Monster Rancher 2
Average Customer Review:
CD-ROM (03 September, 1999)

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Editorial Review

Monster Rancher 2 is the sequel to one of the strangestand most innovative games ever produced. It is a virtual pet simulatorin many ways, but transcends that description by virtue of its variedgameplay elements and combat-oriented theme. The game begins with thecreation of a monster, which is accomplished by inserting any CD (evenan audio CD) into the PlayStation. A unique monster is generated fromthe data that is imbedded on each CD. Once you have your uniqueCD-generated beast, it's time to go to the ranch for training. With eachtraining session, you will raise your monster stamina and strengthstatistics, which gives each particular monster a better chance forsuccess in the game's exciting combat mode.

Sending an undisciplined monster into the arena is a recipe for failure,so much of our playing time involved training our creations and watchingthem develop into lethal, confident juggernauts. No two monsters are thesame, and each develops its own unique personality as the gameprogresses. We became more attached to this game's creations than othergames in the genre because of this well-executed feature. --T. ByrlBaker

Pros:

• Unlimited replay potential
• Better graphics than before

Cons:

• Training requires much patience

... Read more

Reviews (53)

Monster rancher 2
I enjoy this game alot because of the emazing variety of monsters and the use of your outher C.D's to get more monsters. I enjoyed training my creatures and scolding or praseing my monster after training.

Monster Rancher 2
Well, if you've ever played animal games, you might like this one. You have a goal to acheive by breeding many monsters to put them in combat for many different reasons. Just make sure you don't run out of money- you'll lose the game! When you figure out that you can unlock monsters with all the CDs in your home, you'll go outside, going door by door asking everybody and anybody to borrow CDs. But be warned. Monsters can and will die due to harsh treatment, so be careful.

MonsterRancher2
I gave this one star because the seller sent us a scratched and damaged game and it wouldn't work, so, I couldn't even play it! One look at the cd and it would be evident that the product that was received was in poor shape and I would never buy anything from them again and would not encourage others to either--since they send sub-standard products to hard-working consumers who aren't being paid to examine their products, just receive them in terrible condition. ... Read more

Asin: B000021XYX
Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Strategy Games    3. Sony Playstation (Play station)    4. PSX (PS1 PSOne PS (1 one I)    5. Strategy (Strategic)   

Final Fantasy IX
Average Customer Review:
CD-ROM (17 November, 2000)
list price: $39.99
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Reviews (622)

Open Mind
Hey guys.I love this game, flat out.It has great characters, a good plot, a good system, and fantastic music.A lot of people think that the game is boring, or maybe they don't like the plot, but I think that those people need to just give it a chance.This was the 7th Final Fantasy I have beaten, and now I have finished 1-9, and this game is in my top four.

There are some problems with this game, but I don't think they are very critical.Most of them affect the first couple hours, but they are nothing toreally have too big a problem with.First of all, the begining is slow.There are about 4 battles in the first hour, and you finish only about 20-50 in the first few hours.Also it takes a little getting used to to get into the gameplay.Characters gain magic and abilities based on what equipment they have on.

Anyways, I put this in my top list of games, which are in order of which is most important to play

Final Fantasy VI
Chrono Trigger
Final Fantasy VII
Earthbound
Final Fantasy IX
Chrono Cross
Xenogears

Play those RPG's and you will have experienced the best games ever made.

This is to the people
Look, I realize you are entitled to your opinions, as am I.So, let me get my two cents in.This is to the people who do not like FF( because only mages can use magic(like cure, fire, etc.).Stop complaining!Not only can Garnet and Eiko cure, but Amarant uses Chakra to cure, Freya uses a skill to cure, and so can Quina.This game DOES return to the roots which has only certain characters use magic.It makes it harder.Now, to those who claim this game is childish because of certain things.I am twenty-four years old, and I like this game a lot.My friends like this game.Even my twenty-eight year old brother likes this game.None of us think it is too childish.
To those who complain about the storyline, claiming a thirteen year old could do better.I've read the fan fictions people of such age write about the Final Fantasies; trust me, they ARE NOT BETTER.If you think you could do better, try it.By the RPG Maker, and DO IT!Betcha can't, though.If thirteen year olds COULD do better plots, you would think that such companies as Square Enix would hire them.Duh.

Great Game, despite all other opinions
First of all, I'd like to point out that I haven't played many other Final Fantasy Games, so I'm not going to compare them.

On to my thoughts about FFIX. It was the first real RPG Playstation game that I ever bought and it's the one that got made me love the genre.
Plot: 4/5 Great plot, however they fail to really explain some crucial details (for example: why does Zidane sees Garnet's memory?). A little more explanations would be nice for my lack of brain cells.
Characters: 5/5 You really do get attached to Zidane and Garnet, you laugh at Amarant's oblivious and cynical nature, and just want to shoot Thorn and Zorn. The point is, the characters are interesting and have a personality.
Gameplay: 4/5 At first it's hard to understand how to train the characters and use different accessories to learn attacks. However, once that is settled, the gameplay is great. Also, it took me forever to realize that pressing Select on the world screen brings up a map: VERY USEFUL! You'll get lost if you don't use it. Other than that, good gameplay.
Graphics: 6/5 :) Gotta love the grahics. Squaresoft created different cultures/architectures for each different country. Gaia is absolutely gorgeous. The FMVs are amazing. Two thumbs way way up for the graphics.

Overall: Though it required a lot of time training to beat Kuja and the final bosses, the game is really fun. The minigames range from "fun-for-two-seconds" (Jumprope Vivi) and "takes-forever-but-gotta-love-it" (Chocobo Hot and Cold) and the game itself is great, long and never boring. Five stars out of five it is, then. Great way to get yourself in the world of Final Fantasy. ... Read more

Asin: B00004Y57G
Sales Rank: 65
Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Sony Playstation (Play station)    3. PSX (PS1 PSOne PS (1 one I)    4. Role Playing Games (Game, rpg, rpgs)    5. Great Deals (Outlet store)   

Chrono Cross
Average Customer Review:
CD-ROM

US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Chrono Cross, the sequel to the Super Nintendo classicChrono Trigger, turns out to be well worth the wait. Taking off20 years after the first game, Chrono Cross follows a boy namedSerge across parallel worlds--both the world in which he lives and onein which he drowned 10 years earlier.

Chrono Cross will wow players with beautiful prerendered graphicsand a unique battle system. Elements replace magic and items in battle,and using the same element three times in a row will ultimately increaseyour power. In addition to using elements, the accuracy of physicalattacks is determined by probability, with easier-to-land weak attackssetting up fierce blows.

The plot, while a bit slow to develop, is full of interestingcharacters. Players will need to travel between the two worlds toadvance the plot. While many of these areas will initially appear tolook similar, you'll find them to be quite different upon closerexamination of the details. For instance, a plant that is extinct in oneworld thrives in the other.

My only qualm with Chrono Cross is that, despite the complexitiesof the battle system, veterans will have an easy time with earlybattles. Still, there's much to like about this SquareSoft epic.--Robb Guido

Pros:

• Lavish, vibrantly colored graphics
• Unique battle system involving elements and casting awayrole-playing clichés like experience and magic points

Cons:

• Easy battles due to powerful offensive and cure elements
• For hours, players will be saying, "Get to the time travel stuff"

... Read more

Reviews (293)

Chrono Cross -- On its own
When I purchased this game, I had no idea that it was a sequel, and had never played the first game, Chrono Trigger. I really can't say how well Chrono Cross stands up as a sequel, but as a game on its own, it gets 3 stars from me.

Good things about Chrono Cross are the graphics (very nice, including the movie sections), the character designs (there are dozens of characters, and each one's look has been well thought out), and the music (even the world map music is good).

The gameplay is mostly fun, though the battles drag on and on when you start the game and don't have high-leveled characters. Once you get the hang of the battle system and have some good spells and characters to use, they become far less repetitive.

There are definately some bad things about Chrono Cross as well. Having never played Chrono Trigger, the plot made absolutely no sense whatsoever to me. This made it even more difficult to figure out what I was trying to do. At times, I had to wander aimlessly because the game wasn't clear what I was trying to accomplish at that point. Another low point of the game is the number of characters (40+). I got the feeling that the point of the game was not to try to save the world, but to see how many characters you can collect. Which brings me to my last gripe. You're expected to beat the game more than once (preferably at least 3 times all the way through). There are other events that you can trigger to happen and other plots which can unfold by choosing other paths, but honestly, I didn't feel the game was worth wasting another forty hours to beat just to get all 40 characters and seeing a different ending, especially when the original ending was so weak.

Overall, if you've never played Chrono Trigger, expect to be lost a lot. It does have its moments, but for the number of hours required to beat it, you're better off looking for something else.

Chrono Cross Versus Chrono Trigger
Chrono Cross is a game that you'll either love or hate.Your opinion is based largely on whether you view the game as the sequel to Chrono Trigger, which is a somewhat controversial issue as the game description states that it is while a game producer, during an interview, said that it's not.

One aspect of the game many find repulsive is that there are 40+ characters, resulting in shallow storylines and 9 or 10 lines on average per character throughout the game.The flip side is that you get to experiment and combine very different characters to form a team that you want.If you enjoyed the intimate friendly party in CT, you'll find that lost in CC.

