Ogre Battle 64

"One of the best gaming experiences available"

Let me qualify this review by saying the following, this game was released two generations before the writing of this review. This game was released on the cartage based Nintendo 64 platform, as one over very few Role playing games on the console, and, compared even to the modern video games that are available at this time, it is still, One of the best gaming experiences available. This is what strategy-RPGs should aspire to be, every facet of this game is nearly perfectly executed. When I say that this is the best game I have ever played, you can know, it is absolutely true.

Graphics: 9
The colorful little sprites that make up this game are very tastefully done. You will enjoy seeing every new class and creature, and as you progress through the game, the units you are exposed to become more robust and imaginative. From the midget soldiers of the early game to the towering black knights that litter the battlefield at the end game, the character models are all a sight to behold. What really draws you into the game though, is the amazing animation. During the battle scenes everything flows smoothly, with multiple attacks happening at once. At the beginning of the game your attacks lack the graphics umpf you would desire, but as you level up and new classes and equipment becomes available, the attacks you can pull off, especially the magical ones, are a true visual feast.

The background images in this game are for the most part static, but help achieve the atmosphere in the story driven scenes, as well as providing several unique venues for the battles. Many of the cut scene backgrounds really stand out as head and shoulders more impressive than those in the battle scene, and the tactical map can be a little bland. But the laundry list of special characters each posses their own portrait, and the staggering number of units stay unique throughout the game, and really, the graphics are fantastic in their simplicity. This certainly earns its
9/10

Sound: 9
The musical score is the best in any video game ever, hands down. The problem is, some of the sound effects in the battle sequences are recycled. It isn't a huge problem, and it doesn't undermine how awesome the music in the game is, but I can't give this a 10 with the sound effects that some times miss the mark.
9/10

Game play: 10
The game is designed to be a real time strategy RPG. This means that the choices for units are carried over between battles, and as you fight each specific character develops in statistics, which in tern help them fight more effectively. The game is split into just over 40 scenes, divided into 4 chapters (plus a prologue) Each scene has you commanding up to 10 units as you attempt to achieve an objective, usually to capture a specific city or defeat a specific unit. Every level starts with you having only one city to work from, where you can deploy your units to attempt to capture the surrounding territories, until the scene is over.

The actual battles between units take place automatically, each character in the unit attacks one to three times depending on their class skills, and placement on the battlefield, and the unit who did the most damage "wins" the battle, and repels the enemy unit backwards. Each unit is made up of up to 5 characters, one of which is assigned the role of leader, if the leader is defeated, the unit loses direction, and stops any aggressive action, often attempting to evade any units you send in pursuit. If a character dies, they can either be revived using a special item, at a special location (for a fee) or they can be left dead, which will eventually result in them becoming one of several undead classes.

Between scenes, you can use the organize screen to restructure and improve units, by changing the classes of characters, adding more powerful equipment, giving them items to hold, or exchanging characters with other units. New characters are gained either in neutral encounters, story events, or through the promotion of soldier units.

Every aspect of the game play in this game is well executed and implemented. You will laugh with glee as you slowly gain cities and chase down weakened enemies in an attempt to wipe them from the map. Each scene climaxes with what is essentially a boss battle, where you have to send often several units to a stronghold, and attempt to defeat a freakishly overpowered unit so you can capture the enemy headquarters. Every moment of the gain is enjoyable, and there is no slow start, from the very first scene you are placed into combat, and forced to manage all your units in an attempt to control as much territory as possible.
10/10

Story: 10
This is where the game really shines. You start the story as a top recruit from the kingdoms best military academy, who joins the Southern Division. You soon get caught up in an escalating conflict with a rebel group, which ultimately climaxes with you making the difficult decision to abandon your post and fight the rebels, from there on out you are one of the top commanders in the rebel army, as you sweep the kingdom, fighting the corrupt government, and realizing what you have unleashed upon the land with your revolt.

There are slight branches in the story line, but there are three distinct endings, and plethora of minor adjustments based on what special characters you persuaded to join your army throughout the game. The story is deep, and the characters are dynamic. Specifically, the villains in this game are extremely well developed. Many of the enemy's have back stories explaining their actions and motivations, and every fight has an emotion attached to it, whether you are confronting a life-long rival, to putting and end to the life of one of the stories most cruel characters, you will always understand the reason you are fighting this war. Really, it is all in the details, some fantastic character development really makes this an engaging experience.
10/10

Replay: 10
Branching story lines, multiple secret characters and quests, near infinite possibilities for unit structure and scene strategy. There is more than enough to keep you playing a decade later. I've played the game more times than I can count, and still haven't done everything the game has to offer.
10/10

Overall: 10
Really, what more can I say, this is a truly amazing gaming experience, the game may be hard to track down these days, but if you see it, jump at the chance to pick it up, it really is outstanding. I give this game and emphatic:
10/10

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 06/26/07