8.5
(according to your grading system! I kinda grade my game a bit differently so please ignore my rating in my stats)
I'm not really good at reviewing game play mechanic and since this is a JRPG, I'll just provide my brief opinion on character and plot, two things I feel that make or break a JRPG:
The traditional RPG that would have received an standing ovation if it was done last GEN. It has all the formula to be a classic but some minor detail and the evolution of gaming stops it from achieving the iconic status it probably deserves.
The introduction is slightly confusing but as you go through a couple of hours of gameplay, the plot begins to unfold and you find yourself gradually warming to the cast of characters (well, some of them at least). This is particularly apparent with the protagonist, who grows from a silent sombre "Squall" clone into an individual that was both endearing and embracing.
The lead female is also another positive, being not the romantic subplot that can boggle a story down but an actual asset to the plot and integral to story progression. The romantic interest when it does come, appears in the form of an actual wife which is something you rarely see in a JRPG. This game has 2 obligatory children rather than just 1 and yes they are just about as annoying as they appear in every single other JRPG. I could have done without them (really I could!), and seeing 10 year old casually killing off professional soldiers then celebrating with great cheers still creeps me out to no end.
Like most JRPG, the story itself is a grand epic saga, it also contains some signature weakness in the form of poor continuity connection and cliché plot devise that we frequently see in JRPG. Many transition scene are baffling to the extreme and make little sense; merely pushing the story from one scene to the next in the weakest and most disjointed way possible, leading to a less compelling plot and incoherent structure.
Fans of JRPG will more than likely accept this as a standard for the genre but it could detract from the immersion immensely for any newcomer.
The ending in contrast, is fairly strong, full of emotion and satisfyingly conclusive. In a JRPG this appears almost quintessential and LO does not disappoint.
I find the primary villain to be a bit of a disappointment, while the man is certainly up to nasty business, both his design and characterisation is that of the smarmy, boot licking variety that fits a henchmen more than the master mind, an antagonist with stronger character and social moral would have increase the players enjoyment of the plot immensely.
By far the best part of the story howeveris the side quest and subplots, which feel like they have more character than the main plotline and due to their brevity, are not only coherent but incredibly compelling pieces of writing. The 1000 years of dream are some of the most superb writing in video game and deserve to become part of a novella compilation.