In terms of storyline, CC does a good job of creating a story that is complex but makes sense at the same time.However, as mentioned above, if you're hoping for a continuation from Chrono Trigger, you'll once again be disappointed as none of the characters from CT are playable in CC.In fact, at least one character from CT meets a tragic end, which throws out the happy ending in CT.In terms of continuation, the plot does follow CT well minus the fact that Schala from CT looks completely different in CC (No wonder Magus couldn't find her!)

Anyway, Chrono Cross is a great game if you view it alone and avoid comparing it with the classic Chrono Trigger.The storylines take on a more complicated poetic tone and the characters system is largely different.These, however, still work in this new game.I would highly recommend Chrono Cross to those who have not overly idolized Chrono Trigger and were hoping for a Chrono Trigger clone on Playstation.

Happy gaming!

(...)

Its no Chrono Trigger...but still an amazing, beautiful game
I finally played this game recently, quite a few years after it's release. At first I had serious doubts about it, as there seemed little connection to Chrono Trigger (which I am a big fan of), and the gameplay and story just didn't seem to be nearly as good. However, once I gave it a chance I really started getting into it.
I think one of the big downfalls of this game is that it is a sequel to such a phenomenal old SNES game, and everyone wanted it to be as good or better, which would have been a hard thing to achieve. In it's own right, this is an amazing game, regardless of it being a sequel or not.
It is a true sequel, and the story does tie in directly to the events in Chrono Trigger, however, that's about it...the story. If you want to see the characters or environments of Chrono Trigger, you're out of luck, as this game has all different characters and takes place in the El Nido archipelago, in the same world as Chrono Trigger but never explored in that game.
The other thing this game has in relation to Chrono Trigger is just the over all feel of the game...you can tell the same people made it.
The graphics of the game are incredibly beautiful, and though already quite dated, they still stand up well (they are comparable to say...Final Fantasy IX). The environments range from beautiful tropical regions to complex castles and dungeons, and all areas are very well thought out, fun to explore, and interesting. I'm glad they kept the overland map the same as in Chrono Trigger, making it fast and easy to get around. The music is wonderful as well, and while I would have liked to have heard a few more Chrono Trigger classics, I really can't complain...the music is beautiful and very well done.
The story is twisting and complex, and it's actually quite hard to keep straight what's going on sometimes and what world you are in, as the game takes place in two different dimensions of the same world as opposed to different time periods. The two different dimensions are very similar and it can be hard to keep straight what world you are in. Still, the story was very good, keeps you involved, and does end up having a lot of direct and very interesting tie-ins to Chrono Trigger. There is also a plethora of characters (near 40, I think), almost all of which have there own mini-stories.
That was one aspect of the game I have mixed feelings about. On one hand it's great and interesting to have so many unique characters to be able to use, each with their own unique abilities and personalities. But on the other hand, having so many characters makes it hard to really get into them, their stories end up being rather shallow, and you can never really power all of them up. You'll likely end up with a couple favorites of every color attribute that you use most often, which really isn't bad. Overall, they did a good job with the characters, and I like the system they used.
The gameplay is very fun, and although it is in most ways straight forward RPG, they do throw in some interesting twists to combat. Overall quite enjoyable.
There is an almost infinite amount of secret tidbits to unlock, so much that it would almost be impossible to find them all without the strategy guide. The direction of the game can change depending on choices you make, and conversations are always different depending on who is in your party. The game is incredibly open ended, and has multiple endings as well. This coupled with the fact that it has a new game + feature gives it incredible replay value. I just beat it the first time and I'm already replaying it again with all of my equipment, elements, and experience from the first play through to try and get a different ending.
Overall, I give this game five stars. It has excellent story, dialogue, graphics, sound, characters, and gameplay...every thing about it is great and it is a world you'll want to get lost in again and again. Alas, it is no Chrono Trigger, and a large part of me wishes they could have tied in some of the characters and places from that game a little more, but oh well. They did a different game in the same style as Chrono Trigger, and it's great fun. There are at least some fun little nostalgic elements, like at one point when you find an enertron and you can hop into it to fully revive your party, and when you get out you find "you're still hungry", along with the stomach growling straight from Chrono Trigger. Very fun stuff. Highly recommended to fans of Chrono Trigger, or just anyone who loves a good RPG with lots of replay value. ... Read more

Asin: B00004TC6E
Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Sony Playstation (Play station)    3. PSX (PS1 PSOne PS (1 one I)    4. Role Playing Games (Game, rpg, rpgs)   

Pokemon - Blue
Average Customer Review:
Game Cartridge (01 November, 1999)
list price: $27.99
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Welcome to the world of Pokémon, one filled with wild Pokémon and the people who attempt to tame them. You are Ash Ketchum, a boy on a quest to become the best Pokémon trainer in the world. Professor Oak, the leading authority on Pokémon, has given you your choice of three tame Pokémon in exchange for your helping him catalog and document every Pokémon in the world.

But to catalog a Pokémon, you have to capture it by first beating it up with one of your trained Pokémon, and then hitting it with an empty Poké Ball. As your tame Pokémon gain experience in battle, their abilities improve and they earn access to new attacks. Sometimes they even evolve into more advanced Pokémon.

Aside from capturing wild Pokémon and evolving your own, you can catalog new Pokémon by trading with another Pokémon player using either a link cable or the Game Boy Color's infrared system. Pokémon gained through trades learn and evolve faster, and trading is the only way to capture all 151 Pokémon, since each Pokémon game (Pokémon Red, Pokémon Blue, andPokémon Yellow) has certain Pokémon missing. Of course, as a Pokémon trainer, you've "gotta catch 'em all!"--150 to be exact. So if you own Blue and want to have a complete set of Pokémon, you must find a friendly Red or Yellow owner and arrange a trade.

Pokémon Blue is packed with interesting characters, an ingenious story hook, intriguing strategy, and of course plenty of cute Pokemon and it's easy to see how it started the Pokémania that is sweeping the world. --Michael Fehlauer

Pros:

• Gameplay and strategy that's fun for all ages
• Fantastic replay value
• Brilliant game design encourages players to meet and trade

Cons:

• Hours of looking at the Game Boy's little screen may hurt neck
• Only 1 saved game per cartridge--2 people can't share a single game
• No difference between Red and Blue except for distribution of Pokémon

... Read more

Features

• Play as Ash Ketchum, a boy on a quest to become the best Pokemon trainer in the world
• Collect all 150 blue Pokemon
• Train your creatures and they will evolve into different types
• Trade Pokemon with your friends using the Game Link Cable
• For 1 or 2 players

Reviews (126)

Blue = excellent game!!!
Pokemon Blue is a very good game to play at anytime. The unqiue part of Pokemon Blue is that it is a adventrous game. You play as a boy to capture pokemon and battle trainers. You have to trade pokemon with your best friend. These excellent features made kids love Blue!! They want to trade and collect pokemon!! Nintendo made this game, and we should give a great thankyou to Game freak and Nintendo for making this game!!!! THANKS!!!!!!

Gotta Ketch em all
Title: Gotta ketch em all

Pokemon blue is a great adventurous game. Once you set your fingers on the gameboy you won't stop. It's fun to give your pokemon there own nicknames and making them happy. Making new pokemon buddies, leveling them up to their full force, beating the gym leaders is so fun. The game can be perfected over and over again. Trust me its great! It tells it all by the five stars.
Vica Jean Manuel

Cool
In this game, you play as a boy collecting and battling creatures called Pok'emon.There are plenty of worlds to explore, Pok'emon to catch, rivals to battle, badges to earn, and items to find to keep you playing for a long time.It's one of those games that you can't beat in a day.Training Pok'emon can be fun, and also hard, depending on the level of your opponents.You earn money each time you beat another Pok'emon trainer, which you can use to buy items to strengthen or catch Pok'emon.The moves you teach your Pok'emon and what attacks you use require strategy, so it's not just random moves and thoughts.

My only complaint is that this game is almost unbeatable.To win, you have to collect all the Pok'emon in the game, which is just a few tens short of 200, if I remember correctly.A bunch of things are required to do this.You must have two Game Boys and two Pok'emon games, or a friend who also has a Game Boy and Pok'emon game to trade with each other, because there are some points in the game where you must choose between one Pok'emon or another, and whichever one you don't choose is impossible to get again in the same game.Also required is a Game Boy link cable, which you need to attach two Game Boys to trade.

So basically, it's going to be very, very, very hard to win, especially because everyone is past the "Pok'emon phase".So unless you have multiple Game Boys and Pok'emon games, and a link cable, you're going to have tons of trouble beating the game.I think the people who made this game purposely made the game this way so that kids would have to spend more money on Game Boy supplies.

Overall, I still like this game.I know I'll never beat it, but it's still a lot of fun.I can't say who I would and wouldn't recommend this game to, so I'll leave it up to you.Either way, I hope you're satisfied in the end. ... Read more

Asin: B00000IYER
Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Role Playing Games    3. Strategy Games    4. Nintendo Game Boy (Gameboy)    5. Strategy (Strategic)    6. Pokemon (Pokeman)   

Pokemon Silver
Average Customer Review:
Game Cartridge (12 October, 2000)
list price: $34.99
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Featuring a new adventure that's filled with numerous enhancements andinnovations, this long-awaited sequel to Pokémon Red, Blue,and Yellow greatly improves upon the series' winning formula, and makesfor an even more insanely addictive and wholly absorbing gaming experience.

