Thursday, August 8, 2024

Lodoss Tou Senki: Record of Lodoss War for SFC


Image: MobyGames

Lodoss Tou Senki: Record of Lodoss War

Possession is nine-tenths of this game


Genre: rpg - japanese

Publisher: Kadokawa Shoten

Year: 1995

System: SFC


Gameplay Score: 2

Gameplay Notes:

One of the hardest RPGs I've played in this project. You stay a one-person party for hours to start the game and are so weak that enemies regularly one-shot you. The game's core gimmick is the ability to possess certain enemies. This is accomplished by allowing them to kill you. Yup. Grinding is ultimately pointless because your EXP is all lost when you gain a new body with its own levels. Your magic abilities carry over to the new body. It's a compelling idea but not fun in practice because you have to find the next enemy by talking to everyone and then go through the motions to get murdered. I lost interest after the fifth or six iteration. Battles take place in an isometric area. Position your character and unleash ranged or melee attacks depending on which direction you're facing. That's the only interesting thing about this title.


Level Design Score: 1

Level Design Notes:

The pacing is atrocious. Abysmal. I am so bored and uninvested. I don't know where to go and when I do find the "next" place there's nothing to do except find the next victim to possess.


Theme Score: 2

Theme Notes:

I don't know he manga, but I love the modern Metroidvania. I don't see any resemblance between the two games or the world's then inhabit. Again, the concept of possessing enemies is compelling, but also comes with a morale dilemma that the story sidesteps. You are murdering all these people? Are you an antagonist or protagonist? What is happening and what am I trying to achieve? Terrible storytelling.


Art Style Score: 4

Art Style Notes:

Best part of the game. Everything is letterboxed in both the overworld and the battles, although the battles take place in an Ogre Battle cloned view. It's even a tabletop!


Audio Score: 3

Audio Notes:

The music is bland but pleasant. Sound effects are quiet.


Overall Score: 41

Review ID: 1734



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