User Reviews (11 - 21 of 48)

Show these reviews first:

Highest Rated
Lowest Rated Newest
Oldest Most Helpful
Least Helpful

an unique RPG

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 5 / 18
Date: July 17, 2004
Author: Amazon User

Namco is preparing this wonderful card-based RPG whith graphics tha will blow your mind. Excellent storyline, unique card-bases combat-item-equipment system. From the creators of the Xenosaga.

be the spirit that joins Kalas in his journey around the world in floating islands, where the ocean is a legend.

A riviting new RPG

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 4
Date: January 13, 2005
Author: Amazon User

I had picked up Baten Kaitos to add to my RPG collection one day at the store and thought it would be a nice game to enjoy. I was wrong this game redifined all RPGs I have played and impressed me a lot.
Gameplay- A lot of people get turned off by the card system of this game. It is nothing like a trading card game of your usual card based game with a 100 page rule book. No! The cards simply explain WHY you can carry 100 short swords or 50 lighting spells. Ever wonder how they did it in other games? Well finaly a logical answer to this predicament.
Music- Amazing music for an RPG. Much like Chrono cross and tales of symphonia.
Graphics- Beautiful prerendered graphics make for stunning bosses, fininshing moves, charaters and places. Yes sometimes it is hard to see a side door or something similar but still its worth it.
Story- I was very impressed with the story and thought it very creative with a lot of twists and turns. I do not know why a lot of people are saying how bad the voice acting was, personally I didn't think it was half bad. The story though I belive is one of the highpoints of this game so don't spoil it for your friends.
Overall- Overall this game blew me away. Far away. I loved every minute of playing and I think I'm gonna go play it again. Right now in fact.

Very, Very Good Game

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: July 13, 2005
Author: Amazon User

Baten Kaitos (named after the center star in the Cetus (A.K.A. the Whale) constallation) is a definite buy. True, it does not have the same greatness that was Tales of Symphonia (another Namco game), yet it does bring a very, very good game.

The story I found to be somewhat lacking. Overall it was very interesting, yet I found that it could've been a bit more in-depth. Yet it still was definatly well done.

The battle system is the gem in this game. The story is very, very good, but the battle system was the most well done thing in this game. I've been playing RPGs for 13 years, and this is the best battle system I've ever played with. It's so interesting and fun. I played for hours just leveling up because the battle system was so much fun to use.

The music was very well done. It went very well with the game. However, the voices were absoloutly lacking. The voice acting done by the main characters was quite good, but everyone else talked too slow and without almost any emotion. But overally, it didn't really effect the game that much, so it's a minor problem.

Overall, I give this game a 8.0 out of 10. There were no cutscenes (only the intro which was absoloutly AMAZING), only in-game cutscenes, which really was annoying. But overall, a very good game, and I definatly reccomend it.

It's one of the best games I've ever played.

Very good, few problems

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: July 19, 2005
Author: Amazon User

This is a wonderful game, unlike many games I've played in the past it has good replay value, an absolutely amazing battle system and great visuals and sound. The perspective you play from is unique, as the main character's guardian spirit, allowing you to make desicions that will change your relationship with Kalas, the main character. When I first heard that the game was card-based, I thought that the game would be a copy of Yu-Gi-Oh with a whole bunch of rules and special rules that would only allow you to play a certain defensive aura card in the third row from the bottom and would only affect magic- fairy type monsters, but it isn't like that at all. The battle system is incredible, and the cards work like this: You tkae out the card you want to use, called a Magnus, then you release the essence of the item that was trapped in the card, and the essence materializes in your hand as a weapon, so you aren't attacking with the card, you're using an actual weapon. Another really fun part of the game is the spirit numbers. Each card hes spirit numbers on it, and you try to string the numbers into certain combos, like straights, pairs and three of a kind. All the cards also have to be used in the pairs, so you cant play down cards with the spirit numbers 2,2, and 5 and get a pair, it has to be 2,2,2 or 2,3,4 etc. The voice acting, however, is terrible. The only good voice acting is done by Mizuti, who is actually really fun to listen to, but otherwise the voicezs are terrible. The kids are especially terrible, each of them sounding like theyre about 5 years old. The music is good and the graphics are absolutely stunning, especially in Mira, city of illusions. When you go into a building where they make pastries and other goodies, you see chocolate flowing down walls, and in Komo Mai, city of flowers, you can see garlands hanging across the screen and watch the wind gently ruffle the flowers. Aside from the voice acting, this game is amazing, a defenite must-buy for any RPG fan.

Possibly the GREATEST game I have EVER played

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: April 13, 2005
Author: Amazon User

If you do not like this game, get your head examined. This is THE best game EVER. Graphics are awsome. Great characterc. And an epic story that will keep you guessing till the very last moment. you will fall in love from the intro, for cryin' out loud. You will be in front of the tv for HOURS. Overall, get it, play it, beat it, play it until your eyes bleed.

Play it now!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: April 19, 2005
Author: Amazon User

You shouldn't be reading this review--you should be either at the store buying this game, at home playing it, or reflecting on how great it was after you finished it, like I am. But if you must have reasons, then I suppose I will give you some.

The --it's perfect. That's the only way to describe it. Every button on the controller is used, making for an interface that's both challenging and intuitive. The combat system is fast-paced, but it's loaded with strategy elements as well. Basically, you must play your Magnus (I refuse to call them "cards", as that is demeaning) in combos like pairs and straights to demolish your enemies. But as you level up, things get complicated, keeping the game fresh. Magnus have multiple numbers; you're allowed to play more in a turn; and the time you have to play them gets smaller. Therefore, battles hit the perfect spot between boring and frustrating. I can't speak for everyone here, but as for myself, I truly looked forward to every battle. It's also worth mentioning that you can see enemies before you fight them, making exploration less nerve-racking.

