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Seiken Densetsu 3 Squaresoft (Not released in America) Seiken Densetsu 3 (legend of the holy sword 3) is as cool as a penguin's ass. Its major features include a spiffy class change system, 3 different main story lines with 6 character specific back stories sprinkled in between, and a whole lot of concepts from Secret of Mana*. Although it doth rock, in places it feels like a pale throwback to the first game and lacks secrets, but other than that, it's a solid game. The storyline has multiple outcomes, which is nice, and a class change system that will make you want to replay the game with Hawk in a light class. Resist this urge. The biggest value for this game comes in the storyline for two different reasons: first, it provides depth for all the characters even though you only get three per game, and second, that you can't know the full story until you've played it more than once. The class change system also teases and appeases in that you can't nearly see all the moves the first time through. Be warned: some classes are truly disappointing, and some characters (hack hack carlie cough) are slightly obnoxious. Although you have a chance to choose a party that could really make the game hard for you, that prospect is kind of thrilling for a grizzled "I eat video-games for breakfast rarr!" veteran such as myself. Although luscious and sugary with merit, SD3 does have its share of problems. The biggest problem in my eyes is the fact that many aspects of the game are pale throwbacks to Secret of Mana (i.e. flammie, the eight elemental spirits etc.). In some ways, it reminds one of Bushido Blade 2: more characters, cooler levels, but losing something in the modification. Don't get me wrong, SD3 is one of my favorite games, but having played SoM, these attributes seem slightly less colorful. An excellent example is the fighting system. It's slightly less responsive than SoM and doesn't have the same involved feeling (sure charging up the elemental spirits and different swords was annoying, but it drew you in much more). Also, there are almost no secrets. There are no cool weapons that you can get through side quests or spells that you learn by kicking something's ass. To be fair, there is ONE tiny side quest involving the black rabite, but that's pretty much the only thing. Square turned all its attention on creating the multiple storylines. I guess there wasn't any room for features that could entertain enterprising souls such as Hawke with over a hundred hours worth of gaining "Titles" (hehe). Despite shortcomings, strengths abound. Although
*For those of you who don?t know, Seiken Densetsu 3 is the third Game to bear the title "Legend of the Holy Sword." The first was a crappy game boy game repackaged to sell in the U.S. as "Final Fantasy Adventure." It was simplistic (but hey, what do you really excpect from gameboy?) but was, nonetheless, the first. (Editor's Note: FFA, as it is called, was a great game. I happened to love it. - Hawke). The second was an excellent SNES (Super Famicom) game called "Secret of Mana" in the U.S. and is also known as Seiken Densetsu 2. SD3 is the third of the series and was never released in the U.S., hence it is still called "Seiken Densetsu 3."
What liked: Class System, Multiple story lines, the RIGHT 2nd class change What disliked: Carlie, Throwback Secret of Mana features What to expect: a "nightblade" induced hissyfit What not to expect: Secret of Mana 2 What different from last game: weapons are bought, not upgraded, spells do not level up, slower spell casting, Feels less colorful, characters can use only one type of weapon, Items are much more useful (because you can choose a party without a healer, which is hard to handle, but possible) class change system, 6 main characters as opposed to three. Ratings on: Control 8 Graphics 8 Sound 10 Style 9 Ratings on: 1st hour 10 5th hour 10 1st week 9 2nd week 9 1st month 7 #1 reason why I hate this game: "No! NO!! NOT VACUUM SWORD!! AAAAHHH!!" Special Notes: 1. Since I have no physical consoles at my disposal, so I rely on emulators to review games. 2. This game was not translated by square. The excellent English translation was made by the good people (person?) at www4.ncsu.edu/~nscorlet/SD3/ I am unfortunately unable to access this site. Because God hates me. Check it out if that pleases you.
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