Customer Reviews

Mystic Heroes

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The video game in question is Mystic Heroes for the Playstation 2, and this is an overall review to the game. I myself have bought, played, beaten, and sold this game so I know all there is about it. Tne number one thing to remember for this game is that it is made by Koei which is the company that made Samurai Warriors and Dynasty Warriors. This game isn't an exact copy of these games, but it is similar to it in many ways. The battle system is the same with few exeptions, and the style of the game is similar too. If you dont like the Dynasty Warriors series than this is NOT a good choice for you. Instead buy Dark Cloud. However if you are a fan of these games this is a perfect decision for you! The game is in an Anime style and the camera angles are yours to command! The game has four characters but on the Playstation version you canb unlock four more. The music on the game is similar to Samurai Warriors as opposed to Dynasty Warriors. (...)

I'm a big fan of Koei games, Dynasty Warriors and Three Kingdoms Series, so I had high hopes for this Original Title. Now i want to start of saying that 3 Stars is not bad. Most people in reviews say "Yeah I love it!" and slap 5 stars on it. For me their have only been 3 games I'd consider 5 stars going to, Chrono Trigger, and possibly Baldur's Gate 1, or Final Fantasy 6. I can tell you right off the bat this game is no Chrono Trigger, or Dynasty Warriors 3(worthy of 4 stars). People expecting either of these from this game will be dissapointed. All in all, it's a fun title to play, but I would not reccomend it for a lot of people.

Story is pretty basic, nothing original. Big evil Sorcer/Emporer and his henches were sealed up aeons (is that spelled right?) ago, and have escaped due to the infite power of the Dragon Star, that comes once every millenia(again apologies for bad spelling). The script is basically all those one liners you've heard before, "I shall make them all pay!" "We shall stop your evil plans!" And kinda funny sometimes. All in all, it's by no means bad, but nothing engaging and gets a solid 3.

Graphics are prolly what will turn people off. They have that chibi or SD(Super Deformed) look that make sit look kind of childish. Landscapes looked nice, and the characters are bright and vibrant but thats about it. Enemies tend to be dark textures, and either blend into the background or each other. Magic effects are nice, but don't use the full powers of the PS2, prolly to eliminate the slow down prevelant in Dynasty Warriors. Some good some bad, again it comes up 3.

Gameplay is well done, and pretty much the same as Dynasty Warriors(boy, anyone else notice the simalarities these games have). Your main objective on a stage is to defeat the boss, but you have all the underlings and baddies to deal with. You rack up a KO count, find special items to boost stats, and save the day. There are 4 different elements... I bet you can all guess what they are, well HA your wrong! They use Ice not Water so =P. Anywho there are different Spell attack combos, mixed with your Weapon Attacks, and is actually loads of fun. My only complaint here is that wthe game isn't very fast paced. Your guys tend to feel sluggish when runing, even with speed boosts. Hell it's still fun esspcially when you dual Lightnig and Wind with your buddy. Overall a good 4.

Sound has got to be the weakest aspect of the game. The voice acting isn't horrendous actually! Koei seems to be hiring people who can act and fit the characters. Well in most cases, however some of them seem to be really annoying. I really hate that voice at the startup that goes "Mystic HEROES!". It grates my nerves. Music is standard, repeating theme, and charcter sounds are basic. If you have $1000 surround sound system, you won't need it. Sound finishes with a 2.

Replay has got to be Koei's greatest forte. They know howto keep people playing again and again. Whether 4 player action, going thorught the Story with a different Character, or simply collecting all the runes, there is a lot to do. This ofcourse only implies if you like the game to begin with. Replay finsihes strong with another 4.

This game is fun, no Dynasty Warriors, but still quite enjoyable. If your eagerly awaiting for Dynasty 4, I'm sure this game wil tide you over(unless your an uber freak picking up Extreme Legenends).

This game is amazing and I love this game, and not one of my friends hasn't loved the game we spent 4 days straight playing this game it's just that fun. If any of you didn't know it was rated 4th for overall multiplayer of the year. It's graphics are really good and the moves you can perform are awesome, you can jump over a sword that's in mid swing and nail an oppenent without touching the ground first (once you get good enough). I suggest checking out this game all my friends are trying to find a PS2 copy, but untill then we just have a greate time playing my gamecube copy.

