User Reviews (1 - 11 of 58)

Show these reviews first:

Highest Rated
Lowest Rated Newest
Oldest Most Helpful
Least Helpful

The Perfect RPG? (By my standards, perhaps...)

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 13 / 15
Date: August 19, 2005
Author: Amazon User

First and foremost, I understand that this game has recieved a lot of negative attention -- and with good reason. It does not follow true to the traditional RPG style of Square-Enix, and so the fans have been setup for a disappointment. However, this isn't to say that the game isn't good, by other standards. In my personal opinion, I think this game is quite perfect, as is introduces a style of gameplay not normally found on a console RPG, which is very similarly laid-out like the 'pen-and-paper' edition of 'Dungeons & Dragons.'

The game features very, very detailed art, which is gorgeously rendered. The style is a mixture of cel-shading and matte paintings. Most of it consists of 2-D static images, whereas the only time you see an animated sequence is during battle, or cinematics.

The music is also a good department. It fits the game very well, and easily manages to reflect the feeling and emotion of each sequence. The voice-acting, however, is borderline terrible. (Though not as bad as the voice-acting in Final Fantasy X.)

As far as gameplay is concerned, I must be honest in saying that it is definitely not suitable for everybody. Not only can it become frustrating and difficult, but most everything is menu-based, and will not appeal to those seeking constant action, or real-time control. However, I generally perfer menu-based gameplay, so this is a plus, to me. The gameplay flows like that of a board game. However, it is like a very vivid boardgame, with detailed characters and roles. The map screen actually functions like a tiled board, whereas your character is a playing peice, and you move him / her across each tile while trying to avoid traps and enemy encounters. All of this adds a more strategic element to the game, and can, at times, greatly affect the difficulty. It is very easy to become discouraged when trying to simply traverse across the map, as you may find yourself in a fatal situation, only escapable by pure luck.

The game's system revolves around the use of a 'reel.' This is basically the equivelant of dice in a pen-and-paper RPG. Whenever you encounter a trap, prepare to execute an attack or skill, or attempt to open a treasure chest, the reel will begin to rotate. There are a number of panels on the reel, which are either good, bad, really good, really bad, etc. The objective is to stop the reel and hopefully land on a desired panel. It can become frustrating, at times, though it is not as unfair as some people make it out to be.

Character development, as you can expect, is similar to that of previous installments in the 'SaGa' series -- the level-up system traditionally used in console RPG's is abolished, and replaced with a more accurate growth system. It should be noted, however, that growth / experience is not achieved after battle, rather it is achieved after accomplishing a mission / clearing an area. This, also, can seem unfair, at times... though it is to be thought that character growth is a reward given after completing a mission, rather than something that progressively occurs along the adventure.

I decided to rate the gameplay at 3 stars. Though, on a personal basis, I enjoy it much more than this, I want to take into consideration that not everybody will find this as suitable as I do. And, perhaps, I may be one of the few people who can appreciate the unique approach that this game has taken...

give it a chance, you wont be disappointed

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 10 / 13
Date: January 25, 2004
Author: Amazon User

This game gets awful reviews. I won't even deny that they make wonderful arguements. This game is not flawed; this is a misconception. U-Saga is exactly what the creator wanted it to be. And if you surrender your expectations and the vapid conventions of modern gaming, you're in for an experience.

Most games these days promise an adventure. U-Saga is the one of the only games I have played to fulfill this promise. This game is truly epic in scope, in style; its mercilessness and steep, harshly realistic learning curve only add to the fact that you are truly an explorer going into the unknown parts of the world, that are very reluctant to be explored. I cant tell you how satisfying it is, even the smallest achievement in this game makes you pleased with yourself.

I'm not going to write an entire review about this game, but the one thing I'll tell you is that this game is really a visionary's Dungeons & Dragons, set in a more macabre and unique fantasy world. The reel functions like dice; it affects each of your attacks and also determines your success at disarming traps, repairing weapons, opening doors, crossing obstacles, and so on and so forth. This sounds weird, yes. It is. But you must play it to believe exactly how AMAZING it is go through the beautifully-illustrated island of Avalon (one of the longer missions in the game)and not only fight enemies, but be forced to conquer a true maze with traps, hidden chests, water obstructions, and more.

In short, do try this game, if you are or were ever interested. It is a work of art. Many games have called themselves 'experiences,' but mainly in their immersive storyline. UNLIMITED: SaGa is perhaps the only game that has ever been an immersive experience of pure, bare-faced gameplay.

I love it.

This game IS NOT Final Fantasy...

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 6 / 11
Date: August 04, 2003
Author: Amazon User

...and that's exactly why I love Unlimited Saga (and the other SaGa games for that matter). These days, everyone is so caught up that every RPG needs to be like FF with 3D graphics and hours of FMV that it makes me sick. Anyone who has never played an RPG before Final Fantasy 7 does not know what they are talking about. I thought the whole point in playing an RPG is to play a role in a epic story, and not to just watch flashy cinema movies or cut scenes. To me, Squaresoft ruined the Final Fantasy series. But thankfully, their SaGa series is still awesome! The thing that is so great about this game is the fact that it is completely different than other RPG's. This game is mainly about the gameplay, and not the cinematic approach. Travelling in towns is just selecting options, and moving around dungeons is like a board game. Battles are done using a reel system where victory is achieved by stopping the reel on the right spot rather than by what level you are on and just letting the computer decide how good your "luck" is. There are seven different stories, and that is another thing I love about Unlimited Saga. It adds replay value, and a better look at each protagonist as individuals.

