Ogre Battle 64

"I. Love. This. Game."

Like I said before, I truly love this game. I got it for Christmas (after asking several times) and I still have not beaten it. It is now March 25. I know, I know, you're probably saying ''Enough about you, I wanna know about the game!''. Well, then let's get right to it-

Gameplay 9/10 - I personally like the gameplay in this. Although some people might have a grudge against the fact that you cannot control characters during fights. I first felt like that also, but after playing the game you learn to love that type of battling. If you don't like menus, be forewarned. There are many many menus in this game. But don't let that stop you from playing it. When I got it even I was a little wary when I read about menus. But now I can't think of any better way to equip a unit with an item, or add a character to a unit.
Story 15/10 - This is my main attraction. The story, the plotline. I can sum in it in twop words- powerfully awesome. Whenever I see a cutscene (which happens after every section beaten- meaning tons of cutscenes) I feel like I'm watching a movie. This plot has gone way past the usual plots for storylines. Only in Zelda and this game have I seen plots so involved. I want to scream out, and tell you how I hated this part, or felt badly for this character, but I don't want to spoil anything. Every so often you have to make a decision in the plot- that's right, you have to choose. I've beent old that there's 3 different endings, depending on who you have left in your battalion, and what choices you made along the way.
Graphics 8/10- These are so/so. They're not the best graphics I've seen on the N64, but they're not the worst either. Some may scoff and laugh at the characters- with their noseless faces and their cartoonish look- but that doesn't matter. What does is the animation. They fluently move, and their expressions from time to time make the story even more involving. The background is 3D, which does add an effect.
Audio 7/10 - I found myself humming a song when it was playing once. At this point, I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing. They do tend to replay songs a little too much, but the way the music changes with the mood of the cutscene is brillaint. The sound of the battles are barely there, but they're not too great so it doesn't matter. But sound isn't why you buy a game is it? If it is, you need to see a gaming psychiatrist and fast.
Replayability - As I said before, I haven't beaten the game yet, so I'm not sure about replayability. But I'm sure that with so many twists and turns you can take and three different endings, replaying this would be rewarding.
Difficulty 10/10- I love this game. I also hate this game. Just last night I turned it off with hatred, breathing heavily in my anger. Sometimes it just gets so darn hard that I just to scream at the enemy and say ''Can't you go a little easy on me??'' Don't make the same mistake I did- Magnus(the main char) is strong and can beat any opponent that comes my way. However, the units guarding my stronghold are...hoe to say this...much less powerful. Leaving enemies to attack my stronghold, after I've been playing for a half hour on this section and Magnus is almost to their stronghold, and make me lose because they capture my stronghold. But that's not important, because you won't make my silly mistakes that I made when I was just beginning and didn't even know how to save properly (here's a little secret- read the instruction manual or you'll really be confused like I was).
To buy or to rent? - If you think you're gonna rent this game and beat it you're insane. If you're not sure if you like it or not, I suggest renting it and if you like it enough buy it. If you like rpg's and strategies I suggest you buy it. You will not be disappointed.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 03/25/01, Updated 03/25/01