Like Pokémon Gold--which essentially is the same story, with minorgameplay variations--Pokémon Silver casts players in the familiarrole of a young Pokémon Trainer who's out to collect as many differentkinds of Pokémon as possible. As in previous games, gameplay consistsmostly of exploration (completing various quests in the process) andPokémon battles, which employ a unique battle system that's like acomplex twist on rock-paper-scissors.

But, despite the similarities, it's quite apparent that PokémonSilver is a whole new ball game from the start. The game is played out inreal time, with the current time and day of the week (recorded by an internalclock) having a direct impact on gameplay elements, such as what Pokémonyou'll find in the wild, and when certain events occur and characters appear.

While there are too many new and improved features in PokémonSilver to list here, among the highlights are 100 new Pokémon(including two new types), new evolution processes (including breeding), and amore streamlined game interface that has better-organized menus and buttonshortcuts.

Although it's easier to progress in Pokémon Silver than in theprevious games, the sheer amount of fun and game time that's involved isdaunting. You'd be hard-pressed to find a better value than this one. --JoeHon

Pros:

• Insanely addictive and wholly absorbing gaming experience
• Time and day of week impact gameplay directly
• Bevy of new features and hidden secrets
• Improved graphics and more streamlined game interface

Cons:

• Minor compatibility issues when using Game Link with previous versions

... Read more

Reviews (157)

Pokemon Silver
This game is really fun!It has a varity of objectives.There
is a lot of cool Pokemon.You even get a cellphone.There is a huge area in this game.If you like long games this game is for you.

i'm confuseddddd?!@>@
is this game like the other versions,yellow,red,and silver?+the other ones,is it the same game or not?!>@#

Answers to above reveiw.
You dont need a dragon pokemon for the 8th badge. When you beat clair, she asks you to get the dragon fang, located in the dragon cave above the gym. you need surf and whirlpool to get to it. upon grabbing it, she will give you the badge. If you want a dragon pokemon, you can either fish for it in that same cave (use super rod) or buy it from game corner like i did early on.You get a dragonite by evolving dragonair at level 50 i think, but its not worth it, it just learns the same moves and gains more weaknesses. To beat the guy in radio tower, i assume you mean the fake director, just use strong pokemon. you see lance again as the champion when you defeat the elite four. beat him and you end the game and enter the hall of fame. You mean the waterfall? easy use the hm move waterfall on it and youll climb it. If you mean Lt.Surge in vermillion city, after beating the elite four, go to professor elm after he calls youand get ss ticket, then use it to sail to kanto from olivine city. then once there use cut on the bush next to the gym and enter to fight him.7 badges is good, but try and get all 8 then beat the game and continue to kanto. This is true, but it takes days to train a pokemon that much, and by lv.50 you have to be battling the elite 4's pokemon or it will gain 1 level every couple days because it isnt getting enough exp. If your pokemon are this low by now use the duplicate cheat explained later on. Having the bike is good, but by then you should have every hm, but shouldnt be able to use waterfall until beating the 8th gym.You can win without a dragon pokemon, their just more effective. Try using gyrados's dragon rage. itll help.You dont actully need one. Clefairy can, but dont use them up. You only get a few.OK. To duplicate have the item you want to duplicate held by a pokemon, which will also get duplicated.go to any pokemon center, walk to in front of the pc, save, go to bills pc and deposit that pokemon then change the box, except when it gets to the screen saying SAVING... DONT TURN OFF. turn off the power. turn it back on and you should have the pokemon in your party and the box. Its been duplicated. If you have further questions, e-mail taylorsteele@shaw.ca. your welcome. ... Read more

Asin: B00004TCT3
Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Nintendo Game Boy (Gameboy)    3. Pokemon (Pokeman)   

Diablo 2
Average Customer Review:
CD-ROM (29 June, 2000)
list price: $19.99 -- our price: $19.99
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Everything that made the original Diablo great--nonstop action, wicked monsters, dark gothic atmosphere, and fantastic magic items--has returned. But new enhancements such as the class skill system and cheater-proof multiplayer competition make Diablo II even better than the original.

The millions of gamers who fought their way through the horror of Tristram'scatacombs in the original Diablo realized that all was not well aftertheir hero destroyed the demon's physical body. Diablo II opens with avivid animated vision of that mad, doomed hero, who unwittingly spreads chaos ashe moves toward a fate of Diablo's choosing. With the original character classesgone, players choose from a new cadre of champions: the Barbarian (can wield twotwo-handed swords at once, one in each hand), the Necromancer (raises the deadto fight his battles), the Amazon (master of bow and spear), Paladin (holycrusader), and Sorceress (wielder of elemental magic). These warriors follow adiabolical plot through four acts, and each act is roughly as big as theoriginal Diablo.

Diablo II looks and behaves very much like Diablo. Players areassigned quests by nonplayer characters and adventure through dark catacombs andcrypts. Hordes of vile monsters assail the hero, who survives by force of arms,powerful spells, and through the use of varied and exotic magic items. Randomlygenerated dungeons guarantee fresh adventure each time a new game is started.But unlike the original game, characters must fight their way through the above-ground wilderness before entering a dungeon. Fortunately, some of thefrustrations of adventuring have been lessened in Diablo II, thanks to thenew ability to run and the clever implementation of "waypoints" that let yourcharacter quickly travel to and from the safety of town.

Along with the new character classes comes a new character skill system. As inthe original game, players improve their character's ability scores as they killmonsters and gain experience. But unlike the original game, players get to addspecific skills, spells, and powers each time they advance. For example, aftergaining a level you could choose between taking a skill that improves yourattack speed or a skill that allows you to scatter your foes with a mightyshout. With this customizedadvancement system it is unlikely that two high-levelcharacters, even characters of the same class, will be alike. Instead ofprogressing along a set path, you can choose skills and powers that complementyour own particular playing style. Interestingly, this new customizable classsystem closelyparallels the changes made in the new editionof Dungeons & Dragons.

Other enhancements include a method for creating and customizing magicitems, 3-D accelerated spell effects, anticheat multiplayer code, and a place to safelystore excess money and equipment. But even without these tweaks, even withoutthe sophisticated story line and all the cool new features, Diablo II isjust a great game. The sound, music, and graphics combine to create atantalizingly eerie setting. Players will willingly let their game-playing hoursslip well past reasonable bedtimes, suffering bleary-eyed classes and meetingsin exchange for "just one more" magic item, dungeon level, or characterskill.

Diablo is back. Say hello to the game that will once again dominate gamers'computers, and say good-bye to your free time. --Michael Fehlauer.

Pros:

• Diabolical, engrossing story line told through brilliant cutscenes
• All five of the new classes are distinct and fun
• Fantastic music and sound effects
• Random dungeons allow unlimited replayability
• Millions of magic items, including rare items and sets of unique magicalequipment

Cons:

• Addictive gameplay may cause loss of sleep, significant other, job
• Virtually no improvement in graphics

... Read more

Features

• Five all-new character classes with unique attributes and abilities.
• Four different, fully populated towns complete with wilderness areas.
• Multiple dungeons, caverns and crypts in every town for players to explore.
• Expanded world filled with all-new quests, weapons, spells, armor, monsters and non-player characters.

Reviews (533)

Best of the Genre
Diablo II is a helluva lotta fun.I'm not so much a single player person, but a multiplayer person.The gameplay is well thought-out and engaging.The plot is corny, but, then again, this is an RPG.

The graphics are kinda mediocre, but the gameplay makes up for it.The expansion is a must.Playing online is incredibly addictive, which I don't like, but I get a kick out of it.What makes this game is the interaction in multiplayer.

(...) is easy to use.They catch a fair few cheaters.

My main complaint is that there are many lamers.There is a group of people that buys duplicated items of the internet at like 10 dollars a piece.This is what I don't like.There are other people that hack accounts and steal characters and equipment, and that is just lame.Thankfully, this has not happened to me, although my brother got hacked a long time ago.

Even so, the fact that your account might get hijacked just adds to the reality that it is, after all, just a game.

___________________________________________________________________________________________

The single player is a lot like the multiplayer.It is a good way to learn how to start out independently.In fact, the multiplayer is like single player, but just with more people.(surprise)

There aren't many glitches, and there is skill involved, up to a point.

Buy this game.It's worth your money.So is the expansion.

Great game!
Diablo 1 players. Yes, I know you have suffered, but Diablo 2 fixed all their problems and this game is 700 times better! Get it!

Learned some lessons from DIABLO, but quests more restricted
DIABLO 2 can be summarized as "like DIABLO, but more so." DIABLO 2 has more locales, more varied scenery, more (and more elaborate) AIs, more control over developing your character's skills, more types of characters to play, better play balance, and so on.

Like the original, DIABLO 2's settings are (mostly) randomly generated, so that with the exception of some set-piece areas (like the Skeleton King's lair in the original), no two games follow exactly the same map. DIABLO 2 has four acts covering 5 locales (including Tristram, the setting of DIABLO). Each act has very different climate/geography and monsters differing accordingly.

You're following the trail of the Wanderer (the hero of the first game) as he locates the other Prime Evils, Diablo's brothers, before leading you into Hell and the final confrontation with Diablo himself. The settings in general have much greater variety and eye candy, and include outdoor segments as well as dungeon crawls.