To start with, I'd like to say that I LOVE this game. I've been playing it with my best friend since... well since I found this game so many years ago. It was new then, which it's most obviously not now due to the scratches I've scored into the glossy surface of the disc. At first, I placed a full five stars onto this review because I've had so many amazing memories with this simplistic, but crisp and beatiful game. However, I've considered some points my father, who dislikes this game, have given me over the years.

Visuals: 9/10
They're not AMAZING in that they're not realistic, but that doesn't mean they're not EXCELLENT, anyways. They're somewhere in-between cartoonesque and simply... adorable. But they're also clean. The motion is easy to follow and doesn't break up into "floating pixels" or become jerky and choppy. The characters are all distinctly different, visually, and their attacks also have unique, and crisp, visuals. Try Lani's ice moves; watch as gleaming ice crystals spring up eagerly in front of you. Use Naja's fire magic; see snapping, licking flames spit at the air. Test Shiga's earthly moves as green swirls ripple across the screen. Sample Tai's lightening; see the sharp, spiky shocks. Even their movements are different! As included in their stat lists, they move at different speeds (because of this I refuse to use Tai and, often, my favorite: Naja). Tai has a stiff, lumbering gait. Shiga is fast, excitable, and full of energy; he bounds with each step. Lani is graceful and swift and elegant. Naja is confident and surefooted: moving with purpose. And the colors! Crisp, not muddied, and all so vibrant and clear! Also, there are occasional video clips, all of which are lovely.

Audio: 7/10
First off, the sound is loud. Make sure your volume isn't cranked up before you put in the disc. But, unlike most games, I don't mind the music. I could play this game for hours- and I have -and the music NEVER grates on my nerves. And the characters shout out every once in a while "Thanks, leave the shrimps for me" (Shiga) or "Wait up!" (Lani). Even these are perfectly suited to their characters and is just one of those little touches that makes this game amazing. Also, if you're playing single player and have computer player troops and they need help they'll shout out in their own distinct voices: "I'm in need of assistance!" or "I need help!" or "HELP ME!". (To which Shiga, at least, responds to with "Don't worry; I'm coming!". During video clips, the voices keep their bright, chiming voices without becoming staticy. I think my only problem is their combined "MYSTIC HEROES" in the beginning.

Plot: 10/10
Changed from eight out of ten; original review for plot:
If you're playing with other people, you might not even get a GLIMPSE of the intricately detailed plot. But play just one mission by yourself and you'll see. I'd tell it here but, honestly, it's best to let it unfold in front of you. Enjoy, okay? It's good. Not too complicated and far from original but still, beautiful in its simplicity.
Okay, so I just beat a uber high level mob that kinda kicked the crap out of me for a while and found out: there's even MORE to the game than I thought. What I thought was the last level (long story, don't ask) was far from it! The plot's longer and more detailed than I could have hoped; I love this game!

Replay factor: 10/10
I've replayed EVERY aspect of this game, it's not even funny how many times. There are timed trials you can do, which are fun because everyone likes beating their own records; it brings out competitiveness even when you're alone. Sadly, I'm not very good at those but I still try over and over. And they game, itself? I've started over so many times with so many different players, or redone levels to try to get things I missed before (like level ups that increase my maximum health or mana or give me a new element I can use). This has an incredibly high replay factor.

