Atarifever wrote: How'd you end up liking this one scotland? I have $10 to spend on the 3DS eShop, and Lufia: The Legend Returns in on the Virtual Console there. From what I've seen, we have similar tastes in JRPGs, so I'd be interested to hear what you thought overall if you got around to playing it much.
Funny you should ask...
I replaced the battery in this game, got about 10 hours in, and had an unfortunate accident. I thought about it a bit, but decided to rebuy another cartridge. So, now I am about 10 hours again (although curiously much further along) and have a better idea of the battle system.
At its heart, this is a classic turn based RPG with its feet firmly in the old dungeon crawls of table top. Each round of combat has each character having options from physical attacks, using magic, using an item, etc, and everyone in combat on both sides takes turns depending on their speed. So, a quick thief usually gets in the first whack. Graphics are standard 8 bit sprites and tiles. Colors are bright. Monsters tend to be palette swaps of others. Storyline is mostly moving from location to location 'doing good deeds', then go to town to rest, save and buy new equipment. More backtracking here.
There are some nuances. First, if you have ever played the rogue Fatal Labyrinth on the Genesis, this game is similar in dungeon exploration. Levels are randomly created (and recreated if you travel back to already explored level), and monsters are visible and can be avoided, and hidden doors. The dungeons are random, but so small and ordinary as to quickly get boring. Second, the party will eventually grow beyond 3 members. While only 3 members are active combatants, you can mix and match how the party is set up. The magic system is a standard one of attack/heal/buff/debuff spells, but its overlayed with a more complicated one about ancient texts and four kinds of magic that flow between members to enhance their magic.
I think its working its way to be an mildly disappointing to just average RPG. As a game on a portable, where you pick it up to play half an hour now an again, and you don't want complications you'll forget, or story points to remember, then its okay. Its nice that the party will eventually be 9 members strong, which is fun to meet all these people (and each comes with a bit of story). The first hour is painfully slow, having to click through all the dialogue and helpful old men with their guidance. Perhaps the magic system, story, and characters have more fun to unfold, but so far I'd focus my time looking at other choices.
Edit: Hit a hard boss, and was grinding a bit and trying the other kind of magic out when I blundered into a rare weapon drop. Suddenly, one of my characters is vastly overpowered...this puts a new spin on things...back to that boss fight now with my shiny new Alum (Alumina) Sword...