Eternal Sonata - does it get more difficult or strategic?

[saguy]

I am enjoying the whole feel, story and graphics of the game, but am starting to get bored with the combat. It was fun in the beginning but I am now finding that there is not much of a challenge or option for strategy or developing your characters. I have just finished the hanging cliffs level and the last couple of bosses I beat very easily and not one of my party's health bar went below 80%.

I was playing Blue Dragon at my sister's place which has a very nice battle, skill and levelling system. It does not however have as good a story, graphics or atmosphere as Eternal Sonata.

Does the combat change much further on apart from giving you less time to complete moves as you level up because it looks like I will not be continuing as it's becoming too easy?

 

[saguy]

The combat and dungeon design in Eternal Sonata destroyed the game for me. Combat is either easy and repetetive or in the case of the bonus dungeon frustratingly difficult, button mashey and mind numbingly tedious, as FTM says for the later fights (boss) it comes down to stringing together long attack chains in a system akin to playing Boom Boom Rocket on Hard. So if you're hating it already it's only going to get worse. Why anyone would think fighting the same 3 mobs, in the same 3 positions, with the same 3 moves and tactics over and over and over again in boring, confusing respawning dungeons is fun I'll never know. (The bonus dungeon rates as the worst single dungeon I've ever played through in any rpg).

All a bit of a shame really as the story and characters are all quite interesting. They even string out the achivements so that you can only get a maximum of 340 from the first play through hoping you'll play a second time where the enemies are tougher requiring even longer and more tedious fights.

I've played and finished ever rpg on the 360 (yep, including Enchanted Arms, Phantasy Star Universe and Two Worlds) and really do think I enjoyed this the least for the reasons stated.

Enchanted Arms - you must be a sucker for punishment. What is Phantasy Star Universe like, is it an adult game or for Kids or both?

It's a real shame about the combat system cause the rest of the game is solid and looks so pretty. Combat is the core of any RPG so I am afraid I will be selling this on Amazon. I hope Lost Odyssey will be OK as I do enjoy playing RPG's on consoles as its more comfortable and relaxing than on PC.