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Great RPG, Innovative and engrossing!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 7 / 11
Date: November 21, 1999
Author: Amazon User

In Septerra Core, you play Maya a Junker in the lower shell. Then you see Chosen warships, a nd everything goes bad. The graphics are amazing, the storyline engrossing, and the gameplay easy to learn. You'll find up to 9 allies, tons of weapons, gear, and skills along the way. With a huge world to explore, superb cinematics, and Quick load times, Septerra core looks poised to strike as the Best RPG of the Year!

"Need...more...caffeine. Must...keep...playing."

-Computer Games Online

AS GOOD AS FF8, IF NOT BETTER

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 5
Date: November 20, 1999
Author: Amazon User

This game has a unique battle system, superb, crystal clear graphics and the sharp voice-over alone makes it worth getting. It's a classic RPG filled with inovative new ideas. The plot is quite interesting as well and very provocative. A definite must for all die-hard RPG gamers.

Very fun

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 4
Date: January 27, 2000
Author: Amazon User

I'm not too far into this game, but so far, I think it's really great. There are some features that hard-core RPG'ers might be turned off by, but in my opinion they enhance the game. For example, combat is relatively simple. In fact, if a character reaches zero hit points, he isn't killed but is merely rendered unconscious until the end of the battle. Also, the game progresses very linearly. But again, I personally think this is a good thing, because I don't like to really have to think about where to go next or keep track of a ton of quests. There are a few things about the interface that could have been improved, but nothing major. My only big complaint is that there's no auto journal (I've recently played Baldur's Gate and Planescape: Torment and appreciated this feature in those games). The cut scenes, which tell the story, happen so fast that it's easy to miss something, and I don't think there's any way to replay them. Still, this is one of the most enjoyable games I've played, and I'm looking forward to the rest of my journey!

An intriguing RPG in an impossibly fantastic world

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 3
Date: February 08, 2001
Author: Amazon User

I can remember a few years ago, reading an article in PC Gamer about an RPG called Septerra Core. The game was still in production, but from what I saw it had the potential to be one of the most unique, complex, and fascinating RPGs I'd ever played (and I'm pretty hardcore when it comes to RPGs ;)). I'm glad to say that when I purchased Septerra Core, I wasn't the slightest bit disappointed.

Created by the virgin company Valkyrie Studios, Septerra Core takes place on a planet known as Septerra. The planet is made up of seven distinct layers of continents called world shells, which orbit the core, an immense bio-computer. A giant bio-organic spine runs the axis of the core and turns on its own accord, providing power for the core, which regulates the rotation of the world shells. Every one hundred years, the world continents are aligned in such a way that sunlight is able to penetrate the core, activating it. At this time, the "Core Keys" can be used to communicate with the core, allowing the person who possesses them to obtain the Gift of the Creator. Now, a Chosen Lord known as Doskias will attempt to gain posession of the keys and create an artificial conjunction in order to achieve the Gift, fabled to be the Kingdom of Heaven. And it is the destiny of Junker Maya and friends to stop him. The story of Septerra Core is very fantastic and touches on many aspects of the world, such as religion, war, prejudice, and even love. The mythology of Septerra, which is very intriguing, plays a vital role in the story of the game. And the fact that ALL of the dialog in Septerra Core is spoken with, in my opinion, skilled voice actors, really adds emotion to the story. The nine playable characters and four villains (Here I refer to Balcaam, Kaleb, Doskias and Connor) have very distinct personalities and motives. My only complaint lies in character development, which this game boasts. Although it does have a lot of character development, it's sometimes very stale and impersonal, unlike that of the average Japanese RPG, and isn't prone to leaving lasting impressions.

The science of Septerra Core is very warped. The technology the Chosen use is based on bio-engineering, to the point that their armor, ships, and even buildings are engineered using the Helgak, a beast of burden in the world of Septerra. The fact that the planet itself is bio-organic computer really adds to that twisted idea. Of course, some technology is still simple metal and steel-type stuff like we're used to, so the game's not a total mind-bender to understand. However, it makes you think on an entirely different level from any game I've ever played.

Gameplay is very atypical of RPGs, most levels in Septerra Core being labyrinths of levers and corridors that make it almost like a puzzle game. Unfortunately, the game is pretty linear, involving Maya being sent to find a specific item before she can move on to find the next item, and it goes on like that. But between the story and battle system, and the complexity of the levels, this rarely gets tiring. In fact, the gameplay is quite addictive, and can have you happily running back and forth for hours on end.

The graphics of this game are mediocre when compared to other games, and looks very outdated. However, as RPGs typically rely heavily on story and gameplay and not on graphics, this isn't much of a problem.

The battle system of SC is superb, combining the ATB-type system of Final Fantasy-type games with a new system that allows three levels of attacks. For instance, a character can attack three times with a level one attack, or one time with a level three attact, in the same amount of time, allowing varying applications of strategy. The magic system is also well thought out, involving the use of fate cards, which can be used to cast magic individually, or combined to form more powerful spells and even summons (This combination makes use of two characters at one time, similar to Double and Triple Techs in Chrono Trigger). Thankfully, because the battle system keeps you on your toes instead of letting you down a button like some games, battles aren't boring, and rarely play out the same way consecutively. Also, battles are not random. As in Chrono Trigger, the enemies appear on screen, and you can sneak around them if you're good enough ;), avoiding combat. My only complaint about the battle system is that character placement in battle is random, and you can't move, so attacks that involve hitting multiple enemies in the character's line of sight (i.e. Runner's beam attack) seem useless at times.