Act I is a generic-Europe setting, with a lesser-demon Level Boss rather than a Prime Evil. Act I most closely resembles the earlier stages of the original DIABLO, and contains references back to the original, as the player's task is to help the Sisters of the Sightless Eye. (The Rogue from DIABLO was a member of the order; your closest-equivalent player character in DIABLO 2 is the Amazon, who has a different backstory.)

Act II is a desert scenario, with a sort of Egyptian flavor to the tombs, and a different, more formidable type of undead. Act III, by contrast, is a rainforest, emphasis on poisonous insects, water monsters, and fast-moving little AIs with blowpipe attacks. Act IV's revamped version of Hell is much more larger and elaborate than that in the original, with an assortment of demons and new attacks. The succubae weren't retained, but as a tradeoff Act I has hordes of renegade Rogues.

Many of the AIs have been revamped to make them tougher and to give them more distinctive appearances. While the distinct colour schemes were retained, the details are more elaborate and they're tougher opponents. The carver-type AIs now include shamans, who in addition to their own magical attacks can raise the fallen. Animated skeletons on higher difficulty levels may now have mages as well as archers with them.

That's one of the biggest changes from the original. Monsters not only regenerate after you've cleaned out a level (even lesser "unique" monsters, though not Level Bosses that have to be killed to end an Act), but many monster types can raise the dead or harvest energy from corpses. There are also delayed-action attacks, as poisons and antidotes have been added.

Other changes from original:
- Multiplayer and single player now use the same limited set of quests, rather than single player having a random selection of a larger set of quests.
- Play balance on character abilities now includes active and passive skills, differing by character type. Not just any character can learn spells.
- In addition to mana and life, player has stamina. While you don't have to eat or sleep as in, e.g. DARKSTONE, you either have to pace your character, stock up on stamina potions, or be content to move slowly.
- In addition to Town Portal spells, each Act contains a set of fixed waypoints, and the player can return to earlier Acts if desired.
- Towns are more elaborate. Apothecaries selling potions are now separate from magic sellers, and at least one NPC per Act can "gamble" with you. You can hire and equip NPCs who will follow you and fight what you fight. If they're with you, your experience points are divided with them, but they level up and become more formidable over time.

Some lessons learned by the designers:
- Local smiths can upgrade weapons, e.g. installing runes or gems in them. Partway through Act II, a quest item allows you to combine multiple gems of the same type to get a single gem of a better grade, so strategy is a factor.
- In town/camp you have a chest in addition to the inventory on your character's person. Items in the chest are safe, but if you're killed and resurrected, anything you were carrying has to be retrieved from the body. Since you're fined a large amount of your total gold when you're resurrected, you're motivated to scavenge your own body anyway just to get some of it back.
- Partway through Act I, you revisit Tristram and rescue Deckard Cain, who now has enough gratitude to identify items for free instead of gouging you.
- Some unique items now come in sets (e.g. helmet, breastplate, gauntlets) that are stronger together than apart, and mostly effective for specific character types (e.g. bonuses apply only to a paladin). Strategy comes into play: is it worth saving an item in the hopes of acquiring the rest of the set?

In summary: the thing I miss most from the original is the randomized quest mix on single player. The active/passive skill system is interesting enough to make up for restricting the player's ability to create super-powerful spell-casting Rogues and the like.

As in the original, even in single-player a game can't be saved in multiple states; you can only have multiple characters working through different scenarios. In multi-player, items can be transferred between characters by drop-and-switch, but that's about it.
... Read more

Asin: B00002CF9M
Subjects:  1. Diablo2 (Two, II) Dialbo    2. Fantasy (FRPG)    3. Computer Role Playing Games (Game, rpgs, rpg, crpg, crpgs)    4. Havas   

Final Fantasy VIII
Average Customer Review:
CD-ROM (22 September, 1999)

US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

SquareSoft has always had a sure-fire hit when releasing any of their Final Fantasy titles, and Final Fantasy VIII should be no exception. The basis of a good RPG (role-playing game) has always been the story; spectacular graphics are secondary. Final Fantasy VIII's involved and interesting story line is filled with great twists, well-developed characters, suspense, and romance. As an added bonus, the graphics are beautiful. Everything--from the low-lit jazz club to the steam-filled railroad tunnels--is gorgeous and perfectly sets the mood and tone of a scene.

The game mechanics are standard fare for an RPG: acquisition of items and spells, turn-based combat, experience points earned in combat allowing advances in levels. From exploration to battles to dialogue, Final Fantasy VIII has it all. However, Final Fantasy VIII falls to that great weakness of RPGs: random battles. While necessary for advancing in levels, the battles occur with such frequency that they can grow annoying, making for a tedious game experience.

The epic storyline spans four discs--over 40 hours of gameplay--and is based around a mercenary cadet who finds himself caught up with an underground rebel faction. He winds up in a plot to assassinate the sorceress who has just seized power from the president.

You could complain of limited replay value, but this gripe is of no consequence: the game is such a satisfying experience, it doesn't require replay. Final Fantasy VIII is easily worth both the hype and the wait. You can't buy a much better game. --John Cocking

Pros:

• A story to beat all stories
• Characters worth caring about
• Hey--it's from SquareSoft
• Stunning animations

Cons:

• Too many random battles
• Combat is, as always, turn-based and offers minimal excitement
• Weak souls might give up after two or three discs of play

... Read more

Reviews (955)

To final fantasy players.
Before I got this game I was playing Final Fantasy 7 and was use to it.When I got this game it stunned me with how many battles you have to fight, but that's ok becuase it keeps you busy.At first I did not like it, but as the game progressed I ended up getting hooked on it.All I can say is that if you do not like role playing games you should not buy them, but if you are into role playing and a Final Fantasy fan this game is for you.

Why does everyone hate this game?!!?!?
Ok. In 1999, this game was releaed. Many people were like, "OMG! thiS gam3 suck comp@ too vee eye eye!!" But I loved it. It's not as good as VII, but only by a hair.

Gameplay:10/10: A new RPG where you are in the military SeeD. You have many summons called GF's. It's a long game, about 45 hours. Lots of sidequests, too.

Ok, many have complaints aboutthe Junction system. "It's too complicated! Wahhhh!" Well, READ THE GODDAMN TUTORIAL!!!! *Is glad to get that out of my system.

Graphics:10/10: For the time, they are excellent. The FMV's kick ass!

Music:10/10: Another high point. You might be humming the great tunes!

Story:9.5/10: OK, there is a lot of bashing with it. Personally, I liked Squall and others because they act realistic. Plus, lots of plot twists.

Overall, a great game overlooked by many. So relax, and quit complaing, guys!

Terribly lame in content ...
My reviews contains spoilers.That being said, you should read it anyway.

Graphics: A+
It was pretty. Possibly brought out the PS's greatest potential.

Gamplay:B-
Wasn't terrible, but wasn't a lot of fun either.

Mini-games:A
FFVIII has a very fun card game you can opt to play.It was my favorite part of the game.

Story:F
A ridiculous love-story mixed with pubescent amnesiac orphan-soldiers fated to destroy a witch repeatedly due to a time-loop.Try to imagine all of the most horrendous story cliches thrown together.If you can't, FFVIII would be an enlightening though torturous experience for you.

The Characters:F-
Only the lead character has any amount of depth, but it never turns out to be more than: "At first I was a lonely brooder.But now that I opened my heart to friends and love, I have the strength to fight!!"Everyone else receives no true development what-so-ever.Most of them have practically identical pasts(amnesiac orphans).They're all teenage soldiers, much like the cast of power rangers.They all have distinct cookie-cutter personalities, much like the cast of power rangers.And these uninspired piles of cliche-excrement that saves the world routinely, much like the cast of power rangers.
The only explanation I could think of for this terrible, un-dynamic cast is that Square wanted to appeal to younger gamers by making a game about a soap opera about pretty high schoolers that have no parents and kick butt.

Anyway.With so few redeeming qualities, don't subject yourself to it.To be honest, I *liked* this game when it first came out.But I was also 13 at the time.Replaying it with more mature tastes, I've realized the content was terrible.There's no better way of describing it then: It's *stupid.* ... Read more

Asin: B0000296O5
Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Role Playing Games    3. Sony Playstation (Play station)    4. PSX (PS1 PSOne PS (1 one I)    5. Role Playing Games (Game, rpg, rpgs)   

Shenmue
Average Customer Review:
Game Cartridge (10 November, 2000)
list price: $49.99 -- our price: $19.99
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

To say that Shenmue is an anticipated title is an understatement;the game made huge waves in Japan upon its release, and American gamers havebeen waiting since then to see what the fuss is all about. It's a game in whichthe concept itself is the selling point. What if you could portray a young heroin a fully realized Japanese city? Would you like to participate in andinfluence an over-the-top kung fu-style action-mystery flick in your livingroom? What if lots of combat, cinematic flourish, detail, and a dash of romancewere thrown in?

The game itself is awash in small details, crammed into a confined space. Thecity of Yokusuka circa 1986 is rendered beautifully in a short series ofneighborhoods that are long on detail even if short on variety. The story itselfis ripped straight from a chopsocky flick: you portray the young hero RyoHazuki, whose father (a kung fu sensei, naturally) is killed before hisvery eyes by a mysterious and frightening villain. Ryo must uncover the identityof the killer and fight his way through the city in an effort to avenge thiswrongful death.

