Unlike the console game, Plus plays in the form of a real time strategy, and not your normal Japanese RPG. Fortunately for those who are unfamiliar with the RTS gameplay, there is a tutorial option that will tie up all of the loose options. The game uses the same combat from other DS games such as Heroes of Mana, and Final Fantasy XII: Revenent Wings. You control the characters with the touch screen, and in fact, that's how you control everything in the game. The buttons and other controls do almost nothing. The characters are extremely slow moving, to the fact that you have time to watch TV while you're guys are moving to go battle some mechas.
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When Ignition picked up the rights for Blue Dragon Plus back in 2008, it wouldn't be far wrong to admit a few eyebrows were raised across the gaming scene. Not only had the aesthetically pleasing 360 original Blue Dragon failed to launch the JRPG genre on the new hardware, there was little indication that a sequel would be making an appearance so soon, especially on the smaller screens of the DS, and in the form of an RPG/RTS hybrid.
RWM writes: "Blue Dragon is a strange series. Decent game ideas but nothing new or innovative. Enjoyable game play with unbelievably irritating characters. The shadow ranks are interesting but only need to be levelled to around 36 in the 360 version - making any further advancement pointless beyond the achievements gained. Why do that? Why not reward people for slaving away at your game for hours? Where's my ultimate shadow skill for hitting rank 99? I'll do it for the right reward…I bred Chocobos for DAYS to get Knights of the Round. Reward me for my dedication damn you! These and other frustrations led to me getting very close to the end of Blue Dragon, but never finishing it."