The music of Septerra Core, though usually ambiance, is gorgeous. It could be noted that TotalAudio, the company that produced the music for Myst and Riven, also did the music for Septerra Core. The music presents a mystical atmosphere, with an emotion of strife behind it. Also, unlike most RPGs, there are several different songs that play during battle, so listening to it never gets tiring. No complaints about the music, except there could be more actual music at different parts of the game.

One of the game's only downfalls is in replay value. Once you've beaten the almost 40 hour game, and realized how much every effort you make in the game has on the story, it almost seems more trouble than it was worth in the first place. But Septerra Core is an experience to be remembered.

Overall, Septerra Core is a fantastically well-composed game with a fantastic story, plenty of action, gorgeous music, and an entertainment value superior to most games of its genre, and is a must-have for any RPG fan, or really any gamer who's willing to tangle the long hours at night to help Maya in her quest to save the fantasticly detailed world of Septerra.

Best PC RPG I have ever played.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 3
Date: December 24, 1999
Author: Amazon User

This game is one of the best RPG's ever, with only some of Squaresofts RPGs to offer competition. The charecters are each interesting and diverse,and the combat system is the best I have ever seen. I heard that the graphics looked kinda outdated, but I have played this game and the graphics might only seem old to all those Quake 3 fanatics out there. While at first sounding like your run-of-the-mill save the world from evil maniac game, Its storyline is very inventive and original, Especially its history and different atmosphere of each shell(Layer of planet with continents) I definitly give this my RPG of the year award.

Incredible Story & Overall One of the Best RPG

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: August 21, 2000
Author: Amazon User

While many people say that the graphics may look outdated, still you must understand what the Studio had to go through. They were dropped by a game company in the middle of production, where they had to develop for PS & PC (hence how the game operated/looked), but the publisher at that time didn't think PS was going to make it (how wrong they were). After the game was dropped, they believed in the game so much (Valkyrie Studio) that they bought the rights to the game and went searching for another publisher.. which was 4 years ago. And to think that the game could have never been released would have been a shame. Enjoy this one of a kind RPG. And to the people who bash the game because of the graphics/unrealistic movement, this is one of the most artistic approach to computer game, and beautifully pre-rendered; Unlike those blocky characters of Quake.. where you see people for a fraction of a second before you get blown away.

Again. Enjoy this great RPG!

Septerra Core: Legacy of the Creator

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 3
Date: February 15, 2002
Author: Amazon User

This is one hell of a game, any one who thought Final Fantasy 7 was great, you have got to try this. Awesome Anime characters, Breathtaking scenery, Full in game speech, plus a lot more make this game a must have. What the creators have done, is create an entire world from the ground up, a world that is unlike any other you may of seen in any game. Then they writ up the story, meaning that it's the most realistic world you will ever find in a game, as all other games build worlds and levels to suite their story. Instead of me going on and on about how excellent this game is, download the demo to find out just how great it is for yourself at animevamp.box.com.

great game!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: September 08, 2003
Author: Amazon User

lemme tell you...this is a great game. the graphics aren't the best...no 3D, but RPGs were never really graphic-intensive anyways. gameplay, storyline, and battles are much more important than graphics. however, this doesn't mean septerra core doesn't have awesome graphics.

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first off, this game has the overall feel of the final fantasy series. keep in mind septerra core is fashioned after CONSOLE RPGs. hence, this is NOT an action RPG (a la Diablo), so for those of you who are NOT interested in ATB (active time battle) or turn-based time battles, this game is NOT for you. these type of CONSOLE RPGs are usually slower paced and requires more patience....which those of you who play action RPGs may find a tad bit slow...but then of course, final fantasy (which is a great series, btw) would also be slow.

for the critics who claim that septerra core is linear, try playing any of the final fantasy series (or any other CONSOLE RPGs)...most of those are very linear.

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the battles reminds me of chrono trigger very much. you get to see the enemies walking on the map, rather than random battles as you walk around (i.e. final fantasy). also, unlike final fantasy, the battle takes place directly on the walking map, rather than teleported to a different backdrop.

also, the fate cards (magic) that can be combined by several characters is similar to chrono trigger's dual and triple techs. using more than one fate card allows you to summon up greater magic (i.e. greater than the sum of the parts)

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the graphics remind me of the diablo series. however, the backgrounds in septerra core are actually much, much better than the diablo series. they did a really good job on that. however, keep in mind this game is 2D, so no 3D special effects. nonetheless, the characters, enemies, and attacks look great....and the sound is even better.

The Very Best I've Ever Seen

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 3
Date: February 02, 2001
Author: Amazon User

This RPG game is awesome it is exciting some people say that it is boring and that Final Fantasy or Pokemon games are better(yeah,right) This game is the best,litterally,and I'd go berserk(get it?) before I change my mind about it. The characters are superb and the graphics are superb. Sure,the people there look the same and there are only a few faces in the game and the magic spells and stuff might not look too good but we are playing to enjoy and finish the puzzles not to stare into people's faces and look at the graphics they are superb anyway. Cheers from Septerra

A Must for RPG fans!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 3
Date: January 10, 2000
Author: Amazon User

This game is great! This new style of fighting really makes the fights more interesting. Good variety of items in the game. One that will keep you interested and not get tired of. Also, an RPG you can steal on. . .you can't go wrong with those!

Best RPG since FF7!

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