How would you rate/review Legend of Legaia?

[JCTC]

Like for graphics, sound, storyline, characters, conflict, etc. What needed improvement? What did you like about it?

[GoldenPower89]

As it's my favorite game, I'd give it a 10/10.

The only thing I think needed improvement was Songi's dialogue. Most of it seemed a bit too childish.

[Zup]

5/5

No major flaws. I wouldn't overhaul anything; just little tweaks to make things smoother like skipping Seru animations. It still holds up very well today so that's a huge plus. Even looks good and it's 3D models on PS1. Ooh wee.

It's honestly a game modern devs could still learn from. The battle system in particular has tons of potential for modern tech and it'd be a great way to "revitalize" turn-based RPGs.

[JCTC]

Why can't I find Legend of Legaia on the PS3 Store?

[GoldenPower89]

I don't know. Maybe it hasn't been added.

[deadly virus]

i'd give it a 7/10

[Vahn926]

10/10 For everything its a masterpiece!

[Redhollowlives999]

So no one plans on giving an in-depth review? *sighs*

[Nightshade]

Fine.

So, Legend of Legaia might not be the first RPG that I've ever played, but it's the first one I remember playing, and I suppose for that reason, I have fond memories of the game. I think the first big game like this really sticks with you. I still play it, once or twice a year, which is a testament to the fact that while it does have some flaws, it's still a good game overall.

So, I want to start with what I think the game did well. First, the music is fantastic. There are several tracks that I find myself listening to or humming to myself all the time. I'm not going to say that it has the most diverse soundtrack of any video game (that honor probably goes to EarthBound), and I'm not going to say that my all-time favorite soundtrack is in this game either. Although "Barren Fields of Mist" is right up near the top of the list. But I will say that the overall quality of the soundtrack is very good overall.

The story is a bit cliche by today's standards, but I don't think that being cliche is a bad thing in and of itself, especially when viewed through the lens of when it was released in 1999. But the story is realistic (in the sense that it makes sense in the context of the story, not that it's not a fantasy genre), the characters are portrayed fairly well, and the plot flows well, giving plot details often enough to keep the player engaged without detracting from the gameplay.

The mini-games are not numerous, but they are pretty good on the whole. The slot machine is a pain in the butt to manipulate jackpots, but thankfully, the game developers really made sure that you didn't have to spend a ton of time playing minigames to get good enough weapons and armor to beat the final boss. I think that's one of the big criticisms that people have of some RPG's, such as the PS1 Final Fantasy games.

The battle system is innovative, and to my knowledge, is only shared by the game's in-name-only sequel, which, despite being called Legaia 2, doesn't have anything to do with the first game. But I think the battle system lacks polish, and battles seem to drag on for an inordinate amount of time, particularly by the time you reach Karisto. Bosses are brutal, and even random encounters can require more time and resources than the player might be willing to spend - having access to magic is nice, but it doesn't do a whole ton of good when the party has to conserve MP for healing between random encounters. Plus, since special moves (Arts) drain your limited AP reserves, you find yourself having to guard a lot to build up AP again. This is cute, but it takes a lot of time and gives enemies more time to beat up on the party. So, the battle system is flawed, but that doesn't mean that it's loathed. You have to take risks to hit home runs, and I think this game comes up just short in that regard.

Graphics are blocky and based on polygons, which would be unacceptable by today's standards, but is fair for 1998. The battle graphics match up favorably with FF8, which was released around the same time, and while the CGI is limited, it's quite good for when the game came out. So, if you're a graphics junkie pampered by what games can do in 2014, you won't be impressed, but it's not really fair to judge a game this old to that standard.

Overall, I think the game is a solid addition to the PlayStation library, and while it has its flaws, an innovative (if somewhat unpolished) fighting system, an engaging plot, well-written characters, and a fine soundtrack make this a game worth playing for any fan of RPG's. The difficulty is a little high, but it rewards you for mastering its intricacies and its accessories.

Final Score: 8.5/10.

[JCTC]

Didn't expect to see anyone wright a review, but thanks. I was hoping someone would, but most of the people on this site are too lazy or don't have the time.