Final words: The battles are really fun, the artwork is beautiful, and the open ended stories are exciting. Forget what you know about RPG's, and give Unlimited Saga a try.

Not Final Fantasy

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 37
Date: June 27, 2003
Author: Amazon User

This game is not Final Fantasy. When I first saw this game, I saw it was from Squaresoft, so I made my Mom give me money and bought it, and you know what? IT'S NOT EVEN A FINAL FANTASY GAME. Seriously, where are the 3D graphics? All there are are 2D graphics, and graphics are what makes games cool. So how good can a game be if the graphics aren't 3D? I've been playing Final Fantasy ever since number 7 and this is terrible. Cloud isn't even in the game.

The only thing worth buying this game for is to see the FFX-2 trailer. That game looks so cool. I love the part in the trailer where the guy flies around and plays the electric guitar. Too bad the song's in Japanese though.

Anyway, that's what I think. I'm a 14-year-old gamer and I know what I'm talking about because I've played every Final Fantasy game there is since number seven. Except number nine because the character's looked stoopid. All my friends agree with me, too.

If you think Final Fantasy represents true RPGs, don't apply

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 5
Date: July 11, 2004
Author: Amazon User

First and foremost. If you believe Final Fantasy truly represents what an RPG is, then save yourself the frustation, the rest of us the complaints, and don't buy this game.

I won't go into a review, there's enough positive ones from people who actually "got" the game. It's partially Square Enix's fault though. They produce one the most infamous RPGs for casual players called Final Fantasy that anything else coming from them with as much depth as U-Saga gets immediately bashed because of its more complex nature.

This game does not live off of FMV; does not have flashy battle sequences; involve little tide-me-over mini games. What the game has is something a little more complex that people like me have been waiting for. All I'm asking is the following:

If you ONLY play Final Fantasy RPGs, then stay away from U-Saga. It is NOT for you.

Don't believe "professional" reviews!!!

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 11 / 17
Date: June 20, 2003
Author: Amazon User

This game is nowhere near the piece of trash it is being made out to be. In fact, it is quite the opposite. Unlimited Saga has wonderful, vibrant graphics, and, although you can't move in the traditional sense, the type of exploration used is better suited for this game; without its simplicity, things could get needlessly hard or frustrating. The battle system, although disorienting at first, is well thought out and fun, and it does not take long to get used to the mechanics of it, even if the reel spins a little too fast.

All in all, this is a great game that has gotten an unfair amount of negative criticism. It is the kind of game that needs to be made every once in a while, to remind RPGers where we come from, and why we do what we do. I give this game four stars, because although I am having a great time with it so far, I am only 3:22 into it, with a claimed 100 hours total, and it would be unfair of me to judge the rest of the game when I am at such an early point.

people just don't like a good challenge these days

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 3 / 8
Date: September 21, 2003
Author: Amazon User

yes yes, i know. this game is hard. but i spent 50 bucks on it, so i swore to myself that i'd get my moneys worth.

the one and only reason you should buy this game is if you like a game with a good story. all 7 characters in this game have very interesting plot lines. the battle system is actually quite good (it's like the romancing saga games on the snes). problems: the HP and LP system is stupid. the level gaining system is too limited (limited to the point where you feel very weak against very strong enemys, and can never match their power). not enough healing items.

but you gotta respect this game. unlike other reviewers, i found the hand drawn graphics to be quite interesting and different. it really is like nothing you've ever played when it comes to rpgs. if you're one to not give up on a game when it gets tough, this one is definitly for you. you WILL die. many times, in fact. if you can handle that, pick this one up. you won't regret it.

What It Deserves

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 0 / 2
Date: July 15, 2003
Author: Amazon User

Everywhere I turn I see a bad review for Unlimited Saga, and I'm really starting to get sick of it. I really don't think anyone is giving this game a fair chance. The only way you will get a good experience from this game is if you try to find out a lot of what the game has to offer. I think you should give this game a better chance.

easy and short/ long

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: July 18, 2003
Author: Amazon User

the game has 7 characters that you can have as your main character but they'er all quite short but if your goal is to beat all the quest you got all lot of long and hard work ahead of you

Wow....

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 0 / 2
Date: July 31, 2003
Author: Amazon User

This game is great, but only if you are a old-school RPG fan. Its not final-fantasy, thats true but am i missing the fact that final-fantasy does not apear anywhere in the title of UNLIMITED SAGA...? didn't think so. this game is much more akin to saga frontier and its sequal both great games in my opinion if you check this out and like it i suggest the previous two games. thanks

Review Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 Next 

Actions