"Differences between this game and other RPG titles make this a great title."

Radiata Stories, designed by Tri-Ace and published by Square Enix was an unknown game title to me as it started popping up on gaming stores' shelves since I have not heard anything about its release. Although its designers were Tri-Ace, producers of another great PS2 RPG, Star Ocean 3: Till the End of Time, there was significantly less hype over this game than Star Ocean. At first glance, the game seemed rather comical and anime-ish to me, and screen caps showed cel-shaded battles in bright colours. I pondered for a moment whether to spend a portion of my allowance on this title, and now I can say, I totally do not regret my decision.

First off, this game revolves around a young man by the name of Jack Russell. Jack's father was a well-respected and powerful knight of Radiata, and his death sixteen years ago was greatly mourned by the kingdom. Left behind, was his son, Jack and his elder sister, Adele. The game starts off as Jack attempts to follow his legendary father's footsteps and tries out for a place in the Radiata Knights. At the application test, he faced off with Ridley Silverlake, who proceeded to blast Jack's bottom to high heaven. Although Jack failed in his application to be a knight, he was eventually offered a spot due to his father's reputation.

The story spins off from here as Jack sets out to be a great knight to the kingdom of Radiata. Along the way, you'll meet colourful characters of different races (goblins, humans, fairies, etc.), each with unique appearances and skills as they assist Jack in his journey, coupled with some good natured humour and possessive storyline. A tad similiar to Suikoden, the game has 178 characters available to be recruited. Some characters can be recruited by simply talking to them, whereas others, you're forced to do tasks for them, or meet certain requirements. However, not all characters possess impressive combat skills. It's certainly maddenning to go out of your way to recruit a character who exhibited strength on his exterior, only to find him a wimp in battle.

Although some of the characters may not be warriors in battles, each of them has their own personality and this is certainly a strong point in Radiata Stories. Meet Jarvis, babysit-- leader of your early days, who has a penchant for getting drunk and falling in debt with the owner of the tavern. How about Natalie, a beautiful servant of Radiata who has a soft spot for Lord Jasne, the puffy-cheeked, daughter-loving minister? Even Jack has his own personality, as we can see from early on in the game as he presents himself as a clown with a brash personality with his antics and confident, perhaps arrogant, words. However, as the game progresses, Jack actually tones down his behaviour and shows a bit of maturity.

Radiata Stories has a time system, albeit similiar to Brave Fencer Musashi of the PS1. There is a 24 hour time clock, and day changes into dusk and into night. Each character has a specific time schedule everyday. For example, mighty guild leader Elwen stays in her room at midnight but disappears into the sewers at noontime. While it may be annoying at times, when you want to recruit a certain character and the time restricts you from doing so, it brings a whiff of reality and freshness to the game, and to the RPG genre.

The battle system in Radiata Stories is quite similiar to Star Ocean 3. Jack is able to run around the battlefield freely and simple button presses with make Jack execute attacks. However, in Radiata Stories, that's the only person you're able to control in battle, Jack. The game might be even better if we were allowed to control any character we wanted. Since the other characters are uncontrollable, you're also unable to customise any of the character's equipments and combos, except Jack. In this game, Jack has the option to wield four types of weapons: a one-handed sword, two-handed sword, spear or axe. Each type of weapon has unique combos which you will learn by fighting battles and these combos can be customised easily. With a one-handed weapon, you can choose to start your attack with a leaping thrust into the enemy, or a sideway slash. This allows for more flexibility in the combat system.

Each weapon also has two sets of special attacks, volty attack and volty blast. With each hit you deal to the enemy or vice-versa, a point is added to a counter, known as the volty gauge. Each volty attack costs ten volty points, as a more powerful than normal attack is executed, unique to the type of weapon Jack is wielding. The volty gauge stores a maximum of a hundred volty points, and when the volty gauge is at maximum, Jack is able to unleash a powerful attack, also unique to the type of weapon. Some of the characters also have volty blasts, which can only be unleashed under Jack's command.

Radiata Stories also has a battle link system, or a battle formation. Each link has the characters lined up in a certain order, and by being linked, an extra ooomph is added to your party's attack. Form a line link, and your allies will produce waves of energy as they attack to dish extra damage. Use a kamikaze link, and watch your party members launch themselves comically at the enemy to deal high damage as they receive some damage themselves.

The graphics in Radiata Stories is well done, with each area in bright colours and this allows gamers to feel more for the game itself. However, the game centres around the Kingdom of Radiata as it is the only town in the whole game (there are a few other towns, but they're really nothing). To get to different areas, you have to go through side scrolling 2D maps. The game could certainly do with a larger geography as staying in the same town over and over again tends to get boring and repetitive.

All in all, the game is a great one. Despite a few minor flaws, it has done well enough to deserve playing time from us gamers.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 10/26/05