Has anyone played this game? It's an RPG for the PS2 that's more streamlined than most games of the genre- though some of the more casual FMV scenes leave a bit to be desired, the ones that matter are beautiful, easily matching those of Square Enix. Atlus has made a name for themselves as good makers of RPGs, and this one doesn't fail to impress.

...By the way, the one on the right? The one with the exposed thigh?

It's a guy. Yup. Calintz is the primary protagonist of this game, and is actually quite the interesting character.

Bringing together the encounter system of Star Ocean 3 while bringing the ambush element into the mix, Magna Carta encourages tactics outside of battle by choosing variable moving speeds. Walking enables a wider range of vision and a better view of enemies, but is slower than running, when enemies might ambush your party.

Once the battle system is activated, players can choose which character they wish to control using a real-time battle system. Various gauges of elemental Chi dictate what elemental attacks do more damage based on the amount of available Chi and which can't be used at all. Lanterns that emit Chi can be changed elementally according to the players wishes, adding another layer of strategy... especially if the talisman placed onto the lantern benefits the player more than the monsters.

Calintz, whose primary Fuget style utilizes Celestial and Wind Chi, would find it hard to fight in a mountain, where Mountain and Earth Chi are most prevalent. However, switching styles can harness Water Chi, which is scarce but usable. Changing characters to Haren, however, allows for his primary style to harness both Earth and Mountain Chi to its fullest extent. That, combined with the fact that only three characters can be used at a time, makes for an intriguing system of combat.

Fortune Telling, Talisman Combining, Weapon Questing, and Trust Building are some of the many different aspects that effect more than one area of the game, garnering different team responses, demeanors, experience gains, strength, and the multitude of possible options that can sway the tide of battle in your favor.

If you want a simple RPG, this isn't for you.

To those who want a challenge and interesting storyline, you might want to pick up this underplayed but awesome treasure of a game.

Kurai ranks it 9/10. :P

...Oh yeah. This is a guy, too. Meet Azel. xD

From what you say about the game, it does look pretty interesting. I might pick it up if I see it at the store, although I cant say I like the way the main character looks...

You learn to get over it, really. :o It just takes some getting used to.

...His voice is really nice. Not to mention that it isn't androgynous. xD

Nifty, I've seen ads for it in SJ... but I guess I'll pick it up one of these days if I have moneys. And the second dude, geez, I can see where the first one's a dude, but that second one. The androgyny...

Hmm... I seen this in the local gamestop, and really been thinking about it...

9/10....

To buy or not to buy that is the question...
And when is my next payday is also an important one...

Hmm choices...

The dudes look like chicks. Oooooh, creepy.

What's wrong with them?

Edit: BTW, I did decide to get it, but haven't played much... damn school and work...

I couldnt really get into it. so mine is collecting dust.

I'm still not that far in to it But I'm kinda confused on several issues... KK, or any one else for that matter, mind explaining some things?

1:In battle do you only control one character at a time? Or is there an AI I need to turn on?

2: How do you read the chi meters? I never seem to run out of wind chi but Calintz's sake, I would like to know before I do...

3: How do you learn new techiques? Calintz's already mastered his first style (have been able to tech him anything else...), and axel learned his second, but the 2 girls I've met (Name's escape me... Mage dressed in red and cleric(?) in yellow) haven't learn even ther second (except the cleric if you count her second style... which still equals one atteack...)

4: Is trust only a temp status that gets reset over time? Or is there a way to permantly increase trust?

1. You can only control one character! That's what makes the game difficult. :3

2. You notice the different Chi meters, correct? When it's flaring and almost white around one of the elements (H for Celestial, A for Air, and so on...), then the Chi is extremely abundant and provides the most damage per attack. Notice that after you use a flaring, full gauge of Chi, it should look full, but a bright orange instead of white. That's when it's full. (I'll answer the rest when I get home. :3)

1. K, that kinda defeat the purpose of having a party behind you... (except as canon fodder, which seems strange and wrong to me...)

2. ok, I understand that but the manual warns you against running out of chi... How do you know when you are running out? does it start turning black or something?

Psssh. Calintz is prime cannon fodder for physical attacks, as he has relatively good Defense and the most shield icons. Eonis and Reith are good for soaking up magic attacks. Those that can't stand having two characters stand still simply switch between them when it's convenient. Trust me, you'll need the different attacking styles later in the game.

Plus, this battle system gives you full control of the Leadership Meter. Wouldn't want Reith attacking an enemy immune to Ice because she's controlled by AI, hm? That'd waste your meter for no reason and take control away from you.

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As I was saying, blazing white is very full, bright orange is full, and the color dulls and drains from the meters as you begin to run out. When it's 1/3 full, the orange is more of a rusty red, and you'll notice that the top part of your meter is transparent. When it's fully transparent and there's no semblance of color in the meter, it's out- you can't use Chi of that type, no matter the reason. Fading is what you have to look out for.

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3. Mastering styles comes from getting three consecutive 'Great's whenever you're attacking. In addition to adding 5% to your Trinity Drive, it also gives you a chance of learning a new technique. However, you have to have used all of the techniques beforehand in succession before you have a chance of gaining a new one. For example, if Azel has gained his second move, he can't just go on to learn the third immediately afterwards- he has to use his first move before perfectly executing his second move before he has a chance to learn his third technique. The chances of learning a new technique decrease as you gain more, but you'll learn them all eventually.

You will get Style Scrolls periodically throughout the game. Eonis's Raiden style, for example, is gained after defeating the Lightning Guardian. Each scroll is unique to one person, and allows them to use different elemental attacks. For example, while Calintz's Fuget style uses Air and Celestial Chi, his next style utilizes Water and Ice Chi.

4. There is- keep trust high by finishing battles quickly and using the characters you want to trust you. Prevent them from getting hurt, and allow them to do as much damage as possible. Trust gained by talking is often kept fairly level if you use this method, but the downside is that you can't have that many people kept blissfully happy at once.

Item-gained trust, however, is as temporary as Fortune Telling.

K, that explained alot actually... (Looked at some of the battle FAQs and none of them answered any of those questions)

Thanks

Yes, it was a bit ambiguous... :/

Well, good luck! :D

Hmmm. I'll keep it under consideration. For some reason, lately I've been trying to beat all three Ace Combats on the PS2, but when I'm done and not broke, I'll look into it.


But I refuse to believe Azel up there is a dude. Feminine face, outline, wardrobe, choice of alcoholic beverage, etc.