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Once in a while, a sci-fi epic comes along and redefines the industry. Whether it's through an unforgettable set of movies like Star Wars or a series of novels like The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, there are legends of fiction being released in our lifetimes which will be remembered for generations to come. Rogue Galaxy may not outshine either of those indisputable classics, but as far as games go, it could be the finest Japanese sci-fi outing to hit US shores. It's worthy of keeping in mind when it's time for you to pass on fond memories of Transformers and other things made of sci-fi cheese, that much is sure.
Truthfully, neither Japanese nor western RPGs would be so lauded if they didn't have epic storylines, so the idea of a tacky one could turn some people off. Fortunately for all of us, Rogue Galaxy doesn't stay cliché for long – but it does so long enough to allude to Star Wars. It may begin with a lonely boy on a desolate planet (covered in desert, no less), but his journey toward destiny will take you through a number of unexpected twists and turns. Much as Luke Skywalker did on his galactic adventures of long ago, the main character Jaster crosses many fascinating characters' paths. How he does it, and the stories he and his fellows have to tell, make Rogue Galaxy great.
Rogue Galaxy may not outshine either of those indisputable classics, but as far as games go, it could be the finest Japanese sci-fi outing to hit US shores.
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Well, they're most of what makes it great. Battle systems can make or break RPGs, and if action-oriented ones like Kingdom Hearts present a sort of button-mashing you can't get into, be forewarned that things aren't much different here. The real-time battles pop up frequently as you're traveling. It's been said that there were more random encounters in the Japanese version, and – epic storyline or no – that must have been too painful to imagine.
There's a lot of fun to be had in customization though. Countless trinkets that aren't worth selling can be turned into abilities. At your discretion, they're applied and locked into place on a chart. It lists what you'll earn once all the necessary items are there, so you'll be able to choose wisely. You can't use things again once you've put them down, but don't hoard too much – you'll be able to find most items again with relative ease. Enemy drops are plentiful, and one-time treasure chests are too.
Overall, the lifespans of RPGs are determined and extended by the bonuses they provide. Extra quests, unnecessary-but-useful loot, well-designed environments that beg for exploration, and a world you can get into are all nicely presented in Rogue Galaxy. There's an optional planet that was made for the US release, a myriad of costumes (the only form of body armor you'll find), a lack of loading times that lets hunting flow naturally, and it's all wrapped up in one aesthetically pleasing package. The battle system can get grating after a while, but you'll want to go on to hear more of the stellar story (pun not intended), and to see how many flashy moves you can get, too.
As if that weren't enough, there are two more things which you'll need to dip into if you want the full experience – but diving into their depths isn't required, and doesn't yield any amazing storyline tidbits. Perfectionists only need apply their time to the factory and Insectron game play. Utilizing incomplete recipes found among the galaxy's many corners, you can create many useful items in the factory. Either by following schematics or putting together a layout of your own design, you'll have them manufactured, and later, they'll be up for sale.
It's different in that aspect, since most RPG crafting systems immediately provide you with the results, and don't ask you to buy them later. Whether this is better for the game's balance or damaging to it is up to debate, but the fact that factory-building is practically a game all on its own isn't. There are so many items that you can create that you could spend hours, if not days, hunting down ingredients and slapping them together.
Insectron gameplay is similarly nuanced. As in a Pokemon title, it involves finding, collecting, and breeding the creatures which give it its name. You'll find no storyline within it, but as an accompaniment for a rather excellent action RPG, it's exceptional nonetheless. It could stand alone as an acceptable “gotta catch 'em all”-type title, yet it's another facet of an already vast title instead.
Discussing the intricacies or the story line any more would be doing any interested gamer an injustice. Rogue Galaxy was designed to appeal to as many of them as possible, whether through its coverage of an enthralling planet-hopping voyage, or the many extra things it has to offer along the way. It's an admirable and enjoyable swan song of the action RPG for a system on its way out, and could very well be the best one the PlayStation 2 has ever had – Kingdom Hearts be damned.
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