Shenmue's Yokusuka might be short on space--in total, it represents maybea square mile--but the detail is overwhelming. You can interact with nearlyevery person or object that you see; 300 citizens go about their daily routines,and whom you encounter is as much determined by where you are as when you arethere.

Much of this interaction involves combat that ranges fromDragon's Lair-style reaction tests (such as timing a button press tododge an oncoming car) to freeform kung fu fighting. Further, each second ofreal time equals about a minute of game time, and Ryo has to be home by 11 p.m.each evening. The game moves at a brisk pace, and each challenge or battle feelslike a race against time. Some might say that gaming doesn't get shallower thanthis (you are essentially performing tasks and exploring, instead of gaming),but the game feels like no other and is ultimately satisfying by the time thatit all ends. In this way, Shenmue is more than a game--it's an eventthat's worth experiencing. --Andrew S. Bub

Pros:

• Compelling, well-told story
• Good action and combat
• Fantastic sound and graphics

Cons:

• Plot is familiar to fans of kung fu action films
• Task-and-exploration gameplay might seem slow to action gamers

... Read more

Reviews (300)

The realistic sphere of emotion and time
Shenmue is a graphic adventure game from 2000 exclusive to the Sega Dreamcast.The setting is Japan in 1986.You're placed in the role of Ryo Hazuki, an 18-year-old student and martial arts disciple on a winding, multi-faceted quest to uncover the mystery behind his father's murder.Along the way you'll traverse myriad locations and interact with countless non-player characters, as well as engage in side interests and attend to personal issues.

The progression of gameplay is quite open and arbitrary.There is no particular pace you have to keep in playing; you can sprint through the entirety of it, or you can devour days and days roaming around, engaging in the oddities, practicing martial arts, chatting with passersby, playing mini-games or whatever else.The hands on the clock tick away in real time in Ryo's world.The date and time of day--morning, afternoon and evening--is presented in convincing fashion by the game, and is reflected in the towns and villages and industrial areas you'll be visiting.The streets may be thronged with pedestrian traffic during mid-day, shoppers and businessmen, families and children.But after nightfall things change.After the streetlights flicker into life, the locales take on an aura of eerie stillness as the crowds thin and--in the urban and industrial areas--are replaced by members of the seedy nightlife, while in the residential districts they begin to bob their collective heads towards sleep.Many, although not all, businesses, shops and residences are open and interactive for you to explore. Time of day comes into effect here, for certain businesses and shops are only open during particular hours of the day or night.In addition to the realistic sphere of passing time, there are varying weather effects in place as well: sun, rain, and even snow as the calendar edges into the winter months.

Your home is the Hazuki Dojo in Yokosuka.Ryo's mother and father, his last living relatives, are now both gone.You live there with a former student of Ryo's father, Fuku-san, and the elderly housekeeper, Ine-san.Ine-san is a grandmotherly figure who'll fret and worry about Ryo's safety, imploring him to be careful and to let the past go.Yet she's soft spoken and demure, almost resolved to the situation.Each evening Ryo must be home by 11PM, and when he's late Ine-san seems almost hurt by it.It creates a true sense of obligation, of emotion, of connection to the characters and situation.Shenmue excels at creating a sense of strong emotional ties between the player and the characters, as evidenced by the potent flashbacks of Ryo with his father and the difficult parting with Nazomi at the end.You begin to feel the things Ryo feels, to truly take on the role of a lost, yet fiercely indomitable 18-year-old boy up against overwhelming odds to avenge the death of his father.

Every NPC is interactive and will converse with you.Many characters you meet near his hometown know Ryo by name, and some are his close friends--such as Nozomi Harasaki or the American Tom Johnson.There are actual curves of character development as the game progresses, relationships that alter in scope and nature, and a seemingly new, wary awareness of a wider, more iniquitous world by Ryo.Indeed, the villains Lan Di and unstable, tittering Chai impose heavy, bleak footprints on the narrative.Most people Ryo speaks to will have a few lines of dialogue about this or that--sometimes relevant and sometimes not, or now and then sending you off on splinter pursuits apart from your more crucial objectives--and a few will offer up clues to where you need to go next, what items you might need to acquire and to whom you need to talk.Every interaction can be important as you struggle to uncover clues.And with a continuous, moving timeline, it's all-too-possible to miss certain events as they occur when you're someplace else.While most of the gameplay involves the patient, explorative extrication of mystery upon mystery, there are also occasional action segments of martial arts brawling and QTE (quick time encounter) events calling for some speedy button pushes.

About midway through the proceedings Ryo is obligated to find employment to further fund his undertaking, and in this the game's principal setting and structure is somewhat altered.Ryo secures a job operating a forklift on the harbor docks.Here the game delves even further into the realms of realism, for every morning you must get up and report to work first thing--and then do the actual work for eight hours before recommencing with the more important tasks.And while this sometimes leads to a certain degree of monotony and tedium from the player's perspective, it does seem to work well overall within the scope of the game.

Outside the core body of gameplay are multiple minigames and collectible items that Ryo can pursue.The mingames are found mostly in the You Arcade in Dobuita, where full, authentic versions of the Sega arcade classics Hang On and Space Harrier are playable.There are also darts, billiards, slots and QTE games available.And a jukebox that plays real music.And cassette tapes of music you can buy in stores.Every sunrise before work at the harbor, Ryo can participate in a forklift race.And over 600 collectible items are available--everything from photographs to ancient Japanese mirrors to light bulbs to a package of squid legs--and they're located just about everywhere.

Visually, Shenmue is a tour de force, a world you just fall into like a pool of water and then don't want to get back out of. Stylistically and thematically, in both architecture and culture, it's a purely Japanese world.And the Japanese vibe really gets under your skin after a while.In a strange way, by the end of the game, you almost feel as if you've actually been in Japan, not just playing a game set there.It's a striking ambiance and environment they've created; time's suffocating grip has no hold here on the Dreamcast.The environments spring to life around you: trees and grass sway in the breeze, fish dart around a pond, a kitten meows by the roadside, ships dock at the harbor, pigeons startle into flight by your footsteps, people go blithely about their daily lives, the structures appear so lifelike you can almost reach out and touch them.Character animations are carved with a fine chisel; every line etched in the face a graphic relief, hair strands that divide and drift on the winds, eyes that bore holes of meaning and emotion into you.Even the detail present in Ryo's brown leather jacket is stunning.And all this on the Dreamcast, easily looking as good here as later, more advanced gaming consoles.

Shenmue breaches generations and cultures, a game people of vastly different ages and backgrounds can concurrently enjoy and become absorbed with.In the act of investigating, something is revealed, and that points you to the next stage--and from there to the next.You want to see what happens next; you care about Ryo's journey and the people around him you've come to know.The settings are pragmatic and the basic storyline is simple enough that a child can follow it, yet there is depth enough to draw anyone in.It's a universal theme, and a game that has remained wedged in the memory over the years.Regrettably, the ultimate resolution isn't found here; Ryo's tale winds on in Shenmue II on the Xbox.

Yu Suzukies Masterpiece...
Shenmue for the Sega Dreamcast may possibly be the greatest video game experience I've ever had in my gaming days(including Shenmue II for xbox).Shenmue is about a young man out for revenge to find his fathers murderer but theres WAY more too it, I won't spoil anything other then this game is flat out beautiful and should be played by gamers that won't wyn about the slow paced action..

Like the title above, this is Yu Suzukies Masterpiece, the man worked EXTREAMLY hard on this amazing game(Shenmue is also known as one of the most expensive video games ever created).Sadly Yu Suzukies hard worked game never made any good sales because of the PS2's launch, I like many others got it at the time it was first released, This game is just pure brilliance.The visuals are some of the best seen in games...This may be the longest game review I've ever done so lets get to it..

Visuals
This is one of the if not THEEEE best looking DC game ever made, everything is so detailed and the character models are great.The building, the Atmoshpere, thank you so much Suzukie.

Gameplay
ok this is probably the reason this game is the most hated/loved game ever created.IT'S EXTREAMLY SLOW PACED, and may turn off some casual gamers but if you can hold on long enough the action will start to come up.The game play is simple and easy to get use to very quickly.The game plays like a mystery novel, ask people question and clues about something and when you find some clues you go ask other people that may know BUT THIS GAME PULLS IT OFF SO WELL IT'S NOT EVEN FUNNY!This game(plus Shenmue II) has THE best fighting engine ever!!!It's taken straight out of the virtura Fighter games.And the Free Battle sequences are extreamly rare yet very fun in the game.Did I mention you can do almost everything in this game?Well not everything but alot of things like getting a job, gambling and alot of the other things that can be done in real life...

Sound/music
When I say this games music is beautiful IT IS, Ten times better then MGS 1.Especially the main theme which you'll notice alot, it's amazing if theres one thing Yu Suzki did well(other then everything els) it's the music in this game, pure brilliance

Controlls
I'm really lazy to get into this but there pretty good
Lemmi just some it up right now

The Good
-Superb Visuals
-Great Controls
-Superb sound
-Amazing Inviorments
-Loads of things to do
-AWESOME FIGHTING ENGINE
-One of the most expensive games ever made
-A beautiful story about vengence but with alot to it

The bad
-action gamers will be turned off by how slow paced this game go's
-For some long, for some a SHORT game, took me about 13 hours my first time but that's because I just did all the story parts and not the side quests
-The sales for this and Shenmue II did so bad that we probably won't see a Shenmue III anytime soon
-For anyone looking for a good challenge for this and Shenmue II, look elswere, it's pretty simple an pretty straight forward..

