SUIKODEN IV
In this classic game, you name your character and then all of the communication to you is by your name. In the beginning you can choose your teammates. I chose Kenneth and Jewel. That way later in the game you will have a healer (Jewel-water Rune) and someone that can do great damage with his Rune (Kenneth-lightning Rune). A lot of strategy is involved with how you set up yourself and your teammates for turn-based battle. This game has a whole story instead of some shorter-attention span type shooter games. So like a good book, if you want to get into a whole story and help it evolve, this game will keep you entertained for hours as you try to rank up your character along with your teammates.

You and your crew board your ship and can go explore all of the different islands. (having the island map handy is helpful in finding them). As you travel the seas, you constantly run into various foes; fish, seaweed creatures… and you get to battle them to rank up and improve your skills.

I thought this game had a really great story line. The music is interesting and I find the character recruiting across the different islands entertaining. Some characters come with runes, some come with no runes but still attack and some are merchants and some are just there to play games. Some games you play are spinning tops, card games, blocks, dice and fishing. (you can cook the fish you catch and go for records). The standard money in this game is called Potch. You can level your sword skills and buy better armor.

One of the things that can make your character really strong are runes. For example, Water Runes are generally healing, fire runes are generally multiple target damage. Lightning is generally a strong attack toward one person. Earth is generally buffing your characters. Wind is healing, putting the other opponenets to sleep and damage. You can do combined attacks in this game. (for example hero and Snowe’s friendship attack. Lightning and Fire runes at the max. level if you put them on two separate characters can make a flame array. ). Some fights are easier than they should be and some are harder. It is interesting to mix and match characters and see which combinations you like best. There are also one on one duels where the enemy will say things like: “I’ll finish you in one blow”, “come at me!”, and “here I come”. They will be either Special>Attack>Guard. Guard beats special.

Another great thing about this is the on ship Naval battles. You can control a couple of ships and fight against other ships. If u hit from the front or back they can not counter. If you hit from the side it depends which Runeshell cannon you fired. Fire>Wind>Earth>Lightning>Water>Fire. You can also board ships for an on deck battle.

There are many great cut-scenes in this story. Overall I give this game a 9.5.
Gifted Gamer