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Ragnarok Odyssey Ace Review


See PixlBit's Review Policies

On 05/19/2014 at 12:00 PM by Jon Lewis

Fun, but forgettable.
RECOMMENDATION:

For those who want a simple, but fun monster hunting game.

Going into Ragnarok Odyssey ACE I was excited. To find out that the game was a spin-off of the one MMORPG that I actually was fully engrossed in for a period of time was a treat. Though this game and Ragnarok Online are indeed very different, the similarities and shared aspects were apparent from the get go. However, while I enjoyed those aspects, I may have been better off getting the Playstation Vita version.

Ragnarok Odyssey ACE is in many ways a combination of Ragnarok Online and Monster Hunter. You create a character, pick a class and are placed in a hub where you can select quests, buy weapons, armor and accessories, and even party up with players via the internet. The MMO roots are in full force as seen in many of the UI decisions, from the menus to the chat and emote system.

Being an ex-RO player, I was happy to see how much was carried over. Things like the card system add a great layer of customization to battle. The cards attach to weapons and armor and supply active bonuses to your character with a new ability or strength buff. Cards can be bought at the store, but primarily they are dropped from enemies.

The game follows a simple formula where you accept quests and go out on the field to accomplish them. Tasks are relatively simple, ranging from collecting a certain item to defeating certain enemies and boss creatures. Unlike the MMO, combat takes place in real time with full control over your character. There are strong and weak attacks to chain together to create stylish combos. There are also special attacks that you can use that pack an extra punch if necessary. The combat is initially a bit clunky compared to the average action game as the button configuration isn’t necessarily as intuitive as it could be. That said, I was initially intrigued more than I had ever been with games like Monster Hunter. This is mainly due to the fast pace and stylish nature of the combat. The moves are cool yet simple. Other layers of the combat include a mode that gives you a huge power boost, but decreases your health slowly over a period of time.

Though I enjoyed my time playing, one thing really stuck out to me. The game is clearly designed for a handheld system, and considering Ragnarok Odyssey is a Playstation Vita game, the transition to console feels quite redundant. As I went from mission to mission, I knew that if I had the game on the go, I’d be more likely to pop the game on and do a mission or two while waiting for class or sitting in transit. When I played at home, I often got bored after a few missions. This package is clearly for those who want to expand on their handheld experience more.

Ragnarok Odyssey ACE isn’t a bad game by any means. The combat, though somewhat repetitive still has redeeming qualities in the form of multiple class options, and online multiplayer to mix things up. The biggest fault in my opinion is redundancy, as I felt that I’d be more likely to play the handheld version of the game due to its structure. Still, if you are looking for a faster Monster Hunter, you wouldn’t be doing badly by giving this game a shot.

Review Policy

In our reviews, we'll try not to bore you with minutiae of a game. Instead, we'll outline what makes the game good or bad, and focus on telling you whether or not it is worth your time as opposed to what button makes you jump.

We use a five-star rating system with intervals of .5. Below is an outline of what each score generally means:


All games that receive this score are standout games in their genre. All players should seek a way to play this game. While the score doesn't equate to perfection, it's the best any game could conceivably do.


These are above-average games that most players should consider purchasing. Nearly everyone will enjoy the game and given the proper audience, some may even love these games.


This is our middle-of-the-road ranking. Titles that receive three stars may not make a strong impression on the reviewer in either direction. These games may have some faults and some strong points but they average out to be a modest title that is at least worthy of rental for most.


Games that are awarded two stars are below average titles. Good ideas may be present, but execution is poor and many issues hinder the experience.


Though functional, a game that receives this score has major issues. There are little to no redeeming qualities and should be avoided by nearly all players.


A game that gets this score is fundamentally broken and should be avoided by everyone.


 

Comments

xDarthKiLLx

05/20/2014 at 10:32 AM

i downloaded and played the demo for a bit, it was fun.  I'm going to wait until I see a price drop before I indulge on this for my ps3, but I will eventually get it.

Solid review, very fair.

Jon Lewis Staff Writer

05/20/2014 at 11:42 AM

Thanks. yeah, its quite enjoyable. I just feel its better digested on the system it was made for, Vita.

xDarthKiLLx

05/20/2014 at 01:38 PM

as a reviewer do you buy these games yourself?  or does PixlBit supply you with review code?  Just curious!!

Jon Lewis Staff Writer

05/21/2014 at 12:26 AM

depends on the game. In this case it was a review code. 

xDarthKiLLx

05/21/2014 at 01:34 AM

ahh the perks =)

leeradical42

05/27/2014 at 07:56 PM

Played the demo and figured it was very simplistic compared to the NIS games I play but like you said basic but ok I found it repetitive but I did play  Ragnarock Tactics and did enjoy that one, one of the reasons I played this one but if its cheap enough I may get it but being im three games from owning every NIS game on psn and ps3 I may wait great reveiw by the way.

Jon Lewis Staff Writer

05/27/2014 at 07:59 PM

Thanks. Yeah, it has some good qualities, but the Vita version seems like a better realization of the concept.

Dandichu

06/11/2014 at 05:00 AM

Extremely fair review. I play ACE. I play assassin. Boo on nerfs, hooray on new builds! x)

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