The Bottom Line:
This game is a mess. You have load screen overkill - so bad that the game only really seems playable if installed on the hard drive. This game took me a while to beat as i got stuck and quit (Ludope). However i restarted it and finally beat the boss (not the super boss). Without the technical problems (and frequent loading) this would probably be a little better than a middle of the road SRPG. Basically, this game is more along the lines of a turn-based strategy RPG. You set up parties (unions) and then fight groups of monsters. i like generally like the combat, but sometimes you will face waves of boss type monsters with no opportunity to save in between.
For some unknown reason the number of people total you can use is capped - and the leaders are capped at 6 active (a really strange number considering that there seem to be so many in the game). It is kind of strange that they have spots for 5 unions of 5, but you cannot use that many forces. There is a quasi leveling system - where you gain skills by using similar skills, but some people strongly suggest that you avoid almost every fight possible). i know the game may be cheap now, but i would really recommend the PC version (which i have never played). This is 2 discs on the Xbox 360.
Grade: D
What to Expect:
* Load screens, lots of load screens
* Guilds that have tasks (like collect items, beat really rare monster, etc)
* Side quests - there are a bunch. It seems to me that every unique leader should have had at least one of their own (after you get them). There is one on the second disk that is a nightmare (called "The Fallen"
* Turn Based battles against groups of enemies (there is a critical trigger, but you can set it to auto like i did). These are supposed to feel like larger scale battles (and some really are)
* Some really annoying fights if you are under leveled (whatever it means in this game)
* Skills - gain by using repeatedly, you gain: HP, Strength, etc at seemingly random times. Apparently better if you are fighting stronger monsters.
* Wondering if this title was really finished
* Occasionally questioning design decisions - like limited troops/leaders/etc. Why is there no New Game + (where you could use some of the later arriving leaders). Also, questioning impacts of Battle Chains and Battle Rank.
* Game Length: decent, i think i spent 100+ hours on it. However, the story kind of feels like a throw-away.
The Achievements:
Let's put it this way, i don't like it when i don't get an achievement for beating the game or any bosses. None of the 22 achievements for this game are actually story related. You will probably accomplish a few playing through the story, and a few more with side quests. i got 290/1,000 on this play through. In fact, 4 of the 22 somehow involve the Fallen side quest (which is only available for a limited time). 570/1,000 points are somehow associated with that:
(1) Complete all side quests
(2) Make certain item - i'm not including supposed DLC monster that supposedly drops the part
(3) Defeat Fallen (which is a side quest)
(4) Defeat Mega Boss (need all side quests achievement)
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