Battle Fantasia Review

Developer: Arc System Works
Genre: RPG/Fighter game (first game done like this)
ESRB: Not yet rated in the USA
Number of players: 1 or 2 Players
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Release Date: TBA in USA
Official Website (in Japanese)
Reviewer: Shara

Rating: 7.0
Rent

Battle Fantasia is a side scrolling fighting game. The game follows the classic gameplay of games like Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat.

Let’s start by remembering what made Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat two of the leading fighting games. Was it the graphics? No. Could it have been the sound effects and background music? I don’t think so, unless hearing the phrase “get over here!!” excites you. Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter started a new age of games, in which you actually fought your friends and family in a make-believe environment.

You just had a fight with your boyfriend and you can’t stand him. What do you do? Pick up Mortal Kombat or Street Fighter and begin punching and kicking at your boyfriend until victory is achieved.

Street fighter first appeared in 1987. Mortal Kombat was released later in 1992 .The game play was simple. Each button on the game controller represented a punch or kick. Combining these buttons created Combo moves called “special attacks.” These special attacks could be used to take your opponent out in one hit. This led to the creation of the term “button mashing.” No one knew what sequence to press buttons in for the special attack. It became common to push any button, hoping for the best. This was referred to as “button mashing.”

The difference between the two games was the violence factor. Mortal Kombat introduced animated blood, while Street Fighter did not use animated blood.

Enough history, let’s get down to the game itself.

In Battle Fantasia you experience game play similar to the game play in Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat, however there are three differences with Battle Fantasia’s game play. First of all, the game is set in RPG fashion. You play through a storyline which continues each time you battle someone. These battles take place as you advance through a town. Or forest. Each battle is called a chapter.Second, when you beat a player, you level up and learn magic. Your magic lets you learn more combo moves and special attacks. Lastly, after a battle an in-depth storyline starts in classic RPG fashion.

Graphics
Battle Fantasia is similar to the layout of Valkyrie Profile 2. The backgrounds are 3D with the characters placed on top. The characters are created with an anime style animation. The anime artwork resembles Final Fantasy Tactics. All in all , the artwork for the game is detailed and very beautiful to look at.

Controls
The controls are simple to use. However, it takes a bit of “button mashing” to learn the characters special attacks and combos. The Playstation 3 incorporated one feature that I loved. You can now move your controller when you fight, which activates various combos and special moves. For example, I shook the controller in the air, which created an explosion directed at my opponent.

Sound
The sound is cute. The game has an endless amount of voice overs for each person, which gives them real character. During battle, the people talk to each other. The music sometimes gets too cute, because it can start to sound like you’re at Disneyland.

Note: I played the Japanese version, so I’m eager to hear the American voice overs.

Flow
The game moves along with the storyline. Each battle is a chapter in the story. The chapters end with movies and voice overs. However, one negative aspect of the flow can be getting stuck on a battle. This stops the game flow to a sudden halt. No one can advance in the story until you beat the battle. I had some trouble with this, because it meant my character did not level up enough.

Fun Factor
I played the Japanese version of the game for more then 4 hours, so I must have liked it. Arc System Works merged fighting and RPG games together. I found the whole concept of the game entertaining. The game is not violent and it had a great storyline. In the verses mode, you can play against friends, and replay levels passed in the story mode.

Replay Value
Battle Fantasia reminds me of a “choose your own adventure” book.
In the beginning, you choose from 12 characters. Each character has a different storyline. Your character is put in situations which require you to choose your path. The game can take a different path at any time. The bonus of this game is the verses mode, which you can play with friends. I would play this game again.