Other then that Shenmue is an instant classic with everything on the spot, Yu Suzukie created something more then a game....This game is not just good because it feels like you're acctually in that world and living Ryu'S life.....This is good because Yu Suzukie braught us something that just feels so real, and like as if there really is a world like that....acctually there is, JAPAN, duuhh, but still no other game has hit me or motivated to the point were I HAVE TO PLAY THIS GAME more then shenmue....This game is hands down...One of the greatest video game experiences you'll ever have...... When it all comes down to this, I give Shenmue for the sega Dreamcast a

5 out of 5 stars...

Brilliant....Just...Brilliant

Totally a great game a must have for dc fans.
This is a really sweet game. Totally a butt-kicking game. I mean you go around beating people up the game lets you see in real live play beating some one up you know without the pain and nose bleeding. ... Read more

Asin: B00004S99R
Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Sega Dreamcast    3. Fighting    4. Role Playing Games (Game, rpg, rpgs)   

Final Fantasy VII
Average Customer Review:
CD-ROM (27 March, 2000)
list price: $19.99
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Long recognized as role-playing games par excellence, the FinalFantasy series gets a technological makeover in this installment (and seriesdebut on the PlayStation). Shedding the two-dimensional graphics and limitedsound capabilities of its predecessors, Final Fantasy VII features lush3-D graphics, beautifully animated "movie" sequences, and soundtrack-qualitymusic. Coupled with the game's intricate storyline, endearing characters, andimmense yet highly imaginative world, these new advancements make for a quite anengrossing experience.

The story of Final Fantasy VII centers around a solider named CloudStrife, who joins forces with Avalanche, a group of resistance fighters, to takedown an evil mega-corporation known as Shinra. (The fate of the world hangs inthe balance, of course.) Truly epic in scope, this four-disc game requires aconsiderable amount of time to complete---this reviewer gladly gave up over 80hours of his life to finish it. But it's definitely a rewarding adventure thatevery PlayStation owner should consider undertaking, especially since it's nowone of the low-priced "Greatest Hits" titles. --Joe Hon

Pros:

• Intricate and absorbing storyline with endearing characters
• Immense and highly imaginative game world
• Special battle system
• Beautifully animated movie sequences

Cons:

• Your friends and family may feel neglected

... Read more

Features

• Join AVALANCHE, an organization sworn to put an end to Shinra corporation's destructive practices
• Move around the world using flying vehicles, submarines, and Chocobos
• Fill the Limit gauge to perform each character's special attack
• Play 7 mini-games, from arcade-type to betting
• For 1 player

Reviews (1073)

Not as top notch as the other FF's!
To sum things up, FF VII is a good game, but I find it is overrated.When it was released in the late 1990's it set the standard for graphics not only for RPG's, but for all video games from there on out.But in terms of the game itself, it leaves some things to be desired.

The characters for example, were not as well developed as they should have been.The lead character, Cloud, got about 80% of the character development, while the others only small bits are known about them.But I will say that each character does have his or her own unique personality so this area may not bother players too much.

The music in FF VII unfortunately, was horrible in my opinion.Especially when compared to other Square titles such as Chrono Trigger, Final Fantasy VI, and even Final Fantasy IV (which is well over 10 years old).The battle music was good, but the rest was flat and uncreative, especially the music on the world map.Those of us who are familliar with the work of Square had expected much better in this department.

The game play was good.The materia system was a nice touch that added variety to the basic magic-using RPG.Basically, every character in the game can use spells, but they have to equip a materia onto their armor or weapon, and gain points through battles to learn each spell the materia has to offer.The only downside is that once the materia has been unequiped, the spell(s) go with it.But nonetheless, the materia system had breathed new life into the RPG world of magic-using.

You also have side quests, secret/hidden items and weapons, and secret characters just like most RPG's.The graphics are good, although the characters look very polygonized in their smaller forms.The CG scenes are beautiful.This is one area Square always dominates.They did a great job with those in FF VII.

It saddens me to give this game only 3 out of 5, but I must be honest.I love RPG's, especially the classics from Square, but I just don't think that FF VII deserves to be up there with CT, FF IV, and FF VI.Even the ending of FF VII was disappointing, because they did no follow-up on the characters.It's a good game overall, but it had the potential to be great.

:)
best characters and storyline iv ever played....plot twists..great character development..this game does everything right.. Cloud:the main character is a bad ass, manley man..despite the fatc it probaly takes him 3 hours in the morning to do his hair..but hes cool none the less..barret: a black guy who is also manley and has a really bad temper...tifa:huge boobies, wears short shorts and is probaly really pretty if the graphics were better..oh and shes nice and obviously wants to get into clouds pants...aeris: a good girl who probaly shouldnt stand under balconys or anything somebody can jump on top of her... cid: foulmouth badass...this game has a lot of bad asses...red XIII: plays the role of the wise old man...though hes not a man and techinically in his years hes onky a teenager

GET THIS GAME...ull love it...if u like rpgs ull love this game and follow it like a religion

"I don't care where, Cloud, Just stop it!"
I love this game. It is absolutely THE BEST vg i have ever played.

Follow the life of Cloud Strife, an ex-soldier who joins AVALANCHE, a club who is full of crime fighting agents such as Tifa, Barret and Yuffie. One time on a dangerous mission, he meets Aeris, a flower girl from the slums.they THEN set out on an adventure to defeat Shinra! ... Read more

Asin: B00000JRSB
Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Role Playing Games    3. Fantasy    4. Sony Playstation (Play station)    5. PSX (PS1 PSOne PS (1 one I)    6. Role Playing Games (Game, rpg, rpgs)    7. Adventure   

Legend of Dragoon
Average Customer Review:
CD-ROM

US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Talk about going out with a bang! Sony Computer Entertainment releasedits four-disc The Legend of Dragoon for the PlayStation only monthsbefore the release of that console's successor, the PlayStation2. This veryabsorbing role-playing game, with hours upon hours of story and inventivegameplay, might just be the last great title for the glorious PSX.

The copious story begins with Dart, a vengeful young man with spiky hair and redarmor who embarks on a desperate rescue mission to break his childhoodsweetheart out of a castle prison. The two join forces with a knight who istrying to end a war that's destroying the region. Dart soon learns that he is aDragoon--a human who's privy to the spiritual power of dragons. Like all RPGheroes, Dart is up against impossible odds, but his newfound Dragoon magic andbattle skills go a long way toward making the bet even money.

And that's just the beginning. Grab a spare memory card and a comfy chair and beprepared to spend at least 20 hours getting through the first disk (there arethree others just like it in the double-wide case). It's hard to sustain aplayer through this kind of time span, but The Legend of Dragoon takeschances and wins. For example, its battle system is turn based, so you canactually use some strategy, but it also features special "additions," orfighting combos that unfold if you match the X button to that addition's timing.When handling three players' additions, each with unique sequences, it can bequite challenging. You can increase the potency of the elemental magic up to 160percent by quickly tapping X during your cast. Also, the perspectives oftenchange between battles--players will direct the action from behind the heroes,behind the villains, looking down from above, and off to the side.

There are a couple downsides to the game. First, the stylized transitions intoand out of battle mode, while initially cool, quickly becomeexhausting--especially when running the gauntlet through lesser foes in the wilderness orlower ramparts of a castle. The game's story is built such that you're watchingthe sometimes goofy dialog as a spectator rather than participating in it. Thereare a few occasions when the game will prompt you to choose from two differentresponses, but often either response will bring about the same conclusion. Thattightly controlled narrative, however, often works in the player's favor bykeeping the game flowing instead of the wandering common in other RPGs, whereplayers waste time looking to each townsperson for direction.

Overall, the game's wonderfully illustrated sets, light exploration and problemsolving, and a handful of jaw-dropping full-motion video scenes make TheLegend of Dragoon fun to play and hard to put down. --Porter Hall

Pros:

• Hours upon hours of story and gameplay
• Turn-based battle made more exciting by combo-attack-style "additions"
• Many different monsters, spells, weapons, and items

Cons:

• Very linear gameplay offers no chance to affect outcome
• Stylish pre- and postbattle sequences quickly grow tiresome

... Read more

Reviews (292)

Fabulous game
First of all, I would like to say that I am a long time RPG gamer, and next to Final Fantasy IX, this is one of the best games I have ever played.Not only are the movies, battle scenes, and equiptment fun and entertaining, but the actual storyline is surprisingly good too.I will admit that the storyline can be a little confusing at times, and after a while the battle sequences do get monotonous, but if you have a large chunk of time you are willing to invest in a great game, especially if you are an RPG fan, than this is the game for you.The dragoon aspects of the battle sequences are very fun to watch and partake in, but the dragoon movies are even cooler to watch.This game is probobly my favorite game for playstation.(FFIX rocks too)

I loved the game
The first time i heard of it i was drawned to it. I love dragons yet i thought that it would be something like Kingdom Hearts in real-time. I dont usually like the kind of game were you have to wait for your move and it takes forever like in FF10-2. But this one is the best i have played for PSone, i have to say that if u like FF then you will love this game. I have beaten the game twice in about a 40 to 60 hours span b/c i tried going every where and getting the best iteams and weapons before i was going to defeat the last boss. The main thing to remember that dont take ur enemies lightly or else they will come back twice as hard and three times as pissed. So try the game rent it but i say try it at least u will be hooked if u like FF

The best of the best
All I am going to say is as an RPG junkie get this game and play it till your heart is content you will love it!! ... Read more

Asin: B00004S9AF
Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Sony Playstation (Play station)    3. PSX (PS1 PSOne PS (1 one I)    4. Role Playing Games (Game, rpg, rpgs)   

Vagrant Story
Average Customer Review:
CD-ROM

US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Vagrant Story is one of those games that wows you at thestart--a big "WOW!" in this case--but maintains only a tenuous hook inthe long haul. In this mix of action/adventure and fantasy role-playing,players are cast as a Riskbreaker (think one-man army) namedAshley Riot, whose pursuit of a villainous cult leader takes him to themysterious city of Lea Monde.