Multi-player gaming: 8/10
There are only a few problems with this. First of all: you can do multi player gaming BY YOURSELF. You just put everyone else as computer or disabled. Easy. Secondly, there are so many different WAYS to do multiplayer in this game. My favorite is the normal gaming, where you fighting with each other against all the mobs. But you can do battles against each other, or even one on ones where you get a set number of lives and lose one if your health reaches zero or you get flung off the platform (you can choose traps for this level, which are barrels around the edges that explode if hit). There are a lot of ways and even I haven't done a bunch of them so scroll through your options and try! ALSO! IN MULTIPLAYER MODE, YOU DO NOT HAVE TO USE THE CORRESPONDING ELEMENT FOR YOUR CHARACTER. HOWEVER, YOU ARE REQUIRED TO STICK WITH ONE ELEMENT. YOU WILL GET A CHOICE OF WHICH ELEMENT AND THEN WHICH LEVELS YOU WANT EACH ATTACH (EITHER ALL AROUND 2 OR 3 OR ONE AT 4 AND THE REST AT 1 AND 2 AND SO ON). THEN YOU CAN CHOICE HOW STRONG YOU (AND THE COMPUTER PLAYERS) ARE (HANDICAPPING). The problem with this mode, though, is that even when you have 3 people, the screen gets split horribly. The 2nd players gets a tiny screen and the third is equal (even if it's computer controlled). Honestly, the map (in the first person's large rectangle) shows where each person is. Why do we need to see the computer player? Maybe a health bar would be important, or the third's symbol flashing red when it was low on health but it taking a fourth of the screen-while this main sound stilly because "What else would it do?" is largely distracting. Perhaps that's my fault because I watch all screens, even when fighting. But that's because I want to make sure my friends (who aren't as experienced with this game as I am- to say the least) don't get stuck in a mob they can't fight (like a lump of Bruins in stage one). Still, though, playing with 2 people, or with as many as you want as long as it's not computer controlled, is enjoyable.

Game controls: 8/10
This game is, essentially, a slash and hack style RPG with magic. You CAN just smash buttons and do okay, honestly. And if it's your first time playing you'll probably slip into doing so. However, if you watch what each move does (and which works best for you, as some players have good power [hand to hand: O button] and some have good magic [hand to hand: SQUARE button, projected: TRIANGLE button]). So the controls are simple. You can be a button spammer and do fine. But you can also learn combinations and skills that will keep you alive and earn you more points.
Notes on the attacks: If you're using fire, your attacks will look like this (all controls go through each element): Pressing triangle once will cause balls of fire to be flung from you in the direction you are facing. Holding it down will let you lock onto targets and then you can hit many at once (the lock on window will close if you get hit). You can jump with X. While you're in the air you can use O to do a sword attack or SQUARE to do an attack that sends your element (fire, in this case) in all directions around you. It's highly effective if you're surrounded, especially if you're using earth or lightening (stunners) or ice (freezing). You can do SQUARE from standing to do a chain attack with your magic, longer if you have more mana points. Slamming O will cause you to swing your weapon.
On the title screen: If you do NOT press anything, it will start showing you a clip. On this clip, you can scroll between the characters. It will show you their stats. Then it will show you how they attack (the other characters).

Level ups: 9/10 (used to be: 7/10)
The level ups can only be used RIGHT THEN. That's not a problem at all if it increases your total health or mana, is it? And it's only a slight annoyance if it gives you a 15-20 second boost of speed/attack/defense/or even "Invincible". Right? But what if it's health (those adorable pink peaches)? What if you're full health but you know you're about to go into battle and that's why you're smashing these barrels: for level ups. But you know if you use the health now, it's wasted. But if you wait until you need it.... it'll have faded! The same is true for the mana restoring fruit (same shape, basically, but less common and a grayer colour).
Note: While there's nothing you can do to restore health, restoring mana is EASY. You can hit hand to hand for a while and that will do it OR, IF YOU'RE NOT AROUND ANYONE TO FIGHT YET, hold down square and R1. This will restore mana but will end if you get attacked. Make sure you hold BOTH down. I
And I totally forgot some for one player mode! The RUNES, baby, which let you use OTHER elements besides your own! And, also, the ones that increase your max health or magic or defense... smash barrels later on; cool level ups become much more common.

