Manly Biceps
05-26-2009, 08:58 AM
It looks like the first batch of reviewers had school on their minds, because they keep handing out letter grades...
And Crimson Gem's on the Dean's List:
Channel 10 News/KXTV (http://www.news10.net/life/entertainment/game-guys/story.aspx?storyid=59903) A: "Was it the passage of time that caused me not to find the RPG genre as desirable? Was it that I had gotten older and "grew out" of those silly stories and quirky characters? Up until a short while ago, I had thought so. That's when Atlus USA shipped me a copy of one of their newest games, Crimson Gem Saga; a Japanese-style RPG for the Sony PSP (even though the game actually comes from South Korea). It only took about a half-hour for my former feelings for the genre to rekindle into something beautiful."
Gamertell (http://www.gamertell.com/gaming/comment/gamertell-review-crimson-gem-saga-for-psp/) A-: "Crimson Gem Saga should be on every PSP-owning RPG fans’ radar. However, it may not be for everyone. You need to have patience and dedication if you want to get the most out of this game. If the very thought of level grinding makes you shudder, try looking elsewhere.
Gaming Age (http://www.gaming-age.com/cgi-bin/reviews/review.pl?sys=psp&game=crimson_gem_saga) A-: "If you fancy some great artwork and animation, a little strategy in your battle system, and the addictiveness of growing your characters' skill sets then Crimson Gem Saga is a comfortable game to grab onto. Exactly what I'm looking for in a PSP RPG."
If you are willing to invest time in it, then really go all out. Spend whole evenings or afternoons playing. Explore everywhere, battle countless enemies and see everything. Trust me, it’s worth it."
Some imported love, straight from Canada:
Toronto Thumbs (http://www.torontothumbs.com/2009/05/27/review-crimson-gem-saga/): "While there have been some daunting encounters, the game exhibits a learning curve that should help a wider audience embrace it. When combined with the depth of visual details and outright labour of love sensation that surrounds the title, the most refreshing quality of Crimson Gem Saga is the long-term value it offers players."
You hear that? Long-term value. You don't need a bailout, you just need to make smarter investments. Don't burn your cash on short-term entertainment! You can rent those flash-in-the-pan games!
RPGFan (http://www.rpgfan.com/reviews/Crimson_Gem_Saga/index.html): 86 "Atlus enjoys a reputation for offering some of the best localizations in the industry and Crimson Gem Saga is no exception. The excellent writing is free of any technical errors and is loaded with wit and personality. The interactions between characters are wonderful and the dialogue flows smoothly without ever appearing stilted or awkward."
Gamer 2.0 (http://blog.gamer20.com/2009/05/review-crimson-gem-saga-ps/), 7.5/Buy It: "If you’re a PSP owner that craves for good RPGs, this is probably the best original RPG you will have seen since Crisis Core just over a year ago and it’s a decent purchase for a new, solid RPG to play on the go."
Cheat Code Central (http://cheatcc.com/psp/rev/crimsongemsagareview2.html), 7.8: "Crimson Gem Saga is not a game for everyone. It can best be described as a niche title, designed for those who appreciate a good old, classic-feeling RPG experience. If you like fast-paced, action-intensive RPGs, then you should steer clear of Crimson Gem Saga. If you do like the older format, however, this title really is a gem, and it shouldn’t be missed!"
GameZone (http://psp.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r37539.htm), 8.5: "Crimson Gem Saga is indeed a ‘gem;’ it is a portable JRPG that should delight players from the newcomer to the genre to the veteran looking for a game to take along on travels."
GamePro (http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/210426/crimson-gem-saga-page-2-of-3/), 8.0: "Crimson Gem Saga is as classic as modern RPGs come, but it also stands to remind why this genre has been so steadfast throughout the life of gaming. If you yearn to play a game that reminds you of exemplary titles in this classic genus, or if you've just stepped away from the genre for too long, you'll find all the basic meat and potatoes in Crimson Gem Saga, as well as a heroine who could feed 10,000 babies with her mammary glands."
GameVortex/PSIllustrated (http://www.psillustrated.com/psillustrated/soft_rev.php/4603/crimson-gem-saga-psp.html), 85: "The one thing for certain is that Crimson Gem Saga is a strong entry into the PSP's line-up of RPGs. Players with more "modern tastes" may find it's old school sensibilities ancient for their tastes, but anyone in the market for a simple, fun RPG like you used to play on your SNES will want to pick up Crimson Gem Saga."
Gamervision (http://www.gamervision.com/gamer/sarah/reviews/article/crimson_gem_saga), 7.75/Buy It: "Crimson Gem Saga probably won’t win any awards for innovation, but it’s an enjoyable game from start to finish, and one I had trouble putting down. There are moments of frustration, like when you’re lost in a dungeon and find yourself wasting resources on the same enemies over and over again, but these annoyances are usually outweighed by the satisfaction of completing your current mission and continuing the narrative. Though not as long as most console RPGs, at 25-30 hours, it’s a good length for the system, and the ability to save at any time makes it an ideal PSP game. If you’ve been in the mood for a more traditional handheld RPG and don’t want another Final Fantasy remake, Crimson Gem Saga will definitely fill that void."
ZT GameDomain (http://www.ztgamedomain.com/7474/Crimson-Gem-Saga.html) 8.4, Editor's Choice: "Crimson Gem Saga is truly an amazing experience that I urge all PSP RPG fans to check out. Atlus has done an amazing job of translating the game into English, and the dialogue, story, characters and battle system really takes you back to the glory days of simple turn-based glory. There is really no reason to pass on this gem if you can find it in stores. This is the RPG that PSP fans have been clamoring for since the system launched."
So, it's just like I said. A solid, enjoyable RPG experience for those long summer months. If you're a frugal gamer, pick this and Knights in the Nightmare up, and you can probably be set for the entire summer.
