Breath of Fire 5 : Dragon Quarter

[Sionistic]

Rented this one last monday for the ps2. While I'm a big fan of the series, the system for this one is much different then any other in the series.

First off, the game uses scene overlay. When you lose a battle or if your dragon scale reaches 100%(I'll explain in a bit) the game ends. Now when you start a new game, you still have your equip, skills, and banked items. Thus its easier the next time. Also, every time you start over, more of the game is revealed. (Story, areas, etc.)

Battling is much different in this game also. Uses a system called PETS which I dont remember for what they stand. No random battles, you see enemies before you fight them. You also have bait, you can use items like fresh meat to attract them, or bombs to weaken them. When you touch any enemy the battle starts. Whats very nice is that the battlefield is exactly like the room your in, and not some reoccuring skin. Battles are based on AP. You have pretty much free movement within how far your character can move in a turn. Running around and attacking all take AP to do. Attacking is based on combos from weapon skills and enemy skills. This game has OMGIAMRETARDEDCAUSEALOTISTWOWORDS more emphasis on strategy then the others.

Exp is very different. When you win a battle, you get group and party experience. Group exp is divided amongst the group, and party exp is banked and can be used to your liking. The amount of group exp you get is based on the monsters you kill. Party exp is based on your strategy. Factors like using bait to suprise your enemy, fighting many enemies at once without taking damage, using preplanted bombs. The game rewards you for being smart, I'm in love. Party exp is also carried over if you restart, but not group.

Then of course comes the dragon powers. This is what I really liked about the game. At a certain point in the game your dragon powers are enabled. When they are, a counter is activated in the corner. It goes from 0 to 100% over the course of the game. About .01% every 5 seconds I beleive. In battle it doesnt rise by itself but when you use your dragon powers it goes up. To make it fair, they make you a complete badass in dragon form. Litteraly you have no fucking excuse to die in this form. Of course if you use it too much you die from the counter.

I love the game so far, very hard. I've had to restart twice already for the 20 hours Ive put into it. (no I currently have nothing to do) I recomend it.