>Funny thing is they compared blue dragon to final fantasy as well.

of course they would compare it to FF.

Just like how all MMOs get compared to WoW, FF is the benchmark for JRPG just like WoW is the benchmark for MMO.

As much as I love Final Fantasy Tactics, it did "copy" off of the Tactics Ogre franchise. I say "copy" because like Lost Odyssey, Final Fantasy Tactics was from the creator of Tactics Ogre. Yet strangely, I don't recall there being any scoring penalties for Final Fantasy Tactics...

LOL people have different benchmarks though yeah many people will follow the croud for the most part.  For me the benchmark for jrpg varies because there so many different types of jrpg.  I would pick chrono over FF and there where many other great rpgs like grandia or lufia or breath of fire which all had different stories and their own unique set of turn based gameplay.  FF just happens to be the one that become most popular my honest opnion because it looked so good back then with ff7 it just really caught on per say and hasn't let go.  We never did see more versions of those other great rpgs that I mentioned which is unfortunate as we just got stuck with final fantasy ever since.  I love rpgs though to be honest I haven't done final fantasy since that part 3 I mentioned.  Like I said everyone has their own benchmark.

thats higher then i expected

>I would pick chrono over FF

you'd pick a 10 yr old games as a benchmark for your next-gen game review? Wow, so what will you give LO? 10/10 for having great graphics?

lol as I mentioned you where fairly vagued about benchmarks lol.  You basically said FF do you mean FF1 which is older then chrono?  Did you mean the gameplay,graphics,lenghts???  I mean LO obviously looks better then the last FF that came out and quite frankly then any rpg that has ever came out to this point.  I pick chrono as a jrpg that had everything I would want in terms of gameplay like having to pick your fights, multiple paths, endings etc.  Doesn't mean other games have to copy it but would be nice if they had similar elements like blue dragon allowed me to skip fights etc.  Give more detail and I'll gladly give you a better responce.

The USA IGN

http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/849/849927p3.html

Closing Comments
Lost Odyssey proves that a turn-based RPG still has merit in modern gaming. While there is nothing in Lost Odyssey that will convert action-RPG fans, there is plenty to please those already singing in the choir. Lost Odyssey creates several memorable characters and a somber setting that should please those sick of JRPGs that seem made for 10-year-olds. There are quite a few things that go wrong -- from the bad stealth portion to performance issues -- but none of it kept me from enjoying the overall adventure. It may not be in the same class as Mass Effect, but for a system in desperate need for more quality RPGs, Lost Odyssey fits nicely into the 360 library.

6.5 Presentation
The story is so-so, the menus look ancient and the loading screens never seem to stop.
8.0 Graphics
Excellent enemy design and attractive special effects. The framerate is distracting at times.
7.5 Sound
A good soundtrack, but mediocre voice acting.
8.5 Gameplay
Though it's very traditional, the ring-building and skill system are highly addictive. Turn-based combat is actually fun.
8.0 Lasting Appeal
The four discs will last you anywhere from 35-50 hours, depending on your thoroughness. There's not much reason to go back once the quest is finished.
8.2
Impressive OVERALL
(out of 10 / not an average)

God I hope every game doesn't start copying FF. FF has sucked since it went 3D (with the notable exception of FFIX), and there are dozens upon dozens of JRPGs that I'd rather play than the other 3D FF games. FF is the most casual RPG in existence, and I'm including Pokemon in that. It lives on the idea that if it has pretty graphics it doesn't matter if everything else sucks, and that's what sells it. So, I'm sorry to hear that LO is copying Final Fantasy. I'll stick with good JRPGs thanks.

PS: Blue Dragon was a much better game than reviewers gave it credit for. 

Wow i was expecting at most a an 8.0 from ign U.S.A

The story is so-so?? Wasn't that whole selling point?