Disclaimer: this review was done at the 15 hour mark.

Graphics: This is a 2d sprite based game with static backgrounds. I gotta say that the environments do not look top par especially for a PS2 game. I can say however that the event scene graphics are very well presented with individual character art, the anime style of the characters is very pretty and can be appreciated by many.

Sound: this game’s soundtrack is just awesome it balances the cheery tunes with the J-pop and then with the opera metal battle scenes, it is clearly obvious that a lot of work went into creating the music for this game.

The voice acting in this game is inconsistent in where it is used, but where it is used it really brings the characters to life. From the cheery cat girl with an awesome singing voice to the wannabe hero with a booming voice. I have to say the voice acting in this game is the very best i have heard short of persona 4.

Gameplay: This game takes a novel approach to levelling up, this is handled by using alchemy to create specific items and then register them in a book that is specific to each character, each item unlocks a slot in the book that holds a set number of upgrades or a skill. Then you use points earned from battles to purchase new skills and stat upgrades that were unlocked by alchemy. The battle system of the game is very similar to Final Fantasy 10 in the sense that there is a timeline of planned actions on the screen and the player can plot their moves and see how they affect the turn structure in real time. The battles are turn based and fairly easy to get your head around. The game is split up into a series of assignments to keep up with the school setting of the game this also makes it easy to pick up and play the game if you just have a small amount of game time a day.

Story: Finally a game that pulls away from the generic “save the princess/world” story line and is about a socially recluse boy who attends school at Al Revis academy to learn alchemy just as his father did. The main point of the game and its story is for the boy to get through the school year in one piece and to learn more about his father and himself.

Conclusion: Overall despite the lower visual presentation this game pulls through and ultimately entertains constantly. This is a highly recommended title.

Graphics: This game is a standard 2D sprite based RPG. This means that the chracter sprites are low quality, but this also means that memory is saved for the environments and story. Speaking of environments, this game is fairly beautiful, it is set ona floating continent that is falling apart and has pieces of weird machinery sticking out of the ground. The battle animations are just stunning, each magic spell in the game has a unique look and feel from a cute little sprite weilding dual SMGs to a slash happy demon. Event graphics are amazing along with the anime cutscenes – I have yet to see a game do better than this in the anime department, save Valkyria Chronicles and Persona 4.

Music: The soundtrack to this game is phenominal, each piece has a unique feel and suits the situation. I quickly found the music in this game was in general rotation in my mp3 player. This is a battle theme from the game.

05 – Agni

Gameplay: Battles are a unique affair – you have a team of 4 members (2 vanguard and 2 mages). The mages select a single speel to cast between them, and the vanguard must protect the mages whilst they charge the spell. The charging can be stopped at any time during the player’s turn. The vanguard can also attack using a directional button and either square or x (square for one vanguard character and x for the other), each different attack has a different effect on the mage characters, from giving the charge gauge a massive boost to restoring the mage’s MP. Character chemistry is also a big part of the game, if characters do not get along then it will have a detrimental effect on their battle performance. Chemistry can be improved by triggering set events or levelling up the mages together. The vanguard levels up the usual way (they gain XP from battles and level up) whilst the mages level up by bathing together and using different bath salts (that’s right, bathing). To learn new spells the main character must heal the mental scars of each mage by diving into her sub-conscious, these events can be rather entertaining.

Story: The story for this game is definitely unique. You play as Croix – A young knight who is protecting the two holy maidens who are charged with creating a new land by singing the song “Metafalica”. They do this because the world that they inhabit, “metafalss”, is dying and falling from its place in the sky, however a goddess tries to stop you and it is not revealed why until later on in the game.

Overall: I would say this game is worth a buy, it takes the 2d art style and runs with it never looking back, and for a 2009 ps2 game it certainly feels fresh.

Philanthropy was a challenge for its makers. Starting over three years ago, the project relied on friends and passionate fans to get it finished.

The full 70-minute feature can be found below, or on the official website, and though two sequels have been written, the team is not yet decided as to when they’ll go forward with them. They’re waiting with baited breath for the reaction from Metal Gear Solid fans, Hideo Kojima and Konami.

Metal Gear Solid: Philanthropy from Hive Division on Vimeo.