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| PLATFORM: PSP |
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 eemingly unrelated metaphor, reference to game in question – witty remark that ties the two together. That’s one possible way to begin a game review. However, simply plugging components into a template doesn’t inspire the most exciting results, and eventually just ends up boring everyone with predictability and lack of creativity. For example, The Legend of Heroes.
This title tries to bring old-school RPG charm to the PSP with a paint-by-numbers story and bare-bones approach to combat. The events follow a young orphan named Avin and his childhood friend Mile (who has a total boy-crush on Avin) as they set out on some ambiguous journey. Eventually they hope to find Avin’s sister, but they pursue that goal with the hazy determination of a four-year old who wants to be an astronaut samurai someday.
The Legend of Heroes had potential to capture classic RPG allure, but instead it just feels dated. The game isn’t unplayable, but the generic battles (complete with a pointless proximity system) and tired story will just grate on your nerves. I can’t see the point in playing a boring retro-wannabe when there are plenty of good games that are actually retro and don’t use “old-school” as an excuse for lack of originality.
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From the characters to the story, this RPG elicits no feelings other than déjà vu, and does that only in a perversely laughable, dull way. The sad thing is that the game’s graphics, exploration, and menus are presented beautifully, but the title as a whole still manages to be the dreck that gives RPGs a bad name. I’d love to recommend another RPG besides the charming PoPoLoCrois to other PSP gamers like myself who are looking for a good handheld genre title, but I just can’t do it in good conscience with Heroes. |
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6 |
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| CONCEPT: |
| Heroes and their legend collide with mediocrity! |
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| GRAPHICS: |
| The lens flare, though overused, adds a nice effect to the otherwise basic environments |
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| SOUND: |
| No voice acting and a gas station bargain bin soundtrack |
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| PLAYABILITY: |
| If you use the d-pad instead of the nub, you should be okay. Also, interacting with objects and NPCs is way too touchy |
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| ENTERTAINMENT: |
| It’s distracting, but I wouldn’t go so far as to call it fun |
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| Copyright
1991 -
2009
:: Game Informer Magazine
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