Crimson Gem Saga Review
PROS
- Fun characters bolstered with good voice acting.
- 30-40+ hours of gameplay depending on side-missions.
CONS
- Horrific menu navigation.
- Basic JRPG with no real surprises.
VERDICT
The controls were almost enough to put us off from this title, but once you're 'at ease' with them you'll find a charming, if generic JRPG in Crimson Gem Saga that feels comforting for fans of the genre.
- Full Review
- App Store Info
In a move I would love to see followed by other major RPG developers, Atlus' JRPG title 'Crimson Gem Saga' has found its way on to the App Store and fans of the genre will dive right in and feel at home with its simple, classic style.
Converting a title to the iPhone isn't always a smooth process and sometimes that controls are likely to suffer in the transition and Crimson Gem Saga is no different in this regard. Sticking with the 'fixed' control is heartily recommended and players will need to master the somewhat inconsistent menus that require far too much swiping to navigate effectively. Beyond this, the game holds no real surprises, with turn-based combat that's flourished with a combo-attack system and an upgrade system that gives you a lot of depth in customizing your character's statistics.
The game's visuals are immediately old-school with their pixel-art over painted background style, however the attention to detail is amazing and each character has a real charm that gives them more depth than most generic JRPG titles. It's also surprising to hear so much voice-acting added in the game as well, with most major cut-scenes giving a voice to all the characters, albeit for only one or two lines per exchange.
For those not yet introduced to the JRPG (Japanese RPG) style, this title is a great way to dip your toes in to the genre and fans will love the 30-40 hours of gameplay that justify the rather hefty entry fee; a fun, refreshing addition to anyone's RPG collection.
Screenshots
