While it didn't nearly gain the amount of
attention that its neighbor in the Konami area was getting, one of the more
noteworthy titles in an already RPG-heavy lineup was Rhapsodia,
better known to most as Suikoden Tactics. The story is a
continuation of the plotline of Suikoden IV, although as the name
implies, this game is most decidedly a tactical RPG, and is a solid one to
boot.
"It's a solid title, but you'll
probably get the most out of Rhapsodia if you've played
Suikoden IV..."
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Unlike Suikoden V's more popular (but more
sparse) booth, gamers sampling Rhapsodia had a chance to
actually play through an entire battle, which was well worth it. Battles are
laid out on an isometric 3D grid like most other TRPGs, and the system
is turn-based. Also, players are able to determine the exact amount of
damage done on a specific hit and are able to tell what status that
will inflict on the enemy, which as simple as it sounds, is an extremely
good idea in the game. According to what we saw from the demo FMVs, it
looks like combo attacks with other characters will play a part in
battles as well.
As a direct link to Suikoden IV,
Rhapsodia players will be able to import save data from that game which
can be put to use near the closing sequences. Whether this was done as a
response to the lackluster reviews of Suikdoen IV is uncertain,
but it does differentiate itself from other TRPGs on the market, which
this title certainly looks like.
The conclusion? It's a solid title, but you'll
probably get the most out of Rhapsodia if you've played
Suikoden IV, as the plotline is a direct continuation of the story from
that game. It's no surprise that it's the most playable of all the RPGs
on display at TGS, as it was released this past Thursday in Japan and
is slated for a November 8th release in North America. If you're either
a fan of the Suikoden series or a fan of TRPGs in general, this
title is worth a look, although RPGamers in the former group will get
the most enjoyment out of it.
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