Lost Odyssey

The first games I ever really fell in love with were Final Fantasy games - so I was really excited when I heard about this, and couldn't wait to get my hands on it. I've had it since the day of release, and play it whenever I get the chance.Plot:* You play Kaim, an immortal, who has lived for a thousand years or so - but strangely enough he has no memories of those years. As you progress through the story you meet other immortals, and mortals, along the way - and begin to understand why all this has happened.* As far as the story goes, I don't feel totally engrossed as I have done in other Final Fantasy games (I know this isn't a `Final Fantasy' game by name, but it pretty much is in all but name), it isn't rubbish, it's just not as engrossing. I still want to play on, but I'm not thinking about it every day like other Final Fantasy games have in the past - it's still addictive though.Graphics/sound:* Yeah pretty good, some scenes are better than others. But if you bear in mind that this is a long story/long plot, you can't have the most fantastic graphics in the world as it will just eat up disc memory - so I think they've struck just the right balance. The graphics aren't as good as `Mass Effect', but that's only a 1 disc game - this is a 4 disc game.* Voice acting is OK, not quite Mass Effect standard, but pretty good none the less. Apart from Kaim, who constantly sounds as if he's depressed and just woken up with a hangover; and Queen Mings annoying `Posh' English accent. Jansen is genuinely funny, and some characters you meet later are genuinely cheesy (don't want to give the game away too much ;-) - you'll understand when you come across them).Game play/Longevity:* I completed Mass Effect in about 14 hours (doing the more interesting side quests - some of them were dead boring), so far I'm over 40 hours in to this game (start of disc 4) and it doesn't feel like I've even scratched the surface.* In contrast to Mass Effect, you really have to level you characters up and explore every inch of the world; otherwise you will find yourselves struggling against a boss because you don't have some particular ability. This isn't annoying, so long as you don't mind searching around and exploring - and if you do find it annoying, then why have you bought an RPG?* Boss battles will get the old grey matter going, as they do really take some tactical forward planning as to how you are going to beat them. And if you think there is no way you can possibly beat a boss (like me a couple of times), if you just sit down and think and plan - or google it, you will beat it.* There is no `Summoning' in Lost Odyssey - I don't know why, as that aspect was really cool. Summoning has been replaced with Composite magic (magic that effects all party members) - which just isn't as exciting.* Random battle encounters take place, but in the most part they aren't too bad. You quickly learn from experience which ones to take on, and which ones to run from. They are annoying when you are in a place where you don't know where the exit is, but my advice is to buy as many items as you can before you leave - which can be a big help.* As always with the old FF games, there is a total lack of save points. Why can't I just save my progress wherever I am? You can do it on the world map, why not elsewhere? This is something that really bugs me, as there has been a few occasions where I've played for nearly 2 hours only to be killed - and lost all the character levelling in the process. However it does add to the excitement - and (I may be alone in this one) it does make you want to come back for more, just to prove to yourself that you can do it.* Because of the lack of save points, don't attempt to start playing this game if you have got less than 2 hours to spare. You will regret it - trust me.* I may be alone is this, but this game seems to crash a lot. So far, on every disc, I've had the `Disc is unreadable...' message with regular frequency. If I start the game it usually crashes after about 30-45 mins of play, then after I restart it its fine and I can play all day. I hope this isn't my Xbox - it hasn't happened on any of my other games - would like to know what other people have experienced.Overall:Yeap this is a good game, it will keep you amused for a long time. It may not be everybody's cup of tea, but I think you should give it a try either way. For 50+ hours of game play, I think it's a bit of a bargain.

Good game like a ff game and all characters are high rich texture say that Jensen guy and that queen girl hiho with barely anything on her but they had to put in kids in the game too Gonza guy I can't stand him myself the boss who can't dieI did find a pain level the ice snow level mountain map hardy helps tooTo put it Jensen guy is funny guy who likes looking at the queens bodyOk random battles zzzzzzzzzz in a way pain to play with so open your eyes and play it

Positives:Good, original story with interesting characters.Vibrant, beautiful and varied environments.Good graphics and effects.Challenging puzzles to test skill and intellect.Kiam and his companion's readable memories are well written and engaging.Plenty of combat.A vast variety of creatures of varying abilities and difficulties.Brilliant soundtrack.Negatives:The camera angles are a major pain.More of an interactive storybook with RPG elements than an outright RPG.The map is confusing sometimes and too small.Typically patriarchal depiction of women (unnecessarily skimpish garments which reveal a disproportionately large bust, and shallow personalities). The little girl's attire is *thoroughly* inappropriate for someone of her age, regardless of it being a game character.Too many cut-scenes.The opening moments of combat are too long and too repetitive.

If i had the chance to play the game before buying it i would have never brought it and so that is the reason i have it 1 star its too boring.

I bought this game as used, "in very good condition" from an Amazon third party seller.The game arrived quickly and well packed and was exactly as it was described condition wise, like new but much cheaper.As it was an older game, which someone in a forum discussion said was great, I thought i'd try it out.Well it plays well in my 360 and from what I have had a chance to play it is interesting and fun so far.Not much else to say really, it is an RPG single player game and if you like that kind of game and are stuck for something to play give it a shot. The timing of the combat moves take a little bit of getting used to, but it is storyline driven, like a more dark and gritty type of Final Fantasy game so if like me that's your type of thing it's a great buy at today's prices.