Stella Deus

by Atlus

Product Features

• Hunt down spirits to further alchemical studies that may stop the Miasma
• Over 50 hours of tactical gameplay, as you collect new characters, weapons and items
• Effectively manage your characters to launch devastating Team Attacks
• Multiple side quests like the Catacombs of Trial
• Customize your inventory by fusing and creating items

Product Details

• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000784XGW
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.8 x 0.5 inches
• Media: Video Game
• Release Date: April 28, 2005
• Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #13,310 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)

Product Description

Stella Deus: The Gate Of Eternity is an incredible game world, completely hand-drawn and with voiced dialogue that brings the world to life. A deadly mist called the "Miasma" spreads across the land, killing all in its path. Having forsaken hope, the inhabitants simply await their deaths -- except a young soldier and female shaman who believe they can stop their eventual extinction.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Mediocre effort. Tactical RPG fans need more depth., May 29, 2005

By 

J. J. Biron "J" (North Las Vegas, NV United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Fun:3.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Stella Deus (Video Game)

Seeing the same 5 enemies over, and over, and over, with the occasional "guest appearance" is not my idea of depth, or replay value.
The battle system is well thought out. (even if it hasn't changed since Hoshigami) Instead of a move and then an action like every other TRPG out there, you have 100 AP (action points) to spend every turn. You can either use some of this to move and some to for an action in the traditional way, or you can move just a little bit, but not enough to place your next move after the enemy, and then basically get a free quarter turn. Also good is that you can attack as many times as your AP will allow. Some characters, if not moved, can get in upto 3 attacks a turn.
Now I will say that there is some depth to customizing your characters, but not nearly enough. Maybe if the game had come out BEFORE Final Fantasy tactics I'd have been fine with it, but it can't hold a candle to FFT's job system. To say nothing of Disgaea and Phantom Brave.
The whole item combination system is nice, but the recipes are a little too arbitrary. That is to say there's no logic as to why you would get any specific outcome. (cloth armor + herb = lance???) It's trial and error and that's it.
The quests are similar to Final Fantasy Tactics but even in that simple regard the game comes up short. The quests give either a fight or some info.
The big problem here is that after playing games with insane amounts of depth like the aforementioned FFT, Disgaea, and Phantom Brave...
Well this game just doesn't measure up.
Not only that, but those same 5 enemies you see over and over? They're also what your mercenaries look like.
Whoohoo.
Also there's a blue haze over the screen during battles and it gets annoying. Yeah I understand that it's the 'miasma', but I'd still like to see the games visuals sans blue fog.
So. Solid but not something you can really sink into.

19 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Basically next gen hoshigami, May 25, 2005

By 

Isackson "Reader/Gamer" (WA) - See all my reviews

= Fun:4.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Stella Deus (Video Game)

Fans of Atlus' PS1 Tactical RPG Hoshigami are doubtlessly going to find alot to like in Stella Deus.

It's very much stylistically similar to Hoshigami with a few interesting tweaks such as Fusion - combineing two items to make 1 unique item (think bow + axe = cloth shirt?)and much more indepth character developement.

What i really liked about Hoshigami was it's unique twist on turned based combat - the ability to speed up a characters next turn by taking no action or little action. Stella Deus brings the same kind of strategic depth by also utilizing the same feature.

Another important point to make is that so far i've found Stella Deus to be one of the more difficult tactical RPGs i've ever played. Despite spending a fair amount of time leveling up i've had to resort to cheap tactics in a few battles. (such as getting a boss to chase one character while pumbeling him with arrows for an hour from an elevated position)This does alot to hurt the overall experience.

In short there are alot of other tactical RPGs for the PS2 i would recommend over Stella Deus (such as Disgaea Hour of Darkness and Growlanser Generations)but if you especially liked Hoshigami or want something a little different then Stella Deus is definately worth checking out.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Its about time, June 1, 2005

By 

David Skipper "Superman" (Memphis TN) - See all my reviews

= Fun:4.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Stella Deus (Video Game)

I've always liked SRPGs, but they're just aren't enough of them. Especially for the PS2. FFT is the best I've played, but I'd proprably put this right after it. Disgaea was fun with outrageous levels, but I wouldn't want to do that again. {2 much work} Lapucelle and Phantom Brave didn't really do much for me. The reason I instantly liked Stella Deus more than the nimon ichi {don't know how to spell it but u know who I mean} games is because of the story. Its no FFT, but at least its worth hearing. Disgaea was comedy driven, but Phantom Brave insulted me with its kiddy simplistic story. Stella Deus gameplay wise, is solid. Its not as complicated to learn as the others, but it isn't shallow either. Instead of set turns, its all a matter of AP.
Example: The more armor you wear, the more weight, hence the more AP will be spent on each action. The only promblem I have is the afore-mentioned lack of enemies. Cool bosses, every now and again, but mostly the same old enemy classes. Unlike FFT where you didn't see certain classes until later in the game, Stella Deus decided to show you all of them pretty much right off the bat. Also, {and for some reason none of the reviewers seemed to mention this} the graphics are the best I've seen in an SRPG. I know thats not saying much, but its true.