The first thing one has to comment on is the length and detail of the story line. While it is mostly predictable, let’s face it, most video games are. However they obviously spent some time on the back story for the characters, and it shows. Each character has unique flashbacks while telling their stories which are graphically reasonable for the time frame the game emerged in. This is true throughout the game, as even the very best of cut-scenes is not really all that far above average gameplay graphics.

Graphics naturally settle around the “Dragoon” aspect of the game, with a variety of spells for each Dragoon character. The transitions are rather detailed even by today’s standards, though they might not be as clean or intense. Most of the movement is very flowing, with very few catches that were common through the early 2000’s.

The wider-than-average selection of characters brings a cornucopia of play style that many other games in the genre lack, and also raises the replay factor since different combinations of characters can often result in very different experience at several points of the game. The lengthy (4 disc) storyline allows for dedication on one or two major characters, or a smattering of each. The award of xp to members not in the actual fight helps to keep them balanced, while the lack of combo ability (additions) of an unplayed character seriously handicaps them.

One of the downsides to Legend of Dragoon is its travel system. Travel is done on a larger world map with required points of stop in between. Combat while walking on the world map is possible and somewhat of an annoyance, but the ability to save anywhere on the world map is helpful. Save points can be too far between some times, and you’d rather not backtrack. However, since you must stop at every point and walk through the actual area, some backtracking is inevitably required.

These down points are far out shined by the advantages of the multiple damage and defensive types available. Being able to equip yourself with anti-fire defense and water offense can be very useful in difficult, type-based areas. All in all, Legend of Dragoon is a game that won’t be soon forgotten by this particular gamer. If you like turn based combat and a detailed story but have never been through its 40+ hour journey, I highly recommend picking up a copy and giving it a go.

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