed: February 8, 2003
Reviewed by: Mark Smith

Publisher
Eidos Interactive

Developer
Contrail

Released: October 2, 2002
Genre: RPG
Players: 1
ESRB: Teen

7
6
6
6
6.8

Supported Features:

  • Analog Control
  • Dual Shock
  • Memory Card

    		•
    After ten Final Fantasy games, of which I have only played four, it almost seems futile to try to release an RPG on the PlayStation these days. Contrail attempted to compete with Square’s juggernaut by releasing Legend of Legaia on the original PlayStation several years ago. While I didn’t have the chance to play that title I did enjoy their other RPG offering, Wild Arms, so Contrail is no rookie when it comes to the RPG genre.

    Perhaps my lack of experience with the previous game worked to my advantage, as I really had no previous bias or unrealistic expectations, as I sat down to play and review Legaia 2: Duel Saga. While Duel Saga is certainly not going to steal any of the Final Fantasy thunder, it does offer a fun and adventurous game that will give gamers their required dosage of RPG gaming until something better comes along.

    Legaia 2: Duel Saga features:

    • Utilize special attack combos with the Tactical Arts System - a unique battle system never before seen in the RPG genre.
    • Call on elemental forces to battle enemies, heal injured friends, and destroy barriers.
    • Combine weapons and items to create new and more powerful weapons, tools, and items.
    • Add hours of gameplay with multiple side-missions and mini games including darts, slot machines, and roulette.
    Duel Saga follows the story of a magical crystal that furnishes a small village with an infinite water supply (Temple of Doom anyone…), and when this crystal is stolen a solar eclipse casts the land in an evil light, bringing out all sorts of nasty monsters. You play as Lang, a newly enlisted member of the Nohl militia who must travel across the uncharted lands and recover the crystal to…wait for it…SAVE THE WORLD!

    Perhaps what sets Legaia 2 apart from any other RPG game I have played is the new Tactical Arts System (TAS) that offers a bit of complexity to the gameplay that you don’t normally find in traditional RPG games. The TAS is divided into five unique classes and you get to choose which ones you will use and develop as the game progresses.

    You learn the various Arts through scripted events and scrolls that you collect. You can combine them for devastating combos that deliver tremendous amounts of damage. The great thing about the entire combat system is that you can use as much or as little of it as you want or feel comfortable with. Those of you who thrive on complex combo systems will be dazzled at the sheer scope of what is possible. The TAS rivals anything you have seen in the most complicated fighting games, so I was a bit unprepared to find something that sophisticated in an RPG.

    Duel Saga isn’t your typical dungeon crawl full of endless combat encounters. If anything, there is an alarming lack of encounters and combat, which is a shame because the fighting engine is just so darn good. There is plenty of other stuff to do but chances are you won’t enjoy it. Tending a garden, or perfecting your cooking skills might not be as fun as playing darts or gambling, but none of this is really conducive to the overall game. A few of the items you actually create can be used in combat but they are rarely as effective as your normal fighting abilities.

    Frankly, I found the graphics rather average, often dipping into the bland side of things. With so many games including RPG’s featuring stunning visuals this is going to disappoint potential gamers and will more than likely hurt the success of this title.

    The levels are large but low in complexity and texture detail. The interiors are a bit better in their detail but only marginally so. The best graphics are found in the actual combat where special effects rule the day. All sorts of flashes, fire, colored lighting, and particles accompany the combat and really add some excitement.

    The characters are simple in their construction but exquisitely detailed with subtle stuff like embroidery on the clothing and the occasional body tattoo. All of the characters are quite unique and interesting, giving the world an authentic feel, as you explore and engage in conversations.

    I must admit I did not enjoy the music in Duel Saga. It wasn’t the typical RPG score I have grown accustomed to, and it seldom fit the theme or mood of the game. It wasn’t terrible, annoying, or grating; it just wasn’t “right”.

    The sound effects, on the other hand, were quite good with a creative mix of fantasy and practical effects for magical and weapons combat. All of the ambient environmental sounds were convincing enough, perhaps too convincing to go along with the mediocre graphics.

    You can fight your way through Legaia 2 in about 20-25 hours depending on how much you want to invest into this game. If you want to learn the complexities of the TAS then you can spend that much time tinkering with the various combos. The more you put into the TAS the more enjoyable the combat, much like your typical fighting game.

    There are no multiple endings or branching storylines, so there is no real reason to revisit this game one you finish it the first time unless you feel you didn’t explore the combat system thoroughly enough.

    Legaia 2: Duel Saga is a great fighting engine with an RPG wrapped around it. Unfortunately, more thought seems to have gone into the TAS than the story or adventuring aspects of this game. This might make it great for the gamer that enjoys combat over adventuring, but your typical RPG gamer is probably going to find the content a bit light to suit their taste.

    If you are starving for an RPG while waiting for the next installment in the Final Fantasy series then you may want to give this a rental, but make sure you like the gameplay before you invest in a permanent purchase. I find the game just a little too “off beat” to recommend, but I look forward to seeing this great battle system integrated into a game with a bit more substance.