well, after reading a lot of reviews... i went out and bought it on monday....
Here's my review (note that my review is based on opinion, not fact)
This game is being marketed as an RPG first and foremost. I think this is wrong as it is not an rpg in anyway shape or form. IGN.com has listed it as an Action RPG, again something i disagree with. This is purly a hack and slash game... There are three rpg elements present, and even those are limited to an almost non-existent level.
* Character building
* Buying/upgrading weapons, armor, items, magic
* Talking to people
An arguement could be made that a fourth element is present...
* Being able to walk into someone's home without knocking and taking anything that is there
Let's deal with character building. Essentially there are 4 classes of characters... which in itself is not that bad. They each follow a classic rpg persona such as the soldier/fighter. This class is proficient with hand weapons, whether they are heavy battle axes, large swords or simply a knife. You also have your archer, or ranged fighter. Someone that can attack while staying in the back. To finish the other two classes, you have your standard white and black mage which cast either nature or combat magic.
Now these classes are developed based on a mathematical equation where you use the weapon, you gain levels. For instance, if you were to run around using a knife all day, your character would become proficient in melee combat. Although it does offer the rpg element, it's just not complex enough for a "real" rpg fan to enjoy... 'cause let's face it... almost every rpg player loves his/her stats.
This is another area where i feel that an rpg lover would see fault. In dungeon seige (herein referred to as "ds") there are only 3 stats that you can increase. Strength, Dexterity and intelligence. These are built much the same way that your "melee" skills are built. Strength is increased with the use of melee weapons, dexterity is built while using a bow/arrow and intelligence is increased with the use of magic.
Although each skill will increase to an extent by using only one type of weapon, it will not be increased as quickly. This is another major flaw.
As you can see, from an rpg stand point, the character building is very limited. Offers little to the imagination and customization? well that's un heard of here. YOu have your 4 classes, and hybrids (mixes of two or more).
Buying and upgrading weapons works like many of the older gen rpg games in that weapons become obsolete, as with armor and such. You cannot upgrade a weapon or armor, but you are forced to buy new ones. This element was incorporated with little or no improvement on the existing systems used.
The speech is fairly well done, though you will find that only 1/3 - 1/2 of the people speak. If they do not speak, you will be greeted with a nice friendly text box from which to read the text. Although the text/speech does give insight into the story, it does not give the background nor the content needed to fully envelope yourself in the game, care about your characters or even know why you are fighting.
As the story progresses, you are given tasks you must accomplish. These tasks are as simple as talking to someone or clearing out the enemies. You are not "making any decisions" on your own. Unlike most rpg's where you are able to freely explore the world around you, in this one you simply move on.
The battle system offers little or no strategical elements. Even when i tried to incorporate some strategy, it would end up in a brawl and me watching the fight. User intervention should be needed to determine the winner of the fights, not statistcal information calculated by the computer.
As was said earlier in my post, this is purly a hack and slash game. Any gamers looking for anything else will be thoroughly disappointed.
Graphically and aurally the game is a masterpiece... the idea of no-loading of world maps is not a new one, but is a welcome change from many games still on the shelves.
So as you can see, my opinion on this game appears very jaded. Believe me when i say this. DS is a lot of fun right now. I love multiplayer and enjoy the game.... but in 1 week from now... i can't see myself saying this... 'cause after you've smashed one enemy, you've smashed them all
my nickels worth, non-refundable, warranty void if read