Astonishia Story

"A so-so RPG with a slightly interesting battle system"

Astonishia Story was one of those RPG's I picked up because it was cheap, not because I wanted it. I really need to stop doing that. Anyway, the PSP sure has its share for sub par rpgs. Is this another one of them? Read on!

A young knight is helping take a magic staff to another place. They are ambushed and he is the only one left alive. He sets out to find out more about this staff and to get it back. The story itself isn't all that interesting. I did like the characters until the end where it just went way down hill with that ending...

The graphics are colorful 2d sprites and it really does look good. The screen seems to always be filled with stuff and it seems much larger than most games. Character models are nicely detailed. The battles look a little worse than rest of the game but it isn't too bad.

Sound in the game was okay. It's been a few days since I beat it and I can honestly say I don't remember any voice work so I don't think there was any. Sound effects were a bit bland and did nothing for me. The music was alright though. I found it mildly pleasant and I never wanted to mute the game so that's a plus.

Control in the game is simple, like most rpgs. Move with the nub or d-pad. Select options with the X button. It really isn't hard and it's a title you can just pick up and play.

This game plays like nothing I've played before. That being said I've heard it plays like Arc the Lad. You walk around a world map, enter new areas by walking into them. Enemies can be seen on the screen and you walk into them to start a battle. Besides that it's your typical RPG... Well, until you see the battle system.

When you enter a battle you will notice how different it is. It kind of plays like a strategy RPG. You have more than one monster on a large field. You can move so many blocks and then attack. Attacks range all depends on what it is and what not. So it is an interesting game play mix and it really broke up my RPG slump.

The system is easy to get the hang of. Actually the game feels like a breath of fresh air at first. But then you quickly realize that the game is all about side quest after side quest. It ignores the actual plot most of the time and then you notice how the plot itself really isn't all that good.

The game is decent length but there are longer rpgs on the system. I see no real reason to ever replay the game and besides the unique battle system it really doesn't have much else going for it.

If you're interested in this game then I really recommend that you rent it. I got it for very cheap a while back and while I don't regret it since it was so cheap. I really doubt I will ever replay it again.

Story - 5
Graphics - 8/10
Sound - 6/10
Control: 8/10
Game Play - 7/10
Replay value - 2/10

Final Score: 6/10

Reviewer's Score: 6/10, Originally Posted: 07/12/07