Ease of playing: 10/10!
AS I SAID: new comers CAN just mash buttons. Magic is an effective way of killing peons. But if it were ALL that simple, the game would get boring and repetitive, no? That's why they're bosses. Everywhere. And archers- gotta love them, right?. Just on the first stage of multiplayer: A handful of Bruins, a Konga (nasty bugger always corners me on the stairs), and these cannon things that shoot you with bombs constantly! On the first level of single player mode(first level of Shiga or Lani): archers galore, levels upon levels of peons, and the ROC, a giant fire breathing bird. I say: slash and magic the hell out of it's feet. It can be intimidating but by far the easiest way. And! Also, kill as many peons as possible first. And around behind the ROC; smash some barrels. There's something you VERY MUCH want back there; I promise.

Overall (not an average): 9/10!
I just adore this game. It's not AMAZING like some new games for other systems. But you can play it for hours- I have. And it's simple and lovely. The characters are all so different from each other: in their gait, their voice, their magic, and what they say! It's amazing. And- the plot is addicting. It's not new or hard but it's like a drug. The whole game is. It has some down falls but, ultimately, I highly recommend it.

Quick character breakdown

Shiga: I use him a lot, if I'm in multiplayer so I can use fire. He has a decent average of speed, magic, and power. His earth magic, though, I find annoying (as I find Tai's) because it's a stunner and does little actual damage with SQUARE. Still, his hand to hand is excellent. And, while not as fast as Lani, he can move without you going "COME ON, DANG YOU!". That means he can run away if you need to. ;)

Lani: The fastest runner. She has ice magic, which can freeze someone in a blue crystal so she can hit them. The magic doesn't do all that much damage but she can wail on them hand to hand. HOWEVER, she can't do all that much damage if she's surrounded besides run away and lure them in small groups.

Tai: He's SO SLOW. I refuse to use him. His attacks are fine but he's so damn slow and the attacks are too. DON'T USE HIM. Also, his magic is a stunner and worthless. They're just going to annoy the hell out of your teammates when you do multiplayer.

Naja: My favorite power: fire. However, she's the second slowest and that can be annoying. Thankfully, her powerful moves make it worth it (most of the time). Her fire magic is damage inducing, not a stunner or freezer.

I, personally, do Shiga or Naja in one player mode, usually Shiga. Especially because he (and Lani) start with the ROC level and Naja and Tai start on a terrible level full of wolves and water, which slows the slow people down even more. Though I like fire magic, I go with Shiga because you'll unlock more magic somewhat quickly. In multiplayer, I ALWAYS DO SHIGA WITH FIRE MAGIC. The last choice, which is an average of levels 2 or 3.

If you like the game play of the dynasty warrior games then you will like this one. The things different are all the different types of magic attacks that each charecter has. The charecters are adult midgets and you dont get the same intense battle feeling as dynasty warriors. Its a fun game. The gameplay is great. It last a long time, i got hooked.

This game is amazing and I love this game, and not one of my friends hasn't loved the game we spent 4 days straight playing this game it's just that fun. If any of you didn't know it was rated 4th for overall multiplayer of the year. It's graphics are really good and the moves you can perform are awesome, you can jump over a sword that's in mid swing and nail an oppenent without touching the ground first (once you get good enough). I suggest checking out this game all my friends are trying to find a PS2 copy, but untill then we just have a greate time playing my gamecube copy.

This is probably the best game I have played in my whole life!!!
Im so hooked on this game!Me and my little brother love this game so we are finally bying it (because we have only rented this)! I recomend this game to anyone that loves destroying evil with killer moves!!!!!

This game is wonderfull. The graphics are great and the reality is great as well. The only bad thing is all you do is fight, no wlaking around to do other stuff,and that it is hard to see the other guys in 3-4 player mode. {P.S: This games is not for 7 year olds because of it's violence.} Over all this game is 4 out of 5!

I hate to say it but I am dissapointed about the way this game. When i first played it at my freinds house it was the biggest insult to hack'n slash games. The thing I thought was dumb was the fact that these are little freaks trying to act like big people. The characters look childish. The only thing good about this game is the fact that it has 4 Player co-op mode but then that stinks too because the little screens ae so small u have squint ur little eyes just to see something. (...)

It rocks. Awesome graphics and sweet gameplay. If i had a nickel every hour i played it, Then i'd live in Florida. This game is cool because you can be different people and then fight stuff. I like eggs. I like eggs. I like eggs.