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Chaos Rings
Publisher: Square Enix
Developer: Square Enix
Genre: RPG
Release Date: April 5, 2010
Platform: Wireless
Price: $12.99
Reviewer: Eric
Square Enix is going on a mass release rampage on any device that plays their
video games. As of late the iPod Touch/iPhone has been the home to some of the
better portable releases and that is thanks to the quality games Square Enix
makes. Their latest original RPG, Chaos Rings, is a great example on why Square
Enix puts out quality games and it also shows why more gamers should look into
buying another portable gaming machine.
Chaos Rings tells the story of two pairs of characters who are summoned by The
Agent, an evil force who is making these warriors fight in the Arc Arena. The
winners reward is eternal life but what they have to go through might cost them
their own lives before they can get that glorious prize.
Not the greatest plot from Square Enix and it is sort of light at points with
the whole story. For an original handheld RPG on the iPod Touch/iPhone it is
good. There are some twists towards the end and the character development is
strong. Even though you only get to prick from two of the four teams Chaos Rings
still brings out the best in the others. At times it almost feels like these
other characters are in your team so you have got to give credit to Square Enix
for creating this sneaky illusion.
For $12.99 you get to pick from the two teams (like I said above). Each team
will give you around 6 to 8 hours of gameplay. If you are a hardcore RPG fanboy
then it might take you one hour less, but if you do the math this is more
gameplay time than some of those full priced RPGs. The amount of time that was
squeezed into this game is amazing and it only takes around 250mb worth of
space.
The traditional turn-based gameplay mechanics in Chaos Rings is a perfect cure
for those Final Fantasy Blues (Final Fantasy XIII…it just still hurts). Battles
can occur in random encounters with the rock solid combat system that was made
famous all the way back in the NES era. The only real difference with the battle
system here are the pair features and the break system.
The pair feature gives you the choice to fight together with one strong blow.
This can be risky since you lose more damage when the enemies attack you. If you
just want to play it safe you can do the traditional one move at a time. It all
just matters on what strategy you want to use in battle really. Just trust me
when I say that you have to balance it out, don’t just stick with single usage
or the pair command.
Square Enix also added in the break system. This little doozey lets you know who
has the advantage in battle. Things are a lot easier when you have the advantage
but if you don’t get ready to feel the pain. Something so simple is quite
helpful. Maybe this should be in all future Square Enix role playing games?
Characters in battles can learn Gene Plates. These are skills from the monsters
that your warriors can use in battle. Mastering everything you can earn will
make things easier so take the time and do so. Think of the Gene Plates as the
equipment setup in Final Fantasy IX where everything you bought/found gave you
new skills to use.
A traditional old school RPG by the name of Chaos Rings has a downfall to it.
The in-game puzzles are completely out of place. You’ll be traveling the
different areas of the game and then there is one of these stupid push puzzles
that ruin the pace of the game. I have to no problem with the difficulty curve
on these puzzles but why in the world would puzzles be thrown into the mix like
this?
Chaos Rings has stunning graphics, very similar to the Final Fantasy series on
the original Playstation console, which is thanks to art designer Yusuke Naora.
The games presentation seems almost too good really and I am still shocked a
game like this could be made on the iPod Touch/iPhone. Chaos Rings sound is just
as good too, never loosing pace of what is going on in the game.
Most role playing games on the iPod Touch/iPhone have the controls set in two
places and then you have to deal with the pain. Chaos Rings pretty much lets you
put your finger down and move. The joystick will pop up wherever you want to use
your finger. All upcoming RPG games on Apple’s device should use this control
scheme.
Final Verdict
How much would you pay for a RPG like this? Most likely the typical consumer
would pay between $30 to $40 on a portable or $60 plus on a next generation
console. Chaos Rings offers more than your average portable role playing game.
To be quite honest and very blunt if you either have an iPod Touch or iPhone
then you need to buy this $12.99 RPG immediately.
Rating Breakdown
Gameplay: 9 out of 10
+ Traditional RPG with new gameplay mechanics makes this a
winner.
- Those goddamn puzzles…maybe a director’s cut without them
would be nice.
Story: 7 out of 10
+ An overall solid story with some twists towards the end.
- Until the end the game plays out like other average RPG
titles.
Graphics: 10 out of 10
+ Best looking game I have played on my iPod Touch.
- Nothing.
Audio: 9 out of 10
+ Great score that never gets dull.
- It’s still good but not as good as other Square Enix
scores.
Replay Value: 10 out of 10
+ Two stories with 15 hours or more of gameplay! What a steal
at $12.99.
- Nothing.
Overall
9 out of 10
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