The highly stylized graphics in Vagrant Story are easily some ofthe best ever seen on the PlayStation, and give the game a gorgeous,distinctive look to match its somber tone. Cinematic story sequencesblend in almost seamlessly with gameplay, which takes place in 3-Denvironments (viewed from a third-person perspective) that can berotated to provide the best angle.

Vagrant Story features a rich battle system that's built on bothstrategy and quick reflexes. In addition to character statistics,weapons and armor have detailed numbers of their own and can bedisassembled, assembled, or even combined to create new items. Hand/eyecoordination factors heavily into combat, as Ashley develops offensiveand defensive battle abilities that require perfectly timed buttonpushing in order to be used.

Unfortunately, it's all too easy to get bored with VagrantStory. The painfully linear gameplay here doesn't rise abovekilling enemy after enemy in room after room, and (oh boy!) solvingpuzzles by manipulating boxes. If not for the wholly intriguing (butsparsely littered) plot, one would be strongly tempted just to leaveAshley to rot in the catacombs beneath Lea Monde. --Joe Hon

Pros:

• Highly stylized graphics
• Rich battle system
• Intriguing plot

Cons:

• Shallow, linear gameplay

... Read more

Features

• Good mix of action/adventure and fantasy role-playing
• Rich battle system
• For 1 player
• You are Ashley Riot, in pursuit of a villainous cult leader
• Highly stylized graphics and cinematic story sequences

Reviews (96)

Best Dungeon Crawler that i've played
If you want to know if this game is good or not without having to read paragraph upon paragraph just read this review. Bottem line is is that if you have some sort of Dungeon crawler fetish this is your thing. It's a dungeon crawler with heavy RPG elements and thats it. So if you like box puzzles (many many) and demons and such (many many). Not to mention that all you ever do is do the to of the above (no mini-games or diversion or nothing!) then this games for you (only one paragraph! ha:)

One of the Greatest Games Ever Made for Fantasy Fans
Recently on G4 Tech TV I was watching "Filter", and they were counting down the top 10 underrated games of all time, and to my amazement and joy, Vagrant Story was rated the #1 most underrated game ever. There could be no title more worthy, and it saddens me that it has a 4 star average here on Amazon, though it's not really suprising.

Vagrant Story was one of the final Square games to come out for the PS1, and went by almost unnoticed. I didn't actually play it until it was a couple of years old. The graphics are without doubt some of the best ever seen on the PS1. I wish we could have had voice overs in this game, but such things were still pretty uncommon on the PS1. The sound is very good, light on music and heavy on creepy, atmospheric sound effects that really enhance the feeling of being lost in the huge mazes of buildings, tunnels, and dungeons.

As it is, the dialogue is absolutely exceptional, and the story is complex, twisting, and really makes you think. Good and evil end up not being quite what you think they are. The story has a heavy emphasis on a religious, crusader/inquisition type group of characters, as well as incorporating sorcery and magic. I could never explain how great the story and characters of this game are...it's just magical. The world just sucks you in.

The entire game takes place in an old abandoned ghost town on an island called Lea Monde. It is one of the most phenomenal environments ever created for a game. Much of the game takes place underground in old tunnels, vaults, caves, storage areas, and a huge variety of buried rooms, but there are also many areas where you emerge and have to explore the city aboveground. The feeling of the game is very lonely, and the old abandoned town of Lea Monde is amazing to explore.

The amount of detail that was put into this game is just incredible, and it is evident at every moment just what a labor of love it was for those who made it. Not only is the game itself exceptional, but the plethora of details they incorporated makes it an all time classic. For example, on the map screen, every single room in the game (and there are a lot) has it's own unique name. There is one dungeon where every room (and there are at least 30) is named after an implement of torture! It's just great.

There is a huge variety of enemies, and an in game encyclopedia that fills up as you encounter them. Combat is very difficult, and it seemed to me at first even too difficult, but once you get the hang of it, this game has one of the most fun, and definitely most unique, combat systems ever devised. With each swing you take, you can choose where to aim on the enemy (left or right arm, legs, body, or head!), and depending on the enemy, armor, and what type of weapon you are using, you will have a different %chance of hit and damage. There are about 6 or 7 types of weapons (blunt, piercing, slashing, etc.) and a HUGE variety of different weapons within these categories. Within this there are different gems that can be attached to your weapons to make them more efficient against certain types of enemies, give them elemental attributes, etc.
Truly, this game has an almost intimidating amount of detail, but that's what makes it so great. You can armor all parts of your body, and every single weapon and every single piece of armor is customizable by combining lesser weapons and armor in workshops that can be found among Lea Monde. Materials range from course materials like wood and iron early in the game to silver and platinum materials later. Weapons have to be created and specialized in for different creature types. For example, I usually had a spear I used against dragons, a holy mace and a holy dagger for undead and zombies, and an axe that was most effiecent against humanoid creatures. Plus, you can actually name every weapon you create, which adds an awesome finishing touch to your arsenal.

There is so much about this game that is great that I could go on for another hour and hardly scratch the surface. This game is thought provoking, its deep, and it is CHALLENGING. Not for wimps! There is so much to explore, so many hidden features, such endless customization, this game just never gets old. And, it has a new game plus feature, so you can replay it with all the skills, equipment, and magic you've acquired. Damn, I didn't even touch on the magic...there is a huge variety of magic spells you can learn as well!
I've played through it probably 3 times over the past few years, and it remains fun every time I play, and I still haven't maxed out Ashley Riots potential.

This game may not be for everyone. It is hard, confusing, and very deep. But for those of you that love fantasy games, a good story, great characters and dialogue, tons of character/equipment customization, and a big challenge, give this game a try. You can get it for cheap now, and even though it's a little dated, it may be one of your best game purchases in quite awhile.

On a final note, I'm thrilled to know that the people who are responsible for this game and for Final Fantasy Tactics are the main creative force working on Final Fantasy XII right now. It should be phenomenal! I can't wait.

Both Good and Bad
I hardly even know where to begin when it comes to an overrated game that turns out to collect dust in my room.I bought Vagrant Story over a year ago.Tried it, like the battle system, and then found myself hating it.

The game play goes as follows: You start in a dungeon...there are cut scenes from time to time, but none of them make any sense...you run around by monsters and fight.You see the monsters as you are fighting them as there are no random battles.A menu pops up after you click near a monster such as, Head: 0, 100%, Right Leg: 2, 85% and so on.From there you choose which part of the body you want to attack.Sometimes you make NO hit points against the monsters because you have to work up your weapons for each type of monster.And it is impossible to make a master weapon against all monsters.More than one weapon has to be leveled up for different monsters, and many times weapons have to be changed in midst battle which is annoying.The other complaint I had in this game is that the only way you can heal yourself is either finding a save point or using a curing item.This doesn't sound so bad, but curing items CANNOT be purchased.Instead they only can be found fighting monsters.I never seemed to have enough curing items.By the end of the game, things still didn't seem to make sense.The conclusions were unsatisfying and overall pain in the neck.

The last complaint I have of this game is the feeling I got from playing it.The color scheme is bad.Everything was shades of brown or blacks and occasional greens and reds.It was a depressing feel to it, and it seemed like I never saw the light in that game.

However, I can still give this game some credit.I believe that it was an attempt of a good thing.There were bad qualities about it that if only fixed a little, this game could've been great.The battle system was actually fun at times, but when things got tough and a new type of monster approached, it took way too long to level up a weapon.
I thought for its time, the cut scenes looked nice.There are no special movies throughout the game, just a short one as an intro before you start your game up.

It is possible to enjoy this game.I found myself struggling through it, but I knew a couple who actually half ways liked it.It isn't a masterpiece in my eyes, but it had potential I think that didn't see the light of day.

Pros:
Innovative battle system
Well done cut scenes for its time
New Game Plus + feature

Cons:
Dull game, hardly any change of scenerybesides dungeons and boxes
Confusing Plot - (yet it was deep)
Bad color scheme: browns, browns, tans, green,and more browns
Annoying weapon level up system

Estimated time to complete game in a quicker runthrough: 20 - 30 hours.
Detailed gameplay estimated time to complete: 30 - 50 hours. ... Read more

Asin: B00004SPW9
Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Sony Playstation (Play station)    3. PSX (PS1 PSOne PS (1 one I)    4. Role Playing Games (Game, rpg, rpgs)    5. Adventure   

Harvest Moon
Average Customer Review:
Game Cartridge (10 November, 1999)
list price: $19.99
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Reviews (61)

Harvest Moon is one of the most fun,creative,inspiring games
I saw this game being reviewed on a videogame show and thought it looked stupid so I decided to borrow it. On the way home I was thinking would ever play this game, well after awhile I figuerd who would...ME!!! It may look boring but it really is fun, I was playing that game all night for like 17 hours none-stop. There is so much you can do in it I mean come on:

-Farm crops
-take care of animals
-talk to the inhabitents (people)
-meet girls
-farm MANY crops
-and much more!

