IGN feel like a broken record when it comes to Atlus titles on DS, but it still rings true. In most cases, you already know if you're a fan of the company's products, and if you like one, you'll most likely enjoy (or at least appreciate) them all. Some are more mainstream than others, but Rondo of Swords feels like the exact opposite of games like Trauma Center or even Odin Sphere, and is a title that'll seem to lurk in the darkest corner of the strangest game shops out there.
It joins the ranks of games like Lumious Arc, Etrian Odyssey, and Summon Knight as titles that some gamers will never hear of, but others swear by. It's simple, visually basic, but very difficult and rewarding as well. It isn't Fire Emblem, and it isn't Final Fantasy Tactics. It's Rondo of Swords: A simple, challenging, entertaining turn-based strategy that dares to be different, and succeeds despite its flaws. If that's your cup of tea, by all means drink up.
Play Online writes:
"One of the strengths of the DS as a gaming platform is that, because of its worldwide popularity, it has received a library of games that is absolutely stunning not only in scope but also in size. The problem with such a situation, however, is that it is dreadfully easy for good games to get lost in the shuffle, as both a high amount of releases each month and a set selection of "guaranteed" hits can make it hard to know what lesser-known titles are worth tracking down.
So, as we prepare to step into the world of gaming that 2009 has in store for us, let me take a moment to look back to 2008, and briefly talk about five great DS titles that it's quite likely you may have missed."
Hmm actually I only missed one of those games: Pop Cutie! Street Fashion Simulation and I think we know why...
GI.net: "The game follows a young prince named Serdic of Bretwalde, whose kingdom was destroyed by the neighboring Grand Meir Empire. Also, the sacred sword has become corrupted, so Serdic cannot become coroneted until the sword is purified. Along the way, Serdic will encounter an intriguing cast of characters from a gentleman bandit to wizards of various temperaments to noble knights. Each character feels unique and, depending on the battle, will talk to each other on the battlefield.
Graphically, the game feels like something out of the early Super Nintendo/Sega Genesis era, yet it is highly refined. Everything is bright and colorful, and there are silky smooth backgrounds. Sprites are animated well, except none of them walk across the screen. You tell them where to go, and POP, there they are. The story is told first through the top screen, letting you know what is going on, and then there is dialogue between the characters and then you get to the battle. Characters' faces change depending on the dialogue. (Also, note, all of this is completely skipable at a press of a button. Most of the time.) In essence, it is vanilla in its presentation."
1UP writes: "I'm not in the habit of reviewing games I haven't beaten, but every once in a while, I make an exception. Some games aren't really meant to be beaten, like Pokémon -- yeah, you can "win," but the game goes on long beyond the final battle, even after you've surrendered to the marketing slogans and caught 'em all. And some games -- like Success and Atlus' Rondo of Swords -- I review once they've beaten me."
