You play in the world of (wait for it...) Septerra, a planet whose outer layer consist of seven floating shells or 'levels'- each varying in local flora and fauna. Your character, Maya, is the typical 'starts in obscurity' character who resides in a rather scummy and junky lower shell. Here, you learn the basics of the game, the magic system, bartering, and basic role playing skills while interacting with the residents in your town. Once the actual plot kicks in, and you stop wandering the towns and world map, it gets pretty good. You see, apparently, every 100 years or so the planet shells align in just the right position to let those who have a special 'key' enter the core and reap the wonderful god-like powers. Unfortunately for the fine denizens of Septerra, the keys have fallen into the wrong hands of the 'Chosen' who begin plans to speed up the lengthy alignment and hop into the core. This rather gloomy plan is beneficial for you, however, because without no major life-suppressing enemy to rise up against the game would be pretty pointless.

As with most role playing games, your journey is not one of solitude. Early on in the game you pick up a mechanic, Grubb, and his robo-dog Runner and as time progresses you can gain up to 8 different character each with special weapons ability and background story. While some may leave your party in accordance with the story, you eventually have free reign over which three characters are in your main fighting group.

The battle system in Septerra Core is somewhat innovative, but for the most part more timely than it should be. Your three characters attack according to an 'attack gauge' with three varying levels - the third being the toughest attack. The strategy in this is that you must look to your character's individual speed and decide whether waiting for a third degree attack is the best plan when the enemy is busy painting the floor with you via quick cheap shots. While this is a good strategy for Grubb who is a quick little guy, it may not be so great for Runner who is slower than Britney Spears reading a cue card. Basically, it's all a matter of micro-managing your party and seeing what works best.

Magic attacks are also a element of battle. They are implemented with 'Spell Cards' which are actual cards that perform a specialized attack (i.e water, earth, heal). Alone they are fairly effective, but if you let everyone reach a level one attack you can combine them for more potent spells. These cards are pretty much found as you progress through the game, although some require you to roam from the current course of action and search around a bit.

As per usual, experience points and money is given at the end of each battle. Upon leveling up, some character gain new abilities which can , if you experiment, be linked to another characters' abilities for some good damage.

When you aren't fighting you are busy interacting with the locals of various shells and preparing yourself physically for the next long stretch of action sequences. Septerra Core uses audible speech for all dialogue and for every character which makes the monotony of talking to everyone an easier pill to swallow. Using your different characters, you will be able to extract different information depending on who you use as your “talker”. A gal like Maya for example may get a little more information on weapon upgrades than your Robo-Dog friend, seeing as her vocabulary extends past “arf arf arf”. Since most NPCs will often have something different to say based on events or lead characters, it's always a good idea to get everyone talking as often as possible. You may not learn game-altering clues, but Septerra Core incorporates a rich background story which can only be revealed through interrogation and investigation.

Since most towns serve as a rest-stop, these are where you'll be doing your shopping. Anything from medicine to weapon upgrades can be found in most places and business is done by exchange of gold. A fairly simple concept, but good to know nonetheless. Armor and weapons vary from character to character and some shops sell important items which are needed to get past a certain barrier or problem. Since everything in Septerra gains energy from the core, most weapons are powered by 'cores'. Buy a bigger core ... get a better weapon. Yes my friends, its that easy.

Graphically, Septerra Core is a nice piece of work without being to cumbersome for your computer. The environment plays like Fallout in that you get somewhat of a side view as your character sprites interact with the quasi-3D background. Think of it as watching Chrono Trigger but with much better graphics. Character animation looks like its missing a few frames of movement, but not so much that you are distracted by it and cut scenes are done sparingly but to the caliber of the Final Fantasy series (read: smooth and detailed). Like I mentioned before, Septerra Core is pleasant to look at without requiring any superior 3D cards.

In terms of sound, you'll hear the basic mood music typical with any strategy game. It varies with location, but is nothing to write home about. The speech and sound effects are what add to the gaming atmosphere as they are done professionally and clearly, a feature that is rarely done effectively in console RPG's and makes for a nice touch. In battle, spells come complete with their own animation, but the effects range from your generic 'roar' to a 'rumble' sensation.

In all, Valkyrie studios have done a fairly good job on this game. Its not about to become a classic, but its definitely worth your time. There are enough nuances and features to keep the game playable, and it offers enough challenge so you won't have to worry about not getting your money's worth. Septerra Core comes on one disc and requires a fairly recent PC with video capabilities.

· · · Agent Smith