Trust me this game is super-duper fun!!! (super-duper?) If you like this Harvest Moon or any other HM I reccomened Animal Crossing on GC you dont get to farm or that kind of stuff but well its kind of like The Sims meets Harvest Moon but its still fun if you like HM!!

Outstanding!!!!!
This game is awsome!!! Although at the beggining I did have some trouble. When I started, don't laugh, I thought the weed where plants and I used to water them and everything! That was stupid. After that I learned how to run a succesful farm, I am doing preety good. This game lets you plant seeds, water them, buy cows and chicken, let them have calves and chick (which grow up), milk the cow and get eggs from the chicken. Here are some of the things you do int he farm:

plant seeds
water them
buy cows and chicken
let them have calves and chick (which grow up)
milk the cow and get eggs from the chicken
You can have a horse, which after it's big enough you can ride
You can have a dog or cat
You feed the animals
You plant grass to feed the animal
Once the plants are ready, you pick them and get ca$h

Almot the only bad part would be that you have to do the same thing again every day. One of my friends has this gme and she's been playing it a longer time then me and once her cow was missing and she says she found it ont he roof!!! So maybe you do do the same things every day, but once in a while you might get a suprise!!!

harvest moon rocks!
my friend was always talking about how awesome harvest moon was, and i didn't really belive her. a farming game??! i mean, come on. that must stink as much as the cow poop.
i was SO wrong!
she let me play her old GBC version, and i loved it! it was one of the best games i'd played! since i love RPGs, it went in my gameboy...and stayed there. she gave the game to me ^_^
about the game:
you get to be a boy, or girl (unlike most other harvest moon games, where you must play a guy), and both have advantages: the guy is stronger and tires slower, but the girl gets extra seeds (i would recomend being the girl, since being stronger doesn't really do much). You get to plant and harvest seeds, and buy cows and chickens. making money at first is hard, so don't go out and buy a bunch of building materials, or a house esxpainsion, until you can really afford it!
i would recomend playing this version before any other harvest moon games, so you can get the basics down. for me, being thrown into HM-mineral town with only a days experiance at the game was very confusing. also, this could be the best bet for you if you don't want to spend time with relationships (like in other HM games). ... Read more

Asin: B00001ZWPX
Sales Rank: 2478
Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Strategy Games    3. Nintendo Game Boy (Gameboy)    4. Strategy (Strategic)   

Sheep
Average Customer Review:
CD-ROM (10 November, 2000)
list price: $29.99
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Reviews (4)

Sheep hits the Playstation screen!!
Im Selling this game, and I like it, but I don't like a race 'hurry up before time runs out' game. So thats why I gave it a 4-star rating. You can pick from 4 herders and ya gotta herd the little sheepies in the pen before time runs out. I'm on level 2. I don't like the part if they get hurt or drown.

Cute Game for Relaxed Play! Happy Game with Sheep! :)
I just purchased this game, and I am satisfied with it! There are 4 sheep herders (a girl, a guy, 2 dogs) and 4 different flocks of sheep each with their own qualities. There is also a play round, practice round, and 2 player round! I thought this game was one of the cutest games! The little sheep are adorable, and the enviroment is well detailed. This game had very good graphics, so there was no problem with that. The only problem that I had was that when you beat a level with one flock of sheep, you have to pick another flock for the next level, not the same one each time. Overall I would highly recommend this game for a fun and funny time! :)

Yeah baby, Hardcore XXX Sheep Action!
Being a kiwi lad I had to get this game.It is a different take on the lemmings idea, one which works well, but needs more depth in this modern era.Great for small doses of humour, but it needed a decent PSX conversion.The bloody brutallity as you sheep stupidly (or even activily) get ground, crushed or squashed manages to be funny, and gives you an empathy with the poor woolly ones.If it had a make-over and facelift it would be a classic, as is it's worth buying 2nd hand or renting for a week.

There are 4 different sheep herders, they are better at being scary/shouting/running/etc;4 different sheep breeds, with slight differences again, and a load of wacky levels.Also you can play two-player "Sheep Soccer", bizzare indeed...especially when you consider that the most infamous sheep farming countries (Scotland, NZ, Australia) all play rugby?!

Join the herd, BAAA! ... Read more

Asin: B00004YQUL
Sales Rank: 10387
Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Sony Playstation (Play station)    3. PSX (PS1 PSOne PS (1 one I)    4. Strategy (Strategic)   

EverQuest: The Scars of Velious
Average Customer Review:
CD-ROM (05 December, 2000)
list price: $19.99
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Once the EverQuest: The Scars of Velious expansion pack has youin its icy grasp, you'll likely be wishing for a long winter just so you canstay indoors and play without feeling guilty. The new snowbound continentgives veterans of the game an enormous new area to explore and exploit, comprised of16 distinct and challenging zones.

It wouldn't be an EverQuest game if the new world wasn't populated withan array of dangerous beasts, and Velious has more than its fair share. The new enormous creatures like storm giants and ice dragons will have novicesscurrying for their lives, and are powerful enough to truly challenge a teamof seasoned adventurers. In fact, beginners should definitely spend a lot of timewith the original game (including The Ruins of Kunark) before eventhinking about entering the unforgiving land of Velious. This world was obviously designed to give powerful high-level characters a serious challenge.

Some long-awaited technology improvements prove that Verant Interactive isdevoted to improving the game. The graphics have been cleaned up and are moredetailed than those found in previous installments. The interface has beenupdated to run at all resolutions, meaning no more jarring resolution switcheswhen doing things such as buying equipment. On the gameplay side, there aremany in-game factions players can align themselves with, and the inevitablerivalries add an extra level of depth to the fun. There are also plenty of quests tosolve, and the best part of EverQuest--its devoted onlinecommunity--only gets better with time. EverQuest subscribers will definitely want topick up this expansion. --T. Byrl Baker

Pros:

• Better graphics, with a tightly maintained theme
• Gives high-level characters plenty to do
• Interface enhancements allow for smoother gameplay

Cons:

• Far too tough for beginners
• If you don't like EverQuest, this won't change your mind

EverQuest is a multiplayer online game you play via the Internet. A stable Internet connection is required to play. Sony Online Entertainment charges a small monthly fee for this game, separate from your Internet service provider access charges. The first month of this fee is included in the purchase price of this package. You must provide a valid credit card to register and play. After your first month, you can use your credit card to buy more time.

... Read more

Reviews (64)

EQ: Scars of Velious: An unequalled high point
Note: This review is ONLY about the "Scars of Velious" add-on to Everquest, and not the game itself.

"Scars of Velious" (referred to as SoV or simply "Velious") is an Everquest expansion for levels 27-65. Unlike other expansions, it does not introduce a new race, a new class, raise the level cap or introduce a lot of special new abilities (although it does introduce a few for melees). Instead, its focus was on content.

Specifically, it covers the frozen lost continent of Velious, home to a race of shipwrecked dwarves from Faydwer (in the original Everquest), trying to survive when faced by hostile giants and ancient dragons. The struggle between these three forces defines the expansion -- if you spend more than an hour here, you're more or less forced to choose sides, and who you fight determines how the other sides view you, which in turn closes off some content and opens up other content, as you become part of the battle for the future of this continent.

The epitome of this struggle are two parallel quests for melees and spellcasters given out by the Coldain dwarves. Each is a multistage quest, and involves you proving your loyalty to the Coldain in their war against the giants. At first, the tasks they assign you are mundane -- deliver this axe to be sharpened, keep my nephew the "great hunter" out of trouble, go deliver some food to the captain of the guard -- but they culminate in skirmishes and even a full fledged war that totally redoes one zone for several hours in a pitched battle (lead by the players) between the giants and dwarves.

Even for players not interested in this content (the ring war in the Great Divide is a high level raid), the expansion offers the best dungeons in EverQuest, amazing new cities, two new planes, high level spells, and a greater concentration of dragons than any other expansion in the game.

While much of EverQuest can, at times, feel like a fantasy version of Quake, Velious lives up to the promise of an online roleplaying game that immerses players in another place and time. Featuring landscapes so chilly, you find yourself putting on a sweater, terrifying enemies, and great acts of heroism, "Scars of Velious" is the peak of the EverQuest experience.

This expansion receives my strongest possible recommendation to all EverQuest players with characters level 27 and up.

...
i been playing everquest for a long time and sov is no better then the first or lulcin verant willstill never allow you to make a dime spawns still never drop anything, it used to be fun when they would allow people to make a living but now nothing drops anymore ,or its all no drop you have to go [somewhere else] just to be able to get armor cause verant refeuses to let anybody make any plat or loot and when you do camp something youre sitting there for 10 hours in a group with 6 people and have to roll for it it would be a great game if they would just allow people to actually get armor and gear but they wont and the techinal staff [is bad]but thats just myoppinion of the game

Great Exp
For everyone who has played everquest before, this place is cold! from dragons to dwarfs... icely! I played on sullon zek, and neutral owns it, its peaceful! ... Re