And Crimson Gem's on the Dean's List:
Channel 10 News/KXTV (http://www.news10.net/life/entertainment/game-guys/story.aspx?storyid=59903) A: "Was it the passage of time that caused me not to find the RPG genre as desirable? Was it that I had gotten older and "grew out" of those silly stories and quirky characters? Up until a short while ago, I had thought so. That's when Atlus USA shipped me a copy of one of their newest games, Crimson Gem Saga; a Japanese-style RPG for the Sony PSP (even though the game actually comes from South Korea). It only took about a half-hour for my former feelings for the genre to rekindle into something beautiful."
Gamertell (http://www.gamertell.com/gaming/comment/gamertell-review-crimson-gem-saga-for-psp/) A-: "Crimson Gem Saga should be on every PSP-owning RPG fans’ radar. However, it may not be for everyone. You need to have patience and dedication if you want to get the most out of this game. If the very thought of level grinding makes you shudder, try looking elsewhere.
Gaming Age (http://www.gaming-age.com/cgi-bin/reviews/review.pl?sys=psp&game=crimson_gem_saga) A-: "If you fancy some great artwork and animation, a little strategy in your battle system, and the addictiveness of growing your characters' skill sets then Crimson Gem Saga is a comfortable game to grab onto. Exactly what I'm looking for in a PSP RPG."
If you are willing to invest time in it, then really go all out. Spend whole evenings or afternoons playing. Explore everywhere, battle countless enemies and see everything. Trust me, it’s worth it."
Some imported love, straight from Canada:
Toronto Thumbs (http://www.torontothumbs.com/2009/05/27/review-crimson-gem-saga/): "While there have been some daunting encounters, the game exhibits a learning curve that should help a wider audience embrace it. When combined with the depth of visual details and outright labour of love sensation that surrounds the title, the most refreshing quality of Crimson Gem Saga is the long-term value it offers players."
You hear that? Long-term value. You don't need a bailout, you just need to make smarter investments. Don't burn your cash on short-term entertainment! You can rent those flash-in-the-pan games!
RPGFan (http://www.rpgfan.com/reviews/Crimson_Gem_Saga/index.html): 86 "Atlus enjoys a reputation for offering some of the best localizations in the industry and Crimson Gem Saga is no exception. The excellent writing is free of any technical errors and is loaded with wit and personality. The interactions between characters are wonderful and the dialogue flows smoothly without ever appearing stilted or awkward."
Gamer 2.0 (http://blog.gamer20.com/2009/05/review-crimson-gem-saga-ps/), 7.5/Buy It: "If you’re a PSP owner that craves for good RPGs, this is probably the best original RPG you will have seen since Crisis Core just over a year ago and it’s a decent purchase for a new, solid RPG to play on the go."
Cheat Code Central (http://cheatcc.com/psp/rev/crimsongemsagareview2.html), 7.8: "Crimson Gem Saga is not a game for everyone. It can best be described as a niche title, designed for those who appreciate a good old, classic-feeling RPG experience. If you like fast-paced, action-intensive RPGs, then you should steer clear of Crimson Gem Saga. If you do like the older format, however, this title really is a gem, and it shouldn’t be missed!"
GameZone (http://psp.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r37539.htm), 8.5: "Crimson Gem Saga is indeed a ‘gem;’ it is a portable JRPG that should delight players from the newcomer to the genre to the veteran looking for a game to take along on travels."
GamePro (http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/210426/crimson-gem-saga-page-2-of-3/), 8.0: "Crimson Gem Saga is as classic as modern RPGs come, but it also stands to remind why this genre has been so steadfast throughout the life of gaming. If you yearn to play a game that reminds you of exemplary titles in this classic genus, or if you've just stepped away from the genre for too long, you'll find all the basic meat and potatoes in Crimson Gem Saga, as well as a heroine who could feed 10,000 babies with her mammary glands."
GameVortex/PSIllustrated (http://www.psillustrated.com/psillustrated/soft_rev.php/4603/crimson-gem-saga-psp.html), 85: "The one thing for certain is that Crimson Gem Saga is a strong entry into the PSP's line-up of RPGs. Players with more "modern tastes" may find it's old school sensibilities ancient for their tastes, but anyone in the market for a simple, fun RPG like you used to play on your SNES will want to pick up Crimson Gem Saga."
Gamervision (http://www.gamervision.com/gamer/sarah/reviews/article/crimson_gem_saga), 7.75/Buy It: "Crimson Gem Saga probably won’t win any awards for innovation, but it’s an enjoyable game from start to finish, and one I had trouble putting down. There are moments of frustration, like when you’re lost in a dungeon and find yourself wasting resources on the same enemies over and over again, but these annoyances are usually outweighed by the satisfaction of completing your current mission and continuing the narrative. Though not as long as most console RPGs, at 25-30 hours, it’s a good length for the system, and the ability to save at any time makes it an ideal PSP game. If you’ve been in the mood for a more traditional handheld RPG and don’t want another Final Fantasy remake, Crimson Gem Saga will definitely fill that void."
ZT GameDomain (http://www.ztgamedomain.com/7474/Crimson-Gem-Saga.html) 8.4, Editor's Choice: "Crimson Gem Saga is truly an amazing experience that I urge all PSP RPG fans to check out. Atlus has done an amazing job of translating the game into English, and the dialogue, story, characters and battle system really takes you back to the glory days of simple turn-based glory. There is really no reason to pass on this gem if you can find it in stores. This is the RPG that PSP fans have been clamoring for since the system launched."
So, it's just like I said. A solid, enjoyable RPG experience for those long summer months. If you're a frugal gamer, pick this and Knights in the Nightmare up, and you can probably be set for the entire summer.