Explanations of Categories and Scores Graphics: This is pretty much how the game looks: the backgrounds,
the characters, and how well they all move together. This is not truly important
for a good game, but it really helps in making the game real for the player. The graphics were decent through most of the game. It often became blocky, a lot like FF7, but just not as bad. The characters were more expressive, even in the block mode. Vahn, Noa, and Gala look good in the fighting scenes. However, the enemies look pixel-ly and flat. They aren't really scary looking. The magic effects are generally very good, too.
Sound: Is the music annoying? Do the sound effects not fit with
reality?? These small little things could ruin a game, and make it
unenjoyable to play. Again, music doesn't make the game, but it sure
is annoying to have to turn down some horrid MIDI-like music in the middle of a game. The music is just about as good as the graphics. Sometimes the music fits right in and gives the game the atmosphere it needs. Other times, it's way off. Some of the bosses get easy and monotonous, while there is fast and rapid music in the background. It sort of clashes and doesn't fit quite right. The sound effects are right on.
Playability: Could you not finish a game because the controls were goofy, or the character control awkward? This is the playability of the game. The fighting style was excellent and easy to control. It's the best I've seen ever. Again, though, I'm used to FF7 controls, and using the X button as the "accept" button was a little awkward.
Repeat Playability: Wished you had rented the game instead of
buying it? Did you beat it in two days and don't want to go through the torture of beating it again? This is the repeat playability of the game. LoL was pretty tough, but some of the bosses got too easy. There needed to be a little more variety in the toughness of the bosses. Most of them had one or two big spells that they would blast your characters with, you heal your characters, then blast the boss with some of the Arts. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. Get my point? There does seem to be a lot of secrets, though. It might be worth going through again.
Plotline/Game Pace: Okay, the plotline thing is fairly simple.
If it's an RPG or action, is there a decent plotline to follow? Do you
want to complete the game, or is there some stupid goal that will be
annoying to finish? However, there are other games that do not have
plotlines, like sports games and puzzles. These have to move up in
difficulty, speed, or something else to be interesting enough to
continue to play. This sort of goes along with Repeat Playability.
LoL's plot was good. There were no holes that I could find (yet, anyway). All of the characters you meet that are potential enemies, you beat (hopefully). There are no strange plot twists that make the plot hard to follow (especially for the programmers!!).
Innovation: Is this game another first-person shooter? Or is there
something different that makes the game even more interesting? This is
the innovation of the game. This is what makes games different from
each other and more interesting. The fighting system got all the points here. It's the best and easiest to learn that I have ever seen. And it's much different from both RPGs and fighting games. It has the best aspects of both to make a whole new system.
Average: Obviously, this is the average score for the game. It
reflects how well the game will compare to others. This is a decent score. The game was good in the beginning. It was challenging, with a fresh approach to almost everything. Near the end, it became too easy and too monotonous.