The places you'll visit are widely varied, but they're all creative and gorgeous to look at. I don't want to spoil too much, but I will say that there's a village made completely out of candy, a peaceful mountain cabin amidst a gigantic herd of sheep, and a huge castle where clouds constantly cascade down the walls like water. The phrase "How do they come up with this stuff!?" will pop into your head more than once, I can guarantee.

The story and characters aren't too shabby, either. The story doesn't seem too unique at first, but after you get past the part where a less original RPG would end, plot twists are the order of the day. There were a few moments that stopped my heart completely, and a couple more that had my jaw on the floor. The touches of humor will make you smile, but the emotional momenets felt a bit too forced for me (especially the crying, which sounded like a dying animal trapped in a tin can). As a last little gripe, some parts were a bit confusing, too. Overall, though, the plot's strong parts carry it through.

None of the characters are amazing, but each one had a unique backstory that fleshed them out well. At the start, they all seem to have cookie-cutter personalities (the silent mercenary, the peppy cheerleader, the "cool young dude"), but as the story progresses, they begin to show a much wider range of emotions, and near the end, there are major revelations centering around every character, which makes you feel more bonded to them.

As we all know, little touches can make or break a game, and Baten Kaitos has some great ones. For one, all the Magnus are cool to look at and a blast to collect. I found myself giggling with delight every time I found a new weapon or shield. Sure, most RPGs have equipment options, but since this game gives you an entire deck to fill, you'll be finding new loot much more often.
There are lots of sidequests to perform, ranging from short errands to game-spanning searches. Each one gives you good rewards, though; you never feel as if your time was wasted.

Finally, there's the fact that this game certainly gives you your money's worth: I played for a whopping 65 hours! Much longer than most modern RPGs, and definitely longer than games of other genres (what do they expect you to DO in action games--play the measly 10-hour campaigns, and then play endlessly repetitive multiplayer for the rest of the time!?).

Now, the above reasons should be enough to convince you to buy this game. I have already wasted too much of your potential playtime by writing such a long review--the only way you can compensate is to play it immediately!

Give it a try!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: September 08, 2005
Author: Amazon User

I was skeptical about buying this game but it turned out to be the best RPG I have ever played- if you liked Tales of Symphonia, you will most likrly love this one. The story draws you in and has MANY unexpected twists. It's true- the voice acting is very below average... I almost turned it off as soon as I first heard Kalas. But I'm sure glad I didn't- I got used to it and forgot all about the poor quality. The graphics are superb and the card fighting is actually very FUN! It's cool to collect all the cards and see what they change in to over time. I would reccommend buying the game guide. It helps not to miss side quests and cool wepons. Just don't flip to the back unless you're really stuck or can't find something. The biggest side quest is finding 50 fragments for a star map- I only found 40 and didn't feel like finding the rest.

Just buy the game. I garuntee you'll like it. If you don't- I'll buy it from you and play it again! :)

different

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: November 05, 2005
Author: Amazon User

This is a good game, but I have to say the rpg card battle system is not so great. it takes at least five minutes per battle. This can be very frustrating, but after a while I got used to it. The story line is well done, and it took me a while to beat. the game is very creative. If you like rpg's this game is for you.

Great Game!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: December 11, 2005
Author: Amazon User

At first, I wasn't sure... but once I got used to the battle system (and turned the voice tracks off!) I was hooked! By playing special combinations of cards I created powerful new cards for attacking and curing. I leveled my players up, so defensive cards could be kept to a minimum in their decks. I took pictures of enemies and sold them for a neverending supply of money. I fought each enemy until I had plenty of the best magnus it dropped. I completed every sidequest I encountered to receive even more magnus. I aimed for discovering all 1000+ varieties of magnus cards. Baten Kaitos has so many layers... This game is awesome.

An Incredible RPG finds an unlikely home on the Gamecube.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: June 03, 2006
Author: Amazon User

I've played through Baten Kaitos and it took me over 60 hours. Having enjoyed countless RPG's from Chrono Trigger, the Final Fantasy series, Suikoden, Grandia, I can safely say that this game is as impressive if not more so than any of the games belonging to those series.

Baten Kaitos is a really beautiful game. I don't usually make graphics a point of focus, but this game is simply georgous and the best looking game I have played. It is almost two years old and it still looks spectacular.

The story is epic, it is quite involving and the characters are all fleshed out very well. The voice acting is great; it really helps to bring the characters alive from just the text.

What really makes an amazing RPG? Well, when the game motivates you to keep playing for hours and hours, constantly looking to see where the plot goes and what happenes to the characters, then you've more than likely found something special within the RPG genre. Baiten Kaitos is all this and more. The battle system is extremely original and comes as a breath of fresh air from what most other RPG's possess.

This game is likely not very well known. The majority of RPG's find homes on the PS2 and no other console. If you're one of those Gamecube owners saddened that there are virtually no cool RPG's to play on your system, then you will most definitely find bliss in this high-quality, engaging RPG. It's sad that Nintendo doesn't get much at all in terms of RPG's, but I suppose we have to enjoy the little we have. At the same time, if you love the RPG genre and maybe don't own a Gamecube, then buying a Gamecube solely for Baten Kaitos and its sequel next year is a very wise choice.

Review Page: 1 2 3 4 5 Next 

Actions