Phantasy Star Online Episode III: C.A.R.D. Revolution

"Best sleeping pill I've ever had"

Let's get some things straight. First I hate Yu-Gi-Oh, second I hate Pokemon Cards, third despite my hatred of both franchises I do enjoy other card games. I'm a rabid fan of PSO and once I heard Episode III would have a story card game or not I was going to play. Let me tell you that I've never slept so well in years.

Graphics: 6/10

This is a disappointment here. For the first time in PSO history this was to be a true sequel not a port. And given the power of the Gamecube Sega could have really captilized and made a stunning beautiful and different looking game than the first one that was released YEARS ago. It's a god damn shame that I have to strange my eyes to actually look for graphical differences from it's predecessor's. I found zero, it looks exactly the way PSO I & II did.

What does save this rating from being a complete 0 however is the Story Cutscenes, the Cutscenes are great. They emulated comic book style, a style I truly do love and they're all beautifully drawn that's a big thumbs up there.

Sound: 7/10

The Music is nice, The opening theme is superb but that battle music is soothing. Which just plain confuses me, in a game so static as this one soothing music is the last thing I needed. With virtually nothing to stimulate my sense of sight and soothing music taking over my sense of hearing those two combined did something that no game has accomplished.

It put me to sleep. Sound effects you ask? The games sound effects sound exactly like the one in the last no change there. But...some of the monster sound effects appear to be mixed up or something. Also I wish I could turn that stupid ass voice during battle off.

Control: 5/10

Nothing really stands out, you'll be going through menus and pushing A & B all day I mean it's a strategy you don't really need me to elaborate do you?

Gameplay: 4/10

Just like the control nothing really stands out. It's a card game, I'm used to shooting monsters, bashing them with staffs or just straight up slicing them to bits now we fight with PICTURES of these things? What the hell is this crap? Fans of the millions of Card Games out there I'm sure will adore this game. Fans of the previous PSO like myself will hate this battle system, since everything moves SOOOO slowly and without the twitch button play of PSO this game will be like an interactive lullaby.

Here's your standarad battle, you roll dice to determine whose first. Then you rool dice for you attack and defense points you can spend this turn. set up your cards you play said cards, watch a short animation of whatever you're doing. Draw new cards to replace played ones wash, rinse, repeat.

Why did Sega do this? Haven't they heard the term if it ain't broke don't fix it?

Closing

In closing I would like to say this game isn't boring. It's just no terribly exciting something vet PSO players are used to. I tried to like this game I really did, but in the end it just wound up putting me to sleep. The story mode has an actual story and that's what stands out most.

Card game fans by all means run out and by this, you'll love this game it's right up you alley. PSO vets stay the hell away from this and stick with I & II. But then again give it a rental who knows? Maybe you'll like it. I just wish we would've got a better far more upgraded I & II instead of Yu-Gi-PSOh.

Disappointing!

Reviewer's Score: 6/10, Originally Posted: 05/02/04